Cambridge City Council meeting - October 7, 2024

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number #24-47, regarding the garbage chute at 1 Leighton Street. (CM24#218)
Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

TAX RATE HEARING (6:30pm)
Late 1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to votes necessary to seek approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of the tax rate for FY2025. (CM24#220) [text of report] [Executive Summary]
Orders Adopted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Agenda Item Number 1A Oct 7, 2024
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is authorized to use $2,000,000 in Overlay Surplus Reserve to be used to reduce the Fiscal Year 2025 tax rate.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Agenda Item Number 1B Oct 7, 2024
ORDERED: That the City Council classifies property within the City of Cambridge into five property classes allowed for the purpose of allocating the property tax levy. Additionally, that the City Council hereby adopts a minimum residential factor of 64.2099 for the purpose of distributing the property tax levy.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Agenda Item Number 1C Oct 7, 2024
ORDERED: That the City Council approves a thirty (30) percent residential exemption for owner-occupied homes.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

ORDERS
1. That this City Council go on record in support of 2024 ballot Question 2 to replace the MCAS graduation requirement and require instead that districts certify that students have satisfactorily completed coursework demonstrating mastery of the skills and knowledge required by the Commonwealth’s strong, statewide standards in order to graduate. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson (PO24#139)
pulled by Toner; comments by all but Simmons; Order Fails 4-4-0-1 (MM,SS,JSW,AW-Yes; BA,PN,PT,CZ-No; DS-Present)
Note: Councillor Toner quoted statistics that, over the last 10 years at CRLS, there have been 5,352 graduations and only 41 who did not receive a diploma due to failure to pass 10th Grade MCAS exam.

CHARTER RIGHT
1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to produce the petition(s) necessary to accomplish the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries, including and especially Memorial Drive. [Charter Right – Azeem, Sept 30, 2024] (PO24#137)
Comments by all; Adopted as Amended 5-4 (BA,MM,PN,SS,JSW-Yes; PT,AW,CZ,DS-No)

O-4 Sept 30, 2024 Charter Right - Azeem (Sept 30); Adopted as Amended (Oct 7)
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: As previously requested by the City Council with PO23#87, the December 2022 roadway safety bill, “An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities”, contains a provision which allows municipalities to seek state approval to modify the speed limit on a state highway within their geographic boundaries; and
WHEREAS: The tragic traffic fatality of a bicyclist on Memorial Drive last week highlights the danger present on sections of Memorial Drive and the limitations of Cambridge’s ability to make essential safety improvements within the City; and
WHEREAS: The danger presented by the current design has long been evident, and both advocates and state legislators have been calling on the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to create a full-width shared-use path that can provide adequate space and protection for the significant numbers of pedestrians and cyclists that use the path; and
WHEREAS: In alignment with the City’s longstanding commitment to Vision Zero, the City Council is in full support of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries; as well as review potential improvements to pedestrian and cyclist safety by implementing infrastructure improvements and further separation; and
WHEREAS: In order to guarantee safety improvements are made on Memorial Drive, a state-owned roadway, coordination with relevant state agencies responsible for those projects is essential; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate departments to produce the petition(s) necessary to accomplish the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries, including and especially Memorial Drive; and to meet with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to discuss additional measures to improve safety along Memorial Drive that can be implemented in the short term; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in support of redesigning Memorial Drive to expand green space, improve road crossings and sidewalks, and replace two motor vehicle travel lanes with protected multi-use paths along the full length of Memorial Drive, which will allow sidewalks on both sides of Memorial Drive to be designated for pedestrian use; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council goes on record in support of road design changes to achieve these speed goals on Memorial Drive so that it is safer and equitable for all road users, by re-starting a robust community process to expand green space, improve road crossings, build paths that separate people who are walking and biking, and reduce dangerous speeding throughout Memorial Drive using modern design standards and reductions in motor vehicle travel lanes; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to coordinate with OCR Commissioner Arrigo to arrange the robust community engagement process regarding Memorial Drive, as promised by the OCR at the January 30, 2024 meeting with Riverside and Cambridgeport neighborhood residents and other impacted stakeholders, that has thus far failed to materialize and which must be made an integral part of this process as it moves forward: and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate departments and prepare a communication to Commissioner Arrigo of the Department of Conservation and Recreation for immediate updates on the next phases of the Memorial Drive Greenway Improvements and urge DCR to prioritize pedestrian and bicycle safety measures within the improvement projects; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council by November 2024.

ON THE TABLE
2. That the City Manager is requested to explore the feasibility of delaying the Mass Avenue reconstruction project to minimize its impact upon the busy season for restaurants and other affected businesses, and, should this not be found feasible, a method of providing financial assistance to the impacted businesses to cover the costs of removing their outdoor dining structures, designed to mitigate some of the financial impacts upon them, should be established. [Charter Right – Simmons, June 3, 2024; Tabled as Amended June 10, 2024] (PO24#70)

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. An Ordinance 2023 #8B has been received from City Clerk, relative to Amend Chapter 14.04 – Fair Housing. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 2, 2023; Amended Nov 6, 2023; to remain on Unfinished Business pending legislative approval of Special Act needed prior to ordination] (ORD23-8B)

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication from Allison Smedberg Wilson, re: Please move forward with zoning changes that support new housing.

3. A communication from Amy Waltz, re: Proposed zoning for construction of 6 story/75’ buildings will cause massive climate harm! Please regulate embodied emissions & reconsider zoning priorities!

4. A communication from Annette LaMond and Joe Moore, re: Opposed to Wholesale Up-Zoning.

5. A communication from Annette LaMond and Joe Moore, re: Please Suppose Marsh–Half Crown NCD.

8. A communication from Arthur Strang, re: Opposing the Zoning proposal – considerably incomplete.

9. A communication from Beth Gamse and Judy Singer, re: Please vote no on citywide Up-zoning

10. A communication from Carolyn Fuller, re: PO#4 & In Support of Bold Action on Housing.

11. A communication from Carolyn Magid, re: multifamily zoning on tonight’s agenda.

12. A communication from Rabbi Yoni, Central Square Tenants, re: Zoning proposal for six-story multifamily buildings citywide to go to Ordinance.

14. A communication from Christopher Cullen, re: please allow multifamily housing throughout Cambridge - begin to ameliorate this housing crisis.

15. A communication from Zachary Yaro, re: Support for PO#4 at tonight’s City Council meeting.

19. A communication from Wayne Welke, re: CMA #207 (Charter Right #1) – End Exclusionary Zoning!

20. A communication from Daniel Hidalgo, re: Please move Zoning Language to Ordinance.

21. A communication from David Halperin, re: Support multifamily housing zoning.

23. A communication from David Hattis, re: In Support of Ending Exclusionary Zoning.

24. A communication from David Levy, re: Against Upzoning Proposal without Changes.

25. A communication from Elisabeth Meurer, re: oppose upzoning plan with no guardrails.

29. A communication from Emily Fletcher, re: Stop the Delays Re: Eliminate Exclusionary zoning.

31. A communication from Emma Bouton, re: It’s time to end exclusionary zoning.

35. A communication from Helen Walker, re: Do Not Advance Multifamily Housing Citywide to Ordinance Committee.

36. A communication from Helen Walker, re: In Support of Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District.

37. A communication from Jackson Moore-Otto, re: Support for Multifamily Zoning: Urge Speedy Passage

38. A communication from James Zall, re: Reform zoning for more housing (Calendar items #1-3 on 9/30/24 agenda).

40. A communication from Jennifer Wang, re: Allow multifamily housing Cambridgewide.

43. A communication from Jessica Sheehan, re: please don’t water down Mem Drive PO.

45. A communication from Justin Saif, re: Please Send Zoning Language to End Exclusionary Zoning to Ordinance!

46. A communication from Karen Falb, re: Cambridge’s “Eiffel Towers” and “Big Bens” - Data and Demographics.

47. A communication from Kenneth Leinbach and Marion Hogan, re: proposed zoning changes.

49. A communication from Kevin Wilson, re: In Support of Bold Action on Housing - Please end exclusionary zoning.

50. A communication from Lee Farris, re: Multifamily zoning concerns and questions.

53. A communication from Stephen Fitzsimmons, re: and Orawan Saejao Fitzsimmons AHO proposal vote.

54. A communication from Stephanie Tournas, re: My comments on the Walden Sq development

56. A communication from Shannon Canavin, re: In Support of Bold Action on Housing.

57. A communication from Sarah Stone, re: In Support of Sending New Zoning Language to Ordinance.

59. A communication from Ross Simmons, re: Please advance the new zoning rules as quickly as possible!.

63. A communication from Rabbi Yoni, re: Transparency in Agendas for City Council Meetings and Committees.

64. A communication from Quentin Smith, re: Restoring sanity to multi-family zoning.

65. A communication from Patricia and David Wagner, re: Opposing citywide upzoning.

68. A communication from Ned Melanson, re: What happens when we delay in the face of crisis.

71. A communication from Mary Jane Kornacki, re: Upzoning’s environmental impact.

73. A communication from Marilee Meyer, re: Please support the preservation of 90 Brattle St and Half-crown Marsh NCD.

74. A communication from Marilee Meyer, re: please send rezoning back to the HOUSING COMMITTEE.

75. A communication from Marilee Meyer, re: Please do not send rezoning to ORDINANCE.

78. A communication from Conleigh Byers, re: Support for making Memorial Drive safer by expanding the park, reducing car lanes and speeds.

83. A communication from Jan Devereux, re: Memorial Drive improvements: Just do it!

84. A communication from Jason Livingston, re: Support for Expanding Park Paths and Narrowing Motor Vehicle Lanes on Memorial Drive.

85. A communication from Joe Maranzano, re: Bike Safety in Cambridge on Memorial Drive.

87. A communication from Josh McLinden, re: Please improve the safety of Memorial Drive.

88. A communication from Julian Astbury, re: Support for Expanding the Park and Enhancing Safety on Memorial Drive.

89. A communication from Karen Falb, re: The present 2023 map of the AHOverlay Proposal Corridors misleads and handicaps citizen input.

90. A communication from Kathleen McDermott, re: Support making Memorial Drive safer!!!!

92. A communication from Madge Kaplan, re: In support of major changes on Memorial Drive.

94. A communication from Rachel Wilson, re: Memorial Drive traffic changes needed.

96. A communication from Nike Tirman, re: San Diego pays $7M in fatal cyclist crash.

97. A communication from Michael Nunziato, re: Make all of Memorial Drive safer now, expand the park path with Jersey barriers.

99. A communication from Franziska Amacher, re: Memorial Drive improvements – Just do it!.

101. A communication from Sandra Fairbank, re: Memorial Drive improvements – Just do it!.

102. A communication from Nikola Goles, re: My support for re-designing Memorial Drive.

103. A communication from Suzanne Blier, re: 1-2-3 on this week’s Council Agenda.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulations to Teresa Brown on her retirement from the Department of Human Services. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

2. Congratulations to Krystyna McInally on her retirement from the Cambridge Water Department. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

3. Congratulations to Patricia Rosser on her retirement from the Department of Human Services. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

4. Congratulations to Lieutenant George Sabbey on his retirement from the Cambridge Police Department. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

5. Congratulations to Catherine Fosher on her retirement from the Department of Public Works. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

7. Congratulations to Janice Manion on her retirement with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

8. Congratulations to Laura Grainger on her retirement from the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

9. Congratulations to John Quinn on his retirement from the Assessing Department. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

11. Recognizing the Work Force Program for 40 Years of Service to the Youth and Families of CHA. Councillor Wilson, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Wilson for comment

COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting an update re: legislative activity. (COF24#128)
Placed on File 9-0

2. A communication from David Murphy, Interim Superintendent of Schools, re: CPS MCAS Achievement Data.
Placed on File 9-0

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Oct 7
5:30pm City Council Meeting
6:30pm PROPERTY TAX RATE CLASSIFICATION - The Cambridge City Council will conduct a public hearing related to setting the property tax rate classification. … Under the laws of the Commonwealth, the City has the option of taxing residential and commercial/industrial property at different tax rates. At this public meeting, the City Council will review tax rates/classifications proposed by the City Manager and the Board of Assessors. The votes taken will result in property tax rates that reflect the city’s property tax levy for Fiscal Year 2025, including the granting of the residential exemption.

Tues, Oct 8
11:00am The Health and Environment Committee will hold a public hearing to receive an update from city staff on BEUDO implementation and to review and discuss regulations, elements of BEUDO, and possible future updates.

Thurs, Oct 10
1:00pm The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss preliminary recommendations from the Central Square rezoning process.

Tues, Oct 15
11:00am The Housing Committee will hold a public hearing to continue the discussion from the meeting that was held on April 30, 2024 on the feasibility of municipally funded housing vouchers as referenced in PO24#24.
3:00pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on a Zoning Petition by the City of Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000 and 8.000 with the intent to add a definition of “dormer” to Article 2.000 and to amend the requirements related to adding dormers to nonconforming one- and two-family dwellings in Section 8.22.1.h.2 in order to allow certain dormer(s) construction as-of-right.

Tues, Oct 22
11:00am The Health and Environment Committee will hold a public hearing to review and discuss the updates on the Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP).

Thurs, Oct 24
3:00pm The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss research on four-day work week pilot programs with businesses, government agencies, and non-profits and models for a four-day work week that have been implemented locally.

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Oct 7, 2024
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR WILSON
WHEREAS: Access to a high-quality, publicly funded education is a guaranteed right in the Massachusetts Constitution; and
WHEREAS: Pediatricians, researchers and school counselors have warned of the impact of high-stakes testing on students’ mental health and well-being and studies demonstrate that it creates disproportionate barriers for students of color, ESL students, and students with learning disabilities; and
WHEREAS: The most effective measures of whether students are meeting our strong, statewide standards and developing the skills they need to succeed in college, the workforce and beyond are educator-led assessments such as projects, papers, tests and group activities that are conducted throughout the school year; and
WHEREAS: The MCAS is significantly limited in its ability to accurately and effectively measure whether students are meeting the Commonwealth’s standards and developing the skills they need to thrive after high school; and
WHEREAS: A question has been certified for the 2024 ballot to remove the MCAS exam as a high school graduation requirement in Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS: The ballot question would only remove the MCAS as a graduation requirement and not prevent the test’s administration in Massachusetts schools or its use as a diagnostic tool; and
WHEREAS: The use of MCAS as a high school graduation requirement has restricted curriculum and shifted the focus of education in public schools toward meeting a test score instead of fostering an environment of creativity, critical thinking and real teaching and learning that helps students realize their full potential; and
WHEREAS: Using MCAS testing as a high school graduation requirement has prevented or delayed thousands of students from earning a diploma, thereby interrupting or derailing education or career plans, with especially harmful impacts on students of color, low-income students, students with disabilities and students for whom English is their second language; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That this City Council go on record in support of 2024 ballot Question 2 to replace the MCAS graduation requirement and require instead that districts certify that students have satisfactorily completed coursework demonstrating mastery of the skills and knowledge required by the Commonwealth’s strong, statewide standards in order to graduate.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
24-59. The City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City departments to assess the feasibility of installing speed control bumps on Antrim Street.
Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-2) from 9/30/2024

24-60. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to report back to the City Council on the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) NOFO as soon as possible.
Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 9/30/2024

24-18. Report on zoning language that effectively promotes multi-family housing, including income-restricted affordable housing with the goal of having viable housing for everyone especially lower-income residents.
Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (Calendar Item #2) from 3/25/2024

24-23. Report back to the Human Services and Veterans Committee on an issued RFP calling for an agency that will lead the City through a community process that will include, but not be limited to, community education, community feedback, location possibilities, potential legal issues and will include feedback from all neighborhoods, including but not limited to; seniors, businesses and places of worship, the Cambridge Police Department, the Cambridge Fire Department, Pro Ambulance, the Cambridge Health Alliance, shelters, nonprofits working with those experiences substance use disorder, and individuals experiencing substance use disorder themselves.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Azeem (O-2) from 5/13/2024

24-24. Report on work done with relevant City departments and the Cambridge Arts Council to consider whether Cambridge could facilitate a Porchfest event.
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem (O-2) from 5/20/2024

24-31. Provide an update to the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan (MFIP) including revised cost estimates to help inform the FY26 and ongoing capital budget priorities in a timely manner.
Councillor Pickett, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner (O-1) from 6/10/2024

24-32. Report back on exploring with the MBTA how to best ensure that the public art, Gift of the Wind, is preserved.
Councillor Pickett, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson (O-1) from 6/17/2024

24-36. Provide a plan for keeping residents, businesses and public safety officials informed about the status of current and future inter-jurisdictional transportation projects.
Councillor Pickett, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-2) from 6/24/2024

24-37. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to consider a number of city application processes and find ways to reduce paper and printing waste.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-7) from 6/24/2024

24-39. The City Manager is requested to reach out to the Executive Director of the Cambridge Housing Authority to explore the feasibility of utilizing the large screen televisions in the community rooms of CHA buildings to enable seniors living in these buildings to participate in (via public comment) and view City Council meetings as they are held.
Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Azeem (O-1) from 8/5/2024

24-40. The City Manager is requested to take the necessary actions to ensure the City’s Gold Star Pool remains open through the end of September 2024, and shall be ready to open at the start of June 2025, three weeks earlier than the pool opened this year.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui (O-3) from 8/5/2024

24-44. The City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to provide a legal opinion on whether Cambridge can enact a local ordinance or regulation similar to H.3685, which would prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system, or whether the City should submit a Home Rule Petition to ensure access to solar energy for residents.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui (O-13) from 8/5/2024

24-45. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to review climate leading heating and cooling regulations and direct the appropriate departments to develop and implement a policy that aligns with Cambridge’s climate leadership to ensure that City operated buildings have default temperatures that align with health and sustainability best practices , including differing guidelines for workplace occupancy hours and outside of business hours.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem (O-14) from 8/5/2024

24-47. The City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to provide a comprehensive report outlining the City’s knowledge of the garbage chute issues at 1 Leighton Street. See Mgr#1
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner (O-4) from 9/9/2024

24-49. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide a status update on the implementation of the PACE program and provide resources and information for property owners; and provide any recommendations for expanding PACE adoption.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner (O-8) from 9/9/2024

24-50. The City Manager is requested to provide an update on progress towards providing a recommendation for changes to the existing ordinance and a report on the impact of the Short-Term Rentals in Cambridge, including how enforcement happens and how many units are registered and available.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui (O-9) from 9/9/2024

24-51. The City Manager is requested to provide a status Update on Automated Parking Enforcement.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-12) from 9/9/2024

24-53. at the City of Cambridge assist companies, institutions, and other organizations in adopting truck safety requirements for their fleets and finding trucking vendors who are able to comply by providing an informational resource and publicizing those that comply.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Azeem (O-1) from 9/16/2024

24-54. t the City Manager is hereby requested to work with relevant departments to review Cambridge’s curb cut policies and report back on if they can be improved to help meet the City’s transportation and sustainability goals with some proposed updates and draft ordinance language designating City staff as the final approval authority for curb cuts.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson (O-2) from 9/16/2024

24-56. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to schedule at least one hazardous waste day and one paper shredding event per year to be held on a Sunday.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Nolan (O-2) from 9/23/2024

24-57. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate DPW officials to immediately address this issue so that foul substances no longer leak from the DPW garbage trucks.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner (O-3) from 9/23/2024

24-58. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Finance Department, Law Department, and other relevant departments to explore the feasibility of a successor program to Rise Up Cambridge.
Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 9/23/2024