CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 05-04, regarding a report on posting "yield to pedestrian" signs where there are signals that conflict between pedestrian and motorists.

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 05-08, regarding a report on extending work hours for Parking Control Officers until 9:00 pm in the Porter Square area.

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 04-118, regarding a report on coordinating an appropriate recognition for Cambridge native and famed jazz saxophone player Johnny Hodges.

4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $50,000 in medallion equity revenues to the License Commission General Fund Other Ordinary Maintenance account to be used to continue the Accessible Cambridge Transportation Program that manages and oversees all accessible vehicles in the City and to coordinate and monitor services to seniors and persons with disabilities.

5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a supplemental appropriation of a FY 2003 Homeland Security Grant through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety for $53,183 to the Grant Fund Fire Department Travel and Training account to allow public safety personnel to plan, exercise with and train with the equipment that was purchased through the grant.

6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $80,000 from Employee Benefits Salary and Wages account to the General Fund Police Travel and Training (Judgement & Damages) account to cover medical services and/or prescription reimbursement costs for police personnel injured in the performance of their duties.

7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a transfer from the General Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance ($4,500) account to the General Fund Human Services Travel and Training ($4,500) account to allow the Executive Director and five youth members of the Kids’ Council Youth Involvement Committee to attend the National League of Cities Conference in Washington D.C. from March 11-15, 2005.

ON THE TABLE
1. Placed on the Table on the motion of Councillor Simmons relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-137 of December 22, 2003, regarding a report on the number of investment managers for the pension fund with the list to reflect the number of women-owned and minority-owned investment managers.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Co-Chair of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on November 18, 2004 for the purpose of considering proposed amendments to Chapter 2.74 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, the Police Review and Advisory Board Ordinance. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after February 14, 2005.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Star Variety, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign at the premises numbered 4 Central Square.

2. A zoning petition was received from Joanne Wilbert Weed, et al., requesting an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map to change a Residence C-1 District to a Residence A-2 District, bordered by Willard Street, Foster Street, Sparks Street and Mount Auburn Street.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Kevin Hill, regarding Mahoney’s South Site Abutters.

2. A communication was received from Roy Bercaw, regarding a petition for creation and funding of a City Commission to Oversee Abuse of Vulnerable Citizens (COAVC).

3. A communication was received from Roy Bercaw, regarding police.

4. A communication was received from The DesRoches Family, transmitting thanks for the City Council resolution.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the death of Rosalie M. (Giacchetto) Papagni.   Councillor Toomey, Mayor Sullivan

2. Resolution on the death of Mercy Patricia (Stowe) Brown.   Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio

3. Resolution on the death of Frederick F. Miceli.   Councillor Galluccio, Councillor Toomey

4. Resolution on the death of William P. Herlihy, Sr.   Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio

5. Resolution on the death of Anthony J. Janunas.   Mayor Sullivan

6. Resolution on the death of Anna L. (Murphy) McKinnon.   Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio

7. Resolution on the death of Honorina (Medeiros) Vieira.   Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Toomey

8. Resolution on the death of Mary L. (Lechiaro) Trasente.   Mayor Sullivan

9. Resolution on the death of Elizabeth Krumpe.   Councillor Murphy

10. Resolution on the death of Liberal Ferreira.   Councillor Toomey

11. Resolution on the death of Staff Sergeant Ray Rangel.   Vice Mayor Decker

12. Resolution on the death of Specialist Robert McNail.   Vice Mayor Decker

13. Resolution on the death of Staff Sergeant Kristopher Shepard.   Vice Mayor Decker

14. Resolution on the death of Staff Sergeant William Robbins.   Vice Mayor Decker

15. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Jessica Housby.   Vice Mayor Decker

16. Resolution on the death of Specialist Jeffrey Henthorn.   Vice Mayor Decker

17. Resolution on the death of Lance Corporal Richard Perez, Jr.   Vice Mayor Decker

18. Wishing Henry Seton a Happy 21st Birthday.   Vice Mayor Decker

19. Wishing Chester Mitchell a Happy 80th Birthday.   Mayor Sullivan

20. Wishing Tedy Bruschi a speedy recovery.   Mayor Sullivan

21. Proclaiming the week of Sunday, May 1 through Sunday, May 8, 2005, as Days of Remembrance.   Mayor Sullivan

22. Congratulations and best wishes to Lesley Phillips and Linda Pinti on the happy occasion of their marriage.   Councillor Davis, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Murphy

23. Congratulations to David Villandry on the occasion of his retirement from the School Department and thank him for his thirty-four years of dedicated service.   Mayor Sullivan

24. Resolution on the death of Mary H. (McCann) Norton.   Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan

25. Resolution on the death of Eugenia C. (Palmer) Madigan.   Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan

26. Resolution on the death of Josephine V. Brooks.   Mayor Sullivan

27. Resolution on the retirement of Hilma Unterberger from the Human Services Commission.   Mayor Sullivan

28. Resolution on the death of William J. McDonald.   Councillor Toomey

29. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Michael Arciola.   Vice Mayor Decker

30. Resolution on the death of Sergeant First Class David Salie.   Vice Mayor Decker

31. Resolution on the death of Private First Class David Brangman.   Vice Mayor Decker

32. Resolution on the death of Specialist Dakotah Gooding.   Vice Mayor Decker

33. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Rene Knox, Jr.   Vice Mayor Decker

34. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Chad Lake.   Vice Mayor Decker

35. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Christopher Pusateri.   Vice Mayor Decker

36. Resolution on the death of Specialist Joseph Rahaim.   Vice Mayor Decker

37. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Adam Plumondore.   Vice Mayor Decker

38. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Timothy Osbey.   Vice Mayor Decker

39. Resolution on the death of Staff Sergeant Jason Hendrix.   Vice Mayor Decker

40. Resolution on the death of Specialist Justin Carter.   Vice Mayor Decker

41. Resolution on the death of Specialist Katrina Bell-Johnson.   Vice Mayor Decker

42. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Frank Hernandez.   Vice Mayor Decker

43. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Carlos Gil.   Vice Mayor Decker

44. Resolution on the death of Specialist Seth Trahan.   Vice Mayor Decker

45. Resolution on the death of First Lieutenant Adam Malson.   Vice Mayor Decker

46. Resolution on the death of Specialist Clinton Gerlson.   Vice Mayor Decker

47. Resolution on the death of Corporal John Olson.   Vice Mayor Decker

48. Resolution on the death of Corporal Kevin Clarke.   Vice Mayor Decker

49. Resolution on the death of William (Bill) Carr.   Councillor Murphy

50. The City Council goes on record for supporting the efforts and enhancing conservation measures of the Alewife Reservation and the flood plain.   Councillor Davis

51. Congratulating twins Mike and Mark Davis for their creation of Blokhedz, a supernatural tale.   Councillor Reeves

52. Congratulations to Dr. Alvin Poussaint on being honored for his career contributions to Harvard Medical School.   Councillor Reeves

53. Thanking Black Aids Institute Executive Director Phil Wilson for his visit to Cambridge and Greater Boston.   Councillor Reeves

54. Congratulating Patricia Dance and Donnell Patterson on the very successful 26th Annual Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey "Gospel Jubilee".   Councillor Reeves

55. Best wishes to Professor Henry Lewis Gates during the period of his recuperation.   Councillor Reeves

56. Extending thanks to Professor Charles Ogletree for the many things he does which benefit the people of Cambridge.   Councillor Reeves

57. Congratulations to Jimmy Rita on the occasion of his retirement from the School Department and thank him for his many years of dedicated service   Mayor Sullivan

ORDERS
1. Dedicating a suitable location in the vicinity of East Cambridge in honor of Cosmo and Domenic Camelio.   Councillor Toomey

2. The City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate departments with a view in mind of establishing a shuttle service during certain hours at the Alewife T Station to Rindge Avenue.   Councillor Toomey

3. Support for An Act to Promote Stem Cell Research   Mayor Sullivan

4. Support of the Community Development Block Grant formula funding of no less than $4.350 billion in FY06.   Mayor Sullivan

5. The City Manager is requested to initiate a joint planning process with the School Department to consider city programs, school uses and community uses in the Longfellow and Graham and Parks Schools.   Councillor Davis

6. The City Manager is requested to consult with the Chief Public Health Officer and the Police Commission about the growing trend in abuse of prescription drugs and report back to the City Council with recommendations.   Mayor Sullivan

7. The City Manager is requested to direct Public Works Commissioner to look into leveling the sidewalks on Temple and Bishop Allen Drive (between Temple and Inman.)   Councillor Simmons

8. The City Manager is requested to direct the housing division of the Community Development Department to forward housing and homeowner opportunity information to the resident coordinator at the YMCA at 7 Temple Street.   Councillor Simmons

9. That the committee on Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities conduct a public meeting on NSTAR residential energy efficiency programs particularly as they relate to multi-unit buildings and the ability of tenants to take advantage of energy efficiency programs.   Councillor Davis, Councillor Simmons and Councillor Murphy

10. The City Manager is requested to instruct the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to review the intersection of Sciarappa and Gore Streets with a view in mind of looking at alternative means to make this intersection safe for pedestrians and motorists.   Councillor Toomey

11. That Cambridge, and Yuseong District, Korea agree to collaborate with the Sister Cities International Organization to explore the potential of establishing a Sister City relationship with one another.   Mayor Sullivan

12. The City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department on what the available resources are to help affected individuals and how we are organizing these resources to reach out to those who will be affected by the Section 8 cuts and report back to the City Council.   Vice Mayor Decker

13. The City Manager is requested to confer with the administration of the library services and the School Administration with a goal in mind of merging the library services at CRLS into the new main library.   Councillor Galluccio

14. The City Manager is requested to confer with the Managing Director of the Cambridge Water Department with a goal in mind of developing an audit and review program for all water bills which show significant increases within a short time period and that prior notice be given to the tax payer of the significant increase before establishing liability on the part of the tax payer.   Councillor Galluccio

15. The City Manager is requested to confer with the Superintendent of Schools to consider a space analysis of CRLS.   Councillor Galluccio

16. The City Manager is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Fiscal Affairs with a goal in mind of disseminating information on the "Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Program", a program that provides a state income tax deduction for qualified senior home owners.   Councillor Galluccio

17. Support for the proposed updated Bottle Bill.   Councillor Murphy, Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Decker and Councillor Reeves

18. The Mayor and City Council to set up a Roundtable to discuss community based planning for arts, culture, history and heritage programming.   Councillor Reeves

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Vice Mayor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair of the Health and Environment Committee, for a meeting held on January 19, 2005 for the purpose of receiving an update on the Cambridge Community Mobilizing for Change Around Alcohol program.

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a letter from Timothy F. Hult, Chairman, Carlisle Board of Selectmen, regarding MAPC position on Community Preservation Trust Fund.

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Feb 28
5:00pm   Special Presentation - Barron Center for Men’s Health  (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Mar 1
10:00am   The Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee will conduct a public meeting to continue discussion on using public events and celebrations to further economic development, including discussion of an annual funding mechanism.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 7
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Mar 8
12:00pm   The Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public meeting on the subject of NSTAR and renewable energy.  (Ackermann Room)
3:30pm   The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss issues relative to the efforts of employees of the Cambridge Brands Plant to improve their working conditions.  (Ackermann Room)

Wed, Mar 9
3:30pm   The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on an amendment prepared in response to City Council Order #6 of November 22, 2004. The amendment would change Article 6 of the Zoning Ordinance to ensure that adequate parking is provided when new uses are accommodated in an existing building.  (Sullivan Chamber)
4:00pm   The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Police Review and Advisory Board ("PRAB") Ordinance.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Mar 16
3:30pm   The Human Services and the Public Safety Committees will conduct a joint meeting with the Violence Prevention Task Force to plan a city-wide conversation around the issue of developing a city-wide anti-bullying policy.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 21
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Mar 22
3:00pm   The Veterans Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss creating programs for veterans coming home from the war.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 28
5:30pm   Roundtable City Council Meeting. Meeting with Planning Board. No public comment. No votes will be taken Meeting will not be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 4
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Apr 5
10:00am   The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss creating an advisory board for a "Healthy Living Campaign" that promotes physical activity as well as healthy eating.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 11
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 25
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 2
5:30pm   Roundtable City Council Meeting. Topic to be announced. No public comment. No votes will be taken Meeting will not be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 9
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 16
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 23
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 6
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 13
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 20
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 27
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Council dedicate a suitable location in the vicinity of East Cambridge in honor of Cosmo and Domenic Camelio; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Assistant to the City Council be and hereby is requested to confer with the family and the Department of Public Works to arrange for a suitable sign and dedication ceremony.

O-2     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate departments with a view in mind of establishing a shuttle service during certain hours at the Alewife T Station to Rindge Avenue.

O-3     February 28, 2005
MAYOR SULLIVAN
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record in support of An Act to Promote Stem Cell Research currently under consideration by the Joint Committee of the Massachusetts State Legislature on Economic Development and Emerging Technology (see attached proposed act); and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology, as well as the Cambridge Legislative Delegation, and the Governor of the Commonwealth.

O-4     February 28, 2005
MAYOR SULLIVAN
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of this City Council that the Bush Administration has proposed an elimination of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge, a recipient of the CDBG, received $3,878,000 in funding in FY 2004; and
WHEREAS: 95 percent of these funds were expended on activities benefiting low and moderate income households/persons; and
WHEREAS: These funds aided the City of Cambridge in leveraging a staggering $37,199,072 in private, local, and state funds; and
WHEREAS: These already stretched funds were used for critical affordable housing programs, economic development and employment training, and programming for senior citizens and Cambridge youth; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record in opposition to the elimination of the Community Development Block Grant Program; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record in support of the CDBG formula funding of no less than $4.350 billion in FY06; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Commerce, and the President of the United States on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-5     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to initiate a joint planning process with the School Department to consider city programs, school uses and community uses in the Longfellow and Graham and Parks Schools.

O-6     February 28, 2005
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Chief Public Health Officer and the Police Commission about the growing trend in abuse of prescription drugs and report back to the City Council with recommendations.

O-7     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct Public Works Commissioner to look into leveling the sidewalks on Temple and Bishop Allen Drive (between Temple and Inman.)

O-8     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the housing division of the Community Development Department to forward housing and homeowner opportunity information to the resident coordinator at the YMCA at 7 Temple Street.

O-9     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
ORDERED: That the committee on Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities conduct a public meeting on NSTAR residential energy efficiency programs particularly as they relate to multi-unit buildings and the ability of tenants to take advantage of energy efficiency programs.

O-10     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to review the intersection of Sciarappa and Gore Streets with a view in mind of looking at alternative means to make this intersection safe for pedestrians and motorists.

O-11     February 28, 2005
MAYOR SULLIVAN
WHEREAS: The Sister City Program, administered by Sister Cities International, was initiated by the President of the United States of America in 1956 to encourage greater friendship and understanding between the United States and other nations through direct personal contact; and
WHEREAS: In order to foster such goals, the people of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Yuseong District, Korea, in a gesture of friendship and goodwill, agree to collaborate with the Sister Cities International Organization to explore the potential of establishing a Sister City relationship with one another; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Consul General Won Sun Choi of the Korean Consulate General in Boston on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-12     February 28, 2005
VICE MAYOR DECKER
WHEREAS: The Section 8 Housing Voucher Program has been critical in providing affordable housing opportunities to low income families and seniors; and
WHEREAS: Due to federal cuts to the Section 8 program, the Cambridge Housing Authority will be reducing Section 8 subsides paid to owners receiving more than 100% of the published Fair Market Rents; now therefore be it
ORDERED: The City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department on what the available resources are to help affected individuals and how we are organizing these resources to reach out to those who will be affected by the Section 8 cuts and report back to the City Council.

O-13     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
WHEREAS: One of the major benefits of the proposed new main library is its proximity to CRLS; and
WHEREAS: The new main library should be welcoming and integrated in every way possible with CRLS; and
WHEREAS: Such merger could free up additional space for administrative space needs at CRLS; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the administration of the library services and the School Administration with a goal in mind of merging the library services at CRLS into the new main library.

O-14     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
WHEREAS: Residential water consumers as well as commercial water consumers are sometimes faced with significant water bill increases; and
WHEREAS: These sharp increases can place a severe financial burden on those tax payers; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Managing Director of the Cambridge Water Department with a goal in mind of developing an audit and review program for all water bills which show significant increases within a short time period and that prior notice be given to the rate payer of the significant increase before establishing liability on the part of the rate payer.

O-15     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
WHEREAS: The school system has many programs that are looking for permanent spaces; and
WHEREAS: The CRLS population has declined dramatically since the facility was opened in early 1980’s; and
WHEREAS: It would be prudent for the city administration to take a hard look at space opportunities at CRLS prior to making more costly space related decisions; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Superintendent of Schools to consider a space analysis of CRLS; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to this City Council on this matter.

O-16     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Fiscal Affairs with a goal in mind of disseminating information on the "Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Program", a program that provides a state income tax deduction for qualified senior home owners.

O-17     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
VICE MAYOR DECKER
COUNCILLOR REEVES
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Bottle Bill, enacted in 1982, has allowed Cambridge residents to enjoy a cleaner environment for over 20 years, by creating an incentive for users of certain beverage containers to recycle those used containers; and
WHEREAS: States with deposit laws have higher participation rate in residential recycling than those of non-deposit states; and
WHEREAS: Litter decrease in states with Bottle Bills averages 70-85%; and
WHEREAS: Through the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, we recycle close to 90% of beverage containers compared to only 30% in states without similar legislation; and
WHEREAS: The Governor of the Commonwealth, and members of the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives have recognized that the original bottle bill does not take into account those beverages such as bottled water, juices, and teas; and
WHEREAS: The vast majority of these water and juice containers are made of PET plastic, which takes up excessive amounts of space in our rapidly disappearing landfills, is comprised of over 99% petroleum, and is completely non-biodegradable; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council recognizes the overwhelming success of the Massachusetts Bottle Bill; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City go on record supporting of the Massachusetts Beverage Container Deposit Law and encouraging its strengthening through the update being considered by the 2005-06 State Legislature in the bill entitled An Act to Improve Recycling Rates in the Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record supporting programs that encourage residents and visitors to return or recycle all beverage containers and all other recyclable materials to fully utilize the currently available recycling programs; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Manager is hereby requested to have the Department of Public Works and its Recycling Division express the City’s support for the bottle bill by informing the public as to the benefits of an updated Bottle Bill; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City request our state representatives and state senators, and our governor to support and vote in favor of Updating the Massachusetts Container Beverage Law by supporting An Act to Improve Recycling Rates in the Commonwealth.

O-18     February 28, 2005
COUNCILLOR REEVES
WHEREAS: It is clear from the writings of Richard Florida in "Creative Economy" that the quality of life, arts and culture are important ingredients in economically successful cities; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge should consider a consensus planning initiative that would inventory currents assets and expand our vision for the future: The City can choose to determine economic activity generated by arts and culture, survey public opinion and determine a vehicle to take its arts and culture agenda forward; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Mayor and City Council to set up a Roundtable to discuss community based planning for arts, culture, history and heritage programming.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Health and Environment Committee held a public meeting on January 19,2005, beginning at two o’clock and five minutes P.M. in the Sullivan Chamber for the purpose of receiving an update on the Cambridge Community Mobilizing for Change Around Alcohol program.

Present at the hearing were Vice Mayor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair of the Committee, Councillor Anthony D. Galluccio, Mayor Michael A. Sullivan and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury. Also present were Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services, Rachel Weil, Director of the Cambridge Prevention Coalition (CPC), Department of Human Services (DHS), Richard Scali, Chair of the Cambridge License Commission, Harold Cox, Chief Public Health Officer, Cambridge Police Sergeant Kathy Murphy, Stephanie Ackert, Head of the Planning and Research Division, DHS, Frank Connelly, CPC, DHS, Kristen Handricken, CPC Consultant, Beth Fraster, CASPAR Youth Services, Vicki Wairi, Somerville Cares About AIDS Prevention, Scott Formica, SSRE (research and evaluation consultant), Danny Trujillo, Dean, MIT, Kim DeAndrade, Cambridge Public School Department, Michelle Kean, Director of the Regional Center for Healthy Communities, Katie Horrigan, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Vice Mayor Decker convened the meeting and explained the purpose. She invited Ms. Semonoff to begin the presentation. Ms. Semonoff provided some history and background information. The Cambridge Prevention Coalition was formed in 1985 as two entities, one a grant-funded program physically located at DHS, and the other the Prevention Coordinating Committee, made up of a variety of providers, including a number of city agencies. Historically the program has been funded by federal and state grants. In addition, many of the agencies have state grants from the Department of Substance Abuse. Ms. Semonoff then introduced Rachel Weil to discuss the current work of the coalition.

Ms. Weil said that one large project of the coalition is the Alcohol Server Training Program for local licensees. The coalition is also piloting a program at MIT with its fraternities. The coalition also collaborates on implementation and dissemination of the Teen Health Survey Data.

Vice Mayor Decker stated that she would like to see the Teen Health Data submitted to the City Council every year.

Mayor Sullivan asked if the survey included information about the use of prescription drugs like oxycontin. Ms. DeAndrade said that there is some information about drugs such as oxycontin.

Ms. Weil continued with a description of the collaboration of the coalition with CASPAR, Inc. on the development of the youth leadership substance abuse council., and then proceeded to the main topic of the meeting, the Communities Mobilizing for Change on Alcohol (CMCA) program. This program was first piloted by the University of Minnesota and was recognized as a "model" project by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program employs a range of social organizing techniques to address legal, institutional, social and health issues in order to reduce youth access to and use of alcohol. The four components of the program are collection of data, creation of an advisory committee, identification of appropriate strategies, and the development of action, implementation and evaluation plans.

Mr. Connelly stated that Cambridge is of 12 Massachusetts communities to receive this grant. Somerville also has a grant. For Cambridge, this is the second year of five years of funding.

Mr. Formica described the data collection. He said that the best source is the middle grade health survey and the Teen Health survey, which are done in alternate years. The Teen Health Survey is most relevant to this grant. He provided statistics from the 2004 Teen Health Survey on alcohol use. Over the years the data has shown a steady increase up to 1998. From 1999 to 2002, the usage declined, and in 2004 the data showed alcohol use up slightly to 43% of the males and 36% of females of whom almost half had engaged in binge drinking within the last 30 days of the survey date.

Vice Mayor Decker asked how these figures compare with other communities. Mr. Formica said that the Massachusetts rate of underage alcohol use is 46%, which is somewhat greater than Cambridge’s 43%.

Mr. Formica said that the survey also asked about the students’ perception of the ease of obtaining alcohol, and 29% responded "sort of easy,’ and 36% said "very easy." With regard to the usual source of alcohol, 41% reported that they got it from another minor, 26% said the alcohol came from an adult who was not their parent.

Councillor Galluccio asked if there is data about how many teens get their alcohol from liquor stores. Mr. Formica said he does have that data, although he does not have it with him. He will arrange for the committee to receive it. Mr. Scali noted that in the last two rounds of "sting" operations, there have been no sales to the minors involved in the operations.

Mr. Formica then described the one-on-one interviews, which are at the heart of the community involvement model of meeting and talking to people. These interviews will continue during all of the years of the grant. A copy of the interview protocol is attached. Attachment A. To date, there have been 102 adult interviews and 62 youth interviews. Barriers to change identified in the interviews include community norms, lack of communication between adults and youth, limited prevention funding and youth with unsupervised time.

Mr. Connelly then described how the data is being used by the coalition. The CMCA Advisory Committee, as representatives of the larger coalition, use the data to identify and/or modify appropriate environmental strategies. Examples of environmental strategies in the area of public awareness include social marketing, media literacy and sticker shock, and examples in the area of enforcement/compliance include social host liability, beer keg registration and cops in shops/compliance checks. He noted an environmental challenge in the MBTA’s apparent readiness to sign a five year contract to advertise alcohol on buses.

Councillor Galluccio suggested that the Coalition demand free space for prevention advertisement from the MBTA.

Vice Mayor Decker and Councillor Galluccio submitted the following motion:
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record expressing its disappointment with the MBTA’s decision to go forward with a contract to allow liquor advertisement on MBTA property and equipment; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council urges the MBTA to provide equal access to free advertising and additional resources to prevention groups that are going to have to work harder to counter this increase in advertising urging consumption of alcohol; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the MBTA, the Governor and the Cambridge legislative delegation.

Vice Mayor Decker then invited additional comments. Mr. Scali stated that after several years of working with alcohol servers, the License Commission is now seeing big changes. The Commission’s new focus is on fraternities. They are working with MIT and Harvard.

Vice Mayor Decker encouraged those present to give the City Council regular updates so that the coalition’s work can inform the City Council in policymaking. Councillor Galluccio and Vice Mayor Decker suggested that the coalition might want to consider making members of the Health and Environment Committee honorary advisory members.

There was some discussion of the problem of oxycontin addiction. Ms. Semonoff stated that there is very little reported use in the Teen Health Survey. Vice Mayor Decker said that several concerned parents have contacted her. Sergeant Murphy said that the community police staff had one proactive meeting and only one parent showed up. Councillor Galluccio stated that because oxycontin is an expensive drug, 19-and 20-year old youth are more likely to become users. Sergeant Murphy stated that teenage suicide is another issue that needs more attention.

Vice Mayor Decker thanked those present for their participation and for their courage.

The meeting was adjourned at three o’clock and fifteen minutes P.M.

For the Committee,
Vice Mayor Marjorie Decker, Chair