Cambridge City Council meeting - April 13, 2015 - AGENDA
Councillor Carlone was ABSENT.
Councillor Mazen was in Washington, DC at a political conference and participated via speaker phone.

RECONSIDERATION
1. Councillor Toomey notified the City Clerk of his intention to file reconsideration of the vote taken on Mar 30, 2015 to refer to the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee City Manager Agenda #18 and Calendar #8 as amended regarding the Pearl Street Reconstruction Project.
Reconsideration Fails 3-5-1 (Maher, Simmons, Toomey - YES; Carlone ABSENT)

2. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 15-22, regarding a report on allowing three days of parking ticket amnesty for those parked at metered spaces that are not accessible due to snow.

Apr 13, 2015
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 15-22, regarding a report on allowing three days of parking ticket amnesty for those parked at metered spaces that are not accessible due to snow, Traffic, Parking & Transportation Director Joseph Barr reports the following:

Parking meters are installed in business and retail districts of the city to ensure the availability of short term parking for people visiting and doing business at these locations. Users of metered parking space are required to both pay the meter and abide by posted time limits (the majority of the City's meters have a two-hour time limit, while some have one-hour or thirty minute limits). Due to the large amounts of snow this winter, parking in metered locations has been a significant challenge, both to access parking spaces and to pay the meter. When metered spaces can safely be used without blocking travel lanes but the meter is not accessible due to snow, the City's Parking Control Officers do not enforce the requirement that the meter be paid. However, they do continue to enforce the time limit for the location at which the vehicle is parked. Parking time limits are posted on signs in the vicinity of meters and are therefore visible despite snow banks. A similar policy is in place for meters that are out of order.

We believe this approach is effective and appropriate because it ensures turnover of parking spaces and is consistent with the City's existing parking regulations. Although we understand the difficulty people face in finding parking this winter, we would recommend against allowing people to park longer than the currently posted regulations. Doing so would conflict with the main goal of metered parking, which is to support the city's economic vitality by encouraging the turnover of parking spaces for customers visiting retail stores, restaurants, offices, and other local destinations.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

3. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Ethridge King as Cambridge Election Commissioner for a term of four years, effective Apr 1, 2015.

4. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-140, regarding a report on the feasibility of establishing a Garden of Peace.

5. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-124, regarding a report on the 2015 Cambridge Science Festival.

Apr 13, 2015
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-124, regarding a report on the 2015 Cambridge Science Festival, please be advised of the following:

The 2015 Cambridge Science Festival will take place at locations around Cambridge, as well as the region, from Apr 17, 2015 through Apr 26, 2015. The City of Cambridge collaborates with festival organizers to sponsor events and reach out to residents of all ages, the general public, and science community.

The festival is a public celebration showcasing Cambridge and the region's role in the latest science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) endeavors. Hands-on STEAM activities for all ages will be a feature of the Festival's Science Carnival and Robot Zoo event which will take place at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin high school Fieldhouse on Sat, Apr 18, 2015.

In addition, this year there are a number of STEAM related activities specifically targeting adults ranging from lectures, discussions, and expositions to networking opportunities, trivia, comedy shows and pub crawls. As part of these activities the festival will also include several events focusing on the role of STEAM to things such as beer and coffee brewing, cooking, science writing, urban design, education, art, robotics, and music. More information on the 2015 Cambridge Science Festival is available online at cambridgesciencefestival.org.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

6. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to requesting the appropriation of the Friends of the Community Learning Center (CLC) grant in the amount of $25,553 to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($21,424), to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($2,609), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Travel and Training account ($1,520).

7. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,601.37 from donations received from Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc. and from CASCAP Realty, Inc. to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account to purchase necessities and personal items for Multi-Service Center clients.

8. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Civic Education Grant for $11,575 funded by the Massachusetts Department of Education, Adult and Community Learning Services to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($8,653), and to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($2,922) to support ESOL/Civic Education classes provided by the Community Learning Center.

9. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Temporary Emergency Shelter grant received from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in the amount of $143,726.67 to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account for the Cambridge YWCA to operate its family shelter from Mar 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015.

10. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Shannon Grant received from the Metropolitan Mayors Community Safety Initiative through the Executive Office of Public Safety for $12,700 to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($10,368) and to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($2,332) to support the design and implementation of the City Peace program, a violence peer leadership internship for teens through the Youth Centers.

11. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $3,762,901 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($142,202), to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($3,619,699), and to the Grant Fund Human Services Travel and Training account ($1,000) for Continuum of Care Program funds for homeless services providers and costs related to serving homeless persons in Cambridge.

12. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,000 awarded to the Community Learning Center from World Education to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($501), and to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($499) to enhance a mentoring project with three Adult Basic Education programs.

13. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $22,000 from the General Fund Reserve Other Ordinary Maintenance to the General Fund Community Development Other Ordinary Maintenance account to augment the existing consultant contract for the Getting to Net Zero Task Force in order to complete the Net Zero Action Plan.

Apr 13, 2015
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting the transfer of $22,000 from the General Fund Reserve Other Ordinary Maintenance to the General Fund Community Development Other Ordinary Maintenance account.

This transfer will augment the existing consultant contract for the Getting to Net Zero Task Force in order to complete the Net Zero Action Plan.

The taskforce was originally expected to complete its work within 12 months, by January 2015. In early February, however, it was decided that the process would benefit from additional consultations with stakeholders including Mass Biotech Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Cambridge Compact for a Sustainable Future, and the general public. This consultation process requires the involvement of the consultant team and therefore additional budget.

The taskforce is expected to wrap up its work and forward a proposed Net Zero Action Plan to the City Council in early May 2015.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

14. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of additional funds received from the Sustained Enforcement (STEP) grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's Highway Safety Division in the amount of $50,250 to the Grant Fund Police Department Salary and Wages account. The total amount received is $100,500 and will be used to supplement sustained, high visibility, year-round traffic enforcement in specific locations throughout the city that have had serious crash and injury problems in the past.

15. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to appropriation of the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for $49,900 to the Grant Fund Human Rights Salary and Wages Account to cover a portion of the salary of an Attorney-Investigator, who works on cases from the Fair Housing Assistance Program.

16. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to an appropriation of $1,000. from MIT to the Grant Fund Human Rights Other Ordinary Maintenance account to support the Fair Housing Month Poster and Essay Contest event which is held in April.

17. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500 in donations received from the Cambridge Police Officers Association to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Other Ordinary Maintenance account to provide a weeklong celebration in recognition of National Telecommunications Week and the pivotal role that dispatchers play in supporting their public safety partners.

18. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-121, regarding traffic flow, crashes, and traffic enforcement on Rindge Avenue, Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Director Joseph Barr has submitted the attached report providing additional analysis and improvement recommendations.

19. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 15-19, regarding a report on the potential for and feasibility of adaptive traffic signal control technology within the city.

Apr 13, 2015
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 15-19, regarding a report on the potential for and feasibility of adaptive traffic signal control technology within the city, Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Director Joseph Barr reports the following:

Background
Traffic signals are one of the most important elements of our transportation system that affect the efficiency and quality of travel in the City of Cambridge are traffic signals. The City owns 134 traffic signals, most of which are in corridors where signals are found in sequence. Their performance can help or inhibit the free movement of bicycles, private vehicles, freight, and buses. The performance of our traffic signals can have meaningful impacts on the environment, neighborhood quality of life, traffic patterns, and overall community character.

While adaptive traffic signals have been shown to improve traffic operations for certain road networks, there are tradeoffs associated with this technology, particularly in a complex, multimodal environment such as Cambridge. As a result, it is important to begin with a brief overview of how our current traffic signal system operates.

Current Signal Operations
The Engineering Division of the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department is committed to creating high performance on the City's most important travel corridors. We have continuously upgraded electronics and kept older equipment in working order, subject to budget availability. All of or our equipment currently in place is fully capable of coordinated control, allowing the traffic signals to function as an efficient network that encourages smooth traffic flow at reasonable speeds. Today, nearly all of our high volume corridors operate in a coordinated manner, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

We currently use a technology called time-based coordination with our traffic signals. Our traffic engineering staff have designed a set of programs for each signal (using a state-of-the-art modeling tool called SYNCHRO) that are intended to minimize the number of stops along a corridor. A safe travel speed of 25 miles per hour has been assumed for most corridors. There are separate programs for the morning and afternoon rush hours, as well as all for the other times of day. In some cases, a fourth program for the busier middle of the day on Saturday is also in use. Time-based coordination relies an accurate timestamp to be kept at all locations, and some signals do this through communication with global positioning system satellites.

Adaptive Traffic Signal Control
Our current traffic signals use fixed times for all intervals of the traffic signal. In contrast, adaptive traffic control uses information about the vehicle traffic stream along with a set of algorithms to dynamically adjust the duration of green lights on the corridor. As a result, the system can constantly react to the needs of the public traveling by vehicle. The data required for these signals are obtained from an array of sensors in the street, potentially include video camera-based detection.

However, the use of adaptive traffic signal control involves a set of tradeoffs. When the signal adds green time at a specific intersection along a coordinated corridor, it must take away time from the side street. Along corridors where the vast majority of the traffic is using the "major" street, this is typically not a costly tradeoff. In Cambridge, however, even heavily-traveled corridors like Massachusetts Avenue only account for 60% of the volume at many intersections. Taking green time from side streets such as Linnaean Street or Prospect Street, for example, would result in significant additional queues of cars on these side streets.

Second, and more importantly, is the effect on pedestrians crossing the coordinated corridor. Pedestrian signals in Cambridge run concurrently with the green signal for car traffic. Any green time lost by the side street will also be lost by the WALK signal for the parallel crossing. Accordingly pedestrians would have less time to walk and would experience more delay, thereby making walking less attractive, which is contrary to the City's overall transportation policies.

Further, while the green times for car traffic are variable and can be adjusted down (to no fewer than six seconds), pedestrian clearance times, which usually occupy most of the green time, are not. Pedestrian clearance times (the flashing DON'T WALK at the end of the pedestrian crossings) allow a walker to complete any trip across the street that has already started, and cannot be changed for safety reasons (some have been lengthened in recent years to accommodate senior citizens and persons with disabilities). The yellow and all-red intervals are also fixed, leaving the WALK interval-which engineering standards require to be at least seven seconds-as the only interval can be dynamically adjusted.

Finally, adaptive traffic signal control systems sometimes present procurement challenges because they are proprietary systems. It may be difficult to write specifications that would be open to all bidders since our current equipment will likely only be compatible with one vendor's products.

Conclusion
While the current system of fixed time, time-based coordination is generally working well, there is certainly room for improvement. As noted, our signals rely on accurate time of day information, but not all of our intersections are equipped with GPS receivers. Further, engineering staff and our technicians must visit intersections on site to diagnose and correct problems or to make updates to programming, while malfunctions are usually not known until reported to us by road users. To correct these deficiencies, Traffic, Parking, and Transportation is planning to build a centralized communication system, which will allow us to connect to our traffic signals from our main office. All signals will always operate on standardized time and will immediately provide an alert in the case of any malfunction.

In summary, while there are certainly improvements planned and underway for the City's traffic signal system, we should fully understand the limitations and tradeoffs associated with adaptive traffic signal control before implementing this technology in a city with a high density of non-automotive road users, as well as discussing the potential environmental and community effects. In the shorter term, a centralized communication network would improve on current operations and ensure a high level of service for all users. We are very interested in continually upgrading our signal technology to be as effective as possible, but do not believe that adaptive traffic signal to be a necessary investment at this time.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

20. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 15-29 regarding the feasibility of installing trash barrels in and around Kendall Square, especially at the intersection of Binney Street and Broadway.

ON THE TABLE
1. Congratulations to Marvin Gilmore on the release of his biography Crusader for Freedom. Charter Right exercised by Mayor Maher on Resolution Number Twenty-seven of Oct 20, 2014. Placed on the Table on the motion of Mayor Maher on Oct 27, 2014.
Adopted 7-0-2 (Carlone and one other ABSENT)

2. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the status and next steps for the Beekeeping ordinance. Order Number Ten of Mar 30, 2015 Placed on the Table on the motion of Councillor Kelley on Mar 30, 2015.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor David P. Maher, Chair of the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing held on Nov 22, 2013 to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to the Municipal Code by adding a new Chapter 8.68 entitled "Concussion Prevention and Management in Youth Activities at City Facilities." The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Dec 23, 2013.

4. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to an update on the Foundry Building process, including the City's plans to collaborate with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (the "CRA") to redevelop the Foundry building in a way that meets the vision and objectives expressed by the City Council and the community. City Manager Agenda Number Seventeen of Dec 15, 2014 Referred to Unfinished Business. City Manager Agenda Item Twenty-four of Jan 29, 2015 referred to Unfinished Business.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from the Harvard University requesting permission to hang two temporary banners on electrical poles on Quincy Street. These banners will promote a temporary, original work of art involving the projection of images on the John Harvard statue located in front of University Hall in Harvard Yard. This piece will be active during the evenings of Apr 20-27, 2015. The temporary banners will be hung from Apr 13-28, 2015. Approval has been received from the Electrical Department.

2. An application was received from Rose V. Fanfan, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 316 Western 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.

3. An application was received from Ronald Smith, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 139 Charles Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Response has been received from the neighborhood association.
Charter Right - Toomey

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Michael Devney, 502 Green Street, regarding the virtual extension of Runway 33L.

2. A communication was received from Michael Brandon, 27 Seven Pines Avenue, regarding the removal of mature trees from the Cambridge Common.

3. A communication was received from Young and Chung Kim, 17 Norris Street, regarding the removal of mature trees from the Cambridge Common.

4. A communication was received from Robin Lapidus, Executive Director, Central Square Business Association and Sarah Kennedy, Director of Government Affairs, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, in opposition to Policy Order #12 submitted by Councillor Carlone and Councillor Mazen to amend the Central Square Overlay District.

5. A communication was received from Darlene Lombos, Vice-President, Greater Boston Labor Council, urging the City Council to pass Policy Order #11 to address labor issues raised at Cambridgepark Drive.

6. A communication was received from Shamaiah Turner, 11 Idaho Street, Boston on behalf of Karen Chen, Chinese Progressive, regarding irresponsible labor practices by the contractor at Cambrdigepark Drive.

7. A communication was received from Mark Erlich, 750 Dorchester Avenue, Boston, regarding the construction project at 165 Cambridgepark Drive.

8. A communication was received from Gary Mello, Franklin Street, regarding electric cars, parking meters and the appointment of election commissioner.

9. A communication was received from George Metzger, 130 Bishop Allen Drive, urging the City Council to reject Policy Order #12.

10. A communication was received from Joseph Poirer, 78 Highland Avenue, requesting the City Council to improve the transportation corridor design for Pearl Street.

11. A communication was received from Patrick W. Barrett III, 234 Broadway, regarding the effects of Policy Order #12 that will freeze development in Central Square.

12. A communication was received from Christina Giacobbe, Director of Emergency Communications and 911, regarding April 12-18th as National Telecommunications Week.

13. A communication was received from Hasson Rashid, 820 Massachusetts Avenue, relative to agenda items on the homeless.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulations CEO Noubar Afeyan and Flagship Ventures on its recent success and wishes for continued prosperity in its future endeavors.   Councillor Cheung

2. Congratulations to Professor Michael Stonebraker on being awarded the Turing Award by the Association for Computing Machinery.   Councillor Cheung

3. Congratulations founder Raj Aggarwal and Localytics on its recent success and wishes for continued prosperity in its future endeavors.   Councillor Cheung

4. Congratulations to Michael Leviton and Michael Krupp, owners of Area Four, for hosting President Obama and for being fine ambassadors for the Cambridge dining scene.   Councillor Cheung

5. Resolution on the death of Robert T. Griffin.   Mayor Maher

6. Commending the Newton Asian Pacific American Heritage Network on their commitment to diversity and inclusivity and best wishes as they celebrate the second annual Asian Pacific American heritage month.   Councillor Cheung

7. City Council support of the Next System Project in their fight to change the current political system so that it better serves the wellbeing of people, place, and planet.   Councillor Cheung

8. Congratulations OnShape on its recent success and wishes for continued prosperity in its future endeavors.   Councillor Cheung

9. Congratulations NuoDB on its recent success and wishes for continued prosperity in its future endeavors.   Councillor Cheung

10. Congratulations LiquiGlide on its recent success and wishes for continued prosperity in its future endeavors.   Councillor Cheung

11. Congratulations to Ipsen on their announcement of their new R&D center and best wishes for continued prosperity in its future endeavors.   Councillor Cheung

12. Congratulations Cybersecurity Factory on its recent success and wishes for continued prosperity in its future endeavors.   Councillor Cheung

13. Resolution on the death of Diane A. (Albert) Weinstein.   Mayor Maher

14. Resolution on the death of Anne Sprague (Barry) Brunsell.   Mayor Maher

15. Congratulations to edX on their commitment to quality education for everyone.   Councillor Cheung

16. Resolution on the death of William G. "Billy" Maher.   Councillor Toomey and Councillor Simmons

17. Retirement of Stephen Vesce from the Veterans' Services Department.   Mayor Maher

18. Congratulations to Boundless and CEO Ariel Diaz on joining forces with Valore.   Councillor Cheung

19. Congratulations to Cambridge Spirits on the occasion of its grand opening.   Councillor Cheung
Withdrawn

20. Resolution on the death of Marguerite Lillian Cooke.   Councillor Simmons

21. Congratulations to Akamai on their acquisition of Octoshape and their continued commitment to excellence.   Councillor Cheung

22. Resolution on the death of William R. Burke, Jr., retired Captain of the Cambridge Police Department.   Councillor Toomey

23. Congratulations to Rush Memorial AME Zion Church on the occasion of its 137th anniversary.   Councillor Simmons

24. Declare the month of April 2015 as Fair Housing Month in the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Maher

25. Declare the week of Apr 12-18, 2015 as National Telecommunicator's Week in the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Maher

26. Condolences to the family of Jessie L. Harris.   Councillor Simmons

27. Resolution on the death of Harold K. Curll, Jr.   Mayor Maher

28. Resolution on the death of Theresa J. (Teves) Medeiros.   Councillor Toomey

29. Resolution on the death of Carmela T. (DiTucci) Napolitano.   Councillor Toomey

30. Resolution on the death of Antonio Pimentel.   Councillor Toomey

31. Resolution on the death of Gabriel "Gabe" Rodrigues.   Councillor Toomey

32. Resolution on the death of Ana L. Rosa.   Councillor Toomey

33. Resolution on the death of Maria Alice (de Melo) Sousa.   Councillor Toomey

34. Resolution on the death of Phyllis J. (Curry) Stanton.   Councillor Toomey

35. Congratulations to the winning projects in the Participatory Budgeting process.   Councillor Cheung, Councillor Mazen, Councillor McGovern and Councillor Simmons

36. Speedy recovery wishes to Ethel Ampey.   Councillor Simmons

37. Congratulations to Dehlia Umunna on being appointed Clinical Professor of Law at Harvard Law School.   Vice Mayor Benzan

38. Congratulations to the Cambridge Rindge and Latin graduating class of 2015.   Vice Mayor Benzan

39. Congratulations to Mark Jaquith on being elected as the new president of the East Cambridge Planning Team.   Councillor Toomey

40. Congratulations to the newly elected members of the East Cambridge Planning Team.   Councillor Toomey

41. Retirement of Patricia Donahoe from the School Department.   Mayor Maher

42. Retirement of Gail Miller-Hayes from the School Department.   Mayor Maher

43. Resolution on the death of Helen P. (Callahan) Healy.   Mayor Maher

44. Thanks to Nancy Stiening for her many years of service to East Cambridge in her role as Secretary of the East Cambridge Planning Team.   Councillor Toomey

45. Thanks to Barbara Broussard for her many years of service to East Cambridge in her role as president of the East Cambridge Planning Team.   Councillor Toomey

46. Thanks to Joe Aiello as he finished his term as Board Member of the East Cambridge Planning Team.   Councillor Toomey

47. Happy 40th Birthday wishes to Boston City Councillor Tito Jackson.   Vice Mayor Benzan

48. Happy Birthday wishes to Chelsea City Councillor Calvin T. Brown.   Vice Mayor Benzan

49. Happy birthday wishes to Tanya Bacci-Benzan.   Vice Mayor Benzan

50. Happy Birthday wishes to Linda Murray.   Vice Mayor Benzan

51. Happy Birthday wishes to John L. Diaz.   Vice Mayor Benzan

52. Congratulations to the residents of the City of Cambridge on being named one of Livability.com's top 10 healthiest cities in America.   Councillor Cheung

53. Congratulations to the participants of Divest Harvard for their efforts in organizing Harvard Heat Week from Apr 12-17, 2015.   Councillor Cheung

54. Congratulations to Gerald Chertavian on being honored by Youth Villages for his commitment to youth empowerment and workforce development.   Vice Mayor Benzan

55. Congratulations to Wet Paint Nail Spa on 10 years of service to the Cambridge community.   Vice Mayor Benzan

56. Resolution on the death of Antonio Almeida.   Councillor Toomey

57. Resolution on the death of Theodore Anastos.   Mayor Maher

58. Happy 100th Birthday wishes to Eva Petralia.   Mayor Maher

59. Happy 98th Birthday wishes to Helen Marquedaunt.   Mayor Maher

60. Congratulations to the workers and advocates of the Harvard-owned DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in Allston on their victory in unionizing.   Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Benzan

61. Happy Birthday wishes to Sandra Albano, Donna P. Lopez and Paula M. Crane.   Councillor Toomey, Mayor Maher

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to no longer make use of any public funds for city employee travel to the State of Indiana while the Religious Freedom Restoration Act remains in effect.   Councillor Cheung

2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate departments to determine what types of traffic, parking, and other citations the city has legal jurisdiction over and to confer with the appropriate city departments to institute a day-fine policy in Cambridge.   Councillor Mazen

3. That the City Manager is requested to procure a high precision natural gas analyzer for the City Arborist to use to detect possible gas leaks surrounding City trees.   Councillor Cheung

4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads to investigate the feasibility of implementing "smart" parking solutions in the City of Cambridge, including: multi-spot meters, demand based price structuring, solar powered meters, RFID payment, floating car share vehicle spots as Boston is pursuing, pay by phone, meters that accept credit/debit or rechargeable parking card, and smart phone application integration.   Councillor Cheung

5. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council at the next regular meeting with an update on the Citywide planning process (Master Plan) including next steps and a timeline.   Councillor McGovern

6. That the City Manager is requested to delegate an individual to respond to the International Town-Gown Association's (ITGA) Town-Gown Relations survey.   Councillor Cheung

7. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads and provide a report on the ongoing 311 pilot program and next steps for Citywide implementation.   Councillor Cheung

8. That the City Manager is requested to make the Cambridge License Commission aware of the Council's opposition to any fee increases proposed for no-value liquor licenses due to the undue financial burden they would place on business owners in the City.   Councillor Cheung

9. That Article Six of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance entitled "Off Street Parking and Loading Requirements and Nighttime Curfew on Large Commercial Through Trucks" be amended in Section 6.20 entitled "Off Street Parking Regulations" to include information in "Carsharing Provisions." [attachment]   Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor Kelley and Councillor Simmons
Approved 8-0-1; Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board

10. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request for a street corner dedication in honor of Cambridge Police Officer the late John J. Guthrie in the vicinity of Massachusetts Avenue and Everett Street.   Mayor Maher

11. That the City Council go on record urging representatives of Hines Construction and Callahan Construction to meet with representatives of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters and the Building & Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District, or with other designated representatives of these organizations, to address the labor issues that have been raised at Cambridgepark Drive.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern and Councillor Cheung

12. That the City Council refer to the Ordinance Committee and the Planning Board, for hearing and report, an amendment to the Zoning Ordinances in Section 20.300 "Central Square Overlay District" regarding the granting of Special Permits in the Central Square Overlay District.   Councillor Carlone and Councillor Mazen
Failed 1-7-1 (Mazen YES; Carlone ABSENT)
RW Note: I don't recall it having ever happened that a proposed zoning amendment was defeated when introduced without even being formally referred to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board. This was a stunning rebuke of Councillors Carlone and Mazen (and their supporters).

13. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads to investigate the feasibility of requiring the construction of any new parking areas, specifically surface lots and parking structures, to contain the electrical framework to support electric vehicle charging stations and a minimum percentage of electric vehicle parking stations and to investigate the City of Cambridge's eligibility for the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program.   Councillor Cheung
Approved as Amended; Referred to Transportation & Public Utilities Committee - Kelley

14. That Article 13 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinances entitled "Planned Unit Development Districts" be amended in section 13.53.2 of 13.50 entitled "PUD-4, PUD-4A, PUD-4B and PUD-4C Districts: Development Controls" by striking out the first sentence and substituting in place thereof the following new sentence: The minimum size of the Development Parcel within PUD-4B shall be two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) square feet.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Cheung and Councillor McGovern
Charter Right - Cheung

15. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Law Department to provide information on what is Cambridge's regulatory option to have double poles removed.   Councillor Kelley

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, for a public hearing held on Dec 9, 2014 to discuss what can be done about double utility poles and underground wires.

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Councillor Leland Cheung regarding civility in public meetings. [attachment]

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Apr 13
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Apr 14
5:30pm   The Housing Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the reappointment of Gerard Clark as a Commissioner of the Cambridge Housing Authority for a term of five years and to receive from the Cambridge Housing Authority an update on the RAD progress and to receive responses to questions from the tenant Town Hall meeting of October 2014.  (Community Room, Main Library, Level 2)

Wed, Apr 15
5:30pm   The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the C2 portion of the K2C2 Study. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Apr 22
5:30pm   The Housing Committee will conduct a public hearing to continue the Mar 19, 2015 discussion on the incentive zoning study from the Community Development Department.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Apr 27
5:30pm   City Council Meeting & Budget Overview  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Apr 28
4:00pm   The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss amendments to the Cambridge Municipal Code in Chapter 9.04 entitled "Offenses Against Property."  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Apr 29
4:00pm   The Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss recommendations to ensure that all positions hired directly by the City of Cambridge, or by outside vendors, uphold the same high employment standards that the City urges all businesses to uphold.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 4
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)
7:00pm   The City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposal by the City of Cambridge to dispose of a long-term leasehold interest in the Foundry Property at 101 Rogers Street to the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) and on a request for diminution of the full disposition process. The public hearing is being held pursuant to the requirements of Section 2.110 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, regarding Disposition of City Property.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, May 6
4:00pm   Human Services and Veterans Committee  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, May 7
9:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2016 City Budget. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 11
4:00pm   2015 Scholarship Award Ceremony  (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm   Roundtable/Working Meeting with the Cambridge Housing Authority to discuss RAD. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, May 13
6:00pm   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2016 School Department Budget. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, May 14
9:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2016 City Budget. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 18
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, May 19
5:30pm   The Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss how economic development impacts and supports the quality of life of Cambridge residents, and to investigate the feasibility of establishing an agreement with ride-share services such as Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, May 21
9:00am   The Finance committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2016 City Budget (if necessary). This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 1
5:30pm   City Council Meeting & Budget Adoption  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 8
5:30pm   Roundtable/Working Meeting to discuss the master plan. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 15
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 22
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 29
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Sept 21
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Sept 28
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Oct 5
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Oct 19
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Oct 26
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Apr 13, 2015
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is a diverse community, bringing together people from all walks of life; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has long been a leader in fighting for equal rights for all people, no matter who they are or whom they love; and
WHEREAS: The City Council strongly condemns Indiana's new discriminatory law, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which allows organizations to refuse service to members of the LGBT community on religious grounds; and
WHEREAS: The taxpayers of the City of Cambridge should not be asked to subsidize legally-sanctioned discrimination against LGBT people; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to no longer make use of any public funds for city employee travel to the State of Indiana while the Religious Freedom Restoration Act remains in effect.

O-3     Apr 13, 2015
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City Manager has been working with the Department of Public Works, local non-profit HEET, and NSTAR to repair damage to the City's infrastructure of underground pipes; and
WHEREAS: Underground natural gas leaks cause damage to the root systems of trees, suffocating and killing them; and
WHEREAS: The repair of these leaks is in the best interest of the City of Cambridge as it will result in greater resident safety, savings on energy costs, and a healthier growing environment for our trees; and
WHEREAS: The City Arborist is often the first to notice, or be made aware of dying trees, which may be indicators of gas leakage; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to procure a high precision natural gas analyzer for the City Arborist to use to detect possible gas leaks surrounding City trees; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ensure that the City Arborist receives training on the correct use of a high precision natural gas analyzer; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ensure that the City Arborist checks for gas leaks prior to planting any new trees in the City; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-4     Apr 13, 2015
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: Metered parking spots are a limited resource in the City of Cambridge and drivers often are forced to waste time trying to find spots and locate the necessary change to pay for a coin operated parking meter; and
WHEREAS: Researchers from MIT's Senseable City Lab estimate that the average American spends fifty hours yearly looking for parking, which wastes fuel, increases pollution, and exacerbates traffic congestion; and
WHEREAS: Cities like Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., have introduced "smart" parking systems, which integrate re-usable meter cards, smartphone apps to pay for parking, solar powered meters, multi-spot meters, flexible use spots to host shared cars, and mobile applications that act as spot finders to ease parking congestion; and
WHEREAS: Other leading cities have also introduced demand based parking, which reduces rates when demand for spots is low, and increases rates when demand is high. This helps induce greater spot turnover; and
WHEREAS: Many cities have seen an increase in parking revenue after replacing traditional meters with smart meters due to increased turnover and more efficient parking spot usage; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads to investigate the feasibility of implementing "smart" parking solutions in the City of Cambridge, including: multi-spot meters, demand based price structuring, solar powered meters, RFID payment, floating car share vehicle spots as Boston is pursuing, pay by phone, meters that accept credit/debit or rechargeable parking card, and smart phone application integration; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to report back to the City Council with a plan to implement "smart" parking solutions in Cambridge.

O-6     Apr 13, 2015
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is one of the major Town-Gown communities in both the United States and World; and
WHEREAS: The International Town-Gown Association is conducting a survey, in partnership with the National League of Cities on issues facing university communities; and
WHEREAS: The International Town-Gown Association is soliciting input from as many communities as possible in order to ensure high-quality and accurate survey results, and a response from the City of Cambridge would be useful for the City to compare itself with its peers; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to delegate an individual to respond to the International Town-Gown Association's (ITGA) Town-Gown Relations survey; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely fashion.

O-7     Apr 13, 2015
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: Non-emergency constituent phone service (also known as "311") is a growing nationwide trend among municipalities looking to provide more efficient services and improve communications with their citizens; and
WHEREAS: According to a UMass Boston survey, 43% of local governments reported a significant decrease in non-emergency 911 calls following implementation of a centralized customer service system; and
WHEREAS: In Massachusetts, 311 is gaining popularity; and
WHEREAS: Somerville, Springfield, Boston, Worcester and Dukes County are just a few of the regions who have already implemented a 311 system and numerous other cities and towns are considering it; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge currently has in place a state of the art 911 system and accomplished personnel that can be used to develop the 311 program; and
WHEREAS: In 2010, the Cambridge City Council adopted a policy order asking the City Manager to investigate the feasibility of implementing a 311 system within the City, and the City Manager reported that a pilot program was underway; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads and provide a report on the ongoing 311 pilot program and next steps for Citywide implementation.

O-8     Apr 13, 2015
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: In the past, the City of Cambridge's License Commission has proposed significant fee increases for no-value liquor licenses and convened a taskforce to review the proposal and make a final recommendation; and
WHEREAS: Many surviving businesses with no-value liquor licenses have stated that restaurant margins are so thin during their initial years that any increase would jeopardize the viability of the new restaurants Cambridge residents can enjoy and negatively impact the ability of Cambridge to attract great and innovative new restaurants; and
WHEREAS: Given the direct impact of such fees on the availability of locally-owned restaurants, this is ultimately a policy decision that the Council should decide; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide the City Council a report on any discussions regarding fee increases held by the Cambridge License Commission; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to make the Cambridge License Commission aware of the Council's opposition to any fee increases proposed for no-value liquor licenses due to the undue financial burden they would place on business owners in the City.

O-10     Apr 13, 2015
MAYOR MAHER
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Mayor David Maher for a street corner dedication in honor of Cambridge Police Officer the late John J. Guthrie in the vicinity of Massachusetts Avenue and Everett Street; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward this order to the Dedication Committee for their review and approval.

O-11     Apr 13, 2015
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: It has come to the City Council's attention that Hines Construction, a Texas-based real estate developer that has been developing 2.7 acres of land at 165 Cambridgepark Drive to erect a six-story, 244 high-end unit residential building, is utilizing Callahan Construction as its general contractor; and
WHEREAS: Callahan Construction, a company with few direct employees that tends to subcontract out its work, has a reputation as a company that has been willing to compromise worker safety, worker wages, and job security for its workforce in order to cut costs and win job bids, and concerns have repeatedly been raised that this general contractor does not meet the high standards that the City of Cambridge strongly urges all local developers to meet; and
WHEREAS: To date, Callahan Construction has refused to engage with representatives of the local skilled building trades to ensure that local residents are employed on this project, that there is adequate safety conditions on the job site, and that adequate job protections for all the workers on this site are in place; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge has long been a city that recognizes the importance of employing local workers on local construction projects, and that recognizes using labor from the local skilled building trades ensures a high standard of professionalism, safety, quality of product, and fairness towards the workers; and
WHEREAS: It is hoped that Hines Construction would seek to employ contractors that adhere to the same high standards of safety and fairness that we ask of all entities doing business in Cambridge, and opening up the lines of communication with members of the local building trades would be a solid step in demonstrating that this is the case; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging representatives of Hines Construction and Callahan Construction to meet with John Cusack, Business Representative of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters and with Brian Doherty of the Building & Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District, or with other designated representatives of these organizations, to address the labor issues that have been raised; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to David Perry of Hines Construction, to Patrick Callahan of Callahan Construction, to John Cusack of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, and to Brian Doherty of the Building & Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District, on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-13     Apr 13, 2015  Amended
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has long been a leader in the drive for greater environmental sustainability and the fight against global warming; and
WHEREAS: A key contributor to global warming is dependence on oil as fuel, which results in pollution; and
WHEREAS: Electric vehicles help to cut dependence on pollution from gas-powered vehicle emissions; and
WHEREAS: Electric vehicles are becoming more commonplace in the United States, with purchase prices decreasing and production volume increasing; and
WHEREAS: Electric vehicle ownership is greatly eased when charging stations are readily available, and the cost of adding new electric charging stations to existing parking areas is much greater than the cost of having the framework for charging stations put in place during the creation of new parking areas; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads to investigate the feasibility of requiring the construction of any new parking areas, specifically surface lots and parking structures, to contain the electrical framework to support electric vehicle charging stations and a minimum percentage of electric vehicle parking stations; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to investigate the City of Cambridge's eligibility for the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) and to apply for the offered incentives if the City is deemed eligible; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely fashion.

O-15     Apr 13, 2015
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Law Department to provide information on what is Cambridge's regulatory option to have double poles removed.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on Dec 9, 2014 beginning at 5:30pm in the Ackermann Room.

The purpose of the hearing was to discuss what can be done about double utility poles and underground wires.

Present at the hearing were Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.; Councillor Leland Cheung; Steve Lenkauskas, City Electrician; Kathy Watkins, City Engineer; and City Clerk Donna P. Lopez.

Councillor Kelley convened the hearing and explained the purpose. Councillor Kelly opened the meeting to public comment. No one appeared and public comment was closed.

Councillor Kelley stated that the License Commission has the Pole and Conduit Commission under their authority. He commented that the double poles look ugly and are often in the way, to include next to his garage. He stated that it is unknown who owns them and who is responsible for them. He asked who owns the poles and why are the doubled up. Mr. Lenkauskas stated that the City is divided in half with NSTAR and Verizon each owning 50% of the utility poles. Until the railroad tracks in Porter Square, the pole ownership is divided along Massachusetts Avenue, with NSTAR owning everything west of the Avenue and also everything north of the tracks. Verizon owns the poles east of the Avenue south of the tracks. NSTAR and Verizon own the poles and leases space to other entities such as Comcast, the City and so forth. Fire alarm circuit space is designated on 80% of the poles in the city. Councillor Toomey asked if there are any fire pulls. Mr. Lenkauskas stated that there are roughly 300 street boxes in operation. He stated that a dozen are installed every year on private buildings that send the alarm out to the 911 center, not in to the building. The 911 center fields all the copper circuit fire alarms.

Councillor Kelley asked about street lights that do not have wires. Mr. Lenkauskas stated that with street lights on wooden poles, the City owns the neck and light and the utility owns the pole. The City pays a flat rate for the fixture as there is no meter for these lights. Metal poles are owned by the city and connected with underground wires. All the decorative street lights are owned by the city and there is a metered sources in a cabinet central metering box. Regular lights get electricity from the grid.

Councillor Kelley asked about when a pole fails and it starts to lean over. Mr. Lenkauskas stated that a new pole can only be installed within 18 inches from the center of the old pole but usually directly replaces the old pole. The pole owner straps the old pole to the new pole and begins to transfer the electric wires. When the transfers are complete the old pole is taken down. He stated that the PLM system (pole life management) is a web-based system to manage the transfer of items on the poles, no poles are in that system unless they have items to be transferred. Only pole owners can enter a pole. The owner of the pole only transfers its utilities. Electric is transferred first, then the next highest thing. The pole owner enters the data in the PLM system. Electric company transfers their utility and then next it may be the city to transfer the light, next maybe Comcast and then Verizon and then anyone else who is leasing space on the pole such as Harvard or another internet carrier. The pole is cut to the next level. After each transfer the next company is notified that it is their turn to transfer their utility to the new pole.

Councillor Toomey asked if there is a master list of the pole numbers. Each pole has a specific number, unique by street with a street code on the tag and an odd or even number depending on the street side. Mr. Lenkauskas stated that the city has a master list of 6000 poles. There are 4,000 city light fixtures on wooden poles and several hundred on metal poles. PLM system only contains the poles that need to be transferred and who is in line to do the next transfer. Because the City's street light LED conversion is almost complete and there is an inventory of all the city's light fixtures. He stated that personnel at Harvard or elsewhere know where they have items hanging off poles. If Harvard or MIT petitions the Pole and Conduit Commission they will be given permission to approach the utility to be added to the pole. Whoever wants to hang their stuff on the pole needs to have a license from the City when it is in the public way such as on a sidewalk. If the criteria is met the petitioner, when deemed a credible agent, is granted the right to put their utility on a pole. If the pole owner says the pole is not big enough to accommodate the new item, the applicant must replace the pole with a suitably sized one and pay for the items on the old pole to be placed on the new one. This is called "make ready" work and can be very expensive. The Pole and Conduit Commission issues a grant of location for the pole. Councillor Kelley requested the City Electrician to send a schematic of an electric pole. Transfers are required and after all transfers are complete the poles need to be removed by the pole owner. Mr. Lenkauskas issued information on a double pole report (ATTACHMENT A).

Why are the poles not being removed asked Councillor Kelley? Steve stated that the PLM system is not working as it was anticipated. He stated that there are about 302 double poles in the city. Since he did inventory a year ago 65 poles were removed but about 43 new double poles were installed. Any time someone goes into the ground for any reason, they should contact Dig Safe. Dig Safe must be notified when a pole is put into the ground and then Dig Safe notifies the City, which then marks the street. The identification is done by address, street and pole number for Dig Safe, who simply coordinates the appropriate notifications. He explained how emergencies are handled 24/7 and Dig Safe expects markings to be on the ground within two hours. If there is a downed line or hazard the Fire Department is called.

Most streets have primary and household electric wires. The primary wires feed transformers which feed houses. Councillor Kelley asked who does someone call if there is a problem with poles. Mr. Lenkauskas responded that Electrical Department should be called.

Councillor Toomey asked about the possibility of another cable company in the city. Mr. Lenkauskas explained that if RCN wanted to come to Cambridge they would have to petition the Pole and Conduit Commission to approach the pole owner for permission to add their utility to the pole. The pole owner cannot say no, but the expense is incurred by the new entity. There is also a franchising process, for cable but not for internet lines that must be followed independent of pole access. Councillor Toomey commented that less than 50% of homes have cable. Mr. Lenkauskas added that Harvard and MIT run fiber or network in their buildings and use the NSTAR/Verizon poles. Harvard gets internet from one of the internet providers. Cable franchise is separate from internet access. There are cable and internet providers; the cable provider provides the internet for some people but not for everyone.

Ms. Watkins stated that the City Manager has set up a broadband committee and will meet next year to discuss internet access. The committee will discuss their options. Whitetower provides internet access. City gets its bandwidth from Level Three facility at Bent Street but there are other internet access points as well.

Councillor Cheung asked about the view of the double poles. Mr. Lenkauskas stated that this is the PLM system that the City can view but into which it can enter data only when it is responsible for the next move. Councillor Cheung asked if this is helpful to remove the double poles. Mr. Lenkauskas stated that using the PLM is an ongoing system. He stated that he can remove the City transfer. Councillor Cheung asked if there is another step the city should ask from the pole owners. Mr. Lenkauskas stated that he updated the information and sent the information to the pole owners. Councillor Kelley stated that he was unsure of the legality to make pole owner remove the transfers. Councillor Kelley stated that the next step is to discuss this with NSTAR and Verizon. Mr. Lenkauskas explained that the Department of Public Utilities has a requirement that the poles need to be removed. A complaint could be sent to DPU. Councillor Kelley added that the city has no legal ability to fine the utility companies. Councillor Cheung asked if complaints could be issued for the known locations of the double poles. He would support issuing a complaint if the transfers are not done in a timely fashion. Councillor Kelley stated that Cambridge could go to the DPU and ask what next step Cambridge should take in this matter.

Councillor Kelley made the following motion:
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Law Department to provide information on what is Cambridge's regulatory option to have double poles removed.

The motion carried on a voice vote.

Councillor Kelley thanked all those present for their attendance.

The hearing adjourned at 6:43pm.

For the Committee,
Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair

AWAITING REPORT LIST
14-29. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what options exist for dedicated office space for members of the City Council.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Cheung & Councillor Carlone 04/28/14 (O-5)

14-51. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the potential for creating a program to enable bilingual high school students to learn language interpretation skills and to practice those skills at community meetings and events throughout the City.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Mazen, Councillor McGovern & Councillor Cheung 06/02/14 (O-5)

14-57. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on drafting an ordinance that would limit the sale of single-serving PET bottles of 1 liter or less and develop a task force to provide clear guidelines for this ordinance.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Mazen & Vice Mayor Benzan 06/09/14 (O-3)

14-69. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on forming a pilot street team of engaged youth and residents as an experimental model for more consistent departmental outreach, community engagement, youth engagement and civic engagement.
Councillor Mazen 06/30/14 (O-13)

14-78. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of launching a homeless donation meter program.
Councillor Simmons 07/28/14 (O-10)

14-79. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of implementing a Neighborhood Captain Program.
Councillor Simmons & Vice Mayor Benzan 07/28/14 (O-11)

14-81. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how to ensure that the apprentice program provision remains part of the Cambridge Employment Plan.
Councillor McGovern & Councillor Simmons 07/28/14 (O-14)

14-89. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the outsourcing of City jobs and how outside vendors are chosen.
Councillor Simmons & Councillor McGovern 09/08/14 (O-2)

14-90. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the City's hiring process and on what kind of professional development and career advancement programs are offered to existing employees.
Councillor Simmons & Councillor McGovern 09/08/14 (O-3)

14-91. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a summary of previous recommendations for the Volpe Center site included planning studies such as but not limited to, ECAPS, Neighborhood Planning Studies, K2, and efforts by the East Cambridge Planning Team and that the report summarize zoning and zoning overlays, and outline the development potential and limitation of this area.
Councillor Toomey 09/08/14 (O-4)

14-97. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on whether the ML King School construction project is in compliance with the Cambridge Employment Plan ordinance.
Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Benzan & Councillor Simmons 09/15/14 (O-9)

14-98. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on travel route taken by circus animals and provide copies of proposals to ban exotic animals from Somerville and Plymouth to members of the Ordinance Committee.
Vice Mayor Benzan 09/15/14 (O-13)

14-111. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of hosting a Cambridge Challenge Competition for Transportation that offers a prize to the resident or group of residents that come up with the best viable solution to solve our greatest traffic issues.
Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern & Councillor Mazen 10/20/14 (O-16)

14-113. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of reducing the minimum income requirement under the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance for single person households made up of a senior and/or disabled resident and provide any challenges associated with the proposed reduction.
Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Carlone 10/20/14 (O-19)

14-118. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on negative impacts of street-narrowing initiatives.
Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor Kelley & Councillor McGovern 10/27/14 (O-4)

14-119. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on review of drone use in Cambridge for developing a City regulation or Ordinance on such use.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Cheung & Councillor Mazen 10/27/14 (O-5)

14-121. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #18
RE: report on traffic flow issues, number of collisions, traffic enforcement efforts and possible safety improvements in the area of Rindge Avenue from Cedar to Clifton Streets.
Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor Cheung & Councillor Mazen 10/27/14 (O-8)

14-122. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on organizing a series of meetings with residents to discuss the future of North Massachusetts Avenue.
Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor Cheung & Councillor Mazen 10/27/14 (O-9)

14-124. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #5
RE: report on the feasibility of hosting an open air STEAM festival in coordination with the Cambridge Science Festival.
Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern & Councillor Mazen 10/27/14 (O-12)

14-127. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on best way to implement PaperHealth in Massachusetts Area Hospitals.
Councillor Mazen 10/27/14 (O-15)

14-129. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the status of the Masse Hardware sites at 243 and 253 Walden Street for affordable housing.
Vice Mayor Benzan & Councillor McGovern 10/27/14 (O-17)

14-130. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on whether preference points can legally be allotted to all city employees for affordable housing units.
Councillor Cheung & Vice Mayor Benzan 11/03/14 (O-1)

14-133. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how private citizens can best protect their property and claim redress for alleged damages from private contractors during City-funded construction projects. Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on 1/29/2015.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Mazen & Vice Mayor Benzan 11/10/14 (O-1)

14-135. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the legal limitation of the City to regulate all manner of vehicular traffic within Cambridge borders, including loading and unloading zones, truck and bus timing regulations.
Councillor Kelley 11/10/14 (O-6)

14-137. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of posting speed limit signs of 20-25 miles per hour on city streets.
Councillor Carlone 11/24/14 (O-2)

14-139. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a feasibility study and subsequent action plan, instituting suffrage for immigrants in Cambridge.
Councillor Mazen 11/24/14 (O-5)

14-140. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #4
RE: report on the feasibility of establishing a Garden of Peace.
Vice Mayor Benzan 11/24/14 (O-7)

14-142. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the City divesting from all manner of engagement with Dow Chemical Company, including Retirement Board investments.
Councillor Mazen 11/24/14 (O-12)

14-145. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on possible changes to the "Super Crosswalk" including the bike crossing at Church Street.
Councillor Kelley 12/08/14 (O-12)

14-146. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how the citywide planning efforts will impact staff workload and any capacity considerations the City Council should take into account when contemplating these or other initiatives.
Councillor Cheung 12/08/14 (O-13)

14-147. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on ways to streamline both the City's process and the City's technology for replying to Massachusetts Public Records Law requests and to examine how major cities' open data and FOIA requests are handled, including options for a full time data management team including representatives of the City Clerk's office, the City Solicitor's office, and IT.
Councillor Mazen 11/24/14 (O-13)

15-02. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of taking Vail Court lot by eminent domain.
Vice Mayor Benzan 01/05/15 (O-3)

15-03. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on constructing 1,000 brand new affordable housing units in the City by the end of this decade.
Councillor Simmons 01/05/15 (O-9)

15-05. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on determining a way to fund and supply an additional 100 shelter beds as soon as possible so that the City can better address the immediate shelter needs of our homeless community members while ongoing conversations are taking place regarding long-term solutions to this crisis.
Councillor McGovern 02/23/15 (O-3)

15-06. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on reaching out to representatives and city officials in surrounding communities to gauge interest in forming an inter-city committee which would meet three times per year to discuss and develop strategies for common issues that would be best handled regionally with support from the state.
Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Benzan & Councillor Cheung 02/23/15 (O-4)

15-08. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on working with applicable boards and commissions to assist them in clarifying yearly goals and initiatives, to provide increased administrative oversight and accountability where necessary, and where possible, discuss ways to increase resident involvement.
Councillor Mazen 02/20/15 (O-15)

15-10. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on contracts to obtain electricity from TransCanada and to investigate the possibility of entering into an agreement to obtain up to 100% renewable power for all municipal electricity needs.
Councillor Carlone 02/20/15 (O-18)

15-12. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on status of the Cambridge Common renovation project along with an update on next steps and the projected date of completion.
Councillor Carlone 02/23/15 (O-21)

15-13. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on determining how the median strip was removed at Russell Street despite official documents that clearly stated that the median strip would not be affected.
Councillor Kelley & Councillor Cheung 02/20/15 (O-22)

15-14. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on conferring with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority to determine if they can be of further assistance in understanding how the portion of the path from Binney to the Somerville border can be completed and to report back to the City Council.
Councillor Toomey 02/20/15 (O-23)

15-15. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on with language that could create a Grand Junction Overlay District that would help to create incentives and ensure the completion of the Grand Junction Multiuse Path.
Councillor Toomey 02/23/15 (O-24)

15-16. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on determining the feasibility of executing the recommendations of the STEAM Working Group.
Councillor Mazen, Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor Carlone & Councillor McGovern 02/23/15 (O-25)

15-17. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on determining the feasibility of renaming Area 4 "The Port."
Vice Mayor Benzan 02/23/15 (O-27)

15-18. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of renaming the Area IV Youth Center the "Dr. Robert and Janet Moses Youth Center".
Vice Mayor Benzan 02/20/15 (O-30)

15-19. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #19
RE: report on assessing current signal control technology and determine the feasibility of adopting adaptive signal control technology for traffic calming and reduction.
Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor McGovern & Councillor Cheung 02/20/15 (O-31)

15-20. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the results from the PSI pilot and coordinate with the legal department to report back to the City Council on whether aspects of the ordinance could be safely adopted with specific attention to disposal of unwanted phone books.
Councillor Cheung 02/20/15 (O-34)

15-21. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of licensing the same technology to establish an online portal that indicates all of DPW's heroic street-clearing efforts.
Councillor Cheung 02/20/15 (O-41)

15-22. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #2
RE: report on establishing a policy allowing for three days of parking ticket amnesty for those who park at metered spaces in which the parking space is accessible but in which the parking meter is not accessible due to snow.
Councillor Simmons 02/20/15 (O-43)

15-24. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a tax exemption that is an opt-in system and is based on progressive income.
Councillor Mazen 02/20/15 (O-47)

15-26. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of implementing text to 911.
Councillor Cheung 03/16/15 (O-3)

15-27. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of launching a pilot program for heated bus shelters.
Councillor Simmons 03/16/15 (O-1)

15-28. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on studying emerging business types and how they are affected by the Zoning Ordinance; evaluate ways to facilitate home-based businesses; and report on the status of the Table of Use work.
Councillor McGovern, Mayor Maher & Vice Mayor Benzan 09/22/14 (O-5)

15-29. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #20
RE: report on the feasibility of installing additional trash barrels in and around Kendall Square.
Vice Mayor Benzan 03/30/15 (O-5)

15-30. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on whether there is a liquor license cap in Central Square and on the suitability of raising the cap in and around Central Square.
Vice Mayor Benzan 03/30/15 (O-6)

15-31. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report with an update on the reconstruction of the Longfellow Bridge including a timeline for completion of the project.
Vice Mayor Benzan 03/30/15 (O-8)

15-32. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the analysis that has been done on financial conditions that apply to new development in Central Square, including the report by economic consultant Sarah Woodworth.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley & Councillor Mazen 03/30/15 (O-9)

15-33. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on parking needs and availability in Central Square including the possibility of adding additional levels to the Green Street garage.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Benzan & Councillor Carlone 03/30/15 (O-12)

15-34. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on inventorying a small set of innovative urban planning researcher at local universities and bring these resources into Cambridge's planning discussions.
Councillor Mazen 03/30/15 (O-14)

15-35. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how best to develop partnerships with local universities developing software and other resources related to city planning.
Vice Mayor Benzan 03/30/15 (O-15)