CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a Constable for a term of three years, effective the first day of Jan, 2007: Douglas P. Moran

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 07-21, regarding a report on the closure of Kentucky Fried Chicken on Mass Avenue and the Ground Round on Concord Avenue.  Referred to Econ. Dev. Committee

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 07-17, regarding a report on whether the increase in wages covered the entire cost of health insurance payments as well as the increase in cost of living.

4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 07-11, regarding a report on drafting special permit language that requires a percentage of 3 and 4 bedroom units.  Referred to Ordinance and Housing Committees

City Manager Letter
Mar 5, 2007
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 07-11, regarding a report on drafting special permit language that requires a percentage of 3 and 4 bedroom units, Assistant City Manager for Community Development Beth Rubenstein and City Solicitor Donald A. Drisdell report the following:

Staff from the Community Development and Law Departments have analyzed various methods for requiring or encouraging developers of market-rate housing to include a certain percentage of larger family-size units (three bedroom or larger) in their projects.

There are many possible ways of encouraging production of larger units through zoning, though each has advantages and disadvantages. Consequently, we thought it best to describe several possible routes, along with pros and cons of each. After further discussion with the Council of these various approaches, staff will draft the appropriate language.

After conferring, staff from the Community Development and Law Departments have concluded that the best approach to achieving an increase in three and four bedroom units is to provide a bonus or other compensating benefit to the developer.

Therefore, the mechanisms we discuss below rely upon a special permit process that offers additional density (or some other benefit) in exchange for the city obtaining the larger units.

I. Regulation of Industrial, Business and PUD Districts

One method of obtaining larger units would involve lowering base densities in these higher density districts, with FARs or densities being allowed to rise again in exchange for a share of three and four bedroom units. For instance, where the residential FAR in a district is greater than the non-residential FAR (which is the case in most mixed use zoning districts in the city), the additional FAR for housing might only be permitted by special permit with the condition that 3+ bedroom units be provided in the quantities determined by the city.

An alternate or companion change might be to lower the density of dwelling units permitted in a district (the Lot Area per Dwelling Unit regulation in our Ordinance), permitting the existing density only after the issuance of a special permit with the same 3+bedroom requirement. For instance, in the highest density districts the Lot Area per Dwelling Unit might be reduced from the typical 300 square feet to 400 or 450 square feet. Restoration of the original 300 square foot provision would only be by special permit.

Pros:

  * City stands to gain more of the larger units in these denser districts

  * Bonuses might be better absorbed in these relatively more built out areas

  * Larger projects already undergo careful analysis of traffic and other impacts through Article 19 of the Zoning Ordinance

Cons:

  * Family-friendly housing might not be best suited to these high-rise, denser districts, though negatives could potentially be mitigated through design guidelines (for e.g. encouraging family units to be on the lower floors)

  * Lowering the incentive for housing (through FAR or Lot Area per Dwelling Unit adjustments) might discourage housing construction.

II. Regulation of Conversion of Industrial Buildings, Townhouse and Multi-Family Housing

These classes of projects already have a special permit provision. In this mechanism the option to build family-sized units, in exchange for bonuses, could be added on. The Lot Area per Dwelling Unit adjustments suggested above could also be considered here as well.

Pros:

  * Projects already need special permits

  * Could provide larger units in a generally lower density setting, conducive to family living.

  * Many conversions are conducive to larger units (e.g. old warehouses, former industrial buildings, churches)

Cons:

  * Not likely to yield as many large units as the PUD and higher density districts

Issues for Discussion

As changes to zoning are contemplated, a few important questions should be considered:

  * Where should larger units be located, in high-density areas such as the PUD districts or lower-density neighborhoods? Should they be encouraged everywhere residential use is allowed?

  * What bonuses are acceptable: additional height? more density? a break on setbacks or required open space?

  * What is the right percentage of larger units to encourage? Should the percentage be pegged to project size, with larger projects being asked to give more? For example, zoning could encourage a 10% share of larger units in projects under 25 units in total, a 15% share between 26 and 50 units, and 20% larger units in projects with more than 50 units.

  * Should units be encouraged to have a minimum bedroom size (beyond the state building or sanitary code)? Are there other design guidelines that should be added when larger units are being included?

We look forward to further discussion with the City Council as we develop these proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinance.

Very truly yours, Robert W. Healy, City Manager

5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a transfer from the General Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance ($7,500) account to the General Fund Human Services Travel and Training ($7,500) account which will allow the Executive Director and six youth members of the Kids’ Council Youth Involvement Committee to attend the National League of Cities Conference in Washington D.C. from Mar 10-14, 2007.  Adopted 9-0

6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP), formerly from FEMA, for $11,667.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account and will be used to supplement fuel assistance payments.

ON THE TABLE
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 06-06 of Feb 27, 2006, regarding a report on the legality of the banners in front of the Dunkin' Donuts at 2480 Massachusetts Avenue and at other location in the City. [Placed on Table on the motion of Councillor Kelley on Feb 27, 2006.]

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the License Commission to deny the Jitney License application of Star Shuttle, Inc. [Placed on Table City Manager Agenda Number Six of Nov 6, 2006 on the motion of Councillor Davis on Nov 6, 2006.]

3. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk transmitting a report from Councillor Brian Murphy and Councillor Michael A. Sullivan, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on Dec 13, 2006 for the purpose of considering the Historical Commission's recommendation for the consolidation of the Half Crown and Marsh Neighborhood Conservation Districts. [Placed on Table Committee Report Number Two of Jan 22, 2007 on the motion of Mayor Reeves on Jan 22, 2007.]

4. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk transmitting a report from Councillor Brian Murphy and Councillor Michael A. Sullivan, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on Dec 13, 2006 for the purpose of considering the recommendations for changes to the Neighborhood Conservation District Ordinance and the Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District Order, submitted by the Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District Boundary Study Committee and endorsed by the Historical Commission. [Placed on Table Committee Report Number Three of Jan 22, 2007 on the motion of Councillor Sullivan on Jan 22, 2007.]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5. 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 Nov 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 Feb 14, 2005. [Four sections of the proposed amendment were passed to be ordained as amended. Ordinance #1284. The remaining proposed amendments to chapter 2.74 remain on unfinished business.]

6. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk transmitting a report from Councillor Brian Murphy and Councillor Michael A. Sullivan, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on Dec 13, 2006 for the purpose of considering a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance filed by the City Council to require public review for smaller scaled residential and commercial developments in Business A, Business A-1, and Business A-2 Districts, and to limit the height in Business A-2 districts to 35 feet within 50 feet of residential district with a 35 foot height limit and to require 20 foot side yard setbacks in BA-2 districts for side yards that abut residential lots. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Jan 22, 2007. Petition expires Mar 13, 2007.
Ordained as substituted 9-0

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Falzone's, requesting permission for two tables and six chairs for restaurant seating in front of premises numbered 1923 Massachusetts Avenue.

2. An application was received from Oxford Street Realty Inc., requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of premises numbered 1644 Massachusetts Avenue.

3. An application was received from the Dance Complex, requesting permission for a temporary banner across Mount Auburn Street at JFK Street announcing Dance Month.

4. An application was received from Childcare Resource Center, Inc., requesting permission for a temporary banner across Massachusetts Avenue at City Hall.

5. An application was received from Dance Complex, requesting permission for a temporary banner across Massachusetts Avenue at City Hall announcing Dance Month.

6. An application was received from Community Development Department, requesting permission for eight tables and sixteen chairs in front of premises numbered 795 Massachusetts Avenue for the Information fair for GoGreen Month.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from the family of Sergeant Thomas Edward Vandling, acknowledging your kind expression of sympathy.

2. A communication was received from Michael H. Turk, regarding 22-24 Prescott Street.

3. A communication was received from Hugh Auchincloss, M.D., regarding the resolution that NIH halt the construction of the National Biocontainment Laboratory at the Boston University Medical Center until the successful completion of all required environmental impact reviews.

4. A communication was received from Roy Bercaw, regarding high tech police harassment and more censorship.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulations and Happy 35th Anniversary to the Child Care Resource Center, Inc.   Councillor Sullivan, Mayor Reeves

2. Declare May 1, 2007 as Global Love Day in the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Reeves

3. Resolution on the death of Carl W. Holt.   Councillor Galluccio

4. Resolution on the death of Joan Shurcliff.   Councillor Davis

5. Resolution on the death of Thomas E. Keefe, Sr.   Councillor Sullivan

6. Congratulations to Claude-Alix Jacob on his new position as Chief Public Health Officer for the Cambridge Health Department.   Councillor Davis, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sullivan, Councillor Decker

7. Thanks to Dr. David Alden St. Pierre for his work at the Cambridge Health Alliance.   Mayor Reeves

8. Resolution on the death of Harold A. Wright.   Vice Mayor Toomey, Councillor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio

9. Resolution on the death of Walter L. Collins Sr.   Councillor Galluccio

10. Happy 90th Birthday wishes to a special Cantabrigian.   Vice Mayor Toomey

11. Resolution on the death of Manuel L. de Medeiros.   Vice Mayor Toomey

12. Best wishes to Father Jose Ferreira, Pastor of St. Anthony's Church, on his impending retirement.   Vice Mayor Toomey

13. Resolution on the death of Ralph James Lueders Sr.   Councillor Davis

14. Resolution on the death of Joao M. Machado.   Vice Mayor Toomey

15. Best wishes to the Cambridge Youth Dance Program on its Second Annual Brunch and Silent Auction on Mar 25, 2007 at the Rialto Restaurant from 11:00am to 2:00pm.   Councillor Sullivan

16. Resolution on the death of Mary Ann Lungren.   Councillor Galluccio

17. Resolution on the death of Angela (Asinari) Para.   Councillor Galluccio

18. Speedy recovery wishes to Jean Cantwell Doherty.   Councillor Sullivan

19. Speedy recovery wishes to James Lynch.   Councillor Sullivan

20. Speedy recovery wishes to Frank Higgins.   Councillor Sullivan

21. Appreciation to Danny DeGuglielmo for his work in honoring Native Americans through The Cambridge Sunshine Foundation.   Councillor Sullivan

22. Thanks to Dr. Karen Hacker for her dedication to the Cambridge Community as Interim Chief Public Health Officer for the Cambridge Health Department.   Councillor Decker

23. Congratulations to The Goodyear Strikers on the occasion of being honored by Jobs with Justice.   Councillor Decker

24. Congratulations to the Personal Care Attendants Campaign on being honored by Jobs with Justice.   Councillor Decker

25. Congratulations to The Boston Area Justice @ Smithfield Campaign on the occasion of being honored by Jobs with Justice.   Councillor Decker

26. Congratulations to The Simmons College Student Labor Action Project on the occasion of being honored by Jobs with Justice.   Councillor Decker

27. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Matthew Bowe.   Councillor Decker

28. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Adare Cleveland.   Councillor Decker

29. Resolution on the death of Specialist Louis Kim.   Councillor Decker

30. Resolution on the death of Private Kelly Youngblood.   Councillor Decker

31. Resolution on the death of Lance Corporal Blake Howey.   Councillor Decker

32. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Chad Marsh.   Councillor Decker

33. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Brett Witteveen.   Councillor Decker

34. Resolution on the death of Specialist Montrel Mcarn.   Councillor Decker

35. Resolution on the death of Specialist Ethan Biggers.   Councillor Decker

36. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Clinton Ahlquist.   Councillor Decker

37. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Travis Buford.   Councillor Decker

38. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Justin Paton.   Councillor Decker

39. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Pedro Colon.   Councillor Decker

40. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Shawn Dunkin.   Councillor Decker

41. Resolution on the death of Lance Corporal Brian Escalante.   Councillor Decker

42. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Rowan Walter.   Councillor Decker

43. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Matthew Apuan.   Councillor Decker

44. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Jeremy Barnett.   Councillor Decker

45. Resolution on the death of Staff Sergeant Joshua Hager.   Councillor Decker

46. Resolution on the death of Captain Todd Siebert.   Councillor Decker

47. Resolution on the death of Staff Sergeant David Berry.   Councillor Decker

48. Resolution on the death of Sergeant 1st Class William Spillers.   Councillor Decker

49. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Richard Ford.   Councillor Decker

50. Congratulations to Judy Motzkin on the occasion of being selected as the creator of the 2007 Commonwealth Award art object.   Councillor Davis

51. Congratulations to Biodiesel@MIT for their present and future contributions to biodiesel development and their concern about energy conservation.   Councillor Davis

52. Thanks to the many organizations that helped support the effort to reach the goal of signing up 150 Cambridge households to donate to the New England Wind Fund in order to get a free 2kW solar installation for a Cambridge school or municipal building.   Councillor Davis

53. Congratulations to Bonita Ho on receiving the 1st Prize in the Eta Phi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Talent Hunt on Wednesday, February 28, 2007.   Councillor Sullivan, Mayor Reeves, Councillor Davis

54. Urge Cambridge residents to participate in the Kendall Square Community Skating Customer Appreciation Day on March 15, 2007 from 12:00pm through 8:00pm at 300 Athenaeum Street, Cambridge.   Councillor Sullivan

55. Retirement of Dana J. Kelly from the Pipefitters' Association.   Councillor Galluccio

56. Resolution on the death of Kenneth M. Philbrook.   Councillor Sullivan

57. Resolution on the death of Harriet Pladziewicz.   Councillor Sullivan

58. Resolution on the death of Linda Marie Penta.   Councillor Sullivan

59. Resolution on the death of Mildred C. (Breedy) Chase.   Councillor Sullivan

60. Resolution on the death of Walter Cardillo.   Councillor Sullivan

61. Resolution on the death of Christos Daoulas.   Councillor Sullivan

62. Resolution on the death of Nicholas Spera.   Vice Mayor Toomey

63. Congratulations and best wishes to the Graham and Parks 7th and 8th grade Humanities class on their presentation entitled "Immigrant Monologues" on March 14, 2007.   Councillor Sullivan

64. Happy 7th Birthday wishes to Paul Sullivan.   Mayor Reeves

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the relevant Department heads to determine how the bicycle/car accident in Porter Square occurred and what impact the Porter Square redesign had on this accident.   Councillor Kelley

2. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on how City buildings, whether leased or owned by the City, detect and guard against system water leaks.   Councillor Kelley

3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Community Development and report back to the City Council with an update on proposed changes to special permits criterion which would require multi-bedroom and family-size housing units.   Councillor Galluccio
Withdrawn with unanimous consent

4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the relevant Department heads to review the response to the Feb 14 storm with the intention of determining if the follow-up clearing of both public and private streets and sidewalks was done as effectively as possible.   Councillor Kelley and Councillor Galluccio

5. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the relevant City department heads about the feasibility of developing a Cambridge-based program similar to ONEin3Boston.   Councillor Kelley

6. That the City Manager is requested to work with the School Department to improve their snow and ice removal practices.   Councillor Galluccio

7. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Housing Authority to improve their snow and ice removal practices.   Councillor Galluccio

8. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation and the Commissioner of Public Works to install a crosswalk at the corner of Bond and Garden Streets.   Councillor Sullivan

9. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Director of the Cambridge Public Library to look into coordinating with Green Decade Cambridge to offer energy efficiency kits in Cambridge libraries.   Councillor Davis

10. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to support the City's goal of encouraging foot and bicycle to school by analyzing the routes at Mount Auburn Street and Fresh Pond Parkway and making them safer and replacement of crossing guard.   Councillor Davis

11. That the matter of the relocation of the Cambridge School Administration and the Cambridge Community Learning Center be referred to the Public Facilities for the purpose of holding a meeting this spring.   Councillor Davis and Councillor Simmons
Charter Right - Davis

12. That the Mayor request the School Committee to update the City Council on any considered changes to the current school choice plan in Cambridge.   Councillor Galluccio

13. That the City Council go on record filing the attached petition to amend the text of the Zoning Ordinance in Ch 20.100 Massachusetts Avenue Overlay District and to create a new Special District 15 in the area along Mount Auburn Street at the Watertown town line, and that said petition be referred to the Planning Board and the City Council Ordinance Committee for hearing and report.   Councillor Galluccio
Withdrawn with unanimous consent

14. That the City Council go on record opposing the application of Parrot Check Cashing, LLC.   Councillor Murphy and Councillor Sullivan
Charter Right - Decker

15. That the City Manager is requested to ask the appropriate City departments to monitor the effects of the Feb 12, 2007 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's decision regarding Northpoint, and to monitor the effects of any other changes in DEP regulation that may occur at the site.   Vice Mayor Toomey  amended

16. That the City Council go on record in opposition to House Bill 847 An Act to Streamline Chapter 91 License Applications and Coastal Planning.   Vice Mayor Toomey
Charter Right - Sullivan

17. That the City Council stand in support with the Cambridge United for Justice and Peace, Area Four Neighborhood Coalition, and Cambridge Peace Commission, as they stand together in peace at the Central Square Peace Vigil on Mar 7, 2007, to remember all who have died, as well as those who continue to suffer as a result of this war.   Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Toomey, Councillor Davis, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Sullivan and Councillor Decker

18. That the City Clerk forward a copy of Policy Order 12 adopted Feb 5, 2007, supporting the completion of a pedestrian bridge adjacent to a property owned by Mirant Kendall LLC and forward this order along with the Council's opposition to a variance application by Mirant to be heard Thurs, Mar 8, 2007 at the Board of Zoning Appeal in which Mirant is requesting relief from its obligation to construct this walkway.   Councillor Galluccio and Councillor Sullivan

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk transmitting a report from Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair of the Health and Environment Committee, for a meeting held on Feb 7, 2007 for the purpose of receiving an update on the "Healthy Living Cambridge" program.

2. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Civic Unity Committee, for a meeting held on Jan 31, 2007 for the purpose of planning a 2007 Race and Class Forum.

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting draft language Councillor Sullivan and Councillor Murphy for possible substitution for the Business A petition currently on the City Council Calendar as Unfinished Business Number Six.

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

Tues, Mar 6
10:00am   The Veterans Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the transition of returning veterans, including the discussion of developing a "Welcome Home" package.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Mar 7
5:00pm   The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss a follow up meeting on individuals charged with the most dangerous crimes in the city and funding for youth transportation outreach programs.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, Mar 8
6:00pm   The Public Safety and Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee will conduct a joint public meeting to discuss public safety issues regarding the relocation of the Lechmere Station and the benefits of a Lechmere Square underpass. Meeting to be held in auditorium.  (Kennedy-Longfellow, 158 Spring St)

Mon, Mar 19
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Mar 21
5:00pm   The Government Operations and Rules Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss City Council travel policies, City Council standing committees and the Cambridge Request System (CRS).  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 26
5:30pm   Roundtable Meeting  (Location to be announced)

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

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

Sat, Apr 28
10:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss FY08 City Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber)

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

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

Wed, May 9
4:45pm   The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss FY08 Capital Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm   The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss FY08 School Department Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Sat, May 12
10:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss FY08 City Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 14
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, May 16
5:00pm   The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss FY08 City Budget. (if necessary)  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 21
4:00pm   Special Presentation - 2007 Scholarship Award Ceremony  (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

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

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

Mon, June 18
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

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

Mon, July 30
5:30pm   Special City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: The Porter Square section of Massachusetts Avenue was recently redesigned; and
WHEREAS: The redesign was in part intended to improve bicycle safety in the area; and
WHEREAS: A bicycle/car accident occurred in the southbound lane of Massachusetts Avenue the week of Feb 19, 2007 that resulted in the cyclist being taken off-site via an ambulance; and
WHEREAS: Ensuring that cycling in Cambridge is safe is essential to making bicycling an integral part of the City's transportation options; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the relevant Department heads to determine how this accident occurred and what impact the Porter Square redesign had on this accident; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-2     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: At least two public buildings have been extensively flooded recently as water-based heating systems have leaked; and
WHEREAS: Flooding of public buildings causes a variety of hardships on City employees and the general public; and
WHEREAS: Responding to, cleaning up after and repairing the damage resulting from such leaks can be very expensive and disruptive to City work; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on how City buildings, whether leased or owned by the City, detect and guard against system water leaks.

O-3     Mar 5, 2007  Withdrawn
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Community Development and report back to the City Council with an update on proposed changes to special permits criterion which would require multi-bedroom and family-size housing units.

O-4     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
WHEREAS: Thirteen days after the Feb 14 snowstorm, many streets and sidewalks in Cambridge were not cleared, making walking and bicycling exceptionally dangerous; and
WHEREAS: Snow and ice remaining on Cambridge's streets and sidewalks resulted in a variety of injuries and forced many people to stay inside their homes for days after the storm; and
WHEREAS: Thirteen days after the Feb 14 snowstorm, many MBTA bus stops were not cleared, forcing MBTA buses to stop in the traffic lane to pick up and drop off passengers, tying up traffic, making it more difficult and dangerous for pedestrians to get on and off buses and making cycling more dangerous; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the relevant Department heads to review the response to the Feb 14 storm with the intention of determining if the follow-up clearing of both public and private streets and sidewalks was done as effectively as possible; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this issue.

O-5     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: Cambridge has been noted for the quality of life it offers its young people; and
WHEREAS: According to the 2000 US Census as noted in the Community Development Department's Dec 2006 Demographics and Socioeconomics Profile, the single largest population age group in Cambridge was between ages 20 and 30 and the second largest was between ages 30 and 40; and
WHEREAS: Developing a sense of community among these age groups could play an important role in helping these citizens become more involved in their local communities and thus strengthen and stabilize Cambridge's residential core; and
WHEREAS: Boston has developed a program called ONEin3Boston that is designed to connect young adults in Boston with resources, with City government and with each other; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the relevant City department heads about the feasibility of developing a Cambridge-based program similar to ONEin3Boston; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this issue.

O-6     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the School Department to improve their snow and ice removal practices.

O-7     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Cambridge Housing Authority to improve their snow and ice removal practices.

O-8     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation and the Commissioner of Public Works to install a crosswalk at the corner of Bond and Garden Streets.

O-9     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: Cape Light Compact has been successful in placing Home Energy Detective kits in 23 town libraries and several schools on the Cape; and
WHEREAS: Information about this program can be found at www.capelightcompact.org/doc.ccml?157; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Director of the Cambridge Public Library to look into coordinating with Green Decade Cambridge to offer energy efficiency kits in Cambridge libraries.

O-10     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: The Shady Hill School is committed to reducing car traffic in its compact neighborhood and is encouraging students to walk and ride bikes to school; and
WHEREAS: The pedestrian and bicycle crossing where Mount Auburn and Fresh Pond Parkway intersect is dangerous as there are three lanes of traffic to cross and the median strips between lanes are very narrow, thus creating a disincentive to walk or ride to both the Shady Hill and Buckingham Brown and Nichols Schools; and
WHEREAS: A crossing guard was posted at the intersection at one time but has not been replaced; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to support the City's goal of encouraging foot and bicycle to school by analyzing those routes and making them safer; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to assure that a crossing guard at the Mount Auburn Street crossing is reinstated.

O-11     Mar 5, 2007  Charter Right - Davis
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The School Department Administration building flooded this week; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Community Learning Center is still in a tight and inadequate space; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the matter of the relocation of the Cambridge School Administration and the Cambridge Community Learning Center be referred to the Public Facilities for the purpose of holding a meeting this spring.

O-12     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the Mayor request the School Committee to update the City Council on any considered changes to the current school choice plan in Cambridge.

O-13     Mar 5, 2007  Withdrawn
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record filing the attached petition which would:
* Amend the Zoning Ordinance in Ch 20.100 Massachusetts Avenue Overlay District to change the dimensional requirements of BA-2 within the Overlay District
* Amend the Zoning Ordinance and map to create a new Special District 15 to require a Project Review Special Permit for the development of 20,000 square feet or more in an area currently zoned Business A-1 along Mount Auburn Street at the Watertown town line;
and be it further
ORDERED: That said petition be referred to the Planning Board and the City Council Ordinance Committee for hearing and report.

O-14     Mar 5, 2007  Charter Right - Decker
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
COUNCILLOR SULLIVAN
WHEREAS: The proposed locale of Parrot Check Cashing, LLC. is on a dead-end residential street, where additional traffic would adversely affect the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS: There is already a large concentration of banks on Massachusetts Avenue in North Cambridge, eliminating the need for such a service; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record opposing the application of Parrot Check Cashing, LLC.; and be it further
ORDERED: That a copy of the Council’s opposition be sent to the Division of Banks; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the Council on any additional approvals that would be required from the City, such as a zoning variance.

O-15     Mar 5, 2007  amended
VICE MAYOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ask the appropriate City departments to monitor the effects of the Feb 12, 2007 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's decision regarding Northpoint, and to monitor the effects of any other changes in DEP regulation that may occur at the site, and report back to the City Council before the next meeting if circumstances so require.

O-16     Mar 5, 2007  Charter Right - Sullivan
VICE MAYOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: As large developments continue to take over areas of Cambridge, open space and commitments by the developers for public amenities becomes increasingly important to uphold; and
ORDERED: These commitments to the public are important for both the developer and the citizens as it connects the development itself with the community and it allows an opportunity to bring unique public benefits such as the skating rink in Kendall Square and the central park feature at Northpoint; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in opposition to House Bill 847 An Act to Streamline Chapter 91 License Applications and Coastal Planning.

O-17     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
VICE MAYOR TOOMEY
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
COUNCILLOR SULLIVAN
COUNCILLOR DECKER
RESOLVED: That the City Council stand in support with the Cambridge United for Justice and Peace, Area Four Neighborhood Coalition, and Cambridge Peace Commission, as they stand together in peace at the Central Square Peace Vigil on March 7, 2007, to remember all who have died, as well as those who continue to suffer as a result of this war.

O-18     Mar 5, 2007
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
COUNCILLOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Clerk forward a copy of Policy Order 12 (attached), adopted February 5, 2007, supporting the completion of a pedestrian bridge adjacent to a property owned by Mirant Kendall LLC and forward this order along with the Council's opposition to a variance application by Mirant to be heard Thursday, March 8, 2007 at the Board of Zoning Appeal in which Mirant is requesting relief from its obligation to construct this walkway.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Health and Environment Committee held a public meeting on Feb 7, 2006, beginning at 10:00am in the Sullivan Chamber Room for the purpose of receiving an update on the "Healthy Living Cambridge" program.

Present at the meeting were Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair of the Committee, Councillor Anthony D. Galluccio, Councillor E. Denise Simmons and D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk. Also present were Richard Harding, School Committee member, Paul Ryder, Recreation Director, Department of Human Services and the following representatives from the Cambridge Health Alliance: Dr. Karen Hacker, Interim Chief Public Health Officer, Ginny Chomitz, Ph. D., Senior Scientist, Institute for Community Health, Dr. David Link, Chief of Pediatrics, Cambridge Hospital, Stacey King, Coordinator, Healthy Living Cambridge program, Marsha Lazar, Director of Community Health Programs and Jeff Walker, Coordinator of Special Projects. Also present were Janice Katz-Christy, 166 Elm Street N, Director, Cambridge Green Streets Initiative, David Dyer, 29 ½ Inman Street, Student Nurse, Alice Heller, 22 Corporal Burns Road, and Eric Baumann, 109 St. Stephen Street, Boston.

Councillor Decker opened the meeting and stated the purpose. She invited a presentation on the Healthy Living Cambridge program. Dr. Chomitz, Ms. King and Dr. Hacker began the update on the Healthy Cambridge program and accompanied their description with a power point presentation (Attached). Dr. Chomitz started with a statement of the purposes of the presentation: to present data on childhood obesity success in Cambridge, to update the City Council on Healthy Living Cambridge and to discuss sustainability for continued progress. Since 2004 in Cambridge there has been a decline in the percentage of children who are overweight or at risk of being overweight. Between 2004 and 2006 the data shows a 15% positive difference in childhood obesity in Cambridge, although national rates for childhood obesity continued to climb during that time. There has also been an increase in the proportion of Cambridge children passing fitness tests and an increase in healthy 5-2-1 daily behaviors (5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 hours or less of TV or other screen-time activities and at least an hour of physical exercise).

Cambridge achieved these results through an integrated approach of partnership and collaboration to develop programs and policy, to find ways to fund the programs, to conduct research and evaluation and to seek funds to sustain the successful programs. Collaborators included the Cambridge Public Schools Department (CPSD), the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD), the Cambridge Health Alliance (Alliance), various community organization partners, the Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) and the Healthy Children Task Force. The wide array of Healthy Living Cambridge programming has been supported by almost $2 million of grant funding, $1.5 million of which came from a three-year U.S. Department of Education Physical Education for Progress (PEP) grant that will expire during 2007.

Ms. King, Coordinator of the Healthy Living Cambridge program, presented details of the programs and policy. Many of the programs, such as Fitness Buddies, Golden Shoes and City Sprouts, are model programs, and several programs have won awards. Dr. Hacker, Interim Chief Public Health Officer, presented information and recommendations as to what is necessary to sustain the health improvements that have been made and to continue moving forward. At an absolute minimum, Cambridge must continue to support the Healthy Living Cambridge program. The CPSD must continue surveillance of students’ health (BMI/Health and Fitness Report). This requires the Schools to keep on measuring and the Institute for Community Health to keep on analyzing the measurements. In addition, it is essential for the CPSD to maintain the food service gains that have been made.

Councillor Decker thanked the presenters for their presentation and asked that they provide the City Council with additional specific information about the gaps that the grant expirations will cause, both in terms of programs and positions. With respect to the issue of potential gaps, Mr. Walker noted that the grants have supported an innovative and very effective social marketing campaign for Healthy Living Cambridge.

Councillor Decker expressed concern that Cambridge still does not have clinical programming to address obesity in a comprehensive psychological, nutritional, medical "wrap around the family approach." Dr. Chomitz agreed that this is the direction in which Cambridge will need to move next. The question of how success is measured is a difficult one from the public health perspective. School nurses are very involved in the current health measurements in the schools and have been referring kids to the Family Foundation, a private organization in Cambridge, and attempting to match families with available resources.

Councillor Decker asked why there has not been compliance with the City Council Order for nutritionists to be onsite at food pantries to consult with staff and clients about making healthy meals. Dr. Hacker said that they reached out to CEOC and found that the biggest problem is the need for more resources to buy healthy food. Councillor Decker said that she had been expecting compliance with the order. If the problem is a lack of resources, then they need to inform the City Council. There is a problem with food pantry customers getting foods that make preparation of healthy meals challenging, and they need help now; they cannot just wait around for the food to get healthier.

Councillor Decker also noted that at the last committee meeting on this topic there was discussion about involving community members and CCTV in producing TV shows about cooking healthy meals with food pantry ingredients. Dr. Hacker said that was an exciting possibility. Ms. King said that there is a new program, Latinas Living Better, a Healthy Living program for young Latinas to prevent diabetes, in partnership with the Alliance and Concilio Hispano, and that this program could be very interested in this idea.

Councillor Decker encouraged the Healthy Living Cambridge program to reach out to the Cambridge Housing Authority and to other organizations that work with low income populations. Dr. Hacker expressed her agreement with this strategy. She said that up until 2004, most of the work was focused on building partnerships with the public schools. The next step is to increase targeting of low income populations and connections with the organizations that serve these populations. Particularly in light of the Institute’s Cambridge data correlating greater incidences of childhood obesity and other health risks with lower incomes, this would be a good focus as they apply for new grants.

Mr. Harding agreed that it would be useful to reach out to the Cambridge Housing Authority. He noted that the School Committee has also asked for a list of what CPSD programs and positions could be jeopardized by the expiring grants and noted a particular concern of the School Committee with maintaining the food service improvements.

Councillor Decker then invited public comment.

Alice Heller, Corporal Burns Road, stated that the changes in the school lunches at the King Open Elementary School have been very dramatic and successful.

Janie Katz-Christy, 166 A Elm Street, Director of Cambridge Green Streets Initiative, praised the work that has been done through the federal P.E.P. grants and said that the 5’2’1 program and marketing campaign have been excellent. She emphasized the importance of making the programs available at all of the schools. Ms. Katz-Christy also noted the importance of green transportation to health living.

Councillor Decker congratulated those present on the success of the Cambridge Healthy Living program and thanked them for their hard work. The meeting was adjourned at 11:35am.

For the Committee,
Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair

Committee Report #2
The Civic Unity Committee held a public meeting on Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007, beginning at five o’clock and thirty-five minutes P.M. in the Sullivan Chamber. The meeting was held for the purpose of planning a 2007 Race and Class Forum.

Present at the hearing were Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Henrietta Davis; Councillor Craig Kelley; Councillor Michael A. Sullivan; City Clerk D. Margaret Drury; Michael Gardner, Personnel Director; Duane Brown, Director of Affirmative Action; Karen Preval, Assistant to the City Manager and Officer of the Employee’s Diversity Committee; Laura Nichols, Consumer Council and Member of the Employee’s Diversity Committee; Steve Singer, Affirmative Action Advisory Committee, 45A Museum Street; Kenneth Likes, 9 Saville Street, Affirmative Action Committee; Marla Erlien, Cambridge Human Rights Commission; and LeRoy Cragwell, 13 Hubbard Avenue, Affirmative Action Advisory Committee.

Councillor Simmons convened the meeting and explained the purpose. She described the 1998 forum, which she co-sponsored while she was on the School Committee. Other sponsors included the Peace Commission, the Women’s Commission, the Human Rights Commission, the Mayor’s Office and the Eviction Free Zone. Councillor Simmons then invited comments from those present.

Councillor Kelley said that he believes this is a great topic for community discussion. It is a tough topic for discussion and he would like to see an environment where it can be accepted that people are speaking from a position of good will towards others.

Councillor Davis said that last week there was a program at the library organized by Susan Freirich on racial profiling. John Roberts, A.C.L.U., discussed the law that now requires keeping statistics on racial profiling in the area of issuing traffic tickets. Mr. Roberts was interested in follow up on these issues. She suggested that he come to this meeting.

Councillor Simmons said that Charles Ogletree has expressed his interest in participating in this forum.

Councillor Sullivan suggested that someone go through the 1998 report and determine what recommendations have been achieved. He also suggested looking as what could have made it better.

Councillor Davis suggested building in the kids’ concerns as expressed in the Human Rights Report on perceived discrimination by CRLS students.

Mr. Likis said doing something would be a good idea, but is a huge topic. He suggested choosing a more narrow focus. He noted the difficulties of trying to compare ten years ago and today. Councillor Simmons said that the original forum was intentionally kept broad and the groups were internationally mixed. She described the origin of the Civic Unity Community.

Ms. Erlien said it would be interesting to look at the demographic changes. Councillor Davis said CDD has just done a report of those changes, based on the most recent census. She reported that there has been an increase in households where English is not the first language to 25 percent of the total households in Cambridge.

She would like to look at neighborhoods and the changing demographics. Ten years ago, much of Cambridge life centered on neighborhoods. Mr. Likis said that neighborhood demographics could be an organizing principle. Ms. Nichols said that in her department they are finding in the community meetings that they do not get immigrants or people from different cultures at their meetings.

Mr. Cragwell asked how much the public knows about the 1998 forum. He said that there are communications that the City sends out to almost every citizen. There are some means that could be used for broad communication.

Councillor Davis said that she would be interested in a meeting that takes the community forward. The National League of Cities (NLC) has a number of award winning programs in this area. There is information and research readily available and accessible. She noted the NLC "inclusions program". She said that she believes that it is not useful to focus just on what is wrong. There are things that could have a positive effect.

Mr. Brown said that there are differences from ten years ago. At that time there were some events that precipitated the forum, some events in the schools that led to a heightened awareness of racism in Cambridge.

Ms. Erlien said that the Human Right Commission is doing some follow-up to the report and presentation in CRLS students’ perception of discrimination. For example, they are sponsoring a "know your rights" session. Ms. Erlien said that in other communities the universities are doing more for their communities than the institutions in Cambridge. She does not understand why Harvard and MIT cannot do more.

Mr. Singer said that the 1998 forum was citizens telling the City what they wanted to see happen. The City did not make a commitment. If this is done again there should be a mechanism for periodic reports back. Mr. Singer added that he would also suggest that the group discussions be reported back in a format based on some predetermined categories, so there could be more analysis. Given the big health care issues facing the community, perhaps the impact of racism on health and health care could be a focus. He expects there will the be a disproportionate effect in the area of health insurance coverage under the new Massachusetts law and also with respect to issues of whether the people know about the changes and opportunities. There could be a number of topic-specific forums.

Mr. Likis suggested thinking about structuring the forum to take place on one or two days. He also suggested involving the arts. He noted the interviews and resulting skit that kids in one of the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Programs used to encourage discussion of sensitive issues.

Ms. Nichols noted that there is a whole group of post-high school kids who have not been reached by education or programs and are at risk. Some focus on their needs might be useful.

Ms. Preval said the Employee’s Diversity Committee has found that sharing diversity of culture has been a successful way to foster positive discussion about differences. She has wondered whether the schools could use this technique.

Mr. Brown said one way to shape this forum would be to bring it to some of the City boards for them to contribute to shaping the discussion. He said that there are lots of different ways of having this kind of discussions. For example, Boston just finished a three-year citywide discussion on race and class. It was very expensive.

Mr. Singer asked what the goals would be for this event. If the event were multi-day, perhaps it could take place in different venues around the City, for example, in churches.

Councillor Simmons said that the context in 1998 came from lots of community meetings about what seemed like increasing racial tension in the City, especially in the schools. The overall goal was to inform our policy makers, and for that goal it was very important to have the broadest possible group at the table.

Ms. Preval suggested reviewing the 1998 documents to see whether there have been significant changes.

Councillor Simmons summarized what she had heard from the group as follows:
1. focus on one issue
2. report back
3. think about series of events
4. include follow-up with youth on the perception of discrimination and racial profiling report
5. looking back and looking forward – Cambridge then and now
6. cultural diversity

Ms. Erlien said that she liked the idea of an organizing frame of "Cambridge Then and Now" also idea of looking at the effects of the ten years of existence of the Cambridge Health Alliance

Ms. Preval suggested asking people in the City’s committees and boards for ideas on how things could change.

Councillor Simmons said that a look at then and now could start a lot earlier than ten years ago. She still sees the major goal as informing the policy makers. She would be concerned about focusing on just youth because that would leave out a lot of Cambridge.

Mr. Singer said that even if the forum takes place all in one day, he would still prefer an issue-based discussion with three or four discussion topics that people could choose and access.

Mr. Likis said that he looks forward to reading the report 1998 and having another meeting. He appreciates the focus on informing the policy makers but there are also other goals such as community building and education.

Mr. Nichols said that a review of demographics and change might help the committee to focus on what they want to do.

Councillor Simmons scheduled the next meeting for Thursday, Mar 1st at 5:30 P. M. in the Sullivan Chamber and requested that everyone review the 1998 report before the meeting. She thanked those present for their attendance. The meeting was adjourned at six o’clock and fifty-seven minutes.

For the Committee,
Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair