Cambridge City Council meeting - March 21, 2011 - AGENDA
[Councillor Cheung was ABSENT]
CITY MANAGERS AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as Constables Without Power for a term of three years, effective the first day of January, 2011: Ralph H. Bibeau, Brendan Fraser, Phillip G. Tyler
2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 11-18, regarding a report on banning the use of plastic shopping bags. [Manager's recommendation: "I suggest that the City consider requiring that all retailers that provide plastic bags to customers, accept bags back from for recycling. This would affect pharmacies and other retailers more, since most supermarkets offer this service. I recommend that the City Council forward this report to the Environment Committee for further discussion."] Referred to Environment Committee - Davis
3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 11-26, regarding a report on the details of the purchase agreement for Northpoint.
On Mar 3, 2011 Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that a land exchange agreement has been approved to facilitate extending the Green Line north of Lechmere Station to Somerville and Medford, while also advancing the NorthPoint mixed-use development project. The agreement between the MBTA and Pan Am Railways, approved by the MassDOT Board of Directors, allows for construction of a new Lechmere Station on the east side of O'Brien Highway in East Cambridge across from the current station location. The project will allow the long-stalled plan for this area to move forward.
The MBTA is also obtaining track and property rights necessary for MassDOT and the MBT A to build and operate the Green Line Extension, among other projects. In exchange for granting those rights to the MBTA, Pan Am is acquiring the property on which the existing Lechmere Station is located.
According to MassDOT, Pan Am and development partners HYM Investment Group are moving forward with the adjacent NorthPoint project, a mixed-use development of 2,800 residential units, more than two million square feet of office space, and 150,000 square feet of retail. HYM and Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds joined with Atlas Capital Group last year to develop the 44-acre property, the largest remaining parcel of open land in Cambridge. The former Pan Am rail yard is located across the Charles River from Massachusetts General Hospital and within walking distance of Kendall Square.
Among the key elements of the newly-approved agreement, the MBTA and MassDOT will receive:
All of the trackage and property rights necessary to build and operate the Green Line Extension, which have a combined value of $12.5 million. In addition to this real value, these rights provide a $5.5 million savings for MassDOT and the MBTA, which had expected to pay $18 million for these rights.
Trackage rights off the Worcester Main Line to allow potential future passenger service from Worcester to Ayer. This will provide a connection between the Worcester and Fitchburg Commuter Rail Lines, and a potential future connection to North Station.
Trackage rights to provide future passenger service to New Hampshire. This would allow for the extension of MBTA Commuter Rail service from Lowell to Concord, NH through Nashua and Manchester. That project would ultimately be sponsored and funded by the State of New Hampshire, similar to current Commuter Rail service to Rhode Island.
While not part of the Land Exchange Agreement, Pan Am has agreed to assume costs associated with the required street and sidewalk improvements in the Lechmere area. The Green Line Extension project and the Commonwealth were planning to absorb this $9 million expense, which may now be deducted from the project's total cost.
The trackage rights have a combined value of $30.7 million. As consideration for receiving these rights from Pan Am, MassDOT and the MBTA will convey the site of the existing Lechmere Station to Pan Am, following the completion of the new Lechmere Station.
The Community Development Department has reached out to the HYM Investment Group to get an update of their plans for developing NorthPoint.
4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the block rates for water consumption and sewer use for the period beginning Apr 1, 2011 and ending Mar 31, 2012.
Agenda Item No. 4A Mar 21, 2011
ORDERED: That the following block rate for water consumption and sewer use in the City of Cambridge be in effect for the period beginning Apr 1, 2011 and ending Mar 31, 2012.
Annual Consumption* FY11 Water Rate FY12 Proposed Water Rate FY11 Sewer Rate FY12 Proposed Sewer Rate Block 1 0-40 CcF $3.02 $3.02 $7.86 $7.86 Block 2 41-400 CcF $3.24 $3.24 $8.32 $8.32 Block 3 401-2,000 CcF $3.44 $3.44 $8.93 $8.93 Block 4 2,001-10,000 CcF $3.65 $3.65 $9.62 $9.62 Block 5 Over 10,000 CcF $3.96 $3.96 $10.23 $10.23 *All rates are per CcF. CcF is an abbreviation of 100 cubic feet. One CcF is approximately 750 gallons; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Senior Citizens Discount Program as established in FY91 be continued. This program gives either a 15 percent or 30 percent discount on water/sewer bills, depending upon certain qualifications. Any resident who owns and occupies his/her own home and who is 65 or older on July 1 qualifies for the 15 percent discount. This discount may not exceed $90 for the fiscal year. To qualify for the 30 percent discount, a homeowner must be 70 years of age or older and must have been granted the Clause 41C Elderly Real Estate Exemption, which is based on the demonstrated financial need. This discount may not exceed $180 for the fiscal year.
5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 11-34, regarding report on how effective the "No Entry" time for entering Whittemore Avenue from Route 16 is.
6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-175, regarding a report on the feasibility of converting certain Inman Square parking meters to 2-hours and on the possibility of installing time-weighted parking meters in Inman Square.
7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $50,000.00 of additional revenue received by the Community School Programs to the General Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will cover the cost of bus transportation and other contractual services for Community School Programming.
8. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,264,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,114,000) and to General Fund Public Works Extraordinary Equipment account ($150,000) to cover current and anticipated additional snowstorm expenses associated with snow plowing contracts, salt and other material and repair costs.
Mar 21, 2011
To the Honorable, the City Council:
I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $1,264,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,114,000) and to General Fund Public Works Extraordinary Equipment account ($150,000) to cover current and anticipated additional snowstorm expenses associated with snow plowing contracts, salt and other material and repair costs. In addition, this appropriation will support the purchase of a replacement dump truck which is used for snow plowing and salting operations during the winter season and has reached its useful life.
Cambridge has already seen 79 inches of snow this winter. Public Works has responded with 36 snow, salting, pedestrian, bus stop and snow removal events and has purchased close to 7,500 tons of salt.
The City is anticipating the reimbursement for a portion [of the] snow related costs from FEMA, which will partially offset this supplemental appropriation.
Very truly yours, Robert W. Healy, City Manager
ON THE TABLE
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a copy of the referral of Order Number 15 of Dec 21, 2009, regarding increasing the amount of public information about elections while the election is in progress, to the 2010-2011 City Council. [Communications and Reports from City Officers #1 of Jan 11, 2010 Placed on Table.] Referred to Mar 28 Roundtable with Election Commission - Davis
2. That the City Manager is requested to restore funding for School Department clerical positions until a proper and negotiated process can be achieved with the Cambridge School Department and Unions representing the employees, and to report back to the City Council on the progress. [Order Number Fourteen of Apr 26, 2010 Placed on Table. Councillor Kelley made motions to take from table on May 10, 2010 failed 2-7-0, Sept 13, 2010 failed 4-4-1, Sept 27, 2010 failed 3-5-1, Dec 13, 2010 failed 3-6-0. Remains on Table.]
3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-32, regarding a report on issues with the development of the former St. John's property site. [Charter Right exercised on City Manager Agenda Item Number Eighteen of May 24, 2010. Placed on Table June 7, 2010.]
4. An application was received from Tony LaVita, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 68 Middlesex Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. [Applications and Petitions Number Ten of June 7, 2010 Placed on Table.]
5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-189, regarding a report on the legitimacy of the tax exempt claim of Education First. [Charter Right exercised on City Manager Agenda Item Number Nineteen of Jan 24, 2011. Placed on Table Jan 31, 2011.]
6. That the City Manager is requested to have the Community Development Department convene a meeting with neighbors in the vicinity of Grove Street and Blanchard Road, the Fresh Pond Master Plan Committee and other relevant parties to review the zoning along the golf course and the Fresh Pond Reservation in that area. [Charter Right exercised on Order Number Five of Jan 24, 2011. Placed on Table Jan 31, 2011.]
APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Cambridge Arts Council, requesting permission for a temporary banner across Massachusetts Avenue at City Hall announcing Cambridge Open Studios East on May 7th and 8th.
2. An application was received from Cambridge Arts Council, requesting permission for a temporary banner across Massachusetts Avenue at Pearl and Norfolk Streets announcing Cambridge Open Studios Central on May 14th and 15th.
3. An application was received from Cambridge Arts Council, requesting permission for a temporary banner across JFK Street at Mount Auburn Street announcing Cambridge Open Studios North/West on May 21st and 22nd.
4. An application was received from Cambridge Arts Council, requesting permission for a temporary banner across JFK Street at Mount Auburn Street announcing the Cambridge River Festival on June 4th.
5. An application was received from Cambridge Arts Council, requesting permission for a temporary banner across Massachusetts Avenue at Pearl and Norfolk Streets announcing the Dragon Boat Festival on June 10th - June 12th.
6. An application was received from Cambridge Arts Council, requesting permission for a temporary banner across Massachusetts Avenue at City Hall announcing the Central Square Arts Outdoors Summer Performance Series.
7. An application was received from Sunshine & the Americas Foundation, requesting permission for one or two tables, eight to ten chairs and a 4x3 screen in front of the premises numbered 1350 Massachusetts Avenue.
8. Revocation of a sign permit for Pier 1 Imports for the premises numbered 820 Cambridge Street, issued Feb 14, 2000. Inspectional Services inspected the property on Mar 7, 2011 and the sign is down.
9. An application was received from Dickson Bros., requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of the premises numbered 26 Brattle Street.
10. Constable bond received from Douglas P. Moran for approval of the surety.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Derrek L. Shulman, Regional Director and Michael N. Sheetz, Regional Board Chair, New England Region Anti-Defamation League, expressing concern regarding Resolution #20 of Feb 28, 2011.
RESOLUTIONS
1. Best wishes to the Cambridge Community of Real Estate Professionals (CCR) on their Spring Fling 2011 on Mar 25, 2011 at the Charles Hotel. Councillor Toomey
2. Resolution on the death of Terence M. "Terry" Landers. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Maher
3. Resolution on the death of Herbert A. Martin. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Maher
4. Congratulations to SCVNGR on the launch of their new venture Level Up. Councillor Toomey
5. Resolution on the death of Rocco J. Antonelli Sr. Councillor Toomey
6. Resolution on the death of Irene L. Raiche. Mayor Maher
7. Resolution on the death of Mary M. (Russo) Harrigan. Mayor Maher
8. Retirement of George J. Vendetti from the Cambridge Fire Department. Mayor Maher
9. Retirement of Janet Cudmore Boswell from the Community Development Department. Mayor Maher
10. Retirement of Phillip Sciandra from the Water Department. Mayor Maher
11. Resolution on the death of Joseph Cunha. Mayor Maher
12. Thanks to Max Frippe, Metro-Boston Executive Director of Playworks and Microsoft N.E.R.D., for hosting the third annual "Invent-A-Game Showcase" on Apr 1, 2011. Councillor Cheung
13. Congratulations to Professor Patrick H. Winston on being named a 2011 MacVicar Fellow. Councillor Cheung
14. Congratulations to Professor Christopher A. Schuh on being named a 2011 MacVicar Fellow. Councillor Cheung
15. Congratulations to Professor Bishwapriya Sanyal on being named a 2011 MacVicar Fellow. Councillor Cheung
16. Congratulations to George C. Verghese on being named a 2011 MacVicar Fellow. Councillor Cheung
17. Resolution on the death of Catherine A. (Maddox) Phelan. Councillor Toomey
18. Resolution on the death of Robert F. Ameral Jr. Councillor Toomey
19. Congratulations to the Fire Academy Cadets who will graduate on Mar 25, 2011. Councillor Toomey
20. Proclaim May 2011 through May 7, 2011 as Drinking Water Week in the City of Cambridge. Councillor Reeves
21. Congratulations to Audrey Schulman on her recent novel to be published by Europa Editions. Vice Mayor Davis
22. Congratulating Bob Crane, Jr. on being named the Catholic Central League MVP. Councillor Toomey
23. Resolution on the death of Peter G. Cruickshank. Councillor Toomey
24. Congratulating the Haymarket People's Fund on its 35th Anniversary. Councillor Simmons
25. The Month of March is National Reading Awareness Month. Councillor Simmons
26. Wishing a speedy recovery to Ms. Nelly Eddy. Councillor Simmons
27. Wishing a speedy recovery to Ms. Shirley Kinch. Councillor Simmons
28. Recognizing the 44th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination. Councillor Simmons
29. Congratulating the Green Streets Initiatives for being awarded a Federal CLAMP Grant. Mayor Maher
30. Expressing concern and sympathy for the suffering of the people of Japan and Cambridge's Sister City of Tsukuba, Japan. Mayor Maher
31. Congratulating Mr. Michael Muehe, Executive Director of the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities, for receiving the 2011 Advocate and Activist for Disability Rights Award. Mayor Maher
32. Resolution on the death of Catherine Tackney. Councillor Toomey
33. Resolution on the death of Rose Marie Baynes. Mayor Maher
34. Resolution on the death of Francis J. Kelliher, Jr. Mayor Maher
35. Resolution on the death of Agnes E. (Keegan) Breen. Mayor Maher
36. Resolution on the death of Frances Dickinson Ackerly. Vice Mayor Davis
37. Resolution on the death of Toon Nung Chu. Councillor Toomey
38. Resolution on the death of Mary "Fitzie" (Fitzgerald) Finneran. Councillor Toomey
39. Thanks to George Walter Moschapidakis for his thoughtfulness and commitment to the community and Annette Cournoyer for her support in educating the students of Cambridge. Councillor Decker
40. Congratulations to Tracy Gibbs on her ordination. Councillor Reeves
ORDERS
1. That the City Council go on record adopting Chapter 448 of the Acts of Two Thousand and Ten: AN ACT RELATIVE TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE CAMBRIDGE RETIREMENT SYSTEM. Councillor Toomey
Adopted 7-0-1-1, Cheung ABSENT, Decker ABSTAIN
2. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to coordinate with the MBTA to allow parking within bus stops on the CT2 and 85 routes, during inactive hours, and to report back to the City Council on the progress. Councillor Toomey
3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to ensure that parking ticket appeals happen for all residents in a timely manner. Councillor Seidel
4. That the City Manager is requested to direct with the Commissioner of Public Works to ensure that there is an adequate supply of waste disposal bags in public parks for use by dog owners at all times. Councillor Seidel
5. That the annual CPI-U adjustment for members of the City Council and School Committee as described by City Ordinance be waived until FY13. Mayor Maher
6. That the City Manager is requested to look into the feasibility of doing a "deep clean" of our city, including but not limited to, extra street sweeping if necessary, aggressive removal of graffiti and trash collection on sidewalks and in parks. Councillor Decker
7. That the City Manager is requested to confer with MassDOT to add the underpasses in their proposal to rehabilitate the Anderson Bridge and request that MassDOT work with the Cambridge Community Development Department and the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to refine and implement this plan. Vice Mayor Davis and Councillor Cheung
8. That the City Council hereby requests that President Obama and our Congressional delegation does not cut the Community Services Block Grant funding and to restore any lost funding so that the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee and other community action agencies can continue to do the important work that they do. Mayor Maher
9. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Assistant City Manager for Community Development and review the current facade improvement program to target specific squares for greater facade improvement and an expanded budget to accomplish this goal. Councillor Reeves
10. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Peace Commission and the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women on how their future programming efforts might include public information programs which highlight political unrest around the world, the status of men, women and children in these emerging states, what role America has played previously and should be playing now and in the future in these places. Councillor Reeves
Amended
11. That the City Manager is requested to convene a meeting with the Council, Community Development Department, Planning Board, and other relevant stakeholders to inform all about the future planning efforts for Kendall Square, Central Square and other areas of the city. Councillor Reeves
12. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Assistant City Manager for Community Development to convene a meeting with representatives of the neighborhood including Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Community Art Center and Cambridge Boys and Girls Club to determine if there are child safety issues which need to be addressed before the Spring 2011 outdoor play season begins. Councillor Reeves
13. That the City Manager is requested to designate the appropriate personnel to analyze the solar potential of school buildings and setting appropriate goal for renewable energy in the City. Vice Mayor Davis
14. That the City Manager is requested to recommend a process for the formation of an Energy Policy Committee in the City; said process to include input from City staff and residents. Vice Mayor 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 public meeting held on Feb 10, 2011 to discuss snow clearance and operations issues.
2. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Chair of the Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities Committee for a public meeting held on Feb 17, 2011 to discuss municipal and other renewable energy goals.
3. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Chair of the Environment Committee for a public meeting held on Feb 17, 2011 to examine the environmental goals of the City Council.
4. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Civic Unity Committee for a public meeting held on Feb 9, 2011 to hear a presentation from the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) on what action has been taken with regard to the recommendations of the Cambridge Review Committee Report: "Missed Opportunities, Shared Responsibilities."
5. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair of the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing held on Jan 19, 2011 on proposed amendments to Section 5.28.2 of the Zoning Ordinance, "Conversion of Non Residential Structures to Residential Use, a subdivision of Section 5.28 "Special Dimensional Standards Applicable to Dwellings."
6. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair of the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing held on Jan 19, 2011 on proposed amendments to Section 5.28.2 of the Zoning Ordinance, "Conversion of Non Residential Structures to Residential Use, a subdivision of Section 5.28 "Special Dimensional Standards Applicable to Dwellings."
7. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair of the Community Health Committee for a public meeting held on Sept 7, 2010 to receive an update on community health issues and programs from the Cambridge Chief Public Health Officer.
HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Mar 21
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Mar 22
3:30pm The Economic Development, Training and Employment and Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committees will conduct a public meeting to discuss the future of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm The Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss community gardens, Urban Agricultural Fair and any other topic related to local agriculture. (Ackermann Room)
6:00pm School Committee Special Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 28
5:30pm Roundtable Meeting with the Election Commission. No public Comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Mar 29
5:00pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public meeting for a presentation on form-based zoning by Ana Gelabert. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Mar 31
11:00am The Community Health Committee will conduct a public meeting to receive a presentation by the Cambridge health Alliance on their patient-centered medical home initiatives. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 4
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Apr 5
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Apr 6
5:00pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on a zoning petition originally filed by William A. Fox, et al. and re-filed by the City Council to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map by rezoning an area accessed via Cottage Park Avenue in North Cambridge from its current designation of Business A-2 to a new designation of Residence B. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
6:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on a zoning petition from Novartis to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map to create a new Special District 15 along a portion of Massachusetts Avenue between Albany Street and Windsor Street. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Apr 7
5:00pm The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee will conduct a public meeting to receive an update on proposed improvements to Massachusetts Avenue between Harvard and Porter Squares. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 11
5:30pm Roundtable Meeting. No public Comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Apr 12
6:00pm Special School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Apr 13
10:00am The Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss creating city goals under the banner of economic development. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:00pm The Government Operations and Rules Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss moving to a paperless City Council Agenda, connecting City Council goals and City Departments and City Council Committees to foster efficient and collaborative results. (Ackermann Room)
Thurs, Apr 14
5:00pm Ordinance Committee (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Apr 20
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss creating a program in Cambridge similar to Boston's Department of Urban Mechanics to improve city service delivery. (Sullivan Chamber)
10:30am The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss creating a capital budget for the development of internet and mobile based tools. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:00pm The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss ways to promote ground floor retail. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Apr 21
5:30pm The Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the footbridge at Magazine Beach. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 25
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Apr 26
3:30pm The Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee will conduct a follow up public meeting on detrimental city ordinances for businesses in the city. (Ackermann Room)
5:30pm The Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss organic waste. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Apr 28
5:30pm The Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee will conduct a public meeting regarding traffic concerns about the East Cambridge roadways and the Lechmere Station. (Anastos Room)
Mon, May 2
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, May 3
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, May 4
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2012 City Budget. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, May 5
4:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public meeting to continue discussion on a zoning petition originally filed by Chestnut Hill Realty and re-filed by the City Council to amend the Zoning Ordinance by creating a new section that would allow for the creation of rental apartment units in the basement levels of existing multifamily residential buildings in Residence C Districts within 1200 feet of Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge Street or the Red Line. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm Ordinance Committee (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 9
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, May 11
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2012 City Budget. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 16
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, May 17
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, May 18
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2012 School Department Budget. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, May 19
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2012 City Budget. (if necessary) This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 23
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, May 25
5:00pm Ordinance Committee (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 6
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, June 7
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 13
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 20
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 27
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Aug 1
5:30pm Special City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Mar 21, 2011
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record adopting the attached Chapter 448 of the Acts of Two Thousand and Ten: AN ACT RELATIVE TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE CAMBRIDGE RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
H 4280
Chapter 448
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSBTTS
In the Year Two Thousand and Ten
AN ACT RELATIVE TO CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE CAMBRIDGE RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, upon acceptance of this act by the legislative body of the City of Cambridge, Mary Ellen Galante and Valerie Ososky, members of the Cambridge retirement system, shall be entitled to credit for the period that each of them performed services as nurse midwives for the Cambridge Hospital Professional Services Corporation and the Somerville hospital; provided, however, that such service shall not be credited until the member has paid into the annuity savings fund of such system, in 1 sum or in installments upon such terms and conditions as the state board of retirement may prescribe, the amount of contributions, together with interest thereon, that would have been withheld from regular compensation during the period from when the member left membership after June 30, 1995, and then became employed by the Cambridge Hospital Professional Services Corporation, and later the Somerville hospital, to the time when the member reentered membership in the Cambridge retirement system as an employee of the "Cambridge public health commission.
SECTION 2. A member in service of the retirement system eligible for the creditable service under this act may make application for the creditable
service within 180 days of the acceptance of this act by the legislative body of the City of Cambridge.
SECTION 3. Terms used in this act shall have the same meaning as those terms defined in section 1 of chapter 32 of the General Laws.
House of Representatives, Jan 3, 2011.
O-2 Mar 21, 2011
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: The CT2 and 85 MBTA bus routes that use Windsor and Hampshire Streets on the way to Kendall Square do not operate on Saturday and Sunday; and
WHEREAS: In areas where parking is at a premium, these bus stops prohibit parking during non-operating hours; and
WHEREAS: By allowing parking during hours of non-operation, a substantial amount of parking can be added to the neighborhoods for a period of time starting with the end of the route on Friday evening until Monday morning; and
WHEREAS: Both residents and businesses could benefit from this additional parking; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to coordinate with the MBTA to allow parking within bus stops on the CT2 and 85 routes, during inactive hours, and to report back to the City Council on the progress.
O-3 Mar 21, 2011
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the parking ticket appeals process; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to ensure that parking ticket appeals happen for all residents in a timely manner.
O-4 Mar 21, 2011
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Commissioner of Public Works to ensure that there is an adequate supply of waste disposal bags in public parks for use by dog owners at all times.
O-5 Mar 21, 2011
MAYOR MAHER
WHEREAS: Employees of the City of Cambridge who are represented by a variety of collective bargaining agreements have responded to the current economic climate by accepting a zero percent (0%) increase for FY12 which begins on July 1, 2011; and
WHEREAS: This action has proven an essential component of placing our city in a stronger fiscal position than most other cities in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS: The City Council wishes to acknowledge this selfless action; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the annual CPI-U adjustment for members of the City Council and School Committee as described by City Ordinance be waived until FY13.
O-6 Mar 21, 2011
COUNCILLOR DECKER
WHEREAS: This winter has been particularly harsh on our city; therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to look into the feasibility of doing a "deep clean" of our city, including but not limited to, extra street sweeping if necessary, aggressive removal of graffiti and trash collection on sidewalks and in parks; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.
O-7 Mar 21, 2011
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City Council passed a resolution on Feb 28, 2011 urging The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office to ask Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) to incorporate underpasses in their proposal for the rehabilitation of the Anderson Bridge; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with MassDOT to add the underpasses in their proposal to rehabilitate the Anderson Bridge and request that MassDOT work with the Cambridge Community Development Department and the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to refine and implement this plan.
O-8 Mar 21, 2011
MAYOR MAHER
WHEREAS: The President of the United States has submitted his Fiscal Year 2012 federal budget that cuts fifty percent of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), and proposes to reorganize the funding process for the remaining fifty percent; and
WHEREAS: The United States House of Representatives Continuing Resolution eliminates all Community Services Block Grant funding; and
WHEREAS: Community Services Block Grant Funding is the main source of funding for community action agencies (CAA) nationally and locally the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, Inc., (CEOC) which will close with this level of cuts and reorganization; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee was established in April 1965 as part of President Lyndon Johnson's War On Poverty, and is Cambridge's designated anti-poverty community action agency; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee operates direct services that benefit over 9,800 households including: preschool child care; food pantry; comprehensive family planning; Know Your Body Sexuality Education in the public schools; eviction prevention and affordable housing stabilization; Get What's Coming To You!! the one stop shopping participant centered model to take full advantage of state and federal public benefits, especially food stamps, health care; free tax preparation to maximize earned income and child tax credit refunds and avoid for-profit fees and scams; FAFSA application assistance; financial education and coaching to help build asset opportunities; and public policy advocacy; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee is active in local and state public policy advocacy initiatives to eliminate hunger, maintain and preserve affordable housing and access to affordable health care, establish policies that are supportive and not sanctioning for those individuals and families who are working to establish economic security for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee coordinates other community initiatives like the Cambridge Food Pantry Network by managing the city food fund and maintaining the food inventory for the other twelve members of the Network; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee houses the Food For Free administrative office and their storage cooler; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee provides tenants and Tenant Associations with education, advocacy and organizing to prevent evictions and homelessness to maintain and preserve the stability of affordable housing; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee's closing would have a negative impact on its participants and the city as a whole with the loss of:
The Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee Food Pantry which serves 500 households monthly and the loss of coordination of the Cambridge Food Pantry Network city food fund inventory storage and distribution and put Food For Free in jeopardy with the loss of its administrative office and outside cooler storage space;
Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee's free tax preparation, which will put 2,500 filers at risk for high fees and refund anticipation loan scams;
Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee's housing advocacy and stabilization will result in increased evictions, homelessness and destabilization;
Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee's public benefit advocacy and enrollment, especially for food stamps and health care, further reducing cash assistance to individuals and households who are already struggling to make ends meet;
Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee's organizing and advocacy assistance for tenants and tenant associations;
Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee's financial education and coaching for people who are trying to balance their limited and diminishing income during this economic recession;
Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee's open door that is always available to anyone who doesn't know where to go or which way to turn will be permanently closed; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council hereby requests that President Obama and our Congressional delegation not cut the Community Services Block Grant funding and restore any lost funding so that the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee and other community action agencies can continue to do the important work that they do; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and is hereby requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to President Obama, Congressman Michael Capuano, Senator Scott Brown and Senator John Kerry on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-9 Mar 21, 2011
COUNCILLOR REEVES
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge established a facade improvement program some years ago; and
WHEREAS: The initial facade improvement program focused on Central Square and then was expanded to include other areas of the city; and
WHEREAS: The facade improvement program is an excellent program which supports an enhanced street environment for citizens and business owners alike; and
WHEREAS: Current efforts to review the Delights and Concerns of Central Square (Mayor's Red Ribbon Commission), indicate that a significant number of historic facades have been removed or seriously altered; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Assistant City Manager for Community Development and review the current facade improvement program to target specific squares for greater facade improvement and an expanded budget to accomplish this goal.
O-10 Mar 21, 2011 Amended
COUNCILLOR REEVES
WHEREAS: Recent events in the Middle East and North Africa, where people in many countries, (Egypt, Bahrain, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Ivory Coast, etc.), have raised awareness that they want an end to their current conditions and to have a more responsive and more effective and representative government; and
WHEREAS: Many Americans, even those in Cambridge, Massachusetts have very little knowledge about the lives and political systems of countries outside Western Europe and the British Isles; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Cambridge Peace Commission and the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women on how their future programming efforts might include public information programs which highlight political unrest around the world, the status of men, women and children in these emerging states, what role America has played previously and should be playing now and in the future in these places. An informed citizenry is good for democracy.
O-11 Mar 21, 2011
COUNCILLOR REEVES
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to convene a meeting with the Council, Community Development Department, Planning Board, and other relevant stakeholders to inform all about the future planning efforts for Kendall Square, Central Square and other areas of the city.
O-12 Mar 21, 2011
COUNCILLOR REEVES
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has recently fully renovated Clement Morgan Park on Columbia Street; and
WHEREAS: The reconfigured park contains a play area with various playground equipment; and
WHEREAS: Concern has been expressed regarding the safety and age appropriateness of certain pieces of the new playground equipment; and
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Assistant City Manager for Community Development to convene a meeting with representatives of the neighborhood including Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Community Art Center and Cambridge Boys and Girls Club to determine if there are child safety issues which need to be addressed before the Spring 2011 outdoor play season begins.
O-13 Mar 21, 2011
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to designate the appropriate personnel to analyze the solar potential of school buildings and setting appropriate goal for renewable energy in the City.
O-14 Mar 21, 2011
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to recommend a process for the formation of an Energy Policy Committee in the City; said process to include input from City staff and residents.
TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee conducted a public meeting on Thurs, Feb 10, 2011 at 5:30pm in the Sullivan Chamber.
The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a public meeting to discuss snow clearance and operations issues.
Present at the meeting were Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Leland Cheung; Councillor Kenneth Reeves; Councillor Sam Seidel; Robert W. Healy, City Manager; Richard Rossi, Deputy City Manager; Lisa Peterson, Commissioner of Public Works; John Nardone, Assistant Public Works Commissioner for Operations; Rebecca Fuentes, Assistant Public Works Commissioner for Administration; Sue Clippinger, Director, Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department; Stephen Ahern, Deputy Superintendent of Police; Michael Muehe, Executive Director, Commission for Persons with Disabilities; and Donna P Lopez, Deputy City Clerk.
Also present were JoAnn Haas, Sandy Durmaskin, Elizabeth Dean-Clower, Don Summerfield, members, Commission for Persons with Disabilities; Rachel Tenenhaus, Chair, Commission for Persons with Disabilities; Samantha Galinas, Reporter, Boston University, 91 Bay State Road, Boston; Margot Kempers, 582 Franklin Street; Megan Brook, 103 Inman Street; Charlie Marquardt, 10 Rogers Street; Bobby Vilinsky and Heidi Meyer, 4 Putnam Gardens; Ted Live, 17 Wendell Street; Cristin McMurray, 591 Franklin Street; Carice Pingenot, Livable Streets Advocacy Committee; and Elizabeth MacArthur, 29 Magee Street.
Councillor Kelley opened the meeting and stated the purpose. He clarified that the goal of the meeting was to discuss snow clearance and operations and not so much snow removal, which the City generally does not do. His hope was to be able to create a document for the public so that people could view the City's future snow operations in more detailed context. He stated that he appreciates all the work that is being done; the fact that we are being critical of the final result does not mean we are not appreciative of the work being done.
Councillor Reeves outlined specific problem areas. River Street, he stated was like climbing mountains. He stated that the focus should be on pedestrian crossings and major corners should be addressed. He suggested using seventh and eighth graders or high school students to do some shoveling. The second area of concern was the Essex Street cab stand. To get a cab a person had to walk around a mound of snow; this is dangerous. No one is responsible to clear snow from the curb to the cab. He suggested a corner ownership by residents to clear snow at corners.
Councillor Cheung stated he is getting many e-mails relating to snow. He stated that Cambridge is doing a better job than other communities to move snow. Given the resources there is room for improvement. He stated the complaints in the e-mails were about corners, parked cars not being shoveled out and furniture or objects used to save parking spaces.
At this time the committee heard from City Manager Robert Healy who stated that they has been a huge effort on the part of the Public Works Department, Police Department, Traffic , Parking and Transportation Department, Danehy Park workers, and public and private contractors to clear snow. He stated it is impossible to resolve all the issues and they must be prioritized in order for the City to address the more important issues first. The city's priority is public safety and emergency vehicles' ability to travel on city streets, which has an impact on how and where snow is removed post-storm. He stated that there is a separate operation for salting and for plowing. He stated schools and youth centers are cleared first then the operation moves to pedestrian operation. Bus stops are cleared by city workers even though that is the MBTA's responsibility. Pedestrian ramps are opened even where there are mounds of snow. He stated 10 out of the last 12 nights have been spent to remove snow while sanding and plowing operations are ongoing. Major arteries are cleared first. It is a difficult balance, he stated, when a snow emergency is declared and the question where folks should put their cars because people cannot leave cars parked on a snow emergency street, yet there is limited space on other streets. Plus towing people who don't move their cars because they are not home or do not learn about the emergency can be very upsetting. He stated that the First Street Garage and the Galleria Mall garage are used to park vehicles during a snow emergency. In an effort to encourage residents to get automobiles off the city streets there are deals offered at the garages. He informed the committee that the right side of Inman Street was cleared of snow today after an overnight removal operation. Making pedestrian areas accessible at intersections at all squares is a priority. He stated that River Street and the cross street will be cleared but not for a mid-block crossing. The City, he said, does not clear mid-block crossings as a rule. He stated that this winter it has been difficult because every four - five days a significant level of precipitation was received impacting the ongoing clearing operations. He stated that as of yet some complaints have not had a response. The width of streets has narrowed because of the accumulation of snow. He informed the committee that Archstone Smith, Northpoint, Harvard University, and MIT have cooperated with the city in allowing the City to store removed snow on their properties, but that, otherwise, finding places to put removed snow is very difficult because the Charles River cannot be used as a snow dumping area as it was many years ago. Mr. Healy stated the city has received complaints about the reverse bells on snow clearing equipment, especially when run at night during removal operations, but he noted that this safety equipment is mandatory even if it is bothersome to the people living close to the operations area who have their sleep disrupted. Snow clearance is done in the nighttime hours because otherwise the impacts on traffic are too dramatic. The snow is being melted from the sun but with the melt and the drop in temperatures it creates the need to salt because the melt refreezes. He also stated that there are a limited number of employees in the Public Works Department and they are tired. Outside contractors have been called to assist in the cleanup effort but, at a certain point, the equipment and staff, to include contractors, available are simply maxed out and can do no more. He stated that Commissioner Peterson would discuss the specifics of operation. The City Manager explained the problem with declaring a snow emergency from a logistical viewpoint in making sure that as many venues as possible inform people of the emergency. The City contracts with a weather prediction company and monitors traditional weather reports as well in an attempt to use the best information possible prior to declaring a snow emergency and for related snow operations. He stated that all broadcast media are notified as soon as possible when a snow emergency is declared. Snow tickets were issued. He stated that there are 150 miles of streets with a total of 250 miles of curbs (this includes both sides of the streets) that need clearance operations.
Councillor Reeves also commented on a significant issue that is created at the crossing at Carl Barron Plaza. At this location water is accumulating and creating a "lake." Central Square is a transportation hub and it is the city's responsibility to make sure that this area is accessible for the public to traverse. Commissioner Peterson commented that between the rain and the melts the city needs to open the catch basins. The corners need a place for the water to drain. She stated that bobcats are assigned to clear the corner areas. She further stated that the bus stops on River Street were cleared of snow. Deputy City Manager Rossi stated that this area went immediately into the priority plan. At this time Commissioner Peterson discussed responses to awaiting report items relating to snow issues.
At this time Commissioner Peterson read a prepared statement (Attachment A) that responded to five Awaiting Reports and one City Council order as follows:
Awaiting Report Item Number 11-01 regarding a report on practices that will mitigate problems that occur when plowing snow into areas that have been shoveled by residents and the insufficient and/or improper shoveling of the pedestrian way,
Awaiting Report Item Number 11-04 a report on the snow removal on the sidewalks adjacent to cab stands,
Awaiting Report Item Number 11-07 regarding a report on outreach and advertising the Snow Exemption Program,
Awaiting Report Item Number 11-08 regarding a report on the number of snow tickets issued and on the response time for responding to complaints,
Awaiting Report Item Number 11-13 regarding a report removing improperly placed furniture items that are reserving parking spaces, and
City Council Order Number Four of Jan 24, 2011 regarding the use of city garages during snow emergencies and reinstituting the use of bullhorns to announce snow emergencies.
She also spoke about the snow program. The public information officer updates the Public Works website. She stated that during weather events the weather is monitored continuously. The City Manager declares a snow emergency, of which five have been declared thus far, when there are six or more inches of snow. Salting and pretreatment are the first parts of a snow response operation, followed by plowing and pedestrian operations. The City can have up to 150 pieces of equipment working on snow operations. She outlined the priority areas. The city is responsible for 18 miles of city sidewalks such as those alongside parks and public buildings. Opening schools in the city is a priority, which means an early effort on school bus stops, school parking lots and crossings and sidewalks associated with students walking to school. She stated that to be eligible for the city's snow exemption program, run by the Danehy Park staff, an applicant must be a low income homeowner and either elderly or disabled to qualify. She stated that there are 200 bus stops and crosswalks on major streets in the city. This year the bus stops on Western Avenue and River Street were added to the city clearance program. She stated that when a snow emergency is declared towing operations begin. Extensive snow removal operations were done and are continuing to move snow this weekend she stated. She stated that from Dec 26 through Jan 12, 2011 35 inches of snow was received. During past 52 days, 71" of snow has fallen and 48 days have been spent on nighttime snow clearance work. The only days that work was not done was Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. She stated that snow removal logistics is different; this work needs to be done overnight. Where snow removal operations and street clearance work should be done is decided by a combined review of the streets by the Cambridge Fire Department, the Cambridge Police Department, DPW and the Traffic, Transportation and Parking Department. They had done it on 37 streets thus far. She stated that snow was removed to Danehy Park as well as properties owned by Archstone Smith, MIT and Harvard. Snow has been removed from 37 streets in the city representing 15,000 tons of snow, or the equivalent of rubbish collection for one year. She gave an example of the volume of snow removal on Inman Street - 100 loads of snow were removed.
Commissioner Peterson next spoke on enforcement. There is a snow hotline. There have been 1992 complaints and all the complaints have been inspected. There have been 972 snow tickets issued as of Feb 10, 2011. She also explained the collaboration and cooperation of the various city departments as well as outside groups such as GreenStreets. She expressed her thanks for the cooperation of other city departments with her department. The committee next heard from the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department.
Ms. Clippinger stated that the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, in addition to sidewalk enforcement, are responsible for the Traffic Regulations and works with the Police Department and the towing operations. She listed the priorities used by her department (Attachment B). The first priority is to make sure that the streets can handle emergency vehicles, oil delivery trucks and so forth. The second is to make sure they can handle busses and general traffic, to include some thought given to bicycle traffic. The third priority is to have metered spaced included in parking bans to allow appropriate plowing, but that is a difficult logistical issue. She noted that residents have trouble clearing their own spots. She noted that emergency routes were all reviewed in 2005 and that they are all signed properly, but residential streets are not signed to allow people more ability to park their cars off of emergency streets. She further stated that the issues this winter were no parking signs left up after the snow ban was lifted due to streets being narrow and keeping them open for accessibility and travel; snowbound cars, and cars parked at the corners blocking the travel lane. She explained that if a person possesses a valid resident parking permit and is parked in a residential area the car can be left until street cleaning which begins in April. There is no "storage" prohibition for properly registered and stickered vehicles. Ten foot travel lane violation tickets have been issued because travel lanes are blocked and emergency vehicles cannot get down streets when cars park too far from the curb.
Councillor Cheung stated that he was under the impression that cars could be left in a parking spot for three days. Mr. Healy responded that that the Traffic Regulations state that a resident with a resident parking sticker parked in a designated residential area can remain parked until street cleaning which begins in April. There is no state statute that regulates street parking so City parking regulations govern. Ms. Clippinger further explained that if a non-resident is parked more than 24 hours the car is considered illegally parked.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Stephen Ahern, outlined the Police Department's function during snow emergencies and the aftermath. He stated is a combined effort between The Public Works Department, the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department in the Police Department. The Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department determine the priority routes for towing and CPD sends out three crews to clear those routes. After the towing operations are complete and the snow emergency is over the Police Department assesses arteries to make sure that they are accessible. The Police Department assists the Public Works Department with snow removal. Cars will be towed if parking in temporarily designated no parking' areas. Police officers are deployed to schools for safety. During the last five storms 506 vehicles were towed and 700 police hours were dedicated to sit the snow emergency. Officers block streets during snow removal operations. Mr. Healy commented that when private snow clearing is ongoing snow cannot be put on the public ways and that CPD, knowing this rule, is supposed to keep people from doing that. Mr. Rossi also added that the Public Works Department gets updates from the School Department, the MBTA and the Fire Department.
Councillor Seidel asked how the Fire Department and the Public Works Department deal with impassable streets. Mr. Healy responded cars are towed. He added that every effort is made to contact the owner before the car is towed. The Fire Department is notified when a street is impassable for emergency vehicles.
Councillor Kelley stated that from a walking perspective residents have shoveled the sidewalk to get to the curb and then the plows come along and plow snow and slush back onto the sidewalk and this is difficult, and at some point impossible, to remove. He stated that Rindge Avenue from Peabody to Mass. Avenue is unwalkable. He stated he would rather see the bobcats clearing pedestrian intersections rather than the emphasis on vehicles. He asked if there was any thought as to why there is not more emphasis on clearing pedestrian routes rather than parking and travel lanes. Commissioner Peterson responded that the Public Works Department has put a lot of priority to clean corners and that the snow removal priority is not centered on parking issues. She stated that she would add Rindge Avenue to the area to be cleared with the bobcats. Councillor Kelley added that this is a systematic issue; at what point does the city expect homeowners to clear the sidewalk. Commissioner Peterson stated that the property owner is responsible to clear sidewalks to the crosswalk if at a corner. In a city with 125 miles of street there will be areas that are problematic. Supervisors review their area of responsibility she stated. Municipal properties, parks and crossing guard locations are the priorities. Mr. Healy stated that the snow melting, freezing, melting and refreezing exacerbated the problem. Mr. Rossi stated that the police were notified of a problem in the area of Rindge Avenue where a private property owner was plowing snow into the sidewalk. Councillor Kelley asked if property owners were responsible to clear snow to the end of the ramp. Commissioner Peterson responded in the affirmative.
Councillor Seidel spoke about the lack of indication of what is the violation on the tickets. Commissioner Peterson stated that a fluorescent notice is placed on the doorknob of residences; it is not a ticket. The address is matched to the property owner and then a ticket is sent out that list the violation and the date issued. The doorknob tag is a visual notice that a problem exists. Ms. Clippinger added that the Parking Control Officers use a smaller ticket and the violation is not listed on the ticket. Later a ticket is sent in the mail outlining the violation.
Councillor Seidel spoke about limiting snow removal in night time hours. Mr. Healy stated that snow removal is a nighttime operation. Reverse bells are required by law on vehicles. He stated that this winter was an extraordinary circumstance and snow removal operations would always be considered as emergencies. In normal winters snow is plowed only. Removal is very expensive. For the last 20 nights snow has been removed on priority routes he stated. Snow removal requires a bucket and an 18 wheeler and then a dump truck. The city has spent $1.7 million on snow thus far this winter but not all snow piles will ever be removed other than through melting. Mr. Rossi commented that as land gets developed and sold finding areas to dump snow is getting more difficult, exacerbated because we cannot dump in the river.
JoAnn Haas, member of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, spoke about mobility issues at corners and ramps which are impassable. When curb corners on side streets are impassible, clear main streets are ultimately inaccessible. What is the responsibility of the property owner to clear the sidewalk to the street she asked? She spoke about handicap parking spaces. Handicap parking spaces are plowed but due to the snow being so high on the curbside people are not able to get wheelchairs out of the cars. She noted that people are slipping and falling everywhere. She suggested creating incentives to let everyone know that we are all in this together and to work together to make travel accessible for all in a non-punitive manner.
Councillor Seidel asked if the city focus on commercial areas. Ms. Peterson said that in high pedestrian areas like Central Square and Harvard Square, the City did a lot of outreach and various property managers do a lot of work in Harvard Square. Mr. Rossi responded that commercial establishments employ private contractors to deal with snow. Snow in those areas was being hauled away.
Councillor Kelley asked if the use of a snowmelter is feasible for next year. Mr. Nardone stated that the city has reviewed the use of snowmelters. He stated that the snowmelter would be an additional piece of equipment to what is now used to remove snow and it makes the operation slow. There is a place for them, and that place may become more relevant as snow dump locations become more limited. He stated that there are other issues with the use of a snowmelter such as maintenance, space, time to heat it up, the need for training and loading equipment and so forth. All in all, snowmelters are not a clear benefit at this point. Mr. Rossi added that the cost of a snowmelter is in the $250,000 range and the city needs more than one. Maintenance and breakdowns would be an issue. Streets would have to be blocked off and then there is an issue with noise with the use of a snowmelter. Councillor Kelley question if the city had looked at a snowmelter. Commissioner Peterson stated that a demonstration of a Snow Dragon snowmelter was done on New Street last year. The equipment needs to drain into a combined sewer to be used successfully. This equipment may play a role in snow operations in the future but a number of them would be needed to make a difference and they are very expensive items, probably being a capital expenditure like fire trucks. Other communities have snow yards she stated and those who use snowmelters do other snow operations as well. Councillor Seidel suggested regional snowmelter use. Councillor Kelley stated that a snowmelter is a capital expense, needs to be budgeted and an RFP needs to be done. Mr. Rossi stated that the City would continue to review snowmelter options on a regular basis.
At 7:02pm Councillor Kelley opened the meeting to public comment.
Don Somerfield, Commission for Persons with Disability member, stated that there is confusion on the interpretation around clearing snow to the curbs. The ordinance needs to be rewritten.
Dr. Elizabeth Dean-Clower, 18 Bank St., Commission for Persons with Disability member, expressed her concerns with gait mobility (users of canes and wheelchairs, of which she is one). She also spoke about handicap parking spaces. There is an inability to open passenger car doors because of snow at the curb and on one-way streets where the driver's side is next to the curb. Parking spaces are cleared, but accessibility does not exist she stated. This is a safety concern. She stated that the sidewalk paths are not wide enough for persons with disability. She also spoke on the lack of clarity in the language in the ordinance and noted that it's a double bind mobility issue for people who are not able-bodied as the regulations are not clear about how far down a curb ramp people should shovel.
Ted Live, 17 Wendell St., spoke about the allocating and equitable use of plowing equipment, in that some streets, such as Mass Ave, seem to be repeatedly plowed even when there is no longer any snow getting moved while other streets, such as Garfield, hardly seem to get plowed at all. He also spoke about areas where a two lane became a one lane due to the way the snow was plowed. This usually occurred at intersections. The constriction is only at the corner for the last twenty yards or so where left and right turn lanes are crowded into one central lane and turns cannot happen during the appropriate light cycle. He cited Wendell Street and Mass. Avenue and Mass Avenue and Alewife Brook Parkway as areas where this occurs. This also causes traffic backed up. He submitted photos (Attachment C). He suggested improving plowing at intersections and plowing to curb where there are no parked cars. He stated that on Oxford Street the plows did not plow to the curb.
Megan Brook spoke about low lying areas and melting snow and drainage and argued that the City should make sure that overdevelopment does not leave us with no place to put snow. She wanted the drains opened and the locations marked. She stated that the weak link in the chain is the gap of information between the residents and the city. Clarification is needed on the rules, such as what type of snow moving is permissible. She stated that the city is not prioritizing the cars and parking, it is addressing public safety issues for accessibility for emergency and fire vehicles and does not reflect a bias against pedestrian. She asked who does a resident call if they see a private plowing operator putting snow back in the street. She wanted this information printed on the city's website and in the snow packet people get so that everyone is on the same page, citizens and City departments. She stated that if the city digs out a crosswalk where is the incentive for the adjacent property owner to dig it out and worries that at some point who winds up owning the problem becomes, in itself, a problem.
Rachel Tanenhaus, Chair, Commission for Persons with Disabilities, stated that she and her guide dog have had trouble navigating and getting around this year. It's especially tough on trash days. Her dog has fallen with the snow and ice. She stated that she needs to walk in the street because the conditions of the sidewalks are so poor but that can be tough because her dog is trained not to walk her in the street. Persons with disabilities are at a higher percentage to fall. She stated that islands in the middle of the street are not plowed and going into the street can get someone killed. She wanted clarification in the ordinance about responsibilities for taxi stands. A person cannot get into a taxi cab without climbing snow bank and that can be very dangerous. She appreciates that this has been an exceptional winter but she cannot get to where she needs or wants to go and that impact is now. She cannot just go to work next year or when the snow melts. She stated that she also realize that this is not deliberate discrimination but discrimination does not have to be deliberate. She is impacted with pain and being late to work now. Where the rubber meets the road, things are not getting done. People live in Cambridge not cars. She wanted emphasis on people.
Charlie Marquardt, 10 Rogers Street, complimented city workers on a great job, notably trash workers. He stated that brick sidewalks freeze quicker and frost heaves are problematic and we should review use of brick. Bump outs have their good and bad points. Plows he said are staying away from the bump outs leaving snow in mounds. He spoke of the problem of potholes, which pose dangers for cars and bikes. Calendar Street has a pothole problem. Storm drain blockages are a problem. And puddles may hide 3 foot deep holes.
Bobby Vilinsky, 4 Putnam Gardens, stated he has mobility impairment. He has a handicap parking space outside his residence but cannot park in the space with the snow. The Bobcat operator cleared snow on the sidewalk around the Martin Luther King School and did not know where to put the snow and put it in the handicap parking spot. Other people have done similar things. He spoke of his neighbor being unable to attend meetings because of the inaccessibility of wheelchairs ramps that are blocked by snow at places like the Cambridge Housing Authority. It is not clear who is responsible where City/private areas blend together. It makes mobility tough for everyone.
Carice Pingenot, Livable Streets Advocacy Committee, stated she is a year-round cyclist. She wanted to know how bike lane clearance was prioritized. She stated that the Broadway corridor is popular for cyclists but is the worst cleared bike lane. She submitted photos of the bike lanes (Attachment D). She stated if the bike lanes are not cleared completely cyclist must veer around o obstacles and move out into traffic which is dangerous. Parked cars forced out from the curb by snow can really block bikes and traffic and ticketing does not seem to be enough to address this problem. After ticketing, cars may move but other cars may replace them. Maybe more clearly mark not parking, snow emergency spaces. She wanted a good phone number and email contact point. She stated that the area around Legal Seafood in Kendall Square needs to be marked "No Parking" permanently. She stated that the bike lanes especially on Broadway are not plowed to the curb.
Commissioner Peterson stated that plowed snow would be put on the curb and that if snow is plowed too far back, it winds up on the sidewalk and makes the sidewalk less passable. The snow needs to be removed.
Elizabeth MacArthur, Commission for Persons with Disability member, spoke about ice not being removed. People need to be better about removing ice. She stated that school buses are getting stuck at every corner because there is not enough room for them to maneuver around the corners, noting that areas like Calendar Street are especially problematic. She stated that school buses associated with the ML King School need to be rerouted during a snow emergency. She stated nothing should be put in handicapped spaces. The city should give a large fine for this violation.
Councillor Kelley submitted an e-mail sent by Fred Meyer (Attachment E).
Councillor Kelley thanked all attendees.
The meeting adjourned at seven o'clock and forty-seven minutes p. m.
For the Committee,
Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair
Committee Report #2
The Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities Committee conducted a public meeting on Thurs, Feb 17, 2011 at 5:33 PM in the Sullivan Chamber.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss municipal and other renewable energy goals.
Present at the meeting were Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Chair of the Committee; Richard Rossi, Deputy City Manager; Lisa Peterson, Public Works Commissioner; Rebecca Fuentes, Assistant Commissioner for Administration, Public Works Department; Ellen Katz, Fiscal Director, Public Works Department; Alexandra Corwin, Energy and Sustainability Analyst, Public Works Department; Suzanne Rasmussen, Director, Environment and Transportation Planning, Community Development Department (CDD); John Bolduc, Environmental Project Planner, CDD; Rosalie Anders, Environmental Project Administrator, CDD; James Maloney, Chief Operating Officer, School Department; Dana Ham, Facilities Manager, School Department; Kristin von Hoffman, Sustainability Coordinator, School Department; Garrett Anderson, Senior Planner, Cambridge Housing Authority; Penny Peters; and Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk.
Also present were David Rabkin, Chair, Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC), 184 Huron Avenue; Betsy Boyle, 277 Rindge Avenue; Robin Finnegan, 31 Hubbard Avenue; John Moore, 872 Massachusetts Avenue; Minka van Beuzekom, 20 Essex Street; Joanna Herlihy, 410 Norfolk Street; Abigail Tischler, 10 King Place; John Pitkin, 18 Fayette Street; Liz Rassweiler, 8 Fainwood Circle; Kathy Reine, 30 Vassal Lane; and Megan Shaw, Cambridge Energy Alliance.
Vice Mayor Davis opened the meeting and stated the purpose. She requested city staff to discuss what the city is now doing in the area of renewable energy.
Ms. Rasmussen discussed renewable energy. She distributed a document entitled Renewable Energy in the Community - February 2011 (Attachment A). She stated that solar energy is the best option in the city. Private installations are being tracked. There are 58 solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with 876 kilowatts (kW) of capacity in the city. Due to the declining cost of technology, better incentives and the use of power purchase agreements (PPA) the capacity for solar PV has grown in Cambridge. The Cambridge Housing Authority pioneered the use of PPAs with the installation of solar PV at Washington Elms. Ms. Rasmussen stated that solar hot water is also emerging as a significant option. She cited locations where solar thermal is being used: Canaday Hall at Harvard University, the HRI affordable housing projects on Pine Street and 7th Street, Irving House and Charlie's Kitchen. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has offered new incentives for small residential and in the future will do so for commercial buildings. Solar air systems are another option. The Houghton Apartments have a solar air system. Ms. Rasmussen next discussed wind turbines. There are three locations with wind turbines. They are the Museum of Science, Holyoke Center, and a small residence, which has since been shut down. She then talked about biofuel. The city is aware of only one location where biofuel is used to provide energy. Harvard University uses bio fuels in their shuttle buses. Concerns have been raised about environmental impacts of biofuels. The NSTAR Green program is not heavily promoted or used and is expensive. The city is working with NSTAR to promote this program. Ms. Rasmussen discussed the barriers and incentives for renewable energy use in the city. The city made zoning changes that would authorize wind turbines and solar power. The state and federal levels are drivers for installing renewable energy with incentives. Federal tax credits are generous. She stated that the city's goal to reach 20% of the municipal power demand supplied by renewable sources by 2010 is being met by purchasing renewable energy certificates (REC). The renewable energy certificates pay for 70% of the energy consumption. The city has a partnership with MIT to do an assessment of wind at Danehy Park. The measurement equipment is now in place. She stated that building a large foundation for a turbine on landfill is a concern.
Vice Mayor Davis asked how many municipal buildings have solar. Ms. Rasmussen responded that the city has 71 kW of solar PV capacity and five systems. The systems have been installed at City Hall Annex, West Cambridge Youth Center, Frisoli Youth Center, the Frasier Building at Public Works, and Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. The Water Department is pursuing the installation of a 100 kW PV system on the roof of the Sullivan Water Treatment Plant. Financing strategies are being reviewed. A feasibility study was done at the Water Treatment Plant as well as discussions about a PPA. The state has a draft document for municipalities considering entering into PPAs.
Commissioner Peterson stated that Public Works Department has a 55,000 sq. ft. roof area that needs to be replaced. There is a structural issue with the garage as well as question as to where PV can be installed. An analysis will be done next year. In fiscal year 2013 the issue of funding for PV will be reviewed; if a PPA is done there will be a full analysis. Mr. Rossi commented that the question is what happens to a roof guarantee if solar is installed. Does the installer take over the guarantee? The Cambridge Housing Authority procurement officer has good experience with the PPAs.
Mr. Ham, School Department Facilities Manager, stated that the solar installation on the roof of the CRLS arts building is not yet up and running. It will generate 30 kW. No other school roofs were evaluated. Mr. Rossi stated that if the school building plan works out and if reconstruction of the grammar schools occurs the city is in a good position for PPAs. Boston is a Solar America City and is supposed to share information with other communities. Vice Mayor Davis asked what is appropriate for municipalities to achieve as a goal. Ms. Rasmussen responded that the percentage changes over time. Commissioner Peterson stated that financing is a big part of this matter. If a PPA is not used, the city would pay and it is expensive. Mr. Rossi stated that the city needs to be creative with the financing as this may overpower other needs of the city. Ms. Rasmussen stated that a more detailed analysis needs to be done on the capability to generate renewable energy. An assessment needs to be done to set goals. Vice Mayor Davis suggested having a potential solar goal for city buildings and then set goals for the installation.
David Rabkin, CPAC, stated that the 2010 renewable energy goals were not met. Over time a study should be done on reducing energy and consumption and increasing the amount drawn from renewables. The city needs to be creative. The research aspect is legitimate he stated; do the research then ask the questions. He informed the committee that the Museum of Science wind turbine program only generates a small amount of energy. At the Museum of Science 100% of the electricity is green and pays a good rate. The Museum put $3 million into energy efficiency. Ms. von Hoffman commented that financing is the bottom line for setting energy goals. Research is important for setting goals.
Vice Mayor Davis stated that some cities have an energy policy committee. Cities with energy policy committees may work with the city to set policies. Mr. Rossi stated that this is a good idea and should include the policymakers and residents. Ms. Corwin cautioned that looking at renewable energy must be combined with looking at energy efficiency measures.
At 6:13pm Vice Mayor Davis opened the meeting to public comment.
Mr. Rabkin stated that renewables are only a small part of the whole picture. Research needs to be done. Emissions reduction may be a goal to review on a per capita basis. He spoke of creating standards for new buildings with better percentages than current standards. Think about renovating old spaces to work 50% better. He stated he did not know where this has been successfully implemented. A shift is needed at the state and federal level.
Kristen von Hoffman stated that she created a sustainability plan for the school district. She is reviewing energy usage for all school buildings to save money, to reduce the carbon footprint, and to bring all present sustainability efforts under one umbrella. She will also look at future school construction. She founded the Cambridge Green Initiative.
Kathy Reine stated that it would be good to have a zero net energy as a goal for school buildings under renovation.
John Moore spoke about solar thermal. He stated that the best payback for hot water is the use of solar thermal. There are federal incentives for this.
Minka van Beuzekom stated she would like to know how energy is spent and where it comes from. She suggested keeping a track of the carbon budget. She wanted to see the Cambridge Housing Authority and the Cambridge Health Alliance tied into municipal buildings.
Garrett Anderson, Cambridge Housing Authority, informed the committee that power purchasing agreements were used for the Washington Elms renovation. LBJ, Lincoln Way and Jackson Gardens will all have solar installations. There are plans to replace the roof at Jefferson Park and Newtowne Court; they look good for solar PV. CHA property roofs get sun and solar thermal could be installed on roofs where covered by shade. Ms. van Beuzekom suggested getting an evaluation of the buildings by the Cambridge Energy Alliance. Vice Mayor Davis stated that a meeting with the CHA, Harvard University, MIT and the Cambridge Health Alliance may be a good idea. Mr. Rossi commented that the city gives money to the CHA for affordable housing projects.
Ellen Katz, Fiscal Director, Public Works Department, gave an update on the efficiency programs at city buildings using federal stimulus funds. She outlined some of the projects: 3 high efficiency boilers, lighting upgraded in 10 buildings including four schools, fire station, senior center, three youth centers and City Hall. HVAC systems were installed in the Haggerty School, Area Four and the Frisoli Youth Centers.
Joanna Herlihy, 410 Norfolk Street, spoke about consolidating middle schools and the need for energy use and cost for school transportation to be evaluated. Ms. Von Hoffman stated that data needs to be tracked on how students, faculty and teachers get to school.
Abigail Tischler, 10 King Place, expressed her concern about the vulnerable population in the city.
At this time Vice Mayor Davis submitted the following motions:
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to designate the appropriate personnel to analyze the solar potential of school buildings and setting appropriate goal for renewable energy in the City.
The motion - Carried.
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to recommend a process for the formation of an Energy Policy Committee in the City; said process to include input from City staff and residents.
The motion - Carried.
Vice Mayor Davis thanked all attendees.
The meeting adjourned at 6:40pm.
For the Committee,
Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Chair
Committee Report #3
The Environment Committee held a public meeting on Thurs, Feb 17, 2011 at six o'clock and forty minutes P.M. in the Sullivan Chamber.
The purpose of the meeting was to examine the environmental goals of the City Council.
Present at the meeting were Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Leland Cheung; Councillor Sam Seidel; Richard Rossi, Deputy City Manager; Lisa Peterson, Public Works Commissioner; Rebecca Fuentes, Assistant Commissioner for Administration, Public Works Department; Ellen Katz, Fiscal Director, Public Works Department; Alexandra Corwin, Energy and Sustainability Analyst, Public Works Department; Suzanne Rasmussen, Director, Environment and Transportation Planning, Community Development Department (CDD); John Bolduc, Environmental Project Planner, CDD; Rosalie Anders, Environmental Project Administrator, CDD; James Maloney, Chief Operating Officer, School Department; Dana Ham, Facilities Manager, School Department; Kristin von Hoffman, Sustainability Coordinator, School Department; Garrett Anderson, Senior Planner, Cambridge Housing Authority; Penny Peters; and Donna P. Lopez Deputy City Clerk.
Also present were David Rabkin, Chair, Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC), 184 Huron Avenue; Betsy Boyle, 277 Rindge Avenue; Robin Finnegan, 31 Hubbard Avenue; John Moore, 872 Massachusetts Avenue; Minka van Beuzekom, 20 Essex Street; Joanna Herlihy, 410 Norfolk Street; Abigail Tischler, 10 King Place; John Pitkin, 18 Fayette Street; Liz Rassweiler, 8 Fainwood Circle; Kathy Reine, 30 Vassal Lane; and Megan Shaw, Cambridge Energy Alliance.
Vice Mayor Davis opened the meeting and stated the purpose. She stated that the City Council has goals for a healthy environment; what should be those goals and how would those goals be developed.
Public Works Commissioner Lisa Peterson distributed a document entitled Public Works Department Environmental Goals dated February 2011 (Attachment A). Goals are tracked in the Public Works budget and performance is measured against those goals. There are goals for the following: storm water, climate change adaptation, streets and sidewalks, solid waste, urban forestry, energy, buildings, vehicles and sustainable operations.
Suzanne Rasmussen, Director of Environment and Transportation Planning, spoke about working with CPAC to set goals for open space, water quality and climate. Transportation is an important area and much is being done in this arena. She outlined the city's new focus: support electric vehicle (EV) technology and provide information to make it easier for the public to purchase EVs. The city has applied for a grant to fund the installation of seven charging stations around the city. She spoke about garage "options" and the challenging issue of parking related strategies. The biggest focus is to encourage energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. A significant amount of emissions comes from commercial buildings and there are efforts to engage with companies on their energy profile in an effort to reduce energy consumption. Corporate councils and a green lease pilot program are being planned and the creation of a carbon offset fund. The Stretch Energy Code is in effect and the city is offering training to make the code more accessible to the public.
Vice Mayor Davis stated that land use and zoning are local issues and should be included as an environmental goal. Ms. Rasmussen commented that Cambridge is a transit-oriented city; it is built into the current zoning code. Deputy City Manager Rossi stated that the Environmental Division of the Community Development Department reviews all programs. Vice Mayor Davis added that environmental issues need to be analyzed as they pertain to middle school development, additional density and Kendall Square. Mr. Rossi commented that the housing density incentive was created by showing that energy use is less than what it was previously. Ms. Rasmussen commented that it's easy to comment on transportation issues. However, it is difficult to intervene on energy sources. Vice Mayor Davis stated that community gardens should be added as in environmental goal.
Ms. Rasmussen informed the committee that money will be spent on a climate information campaign to encourage the public to participate. Two processes will happen this year: vulnerability assessment and a CPAC process to establish a goal plan. She stated that CDD has a new segment on climate issues in the neighborhood studies. Vice Mayor Davis stated that a presentation about the Eco-Municipality of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, will be made at the library on Mar 23 at 7pm. Vice Mayor Davis stated that the issue is how the City Council works with the city administration to set and implement goals that encourage public participation.
At 7:02pm Vice Mayor Davis opened in the meeting to public comment.
John Pitkin, 18 Fayette Street, commented that the goals for Eco-Municipalities are reasonable. He stated that goals have potential for climate mitigation. He spoke about the four goals of the American Planning Association. He stated that this could be training for all city departments. He suggested that modifying the climate goals would be a way to engage the public. He spoke about the school transportation policy and parents being engaged in this program. Students could walk to school. He stated that the Eco-Municipalities approach was the way to go.
Minka van Beuzekom, Essex Street, stated that regarding community gardens the Conservation Commission reports directly to the City Manager. The Conservation Commission Director needs additional staff to deal with wetland protection. She spoke about solid waste. DEP presently is moving towards a zero waste community. Cambridge could do incremental things to reach this goal such as compost food and recycle construction debris. Mr. Rossi informed the committee that the city does not collect construction debris; it is picked up by private companies. Commissioner Peterson stated that the problem with curbside pickup of organics is that there is no facility to handle it. A facility may be available in 2012-2013. However the logistics and financing need to be worked out. The business composting program was established by the city through grants and now includes five schools to compost lunch room debris.
Vice Mayor Davis commented on the curbside organic pickup. Commissioner Peterson stated that organic collection would be picked up with yard waste and taken to a facility that can handle both; however no facility has been developed yet.
Vice Mayor Davis stated that she would like the Cambridge Energy Alliance (CEA) added as a goal in the budgetary planning process. Ms. Rasmussen stated that the energy efficiency plan is in the fiscal year 2012 budget. Fiscal year 2013 could be a different matter. She stated that the overarching message to all departments and boards and commissions made by the City Manager is to include climate change in their goals. Ms. Anders responded that everyone needs to be engaged beyond the municipality. An inspiring idea is needed rather than forcing the goals. Vice Mayor Davis stated that the City Council will work with the city administration to interpret the goals and engage the public.
A discussion ensued as to the timeline for the setting goals in the budgetary process. Commissioner Peterson stated that the City Manager's guidelines are sent to the departments in November. Information is needed prior to November to get comments from the departments to the City Manager. Deputy City Manager Rossi explained the timeline. He stated January or February is too late for inclusion into the budgetary process. Spring is the best time to set goals and priorities for the budget process in the fall.
Councillor Cheung questioned what is the goal? Vice Mayor Davis responded the City Council energy goals? Sustainability and health - how would the City Council interpret this goal with priorities and specificity? Councillor Cheung commented that the goal was in the past budget. Vice Mayor Davis responded no it had bullets in the previous budget. Deputy City Manager Rossi stated that the administration needs to understand the goals of the City Council and getting everyone in sync. Commissioner Peterson informed the committee that Public Works, Community Development and the City Manager have all worked on the issue of sustainability. When a city department need to switch gears they need to be able to plan. Councillor Cheung stated that he would like to get the target figure for single stream recycling. Vice Mayor Davis stated that the goal of this meeting was to set environmental priorities for the budget process.
Councillor Seidel stated that it was good to hear the issue of the timeline. Sub-goals were eliminated from the current goals. He wanted to know what was happening with the parking permit fee increase. Deputy City Manager Rossi stated that the City Manager is working on a plan to recommend allocation of those funds. Vice Mayor Davis asked if there were any questions about refining the goal process. Councillor Seidel stated that the budget comes to the city Council's focus in May. Mr. Rossi suggested the following timeline the departments gear up for the budget process in November, discussion take place after the budget, the budget is adopted in May, goal discussions begin in June and July.
Vice Mayor Davis thanked all attendees.
The meeting adjourned at 7:35pm.
For the committee,
Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Chair
Public Works Department Environmental Goals
February 2011
Stormwater
Implement a comprehensive stormwater management program in accordance with federal, state, and municipal requirements in order to improve water quality in the Charles River and Alewife Brook.
Climate Change Adaptation
To develop an Adaptation Plan within the next two years to prepare for the environmental impacts that will result from climate change.
Streets and Sidewalks
Continue to reconstruct street and sidewalks throughout the City in accordance with our 5 year Plan, ensuring that public ways adequately provide for multiple forms of transportation, including buses, cyclists, pedestrians, the disabled community as well as motor vehicles.
Solid Waste
Increase the City's recycling rate and reduce the number of tons of solid waste disposed.
Keep Cambridge a clean and environmentally responsive city and reduce the toxicity of trash landfilled or incinerated.
Urban Forestry
Attain Tree City USA Growth Award for enhanced programs in education and partnerships, planning and management, and tree planting and maintenance.
Maintain an assertive tree planting and maintenance program.
Energy
Meet the City's Green Communities Act commitment of reducing municipal energy use by 20% over the 2008 baseline level by 2013.
Acquired 20 percent of the City's electricity supply from renewable sources.
Buildings
All new municipal construction and major renovations projects follow the U.S. Green Building Council's leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards.
Vehicles
Acquire vehicles in accordance with the City's Green Fleet Policy emphasizing fuel efficiency.
Sustainable Operations
Maintain energy efficient and sustainable practices for HVAC maintenance and repairs and other construction and renovation projects.
Continue to use only US· GreenSeal approved cleaning products and green cleaning practices in buildings to keep indoor air quality at a high standard.
Continually look to expand the use of recycled, manufactured, and environmentally preferable products in building, vehicle maintenance and other departmental operations.
Purchase equipment in compliance with the City's Energy Star Purchasing Policy.
Committee Report #4
The Civic Unity Committee held a public meeting on Feb 9, 2011 beginning at 6:35pm in the Sophie Anastos Room, Cambridge City Hall. Although the meeting was initially scheduled to take place in the Ackermann Room, the meeting was moved to the Sophie Room because of an event featuring live music on the first floor. The purpose of the meeting was to hear a presentation from the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) on what action has been taken with regard to the recommendations of the Cambridge Review Committee Report: "Missed Opportunities, Shared Responsibilities."
Present at the meeting were Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee; Commissioner Robert Haas, Cambridge Police Department (CPD); Margaret Drury, City Clerk; Muna Kangsen; Estelle Disch, Advisory Committee; Professor Larry Blum, Advisory Committee; Attorney Sean Hope, Advisory Committee; Dr. Janie Ward, Advisory Committee; Sally Haslanger, Advisory Committee; Christina Giacobbe, Chief Administrative Officer, CPD; Deputy Superintendent Christine Eloe, CPD; and Lieutenant Daniel Wagner, CPD.
Councillor Simmons convened the meeting at 6:35pm. She began with a brief account of the origins of the Civic Unity Committee. She traced the roots of the Civic Unity Committee back to a report titled "Ethnic Attitudes in Cambridge" commissioned in the 1945, which examined the condition of blacks with regards housing, law enforcement etc. Simmons noted that she was the last Executive Director of the Civic Unity Committee and also stated that the Civic Unity Committee of the City Council was established during the Mayoralty of Frank Duehay. Councillors Simmons then thanked all for attending the meeting and invited Commissioner Haas to make a presentation.
Commissioner Haas introduced Deputy Superintendent Christine Eloe; Christina Giacobbe, CPD Chief Administrative Officer; and Lieutenant Dan Wagner from the CPD Crime analysis unit.
Deputy Superintendent Eloe spoke at great length about the CPD's efforts to build "legitimacy in the eyes of the community." The concept of "legitimacy" in the field of policing and criminal justice refers to the judgments that ordinary citizens make about the rightfulness of police conduct and the extent to which they support the police department or other government agencies that are entrusted by the public to exert authority. A judge can determine if a police action was lawful, and a police supervisor can determine whether an officer acted within the bounds of departmental policy. But citizens will form their own opinions about whether they view the actions of an officer as measured or excessive, as impartial or discriminatory, i.e., whether the officer exercised discretion in a fair manner.
Research in this area involves exploring why people choose to accept or resist the decisions made by others and why people do or do not defer to authority. Deputy Eloe stated that police have the greatest amount of authority where the community sees them as honest, trustworthy and caring about their community. CPD's work to increase legitimacy in the eyes of the community it polices required a change in the traditional approach to police work and necessitated more and different training. She referenced some important concepts in the CPD's campaign to gain legitimacy. Traditional training emphasizes the importance of gaining control and not allowing citizens to question their actions. The CPD's legitimacy-building campaign included a new approach to de-escalating tense situations such as a situation in which a police officer felt that he/she was not being treated with the "deference" police officers are accustomed to having from the public. As part of the CPD's campaign to build legitimacy, the CPD was listening as well as explaining what the police was doing to community members. Now Cambridge CPD has policies and regulations that require officers to explain what they are doing. Deputy Eloe stated that the more the CPD explains what it was doing to the community, the community in turn will become less wary and suspicious of the CPD.
Deputy Eloe noted that an important aspect of this new training is a recognition that everyone suffers from the baggage of perspective, which predisposes one to react in a certain way to certain things. Deputy Eloe acknowledged that as an African American woman, she can understand the frustration of the black community towards the police. She recounted an incident when a police lieutenant stopped and yelled at her mother, who had Eloe's four year old son in the car. Deputy Eloe expressed the embarrassment she felt when she was asked by her son why the lieutenant was yelling at his grandmother. The training in this area started with the command staff in small discussion groups. Now the conversations are happening at the line staff level. The conversations have been very rich.
Deputy Eloe also stated that the legitimacy training emphasizes the need to listen attentively. In addition, training entails looking for new approaches to resolve conflicts. She described an alternative resolution approach to complaints filed against a police officer which the police officer and the complainant are put in a room together and asked to give their description of the event. Both parties are told that they do not need to respond to the others version, they just need to listen. Eloe averred that through mediation citizens acquired a better understanding of police work and police procedures. In turn, police officers get a different perspective on how their behavior is perceived by the citizen. She related an incidence in which the citizen recounted how frightened he had been and the officer was horrified to hear that he had had that effect. Deputy Eloe stated that since mediation program began in September 2009, no repeat complaint has been made on an officer involved in mediation. Lieutenant Dan Wagner said that an important aspect of legitimacy training is that although there may be cause to arrest a person and thus deprive him or her of their freedom, there is never a reason to deprive anyone of their dignity.
Commissioner Haas noted that the legitimacy training was a 15 weeks long program that also included some training on tactical disengagement while maintaining control and safety. Haas noted that the CPD was currently exploring other tactical engagement tools that can be used to de-escalate a situation so that no one is arrested.
The commissioner also noted that the CPD's legitimacy training was informed among other things by a study conducted by the CPD that examined disorderly conduct arrests. This study was described at length in the report of the previous meeting of the Civic Unity Committee. Commissioner Haas noted that the new training deviates from many long-held orthodoxies about police training. Haas noted that although one of the first things new recruits are taught in the Police Academy is never to retreat for fear of showing weakness that might undermine their authority, the new training offered to Cambridge Police requires them to exercise their discretion to withdraw from-time-to-time to de-escalate the situation. They are now introducing these concepts in the Police Academy in Lowell.
Ms. Giacobbe spoke about various initiatives aimed at creating a better relationship between Cambridge youth and the CPD. Ms; Giacobbe noted that many of these programs were done in collaboration with the Department of Human Service Programs. Some of the programs mentioned include: Ride Along, in which Cambridge youth ride with the police in their cruiser to get a better sense of what the Police see from the vantage point of their cruisers. Juvenile Jeopardy on the other hand seeks to deter youth from committing crimes by educating them about the penalties that will be incurred by committing certain crimes.
In response to the Committee's recommendation that the CPD do more training with the other police departments in the city, Commissioner Haas said that the MBTA, Harvard, MIT and state police now all sit in on Cambridge training. He described a current training initiative in managing aggressive behavior.
Councillor Simmons asked about police from other communities who work on police details in Cambridge and have not had the kind of training in what is expected of a police officer in Cambridge. Commissioner Haas said that the CPD has an agreement with every community whose police do detail work in Cambridge. If they do not conform to Cambridge standards they cannot come back again.
Members of the Advisory Committee asked how they could be helpful in the efforts to improve community relations. Commissioner Haas said that CPD is experimenting with the Tools for Tolerance program. They are currently using it on their own officers but they would like to try it in a community approach and would be very happy to have community partners. He added that he was astonished by the amount of hatred expressed in the email that he received during the Gates/Crowley controversy, mostly from people who did not live in Cambridge.
Dr. Ward said that there is a great deal of racism in our society. Why not name the elephant in the room and then work on the problem. Deputy Eloe and Lieutenant agreed. Deputy Eloe said that they are teaching their people to step back, acknowledge that there is racism in policing but that this is not the cause of the particular police action in question and explain why.
Commissioner Haas said that Cambridge is a learning laboratory. CPD is carving out very specific modules on de-escalation and now the Academy is using them. Cambridge also has a 40 hour per year in-service training requirement, which is done by the CPD.
Councillor Simmons thanked all those present for their participation. The next meeting was set for Wed, Mar 9, 2011, 6:30pm in the community room of the police station.
For the Committee,
Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair
Committee Reports #5 and #6 (combined)
The Ordinance Committee held public hearings beginning on Jan 19, 2011 at 4:41pm in the Sullivan Chamber. The Ordinance Committee scheduled two public hearings on proposed zoning amendments for Jan 19th. Both petitions proposed amendments to Section 5.28.2 of the Zoning Ordinance, "Conversion of Non Residential Structures to Residential Use, a subdivision of Section 5.28 "Special Dimensional Standards Applicable to Dwellings."
The purpose of the first hearing was to consider a petition provided to the City Council in response to an Order of the City Council requesting a review of Section 5.28.2 to determine whether any changes should be made for the purpose of decreasing the density of converted buildings in already dense neighborhoods. The purpose of second hearing, which Councillor Seidel convened at 5:40pm was to consider a petition by Michael Hegarty et al. to add after the title section of Section 5.28 the sentence: "No use shall be permitted by any provision of this Section 5.28 except as set forth in Section 4.30 Table of Use Regulations or the sections that define districts not included in 4.30.
Present at the hearing were Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair of the Committee; Mayor David P. Maher; Councillor Leland Cheung; Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis; Councillor Craig Kelley; Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves; Councillor E. Denise Simmons; and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury. Present from the city administrative staff were Susan Glazer, Acting Assistant City Manager for Community Development; Lester Barber, Director of Zoning and Land Use, Community Development (CDD); and Stuart Dash, Director of Community and Neighborhood Planning, CDD.
Councillor Seidel convened the hearing and explained the purpose and the procedure for the two hearings. He invited the Community Development Department staff to make a presentation. Mr. Barber stated that this petition was crafted by CDD staff at the request of the City Council to clarify some issues that have arisen with regard to Section 5.28. He stated that there are three main provisions in the newly crafted petition. The first introduces a footnote to Section 4.2 table of uses to make it clear that section 5.28 applies to townhouses and multifamily buildings in Residence A and Residence B districts. The second provision introduces a limitation on the number of dwelling units permitted. The amendment provides that the number of dwelling units permitted shall be the number which is the result of the application of the lot area per dwelling unit (FAR) requirement in the district in which the structure is located, or the number of units produced when the gross floor area of the structure as permitted in section 5.28.21 is divided by (1) 900 ft.² in Residence C, C1, C2, C2B, C2A, C3, C3A, C3B districts and all nonresidential districts, (2) 1600 ft.² in Residence B districts, and (3) 2500 ft.² in Residence A1 and 2, whichever is greater.
Councillor Cheung asked what the ramifications of this proposed change would be. Mr. Barber replied that this conversion would be by special permit and would allow the multi- family use but at a significantly lower density than 5.28.2 currently allows. Councillor Cheung stated that he is still not comfortable that the amended petition deals with the issues that came up during the Planning Board hearing on the Norris Street application and during discussion with the Norris Street neighbors.
Councillor Cheung asked whether the City Council could look at the number of units and then choose a number that results in the desired number of units. Mr. Barber said that the appropriate number of units varies greatly among buildings. That is the reason for the special permit process.
Vice Mayor Davis stated that she remembers a concern from the Norris Street discussion that overly large units would generate many more cars.
Mr. Dash said that parking is one of the challenges of section 5.28. Right now the 5.28 criteria requires that this issue be considered as part of the application and hearing process. The Planning Board can request a parking analysis as part of this consideration.
Vice Mayor Davis asked if the number of bedrooms is discussed in special permit considerations. Mr. Dash responded that the number of bedrooms is not usually discussed but that it has definitely been an issue in the Norris Street case. Vice Mayor Davis asked whether the Planning Board can get details about the number of cars on the street. Mr. Dash answered in the affirmative.
Councillor Cheung asked how the proposed square footage per unit densities were established. Mr. Barber replied that 900 ft.² per unit is the average unit size in most of the Cambridge Residence C districts. He added that the 1600 ft.² number came from a City Council discussion at a City Council meeting, and the 2500 ft.² density was chosen as a middle ground. Vice Mayor Davis asked about the average unit size of one floor of a triple-decker building. Mr. Barber replied the usual size is about 1000 ft.² or 1200 ft.².
Mayor Maher thanked the CDD staff for their work on this petition. He noted that at the City Council's request this petition was prepared as a "quick fix" for a pending issue that no longer needs such a "quick fix". He believes this is the time for a more comprehensive look at this section. He would like to be able to consider with the CDD staff what has worked well and what improvements might be made to Section 5.28. It is clear that there should be another look at protecting the overall character of the neighborhood. What he is hearing from the Norris Street neighbors is that they are not opposed to development; they just want to protect the character of their neighborhood. At the end of this hearing he intends to submit a request to the Community Development Department to reach out to the community and work with them to make recommendations for whatever changes are necessary to give the Planning Board sufficient tools to protect the character of the neighborhood and ensure the privacy of the neighbors.
Vice Mayor Davis asked about affordable housing. Mr. Barber said that the current proposal development would result in 26 or 27 units which would mean that 15% of those units would be required to be affordable and there would be an inclusionary bonus of additional market rate units. Vice Mayor Davis added that the 2500 ft.² per unit requirement for Residence A districts means that there will never be affordable housing in Residence A districts. It would be too expensive to build.
Councillor Kelley said that his first question is why the City Council is taking any steps at all. The proposal talks about Residence A and Residence B. He asked how a building like the Tobin School fits into this discussion. Mr. Barber said that the reason there is a proposal is to eliminate a perceived ambiguity that apparently is troubling to parts of the community despite the consistent past interpretations of Section 5.28 to apply to more residential districts than just Residence C districts. Councillor Kelley said that he does not see an ambiguity, but rather a clear prohibition against using Section 5.28.2 for Residential A or B zoning districts.
Councillor Kelley asked how the common areas are calculated for a building with a 900 square foot limit on gross floor area. Mr. Barber said that the unit's share of the gross square footage of the common areas must be a part of the 900 square foot limit. Councillor Kelley observed that after deducting space for the common area, the unit size would be more like 750 square feet. He said that this would constitute a big up-zoning for large parts of the city. Councillor Kelley asked whether the Section 6.35.1 provision that allows the BZA by special permit to waive the parking requirement would apply to projects built under Section 5.28.5. Mr. Barber answered in the affirmative.
Councillor Kelley stated that special permits are supposed to be granted. There is a completely different allocation of the power of the neighbors and abutters when a property owner petitions the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) for a variance. In looking at BZA cases over a particular time period, 95% of the applications were approved. We do not have enough understanding of the implications of allowing the use of Sec 5.28 for projects proposing housing reuse in Residence B districts. The developer for Norris Street said that he would build seven-bedroom units and put Section 8 tenants in them.
Vice Mayor Davis requested that Mr. Barber clarify the difference between the variance process and the special permit process. Mr. Barber explained that both variance and special permits are governed by state statute. In special permit cases, the use is wanted by the community and the purpose of the special permit application and hearing is to determine whether the use is appropriate in that specific location. For example, Section 5.28 represents a codification of the community desires for the preservation of old buildings and the encouragement of the production of housing. Mr. Barber stated that a well-crafted special permit ordinance has a set of guidelines for the Planning Board to use in evaluating whether the desired use is appropriate in the particular location.
Mr. Barber said that variance cases are applications by property owners for a waiver of particular requirements of the zoning in the district in which the property is located, based on a claim that unique conditions particularly associated with that lot and not with other lots in the district have created a serious hardship necessitating such waiver.
Councillor Kelley said that a lot of the difference depends on who you want for the negotiations, the neighbors or the Planning Board. In variances, the neighbors do the negotiation and from his perspective, that is as it should be. In special permits, it is the Planning Board that does the negotiations, subject to a set of almost immeasurable criteria.
Mr. Barber noted that where the request for the variance is for a minor alteration on the property and the property owner has the approval of all of the neighbors, the variance is sometimes granted even if the unique hardship of the land arguably is not clearly present. But if a variance is "legitimate," it meets the criteria set out in the statute and the property owner is entitled to the variance. A legitimate variance will be upheld in a legal challenge. Illegitimate variances are generally not upheld.
At 5:40pm Councillor Seidel opened the hearing on the petition of Michael Hegarty at all to amend section 2.58 to prohibit uses not allowed in Table of Uses for the district in which the property is located. The petitioners did not desire to make an additional presentation. On motion of Mayor Maher, the committee moved directly to public testimony and heard testimony on both petitions.
George MacRae, Massachusetts Avenue, expressed his appreciation for the process and the discussion. This petition will affect the neighborhoods. He thanked the members of the city Council for their attendance and sensitivity.
Kevin Crane, Norris Street, submitted written testimony (Attachment A). He stated that planning is an art not a science. He said that at the time section 5.28 was adopted it was targeted at old industrial buildings, not at the Archdiocese selling off its holdings in residential neighborhoods. He urged the city Council to provide a cap of two times the gross floor area (GFA) allowed in the zoning district where the property is located. Regarding the issue of gross floor area, he noted that many of the buildings from the Archdiocese holdings have very high ceilings, and section 5.28 allows filling in floors. He stated that there have been very good discussions with the neighbors and city officials and he is hopeful that agreement can be reached.
Sue Hall, 23 Norris Street, spoke in support of a cap on FAR. She submitted a chart entitled "5.28: ratio of granted or proposed FAR to FAR as of right." (Attachment B). The current proposal by the developer is for 38 units. In almost all cases considered by the Planning Board under this section, the FAR proposed or granted is about two times the as-of- right FAR. She added that there could be other uses in addition to the housing use on the site.
Jeanne Fong, 53 Norris Street, submitted written testimony (Attachment C) and read that testimony. She spoke in support of the cap on Gross Floor Area proposed by Attorney Crane.
David Bass, 23 Norris St., stated that for him this has been a very positive experience of interacting with his neighbors and his city government. The developer's original proposal was outrageous and the Planning Board thought so as well, but all of the outrageous parts proposed by the developer were allowable under Section 5.28. He stated his agreement with Kevin Crane's proposal to cap Gross floor area and allow other uses. He stated that he favors use of the variance process because in that process there is acknowledgment what the neighbors and abutters what is very important.
Young Kim, 17 Norris St., submitted written comments (Attachment D) and urged the City Council to carefully consider protections for the character of the neighborhood. He emphasized the importance of considering changes to this amendment in a collaborative and cooperative process.
Sean Hope, attorney for the developer for the Norris Street project, stated that the owners are aware that their proposal has caused distress in the neighborhood and wants to work with the neighborhood on revising the plan. The Planning Board already has sufficient tools to consider any 5.28 project with regard to the number of units, density and character of the neighborhood. On Dec 7th, the proposal of the owners went to the Planning Board and the owners were told that their plan is unacceptable. He believes the problem is that the neighbors came to understand the planning process at the end of the process. Attorney Hope spoke in opposition to setting one square footage number for all units decided under section 5.28. What may be appropriate for one building may not be appropriate for another. He also added that the requirements for filing an application for a special permit should require the owner and the neighbors to have a preliminary meeting before the proposal is accepted for filing.
Mark Chase, no address provided, stated that he has been hired by the owner of 40 Norris Street to develop a parking plan. There are many steps that can be taken to reduce the amount of cars owned by residents. These steps include giving residents a T pass, zip car parking spaces, etc.
Paul Ayer, 2 Drummond Place, Apt. 1, stated that he looks forward to further discussion. Section 5.28 should be internally consistent. He expressed admiration for the neighbors on Norris Street. He stated that neighbors need certainty when they move, buy, and move in. Business people need certainty that they can know the requirements for development. He said that he is not sure that it makes sense to set different gross floor area numbers for different zones which will further divide the haves and have-nots. He believes it would be better to do something with a citywide application.
Heather Hoffman, 213 Hurley St., stated that she lives in East Cambridge, the home of a large number of reuses. She spoke in support of adopting the Hegarty petition amendment to remove the immediate initiative and allow time to really consider what should be done with section 5.28.
Richard Fanning, 21 Cornelius Way, quoted the purpose of the zoning ordinance and stated his support for the Hegarty petition. Leaving the Residence C gross floor area density figure at 900 ft.² per unit will further crowd those neighborhoods.
Ruth Silman, attorney for the Emerson family, owners of a former industrial building on Cottage Park Avenue, requested that they decide the Fox petition first. The proposal for Section 5.28 needs much more study and discussion. The Hegarty petition needs a deeper analysis.
Dan Burko, 13 Norris St., spoke about the parking requirements. For practical purposes in their neighborhood, a two family house with two cars is what the neighborhood can take. The parking load on Norris Street is 1.4 cars per unit at the present time. He provided comparisons of other municipalities who base their parking requirements on the number of bedrooms in the units. He proposes that all projects support their own parking load, adjusted by neighborhood.
Charles Teague, 32 Edmunds St., stated that a 900 ft.² GFA yields a 675 square-foot unit, 1600 ft.² yields a 1200 ft.² unit and 2500 ft.² yields a 2000 square foot luxury unit. He stated that they learned from Cottage Park that 900 ft.² is not a good number for gross floor area and would yield unexpected consequences. He stated that he prefers the variance process rather than the special permit process to decide these cases. Mr. Teague also expressed approval for a requirement for a developer to meet with the neighbors before addressing the Planning Board.
At this time, Councillor Seidel closed public comment for both petitions and invited comments from the Ordinance Committee on either or both petitions.
Vice Mayor Davis stated her interest in establishing a requirement that a developer meet with the neighbors before addressing the Planning Board. Mr. Dash said that CDD staff and the Planning Board have recommended that for years. It is the custom of the Planning Board to recommend meeting with neighbors early in the process and it is the custom of most developers to do so. Vice Mayor Davis said that there should be an automatic action or requirement to front-end the process. There was the same problem with the Harvard rezoning process. Mr. Dash said that the North Mass Ave zoning process did incorporate that kind of early meeting and it was beneficial to the process. He suggested that the onus should be on the developer to arrange such a meeting. Vice Mayor Davis said that the developer is not going to be neutral; the city staff would be much better at helping the neighbors understand what is proposed.
Councillor Cheung said that for him, the question always goes back to the community and the impact on them. He is not persuaded by any argument based on how Section 5.28 was interpreted in the past. He supports Mayor Maher's concern about the potential of Sec. 5.28.2 projects to disrupt the character of the neighborhood. He also noted that changing from a school to residences loses benefits like auditorium space for the neighborhood. He asked whether there was any solution that could maintain those local benefits.
Mayor Maher made the following motion:
WHEREAS: Recent cases at the Planning Board as well as petitions to amend Section 5.28 of the Zoning Ordinance with regard to the conversion of older buildings into multifamily housing have raised issues about the clarity and impact of Section 5.28.
WHEREAS: Section 5.28 is an important tool for the City's goals to preserve historic buildings and preserve and create affordable housing; nevertheless, recent public discussion has surfaced a number of issues relative to the effect on the neighborhood of some projects developed under this section, particularly with respect to density and parking; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Acting Assistant City Manager for Community Development to direct the CDD staff to develop language for proposed amendments to Section 5.28 that address the concerns that have been the subject of these public conversations including but not limited to
* Size of units and the relation of size to parking requirements
* Appropriate gross floor area (GFA) and number of units
* Appropriate floor area ratios (FAR)
* Creation of a "cap" on gross floor area
* Privacy and screening
* Issues relative to the concerns of neighbors about exacerbation of parking demand problems, including visitor parking
* Fill-in issues
* Allowing other uses in part of the building
* The concept of requiring the developer to meet with the neighbors before a special permit application can be filed; and be it further
ORDERED: That the language developed by CDD staff for amendments to Section 5.28 be brought back to the Ordinance Committee for consideration before any decisions for Planning Board or Board of Zoning applications under Section 5.28 are decided.
The motion passed without objection.[1]
[1] Mayor Maher submitted this motion as an order at the Jan 24, 2011 meeting and it was adopted by the affirmative vote of eight members.
On motion of Vice Mayor Davis, it was agreed without objection that the petition to amend Section 5.28.2 of the Zoning Ordinance submitted by CDD staff in response to City Council Order Nine of Nov 22, 2010 would remain in the Ordinance Committee.
On motion of Vice Mayor Davis, it was agreed without objection that the petition to amend Section 5.28 submitted by Michael Hegarty et al. would remain in the Ordinance Committee.
Council Seidel thanked all those present for their participation. The meeting was adjourned at 7pm.
For the Committee,
Councillor Sam Seidel, Chair
Committee Report #7
The Community Health Committee held a public meeting on Tues, Sept 7, 2010 beginning at 1pm in the Sullivan Chamber, Cambridge City Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to receive an update on community health issues and programs from the Cambridge Chief Public Health Officer.
Present at the meeting were Councillor Marjorie C. Decker; Robert W. Healy, City Manager; Claude Jacob, Chief Public Health Officer; Jacqueline Neel, Deputy Director of the Department of Human Services; Louise Rice, Senior Director of Public Health Nursing Services; and Margaret Drury, City Clerk. Councillor Decker convened the meeting and explained the purpose. She invited Mr. Jacob to begin.
Mr. Jacob said that the Cambridge Public Health Department is one of 3000 public health departments nationwide. Mr. Jacob then described the core functions of the Department of Public Health (DPH). The department's main areas of focus are communicable disease prevention and control, school health, environmental health, emergency preparedness, health promotion campaigns and data collection and analysis. The Department also has the legal authority to make and enforce public health regulations within the city of Cambridge.
Mr. Jacob distributed packets of material containing samples and descriptions of the departments work (attached). The DPH is currently putting together the health of the city statistics in a bulletin entitled "What Makes a Healthy City." The bulletin is published twice a year. The Department also submits an annual report in January. Mr. Jacob then drew the committee's attention to the DPH collaborations with other city departments on issues of public health (Attachment A). Collaborations with 17 departments were listed. Examples included collaborations with the Community Development Department on walking and biking promotion and climate change mitigation and adaptation, collaboration with the Department of Human Services on food pantries, health and safety, youth programs, senior centers, and the Cambridge Prevention Control, and collaboration with the Department of Public Works on sanitation, rodents, household hazardous waste and combined sewer overflow management, and collaboration with Emergency Communications on emergency preparedness.
Mr. Jacob next described some of the issues that arose last year for the department, including bedbugs and chickens. He then proceeded to describe key activities of the Cambridge Public Health Department during the period of June through August 2010 (Attachment B). Responses to City Council orders included a recommendation submitted by DPH staff to establish a Cambridge food and fitness policy council and a memorandum to the City Manager addressing legal health and other barriers to allowing residents to raise "backyard" chickens in Cambridge.
Mr. Jacob went on to describe some transitions with staff that have taken place this past season. He said that Louise Rice is retiring by the end of the year from her position of Senior Director of Nursing. An acting director has been assigned. Marsha Lazar has also retired. Stacie King has taken on that function. With Vivian Smith has also retired.
Mr. Jacob reported that he has been appointed to the board of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), which has meant that the DPH has had the opportunity recently to work with the national organization. This organization represents more than 2800, nearly 3000 health officials. Their headquarters is in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Jacob then asked Louise Rice to describe the influenza vaccination program. Ms. Rice said that this past year, for the first time DPH vaccinated children in day care, not in family daycare programs but in day care centers. The effort was to find the people most vulnerable to death or serious illness and to be sure that they were vaccinated. This year vaccination is recommended for everyone over six months of age. DPH will focus on making sure that everyone who does not have access or cannot afford access through the mainstream medical system can be vaccinated through DPH.
Ms. Rice said that there was a real turnaround with the schools this year. Influenza vaccine will be available at all schools through the school nurse's office. DPH also went to the Galleria Mall and vaccinated several people who had never had the flu vaccine before. Cambridge has one of the best child vaccination rates in a state that is a leader in the country. From the nurses' perspective, public health is whatever the person on the telephone is calling about. It changes every day.
Councillor Decker described the problem of not being able to get a flu shot at the same time as her child was being vaccinated. Ms. Rice agreed with Councillor Decker that this is a problem. There are a few family flu shot clinics on the DPH schedule. Ms Rice said that DPH also ran a very active TB clinic which included the public health nurses going to people's homes. Over the last couple of years the complexity of TB care has become more daunting, especially for recent arrivals to the UUS. There is no immunization program in the US for tuberculosis, which is transmitted by coughing. TB is not as common today because there is better ventilation of buildings. Mr. Jacob said the lesson from last year's flu vaccine experience is the need to do a better job of getting to hard to reach communities. That will be an area of special interest for the DPH this year.
Councillor Decker asked about the status of funding for school nurses and noted the problem of funding for the CRLS Teen Health Clinic over the summer. Ms. Rice explained that funding for the school health nurses and the teen health clinic come from different streams of funds. The state requires a school nurse ratio of one for every 500 children and every school must have its own school nurse. DPH provides the nurses for those offices. The teen health clinic is run by the Cambridge Health Alliance. The school nurse refers patients to the teen health clinic when appropriate.
Councillor Decker asked about the effects of closure of neighborhood health clinics on health disparities. She asked whether there has been a study about what has been lost with those closures, and where there are greater barriers now. She asked whether there has been a development of alternative ways to meet the needs of patients that were formerly met by clinics. She stated that there has been no public discourse with the City Council. Mr. Jacob responded that these are mostly questions for the Cambridge Health Alliance about its health service delivery system. He is not aware of an activity study. Ms. Rice said that one of 10 essential public health services is to connect people with care. She said this is not just an issue for the Cambridge Health Alliance; there is a real crisis in healthcare everywhere. The best chance for getting people to care is through a gateway person and this does not stop at the Cambridge Health Alliance. Counselor Decker said that there was a lot of hurt and anger from patients whose neighborhood clinics were closed. It is important to get through these emotions and say this is where we are now, and ask how we go forward. Mr. Jacob cautioned about equating causation and correlation.
Councillor Decker then asked about West Nile virus. She stated that she understood that West Nile virus has been identified in two parts of Cambridge, Cambridgeport and North Cambridge. She asked how alarmed the community should be. Mr. Jacob said that they are looking at trends across the Commonwealth. The DPH has been proactive in getting out information on West Nile virus and how the public should protect itself. Cambridge has not done spraying. Councillor Decker asked what would trigger spraying. Mr. Jacob said that it would not be considered in a situation where there have not been any human cases identified. He added that they are keeping a close watch for the next couple of weeks. The Department of Public Health is working closely with the City Manager, the State and Middlesex Mosquito Control.
Mr. Jacob said that some communities which have not seen human cases have decided to spray even though hit there have been no human cases. The City Manager stated that this is controversial because there are concerns about the toxicity of the spray. He added that Cambridge routinely baits all of the catch basins in the city. Mr. Healy added that a tipping point with regard to spraying would be if the mosquitoes grew to a greater number of pooling areas. The occurrences have actually been less this year. There is not a neat formula. Mr. Jacob informed the community that information on the level of mosquito infestation comes from the State. Counselor Decker asked when the West Nile virus season would be over, and Mr. Jacob said that right now we are in the middle of the season and that a lot depends on the rainfall and the temperature. Councillor Decker requested that the City Manager work with the IT department to put information on the front page of the website about where residents can get flu shots.
Councillor Decker noted her interest in food allergies and him being sure that food allergies are taken sufficiently seriously. She asked what role there is for the City and the Inspectional Services Department in this area. Councillor Decker emphasized that there is a real need for training, education and enforcement. Mr. Jacob said that DPH staff sit down regularly with ISD staff and have had several discussions about food allergy issues. With regard to enforcement, a complaint through the CRS system begins the process. Mr. Jacob added that the school health program has a very comprehensive food allergy policy in the school system.
Councillor Decker thanked all those present for their participation. The meeting was adjourned at 2:25pm.
For the Committee,
Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Chair
Awaiting Report List
10-50. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on options for amending the ordinance to allow for permitting of civic organizations to use public space after hours.
Councillor Cheung 03/22/10 (O-18)
10-57. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on Harvard using the Jesuit properties for affordable housing and whether Harvard will offer other properties in the same neighborhoods for the purpose of developing affordable housing.
Councillor Decker & Councillor Cheung 04/05/10 (O-20)
10-79. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a standard set of resources, facility privileges, tools, and barebones operating budget the unfunded commissions may use in their work of enacting Council policy.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 05/10/10 (O-7)
10-89. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a delineation of the boundaries of Joan Lorentz Park.
Councillor Seidel, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 05/24/10 (O-11)
10-133. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on railroad crossing safety policies and procedures, including equipment maintenance and repair in the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Seidel 09/13/10 (O-16)
10-150. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of Cambridge participating in the Bixi bike-sharing program.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 10/04/10 (O-6)
10-155. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the process for discussing the report "Missed Opportunities Shared Responsibility" throughout the community and ensuring community groups have ample opportunity to discuss the report.
Councillor Decker 10/04/10 (O-12)
10-165. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on ways the City can work with the MAPC on opportunities related to the $4 million grant award to the MAPC on behalf of the Metro Boston Consortium for Sustainable Communities.
Councillor Seidel and Full Membership 11/01/10 (O-3)
10-173. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the particular facts and general principles to support affordable housing as part of the mitigation in zoning mitigation negotiations.
Councillor Decker 11/08/10 (O-12)
10-175. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #6
RE: report on feasibility of converting certain Inman Square parking meters to 2-hours and along Cambridge Street and on the possibility of installing time-weighted parking meter in Inman Square. Referred back for additional information by Councillor Kelley on 2/28/2011
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 11/22/10 (O-2)
10-176. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of creating a "Bonding Program" for the purpose of ensuring that a process exists to enable the completion of work on projects where a developer fails to comply with an agreed upon community mitigation agreement.
Mayor Maher and Full Membership 11/22/10 (O-3)
10-177. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on meetings with presidents of Cambridge colleges/universities to work out a proposal that they will pay the tuition and fees for students graduating from Cambridge public high schools.
Councillor Reeves and Full Membership 11/22/10 (O-7)
10-178. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on developing an RFP for experimental music venues and space in Central Square.
Councillor Reeves and Full Membership 11/22/10 (O-8)
10-180. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on feasibility of developing a formula/mechanism for receiving revenues negotiated during zoning changes and the possibility such revenues generated by a formula for distribution to community based non-profits.
Mayor Maher & Councillor Simmons 11/22/10 (O-12)
10-181. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the current formula that the City uses to calculate linkage payments for large scale projects.
Mayor Maher & Councillor Simmons 11/22/10 (O-13)
10-183. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the state of the law relating to community benefits as mitigation in zoning amendment petitions.
Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 12/13/10 (O-1)
10-184. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of the Cambridge Farmers Market using space for the winter months in the ground floor of the First Street garage or other suitable space.
Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Maher, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 12/13/10 (O-2)
10-185. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on establishing a "pilot program" for Clean Tech Start-Ups in the first floor of vacant First Street garage.
Mayor Maher and Full Membership 12/13/10 (O-4)
10-186. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on possible options for providing more support for the homeless youth in Cambridge.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 12/13/10 (O-5)
10-190. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of implementing the 311 system in Cambridge.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 12/20/10 (O-2)
11-02. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on unfair financial burden placed on same-sex married employees of Cambridge. Referred back by Councillor Cheung on 3/7/2011 for additional information.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves & Councillor Toomey 01/10/11 (O-3)
11-03. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on possibility of allowing homeowners alternatives to alter flat roof structures to create better rain water runoff collection.
Mayor Maher, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 01/10/11 (O-5)
11-05. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on Enterprise Rental using the City sidewalk as a parking lot. Referred back by Councillor Reeves for additional information on 2/14/2011.
Councillor Reeves, Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 01/10/11 (O-7)
11-06. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on whether the Responsible Employer Ordinance was complied with in regard to the recent bid on water-proofing project in Lafayette Square.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor Decker, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 01/10/11 (O-9)
11-12. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on any foreseeable tax revenue implications of Vertex's decision to leave Cambridge.
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves & Councillor Seidel 01/31/11 (O-4)
11-15. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what incentives were given to Vertex as part of their relocation deal and evaluate how Cambridge could offer those same incentives to companies it is attempting to lure from out of state to the City.
Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 01/31/11 (O-15)
11-18. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #2
RE: report on banning the use of plastic shopping bags.
Councillor Decker 01/31/11 (O-22)
11-20. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of retaining the traffic light on Memorial Drive at Magazine Street.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Seidel, Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 02/07/11 (O-3)
11-22. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on SCM funding shortfalls. Referred back for additional information by Councillor Cheung on 2/28/2011
Councillor Decker, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 02/14/11 (O-1)
11-23. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on snow removal options including snow melting machines.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 02/14/11 (O-7)
11-24. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on ticketing vehicles for being parked more than three feet from the curb due to snow banks. Referred back for additional information by Councillor Toomey on 2/28/2011
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 02/14/11 (O-8)
11-25. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on other potential prescription drop off sites around the City.
Vice Mayor Davis and Full Membership 02/28/11 (O-4)
11-26. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #3
RE: report on the details of the purchase agreement for Northpoint.
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 02/28/11 (O-6)
11-27. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on recent trip of Public Safety officials to Israel and on the City's policies regarding the provision of professional development of City officials by private entities. View final order.
Councillor Decker, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 02/28/11 (O-20)
11-28. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on possible projects that could be completed with the help of Code for America.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 03/07/11 (O-1)
11-29. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a review of the traffic calming project at Gore & Fifth Streets.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 03/07/11 (O-2)
11-30. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on plan and timeline for the implementation of a curbside composting program.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 03/07/11 (O-3)
11-31. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on inspection of warm weather equipment in parks.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 03/07/11 (O-6)
11-32. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on adding flood lights in the Danehy dog park.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 03/07/11 (O-7)
11-33. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on feasibility of using City-installed and City-managed cameras as part of an overall safety program for the immediate Clifton Street area.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 03/07/11 (O-8)
11-34. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #5
RE: report on how effective the "No Entry" time for entering Whittemore Avenue from Route 16 is.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 03/07/11 (O-9)
11-35. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on data regarding demographic and population trends through the year 2025.
Councillor Seidel and Full Membership 03/07/11 (O-10)