O-2     June 19, 2017  Amended
COUNCILLOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has signed onto numerous pledges reaffirming its’ commitment to combatting climate change, and the City is a member of Cities for Climate Protection, an international consortium of communities working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability, which includes over 1,200 communities around the world; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has also committed to the Vision Zero strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries and to promote safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all users; and
WHEREAS: Idling cars, trucks, and buses are one of the greatest avoidable sources of CO2 emissions; and
WHEREAS: Many of the city’s intersections are “F” rated during peak commuting hours, and some are “F” rated during additional periods throughout the day; and
WHEREAS: When cars, trucks, and buses are stuck idling in traffic at poorly-flowing intersections, they are emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere; and
WHEREAS: Individuals are less likely to use mass transit when buses are frequently stuck in traffic, because their commutes are delayed and there is a ripple effect of delays throughout the transit system; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge residents have expressed support for transit signal priority by directing Participatory Budget funds to it in Central Square and computer-controlled traffic lights are a requirement for transit signal priority; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have taken steps to ensure that cars do not unnecessarily idle when parked, including ticketing drivers who idle for longer than five minutes, but drivers have no choice but to idle when sitting in traffic; and
WHEREAS: Computer-controlled traffic lights and signals could sharply decrease overall CO2 emissions by minimizing light-cycle waiting periods; and
WHEREAS: Fire, Police, and Emergency Medical Services would benefit from computer-controlled traffic light coordination; and
WHEREAS: Computer-controlled traffic signals can be set to keep traffic flowing at a safe, legal speed custom-tailored for a specific intersection in a manner that reflects the City's commitment to Vision Zero, tailored to each intersection and current traffic conditions; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and any other appropriate City departments to report back to the Council on the feasibility and cost of installing computerized traffic signals along the city’s main corridors; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with appropriate staff to report back to the Council on the potential savings in CO2 emissions by implementing this system.

O-3     June 19, 2017
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: During the weekly Monday City Council meetings, most of the public has left before Committee Reports are discussed; and
WHEREAS: Not all Councillors are members of each committee; and
WHEREAS: The items that are most frequently the subject of Suspension of the Rules to bring forward while the City Manager is in attendance at the meeting are Committee Reports; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the matter of reviewing the placement of the Committee Reports section within the City Council agenda be referred to the Rules Committee for consideration.

O-5     June 19, 2017  Amended
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR MAZEN
WHEREAS: On June 8, 2017, the House, led by GOP members, voted 233-186 to dismantle Dodd-Frank reforms put into place following the 2007-2010 Great Recession, and did so, with zero Democratic support; and
WHEREAS: During the Great Recession, home prices nationally fell an average of 30 percent, unemployment doubled, the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost roughly half its value, and the collective net worth of U.S. households and nonprofit organizations fell by nearly $14 trillion or 20 percent of their total value; and
WHEREAS: When the economy began to stabilize in 2010, Congress shifted from economic stimulus and bailouts to establishing a regulatory framework that would prevent another similar financial crisis from occurring; and
WHEREAS: The result, led by former Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank, was the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010; and
WHEREAS: This act requires large banks to undergo "stress tests" to ensure they have enough capital necessary to absorb losses, puts into place strict limits on how commercial banks can invest capital in speculative investments, establishes a process when the federal government can break-up and wind down a failing financial company whose failure threatens financial stability, and finally, establishes a new agency designed to ensure that banks and financial services companies don't abuse consumers; and
WHEREAS: House GOP leadership and the proposed “Financial Choice Act,” erases stipulations for large banks to meet capital requirements, weakens the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and eliminates the Labor Department’s fiduciary rule, which requires brokers to act in the best interest of their clients when providing investment advice; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council opposes this regressive policy, which historically has jeopardized the financial well-being of our country; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the United States Congress on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-6     June 19, 2017
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: The Episcopal Divinity School, located near Harvard Square, announced last month that it has signed an agreement with the Union Theological Seminary in New York City and will move its operations to New York; and
WHEREAS: The campus in Cambridge, located at 99 Brattle Street in Harvard Square, will be sold after operations end at this location this summer making the 8-acre site available for future development; and
WHEREAS: There exists a critical affordable housing crisis in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Affordable housing should be made available in all neighborhoods in the City and this 8-acre site is ideal for such use providing access to public transportation, recreation and open space, and retail; and
WHEREAS: A stated mission of the Episcopal Divinity School is to promote and foster economic justice for which decent, affordable housing is a primary component; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge has been effective in negotiating with other entities that similarly promote and foster economic justice such as the Archdiocese of Boston who sold at below market value to encourage development of affordable housing; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Affordable Housing Trust with the view in mind of immediately contacting the Episcopal Divinity School to begin negotiations for the purchase of 8-acre Episcopal Divinity School site for construction of critically needed affordable housing units including single occupancy spaces and middle income housing, particularly housing for eligible Cambridge residents, families, starter apartments for young adults, veterans, homeless and seniors who have been displaced.

O-7     June 19, 2017
COUNCILLOR DEVEREUX
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) have introduced H.R.38 and S.446, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017; and
WHEREAS: This legislation, supported by President Trump and the National Rifle Association, would loosen restrictions in states with even the strictest gun laws, like Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS: The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 would allow people with concealed carry permits in one state to take their weapon to another state, even if that state has stricter limits on concealed carry weapons than the state in which they obtained their permit; and
WHEREAS: The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 would force states to allow residents with a concealed carry permit from another state to carry their weapon in the state they have traveled to; and
WHEREAS: The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 would allow gun owners from states that do not require concealed carry permits to carry weapons in states that do require permits; and
WHEREAS: The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 creates a loophole for gun owners who cannot obtain a permit in their state to get a permit in a state with looser restrictions and carry the weapon in their home-state; and
WHEREAS: The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 would render moot the Gun-Free School Zone Act, which makes carrying a gun in a school a federal crime; and
WHEREAS: Massachusetts has some of the strictest gun control regulations in the country, and this legislation would weaken the regulations we value by allowing gun owners from states with significantly less-stringent regulations carry weapons in our state; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record opposing H.R.38 and S.446, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, and calls on its representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to vote against these bills, and to work with their colleagues to oppose these bills; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this order to all Cambridge representatives in Congress.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Ordinance Committee, comprised of the entire membership of the City Council, held a public hearing on Tues, June 6, 2017 at 3:35pm in the Sullivan Chamber.

The purpose of the hearing was to discuss a proposed amendment to the Municipal Code in Title 6 entitled “Animals” to insert a new Chapter 6.20 entitled “Restrictions on the sale of animals in Pet Shops.”

Present at the hearing were Councillor Carlone, Co-Chair of the Committee; Councillor Kelley; Councillor Maher; Councillor Mazen; Vice Mayor McGovern; Lisa Peterson, Deputy City Manager; Mark McCabe, Animal Control Director; Arthur Goldberg, Deputy City Solicitor; and Donna P. Lopez City Clerk.

Also present were Laura Hagen, MSPCA; Delcianna Winders, Academic Fellow, Animal Law and Policy Program, Harvard Law School; Maureen Whitley, 29 Buckingham Street; Julie Correia; Elizabeth Maglio; John Tyson, 310½ Pearl Street; Teresa Hill, 46 Holworthy Street; Michael Prusak, 8 Austin Park; Yousef Khan, 26 Linden Street; Tara Williams; Heidi Smith, 235 Columbia Street; Alexis Rizzuto, 114 Aberdeen Avenue; Zach Burns, 220 Pearl Street; Sheila Lachs, 1 Royal Avenue; Alexis Fox, 238 Columbia Street; and Curt Rogers, 8 Austin Park.

Councillor Carlone convened the hearing and stated that the hearing was being audio recorded by a private source. He outlined the format of the hearing.

Vice Mayor McGovern gave a background of the proposal. He stated that Boston passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits. He thought this should be done in Cambridge after a discussion with the MSPCA. There are two pet stores in Cambridge. There is a danger to birds, reptiles and arachnids. He has worked with the MSPCA on this ordinance and it has been tweaked. He has met seven times with representatives from pet industry and the MSPCA. There has been an attempt to come to a common ground on this matter. There is one fundamental difference. The pet shop industry believes that existing checks and balances for breeders are fine; he and the MSPCA do not. Home Farms Breeders in 2015 doing business as a pet shop was mistreating animals. In 2016 reptiles by MAC, which supplies to PetSmart were mistreating animals. He read an article about ill treatment of animals. This is horrendous. The report from the pet shop industry spoke about things that they have put into place, but ill treatment was found by PETA. He does not want Cambridge to be associated with this existing business and the pet shop industry cannot police this. Pet shops operating in Cambridge and their chains cannot police themselves to ensure that animals are coming from reputable breeders. The ordinance calls for implementation a year after adoption and establishing a working group to operate for 18 months to evaluate the program and to encourage adoption arrangements at pet stores. This will be a change for the pet shop industry; they will adjust. The sales of these animals are a small source of their revenue. He stated that pet shops can still sell supplies for these animals.

Laurie Hagen, MSPCA and Delcianna Winders, Harvard Law, presented a PowerPoint presentation (ATTACHMENT A). Ms. Hagen thanked the City Council for the time given to this ordinance proposal. She provided an update. Although 100 more cities and towns have passed ordinances to protect animals for a total of 235 nationally, things have not gotten better for these animals. They have gotten worst under the Federal law. The pet shop industry has had their inspection programs in place and the standards for the animals sold to the public have not improved. She stated that 2,000 animals were taken in by MSPCA, not including cats and dogs; this is an 11 % increase. She stated that the adoption center has had to accommodate an increased number of birds that the MSPCA has had to convert cat colony rooms for the birds. There are 400 birds in the NE Exotic Wildlife sanctuary, putting the facility close to capacity. She stated that guinea pigs, rats and hamsters are available for adoption. Many were originally sold at pet shops. Cambridge has an opportunity to take itself out of the pet shop supply chain. The definition of pet shop was modified. This is a strong ordinance that will help animals and she urged moving the ordinance forward to the full City Council for adoption. She submitted her comments (ATTACHMENT B).

Ms. Winders explained that the Animal Welfare Act was put into place due to the failure of self-regulation of the pet industry. Penalties are low and therefore are considered a cost of running a business. She highlighted the worsening of Federal regulations. Inspection reports were posted previously and all of this changed on Feb 3, 2017. This has turned the regulations into a black hole. Even the pet industry has spoken out against the Federal move of destructing records. She stated that 94% of the breeder reports are missing. The Federal level is in a dire condition. It is critical that Cambridge take action. (ATTACHMENT C).

Councillor Mazen stated that the misrepresentation of the care of the animals by the industry is egregious.

Vice Mayor McGovern stated that he had a meeting with City staff which lead to changes in definition of pet shops and the enforcement. If this is enacted the City will support the enforcement of the ordinance.

Councillor Carlone opened public comment at 4:06pm.

Maureen Whitley stated that she lives in Cambridge. This ordinance coincides with the morale code of Cambridge. She is proud of the City Council on this matter because animals do not vote.

Elizabeth Maglio had a prepared statement (ATTACHMENT D). When she did research on the connection between pet stores and puppy mills the Massachusetts Coalition to End Puppy Mills was founded and her testimony is offered on behalf of the coalition. She stated that pet stores do not reveal where they their puppies came from until after the sale. She stated that puppy mills are fundamentally unclean. Pets are breed until their bodies give out. Pet shops do not screen buyers and do not make home visits. He explained that returning a pet is a death warrant; sick puppies are never returned. She appreciated the oversight on this matter.

John Tyson, 310½ Pearl Street, stated that the pet shop ordinance gives us an opportunity to better treat animals and ourselves. The field of research of animal intelligence and scientific evidence is amazed about the cognitive abilities of animals. Animals do suffer. He spoke about the atrocity of puppy mills. Cambridge will not support cruelty. He encouraged the City Council not to let outside influences dedicate the morals of the City. He submitted his comments  (ATTACHMENT E).

Teresa Hill, 46 Holworthy Street, stated that she has a number of rescue animals. She has a 65 pound tortoise. She spoke about the value and humane treatment of animals. She spoke about the impact of animals on residents of Cambridge. She stated that when animals arrive they are sick and require expensive health care. She stated that the federal regulation is abysmal. She stated that she sees no good reason to continue the sale of these animals. She submitted her comments (ATTACHMENT F).

Michael Prusak, stated that attending a meeting in the afternoon is difficult for him, but this subject is important. He spoke about breeding mills leading to sick animals, animals taken away from their mother too soon. There is no state law against breeding mills. Cambridge needs to enact this ordinance. Pets are abandoned and left in the wild. He wanted all the animals protected.

Yousef Khan stated that he is interning for Councillor Kelley, but his view is his own. He supported the proposed ordinance. It is unjust to allow pets to be mistreated. He spoke about the horrendous conditions that the animals are kept in. Cambridge is joining other cities as a beacon for progressive animal rights. He submitted his comments (ATTACHMENT G).

Heidi Smith supports the proposed ordinance because of the widely mistreated animals by breeders and pet stores. Pet stores are aware of the practices of breeders and knowingly continue to work with and to sell sick animals. PetSmart stood by its supplier after 14 violations. The pet stores knew about these poor practices and continue to do business with the suppliers. Cambridge should be a leader in humane treatment of all animals. She submitted her comments  (ATTACHMENT H).

Alexis Rizzuto stated that pet shop are supplied by mass producers. Life should not be disposable and this ordinance would prevent this.

Zach Burns stated that it is logical what is going on in the industry if pets can be stuffed in cages and fed hormones. But Cambridge does not want to do this. The World Wildlife stated that 27 species disappear each day. This is simple, on behalf of the violently mistreated animals – move this ordinance now. His statement is attached (ATTACHMENT I).

Sheila Lachs stated that animals have been important to her for all her life. In 2008 she worked at a shelter and saw firsthand the conditions of the animals. She stated that the dogs did not know human touch. She spoke about purchased puppies that families could not afford the medical treatment because the puppies were sick. She explained that reptiles suffer the most. The ordinance would not support businesses that mistreat animals. Her statement is attached  (ATTACHMENT J).

Alexis Fox stated that she has a background in animal protection. She has spent time at shelters, which are overburdened. Her family had a pet shop in the neighborhood. She wanted a hamster. Her parents bought her a hamster, Candi, and on day four Candi was distressed and had to be euthanized. She had a series of animals during her life. Pet shops caused heartbreak in her house.

Curt Rogers, 8 Austin Park, urged the City Council to ignore the pet shop industry and to pass the ordinance and to not water it down and include all of the animals. He worked on a ballot question on the anticruelty to animals question and Cambridge voters are against cruelty of animals. This question passed by 88% in Cambridge.

Julia Correira spoke about impulse purchasing of animals. She added that not having animals so readily available would help prevent this. There has been much support for this ordinance.

Public comment was closed by Councillor Carlone.

A communication was received from Karen Windsor, Executive Director, Foster Parrots, Ltd., which explained that Foster Parrots, Ltd. is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and protection of unwanted abused and languishing parrots. She urged passage of the ordinance. (ATTACHMENT K).

Vice Mayor McGovern spoke about the response since this proposed ordinance was made public. He stated that the only opposition he has received was from out of state. This City Council and previous City Councils are not afraid to take a stand. This is about brutal treatment of animals. This is 3-5% of the revenue for pet stores. The pet stores will adjust to this ordinance. This will have less of an impact on retail than other issues.

Councillor Kelley made a motion to amend the ordinance by striking out the word "Restrictions" and inserting the word "Prohibition." He stated that he wanted to ensure that a private homes breeder could sell kittens. Deputy City Solicitor Goldberg responded that this ordinance will not affect them. He stated that this ordinance is not a complete prohibition, therefore the word restrictions remained and no action was taken on the amendment.

At this time Councillor Kelley made a motion to amend the ordinance in sections 6.20.020 (A) and 6.20.030 (B) by adding new subsections 3 and 4 as follows:
3. Animals sold or displayed for agricultural uses.
4. Dead animals sold or displayed as breeder animals.

Councillor Kelley submitted a communication relating to urban agricultural animals banned from this ordinance (ATTACHMENT L)

Vice Mayor McGovern stated that he had no problem relating to urban agriculture. He supported restriction instead of prohibition.

Councillor Kelley suggested adding the words "or non-retail breeder" in the definition of "pet shop".

Vice Mayor McGovern noted that adding "breeder" needed clarification. He explained that in section 6.20.060 an advisory group was added after discussion with MSPCA and the adoption provision. The effective date of the ordinance is one year after passage. The advisory group is in effect for eighteen months after ordination and will report back six months after implementation.

Vice Mayor McGovern made a motion to amend the proposed ordinance to add "arachnid." Councillor Kelley questioned why fish were not included in the ordinance. Vice Mayor McGovern responded that he did not know why fish were not included. Ms. Hagen explained that when the ordinance was first drafted the definition of "pet shop" was based on state law and covered birds and mammals. It would have been clearer to use the word "animals". There are environmental concerns about the way that fish are captured. Vice Mayor McGovern stated that he wanted to discuss this with the pet shop industry. He has time to do this and this could be amended on the floor and added at a later date.

Councillor Mazen spoke about his experience in laboratory biology. In lab biology rats are sacrificed for human welfare. There is academic oversight to labs. The lives of the animals are consumed as commodities and this is under huge amount of scrutiny. There should be small based super-ethical conversation about owning animals for entertainment. What is in place is not working. He wanted the strictest language for the widest array of animals.

The committee now voted on the amendment offered by Vice Mayor McGovern to add "arachnid" - and the motion carried on a voice vote of four members.

Councillor Kelley is stuck on the breeding and stated that this needs clarification to add breeder in definition I "pet shops" to add "or non-retail breeder" after the word "organization."

At this time Vice Mayor McGovern made the following motion:
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the City Solicitor to report back to the City Council to be more explicit to include private breeders in the proposed ordinance entitled "Restrictions on the Sale of Animals in Pet Shop."

The motion carried on a voice vote of four members.

Deputy City Solicitor Goldberg stated that "home breeders" were included in the definition of breeder.

At this time Councillor Kelley made a motion to amend the ordinance in sections 6.20.020  (A) and 6.20.030 (B) by adding new subsections 3 and 4 as follows:
3. Animals sold or displayed for agricultural uses.
4. Dead animals sold or displayed as breeder animals.

The motion carried on a voice vote of four members.

Councillor Carlone moved that the matter be refer to full City Council with a favorable recommendation as amended. The motion carried on a voice vote of four members.

Councillor Carlone thanked all those present for their attendance.

The hearing adjourned at 5:03pm on motion of Councillor Carlone.

For the Committee,
Councillor Dennis J. Carlone, Co-Chair
Councillor Leland Cheung, Co-Chair

Committee Report #2
The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on Tues, May 30, 2017 beginning at 4:31pm in the Sullivan Chamber.

The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the role of police officers in the community, the installation of a police substation in Central Square and the stationing of a uniformed police officer in City Hall.

Present at the hearing were Councillor Kelley, Chair of the Public Safety Committee; Councillor Maher; Vice Mayor McGovern; Councillor Toomey; Councillor Carlone; Councillor Devereux; Louis DePasquale, City Manager; Lisa Peterson, Deputy City Manager; Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services Programs; Brent Larrabee, Police Commissioner; Joe Wilson, Superintendent of Police; Sandra Albano, Executive Assistant to the City Council; Neal Alpert, Chief of Staff for Mayor Simmons; and Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk.

Also present were John Hawkinson, 2 Clinton Street; Patrick Barrett, 41 Pleasant Street; and Mo Barbosa, 34 Pine Street.

Councillor Kelley convened the hearing and stated the purpose. He stated that the hearing is being privately recorded. Councillor Kelley commented that he has no answers to what is needed for policing. Councillor Kelley commented that he has no answers to what is needed for policing. He stated that it is a different world and that the police play a role and how they are assigned. Councillor Kelley had a PowerPoint Presentation (ATTACHMENT A). He stated that how do people feel about police can feel differently in different situations for different people. Policing has a broad spectrum. He asked what police presence is, does a police detail on a construction site count as policing. He outlined what is being protected. He asked why there is just police presence in City Hall. We does the Cambridge Housing Authority fit as well as college buildings and youth centers in being protected. Are more police or social workers needed? He stated that the Robert W. Healy Safety Building is an example of a patrolled space. Cameras have a big role in discussing public safety.

Councillor Kelley opened public comment at 4:43pm.

John Hawkinson, 2 Clinton Street, stated his concern with police presence in City Hall. This makes him feel uncomfortable. If one has been arrested the attitude toward police is different. He stated that he was arrested once and it changed the way he thinks about police officers. Sometimes a police presence can escalate situations. He was threatened with being arrested in City Hall for doing his job. When citizens enter City Hall they are confused; police greet and help citizens. They are not often visible or accessible. Police do not understand the power they yield. A polite request from a police officer feels like an order. He is uncomfortable with police in City Hall and their presence could escalate situations. He does not have a feeling about police in Central Square.

Patrick Barrett, 41 Pleasant Street, stated that he was arrested as a teenager. He had a realist relationship with the law. Police are humans and are flawed. In City Hall things get heated. It is comforting for the city staff that there is someone to protect them. A button to escalate the situation is good especially when you feel vulnerable. He stated that a Central Square police kiosk has been discussed for years; it is not the best idea. He noted that Central Square needs infrastructure improvements. The Police and Public Works Departments do a good job. He stated that if Porter Square gets $5 then Central Square needs $100. He spoke of all the services that are located in Central Square. He stated that the police cannot solve all the problems. A kiosk in Central Square could set the police up. More housing and social services are needed in Central Square. He is not uncomfortable around police officers but trying to solve all the bad and putting it on the police is bad idea.

Mo Barbosa, 34 Pine Street, stated that he has been arrest in Cambridge and it did not change his opinion of police. He wanted this to be walked back. The problem there is not a positive interaction with police when things have gone wrong. The interaction role with police and the community needs to be changed and that authority force is used where needed. He spoke about humanity for someone who is guilty and those who are innocent. He spoke about dignity when something has been done wrong and the treatment of those who are innocent is better. He praised the police in Cambridge. Police are underpaid and undertrained. He spoke about courage and gallantry. He stated that he lives in a community where there are guns and deals with this. He spoke about de-escalation. He added that the police are supposed to be doing 10% of the work and they are doing 90% of it.

Councillor Kelley stated that he has no answers. He asked Commissioner Larrabee to explain how the police officer in City Hall works and about the substation in Central Square.

Commissioner Larrabee stated that the City Hall detail came about from internal and external complaints made to the City Manager. People felt unsafe and a police officer was stationed for a level of safety and security. The employees are happy with the police officers stationed in City Hall. The police officer is part of the society and most are approachable by the public. Police are here for a meet and greet. This is an opportunity for the public and employees to get to see police in a less threatening situation. He stated that the City Manager is happy with this. He wanted a permanent assigned officer and this needs to be negotiated with the union so that the assigned officer can be part of the staff. This is the role of City Hall police officer. Commissioner Larrabee stated that police in society in general is evolving. Cambridge policing is different in non-traditional outreach roles. Applicants do not take police exams to be outreach workers. He added that the community endorses community policing done in Cambridge. This is not the traditional policing role. This role is different and will take training geared to Cambridge. How will Cambridge hire future police officers? A clinical social worker is being hired by the Cambridge police department. People are put into recovery programs. He stated that domestic violence was the problem that was given to the police to solve he stated. The problem has been attacked, not solved. Narcan has fallen to the police to solve the problem of addiction. He stated that he cannot tell you what the role of a police officer is today. The role of the police officer in Cambridge is different than the rest of the industry.

City Manager DePasquale spoke about the City Hall assigned police officers. Mayor Simmons spoke with him about this and that employees felt unsafe. He wanted a police officer to be part of City Hall. The police assigned have been phenomenal. He was surprised by the employees that have thanked him for assigning a police officer to City Hall.

Councillor Toomey agreed with the City Manager. He has seen employees being abused by members of the public. No employee should feel threatened doing their job. People should not feel unsafe doing their job and he wanted employees feeling safe. He supported having a police officer in City Hall. He encouraged the police going into other buildings and walking around other City buildings. The schools had issues with employees being threatened and an officer has been assigned.

Vice Mayor McGovern stated that this is a complicated issue. The room could be filled with people who are intimated by police as well as those whom the police make them feel better. He stated that seniors do not feel comfortable walking through Central Square. He added that having more police in Central Square will not make Central Square safer. But if a social worker interacts with an addict and wants help there is no place to put them. A kiosk in Central Square may make some feel better, but the problem is not solved because it spreads to neighborhoods. We need to find a balance. The Central Square businesses are down because people do not want to come to Central Square. He does not have the answer either. He feels there should be more of a police presence in Central Square. He asked does the police officer in City Hall have to be in full uniform. He stated that this makes a difference when approaching a person by police. Most interaction with the police officers in City Hall has been pleasant. He stated that de-escalation training is important. One point in training is not engaging. He spoke about the balance to control the situation by being authoritative or walking way. When you answer back the situation is escalated. He stated that Cambridge has a good record of doing things the right way. He stated that the role of the police officer needs to be thought through.

Councillor Maher stated that he fully endorses having a police officer assigned to City Hall; it is long overdue. This is the least that the City can do at this juncture. He spoke about governmental buildings that use metal detectors. Most people entering a public building expect to see a police officer. He stated that he had an incident with an irrational person in a locked room. He stated that Central Square is a more difficult issue to address. He stated that the City has done an excellent infrastructure improvements job to Central Square, but all know that this has fallen short. He stated that BID could address some of these issues. There are many small property owners in Central Square and the City being a good partner could address this issues of cleanliness. He stated that Central Square is not a destination because people do not feel safe. He stated that the City can help businesses in Central Square. There is an outlay of cash needed and it is a positive thing. He spoke about a body on the sidewalk in Central Square and the people walked around him because this is a common occurrence. He stated that the City needs to be more equipped to act quicker.

Councillor Carlone stated that public buildings have security issues whether background or foreground. City Hall is the target from a symbolic point of view. Uniforms do make a difference; people feel comfortable to ask questions of people in uniforms. It also sends out the message that all is fine; you are welcome here. Public spaces are welcoming when there is a uniformed personnel around. The worst is that those uncomfortable with police will not feel comfort; but those who feel comfortable with police will feel welcome. He stated that losing the police station in Central Square it was a loss to the square. He supported a pilot or a small station. He does not think it should be a kiosk; but should be a storefront and does not have to be located in the heart of Central Square. He stated that BID districts provide security, cleanliness, information and infrastructure improvement. He stated that optics do make a difference. He wanted a secure ground floor presence.

Councillor Devereux stated that Cambridge feels safe; including Central Square. She does not have her guard up when walking down the street. She spoke about decreases in crime from 1997 - 2015, except with rape. She stated that there is a problem with perception. She stated that Central Square does have a different feel. The infrastructure improvements are important. She supports a BID or any other measure to help Central Square. She stated that Central Square is not a destination because they do not feel safe. She pushed back on this. She stated that shops and restaurants can be found in other areas of the City. She has not been arrested. She stated that regarding the police presence in City Hall she does not feel safer. She has not interacted with the police officers in City Hall. She stated that it does not make her feel safer to have a police officer hanging around. She wanted a fully assigned officer to not wear a uniform. She suggested a police officer with a dog. She does not have strong feelings about police officers in City Hall. She did not know if aides felt threatened and could call a police officer if threatened. She stated that Central Square needs infrastructure and more foot patrols. Police presence should be circulated and interventions done as needed. The Pearl Street Library steps is a place that is used for hanging out and sleeping.

City Manager DePasquale stated that regarding the City Hall police officer there is a strong feeling that employees wanted a uniformed officer. He stated that he has met with the CSBA twice about Central Square. The BID needs to be revisited and the City needs to do more. Two town meetings were held about Cambridge being a Sanctuary City and the police officers in uniform addressed the gathering.

Superintendent Wilson stated that the department is trying to police the city with transparency and legitimacy. He wants the officers to get out into the city. He stated that because he wears a uniform he will provide the same assistance whatever he is wearing. The brick and mortar for Central Square is up to the City Council. There are walking and motorcycle officers assigned to Central Square. The police consider the boundaries of Central Square to be from Lafayette Square to Bigelow Street to Green Street.

Ms. Albano, Executive Assistant to the City Council stated that the employees support the police officer in City Hall. She added that employees are at City Hall all day long and public is here for short period of time. She stated that having the uniformed police officer makes employees feel good and they want to visually see the police officer. The majority of employees are happy with the police officer at City Hall.

Vice Mayor McGovern spoke about the optics. It could be an information desk where the officers is located. He added that a BID has been looked at many times and has gone nowhere. He spoke about security in a BID district. He did not want security asking people to leave Central Square. He commented that Central Square is asked to carry the social values of the City. He is happy that these services are located in Central Square. He noted that crime is down since the police station has left Central Square.

Councillor Carlone spoke about the BID and the need to work with the City Council to set up the guidelines. He stated the City to subsidize the BID for the first few years. It is mostly older women and women with children who feel unsafe in Central Square. Vice Mayor McGovern stated that there is a different spectrum of reasons why people are on the streets in Central Square. There are different needs for services.

Commissioner Larrabee stated that de-escalation training is being done with critical incident training. He stated that disorderly conduct arrest is good law and that Cambridge has very few of these incidents. Police are reluctant to make arrests and are more willing to listen. He explained that a summons is not an arrest; it is a piece of paper that informs the person that they need to appear in court. He felt strongly that police presence should be in a uniform. He advocated for the regular uniform. He stated that Central Square has been discussed with the CSBA. The businesses want to see a substation that is available 24/7 and he does not think that the City has the resources and the property for this. He further stated that there must also be a police car available 24/7. He explained that Downtown Services Districts created in Stanford, CT were manned by ambassadors. Vice Mayor McGovern asked what the measure of success if for the service districts in Connecticut. Commissioner Larrabee stated that jobs are the best measure of success. There has been a growth in cyber-crime and Cambridge has not addressed this yet.

Vice Mayor McGovern asked what the next step is. This needs to be a multi-layer, multi departmental conversation. A comprehensive plan is needed to look at this as a multi-facet plan. Commissioner Larrabee stated that if police are used as outreach workers who will enforce the traffic. This is a very difficult task.

Councillor Toomey stated that issues that Central Square is facing are regional issues. He asked how other communities can be brought into help financially because of the services offered in Cambridge. This is something to look into and any reporting mechanism on this would be helpful.

Councillor Kelley stated that his porch is where the homeless are sleeping. What does he do about this at 10:30 at night when he does not want to call the police? He is happy with a permanent presence police officer in City Hall and stated that the City Council should outline the duties of the police officer. Employees need training as well. He is worried that the police are being put into a situation where their skill set may be problematic at some point. He wanted specialized training and support for the police.

When is it appropriate to call the police? He noted that employees need to get training on this. He asked what the Boston Municipal Police Force does. Commissioner Larrabee stated that fully trained police officers have jurisdiction granted by the Commonwealth for governmental buildings. He stated that the employees need to know the limited authority that police officers have. He commented that police walk a delicate line because this is a public building. He stated that he does not have an answer to Central Square. He stated that he expects that there will be complaints against smoking marijuana on the street which is against the law. The City Council needs to be clear about what is expected from the police. Commissioner Larrabee stated that there has been a training for the police on this new law. Superintendent Wilson explained that some other communities have also passed laws relating to the consumption of marijuana. Councillor Kelley asked if assigning officers in Central Square is a collective bargaining issue. Commissioner Larrabee stated that there no issue for critical training for police officers. Superintendent Wilson stated that the police have responded positively to this training as they have applied it. Councillor Kelley stated that when a police officer is finally assigned to City Hall a meeting should be scheduled.

Councillor Kelley thanked all those present for their attendance.

The hearing adjourned at 6:22pm on motion of Councillor Kelley.

For the Committee,
Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair