Cambridge City Council meeting - September 13, 2010 - AGENDA
CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as a Constable Without Power for a term of three years, effective the first day of January, 2010: Jamie McMillan, Frantz Jean-Baptiste
2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-74, regarding the cylindrical objects on the roof of the former Blessed Sacrament Church building.
3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-72, regarding a report on removing the raccoons from the Squirrel Brand Park.
4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-107, regarding a report on evaluating the need for additional bicycle racks and on instituting a program that would allow on-street temporary bicycle parking spaces.
5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-59, regarding a report on red light violations at 77 Massachusetts Avenue and the possibility of installing a raised crosswalk at this location.
6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-110, regarding a report on plans to contain a City-wide disaster or to mitigate the impact on Cambridge of natural or man-made disasters occurring elsewhere in the United State or abroad.
7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the License Commission to approve the application of City View, Inc. d/b/a City View Trolley Tours to amend their existing route.
8. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the License Commission to approve the application of Super Duck Tours, LLC & Boston Upper Deck Trolley Tours to amend their existing route.
9. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Civic Education Grant for $137,643.00 funded by the Adult and Community Learning Services through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($120,424.00), to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($16,999.00), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Travel and Training account ($220.00) which supports ESOL/Civic Education classes provided by the Community Learning Center (CLC).
10. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Bunker Hill Community College Grant in the amount of $3,250.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account, which will be used to support professional development of Community Learning Center teachers on curriculum and instruction to assist upper level students in transitioning to higher education and will also be used to pay for a portion of the transition counselor and Next Steps teacher.
11. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) Bridge to College Program grant in the amount of $6,720.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account which will provide funding for salary costs and counseling for CHA residents in the Cambridge Learning Center Bridge to College program, which assists residents in making the transition to post secondary education.
12. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Cambridge Housing Authority Computer grant received from the Cambridge Housing Authority in the amount of $67,488.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($65,688.00) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,800.00) which will allow the Community Learning Center (CLC) to provide computer classes for Cambridge Housing Authority residents at the Roosevelt Towers, Jefferson Park and at 119 Windsor Street.
13. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of an Adult Basic Education Grant administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in the amount of $5,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account which will be used to support salary related expenses for distance learning for ten CLC students, five from the waiting list and five who are currently enrolled in classes.
14. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Cambridge Food Pantry grant received from the Cambridge Health Alliance for $15,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to support the Cambridge Food Pantry Network.
15. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant from the MetroNorth Regional Employment Board for $15,338.00 to the Grant Fund Department of Human Services Salary and Wages account ($13,520.00) and to the Grant Fund Department of Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,818.00) which will be used to support a six hour per week morning GED preparation class at the Community Learning Center, as well as supporting a math teacher, program assistant and a part-time reading/writing teacher. Funds are also used for educational supplies, office supplies, and other operating costs.
16. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Pathways Grant in the amount of ($70,000.00) received from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Adult and Community Learning Services to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($14,107.00) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($55,893.00) and will support case management and educational services for twelve families and involves collaboration between the Community Learning Center, Agenda for Children, Center for Families, and the Childcare Resource Center.
17. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $20,000 from Employee Benefits (health insurance) Salary and Wages account to the General Fund Public Library Travel and Training account (judgment and damages) to cover present and anticipated medical service costs for employees injured during the performance of their work duties.
18. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, the appropriation of $84,151 in tree replacement funds from Harvard University to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account which the City will use a portion of these funds to plant trees in the area of the Fogg Museum development project and the remaining funds will be used to further street tree planting efforts in the City.
Referred to Environment Committee - Davis
19. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, requesting that the City Council formally appropriate/allocate the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds as follows:
Motion from Councillor Toomey to refer back to CPA Committee with recommendation to change ratios to 50%-25%-25% failed 2-7 with Councillors Kelley and Toomey voting YES. 18 Roll call votes followed.
1A. 80% of FY2011 CPA Local Fund revenues ($5,200,000) allocated to Affordable Housing and appropriated to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust;
Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)
1B. 10% of FY2011 CPA Local Fund revenues ($650,000) allocated to Historic Preservation;
1. $400,000 appropriated to the Historic Preservation Grants program [Approved 8-1 (Toomey - NO)]
2. $250,000 appropriated to Former Police Department Headquarters adaptive reuse.
[Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)]
1C. 10% of FY2011 CPA Local Fund revenues ($650,000) allocated to Open Space;
1. 350,000 appropriated to Glacken Slope and Soil Stabilization Project [Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)]
2. $300,000 appropriated to Black's Nook Landscape Restoration. [Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)]
2A. 10% of FY2010 State Match revenues ($1,640,000) allocated to Affordable Housing and appropriated to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust;
Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)
2B. 10% of FY2010 State Match revenues ($205,000) allocated to Historic Preservation;
1. $140,000 appropriated to City Hall: waterproofing & associated repairs [Approved 8-1 (Toomey - NO)]
2.
$15,000 appropriated to Engine 1 (Fire Headquarters) & Engine 6 (River Street) window and cupola repairs. [Approved 8-1 (Toomey - NO)]
3. $50,000 appropriated to City Clerk records rooms.
[Approved 9-0]
2C. 10% of FY2010 State Match revenues ($205,000) allocated to Open Space;
1. $50,000 appropriated to Black's Nook Landscape Restoration [Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)]
2. $55,000 appropriated to Watershed Protection and Re-vegetation - Golf Course [Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)]
3. $100,000 appropriated to Upcountry Watershed and Water Quality Improvements. [Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)]
3A. 80% of the Fund Balance ($800,000) allocated to Affordable Housing and appropriated to the Affordable Housing Trust;
Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)
3B. 10% of the Fund Balance ($100,000) allocated to Historic Preservation;
1. $30,000 appropriated to Cambridge Cemetery steps and curbs [Approved 8-1 (Toomey - NO)]
2. $40,000 appropriated to Old Burying Ground gravestone restoration [Approved 8-1 (Toomey - NO)]
3. $30,000 appropriated to digitizing historic photo collections.
[Approved 8-1 (Toomey - NO)]
3C. 10% of the Fund Balance ($100,000) allocated to Open Space; and
1. $100,000 appropriated to Upcountry Watershed and Water Quality Improvements. [Approved 7-2 (Kelley, Toomey - NO)]
4A. Appropriate ($7,500) from the Fund Balance the cost for the Community Preservation Coalition Membership Dues.
Approved 8-1 (Toomey - NO)
20. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $60,000 from the Employee Benefits Salary and Wages account (Insurance) to the General Fund Human Services Travel and Training (Judgments & Damages) account to cover medical services for personnel injured on the job.
21. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a federal Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) - Early Childhood Special Education, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant from the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $47,610 to the Grant Fund School Department Salary & Wages account ($37,925.00) and to Grant Fund School Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($9,685.00) which will support increased opportunities for quality inclusionary practice and improvements in the transition process.
22. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a federal Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allocation grant from the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $1,999,328.00 to the Grant Fund School Department Salary & Wages account ($432,231.00), to the Grant Fund School Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,557,097.00) and to Grant Fund School Department Travel and Training account ($10,000.00) and will be used to cover a portion of the out of district out-placement tuition costs; they will also provide a Program Review consultant, five additional Office of Special Education (OSE) staff including an Assistant Program Manager, a Teacher in Charge, an adjustment counselor, a behavior specialist, and an integrated Kindergarten teacher. The ARRA grant will also support implementation of a school wide Response to Intervention (RTI) program, support technology upgrades in OSE classrooms, and provide professional development for staff.
23. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the ARRA Title I grant from the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $502,135.00 to the Grant Fund School Department Salary & Wages account and will be used to supplement the Title I allocation grant which was reduced substantially in FY11.
24. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the federal McKinney-Vento American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allocation grant in the amount $14,994.00 to the School Department Grant Fund Salary & Wages account ($7,900.00), to the School Department Grant Fund Travel and Training account ($2,000.00) and to the School Department Grant Fund Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($5,094.00) and will provide additional training by community partner agencies for various school staff, including vice principals and principals, so they will better understand the issues facing homeless children and families and be able to contribute to their success at accessing services.
25. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the ARRA Title IID Technology Competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $92,735.00 to the School Department Grant Fund Salary & Wages account ($22,650.00), to the School Department Grant Fund Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($62,885.00) and to the School Department Grant Fund Other Travel & Training account ($7,200.00) which will allow CPS middle school math teachers to receive professional development in the use of RM software as a supplemental resource in their math classrooms. Math teachers from six schools will receive professional development and site visits from RM specialists, and will form professional learning teams to share expertise during the school year and during a 2 day summer institute.
26. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a Metropolitan Area Planning Council Grant in the amount of $13,000 to the Grant Fund Community Development Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account to purchase approximately 150 bicycle parking racks.
27. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-109, regarding a report on repairing the broken water spigots across the City and repairing the water feature at Wheeler Park in Danehy.
28. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-113, regarding a report on plans to permanently remove the jersey barriers in front of 5 JFK Street.
29. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-94, regarding a report on projects between Harvard Square and Porter Square along Massachusetts Avenue.
30. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-112, regarding a report on a comprehensive study on what mechanisms exist to prevent flooding and Awaiting Report Item Number 10-117, regarding the impact of the summer rains and resulting flooding.
31. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-116, regarding a report on the impact of decriminalization of marijuana possession. [Commissioner Haas proposes an Ordinance prohibiting the smoking of marijuana or hashish in public places.]
Motion by Councillor Cheung to refer to Ordinance Committee failed 4-4-1 (Decker ABSENT). Motion of Vice Mayor Davis to refer to Ordinance Committee failed 4-4-1. Reconsideration filed by Councillor Davis.
CHARTER RIGHT
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 09-147, report on what barriers would prevent residents from raising chickens and what could be done to remove these barriers. [Charter Right exercised by Vice Mayor Davis on City Manager Agenda Item Number
Twenty-Seven of Aug 2, 2010.]
Referred to Joint Meeting of Environment Committee and Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning Committee
2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a recommendation to increase the residential parking sticker fee. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Toomey on City Manager Agenda Item Number Thirty-Six of Aug 2, 2010.]
Motion by Councillor Davis to refer to Ordinance Committee and pass to 2nd Reading approved 7-1-1 (Toomey NO, Decker ABSENT). Reconsideration filed by Councillor Toomey.
ON THE TABLE
3. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a copy of the referral of Order Number 15 of Dec 21, 2009, regarding increasing the amount of public information about elections while the election is in progress, to the 2010-2011 City Council. [Communications and Reports from City Officers #1 of Jan 11, 2010 Placed on Table.]
4. That the City Manager is requested to restore funding for School Department clerical positions until a proper and negotiated process can be achieved with the Cambridge School Department and Unions representing the employees, and to report back to the City Council on the progress. [Order Number Fourteen of Apr 26, 2010 Placed on Table. May 10, 2010 - Councillor Kelley made a motion to take from the table motion. Failed 2-7-0, remains on Table.]
Councillor Kelley motion to take from the table failed 4-4-1 (Kelley, Simmons, Toomey, Cheing - YES; Davis, Reeves, Seidel, Maher - NO; Decker - ABSENT). Remains on Table.
5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-32, regarding a report on issues with the development of the former St. John's property site. [Charter Right exercised on City Manager Agenda Item Number Eighteen of May 24, 2010. Placed on Table June 7, 2010.]
6. An application was received from Tony LaVita, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 68 Middlesex Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. [Applications and Petitions Number Ten Of June 7, 2010 Placed on Table.]
APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Darwins Ltd., requesting permission for two signs at the premises numbered 150 Mount Auburn Street. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development, Historical Commission and abutters.
2. An application was received from Howard Robinson, 29 Field Street, requesting permission for a curb cut on Garden Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical and Public Works. No neighborhood association for that area.
3. An application was received from Harvard Square Business Association, requesting permission for two temporary banners across Massachusetts Avenue at City Hall and JFK Street at Mount Auburn Street announcing Oktoberfest.
4. An application was received from Harvest of India, requesting permission for a sign at the premises numbered 1001 Massachusetts Avenue. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development and building owner.
5. An application was received from The Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX), requesting permission for seven temporary banners at 139 Main Street and One Broadway and three temporary banners at 226 Main Street and 238 Main Street announcing dozens of events and activities that will take place at the first-ever multi-location conference hosted in Cambridge from Oct 4-8, 2010.
6. An application was received from Alfred Denny and Elena C. Ellerman, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 36 Lancaster Street, Unit #1; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical and Public Works. No neighborhood association for that area.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Henry R. Irving, Cambridge Republican City Committee, Chairman, regarding dealing with underfunded retirement obligations and the potential impact on Cambridge's budget, employees, retirees and taxpayers.
2. A communication was received from Monica Ross-Monteiro, transmitting thanks for the resolution acknowledging Monica's Beauty Salon's 20th Anniversary.
3. A communication was received from Charles S. Fineman, 75 Winter Street, commending the Cambridge City Council and Cambridge Consumers' Council for sponsoring Cambridge's first ever Shred Day.
4. A communication was received from Laura M. Nichols, Executive Director, Cambridge Consumers' Council, transmitting thanks for all your assistance in helping make Cambridge Shred Day a true success.
5. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, regarding Bloom Energy Server.
6. A communication was received from State Representative William N. Brownsberger, transmitting thanks for forwarding the City Council resolution regarding the 40B ballot initiative.
7. A communication was received from Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall, transmitting thanks for the resolution on her impending retirement.
8. A communication was received from Barbara Bryant, 116 Henry Street, transmitting a copy of the Arlington ordinance regulating keeping hens and poultry.
9. A communication was received from Pebble Gifford, 15 Hilliard Street, transmitting a copy of the Charles River Conservancy update of September 2010 regarding the negative impact that the new proposed sign ordinance would have on the view of the Charles River.
10. A communication was received from Fred Meyer, Realtor & Real Estate Appraiser, University Real Estate, regarding historical sign suggestions for Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge Common to Porter Square.
RESOLUTIONS
1. Retirement of Margaret Derby from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
2. Retirement of Maria Barros from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
3. Retirement of Elaine Barnes from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
4. Retirement of Joan Flaherty from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
5. Retirement of Kevin Doherty from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
6. Retirement of Michael Costello from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
7. Retirement of Hilda Devino from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
8. Retirement of Elaine Leary from the Purchasing Department. Mayor Maher
9. Retirement of Pamela Latorella-DiMille from the School Department. Mayor Maher
10. Retirement of Stephen Czarnowski from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
11. Retirement of Gail Gannon from the School Department. Mayor Maher
12. Retirement of Joan Viola from the School Department. Mayor Maher
13. Retirement of Paul Wirta from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
14. Retirement of Jeremiah Williams from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
15. Retirement of Cecile Williams from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
16. Retirement of Fritz Vilsaint from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
17. Retirement of Joyce Venezia from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
18. Retirement of Selina Tinsley from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
19. Retirement of Raj Tiku from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
20. Retirement of Mary Savini from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
21. Retirement of Barry Rund from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
22. Retirement of Beatrice O'Connor from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
23. Congratulations to the 2010 Senior Babe Ruth team for a successful season and their 5th place finish in the Championship Tournament in Newark, Ohio. Councillor Toomey
24. Retirement of Jean Granick from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
25. Retirement of Kathleen Dolley from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
26. Congratulations to Colleen Johnston on her appointment as Acting Executive Director of the Human Rights Commission. Mayor Maher
27. Congratulations to Brian Corr on his appointment as Acting Executive Secretary of the Police Review & Advisory Board. Mayor Maher
28. Resolution on the death of Mary T. (Readyhough) Livernois. Councillor Toomey
29. Congratulations to Elizabeth Phipps-Soeiro and William Soeiro on the birth of their daughter Olive Elizabeth Soeiro. Vice Mayor Davis
30. Resolution on the death of Susan A. Robinson. Vice Mayor Davis
31. Resolution on the death of George C. Clark. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Decker
32. Resolution on the death of William "Tommy" Pierce. Mayor Maher, Councillor Toomey
33. Congratulations to Thomas Pasquarello on being named the Chief of Police of Somerville, Massachusetts. Mayor Maher
34. Resolution on the death of William F. Gillespie. Councillor Toomey
35. Resolution on the death of Mariana (Pereira) Adriano. Councillor Toomey
36. Resolution on the death of Richard Joseph Alphonse. Councillor Toomey
37. Resolution on the death of Rose M. (Occhipinti) McCartney. Councillor Toomey
38. Resolution on the death of Evelyn (Rose) Silva. Councillor Toomey
39. Resolution on the death of John H. Graham. Mayor Maher
40. Congratulations to Dr. Luis Lobon for being elected President of the Massachusetts College of Emergency Physicians for the 2010-2011 term. Mayor Maher
41. Resolution on the death of Mary F. Lord. Councillor Toomey
42. Resolution on the death of Walter James "Jimmy" Foster. Councillor Toomey
43. Resolution on the death of The Honorable Thomas H. Fallon. Councillor Toomey
44. Resolution on the death of Emma M. (Daly) Linskey. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Maher
45. Resolution on the death of Joseph A. Callahan. Councillor Decker
46. Retirement of Debra Sauer from the Human Services Department. Mayor Maher
47. Retirement of Christine Jorge from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
48. Retirement of Christley Harris from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
49. Retirement of Patricia Gullage from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
50. Retirement of Myrtho Fleurantin from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
51. Retirement of Kathleen Feely from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
52. Retirement of Judith Fabian from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
53. Retirement of Marie Durant from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
54. Resolution on the death of Angela Zuzolo. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Maher
55. Resolution on the death of Donald Cappucci. Councillor Toomey
56. Retirement of Robert Thames from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
57. Retirement of Joanne Thurston from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
58. Retirement of Janet Yassen from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
59. Retirement of Jan Perley from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
60. Retirement of William Pesik from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
61. Retirement of William Rhodes from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
62. Retirement of Carlos Santiago from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
63. Retirement of Vivian Smith from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
64. Retirement of Mark Stewart from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
65. Retirement of Nancy Judycki from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
66. Retirement of Rosemary Kean from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
67. Retirement of Movelle Lamming from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
68. Retirement of Lucia Pavao from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
69. Resolution on the death of Kathleen (McLaughlin) Schofield. Councillor Toomey
70. Resolution on the death of Mary Ann (Polaha) Burns. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Maher
71. Resolution on the death of MaryEllen (McElaney) Moses. Councillor Toomey
72. Retirement of Joseph Hayes from the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department. Mayor Maher
73. Congratulations to the organizers of the second annual Hydrocephalus Awareness Walk on Sept 26, 2010 at the Fresh Pond Reservation. Mayor Maher
74. Congratulations to Barkat Inc. for organizing the Third Annual Literacy Walk on Oct 16, 2010 at the Cambridge Common. Mayor Maher
75. Declare Sept 22, 2010 as "CCTV Day" in the City of Cambridge. Mayor Maher
76. Congratulations and best wishes to CYCLE Kids on their their first annual fundraiser on Nov 4, 2010 at the Charles Hotel. Mayor Maher
77. Resolution on the death of Jeanne F. (Tierney) Cyr. Mayor Maher
78. Retirement of Steven DiCecca from the Department of Public Works. Mayor Maher
79. Congratulations to Representative Michael and Mary Rush on the birth of their daughter Ciara Rose Rush. Councillor Toomey
80. Happy 100th Birthday wishes to Mary Cruise Kennedy. Councillor Toomey
81. Congratulations to the Crittenton Women's Union and the Cambridge Housing Authority on the grand opening of Career Family Opportunity Cambridge on Oct 7, 2010. Councillor Toomey
82. Resolution on the death of Eduino Lopes. Councillor Toomey
83. Resolution on the death of Manuel F. Costa Sr. Councillor Toomey
84. Resolution on the death of Kathleen (Connolly) Morelli. Councillor Toomey
85. Resolution on the death of John W. "Wally" Ford. Councillor Toomey
86. Congratulations to Bishop Gene Robinson on the occasion of being honored by GLAD at the 11th Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner on Oct 29, 2010. Councillor Simmons
87. Congratulations to Lucy Lueders-Booth and Duc Nguyen on their marriage. Vice Mayor Davis
88. Congratulations to Jennifer Fries on being appointed Executive Director of the Cambridge School Volunteers. Mayor Maher, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Decker
89. Congratulations to Dr. Alan DerKazarian on his appointment as foundation chair of the Massachusetts Dental Society. Mayor Maher
90. Resolution on the death of Jacqueline "Jackie" Rose Daly. Mayor Maher
91. Resolution on the death of Loretta H. (Powers) LaValle. Councillor Toomey
92. Resolution on the death of Rachel Auspitz. Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Davis
93. Retirement of Bernard Sarchioni from the Water Department. Mayor Maher
94. Retirement of Richard Aideuis from the Public Works Department. Mayor Maher
95. Retirement of Jean Thibodeau from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
96. Retirement of Carol Diomede from the Cambridge Hospital. Mayor Maher
97. Congratulations to the Park View Cooperative on the occasion of the more than 25 years since its founding in Cambridge. Vice Mayor Davis
98. Speedy recovery wishes to Timothy Hickey. Mayor Maher
99. Resolution on the death of Keith A. Campbell. Councillor Toomey
100. Resolution on the death of Henry W. Lauziere Jr. Councillor Toomey
101. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Faith Renee Hinkley. Councillor Decker
102. Resolution on the death of Jamal Maurice Rhett. Councillor Decker
103. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Brandon E. Maggart. Councillor Decker
104. Congratulations to Reverend Lilia Cuervo on the occasion of her installation as Associate Minister at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church. Mayor Maher
105. Congratulations to James F. Mooney III on his election as President of the Board of Trustees at the Catholic Schools Foundation. Mayor Maher
106. Thanks to Lilah Glick for her work as the Director of Community Outreach for the Cambridge Energy Alliance and best wishes in her new endeavors. Vice Mayor Davis
107. Welcome wishes to Clover as they open a new location in Harvard Square. Councillor Cheung
108. Welcome wishes to Al's State Street Cafe as they open another location in Harvard Square. Councillor Cheung
109. Congratulations to Mary Dumont on her appearance on the Food Network's "the Next Iron Chef." Councillor Cheung
110. Welcome wishes to Zinneken's as they open their new shop in Harvard Square. Councillor Cheung
111. Welcome wishes to Bull BBQ as they open their new restaurant in Harvard Square. Councillor Cheung
112. Appreciation to Andrew Moura for his recent life-saving efforts while hiking in New Hampshire. Councillor Seidel
113. Thanks to the Personnel Department for their work and dedication to ensure the 900 Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program participants were accurately processed and able to work. Mayor Maher
114. Congratulations to Robert M. Wilson on the occasion of being honored at the Franciscan Hospital for Children's 2010 Community Leadership Award Dinner. Mayor Maher
115. Thanks to the Payroll Department for their work and dedication to ensure the 900 Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program participants were accurately paid. Mayor Maher
116. Resolution on the death of Jose Antonio Andrade Peixoto. Councillor Toomey
117. Congratulations to Cambridge Legal Services and Counseling Center on their 40th anniversary. Councillor Decker
118. Thanks to Louise Rice for her commitment and caring for the Cambridge community. Councillor Decker
119. Congratulations to Claude-Alix Jacobs on being appointed to the Board of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Councillor Decker
120. Resolution on the death of Philip Archibald Paris. Mayor Maher
121. Thanks to the Cambridge Savings Bank for facilitating the Financial Education Program for members of the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program. Mayor Maher
122. Resolution on the death of Charles Ansbacher. Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves
123. Congratulations to Robin Young on being inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Mayor Maher, Councillor Cheung
124. Resolution on the death of Mandy Lee Pires. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
125. Congratulations to Antionette Lewis and Carlos Tanise on their 1st wedding anniversary. Councillor Simmons
126. Happy 106th Birthday wishes to Mary Ines Souza. Councillor Toomey
127. Congratulations to Reverend Maurice S. Greaves as he celebrates his first Homecoming Celebration as the pastoral leader of the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church. Councillor Reeves
128. Urge residents to be cognizant of the Area IV Clean Up Day on Saturday, Sept 18, 2010 sponsored by the Cambridge Community Outreach Tabernacle. Councillor Reeves
ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the accident at Lambert and Cambridge Streets on Aug 11, 2010 and that the intersection by re-examined for pedestrian safety. Councillor Toomey
2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to discuss making the corner of Fifth Street and Otis Street a four-way stop. Councillor Toomey
3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to discuss whether pedestrian safety or traffic improvements can be made at the intersection of Sixth Street and Hurley Street to ensure safety. Councillor Toomey
4. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Commissioner of Public Works to evaluate the system and determine the cause of the odors from catch basins on Cambridge Street and what can be done to remedy the problem. Councillor Toomey
5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the nature of MBTA improvements to the Grand Junction Railroad. Councillor Toomey
Amended
6. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate departments and report back to the City Council with the explanation of how the project on Broadway near the Marriott Hotel which reduces traffic to one lane came about and what it hopes to accomplish. Councillor Toomey
7. That the City Manager is requested to communicate with the MBTA about the problem of the #47 bus passing awaiting passengers. Vice Mayor Davis and Councillor Cheung
8. That the City Council go on record in opposition of the Mass Department of Transportation traffic management plan which will disproportionately affect the East Cambridge neighborhood comparative to other abutting communities. Councillor Toomey
9. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Commissioner of Public Works and her staff to save 100 small blue recycling bins to be used as container gardens for Cambridge citizens-especially seniors-in a pilot program initiated by Pick a Pocket Garden volunteers. Vice Mayor Davis
10. That the Mayor, in consultation with the City Manager, is requested to designate a Silver Ribbon Committee to follow up on the proceedings of the forum Aging in the Cambridge Community and Housing Options for Older Cantabrigians. Vice Mayor Davis
11. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council with an update on the status of installing community gardens at Riverside Press Park. Vice Mayor Davis
12. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Police Commissioner and report back to the City Council with any finding on the incidents armed robberies in the Wellington-Harrington neighborhood. Councillor Toomey
13. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the recent developments and sale of the Northpoint Project. Councillor Toomey
14. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Chief Public Health Inspector and the Information Technology Officer to ensure that information about the availability of flu shots is prominently displayed on the City's Internet home page. Councillor Decker
15. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Director of Information Technology Department to address issues of energy consumption and emissions used by the City of Cambridge to include distribution of and dissemination of information to city employees and residents about ways to reduce energy consumption by way of deleting and/or limiting email storage. Councillor Decker
16. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on railroad crossing safety policies and procedures, including equipment maintenance and repair, in the City of Cambridge. Councillor Seidel
17. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate department heads to include in the link regarding Cambridge Local Economy Week a link to the Cambridge Local First website and the full list of activities being hosted during this week, along with information on how residents can get more involved in their local economy. Councillor Cheung
18. Adoption of the procedures for the process that the Council will undertake to establish City Council goals for a time period beginning July 1, 2011. Councillor Seidel and Councillor Toomey
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Sam Seidel and Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on July 8, 2010 to consider a petition filed by the City Council to modify the Zoning Ordinance regulation of signs.
2. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Sam Seidel and Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Co-Chairs of the Government Operations and Rules Committee, for a meeting held on Aug 16, 2010 to discuss the process for the City Council to use in setting the City Council goals FY11and FY12.
3. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee, for a meeting held on July 13, 2010 to discuss the parking fee structure.
4. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair of the Human Services Committee, for a public meeting held on June 30, 2010 to continue discussion of how best to assist Cambridge college students to complete their college education.
5. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Sam Seidel and Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on Sept 7, 2010 to consider a petition filed by the City Council to modify the Zoning Ordinance regulation of signs.
Passed to 2nd Reading 6-2-1 (Davis, Kelley(?) - NO, Decker ABSENT)
HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Sept 13
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Sept 14
5:00pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on a petition filed by Richard McKinnon et al., to amend the Zoning Ordinance and Map relating to the North Point PUD-6 District. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Sept 15
12:30pm The Community Health Committee will conduct a public meeting to receive an update from The Cambridge Health Alliance on current issues and future plans, particularly with respect to the Cambridge Hospital and Health Clinics. (Sullivan Chamber)
4:00pm The Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the subject of entrepreneurs development. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Sept 16
5:00pm The Claims Committee will conduct a public hearing to consider claims filed against the city. (Ackermann Room)
Mon, Sept 20
5:30pm Roundtable Meeting for discussion in preparation of City Council goal setting process. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Sept 21
2:00pm The Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss place-making strategies for Kendall Square. (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Sept 27
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Sept 28
4:00pm The University Relations Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss campus safety. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Sept 30
5:30pm The Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss planting, maintenance and protection of street trees and any other matters that may come before the committee with regard to Cambridge trees. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Oct 4
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
6:30pm The City Council will conduct a public hearing to discuss the property tax rate classification. (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Oct 5
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Oct 14
5:30pm The Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the digital divide. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Oct 18
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Oct 19
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Oct 25
5:30pm Roundtable Meeting for discussion in preparation of City Council goal setting process. No public comment. No votes will be taken. Meeting will not be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 1
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Nov 2
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 8
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 15
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Nov 16
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 22
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 29
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 6
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Dec 7
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 13
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 20
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Dec 21
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 27
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: There was an unfortunate pedestrian accident at the corners of Lambert and Cambridge Streets; and
WHEREAS: The safety at this corner has raised some concerns by residents and businesses in the past; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the accident at Lambert and Cambridge Streets on Aug 11, 2010 and that the intersection by re-examined for pedestrian safety.
O-2 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to discuss making the corner of Fifth Street and Otis Street a four-way stop and report back to the City Council on this matter.
O-3 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: The intersection of Sixth Street and Hurley Street has much pedestrian traffic due to the park and tot lot; and
WHEREAS: Residents have expressed concern about the safety at this intersection because of the amount of children that frequently cross to use the playground; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to discuss whether pedestrian safety or traffic improvements can be made at this intersection to ensure safety and report back to the City Council on this matter.
O-4 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: Cambridge Street between Inman Square and Lechmere has continuous problems with odors from catch basins; and
WHEREAS: It is detrimental to the Cambridge Street atmosphere; and
WHEREAS: The odors have become a year-round nuisance regardless of the amount of rain or precipitation experienced; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Commissioner of Public Works to evaluate the system and determine the cause of the problem and what can be done to remedy the problem and report back to the City Council on this matter.
O-5 Sept 13, 2010 [substitute amendment - see below]
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that the Grand Junction Railroad was purchased as part of a bigger package to improve the state's transportation system; and
WHEREAS: The MBTA plans to spend a few million dollars over the next twelve to eighteen months to improve the Grand Junction from freight to passenger standards, replacing railroad ties, adding gates at street crossing, and installing a signal system to allow faster travel; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the nature of these improvements.
O-5 AMENDED ORDER Sept 13, 2010 [Kelley NO, Decker ABSENT]
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that the Patrick-Murray Administration has coordinated the purchase of the Grand Junction Rail Line as part of a bigger package to improve the state's transportation system; and
WHEREAS: The MBTA plans to spend a few million dollars over the next 12 to 18 months to improve the Grand Junction from freight to passenger standards, replacing railroad ties, adding gates at street crossings, and installing a signal system to allow faster travel; and
WHEREAS: At no point has the Patrick -Murray Administration included the City of Cambridge in the conversation of expanding rail service through the city; and
WHEREAS: Additional train traffic throughout the day and evening will have a negative effect on the Cambridge residents in the vicinity of the rail line; and
WHEREAS: Plans for this seem to be progressing without any input whatsoever from the City or its residents; and
WHEREAS: The environmental impacts on Cambridge are unclear and mitigation for these changes would have to be substantial; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manger be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the nature of the improvements along the Grand Junction; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record expressing disappointment in the current lack of any public process, and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record opposing additional rail traffic through Cambridge that could have a negative impact on our residents and community; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitable copy of this resolution to Governor Patrick, Lieutenant Governor Murray, Transportation Secretary Mullen, MBTA general manager Richard Davey, and the Cambridge State Delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-6 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: There are plans for Broadway, near the Marriott Hotel, to be reduced to one lane of traffic; and
WHEREAS: The sidewalks in this area are already quite wide and there is a significant crossing signal currently at this location; and
WHEREAS: It is unclear what this project will accomplish other than removing a lane of traffic that is beneficial for traffic flow in the area and leading to a heavily used bridge into Boston and Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The origins of this project are unclear; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate departments and report back to the City Council with the explanation of how this project came about and what it hopes to accomplish.
O-7 Sept 13, 2010
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: On numerous occasions the #47 bus passes people waiting at bus stops, a continual problem for several years; and
WHEREAS: The MBTA is attempting to address capacity issues by adding buses; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to communicate with the MBTA about neglecting to stop for passengers; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.
O-8 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: As part of the Craigie Dam reconstruction, Mass Department of Transportation (DOT) has made the decision to close in-bound traffic from Cambridge to Boston for a period from November 2010 to April 2011; and
WHEREAS: Using the only two functional lanes on the bridge during this phase, Mass DOT will be establishing a 2 lane out and 0 lanes in traffic plan meaning that there will be two lanes of traffic traveling west (exiting Boston) and zero lanes of traffic travel east (toward Boston from Cambridge); and
WHEREAS: Access to Boston, Route 93, and Leverett Circle will be cut off for commuters attempting to exit Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Traffic Parking and Transportation Department, City Officials, and members of the State Delegation have expressed grave concern regarding the negative impact this could have on Cambridge neighborhoods, East Cambridge in particular; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge would prefer a 1 in and 1 out traffic pattern that would more fairly spread the burden of this detour to neighboring communities and relieve East Cambridge of bearing the full impact of the project; and
WHEREAS: While the scope and difficulty of this construction phase can be appreciated by all parties the 2-0 decision is not an acceptable option from the standpoint of the City of Cambridge; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record in opposition of the Mass DOT traffic management plan which will disproportionately affect the East Cambridge neighborhood comparative to other abutting communities; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Mass DOT on behalf of the entire City Council.
O-9 Sept 13, 2010
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: The City will begin to use toters in October 2010; and
WHEREAS: The City has to do something with any small recycling bins that are turned in to the DPW; and
WHEREAS: The Pick a Pocket Garden volunteers have as their mission to beautify Cambridge by grooming pocket gardens and involving others in gardening activities; and
WHEREAS: There has been "growing" interest in gardening in Cambridge but the elderly and disabled residents have difficulty accessing gardening opportunities: now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Commissioner of Public Works and her staff to save 100 small blue recycling bins to be used as container gardens for Cambridge citizens-especially seniors-in a pilot program initiated by Pick a Pocket Garden volunteers.
O-10 Sept 13, 2010
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: The City Council requested and received two reports about seniors: Aging in the Cambridge Community and Housing Options for Older Cantabrigians; and
WHEREAS: There will be a forum in the fall to bring together experts in the field for discussion and questions from the public; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Mayor, in consultation with the City Manager, be and hereby is requested to designate a Silver Ribbon Committee to follow up on the proceedings of the forum.
O-11 Sept 13, 2010
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with an update on the status of installing community gardens at Riverside Press Park.
O-12 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that there were two armed robberies in the vicinity of Cambridge Street in the Wellington-Harrington neighborhood; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Police Commissioner and report back to the City Council with any finding on the incidents of September 1st and 6th and how police have responded.
O-13 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that the Northpoint Project has been sold to a partnership consisting of the partnership of Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds, HYM Investment Group and Atlas Capital Group; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the recent developments and sale of the Northpoint Project.
O-14 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR DECKER
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Chief Public Health Officer and the Information Technology Director to ensure that information about the availability of flu shots is prominently displayed on the City's Internet home page; and be it further
ORDERED: That the website provide information about the date and place of the Public Health Department's free flu shot clinics and also links to comprehensive information about all of the places where flu shots are available for a charge.
O-15 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR DECKER
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of this City Council that while for the most part email is a more environmentally sound way to communicate, there are concerns related to energy consumption and emissions; and
WHEREAS: The amount of data being stored today accounts for two percent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, the equivalent of the airline industry; and
WHEREAS: Sending large picture or video attachments can use the energy equivalent of boiling seventeen kettles of water; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Director of Information Technology Department to address issues of energy consumption and emissions used by the City of Cambridge to include distribution of and dissemination of information to city employees and residents about ways to reduce energy consumption by way of deleting and/or limiting email storage; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.
O-16 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
WHEREAS: The railroad crossing gate on Sherman Street was stuck in the down position on Saturday morning, September 11, 2010; and
WHEREAS: This created an unsafe condition as cars and trucks sought to cross the tracks by going around the gate; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on railroad crossing safety policies and procedures, including equipment maintenance and repair, in the City of Cambridge.
O-17 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: On August 2, 2010, the Cambridge City Council passed Order #16 which declared the week of September 26-October 2 as "Cambridge Local Economy Week;" and
WHEREAS: In this order the City Council asked the City Manager to direct the IT Department to post relevant information about this event on the Cambridge website; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate department heads to include in the before-mentioned posting a link to the Cambridge Local First website and the full list of activities being hosted during this week, along with information on how residents can get more involved in their local economy.
O-18 Sept 13, 2010
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Council hereby does adopt the procedures set forth in this order for the process that the Council will undertake to establish City Council goals for a time period beginning July 1, 2011.
TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Thurs, July 8, 2010 beginning at 4:15pm in the Sullivan Chamber. The purpose of the hearing was to consider a petition filed by the City Council to modify the Zoning Ordinance regulation of signs.
Present at the hearing were Councillor Sam Seidel and Councillor Toomey, Co-Chairs of the Committee; Mayor David P. Maher; Councillor Marjorie C. Decker; Councillor Craig Kelley; Councillor E. Denise Simmons; City Clerk D. Margaret Drury; Susan Glazer, Acting City Manager for Community Development; Lester Barber, Director of Zoning and Land Use Planning, Community Development Department (CDD); Stuart Dash, Director of Community and Neighborhood Planning, CDD.
Councillor Toomey convened the hearing and explained the purpose. He invited CDD staff to describe the petition. Mr. Barber stated that there are five proposed amendments, mostly policy questions that CDD staff and the Planning Board have discussed for a number of years. Some are the result of having observed the outcomes at the BZA of applications for variances to install signs that are not allowed under the current law. In several instances where there were no objections from the public and the request for a variance seemed reasonable, the BZA granted the variance. Where such requests seemed to fall into particular categories, there was the thought that expanding the flexibility of the sign ordinance to allow such a category as-of-right would benefit the public interest in the efficient use of the resources of a busy regulatory board. Mr. Barber distributed copies of the proposed amendment language (Attachment A) and handouts that outlined the proposed changes and included illustrations of signs illustrating the proposals (Attachment B).
Mr. Barber explained that the first amendment would provide explicitly that the provisions of the Zoning Sign Ordinance do not apply to signs and banners located entirely within the public way. Banners across public streets and sandwich board signs are under the jurisdiction of the City Council pursuant to Ordinance No. 12.08.010 and the regulatory processes which the Council has authorized for such signs. These signs have never been deemed subject to the Zoning Ordinance which regulates signage on private lots. The first proposed amendment also reiterates the exemption from the Sign Ordinance of the MXD district that is already provided in Section 14.60 of the Mixed Use Development article of the Zoning Ordinance. The second amendment clarifies that when a corporation employs color or graphic patterns as part of its identification, those elements will be counted as part of the area of the sign, for example the green background in the Citizen's Bank logo.
Mr. Barber noted that the third amendment proposes a more major change. The amendment would allow certain building identification signs above the 20 ft. height limit as of right, subject to several limitations. One wall sign per building for each street the lot abuts (but in no case more than two signs per building) would be allowed to exceed the maximum Height of Signs and Area of Signs. Where the sign is located at a height greater than 100 feet, the maximum area of the individual sign could be increased to 90 sq ft. The sign would have to consist of individual letters or graphic symbols attached directly to the building or to a raceway, and all other provisions of Article 7.000 would continue to apply, including the Total Area of Signs Permitted per lot and the total area of signs permitted on any individual Sign Frontage. Mr. Barber noted that this proposal reflects both Planning Board and Board of Zoning Appeal experience with requests for signs to be placed higher than 20 feet and with the lack of public objection to such applications. He said that the Biogen building identification sign in the MXD district is an example of a sign that would be allowed as of right under the proposed amendments. On the other hand, the Genzyme sign, which was allowed by variance, would not be allowed as of right under the proposed amendment.
The fourth proposed amendment would insert a new Sub-section E in Section 7.16.22 to allow the limitations and restrictions of Paragraphs A-C in Section 7.16.22 to be waived by special permit from the BZA, within the context of an approved plan for all prospective signs on a lot. It would allow variations in the size, height and illumination of individual wall, freestanding and projecting signs by special permit. Mr. Barber said that the concept is that the flexibility would allow the special permit granting authority to permit variations in the design of individual signs so that they can better reflect the unique circumstances of a specific site and encourage better and more interesting sign designs. The total area of signs allowed on a site is not increased.
The last amendment would allow non profit art and educational institutions as additional signs the kinds of temporary graphic notices of changing exhibits and performance programs now customary at museums and performance spaces.
Councillor Kelley asked about the status of the "flippy" signs, such as the signs one sees at Dunkin' Donuts and cell phone sales offices. Mr. Barber said that those signs are classified as free standing signs and many of the ones that you see around Cambridge are not allowed by the Sign Ordinance. It is a question of enforcement resources and priorities.
Councillor Decker stated that she was taken aback by what she had heard about the proposal, particularly that there would be no public process. Mr. Barber said that the Planning Board would be amenable to keeping a special permit public process if the Council believes that would best serve the public interest. The Planning Board has been concerned about forcing people to go before the Board of Zoning Appeal for variances for signs that there was no public concern about. The idea was to define that type of sign and remove it from the variance approval process.
Councillor Decker said that she would like to see some sort of process written into the ordinance. She also expressed concerns about the effect on residential neighborhoods. Mr. Barber said that the proposed changes are almost exclusively for commercial districts. The only exception is the proposal to allow temporary signs and banners for nonprofit performances. Councillor Decker noted that almost all of Massachusetts Avenue is zoned commercially, but there are many residential occupants above the ground floor and right around the corner. Mr. Barber said that most of the buildings along Mass Ave already have all the signage area allowed under the ordinance. The amendments would not allow more signs or more signage area. If an owner wanted to put up a building identification sign on a building on Massachusetts Avenue, he or she would have to take down signs allotted to ground floor retail tenants. Councillor Decker said that she is not convinced that if a tenant wanted to pay enough money for such sign high up on a building the owner would refuse. Mr. Barber said that that option is already available; the only difference under the ordinance would be that the sign could be placed more than 20 feet high on the building.
Councillor Seidel asked for a clarification of what signage is allowable as of right under the current ordinance and how this would change if the amendments were adopted. Mr. Barber said that the Sign Ordinance defines the amount of signage allowed, the dimensions of individual signs and how they are illuminated. If the owner conforms to all of these requirements, then the signage can all be displayed as of right, below the height of 20 ft. The amendment would change this by allowing the signage to be higher on the building but with more restrictions. Mr. Barber added that he has heard that there is some discomfort on the part of BZA members regarding the requirement that the BZA make a finding of hardship, which is required by law for a variance, when the appropriate standard that allowance of a sign should be based on is reasonableness of design and placement, etc. In the context of application for a special permit there is no need for a hardship finding.
Councillor Seidel said that when you start to brand buildings, you brand an area. He asked whether there have been any planning discussions on this topic. Mr. Barber said that this is one of the policy considerations for the City Council. Mr. Dash added that discussions of the staff and at the Planning Board have included looking at how other cities treat signage and some discussion of place making. Councillor Seidel said that if one is on the Longfellow Bridge and looks toward Boston, the iconic view is the State House, with all its sense of history and place. When we look toward Cambridge, what do we want to see?
Councillor Kelley asked about the proposed provision for waiver of requirements by special permit. Mr. Barber said that the proposed amendments would allow waiver of the size, illumination and height of individual signs by special permit as part of approval of a total sign package for the area. However, the limit of total sign area on the lot could not be waived, nor could the 20 foot height limit. Councillor Kelley said that he would be more comfortable with the Arts Council deciding what signs are appropriate.
In response to a question from Councillor Toomey, Mr. Barber said that the ordinance does not allow signs to be above the building. Mr. Barber added that under the proposed amendments, signs above 20 feet cannot be illuminated internally, which prevents the really bright signs. Councillor Toomey said that he walked along the Charles River in preparation for this hearing, and he found that there are already many, many signs. He is very concerned about the Charles River, but the signs are already there.
Mayor Maher said that signs are not a bad thing. They can add a feature to the landscape. He wants to make sure that we are not encouraging over-illuminated, intrusive signs. He asked Mr. Barber why the special permit would go to the BZA rather than the Planning Board. Mr. Barber said that for smaller scale developments, the BZA is the appropriate review level; in larger developments the Planning Board would review the signage as part of its overall design review.
At this time Councillor Toomey invited public testimony.
Attorney Kevin Crane, 104 Mt. Auburn Street, stated that he represents InterSystems Corporation, 1 Memorial Drive, Cambridge. His client is totally opposed to building identification signs. Any tenant in the building could have an identification sign, and if the sign is to be placed above 100 feet high, the sign could be 90 square feet as a matter of right. He provided examples of possible locations for these signs, the Henderson Building in Porter Square; the Commonwealth Lock Building, in which the Bank of America is a tenant, right next to the old Sears Building in Porter Square; the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Shepard Street; a T-Mobile sign on the building at the corner of Mass Ave and Prospect Street, all as of right. The special permit waiver includes building identification signs. Attorney Crane submitted two letters for the record (Attachments C and D).
Phillip Ragon, resident of 8 Follen Street, spoke in opposition to the proposed amendments. He stated that he is the owner of InterSystems Corporation, 1 Memorial Drive, a business that employs 1,000 people, 300 of them in Cambridge and that he would like to expand his business. Microsoft is also a tenant at 1 Memorial Drive, and Microsoft wants to erect huge signs on the building. He believes that is what has stimulated much of this discussion. No company came to Cambridge because of signs and no company would leave because of signs. When large businesses move into a building and use large business identification signs on the building, other businesses in the building lose their identity. He submitted a letter of written testimony as well (Attachment E).
Renata von Tscharner, President of the Charles River Conservancy, spoke in opposition to the proposed amendments because of the damaging visual impact of signs on the Charles River and submitted a letter of written testimony for the record. (Attachment F).
Charles Marquardt, 10 Rogers Street, spoke in opposition to the proposed amendment because it would drastically limit the opportunity for public participation. He submitted written testimony (Attachment G).
Tom Sienewicz, 84 Magazine Street, former chair of the BZA, spoke in support of the proposed amendment. Cambridge has many signs that we can be very proud of.
The BZA variance process is not the place to make decisions about signs. A special permit process at the Planning Board would allow for public comment, conversation and improvements.
Robert Leff, 109 Antrim Street, said that building identification signs are similar to bill boards and are not appropriate.
Attorney James Rafferty, 40 Larch Road, stated that he has clients who have interests in this matter. There are many very good aspects to this ordinance. A special permit process would provide the needed flexibility around signage. The discussion about signage should not take place in a vacuum. The type of deviations that would be allowed by special permit do not include building identification signs. If there is uncertainty about whether they are included, clarify the language. When done well and placed appropriately, signs can be valuable additions.
Carolyn Mieth, Brookford Street, spoke in opposition to the proposed amendments. Special permits in Cambridge do not have strong enough criteria. She stated that she cannot imagine allowing identification signs as of right. What do you do in a building that has four tenants?
Carol O'Hare, 172 Magazine Street, stated that when she looks at Boston, the first thing that she sees is the State House dome. It is a beautiful view which does not include a lot of signs. If there were a lot of signs up high on buildings, we would not see the beauty in the city. We do not need to use our city as an advertisement for commerce.
Jack Macharis, 285 Third Street, spoke in opposition to anything that would make these building identification signs more possible. They are wholly unnecessary.
Attorney William Macaulay, 600 Atlantic Avenue, stated that he is working with Attorney Kevin Crane. He said that by special permit a building identification sign could be as large as 500 square feet, and that neon signs could be allowed by special permit. He drew the committee's attention to a letter submitted by Charles Sullivan, Executive Director of the Historical Commission, in which Mr. Sullivan expresses concerns about the proposed amendments (Attachment H).
Paul Lukez, 19 Mason Street, Lexington, former Cambridge resident and architecture teacher, spoke in opposition to the proposal. He said that he fears long term unintended consequences t the image of Cambridge, which should not be dominated by corporate brands. He added that signs can have an important role in activating a streetscape and that is where they belong, at the street level.
Doug Yoffe, 50 Follen Street, spoke in opposition on the basis of the reduction in public process.
Richard Clarey, 15 Brookford Street, said that the inference from the lack of public process at sign variance hearings could be that people are very happy with the current law. He also expressed concern over signs in the public way being delegated to the City Council.
Barbara Broussard, 148 Third Street, stated that she also walked along the Charles River and she did not see many signs. Her concern is signs along the Charles. For her, the river is sacred. She would also like to see a public process included in the ordinance. Ms. Broussard submitted written comment (Attachment I).
Donna Keefe, 263 Hurley Street, said that when she looks out at Boston, she sees the Hancock Building. We do not need signs; we recognize the city by the building. She noted that Amgen, with its blue lighting around the top of the building, it is an identifier for East Cambridge.
Laura Kirshner, 97 Henry Street, Co Chair of the Ward Five Committee stated that as a past member of the BZA, she believes that the process is very important. The BZA works very hard to negotiate deals. She urged rejection of the proposed amendments.
It was agreed without objection that the petition would remain in committee. Councillors Seidel and Toomey thanked those present for their attendance. The hearing was adjourned at 6:18pm.
For the Committee,
Councillor Sam Seidel, Co-Chair
Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Co-Chair
Additional Attachments:
J - June 30, 2010 letter from Terrence Smith, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
K - July 01, 2010 e-mail from Mark Mulligan
L - July 05, 2010 letter from Tim Rowe, Cambridge Innovation Center
M - July 06, 2010 e-mail from Representative Macia Ross
N - July 06, 2010 letter from Representative Martha M. Walz
O - July 08, 2010 e-mail from Ann Feinman with attached letter from Boston Society of Architects
P - July 08, 2010 e-mail from Rhonda Massie
Q - July 08, 2010 letter and photo from Nancy Steining
R - July 02, 2010 e-mail from Stephen Pettibone
Committee Report #2
The Government Operations and Rules Committee held a public meeting on Mon, Aug 16, 2010 beginning at 3:15pm in the Ackermann Room.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the process for the City Council to use in setting the City Council goals FY11and FY12.
Present at the meeting were Councillor Sam Seidel and Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Co-Chairs of the Committee; Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves; Councillor E. Denise Simmons; Richard Rossi, Deputy City Manager; Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services; City Clerk D. Margaret Drury; and Sandra Albano, Executive Assistant to the City Council. Also present were the following members of the public: Kathy Podgers, Pearl Street; and Robert Winters, 366 Broadway.
Councillor Seidel convened the meeting and explained the purpose. He noted that Ms. Podgers had requested that she be allowed to provide her comments at the beginning of the meeting and invited her to begin.
Kathy Podgers, Pearl Street, stated that full compliance with Title 2 of the Americans with Disabilities Act should be a goal of the city. She also said that she would like to see the Cambridge Police Department subject to the ultimate supervision of an elected civilian authority. Ms. Podgers said that another important goal for the council should be to provide the capacity needed to properly drain waste and storm water so that during flood events that waste and water does not end up in residents' basements.
Councillor Seidel then invited the City Clerk and the Executive Secretary of the City Council to distribute an outline they had prepared as discussion points for the goal setting procedure. That outline called for the biannual citizen survey in October, a "world café public participation event in October, preliminary facilitated (by city staff) priority-setting meetings of City Council committee in October and/or November, and an offsite goal-setting process using the information collected at all prior goal-setting meetings.
It was agreed without objection that the process would again begin with the biannual citizen satisfaction survey and would include a world café as a public participation event. Mr. Rossi said that the survey would take place early in the fall and that they should have the results by mid- to late October. The committee will recommend that the survey information be presented at a 7pm hearing during a regular Monday night City Council meeting. The public's opportunity to comment on what the City Council should set as goals will be as participants in the World Café.
There was a great deal of discussion about the possibility of starting the priority setting at the council committee level. The City Clerk explained that this proposal was aimed at creating more synchronicity between the City Council goals and the projects on which the committees end up focusing.
Councillor Reeves said that when he began his service on the City Council, committee members would meet early in the term and decide what issues they wanted the committee to focus on. Over the years, the focus of the committee work has been determined more and more by what the chair of the committee decides upon. He is not sure that would be the best way to develop priorities that reflect the whole City Council's views.
Robert Winters stated his agreement with Councillor Reeves regarding the change in the way that committees operate. There has been an evolution of the committee process into doing what the chair wants to do.
Councillor Reeves asked for more specifics on how the process of involving committees in goal setting would work. Councillor Seidel said that Vice Mayor Davis suggested combining committees to schedule nine one hour committee meetings for three Wednesday evenings in October, starting at 5pm so that members of the public can attend and participate.
Councillor Toomey said that even if some of the meetings involve a combination of committees, he believes that it is not realistic to expect all of the meetings to happen, especially in the short timeframe required by the need to coordinate City Council goals with the development of the budget. They would have to make the meetings optional, and then inevitably, some who did not participate would want the final goal setting process to basically start at the beginning again.
Councillor Reeves suggested that the process begin by looking at the goals set the last time and whether those goals have been achieved. Mr. Rossi said that the overarching goals really need to be the product of the entire City Council. The City Council should not be focusing on the minutia of work plan and implementation details. Ms. Semonoff said that the committees can be very useful in looking more closely at how the goals are being implemented and achieved and reporting back to the City Council on whether the administrative implementation is on track with the overall goals.
It was agreed that the committee would recommend that the goal setting decision part of the Council's work should be preceded by two facilitated Roundtable Meetings of the City Council during which the members of the City Council would hear from staff on the status of their work on the current goals, what has been successful, where the challenges have been, whether new information or circumstances require the City Council to change its focus a little or a lot and what the staff needs from the Council to achieve its goals. The staff would be requested to provide short written summaries which would go to the Council on the Friday before the Monday meeting. The broad divisions of departments would be roughly similar to the divisions used at the Finance Committee budget hearings. Notes from the two meetings would be made available to the public prior to the world café.
The committee further recommended that the Council's final goal setting meeting be an off-site facilitated session, in which the Council can utilize the information from the survey, the roundtables and the world café. A proposed order describing the final proposal of the Government Operation and Rules Committee for setting the Council goals is as follows:
ORDERED: That the City Council hereby does adopt the procedures set forth in this order for the process that the Council will undertake to establish City Council goals for a time period beginning July 1, 2011.
Councillor Toomey and Councillor Seidel thanked those present for their participation. The meeting was adjourned at 6:15pm.
For the Committee,
Councillor Sam Seidel, Co-Chair,
Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Co-Chair
Committee Report #3
The Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee held a public meeting on Tues, July 13, 2010 at five o'clock and thirty-two minutes PM in the Sullivan Chamber.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the parking fee structure.
Present at the meeting were Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Leland Cheung; Councillor Sam Seidel; Robert W. Healy, City Manager; David Kale, Deputy Director of Finance; Brad Gerratt, Deputy Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation; Susanne Rasmussen, Director of Environment and Transportation Planning, Community Development Department (CDD); and Deputy City Clerk Donna P. Lopez.
Also present were Minka vanBeuzekom, 20 Essex Street; Paul Elwood, 23 Woodbridge Street; Charlie Marquardt, 10 Rogers Street; Liz Rassweiler, 8 Fainwood Circle; Quinton Zondervan, 235 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue; Robert Winters, 366 Broadway; John Pitkin, 18 Fayette Street; Bob Hurlbut, 5 Sparks Street; and Joanna Barth.
Councillor Kelley convened the meeting and explained the purpose. He stated that the parking fees structure has not changed in thirty years. He wanted to know what the legal steps are to change the resident parking permit fee and if the increase could be earmarked for specific purposes or does the increased funding go into the General Fund. He asked City Manager Robert W. Healy to explain the options.
Mr. Healy gave a general overview. The Vehicle Trip Reduction Ordinance, Chapter 10.17 was ordained on June 15, 1992 (Ordinance #1139) and was subsequently amended in Section 10.17.070 entitled "Fees for Residential Parking Stickers" on Nov 23, 1992 (Ordinance #1147) which stated that the fees for Residential Parking Stickers shall be $8.00 per permit per household. Attached is the text of Chapter 10.l7 (ATTACHMENT A).
The Parking and Transportation Demand Management Planning; Parking Space Registration, also known as PTDM, was ordained on Nov 16, 1998, (Ordinance #1211) and was subsequently amended by Ordinance #1252 on Sept 24, 2001 and again by Ordinance #1300 on Sept 11, 2006. Attached is the text of Chapter 10.18 (ATTACHMENT B). In the above process the fee was established for the Residential Parking Sticker and the increase of this fee is in the purview of the City Council. Prior to 1992 the Traffic Director had the authority to change the fee. Because the fee is set by an ordinance, it would require five votes of the City Council to change the ordinance. Per Section 1.12.030 of Chapter 1.12 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, if any Councillor refers a municipal code amendment to the Ordinance Committee a public hearing is required, but if not referred to the Ordinance Committee a public hearing is not an automatic necessity.
Councillor Cheung asked how the fee increase would be done. Mr. Healy stated that the Mayor and the Vice Mayor have been meeting with the Climate Emergency Action Committee and these discussions suggested raising the fee of the Residential Parking Stickers and having the money designated to the reduction of green house gases and energy related issues. The City Manager planned to submit to the City Council at the August 2nd City Council meeting a recommendation to increase the Resident Parking Sticker fee to $20.00 effective Jan 1, 2011 and to $25.00 effective Jan 1, 2013. If in the event that a committee report is submitted to the City Council recommending the increase he would not submit the item on his Agenda. It is important that this proposed ordinance amendment be passed in a timely fashion because Resident Parking Sticker renewable notices must be mailed out by Sept 30, 2010. There are 40,000 Residential Parking Stickers issued per year. At $8.00 per sticker this is a total of $320,000 received per year. The increased revenue would be $480,000. This revenue goes to the Parking Fund pursuant to special legislation and its use is restrictive. The Parking Fund and the Water Fund are separate from the General Fund. Parking tickets, meter and garage fees and Residential Parking Sticker fees are deposited into the Parking Fund and are used to fully fund the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, to support capital projects such as repairs to the City's parking garages and supports city departmental budgets. The Vehicle Trip Reduction Ordinance specifically stated that the parking sticker fees shall be used to encourage non car transportation, so it would be a stretch to do something like purchases a fire truck with this money. Things like energy efficiency and Climate Action Emergency Group (CEAG) suggestions may be covered, as might some portion of school bus transportation, crossing guards and so forth. A proposal will come from CEAG to increase the parking striker fees. Funds must be used to cover parking related items. On Aug 2, 2010 he would be submitting a letter from CEAG to increase the fee from $8.00 to $20.00 effective Jan 1, 2011 and to $25.00 effective Jan l, 2013.
Councillor Cheung noted that this committee should discuss how to spend any new revenues, not the CEAG. He noted that the increase fees would not produce enough money to address climate change and expressed his concern that this increase in fee will not change behavior. Mr. Healy stated that the PTDM Manager is in the City Manager's budget and the salary is paid by the Parking Fund but the position actually sites in the Community Development Department (CDD). This fee increase will not change behavior. This is an ordinance change and a policy decision of the City Council.
Councillor Cheung asked if the Parking Fund is evaluated for efficacy of the vehicle trip reduction. What would the funds be used for he asked? Mr. Healy responded that the CEAG will seek implementation of their recommendations. Ms. Rasmussen addressed the question of efficacy. Since 1990 there has been a decline of single occupancy vehicle trips, five percent (5%) since 2000 alone based on an average of the last three years for Cambridge residents. There has been a steady decline in the use of automobiles for eighteen years. The PTDM ordinance specifically states that its purpose is to regulate and control atmospheric pollution from motor vehicles.
Councillor Seidel stated that he supported raising the resident parking fee to create a revenue stream for the recommendations of the Climate Congress as parking and fee structures are used for a very broad range of things. Mr. Healy stated that the use of funds from the Parking Fund is restrictive. It is important to acknowledge the work of the Climate Congress and the CEAG. He cautioned about the necessity to notify the public of the increase in the Residential Parking Sticker by Sept 30, 2010 for the effective date of Jan 1, 2011.
Mr. Healy stated that there was discussion about staggering the rates per car owned by family, but administering this may be difficult and that it would be challenging to change the fee in the middle of the year. He noted that he had thought for a while that our fee has been too low. A real limiting issue is what one can spend parking fund moneys on. Relevant language in the statute may need to be changed.
Councillor Seidel asked if the City has done any work on this issue. Mr. Healy responded not directly and there is no hard and fast plan to spend any moneys generated. Councillor Seidel noted that we get one chance to increase the fee and worried that this suggestion seemed like a sort of arbitrary increase.
Councillor Kelley commented that this issue may wind up at the Ordinance Committee. He supported the increase of $20 and $25 and encouraged the City Council not to hide behind the City Manager on this issue. He noted that the proposed increase seemed no more arbitrary than any other fee increase and that he is not sold on the recommendation of CEAG regarding the dedicated use of the funds.
Councillor Cheung spoke about a tiered fee structure and noted that he would like the money to be used for something useful. Mr. Healy informed the committee that there was a court decision relating to the Residential Parking fees. It was ruled that the Residential Parking Permit must be uniformly administered and enforced.
He would supply information to the committee about this and the issue of on and off-street parking issues. Ms. Rasmussen added that there are administrative complexities such as documenting if a person lives in Cambridge or if they have no off-street parking space or curb cut. Mr. Healy added that the City has made strides with the Resident Parking Sticker renewal process and renewal by mail and that he would want to weigh administrative efficiency against any scaled system. At renewal time there are long lines at the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department.
Councillor Kelley questioned the amount of notification that can occur if the city manager submits a recommendation for an ordinance change to increase the Resident Parking Sticker fee. Mr. Healy responded that if the ordinance change to increase the fee passed the City Council needs to approve the additional expenditure and this purpose will be outlined in the budget. Minor amendments may need to be made to dedicate funding for the work of the CEAG. Councillor Cheung stated that he wanted the increase to be tied to the use. The fee structure is a big issue. Councillor Kelley stated that the increase may not occur in 2011 due to the time constraint of the notification process and that the City Council would have time to worry about changing other ordinance language prior to the implementation of a fee increase, but to try to do both at the same time might lead to the City's missing the deadline for notification to people purchasing stickers, resulting in no fee increase for the coming calendar year. Mr. Healy stated that he would provide the City Council with the fee structure of other communities.
At this time Councillor Kelley made the following motion:
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to submit language at the Aug 2, 2010 City Council meeting that would contain a Municipal Code amendment to increase the fee for Resident Parking Sticker from $8.00 to $20.00 effective Jan 1, 2011 and to $25.00 effective Jan 1, 2013.
No action was taken on this motion. It was decided that the City Manager would go forward with placing this matter on his Agenda for the Aug 2, 2010 meeting.
At six o'clock and twenty-five minutes p.m. Councillor Kelley opened the meeting to public comment.
Quinton Zondervan, 235 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, stated the justification for the increase is inflation. The fee needs to be raised to meet the requirement of the ordinance to reduce pollution. He does not understand the objection to the fee increase; the fee increase is reasonable.
Paul Elwood, CEAG member, 23 Woodbridge Street, stated that the city will be better off if there are fewer cars on the road. He supported the fee increase. The lower the fee for the Resident Parking Stickers, the higher the subsidy for drivers. He suggested coupons for subsidizing the purchase of T passes from the parking fund such as providing ten dollar coupons and noted that the City subsidizes drivers in all sorts of ways.
Minka vanBeuzekom, 20 Essex Street, stated that the increase in the fee is a good idea and would be a great intervention point for 48,000 people. She favored a tiered parking fee structure based on cars. If it were tied to miles per gallon for city driving a higher charge for lower miles per gallon, for example twelve dollars for cars with EPA city mileage estimates of over forty and twenty dollars for EPA estimates of under 40, would pressure people to switch to more fuel efficient cars. She noted that the City already has the relevant car information and that the IT department could handle this challenge. She favored waivers based on need rather than age.
Charlie Marquardt, 10 Rogers Street, stated that all parking has value. He supported raising the fee for Resident Parking Stickers. He was against a tiered fee structure. He suggested that the Resident Parking Sticker fee should be the same as a parking ticket. He asked if large buildings having inclusionary housing would be charged more. Do buildings in neighborhoods have a different value? All streets are used the same way and these factors complicate the issue. Should the City charge different fees per area, he asked? He noted that Boston has started ticketing for expired registrations and inspections.
Robert Winters, 366 Broadway, stated that parking and owning a car does not add to the climate issue; only driving the car does. A parked car does not pollute. He supported the City Manager's recommendation to increase the Resident Parking Sticker fee. He does not like the idea to earmark funds to a use and this should be subject to the same budgetary process. The value of a Cambridge Resident Parking Sticker is to park on any old Cambridge street. Concern is parking in a garage. He favored keeping it administratively simple.
John Pitkin, CEAG member, 18 Fayette Street, spoke of the recent heavy rains as part of the climate emergency. He supported the fee increase and hoped that the City Council passed the increase in time for the Jan l, 2011 implementation or it would not reflect the emergency. He supported the funding dedicated to an awareness campaign about climate emergency and noted that CEMA was looking for such money, more at first, possibly. Funding allocation needs to be discussed but he hoped that some would be related to parking and travel. Car use increases the carbon footprint but simply owning a car has a carbon footprint as well as it being made, etc. A resident who has off street parking may choose not to obtain a Resident Parking Sticker in the future, and that may happen now as well. He hopes the City Council does something.
Liz Rassweiler, 8 Fainwood Circle, stated that she was shocked when she moved to Cambridge from Manhattan at the low cost of a Resident Parking Sticker of eight dollars. She was even more shocked when learning at age 65 the permit is free. The fee increase should be uniform unless there is an issue of need or poverty. She favored the fee increase and thought that twenty dollars was a very reasonable amount to suggest.
Joanna Barth supported the fee increase. She stated that $20 is far below the market value and the city would still be seriously subsidizing parking and cars, just not as much as it does now. She felt all fees should be allocated to climate protection as the city sees fit, promoting the car/climate connection.
At this time Councillor Kelley read into the record an e-mail received from Keren Schlomy (ATTACHMENT C).
[Subsequent to this meeting an e-mail was received from John and Marilyn MacDougall supporting the fee increase (ATTACHMENT D).]
Councillor Cheung asked how the issue is addressed of a resident who has a parking space but chooses to park on the street. For example, a student who parks on the street because it is cheaper than parking associated with the dorms.
Councillor Seidel stated that he has a concern about the expanded fee revenue usage. Would the funding do more through PTDM, but the Climate Congress has a recommendation as to where the funds would be spent. He asked what the new revenue would be used for. Ms. Rasmussen stated that the Vehicle Trip Ordinance states the use is to reduce atmospheric pollution from motor vehicles and noted that if the relevant statutory language was not broadened, the climate change message might not be able to be fully carried. The CEAG discussed awareness campaign around climate change to reduce pollution. It includes energy use, what is climate change, what is being done and what needs to be done. A campaign funded by new parking sticker fees would augment what is already being done.
Councillor Seidel stated his concern that this additional revenue stream will not be evaluated as time goes on and that this increase would just become another revenue stream per the parking fund's requirements. Councillor Seidel stated that vision is needed for use of the increased fees.
Councillor Kelley thanked all attendees for their participation.
The meeting adjourned at seven o'clock and one minute P.M.
For the Committee,
Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair
Committee Report #4
The Human Services Committee conducted a public meeting on June 30, 2010 at beginning at 2:10pm in the Sullivan Chamber.
The purpose of the meeting was to continue discussion of how best to assist Cambridge college students to complete their college education.
Present at the meeting were Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair of the Committee; Councillor Sam Seidel; Councillor E. Denise Simmons; and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury.
Also present were Dr. Carolyn Turk, Deputy Superintendent, Cambridge Public Schools (CPS); Khari Milner, afterschool partnership, CPS; Steven Swanger, Director of Resident Services, Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA); Kam Maali, Director of Workforce, CHA; Allyson Allen, Employment Planning Director, Office of Workforce Development (OWD), Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP); Mina Reddy, Director of the Community Learning Center, DHSP; Susie Flug, Agenda for Children, DHSP; Susan Richards, Agenda for Children, DHSP; Michelle Farnum, Director of Youth Programs, DHSP; Mary Wong, Director of the Kids' Council, DHSP; Lieutenant Lennie DiPietro, Cambridge Police Department (CPD); Christina Giacobbe, CHPD; Kathleen Kniesely, board member, Cambridge Family YMCA; Michael Delia, Executive Director, East End House; Ellen McLaughlin, Executive Director, Tutoring Plus; Robert Bird Bridgeman, Executive Director, Phillips Brooks House (PBHA); Tara Yenkatraman, PBHA; and Nancy Brickman, Cambridge resident.
Councillor Reeves opened the meeting and explained the purpose. He provided a brief review of the previous work of the committee, including the first graduation of the first class of Baby U. Mr. Swanger and Mr. Bridgeman described the response and evaluation of the participating parents. In general, they were very pleased with all aspects of the program, the workshops, the play groups and the home visits. All agreed that they wanted to try to include more fathers.
Councillor Reeves then moved to a discussion of the committee work on college success, including the event during the last term in which the key speaker was the director of the Harlem Children's Zone Office for College Success. He distributed the minutes from a June 8th meeting of a subgroup of this committee to focus the discussion and planning of the Human Services Committee on the issue of college success (Attachment A). Councillor Reeves said that he believes that the committee is now in the same place as when the program planning and development for Baby U really started up. He also reported on a Harvard summer institute program for guidance professionals on how to counsel their high school students on all aspects of college preparation, application and admission. He said that he hopes the City can arrange to have a couple of spaces reserved for next year for the people working on college success in Cambridge. Councillor Reeves then noted that a recent report to the School Committee includes interesting information as to what schools CRLS seniors will be attending in a chart entitled "Matriculation List for Class of 2010" (Attachment B).
Councillor Reeves then invited discussion on the following major issues identified by the subcommittee:
The goal of the program. Do we focus on getting high school students admitted to college, or to developing a program that helps make sure that Cambridge college students stay in college and graduate, or both?
The sense of the meeting was that the program should focus on both goals, college access and college retention. Ms. Allen reported that interns in the Office for Workforce Development have done some work on creating a list of all of the recommended elements for programs that work on helping students apply successfully for college admission. Programs could collaborate on a best practices guide to make sure that kids are getting what they need from all of the programs. The work on getting students admitted to colleges would be work on expanding and standardizing the best approaches in existing programs. Councillor Seidel noted that the strategies for achieving the two goals may be quite different. Ms. Flug said that the work on helping to keep the students in college would be new work. It was agreed that retention work would probably best be done in a casework/mentoring framework.
The beneficiaries of the program. All Cambridge high school students, all low income Cambridge high school students, first generation college students?
There was general agreement that the program should focus on first generation college students, i.e., students who do not have a parent who went to college. Ms. Reddy suggested that they think about also working with adults. Many students drop out of college and then want to return later on.
Beginning age for students served by the program. All agreed that high school was too late. Councillor Reeves noted that the HCZ starts with Baby College. Councillor Seidel suggested that while no age is too young, the program should focus on middle school and noted that there are two different areas that they need to work on with the students - academic support and "mind set." Dr. Turk agreed that middle school is an appropriate beginning point and said that there are some partnerships between Harvard and CPS in which middle school students visit Harvard and sit in on classes, and these trips have had a positive effect on the students. Ms. Richards reported that at the closing circle of a middle school program that she worked on recently, the kids were asked where they would be in six years, and the specificity of their plans was extraordinary; most of them knew they were going to college and many had already picked their careers or majors. Ms. McLaughlin said that at Tutoring Plus, they talk about college and track the students' answers beginning in the fourth grade, and more and more say that they are going to college.
Mr. Milner added that by middle school, in today's society, kids need to focus not just on going to college but on "going to college for what." It is no longer enough to tell kids to work hard, keep studying, go to college, graduate and you will get a job. Mr. Milner said that there are many agencies and programs that could work on this, perhaps there could be a "summer institute" for certain weeks during the summer that kids can come back to especially in the eighth and ninth grades.
Mr. Bridgeman said that it is very important for middle school kids to learn how to be great students, to learn how to do homework, how to study and time management. Mr. Maali agreed. He said that in the Workforce program, he sees middle school students who are very enthusiastic about college, but then they go to high school and they do not have the study skills to get good grades. We know who these kids are; they are the kids getting Bs and Cs in middle school which translates to Cs and Ds in high school. Mr. Delia said that although middle school is important, it is also important not to lose sight of what comes before and after.
Location of the program. Ms. Farnum said that although an office would be needed, there are many other places where the program work of meetings, mentoring, tutoring, etc. could take place. Many voiced the opinion that in these days of the "virtual office," the "where" of office space is less important because many conversations and activities will take place on line. Councillor Reeves reported Mr. Swanger's position that an office at CRLS would improve the Workforce's effectiveness and should be considered in where to house the program office.
Program staff and provider partnerships. How will the program be staffed? What sponsoring agencies and partnerships are needed for the program to succeed and what roles will each play?
Councillor Reeves reported the sense of the subcommittee that at least one staff person would be required and perhaps another as well. He said that he envisions using many volunteers as well, as in the School Volunteers model. Mr. Maali said that he also would expect that the program would involve many volunteers, but there also needs to be a strong connection with the CRLS guidance department. Ms. Flug said that a great deal of the work will involve finding the right fit between the student and the school because that is a major factor in college academic success.
In addition to all of the programs represented by the people already involved in this discussion it was agreed that more university representation would be useful, Upward Bound should be invited. Parents and CRLS graduates were also mentioned.
Funding. The question of how the program would be funded not answered at this meeting.
Councillor Reeves noted that the committee could benefit from more knowledge of the specifics of the AVID program, which has been quite successful in motivating Cambridge students to get grades and college admission.
Councillor Reeves then reviewed the status of other issues in the Human Services Committee "parking lot."
Councillor Reeves thanked all of those who attended the meeting and participated in the discussion of the college success issue, and especially those who participated in the subcommittee discussion. He expressed his hope that the subcommittee can meet again in July and the Human Services Committee can meet in August. The meeting was adjourned at 3:40pm.
For the Committee,
Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair
Committee Report #5
The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Tues, Sept 7, 2010 beginning at 4:34pm in the Sullivan Chamber. The purpose of the hearing was to continue to consider a petition filed by the City Council to modify the Zoning Ordinance regulation of signs.
Present at the hearing were Councillor Sam Seidel and Councillor Toomey, Co-Chairs of the Committee; Mayor David P. Maher; Councillor Henrietta Davis; Councillor Craig Kelley; City Clerk D. Margaret Drury; Susan Glazer, Acting Assistant City Manager for Community Development; Lester Barber, Director of Zoning and Land Use Planning, Community Development Department (CDD); Stuart Dash, Director of Community and Neighborhood Planning, CDD; and Jeffrey Gardner, Neighborhood Planner, CDD.
Councillor Toomey convened the hearing and explained the purpose. He invited CDD staff to describe the most recent proposed modifications to the petition. Ms. Glazer said that in response to discussion at the Planning Board and Ordinance Committee hearings in July, the staff suggested some modifications. Those suggested modifications were then discussed at the Planning Board at its August meeting and as a result the staff made some additional changes, which have been incorporated into the material that CDD is now submitting to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board (Attachment A, including language, map, and sign regulations for other cities).
Mr. Barber then described the modifications. He stated that the most substantive changes are in the "Building Identification Signs", Section 7.16.22 D.3. They include establishment of a special permit process before the Planning Board, narrowing of the zoning districts where such signs may be permitted to areas of concentrated office development at the eastern and western end of the city, restrictions of the signs to non-residential building only, limiting the signs to identifying the whole building or an office tenant occupying a substantial portion of the building, prohibition of the signs in local conservation and historic districts and enumeration of the criteria for approval of the signs, inkling impact on nearby residential districts, open space, historic districts and the Charles River, and light pollution.
Mr. Barber provided a chart that summarized the overall proposed changes in the amendment as modified by suggested staff:
Summary of the Proposed Changes
I. Signs in the Public Way. Signs in the public way (e.g. banners across the street, banners hung on flagpoles, signs on bus shelters, A-frame signs) are defined as exempt from the provisions of the Ordinance. This is the administrative interpretation of the current sign regulations. Such signs would continue to be subject to City Council jurisdiction.
II. Building Identification Signs. This is a newly created category of sign. The proposed regulation allows the Planning Board to permit no more than two wall signs on a building to be higher than 20 feet above ground (the normal standard) and up to ninety square feet in area (that area is now limited to 60 square feet), after the issuance of a special permit, provided the signs meet specific lighting and design standards. The total area of all signs currently permitted on the lot is not increased. [Applies to non-residential district concentrations in the east and western portions of the city, where building heights of 50 feet or more are allowed]
III. Signage Plan for an Entire Lot. This new provision would allow the Planning Board to waive, by special permit, the individual dimensions and lighting standards imposed on wall, projecting and freestanding signs if a plan is created by the property owner for the allocation of all sign area that would be allowed on the lot. No sign in the plan could be located higher than 20 feet above the ground (the existing limitation) unless some other regulation would allow it and there would be no increase in the amount of sign area allowed on the lot now. [Applies in non-residential districts]
IV. Temporary Signs for Non-profit Exhibition and Performance Spaces. A new provision is introduced to allow the now common temporary banners and posters erected by museums and performance venues to announce their current exhibits or activities. Such signs, if meeting the limitations in the ordinance, would be allowed for non-profit entities. [Applies citywide]
V. Corporate Colors and Graphic Images. A new provision makes it clear that such design elements are to be included when calculating the area of a sign. [Applies citywide]
Councillor Toomey then invited questions from members of the committee.
Councillor Davis requested that Mr. Barber explain the general waiver provisions. Mr. Barber said that the CDD staff and the Planning Board believe that in general the Sign Ordinance works well in most circumstances, the choices that it codifies into standard requirements are just one particular set of decisions and dimensional standards, and it is possible that a better designed more attractive and informative arrangement of dimensions and lighting could be beneficial. This provision would allow for an overall allocation of the total area allowed for signage on a property to achieve that sort of result. No increase of the total area of signage for the property would be allowed. For example, Fresh Pond Shopping Center has received four or five variances for signs, and the result is somewhat of a hodgepodge. On the other hand, Porter Square did an entire design package of signage as part of its special permit, and the overall effect is more aesthetically pleasing and comprehensible. Councillor Davis said that she would be in favor of re-filing the petition to give people more time to understand the proposal.
Councillor Kelley submitted a proposal for dealing with temporary signs for religious organizations (Attachment D). He said that he does not believe that the current proposal would cover the type of temporary sign, for example a sign about Lent during the Lenten period that his church, Christ Church would be interested in displaying. Mr. Barber said that religious institutions are generally seen as falling within the definition of nonprofit organizations. The intent of the nonprofit exemption was designed to enable public announcement of performance-type events, not just the regular congregational or organizational information. Councillor Kelley said that he is not sure that Lent fits the definition of a performance event. Councillor Reeves said that he is also a member of Christ Church and he sees an interesting First Amendment issue in whether one could advertise a circus but not Lent. Councillor Toomey said that this issue should be referred to the full City Council along with the petition, if the committee decides to refer the petition. He said that he is sure that there will be another Ordinance Committee meeting on this subject.
Councillor Seidel asked , with regard to building identification signs in Section 7.16.22 D 3 (c) (7).what constitutes a "significant" or "substantial" portion of the building sufficient to allow a tenant to have a building identification sign. Mr. Barber said that this question has come up, so it would probably be good to address it. He said that one doesn't want the City to be telling the building owner what tenant can have a building i.d. sign; on the other hand, one does not want to see a tenant renting 3,000 square feet in a large building to be able to put up such a sign. Mr. Barber suggested that perhaps there should be a minimum requirement of 20% or 30% of the overall building. In response to Councillor Seidel's question of whether a special permit signage plan general waiver would be binding on future owners, Mr. Barber replied in the affirmative.
In response to a question from Councillor Davis as to how the building signs for Genzyme and EF compared to what could be allowed with a special permit, Mr. Barber replied that both signs are the result of variances and both are larger than what would be allowed under the proposed amendments, and in addition, the EF sign has illumination that would not be allowed.
In response to a question from Councillor Kelley about how allowing illumination as part of a general waiver would work, Mr. Barber said that the provision is now in effect in Harvard Square and is administered by the Historical Commission.
At this time Councillor Toomey invited public testimony.
Attorney Kevin Crane, 104 Mt. Auburn Street, stated that he represents InterSystems Corporation, 1 Memorial Drive, Cambridge. He referred to his letter dated Aug 26, 2010 (Attachment B), which he sent to the Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee and which he said contains a longer version of what he will summarize in his comments at this meeting. There is no reason for making this change. The variance procedure works well. Good proposals are allowed. A special permit process will just open the floodgates of unnecessary applications. The proposal still does not address the dangers to the Charles River. In addition there is a widespread perception that this process has not been a good one. Changes are proposed without sufficient time to study them before hearings.
Terry Ragon, resident of 8 Follen Street, spoke in opposition to the proposed amendments. He stated that he is the owner of InterSystems Corporation, 1 Memorial Drive, a business that employs 1,000 people, 300 of them in Cambridge and that he would like to expand his business. When large businesses move into a building and use large business identification signs on the building, other businesses in the building lose their identity. Such signs are bad for local business. On the Boston side there is an almost complete absence of signs along the Charles River. He urged a more open public process.
Renata von Tscharner, 2 Hubbard Place, President of the Charles River Conservancy, spoke in opposition to the proposed amendments because of the damaging visual impact of signs on the Charles River.
Charles Marquardt, 10 Rogers Street, spoke in opposition to the proposed amendment. He lives in one of the "red line" districts where these signs would be allowed and he sees similar signs from his residence. He has come to despise the Sonesta sign. He said that the Planning Board should allow another opportunity for public comment.
David Fillingham stated that he is a member of the Veteran for Peace, which meets in Central Square. His concerns are billboards and electronic signs. They have no place along the Charles River.
Carol O'Hare, 172 Magazine Street, spoke in opposition to the proposed amendment and submitted a photograph and cartoon (Attachment C). She said that the photograph is a picture of an extremely unattractive collection of signs along Fresh Pond Parkway, opposite from Fresh Pond Mall. She said that these signs came about through the variance procedure and urged the City Councillors to think about how much worse the situation will be when there is a Planning Board special permit procedure instead. Ms. O'Hare said that she is very disturbed by the process. This is not the second draft; it is the third draft and there are differences between the two that were not described in CDD's presentation. There is a much simpler solution to any problems caused by the granting of variances. Just say no.
Pebble Gifford, 15 Hilliard Street, said that she agrees with Kevin Crane that this has been a botched process and should go back to square one. The proposal treats the Charles River much too casually and does not deal with the horrible mess of sandwich signs on the sidewalk.
Heather Hoffman, 213 Hurley Street, spoke in opposition to the proposal. She stated that she lives in the sight line of the eastern sign ghetto. From her home she can already see a whole bunch of signs. Why are we doing this?
Bruni Casparus, 47 Creighton Street, stated these signs are just another form of tagging- graffiti. She urged the City Council to reject the proposal.
Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs for the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and resident of Manassas Street, spoke in support of the amendments. He said that the proposal is modest and has been made more modest by the suggested changes. He reminded the committee that signs also serve some good purposed for information and waymarking and aspiration.
Walter McDonald, 172 Magazine Street, said that since he first heard about this proposal, he has become much more aware of the signs in his environment. He would favor more restrictive provisions on signage, not looser regulation.
Paul Lukez, 19 Mason Street, Lexington, spoke in opposition to the proposal as an architect and urban designer with a very special feeling for Cambridge. This proposal threatens Cambridge's identity.
James Williamson, 1000 Jackson Place, Apt. 45, spoke in opposition to the proposal. He stated that the City Council has been asleep in this area in the past. The "billboards" that are jour bus shelters are horrible. Arlington said no.
Barbara Broussard, Third Street, President of the East Cambridge Planning Team requested that someone from CDD come to a meeting of the East Cambridge Planning Team to explain and discuss this proposal before the next city meeting on this issue.
Attorney James Rafferty, 40 Larch Road, stated that he has several clients who have interests in this matter, including Microsoft.. There has been a consistent overstatement by the opponents of this proposal, beginning with an orchestrated PR campaign. When the process for applying for a sign that does not conform with the Sign Ordinance requirements is a variance, there are no standards. IN a special permit process, the Planning Board has to use specific standards in deciding whether to grant or deny the application.
Councillor Toomey moved that the petition and proposed amendments be referred to the full City Council and that the Ordinance Committee retain subject matter jurisdiction. The motion passed on a voice vote, with Councillor Davis recorded in the negative. Councillors Seidel and Toomey thanked those present for their attendance. The hearing was adjourned at 6:00pm.
For the Ordinance Committee,
Councillor Sam Seidel, Co-Chair
Councillor Timothy J. Toomey Jr., Co Chair
AWAITING REPORT
09-147. Report from the City Manager: See Charter Right #1
RE: report on what barriers would prevent residents from raising chickens and what could be done to remove these barriers. Charter Right exercised by Vice Mayor Davis 08/02/10.
Councillor Davis and Full Membership 12/14/09 (O-2)
10-50. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on options for amending the ordinance to allow for permitting of civic organizations to use public space after hours.
Councillor Cheung 03/22/10 (O-18)
10-56. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the adoption of a regulation to prohibit licensed hotels from subcontracting housekeeping services.
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10-57. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on Harvard using the Jesuit properties for affordable housing and whether Harvard will offer other properties in the same neighborhoods for the purpose of developing affordable housing.
Councillor Decker & Councillor Cheung 04/05/10 (O-20)
10-59. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #5
RE: report on red light violations at 77 Mass Avenue and the possibility of installing a raised crosswalk.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 04/26/10 (O-2)
10-63. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on instituting a program similar to the on-bill financing of business and residential building improvements.
Councillor Cheung 04/26/10 (O-8)
10-72. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #3
RE: report on removing the raccoons from the Squirrel Brand park.
Councillor Seidel, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Decker, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 05/03/10 (O-7)
10-74. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #2
RE: report on white protruding cylindrical objects on the roof the former Blessed Sacrament Church building project.
Councillor Decker 05/03/10 (O-9)
10-79. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a standard set of resources, facility privileges, tools, and barebones operating budget the unfunded commissions may use in their work of enacting Council policy.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 05/10/10 (O-7)
10-80. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of implementing a 2D barcode located on square signs.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor Seidel and Full Membership 05/10/10 (O-8)
10-89. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a delineation of the boundaries of Joan Lorentz Park.
Councillor Seidel, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 05/24/10 (O-11)
10-92. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on improvements to City parking lot #8.
Vice Mayor Davis and Full Membership 06/07/10 (O-4)
10-94. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #29
RE: report on projects being undertaken by City departments along Massachusetts Avenue between Harvard and Porter Squares.
Councillor Seidel and Full Membership 06/07/10 (O-9)
10-100. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the safety of pedestrian traffic along both Irving and Scott Streets.
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10-107. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #4
RE: report on evaluating the need for additional bike racks, on installing long term bike sheds or lockers and on instituting a program that would allow on-street temporary bike parking spaces.
Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 06/21/10 (O-11)
10-109. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #27
RE: report on repairing broken water spigots at parks across the City and on repairing the water feature at Wheeler Park in Danehy.
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10-110. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #6
RE: report on plans to contain a city-wide disaster or to mitigate the impact on Cambridge of natural or man-made disasters occurring elsewhere in the US or abroad.
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10-111. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on options to improve safety at the intersection of Prospect Street and Broadway.
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10-112. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #30
RE: report on a comprehensive study on what mechanisms exist to prevent flooding, what can be done to improve services and evaluate the city's response to the July 10th flooding.
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10-113. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #28
RE: report on plans to permanently remove the jersey barriers in front of 5 JFK Street.
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10-114. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on monitoring and detecting any infestation of the Asian longhorned beetle.
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10-115. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the courts ruling in favor of the plaintiffs at 303 Third Street and the impact on affordable housing units in the building.
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10-116. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #31
RE: report on how the decriminalization of possession of small amounts to marijuana has impacted the CPD's actions and how the department has responded to this change in state law.
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10-117. Report from the City Manager: Mgr #30
RE: report on the impact of summer rains and resulting floods, current and planned future capacity of stormwater systems, and status of the proposed Wetlands Protection Ordinance.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 08/02/10 (O-13)
10-118. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on issues related to scooters and any changes to ordinances or regulations on scooter use and parking.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 08/02/10 (O-23)
10-119. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on long-term plans for the building and associated open space located at 116 Norfolk Street.
Councillor Seidel and Full Membership 08/02/10 (O-24)
10-120. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on feasibility and enforceability of implementing the provisions of House Bill 3371 which increases certain motor vehicle finds to improve driving.
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10-121. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on discussions about the future of the Cambridge Health Alliance.
Councillor Decker, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Reeves and Full Membership 08/02/10 (O-27)
10-122. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the closing of the Teen Health Center and report quarterly on service changes and other matters related to the future of the Cambridge Health Alliance.
Councillor Decker, Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 08/02/10 (O-28)