6. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,000 to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The MCC Cultural District Grant provides financial support to state-designated Cultural Districts throughout the Commonwealth. (CM24#55)
Order Adopted 9-0

CM24#55     Mar 25, 2024

To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting the appropriation of the FY23 Massachusetts Cultural District Grant made by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) in the amount of $15,000 to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) Other Ordinary Maintenance account.

The MCC Cultural District Grant provides financial support to state-designated Cultural Districts throughout the Commonwealth. Launched in 2011 by an act of the state legislature, MA Cultural Districts drive economic growth, strengthen the distinctive local character within local communities, and improve the quality of life of families across Massachusetts.

Cambridge’s Central Square Cultural District was one of the 10 inaugural MA Cultural Districts designated by the Legislature in 2012. This funding will support District-based initiatives that drive economic growth and strengthen the distinctive character of the Central Square Cultural District.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-11, regarding the condition of the existing brick sidewalk pavement at Carl Barron Plaza.
Placed on File 9-0

CMA 2024 #57     Mar 25, 2024

To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Policy Order Response #24-27 regarding the condition of the existing brick sidewalk pavement at Carl Barron Plaza from the Mar 4.2024 council meeting, please see below.

As noted in the Order, the Department of Public Works’ River Street project, currently in construction, will be permanently removing all of the existing bricks in the Plaza. The new plaza area will consist of poured concrete sidewalks in the primary pedestrian walkways, and ADA-accessible concrete pavers in secondary areas.

In the interim, DPW has directed the Contractor to remove the existing bricks from the main pedestrian routes through the Plaza, and place temporary asphalt sidewalks. These will provide a smooth walking surface, and the Contractor will be maintaining these asphalt walkways until the permanent construction is complete. DPW has full-time on-site inspectors who will monitor the condition of the temporary surfacing and direct any repairs if needed.

These interim sidewalks will be constructed in the next two weeks.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Central Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years; Melissa Greene and Kevin Grinberg. (CM24#59)
Appointments Approved 9-0

CMA 2024 #59     Mar 25, 2024

I am writing to inform you that I am appointing the following below persons as members of the Central Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective Mar 25, 2024:

• Melissa Greene

• Kevin Grinberg

The Central Square Advisory Committee reviews and comments on land use and development proposals in the Central Square Overlay District per the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance (Section 20.304.1) The committee conducts Large Project Review consultations and comments on applications for variances and special permits from the Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeal, as well as other proposals. The Committee meets approximately monthly or on an as-needed basis.

The Central Square Advisory Committee membership must adhere to the following structure:

a. Members: Members in all categories shall be Cambridge residents or business persons or landowners within the Overlay District.

1. One member having recognized qualifications as architect or landscape architect who shall also serve as chair of the Committee.

2. Four (4) members representing the business community in Central Square with diverse representation from property owners, small- and large-scale merchants and office tenants.

3. Four (4) members representing residents of the four (4) abutting Cambridge neighborhoods.

b. Terms: Committee members shall be appointed for terms of three (3) years each. Initial appointments shall, however, be staggered such that three (3) members shall have terms of two (2) years, and three (3) members shall have terms of three (3) years each.

There are currently two openings on the Committee: one for an architect and one for a business representative.

The City Manager’s office posted a request for applications for the Central Square Advisory Committee on the City website and via a news release on May 24, 2023, with an application closing date of June 26, 2023. The press release went to local media, Cambridge Business Associations, Cambridge Neighborhood Associations, select City staff, including Department Heads and the City Council. The call for members was also posted in the City’s daily email updates from May 24-28 and then again from June 22-26. It was additionally posted on the News sections of the main City website and the Community Development Department website. During that time, members of the Committee conducted outreach with their networks.

There were ten new applicants for the available positions, as well as one current member seeking reappointment. Three of the new applicants, as well as the existing member were interviewed. The interview panel, made of City staff members from the Community Planning, Economic Opportunity and Development, and Zoning and Development divisions of CDD, has recommended the appointment of one new member and the reappointment of the current member. Applicants that did not qualify to serve as an architect or business representative were not invited to interview but are encouraged to reapply for future openings.

Terms are expiring for seven current CSAC members on July 31st of this year. Although there was a wide diversity of applicants for this round of vacancies, many did not meet the necessary qualifications for the “architect” or “business” membership roles that needed to be filled. CSAC supporting staff have already begun working to broaden our recruitment efforts. Several of the applicants from this current round may qualify under the “resident” category and could make great additions to the Committee. We are also working with CDD’s Economic Opportunity and Development Division staff to do targeted outreach to members of the business community. We are also looking to target Central Square specific newsletters as well as outreach to other City Committees connected to Central Square, with an emphasis on membership diversity. Finally, CDD Community Engagement Team will assist with recruitment planning.

I am pleased to welcome two members whose expertise and experience will enable them to contribute to this committee’s important work.

1. Melissa Greene (re-appointment) - Architect Membership
Melissa is an architect and is a shareholder of HMFH Architects located in Central Square. Melissa has a knowledge of development review process and urban design principles. She has served on the Central Square Advisory Committee since April 2015. She additionally served as a member of the River Street Reconstruction Working Group from December 2018 to December 2021. She has been thoughtful, respectful, and a good communicator throughout her tenure with CSAC.

2. Kevin Grinberg (new appointment) - Business Community Membership
Kevin is the owner of a small software business officed out of Central Square at 688 Mass Ave since 2010. He has lived just outside of the Central Square Overlay since 2014. He emigrated to the United States from Kyiv, Ukraine. As the operator of a client-based business, he has experience finding consensus in groups with multiple stakeholders. He has an interest in street activation and the need for accessible housing.

I appreciate the willingness of these community members to serve and look forward to their contributions as members of the Central Square Advisory Committee.

CHARTER RIGHT
1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department and Community Development Department to study whether the City Council could add maximum lot area per dwelling unit, maximum setback requirements, and minimum floor area ratios in some districts or as part of an overlay in the Zoning Ordinance and whether the City Council could require a special permit for a down conversion in developments that would result in a net loss of housing units. [Charter Right – Pickett, Mar 18, 2024] (PO24#35)
Councillor Pickett moves to take up both Charter Right #1 and #2; Farooq says she and staff have been consulting Housing Committee Chairs re: their priorities, feels that more study needed to see how expansive this phenomenon actually is; Toner does not object to “down conversions”; Sobrinho-Wheeler OK with restricting “down conversions” claiming this would not be a ban; McGovern prefers to get legal opinion reported directly to Housing Committee; Pickett wants more information about how common this is; Azeem wants income-restricted housing required with any multi-family housing [which likely would result in only subsidized housing developers doing projects]; JSW emphasizes part of Order about setbacks; JSW amendment to refer to Housing Committee Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 7-2 (Pickett, Toner - No)

O-5     Mar 18, 2024  Charter Right - Pickett; amended by Sobrinho-Wheeler
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR WILSON
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s current Zoning Ordinance and the state building code in some cases incentivizes the tear down of existing multi-family homes such as triple-deckers and other types of more affordable housing and the replacement of them with multi-million-dollar single unit dwellings; and
WHEREAS: These down conversions result in a loss of much needed housing and a replacement of homes that are affordable for more Cantabrigians with housing that is out of reach for most residents; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s Zoning Ordinance currently has minimum setback and lot area per dwelling unit and maximum floor area ratio requirements but not maximum setback and lot area per dwelling unit or minimum floor area ratio requirements; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s Zoning Ordinance should incentivize housing affordability rather than the replacement of existing multi-family homes with new, expensive single unit dwellings or the creation of large, single unit dwellings on parcels where more affordable multifamily housing could be built; and
WHEREAS: Adding maximum lot area per dwelling units and setback requirements and minimum floor area ratios in some districts would help disincentivize down conversions and the loss of affordable multifamily housing; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Law Department and Community Development Department to study whether the City Council could add maximum lot area per dwelling unit, maximum setback requirements, and minimum floor area ratios in some districts or as part of an overlay in the Zoning Ordinance; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Law Department and Community Development Department to study whether the City Council could require a special permit for a down conversion in developments that would result in a net loss of housing units; and be it further
ORDERED: That the report/results from the Law Department be forwarded to the Housing Committee.

2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to work with the chairs of the Housing Committee on zoning language that effectively promotes multi-family housing, including inclusionary units, citywide. [Charter Right – Pickett, Mar 18, 2024] (PO24#37)
Comments by Pickett, Wilson (with amendment), Toner (will not support Wilson amendment); Sobrinho-Wheeler comments of legalities; Azeem moved to amend Wilson amendment to delete “multiple options for”; comments by Nolan re: middle-income, “workforce” housing; McGovern opposed to conversions to single-family for purpose of sale, suggests that this is only about “having conversations” now; City Manager notes need for prioritization, legal feasibility, questions how many “down conversions” are actually occurring; Toner notes many studies currently underway; Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Toner - No)

O-7     Mar 18, 2024  Charter Right - Pickett
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR WILSON
WHEREAS: In order to help end the housing shortage our city is facing and provide housing for all, we must encourage the construction of multifamily housing in every neighborhood of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The current zoning in Cambridge prevents the construction of many multi-family homes, to the point that most of our housing stock is currently nonconforming; and
WHEREAS: The current zoning in Cambridge “reflects a preference for socioeconomic exclusionary practices“ such as racism and classism, as is evident when you overlay a redlining map on a zoning map; and
WHEREAS: Exclusionary zoning prevents housing opportunities in certain neighborhoods for many in our city by artificially constraining supply; and
WHEREAS: Inclusionary zoning has provided the majority of new affordable housing in Cambridge since its adoption in 1998, but cannot be effective in areas without zoning that encourages multi-family housing; and
WHEREAS: The Housing Committee has discussed ending exclusionary zoning in previous terms; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department to work with the chairs of the Housing Committee on zoning language that effectively promotes multi-family housing, including inclusionary units, citywide, and hereby is requested to report back to the Housing Committee on this matter as soon as possible.

with Wilson Amendment:
O-7     Mar 18, 2024  Charter Right - Pickett
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR WILSON
WHEREAS: In order to help end the housing shortage our city is facing and provide housing for all, we must encourage the construction of multifamily housing in every neighborhood of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The current zoning in Cambridge prevents the construction of many multi-family homes, to the point that most of our housing stock is currently nonconforming; and
WHEREAS: The current zoning in Cambridge “reflects a preference for socioeconomic exclusionary practices“ such as racism and classism, as is evident when you overlay a redlining map on a zoning map; and
WHEREAS: Exclusionary zoning prevents housing opportunities in certain neighborhoods for many in our city by artificially constraining supply; and
WHEREAS: Inclusionary zoning has provided the majority of new affordable housing in Cambridge since its adoption in 1998, but cannot be effective in areas without zoning that encourages multi-family housing; and
WHEREAS: The Housing Committee has discussed ending exclusionary zoning in previous terms; now therefore be it
WHEREAS: That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to work with the chairs of the Housing Committee on zoning language that effectively promotes multi-family housing, including inclusionary units, citywide. work with the chairs of the Housing Committee to create multiple options for zoning language that effectively promotes multi-family housing, including income-restricted affordable housing with the goal of having viable housing for everyone especially lower-income residents. [Azeem motion to delete “multiple options for” Adopted 9-0] [Wilson amendment Adopted 8-1 (Toner - No)]

ON THE TABLE
3. Policy Order to Edit City Council Rule 21A, 21B and add 21C Requiring Two City Councilors to Sponsor Policy Orders and Resolutions to be Filed and Placed on Council Agenda. [Tabled – Mar 18, 2024] (PO24#41)
Taken from Table 9-0; Order #1 taken up as well; Toner comments (in response to idiotic and profane testimony of Robert Bledsoe during Public Comment); City Solicitor Megan Bayer notes legal gray area regarding whether profanity may be prohibited - noting that it is not entirely affected by First Amendment, notes history of Mass. Declaration of Rights, John and Samuel Adams when still under British rule, speech about government at that time could be was crude and pushed the limits and that's the basis of our government today, a future court could say that profanity could be prohibited, essential phrase is “fighting words”, use of profanity directed at an individual could be interpreted as “fighting words”, use of the “F word” in excitement might not be, difficult to make decision in the moment; Toner notes list of potential infractions; Toner proposes to remove prohibition of profanity (though he will vote against removing it); McGovern suggests that this discussion will lead to some people pushing the envelope re: what they can get away with [note: McGovern and others felt no concerns about slander as recently as several months ago]; JSW, Azeem OK with removing prohibition of profanity; Nolan suggests amending to distinguish “requests” and “prohibitions”; Bayer provides additional guidance on “loud and repetitive”; Simmons’ wise comments on “fighting words” and being welcoming, chilling effect of some words and actions, importance of “the rule of the Chair” in conduct of meetings; Placed on File 9-0

O-11     Mar 18, 2024
COUNCILLOR TONER
WHEREAS: The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee discussed and supported recommending that the City Council Rules require at least two City Councillors supporting a proposed policy order and/or resolution before filing and including as part of the City Council Agenda; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That current City Council Rule 21A be renumbered to Rule 21B; and be it further
ORDERED: That current City Council Rule 21B be renumbered to Rule 21C; and be it further
ORDERED: That a new City Council Rule 21A be added to read: In order for a Policy Order or Resolution to be filed and placed on the council agenda it must have two City Councillors sponsoring the Policy Order or Resolution.

4. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Feb 15, 2024, which was recessed, and reconvened on Feb 26, 2024. The Call of the meeting was to review and discuss possible amendments to the City Council Rules. At the meeting on Feb 26, 2024, the Committee voted to send 46 rule changes to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. Please see orders within the report. [Tabled – Mar 18, 2024] [text of report]
Taken from Table 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Mar 25
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Tues, Mar 26
3:00pm   The Finance Committee will hold a public meeting to receive a status update on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in Cambridge, as well as to review and discuss the Police Department budget for FY25 before it is submitted to the City Manager, as required under Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.74.040.

Wed, Mar 27
12:00pm   The Health and Environment Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss regional coastal flood resilience interventions required to address increased vulnerability due to climate change risk.

Mon, Apr 1
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Tues, Apr 2
3:00pm   The Public Safety Committee will hold a public hearing on the State of Policing in Cambridge, and safety in the community with an update on recommendations from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) report.

Mon, Apr 8
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Wed, Apr 10
3:00pm   The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss how the city factors potential street congestion into street re-design, monitors and adjusts for street congestion (especially in newly reconfigured areas such as North Mass Ave., Garden Street, and Inman Square/Cambridge Street) and understand its impacts on residents, businesses, and public safety. In addition, the Committee will review and learn how the city is planning for potential impacts on Cambridge streets of DCR’s plan to reduce Memorial Drive from four lanes to two lanes between the JFK Street and the Eliot Bridge.

Mon, Apr 22
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Wed, Apr 24
11:00am   The Health and Environment Committee will hold a public hearing to review and discuss the Net Zero Action Plan annual report, including review of yearly action items, progress made, and next steps to reach annual goals.
3:00pm   The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will hold a public hearing on the Digital Navigator Pilot Program (DNP), a collaborative effort between the City of Cambridge Information Technology Department, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Public Schools Department, Just A Start, and Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) to discuss how this initiative is designed to support residents’ digital needs.

Mon, Apr 29
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Mon, May 6
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Tues, May 7
9:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

Wed, May 8
6:00pm   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

Mon, May 13
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Tues, May 14
9:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

Thurs, May 16
9:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 (if necessary).

Mon, May 20
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Mon, June 3
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Mon, June 10
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Mon, June 17
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

Mon, June 24
5:30pm   City Council Meeting

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Mar 25, 2024 [supplement]
COUNCILLOR TONER
WHEREAS: The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met on Feb 26, 2024 and voted to send several rule changes to the City Council with a favorable recommendation; and
WHEREAS: The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee Report detailing these changes appeared on the Mar 18, 2024 City Council Agenda; and
WHEREAS: The City Council had an opportunity to discuss the changes recommended by the Committee at the Mar 18, 2024 City Council meeting and also received feedback on the proposed changes during public comment; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 3, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 3. The Mayor shall take the Chair at the hour of the first Council meeting following Inauguration and election as Chair and call the members to order. In the absence of the Mayor, the Vice-Chair of the City Council shall preside and, in the absence of both, the most senior member in length of service or if more than one has so served then the member senior in both age and length of service who is present shall serve as Chair during the absence of both the Mayor and Vice-Chair; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 5, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 5. The Chair shall state the motion that is before the Council before there can be discussion on the motion. The Chair shall declare all votes. If any member doubts the vote, the Chair without further debate upon the question, shall require the members voting in the affirmative and negative, respectively, to be counted; the Chair shall declare the results, but no such declaration shall be made unless a quorum of the City Council has voted; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 8, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 8. The Chair shall place before the body all questions in the order in which they are moved, unless the subsequent motion be previous in its nature, except that in naming sums and fixing times, the largest sum and the longest time shall be placed before the body first. After a motion has been placed before the body by the Chair, the mover may withdraw the motion before amendment or final action without objection; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 9, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 9. When a question is under debate the Chair shall receive no motion, except to
Adjourn.
Lay on the Table.
Postpone to a certain day.
End debate, move, or call the question.
Refer.
Amend.
Postpone indefinitely.

These motions shall have precedence in the above order. A motion to adjourn shall be in order at any time except upon immediate repetition. A motion to adjourn, to lay on the table, to take from the table, or to end debate shall be decided without debate; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 10, be struck from the City Council Rules; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 14, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 13. No member shall vote on any question, or serve on any committee, where their private interest is immediately concerned distinct from that of the public. All City employees, including all elected and appointed officials, are subject to the Massachusetts Conflict of Interest Law; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 18, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 17. All regular meetings of the City Council shall be held in the Sullivan Chamber, City Hall, virtual, hybrid with virtual access and access in the Sullivan Chamber or, at any other suitable public building as determined by the Chair within the City of Cambridge, at 5:30 p.m. on Monday of each week, from the first Monday in January to and including the last Monday in June, and from the second Monday in September to and including the last Monday in December. When a meeting day falls on a holiday, the succeeding Monday shall be the meeting. The City Council may at any meeting, by a majority vote, decide to discontinue any future meeting previously scheduled. All City Council meetings shall end no later than l2:00 midnight; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 19, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 18. The Mayor, or the Vice-Chair of the City Council, or any four members thereof, may at any time call a special meeting by causing written notices, stating the time of holding such meeting and signed by the person calling the same, to be delivered in hand to each member of the City Council, or left at their usual dwelling place, or delivered electronically with at least forty-eight hours’ notice (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) to all members and with notice provided to the public by posting same at least forty-eight hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) prior to each meeting, unless the Mayor, in consultation with the City Manager and City Solicitor, determines an emergency exists and there is a need to call a meeting with less than forty-eight hours’ notice. If necessary, the Mayor may call one or more special meetings during July and August to conduct the Council’s business; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 20, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 19. Any ordinance, order or resolution may be passed through all its stages of legislation at one session, provided that no member of the City Council objects thereto; but if any member of the City Council objects, the measure shall be postponed for that meeting (the “Charter Right”.) (Chapter 43, Section 22 of the General Laws.) At the next regular meeting, any member may move the item which has been subject to the Charter Right. If no action is taken at the next regular meeting by any member, then the item will be removed from the City Council Calendar. The provisions of this Rule, as well as M.G.L. c.43, §22, do not apply to the submission to the City Council of a proposed zoning ordinance, which, pursuant to M.G.L. c.40A, §5, the City Council shall within fourteen days of receipt of such zoning ordinance submit to the Planning Board for review; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 21A and 21B be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 20A. For a Policy Order or Resolution to be filed and placed on the Council agenda it must have two Councillors sponsoring it. This rule does not apply to ceremonial resolutions.
Rule 20B. Applications and Petitions which require action by the City Council at its meeting shall be presented to the City Clerk by 3:00pm on the Wednesday preceding the regular meeting. During a week in which a legal holiday falls on a Friday, said matters shall be presented to the City Clerk by 3:00pm on the Tuesday preceding the regular meeting. Applications and Petitions submitted later will be held over for the next regular meeting.
Rule 20C. In the event of City Hall closure the City Clerk, after consultation with the City Manager, may change the deadlines accordingly for when matters must be presented to the City Clerk for inclusion on the agenda; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rule of the City Council, Rule 22, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 21. The City Clerk shall prepare the minutes of the previous regular and/or special meetings and a calendar of all matters to come before the City Council at each meeting in accordance with the established order of business and shall deliver electronically or to the residence of each City Councillor a copy of the same not later than twenty-four hours prior to said meeting. On all matters on which there has been a roll-call vote, the minutes shall reflect the votes of the individual members; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 24A, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 23A. At every regular meeting of this City Council, except for roundtable/working meetings, the order of business shall be as follows:

1. Public Comment.

2. Reading of the record, if requested by the City Council.

3. Motions for Reconsideration.

4. Manager’s Consent Agenda.

5. Communications from the City Manager (Manager’s non-Consent Agenda)

6. Consent Policy Orders and Resolutions.

a. Non-Consent Policy Orders and Resolutions.

7. Unfinished Business from preceding meetings.

a. Charter Rights

b. On the Table

c. Unfinished Business

8. Consent Applications for permits or petitions which require City Council approval or referral.

a. Non-Consent Applications and Petitions.

9. Consent communications (petitions, memorials and other communications from individuals, employees, and others, which do not require action by the City Council).

a. Non-Consent Communications.

10. Consent Resolutions.

a. Non-Consent Resolutions.

11. Committee Reports.

12. Roundtable/working meeting minutes.

13. Communications and Reports from Other City Officers.

14. Announcements.

15. Adjournment.

and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council be amended by substitution by removing language from 23A (formally 24A) and adding a new Council Rule to read:
Rule 23B. Requests to the City Manager for information regarding matters that have previously been referred to the City Manager for repair or replacement of items or attention to or implementation of matters which do not require City Council action shall not be placed on the agenda but shall be referred directly to the City Manager by the member making the request; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 24C, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 23D. Public Comment.

1. Regular and Special Meetings

a. Under the provisions of Chapter 43, Section 98 of the General Laws, Tercentenary Edition, individuals and employees of the city shall have reasonable opportunity to be heard at regular and special meetings of the City Council in regard to any matter considered thereat. Opportunities for individuals and employees of the City to be heard at all regular and special meetings, except for roundtable/working meetings, shall be provided directly before the reading of the record, if requested by the City Council (submission of the record of the previous meeting). Members of the public may comment upon items in the following categories of business: Motions for Reconsideration, City Manager’s Consent Agenda, Unfinished Business from preceding meetings, Applications and Petitions requiring approval or referral by the City Council, Consent Resolutions, Consent Policy Orders and Resolutions relating to policy analysis or development, Committee Reports, Roundtable/Working Meeting Minutes, Communications and Reports from Other City Officers. Each speaker shall limit their comments to no more than three minutes. In the event there are 20 or more speakers signed up for public comment, the amount of time allocated would be two minutes. If there are more than 75 speakers, the amount of time allocated would be one minute. Individuals are not permitted to allocate the remainder of their time to other speakers.

b. Procedure: An individual may signup to speak before the City Council on-line via the City’s website from 9:00 a.m. on the Friday before the meeting until 6:00pm the day of the meeting or via telephone to the City Council office on the day of the meeting from 9:00am to 5:00pm. On the day of the meeting, between 5:00pm and 6:00pm, a computer terminal will be available to the public in the City Council Office for on-line signup until 6:00pm on the day of the meeting. There will be in-person assistance for those who need help signing up. The individual should indicate on the signup sheet their name, address, and which item(s) they are planning to address. Individuals will be heard in the order that they signed up whether they are participating in person or remotely.

2. Roundtable/working meetings.

Public comment shall not take place at roundtable/working meetings of the City Council, where no matter being discussed may be finally considered, in that no votes may be taken. Written comments will be accepted and made part of the record of the roundtable/working meeting. The opportunity for the public to make oral comments on items discussed at roundtable/working meetings shall be at the regular or special meeting at which the item may be considered for action by the City Council; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 25, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 24. The seats of the members of the City Council shall be determined by the Assistant to the City Council, based on seniority, in consultation with the members; no member shall change their seat but by permission of the Chair; and be it further [Nolan amendment to add “based on seniority” adopted 9-0]

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 32B, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 31B. The time devoted to public hearings shall not be more than two (2) hours at any one sitting. Any hearing not completed within the specified time may be continued to another meeting.

Any individual appearing before the City Council at a public hearing and claiming to represent another as agent or otherwise in the matter of being heard shall file with the City Council a written authorization signed by the individual, organization, or corporation whose interests such individual represents.

For matters where a public hearing is not required by law, the Chair shall determine if there will be public comment and when it will occur. For matters where a public hearing is not required by law, and the Chair has called for public comment, each speaker shall limit their comments to no more than three minutes. In the event there are 20 or more speakers signed up for public comment, the amount of time allocated would be two minutes. If there are more than 75 speakers, the amount of time allocated would be one minute. Individuals are not permitted to allocate the remainder of their time to other speakers. Speakers shall be required to address themselves solely to the issue(s) before the City Council for discussion.

For matters where a public hearing is required by law, including but not limited to amendments to the City’s Zoning Ordinance, amendments to the City’s Municipal Code, annual determinations of the percentages of local tax levy for real and personal property pursuant to G.L. c. 40, § 56, and hearings related to the submission and approval of the City’s annual budget pursuant to G.L. c. 44, §32, each speaker shall limit their comments to no more than three minutes. In the event there are 20 or more speakers signed up for public comment, the amount of time allocated would be two minutes. If there are more than 75 speakers, the amount of time allocated would be one minute. Individuals are not permitted to allocate the remainder of their time to other speakers. Speakers shall be required to address themselves solely to the issue(s) before the City Council for discussion.

In all hearings before the City Council, the case of the petitioner shall be submitted first, except in matters affecting acceptance of highways or taking by right of eminent domain; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 34, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 33. The City Clerk shall determine the newspaper of the city in which shall be published any loan order or any ordinance; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 36A, be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 35A. Any of the foregoing rules with the exception of Rule 20 may be suspended at any meeting by a two-thirds yea and nay vote of the entire membership of the City Council, provided that suspension of the rules to take up an item of business out of order may be moved only one time per meeting by each member. This limitation does not apply to motions to suspend the rules to move reconsideration hoping the same does not prevail.

There shall be a roll call vote for suspension of the rules to consider late items. Items will be taken up at the end of the regular business meeting, after the regular order of business has been concluded. A late item should only be considered if it cannot wait until the next regular meeting; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Rules of the City Council, Rule 38, to be amended by substitution to read:
Rule 37.

1. No one shall delay or interrupt the proceedings or refuse to obey the orders of the presiding officer.

2. All persons shall refrain from any private conversation, which would interfere with the proper conduct of the meeting or hearing.

3. No food or beverages of any kind except water is permitted in the public section of the Sullivan Chamber.

4. Signs, posters and placards must remain outside the Sullivan Chamber.

5. People are admitted to the Sullivan Chamber up to the fire safety capacity of the room which includes the balcony. Overflow crowds may listen to the proceedings on loudspeakers and television provided in the hallway.

6. All persons shall confine their remarks to the question under debate. The following will not be tolerated: profanity, uttering fighting words, slander, unreasonably loud or repetitive speech, and/or speech so disruptive of City Council proceedings that the legislative process is substantially interrupted. [Toner motion to remove “profanity” adopted 8-1 (Toner NO)]

7. Any person engaging in behavior that disrupts the proceedings such that the legislative process is substantially interrupted will be warned once by the Chair that if their disruptive behavior continues, they will be requested to withdraw from the meeting, and if the behavior continues, the speaker will be asked to withdraw from the meeting. If the speaker does not withdraw from the meeting as requested by the Chair, the Chair may authorize a constable or other officer to remove the person from the meeting.

8. All rules of decorum and conduct for comment established by these rules shall be applicable to all individuals attending a meeting or hearing.

9. Every person addressing the City Council should speak into the microphone and should state the person’s name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record. All remarks shall be addressed to the City Council as a body through the Chair, and not to any individual member thereof.

10. While in the Sullivan Chamber, all persons with cell phones, pagers or other devices emitting audible signals shall either set the device to a non-audible signal mode or turn off the device; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and is requested to renumber the Rules of the City Council as necessary as a result of deleting Rule 10 and other changes made; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to correct any scriveners and grammatical errors identified that do not have an impact on content.

O-2     Mar 25, 2024
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
WHEREAS: The Housing Committee met on Mar 6, 2024; and
WHEREAS: The Housing Committee discussed the reappointment of Elaine DeRosa to the Cambridge Housing Authority; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council confirm the reappointment of Elaine DeRosa to the Cambridge Housing Authority for a term of five years.

O-3     Mar 25, 2024
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
WHEREAS: The Housing Committee met on Mar 6, 2024; and
WHEREAS: The Housing Committee discussed the reappointment of Victoria Bergland to the Cambridge Housing Authority; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council confirm the reappointment of Victoria Bergland to the Cambridge Housing Authority for a term of five years.

O-4     Mar 25, 2024
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: In 2016, the Cambridge City Council unanimously adopted Vision Zero to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries in the city, and two years later the City released the Vision Zero Action Plan; and
WHEREAS: Since 2014, Cambridge has had a goal of reducing the reducing the ratio of cars owned by residents by 15% from the levels in the city in 1990 but had not reached that goal as of 2020; and
WHEREAS: One way to help reach these goals would be to provide incentives to residents who forgo car ownership and Cambridge residents who currently do not have a car to continue being able to live without one, including residents who cannot afford car ownership; and
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has emphasized that municipalities are “local community laboratories” for advancing innovative public health measures and have significant authority to pilot new approaches; and
WHEREAS: Incentives to reduce car usage in the city would help reduce traffic deaths and fatalities, lower emissions and pollution, and lessen the damage to and wear on city roads—which are both public health improvements as well as public benefits; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge has accessible records of car ownership through motor vehicle excise tax and parking permit data; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Law Department, the Community Development Department, and the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to determine whether the City could provide incentives for residents who do not have cars, including an MBTA pass, a BlueBikes membership, or others; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-5     Mar 25, 2024
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is committed to building decarbonization efforts as outlined in the Net Zero Action Plan and have supported energy efficiency upgrades such as heat pump installation through the Electrify Cambridge program; and
WHEREAS: Efficient cold-climate heat pumps can reduce energy costs and offer substantial emissions and health improvements for New England residents; and because of this, many states and municipalities, including Cambridge, have prioritized the installation of heat pumps through state policy and energy efficiency rebates, but at the same time, there is a gap in the workforce needs and leveraging the distributor network can increase contractor adoption of technology and flow these benefits to customers; and
WHEREAS: Strong community partnerships and networks are needed to design and manage the proposed program to advance environmental and public health issues in the region, and Cambridge is committed to prioritizing all disadvantaged and underserved communities as we support decarbonization and other climate goals; and
WHEREAS: In addition to the existing work of supporting energy efficiency upgrades and heat pump installation, the City of Cambridge is prepared to partner with regional organizations for the proposed five-year Regional Mid-Stream Heat Pump Program, including supporting coalition partners and participating in advisory working groups; and
WHEREAS: This program will create mid-stream incentives at the distributor level to encourage the full replacement of HVAC and water heating systems across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island; and
WHEREAS: The EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants and the Regional Mid-Stream Heat Pump Program have the opportunity to help transform the regional heat pump market to incentivize a number of different heat pump technologies and develop pilots for innovative residential building decarbonization; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to prepare a letter in support of the MA Department of Energy Resources, Green Communities Division, and the MA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant proposals, including the regional heat pump accelerator concept.