2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a recommendation that in accordance with the requirements of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the Cambridge City Council adopt the an order for the Statement of Interest Form to be submitted to the MSBA no later than June 1, 2021 for the replacement of boilers at the Morse Elementary School, located at 40 Granite Street.
Order Adopted 9-0

May 24, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby recommending that in accordance with the requirements of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the Cambridge City Council adopt the attached order for the Statement of Interest Form to be submitted to the MSBA no later than June 1, 2021 for the replacement of boilers at the Morse Elementary School, located at 40 Granite Street.

The funds are sought to be used for the replacement of the building's boilers. The Granite Street building's boilers are more than twenty-eight years old, have antiquated controls and have had multiple leaks repaired. Given the age and condition of these boilers, they will soon be beyond further repair. Final cost estimates will be determined through a feasibility study if the project is accepted into the MSBA program. The study will include a detailed analysis of the feasibility of the boiler replacements adhering to the City's greenhouse gas emissions reductions strategy.

The School Committee of Cambridge, Massachusetts voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit the Statement of Interest Form to the MSBA at an open meeting held on May 18, 2021.

The MSBA submission of the Statement of Interest Form, in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the MSBA or commits the City/ School District to filing an application for funding with the MSBA.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

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Agenda Item Number 2     May 24, 2021

WHEREAS: Having convened in an open meeting on May 18, 2021, prior to the SOI submission closing date, the Cambridge School Committee of Cambridge, Massachusetts, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest Form dated no later than June 1, 2021 for the Morse School located at 40 Granite Street, Cambridge, which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category for which an application may be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future; and

WHEREAS: The funds are sought to be used for the replacement of the building’s boilers; and

WHEREAS: The Granite Street building’s boilers are more than twenty-eight years old, have antiquated controls and have had multiple leaks repaired. Given the age and condition of these boilers, they will soon be beyond further repair; and

WHEREAS: This project falls under priority category number 5, which is for the replacement, renovation, or modernization of school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility; now therefore be it

ORDERED: The Cambridge City Council hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest Form, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the City/School District to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request the adoption of a statutory small business exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $10,000 in assessed value and the authorization for an exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $20,000 in assessed value, by requesting a special act from the Legislature and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Orders Adopted 9-0

May 24, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Based upon a review of the City of Cambridge’s (“City”) personal property accounts, in April of 2020, I recommended adoption by the City Council of a statutory small business exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $10,000 in assessed value, which the City Council approved. The $10,000 personal property tax exemption has been effective for Fiscal Year 2021, which exempted 1,194 small businesses from receiving a personal property tax bill.

At the same time, I also recommended that the City seek authorization for an exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $20,000 in assessed value, by requesting a special act from the Legislature and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These recommendations were one part of a plan to help small businesses through a combination of programs including small business initiatives, grants, workshops and tax relief, particularly with respect to our effort to assist small businesses that have dealt with, and are continuing to deal with, the ramifications of COVID-19.

On April 6, 2020, the City Council accepted my recommendation and ordered that I work with the City Solicitor to draft a home rule petition to authorize the City to provide a personal property tax exemption of up to $20,000 of value, which we completed and submitted to the General Court. The General Court approved the proposed home rule petition, and on January 7, 2021, Chapter 282 of the Acts of 2020 (“Act”) passed (attached), which allows the City of Cambridge to permit a $20,000 personal property tax exemption upon acceptance of the Act by the City Council by majority vote.

For fiscal year 2020, the City had 2,576 personal property accounts. Of those, 62% had an assessed value of $20,000 or less, which represented just 0.54 percent of the overall personal property valuation in the City of $1.679 billion dollars. For the coming fiscal year, we anticipate that over 1,500 small businesses would be exempted from receiving a personal property tax bill if the City adopts the $20,000 exemption. Not only will this tax exemption assist small businesses financially and administratively, but it will also relieve the burden upon the City for the collection and accounting of small accounts. I therefore respectfully request that the City Council accept the provisions of this Act so that the City can start the process of permitting the $20,000 personal property tax exemption for the coming fiscal year.

Attached is a proposed order that would provide for the City Council to adopt Chapter 282 of the Acts of 2020 to allow the City to establish a personal property tax exemption in the amount of $20,000 for the coming fiscal year and going forward.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

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Acts (2020)
Chapter 282

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO ALLOW FOR A PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION OF $20,000 OR LESS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the city of Cambridge may provide for exemption from taxation of personal property not in excess of $20,000 of value.

SECTION 2. The city council of the city of Cambridge shall vote to establish a minimum value of personal property subject to taxation. Such value shall be subject to the limitations contained in section 1.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its acceptance by majority vote of the city council of the city of Cambridge.

Approved, January 7, 2021.

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Agenda Item Number 6     May 24, 2021

WHEREAS: Small businesses in the City of Cambridge (“City”) are still in need of substantial assistance due to the economic effects of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS: Payments of personal property tax are a financial and administrative burden for small businesses, and the collection of smaller accounts is an administrative burden upon City departments; and

WHEREAS: At the request of the City of Cambridge, the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has passed, and the Governor has signed, Chapter 282 of the Acts of 2020, a special act which permits the City of Cambridge to allow a personal property tax exemption of $20,000 after acceptance of the Act by a majority vote of the City Council; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Council goes on record accepting the provisions of Chapter 282 of the Acts of 2020 of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which permits the City to allow for an exemption for personal property tax not in excess of $20,000 of value; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager direct City departments to institute the full personal property tax exemption of $20,000 of value as soon as possible.

7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request to approve the acquisition of land in Lincoln, Massachusetts for the purpose of adding to the City’s watershed lands for water supply protection and conservation purposes. [Water Board Letter] [Map/Plot Plan]
Orders Adopted 9-0

May 24, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am writing to request that you approve the acquisition of land in Lincoln, Massachusetts for the purpose of adding to the City’s watershed lands for water supply protection and conservation purposes. The City of Cambridge has the opportunity to purchase from the Lincoln Rural Land Foundation two parcels of land numbered 4 Twin Pond Lane, Assessor’s parcels #180-13-0 and #180-11-0, in the Town of Lincoln (“the Property”) consisting of 7.79 + acres of undeveloped land for the purposes of protecting the City’s drinking water supply and for land conservation. The Lincoln Rural Land Foundation is in the process of purchasing the property at a discount this month from private owners. The Property is appraised at $1,000,000. The private owners are selling it to the Lincoln Rural Land Foundation for $800,000. The Lincoln Rural Land Foundation would then convey the Property in fee to the City. The $800,000 cost of conveyance from the Lincoln Rural Land Foundation to the City would be broken down as follows. The Lincoln Rural Land Foundation would contribute $200,000, effectively reducing its sale price to $600,000. The Town of Lincoln will contribute $200,000 toward the sale price. The Lincoln Rural Land Foundation will further contribute $200,000 of funds that were privately fundraised for this purpose. The City will pay only $200,000 plus costs and will obtain the fee interest in the Property. However, the City has applied to the State for a grant to cover the cost of the City's full share of this acquisition, being the $200,000 purchase price plus costs. If the City does not receive the grant, I will request an appropriation from the Water Fund. As a condition of the contributions by the private owners, the Lincoln Rural Land Foundation, the Town of Lincoln, and the State grant, the Property must be permanently protected by a conservation restriction as provided by G.L.c.184, §§31-33.

The Cambridge Water Board voted unanimously on May 11, 2021 to recommend that the City purchase the Property for purposes of water supply protection and conservation. A copy of the Water Board’s vote is attached.

I recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to purchase the Property on behalf of the City of Cambridge for water supply protection and conservation purposes from previously appropriated funds, and to execute any and all necessary documents on behalf of the City to effectuate this purchase in such form and substance as the City Manager determines is necessary or advisable.

I further recommend that the City Council vote to diminish the full disposition process pursuant to Cambridge City Code §2.110.010(g) for the disposition of the property interest to be granted by the City through the conservation restriction to the Lincoln Conservation Commission. I recommend that the City Council vote to grant the permanent conservation restriction for the purpose of protecting the Property from development and from other uses that might be detrimental to the City’s water supply and conservation purposes, and vote to authorize the City Manager to execute any and all necessary documents on behalf of the City related to the conservation restriction in such form and substance as the City Manager determines is necessary or advisable.

A copy of a plan drawn by Snelling & Hamel showing the location of the parcel is also attached. The areas to be acquired are shown as Parcel A and Lot 2A on the Plan.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

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Agenda Item Number 7A     May 24, 2021

ORDERED: Pursuant to Section 2.110.010(g) of the Cambridge Municipal Code, the City Council by a two-thirds vote hereby orders that the City Council shall utilize a diminished process for the disposition of a Conservation Restriction to the Lincoln Conservation Commission that will protect approximately 8 acres of land, comprised of two parcels, in the City’s watershed to be acquired by the City in the Town of Lincoln located at 4 Twin Pond Lane (Lincoln Assessors’ parcel #180-13-0 and #180-11-0).

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Agenda Item Number 7B     May 24, 2021

WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge desires to purchase from the Lincoln Rural Land Foundation the premises numbered 4 Twin Pond Lane, Lincoln Assessor’s parcel #180-13-0 and #180-11-0, in the Town of Lincoln (“the Property”) consisting of 7.79 + acres of undeveloped land for the purposes of drinking water supply protection and land conservation; and

WHEREAS: Of the $1,000,000 appraised value of the Property, the prior owners reduced the sale price to Lincoln Rural Land Foundation to $800,000. The conveyance price from the Lincoln Rural Land Foundation to the City will be broken up as follows. The Lincoln Rural Land Foundation will reduce the $800,000 sale price by $200,000; the Town of Lincoln is contributing $200,000 of Town funds; the Lincoln Rural Land Foundation is accepting and contributing $200,000 of additional funds from private sources; and the City will pay $200,000 plus costs and own the fee interest in the Property. The City’s payment will be made from funds previously appropriated to the Cambridge Water Department for such purposes. The City has applied for State grant funding to be reimbursed in full its $200,000 share, plus costs; and

WHEREAS: As a condition of the contributions by the prior owners, the Lincoln Rural Land Foundation, the Town of Lincoln, and the State grant, the Property must be permanently protected by a conservation restriction as provided by G.L.c.184, §§31- 33; and

WHEREAS: The Cambridge Water Board voted unanimously on May 11, 2021 to recommend that the City purchase the Property for purposes of water supply protection and conservation; and

WHEREAS: The City Council has determined that the granting of a permanent conservation restriction for the purpose of protecting the Property from development and from other uses that might be detrimental to the City’s water supply is in the public interest and for public purposes; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to purchase the Property on behalf of the City of Cambridge for water supply protection and conservation purposes from previously appropriated funds, and to execute any and all necessary documents on behalf of the City to effectuate this purchase in such form and substance as the City Manager determines is necessary or advisable; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Council, pursuant to Section 2.110.010 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, and other applicable laws, hereby authorizes the City Manager to grant, on behalf of the City of Cambridge, a permanent conservation restriction to the Lincoln Conservation Commission as provided by G.L.c.184, §§31-33 for the purposes of water supply protection and conservation, and to execute and deliver such conservation restriction in such form and substance as the City Manager determines is necessary or advisable.

8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the PFAS Treatment Grant in the amount of $115,680 received from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 's Drinking Water Program (DEP) to the Public Investment Fund Water Extraordinary Expenditures account which will assist in the effort to remove Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from our finished water and will also help to offset the costs of the ongoing Cambridge Water Department bench-scale study to determine the effectiveness of granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove PFAS from our water.
Order Adopted 9-0

May 24, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting the appropriation of the PFAS Treatment Grant in the amount of $115,680 received from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's Drinking Water Program (DEP), to the Public Investment Fund Water Extraordinary Expenditures account.

The grant will assist in the effort to remove Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from our finished water and will help to offset the costs of the ongoing Cambridge Water Department bench-scale study to determine the effectiveness of granular activated carbon (GAC), which is the filtering media, to remove PFAS from our water.

The City’s finish water PFAS level is consistently below the state’s standards, and this project will ensure that the levels will be further reduced.

It is anticipated that the study will be completed by the end of June with filter media replacement completed by the end of 2021.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

15. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,859,232 received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($341,791), to the Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($5,513,941), and to the Travel and Training account ($3,500), which will be used to contract with homeless services providers and cover the costs related to serving homeless persons in Cambridge.
Order Adopted 9-0

May 24, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $5,859,232 received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($341,791), to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($5,513,941), and to the Grant Fund Human Services Travel and Training account ($3,500).

This grant was awarded under the HEARTH Act of 2009. The Continuum of Care Program funds will be contracted with homeless services providers and cover the costs related to serving homeless persons in Cambridge. The specific projects to be funded have been approved by HUD as part of the competitive award process. Funds will also be used to cover grant administrative costs.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

CHARTER RIGHT
1. In Support of H.R.2590, “The Palestinian Children and Families Act”. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR NOLAN IN COUNCIL MAY 17, 2021]
Resolution Adopted 9-0

R-7     May 17, 2021  Charter Right - Nolan
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN

WHEREAS: The Palestinian Children and Families Act (H.R. 2590), was recently introduced by Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN); and

WHEREAS: H.R.2590 “promote[s] and protect[s] the human rights of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation and to ensure that United States taxpayer funds are not used by the Government of Israel to support the military detention of Palestinian children, the unlawful seizure, appropriation, and destruction of Palestinian property and forcible transfer of civilians in the West Bank, or further annexation of Palestinian land in violation of international law;” and

WHEREAS: The bill is currently before the 117th Congress, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley is one of the 13 original sponsors for H.R.2590; and

WHEREAS: The bill is endorsed by over 70 organizations ranging from Palestinian rights groups such as Defense for Children International Palestine, the Adalah Justice Project, the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, American Muslims for Palestine, and the American Friends Service Committee, to organizations like Working Families Party, the Movement for Black Lives, and United We Dream; and

WHEREAS: This bill is an important step in ensuring human rights are respected, especially the rights of children; and

WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has a long history of standing in solidarity and speaking in support of promoting and protecting human rights around the country and world; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record in strong support of H.R. 2590 and in urging the entire Congressional Delegation to support this bill; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Cambridge’s entire Congressional Delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.

2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Purchasing Department to review Cambridge’s corporate contracts and identify any companies that are in violation of Cambridge’s policy on discrimination, including (but not limited to) Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Hewlett Packard Incorporated over their role in abetting apartheid in the Middle East, and to suggest alternatives for Cambridge to explore in order to ensure the city embody the values it put on paper [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR NOLAN IN COUNCIL MAY 17, 2021]
Order Adopted as Amended by Substitution 9-0 (see notes below)

O-6     May 17, 2021  Charter Right - Nolan
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: Cambridge has a history of terminating purchasing contracts with companies that facilitate discrimination and apartheid, including the boycott of Polaroid during South African Apartheid in the early 1990’s; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s policy on discrimination states: “Any practice that by design or effect discriminates against individuals, because of race, color, sex, age, religious creed, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, family status, military status or source of income is of public concern, as such discrimination creates strife, hostility and unrest, threatens or impairs the rights and privileges of individuals and deprives individuals of the benefits of a free and open society;” and
WHEREAS: Cambridge has done business with Hewlett Packard (HP), the exclusive provider of computers to Israel that are used to biometrically track Palestinians, deny them access to water and healthcare in the Gaza strip, and imprison them without access to fair trial; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge cannot be silent as Palestinians are torn from their homes, tear gassed in their holy mosques during Ramadan, and killed by airstrikes at the hands of the Israeli government; and
WHEREAS: HP also provides the technology that runs databases for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing them to streamline the tracking, surveillance, detention, and deportation of immigrants across the United States; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Purchasing Department to review Cambridge’s corporate contracts and identify any companies that are in violation of Cambridge’s policy on discrimination, including (but not limited to) Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Hewlett Packard Incorporated over their role in abetting apartheid in the Middle East, and to suggest alternatives for Cambridge to explore in order to ensure the city embody the values it put on paper; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the Council on this matter as soon as possible.

Substitute Policy Order (Nolan, McGovern, Simmons) - substitution passed 5-2-0-2 (YES - AM,MM,PN,DS,TT; NO - JSW,QZ; PRESENT - DC,SS)
Calendar Item #2     May 25, 2021
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: Cambridge aims to live its values and promote best practices and ethical behavior among the contractors and companies that do business with the City; and
WHEREAS: The international stage on which Cambridge's universities, residents, and corporations act means that our City takes on a range of issues beyond the usual ones expected of a municipality, and has consistently tried to support vulnerable individuals and communities in their struggle against oppression, persecution, and violence; and
WHEREAS: The City Council condemns the violence that is currently and has historically taken place between the Israeli government and Hamas, and that we mourn the deaths of innocent Palestinians and Israelis who have been victims of this violence; and
WHEREAS: The City Council believes that it is possible and appropriate to condemn the actions and policies of a government or governments without being critical of those who reside within those countries and critiques of the Israeli and/or the Hamas governments should not be seen as condemning the Israeli or Palestinian people; and
WHEREAS: The City Council affirms Israel’s right to exist and to defend its citizens from attacks, such as those launched by Hamas, but the City Council also recognizes that the Netanyahu government has directed unconscionable, destructive attacks against the Palestinian people, and our community should not be willing to play even a minor role in allowing these actions to continue; and
WHEREAS: The City council recognizes that violence and suffering is happening around the world in Israel as well as other countries; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge has financial and political relationships with hundreds of companies around the globe, and there currently exists no review process to determine whether the practices of those entities comply with Cambridge's stated policies and values, or whether their products are used to perpetuate human rights violations; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s policy on discrimination states: “Any practice that by design or effect discriminates against individuals, because of race, color, sex, age, religious creed, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, family status, military status or source of income is of public concern, as such discrimination creates strife, hostility, and unrest, threatens or impairs the rights and privileges of individuals and deprives individuals of the benefits of a free and open society; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with the Purchasing Department to review Cambridge’s corporate contracts and purchases to identify any vendors or manufacturers whose products are used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge’s policy on discrimination; and further be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the Council on this matter as soon as possible.

Note 1: Zondervan introduced an amendment to the substitute language specifically calling out Hewlett-Packard (and implicitly endorsing BDS).
Amendment Fails 3-6: YES - DC,JSW,QZ; NO - AM,MM,PN,DS,TT,SS

Note 2: Zondervan introduced another amendment to the substitute language saying same but w/o specifically calling out Hewlett-Packard (yet still implicitly endorsing BDS).
Amendment Fails 3-6: YES - DC,JSW,QZ; NO - AM,MM,PN,DS,TT,SS

Note 3: Zondervan introduced another amendment regarding right of people to defend themselves and specifically calling out Israeli government attacks against Palestinian people (replacing Netanyahu w/Israeli government and removing any reference to any negative actions by Hamas and Israel's right to exist).
Amendment Fails 3-5-0-1: YES - JSW,QZ,SS; NO - AM,MM,PN,DS,TT; PRESENT - DC

Note 4: Sobrinho-Wheeler introduced an amendment to the substitute language amending “ORDERED: That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with the Purchasing Department to review Cambridge’s corporate contracts and purchases to identify any vendors or manufacturers whose products are used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge’s policy on discrimination.”
Amendment Passes 6-3: YES - DC,AM,MM,JSW,QZ,SS; NO - PN,DS,TT

3. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting questions for the COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 9-0

COVID-19 UPDATE QUESTIONS

COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
1. What determination has the City made about continuing Cambridge’s eviction moratorium past the state’s declaration of a state of emergency on June 15?

COUNCILLOR NOLAN
1. Since herd immunity is important to stop the spread and new variants are continuing to arise, it is important that we continue the successful drive to get everyone possible vaccinated. We are fortunate that due to concerted efforts our vaccination rates across different ethnic and racial groups outpace the state. Essential workers and other works who live elsewhere also deserve protection - once the vaccines are formally approved are there any plans to encourage everyone to get vaccinated - not only people who live in Cambridge but also those who work in Cambridge?

2. Once the emergency is lifted, what are the ways the city is constrained or not constrained in being able to respond to the situation of signs that public health may be compromised?

O-2     May 24, 2021
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: The climate crisis continues to worsen and disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable members of our community; and
WHEREAS: To effectively respond to this crisis, we need to completely decarbonize the US economy in the next ten years by enacting a Green New Deal at every level of government; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s extraordinary financial position and status as a global center of innovation represent a mandate for the city to truly lead the way on the most pressing issue of our time; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge is a true leader on constructing all electric net zero ready and net zero emissions municipal buildings, including the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School Complex, but the vast majority of the city’s emissions come from commercial buildings, including especially laboratory buildings, which means total emissions have only continued to increase over time as we’ve added many millions of new square feet of commercial development; and
WHEREAS: All the technological and economic feasibility now exists to build all-electric net zero emissions buildings in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: While almost all of our building emissions come from the existing building stock, decarbonizing existing buildings is expensive and difficult, so we need to mandate net zero new construction as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS: On December 11, 2019, the Ordinance Committee of the Cambridge City Council voted to refer a proposed ordinance banning natural gas combustion in new buildings to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation; and
WHEREAS: Attorney General Maura Healey struck down Brookline’s proposed bylaw to ban natural gas hookups in new construction via the building code, making it legally challenging for Cambridge to adopt the proposed ordinance without a home rule petition; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Green New Deal Zoning Petition (attached) would provide a framework for accepting local emissions offsets to strengthen green jobs programs and energy efficiency upgrades to the existing building stock, creating economic opportunity for our most vulnerable residents who are too often left behind; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Green New Deal Zoning Petition would exempt all new housing construction, which is not a significant driver of emissions, while creating opportunities to improve energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment in the existing housing stock; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge City Council is committed to rapid decarbonization in a way that creates economic opportunity and climate justice for our most vulnerable residents; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council amend the Article 22 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge entitled “SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT” to insert a new section 22.24.4 to read as follows:

22.24.4 Emissions Accounting.

The provisions in this section shall not apply to any residential buildings that include affordable units.

a. Embodied Emissions: As a condition of receiving an occupancy permit, the developer shall provide to CDD an accounting of the emissions generated by the construction of any Green Building Project. The Embodied Emissions shall be documented by a licensed engineer, using Passive House or other acceptable energy and emissions modeling software, and include:

1. Emissions for manufacturing all building materials used, including associated raw materials extraction, production and transportation.

2. Estimates for transportation emissions caused by delivering the materials to the construction site.

3. Emissions generated on the site by heavy equipment such as cranes.

b. The Embodied Emissions shall not include:

1. Emissions associated with installing renewable energy facilities on site, including but not limited to solar PV and solar hot water, air source and ground source heat pumps, and any other systems that substantially reduce the future emissions of the building.

2. Emissions generated from human labor (e.g. individual transport, small power tools, food consumption, etc.).

3. Emissions for transporting landscaping materials and plants to the site.

4. Emissions associated with installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVSE).

c. Expected Annual Emissions. The developer shall present an accounting of the expected emissions to be generated by routine operation of the building over the course of one calendar year. Emissions will be calculated as metric tons of CO2 equivalent using a formula approved by CDD, taking into account the local emissions profile for the grid at the time the building is first occupied to convert grid electrical consumption (kWH) into emissions. The Expected Annual Emissions shall include:

1. Emissions from any permanently installed onsite combustion such as a natural gas boiler to heat the building.

2. Emissions from grid electricity delivered to the building for operating any permanently installed equipment and lights in the building, including but not limited to HVAC systems, elevators, and light fixtures.

d. The Expected Annual Emissions calculation shall not include:

1. Renewable energy systems such as solar PV systems installed prior to occupancy that net meter to the building itself.

2. Tenant plug loads and tenant installed onsite fossil fuel combustion (e.g. a natural gas appliance).

3. Backup generators.

4. Transportation emissions associated with the building operation.

5. Emissions associated with electric vehicle charging at the building.

e. Lifetime Expected Emissions. The Lifetime Expected Emissions from the building will be calculated based on a formula approved by CDD, and will include the following:

1. The expected decline of grid emissions, reaching zero no later than 2050.

2. Expected emissions reductions under the BEUDO regime.

3. Any long term contracts to directly purchase 100% renewable energy sourced from the FERC New England region (such as solar or wind generated energy, or biogas) entered into between the building operator and certified (by CDD) providers of 100% renewable energy shall be subtracted from the total. For example, if the developer has signed a contract for 10 years for the total expected grid electrical consumption to come from renewable sources, the first 10 years of grid electrical consumption shall be considered emissions free and would not contribute to the lifetime expected total emissions.

4. The formula will assume that no grid emissions will be generated by the building past 2050, and that any onsite fossil fuel equipment will also have been replaced by 2050, so that the building emissions will be modeled as a declining schedule reaching zero no later than 2050.

f. Total Emissions. The Total Emissions expected to be generated by the building will be the sum of the Embodied Emissions and the Lifetime Expected Emissions.

g. The developer will present a payment schedule for how to zero out the Total Emissions of the building, using a social cost of carbon formula approved by CDD. The payment schedule may be annualized over a period not to exceed 10 years. The outstanding balance shall act as a lien on the property in case it is sold. Any offset must demonstrate direct benefits to low-income and minority communities in Cambridge, including economic opportunity through job creation and or financial savings through e.g. utility bill reductions. Acceptable offsets must be approved by CDD, and will include:

1. No less than 25% of the mitigation funds shall be spent on green jobs development programs, including education and training, to help build capacity for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Cambridge. Any such program must be free of cost to participants, and successful completion of the program must lead to a certification in a specific skill such as, for example: Solar Installer, Weatherization Installer and Technician, Building Energy Analyst, Urban Forestry or Urban Agriculture. Specific criteria and certifications will be set by CDD via regulation.

2. Payment for energy efficiency upgrades to existing buildings located in the City of Cambridge.

3. Payment into the City of Cambridge Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Revolving Fund for reducing emission in public projects, including affordable housing developments.

4. Payment for the installation of new solar PV systems to be located in the City of Cambridge.

5. Payment for the creation of community solar PV installations that benefit Cambridge residents by making discounted solar generated electricity available to them. Such systems need not be located in Cambridge but must be located in the Northeast Massachusetts and Boston (NEMA) load zone.

6. Payment for direct supply contracts of 100% renewable electricity from sources within the FERC ISO New England assigned to another building(s) in the City of Cambridge, including via participation in Cambridge’s Community Choice Electricity (CCE) program.

O-3     May 24, 2021
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: In June 2020, the City Council unanimously passed a policy order requesting the creation of an alternative public safety response team, with the CAHOOTs program in Eugene, Oregon cited as one potential model in the order; and
WHEREAS: The creation of an alternate public safety response task force was announced in September 2020 and began meeting earlier this year with task force members including City Councillors, City staff and residents from community organizations including The Black Response; and
WHEREAS: The Black Response is a collective of Black and Brown Cambridge residents who have sought to organize and uplift the voices of residents of color in Cambridge on policy issues including public safety; and
WHEREAS: The Black Response, in collaboration with CAHOOTS/White Bird Clinic, Mental Health First Sacramento, Cambridge Residents Alliance, Cambridge DSA, APTP, Material Aid and Advocacy Program (MAAP), Muslim Justice League, Our Revolution Cambridge, SURJ Boston, Sunrise Cambridge, The Democracy Center, YWCA Cambridge, Blackyard, Urban Strategies Council/Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland and other organizations have produced the Holistic Emergency Alternative Response Team (HEART) Proposal, an alternate public safety program with emergency response, transformative justice, and restorative justice components; and
WHEREAS: This proposal is a result of a collaborative and open process, with input from mental health and domestic violence service providers, housing justice advocates, impacted community members, young people, youth workers, researchers, and educators; and
WHEREAS: The HEART proposal and community organizing and interviews that have informed it addresses City Council goals including:
  • Goal 11: Ensure Public Safety efforts reflect current and emerging challenges and opportunities in a way that incorporates Cambridge’s core values.
  • Goal 12: Eliminate Bias within the City workplace and wider community.
WHEREAS: Cambridge has a goal of centering racial equity and justice and listening to voices that have not traditionally been at the center of policymaking, especially when it comes to issues of reimaging public safety; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council refer the Cambridge HEART proposal, put forth by the above coalition of organizations (and others unnamed), to the City Manager for funding consideration and to engage in a public community process to discuss this proposal and its implementation; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to have the Public Safety Task Force (Members: Khalil Abdur-Rashid, Imam Dr., Chandra Banks, Ed.M., Loren Crowe, Leo Gayne, Samuel M. Gebru, Christina Giacobbe, Rev. Jaron S. Green, Tina-Marie Johnson, Rev. Irene Monroe, Catherine Pemberton, Christopher Schmidt, Rae Simpson, PhD, Queen-Cheyenne Wade, Pastor Ellis Washington and Co-Chairs Councillor E. Denise Simmons and Councillor Marc McGovern) join with the coalition of organizations developing the HEART proposal in order to participate in the coalition’s collective process and to establish a final implementation plan; and
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council and the community coalition by the Summer Meeting on August 2nd, 2021 with a plan for funding and implementation.