6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, in response to a question raised at the May 9, 2022 Council Meeting concerning the Alewife Overlay Development Zoning Petition. [Solicitor’s Response and below] (CM22#114)
pulled by McGovern; Referred to Petition (Unf. Bus. #2) 9-0

May 16, 2022
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached a response to a question raised at the May 9, 2022 Council Meeting concerning the Alewife Overlay Development Zoning Petition, received from City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

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May 16,2022
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am writing to follow up on a question that Councillor McGovern raised at the Monday May 9th City Council meeting concerning the Alewife Overlay Development Zoning Petition (“the Petition”). Councillor McGovern stated at the meeting that there are a couple of projects in the Alewife Zoning Overlay Districts that have received a special permit, but only after the date of advertisement of the Planning Board hearing on the Petition. He stated further that he had heard that even if new zoning is adopted for the Alewife Zoning Overlay Districts, those projects would be allowed to proceed with their development pursuant to their special permits, and that any new zoning adopted for the Alewife Zoning Overlay Districts would not apply to those projects. Councillor McGovern asked me to opine on the question that if that is true, why should the Council not exempt those projects from the Petition and let them proceed with development pursuant to their special permits now? When I answered Councillor McGovern’s question on the floor, I misspoke and said that a zoning amendment to the Alewife Zoning Overlay Districts would apply to those projects. However, when I referred to a zoning amendment, I was referring to the Petition, and since those projects did not have their special permits by the date of advertisement of the hearing, the Petition if adopted would apply to them. I did not understand in the moment that Councillor McGovern was asking about what would happen with subsequent zoning amendments that may be adopted after the moratorium period set forth in the Petition expires.

Accordingly, I will now more fully address Councillor McGovern’s question. Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance do not apply to “a building or special permit issued before the first publication of notice of the public hearing on such ordinance [ ] required by section five.” G.L. c.40A, § 6. Accordingly, the Petition, if adopted, will apply to projects that received a special permit after the date of advertisement of the Planning Board hearing on the Petition. However, any future zoning amendments that had not been advertised before issuance of a special permit for such projects will not apply. So, for a project that received its special permit after the date of advertisement of the Planning Board hearing on the Petition, that project would be able to proceed with the project as permitted by the special permit once the moratorium period has expired. (There is one caveat to this, which is that a special permit expires after two years if construction was not commenced in that time, except for an extension for good cause. G.L. c.40A, § 9; Zoning Ordinance Section 10.46.)

Therefore, it is possible that there are some projects that will be subject to the Petition if adopted but that already have a special permit, so they will not be subject to subsequent zoning amendments that may be adopted after the moratorium period set forth in the Petition expires. However, as set forth in my legal opinions dated April 7th and May 9th, if those few properties that are the sites of proposed projects are explicitly exempted from the Petition, the Petition could be subject to challenge as spot zoning. “Spot zoning occurs ‘where one lot or a small area has been singled out for treatment less onerous than that imposed upon nearby, indistinguishable properties.’” W.R. Grace & Co. v. Cambridge City Council, 56 Mass. App. Ct. 559 at 569 (2002) (internal citations omitted). Although those few projects may move forward as permitted by their special permits after the moratorium period expires, we have no way of knowing if they actually will proceed with their projects as presently permitted, or if they will seek to amend their projects, or if the properties will be used for an entirely different purpose. Exempting any such projects from the Petition and allowing them to proceed with development now could be found to be singling out those properties for different treatment and conferring an economic benefit on them, which would be impermissible and subject to challenge as spot zoning.

I am available to answer any additional questions the Council may have.

Very truly yours,
Nancy E. Glowa
City Solicitor

ON THE TABLE
1. Section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000 Special Regulations linkage fee, be amended by substitution (Ordinance #2022-14). [Tabled May 9, 2022] (PO22#84)

C. Section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000 Special Regulations linkage fee., be amended by substitution (Ordinance #2022-14).   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern

Proposed Order     May 9, 2022  Tabled 9-0 on May 9
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: The Housing Committee met on Mar 16, 2022 to discuss amendments to Section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000 entitled “Special Regulations linkage fee”. Now therefore be it

ORDERED: That section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000, entitled SPECIAL REGULATIONS, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge, be amended by substitution with the following text:

(b) Housing Contribution Rate. The Housing Contribution Rate effective upon ordination shall be thirty-three dollars and thirty-four cents ($33.34) per square foot of Gross Floor Area devoted to the uses that qualify the new development as an Incentive Project. The effective rate shall be subject to annual escalation equal to annual percentage increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Housing Index for Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-ME-CT or similar index to reflect changes in dollar values over time; however, annual decreases in CPI shall not cause the contribution rate to be decreased. The table below is intended to administratively track changes to the Housing Contribution Rate as it is adjusted over time.

Effective Date	Housing Contribution Rate
September 28, 2015	$12.00 per square foot.
September 28, 2016 (Annual Adjustment)	$13.00 per square foot.
November 16, 2016 (CPI Adjustment)	$13.50 per square foot.
September 28, 2017 (Annual Adjustment)	$14.50 per square foot.
October 18, 2017 (CPI Adjustment)	$14.95 per square foot.
September 28, 2018 (Annual Adjustment)	$15.95 per square foot.
November 18, 2019 (CPI Adjustment)	$17.10 per square foot.
January 28, 2020 (City Council Amendment)	$20.10 per square foot.
XX XX, 2022 (City Council Amendment)	$33.34 per square foot.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2. That Article 20.90 - Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance be amended to insert a new section entitled Section 20.94.3 - Temporarily prohibited uses (ORDINANCE #2022-1). [Tabled May 2, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after May 23, 2022] (PO22#2)
Councillor Carlone noted that he felt that the Alewife Triangle should not be included in the proposed moratorium

Calendar Item #2     Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
ORDERED: That Section 20.90, entitled Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6, be amended to insert a new section 20.93.5 to read as follows:
20.93.5     Development Moratorium. For a period beginning from the date of enactment of this Section 20.93.5 and lasting until December 31, 2023, or until the time of enactment of an amendment to or deletion of this Section 20.93.5, whichever occurs sooner, no permits for the building, renovation, or enlargement of any structures to accommodate a new or enlarged Office or Laboratory Use as listed in Section 4.34 of this Zoning Ordinance shall be issued within the Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6. The purpose of such moratorium is to create and enact amended requirements for the Alewife Overlay Districts in consultation with residents of the Alewife Overlay Districts and surrounding neighborhoods, based on development plans and guidelines published by the City.

Below is amended petition language as recommended by the Ordinance Committee on Apr 7, 2022

ORDERED: that Section 20.90, entitled Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6, be amended to insert a new section 20.93.5 to read as follows:
20.93.5     Development Moratorium. For a period beginning from the date of enactment of this Section 20.93.5 and lasting until December 31, 2023, or until the time of enactment of an amendment to or deletion of this Section 20.93.5, whichever occurs sooner, no permits for the building, renovation, or enlargement of any structures to accommodate a new Office or Laboratory Use as listed in Section 4.34 of this Zoning Ordinance shall be issued within the Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6. The purpose of such moratorium is to create and enact amended requirements for the Alewife Overlay Districts in consultation with residents of the Alewife Overlay Districts and surrounding neighborhoods, based on development plans and guidelines published by the City.

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O-2     Jan 10, 2022  Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0 on Jan 10, 2022
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
WHEREAS: In 1979, the City of Cambridge Community Development Department created the Alewife Revitalization plan, intended to fill the Fresh Pond - Alewife area with a mix of residential, business, and industrial structures (as shown in the attached graphic); and
WHEREAS: Forty years later, the 2019 Envision Alewife plan still visualizes Alewife as a mixed-use district, with development promoting the creation of good-paying, low barrier-to-entry jobs, and additional housing with no lab uses (as shown in the attached graphic); and
WHEREAS: Over two years the City Council debated an up-zoning petition for part of the Quad area that included some housing, some retail, and some office/lab space which was voted down out of concerns that it was not aligned fully with the areawide vision as articulated in the plans, and a commitment to connections was uncertain; and
WHEREAS: The climate resiliency issues in this district are important, and this area is the subject of discussions by various departments, committees and task forces, with increasing urgency due to the rapid changes in climate leading to a need for more urgent and aggressive actions in this flood prone area with the visions consistently showing the need for a pond or water retention system/green corridor; and
WHEREAS: In the past two months, Denver real estate investment firm Healthpeak Properties has spent close to $400 million in this part of Cambridge, purchasing to date 19 separate parcels as outlined in the attached chart; and
WHEREAS: All of these purchases are located in the Alewife “Quad” area, where Cambridge has planned a variety of different developments. Future purchases from HealthPeak Properties are expected since an additional LLC, LS Alewife IV, was created and has not yet acquired property, while LS Alewife V has; and
WHEREAS: HealthPeak is known for owning and developing real estate mostly in the healthcare industry, including medical offices and labs; and
WHEREAS: The original plan for Alewife included some office space and labs, though expected a wide variety of development; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge continues to struggle with housing affordability and availability, and therefore housing must be an integral part of all future development; and
WHEREAS: Long-needed public infrastructure, including pedestrian and bicycle connections through and across the district, a rail stop for those commuting to and from the area, publicly accessible open spaces, and urgent municipal needs such as DPW and Fire Department facilities, remains lacking; and
WHEREAS: City staff has not produced new zoning for the district in line with the plans, including the recent Alewife Envision Plan; and
WHEREAS: The City Council passed a Policy Order asking for a moratorium on development in the Alewife Quad area on Nov 18, 2021, yet an Ordinance Committee meeting was not scheduled in time to meet the legal timeline; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That Article 20.90- Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance be amended to insert a new section entitled Section 20.94.3- Temporarily prohibited uses to read as follows:

“No Office or Laboratory Uses as listed in Table 4.34 - Office and Laboratory Use shall be permitted within Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 until December 31, 2023, or until such time as new Alewife District zoning is ordained by the Cambridge City Council, whichever shall be sooner.

“Such new district zoning shall be created in consultation with neighborhood residents from throughout the Alewife District and from each bordering district, including Cambridge Highlands, North Cambridge, Neighborhood Nine, and West Cambridge.

“Specifically, such new district zoning shall be guided by the vision, goals, existing studies, and recommendations contained in the City publications Alewife District Plan:

A report of the Alewife Planning Study Fall 2019 and Alewife Design Guidelines Fall 2020, and shall address the following areas identified in those reports:

• Land Use

• Open Space

• Urban Form

• Mobility

• Climate and Environment

• Housing

• Economy

In addition, such new district zoning shall also reflect any recent reports and planning recommendations developed by other relevant citizen committees, task forces, and working groups, including but not limited to the following:

• Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transit Advisory Committees (City of Cambridge Bike Plan 2020, City of Cambridge Pedestrian Plan)

• Climate Protection Action Committee (City of Cambridge Climate Protection Plan)

• Net Zero Task Force (City of Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan)

• Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force (City of Cambridge Urban Forest Report: Healthy Forest Healthy City)

• Climate Change Working Group (final report pending)

• Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force (final report pending)”

1979 Alewife Plan

Envision Alewife

Name/Corporation	Total Cost of Acquisitions	Date of Last Acquisition
LS Alewife I LLC	$180 million	9/9/2021
LS Alewife II LLC	$73 million	10/4/2021
LS Alewife III LLC	$120 million	10/27/2021
LS Alewife IV LLC	$0 to date	N/A
LS Alewife V LLC	$17.8 million	11/1/2021

 

2. A communication was received from Vice Mayor Alanna Mallon, transmitting information regarding the City Auditor Search.   Vice Mayor Mallon
pulled by Mallon; Rules suspended to bring forward a Late Policy Order requesting questions for City Auditor candidate (COF22#60)
Placed on File 9-0

Dear Colleagues,

The City Auditor Search Committee, which is a preliminary screening committee named by Mayor Siddiqui with the express purpose of finding qualified candidates to consider and interview for the position of City Auditor, has concluded its meetings, and we are pleased to report we have voted to move Joseph McCann forward to the full City Council for consideration. The City Auditor Search Committee was composed of Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern and myself, and we have met in executive session over the last two weeks to interview Mr. McCann and discuss his references. Please find attached to this communication his resume and cover letter.

Mr. McCann has been with the City of Cambridge since 2021 in the Auditing Department as the Manager of Fiscal Reporting, and prior to that held the position of Comptroller at the Massachusetts Port Authority for over a decade. He also previously worked at the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, both in high level fiscal management positions. Mr. McCann has prior experience at KPMG and holds knowledge on both sides of the fiscal auditing experience.

The Mayor will be calling a special meeting for the City Council members to publicly interview Mr. McCann, and for the body to deliberate whether a formal extension of an offer of employment should be made to this candidate.

I am available to answer any questions the body may have.

Thank you,
Alanna Mallon
Vice Mayor

3. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee. (COF22#61)
Placed on File 9-0

To: Cambridge City Council
From: Sumbul Siddiqui, Mayor
Date: May 12, 2022
Subject: Communicating Information from the School Committee

To the Honorable, the City Council:

The District planning process is moving forward. Later this month, we will kick off discussions with the School Committee about the outcomes that will be used to set goals and measure progress towards those goals. The District Plan sets the foundation of our work for the next few years and is a roadmap for improved outcomes that we desire for our schools.

Due to an increase in the number of COVID cases and COVID-related hospitalizations within our community, we are encouraging our entire school community to mask, particularly when we are indoors. Please note that CPS is NOT reinstating a requirement but advising mask use based on current data.

Dr. Turk will be leading the process for the Math Coordinator position and is currently compiling an interview committee. Interviews will begin on May 20th. CPS is also screening applicant resumes to begin the process for the Chief of Academics & School position to prepare for upcoming interviews over the next couple of weeks.

A reminder that Speakfully, our updated Incident Reporting System, launched last week. Any member of the school community can submit a report regarding inappropriate conduct, such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, bullying other civil rights violations or other areas of concern through Speakfully. For more information, visit the CPS website.

* It is important to note that Speakfully does not replace the ability of any member of the school community to initiate a complaint verbally with a Principal or any CPS staff member at any time.

The Visual and Performing Arts Department at CRLS presents Dance Works on Fri, May 13 and Sat, May 14 at 7:00pm at the CRLS Fitzgerald Theater. Dance Works will feature dances by students, faculty, and guest artists. Get tickets here!

Congratulations to the 126 CRLS students who were awarded scholarships at the CRLS Scholarship Award ceremony last week.

The next regular meeting is Tues, May 17, at 6pm. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Respectfully,
Mayor Siddiqui

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     May 16, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
VICE MAYOR MALLON
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: On September 20, 2021, the City Council voted in favor of a policy order asking the City Manager to direct City staff to “…compile a report detailing the efforts the City has made toward creating LGBTQ+-Friendly Housing over the past decade, to state what impediments had been identified in realizing this effort, and to outline recommendations for how the City may successfully create such housing within the next three years,” as well as to create a new section on the City’s housing website to serve as a repository for this information; and
WHEREAS: It was hoped that posting this information on the City’s website would enable future iterations of the City Council to more easily build upon past momentum around the goal of creating LGBTQ+ Friendly housing in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Another key piece of this policy order included a request that an LGBTQ+ Friendly Housing Task Force be appointed to help advance this work; and
WHEREAS: As of May 2022, a response from the City Manager’s Office on this Policy Order has not yet been issued; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide an update to the City Council by the final week of June 2022 on any progress that has been made in regards to the aforementioned policy order.

O-2     May 16, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
VICE MAYOR MALLON
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: For many years, Cambridge was home to a monthly LGBTQ+ Dinner known as “Kate’s Café” – named in honor of the late Kate Thomas – which attracted seniors in the LGBTQ+ Community from Cambridge, Somerville, and surrounding towns, and which was originally hosted at Cadbury Common, before moving to Ryles Jazz Club and then at the S&S Deli in Inman Square; and
WHEREAS: For so many of the attendees, the majority of whom were Cambridge residents, this monthly ritual had become an important, standing appointment on their calendar, it helped create a greater sense of community and solidarity amongst the local LGBTQ+ Community, fulfilling a previously unmet need in the Cambridge area by providing its members a lively, warm, and enjoyable destination to socialize, and to foster, nurture, and bolster personal and professional relationships; and
WHEREAS: As with so many other things, this monthly dinner has been largely derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic, with two years of difficulty in safely bringing large groups of people together, and subsequently with the loss of many viable dining locations; and
WHEREAS: With Covid-19 restrictions continuing to ease, and with the possibility of renewed attacks from Washington against the rights gained by the LGBTQ+ Community, the need for the members of this community to once again have a monthly destination to dine, to reconnect, to fortify, and to strengthen one another becomes all the more important; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Executive Director of the Council on Aging, Somerville and Cambridge Elder Services, and the Executive Director of Cadbury Common to determine the feasibility of re-establishing some form of the Kate’s Café Monthly LGBTQ+ Community Dinners either at Cadbury Common or at another suitable location, and to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-3     May 16, 2022  Amended
VICE MAYOR MALLON
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge prides itself on being inclusive, and was one of the first in the Country to declare Cambridge a “Sanctuary City” for all people, which confers protections to all residents, regardless of immigration status; and
WHEREAS: LGBTQIA+ rights are under attack across the country, with State Houses limiting transgender children’s rights – particularly around life affirming health care, the recently passed “Don’t Say Gay” law in Florida that is now being proposed in over a dozen states, recent book bans that target books with LGBTQIA+ characters, and more; and
WHEREAS: The leaked Supreme Court of the United States draft opinion regarding Roe v. Wade contained language that signaled future uncertainty of other landmark cases that were decided in the Supreme Court, such as Obergefell v. Hodges, which provide basic protections and the right to gay marriage, and others; and
WHEREAS: There is a need to declare a similar sanctuary or refuge status on the City of Cambridge for our LGBTQIA+ residents; and
WHEREAS: Recognizing a need to create a dedicated team to focus on issues of LGBTQ+ residents, the City of Boston just established an “Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement” which will be “tasked with empowering, protecting and promoting the rights, dignity, and advancement of Boston’s LGBTQ+ residents. This office will be responsible for developing policy, community oriented programming, and providing resources for the city’s multiracial, multigenerational, multicultural and multilingual LGBTQ+ community.”; and
WHEREAS: Currently the Cambridge LGBTQ Commission shares an Executive Director with the Commission on Immigrant Right and Citizenship and the Human Rights Commission; and
WHEREAS: The LGBTQIA+ community in Cambridge should have dedicated leadership in the commission primarily focused on the specific needs of this community, which will help expand access to programs, services and critical short term and long term needs that include, but are not limited to:
  • Advising steps to declare a sanctuary or refuge status in Cambridge
  • An action plan, with necessary steps, to become the most LGBTQIA+ friendly city in the Country
  • LGBTQ+ friendly elderly housing options, including and especially for seniors and unhoused youth, such as the City Council called for on September 20, 2021
  • Working with the Community Development Department to ensure that safe space needs to support our LGBTQIA+ residents is discussed as part of new development
  • Making Cambridge a refuge for transgender children and their families from other states as they access critical medical care
  • Providing access to LGBTQIA+ focused legal assistance and mental health services; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City of Cambridge go on record affirming our continued commitment and support of our LGBTQIA+ community members; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate City staff to determine the feasibility of hiring a dedicated Executive Director for the LGBTQ Commission who would report directly to the City Manager’s office, and provide the necessary funding for this department.

O-4     May 16, 2022  Amended
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has a decades-long vision to invigorate the Alewife Quad, making it a livable and lively area for residents; and
WHEREAS: Many have viewed a connection at Terminal Road as a way to alleviate some traffic congestion and make the area more walkable; and
WHEREAS: A connection at Terminal Road to the Alewife Quad area could offer immediate relief to bikes and pedestrians going to the Alewife T, Danehy Park, shopping areas, and more; and
WHEREAS: A more ambitious connection could help ensure more flexibility for emergency vehicles access; and
WHEREAS: This connection would involve both Eversource property, and if a grander plan, the Fresh Pond Mall; and
WHEREAS: A simple connection could be made far before a bridge is completed solely by working with Eversource; and
WHEREAS: Members of the Fresh Pond Residents Alliance have met with the City advocating for a connection to be built; and
WHEREAS: The 55 Wheeler Street project appropriated funds to study the possibility of a connection; and
WHEREAS: The Terminal Road connection will also come up within the context of the Alewife Quad Working group, so it would be prudent to investigate this issue; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with all relevant City departments, consultants, and the Alewife Quad Working Group on any and all progress on the Terminal Road connection and any related projects and report back to the City Council before the City Council Meeting of June 27, 2022.

   
Terminal Rd connection:   1979 (Fishbook) plan or Envision Plan?

O-5     May 16, 2022
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: May 18th has been celebrated as Haitian Flag Day for generations, commemorating the flag’s creation in 1803 by Jean-Jacques Dessalines at the Congress of Arcahaie and recognizing the history, culture, and heritage of the Haitian people as they created their nation through a struggle for freedom that resonated across the globe and inspired independence movements in Latin America, Asia, and Africa; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is home to a large Haitian community which is an integral part of the fabric of the city and contributes immeasurably to the city’s culture; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Peace Commission and the Cambridge-Haiti Sister City Committee have worked diligently since the devastating January 2010 earthquake to create a sustainable, two-way relationship and partnership with the City of Les Cayes, Haiti; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Haiti Sister City Project launched its training in emergency medicine in June 2016 and is building on that successful collaborative effort with the Cambridge Public Health Department, the Cambridge Health Alliance, and Professional Ambulance; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council recognizes Thursday, May 18, 2022, as Haitian Flag Day in Cambridge and encourages residents to take part in Haitian Flag Day celebrations throughout the City to honor the Haitian community, its history, and its role in and contributions to Cambridge; 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 Cambridge-Haiti Sister City Committee and to the Consulate General of Haiti in New England on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-6     May 16, 2022
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
WHEREAS: Cambridge has a long-standing dedication to providing safe and healthy learning environments for students in Cambridge schools, including having a strong policy and longstanding practices of using only environmentally sound materials in school operations; and
WHEREAS: A recent article in the Boston Globe details the dangers of toxic chemicals used in building materials, particularly in schools, that can have adverse health effects; and
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts School Building Authority has started an initiative to reduce chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and other health problems in Massachusetts schools; and
WHEREAS: The goal of this project is to encourage school districts and companies to only contract with manufacturers who agree to remove several classes of chemicals from their materials; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge is in the middle of a school building plan with another project close to the construction design phase; and
WHEREAS: Ensuring that all current and future projects protect all building users from toxins, some of which can cause life-long ailments, is critically important; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with all relevant staff to ensure that every material used in construction projects is as safe, healthy, and free of potential toxins, and ensure that all construction and manufacturing vendors commit to disclosing all ingredients and using non-toxic materials; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this issue by June 27, 2022.

O-7     May 16, 2022  Amended 6-1-0-2 (QZ - NO; AM,DS - Present; Charter Right - Zondervan
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: Cambridge has received more than $88 million in ARPA funding, of which $33 million has yet to be allocated; and
WHEREAS: The city has received more than 40 inspiring community proposals from at least 24 distinct individuals and organizations, both big and small; and
WHEREAS: All proposals must be carefully vetted to ensure consistency with the Final Rule issued by the Department of the Treasury, which took effect April 1, 2022; and
WHEREAS: The City Council’s priority is to distribute the remaining ARPA funding across as many unique applicants as possible, with a special focus on funding ideas that advance racial, economic, and environmental justice and are clearly within the boundaries of the Final Rule but wouldn’t otherwise be permissible due to the Anti-Aid Amendment; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to allocate the remaining ARPA funding, in compliance with the Final Rule, across all of the following applicants: Breakthrough Greater Boston, Cambridge Camping, Cambridge Community Center, Cambridge Housing Authority, Cambridge/Somerville Healthcare for the Homeless, Charles River Conservancy, Food For Free, Friends of Jerry’s Pond, Friends of Magazine Beach, Green Cambridge, Green Street Shelter, HEART, Just A Start, Popportunity Program, Project Right to Housing, Reservoir Church Soccer Nights, Starlight Square, Sustainable Business Network, and any other community-serving applicants that submitted their ideas before the deadline; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with each applicant to fund aspects of their ideas that meet the criteria of the Final Rule, even if not all of their proposed ideas do so; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back on this matter [and any projects proposed in line with City Council goals as previously discussed] as soon as possible.

O-8     May 16, 2022
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The Council voted on February 7, 2022, to appoint Councillors Simmons and Toner as co-chairs of the Preliminary Screening Committee and for the Committee to begin the application and interviewing process for the new City Clerk, and to report back to the full City Council, as required by law, for the public interviewing of recommended finalists for the City Clerk position; and
WHEREAS: The Preliminary Screening Committee has completed its work and is bringing forward finalist candidates for a public interview and vote to the full City Council on March 23, 2022; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council delegate the drafting and finalization of the questions for the interviews of the City Clerk finalists scheduled for May 23, 2022 to the co-chairs of the City Clerk Preliminary Screening Committee.

O-9     May 16, 2022
VICE MAYOR MALLON
WHEREAS: The Council voted on March 28, 2022 to appoint Vice Mayor Mallon as chair of the Preliminary Screening Committee and for the Committee to begin the application and interviewing process for the new City Auditor, and to report back to the full City Council, as required by law, for the public interviewing of recommended finalists for the City Auditor position; and
WHEREAS: The Preliminary Screening Committee has completed its work and is bringing forward finalist candidates for a public interview and vote to the full City Council on May 23, 2022; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council delegate the drafting and finalization of the questions for the interview of the City Auditor finalists, scheduled for May 23, 2022, to the chair of the City Auditor Preliminary Screening Committee.