Cambridge City Council meeting - Mar 24, 2014 - AGENDA
CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a member of the Cambridge Kids' Council in accordance with Chapter 2.84.030 D: Alanna Mallon, Mayor's Representative
2. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Food and Fitness grant from the Cambridge Public Health Department's School Nutrition Program in the amount of $570 to Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to cover childcare services provided for by the Center for Families for several Food and Fitness Policy Council meetings.
3. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a donation to the Arts Program for the Council on Aging in the amount of $500 to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account which provide support for the Arts Program at the Cambridge Senior Center to subsidize supplies, arts presentations/workshops or other arts related programming.
4. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Temporary Emergency Shelter grant received from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in the amount of $170,708.67 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be subcontracted to the Cambridge YWCA used to operate its family shelter for the months of February through June 2014, including the provision of case management and housing search and stabilization services for ten homeless families.
5. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Shannon Grant received from the Metropolitan Mayors Community Safety Initiative through the Executive Office of Public Safety for $13,000 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($10,752) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($2,248) which will be used to support the design and implementation of the City Peace program, a violence peer leadership internship for teens through the Youth Centers.
6. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-10, regarding the feasibility of establishing an online list or map that indicates all outstanding pothole repair requests.
To the Honorable, the City Council:
In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-10, regarding the feasibility of establishing an online list or map that indicates all outstanding pothole repair requests, I am happy to report that this option is now available on the City's website at: http://www.cambridgema.gov/iReport/mapofopenservicerequestsforpotholes.
Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
7. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-16, regarding a report on the status of the First Street Garage RFP process.
To the Honorable, the City Council:
In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-16, regarding a report regarding the status of the First Street Garage RFP process, please be advised of the following:
As you know, the City Council voted on Oct 7, 2013 to declare a portion of the City-owned First Street Garage available for disposition by a long term lease of four hundred twenty (420) parking spaces and a portion of the ground floor retail space to Leggat McCall in connection with their planned development of the former Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse at 40 Thorndike Street, in order to satisfy Leggatt McCall's parking requirements and to secure a retail grocery store on the ground floor of the garage.
As I explained in my letter to you of Oct 7, 2013 (attached), the proposed action by the City Council to declare the property available for disposition by such a leasehold interest would initiate a process, lasting approximately six to eight months, during which the value of the property to be leased would be appraised; a formal proposal would be solicited from the potential master lessee; and public hearings would be held to evaluate the proposal.
Please be advised that following the City Council's vote on this matter, there has been no further action as to this request by the City administration, and pursuant to the above-referenced Policy Order Resolution of Mar 17, 2014, I will take no further action as to this proposed disposition until I receive further guidance from the City Council.
Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
8. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the Planning Board that the Council not adopt the Linear Park Zoning Petition. [Planning Board report]
Referred to Petition
9. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $166,590 from Free Cash to the General Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account for clean-up at 101 Rogers Street after a sprinkler pipe broke on Jan 4, creating wet conditions throughout the building.
10. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,720,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account to cover winter 2013-2014 snowstorm expenses associated with snow plowing contracts, salt and other material and repair costs.
To the Honorable, the City Council:
I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $1,720,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account to cover winter 2013-2014 snowstorm expenses associated with snow plowing contracts, salt and other material and repair costs.
Cambridge received 59 inches of snow this winter that was associated with 35 snow events. Public Works swiftly responded to snow plowing, salting, clearing of pedestrian areas, bus stops and crosswalks, and removing snow.
Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
11. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to a request for the City Council to move to Executive Session to discuss pending litigation in the case of Soto vs City of Cambridge.
ON THE TABLE
1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Arts Council to determine the types of spaces that are most needed within the local arts community with the view of using the Foundry to fill those needs and to allocate appropriate funds to make appropriate upgrades for the purpose of creating a community arts center. (Order Amended by Substitution.) [Order Number Ten of Jan 27, 2014 Placed on Table on motion of Mayor Maher on Jan 27, 2014.]
2. An application was received from Ting-hsu Chen requesting permission to widen the existing curb cut at the premises numbered 14 Soden Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. [Applications and Petitions Number Six of Feb 24, 2014 Placed on Table on motion of Councillor Simmons on Feb 24, 2014.]
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor David P. Maher, Chair of the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing held on Nov 22, 2013 to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to the Municipal Code by adding a new Chapter 8.68 entitled "Concussion Prevention and Management in Youth Activities at City Facilities." The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Dec 23, 2013.
4. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor David P. Maher, Chair of the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing held on Dec 19, 2013 to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to the Municipal Code in Chapter 8.67 entitled relating to Plastic Bag Reduction. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Feb 24, 2014.
APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Harvard Square Business Association requesting permission for a temporary banner across JFK Street at Mount Auburn Street announcing MayFair on Sun, May 4th.
2. An application was received from Cambridge Arts Council requesting permission for two temporary banners across Massachusetts Avenue at City Hall and across JFK Street at Mount Auburn Street announcing Cambridge Open Studios on Apr 26th and Apr 27th.
3. An application was received from Cambridge Arts Council requesting permission for two temporary banners across Massachusetts Avenue at City Hall and across JFK Street at Mount Auburn Street announcing the Cambridge River Festival on June 7th.
4. 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 14th and June 15th.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from David P. Meeker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Genzyme regarding Sanofi's contract process for North American cleaning services.
2. A communication was received from Lance Bennett, Executive Vice President of Operations, Pro Con, Inc. regarding Order #5 of Feb 24, 2014 to set up a meeting with Brian Dougherty, General Agent of the Building & Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District.
3. A communication was read by Kathleen Collins on behalf of Paul Kane, a security officer at Harvard University supporting the workers at Cambridge College.
4. A communication was received from Carolyn Shipley, 15 Laurel Street regarding her support of Order #11 and the environmental damage of reflected sunlight from a glass sheathed over the courthouse.
5. A communication was submitted by John Hawkinson, 2 Clinton Street, relating to the Executive Session Item on the City Manager's Agenda on the matter of Paula Soto v City of Cambridge.
RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the death of Joseph William Cyr. Mayor Maher
2. Resolution on the death of Edmund J. "Buddy" Friel, Sr. Mayor Maher
3. Resolution on the death of Calixte J. Janelle. Mayor Maher
4. Resolution on the death of Joseph F. Normile. Mayor Maher
5. Congratulations to Ataxion on their new funding. Councillor Cheung
6. Congratulations to Allison Mnookin for being honored as one of Mass High Tech's 2014 Women to Watch. Councillor Cheung
7. Congratulations to Liz Lewis for being honored as one of Mass High Tech's 2014 Women to Watch. Councillor Cheung
8. Congratulations to Rudina Seseri for being honored as one of Mass High Tech's 2014 Women to Watch. Councillor Cheung
9. Congratulations to Laura Major for being honored as one of Mass High Tech's 2014 Women to Watch. Councillor Cheung
10. Congratulations to Olenka Polak for being honored as one of Mass High Tech's 2014 Women to Watch. Councillor Cheung
11. Congratulations to Zulip for being acquired by Dropbox. Councillor Cheung
12. Congratulations to Margaret Porter Scott for being honored as one of Mass High Tech's 2014 Women to Watch. Councillor Cheung
13. Congratulations to the Harvard Dominican Students Association on the occasion of hosting the 8th National Dominican Student Conference. Vice Mayor Benzan
14. Happy Birthday wishes to Yonayvi Jerome Cruceta. Vice Mayor Benzan
15. Happy Birthday wishes to Susan Richards. Vice Mayor Benzan
16. Happy Birthday wishes to Elba Iris Colon Rivera. Vice Mayor Benzan
17. Congratulations to the Cambridge Health Alliance and the Wellbridge Athletic Club on their successful 9th annual Bike 4 Books spin-a-thon. Councillor Cheung
18. Congratulations to CCTV on its successful Student Projects Exhibition and service to the Cambridge community. Councillor Cheung
19. Resolution on the death of John M. "Jack" Curtin. Mayor Maher
20. Congratulations to Jhanea D. Williams on organizing the SpokenWord Flashmob. Vice Mayor Benzan
21. Congratulations to Felix Sanchez on being honored at Harvard University's Dominican Students Association National Dominican Student Conference. Vice Mayor Benzan
22. Congratulations to Julissa Reynoso on the occasion of being honored at the National Dominican Student Conference. Vice Mayor Benzan
23. Congratulations to Bryan Pierre on being awarded the Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubhouse of Cambridge. Vice Mayor Benzan
24. Resolution on the death of Michael A. Volpe. Mayor Maher
25. Resolution on the death of David A. "Darney" Hickey. Mayor Maher
26. Congratulations to Valerie Fisk on receiving the Joseph Brenner Award for 2014 from the Community Legal Services and Counseling Center. Councillor Toomey
27. Resolution on the death of Mary C. (Costa) Moreira. Councillor Toomey
ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with City staff and report back to the Council on the possibility of instituting a parking sticker system that allows limited non-residential ability to purchase stickers to park on residential streets during normal weekday working hours. Councillor Kelley
Referred to Transportation & Public Utilities Committee
2. That the Mayor is requested to confer with relevant members of the School Department and the School Committee and report back to the City Council on the status of any CPS efforts to ascertain why students choose Charter Schools over CPS options and any subsequent efforts by CPS to bring those students back into the District and how joint cooperation between City staff, City Council, School Committee and CPSD may help bring Cambridge's Charter School students into the public school system. Councillor Kelley and Councillor Carlone
Substitued text referred to Mar 31, 2014 Roundtable with City Council and School Committee; Kelley voted NO on referral.
3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department and local universities to offer the city's Bicycle Workshops to incoming students. Councillor Cheung
Kelley voted NO
4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department regarding the feasibility of producing an updated report of the Concord-Alewife Plan and report back to the City Council. Councillor Cheung
5. That the City Manager is requested to search for and examine any companies that could potentially offer to deploy fiber optic internet in the city. Councillor Cheung
6. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to draft proposed language that will allow for the inclusionary zoning formula to be based on the gross square footage of a project rather than like units. Mayor Maher
Referred to Housing Committee
7. That the City Manager is requested to submit an application to the Code for America Fellowship Program and confer with the appropriate departments to fund the program for 2015. Councillor Mazen and Councillor Cheung
8. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Human Services to report to the City Council on the implementation of a city-wide job fair exclusively for Cambridge residents. Vice Mayor Benzan
9. That the City Manager is requested to appoint a task force composed of experts, residents, the Cambridge Housing Authority, and representatives from the local universities charged with developing a municipal broadband proposal for Cambridge, potentially also including extension of city fiber into public housing properties. Councillor Mazen, Councillor Cheung and Councillor Carlone
10. That the City Council go on record strongly urging representatives of Hunter Protective Services and representatives of Cambridge College to meet with SEIU 32BJ District 615 in order to establish an open line of communication and to determine what steps Hunter Protective Services will take to ensure that its security officers are paid prevailing wages and treated fairly. Councillor Simmons
11. That the City Manager is requested to seek a legal opinion from the City Solicitor on whether the Sullivan Courthouse qualifies as a pre-existing nonconforming structure and to report back to the City Council and Planning Board with this legal opinion. Councillor Toomey
HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Mar 24
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Mar 26
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on a re-filed zoning petition by the City Council originally filed by Christopher H. Lutz, et al. requesting the City Council to amend the Zoning Map of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge by rezoning an area on the northern border of Richdale Avenue from Upland Road to Walden Street from its C1-A designation to residential C-1. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
6:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on a re-filed zoning petition by the City Council originally filed Michael Phillips, et al to amend Section 17.20 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge as follows by increasing the setback requirement abutting Linear Park and to clarify language defining "form and density compatible with the adjacent residential neighborhood" by limiting the number of dwelling units in a single structure. The petition would create a new Section 17.26 - Access to streets, a new Section 17.27 - Transfer of Development Rights, a new Section 17.28 - Transfer of Development Rights to preserve Publicly Accessible Open Space, and amend Section 17.28.2 to include Special District 2 in the Areas of Special Planning Concern. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Mar 31
5:30pm Roundtable/Working Meeting between the City Council and School Committee to receive an update from the Superintendent of Schools and school administrators on technology, achievement gap and other related issues. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Apr 2
3:00pm The Housing Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the latest challenges to, and changing face of, affordable housing in Cambridge. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Apr 3
5:30pm The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration will conduct a public meeting to discuss open data and civic programming volunteerism, including corporate and university stakeholders in out of school education discussion. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Apr 7
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Apr 8
4:00pm The Human Services and Veterans Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss anti-poverty efforts in Cambridge around hunger, housing and Human Services. (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Apr 16
2:00pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss public safety in public buildings including the possibility of positioning a police officer at City Hall. (Ackermann Room)
Mon, Apr 28
5:30pm City Council Meeting - Budget Overview (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 5
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, May 8
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2015 City Budget. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 12
4:00pm 2014 Scholarship Award Ceremony (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm Roundtable/Working Meeting for the purpose of the City Manager and appropriate City staff to provide the City Council with an overview of the capital budget and capital projects. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, May 15
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2015 City Budget. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, May 19
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, May 21
6:00pm The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2015 School Department Budget. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, May 22
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2015 City Budget (if necessary). This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 2
5:30pm City Council Meeting - Budget Adoption (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 9
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 16
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 23
5:30pm Roundtable/Working Meeting for the purpose of discussing affordable housing. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, June 30
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, July 28
5:30pm Special City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Sept 8
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Sept 15
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Sept 22
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Sept 29
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Mar 24, 2014
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: Some workers, essential to the health and functioning of the City, have difficulty finding on-street parking near their work places; and
WHEREAS: These workers, ranging from public school teachers to visiting home health professionals, could be offered the opportunity to purchase a parking sticker that allows limited parking opportunities to ensure that they can do their jobs effectively without having to worry about moving their cars during the school day, getting tickets or not being able to serve their patients for lack of accessible parking; now be it therefore
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with City staff and report back to the Council on the possibility of instituting a parking sticker system that allows limited non-residential ability to purchase stickers to park on residential streets during normal weekday working hours.
O-2 Mar 24, 2014 Amended
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge spends millions of dollars per year on Charter School fees for the over 400 students who live in Cambridge but attend Charter Schools rather than Cambridge Public Schools; and
WHEREAS: These millions of dollars, though paying for the education of Cambridge students, come out of the City budget, not the Cambridge Public School District budget; and
WHEREAS: During last year's budget cycle, the Council expressed concern that CPS was not focusing enough energy on learning why students choose Charter Schools over CPSD options and discussed the possibility of CPSD developing a questionnaire or some other process to determine why students opt out of CPS options and go to Charter Schools; and
WHEREAS: There has been no clear communication from CPSD to the City Council on the status of this questionnaire and the CPS 2014/15 budget notes that roughly 430 Cambridge residents will attend Charter Schools this coming school year; now be it therefore
ORDERED: That the Mayor be and hereby is requested to confer with relevant members of the School Department and the School Committee and report back to the City Council on the status of any CPS efforts to ascertain why students choose Charter Schools over CPS options and any subsequent efforts by CPS to bring those students back into the District and how joint cooperation between City staff, City Council, School Committee and CPSD may help bring Cambridge's Charter School students into the public school system.
O-3 Mar 24, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: In an effort to ensure the safety of Cambridge's cyclists, pedestrians and drivers, many residents throughout the City of Cambridge have expressed their desire for enhanced education and enforcement of bicycle safety procedures and laws; and
WHEREAS: The City's Community Development Department offers free bicycle workshops throughout the year to interested individuals to learn about the rules of the road, safety, and being a responsible cyclists; and
WHEREAS: Many cyclists are young college students who are new to the city and who cycle back and forth from school and work; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department and local universities to offer the city's Bicycle Workshops to incoming students.
O-4 Mar 24, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: Following the citywide and Eastern Cambridge rezonings of 2001, The Concord-Alewife area in the western part of the City remained the last largest commercial area of Cambridge having significant development potential and in need of more detailed planning; and
WHEREAS: In November 2005, the Concord-Alewife Planning Study Committee produced the Concord-Alewife Plan to guide the planning and zoning of the area; and
WHEREAS: Residents have expressed concern and have requested an updated plan given the burst of activity including improving walkability and pedestrian access; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department regarding the feasibility of producing an updated report of the Concord-Alewife Plan and report back to the City Council.
O-5 Mar 24, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: Internet access is a critical tool for learning and civic participation in today's world. Individual access is crucial to achieve social and cultural capital and therefore a necessity to overcome the digital divide; and
WHEREAS: The need for reliable, affordable high-speed connections to the internet in communities has become increasingly vital to attract and cultivate jobs; and
WHEREAS: Residents continue to express a strong interest in having more broadband network options available at faster speeds and affordable prices; and
WHEREAS: Cities such as Chattanooga, Tennessee; Bristol, Virginia; Lafayette, Louisiana; Morristown, Tennessee; and Burlington, Vermont have all built their own fast speed municipal fiber networks; and
WHEREAS: According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United States is 15th among 30 developed nations on broadband adoption, is ranked in the middle for broadband prices for speeds under 20M bps, and ranked the fourth most expensive for broadband service above 20M bps; and
WHEREAS: Programs such as the University Community Next Generation Innovation Project have made strides in accelerating the offering of ultra-high-speed network services to communities surrounding leading research universities; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to search for and examine any companies that could potentially offer to deploy fiber optic internet in the city and report back to the City Council.
O-6 Mar 24, 2014
MAYOR MAHER
WHEREAS: Many of the residential developments that are either proposed or under construction in Cambridge consist mainly of studio, one bedroom or two bedroom units which are not typically large enough for families; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to draft proposed language that will allow for the inclusionary zoning formula to be based on the gross square footage of a project rather than like units.
O-7 Mar 24, 2014
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is a nationwide leader in technology and innovation; and
WHEREAS: Code for America is actively seeking local governments to participate in their 2015 Fellowship Program; and
WHEREAS: The Code for America Fellowship Program connects local governments with talented teams of developers, designers, and researchers to create web and mobile applications that heighten access to government and improve the transparency of municipal information and systems; and
WHEREAS: Each city that is selected to participate in the Fellowship Program will host three fellows, recruited from the top of the tech industry, in an effort to allow them to determine the needs of both the surrounding community and local government partners; and
WHEREAS: The fellows will then work collaboratively in a development phase to build mobile and web applications that have been designed to best suit the desires of their host city; and
WHEREAS: Cities that have previously participated in Code for America's Fellowship Program include Boston, Philadelphia, New York, Oakland, Kansas City, San Francisco, New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, and Austin-all leaders in the open government and open data discussion; and
WHEREAS: The fellows could inform future hiring practices as the IT department seeks to bring in-house the most qualified programmers for mobile app development and resident-facing software solutions; and
WHEREAS: All applications must be submitted by Mar 31, 2014; and
WHEREAS: An application has been compiled on behalf of the city by interested residents and experts in the field of IT; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to submit this application to the Code for America Fellowship Program and confer with the appropriate departments to fund the program for 2015.
O-8 Mar 24, 2014
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
WHEREAS: Cambridge is undergoing a tremendous economic boom with the development of areas like Kendall Square; and
WHEREAS: All Cambridge residents should have equal access to employment opportunities within the borders of our city; and
WHEREAS: Many of our high school students go to college and upon graduation return to our city without the ability to find work despite our strong economy; and
WHEREAS: Many longtime Cambridge residents are unemployed and underemployed as they struggle to find work; and
WHEREAS: It is important that our city do everything within its power to connect Cambridge residents with all levels of job opportunities available now or soon to be available at the city's top 25 employers, local non-profits and universities, start-ups, and any other companies with employment opportunities; and
WHEREAS: Our city must be deliberate in its attempt to provide Cambridge residents with the opportunity to discover every available job opportunity so that our residents can grow and prosper with the economy; and
WHEREAS: A job fair sponsored and supported by the City of Cambridge for residents and companies within our borders can have a significant and everlasting impact on unemployment and underemployment in our neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS: A job fair at a large and suitable venue like the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Field House can quickly and efficiently connect corporate human resource departments with local talent; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Human Services to report to the City Council on the implementation of a city-wide job fair exclusively for Cambridge residents; and be it further
ORDERED: That said report includes information as to any plans for future job fairs or other employment assistance activities exclusively for Cambridge residents.
O-9 Mar 24, 2014
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: Cambridge is dominated by a single broadband provider and lacks the type of competition that would typically incentivize appropriate pricing, upgraded infrastructure, and excellence in customer service; and
WHEREAS: According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2011 the United States ranked 15th among 30 developed and developing nations in deploying broadband services; and
WHEREAS: Lack of competition in other communities has created an environment conducive to poor service, price fixing, and other undesirable business practices; and
WHEREAS: Nearly 400 communities around the United States have implemented and managed their own municipal broadband networks, often still in competition with private industry; and
WHEREAS: A municipal broadband network or other public internet access solution could help bridge the digital divide, providing subsidized internet access to residents who could not otherwise afford it; and
WHEREAS: A municipal broadband proposal would research broadband models, such as fiber infrastructure, mesh networks, and other viable alternatives and would contrast financial viability, service speeds, timeline for various alternatives; and
WHEREAS: A municipal broadband proposal would also consider the way in which corporate or municipal broadband fees ought to help fund services like CCTV, just as cable television fees do; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to appoint a task force composed of experts, residents, the Cambridge Housing Authority, and representatives from the local universities charged with developing a municipal broadband proposal for Cambridge, potentially also including extension of city fiber into public housing properties; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the task force to hire necessary consultants in order to aid feasibility research as part of this proposal.
O-10 Mar 24, 2014
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge enjoys a reputation as a community that values all of its workers, that believes every worker should be treated with dignity and fairness, every worker should be paid prevailing wages, provided with safe working conditions, and have access to affordable health care; and
WHEREAS: In the summer of 2013, it was brought to the City Council's attention that Longwood Security Services, which provided security officers to Cambridge College, did not meet prevailing wages at the institution. Longwood Security officers, in partnership with SEIU 32BJ District 615, urged Longwood to allow its workforce to unionize if they so wished, but this did not come to pass. When Cambridge College then opened the bid process for new security vendors, it was hoped that Longwood Security would be replaced by a more responsible vendor that would provide its workers with fairer wages and job protection; and
WHEREAS: In September 2013, Cambridge College opened a dialogue with representatives of its current security workforce, SEIU 32BJ District 615, and the City Council in which Cambridge College vowed it would conduct a fair and open bid process for new security vendors, it would maintain an open line of communication with its current security workforce and SEIU 32BJ District 615, and it would consider bids from a variety of vendors, including those recommended by SEIU 32BJ District 615; and
WHEREAS: The vendors recommended by SEIU 32BJ District 615 were all chosen based upon a number of criteria that suggested these vendors would treat their workers fairly and equitably; and
WHEREAS: The City Council was disappointed in the fact that, despite Cambridge College's vows to keep the lines of communication open and robust throughout this bid process, this unfortunately did not come to pass. There were a number of occasions in which representatives of the Longwood security workforce and SEIU 32BJ District 615 reported difficulty in having their calls returned by Cambridge College; and
WHEREAS: In February 2014, Cambridge College announced that it had awarded its security contract to Hunter Protective Services. SEIU 32BJ District 615 has noted their disappointment that Cambridge College has seemingly merely gone with the cheapest bid, awarding this contract to a company that actually pays its staff less than what Longwood Security paid its staffers. Thus far, representatives for Hunter Protective Services have reportedly refused to meet with SEIU 32BJ District 615 to discuss their employment practices, and Hunter Protective Services has also declined to make any overtures that might allow the now-displaced Longwood security officers a chance to remain employed at Cambridge College; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council formally go on record expressing its great disappointment in how Cambridge College has conducted itself throughout this process; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council formally go on record strongly urging representatives of Hunter Protective Services and representatives of Cambridge College to meet with SEIU 32BJ District 615 in order to establish an open line of communication and to determine what steps Hunter Protective Services will take to ensure that its security officers are paid prevailing wages and treated fairly; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Jason Steiner of Hunter Protective Services; Deborah C. Jackson, President of Cambridge College; Phillip Page, Special Assistant to the President of Cambridge College; Courtney Snegroff, SEIU 32BJ District 615; and to the members of the Cambridge Delegation to the State Legislature, on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-11 Mar 24, 2014
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: Residents as well as the Planning Board have raised the question of whether or not the Sullivan Courthouse can truly qualify as a pre-existing nonconforming structure under the State Law and the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance; and
WHEREAS: As a State owned building the Sullivan Courthouse is now, and at the time of construction, exempt from all local zoning regulation; and
WHEREAS: The change of use from public to private raises the questions of whether the building qualifies as a pre-existing nonconforming structure and should it be treated as such; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to seek a legal opinion from the City Solicitor on whether the Sullivan Courthouse qualifies as a pre-existing nonconforming structure and to report back to the City Council and Planning Board with this legal opinion.
AWAITING REPORT LIST
14-05. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of allowing Cambridge residents and visitors to pay parking violations instantly via cell phone application.
Councillor Cheung 02/10/14 (O-2)
14-06. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on engaging with the leadership of Globe Direct to ensure that Cambridge residents who have not subscribed to weekly Globe Direct circulars and have indicated that they do not wish to receive more are promptly removed from further distribution lists.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor McGovern & Councillor Carlone 02/10/14 (O-3)
14-07. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what steps would be necessary to change the method by which surplus votes are transferred in municipal elections and whether the Fractional Transfer Method could replace the Cincinnati Method and whether this requires a Charter Change.
Councillor Carlone & Councillor Mazen 02/10/14 (O-6)
14-08. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how the State Department of Public Health factored in appropriateness of site and local support for the Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Cambridge.
Councillor Toomey 02/10/14 (O-8)
14-09. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on status of new Lechmere Station development and plans for the current Lechmere site.
Councillor Toomey 02/24/14 (O-3)
14-10. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #6
RE: report on the feasibility of establishing an online list or map that indicates all outstanding pothole repair requests.
Councillor Simmons 03/17/14 (O-1)
14-11. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of harnessing the City's Cambridge Alert Network to alert residents to various upcoming neighborhood meeting organized by the City.
Councillor Simmons 03/17/14 (O-6)
14-12. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on developing a City parking ticket for parking in bike lanes violations.
Councillor Kelley 03/17/14 (O-8)
14-13. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on putting information on traffic enforcement, accidents and parking tickets online in a format that would allow electronic data analysis by the general public.
Councillor Kelley 03/17/14 (O-9)
14-14. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on plans to involve bomb sniffing dogs in general public safety efforts.
Councillor Kelley 03/17/14 (O-11)
14-15. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on ways for cyclists to use public bike parking for short, medium and long term bike storage to alleviate the problem of abandoned bikes clogging bike parking facilities as well as appropriate public space in which cyclists can lock their bikes.
Councillor Kelley 03/17/14 (O-12)
14-16. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #7
RE: status of the First Street Garage RFP process.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Mazen, Councillor McGovern & Councillor Toomey 03/17/14 (O-13)
14-17. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what solutions can be offered to increase the email storage space.
Councillor Simmons 03/17/14 (O-14)
14-18. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on determining the legal and regulatory process necessary to collaborate with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, companies in the private sector and/or local universities, and/or donors that are willing to partner with the City to achieve the desired development objectives at the Foundry Building.
Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor Mazen, Councillor Carlone & Councillor Toomey 03/17/14 (O-16)