Cambridge City Council meeting - April 28, 2014 - AGENDA

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the FY2015 submitted budget and appropriation orders. [Summary (PDF)]
Referred to Finance Committee

2. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Nicholas G. Leydon as a member of the Cambridge Human Rights Commission for a three year term, effective Apr 10, 2014.

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby transmitting notification of the appointment of Nicholas G. Leydon as a member of the Cambridge Human Rights Commission for a three year term, effective Apr 10, 2014.

Nicholas G. Leydon
Mr. Leydon, a fourth generation Cantabrigian, has worked for many years as a Public Health project coordinator, for a variety of public health governmental and non-profit organizations, on a range of issues touching on public health and human rights concerns. Most recently he was Director of the PROMISES Project for the MA Dept. of Public Health (DPH), where he led an effort to improve outpatient outcomes through collaboration among physicians, advisors, academics and advocacy groups. For a number of years he worked for the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), managing its projects in Malawi, Ghana, South Africa and India, to ensure lean operations and efficient support of field projects. He also worked for Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) as the National Field Coordinator for PHR’s Health Action AIDS Campaign, mobilizing a national advocacy network of health professionals related to global HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. He worked as a Program Associate for the Asylum Network, coordinating lawyers and doctors to provide medical testimony on behalf of asylum seekers and as an Improvement Advisor to the University Research Corporation (URC), providing technical assistance to a Kabul-based team focused on quality improvement collaboratives. He has created two local charities and volunteers with St. Francis House shelter in Boston. Mr. Leydon’s broad experience in coalition building, process analysis and health outcomes improvement efforts enables him to bring a depth of experience, a global perspective and a keen analytical mind to local efforts pertaining to human rights.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

3. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-11, regarding a report on the feasibility of using the City’s Alert Network to alert residents to various neighborhood meetings organized by the City.

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-11, regarding a report on the feasibility of using the City’s Alert Network to alert residents to various neighborhood meetings organized by the City, please be advised of the following:

The City utilizes many informational tools to inform the public of meetings, events, and emergency notifications. These tools include the City’s website, social media channels, list serves, publications and the Alert Network.

The Cambridge Alert Network is currently comprised of three components, CodeRed, Citizen Observer and E-Line. CodeRed is used to alert residents via phone calls, emails, and text messages in the event of emergencies within the city; Citizen Observer is used by police to send neighborhood specific crime alerts via emails and text messages; and E-Line is used to send emails and text messages with general information and communications from the city.

The City takes a very judicial approach to using CodeRed and Citizen Observer to prevent residents from unsubscribing from these important emergency notification services. E-Line, on the other hand, was originally designed and intended to be used to notify subscribing residents of various city events, publications and upcoming neighborhood street cleaning. However, the E-line system is in need of upgrading. In FY15, the IT Department and the City Manager’s Office will be investigating options to replace the current E-Line system with one that will meeting the informational needs of the public, including geographically based notifications.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

4. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-06, regarding a report on the delivery of Globe Direct publications.

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-06, regarding a report on the delivery of Globe Direct publications, Public Works Commissioner Owen O’Riordan reports the following:

The Department of Public Works has been in contact with Publishers Circulation Fulfillment who is responsible for the delivery of Globe Direct publications to properties in Cambridge and other surrounding communities. They have been informed of the considerable concern of the City and of the numerous complaints made by City residents that copies of their materials are left at properties throughout the City when requests have been made to have such deliveries stopped.

We have been informed by management at Publishers Circulation Fulfillment that they understand the extent of the concern and frustration that exists across the City and in response they have enacted a number of new policies, namely;

Publishers Circulation Fulfillment should be contacted at 781) 646-6769 if one wants to cancel a delivery. Stop calls will be honored.

Plastic bags will not be used when the weather is suitable for the use of rubber bands.

Deliveries will be left on private property and not on public sidewalks.

Delivery operators are instructed to pick-up any old deliveries that have not been taken in during their next delivery.

Retrieval services will be used to pick up excess deliveries when there are complaints from the community.

Disciplinary action will be taken against delivery operators if they fail to comply with these rules.

The Department of Public Works will monitor the success of these policies over the next number of months and will again contact the distribution company and Globe Direct if it is apparent that these new policies are unsuccessful.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

5. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $385,451 from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Highway Division Grant to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account to help cover the costs associated with roadway patching and repaving efforts.

6. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $200,000 from the General Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account to cover patching and repaving costs in addition to the $385,451 MassDOT allocation.

7. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation not to adopt the Chun, et al zoning petition with suggestions for a possible alternative approach.
Referred to Petition

8. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board Report on the 2014 Town-Gown Process.

9. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,150,000 to provide funds for the design, drainage, and installation of new synthetic field surfaces on the soccer fields at Danehy Park.
Passed to 2nd Reading

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,150,000 to provide funds for the design, drainage, and installation of new synthetic field surfaces on the soccer fields at Danehy Park. This project was included in the City’s five year capital plan in FY14. This order is being submitted for the Apr 28, 2014 City Council meeting to allow the City Council to vote on this order on June 2, 2014 which is the projected date for City Council adoption of the FY15 Budget. Approval of loan orders on budget adoption night has been the practice for several years.

If passed to a second reading on Apr 28, 2014, this will allow the City to comply with all legal requirements so that the order may be adopted on June 2, 2014. Please see page V-55 in the FY15 Submitted Budget for additional information on these projects. The Finance Committee hearing on the FY15 Capital Budget is scheduled for May 12, 2014.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

Agenda Item No. 9A     Apr 28, 2014
ORDERED: that $1,150,000 is appropriated, for the purpose of financing the design, drainage, and installation of new synthetic field surfaces on the soccer fields at Danehy Park; and that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $1,150,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority.

10. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $150,000 to provide funds for the purchase and installation of mechanical components to ensure the operational integrity of the elevator at the Robert W. Healy Public Safety Facility.
Passed to 2nd Reading

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $150,000 to provide funds for the purchase and installation of mechanical components to ensure the operational integrity of the elevator at the Robert W. Healy Public Safety Facility. This order is being submitted for the Apr 28, 2014 City Council meeting to allow the City Council to vote on this order on June 2, 2014 which is the projected date for City Council adoption of the FY15 Budget. Approval of loan orders on budget adoption night has been the practice for several years.

If passed to a second reading on Apr 28, 2014, this will allow the City to comply with all legal requirements so that the order may be adopted on June 2, 2014. Please see page V-27 in the FY15 Submitted Budget for additional information on these projects. The Finance Committee hearing on the FY15 Capital Budget is scheduled for May 12, 2014.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

Agenda Item No. 10A     Apr 28, 2014
ORDERED: That $150,000 is appropriated, for the purpose of financing the purchase and installation of mechanical components for the elevators at the Robert W. Healy Public Safety Facility; and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $150,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority.

11. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $550,000 to provide funds for renovations to the Thomas P. O’Neil, Jr. Fresh Pond Golf Course.
Passed to 2nd Reading

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $550,000 to provide funds for renovations to the Thomas P. O’Neil, Jr. Fresh Pond Golf Course. This order is being submitted for the Apr 28, 2014 City Council meeting to allow the City Council to vote on this order on June 2, 2014 which is the projected date for City Council adoption of the FY15 Budget. Approval of loan orders on budget adoption night has been the practice for several years.

If passed to a second reading on Apr 28, 2014, this will allow the City to comply with all legal requirements so that the order may be adopted on June 2, 2014. Please see page V-55 in the FY15 Submitted Budget for additional information on these projects. The Finance Committee hearing on the FY15 Capital Budget is scheduled for May 12, 2014.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

Agenda Item No. 11A     Apr 28, 2014
ORDERED: That $550,000 is appropriated, for the purpose of financing improvements to the Thomas P. O’Neil, Jr. Fresh Pond Golf Course, including but not limited to, bunker and irrigation improvements, pathway renovations and installation of new exterior fencing along Huron Avenue; and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $550,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority.

12. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $2,600,000 to provide funds for planning and municipal building renovations, including a Comprehensive Facilities Improvement Plan, design and construction of improvements at the City Hall Annex and upgrades to the City Hall Third Floor Women’s Restroom.
Passed to 2nd Reading

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $2,600,000 to provide funds for planning and municipal building renovations, including a Comprehensive Facilities Improvement Plan, design and construction of improvements at the City Hall Annex and upgrades to the City Hall Third Floor Women’s Restroom. This order is being submitted for the Apr 28, 2014 City Council meeting to allow the City Council to vote on this order on June 2, 2014 which is the projected date for City Council adoption of the FY15 Budget. Approval of loan orders on budget adoption night has been the practice for several years.

If passed to a second reading on Apr 28, 2014, this will allow the City to comply with all legal requirements so that the order may be adopted on June 2, 2014. Please see page V-31 in the FY15 Submitted Budget for additional information on these projects. The Finance Committee hearing on the FY15 Capital Budget is scheduled for May 12, 2014.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

Agenda Item No. 12A     Apr 28, 2014
ORDERED: That $2,600,000 is appropriated, in addition to any amounts previously appropriated, for the purpose of planning and financing building renovations, including but not limited to the following projects:

• Comprehensive Facilities Improvement Plan

• Consultant services to conduct a comprehensive condition appraisal of buildings, to identify and prioritize capital projects and recommend funding strategies, including design and construction of improvements at the City Hall Annex

• City Hall Third Floor Women’s Restroom

• Upgrade the women’s bathroom including demolition, electrical and plumbing work and the installation of new fixtures, finishes and accessibility features;

and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $2,600,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority.

13. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $750,000 to provide funds for building renovations, including water infiltration system repair at the Haggerty School, replacement of the emergency generator at the Graham & Parks, Tobin and Cambridgeport Schools, and boiler replacement at the Graham & Parks School.
Passed to 2nd Reading

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $750,000 to provide funds for building renovations, including water infiltration system repair at the Haggerty School, replacement of the emergency generator at the Graham & Parks, Tobin and Cambridgeport Schools, and boiler replacement at the Graham & Parks School. This order is being submitted for the Apr 28, 2014 City Council meeting to allow the City Council to vote on this order on June 2, 2014 which is the projected date for City Council adoption of the FY15 Budget. Approval of loan orders on budget adoption night has been the practice for several years.

If passed to a second reading on Apr 28, 2014, this will allow the City to comply with all legal requirements so that the order may be adopted on June 2, 2014. Please see page V-59 in the FY15 Submitted Budget for additional information on these projects. The Finance Committee hearing on the FY15 Capital Budget is scheduled for May 12, 2014.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

Agenda Item No. 13A     Apr 28, 2014
ORDERED: That $750,000 is appropriated, for the purpose of financing building renovations, including but not limited to, the following projects:

• Replacement of Emergency Generator at the Graham & Parks, Tobin and Cambridgeport Schools

• Water Infiltration Repair at the Haggerty School

• Boiler Replacement at the Graham & Parks School

and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $750,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority.

14. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $9,205,655 to provide funds for various water pollution abatement projects, including construction of sewer separation, stormwater management and combined sewer overflow reduction elimination improvements within the City’s Western Avenue and Agassiz areas as well as the Sewer Capital Repairs Program and public toilet installation at Harvard Square.
Passed to 2nd Reading

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $9,205,655 to provide funds for various water pollution abatement projects, including construction of sewer separation, stormwater management and combined sewer overflow reduction elimination improvements within the City’s Western Avenue and Agassiz areas as well as the Sewer Capital Repairs Program and public toilet installation at Harvard Square. This order is being submitted for the Apr 28, 2014 City Council meeting to allow the City Council to vote on this order on June 2, 2014, which is the projected date for City Council adoption of the FY15 Budget. Approval of loan orders on budget adoption night has been the practice for several years.

If passed to a second reading on Apr 28, 2014, this will allow the City to comply with all legal requirements so that the order may be adopted on June 2, 2014. Please see page V-40 in the FY15 Submitted Budget for additional information on these projects. The Finance Committee hearing on the FY15 Capital Budget is scheduled for May 12, 2014.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

Agenda Item No. 14A     Apr 28, 2014
ORDERED: That $9,205,655 is appropriated, in addition to any amounts previously appropriated, for the purpose of financing the design and construction of various water pollution abatement projects, including but not limited to:
Western Avenue Area Infrastructure Renewal Project, Harvard Square Public Toilet Installation Project, Agassiz Sewer Separation and Stormwater Management Project and Sewer Capital Repairs Program including construction of sewer separation, stormwater management and combined sewer overflow reduction elimination improvements within the areas described above;
including without limitation all costs thereof as defined in Section 1 of Chapter 29C of the General Laws; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $9,205,655 and issue bonds or notes therefore under G.L. c.44 and/or Chapter 29C of the General Laws or any other enabling authority; that such bonds or notes shall be general obligations of the City unless the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager determines that they should be issued as limited obligations and may be secured by local system revenues as defined in Section 1 of Chapter 29C; that the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust established pursuant to Chapter 29C or the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and in connection therewith to enter into a loan agreement and/or a security agreement and/or financial assistance agreement with the Trust or the Authority and otherwise to contract with the Trust and the Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection with respect to such loan and for any federal or state aid available for the projects or for the financing thereof; and that the City Manager or any other authorized City official is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection, to expend all funds available for the projects and to take any other action necessary to carry out the projects.

15. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks.
Passed to 2nd Reading

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks. This order is being submitted for the Apr 28, 2014 City Council meeting to allow the City Council to vote on this order on June 2, 2014, which is the projected date for City Council adoption of the FY15 Budget. Approval of loan orders on budget adoption night has been the practice for several years.

If passed to a second reading on Apr 28, 2014, this will allow the City to comply with all legal requirements so that the order may be adopted on June 2, 2014. Please see page V-34 in the FY15 Submitted Budget for additional information on these projects. The Finance Committee hearing on the FY15 Capital Budget is scheduled for May 12, 2014.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

Agenda Item No. 15A     Apr 28, 2014
ORDERED: That $1,000,000 is appropriated for the purpose of financing the repair and/or reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks; and to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $1,000,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority.

16. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the rescission of the remaining amount of the loan order authorized by the City Council on May 21, 2012 for the City Hall Roof replacement project.

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached an order requesting the rescission of the remaining amount of the loan order authorized by the City Council on May 21, 2012 for the City Hall Roof replacement project.

Professional cost estimates were developed for the project. Fortunately, the City was the beneficiary of a very favorable bidding environment when it received actual construction bids, which translated into significant savings from the estimated costs.

It is considered to be a sound financial practice to rescind any balances on loan authorizations for projects that have been completed because these balances are included in certain debt ratio calculations that are used to determine the financial strength of the City.

As a result, I am requesting that the authorized but unissued portion of such May 21, 2012 loan order, $1,000,000, be rescinded because there is no further need for these funds.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

View City Manager Order #16A
Agenda Item No. 16A     Apr 28, 2014

ORDERED: That the following excess borrowing authorization is hereby rescinded:

Amount Rescinded	Original Authorization	Purpose	Order Adopted
$1,000,000	$2,000,000	Building Renovations City Hall Roof replacement	May 21, 2012

17. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to order requesting the rescission of the remaining amount of the loan order authorized by the City Council on May 21, 2012 for the Ryan Garage and Simard Building Roof Replacement project.

Apr 28, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached an order requesting the rescission of the remaining amount of the loan order authorized by the City Council on May 21, 2012 for the Ryan Garage and Simard Building Roof Replacement project.

The loan order appropriated $100,000 which, when combined with previous a loan order of $1,485,000 approved by the City Council on May 23, 2011, provided total bond-financed funding capacity of $1,585,000. To date, the City has issued $1,485,000 in bonds, which is sufficient to cover all costs related to the project.

Professional cost estimates were developed for the project. Fortunately, the City was the beneficiary of a favorable bidding environment when it received actual construction bids, which translated into savings from the estimated costs.

It is considered to be a sound financial practice to rescind any balances on loan authorizations for projects that have been completed because these balances are included in certain debt ratio calculations that are used to determine the financial strength of the City.

As a result, I am requesting that the authorized but unissued portion of such May 21, 2012 loan order, $100,000, be rescinded because there is no further need for these funds.

Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager

Agenda Item No. 17A     Apr 28, 2014
ORDERED: That the following excess borrowing authorization is hereby rescinded:

Amount Rescinded	Original Authorization	Purpose	Order Adopted
$100,000	$100,000	Building Renovations City Hall Roof replacement Ryan Garage and Simard Roof Replacement	May 21, 2012

CHARTER RIGHT
1. That the City Council go on record expressing its support for the workers of the DoubleTree Suites, and in respectfully urging the City administration and all City departments to boycott the services provided by Harvard’s DoubleTree Suites. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Simmons on Order Number Four of Apr 7, 2014.]
Adopted

ON THE TABLE
2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Arts Council to determine the types of spaces that are most needed within the local arts community with the view of using the Foundry to fill those needs and to allocate appropriate funds to make appropriate upgrades for the purpose of creating a community arts center. (Order Amended by Substitution.) [Order Number Ten of Jan 27, 2014 Placed on Table on motion of Mayor Maher on Jan 27, 2014.]

3. An application was received from Ting-hsu Chen requesting permission to widen the existing curb cut at the premises numbered 14 Soden Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. [Applications and Petitions Number Six of Feb 24, 2014 Placed on Table on motion of Councillor Simmons on Feb 24, 2014.]

4. That the City Manager is requested to support the intent of the Master Plan initiative which seeks to provide the City Council, its committees, City Staff, members of the public, and all interested stakeholders with an opportunity to further explore traffic congestion, transportation financing, pedestrian safety, resident parking, and a desire for enhanced multi-modal transit infrastructure throughout the city. [Order Number Fourteen of Apr 7, 2014 Placed on Table on motion of Councillor Simmons on Apr 7, 2014.]
Placed on File - Maher

5. That the Cambridge Community Development Department shall hold a series of public meetings to discuss the range of planning and zoning issues that have recently been in active discussion across the city, including, but not limited to, all varieties of housing (such as affordable, middle income, or other types of housing units), the amount, type and location of new and existing development, pre-fabricated units, transportation, congestion, open space, streetscape design, building design, sustainability, infrastructure and economic development with recommendations for moving forward on short range and long range planning work that is recommended as an outgrowth of these discussions. [Order Number Fifteen of Apr 7, 2014 Placed on Table on motion of Councillor Simmons on Apr 7, 2014.]
Placed on File - Maher

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6. 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.

7. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor David P. Maher, Chair of the Ordinance Committee for a public hearing held on Dec 19, 2013 to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to the Municipal Code in Chapter 8.67 entitled relating to Plastic Bag Reduction. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Feb 24, 2014.

8. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow an additional $11,000,000 to provide funds for construction and other associated costs of the King School project. The question comes on adoption on or after Apr 21, 2014.

9. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Vice Mayor Dennis A. Benzan and Councillor Dennis J. Carlone, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a public hearing held on Mar 26, 2014 to discuss the re-filed zoning petition by the City Council originally filed by Christopher H. Lutz, et al requesting the City Council to amend the Zoning Map of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge by rezoning an area on the northern border of Richdale Avenue from Upland Road to Walden Street from its C1-A designation to residential C-1. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Apr 21, 2014. Planning Board Hearing held Mar 18, 2014. Petition expires June 24, 2014.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Hi-Rise Bread Company requesting permission for planters on the sidewalk in front of the premises numbered 1663 Massachusetts Avenue.
Referred to City Manager with Power

2. An application was received from Bob Slate Stationer requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of the premises numbered 30 Brattle Street.
Referred to City Manager with Power

3. An application was received from H Mart requesting permission for two sandwich board signs, twenty-five tables and fifty chairs for restaurant seating in front of the premises numbered 581 Massachusetts Avenue.
Referred to City Manager with Power

4. An application was received from George Katis requesting permission to relocate an existing curb cut at the premises numbered 1971 Massachusetts Avenue (north side of Allen 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.

5. An application was received from 1868 Realty, LLC - Peter Wasserman requesting permission to close the curb cut at the premises numbered 1868 Massachusetts Avenue and relocate the curb cut on Upland Road; 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 - McGovern

6. An application was received from Katherine Reid requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 19 Rindge Avenue; 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.

7. An application was received from John and Andrea Pattisall requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 65 Wendell 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.

8. A petition was received from James Tingle, 27 Lawrence Street, et al requesting that the Hubway Station located on Lawrence Street be relocated.
Referred to City Manager

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Paula Paris transmitting support for a Master Plan.

2. A communication was received from Nicolai Cauchy, 387 Huron Avenue transmitting support for a Master Plan.

3. A communication was received from Laura Blackow and Peter Fougere, 215 Erie Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

4. A communication was received from Ernest Kirwan transmitting support for a Master Plan.

5. A communication was received from Nancy B. Keeler, 160 Appleton Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

6. A communication was received from Jacquelyn Smith, 7 Ashburton Place transmitting support for a Master Plan.

7. A communication was received from Sophia Culpepper, 199 Lexington Avenue transmitting support for a Master Plan.

8. A communication was received from Cheryl Lieberman, President, Cornerstone Consulting Group transmitting support for a Master Plan.

9. A communication was received from Jamie Sabino and Richard Klibaner, 52-54 Western Avenue transmitting support for the Maher/Benzan/McGovern order.

10. A communication was received from Priscilla McMillan transmitting support for a Master Plan.

11. A communication was received from Martha Older transmitting support for a Master Plan.

12. A communication was received from Arleen Henry, 4 Percy Place transmitting support for a Master Plan.

13. A communication was received from Andrea Nash and Peter Berry, 18 Worcester Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

14. A communication was received from H. Susan Freireich, 59 Chestnut Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

15. A communication was received from Carl Nelson, 975 Memorial Drive transmitting support for a Master Plan.

16. A communication was received from Michael Austin, 28 Bristol Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

17. A communication was received from Lawrence Bluestone, 18 Centre Street transmitting support for the Maher/Benzan/McGovern order.

18. A communication was received from Sherri Tucker, 854 Massachusetts Avenue transmitting support for a Master Plan.

19. A communication was received from Jane and Tom Martin, 174 Appleton Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

20. A communication was received from Rachel Wyon, 283 Sidney Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

21. A communication was received from Madge Kaplan transmitting support for a Master Plan.

22. A communication was received from Stephen R. Laniel transmitting support for a Master Plan.

23. A communication was received from Seth Zeren, 183 Chestnut Street transmitting support for the K2C2 planning process and concern with the proposed policy orders to conduct a Master Plan for Cambridge.

24. A communication was received from Hunter and Holly Aldrich, 1 and 1A Field Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

25. A communication was received from Tony Wagner, Lakeview Avenue transmitting support for a Master Plan.

26. A communication was received from Gunnar Thorsen, 29 Essex Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

27. A communication was received from Nancy Hausman, 201 Lexington Avenue transmitting support for a Master Plan.

28. A communication was received from Mahsa Yazdy, 348 Franklin Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

29. A communication was received from Julia Carlson transmitting support for a Master Plan.

30. A communication was received from Arthur Strang, 60 Fresh Pond Parkway transmitting support for a Master Plan.

31. A communication was received from Jeanne Willig transmitting support for a Master Plan.

32. A communication was received from Jane Beal, 117 FreshPond Parkway transmitting support for a Master Plan.

33. A communication was received from Jennifer Craft, 30 Holworthy Place transmitting support for a Master Plan.

34. A communication was received from Marion Rogers, 304 Washington Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

35. A communication was received from Gaylen Morgan, 197 Lexington Avenue transmitting support for a Master Plan.

36. A communication was received from Giulia Fulci, 404 Broadway transmitting support for a Master Plan.

37. A communication was received from Susan Koechner, 83 Washington Avenue transmitting support for a Master Plan.

38. A communication was received from Ilham Makdisi transmitting support for Order #15.

39. A communication was received from Jeff Byrnes transmitting support for the Maher/Benzan/McGovern order.

40. A communication was received from Robert Camacho, 24 Corporal Burns Road transmitting support for a Master Plan.

41. A communication was received from Cynthia Frude, 42 Essex Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

42. A communication was received from Parker Heckner transmitting support for the Maher/Benzan/McGovern policy order.

43. A communication was received from Susan Redlich transmitting support for a Master Plan.

44. A communication was received from Sheli Wortis, 106 Berkshire Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

45. A communication was received from Michael Proscia, 43 Linnaean Street transmitting support for Policy Order #15.

46. A communication was received from Randa Ghattas, 88 School Street transmitting support for Policy Order #15.

47. A communication was received from William Stone 69, Fayerweather Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

48. A communication was received from Nick Carney transmitting support for Policy Order #15.

49. A communication was received from James Madden, 93 Thorndike Street transmitting support for Policy Order #15.

50. A communication was received from Wendy Carney, 1558 Massachusetts Avenue transmitting support for Policy Order #15.

52. A communication was received from Joseph Aiello, 207 Charles Street transmitting support for Policy Order #15.

53. A communication was received from Susan Markowitz, 20 Oak Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

54. A communication was received from Marty Bakal, 120 Reed Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

55. A communication was received from Jayne Barrett, General Manager, Doubletree Hotel transmitting a statement from the Doubletree Hotel regarding Policy Order #4 of Apr 7, 2014.

56. A communication was received from Marge Amster, 10 McTernan Street regarding the need for housing.

57. A communication was received from Steven Orzack, 173 Harvey Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

58. A communication was received from Leslie Borden, 12 Saginaw Avenue transmitting support for a Master Plan.

59. A communication was received from Nina You transmitting support for a Master Plan.

60. A communication was received from Julian Cassa, 109 Windsor Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

61. A communication was received from Sally Eaton Arnold transmitting support for a Master Plan. [Note: The letter actually opposes the Carlone-Mazen-Simmons Order.]

62. A communication was received from Tina Kapur, 8 Upton Street transmitting support for Policy Order #15.

63. A communication was received from Paul Steven Stone, Harvard Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.

64. A communication was received from Paul Steven Stone transmitting support for whatever process you set up to examine the need for a Master Plan.

65. A communication was received from Steven Orzack, 173 Harvey Street regarding leaving the development of a Master Plan in the hand of the Planning Board by itself.

66. A communication was received from Ed Moreira and family transmitting thanks for the resolution on the death of their mother Mary C. Moreira.

67. A communication was received from Carol O’Hare transmitting support for the location of the new Hubway Bike Station on Lawrence Street abutting Dana Park.

68. A communication was received from Walter McDonald, 172 Magazine Street transmitting support for the plan to place Hubway Bikes in the Dana Park area.

69. A communication was received from Peter Valentine regarding No Third World War.

70. A communication was received from the Department of Public Utilities transmitting a copy of the Condensed Financial Return for the year ended Dec 31, 2013 for NSTAR Electric Company.

71. A communication was received from the Department of Public Utilities transmitting a copy of the Condensed Financial Return for the year ended Dec 31, 2013 for NSTAR Gas Company.

72. A communication was received from Martin, R. Healy, Goodwin Procter LLP regarding the Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse, 40 Thorndike Street, East Cambridge.

73. A communication was received from Judy Weiss, 21 Orchard Street transmitting opposition to the development of the former Gourmet Express site at 1868 Massachusetts Avenue requesting to move the curb cut eight feet closer to Massachusetts Avenue and close the Massachusetts Avenue curb cut altogether.

74. A communication was received from Joseph Farjoun in opposition to the PARCC testing.

75. A communication was received from Jan Devereux, 255 Lakeview Avenue in support of the revised Master Plan order.

76. A communication was received from Cathy Hoffman, 67 Pleasant Street regarding the revised Master Plan order.

77. A communication was received from Tamara Griggs, 12 Ellsworth Avenue expressing concern about the PARCC testing.

78. A communication was received from Erica Pastor, 172 Lexington Avenue in support of Policy Order #9 regarding the PARCC testing.

79. A communication was received from Andrew Farrar, President and Board Members of the Cambridge Youth Soccer in support of the conversion of Field 3 at Danehy Park to a synthetic surface.

80. A communication was received from Thomas P. Arria, III, CRLS Athletic Director in support of the conversion to a synthetic surface of Field 3 at Danehy Park.

81. A communication was received from Philip McKenna, 135 Willow Street transmitting a map visualizing the bike crashes in the city and graphs of the streets where most accidents happened in regards to Policy Order #28.

82. A communication was received from Elizabeth McNally, 31 Lawrence Street transmitting two maps with alternative locations for the Hubway Station.

83. A communication was received from Andrea Wilder, 12 Arlington Street regarding creating a Master Plan that makes sense.

84. A communication was received from Jim Piatt, 28 Lawrence Street, Boston regarding the application for a curb cut at 1868 Massachusetts Avenue.

85. A communication was received from Sandy Gould, 23R Fairmont Street urging the City Council to support the conversion of Danehy Field 3 to turf.

86. A communication was received from Antonia Foster, 80 Auburn Park transmitting information that the Department of Education did to deprive students of their provacy regarding Common Core.

87. A communication was received from Hasson Rashid, 820 Massachusetts Avenue regarding the Master Plan, Poverty in the City, using the Foundry for a community based poverty program.

88. A communication was received from Virginia Payson, 63 Magazine Street regrding the process for the installaion of a Hubway Station on Lawrence Street.

89. A communication was received from Langley C. Keyes, 92 Chilton Street regarding the Master Plan.

90. A communication was received from Jonathan King, 40 Essex Street in support for the revised Master Plan order.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Retirement of Daniel Braga from the Assessing Department.   Mayor Maher

2. Resolution on the death of Elaine M. (Simas) Leary.   Councillor Cheung

3. Happy Birthday wishes to Renae Gray.   Councillor Simmons

4. Welcome Sir Alex Ferguson to the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Cheung

5. Retirement of Phillip Yard from the Cambridge Public Library.   Mayor Maher

6. Resolution on the death of Gloria Olga (Wyche) Robinson.   Mayor Maher

7. Congratulations to the Alewife Business Association on its formation.   Councillor Cheung

8. Happy Birthday wishes to Ambassador Swanee Hunt.   Councillor Simmons

9. Thanks to Earthwatch Institute on their work to promote and understand the natural environment in Cambridge.   Councillor Cheung

10. Congratulations to Youth Underground on their successful performance of Crossing Borders: Who Does That?.   Councillor Cheung

11. Congratulations to the Newton Asian Pacific American Network on their second annual Asian American Heritage Month Celebration.   Councillor Cheung

12. Resolution on the death of Gerald J. “Jerry” Melanson.   Mayor Maher

13. Congratulations to the Central Square Business Association on their mural at the walkway at 300 Massachusetts Avenue.   Councillor Cheung

14. Welcome H Mart to the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Cheung and Vice Mayor Benzan

15. Resolution on the death of Edith P. (Graves) Leccacorvi.   Mayor Maher

16. Resolution on the death of Paul F. Nelson.   Mayor Maher

17. Congratulations to the organizers and participants of the 2014 Cambridge Science Festival.   Councillor Cheung

18. Resolution on the death of Jane Ann (Slonina) Thomas.   Councillor Toomey

19. Congratulations to Congresswoman Katherine Clark on the grand opening of her new district office in Medford Square.   Councillor Simmons

20. Speedy recovery wishes to Melody Brazo.   Councillor Simmons

21. Congratulations to Seksom Suriyapa on his new role as Senior Vice President of Corporate and Business Development at Akamai Technologies.   Councillor Cheung

22. Congratulations to Ariela Schear for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

23. Congratulations to Hector Tierno for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

24. Congratulations to Jordan Poindexter for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

25. Congratulations to Cecilia Bernaic for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

26. Congratulations to Ian Woodhouse for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

27. Congratulations to Katherine Laurila for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

28. Congratulations to Seamus Donaldson for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

29. Congratulations to Jack Honan for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

30. Congratulations to Lucas Gibson for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

31. Congratulations to Maha Shahid for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

32. Congratulations to Shiann Gardner for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

33. Congratulations to Margalit Gibbs for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

34. Congratulations to Sole Nazaire for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

35. Congratulations to Nafisa Jihad for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

36. Congratulations to Thomas Shenefield for being named a 2014 Boston Globe Scholastic Arts and Writing winner.   Councillor Cheung

37. Resolution on the death of Dorothy (Sheridan) Rodenmacher.   Mayor Maher

38. Resolution on the death of James William “Big Jim” Brunet.   Mayor Maher

39. Condolences to Deirdre Dacey on the death of her sister Donna Dacey-Burgess.   Mayor Maher

40. Retirement of Michael Gormley from the Cambridge Housing Authority.   Mayor Maher

41. Congratulations to Hajin Kim on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

42. Congratulations to Israel Gebremariam on his hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

43. Congratulations to Nisha Kabir on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

44. Congratulations to Inez Khan on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

45. Congratulations to Keisha Lamarre on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

46. Congratulations to Prapti Koirala on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

47. Congratulations to Priya Gajjar on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

48. Congratulations to Samantha Mai on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

49. Congratulations to Shakib Pranta on his hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

50. Congratulations to Sam Nguyen on his hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

51. Congratulations to Seo-Yi Sa on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

52. Congratulations to Yaxin Yu on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

53. Congratulations to Zaida Block on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

54. Congratulations to Avery Guan on his hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

55. Congratulations to Frank Cao on his hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

56. Congratulations to Amy Tung on her hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

57. Congratulations to Ellery Buntel on his hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

58. Congratulations to Evan Yin on his hard work as a member of the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Science Team that finished in the top ten at the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad.   Councillor Cheung

59. Congratulations to the recipients of the 2014 Outstanding City Employee Awards.   Mayor Maher

60. Resolution on the death of Paul Pizzi.   Mayor Maher

61. That the City Council go on record recognizing June 8-14, 2014 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Week in the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Maher and Councillor Cheung

62. Resolution on the death of John F. Cooney.   Mayor Maher

63. Happy Birthday wishes to Elsa Dorfman.   Councillor McGovern

64. Happy Birthday wishes to Marc Chamblee.   Councillor McGovern

65. Happy Birthday wishes to Esther Scantlebury.   Councillor McGovern

66. Happy Birthday wishes to Margaret Sadock.   Councillor McGovern

67. Happy Birthday wishes to Cathy Hoffman.   Councillor McGovern

68. Happy Birthday wishes to Kristen Eichleay.   Councillor McGovern

69. Happy Birthday wishes to Noah McIntyre.   Councillor McGovern

70. Happy Birthday wishes to Representative Jonathan Hecht.   Councillor McGovern

71. Happy Birthday wishes to Todd McKie.   Councillor McGovern

72. Happy Birthday wishes to William “Billy” Van Stry.   Councillor McGovern

73. Congratulations to Matthew Nelson on completing the 2014 Boston Marathon.   Vice Mayor Benzan

74. Congratulations to Stephanie Crayton on completing the 2014 Boston Marathon.   Vice Mayor Benzan

75. Congratulations to Harry Benzan on completing the 2014 Boston Marathon.   Vice Mayor Benzan

76. Congratulations to Michael Monestime on completing the 2014 Boston Marathon.   Vice Mayor Benzan

77. Happy Birthday wishes to Bruni Guzman.   Vice Mayor Benzan

78. Happy Birthday wishes to Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk.   Vice Mayor Benzan

79. Congratulations to Stasia Barrett and Louis R. Ford, Jr. on the birth of Sky Helena.   Vice Mayor Benzan

80. Congratulations to Shiann Gardner on her recently signed National Letter of Intent to row for Michigan State University.   Councillor Cheung

81. Thanks to Project Bread for the invaluable work and service and encourage Cambridge residents to participate in the 46th annual Walk for Hunger on May 4, 2014.   Councillor Cheung

82. Happy Birthday wishes to Brian Corr.   Vice Mayor Benzan

83. Good Luck wishes to Trinidad Ramkissoon for being chosen to participate in the August Wilson Monologue Competition.   Councillor Simmons

84. Congratulations to FACE Africa on a their successful 5th Annual WASH Gala which raised money to provide clean and safe drinking water to rural Liberia.   Vice Mayor Benzan

85. Congratulations to Lorenz Finnison on his recent publication "Boston's Cycling Craze, 1880-1900: A Story of Race, Sport, and Society."   Councillor Simmons

86. Happy Birthday wishes to Janie Jeffers.   Councillor Simmons

87. Proclaim April as Parliamentary Month.   Mayor Maher

88. Congratulations to Father Tackney on the 40th anniversary of his Ordination.   Mayor Maher, Councillor Toomey

89. Congratulations to Barbara Edwards on her 40th anniversary at Beth Israel Hospital.   Councillor McGovern

90. Happy Birthday wishes to Kate Thomas.   Councillor Simmons

91. Recognize May 1, 2014 as a Day of Prayer in the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Maher

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to revisit the City’s policy of establishing Hubway stations in residential areas to determine whether this policy adequately balances the needs of the community and the desires of the residents and to report back to the City Council in a timely fashion.   Councillor Simmons

2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor to draft a legal opinion on whether it is legally permissible to require a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) as part of the Board of Zoning Appeal special permit and variance application process and the Planning Board Project Review Special Permit application process and report back to the City Council on this matter.   Councillor Cheung
Withdrawn

3. City Council support of Responsible Investment at Harvard Coalition for staging a successful rally and urge Harvard University to consider its practices in Argentina that are harming the livability of communities   Councillor Cheung

4. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Community Development Department and other appropriate City personnel to determine the feasibility of creating and maintaining a master list of all residential building managers across the city.   Councillor Simmons

5. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the appropriate City personnel to determine what options may exist to provide dedicated office space to the members of the City Council.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Cheung and Councillor Carlone

6. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to determine if additional safety measures can be taken at the crossing of Cambridge and Sciarappa Streets.   Councillor Toomey

7. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Councillor Marc McGovern for a street corner dedication in honor of Steven Brion-Meisels.   Councillor McGovern

8. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to confer with CEMUSA regarding the possibility of installing a bus shelter on Cambridge Street in front of the Millers River Senior Apartments.   Councillor Toomey

9. That the City Council go on record expressing its concern that the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exam system has significant flaws.   Councillor Kelley
Charter Right - Toomey

10. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the appropriate City personnel to determine the feasibility of establishing an informational hotline that residents can call to learn about and be connected to the social service providers in their neighborhood.   Councillor Simmons

11. That the Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee is requested to provide an update to the City Council on any progress that has been made in drafting a Community Benefits & Mitigation Plan, and that an expected timeframe in which a formal recommendation on policy might be made to the City Council is also provided.   Councillor Simmons

12. That the City Council hereby endorses the National Association of City Transportation Official’s Urban Street Design Guide.   Councillor Carlone
Charter Right - McGovern

13. That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant City departments to explore the potential for continued upgrades and improvements to bus shelters across the city, with a view toward providing greater protection from the wind and rain in those areas where it is most needed.   Councillor Carlone

14. That the City Manager confers with the Central Square Business Association, Chamber of Commerce and Kendall Square Business Association to serve as partners, provide support, and to determine the feasibility of including food trucks, vendor booths, street performers, and bands during the [proposed annual Central Square Arts Festival] event and report back to the City Council in a timely fashion.   Vice Mayor Benzan
Referred to Nbhd. & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebration Committee (NLTPPFAC)

15. That a roundtable between the City Council and School Department be held to discuss the issues related to implementation of policies and strategies to address the potential use of personal devices by city employees, chaperones, volunteers and others that have direct contact with our children, trainings on the potential negative implications of technology and the feasibility of occasional sweeps of city locker rooms, changing areas, and recreational facilities to help prevent the secret recording of our children.   Vice Mayor Benzan
Referred to City Manager for Action - Kelley

16. That the City Manager direct the Community Development Department to work with the owner of 362 and 364 Rindge Avenue, non-profit housing agencies, the Affordable Housing Trust, and other potential public and private partners to develop a plan with the ultimate goal being the preservation of affordable units.   Councillor Mazen
Referred to Housing Committee - Kelley

17. That the City Manager confer with the appropriate City departments to determine the City’s legal options relative to preventing the use of electronic billboards in the City of Cambridge and report back to the City Council by May 31st, 2014.   Mayor Maher and Councillor Cheung

18. The City Council go on record affirming continued support to the participants of Divest Harvard for their efforts to encourage sustainable and socially responsible business practices at Harvard University.   Councillor Cheung

19. That the City Manager confer with the appropriate City departments to have the [Cambridge Brand Inc.] parking lot [located on the corner of Cherry and School Streets] inspected, cleaned, and scheduled for fence replacement, and report back to the City Council.   Vice Mayor Benzan

20. That the City Council go on record supporting the “2014 Conference on Mass Incarceration in the United States Criminal Justice System” as attendees learn about the current justice system, as well as, strive to determine strategic interventions that encourage a steady reduction in recidivism and promote the creation of more effective reentry programs.   Vice Mayor Benzan

21. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Christine Ford, Louis Ford, Jr., Randal Barros and Donald Barros for 2 Norfolk Place in honor of Helen Ford and her late husband, Louis Roy Ford, Sr.   Vice Mayor Benzan

22. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request to dedicate a street corner in honor of Alberto Vasallo, III.   Vice Mayor Benzan

23. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request to dedicate a street corner in honor of Janet Murray.   Vice Mayor Benzan

24. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Public Library and ensure that minutes of all open Cambridge Public Library Board Meetings are made readily available in a timely manner.   Councillor Cheung

25. That the City Manager is requested to include money in the FY2015 budget to support our Sister City, Yerevan, with a centennial commemoration.   Councillor Cheung

26. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Community Development Department to ensure that the Maestro Charles Ansbacher Square is maintained and remains unmarred throughout the current development of the area.   Councillor Cheung

27. That the City Manager is requested to confer with all appropriate staff members on the feasibility of offering residents an online option to complete the city’s annual census.   Councillor Cheung

28. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Department of Public Works and Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department on the feasibility of painting green all designated bicycle lanes on all major streets.   Councillor Cheung

29. That the attached amendment to the Zoning Ordinance filed by John Chun, et al be refiled.   Mayor Maher

30. That the City Council consider recommendations and strategy for moving forward on short and long-range planning/urban design work based on previous studies and recommendations done by the Community Development Department, and that the Mayor schedule an upcoming Roundtable discussion to include the City Council, the Planning Board and the School Committee to address the issue of a Master Plan and to help establish the city's urban planning and community development priorities. Mayor Maher and Councillor Carlone
Amended

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from Paula Crane, Administrative Assistant, City Clerk’s Office transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Civic Unity Committee for a public meeting held on Mar 20, 2014 to discuss issues of diversity in the City of Cambridge.

2. A communication was received from Paula Crane, Administrative Assistant, City Clerk’s Office transmitting a report from Councillor Marc C. McGovern, Chair of the Human Services and Veterans Committee for a public meeting held on Apr 8, 2014 to discuss anti-poverty efforts in Cambridge around hunger, housing and Human Services.

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Patricia A. Berry, Executive Secretary to the School Committee transmitting a copy of an order from the School Committee recommending the FY15 General Fund Budget of the Cambridge Public Schools be adopted in the sum of $156,669,635.

2. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk transmitting a copy of a letter sent by Councillor Craig Kelley to the School Committee regarding surveys.

3. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk transmitting a revised planning order submitted by Mayor David P. Maher and Councillor Dennis Carlone regarding the Master Plan.

MAYOR MAHER
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is required to have a comprehensive Master Plan to provide a basis for decision-making regarding the long-term physical development of the City; and
WHEREAS: The Master Plan should include: goals and policies, land use, housing, economic development, natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, services and facilities, traffic and transportation, urban design plans, and implementation schedules; and
WHEREAS: According to the Community Development Department, the City's Master Plan is composed of a growth policy document, the Zoning Map, Zoning Ordinances, and a variety of planning studies which in many cases have focused on specific neighborhoods within the City; and
WHEREAS: The City has experienced significant development and change in recent years making the need for periodic review of our current growth policies essential to our efforts to promote good urban planning; and
WHEREAS: The City Council understands that a balanced and sensible approach is necessary to better guide future development, and that the amount of development that has occurred in our community has provided social and economic benefits to our residents, while also understanding that residents have questioned or expressed concerns with several projects and issues related to citywide planning/urban design; and
WHEREAS: The City Council recognizes that a diverse set of values exists in our City and further recognizes that our City government must respond to the needs and viewpoints of all neighborhoods, residents and business partners; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to engage the services of an independent planning/urban design professional who will lead a community process beginning with a series of public meetings aimed at receiving public input and discussing the range of planning, urban design and zoning issues that have recently been in active discussion across the city, including, but not limited to, all varieties of housing (such as affordable, middle income, or other types of housing units), the amount, type and location of new and existing development, prefabricated units, building aesthetics, transportation, traffic and congestion, pedestrian and bicycle safety, open space, streetscape design, building design, community-building, sustainability, infrastructure, climate vulnerability and economic development; and be it further
ORDERED: That these initial meetings take place in a variety of neighborhoods throughout the city and that every effort be made to hold these meetings prior to June 30th, 2014; and be it further
ORDERED: At the conclusion of this series of meetings, the consultant along with CDD report their findings back to the City Council through the Ordinance Committee by July 31, 2014; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council then consider recommendations and a strategy for moving forward on short and long range planning/urban design work based on these discussions, and that the Mayor schedule an upcoming Roundtable Discussion to include the City Council and the Planning Board to address the issue of a Master Plan and to help establish the city's urban planning and community development priorities.

4. A communication was received from Councillor Timothy Toomey transmitting information of an informational public meeting being held on May 1, 2014 on the I-90 Allston Interchange Project.

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Apr 28
5:30pm   City Council Meeting - Budget Overview  (Sullivan Chamber)

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

Tues, May 6
4:00pm   The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the effectiveness of the City Council Aide positions as well as procedural issues regarding the submission of policy orders and resolutions.  (Ackermann Room)

Thurs, May 8
9:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2015 City Budget. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, May 12
4:00pm   2014 Scholarship Award Ceremony  (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm   Roundtable/Working Meeting for the purpose of the City Manager and appropriate City staff to provide the City Council with an overview of the capital budget and capital projects. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, May 14
5:30pm   The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on a petition by the Planning Board to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance Article 12.000 Planned Unit Development procedures. The three parts of the proposed zoning amendment would clarify the procedures for amending a PUD special permit and create an option for some amendments to require one public hearing (under current zoning, an amendment may be granted with no required public hearing or two required public hearings). It would modify the time within which a permitted must begin construction on a PUD project from one year to two years. And it would clarify that all owners of land within a PUD are subject to the requirements set forth in the special permit, even if ownership of land is separated after the PUD is granted, but that the special permit may assign specific rights and obligations to different components within a Development Parcel. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, May 15
9:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2015 City Budget. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

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

Wed, May 21
6:00pm   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2015 School Department Budget. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, May 22
9:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss FY2015 City Budget (if necessary). This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 2
5:30pm   City Council Meeting - Budget Adoption  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 9
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 16
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 23
5:30pm   Roundtable/Working Meeting for the purpose of discussing affordable housing. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

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

Mon, July 28
5:30pm   Special City Council Meeting  (Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, 459 Broadway)

Mon, Sept 8
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, 459 Broadway)

Mon, Sept 15
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, 459 Broadway)

Mon, Sept 22
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, 459 Broadway)

Mon, Sept 29
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, 459 Broadway)

Mon, Oct 6
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Oct 20
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Oct 27
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to revisit the City’s policy of establishing Hubway stations in residential areas to determine whether this policy adequately balances the needs of the community and the desires of the residents and to report back to the City Council in a timely fashion.

O-2     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor to draft a legal opinion on whether it is legally permissible to require a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) as part of the Board of Zoning Appeal special permit and variance application process and the Planning Board Project Review Special Permit application process and report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-3     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge places a strong emphasis on insisting that employers throughout the City make a practice of treating all workers with fairness, dignity, and respect; and
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that Responsible Investment at Harvard Coalition held a rally on Fri, Apr 11, 2014, to honor the visit of two Argentinean community activists whose communities are threatened by Harvard’s mismanagement of its fully owned timber companies in Argentina; and
WHEREAS: It was revealed that Harvard University’s two timber plantations, EVASA and Las Misiones, were degrading the Ibera Wetlands ecosystem and endangering thousands of farmers in the region; and
WHEREAS: Responsible Investment at Harvard Coalition has been working to advocate for Harvard’s responsible ownership of these investments and have stage a successful rally in support of the communities that have been devastated by Harvard University’s timber plantations; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record in support of Responsible Investment at Harvard Coalition for staging a successful rally and urge Harvard University to consider its practices in Argentina that are harming the livability of communities; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Responsible Investment at Harvard Coalition and to Harvard University on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-4     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: During those emergencies that require building evacuations, such as with a fire or a natural disaster, every second counts. Emergency responders must often place their own lives at risk in order to ensure that buildings are properly evacuated and all tenants are accounted for; and
WHEREAS: It would be beneficial for the City and its first responders to have ready access to the contact information of all building managers of residential buildings citywide, in order to quickly determine how many people live in a building and must be accounted for during an evacuation; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Community Development Department and other appropriate City personnel to determine the feasibility of creating and maintaining a master list of all residential building managers across the City; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record urging that any such list should also request that building managers identify any tenants that may have mobility impairments that emergency responders should be aware of; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to establish protocols as to how the information on this master list should be shared with the City’s first responders, to maximize their efficiency and minimize the risks to those who place themselves in danger when evacuating buildings, and to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-5     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: Along with the growing prevalence of voice mail, electronic mail, and cell phone technology over the past two decades, the pace of work in municipal government, as in many other areas of life, has been significantly amplified and accelerated. This has led the role of the Cambridge City Councillor to, by necessity, grow and evolve with the times; and
WHEREAS: As a consequence of this evolution and increased activity, the demands and expectations placed upon Cambridge City Councillors in 2014 are more substantial than they were a generation ago; and
WHEREAS: At one time, it may have been reasonable to expect our elected officials to adequately discharge their duties from private offices, with City Hall being used mainly for City Council meetings, various other public meetings, and large private conferences, but this is no longer the case; and
WHEREAS: City Councillors now host regular meetings in City Hall with local business owners, prospective land developers, liaisons from the local educational institutions, liaisons from other governments, and with their individual constituents. The need to locate and book space for these meetings becomes increasingly challenging as the number of meetings expands, and the resulting office shuffle and overbooking of conference rooms is a challenge that continues to worsen; and
WHEREAS: This increased usage of City Hall, coupled with a constituent base that has come to question why they cannot expect to find their elected representatives working from within the building that is, by its very nature, considered the heart of City government, suggests that the time has come to start exploring how to provide dedicated office space for the City Councillors; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the appropriate City personnel to determine what options may exist to provide dedicated office space to the members of the City Council, and to report his findings to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-6     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: Residents have expressed safety concerns at the east side of the intersection of Cambridge Street and Sciarappa Street; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to determine if additional measures can be taken to make the crossing safer and to report back to the City Council.

O-7     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Marc McGovern for a street corner dedication in honor of Steven Brion-Meisels; 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-8     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department to confer with CEMUSA regarding the possibility of installing a bus shelter on Cambridge Street in front of the Millers River Senior Apartments and report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-9     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exam system is a computer based, privately operated student assessment system that revolves around Common Core curriculum and federal Race to the Top educational efforts; and
WHEREAS: Concerns about PARCC include the privacy of student data generated by these assessments, an increase of “teaching to the test” in schools, an increase in the number of assessments students take, the overall privatization of education in America, an increase in local funds expended to meet PARCC, Common Core and Race to the Top requirements and more; and
WHEREAS: There are a number of Budget Amendments at the Massachusetts Statehouse that would limit PARCC implementation as the above issues, and more, get addressed; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record expressing its concern that the PARCC exam system has significant flaws; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record urging the Massachusetts State Legislature to conduct appropriate hearings and investigations to address these flaws prior to further implementing PARCC; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this order the Cambridge Legislative Delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-10     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is home to a vast web of excellent organizations that provide a host of social services, such as those that provide family counseling and crisis intervention, those that provide childcare, those that help people find affordable housing, those that work with domestic violence survivors, and so forth; and
WHEREAS: Many of these organizations provide vital services to the community, and their efforts could be bolstered and bring relief to a greater number of residents if only more people were fully aware of them at the moment when they are most in need of these services; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge continually strives to alert its residents to the many services and organizations that could be of assistance to them, and it has become apparent that one way to amplify this effort would be by establishing a Cambridge-based telephone hotline, similar to the United Way’s “211” informational hotline, that residents can contact to learn about which services are available to serve their specific needs at the moment when they most need them; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the appropriate City personnel to determine the feasibility of establishing an informational hotline that residents can call to learn about and be connected to the social service providers in their neighborhood, and to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-11     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: On Nov 19, 2012, the Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee met to discuss the need for the City to draft and adopt a formal Community Benefits & Mitigation Plan. At the meeting’s conclusion, it was agreed that the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager for Community Development would review steps to expand linkage and would come back to this committee with a draft framework for community benefits and linkage; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee be and hereby is requested to provide an update to the City Council on any progress that has been made in drafting a Community Benefits & Mitigation Plan, and that an expected timeframe in which a formal recommendation on policy might be made to the City Council is also provided.

O-12     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: As the City of Cambridge continues to grow and evolve, the burdens placed upon our streets are expected to multiply in quantity and complexity; and
WHEREAS: Increasingly, our streets will need to serve not only as corridors for the conveyance of people, goods, and services, but also as important public spaces with the ability to accommodate an expanding set of needs; and
WHEREAS: Our streets must be safe, sustainable, resilient, multi-modal, and economically beneficial, all while accommodating traffic, including traffic that comes from additional commercial and residential development throughout the city; and
WHEREAS: In September, 2013, the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) unveiled the Urban Street Design Guide, a new design manual for city streets; and
WHEREAS: This blueprint for a modern streetscape demonstrates how streets of every size can be reimagined and reoriented as safe, sustainable public spaces for people walking, driving, biking, and taking transit; and
WHEREAS: The Urban Streets Design Guide is available online at http://nacto.org/usdg; and
WHEREAS: NACTO is asking cities and states to endorse this new vision for world-class street design, with a goal of securing as many endorsements as possible by May 1, 2014; and
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Cities of Boston and Somerville have already joined other states and cities in endorsing NACTO’s Urban Street Design Guide; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council hereby endorses the National Association of City Transportation Official’s Urban Street Design Guide; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the National Association of City and Transportation Officials on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-13     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: Public transportation is fundamental to the city’s economic development, livability, social equity, and environmental objectives; and
WHEREAS: On a typical weekday, buses pick up or drop off approximately 85,000 people in the city, including residents, workers, students, and visitors; and
WHEREAS: On days with wind and precipitation, bus shelters provide protection from the elements to people who are waiting for a bus; and
WHEREAS: Most bus shelters in the City of Cambridge are owned by CEMUSA; these shelters are typically three-sided, complete with backs, and they offer better protection from the wind and rain; and
WHEREAS: Other bus shelters, particularly along Cambridge Street in the Wellington-Harrington and East Cambridge neighborhoods, are older, city-owned structures that have only two sides (with no back) and provide less protection from the elements; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with all relevant City departments to explore the potential for continued upgrades and improvements to bus shelters across the city, with a view toward providing greater protection from the wind and rain in those areas where it is most needed; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-14     Apr 28, 2014
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
WHEREAS: Central Square has historically been a place of culture, funk, and soul for our city; it was officially named a Cultural District by the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) in 2012; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge hosts spectacular cultural events like the Cambridge River Festival, Cambridge Science Festival, City Dance Party and the Cambridge Carnival with growing audiences every year; and
WHEREAS: Cultural events provide great benefits for the local economy and small merchants; it is an opportunity for our community, neighborhoods, seniors, youth and families to express the spirit and soul that has made Cambridge such a unique place for culture to thrive; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge community will benefit greatly from an Arts Festival in Central Square that captures the history and development of art in Cambridge like: Jazz, Street Art, World Dance, Breakdancing, Hip-Hop, Salsa and Samba among many others forms of Art; now be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager confer with the appropriate city departments, including the Arts Council about the launching and feasibility of an annual Central Square Arts Festival that captures the essence of the music, dance, and arts history of our city beginning in the summer or fall of this year; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager confers with the Central Square Business Association, Chamber of Commerce and Kendall Square Business Association to serve as partners, provide support, and to determine the feasibility of including food trucks, vendor booths, street performers, and bands during the event and report back to the City Council in a timely fashion.

O-15     Apr 28, 2014
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
WHEREAS: Our community has been confronted with the recent arrest of a teacher at the Graham and Parks School on charges of recording and distributing child pornography; and
WHEREAS: Due to the fact that there is a pending Federal investigation many of the facts and circumstances of the case may be unknown for some time; Families are understandably concerned about the safety of their children; and
WHEREAS: Our community is strong, resilient and able to overcome this terrible betrayal of trust; and
WHEREAS: Given the nature of the alleged crimes it would benefit our community to better understand the developing issues of technology and cyber security; and
WHEREAS: City policy may need to provide greater safeguards to help prevent crimes against our children; and
WHEREAS: Understanding the implications and use of personal devices by city employees, volunteers, chaperones, and/or others that record our children without well-defined safeguards and policies may pose serious concerns for many families in our city; and
WHEREAS: Families are concerned about the placement of personal recording devices in places like locker rooms and changing rooms; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That a roundtable between the City Council and School Department be held to discuss the implementation of policies and strategies to address the potential use of personal devices by city employees, chaperones, volunteers and others that have direct contact with our children; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager confer with the appropriate city departments to discuss the feasibility of arranging trainings and/or seminars for parents, children, city employees, and others about the potential negative implications of technology including the unacceptable and illegal uses of personal devices and social media; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager confers with the appropriate city departments about the feasibility of occasional sweeps of city locker rooms, changing areas, and recreational facilities to help prevent the secret recording of our children and report back to the City Council in a timely fashion.

O-16     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
WHEREAS: Throughout Cambridge there exist “expiring use” properties which have federally mandated affordability requirements due to below market loans, loan guarantees, and other programs which aided in project financing; and
WHEREAS: Expiring use units are privately owned units with affordability restrictions that terminate at a future date, and which without proper intervention, could potentially become market rate housing displacing thousands of low-income and disable residents who might not otherwise be able to afford to live in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The Fresh Pond apartments at 362 and 364 Rindge Avenue are examples of “expiring use” buildings with affordability restrictions expiring in the year 2020; and
WHEREAS: The residents at Fresh Pond apartments at 362 and 364 Rindge Avenue represent the diversity which Cambridge values, with residents speaking over 10 different languages including Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Mandarin, Urdu, Hindi, and French, representing in aggregate a substantial fraction of Cambridge’s immigrant community; and
WHEREAS: Thorough adequate preparation by City staff and coordination with tenants, non-profits, housing advocates, and other agencies, the abutting property at 402 Rindge Avenue has preserved its affordability restrictions despite prior expiring use status; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department to work with the owner of 362 and 364 Rindge Avenue, non-profit housing agencies, the Affordable Housing Trust, and other potential public and private partners to develop a plan with the ultimate goal being the preservation of affordable units.

O-17     Apr 28, 2014
MAYOR MAHER
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge continues to make every effort to promote, preserve and protect its scenic and historic assets by limiting visual pollution made by out-of-scale electronic signage; and
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Advertising (MOOA) have recently revised the standards that allow the use of electronic billboards in Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS: The electronic billboard policy reflects a change in precedent for reasonable and context sensitive signage and such a modification negatively affects those who reside, work and visit the City of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Prominent public officials, including former Governor Michael Dukakis, have been working to ban such billboards in the Commonwealth; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to confer with the appropriate city departments to determine the city’s legal options relative to preventing the use of electronic billboards in the City of Cambridge and report back to the City Council by May 31st, 2014.

O-18     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: One of the expressed goals of the Cambridge City Council is to “promote a healthy community and environment to advance Cambridge as a leader in public health and environmental sustainability”; and
WHEREAS: For years, the City of Cambridge has demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting growth of local businesses that implement business practices built around social and environmental considerations; and
WHEREAS: Last year, the City of Cambridge joined with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University as a signatory of the Cambridge Community Compact for a Sustainable Future, the first compact of its kind that will allow for a coordinated community effort in addressing global environmental challenges, including climate change; and
WHEREAS: Recent reports have indicated that over the past ten years a carbon divested fund would have yielded higher returns than a non-divested portfolio; and
WHEREAS: Students and alumni from Harvard University have called upon the University to divest its $30.7 billion endowment from the top 200 publicly traded fossil fuel companies and to reinvest in socially responsible funds; and
WHEREAS: By pledging to divest, Harvard University will demonstrate its ongoing commitment to addressing global environmental challenges and support of socially-responsible and sustainable business practices as well as serve as an example to other universities across the Commonwealth and throughout the country; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: The City Council go on record affirming continued support to the participants of Divest Harvard for their efforts to encourage sustainable and socially responsible business practices at Harvard University.

O-19     Apr 28, 2014
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that the Cambridge Brand Inc. parking lot located on the corner of Cherry and School Streets is in need of a cleanup; and
WHEREAS: The same lot is bordered by a fence that is in disrepair and poses a hazard to sidewalk pedestrians; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate city departments to have the parking lot inspected, cleaned, and scheduled for fence replacement, and report back to the City Council.

O-20     Apr 28, 2014
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that from May 1-3, 2014, a body of local clergy and religious leaders will be hosting the “2014 Conference on Mass Incarceration in the United States Criminal Justice System” to promote criminal justice reform; and
WHEREAS: In Massachusetts, Blacks and Hispanics make up less than 19% of the state’s general population, yet over 55% of those incarcerated come from one or both of these two groups; the disproportionate rate of incarceration in Massachusetts mirrors the disproportionate rate of racial incarceration across the United States; and
WHEREAS: Mass incarceration has led to an increase in single parenting, dysfunctional family structures, fatherlessness, poverty, generational impoverishment, and mental illnesses; it is time to focus on strategic measures that provide economic sustainability for those returning to our communities from prison to reduce the high rate of recidivism; and
WHEREAS: The “2014 Conference on Mass Incarceration in the United States Criminal Justice System” will bring together a diverse team of religious leaders, community organizers, experts, and students who will address the need for a more strategic intervention in the matter of mass incarceration; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record supporting the “2014 Conference on Mass Incarceration in the United States Criminal Justice System” as attendees learn about the current justice system, as well as, strive to determine strategic interventions that encourage a steady reduction in recidivism and promote the creation of more effective reentry programs; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Reverend Walters on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-21     Apr 28, 2014
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Christine Ford, Louis Ford, Jr., Randal Barros and Donald Barros for 2 Norfolk Place in honor of Helen Ford and her late husband, Louis Roy Ford, Sr.; 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-22     Apr 28, 2014
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request to dedicate a street corner in honor of Alberto Vasallo, III.; 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-23     Apr 28, 2014
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request to dedicate a street corner in honor of Janet Murray; 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-24     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Cambridge Public Library and ensure that minutes of all open Cambridge Public Library Board Meetings are made readily available in a timely manner.

O-25     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: This year the world commemorated the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to include money in the FY 2015 budget to support our Sister City, Yerevan, with a centennial commemoration.

O-26     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The Maestro Charles Ansbacher Square was established to honor the internationally acclaimed Maestro Charles Ansbacher who founded the Boston Landmarks Orchestra; and
WHEREAS: Residents have expressed concern on the well-being of the Maestro Charles Ansbacher Square due to recent construction projects that are scheduled to begin; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Cambridge Community Development Department to ensure that the Maestro Charles Ansbacher Square is maintained and remains unmarred throughout the current development of the area.

O-27     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The General Laws of Massachusetts mandate an annual street listing of residents as of Jan 1st each year (M.G.L. ch. 51 § 4); and
WHEREAS: The city census is an important tool for collecting important demographic information that is used in decision-making and planning; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Election Commission traditionally sends out census forms to every household in Cambridge each year, at the end of January or beginning of February; and
WHEREAS: Failure to respond to the city census causes the removal of residents from Cambridge’s active voting list and may also result in removal from the voter registration rolls; and
WHEREAS: The City of Edmonton recently joined a growing number of cities that are moving their census taking online thus decreasing costs and increasing participation while streamlining the process; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with all appropriate staff members on the feasibility of offering residents an online option to complete the city’s annual census; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-28     Apr 28, 2014
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has given approval for the use of green paint as a way to regulate, warn, and guide traffic in areas where bicyclists and traffic have conflicting movements on the roadway. The bright green colored pavement is slip-resistant and long lasting to make on-street bike lanes more visible; and
WHEREAS: The use of green paint for bike lanes has been widely adopted by many cities around the U.S. and commonly preferred and advocated by cyclists for safety purposes; and
WHEREAS: The benefits of green bike paths are increased visibility and driver awareness of cyclists and cyclist’s route and a sense of reassurance for cyclists that streets are intended to be shared with automobiles; and
WHEREAS: From 2010-2013, there were 956 bicycle accidents in Cambridge in where many occurred on streets that have designated bicycle lanes; and
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Department of Public Works and Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department on the feasibility of painting green all designated bicycle lanes on all major streets; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-29     Apr 28, 2014
MAYOR MAHER
ORDERED: That the attached amendment to the Zoning Ordinance filed by John Chun, et al be refiled; and be it further
ORDERED: That the petition be referred to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for hearing and report.

O-30     Apr 28, 2014  Amended
MAYOR MAHER
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is required to have a comprehensive Master Plan to provide a basis for decision making regarding the long-term physical development of the City; and
WHEREAS: The Master Plan should include: goals and policies, land use, housing, economic development, natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, services and facilities, traffic and transportation, urban design plans, and implementation schedules; and
WHEREAS: According to the Community Development Department, the City's Master Plan is composed of a growth policy document, the Zoning Map, Zoning Ordinances, and a variety of planning studies which in many cases have focused on specific neighborhoods within the City; and
WHEREAS: The City has experienced significant development and change in recent years making the need for periodic review of our current growth policies essential to our efforts to promote good urban planning; and
WHEREAS: The City Council understands that a balanced and sensible approach is necessary to better guide future development, and that the amount of development that has occurred in our community has provided social and economic benefits to our residents, while also understanding that residents have questioned or expressed concerns with several projects and issues related to citywide planning/urban design; and
WHEREAS: The City Council recognizes that a diverse set of values exists in our City and further recognizes that our City government must respond to the needs and viewpoints of all neighborhoods, residents and business partners, factoring in but not limited to the prior assessments and community discussions that have already taken place in recent years; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to engage the services of an independent planning/urban design professional who will lead a community process beginning with a series of public meetings aimed at receiving public input and discussing the range of planning, urban design and zoning issues that have recently been in active discussion across the city, including, but not limited to, all varieties of housing (such as affordable, middle income, or other types of housing units), the amount, type and location of new and existing development, pre-fabricated units, building aesthetics, transportation, traffic and congestion, pedestrian and bicycle safety, open space, streetscape design, building design, community-building, sustainability, infrastructure, climate vulnerability and economic development; and be it further
ORDERED: That these initial meetings take place in a variety of neighborhoods throughout the City and that every effort be made to hold these meetings prior to June 30th, 2014; and be it further
ORDERED: At the conclusion of this series of meetings, the consultant along with CDD report their findings back to the City Council through the Ordinance Committee by July 31, 2014; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council then consider recommendations and a strategy for moving forward on short and long range planning/urban design work based on previous studies and recommendations done by the Community Development Department, and that the Mayor schedule an upcoming Roundtable Discussion to include the City Council, the Planning Board and the School Committee to address the issue of a Master Plan and to help establish the city's urban planning and community development priorities.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Civic Unity Committee held a public meeting on Mar 20, 2014 beginning at 5:34pm in the Sullivan Chamber to discuss issues of diversity in the City of Cambridge.

Present at the meeting were Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Marc C. McGovern; Richard C. Rossi, City Manager; Lee Gianetti, Director of Communications and Community Relations; Taha Jennings, Assistant to the City Manager; Karen Preval, Senior Management Analyst, City Manager’s Office; Duane Brown, Affirmative Action Director; Brian Corr, Executive Director, Peace Commission; Neal Alpert; and Paula M. Crane, Administrative Assistant, City Clerk’s Office.

Also present were John Hawkinson; Priscilla Lopes; Patricia Lewis; Yolanda Hernandez; Bishop Brian Greenee, Pentecostal Tabernacle; Cathy Hoffman; Marie Killackey; Nancy Ryan; Sylvia Barnes; Richard Clarey; Yola Dubois; Ron Peden; and Beverly Sealey.

Councillor Simmons convened the meeting and stated that she was going to deviate from the order of the meeting agenda (Attachment A) to bring forth the topic of the Special Citizens Civic Unity Committee.

Councillor Simmons gave a brief background of the Civic Unity Committee’s prior work. She stated that on Dec 16, 2013 she sponsored a policy order before the City Council which asked the City Manager to appoint a special committee which would be comprised of City Councillors, City employees and Cambridge residents to take up the work of continuing to hold monthly conversations about the lessons learned from the Malvina Monteiro lawsuit, as well as lessons learned from other related race and class concerns. This special committee would also examine how the City can improve upon the internal handling of race and class matters as an employer. She stated that this committee was asked to be formed in order to ensure that the conversations of race and relations would continue to be held, regardless of who might be serving on the City Council following the November 2013 City Council election or who might be chairing the Civic Unity Committee starting in 2014. She noted the importance of the work of the Committee to continue and stated that one of the better ways to have that happen is to have independent committee which would be called, for the purposes of this meeting, the Special Citizens Civic Unity Committee. She stated that once the City Council chose its Mayor for the 2014-2015 term, it was decided that the Mayor would review the size and make-up of the various City Council committees. This contributed to the delay in scheduling the first Civic Unity Committee meeting for the new term. Councillor Simmons then provided background for the formation of the Civic Unity Committee in 1944 (Attachment B). Councillor Simmons then invited City Manager Rossi to address the Committee.

Mr. Rossi stated that he has had many discussions with Councillor Simmons about the Special Citizens Civic Unity Committee and how it will function. He stated that this new committee will serve in an advisory role to the City Manager and City Council regarding issues of equity, fairness, and unity, both within the city organizational structure and throughout the broader Cambridge community. He stated that this committee will develop an understanding of existing City employment policies and procedures, investigate best practices regarding identifying and resolving personnel issues within an organization, and function as a conduit for facilitating wider public discussions on civic unity issues in the community.

Mr. Rossi stated that following the recruitment practices for City committees, an advertisement will be posted requesting letters of interest and appointment will be made after a short vetting process. Concurrently with this process, he will work with a small group of community members and City staff to refine the charge and composition of the committee. He stated that the Special Citizens Civic Unity Committee would have more autonomy as opposed to totally operating under the City Manager or government, yet this special committee would still have the clout and the ability to have appropriate people at the table to extend the conversations. He stated that the City will act as a resource to the committee rather than directing it. He noted the importance of having a vehicle which would be comprised of a group of community members that will have conversations in areas that will help move the community forward with the goal of delivering the message that Cambridge is a community that is welcoming to all. He stated that he is not ready to offer the makeup or size of the committee and noted that while there would be some City staff on the Committee, it would not be heavily dominated by such staff.

Mr. Rossi then gave an overview of a number of new practices and initiatives that are currently underway by the Administration. He stated that a more proactive role is being taken to resolve employee disputes. New funding will be provided for training employees, supervisors and managers about working in a diverse environment. He is continuing employee leadership development and citywide performance management. He spoke of the creation of a new human resource development position within the city. Mr. Rossi stated that he is also exploring the possibility of having an individual(s) to provide confidential, neutral, independent and informal assistance to City staff by listening, offering information about policies and procedures, and helping to examine options for resolving concerns, all with the purpose of addressing complaints and providing fair and independent mediation and solutions between aggrieved parties. Mr. Rossi stated that close collaboration is being continued with the Employees Committee on Diversity, Disabilities Commission, Human Rights Commission, Affirmative Action, Peace Commission, and Women’s Commission on providing forums for employee learning and discussion on strategies for valuing, accepting and respecting individual and group diversity. Mr. Rossi stated that the administration is currently engaging all City departments through new interactive site visits by the City leadership team, which is an outgrowth of a vow he made at a previous Civic Unity Committee meeting.

Councillor Simmons then opened the floor to public comment.

John Hawkinson spoke about open government. He stated that civic unity deals with issues that are difficult to be open about. He stated that the City has had a number of lawsuits in the past which have caused public distrust. He stated that the city is able to do a better job going forward by clarifying what it can say publicly, and stating what it cannot say. He spoke of City Manager Agenda Item #11 regarding a request for Executive Session at the upcoming City Council meeting. He stated that this litigation is not a discrimination lawsuit. This case is about leaflets on cars. He suggested that the City should make an effort to be as transparent as possible in dealing with this lawsuit, as a kind of “dry run” for dealing with the more difficult lawsuits that deal with charges of discrimination. He stated his hope for more open discussion. He encouraged openness, when useful and effective, in promoting dialogue.

Nancy Ryan stated that she is extremely pleased by the City Manager’s efforts. She stated that she had asked the former City Manager to visit City offices and meet people. She felt it would mean a lot to the women. She noted that she is pleased to see that City Manager Rossi wants his office to be open to people. She noted the importance of having the City Manager’s Office seen as an open place where one can be heard. People want to know that there is fairness. She is encouraged and grateful to Councillor Simmons for her work on this important topic.

Sylvia Barnes, Harvey Street, spoke as a former employee of the City of Cambridge and as a resident. She stated that it was great to hear Mr. Rossi’s ideas about the committee. She stated that as an employee she went to the Affirmative Action Department and the Personnel Department, and she felt her complaint was never addressed. There was an investigation to her complaint but she was ultimately told that her manager is her manager and she needs to do what she is told. She stated that the special civic unity committee that has been discussed at tonight’s meeting does not seem to be an answer to the problem, and that it sounds like a “feel good” committee that will not effectively address the issues she is concerned about. She stated that going to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) is not an answer to the problem. She stated that to use one’s life savings to go to court against the City is extremely hard. She stated that something more needs to be done as opposed to going to MCAD. She stated that more needs to be done to help employees.

Richard Clarey stated that he agrees with everything said by Sylvia Barnes. He traced his interest in these affairs to a lesson that was taught to the City by the Monteiro jury in 2008. He stated that the way the City handles these cases in court is extremely unfortunate. He said that they are handled like combat. He stated that the City’s Law Department treats employees who raise grievances as if they are the enemy. This adds insult to injury because a lot of the plaintiffs are still employees. He stated that there are three cases in Superior Court, one of which is going to trial on Apr 28th. He stated that the Gloria Law complaint is available to members of the panel. Once Ms. Law’s complaint was filed, the harassment became worse. He stated that the Law Department is trying to get at her therapist to pry out secrets that she may have talked about in her visits. He noted that the City has an ordinance that states that the Human Rights Commission should consider mediating problems but the Human Rights Commission sides with the City and says that they don’t want to get involved. Unions don’t want to be involved. In the absence of mandatory mediation of these complaints, Mr. Clarey questioned what else to do. He suggested that the City Council pay attention to the cases and review them. He stated that the City Council now has an attorney (Vice Mayor Benzan) among its members, and perhaps the City Council should turn to him to help make sense of these types of legal matters and help the City Council assume more of an oversight role with regard to the matters at MCAD and Superior Court to see what is happening. An advantage to settle these matters is that when they come before a jury, you can say to a jury that the City at least tried.

Dr. Beverly Sealey, longtime Cambridge resident, stated that in 2014 we are still talking about issues of racism, discrimination and lack of social justice. She suggested that it may be helpful to conduct a survey with residents to compile their thoughts on this topic. She stated that it is sad to hear that things have gotten so bad, yet she is hopeful. She stated that it is important to develop a purpose, mission statement and power to be placed on the committee. She stated that she liked the idea of community education meetings but it needs to go further than that. She asked whether this special civic unity committee would have any “teeth” in it.

Ron Peden stated that it is important to speak up in support of the people present at the meeting. He stated that these people deserve credit because it takes courage to speak out publicly against an institution as powerful as the City of Cambridge. He stated that these employees have put their careers on the line and it is tremendous sacrifice. He stated that there is a lack of accountability. Cambridge prides itself on diversity but the lack of concern is disappointing. He stated that the City’s attitude is nonchalant and the issue is not taken personally. He stated that people want to see change. He stated that he feels that this committee will do nothing other than to appease people who have complaints. He stated that there does not seem to be a serious commitment. There has to be more accountability, and that he would like to see people in positions of authority resign, in order to show they are serious about bringing about real change.

Public comment closed at 6:18pm.

Councillor Simmons stated that discussions within the committee will focused upon race and class as well as gender and sexual orientation. She noted her desire that this committee be as broad as possible. She stated that Mr. Rossi is committed to make Cambridge different. She stated that acceptance, tolerance, access and fairness do not happen on their own. We must be deliberate about making Cambridge the city that we say we are.

Councillor McGovern stated that it is great to have Councillor Simmons continue in her role as the Chair of the Civic Unity Committee for the purpose of continuity. He stated that as it relates to participation, the schools should be included. He stated that as a former School Committee Member, much work has been done around the controlled choice policy and there were some on the committee who felt if all schools were excellent, people wouldn’t care what school their child attended. He stated that it is a huge issue within the schools. He noted that he recently met with a group of realtors and the issue surrounding the diversity of Cambridge came about. He stated his belief that people do not understand diversity. He stated that what is seen within the schools is that parents say they like diversity until their child is in the minority. Councillor Simmons encouraged Councillor McGovern to solicit people from the schools to participate in the Civic Unity Committee discussions.

Renae Gray stated that she would like to state that any oppression such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation are embedded impressions in our society. She is optimistic about the committee. She stated that racism has three categories: institutional, cultural and interpersonal. She stated that generally, people do a good job at the interpersonal and cultural categories; more work needs to be done within the institutional category. She noted that one thing that she finds when talking about diversity is that people say they want diversity, but they really want it to be reflective of them. She affirmed that a key piece of this is to accept the existing fabric of your neighborhood, and to resist the urge to come along and try to change it. When one defines the standard and norm for everyone, that is a form of cultural racism. She stated that she is excited about the committee and looking forward to “talking circles” where people will know that they are being heard. This will set a good tone for the work moving forward.

Yola Dubois stated that she is happy to hear that the committee will try to encourage people from the schools to participate in this forum. She stated that she is currently dealing with an issue at a school and is hoping to have mediation take place.

Councillor Simmons stated that it would be good to have a representative of the School Committee and the School Department on this committee. She stated that it may be beneficial for the Special Citizens Civic Unity Committee to recommend the formation of a Civic Unity Committee at the school level.

Bishop Greene stated that he is listening to what is in people’s hearts. His concern is that people may not realize how difficult the work is going to be. He stated that his congregation began as a congregation whose members were strictly from Barbados. As the church grew, he decided to ask the congregation how many were United States. More importantly, he stated, there were people from Japan, Malaysia, and parts of Africa. He discovered how hard it is to make sure that everyone feels that they have a part in the discussion and he discovered how African-Americans can be to Africans. He hopes that whoever is on the committee needs to understand that there is a lot of work to be done and there is insensitivity on all sides. He does not believe most people want to be insensitive or prejudice.

Karen Preval stated that she is a member of Diversity Committee. She stated that it is extremely important that all voices be heard. She stated that a climate survey within the community could be very beneficial.

Councillor Simmons stated that sometimes it is difficult to get a conversation to launch. The City Council needs to look at the employee issue. She believes that there are still some deep-seeded feelings that need to be unearthed. She stated that it is important for the City Council to figure out a way to get at those feelings. She stated that this goal may be accomplished by way of a survey or community forum.

Regarding a survey, Beverly Sealey added that if we are talking about changing relations, we should solicit the residents. She stated that forums and surveys are both important as they will reach a different set of population. The forum could supplement the survey. She noted the importance of randomized input.

Councillor McGovern stated that he attended a forum that was conducted by the Peace Commission following the murder of Trayvon Martin. He stated that he was pleasantly surprised. He thought that he would get white residents getting up and saying “I never have these feelings.” He found that people were open and honest with things about themselves that they were uncomfortable with. He said it is never easy to look one’s self in the mirror and admit there are people or things one is uncomfortable with, and that admitting this does not make one a bad person. Sometimes people fall into defensive stances. He noted the importance of creating an environment where people can really be honest about issues that they have struggled with. He noted that many meeting attendees do not represent the population of the city. He questioned how to ensure that people feel comfortable being engaged. He stated that there are a lot of voices that are left out of important conversations that really need to be part of the conversation. He questioned how government can be more supportive in welcoming people who do not normally participate, and encouraging those people to become active participants in the conversation.

Sylvia Barnes stated her wish that all of the Civic Unity members were present to hear the conversation. She stated her hope for their attendance at the next Civic Unity meeting. Regarding the Special Citizens Civic Unity Committee, she stated that is not hearing about employees being appointed to that committee. She stated that she hopes that some employees of the city are part of the committee. Mr. Rossi affirmed that there will be employees as part of the committee. Councillor Simmons stated that this committee will be as representative as possible, and that the Council Order she introduced in 2013 that sought the creation of this special committee specifically stated that City employees should be part of it.

Priscilla Lopes stated that she is a resident as well as an employee of the City of Cambridge. She noted that she has been involved in different boards and commissions in an effort to change the city. She stated that change does not happen in other cities that she is aware of. She hopes this forum gives employees the opportunity to speak. She noted that Cambridge is changing for the better. She stated that Cambridge is worth fighting for.

Beverly Sealey stated that she is concerned about a number of issues related to the education of children of color and male children of color. She questioned how the City approaches that topic?

Councillor Simmons moved to the topic of diversity within city government. She stated that she was not aware that certain boards and commissions have regulatory authority. She stated that it is important to her that these boards and commissions are diverse. She questioned the procedure by which constables are appointed.

Mr. Rossi stated that constables are not recruited, and that the City is the vehicle through which they are appointed. He stated that the City is required to appoint a certified constable to serve in the community by law. The City is the vehicle that allows them to serve. In terms of boards and commissions, Mr. Rossi stated that he has tried to make all of his appointments diverse. He noted that he looks at gender, race, ethnic background, where the applicant lives within the community, etc. Mr. Rossi stated that one problem that he has encountered is when a board/commission position is advertised and the interested candidates do not reflect a diverse pool of candidates. Councillor Simmons requested that Mr. Rossi provide her with the list of boards and commissions along with members of same. She stated that if deficiencies are seen, she would like to see deliberate action to make these boards and commissions more balanced. Mr. Rossi stated that he would conduct an analysis of the boards and commissions and respond back to the committee. He stated that he will develop recommendations going forward to ensure diversity.

Councillor Simmons then moved to the topic of Unity Among the Interfaith Community. She stated that some churches are easy to reach while others are more difficult. She stated that it is important to ensure that all of the Interfaith community is informed. She asked Bishop Greenee if he would invite the Interfaith community to these discussions. Bishop Greene stated that it is important to have a figurehead, such as the Mayor, extend the invitation to the Interfaith community for its participation. The position of Mayor carries with it the benefit of authority. He noted that there are large churches in Cambridge that are not even aware of each other. He noted that a major challenge is that pastors do not typically get out of their comfort zones. Councillor Simmons stated that representation of the Interfaith community is important to this mission.

Beverly Sealey questioned the active involvement of the Cambridge Black Pastors Association. Bishop Greenee stated that this association is very active, especially following the murder of Charlene Holmes in 2012. He noted that they were able to galvanize 15-20 pastors from various churches. This was the impetus that caused the Police Department to see the importance of the faith community. As a result, the Chaplaincy program of the Cambridge Police Department was formed.

Regarding community engagement meetings, Councillor Simmons stated that she has spoken to the City Manager and it is their intention to move around the entire city to talk to people and see what is on their minds. She noted that there are some tentative dates on the calendar for these interactions to take place. These meetings will launch community conversations.

Councillor McGovern suggested utilizing the Community Engagement Team to get word out to the community regarding these visits around the city. He stated that the Community Engagement Team is very successful in getting information to people who are otherwise not involved.

Bishop Greene questioned how to reach the “new” Cambridge? He stated that he regularly notices groups of young people between the ages of 25 and 35 who live in the City but rarely have a clue about Cambridge. He cited the example of moving through Central Square at night, and seeing a whole host of unfamiliar faces enjoying the City’s nightlife. Many community meetings have the same types of people in attendance. He noted that this age group makes up a large segment of the Cambridge population. New connections need to be made with this age group.

Mr. Rossi responded that it is difficult to get the interest of this age group. He stated that creating forums for people to have the opportunity to speak is a vital component. He noted that social media is a good way to try to engage the younger community. The Community Engagement Team, youth centers, and the CHA are some outlets that could be utilized to spread the word to these people and encourage them to participate.

Renae Gray added that the Trayvon Martin event consisted of many young adults, and that sometimes it is a question of a motivating event to capture peoples’ attention.

Priscilla Lopes stated that she has been involved in many housing issues. She stated that she has attempted to reach out to residents to find out what their interests are. She stated that residents who have lived in the City for over ten years are interested while many new residents to the City are not as invested. She stated that this has been a big issue in the Cambridgeport area.

Mr. Peden stated that he is not optimistic. For every individual who speaks up, there are at least dozens of others who have an interest in the issue but refuse to be counted because they are cynical. He stated that accountability goes to the issue of bringing people into the process. He is not a lifelong Cantabrigian. Cambridge is not the only city with issues of diversity. When he hears about the deliberative process it is intimidating. He thinks that the only way people will believe that Cambridge is serious about the issue is to hold people accountable. He said that you can have all the discussions you want, but until there are jobs lost, people will not feel that anything has changed. Only then will people with these concerns be encouraged to believe that the City is serious. Unless there is action, all the work of the committee is for naught. The best thing that the committee can do is to see action in follow-up.

Councillor Simmons thanked all those present for their participation.

The meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.

For the Committee,
Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair

Committee Report #2
The Human Services and Veterans Committee conducted a public meeting on Apr 8, 2014 beginning at 4:09pm in the Sullivan Chamber.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss anti-poverty efforts in Cambridge around hunger, housing and Human Services.

Present at the meeting were Councillor Marc C. McGovern, Chair of the Committee; Vice Mayor Dennis A. Benzan; Councillor Nadeem A. Mazen; Councillor E. Denise Simmons; Brian Murphy, Assistant City Manager for Community Development; Stuart Dash, Director of Community Planning; Chris Cotter, Housing Director; Cliff Cook, Planning Information Manager, Community Development Department (CDD); Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services; Elaine DeRosa, CEOC; John Lindamood, Greg Russ, Cambridge Housing Authority; Ruth Aaron, Executive Director, CASPAR; Annie Nagle; Alanna Mallon, Education Liaison, Mayor’s Office; and Paula M. Crane, Administrative Assistant, City Clerk’s Office.

Also present were Sasha Purpua, Food for Free; Libby McDermott; Hasson Rashid; Anne St. Goar; Shippen Page; Abir Liben; and Laura Montgomery.

Councillor McGovern opened the meeting and stated that it will be the goal of the committee to achieve the development of a plan around poverty and hunger in the City of Cambridge and ensuring that the city is doing everything possible while also supporting the non-profit agencies in the city. He stated that he would like to see a decrease in the number of families that are struggling with poverty. He said that the committee will have hearings with the Early Childhood Education Task Force. He stated that he works with high school students in his role as a social worker and is currently working with a teenager who is homeless. He noted that this student is coming to school daily despite living on the street. He noted that the lack of shelters for teenagers is an important issue that will be discussed within the committee and noted that the Human Services and Veterans Committee will be very active over the course of the next two years.

Councillor McGovern opened public comment at 4:13pm.

Ruth Aaron stated that she is the Executive Director of CASPAR. She noted that CASPAR clients are virtually all people without income who are suffering with substance abuse and homelessness. She said that these people are dependent on public support and noted that governmental support is seen as a last resort for many people. There is never enough support for those who need assistance. She commended the efforts of the City of Cambridge and its work surrounding this issue.

Hasson Rashid stated that he would like to speak about the closing of the Bread and Jams program due to its lease expiration. He stated his intention to work with a person from Harvard University who has formed a committee to restore this program. He stated that this matter will be on the agenda of the Continuum of Care meeting on the upcoming Thursday. He stated that Saul Tannenbaum has gone on record accusing the city of being oblivious to poor people. He stated that the City of Cambridge should establish a Poverty Bill of Rights agreement with the poor of the city so they have something to confirm that the city is working with poor people.

Public comment closed at 4:18pm.

Councillor McGovern asked the Community Development Department to present their evaluation and assessment surrounding poverty in the city. Brian Murphy stated that the CDD has tried to look at data such as census information to think about how to present this information in a thoughtful way. He noted that what is notable that there is a significant concentration of poverty in Area 4 and North Cambridge. He stated that completing college does show a significant difference in the outcome of these statistics. He also stated that while one can be out of poverty, they can still feel as if they are in an untenable situation due to the extremely high cost of living.

Cliff Cook, CDD, gave an overview of a recent presentation to DHSP’s Community Engagement Team (Attachment A) which focused on poverty in the Community Engagement Team which focused on poverty in Cambridge. The presentation looks at poverty using a variety of characteristics. To the extent feasible, people attending college or graduate schools are not included in the statistics; their numbers can tend to obscure underlying trends.

Cliff Cook stated that poverty calculation is based on household income. Poverty threshold for one person is $11,700. In comparison, medium family income is $94,100; half of families earn more, half earn less. Median income for a single father or mother is $22,400. 11% of the overall population is in poverty, more women than men. He stated that the rate for elders is 12%, and for the disabled 24%. Rates vary dramatically by race. 30% of black and Hispanic populations are in poverty, 10% of Asians are in poverty and 7% of whites are in poverty. He noted that 14% of children are growing up in poverty stricken households and that about 10% of all families and one-third of single parent families are in poverty. About one-fourth of new mothers are in poverty. He stated that education makes a big difference and noted that the poverty rate for those with less than a college degree is over 20%. The poverty rate for those with a college degree is 8% and many of these people are attending graduate school. He stated the surprise that persons with some college or an Associate’s degree are no better off than high school graduates. He looked at how long people living in Cambridge have been living in poverty. He stated that the average is two years or less and noted that more than half are student households. He stated that when looking 5-9 years out, very few students are included and 10 years out there are none. There is a core of people who have been in the city for a number of years. There appear to be two distinct populations in poverty: graduate students whose incomes are low who have access to financial aid; and others who are in a different set of circumstances with fewer prospects for the future. There are also many people that are not poverty stricken but certainly low income.

Brian Murphy stated that it was important to have this data is because Cambridge is not a very large city and therefore different interventions and appropriate policy interventions may be necessary.

Councillor McGovern stated that this is an opportunity for people who work with the city to ask questions and share ideas about what they think would be helpful.

Vice Mayor Benzan stated that the City Council has heard many statistics regarding poverty and it was not a surprise to him that there are many families in the City of Cambridge living in poverty. He noted that the number of single family households, mainly led by women, is a sobering thought. He said that this leads him to think that there is something going on with men. He questioned if there is any connection to high incarceration rates of men. He stated that this is one issue that he would like the committee to visit. He stated that he is concerned that there is generational poverty within families. He stated that there is fear that if a family gains income, they may lose much needed services. He stated that many want help but fear that will risk losing their public housing. He stated that it is necessary to address this issue.

In response to this concern, Greg Russ, Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) stated that even if there is a gain in income for a resident, they can continue to live in public housing if that is their wish. He noted that the rental cost would be higher than typical but still not as high as the market rate. He stated that the problem is that even if you are able to raise your income in the high teens, for example $17,000-$22,000, there is still a cost issue so there is still an achievement gap. For example, if the ceiling rent is $1,500 per month, that is still cheaper than what one would find in the market. The income gap is substantial. He stated that while most households are below 30%, area median income is $36,450 (AMI). He noted that this is still not a number that can be translated into a market situation. He stated that the CHA has been looking at childhood subsidy programs. He noted that senior and disabled residents will not be moving up and out of public housing and stated that it is a difficult market to move people through.

Vice Mayor Benzan stated the scenario of a family of four with two working parents who make $30,000 combined income. The two children then go off to college and come back after graduation. The idea is to get the students to work and migrate out of the home. He questioned if that family is penalized or there is a loss of subsidy for those children going to college, coming back to the family home, finding a job and living with the parents until they can lift themselves up. Mr. Russ responded that there are a number of rent policies that encourage employment and savings. He stated due to HUD regulations, they are not counting assets under $50,000. He stated that with the traditional formula, all assets would be counted. He noted that another change is the recertification process. He stated that the CHA has moved the annual recertification process to every two years. In a normal traditional public housing setting, as soon as a resident increases their earnings, they would have ten days to report such increase and the rent is raised. He stated that if there is a new child in the unit and that child has benefit income, that benefit income should be reported. He stated that the ceiling rents have been capped out ceiling rents.

Councillor Mazen asked about the amount of money that a Cambridge resident needs to survive. Cliff Cook stated that cost of living index calculated in 2013 indicates that this number would be $65,880 for a single parent with preschooler and school aged children. The theory behind this number is that public benefits would not be needed.

Councillor Mazen that $58,000 is the AMI for a three person house. He stated that it is important to define the baseline figure. He stated that the crucial part of work is the outreach, mobilization, and engagement. This is critical. He noted that there is a recent push to confront the fact that often development is handled by bodies such as the committee for people outside of the body. He said that the work which creates potential to succeed is that which happens within.

Councillor McGovern stated that when talking about the migration out of public housing, it used to be that there were families who were able to save money and buy a home in Cambridge. That is not the reality anymore. He asked the CDD to talk about that and what we need to do as a city and the recommendation of programs that the city should have. We need to ask if the city does enough to help people move from public housing to home ownership. He questioned if more resources need to be invested by the city.

Chris Cotter stated that they are seeing a good number of people coming into the homeownership program as well as inclusionary rental program participants coming out of public housing. As it relates to the inclusionary rental program, the rent is based on income so it is a big deal. He stated that this program works well with people with vouchers.

Renae Gray stated that she is newly in poverty due to disability. She noted that it is fundamental to understand how to see and talk to people who are poor. She stated that these people are lumped into categories. She stated that if to get underneath this, it would be a good idea to look at Toxic Charity, a book which looks at the way in which human services are delivered.

Councillor McGovern asked Ellen Semonoff about city programs currently in place.

Ms. Semonoff stated that the ways in which the city does or does not engage people in the design and development of programs makes a big difference in the success of the programs. She stated that the Community Engagement Team (CET) is a broad group of agencies who have come together to talk about and support outreach into the community. She stated that outreach workers come from many different ethnic communities and noted that the goal of these workers is to do outreach in their own communities. She stated that it is equally important for the community to participate in the design of the programmatic elements. She said that different communities have leaders that have the capacity to participate.

Ellen Semonoff then gave an overview of current and planned initiatives of the Department of Human Service Programs (Attachment B). She stated that the DHSP budget is made up of city tax dollars, grant funding and fees that are paid for services. She noted that at the base of services is the focus on universal services. She said that services are designed for all members of the community. DHSP provides deep subsidies and free programming. She stated that unfortunately the DHSP cannot serve all of the people who would like access to programs. She noted that they provide funding to a number of community agencies and that some city tax dollars go in the same direction. She said that the City has a small number of programs that are directly designed to have a very significant impact on the economic outcome and life options for people.

Ellen Semonoff stated that the Transitional Jobs Program has had some success in helping people access long-term employment. Unfortunately, some have not been successful due to substance issues and legal problems.

Ellen Semonoff stated that the Baby University Program is an example of program in the community that was designed by one person in Harlem and his staff. She stated that in Cambridge, this program was designed by a group of people. This is a program designed primarily for low income mothers and fathers. She stated that absent fathers are crucial component and they have been much more successful in the last rounds of the program to engage the fathers.

Ms. Semonoff stated the number of families utilizing the free and reduced lunch program is 45%. Councillor McGovern stated that the School Committee has had many discussions about balancing schools from race to socioeconomic status. He noted that many families are still struggling and believes that the percentage is much higher than 45%.

Ms. Semonoff stated that the Department of Human Services is looking at accessing equity within its own programs. She stated that as it relates to childhood programs, they have a set of policies wherein advantaged people plan the route for children. Pre-schools are one of the best services in the city. She stated that parents who get on the list for these pre-schools are knowledgeable about the necessary steps to advantage these programs. DHSP is changing its policies to make it possible to advantage members of the community who are not aware of the necessary steps to access this service. She stated that DHSP works in deep collaboration with many agencies, particularly the Cambridge Housing Authority to look at the way some of the programs are currently managed to figure out whether there is more that can be done to help individual families move faster on their own behalf.

Vice Mayor Benzan asked about services for people in the $30,000 income range. Regarding inclusionary zoning he noted that single mothers have benefited from that program. He noted that one challenge is expanding the inclusionary zoning program. He stated that this program has netted 500 units in the City of Cambridge that would otherwise be gone from the city. He stated that 500 units house many families. He asked what the City Council can do to expand this program and help align different operating programs which appear to be a challenge. On a cautionary note, Ellen Semonoff responded that one of the issues that the City Council is going to have to wrestle with is the question of how to support very low income families having access to inclusionary zoning and affordable housing while keeping the higher income families in the city. That will be a huge challenge. Councillor McGovern stated that this is the challenge because although there is a lot of building taking place, it does not necessarily help low or middle income families. He noted that gone are days where a middle income person could buy or rent in the city. He stated that he is looking for an “and” not an “or.” He stated that there are two populations that we need to support in the community.

Councillor Mazen stated that everyone is working full tilt but there is the need for reorganization and money. He stated that capacity building from within communities is the best type of development. He asked for details to empower innovation to the community.

Ellen Semonoff stated that the Community Engagement Team is working within the different communities to learn from people about what would make sense for them and what tweaks need to be made to make that happen. She stated that the DHSP is not currently well equipped to keep designing here and there. She stated that we need to define the needs of the community and then respond to those need.

Councillor Mazen stated that in terms of the long view on this issue, he likes to deconstruct the problem by looking at the full extent. He noted that it is important to set the real poverty line in Cambridge. He stated that the city should look at the way to structure programs with the type of budget of an advanced society in order to really bring neighborhood level planning and human development to the forefront. He stated that it is important to understand where we are headed and what we are aiming for. He stated that when we aim higher with more innovation, concrete steps can be made.

Councillor McGovern stated that as we are looking at expanding early childhood education in the city, his concern is if the city expands its programming, what we don’t want to happen is to have another two-tiered system in the city wherein only low income are served and not other kids. The flip side is that both of his children went to summer camps in Cambridge. He noted that he was a full pay family paying $80 per week per child. He noted that he did have other options for his children that others may not have had. He noted that he would like to ensure that we have as much capacity as necessary to serve the most vulnerable. Ellen Semonoff stated that this is a huge challenge. Stated that the Department of Human Services has a large amount of capacity within the city and adequate support to allow families to participate. She noted that work that the CHA has put forth in the Office for College Success program. She noted that if we don’t have the mechanism to help kids be prepared to find their way to graduate at the other end, we are leaving them in the lurch. She stated that a proposal for the Office for College Success program will be included in the upcoming DHSP budget. She stated that the challenge is how to decide where it is most important to put resources.

Greg Russ then gave an overview of the Cambridge Housing Authority’s Continuum of Services for Residents (Attachment C). He stated that these are all programs (as well as others that are not on the chart) with which the CHA is partnering or collaborating with others. For example, the Pathways To Permanent Housing Program is a program in partnership with Heading Home and Transition House. He stated that there are a number of programs that are proximity-based. He stated that Head Start and WIC provide on-site services at some of their locations. He stated that while there are a number of programs, it is necessary to think about who can access those programs. For example, the Work Force Program is an after school program in existence since 1984. This program is steady producing. There are 185 participants in this program which takes place at three locations that the CHA owns. This program has added a location at CRLS. It was important to get this program to the CRLS because they can pick up children of voucher holders. This program starts in 8th grade and continues through Grade 12. The services of this program include homework assistance, MCAS preparation and interview skills. He stated that large numbers of students in this program graduate from high school and go on to secondary education. In terms of strategy, The Work Force has a new component in which there is a match saving component wherein the students have an account where they save money and that the CHA matches the amount saved to provide for books, etc. Mr. Russ stated that the Compass program has a grant from the Hogan Foundation for savings account opportunities for every family that is served. This will give the students a chance to save money for economic advancement, education opportunities, etc.

Councillor McGovern stated that the level of collaboration is spectacular. He noted that when he tells people of all of services that Cambridge and its organizations offer, people are impressed with the collaboration. It is amazing and it is important.

Elaine DeRosa stated that as much as things change, they stay the same around the issue of poverty. She stated that CEOC addresses issues that come from the definition of what people need such as healthcare, disability payments, social security, food stamps, an affordable pre-school, tax preparation and financial education and coaching. The goal of CEOC is to increase economic supports around people. She stated that the challenge is to not see people as things to be serviced or programmed. She stated that if we measure people by who is more worthy, we will be making a lot of bad choices for people. Income offers opportunity and choices. She stated that the State of Massachusetts is not doing anything to increase vouchers for affordable housing. She stated that CEOC feels that a college education is an economic opportunity for the next generation. She stated that UMass tuition has increased astronomically over the past few years. She stated that CEOC is working on a public policy to expand affordable housing and work with tenants. She stated that the only way that the city is going to be informed about decisions that it has to make is to have more forums where people who are most impacted are heard. She stated that CEOC has a food pantry and a Food for Free program. She stated that CEOC does not try to enforce their concept of what peoples’ savings habits should be. She stated the necessity of being active as it relates to public policy and stated that elected officials need to be held accountable.

Councillor Mazen stated that he spoke with representatives in Seattle regarding the subject of minimum wage. Elaine DeRosa stated that the living wage in the City of Cambridge is $14.71. Councilor Mazen stated that there are businesses that can afford to pay employees $15 per hour. He noted that as it relates to working or contracting with the city, the city adheres to the living wage in Cambridge but noted that the moral imperative is another matter. Councillor McGovern stated that this is a topic that should be discussed in the committee moving forward.

Councillor McGovern stated that there are long term and short term goals. He stated his hope that the City Council has a dedicated goal around poverty and hunger in the city. Elaine DeRosa stated that there are 450-500 households per month who utilize CEOC. She stated that the volume of clients is increasing. She stated that if a person has been unemployed for a period of three years, it is likely that they will be unemployed for a much longer period.

Sasha Purpua stated that the Weekend Backpack Program is meeting its need. She stated that she sees Alanna Mallon struggling to keep a sustainable program. The city could help in making that a sustainable program. Councillor McGovern stated that if the City Council has a dedicated goal around poverty and hunger, action measures such as increased funding could follow. He stated that the City Council needs to make this a priority for the city.

Councillor McGovern stated that it would be helpful for the professionals to advise the City Council about attainable goals and steps to reach those goals.

Renae Gray thanked all presenters. She stated that she went to the Kendall Group meeting in Area 4. She stated that the speaker stated that in the shadow of development, poverty lives. We are living that contradiction. She stated that she sees Newtowne Court and Washington Elms. We are in dilemma in the city where it is the working poor against the poor. There is one element where people see themselves as “better than.” Until we get the idea that we are in the same boat, things will not change. She stated that her hope that the City Council can respond to these issues.

Councillor McGovern thanked all of attendees for their participation.

The meeting adjourned at 6:03pm.

For the Committee,
Councillor Marc C. McGovern, Chair

AWAITING REPORT LIST
14-05. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of allowing Cambridge residents and visitors to pay parking violations instantly via cell phone application.
Councillor Cheung 02/10/14 (O-2)

14-06. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #4
RE: report on engaging with the leadership of Globe Direct to ensure that Cambridge residents who have not subscribed to weekly Globe Direct circulars and have indicated that they do not wish to receive more are promptly removed from further distribution lists.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor McGovern & Councillor Carlone 02/10/14 (O-3)

14-07. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what steps would be necessary to change the method by which surplus votes are transferred in municipal elections and whether the Fractional Transfer Method could replace the Cincinnati Method and whether this requires a Charter Change.
Councillor Carlone & Councillor Mazen 02/10/14 (O-6)

14-11. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #3
RE: report on the feasibility of harnessing the City’s Cambridge Alert Network to alert residents to various upcoming neighborhood meeting organized by the City.
Councillor Simmons 03/17/14 (O-6)

14-12. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on developing a City parking ticket for parking in bike lanes violations.
Councillor Kelley 03/17/14 (O-8)

14-13. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on putting information on traffic enforcement, accidents and parking tickets online in a format that would allow electronic data analysis by the general public.
Councillor Kelley 03/17/14 (O-9)

14-15. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on ways for cyclists to use public bike parking for short, medium and long term bike storage to alleviate the problem of abandoned bikes clogging bike parking facilities as well as appropriate public space in which cyclists can lock their bikes. Referred back for additional information by Councillor Kelley on Apr 7, 2014.
Councillor Kelley 03/17/14 (O-12)

14-18. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on determining the legal and regulatory process necessary to collaborate with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, companies in the private sector and/or local universities, and/or donors that are willing to partner with the City to achieve the desired development objectives at the Foundry Building.
Vice Mayor Benzan, Councillor Mazen, Councillor Carlone & Councillor Toomey 03/17/14 (O-16)

14-19. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on producing an updated report of the Concord-Alewife Plan.
Councillor Cheung 03/24/14 (O-4)

14-20. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the searching for and examining any companies that could potentially offer to deploy fiber optic internet in the city.
Councillor Cheung 03/24/14 (O-5)

14-21. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the implementation of a city-wide job fair exclusively for Cambridge residents.
Vice Mayor Benzan 03/24/14 (O-8)

14-22. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on seeking a legal opinion from the City Solicitor on whether the Sullivan Courthouse qualifies as a pre-existing non-conforming structure.
Councillor Toomey 03/24/14 (O-11)

14-23. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of acquiring web-based financial visualization software for local governments where financial and budget data is modeled and presented in a visual user-friendly and interactive manner.
Councillor Cheung 04/07/14 (O-2)

14-24. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on repairing the loose utility cover at the corner of Allston & Sidney Streets.
Councillor Simmons 04/07/14 (O-3)

14-25. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the status of the Grand Junction Path project.
Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Mazen & Councillor Carlone 04/07/14 (O-11)

14-26. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on pedestrian and vehicle safety improvements at the intersection of Cambridge Street and Cardinal Medeiros Avenue.
Councillor Toomey 04/07/14 (O-12)