Cambridge City Council meeting - April 6, 2020

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request for the City Council to adopt a statutory small business exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $10,000.00 in assessed value, and if approved as a special act by the Legislature and Governor of the Commonwealth, for personal property accounts equal to or less than $20,000.00 in assessed value.
Orders Adopted 9-0

Apr 6, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Based upon a review of the City of Cambridge’s (“City”) personal property accounts, I am proposing adoption by the City Council of a statutory small business exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $10,000.00 in assessed value, and if approved as a special act by the Legislature and Governor of the Commonwealth, for personal property accounts equal to or less than $20,000.00 in assessed value. This recommendation is made to help small businesses in Cambridge for Fiscal Year 2021 going forward. This is one part of the City’s effort to help small business in Cambridge through a combination of programs including small business initiatives, grants, workshops and tax relief, particularly with respect our effort to assist small businesses dealing with the ramifications of COVID-19.

For smaller accounts, this proposed exemption would decrease the administrative burden upon small businesses and upon the City Assessing and Finance Departments. Fiscal year 2020 was used to analyze the proposed impact of this exemption. At fiscal year 2020 tax rates, the proposed exemption would save a small business $126.80 for a $10,000.00 exemption, and $253.60 for a $20,000.00 tax exemption. For fiscal year 2020, the City has 2,576 personal property accounts. Of those, 62% have an assessed value of $20,000.00 or less (which represents just 0.54 percent of the overall personal property valuation in the City of $1.679 billion dollars), and 49% have an assessed value of $10,000.00 or less (which represents just 0.27 percent of the overall personal property valuation in the City of $1.679 billion dollars).

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has enacted a statute which allows cities and towns which accept its provisions to allow for an exemption for personal property tax, not to exceed $10,000.00:

The following property shall be exempt from taxation . . . Fifty-fourth. Personal Property, if less than an amount established by the city or town, but not in excess of $10,000 of value. This clause shall take effect upon its acceptance by a city or town, which shall establish a minimum value of personal property subject to taxation and may modify the minimum value by vote of its legislative body.
G.L. c. 59, §5, clause 54th (“Clause 54”).

The City has not accepted Clause 54, and based upon the foregoing, I recommend that the City Council issue an order accepting the provisions of Clause 54, which was originally enacted through Chapter 159 of the Acts of 2000, and to establish the exemption for the amount of $10,000.00 for Fiscal Year 2021 going forward.

I also recommend that the City request authority from the legislature to allow for a larger $20,000.00 personal property tax exemption for small businesses, for the reasons stated above. As such, attached is a form of vote for the City Council to adopt G.L.c.59, §5, cl.54th and a separate form of vote and proposed home rule petition for submission to the Legislature to allow the City to establish an exemption in the amount of $20,000.00 for Fiscal Year 2021 going forward if adopted by the Legislature.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

Agenda Item Number 1A Apr 6, 2020

WHEREAS: Small businesses in the City of Cambridge (“City”) are in need of substantial assistance due to the economic effects of the response to COVID-19;

WHEREAS: Payments of personal property tax is a financial and administrative burden for small businesses, and for smaller accounts, an administrative burden upon City departments;

WHEREAS: For fiscal year 2020, 49% of the City personal property accounts had an assessed value of $10,000 or less, which represents just 0.27% of the overall personal property valuation of the City;

WHEREAS: For a $10,000.00 personal property tax account, the proposed exemption would save a small business $126.80 at fiscal year 2020 rates;

WHEREAS: G.L. c. 59, § 5, Clause Fifty-Fourth allows a city to exempt personal property from taxation and provides as follows:

The following property shall be exempt from taxation . . . Fifty-fourth. Personal Property, if less than an amount established by the city or town, but not in excess of $10,000 of value. This clause shall take effect upon its acceptance by a city or town, which shall establish a minimum value of personal property subject to taxation and may modify the minimum value by vote of its legislative body.

WHEREAS: A personal property tax exemption is one part of the City’s effort to assist small businesses in the City, and now, therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Council goes on record accepting the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59 §5, clause fifty fourth, which allows for an exemption for personal property tax not in excess of $10,000 of value; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager direct City departments to institute the full personal property tax exemption of $10,000 of value as soon as practicable.

Agenda Item Number 1B Apr 6, 2020

WHEREAS: Small businesses in the City of Cambridge (“City”) are in need of substantial assistance due to the economic effects of the response to COVID-19;

WHEREAS: Payment of personal property tax is a financial and administrative burden for small businesses, and for smaller accounts, an administrative burden upon City departments;

WHEREAS: For fiscal year 2020, 62% of the City personal property accounts had an assessed value of $20,000 or less, which represents just 0.54% of the overall personal property valuation of the City;

WHEREAS: For a $20,000.00 personal property tax account, the proposed exemption would save a small business $253.60 at fiscal year 2020 rates;

WHEREAS: Approval from the General Court is required for the City to offer a $20,000.00 personal property tax exemption;

WHEREAS: A personal property tax exemption is one part of the City’s effort to assist small businesses in the City, and now, therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager direct the City Solicitor to draft a home rule petition requesting authorization for the City to allow a personal property tax exemption up to $20,000.00 of value; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager direct City departments to institute the full personal property tax exemption of $20,000 of value as soon as practicable after approval of the aforementioned home rule petition.

Agenda Item Number 1C Apr 6, 2020

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 ALLOW FOR A PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION OF $20,000.00 OR LESS.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO ALLOW FOR A PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION OF $20,000.00 OR LESS

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

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 5 of chapter fifty-nine of the general laws, clause 54th, or any other general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the City of Cambridge shall be permitted to allow for exemption from taxation of personal property not in excess of $20,000.00 of value.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon its acceptance by majority vote of the city council of the City of Cambridge. The city council of the City of Cambridge shall vote to establish a minimum value of personal property subject to taxation, subject to the limitations contained in Section 1 hereto.

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the General Court Assembled.

The undersigned, City Councillors of Cambridge, respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying bill or resolve, and/or for legislation.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO ALLOW FOR A PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION OF $20,000.00 OR LESS.

2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $25,000 from the General Fund Electrical Department Salary & Wages Account to the Electrical Travel and Training account (Judgments and Damages) to cover medical services and/or prescription reimbursement costs for personnel injured in performance of their duties.
Order Adopted 9-0

3. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $16,620.00 from Free Cash to the General Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account for the support of the daytime operation of the First Church in Cambridge Shelter for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
Order Adopted 9-0

4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Placed on File 8-1 (Zondervan - NO)

CHARTER RIGHT
1. An application was received from Sam Kachmar, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 207 Lakeview Avenue; 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. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL MAR 30, 2020]
Adopted 9-0

2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking, and Transportation on streets in each neighborhood that could be closed to all non-essential traffic for the duration of the Health Emergency and report back to the council as soon as possible. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL MAR 30, 2020]
Tabled 5-4

3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with DCR to explore closing Memorial Drive for the duration of the Stay at Home order to give people in Cambridge a safe space to exercise and be outside without violating social distancing practices. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL MAR 30, 2020]
Tabled 5-4

ON THE TABLE
4. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor, Community Development, Public Works, Inspectional Services and any other related departments to review the proposed amendments regarding the prohibition of Natural Gas Infrastructure in New Buildings. [TABLED ON JAN 27, 2020]

5. That the “2020 Cycling Safety Ordinance” be forwarded to the Ordinance Committee for discussion and recommendation. [TABLED ON MAR 23, 2020.]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-108, regarding a report on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee Elections. [PENDING RESPONSE FROM LEGISLATURE]

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Victoria Lynn Awkward, regarding support for BioMed Rezoning.

3. A communication was received from Kimberly S. Courtney, ESQ., regarding City Contracts for food preparation.

4. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, 37 Brookline Street, regarding the Earth being a living being.

5. A communication was received from John Pitkin, 18 Fayette Street, regarding War Memorial Recreation Center and Field House and temporary use of side street.

6. A communication was received from Dan Yonah Marshall, regarding Support of Rezoning 585 Third Street.

7. A communication was received from Maggie Currier, regarding Application for curb cut at the location of 207 Lakeview Avenue.

2. That the City Council go on record thanking the Black Student Union for their important video thanking the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School's Custodial and Food Servicepersons for their dedicated service. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the relevant City departments to give the Council a financial impact summary on how the local Covid-19 response will be impacting the City’s free cash and ability to budget looking into July 1, 2021, and to report back to the City Council in a timely manner. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone
Charter Right - Simmons (The City Clerk feels this duplicates O-5 of Mar 30, 2020 meeting. Simmons disagrees.)

2. That the Mayor’s Office be and hereby is urged to convene discussions with representatives of MIT and Harvard University to make determinations as to whether this year’s annual senior luncheon gatherings shall be delayed or cancelled, to determine whether alternative celebrations can be planned it their wake, and to report back to the City Council in a timely manner. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Adopted 9-0

3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the relevant City departments to report back to the Council on what efforts have been made to work with other municipalities on this issue and to work with Cambridge’s State Delegation and the Governor’s office for a comprehensive regional housing plan to be put in place to house the homeless during the COVID-19 emergency. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern
Adopted 9-0

4. That the City Manager expand tax-filing and stimulus benefit assistance to low-income and unhoused residents. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan
Adopted 9-0

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Apr 6
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber – televised virtual meeting)

Tues, Apr 7
3:00pm The Economic Development and University Relations Committee will meet for a hearing to discuss a report back from the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department on steps the City of Cambridge has taken towards developing a vacant storefront registration policy. (cancelled)

Mon, Apr 13
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber – televised virtual meeting)

Tues, Apr 14
5:00pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Affordable Housing Overlay Petition. (cancelled)

Wed, Apr 15
3:00pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Affordable Housing Overlay Petition. (cancelled)

Thurs, Apr 16
5:30pm The Health and Environment Committee to hear a progress report and recommendations from the Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force. (cancelled)

Mon, Apr 27
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber – televised virtual meeting)

Tues, Apr 28
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss the Harvard Square Conservation District Study Committee report. (cancelled)

Tues, May 12
9:00am The Finance Committee will meet for a public hearing on the FY21 budget. (Sullivan Chamber – televised)

Wed, May 13
5:00pm The Finance Committee will meet for continued public hearings on the FY21 budget. (Sullivan Chamber – televised)

Mon, May 18
4:00pm Cambridge Scholarship Awards Ceremony (Sullivan Chamber – televised)
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber – televised)

O-2 Apr 6, 2020
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: Governor Baker has extended his orders for residents of the Commonwealth to continue sheltering-in-place at home until May 4, and the likelihood suggests that this date shall be pushed back further into May and possibly beyond; and
WHEREAS: With a vaccine for the Covid-19 virus unlikely to become available until sometime in 2021 at the earliest, it would appear that many large social gatherings will be delayed indefinitely to ensure the safety of residents in Cambridge, the Commonwealth, and across the country; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Mayor’s Office be and hereby is urged to convene discussions with representatives of MIT and Harvard University to make determinations as to whether this year’s annual senior luncheon gatherings shall be delayed or cancelled, to determine whether alternative celebrations can be planned it their wake, and to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
16-101. Report on the potential of building below market rental housing on City-owned parking lots along Bishop Allen Drive. On a communication from Councillor McGovern requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons (O-4) from 12/12/2016

16-108. Report on whether people displaced and qualify for Emergency Status who are using Section 8 in other cities or towns can retain their resident preference for the purpose of Inclusionary Housing. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 12/19/2016

18-38. Report on inventory of all City-owned vacant buildings and lots and the City's plans for them, if any.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui (O-2) from 3/26/2018

18-60. Report on a small business parking pilot that would allow temporary on-street employee parking during typical daytime operating hours.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 5/14/2018

18-73. Report on establishing and implementing a dynamic new initiative that will seek to place Port residents (ages 18 and over) on paths to jobs with family-sustaining wages.
Councillor Simmons (O-6) from 6/25/2018

18-119. Report on evaluating the existing capacity of fire stations in the Kendall Square area and whether a new fire station is needed, and if so, determining the feasibility of locating a plot of land for this use.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/5/2018

19-3. Report on establishing a Central Square Improvement Fund and allocate no less than 25% of funds generated to the arts.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-6) from 1/7/2019

19-21. Report on the process for establishing a formal, thorough review of the City’s Affordable Home Ownership programs, incorporating a plan for obtaining and analyzing substantial quantitative data inclusive of all types of units.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-3) from 2/25/2019

19-22. Report on the feasibility of allowing small businesses to host live acoustic music performances without a license, and if feasible, present the City Council with a proposal to allow such performances.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-5) from 2/25/2019

19-45. Report on compiling a full accounting of streets, schools, and public buildings that may be named in honor of those who have ties to the American slave trade, and to work towards renaming all of these streets, schools, and buildings.
Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 4/8/2019

19-49. Report on recommending restrictions on signage specific to retail establishments that sell e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-15) from 4/8/2019

19-58. Report on working with the Recycling Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to draft an ordinance banning single-use plastic items in Cambridge.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-6) from 5/13/2019

19-62. Report on drafting a formal Anti-bias /Cultural Competency Strategic Plan for eventual adoption and implementation.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 5/20/2019

19-66. Report on whether it is possible to reduce or eliminate Building Permit Fees for 100% affordable housing development projects, through an exemption or other means and investigate what types of real estate tax abatements are possible for 100% affordable housing moving forward.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-3) from 6/3/2019

19-74. Report on establishing a working committee to review the monuments, memorials, and markers throughout Cambridge to determine whether any of these commemorate those who were linked to the slave trade or engaged in other similarly shameful acts and to determine which individuals should be newly recognized with a monument, memorial, or marker.
Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Devereux, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-2) from 6/10/2019

19-75. Report on exploring the feasibility of partnering with a local research institution to conduct a study that determines how many ridehail vehicles are on the roads during both on and off-peak times and their impacts on congestion and safety.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-4) from 6/10/2019

19-86. Report on developing a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan (O-5) from 6/24/2019

19-100. Report on the feasibility of implementing an additional regulatory requirement for listing a registration/license number for Short-Term Rentals.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (O-19) from 7/30/2019

19-106. Report on conducting City directed environmental testing on the Sullivan Courthouse building and water in basement, to determine the risk posed to the public, and provide a timeline of completion and to establish an operational understanding directly with DCAMM officials and ask for a state designee for communication/coordination on how the building will be secured and monitored.
Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-5) from 9/9/2019

19-123. Report on the feasibility of closing some portion of Harvard Square to vehicular traffic on a select number of days during the summer of 2020 to have open market-style events.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan (O-1) from 10/7/2019

19-127. Report on instituting regularly scheduled public conversations between Public Utilities' representatives from Eversource, the Water Dept. Comcast, Verizon and any other appropriate entities to keep the City and public informed.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-8) from 10/7/2019

19-130. Report on requesting to allocate more funds in the FY21 budget for the small business improvement grants and to confer with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office on whether other cities in Massachusetts have been facing similar issues with ADA compliance and what can be done to protect the small businesses.
Councillor Toomey (O-14) from 10/7/2019

19-132. Report on planting new trees in Magazine Beach Park in the Spring of 2020 with a special focus on the eastern end of the park and the grove area.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-18) from 10/7/2019

19-134. Report on increasing funding to the City’s HomeBridge program so that access to homeownership may be made available to a wider range of incomes, as the program intends.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey (O-20) from 10/7/2019

19-137. Report on determining if ISD can be given the authority to issue citations for smoking in non-smoking buildings and to report back to the City Council.
Councillor McGovern (Calendar Item #4) from 10/7/2019

19-139. Report on determining whether it would be possible to allow a permitted area for serving alcoholic beverages on Danehy Park property during special community-wide events.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #5) from 10/7/2019

19-141. Report on looking into the idea of hiring a social worker in the FY2021 budget for the Central Square Library branch.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern (Calendar Item #8) from 10/7/2019

19-142. Report on determining the feasibility of expediting the Demolition and Rebuilding permitting process in the event of a natural disaster.
Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 10/21/2019

19-144. Report on determining the feasibility of instituting and funding a Fire Cadet Program.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 10/21/2019

19-145. Report on reviewing all the City’s policies and procedures related to the procurement, installation and disposal of artificial turf.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan (O-7) from 10/21/2019

19-147. Report on installing hearing loop technology inside the Sullivan Chamber as part of the upcoming renovations to City Hall, and in other critical City meeting venues wherever possible and other accessibility improvements.
Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 10/28/2019

19-151. Report on the feasibility of making Porter Square and Massachusetts Avenue between Roseland Street and Beech Street a quick-build Complete Street with bus priority.
Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-10) from 10/28/2019

19-153. Report on plans designed to mitigate the impact of the closing of Windsor House upon Cambridge seniors.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern (O-4) from 11/4/2019

20-1. Report on the work that has been done to Support Small Business and the Arts through Tourism.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-2) from 1/13/2020

20-4. Report on the feasibility of instituting and funding a fare-free pilot bus program.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-5) from 1/27/2020

20-5. Report on the potential for implementing sufficient traffic-calming solutions on Upton Street.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern (O-7) from 1/27/2020

20-6. Report on the acquisition and implementation of interpretation services for City Council meetings and other public City meetings.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern (O-8) from 1/27/2020

20-7. Report on reviewing the roles, responsibilities, and compensation of City Council Aides with an eye toward designating this as a full-time position.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone (O-1) from 2/3/2020

20-8. Report on working with the residents in the vicinity of Eustis Street to implement traffic calming measures on this street.
Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 2/3/2020

20-9. Report on allocating the necessary funds, and develop a comprehensive public safety plan, including contingency plans so that the event can take place in a secure time and place, even in the presence of significant threats that can be anticipated.
Councillor Zondervan (Calendar Item #2) from 2/3/2020

20-10. Report on renaming the Agassiz neighborhood.
Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui (O-1) from 2/10/2020

20-11. Report on the process for renaming the maintenance area within the Ryan Garage at 147 Hampshire Street in honor of Sydney Cox, with this becoming known as the “Sydney James Cox Maintenance Facility.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 2/10/2020

20-12. Report on the feasibility of instituting a program to install rings on parking meters to expand bicycle parking options.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-4) from 2/10/2020

20-13. Report on expanding the Head Start program hours and adding additional scholarships to improve access to high-quality, early childhood educational resources.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-6) from 2/10/2020

20-15. Report on the feasibility of limiting the number of Saturdays and holidays any one developer can be permitted for any one construction project.
Vice Mayor Mallon (O-2) from 2/24/2020

20-16. Report on the feasibility of eliminating Library fines.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-3) from 2/24/2020

20-18. Report on the feasibility of implementing additional dedicated bus lanes, as well as fully separate protected bicycle lanes.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-6) from 2/24/2020

20-19. Report on producing a Request For Proposal for the municipal broadband feasibility study that was called for by the City's Broadband Task Force in August 2016.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan (O-7) from 2/24/2020

20-21. Report on preparing a report on any steps the city has taken to work towards developing a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-4) from 3/2/2020

20-22. Report on working with the Inspectional Service Department to increase the fines for absentee property owners who continue to have violations stemming for rodent infestations.
Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 3/16/2020