Cambridge City Council meeting - September 14, 2020

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Placed on File 9-0

2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a Constable Without Power for a term of three years, effective Jan 1, 2020: John Graziano
Placed on File 9-0

4. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of an FY21 State 911 Department Training grant in the amount of $138,113 to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Salary and Wages account ($92,735), and Grant Fund Emergency Communications Travel and Training account ($45,378) which will support training of Emergency Communications Center personnel, classroom fees, and training materials.
Order Adopted 9-0

5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of an FY21 State 911 Department Support and Incentive Grant in the amount of $494,531 to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Salaries and Wages account ($278,831), and to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($215,700) which will support the costs of Emergency Communications Center personnel salaries and overtime and annual maintenance costs of dispatch-related software.
Order Adopted 9-0

8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a new member of the Cambridge Water Board for a term of 5-years, effective Sept 14, 2020: Michael J. McNeley
Placed on File 9-0

9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-38, regarding a report on lessons learned from 2016 and on plans in place to institute water savings measures and to inform the public as soon as practicable about the possibility of dry and drought conditions.
Placed on File 9-0

Sept 14, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached a response to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-38, regarding a report on lessons learned from 2016 and on plans in place to institute water savings measures and to inform the public as soon as practicable about the possibility of dry and drought conditions, received from Sam Corda, Managing Director of the Water Department.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM

DATE: September 8, 2020
TO: Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
FROM: Sam Corda, Managing Director, Cambridge Water Department
SUBJECT: Awaiting Report 20-38. dated July 27,2020, report on lessons learned from the drought of 2016, plans in place to institute water saving measures and to timely inform the public of dry and/or drought conditions to encourage the community to save water whenever possible.

The information below is provided in response to Awaiting Report 20-38, dated July 27, 2020, regarding the lessons learned from the Drought of 2016, plans in place to institute water savings measures and to inform the public of dry and/or drought conditions to encourage the community to save water whenever possible.

Lessons learned from the Drought of 2016:
There is very little that we can do or could have done differently to avoid the use of MWRA water in a drought of record circumstance - which the drought of 2016 was. The basis for this is that if our reservoirs are full and it doesn't rain, we have an 8 or 9 month supply of water.

Our water system can fill and empty fairly quickly compared to most large water systems. This is why Cambridge is a full member of the MWRA for emergency, construction and general backup purposes. We also follow the MWRA Drought Management Plan and they were operating on slightly below normal, starting in November of 2016. They are currently operating under normal conditions for this time of year (2020).

Improve/increase our outreach to customers on drought awareness and water conservation practices.

Use the drought/prediction tools available: routinely review drought and precipitation predictions and compare rainfall data back several years. History tells us that a Drought of Record will extend over a period of years versus months.

The tools available to assist in the prediction of a significant drought include:
1) the current and seasonal US Drought Outlook, which indicates the current drought status (if any) and attempts to predicts rainfall up to 14 months into the future - this tool shows information on a national, regional and state level; 2) the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary's Drought Status by region- the drought classifications were updated in 2019 along with the MA Drought Management Plan; 3) Local monthly precipitation statistical data; 4) Reservoir Levels (Hobbs Brook, Stony Brook and Fresh Pond); 5) the Risk Based Drought Management Plan, completed in July of 2016; 6) Cambridge monthly water usage.

Having the drought of 2016, which started in 2015 and ended in 2017, allows us to compare current precipitation and reservoir level data to understand, and better predict, a future water supply problem.

Water Supply conditions and predictions are reported to the Executive and Finance Departments and the Water Board for review and discussion as necessary.

Water conservation has been and is always important to practice and will help any water supply system get through drought and dry conditions. In Cambridge we have been recommending and practicing conservation for many decades. As such, the Cambridge daily water consumption is continuing its decline from its high of over 24 MGD in the early 80's to 12.4 MGD in FY20. This Cambridge decline in water consumption has been continuing even with an increasing population.

Plans in Place to Institute Water Saving Measures:
Prior to the drought of 2016 we had water conservation information on our webpage with bill stuffers used occasionally. We had fully implemented the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) System by 2006, which reduced the Cities overall water usage. Subsequently, we implemented our AMR algorithm to notify homeowners of potential water leaks in their homes. Water conservation information is added to our Annual Water Quality Report. We also discuss water conservation on Fresh Pond Day and during water treatment plant tours. We also have been working with the universities assisting in their water conservation efforts.

In 2016 we added or enhanced the following items to continue promoting long and short term water conservation: 1) Notice in the comment section of each and every water bill; 2) indoor and outdoor water conservation tip pamphlets added to our bills annually; 3) Enhanced Water Department webpage with water conservation tips and links to various water saving pages such as the MADEP, MWRA and the USEPA; 4) performed leak detection on our pipes annually versus bi-annually; 5) improved operations and maintenance of all City owned outdoor water irrigation and play systems with DPW; 6) AMR algorithm run twice a week versus weekly; 7) Standardized the "SMART" Irrigation System Controls for City Systems; 8) the use of social media.

Inform Public of Dry/Drought Conditions:
Updated CWD Webpage on July 27, 2020 of the start of dry conditions in Middlesex County; updated CWD webpage on August 12, 2020 to reflect the Secretary of EEA declaration of a Level 2 drought condition, based on the 2019 revised MA Drought Management Plan; added a drought link from City webpage; put drought on first page of CWD webpage scroll; started daily tweeting of drought and water conservation tips on August 20, 2020; added notice and indoor and outdoor water conservation tips to our bills sent out on August 28th for a full quarter, to reach the entire City; Updating drought information as conditions change.

11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Low Income Heating Assistance Program grant in the amount of $100,218 funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($3,000), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($97,218) which will allow the operation of the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) serving Cambridge and Somerville.
Order Adopted 9-0

12. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $12,500 received from the Cambridge Housing Authority for the College Success Initiative (CSI), to the Grant Fund Human Service Department Programs Salary and Wages account which will be used to support a portion of the salary costs for one of the college success coaches to work with students attending Bunker Hill Community College and UMass Boston.
Order Adopted 9-0

13. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,000 received from the Cambridge Community Foundation for the College Success Initiative (CSI), to the Grant Fund Human Service Department Programs Salary and Wages account which will be used to support part of the salary costs associated with a college success coach who will provide individualized college coaching for students attending UMass Boston and for graduates of the Community Learning Center’s Bridge to College program who attend Bunker Hill Community College.
Order Adopted 9-0

14. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $83,650 received from the Cambridge Housing Authority for the Cambridge Employment Program, to the Grant Fund Human Service Department Programs Salary and Wages account which will be used to maintain the capacity of the Cambridge Employment Program by continuing to fund a vocational case manager to provide career counseling and case management services to Cambridge residents seeking employment, particularly those residing in public housing.
Order Adopted 9-0

15. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Children’s Trust Fund grant for the Center for Families program in the amount of $36,750 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($31,053) and the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($5,697) which will be used by the Center for Families to support family programs targeting parents of children up to eight years, which include a variety of family support and parent education programs and resources.
Order Adopted 9-0

16. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant from the Cambridge Public Health Department to the Moore Youth Center, in the amount of $750, to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($750) which will be used to continue the Teen Internship Program at the Moore Youth Center.
Order Adopted 9-0

17. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $9,335, received from donations to Cambridge Individuals with Special Needs, to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to support participant and program needs including team uniforms, Special Olympic costs, theatrical production costs, mobility and physical therapy equipment, and art supplies.
Order Adopted 9-0

18. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Shannon Grant received from the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition/Shannon Community Safety Initiative through the Executive Office of Public Safety for $24,040 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($22,032) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($2,008) which will be used to support the design and implementation of the City Peace program, a violence prevention peer leadership internship for teens through the Youth Centers.
Order Adopted 9-0

19. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Family Shelter grant received from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in the amount of $498,600.25 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used by the YWCA operate its family shelter from July 1, 2020 through Mar 31, 2021, including the provision of case management and housing search and stabilization services for up to ten homeless families referred by the DHCD.
Order Adopted 9-0

20. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to additional amendments to the draft amendment to the Municipal Code introducing a new ordinance entitled Chapter 8.71- Tenants’ Rights and Resources Notification.
Order Adopted 9-0

Sept 14, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

As requested by the City Council at the July 27th Special Meeting, I am attaching for your consideration additional amendments to the attached draft amendment to the Municipal Code introducing a new ordinance entitled Chapter 8.71- Tenants’ Rights and Resources Notification, prepared by City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

DRAFT

ORDINANCE #

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

In the Year Two Thousand and Twenty

AN ORDINANCE

In amendment to the Ordinance entitled “Cambridge Municipal Code”

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

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

Chapter 8.71 TENANTS’ RIGHTS AND RESOURCES NOTIFICATION

Sec. 8.71.010 PURPOSE

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

Sec. 8.71.020 DEFINITIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sec. 8.71.030 APPLICABILITY

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

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

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

(3) Short term rental units as set forth in Article 4, Section 4.60 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.

Sec. 8.71.040 REQUIRED NOTICE

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

Sec. 8.71.050 NON-WAIVABILITY

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

Sec. 8.71.060 PARTIAL INVALIDITY

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

Sec. 8.71.070 VIOLATION PENALTY

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

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

Sec. 8.71.080 EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Ordinance shall be effective 30 days after passage by the City Council.

In City Council ______

21. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-39 and 20-40, regarding contacting the new owners of Jerry's Pond and discussing next steps in the potential restoration and improvements to Jerry's Pond and its surrounding areas.
Charter Right - Siddiqui

Sept 14, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached a response to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-39 and 20-40, regarding contacting the new owners of Jerry's Pond and discussing next steps in the potential restoration and improvements to Jerry's Pond and its surrounding areas, received from Assistant City Manager for Community Development Iram Farooq and Public Works Commissioner Owen O'Riordan.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

To: Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
From: Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development; Owen O’Riordan, Commissioner of Public Works
Date: Sept 9, 2020
Re: Awaiting Report 20-39 and 20-40 regarding contacting the new owners of Jerry’s Pond and discussing next steps in the potential restoration and improvements to Jerry’s Pond and its surrounding areas.

In response to the above-mentioned policy orders, the Community Development Department (CDD) and Department of Public Works (DPW) report the following:

The North Cambridge site containing Jerry’s Pond and its surrounding environs was recently acquired by IQHQ from GCP Applied Technologies. CDD has reached out to representatives of IQHQ to schedule a meeting between the new owners of the site and key City departments. The purpose of this meeting will be to familiarize IQHQ with the recommendations of the Alewife District Plan and the Alewife Preparedness Plan; and to ensure they are aware of the community’s expressed desire to beautify Jerry’s Pond and improve connections to nearby open spaces and pedestrian and bicycle facilities, while understanding the environmental hazards and the need to safely manage the site. The Alewife District Plan outlines recommendations for open space improvements in the area as well as a zoning framework that could provide incentives to realize these improvements through development. The Alewife Preparedness Plan provides strategies to create a prepared and resilient Alewife area that is responsive to climate change threats including heat, flooding from precipitation and flooding from sea level rise/storm surge and provides resilience strategies that will need to implemented with any redevelopment of the site.

Much of the 26-acre site is enclosed by fencing, including Jerry’s Pond (also known as Jerry’s Pit). Jerry’s Pond is an artificial pond that was created about 1870 from a disused clay pit. The clay pit was subsequently filled with water and an icehouse was built around 1907. Though the property was privately owned, Jerry’s Pit was well known as a neighborhood swimming hole until the Francis J. McCrehan Pool opened in 1961. The property has housed other uses throughout its history, including manufacturing. Today, a large portion of the site today is not developed.

The City anticipates working with IQHQ toward the realization of the vision for the district at this site. Given the potentially broad scope of open space improvements and the environmental risks associated with remediation and infrastructure work, discussion of future improvements would be expected to include property owners, residents, and other community stakeholders that live, work, or otherwise engage with the area.

Over the past two years the City has undertaken numerous improvements to several areas within its jurisdiction near the Jerry’s Pond site and adjacent to the existing public recreational open space areas:

• Completed significant athletic field improvements at Russell Field.

• Designed and worked with the MBTA to address flooding on the pathway to the MBTA headhouse.

• Reconstructed the bus shelter at the Comeau Parking lot.

• Cleaned the detention pond and repaired drainage riprap between parking lot and Jerry’s Pond.

• Planted 2 trees in the Comeau Bus Turnaround area. An additional 6 bare root trees will be planted in this area in the fall.

• Planted perennials in the Comeau Bus Turnaround area. Additional spring bulbs and flowering plants will be planted this fall.

• A grove of 20 trees will be planted this fall along pathways and in areas alongside Jerry’s Pond and playing fields. In addition, an urban forest reforestation pilot project has been established in Linear Park near the Harvey Street crossing.

• Installed four Big Belly compactors around Comeau Field.

• Re-striped crosswalks on Rindge Avenue near the McCrehan Pool to increase visibility.

• Taken additional steps to deter rodent activity, including installation of signage to discourage feeding of wildlife and work with the Inspectional Services Department to identify rodent harborage locations and increase rodent control within the area.

In addition, as initially indicated in the council order response dated Aug 27th, 2019, the City has engaged and coordinated with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to encourage improvements to the broader area. The following is an update:

• DCR agreed to remove a portion of the post fence between the edge of Jerry’s Pond and Alewife Brook Parkway along Rindge Avenue. This will provide easier access and facilitate maintenance to this area. The City has indicated to DCR its willingness to maintain this area.

• DCR did not support the City’s request to de-pave and plant sections of the concrete median at the intersection of Rindge Avenue and Alewife Brook Parkway, due to concerns with sight lines.

• The City requested that the MBTA remove the dead Sycamore trees near station headhouse and consider replanting and establishing maintenance procedures for new trees. The MBTA indicated that they would work to remove and replace these trees. We are presently awaiting an update from them and will forward such to City Council once we receive it.

22. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt, following further study and refinement, the Fossil Fuel Zoning Petition (Amendments to Article 22.000 of the Zoning Ordinance).
Referred to Petition 9-0

Sept 14, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached a Planning Board recommendation to adopt, following further study and refinement, the Fossil Fuel Zoning Petition (Amendments to Article 22.000 of the Zoning Ordinance).

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

Date: Aug 19, 2020
Subject: Fossil Fuel Zoning Petition (Amendments to Article 22.000 of the Zoning Ordinance)
Recommendation: The Planning Board recommends ADOPTION, following further study and refinement.

To the Honorable, the City Council,

On Aug 18, 2020, the Planning Board (the “Board”) held a public hearing on a City Council zoning petition (the “Petition”) to amend Article 22.000 of the Zoning Ordinance by creating a new Paragraph 22.25.2(d) within the Green Building Requirements. The Petition would amend the administrative review procedure at the building permit phase to require the submission of a plan that uses alternative and renewable energy sources as well as an analysis of the feasibility and cost of installing such a system compared with a fossil fueled energy system. The Petition does not mandate that a non-fossil fuel system be installed; rather, its intent is to gather data about the options available to developers regarding clean energy systems.

Following discussion with City Councillor Dennis Carlone, who presented the Petition, the Board voted to submit a favorable recommendation to the City Council, acknowledging the need for further refinement. Board members agreed that it would be beneficial to collect data on the feasibility of using renewable energy sources. Board members suggested that some aspects of the petition could be rethought or clarified, including whether off-site or on-site renewable energy options should be studied, how the requested information would relate to analogous state energy codes, and when in the permitting process it would be most beneficial to receive the required information. Board members would encourage working with City staff to refine the language of the Petition and to address considerations raised in the Community Development Department memo to the Planning Board dated Aug 13, 2020. Overall, the Board supports the Petition as an incremental step towards advancing the City’s climate goals.

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

23. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Sept 14, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Please find attached a Planning Board recommendation to adopt the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) Zoning Petition.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

Date: Aug 11, 2020
Subject: Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) Zoning Petition
Recommendation: The Planning Board recommends ADOPTION.

To the Honorable, the City Council,

On Aug 4, 2020, the Planning Board (the “Board”) held a public hearing to discuss the Affordable Housing Overlay City Council Zoning Petition (the “Petition”). Board members heard an introductory statement from Councillor Marc McGovern, who sponsored the Petition, a presentation from Community Development Department (CDD) staff, and testimony from the public.

Board members asked clarifying questions of staff regarding the applicability of the proposed AHO Design Guidelines in relation to the proposed zoning, the role of the Board in project review if the AHO is adopted, and the rationale for specific dimensional requirements in the Petition.

The majority of Board members expressed strong support for the AHO in concept, and recognized that the AHO is an important step in addressing the challenge of housing unaffordability in Cambridge by removing barriers to the production of affordable housing. The majority of Board members agreed that an as-of-right approval process for AHO projects is crucial to provide a level of certainty to developers of AHO projects, and that a citywide approach is necessary to promote goals of equity. Board members acknowledged that the Petition might not be perfect, and some Board members expressed concerns around details such as parking and dimensional standards, but it was noted that there is an evaluation process built into the zoning and that adjustments could be made over time to better meet the desired goals. Some Board members reflected on this Petition as an opportunity to acknowledge and address the broader role that zoning has played over time in furthering segregation and social inequity.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the Board voted 7-1 in favor of recommending adoption of the Petition as referred.

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

25. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the recommendations of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2021.
[FY21 CPA Vote_Chair Letter to City Manager] [FY21 Project Recommendations Book]
[09142020 CPA orders] [CPA appropriation orders]
All 18 Orders Adopted 9-0

Sept 14, 2020
To the Honorable, the City Council:

Listed below are the recommendations of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2021. For additional information, please see attachments from the CPA Committee Chair, Lisa Peterson, dated Sept 10, 2020.

The CPA process included a virtual public hearing held on July 1, 2020 to solicit proposals and ideas on CPA projects for FY2021. A second virtual public hearing was held on Aug 5, 2020 to solicit recommendations on the percentage of CPA funds allocated to each funding category: Affordable Housing, Historic Preservation, and Open Space. The CPAC also received several online submissions, emails and mailed comments regarding potential CPA projects and the allocation percentages. The CPAC, on Sept 9, 2020, voted 7-1 for an allocation of 80% for Affordable Housing, 10% for Historic Preservation projects and 10% for Open Space projects.

In accordance with the CPAC’s recommendations, I am requesting that the City Council appropriate a total of $15,330,000 in CPA funds raised by the City's FY2021 CPA surcharge, the FY2020 state match funds received in FY2021 and a portion of the existing CPA Fund Balance.

For this appropriation, it is estimated that the net local receipts from the CPA surcharge for FY2021 will total $10,500,000, added to an anticipated FY2020 state match of $2,150,000 and an additional $2,670,000 from CPA Fund Balance. Additionally, $10,000 from CPA Fund Balance will go to the City’s annual membership in the Community Preservation Coalition.

On Sept 9, 2020 the CPAC made recommendations for allocation of these FY2021 funds. By unanimous votes, the CPAC recommended to the City Council, through the City Manager, that the CPA funds be allocated and appropriated as follows:

VOTE 1: Fiscal Year 2021 Local Funds ($10,500,000)

Vote 1A
80% of FY2021 CPA Local Fund revenues ($8,400,000) allocated to Affordable Housing and appropriated to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust

Vote 1B
10% of FY2021 CPA Local Fund revenues ($1,050,000) allocated to Historic Preservation as follows:

1. $605,000 appropriated to the Historic Preservation Grants

2. $330,000 appropriated to the 93-99 Bishop Allen Drive Restoration

3. $65,000 appropriated to Digitizing the Architectural Survey, Phase III

4. $50,000 appropriated to the Foundry, Women’s History Project

Vote 1C
10% of FY2021 CPA Local Fund revenues ($1,050,000) allocated to Open Space as follows:

1. $600,000 appropriated to Linear Park, Design

2. $233,000 appropriated to the Sennott Park Project

3. $200,000 appropriated to the Peabody School Playground Project

4. $17,000 appropriated to the Open Space Reserve Fund

VOTE 2: Fiscal Year 2020 State Funds [received in FY2021] ($2,150,000)

Vote 2A
80% of FY2020 State Match revenues ($1,720,000) allocated to Affordable Housing and appropriated to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust

Vote 2B
10% of FY2020 State Match revenues ($215,000) allocated to Historic Preservation as follows:

1. $120,000 appropriated to the Foundry, Masonry Restoration

2. $95,000 appropriated to the Historic Preservation Grants

Vote 2C
10% of FY2020 State Match revenues ($215,000) allocated to Open Space as follows:

1. $150,000 appropriated to Magazine Beach, Sunken Parking Lot Removal & Grassy Beach Creation

2. $65,000 appropriated to the Open Space Reserve Fund

VOTE 3: CPA Fund Balance ($2,670,000)

Vote 3A
80% of the Fund Balance ($2,136,000) allocated to Affordable Housing and appropriated to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust

Vote 3B

10% of the Fund Balance ($267,000) allocated to Historic Preservation as follows:

1. $267,000 appropriated to the Foundry, Masonry Restoration

Vote 3C
10% of the Fund Balance ($267,000) allocated to Open Space as follows:

1. $267,000 appropriated to the Sennott Park Project

VOTE 4: CPA Fund Balance - Administration ($10,000)

Vote 4A
1. $10,000 appropriated to Administrative Costs for Community Preservation Coalition membership dues

TABLE 1. Summary of FY2021 Recommended Appropriations by Expenditure Type

Affordable Housing	$12,256,000

Historic Preservation
93-99 Bishop Allen Drive Restoration	$330,000
Digitizing Architectural Survey, Phase III	$65,000
Foundry, Masonry Restoration	$387,000
Foundry, Women’s History Project	$50,000
Historic Preservation Grants	$700,000
Subtotal (Historic Preservation)	$1,532,000

Open Space
Linear Park Design	$600,000
Peabody School Playground Project	$200,000
Sennott Park Project	$500,000
Open Space Reserve Fund	$82,000
Magazine Beach, Sunken Parking Lot Removal & Grassy Beach Creation	$150,000
Subtotal (Open Space)	$1,532,000

Administration/ Community Preservation Coalition	$10,000
Grand Total	$15,330,000

TABLE 2. Summary of Recommended Appropriations by Funding

	FY2021 Local Funds	FY2020 State Funds	CPA Fund Balance	FY2021 Total
Affordable Housing Trust	$8,400,000	$1,720,000	$2,136,000	$12,256,000
Historic Preservation Projects	$1,050,000	$215,000	$267,000	$1,532,000
Open Space Projects	$1,050,000	$215,000	$267,000	$1,532,000
Admin./Community Preservation Coalition Membership Dues			$10,000	$10,000
Total	$10,500,000	$2,150,000	$2,680,000	$15,330,000

I request the appropriation of funds recommended by the CPAC.

Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager

26. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of the following person as a member of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees: 3-year terms, Susanne A. Martz, PhD, William L. Lahey, Paula Paris. 1-year terms: Alexander White, MD, Joshua Posner, Gerald McCue
Placed on File 9-0

CHARTER RIGHT
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a proposed restatement of an amendment to the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account, entitled “The City of Cambridge Restated and Amended Mayor’s Disaster Relief Account” (“Account”). [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020]
Order Adopted 9-0

2. The City Manager look into transferring primary traffic enforcement responsibilities from the Cambridge Police Department to unarmed, trained enforcement personnel in the Traffic & Parking Department, Department of Public Works, Health & Human Services, or another suitable department. [CHARTER EXERCISED BY VICE MAYOR MALLON IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020]
Referred to Public Safety Committee 8-1 (Toomey - NO)

4. An application was received from David Biancaville, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 10 Acorn Park Drive; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020]
Tabled 6-2-1 (Mallon, Simmons - NO; Carlone - ABSENT)

ON THE TABLE
5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor, Community Development, Public Works, Inspectional Services and any other related departments to review the proposed amendments regarding the prohibition of Natural Gas Infrastructure in New Buildings. [TABLED ON JAN 27, 2020]

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

7. That the Cambridge City Council amend the Municipal Ordinances of the City of Cambridge to insert a new Chapter 8.71, entitled Tenants’ Rights and Resources Notification. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER SEPT 14, 2020.]
Ordained as Amended 9-0

8. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the City of Cambridge Law Department to review the above changes to the language of the Domestic Partnerships Ordinance and report back to the Council. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER SEPT 14, 2020.]

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Theresa Freni representing Santander, requesting permission for a projecting sign at the premises numbered 599 Massachusetts Avenue approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and proof of abutters has been received.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

2. An application was received from Heather representing Bank of America, requesting permission for a projecting sign at the premises numbered 212 Hampshire Street approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutter.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

3. A Zoning Petition has been received from BMR–Third LLC c/o BioMed Realty, L.P. regarding a Zoning Amendment Petition for a new Planned Unit Development PUD District CDK. [Petition w/o images] [images from petition]
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Amanda Beatty, regarding DHSP preschool's opening and plans for testing.

2. A communication was received from Kelly Dolan, regarding the City Council and Cambridge Public Schools must be prioritized.

3. A communication was received from Kelly Dolan, regarding the Superintendent Salim and Cambridge Public Schools must be prioritized.

4. A communication was received from Ruthann Rudel, regarding AHO bike parking facilities.

6. A communication was received from Felicia Brady-Lopez, 158 Pleasant Street, regarding Mayor's Disaster relief fund and supporting the arts.

7. A communication was received from Aaron Oppenheimer, 160 Pleasant Street, regarding support arts organizations through COVID.

8. A communication was received from Emily Bloomenthal, regarding City Manager's Order about arts disaster relief funding.

9. A communication was received from Dana Jay Bein, regarding including arts organizations with disaster relief funding.

10. A communication was received from Margaux Skalecki, regarding the arts organizations are included in the disaster relief fund.

11. A communication was received from Emma Leavitt, regarding Arts in Cambridge.

12. A communication was received from Melanie Hedlund, 166 Massachusetts Avenue, regarding including the arts organizations on disaster relief fund.

13. A communication was received from Andy Taylor-Blenis, regarding arts organizations need your immediate attention.

14. A communication was received from Genevieve Carmel, regarding arts organizations.

15. A communication was received from Caitlin Canty, regarding Studio 550 and Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund.

16. A communication was received from Sharon Sky, regarding support to amend and expedite Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund.

17. A communication was received from Callie Chapman, 550 Massachusetts Avenue, regarding Disaster Relief Fund.

18. A communication was received from Sarah Craver, regarding Disaster Relief Fund.

19. A communication was received from Ellice Patterson, regarding support for Arts Organisation Disaster Relief Fund.

20. A communication was received from Chavi Bansal, regarding support for Studio 550 Arts Organization Disaster Relief Fund.

21. A communication was received from Jessica Roseman, regarding support for Studio 550 Arts Organization Disaster Relief Fund.

22. A communication was received from Karen Krolak, regarding support for Studio 550 Arts Organization Disaster Relief Fund.

23. A communication was received from Diane C. Norris, regarding Arts Organization Disaster Relief Fund.

24. A communication was received from Jossie Thaddeus, regarding traffic enforcement proposal.

25. A communication was received from Becca Schofield, regarding ABC Support for AHO and JAS Rindge Commons.

26. A communication was received from Jane Hirschi, regarding support for 585 Third Street.

27. A communication was received from Luis Mejias, regarding Cambridge Police refusing to process License to Carry applications.

28. A communication was received from Charles Hinds, regarding ECPT letter of support for rethinking our streets.

30. A communication was received from Marilyn Wellons, regarding Affordable Housing in Cambridge.

31. A communication was received from Kelly Dolan and Greg Berndt, Upland Road, regarding CRLS remote plan.

32. A communication was received from James Williamson, 1000 Jackson Place, regarding revised AHO, Tree Protection, Environmental Justice and Equity.

33. A communication was received from James Williamson, 1000 Jackson Place, regarding stabbing in Central Square.

34. A communication was received from Tania Hanscom, regarding Alternative Housing at Churchill Park.

35. A communication was received from Becca Scholfield, regarding addressing Climate change.

36. A communication was received from Angelika Zollfrank, regarding Affordable Housing Overlay.

37. A communication was received from Robert J. La Tremouille, regarding Harvard Square Upzoning.

38. A communication was received from James Williamson, Jefferson Park, regarding appointments to various boards and commissions.

39. A communication was received from James Williamson, Jefferson Park, regarding Tree Protection.

40. A communication was received from James Williamson, Jefferson Park, regarding CPA money for so-called "Affordable housing".

41. A communication was received from Central Square Theater: Catherine Carr Kelly, Executive Director, regarding creating and amend policy which will help artists and cultural organizations remain in Cambridge well beyond the pandemic.

42. A communication was received from Elizabeth Gombosi, 42 Irving Street, regarding POR 2020 #188 and PRO 2020 AHO.

43. A communication was received from Virginia Johnson, regarding re-imagining Cambridge Streets.

44. A communication was received from Charlie Marquardt, regarding 585 Third Street letter of support.

45. A communication was received from Kayleigh Kane, regarding petition hosted by MASS Creative.

46. A communication was received from Eric Holmberg, 238 Columbia Street, regarding the City Manager's contract.

47. A communication was received from Lee Farris, 269 Norfolk Street, regarding the City Manager's contract.

48. A communication was received from Rosemary Booth, 303 Third Street, regarding the City Manager's contract.

49. A communication was received from Guillemette Simmers, 8 Alpine Street, regarding the City Manager's contract.

50. A communication was received from Marlene Lundberg, regarding the City Manager's contract.

51. A communication was received from Jae Storozum, 16 Whittier Street, regarding the City Manager's contract.

52. A communication was received from Christopher Schmidt, regarding the City Manager's contract.

53. A communication was received from George Schneeloch, regarding fight to prevent people from being hurt.

55. A communication was received from Kathy Watkins, 90 Fawcett Street, regarding Policy Order #8.

57. A communication was received from Fritz Donovan, 42 Irving Street, regarding Policy Order #4 and AHO.

58. A communication was received from Carol O'Hare, 172 Magazine Street, regarding Santander projecting sign.

60. A communication was received from June Parks, regarding Danroy DJ Henry Resolution.

61. A communication was received from Andy Reker, A communication was received from Andy Reker.

63. Sundry Communications regarding support of the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO).

64. Sundry Communications regarding opposition of the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO).

65. Sundry Communications regarding Disaster Relief Fund and support for Arts and Cultural Organizations.

66. Sundry Communications regarding Traffic enforcement away from armed Police POR 2020 #178.

2. Resolution on the death of Fr. George D. Vartzelis. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey

9. Resolution on the death of William “Bill” Michael Reghitto. Councillor Toomey

16. Wishing a Speedy Recovery to Rev. Dr. Cheryl Townsend Gilkes. Councillor Simmons

21. That the City Council recognizes September 2020 as Latinx Heritage Month and encourages all Cambridge residents to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Cambridge’s Latinx community. Mayor Siddiqui

22. That the City Council goes on record recognizing Sept 22, 2020 as National Voter Registration day in the City of Cambridge and encourages residents to register to vote by Oct 24, 2020. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler

23. Congratulations to MIT School of Science Dean Nergis Mavalvala. Mayor Siddiqui

24. That the City Council go on record congratulating the Broad Institute for reaching this milestone of administering over 1 million COVID-19 tests and thanking them for their tireless efforts in keeping Cambridge and the surrounding communities safe. Mayor Siddiqui

25. That the City Council go on record extending its appreciation to the Sufi Service Committee for their dedication and goodwill, congratulating them on another successful year fostering community, and wishing them continued success for many more years of service. Mayor Siddiqui

29. Retirement of Lei-Anne Ellis from the Cambridge Public Schools (CPS), Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) and Public Health Department. Mayor Siddiqui

ORDERS
1. Request the reopening of the Danroy "DJ" Henry case and charge officer Aaron Hess for excessive use of force, negligent treatment of life in the death of DJ Henry. Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

2. Policy Order re Illegal Parking in Front of LBJ Apartments. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

3. Policy Order re Trash on Columbia Street. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

4. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Economic Development Department, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Harvard Square Neighborhood Association and Harvard University on the implementation of closing several blocks of streets in Harvard Square as soon as possible to vehicular traffic, with the exception of deliveries, using the attached map as one possible vision. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone
Charter Right - Simmons

5. That the City Council go on record recognizing September 2020 as Recovery Awareness Month in the City of Cambridge. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

6. The City Manager is requested to work with Claude Jacob, Chief Public Health Officer of the Cambridge Public Health Department to appoint a Vaccine Task Force to develop a plan that keeps equity at the forefront. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

7. That the City Manager confer with the CPS Food and Nutrition team and Cambridge Complete Count Committee on deploying Census outreach at food distribution sites for the remainder of September. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

8. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department and any other appropriate City personnel to establish a means of providing technical support to marginalized, underrepresented business owners and non-profit arts organizations in applying for and obtaining the critical funds from the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund Grant and Loan program, and/or from other similar State and Federal assistance programs, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

9. That the City Manager confer with the Department of Public Works, the Cambridge Water Department and other relevant partners to create a pilot program for wastewater testing for evidence of COVID-19. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

10. That the City Manager examine expanding visitor permit access for Permit Area 14. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 6-2-1 (Simmons, Toomey - NO; Carlone - ABSENT)

11. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department to examine what traffic calming measures may be implemented for these sections of Walden Street. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

12. That the Cambridge City Council go on record in strong support of H.4878, and in urging the legislature to pass it immediately. Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A report of the Human Services and Veterans Committee, for a public hearing held on June 25, 2020 to receive an update from the Department of Human Services and the School Department of Summer Camp programming for Cambridge Youth.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

2. A report of the Ordinance Committee Meeting held on July 7, 2020 regarding Cycling Safety Ordinance.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

A. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to convene a stakeholder group of City staff, business, resident, and bicycle representatives no later than spring 2021 to create a viable plan for Cambridge St to be implemented by 2026, and for this process to happen alongside of the process created by the ordinance. Councillor Toomey
Toomey's Order to further look at Cambridge St. approved 5-3-1 (MM, JSW, QZ - No; DC - Absent)

B. Adopt Proposed Amendments by the Ordinance Committee
Amendments approved 6-0-1-2 (DC-Absent; DS,TT-Present)

C. That the “2020 Cycling Safety Ordinance” be forwarded to the Ordinance Committee for discussion and recommendation. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon
Ordinance as Amended Passed to 2nd Reading 6-1-1-1 (DC-Absent; TT-No; DC-Absent; DS-Present)

3. A report of the Ordinance Committee Meeting held on July 8, 2020 regarding the Affordable Housing Overlay.
Report Accepted, Referred to Committee Report #7: 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

A. That the city council extend the current contract with city manager Louis DePasquale for a period of 24 months. Councillor Simmons
Order to extend contract 18 months through July 5, 2022 Adopted as Amended 6-2-1 (JSW,QZ-No; DC-Absent)
[proposed contract - original PDF] [proposed contract - HTML] [revised final contract (Sept 21, 2020)]
Reconsideration Filed - Councillor Nolan

5. A report of the Housing Committee for a public hearing held on July 21, 2020 to receive a report from the Housing Liaison to the City Manager’s Office on her proposed priorities for the remainder of the 2020-2021 City Council term.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; both appointments confirmed 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT)

A. That the City Council confirm the appointment of Louis Bacci, III to the Cambridge Housing Authority Board. Councillor McGovern

B. That the City Council confirm the appointment of Gerald Clark, to the Cambridge Housing Authority Board. Councillor McGovern

A. Order to amend the rules of the Cambridge City Council. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT)

B. That the City Manager confer with the City Solicitor regarding certain questions regarding the City Council Rules. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT)

7. A report of the Ordinance Committee Meeting held on Aug 19, 2020 regarding the Affordable Housing Overlay.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Passed to 2nd Reading 7-2 (DC, PN - No)

B. 100% Affordable Housing Overlay Zoning Petition 2020. [REFERRED TO ORDINANCE COMMITTEE IN COUNCIL JUNE 10, 2020] Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey

2. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee’s summer meetings.
Placed on File 8-0-1

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Sept 14
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber – TV, webcast, Zoom)

Wed, Sept 16
1:00pm The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing to discuss improvements to Harvard Square to promote safe streets and truck traffic regulations in Cambridge. (Sullivan Chamber – webcast, Zoom)

Mon, Sept 21
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber – TV, webcast, Zoom)

Wed, Sept 30
2:00pm The Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing for the purpose of receiving final recommendations from the Community Development Department on updating the commercial land use classification system within the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. (Sullivan Chamber – webcast, Zoom)

Mon, Oct 5
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
6:30pm Tax Rate Hearing (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Sept 14, 2020 Amended
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: On the night of Oct 16, 2010, Danroy “DJ” Henry went out in Pleasantville, NY with teammates, celebrating the win of Pace University’s Homecoming Football Game; and
WHEREAS: DJ’s parents, Angela Henry and Danroy Henry Sr. both attended Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, connecting them to our city and this council; and
WHEREAS: Unrelated to the Pace University group, a fight broke out and local police were called; and
WHEREAS: DJ was asked by police to move his car out of a fire lane where he was waiting for his teammates, and as he moved his car, he was fired upon by Officer Aaron Hess of the Pleasantville PD; and
WHEREAS: DJ was shot 3 times as he drove, pulled from the car, handcuffed, then left face down on the street unattended, dying, with 3 bullet wounds to his chest; and
WHEREAS: Initial reports, which suggested that DJ was shot because he tried to run over officer Hess, were later deemed to be untrue. In fact, DJ was moving his car in compliance with the officers’ request; and
WHEREAS: Ronald Beckley, a 30-year veteran officer of Westchester County, admitted that in his opinion, officer Hess was the aggressor and not DJ. He further stated that he shot officer Hess in the leg because he did not know who he was and thought that he was the aggressor, and that he was not sure why Hess “had placed himself in front of the car”; and
WHEREAS: No charges have been filed against officer Hess despite this new evidence; and
WHEREAS: Since the death of DJ, it has become more and more evident that Black and Brown people have been killed by the hands of white police officers, something that has been going on long before DJ’s death, but has gained increased visibility due to cell phone video and police body cameras; and
WHEREAS: The Henry family deserve a new investigation into the killing of their son; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record requesting that the Danroy “DJ” Henry’s case be reopened; that officer Aaron Hess be charged for excessive use of force, negligent treatment of life in the death of DJ Henry; and that a formal apology and acknowledgement of the misinformation that was knowingly stated by the Westchester Police Department and others be made to the Henry family; and be it further
ORDERED: That an official copy of this resolution be sent to the Westchester Police Chief, the Westchester District Attorney, the Governor of New York, and New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand.

O-2 Sept 14, 2020
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: Over the course of the past year, a number of residents of the LBJ Apartments, located at 150 Erie Street, have voiced concerns that vehicles are frequently illegally parking in front of their building; and
WHEREAS: The space in front of this building, which is home to mostly senior citizens, is reserved for emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks, and LBJ residents have cited fears that the vehicles they regularly see illegally parked in front of their building could impede the work of first responders, which could have potentially deadly consequences in an emergency; and
WHEREAS: This issue has been brought to the attention of the City and the Cambridge Police over the course of the past year, but unfortunately no lasting solutions have been found, leaving LBJ residents frustrated over what they view as a potential hazard to their safety; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ask the Director of Traffic, Parking, and Transportation, the Cambridge Police Department, and any other relevant City personnel to collaborate with the Cambridge Housing Authority in formulating plans that will lead to increased enforcement of the parking regulations in front of 150 Erie Street, that will discourage illegal parking in front of the building, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-3 Sept 14, 2020
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: It has come to the City Council’s attention that there is a recurring problem on Columbia Street involving the placement of trash and discarded furniture on the streets during the final weekend of each of the summer months, coinciding with the periods of greatest annual tenant turnover; and
WHEREAS: There are several multi-family homes on Columbia Street that are mostly owned by out-of-town landlords, and unfortunately there are no incentives for these landlords to ensure that their outgoing tenants be mindful of the City’s trash pick-up schedule when they leave, leading to the excessive placement of discarded items on the streets when the tenants move out, and a sense of blight and neglect in the area; and
WHEREAS: The discarded furniture and trash piles are often left out for several days between scheduled trash pick-ups, forcing residents of Columbia Street to regularly contact the City to request that the DPW be dispatched to pick up the discarded trash – a task which the DPW unfailingly does, and which the Columbia Street residents are grateful for; and
WHEREAS: As this is an issue that seems to recur each year during the summer months, the City should be able to anticipate the need for increased DPW trash pick-ups on Columbia Streets during the months of June – September each year and be able to build this into the DPW’s schedule of service, so that it does not continue to fall upon the Columbia Street residents to request this additional service each summer; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ask the Director of the Public Works Department to review this matter, establish a plan that is responsive to the concerns of the Columbia Street residents, and report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-4 Sept 14, 2020 Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Toomey - PRESENT) on Sept 21, 2020 (Charter Right #2)
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way that public spaces are designed and the need for open, outdoor space has dramatically increased; and
WHEREAS: Local businesses are struggling to stay afloat, and it is not clear when restaurants and retail will be safely able to have close to their full capacity of patrons inside; during this unknown period, outdoor retail and dining remains an important lifeline; and
WHEREAS: There have been numerous attempts to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and slow traffic in Harvard Square after multiple fatalities have occurred over the past three years; and
WHEREAS: Recent studies have shown the myriad benefits that come from the pedestrianization of city centers, including an increase in commercial activity, and improved street life and safety; and
WHEREAS: Cities, including those with a similar climate to Cambridge, such as Burlington, Vermont and Boulder, Colorado, have permanently closed several blocks of central city streets creating open spaces for retail, restaurant and resident strolling; and cities in Europe of all sizes have had success with pedestrianized areas of urban centers; and
WHEREAS: The Council unanimously passed an order asking for certain streets in Harvard Square be closed to vehicle traffic on a select number of days during the summer of 2020; now the idea of having a permanent plan for open space and outdoor dining is appropriate; and
WHEREAS: The Envision Cambridge Masterplan states, “By encouraging vibrancy on streets in the city’s retail districts, Cambridge can ensure these commercial areas continue to meet the everyday needs of the city’s population. Vibrancy can be fostered both through street design and retail district programming”; and
WHEREAS: Moody Street in Waltham has been a vibrant destination over the summer as the entire street has been closed to vehicle traffic to make space for outdoor dining and retail; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Economic Development Department, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Harvard Square Neighborhood Association and Harvard University on the implementation of closing several blocks of streets in Harvard Square as soon as possible to vehicular traffic, with the exception of deliveries, using the attached map as one possible vision; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Community Development Department, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Harvard Square Neighborhood Association and Harvard University on the implementing a pilot program to close some streets on weekends and possibly weeknights in Harvard Square. Prior to closing, the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department should conduct extensive outreach to impacted businesses to ensure that the closures would not prevent deliveries and other essential operations of those businesses; and be it further
~~ORDERED: That the City Manager is requested to work with stakeholders to determine if making these street modifications permanent would work towards fulfilling city goals; and further be it~~
ORDERED: That the City Manager is requested to establish a stakeholder committee to study traffic impacts of any further to determine if street modifications would work towards fulfilling city goals; the committee would include representation from Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Community Development Department, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Harvard Square Neighborhood Association, and Harvard University, the City Pedestrian and Bicycles Committee, Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association and Cambridge Bicycle Safety and further be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council before October 1.

Harvard Square proposed street closures/one-way

O-5 Sept 14, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: National Recovery Month is a national observance to commemorate individuals on a journey to recovery and to raise awareness on how substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives; and
WHEREAS: Doctors, experts, and loved ones come together to stress the importance of continuing treatment as part of the recovery process and to prevent further addictions; and
WHEREAS: Each September, Recovery Month works to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible; and
WHEREAS: It is important to recognize the signs within our own loved ones, show support and compassion, and give them the support they need during their recovery process; and
WHEREAS: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the stressors that might lead to substance use, and we must come together and help those in need; and
WHEREAS: Throughout Recovery Month, we emphasize the message that treatment is available, and the process of recovery can be effective; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Health Department, mental health supports, and advocacy organizations are dedicated to reach all residents and underscore the universal importance of mental health and recovery programs for those struggling from addiction; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge continues to raise awareness about mental health and physical health while also providing solutions that sustain long-term recoveries; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record recognizing September 2020 as Recovery Awareness Month in the City of Cambridge; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager is hereby requested to direct the appropriate City staff to light up City Hall purple for no less than one week in recognition of Recovery Awareness Month.

O-6 Sept 14, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: As national COVID-19 cases reach 6.2 million, vaccine developers have begun hundreds of clinical trials; and
WHEREAS: Currently, there are 45 vaccine trials in Phases I-III of the vaccine approval process, with 8 already in Phase III; and
WHEREAS: When a vaccine is approved and becomes available, the City of Cambridge and our Public Health Department must have a plan on how the vaccine will be equitably disseminated; and
WHEREAS: A plan will ensure residents feel confident in our public health officials’ allocation and distribution of any vaccine that becomes available; and
WHEREAS: The plan must maintain equity at the forefront of vaccine dissemination and information sharing, including that we:
• Ensure essential workers, communities of color and low-income residents receive critical information to aid their decision-making around COVID-19 vaccination;
• Partner with community groups, health care provider networks, universities, state and local peers, federal authorities, and other stakeholders, in conducting rapid response research and message development and testing;
• Provide residents with clear and timely explanations regarding COVID-19 vaccine allocation and distribution strategies;
• Develop operational systems including nontraditional locations to provide vaccines, such as faith centers, grocery stores, schools, senior centers, offices, etc.;
• Work to establish a public oversight committee to review and report on COVID-19 vaccination systems, ensuring allocation is fair, target groups receive vaccine, and populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic are justly served; and
• Mandate inclusive committee membership that reflects the jurisdiction’s demographic make-up, incorporates diverse sectors including business and faith communities, and involves experts in public health, vaccination, and ethics;
nowtherefore be it
ORDERED: The City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with Claude Jacob, Chief Public Health Officer of the Cambridge Public Health Department to appoint a Vaccine Task Force to develop a plan that keeps equity at the forefront with the above recommendations; and be it further
ORDERED: That a diversity of community members and stakeholders be equally represented on this Task Force, that the Task Force should work to solicit the opinions and expertise of other affected stakeholders, and that this Task Force should hold its first meeting within two months of the adoption of this Policy Order, and report back to the City Council by Dec 21, 2020.

O-7 Sept 14, 2020
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
WHEREAS: The U.S. census provides critical data to determine how federal funding is allocated to a city’s hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources; and
WHEREAS: The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts; and
WHEREAS: The stakes are even higher during a global pandemic, and we must work together to complete the most accurate count of Cambridge residents to ensure proper funding distribution, fair government representation, and appropriate, data-informed school and voting district designations for the next 10 years; and
WHEREAS: To date, the City of Cambridge has employed many strategies to reach Cambridge residents and increase census turnout, including nightly Citywide emails, the formation of a multi-sector Cambridge Complete Count Committee, outreach events at Fresh Pond apartments, creating and disseminating materials in eight languages (public buildings, businesses, community spaces), through the school's Backpack Express program, on social media, at Bluebikes stations, through videos with CCTV and 22-CityView, online and more; and
WHEREAS: There have been expected obstacles due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as decreased engagement, concerns about security in providing personal information, and gaps in computer and/or internet access that deny opportunities to respond online; and
WHEREAS: As of Sept 2, 2020, 65% of Cambridge residents have responded to the 2020 Census, down from the 2010 census response rate of 73%; and
WHEREAS: We have a unique opportunity to continue our outreach efforts with the census’ deadline extended to Sept 30, 2020, which gives us two more weeks to collect as much information as possible; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Public Schools Food and Nutrition team will begin supplying free breakfast and lunch again Monday through Friday starting Sept 14, 2020; and
WHEREAS: Food distribution sites at schools and affordable housing locations are a resource for many community members, and gives us an opportunity to meet the community where they already are; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager confer with the CPS Food and Nutrition team and Cambridge Complete Count Committee on deploying Census outreach at food distribution sites for the remainder of September.

O-8 Sept 14, 2020
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund Grant and Loan program has been established to serve as a financial lifeline to our local small business community during the covid-19 crisis, providing grants to businesses of up to $10,000, which will not have to be repaid, and zero interest loans of up to $15,000 from the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority; and
WHEREAS: The Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund Grant and Loan program was initially promoted as prioritizing “…businesses that have been more severely affected by the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” and that its funds could be used toward paying such expenses as “…the average rent, salaries, utilities and cost of goods” that other programs do not cover; and
WHEREAS: At the City Council meeting held on July 27, 2020, the possibility of expanding the scope of organizations that would be eligible to receive funds from this program was raised, even as members of the City Council were hearing from some local small business owners that they had not previously heard about this program, or that they felt they had been unfairly left out of consideration for obtaining these critical funds; and
WHEREAS: Concurrent with any talk of expanding the scope of eligibility for these critical funds, the City must ensure that it has conducted truly aggressive outreach to the community’s most vulnerable businesses – particularly the Black and Minority-owned businesses, to those who are not members of the neighborhood business associations, and to those who may not rely heavily upon electronic communication – to ensure that these entities have been given every reasonable opportunity to participate in the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund Grant and Loan program; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on what specific outreach methods have been conducted to the City’s small businesses, particularly those Black and Minority-owned small businesses, to ensure that these entities have been given every reasonable opportunity to participate in and receive funding from the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund Grant and Loan program; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department and any other appropriate City personnel to establish a means of providing technical support to marginalized, underrepresented business owners and non-profit arts organizations in applying for and obtaining the critical funds from the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund Grant and Loan program, and/or from other similar State and Federal assistance programs, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-10 Sept 14, 2020
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed housing situations and travel patterns for Cantabrigians, with many residents temporarily sheltering family members and other loved ones; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge’s permit parking requirements require visitors with cars to display a Visitor Parking Permit and park in a designated zone; and
WHEREAS: Current construction in Visitor Permit Area 14, which even normally has minimal street parking, has significantly reduced available space in that Permit Area even further; and
WHEREAS: The Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department has shown flexibility in other aspects of parking requirements during the pandemic by not enforcing meters and other restrictions for significant periods of time; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department to examine solutions for residents with visitors in Permit Area 14 such as allowing parking in another Zone or access to nearby City garages; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager shall report back to the Council on this in a timely manner.

O-11 Sept 14, 2020
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: Walden Street has been identified by Cambridge residents as an area with motor vehicle speeding issues; and
WHEREAS: This is especially dangerous on the section where Walden Street curves between Raymond St and Richdale Ave, making it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians who may be attempting to cross the street, and on the section of Walden Street between Richdale Ave and Massachusetts Ave; and
WHEREAS: This potentially dangerous section of Walden Street is also near Raymond Park, which is a major neighborhood destination, including for children and families; and
WHEREAS: Multiple Cambridge residents have already been struck and killed by motor vehicles thus far in 2020; and
WHEREAS: The City has adopted Vision Zero, which seeks “to eliminate all traffic related fatalities and serious injuries” and strives for proactive action to prevent them before a crash occurs; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department to examine what traffic calming measures may be implemented for these sections of Walden Street; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager shall report back to the Council on this in a timely manner.

O-12 Sept 14, 2020
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that the state legislature is considering H.4878, the COVID-19 Housing Stability Act; and
WHEREAS: H.4878 would guarantee housing stability for renters and homeowners during the COVID-19 pandemic by banning evictions for unpaid rent as well as foreclosures for missed mortgage payments through the duration of the State of Emergency and for a full year after it ends; and
WHEREAS: H.4878 would provide “just cause” protections to ensure renters and foreclosed homeowners cannot be evicted for no-fault or non-renewal of leases through the end of the State of Emergency and for a full year after it ends, and would provide a local option for municipalities to extend these protections upon expiration; and
WHEREAS: H.4878 would expand mortgage determent protections to landlords who own up to 15 rental units to ensure interest does not accrue during the forbearance, putting missed payments at the end of the loan, and it would also ensure borrowers cannot be charged penalties for non-payment of mortgage; and
WHEREAS: H.4878 would freeze rents at pre-COVID-19 levels, ensuring the rent amount from March 10, 2020 would remain in effect through 12 months following the end of the State of Emergency; and
WHEREAS: H.4878 would establish a COVID-19 Housing Stability and Recovery Fund to assist property owners who lost rental income or missed mortgage payments due to COVID19, with priority given to low- and middle-class homeowners, elderly, owner-occupant, and non-profit landlords, and landlords who own 15 or fewer units; and
WHEREAS: H.4878 would obligate property owners who choose to draw upon the fund to extend protections to their tenants, and it would also establish an Oversight and Advisory Board to make recommendations on the equitable administration of the Housing Stability and Recovery Fund, to include members of the Legislature’s coronavirus working groups as well as strong representation of people from communities hardest hit by the pandemic and housing crisis; and
WHEREAS: Every single member of Cambridge’s legislative delegation has signed on as a cosponsor of H.4878; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record in strong support of H.4878, and in urging the legislature to pass it immediately; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to each chair of the Joint Committee on Housing and Governor Baker on behalf of the entire City Council.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19-86. Report on developing a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan (O-5) from 6/24/2019

19-100. Report on the feasibility of implementing an additional regulatory requirement for listing a registration/license number for Short-Term Rentals.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (O-19) from 7/30/2019

19-123. Report on the feasibility of closing some portion of Harvard Square to vehicular traffic on a select number of days during the summer of 2020 to have open market-style events.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan (O-1) from 10/7/2019

19-127. Report on instituting regularly scheduled public conversations between Public Utilities' representatives from Eversource, the Water Dept. Comcast, Verizon and any other appropriate entities to keep the City and public informed.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-8) from 10/7/2019

19-130. Report on requesting to allocate more funds in the FY21 budget for the small business improvement grants and to confer with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office on whether other cities in Massachusetts have been facing similar issues with ADA compliance and what can be done to protect the small businesses.
Councillor Toomey (O-14) from 10/7/2019

19-134. Report on increasing funding to the City’s HomeBridge program so that access to homeownership may be made available to a wider range of incomes, as the program intends.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey (O-20) from 10/7/2019

19-137. Report on determining if ISD can be given the authority to issue citations for smoking in non-smoking buildings and to report back to the City Council.
Councillor McGovern (Calendar Item #4) from 10/7/2019

19-139. Report on determining whether it would be possible to allow a permitted area for serving alcoholic beverages on Danehy Park property during special community-wide events.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #5) from 10/7/2019

19-141. Report on looking into the idea of hiring a social worker in the FY2021 budget for the Central Square Library branch.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern (Calendar Item #8) from 10/7/2019

19-142. Report on determining the feasibility of expediting the Demolition and Rebuilding permitting process in the event of a natural disaster.
Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 10/21/2019

19-144. Report on determining the feasibility of instituting and funding a Fire Cadet Program.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 10/21/2019

19-145. Report on reviewing all the City’s policies and procedures related to the procurement, installation and disposal of artificial turf.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan (O-7) from 10/21/2019

19-147. Report on installing hearing loop technology inside the Sullivan Chamber as part of the upcoming renovations to City Hall, and in other critical City meeting venues wherever possible and other accessibility improvements.
Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 10/28/2019

19-151. Report on the feasibility of making Porter Square and Massachusetts Avenue between Roseland Street and Beech Street a quick-build Complete Street with bus priority.
Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-10) from 10/28/2019

20-4. Report on the feasibility of instituting and funding a fare-free pilot bus program.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-5) from 1/27/2020

20-5. Report on the potential for implementing sufficient traffic-calming solutions on Upton Street.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern (O-7) from 1/27/2020

20-6. Report on the acquisition and implementation of interpretation services for City Council meetings and other public City meetings.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern (O-8) from 1/27/2020

20-9. Report on allocating the necessary funds, and develop a comprehensive public safety plan, including contingency plans so that the event can take place in a secure time and place, even in the presence of significant threats that can be anticipated.
Councillor Zondervan (Calendar Item #2) from 2/3/2020

20-10. Report on renaming the Agassiz neighborhood.
Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui (O-1) from 2/10/2020

20-12. Report on the feasibility of instituting a program to install rings on parking meters to expand bicycle parking options.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-4) from 2/10/2020

20-13. Report on expanding the Head Start program hours and adding additional scholarships to improve access to high-quality, early childhood educational resources.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-6) from 2/10/2020

20-15. Report on the feasibility of limiting the number of Saturdays and holidays any one developer can be permitted for any one construction project.
Vice Mayor Mallon (O-2) from 2/24/2020

20-18. Report on the feasibility of implementing additional dedicated bus lanes, as well as fully separate protected bicycle lanes.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-6) from 2/24/2020

20-21. Report on preparing a report on any steps the city has taken to work towards developing a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-4) from 3/2/2020

20-22. Report on working with the Inspectional Service Department to increase the fines for absentee property owners who continue to have violations stemming for rodent infestations.
Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 3/16/2020

20-23. Report on implementing Simple Recycling' s curbside textile recycling program and report back to the Council on this matter in a timely manner.
Councillor Toomey (O-1) from 5/11/2020

20-24. Report on working with DPW to begin distributing Gator Bags.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-8) from 5/18/2020

20-25. Report on changing the name of the bus stop from “Massachusetts Avenue at Churchill Avenue” to “Matignon High School at Churchill Avenue”.
Councillor Toomey (O-5) from 6/1/2020

20-26. Report on placing four Anti-Racist Free Little Libraries in a variety of neighborhoods, including the Port (Harvard and Windsor), the Coast (Putnam and Magazine), Brattle Street and North Cambridge (Rindge and Massachusetts Ave.).
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-4) from 6/22/2020

20-29. Report on developing new and expanded ways to distribute physical library materials to Cambridge youth over the summer, including possible mobile checkout sites.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (O-2) from 6/29/2020

20-30. Report on establishing a plan designed to provide a thorough, system-wide review of the entire municipal government to identify and remove any vestiges of systemic racism and/or racial bias in any and all City departments, to establish clear, transparent metrics that will help further this critical endeavor.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey (O-3) from 6/29/2020

20-31. Report on determining how to best protect and preserve our commercial spaces that support our small business operators and maintain continuity in our commercial districts.
Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-5) from 6/29/2020

20-32. Report on the feasibility of identifying one evening or day per week that the Fresh Pond Golf Course can be open to the public for general use.
Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone from 6/29/2020

20-35. Report on providing an update on the Cambridge Police Patrol Officers’ Association union contract negotiation. See Mgr #7
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui (O-1) from 7/27/2020

20-36. Report on generating a report detailing the Sole Assessment Process, the Civil Service HRD process, the reason for choosing the Sole Assessment Process over the Civil Service HRD process, and the projected costs associated with both processes.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 7/27/2020

20-37. Report on considering formally renaming the Central Square Library in honor of Maria Baldwin and Rep. John Lewis, with the building being known as “The Maria Baldwin and Rep. John Lewis Library and Center for African American/Black History and Culture” going forward, or to otherwise find another suitable location for this dedication.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 7/27/2020

20-38. Report on lessons learned from 2016 and on plans in place to institute water savings measures, and to inform the Water Board of this request. The City Manager is requested to inform the public as soon as practicable about the possibility of dry and drought conditions, so as to encourage the community to save water whenever possible. See Mgr #9
Councillor Nolan (O-7) from 7/27/2020

20-39. Report on the next steps for restoration, health and environmental protection, improvement, beautification, and making the surrounding areas of Jerry’s Pond publicly accessible and incorporating Jerry's Pond into the adjacent public parklands, with pedestrian and bicycle connections to the MBTA Station, the Alewife Reservation, Minuteman Bikeway, and the Linear Park. See Mgr #21
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan (O-11) from 7/27/2020

20-40. Report on improving the surrounding landscape for residents who live in the neighboring community and the many individuals who commute through the area via the Alewife Red Line, the Minuteman Bikeway, Rindge Avenue and Alewife Brook Parkway. See Mgr #21
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan (O-12) from 7/27/2020

20-41. Report on working with the Cambridge Police Department, Emergency Communications Department, Department of Public Health, Department of Human Services and other relevant departments to determine the feasibility of an alternative Public Safety Crisis Response System, which department would be responsible for it, and how it would be funded and implemented in FY2022.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey (Calendar Item #4) from 6/29/2020