Cambridge City Council meeting - May 5, 2014 - AGENDA
CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to an increase in the appropriation of the Children's Trust Fund grant for the Center for Families program in the amount of $3,300 to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account and will be used by the Center for Families for technical assistance they provided to the Family Resource Center.
2. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $8,615 for the Center for Families program funded by the Cambridge Public Health Commission's Agenda for Children to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will allow the Center for Families to provide Community Playgroups, Drop-In Playgroups, Provider Groups and support at the June 2014 Family Fun Day.
3. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to an additional appropriation of the Low Income Heating Assistance Program grant in the amount of $338,080 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($43,304) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($294,776) for the Human Services Department operation of the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) serving Cambridge and Somerville.
4. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Flatbread Benefit Night donation in the amount of $532 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will support activities at the Haggerty Preschool.
5. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Friends of the Community Learning Center (CLC) grant funded by Friends of the Community Learning Center in the amount of $7,000 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($6,892) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($108) which will partially support an advisor to work with ESOL and ABE students on career awareness and career planning.
6. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Ms. Amy Witts as the Purchasing Agent for the City of Cambridge, effective June 2, 2014.
7. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to whether potential revisions to the Cambridge Municipal Code Section 9.04.050(A) should be made.
Referred to Ordinance Committee
May 5, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:As you know, the provisions of Cambridge Municipal Code Section 9.04.050(A) (attached hereto) are the subject of a lawsuit brought by Paula Soto against the City. Ms. Soto alleges that the ordinance should not prohibit the practice of "leafleting" on parked automobiles. I am forwarding the attached to the Council for referral to the Ordinance Committee for the Council's consideration of whether to make any potential revisions to the ordinance.
Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
9.04.050 Defacing public property.
A. No person shall post or attach, or directly or indirectly cause to be posted or attached in any manner, any handbill, poster, advertisement or notice of any kind on public property except by permission of the City Manager or his designee, or on private property without the consent of the owner or occupant thereof.
B. Any handbill or sign found posted or otherwise affixed on any public property contrary to the provisions of this section may be removed by the Police Department or the Department of Public Works or the lnspectional Services Department.
C. The person or persons responsible for causing the unlawful posting of any notice described herein will be liable for the cost of removal and for the penalties described below. Persons liable under this section include, but are not limited to, any individual, corporation, partnership or other organization whose advertisement, message or information appears on the unlawfully posted notice.
D. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a fine of three hundred dollars. Each illegally posted notice, advertisement, poster or sign shall be considered a separate violation of this section, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation of this section occurs or continues.
E. As an alternative to the penalty set forth in subsection D, whoever violates any provision of this section shall be penalized by a noncriminal disposition as provided in G.L., c. 40, §21 D. For purposes of this section, the following officials shall be enforcing persons: Cambridge Police Officers and designated staff of the Cambridge Department of Public Works and the lnspectional Services Department.
Then noncriminal penalty for the first violation of this section shall be twenty-five dollars; for the second violation, one hundred dollars; and for the third and all subsequent violations, two hundred dollars.
(Ord. 1138, 1992)
8. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-34, regarding a report on the City's legal options on preventing the use of electronic billboards in the City.
May 5, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-34 which requested a report on the City's legal options on preventing the use of electronic billboards in the City, I have conferred with the City Solicitor relative to this matter. There are at present two matters that I would like to bring to the City Council's attention. First is the pendency of an application for an electronic billboard permit submitted by Clear Channel Outdoor ("Clear Channel") to the state Outdoor Advertising Board (the "OAB") that seeks state approval to create an electronic billboard in Cambridge; a hearing on that application is scheduled for May 8, 2014. Second are efforts by a group called Scenic Massachusetts, Inc. opposing all electronic billboards in Massachusetts.
By way of background, Clear Channel in its application for approval of an electronic billboard permit seeks authorization for Clear Channel to convert a standard outdoor billboard at Broadway and Galileo Galilei way (facing south) to an electronic billboard. The sign face itself is 14 feet high and 48 feet in length. The OAB has regulations at 700 CMR 3.17 under which it has approved electronic billboard permits in other communities. The OAB regulations contain many requirements, including the requirement that each display on the electronic billboard must remain static for at least 10 seconds; the electronic billboard may not have displays that move or change in intensity during the 10 second display period; the displays are limited to the brightness measures in the regulation; the displays may not obscure or interfere with a motor vehicle operator's view; and the billboard must be at least 300 feet from a public park. It is possible that Clear Channel will also seek additional locations in Cambridge in the future at which it would convert existing billboards to electronic displays.
At Clear Channel's request, I met with their representatives to discuss their plans. Clear Channel's representatives have indicated to me that Clear Channel would be amenable to agreeing with the City to various conditions around the approval of each electronic billboard conversion, such as allowing the City a certain amount of time to display public service announcements, the removal of a certain number of traditional billboard faces per each face converted to electronic display, limited hours of operation, performance of a traffic safety study after the conversion, and payment of an annual linkage fee to the City.
A hearing was scheduled to take place on Apr 10, 2014 at the OAB on Clear Channel's request for conversion of the above referenced billboard to an electronic billboard. At my request, Clear Channel agreed to seek a continuance in order to allow me to bring this matter to your attention before representatives of the City Solicitor's Office attend the OAB hearing, which is currently scheduled for Thurs, May 8, 2014. Based on the language of the above-referenced Council Order, it appears that the City Council would like the City to oppose Clear Channel's application to the OAB for conversion of the existing sign at issue to an electronic sign, and to oppose future efforts by Clear Channel or others to install electronic signs at any location. Therefore, I will ask the Law Department to oppose Clear Channel's application to the OAB. Because any discussion of this matter would involve pending and/or threatened litigation and because discussion in open session may have a detrimental effect on any litigating position that the City may adopt., I request that if the City Council wants to discuss this application or would like to seek any legal advice concerning the City's legal options from the City Solicitor, that any such discussion be conducted only in executive session.
After meeting with Clear Channel, I was contacted by former Governor Michael Dukakis on behalf of Scenic Massachusetts, Inc. as to whether the City of Cambridge would be interested in joining efforts opposing electronic billboard permits. I will also ask the Law Department to obtain further information about the efforts of Scenic Massachusetts, Inc. opposing such billboards. I expect to provide more detailed information to the City Council about the City's potential support of, or participation in, those efforts in the near future.
Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
9. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-07, regarding a report on the 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.
Referred to Gov't Operations, Rules and Claims Committee and to City Manager for Report
May 5, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:Please find attached a response to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-07, regarding a report on the 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, received from the Board of Election Commissioners.
Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
10. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the Cambridge Climate Protection Action Committee recommended goals and objectives.
Referred to Health & Environment Committee
11. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the submission of two legal opinions as part of the City Manager's Supplemental Agenda on Mon, May 5, 2014, regarding Awaiting Report Item Number 14-22 concerning the Sullivan Courthouse and Council Order Number 13 of Mar 17, 2014 concerning the First Street Garage.
Tabled for Further Discussion at May 19, 2014 Meeting
May 5, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am writing to inform you that I will be submitting to the City Council on Mon, May 5, 2014 as part of the City Manager's Supplemental Agenda, two legal opinions in response to the following:
1. Awaiting Report Item Number 14-22, which requested that the City Manager seek a legal opinion from the City Solicitor on whether the Sullivan Courthouse qualifies as a pre-existing non-conforming structure; and
2. Council Order No. 13 of Mar 17, 2014, regarding determine the relevant zoning requirements for the First Street Garage.Due to the extent of interest in these matters, I recommend that following any discussion of the reports by the City Council on Mon, May 5th, that they be placed on the Table in order to allow for additional comments and discussion by the City Council and members of the public at the City Council's next meeting of May 19th.
Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
12. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the report of the Cambridge-Haiti Sister Committee on the possibility of establishing a sister city relationship with a city in Haiti.
13. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-24, regarding a report on repairing the loose utility cover at the corner of Allston and Sidney Streets
14. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-12, regarding a report on developing a City parking ticket for parking in bike lanes violations.
May 5, 2014
To the Honorable, the City Council:In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-12, regarding a report on developing a City parking ticket for parking in bike lanes violations, please be advised of the following:
The Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department has published a new "no parking/no stopping" in Bicycle Lane violation. They are in the process of printing new ticket books and instructing parking control officers as well as police officers on the ticketing procedure relating to this violation. It is anticipated that enforcement of this new traffic regulation will begin within the next 45-60 days.
Very truly yours, Richard C. Rossi, City Manager
15. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 14-22, regarding whether the Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse qualifies as a pre-existing non-confirming structure. [Read report]
Tabled
16. Transmitting communication from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Council Order Number 13, dated March 17, 2014, which requested that city staff determine the relevant zoning requirements for the Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse with respect to use of the First Street Garage. [Read report]
Tabled
CHARTER RIGHT
1. 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 exercised by Councillor McGovern on Applications and Petitions Number Five of Apr 28, 2014.]
Adopted
2. 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. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Toomey on Order Number Nine of Apr 28, 2014.]
Adopted
3. That the City Council hereby endorses the National Association of City Transportation Official's Urban Street Design Guide. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor McGovern on Order Number Twelve of Apr 28, 2014.]
Adopted
ON THE TABLE
4. 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.]
5. 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.]
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.
Adopted 9-0
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.
10. 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. The question comes on adoption on or after May 12, 2014.
11. 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. The question comes on adoption on or after May 12, 2014.
12. 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. The question comes on adoption on or after May 12, 2014.
13. 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. The question comes on adoption on or after May 12, 2014.
14. 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. The question comes on adoption on or after May 12, 2014.
15. 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. The question comes on adoption on or after May 12, 2014.
16. 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. The question comes on adoption on or after May 12, 2014.
APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Koreana Restaurant requesting permission for six tables and eighteen chairs for restaurant seating in front of the premises numbered 156 Prospect Street.
2. An application was received from CVS Pharmacy requesting permission for a sign at the premises numbered 1390 Massachusetts Avenue/6 JFK Street. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development and Historical. Sign is pre-existing.
3. An application was received from Tasty Burger requesting permission for eight tables and forty chairs for restaurant seating at the corner of Mount Auburn Street and JFK Street .
4. An application was received from Fitlab requesting permission for an awning at the premises numbered 1305 Cambridge Street. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works and Community Development. Sign is pre-existing.
5. An application was received from Aesop , USA, Inc. requesting permission for a sign at the premises numbered 49 Brattle Street. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development and Historical. Sign is pre-existing.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Judith Nathans, 511 Putnam Avenue regarding Plastic Bag Ordinance.
2. A communication was received from Sally Martin, 103 Henry Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.
3. A communication was received from Sheli Wortis, 106 Berkshire Street transmitting support for a Master Plan.
4. A communication was received from Minga Claggett-Borne in favor of a Master Plan and against the Leggatt-McCall Permit for the former courthouse.
5. A communication was received from Martha Older regarding public toilets, ethanol train, globe deliveries and divestment.
6. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, 37 Brookline Street regarding a once a year city wide yard sale.
7. A communication was received from Doug Brown, 35 Standish Street transmitting support for the Master Plan Policy Order.
8. A communication was received from Margaret Weyerhaeuser, Lakeview Avenue regarding a Master Plan and moratorium.
9. A communication was received from Anita D. McClellan regarding Pause on PARCC and Common Core State Standards.
10. A communication was received from Pam Matz transmitting support for a Master Plan.
11. A communication was received from Patrick Barton, Appleton Street regarding the Master Plan.
12. A communication was received from Carolyn Shipley regarding a fairer Hubway location process.
13. A communication was received from Elizabeth Aguilo, LICSW, Executive Director, Paine Senior Services regarding budget cuts to Greater Boston Legal Services.
14. A communication was received from Gregg Moree, 25 Fairfield Street regarding the Honey Fitz.
15. A communication was received from Lisa Hartnett, LICSW, Service Coordinator Supervisor, Cascap, Inc. transmitting a letter of support for Cambridge-Somerville Legal Services.
16. A communication was received from Christine McElroy, 4 Morrison Court transmitting information from the National Alliance on Mental Illness requesting an increase in reimbursement rates for MassHealth for mental illness.
17. A communication was received from John Van Saun, 2 Mount Auburn Tenants Association transmitting additional information regarding 2 Mount Auburn Street.
18. A communication was received from Rachel Thurlow, Scenic Massachusetts transmitting information regarding MassDot and digital billboards and the conversion of two billboards in Cambridge.
19. A communication was received from PF Soto, 243 Broadway regarding the city ordinance prohibiting leafletting.
20. A communication was received from Terra Friedrichs regarding flyers placed on cars and electronic billboards.
21. A communication was received from Deborah S. Ruhe, Executive Director, Just-A-Start Corporation supporting the request for funding for CASLS to allow them to stay in Cambridge.
22. A communication was received from Maureen Harty, LICSW, Pain Senior Services supporting CASLS staying in Cambridge.
23. A communication was received from Maude Seme, 2440 Center Street, West Roxbury in support of PF Soto and leafletting of flyers.
24. A communication was received from George Cramer, 26 Blakeslee Street in opposition to changes at the Psychiatric Emergency Service at the Cambridge Hospital.
25. A communication was received from Carolyn White, 10 Rogers Street in opposition to the change at the Psychiatric Emergency Service at the Cambridge Hospital.
26. A communication was received from Sarah Roche-Mahdi, 1105 Massachusetts Avenue regarding freedom of speech and in support of leafletting done by PF Soto.
27. A communication was received from John Hawkinson, 2 Clinton Street, regarding pending litigation of electronic billboards.
28. A communication was received from Walter McDonald, 172 Magazine Street regarding electronic billboards and in opposition to electronic billboards.
29. A communication was received from Hasson J. Rashid, 820 Massachusetts Avenue regarding the proposed loan orders and the master plan.
30. A communication was received from Deborah Filler, Senior Staff Attorney, CASLS in support of increased funding for CASLS together with letters of support for CASLS from Cheryl-Ann Pizza-Zeoli, ACT Voucher Co-Chair.
RESOLUTIONS
1. Wishing Matthew Nagle a Happy Birthday. Councillor McGovern
2. Supporting Sisters on the Runway and commending all the organizers, participants, donors and volunteers who have dedicated their time and effort to such an important cause. Vice Mayor Benzan
3. Congratulating the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub on their successful second Autonomous Fighting Robot Design Challenge. Councillor Cheung
4. Congratulations to the Mount Auburn Hospital for being recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of the best places to work in 2014. Councillor Cheung
5. Congratulating the Cambridge Health Alliance on the receiving the Boys and Girls Clubs of Middlesex County's 2013 Community Partner Award. Councillor Cheung
6. Resolution on the death of John J. McCafferty. Mayor Maher
7. Congratulations to InsightSquared for being recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of the best companies to work for in 2014. Councillor Cheung
8. Congratulations to Foundation Medicine for being recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of the best companies to work for in 2014. Councillor Cheung
9. Congratulations to Litmus for being recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of the best companies to work for in 2014. Councillor Cheung
10. Congratulations to Tom Lucey and Harvard University for being presented with the CFCS Avon Children's Friend Award at the Cambridge Family and Children's Service 21st Annual Circle of Friends Gala and Auction. Councillor Simmons
11. Congratulations to the recipients of the 2014 City of Cambridge Scholarship Awards. Mayor Maher
12. Congratulations to Anika Larson on her nomination in the category of Best Performance by an Actress in a Features Role in a Musical for the 2014 Tony Awards for her performance as Cynthia Weil in the musical Beautiful - The Carole King Musical. Councillor McGovern
13. Resolution on the death of John P. Kelley. Mayor Maher
14. Congratulations to Jack Sweeney for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
15. Congratulations to Chris Mahoney for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
16. Congratulations to Walther Nufio for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
17. Congratulations to Daniel Kuang for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
18. Congratulations to Vara Mathiyalakan for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
19. Congratulations to Toni Oloko for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
20. Congratulations to George Liu-Krason for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
21. Congratulations to Denise Mullings for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
22. Congratulations to Joseph Peraza for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
23. Congratulations to Gia-Han Pham for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
24. Congratulations to Analai Jacinto for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
25. Congratulations to Jennifer Tran for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
26. Congratulations to Jessica Ringel for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
27. Congratulations to Tommy Mahoney for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
28. Congratulations to Raina Williams for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
29. Congratulations to Rossemary Marte for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
30. Congratulations to Jillian Toomey for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
31. Congratulations to Ethan Wong for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
32. Congratulations to Michael Kramer for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
33. Congratulations to Yaznairy Cabrera for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
34. Congratulations to Ariana Gardner for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
35. Congratulations to Maddie Nifong for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
36. Congratulations to Yaiika Cruz for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
37. Congratulations to Janice He for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
38. Congratulations to Umang Bansal for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
39. Congratulations to Gwendolyn Fajardo for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
40. Congratulations to Brian Hernandez for the successful completion of the Youth CITIES March-to-May Bootcamp and becoming a Youth CITIES Scholar. Councillor Cheung
41. Congratulations to Cambridge's American Repertory Theater on being nominated for nine Tony Awards. Councillor Cheung
42. Happy Birthday wishes to Ethan Myat. Councillor McGovern
43. Gratitude to former City Clerk D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk Donna P. Lopez and the City Clerk's Office staff for the exemplary work on the historic evening of May 17, 2004 when Cambridge City Hall opened at midnight to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Councillor Simmons
44. Congratulations to Billy Simmons for finishing the 2014 Boston Marathon. Mayor Maher
45. Congratulations to Jenny Chung for finishing the 2014 Boston Marathon. Mayor Maher
46. Congratulations to Paul Toner for being honored by Mass-Care and the Universal Health Care Education Fund. Councillor Simmons
47. That the City Council go on record expressing its great hope that the United States will continue to progress to the point where all 50 states in the union ultimately legally recognize Marriage Equality. Councillor Simmons
48. Happy Birthday wishes to Annie Nagle. Councillor McGovern
49. Happy 85th Birthday wishes to William Goldberg. Mayor Maher
50. Happy 85th Birthday wishes to Bernard Goldberg. Mayor Maher
51. Thanks to the members of the Kids' Council Youth Involvement Subcommittee for their work and commitment to the City of Cambridge. Mayor Maher
52. Recognize May 11-17, 2014 as National Women's Health Week. Mayor Maher
53. Happy Mother's Day to all mothers in the City of Cambridge. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Cheung
54. Recognition of the effort and dedication of Mary Bonauto in the pursuit of marriage equality in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mayor Maher
ORDERS
1. That the City Manager direct the Community Development Department to develop and create a solar PV incentive program for residential property owners in Cambridge, and to request any necessary budget allocations to fund such work, including potential staffing and direct funding of solar installation incentives, and using student canvassers to reach homes and businesses that have been pre-screened as suitable for solar PV installation. Councillor McGovern and Vice Mayor Benzan
2. That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant City Staff and Departments to prepare draft language that would enable the City Council to implement the 2002 nexus study recommendations, as an interim measure pending completion of the new nexus study. Councillor Carlone and Councillor Mazen
Amended, Referred to Housing and Finance Committees for a Joint Hearing
3. That the City Manager confer with the School Department; the Public Health Department; the Community Development Department; the Police Department; the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department; and any other relevant departments on the establishment of a Safe Routes to School Program for Cambridge which includes safety improvements to the street infrastructure as well as promotion and education components. Councillor McGovern and Councillor Mazen
4. That the City Manager confer with the Cambridge Arts Council and high school administration on the possibility of creating a Falcon carving out of the tree stump that remains in the newly redesigned courtyard of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. Councillor Toomey and Councillor Carlone
5. That the City Council urge the Cambridge Health Alliance to reverse its decision to consolidate its Psychiatric Emergency Room with its general Emergency Room, and the City Council strongly urges the CHA to convene a series of public meetings to determine if there are alternative scenarios that can be considered to preserve this essential service. Councillor Simmons
6. City Council support of Senate Bill 2078, An Act Promoting Restorative Justice Practices. Councillor McGovern and Vice Mayor Benzan
7. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the appropriate City personnel to determine the feasibility of allocating an additional $140,000 annually to Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services to ensure that this vital organization can continue serving the people of Cambridge. Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Benzan and Councillor Carlone
Amended
8. That the City Council does hereby go on record naming D. Margaret Drury as Clerk Emeritus of the City of Cambridge in recognition of her outstanding service to the City of Cambridge and its residents. Mayor Maher
9. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Information Technology Department and members of the volunteer community to arrange an informal question and answer session with members of the City Council regarding the new Open Data Ordinance which is to come before the City Council. Councillor Mazen
10. That the City Council go on record urging elected officials of U.S. House and Senate to promote and support legislation that classifies broadband providers like Comcast as a telecommunications service under the common carriers provision of Title II of the Communications Act. Councillor Mazen
11. That the City Council go on record approving the recommendation to establish a Sister City relationship with Les Cayes, Haiti, so that Cambridge may continue to share with and learn from our friends in other parts of the world because it is important for peace, understanding and friendship among the people of the nations of the world. Mayor Maher
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 Housing Committee for a public meeting held on Apr 2, 2014 to discuss the latest challenges to, and changing faces of, affordable housing in Cambridge.
HEARING SCHEDULE
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)
Tues, May 20
3:00pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the re-filed Chun zoning petition requesting the City Council amend the Zoning Map of the City of Cambridge in the entire district currently zoned Residence B located in the Cambridge Highlands neighborhood, situated north of Concord Avenue, south of and adjacent to the municipal boundary with the Town of Belmont by deleting the designation Residence B and substituting therefore a designation of Residence A-2. This hearing to be televised. (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)
Tues, May 27
5:00pm The Human Services and Veterans Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the impact of poverty on communities, families, individuals and education, as well as what policy makers can do to help combat poverty rates in their communities. (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 May 5, 2014
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has an interest in encouraging sustainable and environmentally friendly practices; and
WHEREAS: Solar Photovoltaic, or solar PV, wherein solar panels are utilized for the generation of electricity, has been growing dramatically in Cambridge and in the state of Massachusetts as a result of falling prices, robust incentives, and greater awareness; and
WHEREAS: Total installed capacity in Cambridge is still at less than 0.3% of the estimated total rooftop potential; and
WHEREAS: Work by non-profits including HEET and Green Cambridge has shown that community outreach and pre-negotiated discounts can significantly accelerate solar PV adoption; and
WHEREAS: City sponsorship of solar PV, including letters from the Mayor's office and City Manager's office have proved very effective in the past in encouraging participation; and
WHEREAS: 2012 and 2013 saw a record number of solar PV installations in Cambridge, with 62 and 74 respectively, and city incentives and effort could potentially double those numbers; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department to develop and create a solar PV incentive program for residential property owners in Cambridge, and to request any necessary budget allocations to fund such work, including potential staffing and direct funding of solar installation incentives, and using student canvassers to reach homes and businesses that have been pre-screened as suitable for solar PV installation.
O-2 May 5, 2014 Amended
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is proud of its strong, innovative commercial sector and is also proud of the efforts that are made to provide housing opportunities for residents at all income levels; and
WHEREAS: The Incentive Zoning program was adopted by the City Council in 1988 to mitigate the impact of commercial development on the City's housing market by requiring a Housing Contribution from large, new commercial developments; and
WHEREAS: A nexus study establishes the basis for Housing Contributions as set forth in the Incentive Zoning provisions; these monetary contributions are used to fund affordable housing programs which help offset the pressure on market rents as the City's commercial sector enjoys continued growth; and
WHEREAS: Section 11.203.1 of the City's Zoning Ordinance ("Requirements for Incentive Zoning Contributions") states that the amount of the Housing Contribution shall be subject to review and recalculation every three (3) years by the Cambridge City Council; and
WHEREAS: The most recent nexus study was completed in 2002, recommending that the Housing Contribution be set at $7.83 in 2002 dollars (approximately $10.00 in 2013 dollars) for every square foot of applicable gross floor area; however, the City Council never implemented this recommendation, and the Housing Contribution has not been significantly updated in many years; and
WHEREAS: The current Housing Contribution rate is $4.58 per square foot of applicable gross floor area, which includes minor updates that are made by the Affordable Housing Trust based on changes to the Consumer Price Index; and
WHEREAS: On Aug 1, 2011, the City Manager stated that it would be reasonable to commission a new nexus study, and on Jan 8, 2014, the Community Development Department issued a memorandum indicating that an RFP for a new nexus study would be issued within weeks; that RFP was issued on Apr 28, 2014, and therefore, the City is still many months away from having an updated Housing Contribution recommendation; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with an estimate of how much applicable commercial development has been completed in the city since the 2002 nexus study, and how much money for affordable housing would have been obtained had the City Council elected to implement the 2002 recommendations; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with all relevant City Staff and Departments to prepare draft language that would enable the City Council to implement the 2002 nexus study recommendations, as an interim measure pending completion of the new nexus study, and report back to the City Council on this matter by Mon, May 19, 2014; and be it further
ORDERED: That this be referred to the Housing and Finance Committees for a joint hearing.
O-3 May 5, 2014
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has policies promoting walking and bicycling as environmentally sustainable transportation; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge School Department has a Wellness Policy that promotes walking and bicycling to school; and
WHEREAS: Walking and bicycling to school are excellent ways for children to engage in physical activity for their health and well-being; and
WHEREAS: Encouraging walking and bicycling to school can lead to walking and bicycling to other activities, further promoting a healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle; and
WHEREAS: Children who walk or bicycle to school have been shown to perform better academically in school; and
WHEREAS: Currently families who would like their children to walk or bicycle to school do not have clear resources to support them and have requested such; and
WHEREAS: The National Safe Routes to School Program and the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program exist to assist communities with resources; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record expressing support for a formal Safe Routes to School Program to be established in Cambridge; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the School Department; the Public Health Department; the Community Development Department; the Police Department; the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department; and any other relevant departments on the establishment of a Safe Routes to School Program for Cambridge which includes safety improvements to the street infrastructure as well as promotion and education components; 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-4 May 5, 2014
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Cambridge Arts Council and high school administration on the possibility of creating a Falcon carving out of the tree stump that remains in the newly redesigned courtyard of Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School.
O-5 May 5, 2014
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: It has come to the City Council's attention that the Cambridge Health Alliance is seeking to reduce its operating costs by consolidating the Cambridge Hospital's Psychiatric Emergency Room, which has a separate entrance from the main Emergency Room that features additional security staff, cameras for monitoring patient safety, and staff specially trained to triage, assess, and treat those experiencing psychiatric emergencies, with its main Emergency Room entrance; and
WHEREAS: This consolidation, which is scheduled to go into effect in June 2014, has caused a great deal of concern to psychiatric professionals at the Cambridge Hospital, as well as to all those who respond to and attempt to assist those in the midst of a psychiatric emergency. The fear is that this consolidation will ultimately compromise the care, safety, and treatment of the psychiatric patients and of the general ER patients; and
WHEREAS: It is estimated that approximately 2,500 patients visit the Psychiatric Emergency Room annually, and this ER is specifically designed to ensure that these patients are seen in an environment that minimizes the potential safety risks to patients, while maximizing the level of emergency care available to them. It is feared that the loss of this specially-designated wing of the hospital's ER will result in a degradation of psychiatric emergency treatment available in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: It is particularly troubling that the Cambridge Health Alliance has neglected to reach out to its community partners, including the City Council, to alert them to this looming consolidation, in light of the very similar public outcry when the CHA sought to consolidate its child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric units, which would have reduced the number of beds available to serve youth with mental health issues, in May 2013; and
WHEREAS: It is critical that the Cambridge Health Alliance recognize that the changes it is proposing will have a significant, negative impact upon the people of Cambridge and our immediate neighbors who rely upon this Emergency Room for critical psychiatric care, and who depend upon the institution to instill public confidence in the services it provides; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council formally goes on record in urging the Cambridge Health Alliance to reverse its decision to consolidate its Psychiatric Emergency Room with its general Emergency Room, and the City Council strongly urges the CHA to convene a series of public meetings to determine if there are alternative scenarios that can be considered to preserve this essential service; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Patrick Wardell, Chief Executive Officer of the Cambridge Health Alliance, Jay Burke, Chief of Psychiatry at the Cambridge Health Alliance, and to the Cambridge Delegation to the State Legislature, on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-6 May 5, 2014
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
WHEREAS: Restorative justice practices aim to meet victim needs, hold offenders accountable, explore the impact of crime on the community, and create plans of repair when possible by means of voluntary meetings among victims, offender, supporters, community members, and criminal justice personnel; and
WHEREAS: Restorative justice provides a broader choice of victim services and increases victim and community satisfaction, reduces recidivism, and is more cost-effective than traditional justice methods; and
WHEREAS: Senate Bill 2078 seeks to improve public safety by expanding and monitoring the use of restorative justice techniques as a compliment to the justice system by amending the Juvenile Code and the Adult Code to allow restorative justice options for appropriate crimes; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record supporting Senate Bill 2078, An Act promoting restorative justice practices and respectfully urging the Massachusetts Senate to pass the bill; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the elected delegation of the Cambridge Senate; Senate President Therese Murray; and to the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-7 May 5, 2014 Amended
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
VICE MAYOR BENZAN
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: For decades, Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services (CASLS), which merged with Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) in 1996 to become its Cambridge office at 60 Gore Street, has provided free, civil legal services to low-income Cambridge residents with issues concerning housing, obtaining state and federal government benefits, elder law, and mental health/disability rights for adults and children with psychiatric and other disabilities; and
WHEREAS: The exemplary services provided by the dedicated attorneys and support staff at CASLS help hundreds of residents every year with fighting unjust evictions, Section 8 terminations, denial of eligibility for public or subsidized housing, and other fair housing issues. The residents who have utilized CASLS would have had few other agencies to turn to for these services; and
WHEREAS: CASLS also frequently provides legal advice, information, and technical assistance to various local social service agencies. In addition to fielding constituent questions from individual City Councilors, CASLS regularly provides guidance and support to the Cambridge Multi Service Center, the Council on Aging, CASCAP Resident Services Coordinators, Cambridge Health Alliance clinicians and staff, the Guidance Center, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, and many other organizations; and
WHEREAS: CASLS also regularly engages in extensive policy work to ensure access to affordable housing in Cambridge, and to ensure that the rights of low-income public housing applicants and tenants are protected. This advocacy work is often pursued on behalf of the Alliance of Cambridge Tenants, the city-wide organization of public housing and Section 8 voucher tenants of the Cambridge Housing Authority; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has long recognized the critical importance of having CASLS located within our community. It ensures that low-income residents have an organization that is truly accessible, that can provide legal triaging, assessment, case referral or management, and is run by skilled, knowledgeable, and compassionate professionals. The loss of CASLS from this community would be devastating, particularly to affordable housing tenants and advocates. It is for this reason that the City of Cambridge has contributed over $50,000 annually to help fund this essential community partner; and
WHEREAS: The City Council has recently learned that GBLS must make significant reductions in its budget due funding cuts, and it is seriously contemplating closing the Cambridge office. If this were to happen, the loss to local low-income residents, social services providers, affordable housing advocates, and the City itself would be overwhelming. CASLS has estimated that it will need an additional $140,000 per year to secure its continued Cambridge operations; 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 allocating an additional $140,000 annually to Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services to ensure that this vital organization can continue serving the people of Cambridge; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to set up a meeting with CASLS representatives to determine if the City can assist this organization with identifying and securing additional outside sources of funding or any other way to support CASLS staying in Cambridge, and that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.
O-8 May 5, 2014
MAYOR MAHER
WHEREAS: Throughout the great history of the City of Cambridge there have been countless citizens who have committed themselves to public service, community engagement and the pursuit of a more fair and equal city for all; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has long been at the forefront of the fight for freedom and equality since our City was settled in 1630. From the Revolutionary War, to creating a new nation, to the Abolitionists' plight to free an enslaved people, to the Women's Suffrage and Civil Rights movements, to making our society more fair and inclusive to the pursuit of full equality for the LGBT community, Cambridge has always been a leader in the struggle for civil and human rights; and
WHEREAS: One of these committed citizens and public servants who played a key role in the march towards equality for LGBT Americans was former City Clerk D. Margaret Drury when she performed the first same-sex marriage in the United States shortly after midnight on May 17, 2004; and
WHEREAS: Margaret Drury served as City Clerk of the City of Cambridge from 1992-2012 and during those twenty years of dedicated service to the residents of Cambridge, Margaret was a strong advocate for all Cantabrigians, particularly those who were marginalized or discriminated against; and
WHEREAS: Margaret was the author of the municipal code law in Cambridge that brought Domestic Partnership recognition to Cambridge, the first community in the Commonwealth to implement such a law; and
WHEREAS: A decade ago, when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was the only state in the nation that allowed same-sex marriage, Margaret Drury was the City Clerk that processed the first marriage intentions and married the first same-sex couples in the United States. Margaret and her staff in the City Clerk's Office worked throughout the night and into the early hours of the morning on May 17, 2004, and by the close of business, the City of Cambridge issued 268 marriage licenses, the most in the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS: While Margaret Drury's place in history was solidified when she performed the first same-sex marriage in the United States, the residents of Cambridge and her colleagues in the City Clerk's Office were aware of Margaret's commitment to equality and inclusion long before May 17, 2004; and
WHEREAS: Margaret continues to play an active role in civic affairs in Cambridge. Upon her retirement as City Clerk in Apr of 2012, Margaret was appointed to the Board of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and is utilizing her years of experience with the City to help guide the CRA as it works to bring sustainable and mixed-use development to Kendall Square and the eastern portion of our city; and
WHEREAS: Our community has been served by countless public servants who are dedicated and committed to the interests and the needs of the residents of Cambridge. Margaret Drury is one of these public servants who made a tremendous impact on the City Clerk's Office and the City of Cambridge that will benefit our City for years to come; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council does hereby go on record naming D. Margaret Drury as Clerk Emeritus of the City of Cambridge in recognition of her outstanding service to the City of Cambridge and its residents; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and is hereby requested to prepare a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution for presentation to D. Margaret Drury on Fri, May 16, 2014 on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-9 May 5, 2014
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Information Technology Department and members of the volunteer community to arrange an informal question and answer session with members of the City Council regarding the new Open Data Ordinance which is to come before the City Council.
O-10 May 5, 2014
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
WHEREAS: In January of 2014, a federal court of appeals rejected the Federal Communication Commission policy of Net Neutrality, stating that broadband providers such as Comcast can no longer be regulated like common carriers, and do not have to provide equal access to content providers, effectively undermining the democratization of internet access; and
WHEREAS: True Net Neutrality provides for the free and unfettered exchange of information between people and organizations, with no bandwidth preferences based on the nature of content, authorship, or affiliation; and
WHEREAS: Federal Communication Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler's principal strategy for regulation may allow content providers to create an "internet fastlane," conferring preferential speeds to some content-providers (or subsidiaries); and
WHEREAS: This "fastlane" outcome is the result of a long-term lobbying effort on the part of special interests in the telecom industry, stymying free market competition and undermining democratic dissemination of information; and
WHEREAS: These regulatory changes set a precedent that opens the door for future malfeasance; and
WHEREAS: Reclassifying broadband as a telecommunications service under the common carriers provision of Title II of the Communications Act would allow the F.C.C. the authority to preserve Net Neutrality allowing for a free and unfettered exchange of information across network infrastructure; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council goes on record urging that the Federal Communication Commission classify broadband providers like Comcast as a telecommunications service under the common carriers provision of Title II of the Communications Act; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council goes on record urging elected officials of U.S. House and Senate to promote and support legislation that classifies broadband providers like Comcast as a telecommunications service under the common carriers provision of Title II of the Communications Act; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Chairman Tom Wheeler of the F.C.C., and appropriate members of the U.S. Congress and Senate on behalf of the entire City Council, and to respectfully request a response from Senators Warren and Markey, Congressman Capuano, and Congresswoman Clarke on this matter.
O-11 May 5, 2014
MAYOR MAHER
WHEREAS: In January 2010 an earthquake devastated Haiti; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge City Council adopted Order #5 on January 11, 2010 requesting the City Manager to appoint a committee to pursue the possibility of establishing a Sister City relationship with Haiti; and
WHEREAS: A committee was appointed by the City Manager in January 2011 and began working with the Peace Commission to develop and implement a strategy to build an assets-based, sustainable, long-term Sister City relationship between Cambridge and an appropriate city in Haiti; and
WHEREAS: The committee recommended that the City of Cambridge establish a Sister City relationship with Les Cayes, Haiti, and to continue the work, relationship and to develop flexible volunteer teams; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record approving the recommendation to establish a Sister City relationship with Les Cayes, Haiti, so that Cambridge may continue to share with and learn from our friends in other parts of the world because it is important for peace, understanding and friendship among the people of the nations of the world.
TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Housing Committee held a public meeting on Apr 2, 2014 beginning at 3:04pm in the Sullivan Chamber.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the latest challenges to, and changing faces of, affordable housing in Cambridge.
Present at the meeting were Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee; Vice Mayor Dennis A. Benzan; Councillor Craig Kelley; Councillor Nadeem Mazen; Councillor Marc C. McGovern; Councillor Leland Cheung; Brian Murphy, Assistant City Manager; Chris Cotter, Housing Director; Linda Prosnitz, Housing Project Planner; Anna Dolmatch, Housing Project Planner, Community Development Department; Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services; Mike Connolly; Neal Alpert; and Paula M. Crane, Administrative Assistant, City Clerk's Office.
Also present were Elaine DeRosa, Executive Director, CEOC; Cheryl-Ann Pizza-Zeoli, Alliance of Cambridge Tenants and CEOC; Bill Cunningham, Alliance of Cambridge Tenants; Lauren Curry, Housing Development Manager; Craig Nicholson, Just-A-Start Corporation; Greg Russ, Executive Director; Michael Johnston, Deputy Executive Director, Cambridge Housing Authority; Joe Deignan, Resident Services Coordinator, Homeowner's Rehab, Inc. (HRI); J. Bruce LaMoite; John Van Saun, President, 2 Mount Auburn Tenants Association; Nancy Ryan; Barbara Biddle; Kathy Watkins; Torgan Austin; Jerry Harding; Eduardo Maristany; Rebecca MacRae; Akshar Wunnava; Lauren Curry; Beryl Hoffstein; Jean Hannon; Lisa Ward; Andrew Johnson; Rashmi Ramaswar; Richard Krushnick; Robert Winters; John Hawkinson; Sam Seidel; and Minka vanBeuzekom.
Councillor Simmons convened the meeting and explained the purpose. She stated that she wanted to allow members of the committee to hear directly from the people who are most familiar with the housing issues that the city is facing. She stated that this would not be an exhaustive hearing and while there will not be time to get into the thick of any one particular area, it is important that the committee start the term by beginning with a shared understanding of what is going on in the city. She stated that the committee will hear from a number of housing advocates and organizations. She noted that this will be a generalized overview and that the committee will delve more deeply into specific issues at upcoming meetings.
Councillor Simmons noted that Mr. Peter Daly, Executive Director, Homeowner's Rehab, Inc. (HRI) was unable to attend the meeting due to a previous commitment to discuss affordable housing with the congressional representatives in Washington, D.C. Mr. Daly submitted an update of progress on Chapman Arms and Putnam Square for the record. (Attachment A)
Councillor Simmons outlined the agenda for the meeting (Attachment B) and opened public comment at 3:11pm.
Joseph Deignan, HRI, stated that HRI has spoken with representatives from an architectural firm known as The Cambridge 7. He stated that The Cambridge 7 informed HRI that they had no plans to take part in the renovation of 2 Mount Auburn and they approve of HRI's/Davis Square Architects plans. He stated that HRI holds frequent resident meetings to present information on the rehab project. He noted that residents' ideas have played and will continue to play a role in the development of 2 Mt. Auburn's rehab plan. He stated that rehab updates are provided to all building residents on a monthly basis and noted that HRI staff is available to meet with any resident to discuss questions or concerns. He stated that HRI will be constructing an Activity Room on the building's top floor. This space is designed to house resident health and wellness programming and other related activities. He noted that there was a proposal to create a weight room/fitness center but that HRI and WINN management were told by an overwhelming majority of the residents that this is unwanted. He stated that the scope of unit rehabs include, but is not limited to, new windows and framing, some walk-in showers, new refrigerators and new stove units. He stated that adaptive equipment is available to any residents who request this equipment through Somerville/Cambridge elder services.
J. Bruce Lamont, 2 Mt. Auburn Street, stated that less is more. He has been a resident of 2 Mount Auburn for 13 years. He stated that it used to be a tranquil place to reside but is sorry to say that is no longer the case. He said the building has turned into a stress factory. He stated that best time to be a resident in the building was when WINN first took over the property and no one else was involved. As an example, he stated that the ceiling has come down 6-8 times in twelve years. He stated that the new water heaters that had recently been installed need to be repaired, and that is being worked on. He had the good fortune of bringing in The Cambridge 7 Associates, an architecture firm, who were trying to assist and be a good corporate citizen. He said that the reaction from HRI to this group was essentially, "mind your own business." Mr. Lamont stated that long-term implications are not considered. He told of a situation in which an HRI employee met with only two residents every Friday. This employee and these two residents were working to overturn the tenants' association group. He stated that HRI applied for an eight million dollar loan. Mr. Lamont claimed that Mr. Daly took 25% as his fee, and he stated that this is larceny. He stated that most of the 2 million should go into the building.
John Van Saun, 2 Mt. Auburn Street, President, 2 Mt. Auburn Tenants Association, stated that there are seven residents who would like to make remarks. He stated that the issue at 2 Mt. Auburn is a technical process. Two things are apparent: complete divergence as to the allocation of funds and what is and is not important. He stated that HRI is principally concerned with the outside of the building while the tenants are concerned with the inside of the building, meaning the tenants and their quality of life. He stated that funds should be allocated on how things will evolve over the next thirty years. This building holds a unique population. He stated that the 2 Mt. Auburn Tenants Association are asking the City Council to get involved as the project is a ticking clock, and renovations will continue unabated if no action is taken. He asked the City Council to request a four-month pause from HRI, aside from their work to complete the elevator and window renovations. During that time, it would best to seek professional, outside assistance and submit alternative visions for renovating the building that would support livability. He stated that there should be a basic version which will reduce debt load and an extended version that will spend as much as HRI is planning to spend.
Barbara Biddle, 2 Mt. Auburn Street, spoke about the residents of 2 Mount Auburn Street. She noted that the residents are getting older, sicker and weaker. She spoke in favor of a Health and Wellness system that the tenants association will provide. She noted that many tenants are in their 60s and 70s. She spoke about the benefits of strength and conditioning. She stated that two small stationary bikes in the corner is a bad area.
Gerry Harding, resident of 2 Mt. Auburn Street, stated that he is 72 years old and he expects that he will end his days in this building. He spoke about his concerns relative to the renovations. He noted that he has a background in the arts, specifically set and costume design for the theater and book design illustration. He stated that he has a special interest in the overall esthetics of the building. He stated that 2 Mt. Auburn should not look like an institution. He said that the simplest resolution to any problem is usually the best. He noted that new hallway lighting has been installed without any input from the residents. He said that the lights that have been installed flash on and off as you proceed down the hall and provide a nightmarish effect, especially for a person who suffers from cataracts and/or glaucoma. Regarding the architectural proposal for placing a coffee making center in the lobby of the building, he stated that this is unnecessary as well as esthetically inappropriate and a waste of space. He asked that the City Council see fit to intervene for a 4-month hiatus in the renovations and urged that a group be formed to seek advice from the community and other resources with which the city is endowed.
Beryl Hoffstein, 2 Mount Auburn Street, Vice President of 2 Mt. Auburn Tenants Association, stated that she has lived in this building for 4 ½ years. As it relates to the new lighting, she noted that one tenant has already complained due to the problems with her eyesight. This tenant has suggested that the lights are blinding and not well-distributed. She stated that because this project is derived from public funding, there should be accountability and transparency. The public housing should match the needs of the elderly and disabled that live there. She stated that some of the plans have not been disclosed to residents. She stated that collaboration on the project would allow for a very exciting and cutting-edge innovation from some of the best minds locally as well as the residents. She stated that Mr. Daley would receive great publicity as well as the reputation for a forward-looking vision, and that this would constitute a win-win situation. This could be new model.
Lisa Ward, 2 Mt. Auburn Street, noted that she has not been a resident of 2 Mt. Auburn for very long. She stated that one of the reasons that she moved to 2 Mt. Auburn was the great ties to the community. She stated that politically, we know that we are supposed to make it easier for the middle class in the community. She stated that she does not believe that HRI should be blocking contract biddings and should instead make it an open process. There are small businesses in the city that could do the work for less money. She stated that she does not understand why The Cambridge 7 was told to mind their own business. She stated that elderly people try to live out their days in peace and tranquility. Ms. Ward spoke of the problem with work trucks taking up the limited parking spots that are available. She noted that every building has a tenants association and that you cannot have two tenant associations in the same building. She stated that there are no problems in the building among the tenants other than two people who are running amok. She stated that projects are being done at 10%. She asked the committee to look at this issue.
Richard Krushnick, 20 Oak Street, stated that he is a member of the Cambridge Residents Alliance and community development worker in Boston. He has been looking at development in the city for the past 60 years. He stated that the percentage of the population under age 40 has dropped while the population over age 40 has risen. He noted that changes are not as dramatic in the higher ages, and that Cambridge is becoming a homogenous culture. He noted that we are witnessing a transformation in the city. There have been a large percentage of working class families that have been pushed out of the city. Middle-class families have been priced out of the city. He noted that families in the city have been reduced by half. He stated that the best way to preserve affordable housing is to build more housing. He stated that the Community Development Department has been forthcoming about preserving and developing middle-income housing. He stated that the city really has to take the long-term, big picture look and figure out what to do about it. The city needs to spend more of its own general revenue money to preserve low and middle income housing. The housing trust sources are going to have to be increased and mechanisms found through taxes or other means that benefit the lower income and middle class families.
Councillor Simmons stated that we need to be proactive. She noted that the purpose of the committee is to look at the changing face of Cambridge as it relates to housing. She stated that HRI will be invited to the next meeting. She stated that she would like to hear from some of the housing providers that were in attendance.
Elaine DeRosa, CEOC, stated that CEOC is a designated anti-poverty agency. She gave a brief summary of some of the work that is undertaken by CEOC. She discussed some of the agency's work in areas such as individual tenant advocacy, which includes keeping people in their homes to prevent homelessness. She noted that with the change in public funding around public housing, the people who were eligible under the existing system may soon not be eligible for tax credits. She stated that the main goal is to help people stay in their homes, since once people lose their home, they are displaced from the city and the resources that it offers. She stated that new data reveals that we are in one of the most expensive rent areas in the world. The conflict of wealth and lack of equality around wealth impacts housing. CEOC also works on public advocacy policy. She cited, as an example, the Commonwealth's 40T program, which is what allowed HRI to purchase 2 Mt. Auburn, 1221 Cambridge Street, and other expiring use buildings. This 40T program is the legislation that allowed the purchase of the building, and it was heralded by Governor Patrick in the lobby of 2 Mt. Auburn when it was first being announced to the public. She noted that CEOC has been in every expiring use building in the city as part of its quest to hear from all tenants. In reference to 2 Mt. Auburn Street, she noted that CEOC has heard from other tenants at 2 Mt. Auburn that HRI is trying to do the best they can with an old building. Returning to the topic of 40T, she again noted that this relates to expiring use properties. She stated that 921 Mass Avenue was an expiring use building and that there are some deeded units in the building. This program was the impetus for the right of first refusal, meaning that the Municipality or designees have the right to match a private offer on expiring use buildings, which offers a chance to preserve these buildings for their original intended purposes of serving as affordable housing. She wished to credit the City Manager and the City Council, along with the support around community preservation and affordable housing, for saving these buildings. She noted that the Fresh Pond Apartments and 362-364 Rindge Avenue and the Close Building will expire in 2020.
Cheryl-Ann Pizza-Zeoli seconded Elaine DeRosa's statement that 40T has been a useful tool. It did not require legislative approval, it was a regulatory change. She stated the concern that it will cost more to preserve buildings, which might inhibit the program's effectiveness. Much of what she does comes from the belief that tenants need to understand what type of buildings they are living in. She stated that there are big changes coming to the Cambridge Housing Authority, and also noted that change of funding comes along with the change. She stated that there is work to be done and decisions will need to be made. She noted that there are a lot of policy issues that the City Council will need to be aware of. As one example, she spoke of the smoking ban inside all CHA buildings that will be going into effect and the fact that it will be a big change for CHA residents.
Bill Cunningham, Alliance of Cambridge Tenants (ACT), stated that it would be safe to say that the true market rents in Cambridge run $1,000 over fair market rent. That means that people who have affordable housing vouchers and don't have a building to go to will end up in Everett or Wakefield because, even with their vouchers in hand, they will still be unable to afford rents in Cambridge. On the other end, it is a struggle to preserve affordable housing stock. With so many people who depend upon affordable housing gradually being pushed out of Cambridge, it means that the local basis of support for public and voucher housing is vanishing. The cause and effect are sometimes mixed up. Following the implementation of rent control, many residents were priced out of Cambridge it subsequently became difficult to maintain the political base for it. Much of what has happened in Cambridge would have happened regardless. Public housing organization is the right to organize and the right to receive money from the CHA. Certain rights were gained in the tenant movement, and at one time, it was not difficult to get participation for tenant councils. Nowadays, it is difficult to keep tenants associations from falling apart. The Alliance of Cambridge Tenants is an organization recognized by the CHA and consists of public housing and voucher residents. Voucher housing was never included in other, similar organizations. To encourage owners to take renters with vouchers, they will not give extra rights to tenants. He stated that the Alliance of Cambridge Tenants does not have a steady stream of funding or a memo of understanding with the CHA. They only have money from their own pockets, and since everyone in ACT is, by definition, low-income, it means that ACT is a very poorly funded operation. They are not outsiders. He noted that he has lived in Cambridge for over fifty years. When you have such a low level of organizing amongst the tenants, it is not surprising that tenant rights are slipping away. The City Council is in a position to listen to the residents who have something to say. He stated the importance of encouraging more people to come forward and get involved in the process. He stated that when people express distrust of the establishment, they feel something deeper than the will of the non-profit people. He feels that people are doing the best they can. This has to do with the continual cutbacks of funding and the restlessness of the financial world.
Brian Murphy stated that there are issues to consider looking into in the future, such as the disconnect of fair and actual market rent that Mr. Cunningham just mentioned. Over the years there has been a cyclical nature to the development. Softer development has been more successful with non-profit partners to develop sites. He noted that expiring use buildings such as Briston Arms, the Fresh Pond Apartments and the Close Building will be very important to the discussion. He stated that there will be policy questions to consider over the coming term, such as incentive payments and ensuring that these payments are high enough when thinking about the community impact, inclusionary zoning and potential adjustments to the existing formula, if necessary, and the loss of middle income families. He stated that 30% of voucher holders are leaving the city and this is worthy of discussion. He stated that he and Ellen Semonoff have discussed how to tie social service programs with housing. Mr. Murphy stated that another piece of the conversation is the composition of the city. There is an advantage to ensuring that people who work in the city and have children are able to remain in the city, but that can sometimes come at the expense of residents that do not have children.
Councillor Simmons stated that there are some very important topics to be discussed in the future. She stated that it is important to look at the definition of "residency." Councillor Simmons inquired as to how university housing weighs in on housing stock. Chris Cotter stated that the city has been challenged and has been focusing on preservation for the past five years. He noted that there are a significant number of inclusionary units forthcoming. They are working on the best way to allocate these units as they come on-line. Mr. Cotter stated that these units are predominantly rental units.
Gregg Russ, CHA, gave an overview of the Cambridge Housing Authority's Capital Program from 2014 - 2020 (Attachment C). He stated that the CHA feels that there is a close connection and cooperative mindset with the City's administration. He stated that the market has changed so dramatically and the CHA is trying to preserve as many units possible inside the City of Cambridge. Hard units are becoming increasingly viewed as the most stable form of affordable housing, whereas vouchers are mobile by requirement and definition. He stated that vouchers that have been distributed via the CHA have been scattered in neighboring towns. He stated that in 2006, in order to maintain 2,700 public housing units, the CHA needed to raise large money for capital improvements. He stated that the CHA has made a series of planned choices and done a number of things to reposition the affordable hard units to remain in place as affordable units for at least 20 years. State public housing has been migrated into the federal program. The Federal government offered the CHA the opportunity to move units and they took advantage of that. In addition, the CHA has applied for and received a number of stimulus grants for various capital improvements at their properties all around the community. He stated that they filed a disposition application to trigger tenant protection vouchers. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rejected that application. RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) made propositions to change the subsidy platform and release certain restrictions on property. The RAD application was approved to become a project-based Section 8 subsidy approach, and the first phase of this shift will have to close by the end of the year. He stated that RAD allows the CHA to move from a formula operated subsidy, which is subject to periodic and deep funding cuts by Congress, to a Section 8 subsidy, which he believes to be more stable. The largest chunk of Section 8 voucher holders is tenant-based and largely held by families. He said that there are commitments to maintain a certain set of tenant protections in the new Section 8 properties. They are self-developing and plan to contract back to existing staff, so that the experience of the tenants living in these buildings should remain largely unchanged aside from how the program is being administered. He stated that the CHA is able to raise significant amount of money via the changes being planned for RAD. He stated that the CHA has also received a grant from the state for Jefferson Park reconstruction, and that the CHA has to use the tax credit. He noted that 10% of the units in each property are not connected to the tax credit. This will keep the policy platform and assistance to the families the same. The second phase application will begin in December and will close the following year. He noted that construction on the first phase is late spring/early summer of next year. Once it starts, the CHA intends to provide a level of renovations to all of its properties over the next 3-5 years. Mr. Russ also noted that the new units being constructed by the YWCA on Temple Place consists of new units made possible by tax credits and contributions of the city.
Lauren Curry, Just a Start (JAS), stated that many people are not well acquainted with JAS. JAS was involved with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) and the creation of new housing in Area 3 and 4. Over the last 40 years, JAS has been actively involved in housing development, both homeownership and rental. JAS owns close to 600 units of rental housing and developed over 130 home ownership units. They hope to continue what has been called "workforce housing." These are units intended for working people trying to stay in Cambridge. She stated that there is need for very low income housing, whose tenants may have a more significant need for supports to stay in their homes. She stated that JAS has a portfolio of housing that needs to be refinanced and revitalized so they are available for the community in the future. She stated that they are currently redeveloping property on Bishop Allen Drive which is a tax credit project. It is the hope to redevelop other tax credit properties that were developed in the 1990s. Also, JAS provides housing services such as mediation services, homelessness prevention and counseling. She stated that JAS has a home improvement program which helps lower income homeowners to keep up their housing and to do it in an affordable way. She stated that the affordable housing provided by agencies like JAS are not well enough understood to be fully appreciated for the roles that they play in keeping the community accessible to a large variety of people. She stated her hope that the future will hold better receptivity toward development and maintenance to this component of the Cambridge housing scene. To underscore the great demand for affordable housing, she stated that last year JAS received 130 applications for just fourteen units, and she also stated that the rental waiting list will not be met for years. She stated that preservation of existing affordable units is essential.
Councillor McGovern stated that this issue ties in with the upcoming Human Services & Veterans Committee meeting he will be chairing, which will focus upon poverty and hunger in the community. He stated that he is pleased that we are all working together. He stated that there will need to be a multi-front battle to make headway. He stated the importance of preserving the affordable housing stock but noted that we need to get in front of plan for the upcoming expiring use buildings, increasing inclusionary zoning, and discussions with developers to ascertain what the city can do to give incentives to build low and middle income housing. He mentioned that a poverty study from the Community Development Department stated that federal standards of what is considered to be "poverty" on a national level is out of whack in Cambridge. He stated that it is important to know what is realistic for the City of Cambridge as it relates to poverty. He stated that the city needs to look into the option of purchasing more land. He noted that he dislikes the thought of losing parking in Central Square, but that he may be open to the idea if that would translate to more affordable housing and being able to keep more families in place.
Vice Mayor Benzan stated that he appreciates work of all of the agencies present. He stated that he recently toured CHA buildings and he is impressed with their work. He stated that he is trying to better understand hard numbers. He asked Brian Murphy how many units of housing can be built on sites if the City were to build to its absolute capacity. Mr. Murphy said that he did not have those numbers available but he would gather that information for future discussion. Councillor Simmons suggested that it may be helpful to compile a list of topics to discuss so that the committee could prioritize the goals of the Housing Committee.
Vice Mayor Benzan stated that he had the opportunity to meet with Peter Daly and one of the subjects they discussed was the California Paint site. He stated that it would be beneficial to work with real numbers so they could begin to look at dollars and cents.
Councillor Mazen stated that he is interested in the expiring use conversation. He stated that he wants to really understand the up-side and down-side over time. He stated that it is good to know what the city is getting into and in particular how the city can move forward saving the expiring use buildings. As it related to inclusionary zoning, he stated that he thinks that 15% almost gets us something but in practice the number is lower. It is very confusing if we have goals but are not addressing them in a specific way. In relation to the comments earlier in the meeting about the power of having an organized public to rally around affordable housing, he stated that as part of the Neighborhood & Long Term Planning discussion, there is a question about organizing and what the city can do to provide access that may give community groups more leverage.
Councillor Kelley stated that he disagrees with the characterization of the renovation work from HRI. He stated that his experience is that work is substandard and results in more problems. He asked Mr. Russ about the projects at 78-80 Porter and Temple Place. He stated that he was not clear on what was being constructed with those costs. Mr. Russ stated that this figure includes a portion of the acquisition cost plus rehab that will need to be done. They are in the process of transitioning from market rate to affordable housing. He stated that for now, the tenancy will be changed to affordable and the rehab will take place at a later time. Councillor Kelley stated that it seems like a lot of money per unit. Councillor Kelley asked how rehab money pays for a building that is already owned by the CHA. Mr. Russ stated that the chart lists construction cost only. Councillor Kelley inquired if the $250,000 figure cited by Mr. Russ was in addition to the purchase price of the building. Mr. Russ answered in the affirmative.
Councillor Carlone stated that he is trained as an architect and urban designer. He appreciates the efforts being made. He stated that upzonings are being considered and CDD is looking into this. He stated that one of the benefits could be contingent upon an increase in affordable housing or mixture. He stated that Cambridge is a dense city but if you look at the potential of low density buildings, thousands of units can be built. He noted that one problem is that you can only build housing, office or biotech in certain areas. He noted that it makes sense that some of the land between Main and Massachusetts Avenue in the area of Lafayette should be residential. He stated that in the end, when we do housing, the city and state should be looking at what the new additional part is that will serve as a base. He stated that it is important to talk about building neighborhoods and community. He does not want that to be lost. Councillor Carlone stated that buildings over six stories have little relationship to the ground. He stated that in order to meet the needs of the city, we need 35% affordable housing, but he questioned whether mandating that figure would impede further development.
Vice Mayor Benzan stated that as it relates to 2 Mt. Auburn, there has been some question about the legitimacy of the tenant association. He asked how this association was formed, and if so, if it was formed in a democratic process. John Van Saun stated that in September of 2012 he was entrenched in work and he was shocked when he heard that 2 Mt Auburn was being placed for sale by Harvard University. He said that there is a clause in 40T that allows for the formation of a tenant council, and that he and Beryl Hoffstein took the initiative to run for tenant council and were elected president and vice president. He said that he was elected 47-2. He noted that there have been more than 40 meetings of the tenant council since that time. He stated that there are over 12,000 pages of documentation to meet 40T requirements. He stated that the tenant council has taken pains to be inclusive of the building's residents, including utilizing translators. Councilor Simmons then advised that further conversation dealing specifically with 2 Mt. Auburn should be held off until a future meeting with Peter Daly present could be scheduled.
Councillor Simmons stated that the passion around housing is clearly visible. She stated that diversity is not only about jobs and schools but people that live in our neighborhoods. She asked her fellow committee members to compile a list of issues that are important to them so that their time on this committee can be used well. She stated that she is very concerned about learning that 30% of voucher holders are leaving the city. She noted the importance of people being heard. She stated that while the City Council is able to make policy, it is imperative to hear from those that you serve.
Councillor Simmons thanked all those present for their attendance and participation.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:19pm on a motion of Councillor Mazen.
For the Committee,
Councillor E. Denise Simmons, 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)
14-07. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #9
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)
14-12. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #14
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: See Mgr #11 and Mgr #15
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: See Mgr #13
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)
14-27. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on revising the location of Hubway stations in residential areas.
Councillor Simmons 04/28/14 (O-1)
14-28. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on creating a master list of all residential building managers citywide.
Councillor Simmons 04/28/14 (O-4)
14-29. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what options exist for dedicated office space for members of the City Council.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Cheung & Councillor Carlone 04/28/14 (O-5)
14-30. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on if additional measures can be taken to make the crossing safety at Cambridge and Sciarappa Streets.
Councillor Toomey 04/28/14 (O-6)
14-31. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of installing a bus shelter on Cambridge Street in front of Millers River Senior apartments.
Councillor Toomey 04/28/14 (O-8)
14-32. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of establishing an information hotline that residents can call to learn about and be connected to the social service providers in their neighborhoods.
Councillor Simmons 04/28/14 (O-10)
14-33. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on potential for continued upgrades and improvements to bus shelters across the City.
Councillor Carlone 04/28/14 (O-13)
14-34. Report from the City Manager: See Mgr #8
RE: report on the City's legal options on preventing the use of electronic billboards in the City.
Mayor Maher & Councillor Cheung 04/28/14 (O-17)
14-35. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the condition of the parking lot and fence at the corner of Cherry and School Streets.
Vice Mayor Benzan 04/28/14 (O-19)
14-36. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of offering resident an online option to complete the City's annual census.
Councillor Cheung 04/28/14 (O-27)
14-37. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of painting green all designed bicycle lanes on all major streets.
Councillor Cheung 04/28/14 (O-28)