Cambridge City Council meeting - March 7, 2022

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a recommendation that in accordance with the requirements of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the Cambridge City Council adopt an order for the Statement of Interest Form for the replacement of the Amigos School building roof. (CM22#37)
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Emergency Management Performance Grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $39,600 to the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used to support the purchase of a new vehicle for the Emergency Preparedness and Coordination office. (CM22#38)
pulled by Nolan; Charter Right - Nolan

3. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of MASSCAP Inc. funds in the amount of $1,665.38 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to provide assistance to Cambridge and Somerville residents with natural gas heating bills. (CM22#39)
Order Adopted 9-0

4. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant from the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board for $74,847.11 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($29,939) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($44,908.11) which will be used to reimburse the City for salary and program costs associated with enrolling income-eligible youth in the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. (CM22#40)
Order Adopted 9-0

5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grant in the amount of $348,301 funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used for DHSP to operate LIHEAP serving Cambridge and Somerville. (CM22#41)
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of funds for the College Success Initiative from the Cambridge Housing Authority for $12,500 to the Grant Fund Human Service Department Programs Salary and Wages account which will be used to support a portion of the salary costs for one of the college success coaches who works with students attending Bunker Hill Community College. (CM22#42)
pulled by Mallon; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Children’s Trust Fund grant for the Center for Families program in the amount of $53,000 to the Department of Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($12,350), to the Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($26,400), and to the Travel and Training account ($14,250) which will be used by the Center for Families to support family programs targeting parents of children up to eight years, which include a variety of family support and parent education programs and resources. (CM22#43)
Order Adopted 9-0

9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation (DCR) to reactivate the parking meters installed last year on segments of Memorial Drive near the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and along Cambridge Parkway. (CM22#45)
pulled by Zondervan; Charter Right - Azeem

10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $75,000 from the General Fund Traffic, Parking and Transportation Salary and Wages account to the General Fund Traffic, Parking and Transportation Travel and Training (Judgment and Damages) account to cover current and anticipated medical services and/or prescription reimbursement costs for the remainder of the fiscal year for Traffic and Parking personnel injured in the performance of their duties. (CM22#46)
pulled by Carlone; Order Adopted 9-0

11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $730,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Traffic and Parking Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($700,000), and to the General Fund Traffic and Parking Department Extraordinary Expenditures account ($30,000) for additional costs associated with the implementation of the Cycling Safety Ordinance. (CM22#47)
pulled by Toner; Order Adopted 9-0

Mar 7, 2022
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am requesting an appropriation in the amount of $730,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Traffic and Parking Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($700,000), and to the General Fund Traffic and Parking Department Extraordinary Expenditures account ($30,000) for additional costs associated with the implementation of the Cycling Safety Ordinance.

Funds will be used to cover additional costs related to the implementation of the Cycling Safety Ordinance, including enhancements to the planning, design, evaluation and public outreach for new bicycle safety projects including:

• Installation of pavement markings and vertical delineators (flex posts)

• General project planning and design

• Vehicle to support ongoing maintenance of new improvements

• Comprehensive analysis of business and economic impacts

• Additional communications materials, including temporary signs and mailings to residents and businesses

A second community meeting regarding project implementation in Porter Square is scheduled to take place March 15, 2022. The meeting will be followed by additional design and community outreach efforts, with the intention of installing improvements this construction season.

Planning and outreach for project implementation along the Brattle Street corridor is anticipated to begin in April, with work on the segment between Mason Street and Sparks Street expected to begin sometime this year, followed by the segment from Sparks Street to Mount Auburn Street.

An economic analysis of bicycle lanes is anticipated to be complete by early fall 2022, in line with the Policy Order passed at the February 28 meeting. The Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and the Community Development Department, in collaboration with other City departments including Assessing, Law, and the City’s Manager’s Office, will develop a scope for the project, and work with an outside consultant on implementation.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on the status of our planned implementation of cycling safety improvements in Porter Square along Massachusetts Avenue between Beech Street and Roseland Street. (CM22#48)
pulled by Toner; Order Adopted 8-1 (Zondervan - NO)

Mar 7, 2022
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am writing to provide you with an update on the status of our planned implementation of cycling safety improvements in Porter Square along Massachusetts Avenue between Beech Street and Roseland Street. City staff held a community meeting on this project on January 25 and will be holding another community meeting on March 15. Based on the feedback received since the January meeting, we will be presenting a draft plan later this month, which will still be subject to significant review, comment, and change. Because of the significant work that has been generated and will be further generated by that process, I am advised by the department heads involved in the project that the project will not be implemented by May 1st, but that we will continue to move as expeditiously as possible, and we are confident that the project will be implemented by the end of this construction season. We remain committed to moving this project forward expeditiously and to creating improved conditions for all users traveling through Porter Square.

The Cycling Safety Ordinance requires quick-build separated bicycle lanes to be installed in this segment of Mass Ave by May 1, 2022. After reviewing the current status of this project with key staff, they have advised me that they do not believe that it will be feasible to implement this project by that deadline, given a number of key factors:

• In the policy order response that was submitted to the City Council on January 31 on the topic of community engagement, we committed to providing the community with three engagement opportunities prior to project implementation. Given that we are only holding our second engagement opportunity during the middle of this month, we do not expect to be able to complete the level of meaningful engagement we have committed to while still meeting the original deadline. City staff therefore need additional time and for the schedule to be extended, which will also allow more time for local stakeholders to gain comfort with the planned changes and make any operational changes that might be necessary (e.g., changing the hours when deliveries occur). We also hope that this additional time will help to mitigate the adversarial nature of some of the recent discussions, which should be beneficial to both City staff and local stakeholders.

• To make these types of quick-build improvements as successful as possible, it is important to include as many mitigation elements as possible, including installing parking meters and loading zones on side streets, improving pedestrian crossings, and identifying other changes to traffic regulations. These mitigation elements would take additional time to develop, based on detailed conversations with businesses, residents, and other stakeholders, and cannot be considered fully within the limited time provided by the original deadline.

• One of the concerns that has been raised about prior quick-build projects is that the various changes were not implemented in the most desirable sequence, with impactful changes being implemented prior to the relevant mitigation elements being addressed. This situation was generally caused by schedule pressures that required certain project improvements to be prioritized for implementation, even if it did not result in the improvements being choreographed as tightly as possible. By allowing more time for the implementation of this project, we can ensure that the project improvements are installed in the most beneficial sequence.

• One of the most critical elements of project implementation is the installation of pavement markings that define the travel lanes for all users. This work will be done by contractors, and those contractors are generally not available until late April or early May of any given construction season at the earliest. Given ongoing issues around both workforce availability and supply chain constraints, particularly because of impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, contractor availability is likely to be even more constrained, leading to the likelihood for even further delays.

Based on all of these factors, we plan to move forward with a quick-build project to install separated bicycle lanes and other improvements in Porter Square as quickly as possible during this construction season, but staff have informed me that we will not be able to complete the installation by the original May 1 deadline. The delay will, however, allow for additional coordination with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority regarding the overhead trackless trolley wires and for consideration of whether the proposed introduction of battery electric buses will create additional design flexibility in the short term.

When the Cycling Safety Ordinance was amended in 2020, we had noted that the complexity of the Porter Square area would make it very challenging to achieve the May 1, 2022 deadline. We recognize that the timeline was established in part due to the strong advocacy for further improvements in this location, and City staff have made a strong and committed effort to implement the project by that date. I assure the City Council that the extended schedule does not represent any lessening of the City’s commitment to installing improved facilities for cyclists and all users in Porter Square or other locations in Cambridge.

Notwithstanding the schedule changes that will be required for this project, we remain fully committed to the Cycling Safety Ordinance and to all of the originally stated deadlines, although it is important to note that we are still evaluating whether we will need to take advantage of any of the options to seek extensions under the ordinance. The next major milestone will be reviewing the timeline for the segments of Massachusetts Avenue known collectively as the “MassAve4” with the City Council prior to May 1, 2022. We are on track to meet that milestone and expect to provide a recommended schedule to the City Council in early April to provide time for review prior to that deadline.

I look forward to continuing our work to make improvements for all those traveling in Cambridge.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

13. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the Talbot Street Easement Disposition. (CM22#49)
Two Orders Adopted 9-0

Agenda Item Number 13A Mar 7, 2022 Order Adopted 9-0
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge (the “City”) is the owner of an existing sewer easement (the “Sewer Easement”) across a portion of the property commonly known as 285 Vassar Street, Cambridge (the “Property”); and
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) has requested that the City dispose of and relocate Sewer Easement burdening the Property; and
WHEREAS: MIT installed a new a new drainage structure on MIT property from Talbot Street to the Charles River for the purpose of improving stormwater management in the area due to current and future development. MIT granted an easement to the City for the new drainage structure (the “New Outfall Easement”); and
WHEREAS: The Sewer Easement consists of 968.7 square feet, and the New Outfall Easement consists of:

Construction Access Easement – 46,017 square feet
MIT Culvert Easement – 15,384 square feet
12’ Wide Water Easement – 5,238 square feet; and

WHEREAS: The City Council has determined that the disposition of Sewer Easement over the Property in connection with the grant of the New Outfall Easement by MIT in favor of the City and the construction by the new drainage structure located therein would not derogate from the public interest or the public purposes for the easement areas now in question; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council, pursuant to Section 2.110.010 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, hereby authorizes the City Manager, to dispose of, on behalf of the City, the above-referenced Sewer Easement on the Property, and to execute and deliver such abandonment in such form and substance as I deem appropriate.

Agenda Item Number 13B Mar 7, 2022 Order Adopted 9-0
WHEREAS: Pursuant to Sec. 2.110.010(G) of the Cambridge Municipal Code, the City Council hereby orders that the City Council shall utilize a diminished process for the disposition an existing sewer easement (the “Sewer Easement”) across a portion of the property commonly known as 285 Vassar Street, Cambridge (the “Property”). The disposition of the existing Sewer Easement shall be made in connection with a new a new drainage structure installed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) on MIT property from Talbot Street to the Charles River for the purpose of improving stormwater management in the area due to current and future development. MIT granted an easement to the City for the new drainage structure, as set out in the City Manager’s February 28, 2022 letter to the City Council.

14. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request to approve the disposition of property located at 35 Cherry Street (the “Property”) to the Affordable Housing Trust to facilitate the development of affordable housing. (CM22#50)
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

Mar 7, 2022
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am writing to ask the City Council to approve the disposition of property located at 35 Cherry Street (the “Property”) to the Affordable Housing Trust to facilitate the development of affordable housing. As set out in the Memo provided herewith from Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) committed to convey the Property to the City in connection with a zoning petition. The conveyance was to be done subject to a community process to be conducted by the City to determine the best use of the Property. I support that request and recommend that the Council vote to approve the disposition of the Property to the Affordable Housing Trust.

By way of background, in 2013, MIT filed a zoning petition seeking amended zoning for the PUD-5 Zoning District, and in connection with that petition, MIT committed to convey the Property to the City for a use that directly benefits residents in The Port neighborhood and surrounding communities, after completion of a public process to determine that use. CDD has now completed that public process and the result was a consensus that the Property be used for new affordable housing building(s) that fit the scale of the neighboring homes. To accomplish this, CDD recommends that the Property be transferred to the Affordable Housing Trust. This transfer would not be subject to the City’s disposition ordinance. I support this request and recommend that the Council vote to authorize me to transfer the Property to the Affordable Housing Trust upon receipt of the deed conveying the property from MIT to the City.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

Agenda Item Number 14 Mar 7, 2022
WHEREAS: There continues to be a severe shortage of decent housing affordable to low- and moderate-income residents in the city; and
WHEREAS: The City Council desires to increase the supply of affordable housing, now and in the future, for low- and moderate-income Cambridge residents to reside in decent, affordable housing; and
WHEREAS: In its Letter of Commitment dated April 8, 2013 in connection with the City Council’s adoption of amendments to Section 13.80 of the Zoning Ordinance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“MIT”) committed to convey property located at 35 Cherry Street, Assessor’s Lot 75-118 (the “Property”) to the City or third party designated by the City for uses to benefit the community as determined through a public process conducted by the Community Development Department; and
WHEREAS: MIT has agreed to convey the Property to the City and to record a deed evidencing said conveyance of the Property to the City shortly; and
WHEREAS: On November 9, 2020, the City Council adopted an order requesting that the City Manager direct the Community Development Department to commence the public process with the Port neighborhood and surrounding communities to determine the future use of the Property for affordable housing, and in conjunction with the community, determine the type of housing that would meet the most pressing needs in the area; and
WHEREAS: The Community Development Department conducted a public process which included two community meetings which were open to anyone, and six focus groups with Spanish-speaking, Haitian, and American-born Black Cambridge residents to discuss ideas and options for how the Property could be developed as affordable housing; and
WHEREAS: The Community Development Department has provided a report to the City Council on this community process which includes recommendations for developing the Property as affordable housing, including:

Use of 100% of units on-site for affordable housing;
On-site housing units should provide affordable homeownership opportunities;
Include maximum number of family-sized (3-4 bedroom) units as financially viable;
Provide high quality private open space for children to play and residents to gather and build community;
Prioritize current Cambridge residents when identifying residents for the new affordable units to the extent allowable under fair housing law;
Provide access to on-site parking based on anticipated demand; and

WHEREAS: The City Manager has further recommended that the City Council approve the disposition of the Property to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust to initiate the process to develop the Property as affordable housing pursuant to the recommendations from the community process; and
WHEREAS: Pursuant to Section 15A of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, as amended and accepted by the City Council on November 26, 1990, the City Council may, by a majority vote, transfer municipal land to another board or officer of the City for the purpose of constructing affordable housing; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That upon receipt of the deed conveying the property from MIT to the City, the City Manager is authorized to transfer the Property to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust for the development of affordable homeownership housing for low- and moderate- residents as described above; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute and deliver to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust, in the name of and on behalf of the City of Cambridge in such form as the City Manager shall approve (such approval to be evidenced by such execution and delivery) such documents, instruments, agreements, deeds, licenses, warranties, indemnifications, releases or certificates, or amendments thereto, required by the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust to develop the Property as affordable housing; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager is hereby authorized to execute, accept, and deliver such supplemental or ancillary documents as are reasonably necessary to implement the intent of this Order and to execute, accept and deliver amendments thereto.

15. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the Annual Surveillance Report concerning City Departments’ use of Surveillance Technology or Surveillance Data. (CM22#51)
pulled by Azeem; Referred to Public Safety 9-0 (Azeem)

CHARTER RIGHT
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Michael P. Gardner as a member of the Cambridge Retirement Board for a term of three years, effective Mar 1, 2022. [Charter Right - Mallon, Feb 28, 2022] (CM22#22)
Placed on File 9-0 (not subject to City Council review)

3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for new appointments and reappointment to Open Data Review Board for a term of two year. [Charter Right - Mallon, Feb 28, 2022] (CM22#24)
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for reappointment and new appointment to the Water Board. [Charter Right - Mallon, Feb 28, 2022] (CM22#26)
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for reappointments to the Fresh Pond Master Plan Advisory Board. [Charter Right - Mallon, Feb 28, 2022] (CM22#27)
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

10. An application was received from MIT List Visual Arts Center requesting permission for 35 temporary banners across Ames Street Memorial Drive Main Street and Broadway announcing MIT List, New Art on View, Contemporary Art from February 2022 through October 2022. [Charter Right - Carlone, Feb 28, 2022] (AP22#5)
Order Adopted 9-0

11. An application was received from Dan Anderson, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 33 Webster Avenue said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. [Charter Right - Carlone, Feb 28, 2022] (AP22#6)
Order Adopted 8-1 (Zondervan - NO, he's opposed to any new off-street parking)

12. An application was received from Kelley Brown, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 301 Vassar Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. [Charter Right - Carlone, Feb 28, 2022] (AP22#7)
Order Adopted 9-0

13. An application was received from Dillon Lammers, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 1065 Cambridge Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. [Charter Right - Carlone, Feb 28, 2022] (AP22#8)
Order Approved 9-0

14. A Zoning Petition has been received from Craig A. Kelley regarding The Cambridge Transportation De-Carbonization and Congestion-Mitigation Bill.. (Ordinance #2022-10) [Charter Right - Carlone, Feb 28, 2022] (AP22#9)
Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 9-0 (Carlone)

16. That the City Manager is requested to amend all existing Community Host Agreements previously issued by the City by reducing the Impact Fee to 0.05% of Gross Revenue and to refrain from placing this burden upon any future HCAs that may yet be issued. [Charter Right - Zondervan, Feb 28, 2022] (PO22#27)
Amended to add Zondervan as sponsor (and withdraw his proposed amendments); Tabled 9-0 on motion of Simmons

O-3 Feb 28, 2022 Charter Right - Zondervan; Amended to add Zondervan as sponsor (and withdraw his proposed amendments); Tabled 9-0 on motion of Simmons
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR ZONDEVAN
WHEREAS: In the five years since Massachusetts legalized recreational cannabis, a handful of Host Community Agreements (HCAs) have been issued by the City of Cambridge to Economic Empowerment and Social Equity applicants seeking to establish local recreational dispensaries, yet to date, only one business has been able to open their doors; and
WHEREAS: A variety of factors have contributed to the slow start of establishing local recreational dispensaries, including but not limited to the significant costs associated with obtaining licenses, securing product, securing and holding retail space during an international pandemic, and the hiring and training of staff; and
WHEREAS: The two-year delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has presented a particularly difficult challenge for local Equity Empowerment (the “EE”) and Social Equity (the “SE”) applicants to navigate, as those who secured retail space two or more years ago in anticipation of offsetting their monthly rent with their monthly profits have instead had to absorb two years’ worth of rent without any sales to offset these costs, threatening the fiscal viability of some these fledgling enterprises; and
WHEREAS: Another significant cost has been the local “Impact Fees,” which the City defines in all its HCAs as “…the amount of three percent (3%) of the Applicant’s gross revenues derived from the Cannabis Business’ sales…[because]…[t]he Parties anticipate that, as a result of the Applicant’s operation of the Cannabis Business, the City will incur additional expenses and impacts upon its road system, law enforcement, inspectional services, permitting services, administrative services, educational services and public health services, in addition to potential unforeseen impacts upon the City,” and these fees must be paid to the City on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS: Massachusetts has collected $74.2 million from cannabis sales as of December 2021, the excise tax of 10.75% on recreational cannabis comprising only about half of the total tax revenue being collected for cannabis, as there is also a 6.25% state sales tax, plus the local tax (the Impact Fees) of up to 3% of gross revenue, which all added up to $208 million in total tax revenue last fiscal year; and
WHEREAS: Due to substantial and negative impact of the 3% local tax (Impact Fees) on the viability of these EE and SE Cannabis Dispensaries, and in light of the supporting evidence from other Massachusetts municipalities that the removal of these Impact Fees would not have any appreciable impacts upon the community or add significant additional costs to the City, it would be a small but significant action if the City were to remove or reduce this additional financial hurdle for local EE and SE applicants, in an effort to support the viability of these businesses during such uncertain times for brick and mortar businesses; and
WHEREAS: The City Council has repeatedly declared its strong support for creating favorable conditions that would provide EE and SE applicants with the greatest chances for success, and to that end it would be just and equitable for the City to reduce the Impact Fee imposed upon its EE and SE applicants from 3% of Gross Revenue to .05% of Gross Revenue; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to amend all existing Host Community Agreements previously issued by the City by reducing the Impact Fee to 0.05% of Gross Revenue and to refrain from placing this burden upon any future HCAs that may yet be issued, unless supporting evidence is provided by the City showing a finding that it incurred additional expenses and impacts upon its road system, law enforcement, inspectional services, permitting services, administrative services, educational services and public health services greater than the .05% of Gross Revenue collected from all the EE and SE dispensaries annually; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter no later than May 1, 2022.

Zondervan Proposed Substitute Order:
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to adopt a policy of conditionally waiving impact fees until and unless the city is required to expend funds to mitigate specific impacts from Cannabis Businesses, providing at least three months advance notice to all businesses before any such fee must be paid, and to amend all existing HCAs to reflect this policy; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant staff to provide a comprehensive, data-driven update on Cambridge's emerging cannabis industry at a future hearing of the Finance Committee, including (but not limited to):

Information on the number of EE and SE applicants seeking to open in Cambridge and where they stand in the process
Information on the ways in which city staff have worked with EE and SE applicants to help them get through the process as swiftly as possible
Information on revenue generated by adult-use cannabis businesses in Cambridge to date
An itemization of expenditures that the city has so far been required to make or anticipates having to make in order to mitigate specific impacts of Cannabis Businesses
A legal opinion on the possibility of completely exempting EE and SE applicants from impact fees that may be assessed, or to charge them proportionally less than other applicants, as a matter of equity; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide this update to the Finance Committee shortly after the FY23 budget is adopted by the City Council.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Ricky Zeng representing Gong Cha, requesting permission for a projecting sign at the premises numbered 50 Church Street approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and no abutter response, proof of mailing has been received. (AP22#10)
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Mallon - ABSENT)

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Stephen Kaiser, regarding REPORT on Recent Design Plans for Mass Avenue Prepared by Stephen Kaiser Mar 1, 2022.

2. A communication was received from Samantha Putoš, regarding Parking on Mass Ave.

3. A communication was received from Mike Goodman, regarding Cambridge Green New Deal.

5. A communication was received from Erick Lynch, regarding DUDLEY TO BEACH parking removal.

6. A communication was received from Dolan Murvihill, regarding Support ARPA funding for HEART!.

7. A communication was received from Belinda Rathbone, regarding for City Council Meeting Mar 7.

8. A communication was received from Anirudh Wodeyar, regarding Cambridge needs a Green New Deal.

9. A communication was received from Allie Wainer, regarding ARPA for Cambridge Heart.

10. A communication was received from Adam Simha, regarding Mass Ave changes re: bikes.

11. Sundry communications were received, regarding Save Mass Ave regarding Bike Lanes.

13. Sundry communications were received, regarding the ARPA funding for Cambridge HEART.

16. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding March 7 City Council City Manager's Agenda Items 12.

17. A communication was received from Suzanne Blier, regarding On Various Charter Rights and the Manager Agenda.

18. A communication was received from Susan Labandibar, regarding Delay bike lane implementation until the catenary wires are removed.

19. A communication was received from Susan Flannery, regarding support for ARPA funding.

20. A communication was received from Steve Gallant and Julia Todd, regarding Opposed to making Upland Rd one-way.

21. A communication was received from Saul Tannenbaum, regarding Please refer the Manager's Annual Surveillance Oversight Report to Committee for the discussion it deserves.

22. A communication was received from Mr. Hasson Rashid, regarding Policy Makers and City Government!

23. A communication was received from Kavish Gandhi, regarding Ordinance Committee on March 9.

24. A communication was received from Natalie Le, regarding Public Comment Form Submission Confirmation.

25. A communication was received from Judy Mangion, regarding Please read at City Council meeting on March 7.

26. A communication was received from John T. Spinelli, regarding Alewife Overlay District Ordinance Committee Meeting.

27. A communication was received from Joan Pickett, regarding Please support CMA #12.

28. A communication was received from Carolyn Magid, regarding Nolan and Zondervan Amendments to BEUDERO.

29. A communication was received from C Catherine LeBlanc, regarding SUPPORT BEUDERO.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulations to the East Cambridge Business Association, Gather Here Stitch Lounge, and Commonwealth Alternative Care on the opening of the Inman Incubator. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toner
Adopted 8-0-1 (Mallon - ABSENT)

ORDERS
1. Cancellation of the City Council Meeting Mar 14, 2022. Mayor Siddiqui (PO22#37)
Order Adopted 9-0

2. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Department of Public Works to introduce the SMART Box rodent control system in Cambridge. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui (PO22#38)
Order Adopted 9-0

3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Assistant City Manager for the Department of Human Service Programs and the head of DHSP Preschools to determine how to better integrate more parent response into their decision-making process as they make changes that can have undue impacts upon the families they serve. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern (PO22#39)
Order Adopted 9-0

4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of Libraries to provide free tickets to the Museum of African American History to Cambridge residents. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (PO22#40)
Order Adopted 9-0

5. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the findings of the “Future of Telework” Committee, and to explain the City's current policy regarding a remote work policy in the Weekly Digest this Friday, March 11th; and to submit a full report with recommendations to the full City Council at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Monday, March 21st. Vice Mayor Mallon (PO22#41)
Order Adopted 5-2-1-1 (Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Zondervan, Siddiqui - YES; Azeem, Toner - NO; Simmons - ABSENT, Carlone - PRESENT)

The discussion illustrated some basic misunderstanding by Vice Mayor Mallon and Mayor Siddiqui regarding the distinction between their role as city councillors and the role of the City Manager in regardless to City employees. In contrast, Councillor Azeem showed a clear understanding of the role of city councillors under the Plan E Charter (Bravo, Councillor Azeem!). Councillors Toner and Carlone also showed wisdom in their vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. The Housing Committee met on Dec 1, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to resume its discussion of the Sept 20, 2021 Policy Order that seeks to amend the Zoning Ordinance via potentially raising the linkage fee. [Report]
Present: Simmons, Mallon, McGovern, Zondervan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, (Carlone, Nolan)
Report Accepted; Placed on File 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Anthony Wilson, City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity. (COF22#26)
Placed on File 9-0

2. A communication was received from Councillors Toner and Simmons, transmitting a memorandum regarding the search for the next City Clerk. [Outreach List] [Search timeline] [Job posting] (COF22#27)
Placed on File 9-0

Mar 3, 2022
Mr. Anthony Wilson
Clerk of Cambridge
Cambridge City Hall

Re: Final Report from the Co-Chairs of the City Clerk Search Committee

Dear Mr. Clerk:

Please include this correspondence on the agenda as part of Communications and Reports from City Officers for the City Council meeting being held on March 7th, 2022.

The search process for our new City Clerk is on track. The job description has been posted on the City of Cambridge website (see City Clerk Job Posting an attached). Sheila Keady Rawson, Director of Personnel, has distribute the posting to the attached outreach list. Please share the posting with any of your contacts and networks. Naomi Stephen, Executive Assistant to the City Council, will be collecting all resumes and preparing for review by the initial screening committee.

The City Clerk Screening Committee will be is comprised of:

• Paul Toner, City Councillor, Co-Chair

• E. Denise Simmons, City Councillor, Co-Chair

• Marc McGovern, City Councillor

• Burhan Azeem, City Councillor

• Matthew Nelson, Assistant to the City Manager for Community Relations

• Nicole Murati Ferrer, License Commission Chair

• Megan Bayer, First Assistant City Solicitor

Our Tentative Schedule is attached with a target date for final selection by the full City Council the week of May 8th, followed by negotiation of contract with the finalist and several possible weeks of overlap with current City Clerk, Anthony Wilson, for onboarding and a smooth transition. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Submitted by:
City Councillors Paul Toner and E. Denise Simmons, Co-Chairs of the City Clerk Selection Committee

Outreach for City Clerk 2022

• City of Cambridge website • Twitter- City Official • Facebook- City Official • LinkedIn • MMA Online • MMA Beacon • ICMA • Idealist • Lawyers Weekly • Bay State Banner • New England Association of Town and City Clerks

• Massachusetts City/Town Clerks Association

• International Institute of Municipal Clerks

• Professional Diversity Network

• iHispano.com

• BlackCareerNetwork.com

• WomensCareerChannel.com

• Military2Career.com

• ProAble.net

• Acareers.net

• OutProNet.com

3. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee. (COF22#28)
Placed on File 9-0

4. A communication was received from City Manager Louie DePasquale, transmitting The Annual Surveillance Report. (COF22#24)

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

Tues, Mar 8
3:00pm The Health and Environment Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on proposed BEUDO amendments. (Sullivan Chamber, Zoom)

Wed, Mar 9
1:00pm The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee will meet for the purpose of reviewing next steps in the City Manager search process. (Zoom)
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on a petition to amend Article 20.90- Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance by inserting a new section entitled Section 20.94.3- Temporarily prohibited uses (ORDINANCE #2022-1). (Sullivan Chamber, Zoom)

Thurs, Mar 10
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on the Wage Theft ordinance (Ordinance #2022-3). (Sullivan Chamber, Zoom)

Wed, Mar 16
2:00pm The Housing Committee will hold a public hearing to continue discussions around potentially raising the linkage fee rates. (Sullivan Chamber, Zoom)

Thurs, Mar 17
5:30pm The Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebration Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the appropriateness of laboratories in neighborhood retail districts. (Sullivan Chamber, Zoom)

Wed, Mar 23
5:00pm The Human Services and Veterans Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss the final report from the Ad Hoc Working Group on Homelessness released on Jan 31, 2022. (Sullivan Chamber, Zoom)

Wed, Apr 6
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on a petition to amend the zoning ordinance entitled “Article 22 Sustainable Design and Development” (Ordinance #2022-7). (Sullivan Chamber, Zoom)

O-3 Mar 7, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: A number of parents with children in the DHSP Preschool program have recently raised concerns that the DHSP has enacted a number of policies without soliciting or accepting input from the parents served by the department, creating a significant adverse impact upon these families (particularly those who are low-income); and
WHEREAS: These parents have specifically pointed to the mid-January notice that was sent out to them stating that DHSP Preschools would reduce their operating hours from a 10-hour day to an 8-hour day, taking effect in less than a week’s time, and leaving parents to scramble to figure out how they would deal with the partial loss of coverage for their children; and
WHEREAS: These parents have cited concerns that the DHSP Preschool’s head did not solicit their input or feedback ahead of or during the making of these reductions, has made it all but impossible for concerned parents to engage with the administrators to provide their feedback, and appears to be operating with little or no oversight in making these decisions; and
WHEREAS: These parents have also noted that the Preschool program never surveyed parents on how this would affect them, or on what types of mitigating strategies might be worth consideration, and they lament that the Preschool program did not set up office hours to discuss these issues; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Assistant City Manager for the Department of Human Service Programs and the head of DHSP Preschools to determine how to better integrate more parent response into their decision-making process as they make changes that can have undue impacts upon the families they serve, and to ensure greater transparency and accountability in such decision-making; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
16-111. Report on the potential of building below market rental housing on City-owned parking lots along Bishop Allen Drive. On a communication from Councillor McGovern requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons (O-4) from 12/12/2016

18-38. Report on inventory of all City-owned vacant buildings and lots and the City's plans for them, if any.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui (O-2) from 3/26/2018

19-66. Report on whether it is possible to reduce or eliminate Building Permit Fees for 100% affordable housing development projects, through an exemption or other means and investigate what types of real estate tax abatements are possible for 100% affordable housing moving forward.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-3) from 6/3/2019

19-145. Report on reviewing all the City’s policies and procedures related to the procurement, installation and disposal of artificial turf.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan (O-7) from 10/21/2019

19-147. Report on installing hearing loop technology inside the Sullivan Chamber as part of the upcoming renovations to City Hall, and in other critical City meeting venues wherever possible and other accessibility improvements.
Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 10/28/2019

20-6. Report on the acquisition and implementation of interpretation services for City Council meetings and other public City meetings.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern (O-8) from 1/27/2020

20-27. Report on the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with Civil Service, and the process by which Cambridge could exit Civil Service.
Councillor Nolan (O-5) from 6/22/2020

20-60. Report on analyzing eviction data from 2018 through 2021 and come back with a plan on how to use this data to inform our next action steps.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-8) from 11/2/2020

20-61. Report on an update on City-Owned Vacant Properties Inventory.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/16/2020

20-72. Report on the condition of 105 Windsor Street and cost estimates of any repairs needed and provide recommendations on how to develop any other underused properties based on an inclusive public process centered in the Port neighborhood.
Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 12/14/2020

21-8. Report on removing hostile architecture whenever public spaces are designed or redesigned and to create design guidelines that ensure our public spaces are truly welcoming to the entire community and determine how existing bench fixtures can be addressed to support all residents who use them.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui (Calendar Item #3) from 2/8/2021

21-9. Report on providing an overview of various programs and services that are designed to assist the City’s chronically unhoused population and those in danger of becoming unhoused, along with the metrics by which the City determines the effectiveness of these programs.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 2/22/2021

21-10. Report on whether or not the City can require written notice be sent to all abutters, both property owners as well as tenants, regarding the scheduling of a hearing regarding the extension of a building permit request to the Planning Board.
(O-5) from 2/22/2021

21-14. Report on presenting options to the Council to ensure that the staff at Albany Street are properly compensated for their work, and that guests are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (Calendar Item #3) from 3/8/2021

21-29. Report on updating the Parental Leave Policy for employees.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons (O-7) from 4/26/2021

21-30. Report on increasing the affordable homeownership stock over the next 10 years by financing the construction of affordable homeownership units through a bond issue of no less than $500 million.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 5/3/2021

21-35. Report on providing options to update the HomeBridge and Affordable Home Ownership Programs to better align with the City’s values, and promote racial equity and socioeconomic justice.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui (O-6) from 5/3/2021

21-36. Report on developing a holistic plan for managing the traffic and congestion in the Alewife area.
Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-2) from 5/17/2021

21-42. Report on reviewing Cambridge’s corporate contracts and purchases to identify any vendors or manufacturers whose products are used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge’s policy on discrimination. See Mgr #8
Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #2) from 5/25/2021

21-43. Report on referring the Cambridge HEART proposal for funding consideration and to engage in a public community process to discuss this proposal and its implementation.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan (Calendar Item #1) from 6/7/2021

21-45. Report on taking all necessary steps to waive the dog license fee for all senior citizens and examine options for reducing the fees for low-income residents.
Councillor McGovern (Calendar Item #1) from 6/14/2021

21-46. Report on the feasibility of purchasing properties for sale in the Alewife area to address City goals.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone (O1) from 6/14/2021

21-49. Report on making immediate improvements at the intersection of Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, Binney and Bristol Streets and to all intersections in the city that are similarly malfunctioning, and to implement longer term changes.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan (O-8) from 6/14/2021

21-50. Report on providing an update on the cost of each license and permit required by businesses, which business license and permit fees are set under state law, which are set by ordinances, and which are determined administratively, as well as which licenses and permits the City has the discretion to waive entirely.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan (O-9) from 6/14/2021

21-52. Report on examining stipend models for the City's multi-member bodies.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan (O-8) from 6/28/2021

21-60. Report on reviewing the residential parking permit program to determine whether the criteria for this program can be modified to limit the issuance of residential permits to vehicles that are primarily utilized for personal, non-commercial use.
Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 9/13/2021

21-63. Report on using only locally sourced produce, farmers, and resident gardeners to study the feasibility of spending Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to address food insecurity by installing raised garden beds throughout Cambridge and providing free, fresh, locally-grown food for residents in need.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-9) from 9/13/2021

21-67. Report on working with the staff at the Cambridge Historical Commission, the DCR Commissioner, and members of Cambridge’s state delegation to approve, fund and execute the design and installation of a suitable historic marker by April 2022 to recognize the vision of Frederick Law Olmsted and others in transforming the Cambridge riverfront landscape.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan (O-6) from 9/27/2021

21-69. Report on determining the feasibility of creating a uniform process for aiding the resettlement of refugees in Cambridge.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor SobrinhoWheeler (O-3) from 10/18/2021

21-70. Report on determining the feasibility of purchasing property from Lesley University to address City goals.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 10/18/2021

21-71. Report on placing a cricket field in one of the Cambridge parks.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 10/18/2021

21-74. Report on supporting the Uplift the Solar Energy Industry in Massachusetts coalition.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan (O-12) from 10/18/2021

21-90. Report on working with partners including the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) and the Central Square Business Improvement District on identifying spaces in Central Square that would support the creation and protection of cultural and human service spaces that align with the City’s goals.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey (O-3) from 11/22/2021

21-94. Report on proposing possible zoning language that would achieve the goals of incentivizing all construction to be fossil fuel free through a possible special permit process.
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-1) from 12/13/2021

21-96. Report on reconvening the COVID19 Expert Advisory Panel with a specific focus on combating variants.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-3) from 12/13/2021

21-98. Report on Reaffirming Commitment to the Goal of 100% Renewable by 2035.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan (O-5) from 12/13/2021

21-99. Report on spending plan and possible reallocation for the anticipated GLX refunds, and to report to the City Council on the use of GLX Project Participation Agreement funding in a timely manner.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toomey (O-6) from 12/13/2021

22-2. Report on meeting with the impacted residents and businesses on northern Massachusetts Avenue to discuss their ideas and suggestions for addressing their concerns.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey (Calendar Item #2) from 1/10/2022

22-3. Report on creating a “priority line” and/or establish “senior hours” at the City’s Covid-19 testing locations.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner (O-1) from 1/10/2022

22-4. Report on developing a robust plan to increase access to testing, with the goal of reducing wait times for residents, including, but not limited to, expanding testing sites, hiring staff to operate additional sites, offering "testing tents" set up in City squares, developing a "grab n go" model as used at local universities Harvard and MIT.
Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem (O-6) from 1/10/2022

22-6. Report on the feasibility of expediting the Demolition and Rebuilding permitting process in the event of a natural disaster.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern (O-4) from 1/24/2022

22-7. Report on providing a legal analysis of what uses are currently permitted on the golf course land, information on the history, residency and other demographic information on membership data of golf course users, and any environmental constraints.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem (Calendar Item #1) from 1/31/2022

22-8. Report on determining the feasibility of establishing additional compensation for the City’s essential employees in accordance with the considered State legislation framework.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Toner (O-1) from 2/7/2022

22-9. Report on options for spending ARPA money on direct support for households and individuals facing eviction, housing instability, and/or homelessness.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone (O-5) from 2/7/2022

22-10. Report on conducting a study to collect relevant economic data relating to business impacts from bike lane installations, positive or negative, which will help inform future installations of bike lanes along commercial corridors.
Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Carlone (O-5) from 2/28/2022