CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, requesting that the City Councillor formally appropriate/allocate the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds as follows:
1A. 80% of FY2009 CPA revenues ($4,800,000) appropriated to the Affordable Housing Trust.  Approved 6-3 (Kelley, Maher, Toomey NO)
1B. 10% of FY2009 CPA revenues ($600,000) appropriated to Historic Preservation.  1B1-9 approved 9-0; 1B10 ($ for Shady Hill Sq.) approved 7-2 (Reeves, Toomey NO)
1C. 10% of FY2009 CPA revenues ($600,000) appropriated/allocated to Open Space.  Approved 5-4 (Kelley, Maher, Seidel, Toomey NO)
2A. 80% of FY2008 State Match revenues (received in FY2009) ($3,120,000) appropriated to the Affordable Housing Trust.  Approved 6-3 (Kelley, Maher, Toomey NO)
2B. 10% of FY2008 State Match revenues (received in FY2009) ($390,000) appropriated in Historic Preservation.  2B1-9 approved 9-0; 2B10 ($ for Shady Hill Sq.) approved 7-2 (Reeves, Toomey NO)
2C. 10% of FY2008 State Match revenues (received in FY2009) ($390,000) appropriated/allocated to Open Space.  Approved 5-4 (Kelley, Maher, Seidel, Toomey NO)
3A. 80% of the Fund Balance ($800,000) appropriated to the Affordable Housing Trust.  Approved 6-3 (Kelley, Maher, Toomey NO)
3B. 10% of the Fund Balance ($100,000) appropriated to Historic Preservation.  Approved 9-0
3C. 10% of the Fund Balance ($100,000) allocated to Open Space.  Approved 5-4 (Kelley, Maher, Seidel, Toomey NO)
4A. Appropriate from Fund Balance the Cost for Community Preservation Coalition Membership Dues ($7,500).  Approved 9-0

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 08-94, regarding a report on the participation rates and demographics of Cambridge youth participating in Cambridge youth athletic organizations that receive funding or in kind support from the City.

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 08-104, which requested a review of truck traffic on Lexington Avenue.

4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 08-66, regarding a report on parking Neville Center.

5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 08-87, regarding a report on whether a residential unit can have a deed restriction placed on it preventing that unit from ever being able to receive a Cambridge parking permit.

6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 08-115, regarding a report on safety concerns with the placement of the crossing island at Mt. Auburn and Willard Streets.

7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a recommendation to submit a Home Rule Petition to the General Court seeking authority to increase civil penalties for failure to remove snow.  Passed to a 2nd Reading

To the Honorable, the City Council:

The Commissioner of Public Works, having convened a Sidewalk Snow and Ice Clearance Task Force to, among other matters, review the effectiveness of existing ordinances and regulations requiring the removal of snow and ice from public sidewalks by abutting landowners, proposes two steps the City could take to improve enforcement efforts. I am forwarding these proposals to the City Council with my recommendation that the measures be adopted.

1. Amend Section 12.16.160 B by striking out the words "thirty-five dollars" and inserting the words "fifty dollars", thereby increasing the non-criminal disposition fine for failure of an abutter to remove snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their property within the timeframes provided in the ordinance.

2. This clarification is recommended by the Law Department due to the existing language in G.L. c. 85, Section 5 which currently provides that:

"Cities by ordinance… may provide for the removal of snow and ice from sidewalks within such portions of the city or town as they consider expedient by the owner or occupant of land abutting upon such sidewalks. Such ordinances… shall determine the time and manner of removal and shall affix penalties, not exceeding fifty dollars in the case of a city…, for each violation thereof."

I recommend the two actions listed above. I am attaching a draft Home Rule Petition as prepared by the Law Department relative to Item Number 2.

Very truly yours, Robert W. Healy, City Manager

ON THE TABLE
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to environmental and legal matters associated with the Yerxa Road Underpass project. [Placed on Table on motion of Councillor Kelley on City Manager Item Number Twenty-five of July 28, 2008.]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Co-Chair of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on Nov 18, 2004 for the purpose of considering proposed amendments to Chapter 2.74 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, the Police Review and Advisory Board Ordinance. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Feb 14, 2005. [Four sections of the proposed amendment were passed to be ordained as amended. Ordinance #1284. The remaining proposed amendments to chapter 2.74 remain on Unfinished Business.]

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Numbers 06-87, 07-83 and 07-138, regarding the status of putting the City's self-evaluation on the website. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Kelley on City Manager Agenda Item Number Sixteen of Dec 10, 2007. Dec 17, 2007 - Referred to 2008-2009 City Council as Unfinished Business on motion of Councillor Kelley.]

4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an additional appropriation request and Loan Order regarding the CRLS renovation project. The question comes on adoption on or after Aug 11, 2008.

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from The Baak Gallery, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of the premises numbered 35 Brattle Street.

2. An application was received from Christ the King Presbyterian Church, requesting a curb cut at the premises numbered 90 Prospect Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical, Public Works. Approval has been received from the neighborhood association.

3. A zoning petition has been received from Alexandria Real Estate Equities, regarding proposed amendments to PUD-3A, PUD-4C and PUD-4B Districts of the Zoning Map of the City of Cambridge.  Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for hearing and report

4. An application was received from Chestnut Hill Realty, Inc., requesting permission for a sandwich board sign in front of the premises numbered 1636 Massachusetts Avenue.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Ann Larkin, thanking the City Council for its resolution on her retirement and enclosing a summary of the achievements of the Say Yes to Education students from the Harrington School (1991-2008).

2. A communication was received from Cambridge African American Heritage Alliance, transmitting support for the proposal to rename Plympton Street for David J. Halberstam.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulations to Diane Paulus on her appointment as Artistic Director of Harvard University and the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.).   Mayor Simmons

2. Appreciation to Cambridge Auxiliary Police Lieutenant Gloria Robinson for her years of service to the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Simmons

3. Retirement of Arlethia Pearson from the Police Department.   Mayor Simmons

4. Congratulations to Lilia Karapetyan on the occasion of being sworn in as an American citizen on Sept 17, 2008.   Councillor Toomey

5. Congratulations to Roger Boothe on the occasion of receiving the 2009 Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture given by the American Institute of Architects.   Councillor Maher

6. Resolution on the death of Claudette Lemay Chambers.   Councillor Reeves, Mayor Simmons

7. Resolution on the death of George Haley.   Councillor Toomey

8. Congratulations to Jonathan Hecht on the occasion of winning the Democratic primary for Middlesex County's 29th District State House seat.   Councillor Decker, Councillor Davis

9. Congratulations to Stephen Oleskey on the occasion of being the keynote speaker and receiving the Community Peacemaker Award at the Spirit of Mediation annual gala.   Councillor Decker

10. Happy 94th Birthday wishes to Mary Holmes.   Councillor Decker

11. Resolution on the death of Private Jordan P.P. Thibeault.   Councillor Decker
12. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Bryan R. Thomas.   Councillor Decker
13. Resolution on the death of Private First Class Patrick W. May.   Councillor Decker
14. Resolution on the death of Staff Sergeant Darris J. Dawson.   Councillor Decker
15. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Wesley R. Durbin.   Councillor Decker
16. Resolution on the death of Sergeant Kenneth W. Mayne.   Councillor Decker
17. Resolution on the death of Lieutenant Colonel Ralph J. Marino.   Councillor Decker
18. Resolution on the death of Sergeant First Class Daniel R. Sexton.   Councillor Decker

19. Welcome to Louis Palmer and the Solartaxi to Cambridge.   Councillor Davis

20. Resolution on the death of Joan G. (Lordan) Foley.   Councillor Maher

21. Condolences to the family of Frederick R. "Freddie" West.   Councillor Toomey

22. Happy 96th Birthday wishes to Suzanne Green.   Councillor Reeves

23. Congratulations to Joan Qualls Harris on the publication of her new book on the life of her ancestor, Army Private John Harvey.   Councillor Reeves

24. Congratulations to Marty Walz on being elected to her third term as a Representative from the Eighth Suffolk District of Massachusetts.   Councillor Davis

25. Congratulations to Byron Rushing on being elected to another term as a Representative from the Ninth Suffolk District of Massachusetts.   Councillor Davis

26. Congratulations to Alice Wolf on being elected to her seventh term as a Representative from the Twenty-fifth Middlesex District of Massachusetts.   Councillor Davis

27. Congratulations to Timothy Toomey on his election to his ninth term as a Representative from the Twenty-Sixth Middlesex District of Massachusetts.   Councillor Davis

28. Congratulations to William Brownsberger on being elected to his second term as a Representative from the Twenty-fourth Middlesex District of Massachusetts.   Councillor Davis

29. Resolution on the death of Margaret R. (Chisholm) Rogers.   Councillor Toomey

30. Congratulations to Richard Rossi and Dawn Gilford on their recent marriage on Sept 13, 2008.   Councillor Decker

31. Declare Oct 4, 2008 as Oliver Smoot Day in the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Simmons

32. Congratulations to Draylin and Annette Beaudrault on the birth of their son Draylin Agustin Beaudrault II on Aug 18, 2008.   Mayor Simmons

33. Resolution on the death of Margaret A. (Finn) Ferreira.   Councillor Toomey

34. Resolution on the death of Emilia Freitas (Chaves) Morales.   Councillor Toomey

35. Resolution on the death of Wolf Abdias Jules.   Councillor Reeves

36. Condolences to the family of Mildred Howard.   Councillor Reeves

37. Congratulations and thanks to Mr. Robert M. Wilson, CEO, Cambridge Savings Bank, on being the lead sponsor of the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund's 10th anniversary fundraiser.   Councillor Decker

38. Congratulations to Bob Neer on his new book entitled Barack Obama For Beginners: An Essential Guide.   Councillor Decker

39. Congratulations to Chris Gabrieli on his new book entitled Time to Learn: How a new School Schedule Is Making Smarter Kids, Happier Families, and Safer Neighborhoods.   Councillor Decker

40. Thanks to Police Officers Michael Padua and Eugene Bustillo, the Cambridge Fire Department and the Inn at Harvard for their response to the fire on Harvard Street on September 21, 2008.   Councillor Davis

41. Resolution on the death of Margaret A. (Brenner) Cipolla.   Councillor Toomey

ORDERS
1. City Council opposition to the elimination of the income tax in the state of Massachusetts, given the grave consequences for public safety, education, health care, and public infrastructure.   Mayor Simmons

2. That the City Manager is requested to determine if "CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE® Grants for Low-Income Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) Implementation Projects by Municipalities" are applicable to the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Seidel

3. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council at the earliest possible time on the potential impacts the recent events on Wall Street might have on the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Seidel

4. That the City Council Traffic, Transportation and Parking Committee hold a meeting on Cambridge's emergency evacuation plans and capabilities.   Councillor Kelley

5. That the City Manager is requested to confer with relevant City staff and MBTA personnel to ensure that the open drinking and associated problematic drinking in the MBTA plaza at Porter Square opposite Upland Road receives adequate police and human services attention to eliminate illegal behavior there.   Councillor Kelley

6. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the possible impacts of new detail regulations on Cambridge's police department and the City's reliance on detail work.   Councillor Kelley  Approved 6-2-0 (Toomey, Maher NO; Decker ABSENT)

7. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the extent of the City's ability to move directly against the owners of property in which problematic residents live, to include fines, liens or condemnation options.   Councillor Kelley  Failed 4-4-1 (Davis, Murphy, Reeves, Seidel NO; Decker ABSENT)

8. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the possibility of creating a new ticket, available to both police officers and parking control officers, specifically targeting vehicles illegally parked in bike lanes, to include what the maximum amount of such a ticket could be.   Councillor Kelley

9. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate departments to ensure that King Street drainage problems are solved and proper resurfacing is completed in conjunction with the Walden Street Bridge project.   Councillor Toomey and Councillor Decker

10. That the City Manager is directed to request that the Assistant City Manager for Community Development look into finding a zoning or other solution to the issue of parking car-sharing vehicles in the city.   Councillor Davis and Councillor Seidel

11. That the City Manager and the Mayor (as Chair of the School Committee) are requested to work toward a fair resolution of this matter of space allocation which will allow the King Community School to continue to operate an after-school program rich in physical activity.   Councillor Davis

12. That the City Manager is requested to confer with his staff, the Superintendent of the Cambridge Public Schools and his staff to determine a suitable resolution to the parking dilemma at the Fletcher Maynard Academy.   Mayor Simmons

13. That the City Manager is requested to advise the City Council as to the availability of additional funds for the celebration of other communities not traditionally celebrated, or that the City Council conduct discussions about a protocol for supporting the Mayor's Office in new multi-cultural celebrations, or rotating celebrations that allow for the inclusion of new ethnic communities.   Mayor Simmons

14. That the City Council meeting of Mon, Nov 10, 2008 be cancelled due to the National League of Cities Conference.   Mayor Simmons

15. That the City Council is requested to thoughtfully limit and minimize the submission of late orders and to consider that doing so decreases the ability for thoughtful public discussion prior to the vote of Councillors.   Mayor Simmons

16. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Community Development to review the new program of the City of Berkeley, California, which gives city-backed loans to property owners who install rooftop solar-power systems and report back on its applicability to Cambridge.   Councillor Seidel and Councillor Kelley

17. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council as to what local oversight of gas stations is available and utilized by the City to protect consumers from misrepresentation of prices, for example, charging more than the stated (by sign) price of gas when the payment is by credit card rather than cash.   Councillor Maher

18. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the fee structure used for energy audits by the Cambridge Energy Alliance.   Councillor Seidel

19. Repair of sidewalks in front of 19 Hubbard Street and at the intersection of Hubbard and Walden Streets.   Mayor Simmons

20. Restoration of the bus stop moved from the corner of Erie Street and Pearl Street.   Mayor Simmons

21. Dedication of a suitable location in honor of Michael Weinstein.   Councillor Decker

22. Dedication of a suitable location in the vicinity of Columbia Street and Main Street in honor of Wolf Abdias Jules and Stanley E. Jules.   Councillor Reeves

23. That the City Manager is requested to investigate ways that children in low income families can have more access to extracurricular activities such as the enrichment classes offered by the King Community School.   Councillor Decker

24. That the City Manager is requested to transmit to the DCR, Governor Patrick, and the Cambridge legislative delegation the need for a thorough process including examining safety and environmental issues as part of the planning process before the BU Bridge construction goes forward.   Councillor Davis

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Marjorie Decker, Chair of the Civic Unity Committee, for a meeting held on July 31, 2008 to discuss the possibility of a department or commission to continually oversee and coordinate Sister City Agreements with support from each Mayoral Administration.

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Sept 22
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, Sept 25
10:00am   The Finance Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the following matters: additional appropriation for high school; FY09 tax rate and the prior and current year revenues.  (Ackermann Room)

Wed, Oct 1
1:30pm   The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss hoarding and setting up a Cambridge Hoarding Task Force. (Kitchen Classroom - 2nd floor, Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.)

Mon, Oct 6
5:00pm   Special Presentation to welcome Cambridge Community Chorus with new Music Director Jamie Kirsch  (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)
6:30pm   The City Council will conduct a public hearing to discuss the property tax rate classification.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Oct 7
5:30pm   The Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the issue of potholes and street hazard repair.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Oct 8
3:00pm   The Housing Committee will conduct a public meeting to receive an update from the Cambridge Housing Authority on recent developments and issues, including funding issues, and further, to receive from Community Development Department housing staff a comparison of the Cambridge Housing Authority resident preference policy and the residence preference policy used in other city-funded affordable housing.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Oct 20
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Oct 22
6:00pm   GLBT Town Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Oct 27
5:30pm   Roundtable Meeting regarding ongoing strategic planning activities at the Cambridge Health Alliance  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Nov 3
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Nov 10
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Nov 17
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Nov 24
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 1
5:30pm   Roundtable Meeting with NSTAR  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 8
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 15
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 22
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 29
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 5, 2009
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 12, 2009
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 26, 2009
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 2, 2009
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 9, 2009
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 23, 2009
5:30pm   City Council Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Sept 22, 2008
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The income tax question on the ballot this fall is an irresponsible proposal that will have severe and immediate consequences for all residents of our Commonwealth, and particularly for the residents of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: This binding referendum will take $12.7 billion - nearly 40 percent - out of the state budget, driving up local property taxes and leading to drastic cuts in services; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge will suffer sweeping education cuts, steep reductions in public safety personnel, and further deterioration of roads and bridges; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record in opposition to the elimination of the income tax in the state of Massachusetts, given the grave consequences for public safety, education, health care, and public infrastructure.

O-2     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Technology collaborative has created "CLEAN ENERGY CHOICE® Grants for Low-Income Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) Implementation Projects by Municipalities;" and
WHEREAS: These grants have created an opportunity for municipalities to reduce energy use in buildings that serve low-income residents; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge has stated goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to determine if these grants are applicable to Cambridge; and be it further
ORDERED: That if these grants are applicable, that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to examine options for applying for these grants; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with his findings.

O-3     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
WHEREAS: Recent turbulence on Wall Street has raised alarms among economists nationwide; and
WHEREAS: The recent collapse of major investment banks is a potential concern for municipalities across the country; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council at the earliest possible time on the potential impacts the recent events on Wall Street might have on the City of Cambridge; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to not limit his report solely to questions of bonding and borrowing, but also to examine such other issues as the City's overall finances, the housing and real estate markets, construction spending and federal aid to name a few.

O-4     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
ORDERED: That the City Council Traffic, Transportation and Parking Committee hold a meeting on Cambridge's emergency evacuation plans and capabilities.

O-5     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with relevant City staff and MBTA personnel to ensure that the open drinking and associated problematic drinking in the MBTA plaza at Porter Square opposite Upland Road receives adequate police and human services attention to eliminate illegal behavior there; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this issue.

O-6     Sept 22, 2008  Approved 6-2-0 (Toomey, Maher NO; Decker ABSENT)
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: The Deval administration is working on regulations that address issues involving police details working at construction sites; and
WHEREAS: Detail pay is a significant cost to the City and others doing work in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Detail pay is significant source of income to Cambridge's police officers; and
WHEREAS: Some police officers have made career decisions based on the opportunity to receive detail pay in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Police construction details have not been proven to be more effective at managing traffic at construction sites than flaggers; and
WHEREAS: The City Manager is the Cambridge authority with the power to enter into contracts with City unions, such as the unions representing Cambridge police officers; and
WHEREAS: The new detail regulations may give the City, police officers and the general public an opportunity to discuss how we compensate our officers, what tasks it makes sense to have officers perform and what expectations about performing details should be clarified or codified; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the possible impacts of the new detail regulations on Cambridge's police department and the City's reliance on detail work; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to not make any final decisions on contract issues involving detail pay until the City Council has had an opportunity to review the new regulations and, with input from City staff, police officers and the general public, assist in creating a program that adequately compensates police officers while focusing law enforcement and traffic enforcement resources in the most effective manner possible.

O-7     Sept 22, 2008  Failed 4-4-1 (Davis, Murphy, Reeves, Seidel NO; Decker ABSENT)
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: Cambridge is a densely populated city where problematic neighbors can impact many people; and
WHEREAS: It can be difficult for neighbors, who might feel uncomfortable confronting problematic neighbors, to address these issues effectively; and
WHEREAS: Addressing the ownership of the dwellings in which problematic residents live may be more effective at addressing the problems than multiple complaints to the police, the neighbors or landlords (if any); now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the extent of the City's ability to move directly against the owners of property in which problematic residents live, to include fines, liens or condemnation options.

O-8     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: Bike lanes throughout Cambridge are commonly used for vehicles to park illegally; and
WHEREAS: Such illegal parking destroys the intent of the bike lanes to provide a clear, unobstructed route for cyclists; and
WHEREAS: Such illegal parking makes cycling more dangerous as cyclists must dart into the traffic lane to go around these illegally parked vehicles; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the possibility of creating a new ticket, available to both police officers and parking control officers, specifically targeting vehicles parked in bike lanes, to include what the maximum amount of such a ticket could be.

O-9     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
COUNCILLOR DECKER
WHEREAS: As a result of work surrounding the Walden Street Bridge a portion of King Street is being repaved; and
WHEREAS: King Street residents have dealt with Walden Street construction impacts since the work began; and
WHEREAS: Only a portion of the street which suffers from poor drainage conditions is planned for repaving; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate departments to ensure that King Street drainage problems are solved and proper resurfacing is completed in conjunction with the Walden Street Bridge project.

O-10     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is directed to request that the Assistant City Manager for Community Development look into finding a zoning or other solution to the issue of parking car-sharing vehicles in the city.

O-11     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: The King School and Amigos share a building with two gymnasiums; and
WHEREAS: The King School has an eight-hour day; and
WHEREAS: The King Community School after-school program also uses the King School gyms daily; and
WHEREAS: The King School has stated that it needs, and has begun to use, both gyms in addition to the auditorium which limits the use for the King Community School which needs some of the larger spaces for its activities; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager and the Mayor (as Chair of the School Committee) be and hereby are requested to work toward a fair resolution of this matter of space allocation which will allow the King Community School to continue to operate an after-school program rich in physical activity.

O-12     Sept 22, 2008
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: A correspondence from the School Committee to the Mayor has been sent indicating a need to address the ongoing parking dilemma at the Fletcher Maynard Academy; and
WHEREAS: All public schools in Cambridge with the exception of the Fletcher Maynard Academy have some degree of parking accommodations for administration, staff and visitors; and
WHEREAS: For decades administration, staff and visitors have suffered at great expense and hardship due to the absence of parking; and
WHEREAS: Resolutions to this matter may require support from the City Council, the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and discussions with owners of parking lots in the vicinity of the Fletcher Maynard Academy; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with his staff and with the Superintendent of the Cambridge Public Schools and his staff to determine a suitable resolution to this problem.

O-13     Sept 22, 2008
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The Office of the Mayor is responsible for a number of community celebrations and cultural events; and
WHEREAS: For many years the City has celebrated some ethnic communities in respective celebrations that have been a longstanding tradition begun at a time when the demographics of Cambridge were proportionately different than today; and
WHEREAS: The Office of Mayor E. Denise Simmons is often asked to participate in the celebration of other ethnic communities that have large and growing populations here in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: A nominal amount of funding exists in the Mayor's annual budget to celebrate specific, individual, ethnic communities; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to advise the City Council as to the availability of additional funds for the celebration of other communities not traditionally celebrated, or that the City Council conduct discussions about a protocol for supporting the Mayor's Office in new multi-cultural celebrations, or rotating celebrations that allow for the inclusion of new ethnic communities.

O-14     Sept 22, 2008
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The majority of City Councillors will be attending the National League of Cities Conference and will not be able to attend the City Council meeting of Mon, Nov 10, 2008; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council meeting of Mon, Nov 10, 2008 be and hereby is cancelled.

O-15     Sept 22, 2008
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The process and protocol for City Councillors to submit orders before their colleagues intends to provide ample time for all members of the City Council to review, research, and prepare themselves for the appropriate discussion and debate during public meetings; and
WHEREAS: There have been an increasing number of late orders submitted during City Council meetings which do not directly relate to the discussion and debate of items on the noticed agenda for that evening; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council be and hereby is requested to thoughtfully limit and minimize the submission of late orders and to consider that doing so decreases the ability for thoughtful public discussion prior to the vote of Councillors.

O-16     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
COUNCILLOR KELLEY
WHEREAS: The City of Berkeley, California has recently adopted an innovative new program to give city-backed loans to property owners who install rooftop solar-power systems; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Community Development to review the new program of the City of Berkeley, California, and report back on its applicability to Cambridge.

O-17     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR MAHER
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council as to what local oversight of gas stations is available and utilized by the City to protect consumers from misrepresentation of prices, for example, charging more than the stated (by sign) price of gas when the payment is by credit card rather than cash.

O-18     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on the fee structure used for energy audits by the Cambridge Energy Alliance.

O-19     Sept 22, 2008
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: Members of the Mayor's Senior Advisory Commission have brought to our attention that the sidewalks in front of 19 Hubbard Street and at the intersection of Hubbard and Walden Streets are broken due to tree roots and this endangers pedestrians with strollers who are forced into the street; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate City department to resolve this problem.

O-20     Sept 22, 2008
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: Members of the Mayor's Senior Advisory Commission have brought to our attention that the bus stop moved from the corner of Erie Street and Pearl Street should be restored to this location where it is safer for seniors to wait in a well-lit area; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate City department to determine a suitable resolution to this problem.

O-21     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR DECKER
ORDERED: That the City Council dedicate a suitable location in honor of Michael Weinstein; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Assistant to the City Council be and hereby is requested to confer with the family regarding a suitable dedication ceremony and communicate with the Department of Public Works to arrange for the sign.

O-22     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR REEVES
ORDERED: That the City Council dedicate a suitable location in the vicinity of Columbia Street and Main Street in honor of Wolf Abdias Jules and Stanley E. Jules; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Assistant to the City Council be and hereby is requested to confer with the family regarding a suitable ceremony and communicate with the Department of Public Works to arrange for the sign.

O-23     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR DECKER
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to investigate ways that children in low income families can have more access to extracurricular activities such as the enrichment classes offered by the King Community School.

O-24     Sept 22, 2008
COUNCILLOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has indicated to city officials that it now plans to greatly expand the BU Bridge project from simply repairing sidewalks to a total reconstruction of the bridge; and
WHEREAS: The DCR aims to do this construction quickly; and
WHEREAS: The city administration and the public have had no input into the expanded project and there are major issues that must be addressed such as the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles, as well as protection of the environment; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to transmit to the DCR, Governor Patrick, and the Cambridge legislative delegation the need for a thorough process including examining safety and environmental issues as part of the planning process before the bridge construction goes forward; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council urge the legislative delegation to slow down the project so it can be fully reviewed and carefully planned so the reconstructed bridge is safe and durable for the next 100 years.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Civic Unity Committee held a public meeting on July 31, 2008 beginning at three o’clock and forty-five minutes P.M. in the Ackermann Room. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of a department or commission to continually oversee and coordinate Sister City Agreements with support from each Mayoral Administration.

Present at the meeting were Councillor Marjorie Decker, Chair of the Committee; Mayor E. Denise Simmons; Councillor Sam Seidel; Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves; and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury; Brian Corr, Executive Director of the Peace Commission; Jeff Walker, Chief of Staff for Mayor Simmons; and Ini Tomeau, Public Information Officer. Also present were Michael Marashian, 855 Massachusetts Avenue #410; Jesse Burkhardt, 206 Franklin Street; Richard M. Boyajian, 87 Appleton Street, Quincy, MA; Philip Ketchian, Yerevan Sister City, 71 Elm Street, Belmont, MA; Suzanne Pearce, founding member of Yerevan Sister Cities, 247 Lakeview Avenue.

Councillor Reeves convened the meeting and explained that although he is not a member of this committee he has a perspective and information that he would like to contribute to the discussion. He provided some history of the origins of the program. There are some indicators of success, for example, an enthusiastic group in the sister city and in the Cambridge community.

At this time, Councillor Decker arrived and assumed the chair. Councillor Decker thanked Councillor Reeves for his introduction. She stated that currently there is a real issue of to whom people go to get information about a sister city. Councillor Decker said that the relationship is mostly determined by the interest of a particular political official. She is interested in how to broaden sister relationships. When she was in Cienfuegos, Cuba, there was a commonality of Cambridge and Cienfuegos and also Galway in the high-tech, biotech industries as important sectors of the economies of all three cities.

At this time Councillor Decker invited those present to introduce themselves and describe their connection to this issue.

Brian Corr, Executive Director of the Peace Commission, said that the Peace Commission has taken an active role with some sister cities such as San Jose Las Flores in El Salvador. The members of the Peace Commission are interested in playing a role in Cambridge’s sister city program; of course that is a decision for the City Council and the City Manager. He said that the organization Sister Cities International has suggestions for evaluating and strengthening sister city relationships. He distributed information for Sister Cities International and some preliminary research that he has done on Cambridge’ sister cities (Attachment A).

Councillor Decker described the origins of the sister city relationship with San Jose Los Flores. It began as a political relationship, to protect citizens of San Jose, with a large amount of participation from community activists opposed to U.S. intervention in El Salvador.

Councillor Decker distributed information about how some other cities handle sister city relationships (Attachment B). She noted the need for a budget and an official "home" for the administration and also for the gifts that other cities have brought to the City of Cambridge. Some of them are incredibly beautiful, and without a permanent home, they can get lost.

She invited comments from members of the Sister City Committee.

Suzanne Pearce, 247 Lakeview Avenue, said that she is a founding member of the Yerevan Sister Cities Association and was president for 12 years. She said that the challenge has been maintaining the official government to the city government piece of the relationship. The Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Association has U.S. Aid grant funds. To be able to get grant funds and to survive, a committee needs to have a healthy 501 (C) (3) structure. She agrees that having an official Sister City home is vital. She gave an example of the loss of early video programs because of the lack of appropriate archival storage.

Councillor Reeves said that every time this discussion comes up, the need for a budget is a big issue that is never solved.

Councillor Decker said she would like to see one part-time person housed at the Peace Commission who would be responsible for coordination and support.

Councillor Reeves said that the two most successful municipal support systems for sister cities that he has seen are in Chicago and Seattle. Seattle participated with cities in Japan and did economic development. He described an approach by some scientists who were interested in Cambridge establishing a sister city relationship with a city in China in which they wanted to do some questionable research. Adequate information and screening of proposals for sister city relationships are important.

Councillor Decker noted the problems with housing the sister city program in the Mayor’s Office because of the frequent turnover. Jeffrey Walker agreed with the difficulties of having the Mayor’s Office as the center. While there is mention of the Sister City as something that is funded by the Mayor’s Office budget, there is no specific allocation of funds.

Councillor Seidel said that he would like more discussion on the issues of moving the program from the Mayor’s Office to another Department.

Brian Corr asked about the possibility of having the functions split between the Mayor’s Office and another department to keep the ceremonial functions with the Mayor’s Office. Mayor Simmons agreed. Councillor Decker said that the Mayor’s Office would have to be involved in the ceremonial parts. Councillor Simmons agreed and also noted that since Mayors come and go, the administration program should sit in a department that will allow for continuity for many years.

Councillor Decker said that a part-time employee could work directly in sister city relationships, could work with other city developments, and could be a keeper of the historical records and items. Mayor Simmons said that she was very sad to see how many Sister City gift objects received from other sister cities were just sitting in the City Hall attic. Councillor Decker said that a staff person did organize this material. Mayor Simmons added that a staff person could arrange for the gifts to be displayed. Mr. Walker related conversations with citizens of other cities who emphasized to him how much a sister city relationship could offer in terms of economic development. Ms. Pearce said that she would like to see much more discussion/education on Cambridge as an international city, something that high school students could learn from.

Councillor Decker said that this has happened in the past when there was a teacher or other Cambridge Public School Department staff person who was involved in the particular Sister City Committee. If there were a staff person, that person could work on the development of the relationships.

Councillor Seidel asked Ms. Pearce to discuss her idea about relating sister cities to climate change activities. Ms. Pearce said that she would like to use the Cambridge/Yerevan Sister City Association to facilitate information exchange about possible collaboration on some of the green projects in which Cambridge is involved. Green projects are often city-based and there are more and more relationships among cities in this regard, for example, I.C.LE.

Ms. Pearce said that there are ways to help each individual sister city projects without much money, for example, using the website. Councillor Decker said that the Yerevan and San Jose las Flores Sister City Organization are very much people to people organizations. However, she has learned from her experience representing Cambridge at United Nations International Organization of Peace Messengers that even if a sister city organization which has the official city designation and is mostly citizen-based, there still needs to be accountability back to the city government. Councillor Decker said that some sister city organizations were really one-shot deals and not presently active; that; that is fine as long as the opportunity is there. In response to a question from Councillor Seidel, Mr. Corr said the City has a list of sister city organizations and there is contact information for some but not all.

Councillor Decker said that she will work with Mr. Corr on developing a questionnaire and survey for the sister city associations, and then there will be another committee meeting on this topic. She thanked all those present for their participation and congratulated the members of the Cambridge Yerevan Sister City Association on their successful work at maintaining a strong connection. The meeting was adjourned at five o’clock and five minutes p.m.

For the Committee,
Councillor Marjorie Decker, Chair

AWAITING REPORT LIST
08-25. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report how many children with IEP's receive out of school assistance either written or not written into their plans.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 03/03/08 (O-5)

08-41. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what process is being followed to develop programs for the new West Cambridge Community Center.
Councillor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Vice Mayor Murphy, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Mayor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 03/17/08 (O-15)

08-65. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on changes to the intersection of River Street and Mass Avenue to allow more pedestrian crossing time before vehicles are allowed to turn.
Mayor Simmons and Full Membership 04/28/08 (O-15)

08-66. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #4
RE: report on the shortage of visitor parking at Neville Center.
Vice Mayor Murphy and Full Membership 04/28/08 (O-17)

08-74. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on methods of collecting, maintaining, and analyzing traffic enforcement and accident data.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Davis, Councillor Maher, Vice Mayor Murphy, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Mayor Simmons 05/19/08 (O-4)

08-79. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how local construction lighting could be limited to the minimum necessary for safety.
Councillor Davis and Full Membership 06/02/08 (O-2)

08-84. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on whether Massachusetts Water Protection Act or Rivers Protection Act empowers abutting or downstream communities to speak on or affect the outcome of a development permitting process.
Councillor Seidel and Full Membership 06/02/08 (O-7)

08-87. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #5
RE: report on whether a residential unit can have a deed restriction placed on it preventing that unit from ever being able to receive a Cambridge parking permit.
Councillor Seidel, Councillor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Vice Mayor Murphy, Councillor Reeves & Mayor Simmons 06/09/08 (O-11)

08-91. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on plans to relocate the Public Works Department.
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Vice Mayor Murphy, Councillor Seidel & Mayor Simmons 06/23/08 (O-6)

08-94. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #2
RE: report on all athletic organizations that receive funding or in-kind support to include participation rates broken down by age, gender, socio-economic status and any other relevant categories of information collected.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Decker, Councillor Maher & Mayor Simmons 06/23/08 (O-12)

08-95. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on statistics of all formal enforcement actions involving excessive noise from January 2007 to June 2008.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Maher, Councillor Seidel & Mayor Simmons 06/23/08 (O-13)

08-100. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on possible changes to regulations and operating procedures for traffic and motor vehicle use that could increase efficiency and fuel conservation.
Councillor Maher and Full Membership 07/28/08 (O-21)

08-101. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on working with Boston to create a policy to keep truck traffic to a minimum within the City.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 07/28/08 (O-25)

08-103. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on neighborhood concerns including broken traffic lights, poorly situated policy details, snarled traffic and lack of advanced notice at the ongoing project at Putnam and Western Avenues.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 07/28/08 (O-31)

08-104. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #3
RE: report on truck traffic on Lexington Avenue.
Councillor Maher & Vice Mayor Murphy 07/28/08 (O-37)

08-105. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of using the parcel on Binney and Fulkerson Streets for a dedicated dog park.
Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Murphy & Mayor Simmons 07/28/08 (O-40)

08-107. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on ensuring that the responsibility of the developers for a safe crossing will be upheld by the MBTA and that plans will coincide with the vision of future development.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 09/08/08 (O-5)

08-108. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the position the City can take on altering the NorthPoint special permit now that the land swap is no longer necessary.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 09/08/08 (O-7)

08-109. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the progress of addressing rodent complaints and whether the number of complaints has increased or decreased.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 09/08/08 (O-8)

08-110. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what is being done about the spike in violence, particularly gun violence, in Area IV.
Councillor Davis and Full Membership 09/08/08 (O-9)

08-111. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on monitoring the efforts of Harvard and MIT in regard to wind data collection.
Councillor Davis and Full Membership 09/08/08 (O-10)

08-112. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on increased on-street parking pressure from residents of the apartment complex at 205 and 225 Walden Street.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 09/08/08 (O-13)

08-113. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of extending the hours of park lighting at Donnelly Field.
Councillor Toomey 09/08/08 (O-19)

08-114. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on examining options to make the parking lot and abutting sidewalk located along Linnaean Street at the corner of Mass. Avenue a safer place for non-vehicular traffic.
Councillor Seidel 09/08/08 (O-22)

08-115. Report from the City Manager:  See Mgr #6
RE: report on safety concerns with the placement of the crossing island at Mt. Auburn & Willard Streets.
Councillor Toomey 09/08/08 (O-29)