Cambridge City Council meeting - June 24, 2019

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a Homeland Security Grant from the City of Boston for $23,039.61 to the Grant Fund Fire Salaries and Wages account. The City has received this grant as reimbursement for trainings performed in conjunction with the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and will cover the City’s costs for participation in the trainings.
Order Adopted 9-0

2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Summer Food Program grant funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Massachusetts Department of Education for $193,298 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salaries and Wages account ($10,000) and to the Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($183,298) which will be used to provide nutritious meals to Cambridge youth at 26 sites throughout the City during the summer months when schools are closed.
Order Adopted 9-0

3. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant for the College Success Program (CSI) from the Cambridge Community Foundation for $15,000 to the Grant Fund Human Service Department Programs Salary and Wages account which will be used to support part of the salary costs associated with a college success coach who will provide individualized college coaching for students attending UMass Boston and for graduates of the Community Learning Center’s Bridge to College program and YouthBuild’s program who attend Bunker Hill Community College.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-54, regarding how a cloud-based data management system for DHSP’s Children and Youth Programs will clearly protect all aspects of participant privacy and access security.
Placed on File

5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-11, regarding the feasibility of eliminating the use of plastic water bottles at City and School events.
Placed on File

6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant from the State’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Regional Action Grant program in the amount of $350,000 to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account The grant was submitted by Cambridge on behalf of the Resilient Mystic Collaborative (RMC), which is a 14-member municipal partnership working on watershed-scale climate resiliency in the Mystic Watershed and will allow the Collaborative to identify and pursue site-specific green infrastructure opportunities in the individual communities for regional stormwater management and evaluate additional flood management strategies to mitigate precipitation flooding from the 10-year storm event in 2070.
Order Adopted 9-0

7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-65, regarding a report on the availability of menstrual products in all restrooms.
Placed on File

8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-79, regarding rubbish handling at Comeau Field and McCrehan Memorial Swimming pool.
Placed on File

9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-16, regarding a report on the Super Sunday road race and whether proper procedures were followed in issuing permits and notifying neighbors.
Placed on File

10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $150,000 from excess FY19 parking fund revenue to the Public Investment Traffic and Parking Department Extraordinary Expenditures account, to establish 20 Mile Per Hour (MPH) Safety Zones on primarily local access streets across the City.
Order Adopted 9-0

June 24, 2019
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am requesting an appropriation of $150,000 from excess FY19 parking fund revenue to the Public Investment Traffic and Parking Department Extraordinary Expenditures account, to establish 20 Mile Per Hour (MPH) Safety Zones on primarily local access streets across the City.

The streets targeted for 20 MPH Safety Zones (detailed in response previously provided to Awaiting Report 18-104), serve to bring road users from/to their origin/destination rather than serving as a main link on a longer through trip, and include the majority of streets in Cambridge.

This work will include:

• Installation of 600 20 MPH speed limit signs as required by State Law.

• Data collection to measure speeds before and after implementation of the Safety Zones at a sample of locations across the City.

• Advertising cost for changes to the Traffic Regulations.

• Marketing and education for the new Safety Zones.

It is anticipated that the work will be completed by the end of 2019.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

11. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the Planning Board not to adopt the New Street Overlay District Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition

Date: June 19, 2019
Subject: New Street Overlay District Zoning Petition
Recommendation: The Planning Board does NOT RECOMMEND adoption.

To the Honorable, the City Council,
On June 4, 2019, the Planning Board held a public hearing on this petition by Self Storage Group LLC, to amend the Zoning Map of the City of Cambridge by creating a new overlay zoning district entitled New Street Overlay District and to amend Article 20.000 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge by creating a Section entitled "20.900 New Street Overlay District.'' The Board heard testimony from six members of the public, including some residents living near the affected area who raised concerns about the petition.

The proposed overlay district is within the Industry A-1 (IA-1) base zoning district near Danehy Park in Neighborhood 9 and would encompass two parcels, 22-48 New Street and 52 New Street, the latter parcel owned by the petitioner and currently used for various non-residential uses. The petition would create "self storage facility" as a listed use in Article 4.000 of the Zoning Ordinance and would allow in the proposed overlay district, by special permit by the Planning Board, increased FAR (from 1.25 to 3.00) and height (from 45 feet to 65 feet) for a self storage facility. Criteria for special permit approval would include the creation of 8,000 square feet of affordable housing, enhancements and benefits to the use of Danehy Park, sustainability elements of the building, and affordable short-term storage for low income households. The petition would also change the dimensional requirements for residential uses, including increasing the maximum FAR (from 1.50 to 3.00) and maximum height (from 45 feet to 65 feet) and reducing the lot area per dwelling unit (from 700 square feet to 300 square feet) and parking requirements (from one space per unit to 0.75 or 0.5 space per unit) in order to incentivize housing development.

Following deliberation, the Board voted to recommend not to adopt this petition. Overall, the Board is not opposed to self-storage uses, but does not see a good planning rationale why a self-storage building should be allowed to so greatly exceed the normal limitations of the zoning district on these two particular parcels. It may be beneficial to more clearly define and regulate self-storage as a distinct use in the Zoning Ordinance, and the Petitioner has described how self-storage can be a good complementary use to residences. If that is the case, then standards and criteria to regulate self-storage development should be established not just for this one site but for other similarly zoned lots throughout the city as well.

Moreover, the Board is concerned that a commercial building of the proposed scale, bulk, and volume would be too large for this particular district, which has been undergoing a transition from commercial to residential character in recent years. The proposed 65-foot height would have significant visual impacts from Danehy Park as well as from other vantage points, and the impact would be exacerbated by the "blank wall" character of a self-storage facility that would isolate that section of the park and would have impacts from other vantage points as well.

The Board appreciates the proposed addition of affordable housing, which helps to make the project fit better with the evolving character of the district, but does not resolve all of the Planning Board's concerns and raises additional potential concerns regarding safety for tenants in such a hybrid building. The petition suggests that the adjacent site could also be developed to a higher-density residential use, which might further mitigate the impact, but such development would not be certain under the current proposal and would still raise concerns about the overall size of the total development. The Board is also sympathetic to the community's desire to retain the gym on the site and appreciates the Petitioner's commitment to include such a use, though the reduction in size would be significant, and it is unwise to make zoning decisions based on a specific retail establishment that may or may not remain under any zoning scenario.

The Board expressed additional concerns about the specific language of the petition. If the Board were in favor of the proposal in concept, it would be advisable to make a more careful review of the language for clarity and consistency.

Respectfully submitted for the Planning Board,
Catherine Preston Connolly, Chair

12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-18, regarding a report on regular project updates from the GSA and MITIMCO on the new Volpe Center.
Placed on File

13. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-57, regarding Charlie Card availability at public buildings.
Placed on File

14. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-130 regarding working with the Chair of the Civic Unity Committee, the Director of the Cambridge Library, the Director of 22-CityView, the Director of the Women’s Commission, and any other appropriate City personnel to begin planning for a public discussion in recognition of 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage.
Placed on File

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to proposed amendments to the following ordinance: and proposed amendments to Chapter 14.04 of the Cambridge Municipal Code (the "Fair Housing Ordinance"). Fair Housing (passed to a 2nd reading) [AWAITING HOME RULE LEGISLATION-BEFORE PROPOSAL CAN BE ORDAINED]

2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-108, regarding a report on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee Elections. [PENDING RESPONSE FROM LEGISLATURE]

3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the proposed Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance. [ON OR AFTER APR 22, 2019 THE QUESTION COMES ON PASSAGE TO BE ORDAINED]

4. An application was received from East Boston Savings Bank, requesting permission for one internal illuminating projecting sign and four awnings at the premises numbered 1739 Massachusetts Avenue approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutter.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. A petition was received from Elmendorf Baking Supplies, regarding three table and 6 chairs at the location of 594 Cambridge Street. No alcohol being served. The proposed date of June 26, 2019 thru Oct 31, 2019 with a start time of 7:00am and end time of 8:00pm.
Petition Approved

2. A petition was received from Formaggio Kitchen, regarding three tables, 6 chairs, BBQ grill, condiments table and BBQ sides table setup in Loading Zone of 244 Huron Avenue. The proposed date of June 29, 2019 thru May 17, 2020 with a start time of 9:00am and end time of 4:00pm.
Referred to City Manager with Power

3. An application was received from Paul Lee requesting permission for two temporary banners across 795 Massachusetts Avenue and JFK at Mt Auburn Streets announcing Taste of Cambridge thru July 1, 2019 thru July 16., 2019.
Order Adopted

4. An application was received from Eric Jonash, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 34 Fairfield Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association.
Order Adopted

5. An application was received from Arne Abramson, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 55 Broadway; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Response has been received from the neighborhood association.
Charter Right - Zondervan

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Dan Eisner, 6 Bristol Street, regarding approval the Sullivan Courthouse parking disposition.

2. A communication was received from Gregg Moree, 25 Fairfield Street, regarding several issues he needs the Cambridge Police Department's help rectifying.

3. A communication was received from Terry Murphy, 107 Gore Street, regarding support of the Sullivan Courthouse redevelopment.

4. A communication was received from Lyn Kardatzke, 20 Second Street, regarding support of the Sullivan Courthouse redevelopment.

5. A communication was received from Phil Rinehart, 17 Otis Street, regarding feedback from the First Street Parking-Study public meeting.

6. A communication was received from Carolyn Shipley, 15 Laurel Street, regarding the Courthouse in East Cambridge.

7. A communication was received from Jonathan Harris, 9 Marie Avenue, regarding the Newport Construction contract.

8. A communication was received from Doug and Rebecca Castoldi, 82 Otis Street, regarding support for 1st Street garage.

9. A communication was received from Christopher Schmidt, 17 Laurel Street, regarding the Sullivan Courthouse parking disposition.

10. A communication was received from Carol O'Hare, regarding Future of the First Street Garage – First Street Area Parking Planning Study - Final Report.

11. A communication was received from Ilan Levy, Vice President, ECPT, regarding DCAMM's failure to maintain the Sullivan Courthouse property.

12. A communication was received from Ladan Khamsi, 29 Otis Street, regarding the Sullivan Courthouse project.

13. A communication was received from Jerome D. Maryon, Esquire, 8 Whitman Road, Medford regarding Resolution #1 on the death and life of Professor Ifeanyi Menkiti.

14. A communication was received from Debra Mandel, 242 Hampshire Street, regarding Policy Order #10 and expressing concern that Newport Construction was awarded the Inman Square contract.

15. A communication was received from Nichole Snow, 190 Bridge Street, Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, in opposition to the proposed amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance submitted by Councillors Siddiqui and Zondervan.

16. A communication was received from Joseph Lipchitz, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, 131 Dartmouth Street, Boston, regarding the proposed amendments to the Cannabis Permitting Ordinance entitled “Equitable Regulation of the Cannabis Industry in the City of Cambridge.”

17. A communication was received from Frank Shaw, 126 County Road, Ipswich in opposition to the amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance.

18. A communication was received from Matthew Connolly, 13 Cornelius Way, in support of Policy Order #3 on zoning for rooftop mechanicals.

19. A communication was received from Jean-Luc Pierite, President of the Board of Directors, North American Indian Center of Boston regarding the appropriate display of the flags, coat of arms and seal.

20. A communication was received from Janet Moses, 73 School Street, in support of the amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance submitted by Councillors Siddiqui and Zondervan.

21. A communication was received from Joshua Hartshorne regarding Policy Orders relating to climate change.

22. A communication was received from Alexandra Markiewicz, 6 Laurel Street, in support of Policy Order #12 for additional funding for legal services to support tenants.

23. A communication was received from Phil Wellons urging the City Council to reject the Affordable Housing Overlay District proposal.

24. A communication was received from Catherine LeBlanc, 14 Tufts Street, in support of Policy Order #12 to allocate additional funding for legal aid services for housing related issues.

25. A communication was received from Sheli Wortis, 106 Berkshire Street, in support of Policy Order #12 for additional funding to prevent tenant displacement.

26. A communication was received from Kathy Watkins, 90 Fawcett Street, in support of Policy Orders #3 and 12.

27. Sundry communications received from Istan Grudel, 6 Malcom Road, owner of Formaggio’s Kitchen in support of Formaggio’s Kitchen sidewalk BBQ.

28. A communication was received from Sarah Gallop, Co-Director of Government and Community Relations, MIT, relating to the curb cut application for the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center together with a detailed report of the Volpe project.

29. A communication was received from Lee Farris, 269 Norfolk Street in support of Policy Orders #3 and 12.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the death of Professor Ifeanyi Menkiti. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Kelley

R-1 June 24, 2019
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: The City Council was deeply saddened at learning of the death of Dr. Ifeanyi Menkiti, owner of Grolier Poetry Book Shop in Harvard Square, on June 17, 2019; and

WHEREAS: Ifeanyi Anthony Menkiti was born on August 24, 1940, in Onitsha, Nigeria, the proud son of Ozomma Charlie Nnaemeka Menkiti and Nwamgbafo Margaret Olieh; and

WHEREAS: Dr. Menkiti attended Pomona College in California where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in 1964 and won the distinguished senior thesis award for his paper on the poetry of Ezra Pound which sparked his initial interest in poetry; and

WHEREAS: Subsequently, Dr. Menkiti received a master’s in journalism from Columbia University, a master’s in philosophy from New York University, and a doctorate in philosophy from Harvard University, where noted philosopher John Rawls supervised his dissertation; and

WHEREAS: Dr. Menkiti, met Carol Bowers, who had previously served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria, when they both lived in international housing as NYU graduate students and they married in 1971 eventually settling in Somerville; and

WHEREAS: Dr. Menkiti began teaching at Wellesley in 1973 retiring as a professor of philosophy in 2014; and

WHEREAS: Dr. Menkiti, in April of 2006 became “the man who saved poetry”-or at the very least, he rescued one its most revered institutions in this country by purchasing Grolier Poetry Book Shop which was in sorely in need of a buyer; and

WHEREAS: Dr. Menkiti was only the third owner of the Grolier Poetry Book Shop, which was founded in 1927 by Gordon Cairnie and later owned by Louisa Solano; and

WHEREAS: Grolier Poetry Book Shop is the oldest store in the nation devoted solely to poetry and over the decades, the shop has been a gathering place for the likes of T.S Eliot, Elizabeth Bishop, E.E. Cummings and Robert Lowell; and

WHEREAS: Dr. Menkiti was a man of a high moral character believing the “we” supersedes the “I” and a great exemplary figure in the poetry community because of his own eloquent poetry and his magnanimous fostering of the Grolier Poetry Book Shop and its historic standards; and

WHEREAS: With his passing, Dr. Menkiti leaves a void in the lives of so many, including his cherished wife, his four beloved children, five dear grandchildren and will be truly missed in the Cambridge community; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record extending its deepest sympathy for the family of Dr. Ifeanyi Menkiti at this time of such personal loss; 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 Menkiti family on behalf of the entire City Council.

2. Thanks to Jason Weeks for his work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

3. Thanks to Lisa Peterson for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

4. Thanks to Khalil Mogassabi for his work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

5. Thanks to Afiyah Harrigan for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

6. Thanks to Olivia D'Ambrosio for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

7. Thanks to David De Celis for his work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

8. Thanks to Peter DiMuro for his work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

9. Thanks to Sarah Gallop for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

10. Thanks to Eryn Johnson for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

11. Thanks to Christopher Hope for his work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

12. Thanks to Kristina Latino for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

13. Thanks to Katherine Shozawa for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

14. Thanks to Michael Monestime for his work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

15. Thanks to Jero Nesson for his work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

16. Thanks to James Pierre for his work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

17. Thanks to Geeta Pradhan for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

18. Thanks to Ellen Shakespear for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

19. Thanks to Kelly Sherman for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

20. Thanks to Ben Simon for his work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern

21. Thanks to Liz Walker for her work on the Mayor's Arts Task Force. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern, Vice Mayor Devereux

22. Congratulations to Will Sutton and Meron Tefera on the occasion of their upcoming marriage. Councillor Toomey

25. Retirement of Alyce Johnson from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Councillor Zondervan

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department, Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and the Department of Public Works to identify whether a Bluebikes station may be located in the proximity of Rafferty Park or elsewhere in the general vicinity. Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department, the Department of Public Works and the Animal Commission to consider the cost and feasibility of improvements to the Danehy Dog Park. Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department and the City Solicitor to draft a zoning amendment that will count a portion of a new or substantially renovated building's rooftop mechanicals (excluding solar installations) toward its allowed height and/or FAR. Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the City Solicitor and the City Hall building staff to identify a suitable location other than the Sullivan Chamber where the state flag may be displayed in compliance with state law. Mayor McGovern, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

5. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department, Assessor’s Office, and the City Solicitor’s Office on developing a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy. Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

6. City Council support of H585 and S256: An Act to Promote Student Nutrition. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

7. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the MBTA with the view in mind of increasing the bus service along Concord Avenue. Mayor McGovern, Councillor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

8. City Council support of H.3800 and S.2004 regarding Property Assessed Clean Energy. Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0 as Amended

9. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate departments to make publicly available any existing data on Cambridge’s total greenhouse gas emissions between 2012 and 2018. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

10. That the City Manager is requested to explain how Newport Construction was selected to work on the Inman Square redesign despite the serious allegations pending against them in Somerville. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

11. That the City Council joins the Mayor’s letter to HUD Secretary Benjamin Carson communicating opposition to proposed changes to Housing and Community Development Act of 1980. Mayor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

12. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Department of Finance and Department of Human Services to explore options for incorporating additional line items in the FY20 Budget to allocate supplemental funds for legal aid services, housing stabilization and tenant education and organizing to prevent displacement and address its ramifications on Cambridge residents and families. Councillor Siddiqui, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

13. That the City Council go on record strongly urging BioGen to reconsider the reduction of its janitorial staff, to allow all 45 janitors to maintain their current employment at the company, and to resist the temptation to reduce its expenditures by cutting its lowest-paid and most vulnerable employees. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM OTHER CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Interim City Clerk, Paula M. Crane, transmitting a memorandum from Councillor Kelley regarding CPSD Public Participation.
Placed on File

4. A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane from Councillor Zondervan, transmitting a memorandum regarding concerns about Recording and Transcription Services.
Placed on File

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, June 24
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Tues, June 25
1:00pm The Housing Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Affordable Housing Trust’s recommendations for the City’s Inclusionary Housing Program’s preferences on selecting residents for available units. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)
3:30pm The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the future electricity needs of the Kendall Square area and progress toward identifying an alternate, viable location for a new substation other that the proposed site on Fulkerson Street. (Ackerman Room)

Wed, June 26
3:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss a petition received from Self Storage Group, LLC to amend the Zoning Ordinance by creating a New Street Overlay District. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Thurs, June 27
3:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to continue discussions on a proposed amendment to the Municipal Code to add a new Chapter 5.50 entitled “Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance.” (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Tues, July 2
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to create an Affordable Housing Overlay District. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Mon, July 8
12:00pm The Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss a report from the City Manager and City Solicitor on proposals for a “Cambridge Publicly Financed Municipal Election Program,” a “Cambridge Municipal Election People's Pledge," and to discuss the feasibility of convening a task force or working group to discuss publicly financed elections in Cambridge. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Thurs, July 11
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the refiled petition from Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. to amend the Zoning Ordinance in Article 20 to add at the end thereof the creation of a Grand Junction Pathway Overlay District. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Wed, July 24
2:00pm The Transportation & Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public hearing to receive information about the draft Policy and Regulations for Small Cell Wireless Installations on Public Ways under consideration by the Pole & Conduit Commission and the Historical Commission. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Mon, July 29
5:30pm Special City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Wed, Sept 11
5:30pm The Health and Environmental Committee will conduct a joint public hearing with the Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force to receive an update on the Task Force’s progress to date and to receive input and feedback. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 June 24, 2019
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: Bluebikes riders seeking to travel to and from locations in the Alewife Quad or Cambridge Highlands neighborhood do not have a station at which to pick up or drop off bikes; and
WHEREAS: Bluebikes stations may be added with future developments in the Quad but that is likely to be years away and the distances between these future development sites are considerable; and
WHEREAS: Bicycle and pedestrian connectivity between the City’s green spaces is a particular priority for the shared bicycle system and a planning priority identified in the Envision Cambridge process; and
WHEREAS: Rafferty Park is a public green space that is centrally located within this part of the City; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department, Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and the Department of Public Works to identify whether a Bluebikes station may be located in the proximity of Rafferty Park or elsewhere in the general vicinity as soon as possible; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide a response to this matter by the summer meeting on July 29, 2019.

O-2 June 24, 2019
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR MALLON
WHEREAS: The dog park at Danehy Park is one of only three dedicated, permanent, fully enclosed off-leash areas in the entire city; and
WHEREAS: Danehy Dog Park has been very well-used since its opening more than a decade ago, even more so with the growing number of residents living in pet-friendly buildings in the Alewife area and with the city's overall population growth; and
WHEREAS: Danehy Dog Park has not had major improvements since its opening, and with each cycle of Participatory Budgeting (including the current one) there have been many suggestions and much popular support for new features that would help the dog park better serve the needs of both dogs and their human companions; and
WHEREAS: Residents with dogs have expressed a strong desire for lighting to make the Danehy Dog Park usable in the early mornings and evenings during seasons with shorter days, as well as to make it feel safer for all users since it is located in a fairly secluded area; and
WHEREAS: Some best practice design suggestions to consider include: agility-play features like ramps, small hills, tunnels and platforms to engage active dogs; more shade and sheltered seating for people accompanying dogs; a slightly elevated water trough to replace bowls that tend to get flipped over; a separate fenced area for optional water play; a larger enclosed "foyer" to help new dogs safely enter without being swarmed by other dogs; repairs to the gate that leads to the puppy pen; a concrete pad with a hose where a dog can be rinsed off; a regraded terrain and different surface materials so huge puddles do not form; and
WHEREAS: Overall the design of the Danehy Dog Park lacks imagination and could be greatly improved with a more innovative and thoughtful redesign (see concepts in the attachments and in these examples); now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is work with the Community Development Department, the Department of Public Works and the Animal Commission to consider the cost and feasibility of these suggestions and report back to the City Council with a plan of action by this fall.

O-3 June 24, 2019
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: Bulky rooftop mechanicals can raise the actual height of new buildings by 40' or more; and
WHEREAS: The additional massing of rooftop mechanicals is not counted toward the allowed height or density (FAR) in our zoning, yet their presence brings additional impacts including noise and shadows, and their bulk mars the view shed; and
WHEREAS: In New York City, the City Council recently voted to limit mechanical floors; if they are taller than 25' they will count toward the building's allowable square footage; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department and the City Solicitor to draft a zoning amendment that will count a portion of a new or substantially renovated building's rooftop mechanicals (excluding solar installations) toward its allowed height and/or FAR; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back on this no later than the City Council meeting on Sept 9, 2019.

O-4 June 24, 2019
MAYOR MCGOVERN
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: On Apr 4, 2016, the City Council unanimously adopted Policy Order #1 to go on record asking the Massachusetts State Legislature to review the symbolism of the Official Seal of Massachusetts to determine whether it may be perpetuating or promoting hurtful symbolism; and
WHEREAS: On May 13, 2019, the City Council unanimously adopted Policy Order #3 in support of Resolve H.2776: Resolve providing for the creation of a special commission relative to the seal and motto of the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS: The special commission created by Resolve H.2776 would investigate and recommend changes to the State Flag and Seal of the Commonwealth and would include members of the legislature and representatives of Native Nations of Massachusetts, among others; and
WHEREAS: During the public comment period at the May 13, 2019 City Council meeting, the City Council heard much emotional testimony from members of the Native American community and others that the symbolism on the state flag is a painful reminder of the history of oppression and genocide indigenous peoples suffered at the hands of the colonists; and
WHEREAS: During the Council’s discussion of Policy Order #3 on May 13, 2019, a question was raised as to whether the state flag is legally required to be displayed in the Sullivan Chamber, or if it could be displayed elsewhere in City Hall; and
WHEREAS: According to the City Solicitor, state law does not specify where in the City’s main or administrative building the flag of the Commonwealth must be displayed; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the City Solicitor and the City Hall building staff to identify a suitable location other than the Sullivan Chamber where the state flag may be displayed in compliance with state law, and to report back by the summer meeting of July 29, 2019.

O-5 June 24, 2019
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR MALLON
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: According to the Cambridge Community Development Department’s April 2019 Cambridge Ground Floor Vacancy Database, a total of nine storefronts city-wide are listed as having remained vacant for 4+ years, and five for 2+ years, with Harvard Square containing the greatest number of total vacancies at 17; and
WHEREAS: There are many causes for these vacancies, whether it be the forced displacement of small business owners due to inability to sustain increasingly unaffordable rents, or a landlord’s decision to hold out for a higher-paying tenant, or simply a lack of investment or neglect on behalf of property owners, many of whom do not reside in Cambridge and may own multiple retail properties across many locations; and
WHEREAS: The increase in both the number and longevity of storefront vacancies negatively impacts those businesses currently operating in our Squares, and can turn previously vibrant retail districts into blighted areas; and
WHEREAS: It is in the best interest of the public for the City to mitigate long term storefront vacancies through the development of more specific definitions and targeted regulations; and
WHEREAS: At the Apr 30, 2019 meeting of the Economic Development and University Relations Committee, the Cambridge Community Development Department presented on its recommendations for what might be included in such a policy, which was followed by a discussion amongst the committee members, city staff, community stakeholders and business associations, of the potential interventions presented, their benefits and drawbacks, and additional innovative solutions; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department, Assessor’s Office, and the City Solicitor’s Office on developing a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy, incorporating in its language the recommendations discussed at the Apr 30, 2019 meeting of the Economic Development and University Relations Committee, such as enacting a requirement that any ground floor retail property vacant for a time period of 1-2 years register with the City, regardless of whether the storefront has been intermittently activated, and possible avenues for incentivizing or otherwise enforcing compliance with such a requirement; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department to ensure the involvement of Cambridge’s small business community throughout this process, providing opportunities for input on the content, language and potential implications of any drafted policy prior to its enactment; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the Economic Development and University Relations Committee on the matters above by its next hearing to be scheduled in September 2019.

O-6 June 24, 2019
COUNCILLOR MALLON
MAYOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: The prevention of childhood hunger and proper nutrition have been the subject of national attention due to controversies over school lunch debt; and
WHEREAS: For low income students who don’t qualify for the free lunch program, paying the cost of school lunch, even at the reduced price, is either unattainable or causes them to go into debt; and
WHEREAS: H585 and S256, An Act to Promote Student Nutrition, has been introduced in both the House and Senate to ensure that all students, regardless of income, can access school lunch without going into debt; and
WHEREAS: The bill makes all school districts which absorb the cost of reduced lunch eligible for reimbursement by the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and
WHEREAS: The bill expands the number of students eligible for the free lunch program to include students under the guardianship of non-parents, students whose families receive SSI, special needs students formerly in foster care, and all students in school districts with 60% or more students already qualifying for the free lunch program; and
WHEREAS: The bill prevents employees, agents, and volunteers of school districts from taking retaliatory action against students solely due to unpaid meal debt, such as: denying students meals as a form of punishment, disposing of already served meals, serving alternative meals, or barring the student from extracurriculars, barring the student from graduation; and
WHEREAS: Ending childhood hunger and promoting childhood nutrition, especially in schools, are essential for the physical and emotional wellbeing of a child, as well as the academic success of students; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record in support of H585 ad S256: An Act to Promote Student Nutrition, introduced by Senator Cynthia Stone Creem and Representative Andres Vargas; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to the members of the Cambridge Legislative Delegation, as well as chairs of the Joint Committee on Education, Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Alice Peisch on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-7 June 24, 2019
MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR MALLON
WHEREAS: The stretch of Concord Avenue from the Belmont/Cambridge line to the Fresh Pond Rotary has seen an increase in development, with future commercial and residential development taking place; and
WHEREAS: Bus service along Concord Avenue has been reduced in recent years; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge is working diligently to reduce car emissions and to promote public transit and the reduction in service along this line has made it more difficult for residents and workers to commute efficiently; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the MBTA with the view in mind of increasing the bus service along Concord Avenue.

O-8 June 24, 2019 Amended
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: Improving energy efficiency and reducing the climate-destroying emissions created by existing buildings is critical to our efforts to combat climate change; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s Net Zero Action Plan contains many strategies for reducing emissions from the built sector to zero; and
WHEREAS: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing is an important mechanism to facilitate energy efficiency upgrades in buildings; and
WHEREAS: H.3800 amends the statewide commercial PACE program to better achieve the desired objectives of facilitating energy efficiency upgrades in buildings; and
WHEREAS: S.2004 would establish a statewide PACE program for residential buildings; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in support of H.3800 and S.2004; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Representative Golden, Senator Pacheco, ~~Representative~~ Senator Eldridge, and Representative Ciccolo, lead sponsors of these efforts, as well as Governor Baker and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Kathleen A. Theoharides.

O-9 June 24, 2019
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: Until recently, Cambridge’s community wide greenhouse gas emissions goal was an 80% reduction (from 1990 levels) by 2050; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge recently joined with other regional municipalities in committing to a more aggressive goal of net zero emissions by 2050, meaning no net emissions over the course of one year; and
WHEREAS: The latest UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report indicates a goal of 45% reduction in GHG by 2030 (over 2010 levels) is necessary; and
WHEREAS: We cannot set meaningful emissions goals without regularly updated community-wide emissions data, and the latest community-wide Greenhouse Gas Inventory is from 2012; and
WHEREAS: The city had announced on its website that a second inventory would be completed in 2018, but the data has not yet been made available; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate departments to make publicly available any existing data on Cambridge’s total greenhouse gas emissions between 2012 and 2018; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide these reports to the City Council on an annual basis going forward; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back on this matter as soon as possible but no later than Sept 9, 2019.

O-10 June 24, 2019
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: Newport Construction was announced as the chosen vendor to complete the redesign of Inman Square; and
WHEREAS: The Somerville City Council is currently contemplating the possibility of declaring Newport Construction to be “not a responsible bidder” for a period of 5 years due in part to a 2017 incident in which the contractor cut down a large number of mature trees on the southern section of Beacon Street without notifying the city beforehand, including several trees that were planned to survive the construction; and
WHEREAS: Newport Construction cannot be trusted to carry out this project in a safe manner based on their past performance just down the street from Inman Square; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to explain how Newport Construction was selected to work on this project despite the serious allegations pending against them in Somerville; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to inform the City Council about how the downside risk of employing Newport Construction is being managed; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter as soon as possible.

O-11 June 24, 2019
MAYOR MCGOVERN
RESOLVED: That the City Council joins the Mayor’s attached letter to HUD Secretary Benjamin Carson communicating opposition to proposed changes to Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status due to the harmful effects it would have to Immigrant families, particularly children, and the community at large.

O-12 June 24, 2019
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR MALLON
WHEREAS: In accordance with its mission to provide critical guidance to the City of Cambridge on mitigating the effects of housing instability and displacement, the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Tenant Displacement has sought to identify both where the greatest funding needs exist in fighting and preventing displacement, as well as potential opportunities for acquiring additional funding sources; and
WHEREAS: In anticipation of its comprehensive report of final recommendations for policy change and resource allocation, the Tenant Displacement Task Force presents below the following which have come to its attention:

• Due to cuts in federal funding for elder (60+) services, Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services is no longer able to fund the support services it provides to Cambridge’s growing population of elders facing eviction from private housing, and additionally lacks the grant funding flexibility to support those voucher-holders who have been displaced from our community in returning to Cambridge; and

• De Novo Center for Justice and Healing, formerly Community Legal Services and Counseling Center, provides on-location legal aid support at the Middlesex Session of Eastern Housing Court and every Friday at Cambridge District Court through its ‘Lawyer for the Day’ Housing Clinic program, coordinated by one of De Novo’s part-time attorneys; and

• Transition House provides critical services and transitional housing to Cambridge residents who have experienced DV/IPV and subsequently displacement or eviction from their homes or are otherwise seeking shelter and safety from their perpetrator, and, due to the extremely limited supply of transitional housing and family shelter, particularly for survivors, in Cambridge, many of these residents are forced to seek shelter outside of the City; and

• The Task Force’s Education Working Group has been developing a plan for a series of tenant workshops, and identified The Alliance of Cambridge Tenants (ACT) – that collective body of tenants and activists allied to organize and advocate specifically on behalf of tenants’ rights in the City of Cambridge – as a critical partner in the establishment and implementation of this series; and

WHEREAS: The Tenant Displacement Task Force therefore recommends that additional city funds be allocated to sponsor the following:

• Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services to expand its services to elder residents, increase the number of office hours it currently provides at the Cambridge Multi-Service Center and serve ~ 30 more resident cases each year; and

• De Novo Center for Justice and Healing to sustain its “Lawyer-A-Day” program and continue providing much-needed support to those lacking representation at housing court; and

• Transition House to hire a “Housing Stability Coordinator” who would serve to both stabilize tenancies and provide mobile case management to more effectively serve the immense need of displaced DV/ IPV survivors for support in finding housing in Cambridge; and

• A partnership between the City of Cambridge and the Alliance of Cambridge Tenants (ACT) that would serve to fund a series of educational workshops and resources for tenants, as well as support the continuation of the critical services and advocacy ACT provides for this City’s residents; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Department of Finance and Department of Human Services to explore options for incorporating additional line items in the FY20 Budget to allocate supplemental funds for legal aid services, housing stabilization and tenant education and organizing to prevent displacement and address its ramifications on Cambridge residents and families; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back on the matter of these allocations by September 2019.

O-13 June 24, 2019
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that BioGen, located in Kendall Square, has recently hired a janitorial contractor that, in an effort to cut costs, has announced plans to reduce the company’s janitorial staff from 45 individuals to 30 individuals; and
WHEREAS: This staffing reduction shall lead to a significantly increased workload on the remaining janitors, even as measures have been announced to scale back the cleaning operations of the buildings; and
WHEREAS: The remaining custodial staff will not see any pay increases, despite the fact that they will almost certainly have heavier workloads in light of the overall reduced custodial workforce; and
WHEREAS: The 15 individuals who are laid off from their janitorial jobs at BioGen will add increased strain to the social safety nets, such as the food stamp programs, the food pantries, and the affordable housing programs that are already overburdened in Cambridge and in neighboring communities; and
WHEREAS: BioGen is a one of the leading companies currently located in the heart of Cambridge’s thriving biotech sector, and it has been estimated by Forbes.com to be worth over $40 billion dollars, yet it is nevertheless choosing to cut its costs on the backs of its lowest-paid employees; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has regularly gone on record in condemning the practice of companies and institutions, many of which have valuations worth billions of dollars, working to reduce their costs by reducing their janitorial staff, and this shameful practice must be called out and condemned as being antithetical to how we wish to see businesses conduct themselves in Cambridge; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record strongly urging BioGen to reconsider the reduction of its janitorial staff, to allow all 45 janitors to maintain their current employment at the company, and to resist the temptation to reduce its expenditures by cutting its lowest-paid and most vulnerable employees; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Michel Vounatsos, CEO of BioGen, and to the members of the BioGen leadership team, on behalf of the entire City Council.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
16-26. Report on the possibility of the City Council implementing a zoning change, on the permitting of all new restaurants where a wood-fired oven is used as a significant method of food preparation. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Devereux, Councillor Kelley (O-5) from 4/4/2016

16-42. Report on plans for the former Riverside Community Health Center on Western Avenue, including transfer of ownership of the building to the City and the process for determining future usage. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Vice Mayor McGovern (O-1) from 5/2/2016

16-83. Report on drafting possible legislation and other recommendations for interim actions to identify and address the public health impacts of any commercial wood-fired ovens. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Mayor Simmons (Calendar Item #4) from 10/31/2016

16-101. Report on the potential of building below market rental housing on City-owned parking lots along Bishop Allen Drive. On a communication from Councillor McGovern requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons (O-4) from 12/12/2016

16-108. Report on whether people displaced and qualify for Emergency Status who are using Section 8 in other cities or towns can retain their resident preference for the purpose of Inclusionary Housing. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 12/19/2016

17-22. Report on the potential growth of next-generation wireless technology in the City, to include: the expected footprint of citywide coverage from just one company and what market competition might produce; the integration of public and private infrastructure to support the network; what local standards the City might hope to maintain relative to aesthetics and safety; and how this new technology fits into our Broadband access plans. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor Devereux, Councillor Kelley (O-14) from 2/27/2017

17-87. Report on a schedule for resubmitting a revised draft of the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance that incorporates clearer wording and/or more clearly explains each section in less technical jargon and is more coherent in its entirety, with the goal of seeing such an Ordinance adopted by the end of this City Council term. On a communication from Councillor Kelley and Councillor Devereux requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Devereux (O-8) from 9/18/2017

18-6. Report on information regarding electronic device usage by City-elected officials.
Councillor Toomey (O-7) from 1/22/2018

18-21. Report on the feasibility of initiating a formal transit study and action plan of the Alewife area in response to unanimous concerns of the Envision Alewife Working Group.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Siddiqui (O-7) from 2/26/2018

18-38. Report on inventory of all City-owned vacant buildings and lots and the City's plans for them, if any.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui (O-2) from 3/26/2018

18-53. Report on an updated schedule for resubmitting a revised draft of the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance that incorporates suggestions from the Light Cambridge Committee by June 11, 2018.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone (O-1) from 5/14/2018

18-60. Report on a small business parking pilot that would allow temporary on-street employee parking during typical daytime operating hours.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 5/14/2018

18-66. Report on establishing a Young Adult Civic Unity Committee to be modeled after the Citizen Civic Unity Committee and to recruit applicants from all across the community and across all socio-economic backgrounds.
Councillor Simmons (O-7) from 6/18/2018

18-68. Report on determining the permitting and legality issues of Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing in the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan (O-11) from 6/18/2018

18-73. Report on establishing and implementing a dynamic new initiative that will seek to place Port residents (ages 18 and over) on paths to jobs with family-sustaining wages.
Councillor Simmons (O-6) from 6/25/2018

18-83. Report on an action plan to work with the City’s Community-Based Organizations to create a network of summertime evening programming to reduce the threat of violence in the City’s public spaces in 2019 and beyond.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Mallon (O-9) from 7/30/2018

18-87. Report on the navigational editing capabilities of the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-16) from 7/30/2018

18-96. Report on how the City views internet-based platforms as opportunities for outreach and communication and what sort of guidelines have been, or are being, developed to help everyone understand how the City’s various departments do or do not utilize these communication resources and how any communications on these platforms are managed so that the messaging and information is kept up-to-date.
Councillor Kelley (Calendar Item #10) from 9/24/2018

18-108. Report on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee Elections.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (O-1) from 10/29/2018

18-119. Report on evaluating the existing capacity of fire stations in the Kendall Square area and whether a new fire station is needed, and if so, determining the feasibility of locating a plot of land for this use.
Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/5/2018

18-129. Report on conducting a comprehensive, independent planning, and parking study of the neighborhood and use of the First Street Garage within 6months.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (Calendar Item #1) from 11/19/2018

18-130. Report on working with the Chair of the Civic Unity Committee, the Director of the Cambridge Library, the Director of 22-CityView, the Director of the Women’s Commission, and any other appropriate City personnel to begin planning for a public discussion in recognition of 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage. See Mgr #14
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-3) from 12/3/2018

18-137. Report on reviewing the FCC Regulations on Small Cell Technology.
Vice Mayor Devereux (O-18) from 12/3/2018

18-141. Report on safe way to bring power to the curb and across sidewalks to power electric vehicles.
Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan (O-2) from 12/17/2018

19-3. Report on establishing a Central Square Improvement Fund and allocate no less than 25% of funds generated to the arts.
Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern (O-6) from 1/7/2019

19-5. Report on how to provide public representation to the major project Selection Committees.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-14) from 1/7/2019

19-7. Report on Boston’s Electric Vehicle Charging Station Home Rule Petition and propose similar language for the City Council to consider.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Carlone (O-2) from 1/14/2019

19-11. Report on the feasibility of eliminating the use of plastic water bottles at City and School events. See Mgr #5
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Mallon (O-4) from 1/28/2019

19-13. Report on conferring with Eversource and the appropriate City departments to undertake a series of studies and analyses related to finance, health and safety, building design, and long-term electricity needs before the construction of a substation in East Cambridge.
Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey (O-3) from 2/4/2019

19-14. Report on conducting inventories of both local arts organizations and private foundations that may support them.
Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern (O-4) from 2/4/2019

19-16. Report on the “Super Sunday” road race that was held on Feb 3, 2019 and if the proper procedures were followed in issuing permits and when/if the neighbors were notified. See Mgr #9
Councillor Toomey (O-13) from 2/4/2019

19-18. Report on sharing regular project updates from the GSA and MITIMCO on the new Volpe Center. See Mgr #12
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan (O-13) from 1/7/2019

19-21. Report on the process for establishing a formal, thorough review of the City’s Affordable Home Ownership programs, incorporating a plan for obtaining and analyzing substantial quantitative data inclusive of all types of units.
Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-3) from 2/25/2019

19-22. Report on the feasibility of allowing small businesses to host live acoustic music performances without a license, and if feasible, present the City Council with a proposal to allow such performances.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern (O-5) from 2/25/2019

19-25. Report on information that is offered to limited equity condominium owners regarding the ability to recoup extraordinary repair and maintenance costs, the procedure that is in place to inform purchasers of existing or possible construction and maintenance issues that may result in higher-than expected condo fees, and the possibility of allowing roommates to cover unexpected expenses.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Simmons, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-10) from 2/25/2019

19-26. Report on communicating directly with the Volpe Center about the possibility of having their staff help the City set up a Micro-Mobility Pilot program in the Kendall Square area.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan (O-11) from 2/25/2019

19-35. Report on the status of any micro-mobility pilot programs or partnerships in Cambridge.
Councillor Kelley (O-12) from 3/18/2019

19-36. Report on how the Parking and Transportation Demand Management Ordinance is being used anecdotally, what the participation rates and trends are, and how it’s administered.
Vice Mayor Devereux (O-17) from 3/18/2019

19-37. Report on moving a Transit Benefit Ordinance proposal to an action plan.
Vice Mayor Devereux (O-18) from 3/18/2019

19-39. Report on creating a dedicated comprehensive "arts friendly" licensing web page.
Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern (O-3) from 3/25/2019

19-40. Report on providing accessibility to the deaf community by hiring American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and using apps such as Language Line Solutions to communicate with the deaf community in their first language.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Toomey (O-5) from 3/25/2019

19-42. Report on plans this construction season to install sidewalk markings that appropriately indicate what types of mobility devices are allowed on which sidewalks.
Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone (O-7) from 4/1/2019

19-43. Report on the types of vendor reporting programs that the City uses and how they are used as well as the ability to modify these programs given the constraints of relevant state and federal laws and similar limitations.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Siddiqui (O-8) from 4/1/2019

19-45. Report on compiling a full accounting of streets, schools, and public buildings that may be named in honor of those who have ties to the American slave trade, and to work towards renaming all of these streets, schools, and buildings.
Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 4/8/2019

19-46. Report on reviewing whether the MBTA is out of compliance with the amended MBTA/BCIL settlement agreement through the delay in completion of the elevator replacement and concurrent hazardous condition of the stairwells related to Central Square.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Mallon (O-9) from 4/8/2019

19-49. Report on recommending restrictions on signage specific to retail establishments that sell e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.
Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-15) from 4/8/2019

19-50. Report on clarifying the policy around future installation of new LED street lights and replacement of failed 4000K LED street lights with warmer alternatives 3000K or less.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-17) from 4/8/2019

19-51. Report on determining whether an all-way stop sign, a raised intersection or other safety improvements would be helpful at the Garden/Field/Alpine intersection.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern (O-7) from 4/22/2019

19-53. Report on working with the Cambridge Police Department and other relevant City staff on how media collected by hand-held photo/video recording devices is used, stored, and shared.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Siddiqui (O-4) from 5/6/2019

19-54. Report on how a cloud-based data management system for DHSP's Children and Youth Programs will clearly protect all aspects of participant privacy and access security. See Mgr #4
Councillor Kelley (O-5) from 5/6/2019

19-55. Report on working with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and the License Commission to establish a "play streets" permit.
Councillor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui (O-7) from 5/6/2019

19-56. Report on determining what facilities, parking changes, and other improvements to the pavement conditions would be necessary and feasible to make Massachusetts Avenue a quick-build Complete Street between Sidney Street and Putnam Avenue.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-2) from 5/13/2019

19-57. Report on establishing a partnership with the MBTA to offer CharlieCards at certain public buildings throughout the city. See Mgr #13
Mayor McGovern, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Siddiqui (O-4) from 5/20/2019

19-58. Report on working with the Recycling Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to draft an ordinance banning single-use plastic items in Cambridge.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-6) from 5/13/2019

19-59. Report on exploring a pilot for Level 1 (110V) EV and Micromobility charging stations on street light poles throughout the city.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui (O-7) from 5/13/2019

19-60. Report on adding a cybercrime assessment section to the list of monthly Bridgstat reports or, alternatively, create a separate report to help formalize the information flow about cybercrime to the same level as the currently used Bridgstat.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (O-8) from 5/13/2019

19-61. Report on potential ballot changes at a public hearing of the Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee on May 28, 2019.
Vice Mayor Devereux (O-9) from 5/13/2019

19-62. Report on drafting a formal Anti-bias /Cultural Competency Strategic Plan for eventual adoption and implementation.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 5/20/2019

19-64. Report on adding $20 Million to the budget for Affordable Housing.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Mallon, Councillor Siddiqui, Mayor McGovern (O-6) from 5/20/2019

19-65. Report on the pilot program and whether it could be implemented as a permanent program, which made menstrual products available in all restrooms, regardless of the gender identity assigned to that restroom. See Mgr #7
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Simmons, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (O-2) from 6/3/2019

19-66. Report on whether it is possible to reduce or eliminate Building Permit Fees for 100% affordable housing development projects, through an exemption or other means and investigate what types of real estate tax abatements are possible for 100% affordable housing moving forward.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Mayor McGovern (O-3) from 6/3/2019

19-69. Report on the timeline and process for the creation of a stakeholder group to conduct the Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan review, as well as any other details on the process by which the quinquennial review will be conducted in 2020.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-8) from 6/3/2019

19-70. Report on the feasibility of implementing suggested restoration projects in the area surrounding Jerry’s Pond, in order to make the Pond more accessible and inviting to the community.
Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan (O-10) from 6/3/2019

19-71. Report on obtaining data from Eversource on electrical demand projections by year until at least 2030, including a breakdown of commercial vs residential demand growth, as well as a ten year historical look back.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-11) from 6/3/2019

19-72. Report on conducting a safety check of the Sullivan Courthouse Building.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Toomey (O-16) from 6/3/2019

19-73. Report on reviewing safety issues at City buildings and provide the City Council with relevant recommendations designed to maximize the safety of municipal employees and members of the public while ensuring that City buildings and services remain open and accessible to all.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Mallon, Councillor Kelley (O-1) from 6/10/2019

19-74. Report on establishing a working committee to review the monuments, memorials, and markers throughout Cambridge to determine whether any of these commemorate those who were linked to the slave trade or engaged in other similarly shameful acts and to determine which individuals should be newly recognized with a monument, memorial, or marker.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Mallon (O-2) from 6/10/2019

19-75. Report on exploring the feasibility of partnering with a local research institution to conduct a study that determines how many ridehail vehicles are on the roads during both on and off-peak times and their impacts on congestion and safety.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-4) from 6/10/2019

19-76. Report on identifying additional traffic-calming and safety features and to discuss with the Fresh Pond mall owner the potential for creating a formal street connection between Terminal Road and New Street.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-5) from 6/10/2019

19-77. Report on determining a suitable, publicly available and recognizable space to install more bike racks adjacent to the Smith Center.
Councillor Kelley (O-7) from 6/10/2019

19-78. Report on convening a working group including members of the MIT community, members of the Kennedy-Longfellow community, property owners in Kendall Square, City Staff and representatives from Eversource to discuss the possibility of an alternate site for the Fulkerson Street substation.
Vice Mayor Devereux (O-12) from 6/10/2019

19-79. Report on rubbish accumulation at Comeau Field and in the area surrounding the Francis J. McCrehan Memorial Swimming Pool with placement of additional "big belly" bins and closed recycling receptacles. See Mgr #8
Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Mallon (O-2) from 6/17/2019

19-80. Report on why the construction cost estimates for the Inman Square redesign project were so inaccurately low, what steps are being taken to ensure that the project will not lead to further cost estimate overruns, how such inaccurate cost estimates will be avoided for all projects in the future and interim steps that are being taken to ensure maximum safety in this area.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 6/17/2019

19-81. Report on why the signals at Broadway and Ellery, which add an element of confusion to this intersection, were installed without Eversource’s being able to connect them to the grid in a more responsive manner.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Mayor McGovern (O-4) from 6/17/2019