June 2, 2003 Cambridge City Council meeting

June 2, 2003 Cambridge City Council meeting - AGENDA (amended)

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-55, regarding a report on enforcement of idling vehicles.

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-61, regarding a report on restrictions for dogs at school playgrounds throughout the City.

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $5,000 from the City Council Travel and Training account to the City Council Other Ordinary Maintenance account to provide funds to cover the cost of additional meetings of the University Relations Committee to discuss Council goals relating to university relations and the cost of printing the City Council FY04 Goals Brochure.

4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation and authorization to borrow for the acquisition and installation of an automatic water meter reading system.
ORDERED: That $4,200,000 is appropriated for the purchase and installation of water meters and related automatic meter reading devices; and that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $4,200,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority.

5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation and authorization to borrow for the construction of the Yerxa Road railroad underpass.
ORDERED: That $4,450,000 is appropriated for the construction of the Yerxa Road railroad underpass, including the construction of sidewalks, an underpass tunnel, retaining walls, handrails, fencing, lighting and related landscaping and other improvements; and that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $4,450,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority.

6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation and authorization to borrow for extensive improvements to the HVAC system at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) as well as the replacement of the roof on the building and exterior windows and skylights, addition of new ceilings in rooms, and replacement of lighting in rooms.
ORDERED: That $33,620,000 is appropriated for remodeling, reconstructing and making extraordinary repairs to the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, including HVAC system improvements; roof, exterior windows and skylights replacement; and new ceilings and lighting in rooms; and that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $33,620,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws, Chapter 70B of the General Laws or any other enabling authority; provided, however, that no debt may be incurred under this order, until the State Board of Education approves a school facilities or other similar grant relating to the eligible costs of the project.

7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation and authorization to borrow for extensive improvements to Russell and Donnelly Fields.
ORDERED: That the following amounts are appropriated for the purposes described below:
$4,000,000 - Construction and reconstruction of municipal outdoor recreational facilities at Russell Field, including a new field house and press box, renovations to the football, soccer and little league fields, a new tot lot, pathway improvements and related landscaping.
$1,250,000 - Construction and reconstruction of municipal outdoor recreational facilities at Donnelly Field, including renovation of the exiting playing fields consisting of new dugouts, bleachers, new lighting, fencing and seating, related landscaping and irrigation/drainage improvements; and be it further
ORDERED: That to meet these appropriations, the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $5,250,000 under Chapter 44 of the General Laws or any other enabling authority.

8. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation and authorization to borrow for sewer reconstruction projects in the Agassiz, Fresh Pond/Alewife, Harvard Square, Cambridgeport, Bellis Circle, and Fresh Pond Reservation areas.
ORDERED: That $7,833,705 is appropriated for the purpose of financing the construction of the following water pollution abatement projects:

Agassiz Area: Stormwater Tanks and Pump Stations - Beacon Street area; Cambridge Library Stormwater Management System Design.
Fresh Pond/Alewife Area: Fresh Pond Sewer Separation and Stormwater Management and Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project Design.
Harvard Square: Sewer Reconstruction - Brattle Street area; Design of Surface Collection System Controls in Church Street and Brattle Street areas.
Cambridgeport: Reconstruction of Sewer Outfalls - Amesbury, Audrey and Pearl Streets.
Bellis Circle: Stormwater Management Project - Danehy Park adjacent to Bellis Circle.
Fresh Pond Reservation Drainage: Stormwater Management Project within Fresh Pond Reservation area.

including without limitation all costs thereof as defined in Section 1 of Chapter 29C of the General Laws; that to meet this appropriation the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow $7,833,705 and issue bonds or notes therefor under G.L. c.44 and/or Chapter 29C of the General Laws or any other enabling authority; that such bonds or notes shall be general obligations of the City unless the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager determines that they should be issued as limited obligations and may be secured by local system revenues as defined in Section 1 of Chapter 29C; that the Treasurer with the approval of the City Manager is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust established pursuant to Chapter 29C or the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and in connection therewith to enter into a loan agreement and/or a security agreement and/or financial assistance agreement with the Trust or the Authority and otherwise to contract with the Trust and the Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection with respect to such loan and for any federal or state aid available for the projects or for the financing thereof; and that the City Manager is authorized to enter into a project regulatory agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection, to expend all funds available for the projects and to take any other action necessary to carry out the projects.

9. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-49, regarding a report on ways the Planning Board members can become more familiar with various neighborhood concerns.

10. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-58, regarding the development of the Belmont Uplands site.

11. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-62, regarding a report on the funding limitations facing the Section 8 voucher program.

12. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-26, regarding a report on drafting amendments to rezone MDC lands in Cambridge as open space.

13. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Planning Board, effective July 2, 2003:
Ted Carpenter, 175 Hancock Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
Jennifer Hrabchak, 57 Standish Street, #3, Cambridge, MA 02138

14. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a proposal to amend the City’s Human Rights Ordinance to include a requirement that public accommodations remove barriers to access for people with disabilities.

ON THE TABLE
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a Landmark Designation Study Report for Shady Hill Square. 1-11 Shady Hill Square, 36 Holden Street.

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the Landmark Designation Study Report for designating as a protected landmark the Tulip Tree at 1436 and 1446 Cambridge Street.

3. Request the City Manager to direct the Community Development Department to make maximum use of CPA funds to develop affordable housing that is permanently affordable, such as limited equity cooperatives and condos.

4. Requesting the City Manager to appoint someone to speak with Neighbors for a Better Community to explore possible collaboration.

5. Requesting the City Manager to direct the City Solicitor to draft a home rule petition to enable the City Manager to approve curb cuts.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6. Petition from Harvard University requesting a sub-surface easement located between 1720 and 1737 Cambridge Street for the purpose of constructing an underground pedestrian and service tunnel beneath Cambridge Street.

7. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor David P. Maher and Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on January 15, 2003 for the purpose of further consideration of a proposed amendment to the Smoking Ordinance to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. The question comes on ordination on or after Feb 24, 2003.

8. Correction of a scrivener’s error in the recently ordained amendment to the Kids’ Council Ordinance in Chapter 2.84 entitled "Coordinating Council for Children, Youth and Families" in section 2.84.030(A) by deleting the words "or a designee of the Commissioner of Health and Hospitals". The question comes on ordination on or after May 26, 2003.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Gerson Vace, requesting a curb cut at the premises numbered 271-273 Washington Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical. Public Works approved with conditions. Three neighborhood association letters were sent. One neighborhood response received.

2. An application was received from Il Buongustaio, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign at the premises numbered 370 Huron Avenue.

3. An application was received from Passport, Inc., requesting permission for a sandwich board sign at the premises numbered 70 Pacific Street.

4. An application was received from Sasha Salon And Spa, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign at the premises numbered 23 Arrow Street.

5. An application was received from Sovereign Bank, requesting permission for a sign at the premises numbered 125 Mount Auburn Street. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Community Development Departments and abutters.

6. An application was received from Harvard Law School, requesting permission to hang twelve temporary banners on street light poles at 1511 Massachusetts Avenue to Everett Street (east side of Massachusetts Avenue only) announcing the Harvard Law School Campaign from June 10 to June 30, 2003. Letter of approval has been received from NSTAR.

7. An application was received from Grafton Street Pub & Grille, requesting permission for 6 tables and 18 chairs at the premises numbered One Bow Street.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Affairs, Department of Food and Agriculture, regarding the provision of the Rights-of-Ways Management Regulations, 333CMR 11.00, applying herbicides to control vegetation along railroad rights-of-way.

2. A communication was received from the family of Elena Kagan, acknowledging appreciation for the resolution congratulating her on becoming the dean of Harvard Law School.

3. A communication was received from Department of Telecommunications and Energy, transmitting notification on the petition of Commonwealth Electric Company, Cambridge Electric Light Company, and Boston Edison Company, d/b/a NSTAR Electric, and NSTAR Gas Company for approval of tariffs to provide recovery for costs associated with their obligations to provide employees pension benefits and post-retirement benefits other than pensions.

4. A communication was received from Steffie Woolhandler and David U. Himmelstein, transmitting written protest to the Carolyn Thall et al. zoning petition.

5. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, transmitting information on the Constitution, use of vaccination, terrorism and a terrorist network.

6. A communication was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, transmitting information on the FY04 Annual Grant for the Self-Help, Urban Self-Help, and federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Programs.

7. A communication was received from Marilyn Wellons, regarding Magazine Beach.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the death of Leona M. Davidson.
Mayor Sullivan

2. Extending congratulations and deep appreciation to the members, staff and Board of CCTV for their always remarkable and frequently award-winning programming.
Mayor Sullivan

3. Extending best wishes to Constance Sico as she celebrates her retirement with family and friends.
Mayor Sullivan

4. Extending best wishes to Gerald Gurry as he celebrates his retirement with family and friends.
Mayor Sullivan

5. Extending best wishes to William Slivinsky as he celebrates his retirement with family and friends.
Mayor Sullivan

6. Resolution on the death of Eileen Stafford.
Councillor Maher, Mayor Sullivan

7. Resolution on the death of Joseph D.Ward.
Mayor Sullivan

8. Resolution on the death of Kevin Foley.
Councillor Toomey

9. Expressing appreciation to Willie Wideman-Pleasants for her thirty years of dedicated service and wish her happiness in her retirement.
Mayor Sullivan

10. Expressing appreciation to Joseph P. Ferolito for his thirty-five years of dedicated service.
Mayor Sullivan

11. Expressing appreciation to Margaret P. Locke for her many years of dedicated service.
Mayor Sullivan

12. Resolution on the death of Mary T. Graham.
Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan

13. Resolution on the death of Evelyn Clarke.
Councillor Galluccio

14. Resolution on the death of Giles MacNair Whitcomb.
Councillor Galluccio

15. Resolution urging all Cantabrigians to pause on Memorial Day, and everyday, to remember and pay tribute to our nation’s defenders, living and deceased, for their service and devotion to their country.
Councillor Toomey

16. Extending congratulations to Bobby Fournier on his 7-0 no-hitter performance in the Catholic Central League.
Councillor Galluccio

17. Wishing Mrs. Mildred Chase a Very Happy 95th Birthday and many Happy Returns of the Day.
Councillor Reeves

18. Welcoming His Excellency Kenneth David Kaunda, former president of Zambia, as he comes to Cambridge on June 8, 2003 as the guest of honor at Worship Services at St. Paul AME Church.
Councillor Reeves

19. Expressing best wishes to Professor Henry Louis Gates on his visiting professorship at Princeton University in the 2003/2004 academic year.
Councillor Reeves

20. Extending congratulations to George "Chip" Greenidge on being named as one of Greater Boston’s most promising young leaders in 2003 by the Boston Jaycees.
Councillor Reeves

21. Wishing a Happy 75th Birthday to Eleanor Connolly.
Councillor Toomey

22. Extending a Happy 30th Anniversary wish to Bisuteki, the original Japanese Steakhouse and proclaiming Wednesday, May 28, 2003 as Bisuteki Day in the City of Cambridge.
Mayor Sullivan

23. Extending congratulations to Jonathan S. Goldman on his retirement and wish him well.
Mayor Sullivan

24. Extending congratulations to Deanna Marie Devaney as she graduates from Boston College with a B.S. in Accounting and wish her great success in all her future endeavors.
Mayor Sullivan

25. Resolution on the death of Nicolas Peter Angelucci.
Mayor Sullivan

26. Expressing appreciation to the Keypals Project for all its work with the students of the Longfellow School.
Mayor Sullivan

27. Congratulating the Law Firm of Giarusso, Norton, Cooley & McGlone on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary and wish them continued legal success.
Mayor Sullivan

28. Thanking the members of CASPAR Student Assistance Program for all their hard work and dedication to the youth of Cambridge.
Mayor Sullivan

29. Extending congratulations to the Neville Center on the occasion of the groundbreaking of their new site and thank them for their continued service to the infirm.
Mayor Sullivan

30. Extending a very Happy 90th Birthday wish to Lenny Lamkin.
Mayor Sullivan

31. Extending congratulations to Kelly and Don Bombino on the birth of their little princess, Doriana Stella Bombino.
Mayor Sullivan

32. Thanking Janice Fitzgerald, the Pastoral Associate and Director of Liturgy/Music at Sacred Heart Church, for her many contributions and wish her luck in her new ministry in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Councillor Toomey

33. Resolution on the death of Mary K. Lane.
Councillor Maher, Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio

34. Wishing a Happy Birthday to a very special Cantabrigian.
Councillor Reeves

35. Thanking the Foster Grandparent volunteers for their commitment to the youth in Cambridge.
Mayor Sullivan

36. Thanking the Science Club for Girls for all its hard work and dedication in teaching young girls in Cambridge the finer points of science and math.
Mayor Sullivan

37. Congratulating Lieutenant Michael Walsh of the Cambridge Fire Department on the publication of his children’s book Firefightin’ Sam and wish him continued success.
Mayor Sullivan

38. Congratulating Ruth Shea on having the Community Room of the Corcoran Park Tenant Council named in her honor and thank her for her continued commitment to the City of Cambridge and its residents.
Mayor Sullivan

39. Resolution on the death of Richard Stone.
Councillor Reeves, Mayor Sullivan, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Galluccio

40. Resolution on the death of Joseph Candelino.
Councillor Galluccio

41. Resolution honoring Cola Franzen, distinguished Spanish-English translator and Cambridge resident and declaring November 13, 2003 Cola Franzen Day in Cambridge.
Councillor Decker

42. Resolution on the death of James J. Rodrigues.
Councillor Reeves, Councillor Galluccio

43. Resolution on the death of Marie Jose Luc.
Councillor Reeves

44. Resolution on the death of Virginia M. Caruso.
Mayor Sullivan

45. Congratulating Chiara Davis Fuller on her graduation from Mt. Holyoke College.
Councillor Reeves

46. Expressing best wishes for Cambridge’s first "Gay Pride Kick-off Block Party" on June 7, 2003 and urging all Cantabrigians to be cognizant of this celebration.
Councillor Reeves

47. Congratulating Jason Upshaw on obtaining his Bachelor’s degree from Babson College and wish him success on his relocation to the Washington, D.C./Virginia area.
Councillor Simmons

48. Extending wishes for a night filled with food and fun at Triangle, Inc.’s "Summer Celebration" on June 22, 2003 and hope the evening is a tremendous success.
Mayor Sullivan

49. Congratulating XANTHUS Life Sciences on the occasion of its grand opening of its newest facility at 300 Technology Square and wish the corporation continued success.
Mayor Sullivan

50. Urging all residents to be cognizant of and participate in the 5th Annual North Cambridge Catholic High School Scholarship Golf Tournament.
Councillor Toomey

51. Congratulating Bob Hope on his 100th Birthday.
Mayor Sullivan

52. Resolution on the death of Henry F. "Hank" Boucher.
Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio

53. Resolution on the death of Joseph C. Amaral.
Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Toomey

54. Resolution on the death of Anne T. Devaney.
Mayor Sullivan

55. Resolution on the death of David O. Ives.
Mayor Sullivan

56. Resolution on the death of Grace I. Buono.
Mayor Sullivan

57. Resolution on the death of Ligia Domingo.
Councillor Galluccio

58. Congratulating Jared C. Fitzgibbon on his graduation from Boston College and wish him well in all his future endeavors.
Mayor Sullivan

59. Congratulating Jyhjong Hwang on finishing in second place overall for the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the 2003 Boston Society of Civil Engineers Online Bridge Design Competition.
Mayor Sullivan

60. Resolution on the death of Anna DiSchino.
Councillor Toomey

61. Extending congratulations to Frank Pasquarella for being the recipient of the "Leading Role Award" from CCTV.
Councillor Toomey

62. Congratulations to Michael Bonislawski, Sr. on the occasion of his earning a Ph.D. in History from Boston College.
Councillor Maher

63. Resolution on the death of James V. Ferri.
Mayor Sullivan

64. Urging all residents to be cognizant of and participate in the "More than Math Algebra Project" at the King Open School.
Councillor Toomey

65. Resolution on the death of Marie M. Scott.
Councillor Galluccio

66. Extending congratulations to the East Cambridge Scholarship Award winners.
Councillor Toomey

67. Congratulating Michelle Donnelly on her graduation from Lesley University.
Councillor Toomey

68. Congratulating Michael Donnelly on his graduation from Lasalle College with a degree in Sociology.
Councillor Toomey

69. Extending congratulations to the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School/Rindge School of Technical Arts teams in winning the 2003 MASSPEP Championship and thank the teachers for their continued commitment to education.
Mayor Sullivan

70. Extending best wishes to Martin and Theresa Fuegenschuh as they return to their home in Austria and hope their stay in Cambridge was a memorable one.
Mayor Sullivan

71. Thanking Norbert and Ingrid Fuegenschuh for their many contributions to the St. Peter’s community as well as the entire Cambridge community and wish them well as they return to their home in Austria.
Mayor Sullivan

72. Congratulating Daniel Schlozman on the occasion of his graduation.
Councillor Murphy

73. Congratulating Maura Murphy on the occasion of her graduation.
Councillor Murphy

74. Extending best wishes to Gwen Acton on the occasion of her milestone birthday.
Councillor Murphy

75. Resolution on the death of John P. Normile, Jr.
Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan

76. Resolution on the death of Lawrence E. Frisoli.
Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Toomey

77. Extending Congratulations to Terry Vendetti and Susan Scalese on the occasion of the Grand Opening on June 8, 2003 of their neighborhood coffee shop on Warren Street named Terri-Me-Sue.
Councillor Toomey

78. Resolution on the death of Mary Curll.
Councillor Toomey

79. Extending Congratulations to the nineteen senior citizens graduating from the Cambridge Police Department's 2003 Senior Citizens Police Academy.
Mayor Sullivan

80. Resolution on the death of Ann Garber.
Councillor Toomey

81. Resolution on the 2003 Gay Pride Event for the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Reeves, Councillor Simmons, Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Maher, Councillor Decker, Councillor Toomey

82. Wishing a very Happy Half-Century Birthday to Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.
Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Reeves

83. Acknowledging the good works and valuable lives of Harold Cox and Susan Fleischmann and recognizing Saturday, June 14, 2003 as the official Cambridge Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Day.
Mayor Sullivan

84. Proclaiming September 2003 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery month in the City of Cambridge and urge all Cantabrigians to support this year's theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Celebrating Health" by supporting men, women and youth who are in treatment and recovery.
Mayor Sullivan

85. Congratulating all the students in the City Links program for completing another successful year as Cambridge Community Services holds its year-end celebration on Monday, June 23, 2003.
Mayor Sullivan

86. Congratulating the 2003 CRLS Athletic Award winners and wish them continued athletic success.
Mayor Sullivan

87. Extending a very Happy 80th Birthday wish to Little Joe Cook and thank him for his many years of bringing music into the hearts of so many Cantabrigians.
Mayor Sullivan

88. Extending a wish for a very successful fundraiser in Sousa's Rock Road Race to benefit the organization Share Our Strength and thank Joe Sousa for all he does to put an end to hunger in the United States.
Mayor Sullivan

89. Extending congratulations to Dr. Michael L. Charney, CitySprouts, Inc., Mr. Henry K. Vandermark, and Zipcar, Inc. for their exemplary commitment to preserving and protecting the environment and marking the eleventh Cambridge First Day at MIT Celebration on June 10, 2003.
Mayor Sullivan

90. Wishing the City-wide Senior Center good luck on their Third Annual Senior Walk around Fresh Pond to take place on Wed, June 11, 2003 beginning at 8:30am.
Councillor Toomey

ORDERS

1. Requesting the City Council go on record against S. 947 and H.R. 1841 replacing the Section 8 voucher program with state-administered block grants.
Vice Mayor Davis and Mayor Sullivan

2. That the Carlson et al. petition to amend the zoning in the Riverside area be re-filed on June 27, 2003 and referred to the Planning Board and Ordinance Committee for hearing and report.
Councillor Maher and Councillor Murphy

3. That the Planning Board petition to amend the zoning in the Riverside area be re-filed on June 27, 2003 and referred to the Planning Board and the Ordinance Committee for hearing and report.
Councillor Maher and Councillor Murphy

4. Requesting the City Manager to provide a description of the new Bridging the Gap Program which will focus on young people in Area IV.
Councillor Reeves

5. Requesting the City Council move to executive session at the June 2, 2003 City Council meeting for the purpose of considering threatened litigation.
Mayor Sullivan

6. Requesting the City Manager to instruct the Purchasing Agent and Budget Director to work with all City Departments to have them develop meaningful performance measures promoting the City’s use of environmentally friendly products by all Departments.
Vice Mayor Davis

7. Requesting the City Manager to instruct the appropriate Department to prepare an informational billboard stating that 51 Inman Street Design is a LEED Standard Building.
Vice Mayor Davis

8. That the corner of Lopez and Hurley Streets be designated as Anthony and Mary Arruda Square.
Councillor Toomey

9. That the City Council be and hereby is requested to go on record in support of the amendment drafted by Robert C. Haley, Treasurer of the Town of Hanover, to be included in the municipal relief package before the State Legislature that would allow municipalities to issue a specialty license plate.
Mayor Sullivan

10. Dedicate the corner of Yerxa Road and Rindge Avenue in honor of Paul F. Mahoney.
Councillor Maher

11. City Manager to direct the Law Department to prepare and file an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit filed by the Committee for Cambridge Rent Control and other plaintiffs to compel action by the Secretary of State to avoid dilution of the rights of voters under the 1994 "Motor Voter Law", and to report back to the City Council on this matter in three weeks.
Councillor Simmons
Charter Right exercised by Councillor Simmons

12. City Manager to report to the City Council prior to adoption of FY04 Budget on June 9, 2003 on the following items: Community School funding and positions be restored to FY04 budget; appropriate space be provided to house the Community School programs; and evaluation and strengthening the scope of the Community School program be undertaken in the next year.
Councillor Decker, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Maher, Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Murphy and Vice Mayor Davis

13. City Manager to provide an update on the Donnelly Field renovations and in particular, the status of the tower.
Councillor Toomey

14. City Manager to report on the progress regarding the acquisition of open space in East Cambridge.
Councillor Toomey

15. That the City Council call on Gwen Noyes to conduct business in a responsible and lawful manner and to meet immediately with the District Council 35 Painters and Allied Trades.
Councillor Galluccio, Councillor Toomey and Councillor Decker

16. Dedicating the location on Field Street (in the vicinity of 19 Field Street) at the intersection of Field and Chilton as the Ulysses H. Gore Corner.
Councillor Galluccio

17. City Manager take all necessary steps immediately to restore working water fountains at the Tobin Field in both the major and minor league field areas.
Councillor Galluccio

18. Requesting the City Manager to contact the appropriate state agencies immediately regarding the extreme unsafe street lighting outages along Fresh Pond Parkway.
Councillor Galluccio

19. Requesting the City Manager to review plans for outreach and street work in Area IV and in additional areas as needed.
Councillor Reeves

20. Requesting the City Manager to instruct all necessary Departments to work with the planning committee for the first Cambridge Gay Pride Kick-off, to be held in the Albany Street area.
Councillor Reeves

21. Requesting the City Manager to instruct the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to monitor city streets for increased motor vehicle traffic from Pemberton Street to Alewife Brook Parkway.
Councillor Toomey

22. Requesting the City Manager to confer with the Police Commissioner and the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation on issues related to traffic calming, handicapped accessibility, signage and speed enforcement on and around Leonard Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, Line Street, Roberts Road, Myrtle Avenue and Hovey Avenue.
Mayor Sullivan

23. Requesting the City Council go on record in support of House Bill Number 1468, relative to purchases of municipal lighting plants.
Mayor Sullivan

24. Requesting the City Manager to instruct the Commissioner of Public Works and the Commissioner of Public Health to investigate the issue of rats in the City.
Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Simmons

25. Request the City Manager to direct the appropriate Departments to prepare a brochure or update a brochure to include any and all information a person needs to know about doing business in and with the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Simmons

26. Requesting the City Manager to provide a report on implementing full cut-off lighting in Cambridge and additional options to control light trespass from commercial to residential properties.
Vice Mayor Davis

27. Requesting the City Manager to instruct the Public Information Officer and the Municipal Cable Director to work with the Affirmative Action Officer to formulate a marketing and/or publicity campaign on the Buy Cambridge Initiative to be held in October 2003.
Councillor Simmons

28. That the letters from the Historical Commission regarding the Tree Ordinance be referred to staff for analysis of the comments.
Vice Mayor Davis

29. Requesting the City Manager to instruct his staff to file the necessary zoning amendments that will be required for implementation of the Tree Protection Ordinance so that they could be adopted at the same time as this ordinance and that this proposed ordinance remain in committee.
Vice Mayor Davis

COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee, for a meeting held on May 1, 2003 to follow up on the "Buy Cambridge Initiative" (BCI) and any other matter that comes before this committee.

2. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Human Services Committee, for a meeting held on April 9, 2003 for the purpose of hearing their recommendations and concerns about out-of-school time (OST) programs.

3. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor David P. Maher and Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on May 7, 2003 for the purpose of considering a proposed amendment to Section 19.22 of the Zoning Ordinance to include outdoor light pollution in the design review of proposed developments.

4. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee, for a meeting held on May 21, 2003 to continue discussions on the "Buy Cambridge Initiative" (BCI) and any other matters that come before the committee.

5. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor David P. Maher and Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on May 7, 2003 to consider a proposed tree ordinance.

HEARING SCHEDULE

Mon, June 2
5:00pm Special Presentation - Go Green Business Awards (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, June 3
3:30pm The Economic Training and Employment Committee will conduct a public meeting to continue discussions on the "Buy Cambridge Initiative" and any other matters that come before the committee. (Ackermann Room)

Wed, June 4
10:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the FY04 City Budget. (IF NECESSARY) (Sullivan Chamber)
4:00pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance on a petition filed by Carolyn Thall, et al., requesting to rezone land in the area of Highland Avenue and Highland Park currently zoned as Residence C-1, for inclusion in the adjacent Residence B District. This meeting to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)

Fri, June 6
10:00am The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee will conduct a working meeting to plan the program for the June 18th meeting of the committee. (Sullivan Chamber)

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

Thurs, June 12
5:30pm The University Relations Committee will hold a facilitated public meeting to discuss the elements of a successful planning and development process. (Ceramics Room, Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue)

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

Wed, June 18
12:45pm The University Relations Committee will hold a facilitated public meeting to discuss and prioritize future action in the areas considered by the committee in its previous meetings. (Ackermann Room)
5:30pm The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee will hold a forum on Cambridge and its new economy - catching up with our future. (University Park Hotel at MIT, 20 Sidney Street)

Thurs, June 19
3:00pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the issue of a new position entitled "Assistant City Manager for Public Safety." (Sullivan Chamber)
3:30pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss investigating additional public buildings and entertainment complexes to house Semi Automated External Defibrillators (SAED) and SAED trained and certified personnel. (Sullivan Chamber)
4:00pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss night club safety issues. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:00pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss campaign on pedestrian, bicyclist and motorist safety. (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, June 23
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Aug 4
5:30pm Special City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Sept 8
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Sept 15
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Sept 22
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Sept 29
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

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

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

Mon, Nov 3
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Nov 10
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Nov 17
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Nov 24
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 1
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 8
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 15
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 22
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 29
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 June 2, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
MAYOR SULLIVAN
WHEREAS: Two bills currently before the United States Congress, Senate No. 947 and House of Representatives No. 1841 would replace the current Section 8 federal vouchers for housing assistance to low-income persons with state-administered block grants; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record against S. 947 and H.R. 1841 replacing the Section 8 voucher program with state-administered block grants; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this Order to the Massachusetts delegation to the United States Congress.

O-2 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR MAHER
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
ORDERED: That the re-filed Carlson et al. petition to amend the zoning in the Riverside area (filed by Order Number Four of the February 3 City Council Meeting) be re-filed on June 27, 2003; and be it further
ORDERED: That said re-filed petition be referred to the Planning Board and Ordinance Committee for hearing and report.

O-3 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR MAHER
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
ORDERED: That the Planning Board petition to amend the zoning in the Riverside area filed on January 27 be re-filed on June 27, 2003; and be it further
ORDERED: That said re-filed petition be referred to the Planning Board and Ordinance Committee for hearing and report.

O-4 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR REEVES
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide a description of the new Bridging the Gap Program which will focus on young people in Area IV. The information requested is what is the method of the youth work, where is the program quartered, how many staff members will provide direct services to Cambridge children, etc.

O-5 June 2, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Council move to executive session at the June 2 City Council meeting for the purpose of considering threatened litigation.

O-6 June 2, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager instruct the Purchasing Agent and Budget Director to work with all City Departments to have them develop meaningful performance measures promoting the City’s use of environmentally friendly products by all Departments, thus forwarding the goals of the City by being more sensitive to the environment.

O-7 June 2, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the appropriate Department to prepare an informational billboard stating that 51 Inman Street Design is a LEED Standard Building.

O-8 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Council designate the corner of Lopez and Hurley Streets as "Anthony and Mary Arruda Square"; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Assistant to the City Council be directed to confer with the family regarding a suitable dedication ceremony and communicate with the Department of Public Works to arrange for the sign.

O-9 June 2, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
WHEREAS: Robert C. Haley, Treasurer of the Town of Hanover, in working with the Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles, members of the Governor’s office and State Representative Robert Nyman, has drafted a floor amendment to be included in the municipal relief package that would allow for municipalities to be allowed to issue a specialty license plate; and
WHEREAS: This proposal could be financially beneficial to municipalities across the State during these difficult budget times; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in support of this proposal; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Cambridge delegation in the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives, Governor Romney and Registrar of Motor Vehicles Kimberly Hinden.

O-10 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR MAHER
ORDERED: That the City Council dedicate the corner of Yerxa Road and Rindge Avenue in honor of Paul F. Mahoney; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Assistant to the City Council be directed to confer with the family regarding a suitable dedication ceremony and communicate with the Department of Public Works to arrange for the sign.

O-11 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The 1994 "Motor Voter Law," intended to increase citizen participation in elections by promoting voter registration, also tightened requirements for removing names from the Voting Lists; and
WHEREAS: Municipal Voting Lists soon came to include the names of many people who were no longer residents, artificially inflating the Lists; and
WHEREAS: In Massachusetts, a local initiative petition requires approval by at least one-third of the registered voters for passage, artificial inflation of the Voting Lists effectively dilutes rights of actual resident voters; and
WHEREAS: In Cambridge, in order to be approved, an initiative petition would have to receive more affirmative votes than the total number of votes cast in any recent municipal election; and
WHEREAS: More than two years ago the Cambridge Election Commissioners drafted a proposal to correct this problem that was approved unanimously by the City Council, and submitted to the 2001 Legislative session as H.995; and
WHEREAS: H.995 was put into study and other bills to address this dilution of the rights of actual voters have been filed in this legislative session; and
WHEREAS: Secretary of State William Galvin’s office testified on April 9, 2001 against the bill; and
WHEREAS: The Office of the Secretary of State has failed to take any steps to correct the unintended dilution of voting rights; and
WHEREAS: The Committee for Cambridge Rent Control and other plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit to compel action by the Secretary of State; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council be recorded in support of this lawsuit; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Law Department to prepare and file an amicus brief in support of this lawsuit; 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 three weeks.

O-12 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR DECKER
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
COUNCILLOR MAHER
MAYOR SULLIVAN
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
COUNCILLOR REEVES
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report to the City Council prior to adoption of the FY04 Budget on June 9 on the following items:

Community School funding and positions be restored to FY04 budget;

Appropriate space be provided to house the Community School programs;

Evaluation and strengthening the scope of the Community Schools program be undertaken in the next year.

O-13 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide an update on the Donnelly Field renovations and in particular, the status of the tower.

O-14 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report on the progress regarding the acquisition of open space in East Cambridge.

O-15 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
COUNCILLOR DECKER
WHEREAS: The City Council has made numerous attempts to engage Gwen Noyes on behalf of Oaktree Development to meet with and address concerns relating to the contractors currently on the Franklin Place Project who have committed violations of the National Labor Relations Act; and
WHEREAS: Gwen Noyes is a highly regarded member of the Cambridge community who also serves as a member of the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust; and
WHEREAS: Labor rights and human rights are an important principle of the Cambridge City Council; and
WHEREAS: It is alleged that there continues to be prevailing wage violations and other employment law violations at the Franklin Place construction site; and
WHEREAS: Gwen Noyes has become a major developer in the City of Cambridge; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That this City Council calls upon Gwen Noyes to conduct business in a responsible and lawful manner and take all the steps necessary to respond and address these concerns immediately; and be it further
RESOLVED: That Gwen Noyes is requested to meet immediately with the District Council 35 Painters and Allied Trades; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council be and hereby is requested to forward a copy of this resolution to Organizing District Council 35 Painters and Allied Trades, the Boston Builders Trade President Joe Nigro, and AFL-CIO President Robert Hanes.

O-16 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record dedicating the location on Field Street (in the vicinity of 19 Field Street) at the intersection of Field and Chilton as the Ulysses S. Gore Corner.

O-17 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to take all necessary steps immediately to restore working water fountains at the Tobin Field in both the major and minor league field areas.

O-18 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to contact the appropriate state agencies regarding the extreme unsafe street lighting outages along Fresh Pond Parkway.

O-19 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR REEVES
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to review plans for outreach and street work in Area IV and in additional neighborhoods as needed.

O-20 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR REEVES
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct all necessary Departments to work with the planning committee for the first Cambridge Gay Pride Kick-off, to be held in the Albany Street area. The Committee is requesting particular parking meter and parking space relief.

O-21 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to monitor city streets for increased motor vehicle traffic from Pemberton Street to Alewife Brook Parkway.

O-22 June 2, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Police Commissioner and the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation on issues related to traffic calming, handicapped accessibility, signage and speed enforcement on and around Leonard Avenue, Magnolia Avenue, Line Street, Roberts Road, Myrtle Avenue, and Hovey Avenue.

O-23 June 2, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
WHEREAS: Efforts are currently underway at the Massachusetts State House to amend the language of MGL Chapter 164, relative to the "municipalization" of electric light plants; and
WHEREAS: House Bill 1468, Relative to Purchases of Municipal Lighting Plants, currently has the support of MMA's Public Works, Transportation and Utilities Policy Committee; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That this City Council go on record in support of House Bill Number 1468, relative to purchases of municipal lighting plants; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Cambridge legislative delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-24 June 2, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Commissioner of Public Works and the Commissioner of Public Health to investigate the issue of rats in the City; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-25 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate Departments to prepare a brochure or update a brochure if one exists that would include any and all information a person needs to know about doing business in and with the City of Cambridge; said brochure to include the contacts name and telephone number and the Living Wage Ordinance.

O-26 June 2, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide a report on implementing full cut-off lighting in Cambridge and on additional options to control light trespass from commercial to residential properties.

O-27 June 2, 2003
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Public Information Officer and the Municipal Cable Director to work with the Affirmative Action Officer to formulate a marketing and/or publicity campaign on the Buy Cambridge Initiative to be held in October 2003.

O-28 June 2, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the attached letters from the Historical Commission regarding the proposed Tree Protection Ordinance be referred to the staff presenters at the Ordinance Committee meeting for analysis of the comments.

O-29 June 2, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct his staff to file the necessary zoning amendments that will be required for implementation of the Tree Protection Ordinance so that they could be adopted at the same time as this ordinance and that this proposed ordinance remain in committee.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
In City Council June 2, 2003

The Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee held a public meeting on Thursday, May 1 at three o’clock and thirty-two minutes P.M. in the Ackermann Room.

The purpose of the meeting was to follow up on the "Buy Cambridge Initiative" (BCI) and any other matter that comes before this committee.

Present at the meeting were Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee, Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Susan Glaser, Deputy Director, Community Development Department (CDD), Estella Johnson, Director of Economic Development, CDD, Cynthia Griffin, Purchasing Agent, Nancy McLeod, Manager, Construction Procurement, Purchasing Department, Duane Brown, Affirmative Action Officer, Ini Tomeu, Public Information Officer, Sue Mintz, Office of Workforce Development, Human Services Department, James Monagle, City Auditor and Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk.

Councillor Simmons opened the meeting and stated that the Purchasing Agent has provided the committee with a list of outside vendors from whom the city purchases goods and services covering the period July 1, 2002 through April 23, 2003. This is on file in the City Clerk’s Office.

Councillor Simmons stated that she would like to discuss the BCI. The Minority Business Directory provides a listing of women and minority-owned businesses, she said. It would be helpful to put the BCI into the hands of vendors to provide information on how the purchasing process works and whom the vendors should contact. Business owners need information relating to who they can do business with in Cambridge. Councillor Simmons asked who would a new business contact to do business with the City of Cambridge. Ms. Tomeu replied that the new business would contact the Purchasing Agent. There is a section on the city’s web site on doing business in Cambridge (ATTACHMENT A). Councillor Simmons stated that it would be good to provide this information to vendors at the BCI. Business Certificate information should also be included on the web site and at the BCI. A directory should contain all pertinent information about doing business in Cambridge. Ms. Griffin informed the committee that the "vendor registry form" could be distributed in various places. Ms. Glaser suggested that the forms be included in the Women and Minority-Owned Business Directory. Councillor Simmons stated that she wanted a comprehensive brochure prepared by the city incorporating all information relating to businesses. This comprehensive brochure should be available at the library, the Chamber of Commerce and at the City Clerk’s Office, especially when a person applies for a business certificate.

Ms. Tomeu stated that it is a good idea to repackage the information. The Community Development Department has prepared in January 1999 a pamphlet entitled "Step by Step Guide to Starting a Business in Cambridge" (ATTACHMENT B) and this pamphlet would be updated. Councillor Simmons stated that if a venue exits it should compliment this information, but that the information should be comprehensive and prevent the public from having to contact several departments. Ms. Johnson stated that the Minority and Women-Owned Business Directory contained information about how to do business with the City of Cambridge, the School Department and the State of Massachusetts (ATTACHMENT C). Ms. Glaser suggested that the brochure could be entitled BCI. A discussion ensured about holding the BCI.

Councillor Simmons stated that Paul Parravano from MIT would host the BCI. This committee needs to decide how the BCI will be formatted. She suggested tables containing information a question and answer segment and an evaluation of BCI. This promotion needs to be evaluated to see how the promotion works and then hold the BCI again in two years. Mr. Brown stated that it is good to have different venues. He informed the committee that he has reviewed the web page for 25 different municipalities. The public is becoming more familiar with searching web pages. The City, he said, mirrors the people who live and who do business in Cambridge and this information should be contained on the web page. Ms. Griffin stated that the Living Wage Ordinance applies to service contracts.

Councillor Simmons asked if there exists a list of businesses. Ms. Johnson responded that the Community Development Department has a list of businesses and is in the process of checking this list for accuracy. The Kirstein library list is also reviewed with the Cambridge database. Councillor Simmons asked if the City could develop a database of businesses and mail information about the BCI to the businesses. Mr. Monagle added that the two databases could be merged and labels printed by the Assessors Office. Ms. Johnson stated that only one list should be used.

Councillor Simmons stated that she would like to view models for the BCI. Mr. Johnson informed the committee that the Massachusetts Housing Minority Development Group held a similar program on April 30 in Braintree. Councillor Simmons stated that she would like to see the information on this program. Mr. Monagle stated that the Cambridge Rotary should be involved with the BCI.

Councillor Simmons asked how many squares have associations. Harvard, Porter and Central Squares have associations responded Ms. Johnson. She suggested that Joseph Tulimeri from the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority could represent Kendall Square. Councillor Simmons stated that the associations could be used as contacts for businesses for the BCI. Ms. Johnson stated that the Harvard Square Business Association is the most organized of the associations; staff is devoted to the activities of the association.

Councillor Simmons outlined the next steps as follows:
* Contact Mr. Parravano about timing of when MIT can host BCI. Councillor Simmons will contact Mr. Parravano;
* Secure Assessors’ Business Listing;
* Prepare brochure.

At this time Councillor Simmons submitted the following motion:

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate Departments to prepare a brochure or update a brochure if one exists that would include any and all information a person needs to know about doing business in and with the City of Cambridge; said brochure to include the contacts name and telephone number and the Living Wage Ordinance.

The motion Carried.

Councillor Simmons asked Ms. Griffin about the address of businesses in the list she provided to the committee. New England Office Supplies has their corporate address in Braintree and Corporate Express is on the state contract and is located in Waltham.

In conclusion Councillor Simmons scheduled the next meeting for Wednesday, May 21 at 3:30 p.m. She thanked all attendees.

The meeting adjourned at four o’clock and five minutes p. m.

For the Committee,
Councillor Denise Simmons, Chair

Committee Report #2
In City Council May 22, 2003

The Human Services Committee held a public roundtable meeting with Cambridge school principals on April 9, 2003, beginning at 3:35 P.M. in the Sullivan Chamber for the purpose of hearing their recommendations and concerns about out-of-school time (OST) programs.

Present at the meeting were Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee, Jill Herold, Assistant City Manager for Human Services, City Clerk D. Margaret Drury, and Elaine McGrath, City Clerk’s Office. The Cambridge school principals in attendance were: Timothy Groves, King Open School, Robin Harris, Fletcher/Maynard Academy, Joe McKeigue, King School, Joe Petner, Haggerty School, Bridget Rodriguez, Morse School, and Lynn Stuart, Cambridgeport School. Also present were Judy Bibbins, Department of Human Services Programs (DHSP), Community Schools, Carol Bundy, Board member, Peabody Afterschool Program, Angel Cacciola, Director, Peabody Afterschool Program, Eileen Keegan, Division Head of the Community Schools Division, Maryann MacDonald, Acting Executive Director of Student Achievement & Accountability, Khari Milner, 21st Century CCLC Partnership Grant, Jackie Neel, DHSP-Child Care, Paul Ryder, DHSP-Recreation, Susan Richards Scott, Agenda for Children, Ellen Semonoff, Deputy Director, DHSP, Roslyn Shoy, Program Director, Community Schools, Jo Sullivan, Cambridge Public Schools Curriculum Director, Carolyn Turk, Interim Superintendent of Schools, and Nancy Walser, School Committee member.

Councillor Simmons opened the meeting by welcoming the school principals and asking them for a brief overview of OST programs at their schools. She noted that this discussion followed a vote by the School Committee last night on consolidation of Cambridge schools, which may broaden the questions that people have about OST in the schools.

Principal McKeigue of the King School stated that the King School is very busy after school and listed a number of programs held at the school: pre-school, community school, after-school day care, gymnastics, two homework programs, sports, and Harvard University programs and clubs. The school building is overcrowded now, and according to Principal McKeigue, the school consolidation plan from yesterday’s meeting will exacerbate the problem, if the Graham & Parks, and Longfellow Schools are closed. He pointed out that the school building also functions as a resource for the community, too, allowing groups to meet from 3 to 10 P.M.; this means that the school is extremely stressed now, with more classrooms being used, later hours, and various issues to struggle with. Principal McKeigue commended Carol Hill of the Community School program as someone who is at the school year-round and knows the community; he is concerned about losing her. With more demands on the school building, he is also concerned about several issues including security, custodians’ issues since the building is used throughout the day, all week and all year, and upkeep on an old building like the King.

Principal Petner of the Haggerty School addressed school-specific issues and the broader issue of how to think about the connection between school and after-school activities. Regarding the second issue, he pointed out that, often as parents choose a school, OST programs are important and frame their relation to the school. Principal Petner really cares about the OST program and believes it promotes a school. He urges the committee to look at the kinds of programs families want, and noted that this is a sensitive issue given the accreditation process going on. For the youngest kids, the question is what is developmentally appropriate; he suggests that it would be useful for the committee to discuss this. According to Principal Petner, there are common agendas on out-of-school time, including the concerns about the achievement gap and literacy that are shared by schools and the Agenda for Children. He believes that the interested providers should be supporting each other to develop the habit of literacy. Another concern close to his heart is the inclusion of special needs kids in after-school activities; given the mandate to provide the least restrictive environment for disabled kids, this is especially important. According to Principal Petner, there is a promising pilot at the Fitzgerald School for these kids, which has gained positive feedback; he would like to build on this success.

Regarding summer programs, Principal Petner noted that the Haggerty School runs the Adventures in Reading camp in conjunction with the Strawberry Hill camp, thereby pooling their funds to provide programs throughout the day. Rather than competing for resources, the two groups manage to create more and better programs through collaboration.

Principal Petner also identified issues that are endemic to the schools, particularly the issues around sharing space. At his school, there is a Space Planning Committee which includes himself, Roz Shoy, Eileen Keegan, custodians and various user groups who meet to discuss space needs. This has been a useful structure to address issues.

Finally, he commented on the lack of a youth center facility for West Cambridge. For the seven years he has been a principal, this has been discussed but there has been no promise of a facility. He does not understand why this hasn’t been done--- the city needs to focus on this.

Principal Stuart of the Cambridgeport School noted that in her thirty-plus years in the school system, one great feature has been the relation between the school and the community school, which is powerful. She has watched the partnership grow, with joint planning and collaboration in programs. Citing the Odyssey of the Mind program as an example of the partnership, she noted that community school leaders are now paid in a way to encourage their continuity. As big issues, she emphasized the importance of managing the transitions between school and other time. Especially because the world is so fluid, continuity is important in the promise, the delivery and the expectation that kids will follow through in programs. Principal Stuart sees the OST connection to school in three areas: learning, enrichment and citizenship. She believes that opportunities in areas such as internships and work-study go untapped now, especially for middle-school kids. On the other hand, schools have been successful in making literacy a habit by using resources such as libraries and cultural organizations. Principal Stuart thinks that schools have to be careful to consider the whole child, rather than just focus on interventions, as important as they are. One example of this larger perspective is the athlete-scholar connection, even though sports programs can be a headache. Schools should go beyond care to enrichment and teaching, which can be a problem, since we don’t pay people well enough to do focused teaching.

Principal McKeigue of the King School brought up the cost and availability of transport as a major issue for schools as they try to construct activities between 3 and 6 P.M. If there is only one bus, the 3 to 6 P.M. slot is filled up early on.

Principal Stuart pointed to focused academic enrichment, e.g., the science club, as a wonderful model, which serves a spectrum of ages. The key to its success has been using the universities for mentors and local teenagers as activity leaders.

Principal Bridget Rodriguez of the Morse School considers the transportation issue enormous, particularly when it comes to the achievement gap, since kids cannot get around town. Schools do not have enough resources for after school, particularly for Grades 6 through 8; they also need a more easily accessible clearinghouse for information for families. She stated that there is also an issue with sharing space after school and during the summer, and that this produces tensions in the schools.

Principal Robin Harris of the Fletcher/Maynard Academy added that collaboration with the community school programs is a successful model for using limited funds during vacation and the summer. Regarding the space issue, her school building is booked now until 6 P.M. and she wants to be able to access it until 10 P.M., to encourage kids and parents in the neighborhood to participate; Principal Harris sees a need for some structured school programs at night to fill the 6 to 9 P.M. void when kids hang around in the streets. Another interest of hers is how to relate to after-school agencies on staff development and curriculum goals in order to focus collaborative efforts. At Fletcher/Maynard, transport is not an issue.

Principal Timothy Groves of the King Open School stated that the King Open has a very strong community school program, with connections to the community and the school. For five years, the school’s gymnastics program has been an important opportunity and model for middle school kids to be mentors. The collaboration between schools and quality after-school programs is very important and it doesn’t have to be academic; at the same time, Principal Groves is looking forward to more collaboration on an academic component in the after-school program. According to Mr. Groves, the program that Khari Milner (from the 21st Century Fund) used as a Harvard student with Grades 5 to 7 is a model for teaching and Principal Groves is struggling to provide more services like this.

Interim Superintendent of Schools Carolyn Turk agreed with Principal Groves on the issues of connection: not every activity needs to be academic but in this new day, programs need a connection with the school, in order to make the programs part of the school. Schools are using their buildings differently now than they did five or ten years ago. According to Superintendent Turk, schools no longer close at the end of the school day, and they need to provide opportunities beyond the school day for children; families also have needs that can be addressed in schools, e.g., the Parents as Partners Program, in which parents use current technology while their children work on academics. She stated that all of the OST programs: before-school, after-school, vacation and summer, address family needs. Superintendent Turk feels that one area that needs focus is programs for Grades 5 through 8; currently, there is a smattering of programs, while teenagers need a lot more opportunities.

Angel Cacciola, Director of the Peabody After-School Program and Carol Bundy, Board Member of the Peabody After-School Program, spoke about their school’s program. Ms. Bundy described the program as a very small parent-run cooperative. The program offers a range of activities: reading, arts including drawing and photography and the creation of a CD by kids, and enrichment with a focus on poetry this year on a theme coordinated between the school and after-school program. With the different kinds of enrichment activities, kids often don’t realize there is an academic component. Ms. Bundy asked how school consolidation and relocation will affect the Art Room in the Peabody School, which serves kids in Grades K through 4. Ms. Cacciola noted another important activity at Peabody, the homework program in which 12 to 15 kids work with one teacher and collaborate with their peers. Superintendent Turk remarked that the Peabody poetry project is a perfect example of the kind of connections she wants schools to develop.

Principal Petner of the Haggerty School suggested that, for schools on the issue of collaboration, staffing is the most critical part of the program. He asked how schools can be more supportive of professional development for after-school staff. Some examples of successful programs are the collaborative workshops and efforts like the City Sprouts group, which combines gardening with science. In his experience in Cambridge since 1974, he has observed that the work of child care, pre-school and after-school staff is not valued enough in terms of funding and salary, which needs to be remedied.

Principal Groves of the King Open School described the extended day program at his school as high-quality, providing important opportunities and models for staff; one of the teachers from this program has made the transition to classroom teaching.

Ms. Walser would like to see more after-school programs and wants the committee to consider policy recommendations for school and city council. She asked the principals for their thoughts on obvious topics to work on and recommend now as policy to achieve better OST services. If anyone has ideas after this meeting, Councillor Simmons asked them to send them to the City Clerk. According to Ms. Walser, the School Committee vote last night made progress in balancing population with services; she sees equity in services as the goal for the schools. Whatever the school, Ms. Walser wants all schoolchildren to have a good shot at getting into a program.

Councillor Simmons stated that, based on this meeting, it would be a good idea for those present to talk as a total group more often. Considering the information to date, she is not sure that the answer is more OST programs. Instead, it may be a matter of better distribution and better information, or transportation may be the biggest problem. The CEOC survey gives a different picture of families’ needs and opportunities. The group does not have the big picture yet of what’s available in schools. What the city may have to do is reconfigure current programs, for example, in the community schools.

Principal Harris of the Fletcher/Maynard Academy asked how this committee interacts with the OST Advisory Group on the creation of policy. Councillor Simmons responded that there are voices from other groups including the advisory group, on this committee. The bottom line for the committee, according to Councillor Simmons, is to put forward policy recommendations for implementation by the schools or the city. The biggest job is to be better informed about programs at the schools. Superintendent Turk agreed that there are problems with the information structure about school programs-parents have to be savvy to find out what’s available.

Ms. Semonoff stated that it is important to figure out how to hold onto current programs, even if we don’t need more. The rub is that merging schools means that there will be more demands on fewer buildings; the issue is how to find space for the programs. Referring to Superintendent Turk’s point about building bridges between school and after-school staff, Ms. Semonoff made special note of three efforts. She commended Principal Petner for spending more than 2 hours recently with about 40 Human Services staffers to work on OST integration of Individual Education Plans for special needs students. This was an enormous boost to the staff. She also pointed to Khari Milner’s work with three principals and various programs to bridge school and after-school programs as very valuable. Finally, she described the experience of the Harrington School as a very useful learning opportunity for DHSP and the School Department with the extended day program.

Mr. Chambers expressed frustration with the discussion. Over four years, he has heard the issues about shared space and the need for dissemination of information. However, he does not see any deliberate effort to build a system for collaboration. The group needs buy-in up and down the school system. Otherwise, there is territorialism. According to Mr. Chambers, no information has changed over four years, what is needed is action.

Ms. MacDonald stated that, at a recent meeting, the principals did not know about open slots in school programs, which emphasizes the need for access and information. The group needs to develop a menu of options within an infrastructure and to assign a point person for oversight. The community school summer camp collaboration is a good example of the use of limited resources enhanced through in-house resources. She encourages targeted assistance to schools, through programs such as Mr. Milner’s 2-year project with 3 schools (Harrington, Fletcher-Maynard and King) to bring together school personnel to collaborate on community programs; these efforts move beyond the "skill, drill and kill" approach to provide targeted enrichment and assistance to schools.

Councillor Simmons pointed out the need for information sharing in addition to meetings, through means such as a manual or data list. Ms. Semonoff stated that the manual on OST programs will be available in a few months. It will be available on computer and as a paper directory and will include information on health and human services and school programs. Councillor Simmons noted that there has to be outreach to principals on this database. Principal Bridget Rodriguez of the Morse School added that the group needs to contact mental health agencies, because mental health issues can be a big barrier to participation for families.

Principal Petner of the Haggerty School noted that there is a trickle-down and trickle-up effect with initiatives like OST time programs. More concretely, he agreed that there has to be a structure to support the goal. For example, what at the building level makes sense in terms of programming? He recommends starting with a space planning team committee that includes all the users of the space, that holds quarterly meetings and that coordinates all the programming. In terms of a trickle-up effect, Mr. Petner believes that it is the responsibility of the program directors, principals and the custodians to focus on big picture needs and to take responsibility for the uses of the school building. The question is how to better coordinate programming.

Mr. Chambers addressed the issue of the trickle-down effect by raising the need for centralized structures. For example, transport is no small matter. It would help to have a citywide late bus system for all schools. Another area for development is the use of school volunteers for after-school activities. A third possible initiative is professional development activities for after-school staff. According to Mr. Chambers, it is necessary to get concrete about whose responsibility it is to make these initiatives happen and to spell out how they will work; otherwise, ideas will not be implemented in daily work.

Mr. Ryder agreed with the statements about the trickle-up effect. If schools are open from 6:30 to 10 P.M. without coordination, there is more stress on limited resources and this means less success. He pointed to the coordination at the Haggerty School as a standard for OST planning.

Councillor Simmons agreed with the need for a centralized source of information with a point person taking responsibility for updates, especially with fifteen schools being consolidated to thirteen.

Principal Harris of the Fletcher/Maynard Academy remarked on the hodgepodge of OST programs which vary in quality. She asked if Cambridge is meeting the national standards for OST activity. Councillor Simmons followed up by asking how the national standards apply.

According to Ms. Shoy, the community school staff have come a long way toward connecting with principals---years ago, this didn’t happen. The group should give itself credit for progress. The turf boundaries are breaking down. Regarding professional development, time can be a problem even when there are opportunities. As for space in the schools, the problem remains of not enough space, and this is important because the environment affects participation.

Councillor Simmons thanked the principals for attending the meeting and for their work on the OST issue. She emphasized the differences in schools from several years ago; they are now more a part of the community. Regarding the two empty school buildings resulting from consolidation, Councillor Simmons stated that it is critical to be careful about how we fill empty space that may be needed by the community.

Ms. Richards Scott described the efforts of the Agenda for Children to foster opportunities for conversation and cooperation among the staff of OST programs across the city. At the meeting of the Agenda for Children yesterday, the issue was how to collaborate on quality improvements, so that all programs in the city have training and improvement activities. The effort is to support staff and identify the agenda for programs. According to Ms. Richards Scott, the group needs to think-tank issues and maybe bring them to the schools, in order to work more effectively together. The school system is facing a paradigm shift from thinking of resources for one program to pooling resources; this will take time. She described the work of Maryann MacDonald with school and after-school people to figure things out together as "phenomenal".

Ms. Neel emphasized that it is encouraging to talk about issues systematically rather than on the basis of individual sites. Councillor Simmons asked Superintendent Turk if someone from the schools is available to attend the Human Services meetings on OST issues.

Principal Stuart of the Cambridgeport School wants the group to think about the "trickle" effect in terms of what the needs are with diminished resources; schools may need to reorganize resources. She specifically raised the "trickle-out" effect. The work to create access is huge. Having a basic informational database will be great. The family liaison position is at risk; this is important because there are families that need summer programs but don’t apply. Ms. Stuart asked how the school-based team could be expanded to create opportunities for both school and OST programs. The community liaison must be personalized, which takes a lot of time and effort. At the same time, a full-time liaison is a key member to connect the agencies with the schools. Councillor Simmons agreed that personal contact is key to success and that the community liaison should be full-time.

Ms. Cacciola referred back to the question about the standards for programs. She noted that official child care services are licensed by the state Office for Child Care Services, which sets the basic standards. Councillor Simmons asked if there are standards for other OST programs, such as the Freelance Players; Ms. Cacciola responded that, as far as she knew, there are no official or required standards for these.

Mr. Milner noted that he has seen lots of after-school programs. A unique relationship is being built between schools and staff in Cambridge; making this change systemic is an important focus of the 21st Century grant, especially with school mergers, strains on building resources, and transient families. To implement the policy in schools, Mr. Milner emphasizes that it’s important to have some wind behind the policy. There must be leaders in school and after-school programs to convey a consistent, strong message and to set expectations with the staff to create a system; this is part of the job.

Councillor Simmons expressed her appreciation to everyone who attended the meeting. She asked CEOC to send copies of their OST survey to the principals. She emphasized the need for the schools to work well and spend "smart" to enhance OST services; schools must be different because families are different, for example, in the CEOC survey, 236 families are headed by grandparents. She plans to continue the discussion at the next committee meeting, which will be in two to three weeks.

The meeting adjourned at 5:15 P.M.

For the Committee,
Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair

Committee Report #3
In City Council May 28, 2003

The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on May 7, 2003, beginning at 6:00 P.M. in the Sullivan Chamber for the purpose of considering a proposed amendment to Section 19.33 of the Zoning Ordinance to include outdoor light pollution in the design review of proposed developments. The proposed amendment would include in Section 19.33 of the Zoning Ordinance as a desirable urban design objective the following:
* Outdoor lighting which is designed to provide the minimum lighting necessary to ensure adequate safety, night vision, and comfort, while minimizing light pollution.

Present at the hearing were Councillor David P. Maher and Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chairs of the Committee, Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Councillor E. Denise Simmons, City Clerk D. Margaret Drury and Elaine McGrath, City Clerk’s Office. Also present were John Bolduc, Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD), Les Barber, CDD, Nancy Glowa, Deputy City Solicitor, Vali Buland, Assistant City Solicitor, and George Fernandes, City Electrician. The following Cambridge residents were also present: Michael Ratner, 32 Griswold Street, and Tony Flanders, 61 Sparks Street.

Councillor Maher convened the hearing and explained the purpose. He noted that staff from the City’s Law, Electrical and Community Development Departments were present. He then introduced Mr. Bolduc and asked him to provide an overview of the proposed amendment.

Mr. Bolduc reviewed the report that Community Development provided on this issue (Attachment A). According to Mr. Bolduc, in response to an order from the City Council last year, staff reviewed what other cities were doing, and those results are included in the report. He notes that some of the other locations have a greater ability to control what goes on in their areas and/or motives to control lighting, such as providing necessary conditions to do astronomy. As for Cambridge, the City has an existing policy and standards regulating lighting on public ways, which require cut-off type fixtures to reduce light pollution, and standards for residential districts. Mr. Bolduc notes that this is a highly technical area in terms of specifications about the amount and types of lighting. He considers the proposed amendment, which adds criterion for outdoor lighting, to be the appropriate approach to control light pollution.

Councillor Maher asked what square footage in a development would trigger the application of the exterior lighting criterion. Mr. Bolduc responded that the exterior lighting standards would apply to those developments subject to the special permit process: new developments of 50,000 square feet or more in both residential and commercial districts.

Mr. Ratner spoke in support of the proposed amendment and urged the City Council to adopt it. His perspective is that the amendment speaks to the quality of city life; nothing is as cheap as bald light shining in people’s eyes, for example, in the Sullivan Chamber, where the lighting criss-crosses the space and is very uncomfortable. He noted that full cut-off lights are available now, which do not allow any projection above horizontal. Mr. Ratner identified himself as a radio astronomer. He asked the Councillors not to underestimate the pleasure of viewing the night sky, and spoke about the views of stars and galaxies that have been lost as lighting has proliferated and become stronger. He also mentioned the threat to safe driving from badly-placed or too strong exterior lights. Referring to the International Dark Sky Association, he noted that other cities and towns have passed ordinances to control exterior lighting.

Mr. Flanders stated that he has several interests in this issue. Based on his experience in a residential area next to Harvard University property, it is his understanding that certain kinds of exterior light are prohibited only in residential areas, but not in borderline areas. He is also concerned about the bright lighting on city property. He notes that much has been lost in terms of views of the night sky since the 1960’s and 1970’s, when you could still see the Milky Way in the Boston sky; there are galaxies up there visible except for city lights. According to Mr. Flanders, the problem is not that the population has increased, it’s that there are more lights. Mr. Flanders is also critical of the quality and quantity of exterior lighting: low-level globes, wattage that is 100 times brighter than gaslight and that blinds walkers. He singled out Harvard and Porter Squares as examples of excessive lighting. At the same time, he believes that exterior lighting can be charming and cited the lights in Cambridge Common as an example of effective, attractive lighting, which lights up the paths without shining in people’s eyes.

Vice Mayor Davis requested a report on full cut-off light fixtures from Mr. Fernandes, the City Electrician. Her understanding is that there are standards for commercial lighting. Commenting on this last point, Mr. Barber stated that there are lighting standards for parking lots, but not for more general areas. There are no lighting regulations currently for spillover light into residential areas. According to Mr. Barber, the primary considerations when the current lighting standards were enacted in 1981 were safety and illumination.

Vice Mayor Davis asked if staff has looked at the issue of spillover lighting from commercial to residential areas. Mr. Fernandes responded that there are Zoning Ordinance standards regarding spillover, but that it’s hard to keep lighting within a building’s footprint. Vice Mayor Davis considers it unfair that residential properties next to commercial properties can be completely lit up inside from spillover light. She made the following Motion:

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide a report on implementing full cut-off lighting in Cambridge and on additional options to control light trespass from commercial to residential properties; and be it further

ORDERED: That the Ordinance Committee refer the proposed Lighting Ordinance amendment to Section 19.33 of the Zoning Ordinance, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation.

The motion was adopted on a voice vote without objection.

Councillor Simmons asked why large commercial sites keep lights on all night and spoke about concerns from people in Area Four who receive continual light in their homes from a recent commercial development. Mr. Fernandes confirmed that zoning currently does not regulate commercial light trespass into a residential zone.

Councillor Maher thanked all those present for their attendance.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 P.M.

For the Committee,
Councillor David P. Maher, Co-Chair
Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chair

Committee Report #4
In City Council May 28, 2003

The Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee held a public meeting on Wednesday, May 21 at three o’clock and thirty minutes p. m. in the Ackermann Room.

The purpose of the meeting was to continue discussions on the "Buy Cambridge Initiative" (BCI) and any other matters that come before the committee.

Present at the meeting was Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee, Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Susan Glaser, Deputy Director, Community Development Department (CDD), Estella Johnson, Economic Development Director, CDD, Joan Dillon, Assistant Purchasing Agent, Nancy McLeod, Construction Procurement Manager, Purchasing Department, Duane Brown, Affirmative Action Officer, James Monagle, City Auditor, Susan Mintz, Office of Workforce Development, Human Services Department, Mary Clover, Purchasing Coordinator, School Department and Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk. Also present at the meeting was Nicola Williams, 8 Brewer Street, Cambridge, MA.

Councillor Simmons convened the hearing and explained the purpose. The committee also discussed the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The purpose of the BCI is to bring small minority and women owned businesses and small entrepreneurs together so that these businesses can learn how to do business with the city of Cambridge and in Cambridge. She informed the committee that Paul Parravano would host the BCI at the Student Center at M.I.T. A date has not been confirmed as of this date. The projected date for the BCI is October 2003.

A discussion ensured about what look the BCI will have.

Ms. Johnson informed the committee that the New England and Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. would be conducting a similar function on June 25 and

June 26, 2003. She provided the committee with a copy of their brochure (ATTACHMENT A). This information could be tailored to the needs of the BCI. Ms. Williams suggested collaborating with Tina Andrews at (617) 578-8900.

Councillor Simmons stated that it is difficult for the public to navigate doing business with the city. The Purchasing Agent has stated that the public should be referred to her if there are any questions about doing business with the city.

Councillor Simmons outlined her specifications for the BCI brochure as follows:
* Glossy folder
* One page Agenda
* Opening remarks
* Break out groups
* Business networking.

Ms. Johnson stated that Boston’s emphasis has been placed on Women and Minority Owned Businesses doing business in Boston. She distributed an article from the Boston Business Journal (ATTACHMENT B). Ms. Williams stated that Mayor Menino has endorsed a three-day festival for Boston for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) scheduled for 2004 to encourage local vendors to sell goods to visitors. Cambridge businesses, she said are listed on the Boston Website. Councillor Simmons stated that she would like Cambridge businesses present at the DNC. Ms. Glaser and Ms. Johnson stated that CDD is working on this matter. A draft letter would be sent to women and minority vendors stated Ms. Johnson. Councillor Simmons stated that she wanted information about the BCI on display at the DNC. Ms. Williams stated that she would provide this information.

Councillor Simmons stated that a subcommittee of this committee is needed to work on a template for the BCI. Councillor Simmons, Ms. Williams and Ms. Johnson all volunteered to work on the template for the BCI. The date, time and speakers will be solidified stated Councillor Simmons.

Mr. Monagle distributed a data base list of business types (ATTACHMENT C).

Councillor Simmons asked who would be the market audience for the BCI. Who on the list would Cambridge most often do business. Councillor Simmons distributed the list contained in the New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. to the Purchasing Department staff to select the goods and services Cambridge would use the most (ATTACHMENT D). She requested all attendees to select the goods and services most used and to fax the selection to Ms. McLeod in the Purchasing Department at (617) 349-4008. The Purchasing Department will compile a master list of goods and services most used. This master list will be brought back to this committee and then addresses will be compiled to do a mailing.

Ms. Johnson stated that large businesses needed to connect with small businesses. Large companies may be looking to partner with smaller businesses and women and minority owned businesses. Vice Mayor Davis suggested using the top twenty-five businesses on the city’s website. Councillor Simmons stated that it would be a good idea to have member of the Chamber of Commerce at these meetings. Ms. Glaser stated that the BCI could receive publicity in the Chamber Newsletter. Ms. Johnson suggested that a group be organized to determine who are the larger businesses. Mr. Monagle suggested that the person responsible for purchasing for the large businesses be contacted. Vice Mayor Davis stated that MIT and Harvard, which are included in the top twenty-five businesses, should also be involved in the BCI. Councillor Simmons stated that she would contact Caryn Saitz from the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Williams stated that the committee needed to outline what is in the BCI for the large companies. How will entrepreneurs be involved, she questioned. Will entrepreneurs set up a booth at the BCI? Testimonials are also needed from companies that the city has done business. Vice Mayor Davis suggested showing three or four partnerships with the City. She further suggested a bumper sticker "Do Business with Local Business". A discussion ensued about promotion and marketing. Ms. Glaser stated that Harvard, Porter and Central Square have business associations and these associations should be used to get the word out about the BCI. The Public Information Officer could help with marketing stated Councillor Simmons. Ms. Williams suggested that the local banks could distribute information to their customers. The Municipal Cable Channel could be used to do the testimonials. Mr. Brown stated that the cable channel would advertise the BCI for free. He would request the Small Owned Minority and Women Business Association (SOMWBA) to come to the BCI to certify the Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE).
Vice Mayor Davis requested information about environmentally friendly services and supplies. Ms. Glaser suggested adding language to the brochure. Example of this wording is-- do you offer environmentally friendly products and services and please describe. This wording was forwarded to the Purchasing Department. Ms. Williams gave a contact at the Environmentally Friendly Product at the Operational Services Division of the State, a Dimitre Nicoleft. She further suggested securing a report from the state outlining the state initiatives. The state web site is Comm-Pass.com.
Councillor Simmons asked if the School Department purchasing mirrors the city-side purchasing. Ms. Clover responded in the affirmative. Mr. Monagle added unless it is a school specific item such as textbooks.

At this time Councillor Simmons recapped discussions thus far:
* Ms. Williams, Ms. Johnson and Councillor Simmons would work on the BCI template;
* All attendees will review business type list and forward list to the Purchasing Department for the master list; and
* Purchasing will compile a master list of most used goods and services.

At this time Councillor Simmons made the following motion:

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Public Information Officer and the Municipal Cable Director to work with the Affirmative Action Officer to formulate a marketing and/or publicity campaign on the BCI to be held in October 2003.

The motion Carried.

At this time Ms. Williams expressed her concern with the October date. She stated that October is too late to organize Cambridge businesses for the DNC list because the list is going out in June from the DNC organization. Businesses need to be on this list in six to eight weeks. Boston, she said, sent out 100 invitations and received 500 responses.

It was decided that a Cambridge informational forum about the DNC would be held on June 25 at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. It was stated that it was important to have the location of the forum near the red line. Ms. Williams suggested a post card mailing to the minority and women owned businesses. Councillor Simmons stated that she would discuss this with Mayor Sullivan and Robin Thieringer, Executive Director, Cambridge Office of Tourism. Ms. Johnson suggested a newspaper advertisement inviting businesses to join the DNC.

Councillor Simmons stated that she would meet with the Chamber and the Office of Tourism to arrange their participation in the Cambridge DNC.

At the conclusion of the meeting Councillor Simmons scheduled the next meeting of the Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee for Tuesday, June 3 at 3:30 p.m.

Councillor Simmons thanked those present for their attendance.

The meeting was adjourned at four o’clock and thirty minutes p. m.

For the Committee,
Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair

Committee Report #5
In City Council May 29, 2003

The Ordinance Committee held a public meeting on May 7, 2003, beginning at four. o’clock and forty-four minutes p.m. in the Sullivan Chamber to consider a proposed tree ordinance.

Present at the hearing were Councillor David P. Maher and Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chairs of the committee, Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, Councillor Marjorie C. Decker, Councillor Anthony D. Galluccio, Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Councillor Timothy J Toomey, Mayor Michael A. Sullivan, City Clerk D. Margaret Drury and Elaine McGrath, City Clerk’s Office. Also present were Lisa Peterson, Commissioner of Public Works, Charles Sullivan, Executive Director of the Historical Commission, Nancy Glowa, Deputy City Solicitor, Lester Barber, Director of Zoning and Land Use for the Community Development Department (CDD), Stuart Dash, Director of Community and Neighborhood Planning, CDD and John Bolduc, CDD.

Councillor Murphy convened the hearing and explained the purpose. He invited Commissioner Peterson to begin the presentation. Ms. Peterson introduced Nancy Glowa, Lester Barber, Stuart Dash, Charles Sullivan and Kelly Rider, the new City Arborist.

Ms. Peterson provided some background information on the development of the proposed ordinance. She began with a review of the history of the proposal, starting with the Tree Protection Task Force convened by the City Manager in June, 2000, in response to a request from the Health and Environment Committee of the City Council. The task force adopted two goals: (1) establish and maintain maximum tree cover, and (2) prevent the loss of highly valued, significant trees. Thereafter, the task force developed recommendations to achieve these goals.

Councillor Davis requested a description of what would be covered by the tree ordinance in light of concerns of small property owners about the potential effects of the ordinance on small properties.

Attorney Glowa explained that the ordinance would affect certain retail projects, office, industrial, industrial and high-density residential areas. In retail, office, industrial and institutional areas, any project of 25,000 square feet or more would be required to implement a "Tree Protection Plan" approved by the City Arborist. That approved "Plan" would be a condition of the issuance of any building permit authorizing the new construction. The affected areas are those same retail, office, industrial and high-density residential zoning district where the site plan and project review requirements of Sections 19.20 and 19.50 of the recently adopted Citywide Zoning Ordinance are imposed. Where a special permit is required under these sections, the Planning Board would be authorized to impose conditions based on the Tree Protection Plan and the recommendations of the Arborist, but only after a public hearing at which interested persons could express their views on any such conditions. Two limited commercial areas, at the Kendall Square Urban Renewal area’s Cambridge Center and University Park near Central Square, would not be subject to the "Tree Protection Plan" requirements as these areas are also not subject to the site plan and project review procedures.

In the residential neighborhoods of the city, the same "Tree Protection Plan" would be required where multifamily or townhouse developments needing a special permit from the Planning Board are proposed. In the Residence B and Residence C zoning districts a special permit is required for any proposed project of six or more new housing units. The Residence B district is found principally in North and West Cambridge; the Residence C district is found in Cambridgeport. In the Residence C-1 zoning districts found in Mid-Cambridge, Riverside, and East Cambridge, a special permit is required where twelve or more new housing units are proposed on a lot. As proposed, the special permit requirements would not apply to projects of the Affordable Housing Trust or other qualified projects for the construction of low and moderate income affordable housing.

Councillor Davis said that she has received a lot of mail expressing concern about residential buildings. She asked how the ordinance would affect three and four-unit buildings. Ms. Glowa said that such properties would be affected only if the owner plans to build six or more new units on the property. She further explained that it only applies to developments of 25,000 square feet or townhouse developments of six units or more.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Davis, Les Barber said that in the last five years in residential neighborhoods only three developments would have been covered.

Councillor Maher asked for an example of a project that would have been subject to the ordinance over the past five years. Mr. Barber said that of the lots being developed now, there is a project on Decatur Street in which a twenty-unit residential development is planned on a former industrial site. The owner will have to submit a report. If there are no trees at present, the ordinance would not require payments to the trust fund. Mr. Barber said that the 1977 development of townhouses on Pemberton Street is an example of the type of residential development that the ordinance would cover.

Councillor Maher asked what if there had been a tree with a 12-inch thick trunk in the middle of the lot? What would developers be required to do? Mr. Barber said that they could try to save the tree and plan around it, or plant replacement trees or make a payment to the Tree Fund.

Councillor Maher asked why enact something that will affect so few projects and trees. Mr. Barber said that there is an important value in a public statement of a policy of concern for trees. Also, there have in the past been some projects in which there was a significant loss of trees.

Ms. Peterson added that the Task Force spent a great deal of time discussing what type of projects would be covered by the ordinance. There was not support on the task force for regulating small properties.

Councillor Maher asked about other communities in Massachusetts with a tree ordinance. Ms. Glowa said that Brookline has had an ordinance for two to three years. She also believes there is an ordinance in Newton and another community. The Brookline ordinance is more comprehensive and has generated concern among small property owners. She does not remember the provisions of the other two ordinances. Ms. Peterson stated that she will get the information. Councillor Maher said that he would be interested in seeing a tree ordinance from other urban areas. Ms. Peterson said that she would provide it.

Councillor Simmons asked about replacement trees - what if there is no place to put a replacement tree? Ms. Glowa said that the preferred option is to replace the tree on the site. The ordinance allows replacement of a tree with a twelve-inch caliper in any combination of other trees that amount to a total of a twelve-inch caliper. If it is not feasible to replace the tree on the site, the developer could make a payment to a tree replacement fund.

Vice Mayor Davis asked whether the ordinance would have an impact on development at Harvard. Mr. Barber said that there are many special permit projects by various developers including Harvard that would be affected. Many are occurring on fairly barren sites.

Mayor Sullivan asked whether development of barren sites results in an increase of the total trees. Mr. Barber answered in the affirmative. In response to a question from Mayor Sullivan, Mr. Barber said that since 1991, the zoning ordinance has required planting and landscaping in parking lots.

Vice Mayor Davis made a made the following motion:

ORDERED: That the attached letters from the Historical Commission be referred to the staff presenters at this meeting for analysis of the comments.

The order was adopted on a voice vote without objection.

Rebecca Ramsey, 5 Exeter Park, said that she has lived in Cambridge for over twenty-five years. She noted that Tech Square is an example of what happens when there is no protection of trees. The city needs this ordinance to protect Cambridge’s trees.

Roger Frymire, 22 Fairmont Avenue, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance. He said that the Metropolitan District Commission had plans to remove 300 trees and replace 330 trees. Due to input from the Public Planting Commission and the Conservation Commission, it appears that the removal has been cut to half of those in the original plan.

James Wally, 109 Larch Road, said that if Cambridge starts by adopting this ordinance, it will end up affecting small property owners.

Lenore Schloming, 102 Inman Street, said that after seeing Cambridge Rent Control start as a seven-page law lasting five years and end up as a 200-300 page law lasting twenty-four years, she is skeptical of regulations staying as limited as they are at first. In his transmission to the City Council, Robert W. Healy clearly mentions the possibility of later expansion of trees. She also sees this ordinance as unfair to small builders and thus an impediment to producing more housing. In addition, it is unnecessary because most builders end up planting trees.

Karen Schlomy, 3 Irving Terrace, stated that she is a homeowner in Cambridge. Property owners cannot do what they want with their property; there are many regulations and restrictions. The recommended ordinance is almost a travesty in how little it will affect. Owners who are not building could clear cut their property and leave it that way. In the three years since the task force was formed, the City of Newton has created and passed a far more comprehensive tree protection ordinance that still protects small property owners.

Mary Otis Stevens, 6 Riesdel Avenue, retired architect, spoke in support of the ordinance. It is a good start. She would like to see it expanded. In light of the regulations and permits that developers of the size that are affected already face, this ordinance will be a very small piece of the plethora of regulations they will encounter.

Skip Schloming, 102 Inman Street, said that the stated goal of the tree ordinance, according to Mr. Healy is a maximum tree canopy. That is an inappropriate goal, especially in an economy that requires downsizing government. This is a decision that should be left in private hands. There is plenty of space on the streets and in the parks.

Sam Warner Bass, Cambridge, member of the task force, spoke in support of the proposal, which he characterized as extremely modest. Its goal is to educate developers to work with the city to protect trees.

Karen Carmean, Cambridge Street, stated that this modest step is a very important one. It is a declaration that Cambridge cares about trees. Springfield has had an ordinance protecting all trees since the 1950’s.

John Pitkin, 18 Fayette Street, spoke in support of the ordinance. He expressed his interest in protecting other trees as well, especially trees in front yards, and gave the example of the tulip tree in the front yard of a building on Cambridge Street. Such a program would have to be carefully designed to operate in an equitable way.

Vice Mayor Davis moved that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct his staff to file the necessary zoning amendments that will be required for implementation of the tree protection so that they could be adopted at the same time as this ordinance and that this proposed ordinance remain in committee.

The motion passed on a voice vote.

Councillor Murphy and Councillor Maher thanked all those present for their attendance.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.

For the Committee,
Councillor David P. Maher, Co-Chair
Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chair

Return to Cambridge Civic Journal