2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $11,000,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Human Services Extraordinary Expenditures Account to support major capital improvements at the Danehy Park Complex. (CM22#116)
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

May 23, 2022
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting an appropriation of $11,000,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Human Services Extraordinary Expenditures Account to support major capital improvements at the Danehy Park Complex.

This appropriation will fund the construction of a 5,400 square foot, carbon neutral and fossil-fuel free facility on the New Street side of the Danehy Park Complex to primarily support the girls high school athletic program. Danehy Park is the primary location for practices and games for girl’s high school sports. The facility will also support the boy’s high school sports program.

This facility will feature: changing/locker rooms and bathrooms, two multi-purpose rooms, two accessible external restrooms for year-round park users, space for CRLS trainers to evaluate and treat injured athletes with availability to ice and running water, four storage rooms to safely store and secure school bags, and equipment in addition to storage spaces for Cambridge Youth Sports Programs, utilities to support the new facility including 1,500 linear feet of water, sewer and drain lines to connect the new facility to the existing utilities in New Street, outdoor stretching, meeting space, and kick wall areas and a new gateway and signage orientating all visitors to the Park.

The construction of this facility will provide equitable access to the amenities for our female athletes that are available at the Russell Field changing facility and addresses the concerns expressed for several years by CRLS coaches, trainers, and female athletes.

This project also includes running a City fiber cable to this new facility, which will enable voice, data, and security systems connectivity, and will have the added benefit of establishing access for future Cambridge Public Internet (CPI) wi-fi to key locations in the Park. The Danehy Park Public Wi-Fi initiative will be a complementary ARPA funded project to be designed and built-in close coordination with this project.

This funding will also support the repaving of the parking lot, repair of the wood barrier along the edge of the lot, and the removal of the temporary storage units and concrete pad, as these storage units will not be needed once the facility is completed.

To support the Universal Design Playground, an ADA accessible Portland Loo will be installed adjacent to the DePasquale Playground in the Field Street Parking Lot to accommodate the many users of the new playground Also, this funding would support additional artwork throughout the playground, additional tree plantings, replacement of slides that have caused noise concerns and improvements to the existing shade structure.

If approved, the City would move to start the design process in the summer of 2022. Expected construction of the Portland Loo would begin in the spring of 2023 and be completed by the Summer / Fall of 2023. Construction for the facility and city conduit / fiber would be expected to begin in the spring of 2023 and be completed by 2024.

Danehy Park hosts a significant number of sports and athletic programming in Cambridge. In total, approximately 8,000 hours of sports-related play for youth and adults are booked at our 55-acre facility. Our primary users are CRLS Girl’s Athletic Teams, Cambridge Youth Soccer, Cambridge Youth Lacrosse, Girls Youth Softball, and many other youth serving organizations.

This accounts for several thousand young athletes on a weekly basis that have scheduled games and events against local and area teams. Currently there is no changing facility and limited equipment storage and bathroom options to accommodate the variety of teams using the facility. Also, the addition of Wi-Fi, parking lot repairs, and enhancements to DePasquale Playground will improve the overall experience to users of the Danehy Park Complex. Therefore, I strongly urge the approval of this appropriation.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

CHARTER RIGHT
1. That the City Manager is requested to allocate the remaining ARPA funding, in compliance with the Final Rule, across community-serving applicants. [Charter Right – Zondervan, May 16, 2022] (PO22#95)
Zondervan motion to introduce Late Communication and Substitute Order reducing amount requested to $10.5 million from ARPA funds but allows $500,000 for political patronage to HEART and other details; Zondervan substitution passes 6-3 (PN,DS,PT - NO); Mallon motion to refer substitute order to Finance Committee Adopted 9-0

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.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. 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 of after May 23, 2022] (PO22#2)
pulled by Toner; Motion to Amend to substitute Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 with Alewife Overlay Districts 1-5 (Toner) Approved 5-4 (BA,AM,MM,DS,PT - YES; DC,PN,QZ,SS - NO)
[Note: This takes Alewife Triangle out of the moratorium area. Carlone supported this one week earlier and flip-flopped.]
Ordained as Amended 9-0

ORDERED: that Section 20.90, entitled Alewife Overlay Districts 1-5, 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 1-5. 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.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Thank You to Anthony Wilson for his service.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Simmons; Adopted as Amended 9-0

R-1     May 23, 2022

COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR TONER
MAYOR SIDDIQUI

WHEREAS: As Anthony Wilson winds down his tenure as City Clerk, the City Council thanks him for leading this critical office over the past few years and for his steadfast commitment to providing exemplary service to the people of Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: Since assuming this role in the summer of 2019, Anthony Wilson has led his department through an eventful period, dealing with the challenges presented by Covid-19, ensuring that the all-important City Council committees have always had adequate staffing, and leading his office through a time of modernization and transition, he has done so by being unfailingly professional, accessible, and unflappable, and the City is better off for his having served; and

WHEREAS: Anthony Wilson leaves his role with the City to continue making his mark on the world, and it is certain that he shall continue to bring the same energy, enthusiasm, and ability to draw out the best in those around him as he enters his next exciting chapter; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council formally go on record in thanking Anthony Wilson for his years of service to the City of Cambridge in his role as City Clerk, and in wishing him the very best in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk’s Office be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Anthony Wilson on behalf of the entire City Council.

2. Congratulations on the birth of Francis James Gutoski.   Councillor Toner
Adopted 9-0

R-2     May 23, 2022

COUNCILLOR TONER

WHEREAS: The City Council is delighted to hear that 4th generation Cambridge Police Officer Frank Gutoski and his wife Andrea welcomed their son into the world; and

WHEREAS: Francis “Frankie” James Gutoski was born on Monday, May 16, 2022 @ 1:32pm weighing 7.7 pounds and measuring 20 inches; and

WHEREAS: Mother and child are happy, healthy and resting comfortably; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record extending its congratulations to Frank and Andrea on the birth of their son Francis James Gutoski; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitable engrossed copy of this resolution to Frank and Andrea on behalf of the entire City Council.

3. Congratulations on the Retirement of Ellen Watson from the License Commission.   Councillor Toner
Adopted 9-0

R-3     May 23, 2022

COUNCILLOR TONER

WHEREAS: Ellen T. Watson will be retiring on June 6, 2022 as the Office Manager of the City of Cambridge License Commission after thirty-five years of dedication to the City of Cambridge beginning on November 26, 1986 as Information Systems Specialists; and

WHEREAS: Coming from a family of public service, Ellen has dedicated her entire career to support, elevate and help grow the department, making herself available to assist in any way possible, an incredible communicator, always modeling and teaching staff, and

WHEREAS: Early in her role as Office Manager, Ellen was chosen to participate in a city-led employee development program, also being awarded the Ellen Leonard J. Russell Scholarship where she completed a master’s Program at Harvard University; and

WHEREAS: Ellen has been described by present and past co-workers as “the best supervisor ever, a beautiful person who is funny, helpful and very knowledgeable about everything”, constantly giving her all to her fellow colleagues, the Commission, and ultimately the business owners and residents that the Commission serves; and

WHEREAS: Always projecting a warm, inviting, supportive attitude with her open-door policy ready to help, Ellen is the beacon of team and the person on which everyone has relied upon to feel supported, protected, and elevated to personal and career successes; and

WHEREAS: Ellen’s work product is consistent and efficient, possessing impeccable attention to detail, always going the extra mile, with her wealth of historic knowledge and experience being unparalleled, receiving a significant number of accolades from her supervisors, fellow co-workers and the public, and

WHEREAS: Ellen has been instrumental in ensuring that the multiple leadership changes did not adversely affect the staff or services provided, and with her natural demeanor ensured that each new leader was supported in their roles, being the” glue” that held the staff together while humbly inspiring all to become better employees; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record thanking Ellen for thirty-five years of service to the License Commission, the city and all persons served by it and wish her the best retirement possible; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Ellen Watson on behalf of the entire City Council.

4. Resolution for 2022 Cambridge Jazz Festival.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Simmons; Adopted as Amended 9-0

R-4     May 23, 2022

COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN

WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has historically been home to a variety of arts festivals that have drawn people to our city from all across the country, and one of the most popular of these annual events – the Cambridge Jazz Festival – was first established in 2014 by co-founders Ron Savage and Larry Ward, growing stronger and more popular with each passing year; and

WHEREAS: Since the time of its founding, the Cambridge Jazz Festival has steadily built momentum, drawing some of the genre’s top performers, providing years of exceptional live jazz performance for free to the community, as well as having provided over $8,000 in scholarships to young local musicians; and

WHEREAS: Since 2014, the founders have received the Berklee Urban Service Award from Berklee College of Music and the Drum Major for Community Service Award from the NAACP due to the positive impact this annual festival has made in the Community; and

WHEREAS: As of 2022, the Cambridge Jazz festival has grown from its humble beginnings as an afternoon’s offering of music to encompassing a gala and two days of world-class musical performances; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council formally go on record in congratulating the producers of the upcoming 2022 Cambridge Jazz Festival for putting on what shall surely be the most successful jazz festival to date, and in declaring that the last weekend of July shall be known from this date onward as Cambridge Jazz Festival Weekend; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to the co-founders of Cambridge Jazz Festival on behalf of the entire City Council.

5. Congratulations to Alisa Amador.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon
Adopted 9-0

R-5     May 23, 2022

COUNCILLOR NOLAN

MAYOR SIDDIQUI

COUNCILLOR CARLONE

VICE MAYOR MALLON

WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of this City Council that Alisa Amador, a singer-songwriter from Cambridge, has won the 2022 NPR Tiny Desk contest; and

WHEREAS: Alisa’s parents, Rosi and Brian Amador, are Cambridge musical treasures, renowned singer-songwriters who contribute greatly to the community with many volunteer projects and unfailing generosity, donating their time and talents to a myriad of nonprofits; and

WHEREAS: Alisa has captivated audiences with her original songs, incorporating themes that resonate across all age groups, demonstrating a depth and breadth unusual in such a young artist, and adding her own bilingual, bicultural background uplifts all who listen to her; and

WHEREAS: Her successful CD releases and sold-out performances at Cambridge’s Club Passim have indicated a rising star in the music world; and

WHEREAS: NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts is an online series in which musical artists from across the country perform select songs in an intimate, acoustic setting; and

WHEREAS: The Tiny Desk Contest solicits entries from musicians who are not signed with any label, in hopes of discovering a promising new artist; and

WHEREAS: Past contest winners have gone on to win Grammys and all winners get to go on tour with Tiny Desk on the Road; and

WHEREAS: Alisa has submitted entries to the contest for several years, and this time, chose a song that was completely in Spanish; and

WHEREAS: Contest judges called her song “captivating,” “intimate,” with a feel that is communicable across any language barrier; and

WHEREAS: Winning this contest is a great honor for any aspiring performer, and Alisa most certainly deserves it; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That this City Council go on record to congratulate Alisa Amador in recognition of her achievement; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Alisa Amador on behalf of the entire City Council.

3. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information about the City Manager finalists. [Iram Farooq] [Cheryl Fisher] [Yi-An Huang] [Norman Khumalo] (COF22#67)
Placed on File 9-0

To: Cambridge City Council
From: Sumbul Siddiqui, Mayor
Date: May 19, 2022
Subject: Communicating information regarding the City Manager finalists

To the Honorable, the City Council:
The City Manager Initial Screening Committee, Co-Chaired by City of Cambridge Personnel Director Sheila Keady Rawson and me, announced the names of the four finalist candidates being forwarded to the entire City Council for consideration.

The finalists are:

Iram Farooq - Ms. Farooq is currently the Assistant City Manager for the Community Development Department (CDD) in the City of Cambridge since 2015. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Policy & Planning in CDD and as a Senior Project Manager for Land Use & Zoning starting in 1999. Ms. Farooq has a Master’s in Landscape Architecture with special emphasis on Land Planning from Harvard University.

Cheryl Fisher - Ms. Fisher is currently the City Solicitor for the City of Chelsea, MA since 2003. She served as Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Cambridge from 1999-2003. Prior to that, she served as Assistant Regional Counsel II for the Department of Social Services for the Commonwealth of MA and a Field Attorney for the National Labor Relations Board in Boston. Ms. Fisher has her Juris Doctor (Law degree) from Boston College.

Yi-An Huang - Mr. Huang is currently the Executive Director of Boston Medical Center (BMC) Hospital Clinical Operations since 2021. Between 2018 and 2021 he served as Chief Transformation Officer and Senior Director - Population Health Analytics for the BMC Health Plan. From 2013 to 2018 he served as Senior Director of Clinical Operation, Director of Strategy and Senior Project Manager for the BMC Hospital. Mr. Huang has a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard University.

Norman Khumalo - Mr. Khumalo is currently the Town Manager of Hopkinton, MA since 2009. He served as Assistant Town Manager of Westford, MA from 2002-2009, and served for 6 months as Interim Town Manager. Prior to that he served as a Town Planner, Planner and Transportation Project Manager in Massachusetts. He also served from 1993 to 1997 with Oxfam America in the Boston office, and served in the Planning Field in Zimbabwe. Mr. Khumalo has a Master’s in Public Administration from Carleton University, Canada and a Master’s in Regional & Urban Planning from the University of Zimbabwe.

A “Meet the Finalists” forum will be held on Tuesday, May 31st, 2022, from 6-9 pm, in the Fitzgerald Auditorium at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, 459 Broadway, where members of the public will have an opportunity to meet and hear each finalist’s vision for the City and answer questions. On Wednesday, June 1st, beginning at 6:00pm, in the Sullivan Chamber, 2nd floor of Cambridge City Hall, the City Council will conduct public interviews with the four finalists.

The City Council is expected to vote to appoint the next City Manager during a Special City Council Meeting on Monday, June 6th. Each meeting will be broadcast on 22-Cityview or Channel 99, and can also be live-streamed online on Zoom.

The Initial Screening Committee was appointed by an ad-hoc committee of the City Council and was composed of 15 community members reflecting citywide constituencies, and four City Council members. Randi Frank, LLC the Executive Search Firm hired to assist with the recruitment and hiring process, presented candidates for the committee’s review. This position attracted a diverse group of close to 30 candidates. The Initial Screening Committee conducted an in-depth review of 10 candidates held on May 12th and 13th.

The interviews performed by the Initial Screening Committee were preceded by close to 20 recorded community focus groups, feedback received through our dedicated search website, and resident and employee Town Hall meetings, all of which led to the development of a leadership profile used during the recruitment phase. I am grateful to all who have participated in the City Manager Search Process and encourage all residents to attend the upcoming meet and greet session.

Additional information about the City Manager search process can be found at www.cambridgema.gov/CityManagerSearch.

Respectfully,
Mayor Siddiqui

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     May 23, 2022  Amended
VICE MAYOR MALLON
WHEREAS: On April 14, 2022, Mayor Siddiqui appointed 15 members of the Cambridge community and 4 City Councillors to form an Initial Screening Committee to undertake the selection and interviewing process for the new City Manager, and to report back to the full City Council, as required by law, for the public interviewing of recommended finalists for the City Manager position; and
WHEREAS: The City Manager Initial Screening Committee has completed its work and is bringing forward finalist candidates for a public interview; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council delegate the drafting and finalization of the questions for the interview of the City Council Manager finalists, scheduled for June 1st, 2022, to Randi Frank, LLC with assistance from the City’s Personnel Director Sheila Keady Rawson and with input from individual Councillors by confidential submission of requested questions to Randi Frank for her consideration.

O-2     May 23, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: In 2019, the City of Cambridge commissioned a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Study by Working IDEAL as part of the City’s efforts to, as the Executive Summary ultimately issued as part of the organization’s findings would state, “…identify and implement innovative ideas on recruiting, hiring, developing, and promoting a diverse workforce” that more accurately reflects the people who live and work in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge is comprised of people from all walks of life, from all across the cultural, generational, socio-economic spectrum, people of all genders, orientations, ethnicities, religions, family compositions – and in order to meet the diverse needs of our community, it is imperative that the City has a diversity of thought, perspective, and lived experience running and contributing to our municipal government; and
WHEREAS: The Working IDEAL report, issued in April 2021, contained a number of recommendations designed to bring the City’s practices closer to this goal, and it would be important to determine any progress the City has made toward implementing these recommendations, as well as to learn of any impediments towards enacting these recommendations; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Director of the City’s Personnel Department and any other relevant City staff to compile a written update on progress made toward enacting the Working IDEAL recommendations, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-3     May 23, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The Working IDEAL report that was commissioned by the City of Cambridge to review the City’s hiring, retention, and promotion of individuals through a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) lens contained a number of important recommendations, including the establishment of a “Talent Officer” role that would be tasked with “…lead[ing] internal and external talent development programs, building and growing the workforce from all communities”; and
WHEREAS: The establishment of a “Talent Officer” role would better allow the City to make concrete, concerted efforts toward the recruitment, retention, promotion, and empowerment of people from a wide variety of backgrounds in all levels of City government; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the appropriate City staff in determining the feasibility of establishing a new “Talent Officer” role for the City, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-4     May 23, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Director of the Personnel Department and other relevant City staff to establish a method of ensuring that anti-bias training is incorporated into the City’s hiring process at all levels; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-5     May 23, 2022
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: A number of residents have been reaching out to the City Council voicing increasing concern regarding the summertime closure of Memorial Drive to vehicular traffic from 7 am Saturday mornings through 8 pm Sunday evenings; and
WHEREAS: These residents have cited concerns around the significant traffic backups this has created via new traffic congestion that is being redirected down Banks Street, Flagg Street, Putnam Avenue, and other area side streets, and the fact that peoples’ access to Memorial Drive remains closed overnight Saturday in spite of the fact that Riverbend Park closes to pedestrians at 7pm on Saturday; and
WHEREAS: Some residents have also cited concerns that those living in and around these side streets will now have significantly longer commute times to area hospitals in the event of medical emergencies during the weekend long blocking off of Memorial Drive; and
WHEREAS: Residents in this area have urged the City to acknowledge the hardships these traffic snarls have created, to recognize that closing Memorial Drive to traffic for the majority of the weekend might have been acceptable during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when fewer people were leaving their homes and driving, but that this is now creating too heavy a burden on too many Cambridge residents; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Director of the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department to limit the blocking off of Memorial Drive to vehicular traffic to Sundays, and to report back on this matter to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-6     May 23, 2022  Amended
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: Since the repeal of sections 20 and 32 of the Glass-Steagall Act in 1999 and the subsequent financial crisis of 2007-2010, and the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, our country has been limited by a financial regulatory system that places an undue level of risk upon local government and the people they serve; and
WHEREAS: Multinational financial service conglomerates that lack internal risk controls and reward short term profit making, and operate within an interconnected banking system, pose a serious threat to the Massachusetts economy; and
WHEREAS: As recently reported in the Boston Globe, one option, successfully executed in North Dakota and now seriously being explored in Oakland, CA, Santa Fe, NM, Philadelphia, PA, and Manchester, NH, is the formation of a public bank; and
WHEREAS: A public bank operates in the public interest and is owned by citizens through their representative government and would help close the racial wealth gap in our community; and
WHEREAS: Public banks partner with existing community banks, credit unions, financial institutions, and development agencies to provide affordable credit for entrepreneurs of color (The Boston Foundation has reported an annual $574 million unmet demand), low and moderate-income housing, investment in infrastructure and public transportation, and for spurring overall economic growth; and
WHEREAS: A public bank can expand the ability of Cambridge to finance capital projects that serve the general public including first-time homebuyers, local grocery stores, childcare centers, schools, public services such as police, fire and health, public buildings, water facilities and waste management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, local roadways, bike paths, and pedestrian walkways; and
WHEREAS: The state of North Dakota, which created a state publicly owned bank, The Bank of North Dakota (BND), in 1919, and which maintains relationships with local community banks throughout the state has experienced tremendous success; and
WHEREAS: The Bank of North Dakota, during the 2007-2010 financial crisis maintained budget surpluses with zero public debt, had the lowest foreclosure and unemployment rates in the nation, the lowest amount of credit default swaps, zero bank failures, experienced an increase of total assets seven fold over the last two decades, returned $385 million to that state’s General Fund over the same period, and avoided costly fees and unnecessary risks associated with other outsized banking institutions; and
WHEREAS: In Santa Fe, NM a comprehensive feasibility study found that a public bank is viable and would provide enhanced fiscal management, a more robust local lending climate, and would increase the currently available sources of infrastructure bond and loan financing to meet the economic development needs of the city by offering stable, competitive financing and improved transparency, thereby improving long term city planning; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Clerk send this policy order with a letter of support from the City Council strongly endorsing the establishment a Massachusetts Public Bank outlined in bill, Senate, No. 665 led by Senator Eldridge, and in bill, House, No. 1223 by Representatives Connolly and Elugardo.

O-7     May 23, 2022
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR TONER
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that parks and playing fields that had previously been supplied with porta potties have not been so this year; and
WHEREAS: This has caused an inconvenience for caregivers and children, many of whom who play youth sports; and
WHEREAS: The City has been working with various providers to address this concern; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council on how this issue can be resolved and when it can be expected that the City will be able to outfit our Parks and fields as has been done in the past.

O-8     May 23, 2022  Amended
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) recently released a first draft of their Bus Network Redesign plans; and
WHEREAS: According to the proposal, many standing Cambridge routes like the 1, 71, 75 & 77 bus will see increased service and four new lines will service the city:
  • T109 will provide rapid access to Sullivan Square
  • T39 to Forest Hills
  • T101 connecting Kendall and Lechmere
  • 55 between Longwood and Kendall; and
WHEREAS: The MBTA cites that the system wide redesign will result in:
  • 25% more bus service
  • 70% more weekend service
  • 275,000 more residents would be near high-frequency service (buses running every 15 minutes or better, 5am-1am, seven days a week)
  • 115,000 residents of color and 40,000 low-income households would gain access to high-frequency service; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge will benefit from the redesign with a 35% increase in bus service, as well as a net increase of high frequency routes from 5 to 10; and
WHEREAS: We should analyze this first draft as a city to find suggestions on how to improve it, if possible; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with all relevant City departments [and gather community input] to prepare an in-depth analysis of the MBTA Bus Network Redesign and its potential impact on ridership in Cambridge as the basis for a future Transportation and Public Utilities Committee hearing.

O-9     May 23, 2022
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
ORDERED: That Deputy City Clerk Paula Crane be appointed interim City Clerk as of June 1, 2022 and until the permanent City Clerk shall assume office.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met to discuss new guidelines for Boards and Commissions appointments.
Date: Tues, Apr 12, 2022, 10:00am, Sullivan Chamber
Present: Mallon, Carlone, Nolan, Simmons, Toner, (Siddiqui, Zondervan)

Vice Mayor Mallon called the meeting to order.

Louie DePasquale, City Manager, introduced his staff.

Nancy Glowa, City Solicitor, stated explained the legal duties of the city manager and city council relative to board and committee appointments.

Lee Gianetti, Director of Communications & Community Relations, described the number and organization of the City’s various boards and commissions. In 2019, the city conducted a survey about the demographics of the board. A majority of the board members were women and had served for less than 3 years. Most people hear about vacancies from word of mouth and the website. All department follow a process for board appointments that encourage diversity.

Brian Corr, Executive Director Peace Commission, explained stated that he works with the City Manager to fill vacancies on the Peace Commission and the Police Review and Advisory Board. He has list of clergy and other groups to share vacancies with.

Jennifer Matthews, Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission, explained the process for filling vacancies for the Human Rights Commission, the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship and the LGBTQ+ commission.

In response to a question from Councillor Carlone about balance on city boards, Louie DePasquale stated that he has made it a priority to balance experience, new membership and diversity on boards. Solicitor Glowa explained the for certain boards the City Manager is required by law to select members with specific qualifications.

In response to a question from Councillor Toner, Solicitor Glowa stated that there are not term limits for city boards. Brian Corr explained that the length of the selection process for boards is about 2 months.

In response to a question from Councillor Simmons, Lee Gianetti explained that the City did not have a formal exit interview process from board members. Mr. Corr explained that the Peace Commission will conduct a retreat to on-board new members. The members of the Police Review and Advisory board receives training from the Police Department and a national police review agency. Jennifer Matthews state that the members of the board will review the ordinance governing their board. Solicitor Glowa stated that the Law Department assists with training when the boards duties involve legal requirements.

In response to a question from Councillor Simmons about anti-bias training for boards, Louie DePasquale stated that each board may conduct its own training on this issue. Councillor Simmons encouraged a standardized anti-bias training for boards and commissions.

Vice Mayor Mallon encouraged the administration to find ways to reach potential board candidates through other means aside from word of mouth.

Vice Mayor Mallon opened the floor to public comment.

Marilee Meyer stated that she was worried that commissions were reviewing housing studies. She expressed concerns about boards becoming politicized.

Heather Hoffman wanted more information about holdovers on boards that require residency for individuals who have moved out. She expressed concerns about favoritism in board appointments. She wanted open-minded, communicative, and thoughtful individuals on boards.

Motion to close public comment.
Yea: Mallon, Carlone, Nolan, Simmons, Toner

Councillor Nolan stated that different types of outreach will yield more or less responses. She wanted the city to understand how their outreach affected the applicant pool. Louie DePasquale stated that the city received a strong pool of applicants for boards. Lee Gianetti states that the number of applicants varies by the time of year and the type of board. When a board does not receive a lot of applicants, the city extends the deadline for applications.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan about whether boards are reviewed, Solicitor Glowa stated that boards and commissions are controlled by ordinances and statutes. Staff provides board members with the enabling legislation. Jennifer Matthews stated that staff regular review the board’s mandate with members.

Vice Mayor Mallon stated that she and the Mayor has been having a discussion with the City Manager to increase collaboration around board appointments.

Councillor Carlone stated that he wanted the City Manager to know what the Council expected in terms of qualification for board members. He added what is missing on the Planning Board is an urban design perspective. He stated that the Planning Board should be paid a stipend.

Councillor Toner stated he just wanted to ensure that there is through outreach to a diverse and qualified pool of potential board members.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Mallon about what types of diversity of examined for board appointment, Maryellen Carvello, from the City Manager’s Office, stated that the application included optional questions about age, race, gender, and ethnicity.

Councillor Nolan expressed interest in having the administration explained why an applicant was chosen for a board. She also stated that there should be a review of the boards and whether they are meeting a need.

Vice Mayor Mallon state that based on the conversation she has identified the following areas for further discussion either through a policy order or additional meetings:

• Developing a standard operating procedure on recruitment which would include where to advertise, language access and community engagement.

• Anti-bias training when onboarding new board members

• Exit interviews

• Term limits for board members

• Standardized information to the council about appointments including the number of applicants, the length of advertisements and qualifications used for selections

• Stipends for certain board

• Qualification and goals of boards

• Are there ways to consolidate boards.

• Discussing characteristics of Diversity of board members to include housing, genders, race, age, socio-economic diversity

Councillor Simmons wanted guidance about how to discuss a candidate’s qualifications without embarrassing the candidates.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Mallon, Maryellen Carvello explained that the staff in the City Manager office monitors the process for recruiting board and commission members. Lee Gianetti handles posting the vacancy.

Vice Mayor Mallon stated that the city may want to think about having the Personnel Office be the central location to handle the recruitment process.

Councillor Nolan moved to adjourn at 11:57am.
Yea: Mallon, Carlone, Nolan, Simmons, Toner

A communication was received from City Manager Louis A. DePasquale , transmitting a presentation regarding Recruiting New Members and Reappointing Members for Boards & Commission.

Committee Report #2
The Health and Environment Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on a proposal to amend Section 2.66 of the Municipal Code to add a new section titled “Article III Green Jobs”.
Date: Tues, Apr 26, 2022, 11:00am, Sullivan Chamber
Present: Nolan, Azeem, Carlone, Zondervan
Absent: McGovern

Councillor Nolan called the meeting to order.

Councillor Zondervan provided a presentation regarding the ordinance. The existing ordinance already contemplates spending city resources to create employment opportunities for Cambridge city residents. The proposal adds a green jobs training program. The first definition and the amendments define green jobs but it is not a comprehensive list. As the future evolves, the council may come up with new areas to add. The amendment defines green jobs training programs which can be provided by third parties, but they would have to be certified by the city as an acceptable green jobs training program. any programs that would qualify have to be available to Cambridge residents free of charge. The ordinance would require within six months the establishment of a green jobs initiative within the economic development department.

Within the first year of the ordinance and every year after that there would be an annual report presented to city council. That includes data about what jobs are out there in the marketplace. Within six months of the most recent annual report the city would establish any new green job training programs that were identified as having the highest potential value in need.

Councillor Zondervan added that there would not be much help coming from the state more these initiatives forward.

Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager of Community Development, stated that earlier thinking on green jobs focused on green energy.

Pardis Saffari, Director of Economic Development Economic Development Division, stated that in 2008, the city organized a green jobs task force and committee to look at possibilities for green jobs industry wide. In 2010 the city ran a program with the Asian American civic association to target lower income residents who were HUD eligible. 15 residents enrolled in building energy efficient maintenance program. These programs included academic, internships, apprenticeships, skill needs around career planning, tutoring, job placement etc. At the time in 2013 some of those folks filled some of the full-time positions and some were laid off due to downsizing. it was not as successful as some other job training programs.

Sue Walsh, Assistant Director of Adult and Family Services, described how the city has been connecting with regional partners to gather data. The data suggested that people may need basic green job skills but the industry is evolving and it is hard to predict what the jobs will be in 6 months. It is hard doing recruitments for these programs. If there are 12 slots for a program, there need to be 100 applicants.

Pardis Saffari added that there are issues for potential applicants around transportation, food security and other personal issues. She stated that at the time many green jobs were not paying a leaving wage.

Councillor Nolan opened the floor to public comment.

Valerie Bonds stated she is opposed to any kind of free money given to as individuals. The job proposal of this initiative is something that she could support. Education is very important to sustaining the social development that is necessary, not only to attend these training programs but to remain in these training programs until full pheromone that just fulfillment is reached.

Becca Gilmore stated that the annual report can be forward thinking of discussing where green jobs are trending, and how to make sure we have the market them.

Councillor Zondervan stated the annual report may help the city identify changing trends in the green jobs industry.

Councillor Carlone stated that he supported the proposal. He is proud of what Cambridge has done.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan about unique challenges for green job training, Sue Walsh stated one challenge it that no one knows what a green job is, what are the occupational titles. She stated that the program will have to people’s academic skills. In addition to that, provide all of the services that will help them be successful while they are in the training program.

Iram Farooq stated that there will be a component of taking existing traditional jobs and greening them.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan about the reporting requirement, Iram Farooq stated that the staff would need more time to review the text but the reporting is often an element of successful programs.

Councillor Zondervan stated that the is an important element of the green transition.

Councilor Simmons stated that she is excited to see the proposal move forward.

Councillor Zondervan moved to refer the proposal to the full city council with a favorable recommendation.
Yea: Nolan, Azeem, Carlone, Zondervan
Absent: McGovern

Motion to adjourn at 12:20pm.
Yea: Nolan, Azeem, Carlone, Zondervan
Absent: McGovern

Amend Section 2.66 of the Municipal Code to add a new section titled “Article III Green Jobs.” (Ordinance # 2022-6)

Proposed Order     May 23, 2022
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
ORDERED: That the City Council amend Section 2.66 of the municipal code to add a new section titled “Article III Green Jobs” to read as follows:

Article III Green Jobs

2.66.100 Definitions

“Green Jobs” shall include, but not be limited to: solar panel, geothermal, and wind turbine installation, building energy efficiency and electrification, renewable energy procurement, urban agriculture, urban forestry, transit operations, transportation electrification, and other areas that may be added via regulation or amendment.

“Green Jobs Training Programs” shall mean any training programs certified by the City of Cambridge as providing for training in Green Jobs and meeting the requirements set forth in Section 2.66.120.

2.66.110 Establishment

Within 6 months of the effective date of this ordinance, the City Manager shall establish and fund through the Economic Development Department a Green Jobs initiative that will provide recruitment, training and certification opportunities for low-income residents of Cambridge in jobs considered to be congruent with the city’s greenhouse gas emissions reductions and other environmental mitigation goals.

2.66.120 Requirements

A. Recruitment, training and certification programs may be provided directly by city departments, or via third parties, including non-profits, labor unions, educational institutions and other entities certified by the City of Cambridge, and may receive direct funding from the city, including but not limited to funds received through Alternative Compliance Credits as specified in Chapter 8.67 (Building Energy Use Disclosure and Emission Reductions)

B. All certified programs available to Cambridge residents shall be free of charge, shall be accessible via public transportation, and shall make reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities or special needs.

C. All participants in these programs shall receive at minimum a Living Wage (as defined in Section 2.121.030 of the Municipal Code) for any labor provided through internships, apprenticeships, or other arrangements where trainees are performing actual labor.

2.66.130 Certification of Green Jobs Training Programs

A. The Green Jobs Initiative shall continuously identify any existing programs that meet the Requirements or could meet the Requirements with funding and technical assistance from the Green Jobs Initiative, and shall certify as many such programs as feasible.

B. Certified Green Jobs Training Programs shall be advertised on the city website, with clear instructions for how residents can participate, including how to apply for scholarships and how to receive help in completing their applications.

C. The Green Jobs Initiative shall continually seek out opportunities to financially support, initiate through partnerships, or create on its own, Green Jobs Training Programs based on demand and opportunity.

2.66.140 Annual Reporting and Establishment of new Programs

A. Within one year from the effective date of this ordinance, and annually thereafter, the Green Jobs Initiative shall produce a Green Jobs report presented to the City Council containing the following information:

a. An industry survey identifying Green Jobs growth, unmet demand, and future prospects for the Boston metro-region. Survey results may incorporate or refer to data and reports provided by business associations, labor unions and other entities compiling similar information.

b. An audit of all Green Jobs Training Programs certified by the city, including participation, availability, successful completion numbers and rates, and other relevant information.

c. An analysis comparing the industry survey and the audit, identifying any gaps between Green Job demand growth and Green Jobs Training Programs available to Cambridge residents.

B. Within six months of the most recent annual report, the City Manager shall establish new Green Jobs Training Programs identified in the annual report as being of the highest potential value and need. If no such programs are identified the City Manager shall provide to the City Council a rationale for why no additional programs are required at that time.