Cambridge City Council meeting - September 26, 2011

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Joseph Wilfong as a member of the Cambridge Historical Commission for a term of three years.

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the Planning Board not to adopt the Chestnut Hill Realty Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition

CHARTER RIGHT
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a recommendation for the City Council to move to Executive Session to discuss Awaiting Report Item Number 11-117. Charter Right exercised by Councillor Seidel on City Manager Agenda Item Number One of Sept 19, 2011.
Council met in Executive Session

ON THE TABLE
2. That the City Manager is requested to restore funding for School Department clerical positions until a proper and negotiated process can be achieved with the Cambridge School Department and Unions representing the employees, and to report back to the City Council on the progress. [Order Number Fourteen of Apr 26, 2010 Placed on Table. Councillor Kelley made motions to take from table on May 10, 2010 failed 2-7-0, Sept 13, 2010 failed 4-4-1, Sept 27, 2010 failed 3-5-1, Dec 13, 2010 failed 3-6-0. Remains on Table.]

3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-32, regarding a report on issues with the development of the former St. John’s property site. [Charter Right exercised on City Manager Agenda Item Number Eighteen of May 24, 2010. Placed on Table June 7, 2010.]

4. An application was received from Tony LaVita, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 68 Middlesex Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. [Applications and Petitions Number Ten of June 7, 2010 Placed on Table.]

5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 10-189, regarding a report on the legitimacy of the tax exempt claim of Education First. [Charter Right exercised on City Manager Agenda Item Number Nineteen of Jan 24, 2011. Placed on Table Jan 31, 2011.]

6. That the City Manager is requested to have the Community Development Department convene a meeting with neighbors in the vicinity of Grove Street and Blanchard Road, the Fresh Pond Master Plan Committee and other relevant parties to review the zoning along the golf course and the Fresh Pond Reservation in that area. [Charter Right exercised on Order Number Five of Jan 24, 2011. Placed on Table Jan 31, 2011.]

7. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council with a complete and comprehensive list of all concessions made to the City and broader Cambridge community by developers and the universities in exchange for zoning relief, special permits, or Council approval. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Reeves on Order Number Eleven of Apr 25, 2011. Tabled on Motion of Councillor Cheung on May 2, 2011.]

8. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 11-94, regarding a report on fireworks at Corcoran Park on July 4th. [City Manager Agenda Item Number Nineteen of Sept 12, 2011 Placed on Table on motion of Councillor Kelley.]

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Joanne Killackey-Hogan, Manager Consumer Industry Contact, United States Postal Service, regarding the proposed post office closing.

2. A communication was received from William C. Campbell, Woburn City Clerk, transmitting a copy of a proposed Resolution in support of H1972 "An Act Regulating Election Primaries" now pending before the General Court at the State House.

3. A communication was received from Carol O'Hare, 172 Magazine Street, transmitting comments relating to street dedication signs.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the death of Francis X. Tobin. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Maher

3. Resolution on the death of Noel Johnson. Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Simmons

4. Congratulations to Delio and Rebecca Susi on the occasion of the baptism of their son John Patrick Susi. Councillor Toomey

5. Encourage residents to attend Cambridgeport History Day on Oct 1, 2011. Vice Mayor Davis

6. Congratulations to Bob Salines on his semi-retirement from Pug’s Bar and Grill and thanks for his contributions to the East Cambridge community. Councillor Toomey

7. Retirement of Natividad Diaz Morrissey from the Human Services Department. Mayor Maher

9. Best wishes to the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church as they rededicate a new rainbow flag to honor the equality and inclusion that it symbolizes in the face of the recent theft of their rainbow flag. Councillor Simmons

10. Congratulations to Carol Nickerson on receiving the Extreme Self Esteem Award during Esteem Boston’s annual award ceremony on Oct 12, 2011. Councillor Simmons

11. Congratulations to Representative Gloria Fox on receiving the Extreme Self Esteem Award during Esteem Boston’s annual award ceremony on Oct 12, 2011. Councillor Simmons

12. Congratulations to The Dance Complex on its 20th anniversary. Councillor Simmons

13. Best wishes to the African Cultural Society of St. Paul AME Church on their African fashion show on Oct 1, 2011. Councillor Simmons

14. Condolences to Christine Peters on the death of her mother. Councillor Simmons

16. Welcome the Firebrand Saints Bar and Grille to Kendall Square. Councillor Simmons

17. Urge residents to be cognizant of National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept 15-Oct 15, 2011. Councillor Simmons

18. Thanks to the teens from the Willis D. Moore Youth Center for volunteering their time to water the flower pots on Western Avenue throughout the summer. Vice Mayor Davis

19. Congratulations to Professor Roland Fryer on being awarded a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation grant. Mayor Maher

20. Congratulations to Professor Markus Greiner on being awarded a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation grant. Mayor Maher

21. Congratulations to Matthew K. Nock on being awarded a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation grant. Mayor Maher

22. Acknowledge the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Councillor Simmons

23. Congratulations to Abbie Celniker in her new position as CEO of Eleven Biotherapeutics. Councillor Cheung

24. Congratulations to Martini Severin on her successful work on Beyond Boston Chic. Councillor Cheung

25. Congratulations to Gail Roberts on being ranked among the top real estate professionals in the country based on sales volume. Councillor Cheung

26. Congratulations to Guido Baratta on being named Creative Director at Interaction of Cambridge BioMarketing. Councillor Cheung

27. Congratulations and best wishes to Hi-Rise Bread Company on the opening of its third location on Wendell Street. Councillor Cheung

28. Congratulations to Bradford P. Tenney on his election to the Cambridge Retirement Board. Councillor Decker

33. Thanks to Maryellen Carvello and all who made Danehy Park Family Day a success. Councillor Decker

34. Commending the First Church in Cambridge for recognizing the life of generous service of Doris Beauvais. Councillor Decker

37. Thanks to the MIT Crime Club for their achievements in making their campus and the City of Cambridge a safer and more welcoming environment. Councillor Seidel

39. Retirement of Father Norbert Deamato from St. Francis Church. Councillor Toomey

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report on the progress of the Food and Fitness Policy Council and process to add community members to the Council. Vice Mayor Davis

2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the City of Somerville in an effort to bring truck traffic, idling and noise at the Millbrook Storage parking lot into compliance with city regulations and to ask for signs to be posted on the property asking drivers to be aware that they are near residences. Councillor Toomey

3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Community Development to arrange a follow-up meeting with Mid-Cambridge residents regarding the proposal for off-leash hours for dogs at Joan Lorenz Park. Councillor Seidel

4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads about removing the North Cambridge Crime Taskforce trailer from its site and report back to the City Council. Mayor Maher

5. Seeking intervention from Federal officials in keeping the Inman Square and MIT Post Offices open. Mayor Maher

6. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads on the feasibility of making improvements at Alberico Park. Councillor Cheung

7. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads to ensure that playgrounds are clean by the start of the school year. Councillor Cheung

8. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads about areas to conserve electricity in the library in the daytime. Councillor Cheung

9. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads on the feasibility of installing a drinking fountain along the pedestrian pathway near Memorial Drive and JFK. Councillor Cheung

10. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to look into the feasibility of installing a left turn arrow at Rindge and Massachusetts Avenue. Councillor Cheung

11. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department on the feasibility of allowing off-leash dog hours between the hours of 6:00pm-8:00pm at Sennott Park. Councillor Cheung

12. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads to look into the status of repaving Windsor Street. Councillor Cheung

13. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to provide a response regarding a bike locking mechanism in all of the City’s commercial areas where the City is trying to encourage alternative transportation. Councillor Decker

14. That the Regular City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2011 be changed to a Roundtable. Mayor Maher

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Sam Seidel and Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Co-Chairs of the Government Operations and Rules Committee for a public meeting held on Aug 29, 2011 to discuss policy development on community benefits as mitigation for zoning amendments and dedication of street corners.

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Sept 26
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 4
3:00pm The University Relations Committee will conduct a public meeting to hear from MIT about its development plans as they affect students, staff and researchers, and how they are housed. (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, Oct 6
5:30pm The Transportation, Traffic and Parking Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the Austin, Texas "Parking Benefit District Pilot Program" and any other city parking issues. (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Oct 11
7:30am The Community Health Committee will conduct a public meeting: revisiting after ten years - where do you go when home is not safe. Malkin Penthouse (Kennedy School of Government)

Wed, Oct 12
5:30pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the city’s plan to deal with natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, Oct 13
5:00pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to amend the Zoning Ordinance in Section 20.200 Central Square Overlay District by deleting Section 20.304.5.3 b., which currently requires all establishments where liquor is served to have their principal public entrance on Massachusetts Avenue. This hearing to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Sept 26, 2011
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report on the progress of the Food and Fitness Policy Council; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to recommend a process to add community members to the Council; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide an opportunity for the Council to report back to the public on its findings; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-2 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: Cambridge residents along the Somerville line have been experiencing disturbances by trucks using the Millbrook Storage parking lot on Gore and Medford Streets during the early morning hours; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the City of Somerville in an effort to bring truck traffic, idling and noise into compliance with city regulations and to ask for signs to be posted on the property asking drivers to be aware that they are near residences and to report back to the City Council.

O-3 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Community Development to arrange a follow-up meeting with mid-Cambridge residents regarding the proposal for off-leash hours for dogs at Joan Lorenz Park.

O-4 Sept 26, 2011
MAYOR MAHER
WHEREAS: The North Cambridge Crime Taskforce trailer is covered in graffiti and has become an eyesore in the neighborhood; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads about removing this trailer from its site and report back to the City Council.

O-6 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that residents have raised concerns about the aesthetic disrepair of Alberico Park; and
WHEREAS: In addition to addressing the maintenance of the park, the list of improvements suggested by residents includes:
Implementing Wi-Fi and barbeques that have been installed in other parks; and
New backboards for the basketball hoops.
now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads on the feasibility of making the before-mentioned improvements at Alberico Park.

O-7 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that residents have expressed concern about the cleanliness of the Graham & Parks playground at the start of the school year; and
WHEREAS: Parents have echoed concerns about playgrounds containing litter, glass, cigarette butts, juice boxes and other trash that accumulated over the summer; and
WHEREAS: To promote a healthy environment and prevent children from harming themselves, residents have asked that the city plan ahead to ensure that all playgrounds are cleaned before the start of a new school year; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads to ensure that playgrounds are clean by the start of the school year.

O-8 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that patrons of the Cambridge Public Library concerned about the conservation of electricity have noted areas where overhead lighting is in use in the daytime despite the presence of windows that let in more than enough light; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads about areas to conserve electricity in the library in the daytime.

O-9 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that residents running along the Charles River would appreciate a drinking fountain by Memorial Drive near Harvard Square; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads on the feasibility of installing a drinking fountain along the pedestrian pathway near Memorial Drive and JFK.

O-10 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that residents have asked for the installation of a left turn arrow at Rindge and Massachusetts Avenue; and
WHEREAS: Residents have reported that the flow of traffic is negatively impacted as motorists block the left turn side as they are under the impression that it is a straight through; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to look into the feasibility of rectifying the before-mentioned issue.

O-11 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that residents are requesting off-leash dog hours at Sennott Park from 6:00pm-8:00pm; and
WHEREAS: Residents feel that off-leash dog hours at this time would further enhance the park’s usability and entice more dog owners to take advantage of the park; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department on the feasibility of allowing off-leash dog hours between the hours of 6:00pm-8:00pm at Sennott Park.

O-12 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR CHEUNG
WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that residents have inquired about the repaving of Windsor Street; and
WHEREAS: Residents have expressed concern that while Windsor Street was listed as part of the 5-Year Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction Plan, it has been six years since the project was first proposed; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the appropriate department heads to look into the status of repaving Windsor Street.

O-13 Sept 26, 2011
COUNCILLOR DECKER
WHEREAS: This City Council has learned that the Board of Trustees at 1105 Massachusetts Avenue has requested bike locking mechanisms in the area of said building; and
WHEREAS: The building is a mixed-use complex with many residents and clients commuting by bike; and
WHEREAS: A bike locking mechanism would greatly improve foot traffic in the area and would cut down on possible liability issues related to bikes attached to the railing of the building at 1105 Massachusetts Avenue; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to provide a response regarding this kind of mechanism in all of our commercial areas where we are trying to encourage alternative transportation; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

O-14 Sept 26, 2011
MAYOR MAHER
ORDERED: That the Regular City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2011 be changed to a Round Table.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Government Operations and Rules Committee held a public meeting on Aug 29, 2011 beginning at 5:32pm in the Ackermann Room to discuss policy development on community benefits as mitigation for zoning amendments and dedication of street corners.

Present at the meeting were Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Co-Chair of the Committee; Councillor Sam Seidel, Co-Chair of the Committee; Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis; Mayor David Maher; Councillor Marjorie Decker; Councillor Leland Cheung; Leo Gayne, Assistant to Mayor Maher; Deputy City Manager Richard C. Rossi; Assistant City Manager for Human Services Ellen Semonoff; Susan Glaser; Mary Hart, MIS Director; D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk; Donna P. Lopez, Deputy City Clerk; Sandra Albano, Assistant to the City Council; Nancy Glowa, Assistant City Solicitor.

Also present were Terrence Smith, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce; Jason Alves; John Clifford; Muna Kungsen; Penny Peters; Heather Hoffman, resident, 213 Hurley Street; Robert Winters, resident, 366 Broadway; Charles Marquardt, resident, 10 Rogers Street.

Councillor Toomey opened the meeting and welcomed those present. He noted that Councillor Kelley, Councillor Reeves and Councillor Simmons had each written a letter to the committee in which they informed the committee of their inability to be present and provided their thoughts and ideas (Attachments C, D, E). Councillor Toomey stated that the committee would be discussing the mitigation issue first and would be considering the recommendations that the City Manager made to the City Council in his Aug 1, 2011 report (Attachment A) He invited Mr. Rossi to begin with a brief summary of the City Manager’s report.

Mr. Rossi stated that the City Manager was asked by the City Council to discuss mitigation. Mr. Rossi stated that the Assessor’s Office and the CDD analyzed development costs and mitigation paid in previous developments. He stated that Mr. Healy wanted to point out that in many cases the City is involved with significant mitigation payments that developers must make to offset traffic pattern changes, storm water relief, and other direct physical conditions related to the development. With regard to the neighborhood and community benefit aspects, Mr. Healy’s report proposes that a committee of the Deputy City Manager, the Deputy Director of Community Development, the DPW Commissioner and three Cambridge residents be appointed to determine what kinds of programs to link up benefits and needs of particular geographical locations.

Ms. Glazer stated that the CDD has looked at past cases where the Council has developed agreements with developers. She stated that after looking at several examples and consulting with the Assessors’ Office, staff concluded that $10.00 per square foot would be equitable amount. She stated that some may feel it is a high figure but it could be reduced if the developer is working to better the community by creating new open space, affordable housing, etc. She stated that the report recommends that there be a committee to decide programs and projects to be funded by any mitigation. The committee would then report its recommendations to City Council. Mr. Rossi stated that the suggested procedure recommends utilizing a process with the community to establish a hierarchy of community needs to guide the allocation of funds.

Councillor Decker asked about legal considerations and the reference in the report to the Duran vs. Bellingham case. Deputy City Solicitor Nancy Glowa stated that there cannot be an unequivocal promise by a Council to a developer, payment must be voluntary and the mitigation must be something that is within the general police power of the municipality.

Councillor Toomey stated that the City has a record of negotiating packages for mitigation and that this is not new to the City Council. He noted the Riverside zoning amendment and the mitigation that the city received, including a new park and affordable housing. Attorney Glowa stated that regarding the Riverside mitigation, all of the statutory procedures were followed with no promise before the amendment was passed by the City Council.

Councillor Toomey stated that some City Councillors have had negotiations regarding mitigation prior to passage of zoning amendments. It has been happening for a number of years. Councillor Reeves said that the notion would be to get out in front with a list of community needs developed through community hearings.

Vice Mayor Davis stated that the difference with an adopted policy is that it will be up front. She asked how the $10 per square foot of added GFA compares to the amount of mitigation received in the Alexandria, Broad Institute, Harvard petitions for zoning amendments. Ms. Glazer stated that the CDD looked at all of those cases and along with the Assessor’s Office determined that that amount reflected past practice and reasonable value.

Councillor Davis questioned the goals of this meeting. Councillor Toomey stated that mitigation in connection with zoning petitions has been an issue before the Council. The Council adopted an order requesting the Manager’s input. The City Manager responded with a report (Attachment A) which the City Council referred to the Government Operations and Rules Committee. This meeting is to consider the City Manager’s recommendations and begin the work of developing a City policy on mitigation in connection with zoning petitions.

Mr. Rossi stated that when the City Manager appointed the group of staff who worked on this, he asked the group to look at it two ways: community needs, loss of parking, traffic, etc. and then in general to look at mitigation needs around entire community, scholarships, helping underprivileged children, etc.

Vice Mayor Davis said that it is not always easy to determine the impacted area. She noted that Novartis sits between two areas. Porter Square also touches on multiple neighborhoods. She stated that it is not always easy to figure out the allowances. She asked how the policy should deal with mitigation when a project is between two neighborhoods. What would be the process to determine who gets what?

Councillor Decker said that some neighborhoods are much bigger than others, for example Cambridgeport. She asked how in mitigation involving large neighborhoods, how does the neighborhood benefit as a whole? How do you decide how much Agassiz, Raymond Park, Avon Hill, receive. She stated that her concern is that there are neighborhoods in the City that do not see the impact of development right next to them. She believes that all neighborhoods should benefit from the mitigation to the negative impacts of construction. There are neighborhoods that are not right next to the construction, but they are still part of the community; those residents still live here and drive through the traffic. People live throughout the community, not just in their homes.

Councillor Decker stated that she is interested in seeing a majority of mitigation funds go to education or human services. It shouldn’t always go to infrastructure. Education is the equalizing place, regardless of where they are coming from. She then stated that she would like more conversation about community benefits that don’t pertain to money and how that part would fit into the formula. She stated that human services facing dramatic cuts could benefit from mitigation. She drew attention to Councillor Reeves’s letter about the importance of social services (Attachment D). Councillor Decker requested that there be several meetings with understanding that each meeting may not have an outcome but will keep dialog open which is important.

Councillor Toomey stated that this discussion began with the City Council’s disagreement on how to allocate mitigation funds from a NorthPoint development which had relevance to education. He believes that the mitigation was to go to scholarship to children throughout the city. In response Councillor Decker stated that there needs to be more structure regarding mitigation conversations.

Mr. Rossi stated that the examples that the City Manager provided were meant as a few illustrations of what can be done. Outreach to various agencies regarding their unmet needs, and with a project before the City, here is the hierarchy of what could be done. Time will help to consider all needs of the city.

Mayor Maher stated that he would like to thank Mr. Healy and Mr. Rossi for bringing this forward. He initially brought this before the Council after uncomfortable situations that the Council found itself in. What became evident to him was that the City Council was getting to a place where there was no predictability. He believes that a broad-based formula will make all more comfortable. He stated that regarding the idea of a 50/50 split between the abutting neighborhoods and the community-wide needs, he does not expect the funds for abutting neighborhoods for the mitigation to include any enhancement of planting around buildings. He sees this money as enabling neighborhood organizations like the Community Arts Center, which provides a direct benefit to the people in the neighborhood. Other examples are the Margaret Fuller House, the East End House, the North Cambridge Family Opera. The process for distribution of the funds could be through an annual process that allows non-profits to apply for grants. The money would be spread throughout the community. Organizations that get funding in one annual cycle might not be eligible for the next year. Another portion could go to direct benefits such as keeping swimming pools open longer, etc., basically direct benefits of programming that enhance the ability of resident who live and thrive in the neighborhoods surrounding the development. He stated that he does not envision these funds supporting infrastructure changes such as new sidewalks. Direct benefit to the community is important.

Councillor Cheung said that it is helpful to have this dialogue without the pressure of zoning decision. He agreed that incentive money should not go to landscape enhancements. He stated that Mayor Maher’s vision of a grant-type system is a good one. His issue is the source of the money. Capital vs. Operating Budgets. It is important not to take capital funds and put them in the operating budget. Mitigation feels like capital money to him. He would like to take capital money and put towards it towards capital projects. He also emphasized the need for separation of mitigation decisions from zoning decisions. He would like to vote on the merits of the proposed zoning amendment and he does not want to be faced with the notion that while his is voting on zoning he is actually voting up or down of a child’s education. Councillor Cheung cited with approval the approach taken with the Longwood Avenue area in Boston - the developer was required to build additional space for classrooms for community members to go and get training to get jobs.

Councillor Seidel stated that he likes the idea of a formula and he agrees that it should be about improving the lives of people, not concrete buried in the sidewalk. It is clear that the businesses who want to locate in Cambridge understand that they can be community partners with the city. He has questions he would like to explore regarding the numbers. For example, can the $10 per square foot sometimes be something else, for example, classrooms, He is also not sure that 50-50 is the right split between abutting neighborhoods and broader community needs. In the old system, the City Council could negotiate a benefit for a community partner that would benefit from the cash infusion. The committee needs to ensure that community partner needs such as the infrastructure needs at the Margaret Fuller House or a van for a community organization can still be met. Since most development takes place in two neighborhoods, he believes that two neighborhoods will likely see the benefit of this money.

Mayor Maher stated that there needs to be a way to look beyond physical location of the sites because some programs reach out to many different parts of the city.

Vice Mayor Davis said that she too is concerned about nonprofit program needs. All of these organizations occupy old expensive-to-run buildings. Most of these buildings desperately need capital improvements that would reduce their energy costs and increase their sustainability.

Councillor Decker said that nonprofits are extremely important to our community, but there are restrictions in the Massachusetts Constitution on the assistance that governments can provide to them.

Mr. Rossi added that loans to nonprofits mean an additional expense to pay back the loans.

Councillor Toomey stated that he does not want to see community centers pitted against each other in a fight for funds. He said that the City budget needs to help these organizations and agencies. He would like to see a long-term strategy to ensure that those agencies don’t go under. He does not believe mitigation will solve this problem. They need large infusions of money. He does not want to see group vs. group.

Vice Mayor Davis stated that Harvard has a revolving loan fund so that one group can borrow money, they pay it back and then do it again. She believes that revolving funds are something that the City should be looking at.

Councillor Decker stated that she thinks that the issue of aiding non-profits it is a different conversation. She thinks the point is important. She likes Mayor Maher’s suggestion about the idea if you get funding this year, you are not able to get it next year. She does not think that an application/review process should be a driving force around zoning petitions.

Mr. Rossi stated that this issue needs a lot more thought.

Councillor Toomey said that he feels that mitigation should benefit the community that is impacted by the development. It should stay within the neighborhood.

Mayor Maher stated that he started the 6.5 million open space fund in East Cambridge. He stated that there is a way to look at this. He talked about developing a point system.

Vice Mayor Davis stated that the committee needs to develop principles to guide mitigation decisions. Two that she has heard at this meeting that deserve further consideration are: (1) the money should have a lasting impact. (2)This money should be used as leverage in order to make the money go further.

Councillor Cheung noted the following principles: (1) The money should be used for capital expenses. (2) The money should be used to continue the success that got Cambridge the money to begin with.

Councillor Davis then brought up handicap access for non-profit buildings, churches, etc. Councillor Maher stated that there is CPA money available for such things but the problem is where the matching funds come from.

Councillor Toomey then opened the discussion up to public comment.

Renata von Tscharner, 2 Hubbard Park, Executive Director of the Charles River Conservancy, stated that mitigation should go to open space. There needs to be clarity about how mitigation funds differ from other city funds? She urged a process that looks at what value was reduced or taken from a neighborhood and then what neighborhoods needs are. She submitted a letter for the record (Attachment F).

Resa Mednick, 20 Maple Avenue, Director of Transition House, stated that another dynamic is at work here. Part of the conversation with existing and new businesses must be about setting a high the expectation for investment in the community. That is very important to bring to the table. This presents an opportunity to educate businesses that come to Cambridge. In terms of developing the formula, it is important to weigh all issues, not just geographical.

Charles Marquardt, 10 Rogers Street, stated that this is a good start. He expressed his agreement with using the funds for capital expenses and not operating expenses. He believes that the City should establish and review mitigation policies regularly outside the zoning petitions. There must be a structure that keeps the separation of the consideration of the zoning and the mitigation. He stated the need to understand what the neighborhood needs, not what the City wants.

Robert Winters, 366 Broadway, stated YES to mitigation, defined as benefits that respond to actual costs of the development. He is opposed to payments for zoning as an alternate revenue source. It is a dangerous road to go down. The City needs to develop relationships with businesses.

Terry Smith, Government Relations Director, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, resident of Manassas Street, stated that he thinks the discussion was interesting and useful. HE agreed with the importance of a process that sets up a pre-established lost of programs. He noted that new growth reduces taxes in a manner that benefits residents all over the city. He submitted written comments (Attachment G).

Heather Hoffman, 213 Hurley Street, stated that she would like to bring up something that she has stated many times in the past. It appears to her that way too much of city zoning is being driven not by the City’s looking at what it wants to be, but rather by various property owners looking at what they want their little piece of the City to be. Zoning is not a cash cow. It is supposed to create the city that we want to live in.

There being no additional members of the public wishing to comment, Councillor Seidel closed public comment. He stated that there has been good discussion.

Vice Mayor Davis stated that there should be a target date for development of the principles by the first of December for the new term.

Councillor Cheung asked Mr. Rossi and other City Councillors to come back with more thoughts on this. He said there is a difference between developers building a building and a company building a building. They should be treated differently. He emphasized the importance of process.

Councillor Toomey stated that mitigation comes into play when the developer wants to upzone to gain profits and he feels the community should benefit from this request.

Councillor Toomey stated that the co-chairs and committee members will forward to Mr. Rossi questions that they believe need answers in order to move forward.

Mayor Maher questioned that if it does come down to a grant process, he would not want those to come before the City Council. He would not like to be lobbied by individual organizations.

At 7:15 Councillor Toomey closed the topic of mitigation and moved to discussion the topic of criteria for street dedications.

Councillor Seidel then began the discussion of the process and criteria for street dedications. He called the attention of those present to two documents submitted by the Mayor, based on earlier work by the city administrative staff and Government Operations and Rules Committee, one entitled "Dedication Criteria Suggestion" (Attachment B-I) and the other called "City Council Application for Street Dedications" (Attachment B-II). He opened up the meeting to thoughts and comments from committee members.

Mayor Maher spoke regarding the criteria for dedications. He stated that the criteria make sense. He believes that the moratorium should be ended but with restrictions to ensure that the dedication of street corners is not overused. He feels that by limiting the number of dedications, the Council will return the street corner dedication to what it should be - an important recognition of one who has given to the City in some way.

Councillor Seidel then confirmed that the number of dedications set forth in the criteria is a total of five each six months, or ten per year.

Vice Mayor Davis questioned the number of dedications suggested in the criteria. In response to her question, Mrs. Albano said that in the past few years the number has been about 50 per year. Vice Mayor Davis said that her concerns are that the "in the line of duty" and "KIA" that are automatically processed could use up the entire quota of dedications for the year. Mayor Maher said that those dedications fall into a different category administered by the Veterans’ Services Department.

Mrs. Albano said that from her experience, she believes it would be best to provide explicitly that each City Council is entitled to one dedication per year. Not all councillors would use one a year, but she believes they should know that that is available to them unless they take an affirmative step to declare that they will not be proposing a dedication in a particular year.

Councillor Toomey questioned how many street corners are still available. Ms. Albano stated that all areas of Cambridge are well represented by signs.

Councillor Cheung stated that there should be some sort of vetting to ensure that the sign is being dedicated to a worthy person. He stated his disagreement with the suggestion that the family should pay the cost of the dedication. He also feels that there should be some way to retire the corners. There should be some sort of registry so people can see what corner has been dedicated and to whom. He would like to see some sort of electronic scan system that would allow people to find out additional information about the person on the sign by using their cell phone or laptop.

Mr. Rossi stated that a process could be established in which persons make written recommendations to a committee that would apply the criteria determined by the City Council to select those applicants who best meet the criteria. This would be a process that would judge the merit of the person. He also said that there could be a separate process for dedications in honor of resident such as firefighters and police officers who were killed in the line of duty.

Deputy City Clerk Lopez questioned the process by which one would research such dedications in the future. It was suggested that the recommendations of the special committee be put into some form of committee report for the permanent records of the City Council.

Mayor Maher stated that he does believe a limit on the number is a good thing and it is okay to be able to say to someone that there is a limit.

Councillor Toomey stated that it is time to resolve this issue.

Councillor Seidel opened the meeting to public comment.

Charles Marquardt, 10 Rogers Street, offered the only public testimony on this subject at the hearing. He suggested that there should be a veteran’s representative on the committee and that the Executive Director of the Historical Commission should also be involved.

Additional Comments on Dedications Received by Email:
Nica Bell, Aug 29, 2011 - Attachment H
Eve Sullivan, Aug 29, 2011 - Attachment I
Fred Meyer, Aug 29, 2011 - Attachment J
Megan Brook, Aug 30, 2011 - Attachment K
Mary-Ann Donofrio, Aug 30 - Attachment L

Vice Mayor Davis said that she is troubled about the historical criteria. She has been hoping that, for the upcoming commemoration of the War of 1812, money that would otherwise go to street corner dedication signs could be used to produce historical street signs, which would explain the connection of the names of the several streets in Cambridgeport that owe their names to a connection with that war. There is no budget in the Historical Commission for street dedications. It was agreed that this matter of explanatory signs for already-named streets, while clearly worthy of an additional discussion, did not belong in the discussion of ceremonial dedication of street corners to particular individuals by City Council vote.

Mayor Maher commented that history of street names and the history of the persons to whom street corners are dedicated is becoming extremely important. He stated that it would be great to start to do research-finding for street corners. Councillor Seidel stated that should be the next step.

Mayor Maher stated that his office will come up with revisions to the proposal to reflect the discussion at today’s meeting and will bring said revised criteria back to the committee for approval. The revision would include items for which there seemed to be general agreement at this committee, including a special committee which would not be a council committee and which would evaluate the applications according to how well they met the criteria established by the City Council. Applications could come to the committee directly from citizens. The special committee would report recommendations of 5-10 honorees twice a year to the City Council.

It was agreed that there would be further discussion of the appropriate number of dedications that should be voted in any one year at next meeting. The follow-up meeting will be a decision-making meeting so this issue can move forward to the City Council.

Councillor Toomey and Councillor Seidel thanked all those present for their participation. The meeting was adjourned at 7:07pm.

For the Committee
Councillor Timothy J. Toomey Jr., Co-Chair
Councillor Sam Seidel, Co- Chair

AWAITING REPORT LIST
10-50. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on options for amending the ordinance to allow for permitting of civic organizations to use public space after hours.
Councillor Cheung 03/22/10 (O-18)

10-89. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a delineation of the boundaries of Joan Lorentz Park.
Councillor Seidel, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 05/24/10 (O-11)

10-133. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on railroad crossing safety policies and procedures, including equipment maintenance and repair in the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Seidel 09/13/10 (O-16)

10-177. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on meetings with presidents of Cambridge colleges/universities to work out a proposal that they will pay the tuition and fees for students graduating from Cambridge public high schools.
Councillor Reeves and Full Membership 11/22/10 (O-7)

10-178. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on developing an RFP for experimental music venues and space in Central Square.
Councillor Reeves and Full Membership 11/22/10 (O-8)

10-184. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of the Cambridge Farmers Market using space for the winter months in the ground floor of the First Street garage or other suitable space.
Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Maher, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 12/13/10 (O-2)

10-185. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on establishing a "pilot program" for Clean Tech Start-Ups in the first floor of vacant First Street garage.
Mayor Maher and Full Membership 12/13/10 (O-4)

10-186. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on possible options for providing more support for the homeless youth in Cambridge.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 12/13/10 (O-5)

10-190. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of implementing the 311 system in Cambridge.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 12/20/10 (O-2)

11-03. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on possibility of allowing homeowners alternatives to alter flat roof structures to create better rain water runoff collection.
Mayor Maher, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 01/10/11 (O-5)

11-06. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on whether the Responsible Employer Ordinance was complied with in regard to the recent bid on water-proofing project in Lafayette Square.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor Decker, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 01/10/11 (O-9)

11-15. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what incentives were given to Vertex as part of their relocation deal and evaluate how Cambridge could offer those same incentives to companies it is attempting to lure from out of state to the City.
Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 01/31/11 (O-15)

11-20. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of retaining the traffic light on Memorial Drive at Magazine Street.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Seidel, Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 02/07/11 (O-3)

11-27. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on recent trip of Public Safety officials to Israel and on the City’s policies regarding the provision of professional development of City officials by private entities. View final order.
Councillor Decker, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 02/28/11 (O-20)

11-28. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on possible projects that could be completed with the help of Code for America.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 03/07/11 (O-1)

11-53. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how to make the Follen Street/Little Concord Avenue intersection safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. Referred back by Councillor Cheung on 5/23/2011 for further information.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 05/16/11 (O-3)

11-58. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of installing a projector presentation screen in the Sullivan Chamber.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 05/16/11 (O-12)

11-61. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the percentage of tree canopy coverage.
Councillor Seidel and Full Membership 05/16/11 (O-22)

11-63. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on determining the impact that the Batelle Study recommendations could have on Cambridge.
Vice Mayor Davis 05/16/11 (O-24)

11-64. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of implementing paying for city services on-line.
Councillor Cheung 05/16/11 (O-29)

11-65. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of emulating the San Francisco Yellow Pages ban in Cambridge.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 05/23/11 (O-1)

11-71. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on total of donations raised during the 2011 resident sticker renewals for environmental initiatives, identify a project that the funds can be used for and publicly display that the funds were possible from resident donations.
Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Councillor Kelley, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 06/06/11 (O-2)

11-72. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on determining if the Silver Maple Forest could be purchased for preservation.
Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 06/06/11 (O-5)

11-76. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on long term strategy that mitigates the actions of the Boston cab companies.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 06/20/11 (O-2)

11-78. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on where the police currently conduct foot patrols or park & walks and how these locations are decided.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 06/20/11 (O-6)

11-79. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on installing benches in front of the Main Library.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 06/27/11 (O-3)

11-80. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on enforcement of biking on the sidewalks in Central Square.
Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Decker, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 06/27/11 (O-4)

11-81. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on producing information for residents and taxpayers regarding readily available financial information online for citizens to view and easily understand.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 06/27/11 (O-6)

11-82. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on any possible implications of the merger between the Longy School of Music and Bard College.
Councillor Seidel 06/27/11 (O-9)

11-83. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on technology plan for the city, the use of social media tools, and identifying projects that would benefit using Gov 2.0 Initiative.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-1)

11-84. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on creating a research and development office for technology.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-2)

11-85. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on plans for participation in the BIO 2012 Convention.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-4)

11-89. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the need for a bamboo ordinance that either bans the planting of bamboo outright of somehow holds the owner of the bamboo accountable.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-8)

11-90. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility and possibility benefits of participating in the UN Global Compact Cities program.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-9)

11-91. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what information campaign will go along with the bike-share program.
Vice Mayor Davis and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-13)

11-92. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the feasibility of creating a system that the general public could search by a unique identifier, that contains all official documents such as building permits, variance applications, License Commission inspections, etc.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-15)

11-99. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on incorporating information regarding safe bicycling in the City with the dissemination of information related to and implementation of the Hubway bike share program.
Councillor Seidel and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-25)

11-101. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on examining the relationship between job creation in the City and available housing stock.
Councillor Seidel and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-27)

11-102. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of using BLAZE technology for the safety of bicyclists.
Councillor Decker, Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 08/01/11 (O-29)

11-104. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the progress of Cambridge Office of College Success Initiative Working Group Draft.
Councillor Reeves and Full Membership 08/01/11 (O-31)

11-107. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on how the delay of the Green Line Extension project could impact the development at Northpoint.
Councillor Toomey 08/01/11 (O-34)

11-109. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on options to go paperless with City bills.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-1)

11-110. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the impact of the proposed alternative route on Cambridge Non-Radioactive Hazardous Materials traffic.
Councillor Toomey and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-2)

11-111. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on adjusting the timing of the pedestrian walk lights at intersection with a high volume of seniors using crosswalks.
Councillor Simmons and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-3)

11-112. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of using Auxiliary Police for foot patrols in the vicinity of senior apartment buildings.
Councillor Simmons and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-6)

11-114. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on semi-trailer trucks routinely using Lambert Street to get to McGrath Highway.
Councillor Simmons and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-18)

11-116. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on what changes need to be made to playgrounds and playing fields associated with the public schools in order to best support the Innovation Agenda.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-23)

11-118. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on plans for the McCrehan pool.
Councillor Kelley and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-25)

11-119. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on protocol of having wireless internet access on only the first floor of the public library.
Councillor Decker and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-26)

11-120. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on a plan to ensure that tow truck drivers model safe and courteous driving in the City.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-27)

11-121. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on installing additional "one way" signs on Fulkerson Street and a speed bump to reduce speeding.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-28)

11-122. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on increasing enforcement against bikers that endanger pedestrians and provide bike regulations to a wider audience including through media outlets.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-29)

11-124. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on racial makeup of the City’s workforce.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-37)

11-125. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the progress and feasibility of integrating and providing a service similar to SeeClickFix.
Councillor Cheung and Full Membership 09/12/11 (O-40)

11-126. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the status of Police Call Boxes to be installed at Lopez Park and at the new Northpoint Park.
Councillor Toomey 09/12/11 (O-47)

11-127. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the public process that will take place to help determine the design of the new park in East Cambridge as it relates to the Biogen Idec build out mitigation agreement and whether a committee should be assembled as part of the process.
Councillor Toomey 09/12/11 (O-48)

11-128. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on trimming tree branches on Pine and Eaton Streets.
Councillor Reeves, Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Mayor Maher, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 09/19/11 (O-10)

11-129. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of using Bobcats to clear snow on neighborhoods and retails sidewalks.
Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel, Councillor Simmons & Councillor Toomey 09/19/11 (O-5)

11-130. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on locating a dog park in East Cambridge similar to the one on Washington Street in Somerville.
Councillor Toomey 09/19/11 (O-11)

11-131. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on placing utility pole wires underground as part of the Alewife sewer project.
Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 09/19/11 (O-9)

11-132. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the regulations regarding the sale of knives and BB guns in Cambridge.
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 09/19/11 (O-1)

11-133. Report from the City Manager:
RE: report on the possibility of beautifying Lechmere Station.
Councillor Toomey, Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor Davis, Councillor Decker, Mayor Maher, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Seidel & Councillor Simmons 09/19/11 (O-4)