6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $10,489,930 received through the Coronavirus Relief Fund as part of the Federal Cares Act, to the Grant Fund Finance Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account which will support expenditures related to core municipal services; public health; and services and supports to residents.
Order Adopted 9-0

July 27, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby requesting an appropriation in the amount of $10,489,930 received through the Coronavirus Relief Fund as part of the Federal Cares Act, to the Grant Fund Finance Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account.

Funds were granted through the Federal Cares Act to the State of Massachusetts and allocated to cities and towns and will support expenditures related to core municipal services; public health; and services and supports to residents.

The City initially received $2,925,438 of the $10,489,930 amount at the end of FY20 for reimbursement for the City’s expenditures related to: staff overtime; personal protective equipment (PPE); enhanced telework capacity; cleaning and sanitation of buildings; school distance learning technology and materials; homeless shelter costs; costs to fund food banks; community communications costs, including translation services; COVID-19 test kits; and meal costs and delivery to residents in need due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

As we move forward into FY21, it is anticipated that there will be similar additional eligible expenditures. including staff overtime costs related to COVID testing sites and other projects; PPE; services and supports to Cambridge residents; meals for the homeless program; and the relocation of activities and support related to homeless services, which are currently being provided at the War Memorial facility. The City will also continue working with the School Department to determine eligible expenditures related to school reopening in the fall.

The Coronavirus Relief Fund will be available for eligible expenditures thru Dec 31, 2020.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-16, regarding feasibility of eliminating Library late fines.
Placed on File 9-0

July 27, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-16, regarding feasibility of eliminating Library late fines.

The Library will pilot the elimination of overdue fines for the late return/renewal of materials, and the elimination of lost/damaged item fees for children’s and young adult materials. During the COVID-19 health crisis fees are being waived. A one year pilot will go into effect after a normal resumption of services to allow for review.

The Library will continue to assess and collect lost/damaged fees for adult collection materials and fines and fees specifically related to our resource sharing agreements with other libraries (Comcat, ILL). The Library will work with patrons to ensure that items are returned so that others can enjoy them.

As of January 2020, 5,748 Cambridge patrons are blocked from using their library card due to fines and fees in excess of $10. Certain neighborhoods are disproportionately impacted by library fines. Cambridge patrons with Central Square Branch as their home library account for 16% of all blocked cards, even though Central Square only comprises 9% of Library circulation. Similarly, Cambridge patrons with O’Connell Branch as their home library account for 9% of all blocked cards, even though O’Connell only comprises 5% of Library circulation.

The pilot of an elimination of overdue fines will support City Council Goal #2 (ensure that Cambridge offers economic and educational opportunity to all).

Background

• The Library currently imposes a fine of ten cents per day for adult materials returned or renewed after their due date.

• The Library currently allows each patron ten free pages of printing per day, and then charges fifteen cents per additional page.

• Fines are not charged for children’s or young adult materials.

• Commonwealth Catalog and Interlibrary Loan items have fines of $2 per day.

• In the FY20 Budget, revenue from Library Fines is budgeted at $65,000. This represents less than 0.01% of the total City operating budget.

Impact Reports -- research has shown that libraries who have gone fine free have found the following:

• There is no significant difference in overdue rates between libraries that charged fees and those that did not.

• Low-income families have identified fines and fees as a barrier and deterrent to use of the library.

• Fines and fees disproportionately impact low-income families and neighborhoods.

• The administrative costs of collecting funds from patrons often equals or exceeds the revenue earned from library fines and fees.

• Eliminating fines typically led to:

o A major increase in number of lost items returned by patrons

o An increase in payment of replacement costs

o An increase in card registrations

o Patrons coming back - an increase in percent of people who were impacted have returned to use library services.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

27. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-33, regarding implementing a Tenants’ Rights and Resources Notification Act that would require owners and management companies to include tenants’ rights and resources information when issuing eviction notifications including at the initial Notice to Quit stage.
Placed on File 9-0

July 27, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-33, regarding implementing a Tenants’ Rights and Resources Notification Act that would require owners and management companies to include tenants’ rights and resources information when issuing eviction notifications including at the initial Notice to Quit stage, please find attached for your consideration a draft amendment to the Municipal Code that would introduce a new ordinance entitled Chapter 8.71- Tenants’ Rights and Resources Notification, received from City Solicitor Nancy Glowa.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

28. That the Cambridge City Council amend the Municipal Ordinances of the City of Cambridge to insert a new Chapter 8.71, entitled Tenants’ Rights and Resources Notification.
Passed to a 2nd Reading 9-0

DRAFT

ORDINANCE #

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

In the Year Two Thousand and Twenty

AN ORDINANCE

In amendment to the Ordinance entitled “Cambridge Municipal Code”

Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Cambridge as follows:

That the Cambridge City Council amend the Municipal Ordinances of the City of Cambridge to insert a new Chapter 8.71, entitled Tenants’ Rights and Resources Notification, to read as follows:

Chapter 8.71 TENANTS’ RIGHTS AND RESOURCES NOTIFICATION

Sec. 8.71.010 PURPOSE
The purpose of this Ordinance is to inform residents of Cambridge of housing rights and resources available to them if they receive an eviction notice and to share information and resources with landlords and management companies to maintain housing stability for Cambridge tenants.

Sec. 8.71.020 DEFINITIONS
“Applicable laws” means all controlling applicable federal, state and local statutes, regulations, ordinances and administrative rules and orders that have the effect of law, as well as all applicable final, non-appealable judicial opinions.

“Entity” means a business organization, or any other kind of organization, including without limitation a corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability corporation, limited liability partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, development or project, or any other category of organization, private or public, and any employee, agent, servant or other representative of such entity.

“Former Homeowner” means any natural person or group of natural persons who, prior to foreclosure of a housing accommodation, had been the title owner or owners of such housing accommodation, or who has a legal or beneficial interest in the housing accommodation by dissolution of marriage, separation agreement, survivorship, devise, or intestate succession, and who at the time of foreclosure actually occupied such housing accommodation as a resident or residents.

“Foreclosing Owner” means any natural person or entity that holds title in any capacity, directly or indirectly without limitation, including, whether in its own name, as trustee or as beneficiary, to a housing accommodation that has been foreclosed upon and either (1) held or owned a mortgage or other security interest in the housing accommodation at any point prior to the foreclosure of the housing accommodation, or is the subsidiary, parent, trustee, or agent thereof; or (2) is an institutional mortgagee that acquires or holds title to the housing accommodation; or (3) is the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

“Landlord” means owner of record, or lessor or sub-lessor of an owner of record, or any other person, project, housing development, or other entity entitled either to receive rent for the use and occupancy of any rental unit or to maintain an action for possession of a rental unit, or an agent, representative, successor, or assignee of any of the foregoing.

“Lease non-renewal or expiration” means a provision in a written rental agreement for a housing accommodation or rental unit that the lease will expire either as of a fixed date, or at the election of the owner for the failure of the tenant to take certain affirmative action.

“Notice to Quit” means any written notice sent by a landlord or a foreclosing owner to a tenant or former homeowner of a residential rental unit or housing accommodation seeking to terminate the tenant’s tenancy or the former homeowner’s occupancy of such rental unit or housing accommodation.

“Owner” means any person or entity that holds title to one or more dwelling units in any manner including but not limited to a partnership, corporation or trust. For purposes of this ordinance the term “owner” shall include one who manages, controls, or customarily accepts rent on behalf of the owner.

“Property” means a parcel of land along with all fixtures, structures and improvements thereupon, located in the City of Cambridge, that is assessed and taxed as an undivided whole.

“Rental Unit” means a non-owner-occupied room or group of related rooms within a dwelling used or intended for use by one family or household for living, sleeping, cooking and eating that is not a short term rental unit as set forth in Article 4, Section 4.60 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.

“Skilled Nursing Facility” means a health facility or a distinct part of a hospital that provides, at a minimum, skilled nursing care and supportive care to patients whose primary medical need is the availability of skilled nursing care on an extended basis. Such facility must provide 24-hour inpatient care, an activity program, and medical, nursing, dietary, and pharmaceutical services. Additionally, the facility must provide effective arrangements, confirmed in writing, through which services required by the patients but not regularly provided within the facility can be obtained promptly when needed.

“Tenancy” means occupation or use of a dwelling unit under an express or implied rental agreement, including through a lease.

“Tenant” means any person who inhabits or is entitled to inhabit a dwelling unit under a rental agreement, including through a lease.

Sec. 8.71.030 APPLICABILITY
The provisions of this ordinance shall apply to all Rental Units and housing accommodations in the City of Cambridge, in whole or in part, where a notice to quit or other notice of lease nonrenewal or expiration has been served, or should have been served, on the tenant or former homeowner of any such rental unit or housing accommodation as of the effective date of this ordinance, but where any such rental unit or housing accommodation has not yet been vacated or a final order of judgment for possession has not entered as of the effective date of this ordinance.

However, the provisions of this ordinance shall not apply to the following types of units:

(1) Rental units in any hospital, skilled nursing facility or health facility.

(2) Rental units in a nonprofit facility that has the primary purpose of providing short term treatment, assistance or therapy for alcohol, drug or other substance abuse. Short term treatment is treatment meant to last thirty or fewer days where housing is incidental to the recovery program and where the client has been informed in writing of the short term, temporary or transitional nature of the housing at its inception.

Sec. 8.71.040 REQUIRED NOTICE
When a landlord or foreclosing owner serves the tenant or former homeowners any notice to quit or notice of lease nonrenewal or expiration, such landlord or foreclosing owner shall, at the same time, also provide the tenant or former homeowner with a notice of basic housing rights and resources, including a list of organizations available to assist tenants and/or former homeowners with their contact information on a form or forms prepared by the City of Cambridge which shall be attached thereto. Where a landlord or foreclosing owner is exercising a right of lease nonrenewal or expiration, the owner shall give such a written notice prepared by the City of Cambridge at least thirty days prior to commencing any summary process action against the tenant or former homeowner. Such notice shall be provided in-hand or by both certified mail and first-class mail.

Sec. 8.71.050 NON-WAIVABILITY
The provisions of this Ordinance may not be waived, and any term of any lease, contract or other agreement which purports to waive or limit a tenant’s or former homeowner’s substantive or procedural rights under this ordinance is contrary to public policy, unenforceable, and void.

Sec. 8.71.060 PARTIAL INVALIDITY
If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof is held to be invalid or in conflict with applicable laws, this invalidity or conflict shall not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications, and to this end, the provisions and applications of this ordinance are severable.

Sec. 8.71.070 VIOLATION PENALTY
Sec. 8.71.070.1 Noncriminal Disposition. Whoever violates any provision of this chapter may be penalized by a noncriminal disposition as provided in G.L. c. 40, s. 21D. For purposes of this section, the Commissioner of Inspectional Services and his or her designee shall be the enforcing officer. The penalty for each violation shall not exceed three hundred dollars. Each day’s violation shall constitute a separate violation.

Sec. 8.71.070.2 Criminal Penalty. Any person who violates any provisions of this chapter may be subject to a fine not exceeding three hundred dollars, and each day's violation shall constitute a separate offense. For purposes of this section, the Commissioner of Inspectional Services shall be the enforcing officer, except that the Commissioner may delegate his enforcing authority to designated Inspectional Services Enforcement Officers.

Sec. 8.71.080 EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Ordinance shall be effective 90 days after passage by the City Council.

In City Council ______

30. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a proposed restatement of and amendment to the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account, entitled “The City of Cambridge Restated and Amended Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account” (“Account”).
Charter Right - Simmons

July 27, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

I am hereby submitting for the City Council’s consideration a proposed restatement of and amendment to the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account, entitled “The City of Cambridge Restated and Amended Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account” (“Account”) as set forth in the attached proposed Order. This restatement of and amendment to the Account would authorize the Account to provide funds to arts organizations with a principal place of business in Cambridge that have been affected by disaster in addition to individuals and families affected by disaster, including small businesses operated by individuals in Cambridge.

Specifically, the restatement and amendment would insert the following language into the first sentence of the second paragraph of Article II (“Purposes”) of the Account to include “arts organizations whose principal place of business is in Cambridge”, which will allow the Account to provide emergency funds to Cambridge arts organizations that have been impacted by the COVID-19 disaster and other emergencies and disasters. I have also attached the proposed restated and amended Account for the Council’s consideration.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

---

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

RESTATED AND AMENDED MAYOR’S DISASTER RELIEF ACCOUNT

ARTICLE I     TITLE
This Account shall be known as the “City of Cambridge Restated and Amended Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account”.

ARTICLE II     PURPOSE
The City of Cambridge Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account was established in 1998 in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 53A, and the City Treasurer was thereby authorized to accept contributions to the Account.

The City of Cambridge Restated and Amended Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account (the “Account”) is hereby restated and amended to provide emergency temporary relief to individuals, families, and arts organizations whose principal places of business are in Cambridge in the event of disaster. The Account will allow for aid such as, but not limited to, money, temporary housing or supplies to enable those who are affected by a disaster to maintain some sense of normality during a period of tragedy. The Board of Trustees for the Account (the “Board”) will identify and designate the appropriate relief on a case by case basis. The Board of Trustees will have the power, upon a majority vote, to disband the Account and transfer all assets to a recognized 501c3 for the purpose of providing emergency disaster relief.

ARTICLE III     BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 3.1     Compositions
The Board Shall consist of three (3) Ex Officio Trustees: the Mayor, the Assistant City Manager – Fiscal Affairs, and the Assistant City Manager – Human Services. Each Trustee shall serve without compensation.

Section 3.2     Term of Office
The term of office for each Trustee shall be co-terminus with the office the Trustee holds in City government as Mayor, Assistant City Manager – Fiscal Affairs and Assistant City Manager – Human Services.

ARTICLE IV     DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF PRINCIPAL AND INCOME
Section 4.1     Use of Distribution
The principal and income of all contributions received and accepted by the Trustees shall be held by them and their successors until such time as the Account may be transferred to an established 501c3. Any amounts received shall be deposited with the Assistant City Manager – Fiscal Affairs. The Trustees may from time to time distribute such portion or portions of the Account, be it principal or income, as the Board deems to be appropriate and consistent with the purposes enumerated in Article II herein.

Section 4.2     Method of Distribution
Each award shall require the favorable vote of at least two (2) members of the Board of Trustees.

Section 4.3     Establishing Award Amount
The maximum award amount is established as the total balance of the Account. In no event will the maximum award amount exceed the sum available in the Account.

ARTICLE V     POWERS AND OPERATION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 5.1     Chairperson
The Mayor shall serve as Chairperson and shall be responsible for convening, conducting and adjourning Board meetings. Minutes of all meetings and votes of the Trustees shall be forwarded in a timely manner to the Assistant City Manager – Fiscal Affairs of the City who, as custodian of Accounts, shall maintain a permanent record of all meetings and transactions of the Account. The Chairperson shall be responsible for forwarding a record of all actions taken by the Board of Trustees to the Assistant City Manager – Fiscal Affairs of the City. The Chairperson may, from time to time, delegate any portion or all of their duties to any other Trustee, provided, however, that each such delegation shall be written and revocable.

Section 5.2     Meetings
The Board shall meet regularly on dates to be determined by the Chairperson. The Board may also meet at such other times as may be designated for special meetings by the Chairperson.

Section 5.3     Quorum
A quorum shall be present at each meeting if at least two (2) of the members of the Board are present in person.

Section 5.4     Votes and Actions Taken by Written Consent
Except as otherwise herein provided, the Board shall act by majority vote of the members of the Board present at the meetings. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board entitled to vote consent in writing to the taking of such action without a meeting. Such written consents shall be treated for all purposes as a vote at a meeting and shall become part of the permanent records of the Board.

Section 5.5     Rules and Regulation
The Board shall establish and periodically review written rules and regulations for the operation of the Account and the Board, including rules and regulations for evaluating records for the purpose for which this Account has been created. Rules and regulations shall be consistent with the terms as provided herein. A copy of such rules and regulations, and all amendments thereto, shall be maintained in the permanent record.

ARTICLE VI     CUSTODIAN OF ACCOUNT
The Assistant City Manager – Fiscal Affairs shall serve as custodian of all monies contributed to the Account and shall maintain all financial records of the Account. The Assistant City Manager – Fiscal Affairs shall invest and reinvest the principal and income of the account as he or she deems proper and in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws.

ARTICLE VII     ACCOUNTS
The Account shall be audited annually by the City of Cambridge’s independent public accounting firm, in conjunction with the City’s annual independent audit. Copies thereof shall be recorded and kept in the same manner as the City’s annual independent audit.

ARTICLE VIII     AMENDMENTS
The terms of this Account may be amended from time to time by majority vote of the Board, provided, however, that no such amendment shall violate the purpose of this Account as set forth in Article II. In addition, no amendment of this Account shall authorize the Board to conduct the affairs of the Account in any manner, or for any purpose, contrary to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws. Any amendment made pursuant to this Article shall be attached to each original counterpart of this instrument and shall not take effect until recorded as provided in Article IX.

ARTICLE IX     MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1     Titles and Subtitles
Titles of Articles and Section subtitles are placed herein for reference only, and in any case of conflict, the text of this instrument, other than such titles and subtitles, shall be controlling.

Section 9.2     Massachusetts Law
This Account shall at all times be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Section 9.3     Counterpart Copies
This Account may be printed and executed in as many counterparts, including electronic, as deemed desirable by the Board, and each counterpart shall be an original and may be recorded as herein provided. At least one original counterpart shall always be kept on file and open to public inspection in the Office of the Cambridge City Clerk.

Section 9.4     Recording
Executed counterparts of this Document shall be recorded in the Office of the Cambridge City Clerk and in the Division of Public Charities of the Office of the Attorney General of said Commonwealth (or such other office of said Commonwealth as shall be authorized to receive accounts from public charities).

IN WITNESS THEREOF, this Declaration is hereby made and executed as of

____________________, 2020
_____________________
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

APPROVED AS TO FORM:______________
Nancy E. Glowa
City Solicitor

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Agenda Item #30     July 27, 2020

WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge created the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account in 1998 to address the needs of individuals and families facing emergencies and disaster situations. Over the course of its lifetime, the Account has helped thousands of Cambridge individuals and families in need of financial assistance because of natural or man-made emergencies and disasters. Most recently, the Account has been used to address the disastrous financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHEREAS: Since March of 2020, the Account has distributed $3.2 million to individuals and families in Cambridge, including small businesses operated by individuals in Cambridge, who are in emergency need due to the pandemic disaster.

WHEREAS: During the recent first stage of distributions from the Account, the Account assisted over 1,400 individuals and families most financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic disaster to pay rent, utilities, and address their basic needs. During the second stage, the Account assisted individuals operating Cambridge based small businesses which have struggled to stay afloat through closure mandates and limited ways of providing goods and services.

WHEREAS: The City’s arts organizations represent a critical component to the continued vibrancy and enrichment of our community, and they need our emergency assistance to survive this unprecedented disaster caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Council go on record approving the City of Cambridge Restated and Amended Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account to enlarge the scope of eligible recipients under the Account to allow for the provision of emergency assistance by the Account to the City’s arts organizations whose principal place of business is in Cambridge in the event of emergencies and disasters as submitted in the form attached hereto.

31. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-34, regarding a report on an itemized statement of all materials, tools, and property owned by the Cambridge Police Department.
Referred to Public Safety Committee 9-0

3. Resolution on the death of Barbara Ackermann.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons

R-3     July 27, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS

WHEREAS: The City Council was deeply saddened on learning about the death of Cambridge’s first woman Mayor, Barbara Ackermann, on July 4, 2020; and

WHEREAS: Barbara was a beloved member and trailblazer in the Cambridge community; and

WHEREAS: Barbara held a seat on the Cambridge School Committee from 1962-1968, became Mayor of Cambridge in 1973 and then a City Councilor until 1977; and

WHEREAS: Barbara was a lifelong advocate for our most marginalized communities, and was a staunch advocate for equality and justice for all; and

WHEREAS: Barbara dedicated much of her career to public housing and healthcare for all, and she was one of the initial champions of a single-payer healthcare system; and

WHEREAS: Barbara paved the way for women in politics, and her lifelong work has made Cambridge a better place for all; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record to extend its deepest sympathy to the Ackermann family, to remember the life and work of Barbara Ackerman, and appreciate her tireless efforts for the City of Cambridge; and be it further

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

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee’s summer meetings.
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

To: Cambridge City Council
From: Sumbul Siddiqui, Mayor
Date: July 23, 2020
Subject: Communicating information from the School Committee’s summer meetings

To the Honorable, the City Council:
In the last four weeks, the School Committee has convened a total of ten times, via Special and Subcommittee meetings.

• June 30th, 2020

o Curriculum and Achievement Subcommittee Meeting (video)

▪ Discussing curriculum planning for the Fall, with a focus on emerging models

o Special Meeting (video | presentation)

▪ Voting on Superintendent recommendations

• July 8th, 2020

o Building and Grounds Subcommittee Meeting (video)

▪ Discussing facilities plans in response to COVID-19

• July 9th, 2020

o Communications and Community Relations Subcommittee meeting (video)

▪ Discussing communication needs, opportunities, challenges

• July 13th, 2020

o Curriculum and Achievement Subcommittee Meeting (video)

▪ Discussing curriculum planning for the Fall: remote, in-person, hybrid

• July 14th, 2020

o Special Meeting (video | presentation)

▪ Discussing CPSD’s hybrid, in-person, and remote models

• July 15th, 2020

o School Climate Subcommittee Meeting (video)

▪ Discussing CPSD administration’s proposal for individual check-ins

• July 17th, 2020

o Curriculum and Achievement Subcommittee Meeting (video)

▪ Discussing curriculum planning for the Fall: remote, in-person, hybrid

o Special Education and Student Supports Subcommittee Meeting (video)

▪ Discussing lessons from the Spring and planning for the Fall

• July 21st, 2020

o Special Meeting (video | presentation)

▪ Discussing CPSD’s proposed re-opening models, voting on Superintendent’s recommendations

Through these meetings, we have engaged with scholars, families, educators, as well as curriculum and medical experts to help inform CPSD in their planning. We’ve learned that there is quite a long way for us to go in order to ensure a safe re-opening—which means following the data and the science—and preparation for another shutdown—which includes a robust remote learning plan and adequate childcare options for our families, not just compliance to state guidelines.

With increasing evidence of the need for surveillance testing to safely reopen schools, Vice-Mayor Mallon and I have been in many conversations with the City Manager, Superintendent, Broad Institute, and Cambridge Public Health Department to advocate for the implementation of testing in our school community.

As DESE is requiring all school districts to submit their three learning models (in-person, hybrid, and remote), by July 31st, the School Committee was originally scheduled to vote on CPSD’s proposed models at the July 21st Special Meeting. However, my colleagues and I did not feel prepared to, with so many questions remaining unanswered. It is important for everybody to understand that given our circumstances, we must always be ready to adapt and pivot with new data and evidence, hence these models will evolve and are not final. The School Committee is now scheduled to hold another Special Meeting on Tues, July 28th, to continue providing feedback as the Superintendent prepares to submit his plans on July 31st.

As a supplement to their Initial Fall School Reopening Guidance, DESE came out with Transportation Guidance as well as Facilities and Operations Guidance on Wed, July 22nd. I look forward to seeing how this new information will inform CPSD’s planning and the discussion at our next Building and Grounds Subcommittee Meeting on Fri, July 24th.

Our upcoming meetings are as follows:

• July 23rd, 2020

o Communications and Community Relations Subcommittee Meeting | 12:30 PM

▪ Discussing Motion #20-99: establishing a “Caregiver University”

• July 24th, 2020

o Buildings and Grounds Subcommittee Meeting | 12:30 PM

▪ Discussing facilities plans in response to COVID-19

• July 28th, 2020

o Special Meeting | 5:00 PM

• Aug 4th, 2020

o Regular Meeting | 5:00PM

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, suggestions, or concerns.

Respectfully,
Sumbul Siddiqui

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     July 27, 2020
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that the Cambridge Police Patrol Officers’ Association union contract expires this month; and
WHEREAS: While the City Council previously adopted a policy order requesting all collective bargaining agreements between the City and unions be made available online, it also has a vested interest in staying informed on ongoing contract negotiations, especially amid heightened scrutiny on Police Union contracts; and
WHEREAS: Receiving an update on these negotiations would align with broader efforts to promote transparency and accountability within the Police Department and entire City government; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Personnel Department and provide an update on the Cambridge Police Patrol Officers’ Association union contract negotiation at the City Council’s regular meeting on Sept 14th, 2020.

O-2     July 27, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
ORDERED: That the Mayor be and hereby is requested to schedule a Roundtable/Working Meeting for members of the City Council and School Committee for Tues, Aug 11 at 5:30pm at City Hall, in the Sullivan Chambers, 795 Massachusetts Ave, to discuss CPSD reopening school plans.
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City Departments to televise and record the Joint City Council/School Committee Roundtable/Working Meeting.

O-3     July 27, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Housing Court is anticipating that 15,000-20,000 eviction cases will be filed once the State’s eviction moratorium expires on Aug 18, 2020; and
WHEREAS: During the COVID-19 pandemic and before the eviction moratorium went into effect in April, 78% of all evictions filed in Boston were in census tracts where the majority of residents are people of color; and
WHEREAS: The racial disparity in Boston evictions mirrors a nationwide trend of systemic racism embedded in the housing market, which suggests race has a significant role in eviction filings with much of the research finding that the racial composition of a neighborhood is the most important factor in predicting neighborhood eviction rates, even more than poverty and other neighborhood characteristics; and
WHEREAS: In order to address the tidal wave of evictions, housing advocates throughout the Commonwealth are working with State Representatives to extend the statewide eviction moratorium, as well as introducing legislation (S.2785) to establish a “Right to Counsel Pilot” project to protect low-income renters and owner-occupants in areas of the Commonwealth hardest hit by COVID.; and
WHEREAS: S.2785 would ensure full legal representation in eviction proceedings through dedicated new staffing to tenants and owner-occupants whose incomes do not exceed 200% of poverty; and
WHEREAS: Currently, over 90% of tenants face eviction without legal representation, while 78% of landlords have lawyers, an imbalance that will likely grow once the eviction moratorium ends; and
WHEREAS: A statewide Right to Counsel pilot is part of an essential response to the impending eviction wave, as having counsel has been demonstrated to be a determining outcome of such cases; and
WHEREAS: Counsel representation for both tenants and landlords give each party equal footing in negotiating terms and agreements moving forward; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in support of S.2785, an “Act Promoting Housing Stability and Homelessness Prevention through a Right to Counsel Pilot Program in Massachusetts in Response to the COVID Emergency,” and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Cambridge Legislative Delegation on behalf of the City Council.

O-5     July 27, 2020
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The State of Massachusetts Civil Service Human Resource Division (HRD) has not administered a Fire Chief’s exam since the appointment of the current Cambridge Acting Fire Chief; and
WHEREAS: The State of Massachusetts Civil Service Human Resource Division (HRD) has not administered a Fire Chief’s exam since the appointment of the current Cambridge Acting Fire Chief; and
WHEREAS: The City Manager recently announced the City will utilize a new "Sole Assessment Center" to create a permanent Fire Chief Civil Service list, rather than utilizing the State of Massachusetts Civil Service Human Resources Division (HRD) process; and
WHEREAS: The City Manager explained the decision to utilize a new Sole Assessment Center by stating that it is superior to "a generic statewide process which emphasizes a multiple choice exam," and that "the City will be able to holistically evaluate through both written and job simulation exercises each candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities to be Fire Chief in Cambridge"; and
WHEREAS: The Civil Service HRD exam process scheduled for October 2020, and April 2021 consists of a weighted, graded test with the following structure:
  • 40% Written exam
  • 40% Assessment center (An interview to determine knowledge, skills, and more)
  • 20% Education and experience
and has an associated cost of $2,500 to the municipality for administering the candidate process and subsequent scoring; and
WHEREAS: The Civil Service HRD process allows municipalities to "maintain the option to hire a vendor and utilize a delegated Assessment Center instead of the HRD developed and administered Assessment Center," which could ensure that Cambridge maintains the desired "holistic evaluation,” and that the process "[reflects] the priorities of the City of Cambridge and our unique urban environment"; and
WHEREAS: The full process, scoring, appeals process, and associated costs of the proposed Sole Assessment Center, as well as the reasons for choosing this option instead of the Civil Service HRD process, have not yet been made clear to the City Council; and
WHEREAS: The City Manager has indicated his desire to enter into an Request for Quotes process to select a vendor to conduct the Sole Assessment Center; and
WHEREAS: As this expenditure will likely come before the City Council as an appropriation for a vendor, the City Council and the public have a vested interest in understanding the rationale behind the decision to use a Sole Assessment Center; therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Personnel Department and City Solicitor to generate a report detailing the Sole Assessment Process, the Civil Service HRD process, the reason for choosing the Sole Assessment Process over the Civil Service HRD process, and the projected costs associated with both processes; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to present this report at the Sept 14th regular City Council meeting.

O-8     July 27, 2020
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: A charter is the most important legal document in a city, defining the power structure and organization of municipal government; and
WHEREAS: Chapter 43B, Section 2, in General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts states: “Every city and town shall have the power to adopt or revise its charter or to amend its existing charter in accordance with procedures prescribed by [Chapter 43B]”; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge, which adopted the Plan E Charter in 1940, has not once held a formal review process to consider revisions, making it the only city or town in Massachusetts to go 80 years without reviewing its most important legal document; and
WHEREAS: Many cities and towns in Massachusetts have a charter review process built into their charter, requiring a review every set number of years (usually 5-10 years) to ensure the charter continues to serve the needs of ever-changing municipalities; and
WHEREAS Cambridge has changed dramatically since 1940, and it is good governance for the City Council to ensure that our governing documents are positioned to serve our modern, progressive city through a review of the city charter; and
WHEREAS There are outstanding questions of whether the charter as currently construed and interpreted is in line with democratic principles and an appropriate balance of power; and
WHEREAS The Collins Center for Public Management, created under Governor Patrick’s administration in 2008, has aided cities and towns across the state with the charter review process and employ experts on Massachusetts city charters as well as a range of other municipal government areas; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Mayor be and hereby is requested to call a Special Meeting of the City Council and invite a representative from the Collins Center to present on the process and benefits of Charter Review and Reform; and further be it
ORDERED: That the Special Meeting be held by October of 2020 to ensure a timely discussion of the issue of charter review and reform.

O-10     July 27, 2020
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: Housing costs in and around Cambridge have increased consistently and dramatically over the last 20+ years, resulting in a lack of affordability and causing displacement of long-term lower, moderate, and middle-income residents and a decrease in racial and economic diversity of households; and
WHEREAS: Between 2007 and 2017, home prices in the city-center areas of Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville rose from between 61 and 89 percent, according to the Urban Institute; and
WHEREAS: Based on the analysis of low- and middle-income groups, 45,000 individuals or 43% of the population are negatively impacted by the housing market, according to the 2017 Cambridge Needs Assessment; and
WHEREAS: The average rent for a Cambridge apartment was $2,337 for a one-bedroom unit, $2,689 for a two bedroom and $2,827 for a three-bedroom unit in October 2018, according to the Cambridge Community Foundation; and
WHEREAS: In Cambridgeport a renter must earn $44 dollars per hour in order to afford a two-bedroom apartment, more than three times the current Massachusetts minimum wage, according to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition; and
WHEREAS: these circumstances are further compounded by a combination of regional housing demand and constrained supply as documented in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s projection of regional housing demand for the metro north Boston area and the 2017 Housing Report Card, which noted that the sharpest increases in housing costs are occurring in Boston’s inner-ring suburbs including Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is established under M.G.L. c.44, §55C and is charged with the preservation and creation of new affordable rental and homeownership units in the City of Cambridge and the creation of programs that directly assist renters and homeowners; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge City Council approved policy orders requesting the city solicitor draft a Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition on February 26, 2016, January 7, 2019 and March 16, 2020 but no draft was ever produced; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Cambridge City Council pass the attached Real Estate Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition; be it further
ORDERED: That this item be referred to the Ordinance Committee for discussion and deliberation.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO IMPOSE A REAL ESTATE TRANSFER FEE

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

SECTION 1. Findings and Purpose.

Whereas, housing costs in and around Cambridge have increased consistently and dramatically over the last 20+ years, resulting in a lack of affordability and causing displacement of long-term lower, moderate, and middle-income residents and a decrease in racial and economic diversity of households:

- Between 2007 and 2017, home prices in the city-center areas of Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville rose from between 61 and 89 percent, according to the Urban Institute

- Based on the analysis of low- and middle-income groups, 45,000 individuals or 43% of the population are negatively impacted by the housing market, according to the 2017 Cambridge Needs Assessment

- The average rent for a Cambridge apartment was $2,337 for a one-bedroom unit, $2,689 for a two bedroom and $2,827 for a three-bedroom unit in October 2018, according to the Cambridge Community Foundation.

- In Cambridgeport a renter must earn $44 dollars per hour in order to afford a two-bedroom apartment, more than three times the current Massachusetts minimum wage, according to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition.

Whereas, these circumstances are further compounded by a combination of regional housing demand and constrained supply as documented in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s projection of regional housing demand for the metro north Boston area and the 2017 Housing Report Card, which noted that the sharpest increases in housing costs are occurring in Boston’s inner-ring suburbs including Cambridge; and

Whereas, Cambridge’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is established under M.G.L. c.44, §55C and is charged with the preservation and creation of new affordable rental and homeownership units in the City of Cambridge and the creation of programs that directly assist renters and homeowners, now;

Therefore, the purpose of this act is to establish a sustainable revenue source for the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust Fund as further set forth below:

SECTION 2. Except where otherwise exempted pursuant to this act, the City of Cambridge may impose a fee of up to two (2) % of the purchase price above one million dollars ($1,000,000) upon the transfer of any real property interest or a controlling interest in a trust, limited liability company, or other entity that directly or indirectly holds such real property interest, in any real property situated in the City of Cambridge, as follows: (A) a fee in the amount of _______1______% of said purchase price shall be due and payable by the seller; and (B) a fee in the amount of ______1_______% of said purchase price shall be due and payable by the buyer. In the case of a transfer of a controlling interest, the City of Cambridge may define by ordinance what constitutes a controlling interest and the calculation of the fee. The City of Cambridge is hereinafter referred to as the “City”.

(a) Exempt Transfers. The following transfers of real property interests shall be exempt from the fee established by this act:

(i) transfers between family members as defined by ordinance; (ii) transfers of convenience with consideration under $100.00 as defined by ordinance; and (iii) transfers to the government of the United States or any other instrumentality, agency of subdivision thereof, or the Commonwealth or any instrumentality or subdivision thereof

(b) Exempt Sellers; Fee Due by Non-Exempt Seller. The seller of residential real property in the City shall be exempt from the fee authorized in Section 2, if the seller of such real property is:

(i) a vulnerable senior, as defined by the City or

If the seller is not exempt, the fee shall be due and payable by the seller to the City at the time set forth in Section 3.

(c) Exempt Purchasers; Fee Due by Non-Exempt Purchaser. The purchaser shall be exempt from the fee authorized in Section 2 if:

(i) that purchaser is a vulnerable senior, as may be defined by ordinance or

(d) The fee shall be paid to the City/Town of Cambridge. The City is authorized to adopt an ordinance to provide for the collection and lien of any outstanding transfer fee. The City shall have such remedies to collect said amount as provided by law with respect to the collection of real property taxes.

(e) The City shall deposit all fees received pursuant to this act into the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust Fund established by the City.

SECTION 3. A copy of the deed or other instrument evidencing such transfer shall be provided to the City and shall be accompanied by, (a) an affidavit signed under oath or under the pains and penalties of perjury by the purchaser and seller attesting to the purchase price, (b) the applicable fee owed, (c) the basis, if any, upon which the transfer or one or both of the parties to the transfer is claimed to be exempt in whole or in part from said fee, and (d) if applicable, an affidavit of intent to seek a residential exemption for that property by the purchaser. Upon receipt of such payment and/or satisfactory evidence of exemption, the City or its designee shall promptly thereafter issue a certificate indicating that the fee has been paid or that the purchaser or seller, or the transfer, is exempt from the fee. The Middlesex South Register of Deeds shall not record or register a deed unless the deed is accompanied by such certificate.

SECTION 4. The City may, by ordinance, adopt additional requirements, exemptions, and regulations to implement or enforce said fee, consistent with this act. The City is not authorized to eliminate or reduce any exemption set forth in this act.

SECTION 5. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund, as permitted by the ordinance establishing said Affordable Housing Trust Fund and its governing documents, shall use revenue from the fees raised pursuant to this act to fund affordable housing programs including, but not limited to, limited equity arrangements, community land trusts, purpose-built housing, and other programs to underwrite the affordability of properties with a preference, where permitted by applicable law, for current and recent Cambridge residents and employees.

SECTION 6. The City shall prepare and issue an annual report that (i) identifies fee receipts by payer category including buyers and sellers; (ii) quantifies affordable housing programs funded, including type and purpose, and (iii) evaluates the impact of said affordable housing programs, including but not limited to, to the extent reasonably possible and permitted by applicable law, the number and demographics of individuals and families served as well as measures of housing stability and wealth generation in the community.

O-11     July 27, 2020  Amended
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: Jerry’s Pond and the adjacent land surrounding it are historically, ecologically and culturally significant natural resources and a significant body of water for North Cambridge residents and the wider Cambridge community; and
WHEREAS: Jerry’s Pond has been a long-standing topic of discussion, as revitalization, restoration and reopening this land continues to be an issue of health, social and environmental equity in Cambridge, as it is the closest green space to approximately 4,000 Cambridge residents living in affordable housing along Rindge Avenue; and
WHEREAS: Jerry’s Pond and the land surrounding it were historically known as “The Great Swamp” and were tidal marshlands connected to the Mystic River via the Alewife Brook; and
WHEREAS: The natural environment and habitat has continued to thrive in the land surrounding Jerry’s Pond and connected wetlands including the Alewife Reservation, Yates Pond and the Little River; and
WHEREAS: Jerry’s Pond and the land surrounding it are at great risk of climate change impacts via heat island, extreme rainfall events, storm surge and sea level rise over the coming years; and
WHEREAS: Jerry’s Pond and the neighborhoods surrounding it are already subject to flooding, heat island, poor air quality, tree canopy loss and natural habitat diminution; and
WHEREAS: Jerry’s Pond and the neighborhoods around it are at risk of direct negative health outcomes due to increasing development of the built environment and related transportation and air-quality impacts; and
WHEREAS: Jerry’s Pond and the surrounding neighborhoods have been identified as an area of great environmental justice concern given the large underserved population, historic inequities and disinvestment in infrastructure; and
WHEREAS: Jerry’s Pond and the surrounding land are a Massachusetts Hazardous Material Site (MGL c. 21E) site with known pollution including asbestos, petroleum and naphthalene, and are subject to an Activity and Use Limitation and a City of Cambridge Asbestos Ordinance and are surrounded by dense residential communities which are at risk; and
WHEREAS: IQHQ has recently acquired Alewife Park, a 26+ acre site including a 290,000-squarefoot office and laboratory campus in Cambridge, inclusive of Jerry’s Pond and its adjacent landscape; and
WHEREAS: The new owners of Alewife Park might be interested in collaborating with the City and community on protection, remediation, restoration and improvement of the natural landscape and the public’s safe access to it; and
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to contact IQHQ and engage the Community Development Department, the Department of Public Works, Public Health Department and the Department of Conservation and Recreation, representatives from Fresh Pond apartments, 402 Rindge Avenue, Jefferson Park and Jackson Place, Friends of Jerry’s Pond, Alewife Study Group, Alewife Neighbors Inc., Friends of Alewife/Green Cambridge and other relevant stakeholders regarding next steps for restoration, health and environmental protection, improvement, beautification, and making the surrounding areas of Jerry’s Pond publicly accessible and incorporating Jerry's Pond into the adjacent public parklands, with pedestrian and bicycle connections to the MBTA Station, the Alewife Reservation, Minuteman Bikeway, and the Linear Park; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter at the next City Council meeting on Sept 14, 2020.

O-12     July 27, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: Many areas around Jerry’s Pond, namely the drainage ditch between the pond and the Russell/Comeau Field parking lot, continue to deteriorate and have not been brought up to a high-quality standard since initial requests in 2018; and
WHEREAS: There are several examples of swales and green infrastructure around Cambridge of high quality that could be implemented at this site on Cambridge land adjacent to Jerry’s Pond; and
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to take steps to improve the surrounding landscape for residents who live in the neighboring community and the many individuals who commute through the area via the Alewife Red Line, the Minuteman Bikeway, Rindge Avenue and Alewife Brook Parkway; and
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter at the next City Council meeting on Sept 14, 2020.

O-13     July 27, 2020  Amended
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: Vulnerable communities, families, and individuals in Cambridge and across the Commonwealth are dangerously impacted by environmental pollution and climate change; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge City Council adopted a resolution in 2017 affirming the goal of operating the city entirely on renewable energy by 2035, and our official goal is to achieve zero emissions by 2050
WHEREAS: H.2836, “An Act re-powering Massachusetts with 100 percent renewable energy” would transition Massachusetts completely off of fossil fuels and would facilitate Cambridge achieving its energy and emission goals; and
WHEREAS: At least 14 states have already passed renewable energy targets that are more aggressive than what Massachusetts currently has in place, and H.2836 would transition the Commonwealth to 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and 100% renewable energy sources for heating and transportation by 2045; and
WHEREAS: H.2836 would establish a council for clean energy workforce development, which would recommend ways to promote employment growth and access to jobs in the renewable energy sector, and would also be charged with establishing a target for the number of Massachusetts residents working in the clean energy industry by 2025; and
WHEREAS: A pair of bills, “An Act Relative to Environmental Justice in the Commonwealth” (H.826) and “An Act Relative to Environmental Justice and Toxics Reduction in the Commonwealth” (H.761), would codify environmental justice into state law for the first time, protecting communities of color from being unjustly targeted by polluting industries; and
WHEREAS: This pair of bills would protect vulnerable communities from pollution by requiring that environmental impact reports include a consideration of public health impacts and account for vulnerable communities when siting dangerous fossil fuel infrastructure and other polluting infrastructure; and
WHEREAS: The pair of bills would create a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) bank, which would maintain an inventory of environmentally beneficial projects in vulnerable communities that may be funded by violators in lieu of paying penalties associated with the settlement of enforcement actions; and
WHEREAS: Massachusetts and Cambridge must lead on issues of climate change and environmental justice, and
WHEREAS: These policies failed to advance out of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, but it is essential that they are included as part of any climate legislation worked on at the Statehouse this session; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record in enthusiastic support of H.2836, H.826, and H.761, and in urging the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor Baker to enact all three bills into law before the end of the session; and be it further
RESOLVED: That suitably engrossed copies of this resolution be sent to Governor Charlie Baker, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, House Ways & Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr, Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

O-14     July 27, 2020
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: Routine traffic stops disproportionately impact Black and Brown drivers, who are pulled over and searched more often than white drivers, leading to potentially stressful interactions with the police; and
WHEREAS: This racist outcome is not the result of biases by individual officers, although those may play a role, but rather is primarily the result of systemic biases, including over-policing in Black neighborhoods, and training of police officers to be hypervigilant and to expect violent resistance, despite such incidents being very rare; and
WHEREAS: The presence of an armed police officer during a routine traffic stop raises the tension of the encounter unnecessarily and can itself lead to conflict, causing harmful stress to both parties and damaging the relationship between police and the community; and
WHEREAS: Routine traffic enforcement can be conducted by unarmed employees of the city, which would reduce the possibility of violence during such encounters; and
WHEREAS: The police would still be responsible for apprehending known criminals, dangerous or erratic drivers, and other related situations that clearly go beyond routine traffic enforcement; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager look into transferring primary traffic enforcement responsibilities from the Cambridge Police Department to unarmed, trained enforcement personnel in the Traffic & Parking Department, Department of Public Works, Health & Human Services, or another suitable department; 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-15     July 27, 2020
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: Cambridge has resumed towing as part of street cleaning as of July 1st, 2020; and
WHEREAS: Towing fees start at $100 for a regular vehicle and are in addition to a $30 ticket issued by the Traffic & Parking Department; and
WHEREAS: The burden of retrieving a towed vehicle and paying these fees disproportionately impact low income residents, especially during the pandemic; and
WHEREAS: The city resumed street cleaning in June without towing vehicles and determined the results to be “less than satisfactory”, but other cities have been able to achieve satisfactory results during street cleaning without towing vehicles as part of the process; and
WHEREAS: More thought should be given to less punitive measures that would allow for an effective cleaning of the streets without a burdensome towing process, including (but not limited to) escalating ticketing fees and continuing to tow vehicles that repeatedly fail to comply; and
WHEREAS: It may take time to see satisfactory and consistent results after changes are made; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate departments to conduct street cleaning without towing for the remainder of the 2020 season, and to employ other methods including (but not limited to) an escalating ticketing schedule that would continue to incentivize compliance; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council at the end of the 2020 street cleaning season on the feasibility of permanently abandoning regular towing as part of the street cleaning process.

O-16     July 27, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has a long history in recognizing the variety of relationships that exist outside the system of marriage, and enacted its Domestic Partnerships Ordinance to the City Code in 1992; and
WHEREAS: Chapter 2.119 of the Domestic Partnerships Ordinance (“Ordinance”) defines “domestic partnership” as an entity that is formed by two persons who support a number of criteria, namely that they are (1) in a relationship of mutual support, caring and commitment and intend to remain in such a relationship, (2) they reside together; (3) they are not married, (4) they are not related by blood closer than would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, (5) they are each other’s sole domestic partner (6) they are competent to contract, and (7) they consider themselves to be family; and
WHEREAS: Chapter 2.119 of the Ordinance defines family relationships to include (1) the manner in which the people live their daily lives, (2) how they hold their relationship out to the world, (3) their emotional and financial commitment, (4) their reliance on each other for daily family, (5) the longevity and exclusivity of their relationship, and (6) any other factors that may be relevant; and
WHEREAS: This Ordinance was enacted to allow individuals in domestic partnerships to access the same legal benefits as married couples under the law; and
WHEREAS: This Ordinance is limited in its scope of domestic partnerships, however, namely that is provides that only two people in a partnership may access the benefits listed in the Domestic Partnerships Ordinance; and
WHEREAS: There is a growing number of adults in relationships that include two or more people in a given relationship; and
WHEREAS: The City of Somerville signed its Domestic Partnerships Ordinance into law on June 29, 2020, which defines domestic partnership as an “entity of people” and gives equal access to the same legal benefits as married couples; and
WHEREAS: In order to recognize these relationships and grant equal access to legal benefits, we must change the language of the Ordinances of the City of Cambridge to include “two or more people”; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That section 2.119.020(D) of the Ordinances of the City of Cambridge be amended to read as follows:

D. "Domestic partnership" means the entity formed by two or more persons who meet the following criteria and jointly file a registration statement proclaiming that:

1. They are in a relationship of mutual support, caring and commitment and intend to remain in such a relationship; and

2. They reside together; and

3. They are not married to anyone outside the partnership; and

4. They are not related by blood closer than would bar marriage in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and

5. They are not in a domestic partnership with others outside this partnership; and

6. They are competent to contract; and

7. They consider themselves to be a family

ORDERED: That section 2.119.020(E) of the Ordinances of the City of Cambridge be amended to read as follows:

E. Subsequent to the filing of a registration form, the existence of a "family" relationship may be shown by evidence relevant to the following factors:

1. The manner in which the people live their daily lives;

2. How they hold their relationship out to the world;

3. Their emotional and financial commitment;

4. Their reliance on each other for daily family services;

5. The longevity of their relationship; and

6. Any other factors which may be relevant.

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the City of Cambridge Law Department to review the above changes to the language of the Domestic Partnerships Ordinance and report back to the Council.