CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 09-03, regarding a report on the fatal pedestrian accident in the Mt. Auburn Shaw's supermarket this past fall.

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative Awaiting Report Item Number 09-04, regarding a report on the fatal pedestrian accident on Oxford Street.

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 09-07, regarding a report on plans to eliminate Sunday library hours.

4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 09-06, regarding a report on hours that computers are available to the public in City facilities.

5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation the Massachusetts Association for Community Action grant (MASSCAP) in the amount of $2,208.09 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account and funds will be used for fuel assistance eligible oil heat customers who have exhausted their fuel benefits.  Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley - NO)

6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative the appropriation of the Pathways Grant in the amount of $54,023.00 received from the Massachusetts Department of Education, Adult and Community Learning Services to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($6,865.00) and to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($47,158.00) and will support case management and educational services for fifteen families and involves collaboration between the Community Learning Center, Agenda for Children, Center for Families, and the Childcare Resource Center Parents attend ESOL classes, as well as participate in parenting education sessions and employability workshops and will also be used to cover a portion of full-time employee salaries, transportation and supplies.  Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley - NO)

7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $100,000 in the General Fund from the Employee Benefits (salary adjustment) Salary and Wages account to the Veteran's Travel and Training account to cover additional veteran benefits and medical costs through the end of the fiscal year.  Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley - NO)

ON THE TABLE
1. Opposition to the closing of the Oliver Farnum Senior Health Center. [Placed on Table on motion of Councillor Maher on Order Number Fourteen of Nov 3, 2008.]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Co-Chair of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on 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.]

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Numbers 06-87, 07-83 and 07-138, regarding the status of putting the City's self-evaluation on the website. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on City Manager Agenda Item Number Sixteen of Dec 10, 2007. Dec 17, 2007 - Referred to 2008-2009 City Council as Unfinished Business on motion of Councillor Kelley.]

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from The Upper Crust Pizzeria, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of 49B Brattle Street.

2. An application was received from Red Dragon Martial Arts for Kids & Teens, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of 614 Massachusetts Avenue.

3. An application was received from Redline Fightsports & Martial Arts, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of 614 Massachusetts Avenue.

4. An application was received from Cafe Luna, requesting permission for a food cart in Lafayette Square in front of Cafe Luna located 403 Massachusetts Avenue.

5. A zoning petition has been received from Beal Kendall LLC, to amend Section 20.40-Eastern Cambridge Housing Overlay District of the Zoning Ordinance and add new section 20.48.  Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board

6. An application was received from Harvard Cafe, requesting permission for an awning at the premises numbered 61 Church Street. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department, Historical Commission and abutters.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Carol Bankerd, regarding the commitment to care for trees in our city.  Referred to Health & Environment, Apr 1 hearing

2. A communication was received from Richard D. Fanning, transmitting a letter petition from residents of Linden Park opposing a proposal presented by the Beal Companies to construct a bio-lab tower on land which abuts and adjoins their land.  Referred to Petition

3. A communication was received from Senator Anthony D. Galluccio, transmitting a copy of the sent to Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray requesting assistance with the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Renovation Project.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Proclaim the fourth Monday of every September as Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children and urge residents to participate in its observance.   Mayor Simmons

2. Proclaim Apr 25 - May 3, 2009 as Jazz Week in Cambridge.   Mayor Simmons

3. Acknowledge efforts of the Women's Commission and the Cambridge Historical Project to commit to memory the importance of the 1972 takeover of 888 Memorial Drive.   Mayor Simmons

4. Congratulations to the North Cambridge Family Opera on its Tenth Anniversary season.   Mayor Simmons

5. Proclaim March 2009 as American Red Cross Month.   Mayor Simmons

6. Congratulations to Head Coach Larry Anderson and the MIT Engineers for winning the 2009 NEWMAC Basketball Championship.   Councillor Ward

7. Congratulations to Cambridge Rindge and Latin 2005 Alumni Reece Freeman, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Men’s Basketball team, on his first team All-Little East Conference honors and winning the 2009 Little East Championship   Councillor Ward

8. That the City Council go on record extending its congratulations to Cambridge Rindge and Latin 2005 Alumni Brandon Shelton, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Men’s Basketball team, on his first team All-Little East Conference honors and winning the 2009 Little East Championship   Councillor Ward

9. Resolution on the death of Specialist Brian M. Connelly.   Councillor Decker
10. Resolution on the death of First Lieutenant William E. Emmert.   Councillor Decker
11. Resolution on the death of Michael B. Alleman.   Councillor Decker
12. Resolution on the death of Corporal Michael L. Mayne.   Councillor Decker
13. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Zachary R. Nordmeyer.   Councillor Decker

14. Congratulations to the participants of the Cambridge Works program.   Councillor Reeves

15. Congratulations to Jim and Julia Wallace as they are being recognized by Centro Presente at their Evening to Commemorate Monsignor Romero's Legacy on Mar 19, 2009.   Councillor Davis

16. Resolution on the retirement of Dennis DiPietro.   Mayor Simmons

17. Congratulating PAIR on being the recipient of the 2009 Dr. Joseph H. Brenner Award.   Councillor Decker

18. Resolution on the death of the Honorable George Keverian.   Councillor Toomey

19. Resolution on the death of Francis Dedrick.   Councillor Maher, Councillor Toomey

20. Resolution on the death of Arthur D. Ford.   Councillor Toomey

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to inquire as to the possibility of having a Cambridge resident be appointed to to fill the Community Advisory Council to Massport.   Councillor Maher  Amended

2. That the City Manager is requested to contact the Assistant City Manager for Human Services, the Police Commissioner, the Cambridge Consumer Council and the Executive Director of the Cambridge Housing Authority with the possibility of publishing warnings, offering courses and other means of communications around the issues of mail fraud and schemes targeting the elderly.   Councillor Maher

3. Dedication of a suitable location in memory of Timothy Haslett.   Councillor Davis

4. That the City Manager is requested to examine the possibility of creating a publicly accessible, appropriately confidential database of broad average or median neighborhood rents for retail space in Cambridge.   Vice Mayor Seidel

5. Support for peaceful, educational actions that promote tolerance over hatred, both on Mar 13, 2009 and on any other day of every other year.   Mayor Simmons

6. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to tag for removal bicycles that, as evidenced by the snow around them, appear to have been abandoned.   Councillor Kelley  Amended

7. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council during the current budget cycle on the possibility of Cambridge using its Free Cash to set up a mortgage assistance pool rather than for a general underwriting of tax payments.   Councillor Kelley  Referred to Finance Committee - Seidel

8. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the status and implications of its program of obtaining payment for delinquent taxes.   Councillor Kelley

9. That the City Council go on record urging that the Governor's final Municipal Relief Package contain comprehensive tax reform and new revenues for cities and towns.   Councillor Davis

10. That the City Manager is requested to have the City of Cambridge participate in Earth Hour by shutting off lights in City buildings on Saturday, Mar 28, from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.   Councillor Davis

11. That the City Manager confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking & Transportation Department to report back to the City Council regarding the change in policy limiting a visitor pass to two blocks of houses they are visiting.   Councillor Toomey

12. That the City Manager is to confer with the Assistant City Manager of Community Development to report back to the City Council on the circumstances of the termination of 3 Aces Pizza's leasing agreement with Harvard University.   Mayor Simmons

13. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Community Development Department to do a Neighborhood Planning Study for Massachusetts Avenue.   Vice Mayor Seidel

14. That the City Manager is requested to survey surrounding cities and towns and report back to the City Council on their hours of operation.   Councillor Davis

15. That the City Manager is requested to find some way to provide for Sunday library hours during the period when the Main Library is closed for its move to the new building.   Councillor Decker

16. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Director of the Library to prepare a customer friendly guide for internet computer usage, including the hours available.   Councillor Davis

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee, for a meeting held on Feb 4, 2009 to follow up on red light camera enforcement.  Charter Right - Decker

2. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Marjorie Decker, Chair of the Civic Unity Committee, for a meeting held on Jan 22, 2009 to discuss the Homeland Security grant for installation of surveillance cameras and to provide an opportunity for a community discussion of this matter with city officials.

3. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair of the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee, for a meeting held on Feb 25, 2009 to discuss the possibility of creating an overlay district for Porter Square.

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Mar 9
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Mar 10
2:00pm   The Human Services Committee will conduct a publc meeting to discuss how Cambridge can adapt the Harlem Children's Zone Baby College Program and/or principles to provide parent education for low income families that will provide the tools they need to help their children succeed.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Mar 11
5:00pm   The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss community gardens, receive an update on the possibility of a Cambridge Farm and any other matters relating to growing fruits and vegetables in Cambridge.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 23
5:00pm   Special Presentation for Women's History Month  (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, Mar 26
6:00pm   The Human Services Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the closing of neighborhood health clinics by the Cambridge Health Alliance.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Mar 30
5:30pm   Roundtable Meeting with School Committee. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Apr 1
1:00pm   The Human Services Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss whether a program similar to the Harlem Children's Zone Office of College Success could advance the goal of college graduation for all low income students in Cambridge.  (Sullivan Chamber)
5:00pm   The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss promoting and harvesting fruit trees and the planting, care and maintenance of street trees.  (Sullivan Chamber)

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

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

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

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

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

Mon, May 18
4:00pm   2009 Scholarship Award Ceremony  (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 1
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 8
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 15
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 22
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 29
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

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

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

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

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

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

Mon, Oct 26
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Mar 9, 2009  Amended
COUNCILLOR MAHER
WHEREAS: Many Cambridge residents have been aware of the increase in the number of flights emanating from Logan Airport and there has been an increase in the number of complaints regarding the noise that these flights generate; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to inquire as to the possibility of having a Cambridge resident be appointed to to fill the Community Advisory Council to Massport.

O-2     Mar 9, 2009
COUNCILLOR MAHER
WHEREAS: There has been an increase of mailings to the elderly and other Cambridge residents, that are, in reality, schemes and scams requesting that the receiver of these mailings send money; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to contact the Assistant City Manager for Human Services, the Police Commissioner, the Cambridge Consumer Council and the Executive Director of the Cambridge Housing Authority with the possibility of publishing warnings, offering courses and other means of communications around the issues of mail fraud and schemes targeting the elderly and to encourage all our Cambridge residents not to respond to these mailings.

O-3     Mar 9, 2009
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Council dedicate a suitable location in memory of Timothy Haslett; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Assistant to the City Council be and hereby is requested to confer with the family regarding a suitable dedication ceremony and the Department of Public Works regarding a sign.

O-4     Mar 9, 2009
VICE MAYOR SEIDEL
WHEREAS: There now appear to be increasing numbers of vacant storefronts in many areas of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge storefront retailers are very challenged in times of economic downturns to continue to survive, build and grow their businesses; and
WHEREAS: The rents asked for vacant retail space are often slow to change, even when demand for such space has obviously lessened; and
WHEREAS: One possible cause for this is a lack of information about what comparable rents for retail space actually are in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: This information would be helpful to landlords in making sure the rental prices they ask for vacant retail space accurately reflect the supply and the demand, and the actual current rents being collected, for comparable retail spaces at any given point in time; and
WHEREAS: Landlords might be reluctant to participate unless they were assured that the rental information for their specific address would remain confidential, used only to compile broad average or median rents, or other broad market indicators, for large neighborhood or areas; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to examine the possibility of creating a publicly accessible, appropriately confidential database of broad average or median neighborhood rents for retail space in Cambridge; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with his findings.

O-5     Mar 9, 2009
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of students at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, City and School officials, and members of the Cambridge community that a group of protestors from Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) in Kansas will be gathering outside CRLS on March 13th; and
WHEREAS: The WBC protestors are notorious for traveling the country and protesting schools and theatres that either produce the Laramie Project (a play about the murder of Mathew Shephard) or have Gay Straight Alliances, and by demonstrating at the funerals of gay men, soldiers killed in battle in Iraq and Afghanistan, and persons who have, in some way, publicly supported LGBT people; and
WHEREAS: This week students, faculty, and staff at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School will participate in a week of peaceful educational actions designed to educate students and adults about the need to discuss and promote tolerance; and
WHEREAS: Students at CRLS are encouraged to participate in these educational activities and are discouraged from leaving the school on March 13th to address the WBC protestors; and
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of city officials that on March 13th various groups, organizations, institutions, and individuals intend to participate in a peaceful counter demonstration near CRLS, and people will be encouraged to ignore the WBC protestors by organizers who will help raise positive voices and raise needed funds to lift tolerance up to fill the air surrounding the small message of hate; and
WHEREAS: It is well known that the WBC protestors seek only to antagonize communities into actions against them that might violate their rights and then provide them an opportunity to sue communities for these violations; and
WHEREAS: We, the good and loving people of Cambridge, choose not to engage in a conversation with those seeking only to anger us, hate us, and take our tax dollars in a lawsuit; and
WHEREAS: We, the educated and tolerant people of Cambridge will turn a cheek from their hatred and turn our hearts and faith toward the power of promoting education and the peaceful collective spirit of community; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the members of the Cambridge City Council express their support for peaceful, educational actions that promote tolerance over hatred, both on March 13, 2009 and on any other day of every other year; and therefore be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Cambridge Chronicle and other local media.

O-6     Mar 9, 2009  Amended
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: Many bicycles have been locked to City signs, bike stations and other objects since early December; and
WHEREAS: The snow that is currently around these bicycles makes it fairly easy to determine which bicycles have been left unattended for more than several days; and
WHEREAS: It would be useful and aesthetically pleasing to start spring without these abandoned bicycles still locked up on the street; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to tag for removal bicycles that, as evidenced by the snow around them, or other clear evidence of abandonment such as flat tires or broken seats, appear to have been abandoned.

O-7     Mar 9, 2009  (w/RW corrections)
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: The City has, in the past, used Free Cash to limit the amount that City property tax rates go up; and
WHEREAS: This tax underwriting applies equally to all tax-paying property owners, so that the owners with the most taxable property get the most underwriting from the City; and
WHEREAS: Property owners such as MIT can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax payments because of this underwriting; and
WHEREAS: Current fiscal conditions are forcing Cambridge to reduce services and cut capital projects to save money; and
WHEREAS: Many Cambridge homeowners are in danger of falling behind in their mortgage payments as they lose their jobs or suffer cutbacks in hours or salary; and
WHEREAS: The stability of Cambridge's neighborhoods will be detrimentally impacted if large numbers of homeowners are forced to sell their homes because they can not make their mortgage payments; and
WHEREAS: It may be possible for the City to use its Free Cash to create a loan pool for qualified residents through which the City would get an equity stake in a property in exchange for assistance in meeting mortgage payments; and
WHEREAS: Use of Free Cash in this fashion, rather than as a general underwriting of the tax rate which predominantly assists large property owners such as MIT and Boston Properties, may be more in the City's interest; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council during the current budget cycle on the possibility of Cambridge using its Free Cash to set up a mortgage assistance pool rather than for a general underwriting of tax payments; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to develop such a mortgage assistance pool if it is deemed feasible.

O-8     Mar 9, 2009
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: A recent issue of the Chronicle listed a number of properties that the City was pursuing for non-payment of taxes; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the status and implications of its program of obtaining payment for delinquent taxes; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ensure that this report explain how entities such as the MBTA and the United States Government could be on the tax delinquent list and how the City is able to pursue action against them for non-payment of taxes.

O-9     Mar 9, 2009
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: Massachusetts cities and towns are confronted with serious economic and fiscal difficulties; and
WHEREAS: Without comprehensive reform and new revenues, cities and towns will be forced to cut core services and some are already laying off municipal employees leading to an even greater impact of the recession; and
WHEREAS: Governor Patrick submitted his Municipal Relief Package in January and the legislature is planning to release its plan very soon; and
WHEREAS: For any final package to be strong, the following four provisions must be included:
 * 1. Giving cities and towns control over health insurance plans
 * 2. Allowing local option meals and lodging taxes
 * 3. Closing the telecommunications property tax loopholes
 * 4. Fixing the flaws in the way charter schools are financed;
now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging the Cambridge legislative delegation to assure that each of these points is covered in the final legislation; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the Cambridge legislative delegation as soon as possible on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-10     Mar 9, 2009
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007 when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour and by 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement with 50 million people switching off their lights; and
WHEREAS: Earth Hour will take place on Saturday, Mar 28 when it is hoped that one billion people all over the world will turn off their lights between 8:30pm and 9:30pm; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to have the City of Cambridge participate in Earth Hour by shutting off lights in City buildings on Saturday, Mar 28, from 8:30pm to 9:30pm; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to arrange publicity about Earth Hour including information on the City web site and cable channel in order that as many people as possible can participate.

O-11     Mar 9, 2009
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking & Transportation Department to report back to the City Council regarding the change in policy limiting a visitor pass to two blocks of houses they are visiting.

O-12     Mar 9, 2009
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that the 3 Aces Pizza is being closed due to termination of its lease by Harvard University; and
WHEREAS: 3 Aces Pizza has been at this location for 35 years; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager of Community Development to report back to the City Council on the circumstances of the termination of 3 Aces Pizza's leasing agreement with Harvard University; and be it further
ORDERED: That the University Relations Committee schedule a meeting to hear from Harvard University and its plans for all of its properties; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Mayor write to Harvard University to express the Council's concern regarding the termination of the lease.

O-13     Mar 9, 2009
VICE MAYOR SEIDEL
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Community Development Department to do a Neighborhood Planning Study for Massachusetts Avenue.

O-14     Mar 9, 2009
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to survey surrounding cities and towns and report back to the City Council on the hours of operation of their libraries; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to survey patrons and potential patrons as to their needs and desires with respect to library hours.

O-15     Mar 9, 2009
COUNCILLOR DECKER
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to find some way to provide for Sunday library hours during the period when the Main Library is closed for its move to the new building.

O-16     Mar 9, 2009
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Director of the Library to prepare a customer friendly guide for internet computer usage, including the hours available; and be it further
ORDERED: That the hours for use be posted on the city's website.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1  Charter Right - Decker
The Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee held a public meeting on Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at five o'clock and thirty minutes p.m. in the Sullivan Chamber.

The purpose of the meeting was a follow up on the meeting held on Sept 10, 2008 on red light camera enforcement.

Present at the meeting were Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Sam Seidel; Councillor Timothy J. Toomey; Sue Clippinger, Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation; Robert Haas, Police Commissioner; Sergeant Kathy Murphy; Rosalie Anders, Transportation Division, Community Development Department; and Deputy City Clerk Donna P. Lopez.

Also present were David Davis, 140 Larch Road; Ted Peck, 3 Traymore Street; Ann Lambert, 130 Mt. Auburn Street; Peter Wright, 106 Larch Road; Megan Brook, 103 Inman Street; and Rosalie Anders, 154 Auburn Street.

Councillor Kelley convened the meeting and explained the purpose. This meeting is about red light camera enforcement; not surveillance cameras. Councillor Kelley gave a brief overview of the topic.

A meeting was held on this topic on Sept 10, 2008. He hoped that the city would explore a local option to install red light camera enforcement. The camera would take a picture of a car running a red light and issue a violation which would be mailed. The violation could be appealed. The police department would review the appeals. Concerns were raised about the lack of privacy, sharing of information and if the license plate would be the only object photographed. Civil liberties issued were raised by the ACLU. Cameras do not prevent accidents. There is evidence of an increase in rear end collisions with camera enforcement. He expressed his concern with the vendor operated system.

At five o'clock and thirty-eight minutes p. m. Councillor Kelley opened the meeting to public comment.

David Davis stated that he support red light camera enforcement. The intersection in his neighborhood is violated daily. A public safety enforcement officer would create chaos because there is no safe place for an officer to pull someone over. Enforcement can only be done by remote. He favored posting signage that cameras are in use prior to starting use of red light cameras for enforcement. Cameras, he said, are in many places, such as the grocery store, banks, etc. He stated that the privacy issue is a red heron. He has a license to drive, not to make his own laws.

Ted Peck stated that he was opposed to camera enforcement. He does not like the idea of being nabbed for anything with the taint of illegality via a computer. Traffic violations are a crime and it feels as such when an officer issues a ticket. He has received a ticket in the mail for an expired inspection sticker and he did not like this. He stated that there is a difference between private and public cameras in the way it feels. A private firm administers the camera system. City should implement this system. Sending money to a private vendor is unacceptable. He is worried that a private company would not be willing to post advance warning.

Ann Lambert, ACLU representative, spoke of the distinction between the private and public realm. Other issues she spoke about were cost of the equipment, economic times, banking of the collected data, how much data collected and for how long data is kept. There are surveillance, data bank and dissemination issues. This is a "mission creep" issue. She spoke about due process and taking a picture of a license plate at a particular place and time and then getting the ticket at a later date. A violation ticket is generated by a mechanical means later. She has no faith in the system to manage this system. Traffic violation is issued by an officer now, in a particular setting. With cameras, you may not remember where you were, etc. Why are we doing this enforcement now. Where's the cost benefit analysis. The public safety aspect of this is not great. A data study was done and the benefit is not apparent. She urged Cambridge to not go forward with red light camera enforcement. She e-mailed information links about the various studies done on red light camera enforcement. (See below)

Swampscott, MA:
Evaluation of the Possible Effects of Installing Red Light Camera in Swampscott, Massachusetts (Oct 16, 2006)
http://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/2006/swampscott.pdf

Virginia:
2007 follow-up report to an earlier report: An Evaluation of Red Light Camera (Photo-Red) Enforcement Programs in Virginia: A Report in Response to a Request by Virginia's Secretary of Transportation (January 2005)
http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/07-r2.pdf

Federal Highway Administration:
Safety Evaluation of Red-Light Cameras, Publication No. FHWA-HRT-05-048, April 2005
http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/05048/05048.pdf

Peter Wright, 106 Larch Road, has lived there for 22 years. He explained that when the traffic light turns green he has to wait for the cars to go through light illegally. He walks his dog at Fresh Pond and cannot cross the Parkway without waiting to for people running the red light to go through. He warns his girls about this a lot as well. Speed is an issue as well as the Larch Road blind intersection. He commented that the Swampscott data is not empirical. This intersection is dangerous; there is no place for the police to observe and apprehend. Car owners should be responsible and a 50 dollar ticket is not much for helping people feel safe. He does not understand the privacy concern with using cameras on a public way. He was in favor of red light camera enforcement.

Megan Brook, 103 Inman Street, said she saw both sides of the issue. If we go this route, we want to take small steps. She commented that if the information is saved for six to twelve months is too long, is worried that it would be ‘mined.' She also felt "mission creep" is an issue. Cameras should be restricted to areas where police cannot monitor traffic safely. There are lots of places where the police could safely do more enforcement. She commented that she never sees a police officer at Broadway and Inman Streets. Inman Square could use camera enforcement. She was not sure that red light camera created accidents would be that big of a problem as they would more likely be car/car and not car/pedestrian as pedestrians are careful. One would have to have a lot of imagination to see civil liberties infringed before they are and the Council should try to imagine all scenarios. Stating that the data would not be reviewed is unrealistic. She favored better enforcement and monitoring and is no longer in favor of cameras.

Rosalie Anders, 154 Auburn Street, stated that legislation has been filed to address the concerns raised by the ACLU. It is being reviewed for loopholes. The legislation is very restrictive concerning the data being kept. Photo monitoring at the turnpike has been done for years. The insurance industry did research on red light camera enforcement and it does increase safety. Councillor Seidel asked how this legislation relates to what Cambridge might or might not do. Ms. Anders responded that the legislation would allow local adoption of the program. Councillor Kelley requested that copies of the legislation be attached to this report. Ms. Anders complied and the proposed legislation is attached.

Councillor Kelley questioned the implementation. Ms. Clippinger stated that there are no problems with the implementation. Ms. Anders stated that Community Development Department had no issues either. Commissioner Haas said that the CPD officers would not object, and that there are a variety different models and vendors to make the program work. Councillor Kelley stated that he wanted Cambridge to take baby steps in implementing to remove the wrinkles. He suggested that the City Council should support the proposed legislation. An implementation program, on a small scale, should be reviewed, then expand the program. Commissioner Haas stated that it is a difficult model to implement. Ms. Clippinger informed the committee that the parking tickets are managed by a vendor. Councillor Kelley responded that the issue is how the vendor is managed.

Councillor Toomey stated that he supported red light camera enforcement. Cambridge could file its own home rule petition. Ms. Brook wondered if the City could be stricter than State codes. Ms. Clippinger commented that if it were implemented as part of a home rule petition, then the DCR wouldn't be able to implement it.

Mr. Davis asked about the DCR jurisdiction roadways. Ms. Clippinger stated that Cambridge cannot install cameras on DCR intersections.

Councillor Kelley stated that he is uneasy that people are not following rules. There is a halo effect if red light camera enforcement goes into effect and he noted how when people are more concerned about enforcement, they will pay more attention to driving safely. Councillor Seidel stated that he wanted to see the language in the legislation and if it specified the location of cameras.

Councillors Kelley and Toomey submitted the following motion:
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record supporting red light camera enforcement.

The motion - Carried.

A communication was received from Daniel J. Boyne who supported red light camera enforcement, which is attached.

Councillor Kelley made a motion that this communication be made part of the committee report.

Councillor Kelley thanked all attendees for their participation.

The meeting adjourned at six o'clock and twenty-four minutes p. m.

For the Committee,
Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair

Committee Report #2
The Civic Unity Committee held a public hearing on Jan 22, 2009 beginning at five o'clock and five P.M. in the Sullivan Chamber. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the Homeland Security grant for installation of surveillance cameras and to provide an opportunity for a community discussion of this matter with city officials.

Present at the hearing were Councillor Marjorie Decker, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Craig Kelley; Councillor Sam Seidel; Councillor Henrietta Davis; Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves; and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury. Also present were Gerald Reardon, Cambridge Fire Chief; Robert Haas, Cambridge Police Commissioner; and George Fosque, Director of Emergency Communications.

Councillor Decker Simmons convened the meeting/hearing and explained the purpose. She invited the city administrative staff to make a presentation.

Chief Reardon began the presentation, which he accompanied with slides. A hard copy of the slide presentation is attached. (Attachment A). The Homeland Security agency offered grants for a Critical Infrastructure Monitoring System (CIMS) to link all of the communities in the regions into which Homeland Security has divided the areas of the country. Cambridge is part of the Metro Boston Region, which includes the communities of Cambridge, Boston, Somerville, Revere, Everett, Chelsea, Winthrop, and Quincy. The grant application process was very open-ended; communities could decide how they wanted to use the system in their community. Cambridge applied for a grant to use its system for evacuation monitoring.

The CMIS system has two components, a secure network including both fiber and microwave connections linking each of the Metro Boston communities and video cameras located in areas of critical infrastructure, such as major roadways, biological or chemical facilities or other sensitive areas identified by each community. The secure network provides each community with an alternative route for data, radio and video traffic in the event that traditional communications links are down. It ensures ability to communicate between communities in the event of a major incident or disaster. While the grant application process was open-ended, communities were not allowed to choose installation of the secure network without also agreeing to installation of the video cameras.

In Cambridge, cameras have been installed in eight locations where traffic bottlenecks occur, 364 Rindge Avenue for the Route 2 and Route 16 rotary, Mount Auburn Hospital, Porter Square, Inman Square, Harvard Square, Memorial Drive at River Street, Kendall Square and Central Square. Chief Reardon presented slides showing the home view and zoom views for each of these locations. See Attachment A. Chief Reardon then described the protocols for controlling use of the system. Access to the system is permission based. The system logs all activity by a user. A draft policy covering acceptable use has been developed and will be implemented within each Cambridge agency accessing the system. Access by other communities to Cambridge cameras will be via a memorandum of understanding and will only allow other communities to view the camera, not to control the camera.

Councillor Decker then invited a presentation organized by Nancy Murray, resident of Erie Street and Director of Education American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts (CLUM).

Ms. Murray expressed the ACLU's concerns about the potential for use of these surveillance cameras for more than traffic evacuation and about whether the data from the cameras will be transmitted to the Commonwealth's very secretive Fusion Center, one of 66 Fusion Centers in the country which are emerging as hubs of a new domestic intelligence apparatus that collects information about crime, everyday activities, tips from the public about suspicious activities and uses data mining techniques to identify individuals for closer scrutiny. There are very serious issues with respect to privacy and the surveillance of First Amendment Rights activities. Ms. Murray reported on existing studies that demonstrate how easily surveillance cameras can and have been misused in ways that interfere with the right to privacy and First Amendment rights. She noted that two of the sites where cameras will be placed are sites where demonstrations and vigils often take place, Holyoke Center in Harvard Square and Central Square. Ms. Murray also expressed concern about a recent Cambridge Chronicle report that Cambridge police officers traveled to Israel to study Israel's counter-terrorism methods. She submitted a copy of her testimony for the record (Attachment B). Ms. Murray also submitted a report entitled "Under the Watchful Eye," by Mark Schlosberg and Nicole A. Ozer on behalf of The California ACLU Affiliates (Attachment C).

Councillor Decker asked Commissioner Haas why he went to Israel. Commissioner Haas said that the trip was sponsored by the American Defamation League. It was interesting, but in the end, not particularly useful. The Israel government does a number of things that he would never do in this country.

Dr. Bruce Knobe, 73 Langdon Street, said that there are many technology systems that have started out like the one being discussed tonight and have then grown into very troubling and offensive systems. He distributed a Google satellite picture of Cambridge City Hall (Attachment D) as an illustration of the power of the type of cameras that exist, and invited the members of the committee to consider that this picture was taken from many miles above the subject and to imagine the degree of detail that such a camera could capture when the picture was taken a mere mile from its subject. He said that for a tiny fraction of the cost of building the infrastructure, very powerful cameras could replace the existing cameras and provide a troubling level of surveillance.

Professor John Ellis van Courtland Moon, 11 Monmouth Court, Brookline, Professor of History Emeritus stated that he has studied and written on the history of weapons of mass destruction. An attempt to carry out a mass evacuation in the event of a terrorist attack would create disruption, panic and confusion. Victims could be far better treated if they were to remain in the Boston area with its excellent hospitals. He submitted a copy of his testimony for the record (Attachment E).

David Wolf, ACLU, Cambridge resident, discussed the lack of efficacy of video cameras for crime prevention. Research shows that surveillance cambers have not been effective at reducing crime. Improved lighting and more effective policing from well-trained police have been show to be more effective in reducing crime. Many of the studies come out of Great Britain, which now spends 20% of its crime-fighting budget on video cameras and maintains over four million surveillance cameras. A study from San Francisco produced the same results. Increased lighting proved to be more effective.

Councillor Decker expressed her concern that she, as a city councillor, had to learn about this project from a constituent. Chief Reardon said that the grant goes back a couple of years. Councillor Decker requested that he send a copy of the grant application to the City Clerk so that it could become a part of this report.

Councillor Decker requested that Chief Reardon provide an actual example of how these cameras would assist in an evacuation. Chief Reardon said that the cameras would not have helped in the snowstorm a couple of years ago, when the Massachusetts Governor declared a state of emergency and the entire Greater Boston workforce was released at the same early afternoon time to get into their cars and create an enormous gridlock. However, the system would assist in a small-scale evacuation or a large-scale fire. The cameras are not a magic bullet. They can show where the problem is, but they cannot solve the problem.

Councillor Decker said that she is also very concerned about access to information. She asked what city officer would have the right to release stored information from the cameras if Department of Homeland Security officials were to decide they wanted the information. She also asked whether the Fusion Center would get this information.

George Fosque, Director of Emergency Communications and Technology, said that they decided to put the cameras at high sites and focus on the traffic problem spots. They wanted to be able to focus on getting people from Boston through Cambridge without gridlock.

Police Commissioner Robert Haas noted that this project has been under development since 2005. For the police, the cameras would have utility in pre-arrival to tell police and fire personnel what they are going into. He is keenly aware of the balance between public safety and civil and human rights. They do not give out information easily. The data is kept on the cameras for 30 days. There is no storage of the data. The biggest utility of the system is that it links the entire state. He added that he is not a proponent of using cameras for stopping crime. They do not work for this purpose and they do not make people feel safer. In response to a question from Councillor Decker, Commissioner Haas said that these cameras are not critical to the police mission.

Councillor Davis asked whether they can adjust the time that the information is kept on the camera, for example, to 40 hours. Commissioner Haas answered in the affirmative.

Councillor Decker asked about the planned timeline for starting to use the cameras. Chief Reardon said that all the technical work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the month. Then there will have to be setup and testing work, and the cameras are scheduled to be operational in about another month after the technical work is completed.

Councillor Decker said that deletion of the records in 30 hours does not address her concerns with regard to the erosion of privacy. Her inclination, if her colleagues agree with her, would be to say "shut off the cameras."

Councillor Seidel expressed his skepticism, which he related to two recent experiences. He said that when he was in Washington, D.C. for the Presidential Inauguration, the situation was chaos -it was controlled chaos but it was chaos, even though they had months to plan for it. He does not see that cameras would have improved the gridlock. If there is catastrophic event, there will need to be officers in control, not cameras. Then, when he returned to Cambridge, he saw on late night TV that the National Security Council is doing 24-7 surveillance of a whole lot of people. He does not want to take steps that would make it easier for security agencies to engage in inappropriate surveillance.

Councillor Kelley said that if he had to say cameras yes or no, he would say no cameras. However, the City Council does owe the speakers an apology. We have known of these plans for many months. He submitted a copy of Order No.2 of Apr 7, 2008 (Attachment F). Councillor Decker observed that the order submitted by Councillor Kelley concerned MBTA surveillance cameras at Russell Field and requested the City Manager to confer with the MBTA. There was nothing in that order about the Homeland Security grant cameras being installed in various locations around the city. The infrastructure work for this project began a long time ago, and the City Council was not notified at the appropriate time.

Gail Epstein, 43 Linnaean Street, said there often is a large gap between the intention and the reality. Let us stop the process before it gets to a point where we lose local control. There are very clear risks that down the road, with other people in control, these cameras could lead to a big erosion of our freedom.

State Representative Alice Wolf, Huron Avenue, said that she is here because this is a really important issue. Our public safety officials do a wonderful job. Her preference would be not to have the cameras turned on because of the potential over time for erosion of privacy and rights. There are many unknowns, for example, how long the information is kept, who could get the information, etc. This is very different from You Tube. Some of the fiercest assaults on civil liberties begins when our governments obtain information about their citizens.

John Roberts, 321 Huron Avenue, former president of the A.C.L.U. of Massachusetts, discussed his own experience with government collection and use of surveillance information and, thereafter, inappropriate government use of that information. He also expressed concern about Cambridge police going to Israel on a trip sponsored by the ADL, with its long record of surveillance abuse.

Marley Lovell stated support for using lighting and community policing to reduce crime, not surveillance cameras. He has lived and worked in Cambridge for twenty-five years with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). He is very concerned about the cameras and the potential for abuse. He would like to know how the community can get involved in preventing them.

Keith Harvey, 2161 Massachusetts Avenue, Regional Director of AFSC, described what it is like to be under intense scrutiny because of work for justice. He hopes for Cambridge to continue to be a model community where we do not need these cameras.

Ted Peck, 3 Traymore Street, urged the City Council to keep Cambridge from going down this route. It is more effective to do things in a public way.

Nancy Ryan, 4 Ashburton Place, stated her respect for and confidence in our public safety officials, but she noted that we will not have them forever - we cannot hand government the authority to watch us 24-7. There are cameras with automatic classification systems that classify behavior and can automatically focus on images of people displaying these behaviors. She urged the City Council to prevent the turn on of the cameras.

Jay Shetterly, Magazine Street, said that almost everything that he would like to say has been said. This does not come from Cambridge officials; it comes from Homeland Security. He urged the City Council to vote to prevent the cameras.

Hatch Sterrit, 12 Boardman Street #202, said that he would like us to open up to the emerging sense of the obvious, in terms of the direction in which security is moving-techno- totalitarianism. There is always a security excuse, and that is historically why we have constitutions. The second issue has to do with labeling individuals. The next is the disproportionate expenditure on security and crime.

James Williamson, 1006 Jackson Place, noted there are cameras in the Sullivan Chamber that no one is concerned about. We know who controls them, when they are on, and when off. However we do not have that information about the cameras in question. He urged the City Council to pursue a very thorough investigation and asked that results be made available online.

Richard Griffin, Cambridge, submitted written testimony in opposition to the cameras (Attachment G).

Councillor Decker thanked all those who attended the hearing. She stated that she still is not convinced that the cameras are necessary. She believes that they contribute to the erosion of privacy and liberty. The meeting was adjourned at seven o'clock and fifty minutes p.m.

For the Committee,
Councillor Marjorie Decker, Chair

Committee Report #3
The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee held a public meeting on Wed, Feb 25, 2009 at five o'clock and two minutes P.M. in the Sullivan Chamber.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of creating an overlay district for Porter Square.

Present at the meeting were Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Craig Kelley; Beth Rubenstein, Assistant City Manager for Community Development (CDD); Susan Glazer, Deputy Director of Community Development; Stuart Dash, Director of Community Planning; Estella Johnson, Economic Development Director, CDD; Pardis Saffari, Associate Economic Development Director, CDD; and Deputy City Clerk Donna P. Lopez.

Also present at the meeting was Ron Axelrod, 26 Shepard Street; Carol Weinhaus, 64 Oxford Street; Andrea Wilder, 12, Arlington Street; Heli Meltsner, 74 Avon Hill Street; John Howard, 8 Cogswell Avenue; Susan Hunziker, 80 Orchard Street; Bill Doncaster, Lesley University; Ruth Ryals, 115 Upland Road; Susan Brand, 7 Arlington Street; Adriane Bishko, 5 Arlington Street; Gordon Moore, 9 Rutland Street; Charlotte Moore, 9 Rutland Street; Fred Meyer, 83 Hammond Street; William Bloomstein, 16 Crescent Street; and Sarah Farrington, 18 Frost Street.

Councillor Seidel opened the meeting and stated the purpose. He stated that the overlay concept may be a useful tool for the Porter Square area. He requested that the Assistant City Manager for Community Development give background information on the Central Square Overlay District, including how and why created, goals and impacts. Then the meeting would be opened to discussion of an overlay as a planning tool.

Ms. Rubenstein stated that the Central Square Overlay district provided the city with a tool in Article 19 for thresholds and standards to regulate new building construction. The City's infrastructure, façade improvements and capital improvements have had an impact.

Mr. Barber gave a historical overview of the overlay district. It reduced the FAR from 4.0 to 3.0. Improved ground floor space and changed the district exclusively rezoned to residential use. A committee was established to report on a diverse neighborhood and to review and comment on development as measured with urban design guidelines. The major result was no replication of tall buildings. Central Square is not a hot bed of development. Mass. Avenue overlay imposes mostly design requirement and design review process for development 2,000 square feet or more.

Councillor Seidel asked if the committee was staffed by Community Development. Mr. Barber responded that the Harvard Square and Central Square committee have been inactive, but are staffed by Community Development.

Councillor Seidel asked what would trigger the review process for the Mass. Avenue overlay district. Several projects triggered design review stated Mr. Barber. Beech Street did not trigger review process. North Mass. Avenue new construction more than 2,000 square feet would trigger. The Lesley dormitory project went to the Board of Zoning Appeal for relief.

Councillor Kelley asked the difference between project review and a large review project. Is the advance process not a permitting process, he asked. The advance process is a non binding advisory process stated Mr. Barber. Special permit is required for projects 50,000 under Article 19. Additional height and density is not granted.

At five o'clock and twenty-seven minutes p. m. Councillor Seidel opened the meeting to public comment.

Gordon Moore stated his concern about Mass. Avenue as an entity since 1970. He stated that the Neighborhood Nine and the Agassiz Neighborhood Studies do not deal with Mass. Avenue. It would be useful to have a planning document for Mass. Avenue. There is a more formal process with the neighborhood study process. Ms. Rubenstein stated that there is merit in an advisory group for Mass. Avenue. This group only meets when there is a development problem. Mr. Barber explained that the Harvard Square committee did not want to participate in the advisory process. Mr. Moore stated that this is an idea for discussion. There are other models like the Historical Commission's process.

Councillor Seidel asked where is the planning process happening. Mr. Barber responded that the Harvard Square overlay is a result of an extensive planning study with urban design consultants and was reviewed by city staff and the neighborhood.

Susan Hunziker stated that the Lesley Working Group is a possible process. With conversation with the stakeholders it fosters what should occur along Mass. Avenue. The piecemeal by parcel concept should be avoided.

John Howard stated that it would be great to have neighborhood studies for all of Cambridge.

Terry Smith stated that zoning is a crude method versus what people think an area should look like. In Cambridge 50% of parcels require zoning relief.

Andrea Wilder spoke about the notification process, Mass. Avenue and preservation of trees.

Carol Weinhaus favored public meetings being publicized similar to snow removal used by the city. Smaller meetings prevent clicks from forming.

Adriane Bishko spoke about the vision for the city. The rents along Mass. Avenue are expensive. She favored small independent shops along Mass. Ave.

William Bloomstein supported the neighborhood study concept. He stated that there are three neighborhood associations represented here, Neighborhood Nine, Agassiz Baldwin and Porter Square. He suggested that Community Development be proactive. He felt that there is a shift toward open dialogue between the neighborhoods, city and Community Development.

Charlotte Moore asked if Cambridge has a similar project like the Main Street Project in Boston that encompasses community diversity in neighborhoods. Estella Johnson stated that Cambridge has similar components, such as the façade improvement program and Best Business Practices workshops. She has a staff of three planners. The city tries to bring independent stores to Cambridge.

Councillor Seidel asked where the license for street furniture occurs. Ms. Rubenstein stated that streetscape planning work happens when street work is being done. Mr. Dash spoke about the edges of Mass. Avenue. Conversations occur with adjacent neighborhood groups for the planning. A study will be done on Mass. Avenue to the Arlington line. A planning process for retail on lower Mass. Avenue is being done on diversity and uses.

Ron Alexrod stated that there has been no change from Porter to Harvard Square on Mass. Avenue. He stated that the intersections are dangerous and urged improvements be done for streetscapes. Geometrics need to change along the intersections, trees are needed and Shepard Street needs to be channelized.

Councillor Seidel asked where this discussion would occur. Ms. Rubenstein stated that the planning process begins with Public Works and is a collaborative effort between Community Development, Transportation, Traffic and Parking and Public Works. Funding needs to be included in the capital budget. Mr. Axelrod stated that state funds could be leveraged to do repairs on state roads.

Bill Doncaster stated that there has been a 2 ½ year conversation about the Mass. Avenue corridor. Lesley still has a long way to go in the process with neighborhood input.

Susan Hunziker added that the Cambridge/Somerville border also needs to be considered.

Carol Weinhaus stated that Harvard University paid to plant trees, but if the trees are not watered they die. The property owner should be responsible until the trees take root.

Fred Meyer stated that he has spoken with developers who complain bitterly about the process in Cambridge, but in the end gets a much better building from the process. He suggested that to get more community input that when a zoning amendment is filed the property owner post the hearing date.

Councillor Seidel asked Mr. Moore if there is a mechanism to achieve a good outcome. Mr. Moore responded:
Look at Mass. Avenue as an entity;
Look at Central Square overlay; and
Look at Historical Commission model.

He does not believe that the current process is the best; more work and thinking is needed.

Councillor Kelley spoke about zoning being a crude instrument. Recently we have seen market zoning; this is a problem. He wished that the 2010 planning would start now from Porter Square to Arlington. Traffic management is as important as planning. The city needs to be more aggressive in the planning process as partners.

Councillor Seidel submitted the following motion:
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Community Development Department to do a Neighborhood Planning Study for Massachusetts Avenue.

The motion - Carried.

Councillor Seidel thanked those present for their attendance.

The meeting adjourned at six o'clock and forty minutes PM.

For the Committee,
Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair

AWAITING REPORT LIST
08-41. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what process is being followed to develop programs for the new West Cambridge Community Center.
Councillor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Vice Mayor Murphy, Councillor Reeves, Vice Mayor Seidel, Mayor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 03/17/08 (O-15)

08-65. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on changes to the intersection of River Street and Mass Avenue to allow more pedestrian crossing time before vehicles are allowed to turn.
Mayor Simmons and Full Membership 04/28/08 (O-15)

08-79. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how local construction lighting could be limited to the minimum necessary for safety.
Councillor Davis and Full Membership 06/02/08 (O-2)

08-101. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on working with Boston to create a policy to keep truck traffic to a minimum within the City.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 07/28/08 (O-25)

08-105. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of using the parcel on Binney and Fulkerson Streets for a dedicated dog park.
Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Murphy & Mayor Simmons 07/28/08 (O-40)

08-109. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the progress of addressing rodent complaints and whether the number of complaints has increased or decreased.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 09/08/08 (O-8)

08-140. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the ownership of Fifth Street between Bent & Binney Streets and the ownership of Rogers Street from Fulkerson to Third Streets and ensure maintenance of these roadways.
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Vice Mayor Murphy, Councillor Reeves, Vice Mayor Seidel & Mayor Simmons 11/17/08 (O-1)

08-141. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of awarding points to affordable housing applicants based on the number of times they've applied.
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Vice Mayor Murphy, Councillor Reeves, Vice Mayor Seidel & Mayor Simmons 11/17/08 (O-5)

08-148. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on appointing a public housing or Section 8 tenant to fill the existing vacancy on the Cambridge Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 12/08/08 (O-2)

08-150. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how many businesses similar to Biogen have relocated some or all of their personnel from Cambridge-based offices, whether there is an indication that others will be leaving, and what the strategies are to keep businesses in Cambridge.
Mayor Simmons and Full Membership 12/08/08 (O-9)

08-152. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the status of establishing a Walden Street Cattle Pass observation point.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 12/15/08 (O-1)

08-153. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on security cameras installed in Cambridge by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.
Vice Mayor Seidel and Full Membership 12/15/08 (O-4)

08-156. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on remedy to placing a bus shelter at 2518 Mass Ave. for the #77 bus.
Mayor Simmons 12/22/08 (O-2)

08-158. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on possible funding to deal with hoarding and to preserve housing.
Councillor Davis 12/22/08 (O-8)

09-02. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on why trains must idle for extended periods of time in the area of Cambridge Street.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 01/12/09 (O-2)

09-03. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #1
RE: report on the fatal pedestrian accident in the Mt. Auburn Shaw's supermarket this past fall.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 01/12/09 (O-5)

09-04. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #2
RE: report on the fatal pedestrian accident on Oxford Street on Jan 6, 2009.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 01/12/09 (O-6)

09-05. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on plans for conducting an energy audit of City Hall.
Mayor Simmons and Full Membership 01/12/09 (O-7)

09-06. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #4
RE: report on hours that computers are available to the public in city facilities.
Councillor Davis and Full Membership 01/12/09 (O-10)

09-07. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #3
RE: report on plans to eliminate Sunday library hours.
Councillor Toomey 01/12/09 (O-17)

09-11. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the removal of the Homeland Security Surveillance cameras and infrastructure and who is responsible for the removal.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 02/09/09 (O-7)

09-12. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on test data for lead levels on artificial turf at fields and tot lots.
Councillor Davis 03/02/09 (O-9)

09-13. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the cause of the fire at 923-925 Massachusetts Avenue.
Vice Mayor Seidel 03/02/09 (O-8)

09-14. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the status of the city's drinking fountains.
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Vice Mayor Seidel, Mayor Simmons & Councillor Ward 03/02/09 (O-6)

09-15. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the Belmont Uplands silver maple forest.
Councillor Davis, Vice Mayor Seidel, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toomey & Councillor Ward 03/02/09 (O-2)

09-16. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on opportunities for electric vehicles to recharge in Cambridge.
Councillor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Vice Mayor Seidel, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toomey & Councillor Ward 03/02/09 (O-5)