3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments and reappointments of the following members of the Cambridge Public Planting Committee for a term of 2-years, effective Mar 1, 2021: New Appointments: Vinita Bhaskar, Ruth Loetterie, Tracy Orr, Ahron Lerman, Maria Hottelet, Belinda Tato, Cindy Carpenter, Jill Costello, Sandra Fairbank, Sara Cohen. Reappointments: Chantal Eide, Cynthia Smith, Maggie Booz, Michael Hanlon, Paula Cortes, Sophia Emperador, Seanna Berry and Joan Krizack.
Placed on File 9-0

Mar 29, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby transmitting notification of the new appointments and reappointments to the Cambridge Public Planting Committee for a term of 2 years, effective Mar 1, 2021:

New Appointments:

Vinita Bhaskar
Ms. Bhaskar is an Enterprise Field Marketing Senior Advisor for Dell Technologies. Through her work, she launched a new program that funds forests in critical habitats across the United States through a partnership with the Conservation Fund, planting over 110,000 trees to date. Ms. Bhaskar would like to help with public outreach.

Ruth Loetterle
Ms. Loetterle is a landscape architect by trade. She has worked on a variety of projects which have included master planning and designing parks, master planning educational and institutional campuses and designing campus spaces, designing trails, planning and working with communities to assist them in realizing their collective vision, and creating and reviewing guidelines to shape future development. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Botany and a Masters of Landscape Architecture. Ms Loetterle is passionate about bicycling and gardening.

Tracy Orr
Ms. Orr is the owner and designer for Tracy Orr Landscape Design. She has also worked as a research plant biologist. As a Cambridge resident for the past 13 years, she really values the City’s parks and open spaces. Ms. Orr is interested in reviewing park plans.

Ahron Lerman
Mr. Lerman currently works for the DCR as an Urban Forester with the Greening the Gateways project. He is an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist. He was a member of the UFMP Task Force. Mr. Lerman is interested in assisting with reviewing landscape plans and tree planting.

Maria Hottelet
Ms. Hottelet is a scientist and biological engineer by trade. She also volunteers with Mothers Out Front. Ms. Hottelet is interested in improving basic tree care, maintenance and in improving soil health for trees.

Belinda Tato
Ms. Tato is an architect, landscape and urban designer from Madrid, Spain. She is currently an Associate Professor in Practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Ms. Tato is interested in assisting with public outreach, and in using public spaces to improve quality of life in neighborhoods in the City.

Cindy Carpenter
Ms. Carpenter currently work as the VP of Global Analyst Relations for EXL. She is interested with promoting the use of native trees and would like to help with public outreach. Ms. Carpenter has assisted with Fresh Pond Reservation plantings.

Jill Costello
Ms. Costello is the founder of Straw Hat LLC., a design / install firm working on residential, commercial and academic projects (including Harvard). She previously worked for Mahoney’s Garden Center as a landscape designer. She is a MA Certified Horticulturist and MA Master Gardener. She is interested in reviewing landscape plans presented to the committee.

Sandra Fairbank
Ms. Fairbank has graduate degrees in Architecture and City Planning and has practiced architecture in Cambridge for 35 years. She is currently serving as the president of Cambridge Plant and Garden Club.

Sara Cohen
Ms. Cohen is the Co-founder and principal of ASK+ which focuses on how to activate and integrate marginalized urban spaces into the larger green infrastructure networks. She also has previous experience of working for NYC’s Park and Recreation Department. Ms. Cohen is interested in reviewing landscape plans presented to the committee.

Reappointments:

Chantal Eide
Ms. Eide is a landscape architect and member of the Cambridge Plant and Garden club.

Cynthia Smith
Ms. Smith is a Principal Landscape Architect with Halvorson. She has worked on many landscape projects in the City.

Maggie Booz
Ms. Booz is the Principal and founder of Smart Architecture. She served as a member of the Urban Forestry Master Plan Task Force.

Michael Hanlon
Mr. Hanlon is the owner of Michael Hanlon Landscaping and Gardening Design.

Paula Cortes
Ms. Cortes is a landscape architect and owner of Cortes Associates.

Sophia Emperador
Ms. Emperador is a landscape architect with a focus on the importance of landscape in an urban environment.

Seanna Berry
Ms. Barry has over ten years of experience in project management, with a focus on environmental stewardship and community food systems. She holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning, with a focus on the environment.

Joan Krizack
Ms. Krizack is an archivist by profession, she is an avid, mostly self-taught, gardener. She has helped organize and run the Secret Gardens of Cambridge tour sponsored by the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, and her backyard has been a stop on the tour three times.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

4. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,500,000, from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account, to purchase and distribute standardized trash barrels to all residential buildings in the City’s trash program.
Order Adopted 9-0

Mar 29, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

To further help control the rodent population in the city, an appropriation of $1,500,000 from Free Cash to the Public Works Public Investment Account is requested for the purpose of purchasing and distributing standardized trash barrels to all residential buildings in the City’s trash program.

In providing standardized trash receptables the City will then have in place City provided trash, recycling and organics toters. Requiring the use of good quality, adequately sized trash receptables is an important additional tool in the City’s continuing effort to reduce the rat population. Additionally, the provision of such will then allow residents to further divert recyclable materials from trash and move the city further along in its Zero Waste goals.

Based on recommendations in the city’s Zero Waste Master plan, adding standardized trash receptacles to our program will provide the following benefits to both employees and residents:

• Reduces potential for Rodents.

• Increases worker safety as containers can be emptied with semi-automated collection compared to manual collection.

• Has potential for decreased workers compensation claims with better ergonomics and reduced lifting of containers/bags.

• Increases collection efficiency with a reduced number of containers.

• Increases diversion from trash to recycling and organics.

• Improves aesthetics of sidewalks with fewer containers at the curb and with a smaller footprint,

• Reduces trash spillage

Similar to the roll-out of single stream recycling toters, residents will be given a receptacle(s) based on the size of their property. Understanding the limited space that properties in densely populated sections of the city have, every effort will be made to provide receptacles that have enough capacity while minimizing their footprint. The program will also be flexible enough to provide smaller or larger receptacles to residents who request different sizes. The intention at this time is not to limit the size toter given to residents but rather to work with residents to ensure that the toter(s) they are given are large enough to avoid overflow situations and small enough to ensure that they can properly accommodate them at their homes. The picture below illustrates the various sizes we expect to offer residents.

At this time, given the disruption associated with COVID it may take longer than expected to procure and distribute these receptacles. Based on a conservative schedule, we estimate that these materials will be distributed to residential buildings in the city by the spring of 2022.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $335,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account, to purchase and install Big Belly solar compactors on Cambridge Street between Inman Square and Lechmere Station.
Order Adopted 9-0

Mar 29, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting an appropriation of $335,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account, to purchase and install Big Belly solar compactors on Cambridge Street between Inman Square and Lechmere Station.

Funds will provide for 40 new compactors along Cambridge Street which will replace the existing Victor Stanley barrels in the area. This investment will significantly improve the overall appearance of the commercial district, reduce rodent activity along the street, and improve the collection efficiency in this neighborhood.

Big Belly compactors transform public litter collection into an efficient, clean and well managed operation. These dual-purpose receptacles: one side is a solar-powered trash compactor and the other is a single-stream recycling receptacle will increase the capacity of litter bins on Cambridge Street and will quadruple the number of recycling receptacles in the area. The latest Big Belly receptacles are of a heavier gauge material and can be opened by floor peddle as well as by a chute handle. Because these bins compact trash and thus have approximately 5 times the capacity of regular trash bins, they need to be emptied less frequently than traditional trash bins.

They also transmit data about fullness levels, notifying staff when specific bins need to be emptied. This enables a “before full” service by City staff and vehicles, thus reducing operating costs for collection as more such bins are installed across the city over time.

Finally, given the solid nature of these facilities they have been shown to deter rodent activity in the areas they have been deployed in. The installation of these facilities further amplifies the City’s commitment to working with the community in addressing this public health issue.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-58, regarding a report on drafting an ordinance banning single use plastic items.
Referred to Health & Environment Committee 9-0

Mar 29, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached a response to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-58, regarding a report on drafting an ordinance banning single-use plastic items, received from Public Works Commissioner Owen O'Riordan.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

---

To: Louis DePasquale, City Manager
From: Owen O’ Riordan, Commissioner, DPW
Re: AR 19-58 Working with the Recycling Advisory Committee as well as other stakeholders to draft an ordinance banning single-use plastic items in Cambridge.
DATE: Mar 23, 2021

In response to the above referenced Council Order, please be advised of the following:

The Department of Public Works (DPW) has worked closely with Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC), other city entities, as well as business owners and residents to evaluate a ban on single-use plastics similar to what other communities have implemented. Building on the experience of the Polystyrene Ordinance, DPW has taken a similar approach to evaluating a single-use plastic ban. DPW conducted a business survey, studied plastics recyclability, and examined environmental lifecycle analyses.

The process began in 2019 with the Council Order requesting DPW provide feedback on a single-use plastics ordinance, such as that in Brookline, MA or Berkeley, CA. Both consumers and businesses want to reduce plastics, reduce waste and protect the environment. DPW has concluded that, at this time, a blanketed single-use plastics ban is not necessarily in the city’s best interest. Rather, DPW suggests that the paradigm should remain reduce & reuse and not necessarily paper vs. plastic and that our ordinances should be further refined to reflect additional measures to achieve such.

Survey to Cambridge Businesses

Cambridge DPW sought feedback from food-service businesses on a proposed ban on single-use plastics such as utensils, clamshell containers, cups, lids and straws. Conducted in Fall 2019, approximately 25% of food-service businesses in Cambridge responded to the survey.

Most acknowledged the concerns associated with the environmental impact of single-use products. However, it should also be noted that many were opposed to an ordinance banning single-use plastic items without a clear path for businesses to continue providing high-quality food/beverages services in a financially sustainable way.

One business stated, “after the Styrofoam ban, my costs [increased from $0.01 to $0.18-0.26 per container]. Meanwhile a customer will complain if their meal goes up a quarter. Please consider small businesses … we operate on a small enough margin without adding more restrictions.”

Additionally, many expressed concerns, that alternative products don’t perform as well as plastics. For example, one business owner stated, “paper doesn't hold the hot items we mainly sell. We have tried paper and customers complain of leakage, thus requesting refunds.” Indeed, it was also pointed out to us that many of the alternative products typically identified as reasonable alternatives were also challenging in terms of natural degradation and recyclability.

Finally, many businesses indicated that they have implemented changes to reduce single-use consumption. One business stated, “We use sip-through lids for iced beverages but keep straws for folks who request them. We offer discounts to customers who bring their own reusable containers, but many customers still don't and want single-use cups”.

The environmental impact of takeout containers

In trying to provide a broader context for this discussion and in further reflecting on the axiom: reduce & reuse, we recognize that the environmental impact of a product is more complex than its recyclability; it includes upstream impacts (i.e. extraction, manufacturing, transportation) as well as downstream impacts (i.e. disposal, recycling, landfill, or digestion) and therefore, not consuming a single-use item in the first place is the best policy of all. The United Nations’ Lifecycle Institute conducted a meta-analysis of lifecycle assessments for various takeout materials. Their conclusions are that there are not clear winners between plastics, paper, or aluminum packaging. Rather, they suggested taking a more thorough systems thinking approach to determining how to reduce the environmental impact.

According to Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality using compostable materials (and composting them) was found to result in higher environmental impacts than using non-compostable materials. Furthermore, compostable containers are not desired by our current food waste processor, Waste Management’s CORe. Increasingly, other composting facilities are finding it difficult to manage compostable serviceware too.

About plastic recycling:

Commodity	Value (per ton)
Metals	$620
Plastics	$508
Papers	$63
Glass	-$53
Trash	-$105

Currently, Casella’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Charlestown accepts rigid plastic containers such as jugs, tubs, bottles, cups, and other food-service containers. All these plastics are recycled in North America after they’re sorted and baled in Charlestown. The market for recyclable plastics is presently strong, contrary to some news reports. Since 2017, more than $5.3 billion has been invested in plastics recovery in the US. On average, plastics are among the most “financially” valuable part of the City’s recycling program - not that finance, in and of itself, should be the determining factor. Finally, it should be acknowledged that while the City of Cambridge has a very successful recycling program, based on our waste sorts, there remains a 15% portion of our waste that could be recycled and a not insignificant portion of that is plastic.

What are Cambridge’s options?

Although DPW does not recommend a single-use plastics ban, there are pieces of the Berkeley and Brookline ordinances that may be adopted and incorporated into our municipal code and practices to improve recycling and promote reduce & reuse. DPW recommends the following:

1. Require that consumers opt-in to a single-use item rather than having to opt-out of consuming a product. Many Cambridge businesses have implemented this change in their online ordering. The following items would be offered at a self-serve station or by request: straws, stirrers, utensils, condiments, cup sleeves, tops/lids, or other disposable foodware item used as part of food/beverage service or packaging.

2. Amend the Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance to remove the exemption for produce bags. Requiring that produce bags be compostable or recyclable will not only reduce plastic consumption but supports the City’s curbside organics program.

3. Require that businesses provide color-coded and labeled receptacles for separating waste into recycling and trash (and compost, if the business has the service).

4. Require that food-service retailers provide reusable dishware for on-site consumption.

Furthermore, DPW is committed to developing a reduce/reuse webpage on the City’s website to educate businesses and consumers on how they may take action to reduce & reuse.

Not recommending a single-use plastics ban is not a promotion of plastics, rather, DPW believes that an outright ban on single-use plastics may not be as impactful as the changes we propose above, which may ultimately lead to more significant changes in consumption habits.

Finally, DPW wants to constructively work with businesses to increase recycling/composting, while reducing single-use items and wants to do so with strategies that are not financially impactful, most particularly as businesses try to stay in operation during COVID and try to recover as a result of the pandemic.

7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-23, regarding a report on implementing a curbside textile recycling program.
Referred to Health & Environment Committee 9-0

Mar 29, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached a response to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-23, regarding a report on implementing a curbside textile recycling program, received from Public Works Commissioner Owen O'Riordan.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

To: Louis DePasquale, City Manager
From: Owen O’ Riordan, Commissioner, DPW
Re: Council Order POR 2020 #104 regarding implementing a curbside textile recycling program and report back to the Council on this matter.
DATE: Mar 23, 2021

In response to the above referenced Council Order, please be advised of the following:

The Department of Public Works has examined different programs for increasing textile diversion in the city. Over the last several months the City has met with several organizations to see what service options are available. At this time, we expect to be able provide a program for residents by the end of 2021. The process and timeline is in line with that which was proposed in the Zero Waste Master Plan where the City committed to “develop and implement a textile recycling strategy either run by the City or in partnership with an existing organization” by 2021.

What are textiles?

For the purpose of this discussion, textiles are a category of attire, bedding, towels, and other fabrics. Although good-condition clothing is the most valuable form of textile, there continues to be great value in recycling the fabrics of towels, bedding and stained clothing into new products such as shoddy (a material used in manufacturing rags), carpeting or filler for products such as home insulation products or car insulation material.

Textile Recycling Models

Currently, there are a few models for textiles diversion available for cities like Cambridge. There is the curbside collection model, pioneered by Simple Recycling, a for-profit organization primarily based in the New England region whose program has been operating in many municipalities in Massachusetts, including Somerville and Natick. The program involves curbside collection of textiles in a pink bag at all participating households. Collection is weekly on the same day as trash collection.

A second model for textiles diversion is the drop-off model. Currently there are at least five (5) companies with textile drop-off locations in Cambridge. Residents simply drop-off the material inside the bins and the vendor services them. Presently, none of these companies have their containers placed on public property in the city and to fully take advantage of a drop-off model additional facilities would be required and would need to be managed so as to limit overflowing drop-off containers that are sometimes observed at the various private locations throughout the city.

Finally, a third model is a hybrid of drop-off and curbside. HELPSY was selected to roll out the City of Boston’s program and also provides services to many municipalities in the New York City area. The vendor will work with property managers and the local government to identify potential locations for new textile bins, including locations on City property. They also operate an on-demand option for a curbside pickup of textiles. If the City were to choose to work with HELPSY then, the City would collaborate to find the best program to allow people to have textiles picked up from their front porch or curb (somewhat like the mattress recycling program with UTEC). HELPSY is also a for-profit organization; it is a B Corporation, i.e. a business that proports to balance purpose and profit. As such, they are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.

Next Steps

HELPSY and Simple Recycling provide reasonably thorough services and they have flexibility in terms of what will be required by the City. Each business indicates that they will accept all textiles and clothing, regardless of quality. Many smaller organizations accept good-quality attire only, and do not want the remainder of textiles. To achieve the maximum diversion of textiles at this time, the Department of Public Works will continue to discuss the details of a City of Cambridge program with both of these companies and indeed other stakeholders over the next number of months and expects to announce a comprehensive program by the end of 2021.

8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to request for approval to submit a Home Rule Petition that (1) would authorize the City of Cambridge (“City”) to relocate land protected by Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution (“Article 97”) at the Father Callanan Playground and Fields in Cambridge (“Callanan Field”) that are adjacent to the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools (the “Site”), and (2) would authorize the City to construct subsurface geothermal wells under a portion of the Callanan Field.
Order Adopted 9-0

Mar 29, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am writing to request that you approve the submission of a Home Rule Petition that (1) would authorize the City of Cambridge (“City”) to relocate land protected by Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution (“Article 97”) at the Father Callanan Playground and Fields in Cambridge (“Callanan Field”) that are adjacent to the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools (the “Site”), and (2) would authorize the City to construct subsurface geothermal wells under a portion of the Callanan Field.

Specifically, relief is required from the Legislature to complete the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools Project (“Project”). As background, the current school building has equipment and finishes which are well past their useful life, and with the expected increase in student population, the building is in dire need of renovation and replacement. The Project envisions a new building which will provide for better stormwater management and which will contemplate a goal of zero on-site greenhouse gas emissions. The Project will include low-flow plumbing fixtures, heat pumps, a high-performance building envelope, geothermal wells, energy recovery systems, on-site renewable energy, expanded use of natural light, as well as other sustainability features.

The Callanan Field contains open space protected by Article 97. Land that is held and dedicated for parkland uses pursuant to Article 97 (“Park Land”) may only be re-used for another use with the consent of two-thirds of both houses of the Legislature. Article 97 provides in relevant part that: “the people shall have the right to clean air and water, freedom from excessive and unnecessary noise, and the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic qualities of their environment.”   “Lands and easements taken or acquired for such purposes shall not be used for other purposes or otherwise disposed of except by laws enacted by a two-thirds vote, taken by yeas and nays, of each branch of the general court.”

In order to complete the Project, some of the Park Land must be removed from Article 97 protection and utilized for school use. City staff have met with staff of the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (“EOEA”) about the Article 97 issues associated with the Project. The City indicated to EOEA staff that it proposes to replace the Park Land that needs to be removed with about 40% more dedicated land than what it proposes to remove. EOEA staff indicated their support for the City’s proposal with regard to the Project and more specifically, the City’s proposed Article 97 Park Land replacement plan.

As shown in the plan attached hereto as Attachment A, the existing site conditions contain about 193,540 square feet of Park Land, shown in green. The proposed new site conditions propose the removal of about 10,640 square feet of Park Land (shown in gray on Attachment B), and replacement with about 40% more designated Park Land than is being removed, for a total of about 14,500 square feet of newly designated Park Land (shown in blue on Attachment B), bringing the total designated Park Land at Callanan Field to about 197,700 square feet.

Attachment C shows the proposed total designated Park Land, which will be in a contiguous parcel and will include numerous new park amenities, including newly renovated playgrounds, various new park features, rain gardens and trees, and a redeveloped recreational use path. The boundaries established in the attachments define the limits, more or less, of the building footprint and its relationship to the dedicated open space. This space only establishes the parameters of the community space and is not fully designed. Once approval is given the design team will meet will all stakeholders (Community, City & School) in subsequent meetings to finalize the design package. As noted above, EOEA staff have indicated support for the City’s proposal with regard to this Project and the City’s Article 97 plan.

Relief is also required from the Legislature to construct deep subsurface geothermal wells under the Park Land, which are an important part of the Project’s sustainability features. The proposed approximate location of the geothermal wells is depicted on Attachment C, shown in green with hatching. All existing public park and open space uses that are currently conducted in that part of the Callanan Field will continue to be conducted after the installation of the deep subsurface geothermal wells, which will have no effect upon the usability of the Park Land.

In order to proceed with the Project, which will provide a more usable and comfortable school building, advance the City’s sustainability goals, and increase and improve the City’s designated Article 97 protected land, I ask that the City Council vote in favor of filing the attached Home Rule Petition.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO UTILIZE CERTAIN LAND USED FOR PARK, PLAYGROUND OR RECREATION USES FOR GENERAL MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SCHOOL PURPOSES, AND FOR INSTALLATION OF SUBSURFACE GEOTHERMAL WELLS IN CERTAIN LAND USED FOR PARK, PLAYGROUND OR RECREATION USES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in the General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, and pursuant to Article 97 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth:

SECTION 1. The City of Cambridge is hereby authorized to use for general municipal uses, including but not limited to school purposes, and for all purposes incidental thereto, a portion of an area of land now owned by said City at the Father Callanan Playground and Fields, located at Concord Avenue near Alpine Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, currently used for park, playground or recreational purposes, such portion consisting of an area of 10,640 square feet, more or less, as shown on the grey area denoted on the plan attached hereto as Exhibit “1.”

SECTION 2. The City of Cambridge is hereby authorized to use for the installation and maintenance of subsurface geothermal wells a portion of an area at the same address now owned and held by the City for park, playground or recreational purposes upon the land denoted in the hatched green area, more or less, upon the plan attached hereto as Exhibit “2.” The surface above such wells shall continue to be used for park, playground, or recreational purposes.

SECTION 3. This act shall take full effect upon its acceptance by majority vote of the City Council of said City, but not otherwise.

Agenda Item Number 8     Mar 29, 2021

ORDERED: That the City Council petition the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to enact the attached home rule petition entitled, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO UTILIZE CERTAIN LAND USED FOR PARK, PLAYGROUND OR RECREATION USES FOR GENERAL MUNICIPAL PURPOSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SCHOOL PURPOSES, AND FOR INSTALLATION OF SUBSURFACE GEOTHERMAL WELLS IN CERTAIN LAND USED FOR PARK, PLAYGROUND OR RECREATION USES.

2. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting questions for the City Manager's COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 9-0

COVID-19 UPDATE QUESTIONS

COUNCILLOR NOLAN
1. The American Rescue Plan bill passed, and approximately $87 million will be sent to Cambridge. In light of the many pressing needs, this funding should help the city move forward on many goals - addressing home insecurity and preventing evictions, ensuring all residents know how to access vaccines, exploring municipal broadband. Have any of the funds been allocated, and what is the plan for allocating the funds?

2. As more people return to work, transportation options other than single occupancy vehicles need to be available, accessible, and safe. The most sustainable and healthy form of travel is by walking, biking, or public transit. The City Council and School committee have sought to provide free public transit options for residents, and there is now a statewide conversation about lowering fares. What has and can and will the city do to further those goals?

MAYOR SIDDIQUI
1. What information does the expert panel have regarding the State sequencing of the 3 known COVID variants, and whether they are a factor in the current spike in cases in Massachusetts?

COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
1. According to the City’s data, the number of Cambridge COVID tests from late February through March has been the highest at any point in the pandemic. Can you provide some context for why this is?

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Mar 29, 2021
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
VICE MAYOR MALLON
WHEREAS: August is National Black Business Month, a period in which communities all across the country seek to highlight, support, and lift up their local Black-owned businesses; and
WHEREAS: Similarly, October is Women’s Small Business Month, a period in which communities all across the country seek to highlight, support, and lift up their local small businesses owned by women; and
WHEREAS: According to statistics citied in a recent article on Next Door, Black-owned businesses “…account for 9.4 percent of all firms, which is still below the 13.1 percent Black or African American share of the U.S. adult population [while]…59% of Black-owned businesses are operated by women,” and “…the COVID-19 outbreak disproportionately hurt minority businesses—with Black-owned businesses being especially disrupted [and a finding] that 41% of Black-owned businesses had been shuttered due the pandemic, a striking difference to the just 17% of white-owned businesses”; and
WHEREAS: According to statistics citied in a recent Business.com article, “women own 42% of businesses in the United States, women-owned businesses generate $1.9 trillion annually [and] women of color account for 50% of female business owners”; and
WHEREAS: In keeping with the City’s efforts to lift up our local Black-owned businesses – particularly as the entire local economy has taken a significant hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic – it would be fitting for the City to fully embrace National Black Business Month, and it would be equally fitting for the City to fully embrace Women’s Small Business Month; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department and other relevant City staff to coordinate efforts to formally recognize and promote National Black Business Month in August and Women’s Small Business Month in October, and to report back to the City Council on these efforts in a timely manner.

O-2     Mar 29, 2021
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: Dr. Cornel West has made significant contributions as a philosopher and public intellectual including in the study of race, class and religion in American society and has been called “the pre-eminent African-American intellectual of our generation” by the professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.; and
WHEREAS: Dr. West’s books including Race Matters, Democracy Matters, The American Evasion of Philosophy: A Genealogy of Pragmatism, and Prophesy Deliverance!: An Afro-American Revolutionary Christianity have been best sellers that have both influenced academic discourse and helped make that discourse accessible to the broader public; and
WHEREAS: For the past few years, Dr. West has been a Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy at the Harvard Divinity School with joint appointments in the Department of African and African-American Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the university; and
WHEREAS: Harvard University has a record of not granting prominent academics of color tenure including Dr. West and Dr. Lorgia García Peña, which has been a source of frustration for students and faculty at Harvard and beyond; and
WHEREAS: Dr. West has announced he is finishing up his third stretch as a Cambridge resident— which includes his time as an undergraduate and professor at Harvard University—to become a professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City; and
WHEREAS: During his time as a Cambridge resident, Dr. West has been generous with his time and participated in numerous local public events, including conversations hosted by the Cambridge Public Library on the history of race and caste and the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record expressing its gratitude for Dr. West’s time in Cambridge, its disappointment to see him leave the city, and wishing him the best of luck at Union Theological Seminary and in his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow and Harvard Divinity School Dean David Hempton; and be it further
RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr. Cornel West.

O-3     Mar 29, 2021
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the scheduling of meetings remains difficult; and
WHEREAS: The Council should find ways to communicate Council priorities and ideas for improving the city budget; and
WHEREAS: The Council and the city administration work best when there are opportunities for open communication; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Mayor is requested to work with the Finance Committee chairs to schedule a roundtable meeting of the Council as soon as possible to discuss budget priorities for Fiscal Year 22.

O-4     Mar 29, 2021
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: The city has been shaken by the March 27 murder of 19-year-old Cambridge resident Xavier Louis-Jacques, who was found on Pemberton Street suffering from gunshot wounds and who later died of his injuries; and
WHEREAS: This tragic incident follows a report of gunshots in the area of Windsor Street and Harvard Street just one day prior, and of gunshots in the area of 100 Cherry Street two days before that, and all three incidents have contributed to the sense of increasing violence in our city; and
WHEREAS: With the coming warmer weather, violent incidents tend to rise in cities across the country, communities like Cambridge must be proactive in working to prevent violence from occurring, and the City of Cambridge must send a very clear message that gun violence will not be tolerated in our city; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Chair of the Civic Unity Committee be and hereby is requested to schedule a virtual meeting of the Safe Streets, Safe City initiative as soon as possible to provide a forum for the Cambridge Police to report back on any information about the murder of Mr. Louis-Jacques and other recent episiodes of gunshots that can be shared with the community, and for area stakeholders to begin sharing information and planning on how we can all work collaboratively to keep this community safe as we enter the summer months.