Cambridge City Council meeting - November 1, 2021

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

2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant from the State Executive Office of Public Safety, Department of Fire Services, in the amount of $187,500 to the Grant Fund Fire Travel & Training account ($20,000) and the Extraordinary Expenditures account ($167,500), which will be used for the purchase of quick response/safety Hazmat vehicles.
Order Adopted 9-0

3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-79, regarding proposed amendments to Article 8.12 of the Municipal Code (labels on fuel pumps).
Referred to Unfinished Business 9-0

Nov 1, 2021
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-79, which requested that the City Solicitor and appropriate staff review the language of the attached proposed ordinance amendment related to requiring warning labels on full-service fuel pumps in the City of Cambridge, in addition to the already required warning labels on self-service fuel pumps, please be advised of the following:

In reviewing the Council Order and the provisions of the relevant ordinance, the City Solicitor has opined that requiring warning labels on full-service fuel pumps would not change the analysis of whether such warnings are permissible. Therefore, the City Solicitor advises that the proposed amendment to the ordinance is permissible. The City Solicitor recommends, however, that the attached tracked changes be made to the proposed ordinance amendment.

Very truly yours,
Louis A. DePasquale
City Manager

That Chapter 8.12.010 of the Cambridge Municipal Code be amended to delete section 8.12.010(B).

That Chapter 8.12 of the Cambridge Municipal Code be amended to insert a new section to read as follows:

8.12.030 - Mobile On-Demand Fueling Service to read as follows: Fuel Dispensing System Warning Labels

Each fuel ~~gasoline~~ dispensing system at commercial service stations in the City of Cambridge shall display a clear warning label explaining that burning gasoline, diesel and ethanol has major consequences on human health and on the environment, including contributing to climate change. The text, image, or graphics of this warning label shall be approved by the City Manager.

ON THE TABLE
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-13, regarding next steps on implementation of Universal Pre-K. [Tabled May 17, 2021]

2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-41, regarding a report on closing Mass Ave from Prospect Street to Sidney Street on Friday and Saturday evenings. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor McGovern June 28, 2021; Tabled Aug 2, 2021]

3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-56, regarding improvements to Jerry's Pond and along Rindge Avenue. [Tabled by Mayor Siddiqui Sept 13, 2021]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
4. Ordinance #2021-24 (Oct 25, 2021 Order #3) That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor and the appropriate staff to review the language of this proposed ordinance amendment and to report back to the City Council in advance of the next City Council meeting. [Passed to a Second Reading Oct 25, 2021; To Be Ordained on or after Nov 8, 2021]

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from MIT Visual Arts Center requesting permission for a temporary banner across Ames Street, and Broadway 26 lights poles announcing Welcome back/Now Open, Contemporary Art Museum at MIT, MIT List Visual Arts Center from October 2021 until February 2022.
Charter Right - Zondervan

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Annette Osgood and Jeanne Oster, regarding Ideas to Consider for Alewife to Dudley using Quick Build and Staying on Existing Time line.

2. A communication was received from David Lyon and Patricia Harris Dixon, regarding bike lane considerations.

3. A communication was received from Elisabeth Werby, regarding Mass Ave protected bike lanes.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Happy 105th Anniversary to Western Avenue Baptist Church. Councillor Simmons

2. Congratulating La Saison on one year in Cambridge. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan

3. Congratulations to Justin Casanova-Davis for his new position of Acting Finance Director for the Town of Brookline. Mayor Siddiqui
[Note: “Justin Casanova-Davis has been named Brookline’s Acting Finance Director, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Jeana Franconi, who is relocating to be closer to family.” Jeana Franconi would be an excellent choice for the next City Manager of Cambridge. - RW]

4. Congratulations to Rich Raposa on receiving special recognition for outstanding contributions to the Imperio Mariense Society. Councillor Toomey

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Assistant City Manager for the Department of Human Services to establish a pilot Winter Youth Employment Program. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

2. City Council support of MIT Divest’s campaign to divest MIT’s endowment from the fossil fuel industry. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

3. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Climate Crisis Working Group to include a recommendation and proposal to amend the Green Fleet Policy in their final report. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee met on July 15, 2020 to conduct a public hearing to discuss the timeline, scope, and budget of the Tobin/Vassal Lane School Project, including updates on the Armory property, and how it fits into the long-term plan for all school buildings in the City to accommodate expected enrollment changes over the next 10 to 20 years and to receive an update on the legislative office plans. [report appeared after meeting]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0 - even though the report is missing

2. The Health and Environment committee met on May 25, 2021 to discuss proposed amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) that would drive down energy use and emissions in existing buildings in Cambridge as well as an update on the Net Zero Action Plan 5-Year Review process and recommendations.
Report Accepted, Placed on File, Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

3. The Housing Committee met on June 3, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to discuss inclusionary zoning preference/eligibility, and how the new state-level Housing Choice law will affect zoning in Cambridge. [report appeared after meeting]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0 - even though the report is missing

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Nov 1
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Nov 16
2:00pm The Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on the Advancing Housing Affordability (AHA) Zoning Petition by Francis Donovan, et al (Ordinance #2021-17) (Remote)

Wed, Nov 17
4:00pm The Public Safety Committee will meet to hear an update on the city’s implementation of the HEART proposal as part of an alternative public safety response. (Remote)

Committee Report #2
The Health and Environment Committee met to discuss proposed amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) that would drive down energy use and emissions in existing buildings in Cambridge as well as an update on the Net Zero Action Plan 5-Year Review process and recommendations.

Date: Tues, May 25, 2021, 3:00pm, Sullivan Chamber
Present: Zondervan, Carlone, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, McGovern (late)

Councillor Zondervan called the meeting to order and gave the floor to City staff to make a presentation.

Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager of Community Development, introduced her staff who would be giving a PowerPoint presentation, which is included with these minutes.

Susanne Rasmussen, Director of Environmental & Transportation Planning, stated that the entire region is steering toward carbon neutrality by 2050. She explained steps toward encouraging sustainable modes of transportation, waste management and the urban forest. The City is committed to maintaining an annual greenhouse gas inventory for municipal operations and a community wide inventory every five years.

Seth Federspiel, Sustainability Planner, stated that over about a 15-month period, stakeholders from the development community, building owners, architects, affordable housing residents and advocates, universities, and the technology sector, all worked together to flesh out a plan that could phase out greenhouse gas emissions from both new and existing buildings in Cambridge over time. That plan was submitted and adopted by the City Council in the summer of 2015 (Net Zero Action Plan). He stated that the city avoided increasing emissions even as a significant amount of square footage has been added through building construction. This curve does need to bend down moving forward.

He stated that the City was developing updates to the building energy use disclosure ordinance (BEUDO). The City will develop financial and informational resources that building owners can access to improve the efficiency. He described benchmarks for municipal construction to become net-zero. He described how embodied carbon for new construction will be incorporated in Net-Zero planning going forward. He stated that there are many existing buildings that have good solar potential that is underutilized, and at the same time, many residents in Cambridge cannot put solar on their own roofs. The City is proposing to develop a third-party solar administrator, who would act as a matchmaker between those buildings and those potential community solar operators. The City will finalize the criteria for off-site renewable electricity sources as well and create the pathways to purchase.

Seth Federspiel stated that the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO), which was adopted in 2014, applies to buildings in Cambridge, commercial buildings that have 25,000 square feet or more of area, or residential buildings with 50 units or greater. Approximately 6% of the buildings covered by BEUDO are responsible for around 70% of the city’s emissions. He described potential amendments to BEUDO that would require buildings to reduce their emissions over time with periodic compliance checks.

Councillor Zondervan opened the floor to public comment.

Mr. Crawley thanked the Community Development Department for their research and proposals. He asked for a little more investigation and explanation for why the proposed performance amendments abandon some kind of connection to energy use thresholds.

Councillor Nolan moved to close public comment.
Yea: Zondervan, Carlone, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, McGovern

Councillor Nolan stated that the City has to get to net-zero soon. She stated that the City has to move more aggressively than the proposed targets.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan about how to set penalties that actually lead to results, Susanne Rasmussen stated the ordinance amendment creates very specific targets and accountability for meeting those targets every five years, or in the case of laboratories potentially every seven years.

Iram Farooq added that the BEUDO has been about disclosure and has not been about accountability. She stated that it can be very challenging for the City to enforce penalties.

In response to a question from Councillor Carlone about fuel versus greenhouse gases, Susanne Rasmussen stated a building owner can focus on energy efficiency, or on procuring renewable energy. A five-year period is not very long to operationalize a major building intervention. Building owners will likely take advantage of doing energy efficiency upgrades.

Seth Federspiel added staff is working hard to circumscribe exactly what would count for compliance.

In response to a question from Councillor Carlone about lowering the applicable threshold, Susanne Rasmussen stated that staff has been looking at options for lowering the threshold. There is concern to not place a burden on either smaller residential properties or smaller business owners.

Councillor Zondervan moved that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the community development department and the law department to present draft BEUDO amendment language to a meeting of the Health and Environment Committee for review and consideration no later than Sept 23, 2021. Such language to include strategies for all buildings, not just the largest ones, while continuing to keep equity in mind.

Councillor Nolan suggested adding language to the order that the Council expect the emissions reductions targets to be at a minimum what the state’s is, which is 50% reduction by 2030 for all buildings.

Susanne Rasmussen stated it would be challenging to do reporting for all buildings. She hoped to continue to employ different approaches to different sizes of buildings.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan about an embodied energy study for the Tobin Vassal Lane school, Susanne Rasmussen stated that she did not believe such a study was done. In general, school building projects have so dramatically altered the structures that it would be very difficult to reuse the buildings as they existed.

Councillor Zondervan’s revised motion to refer the following policy order to the full City Council:
That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with CDD and Law Department to present 1) strategies for all buildings, not just the largest ones, while continuing to keep equity in mind, and 2) draft BEUDO amendment language, to a meeting of the Health & Environment Committee for review and consideration no later than Sept 23, 2021, such language to include emissions reductions targets that match or exceed the Commonwealth’s emissions reductions targets.
Yea: Zondervan, Carlone, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler
Absent: McGovern

Councillor Zondervan asked the City to broaden the definition of stakeholders to include the tenants of those buildings who are also presumably stakeholders in this process.

In response to a question from Councillor Zondervan about projections for energy usage, Seth Federspiel stated that historically, emissions have been driven by heating. In colder winters there would be higher emissions and in warmer milder winters, there would be lower emissions. In recent years, for example, 2017 was expected to be a lower emissions year because of that weather trend and the data agreed with that.

Councillor Zondervan confirmed that the data incorporated the fact that more buildings had been added to the city over that time.

Councillor Zondervan expressed concern about the timeline of reaching net-zero under the state guidelines.

Councillor Nolan’s motion to adjourn at 4:58pm.
Yea: Zondervan, Carlone, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler
Absent: McGovern

1. A communication was received from Seth Federspiel, Sustainability Planner, transmitting a presentation for the Health and Environment Committee meeting on May 25, 2021.

Proposed Order Nov 1, 2021 Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The Health and Environment Committee met on May 25, 2021 to discuss proposed amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) that would drive down energy use and emissions in existing buildings in Cambridge as well as an update on the Net Zero Action Plan 5-Year Review process and recommendations
WHEREAS: The committee voted to forward the following order to the full City council for adoption; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with CDD and Law Department to present 1) strategies for all buildings, not just the largest ones, while continuing to keep equity in mind, and 2) draft BEUDO amendment language, to a meeting of the Health & Environment Committee for review and consideration no later than ~~Sept 23, 2021~~ Nov 8, 2021, such language to include emissions reductions targets that match or exceed the Commonwealth’s emissions reductions targets.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
16-111. Report on the potential of building below market rental housing on City-owned parking lots along Bishop Allen Drive. On a communication from Councillor McGovern requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons (O-4) from 12/12/2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19-146. Report on reviewing the existing internal mechanisms for City staffers in all departments to report grievances, to determine if this system is functioning as it should or whether changes should be considered.
Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 10/28/2019

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

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

20-27. Report on the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with Civil Service, and the process by which Cambridge could exit Civil Service.
Councillor Nolan (O-5) from 6/22/2020

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

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

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

20-60. Report on analyzing eviction data from 2018 through 2021 and come back with a plan on how to use this data to inform our next action steps.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor SobrinhoWheeler (O-8) from 11/2/2020

20-61. Report on an update on City-Owned Vacant Properties Inventory.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/16/2020

20-65. Report on exploring the feasibility of hiring a consultant to perform an Equity Audit on the Cambridge Arts Council.
(O-1) from 11/23/2020

20-69. Report on formulating an RFP for a public arts project that will acknowledge the unfinished work of the 19th Amendment, the importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and how the two pieces of legislation ultimately complemented one another in helping to shape a more perfect union.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (Calendar Item #2) from 11/30/2020

20-72. Report on the condition of 105 Windsor Street and cost estimates of any repairs needed and provide recommendations on how to develop any other underused properties based on an inclusive public process centered in the Port neighborhood.
Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 12/14/2020

21-6. Report on obtaining written documentation from the Cambridge Housing Authority, Homeowners Rehab, Inc., Just a Start, and the Community Development Department updating the City Council on the locations, unit sizes, number of units, overall costs, populations served, and expected dates of completion for each of the projects they reported on during the Housing Committee hearing held on Jan 12, 2021.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan (O-3) from 2/3/2021

21-8. Report on removing hostile architecture whenever public spaces are designed or redesigned and to create design guidelines that ensure our public spaces are truly welcoming to the entire community and determine how existing bench fixtures can be addressed to support all residents who use them.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui (Calendar Item #3) from 2/8/2021

21-9. Report on providing an overview of various programs and services that are designed to assist the City’s chronically unhoused population and those in danger of becoming unhoused, along with the metrics by which the City determines the effectiveness of these programs.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 2/22/2021

21-10. Report on whether or not the City can require written notice be sent to all abutters, both property owners as well as tenants, regarding the scheduling of a hearing regarding the extension of a building permit request to the Planning Board.
(O-5) from 2/22/2021

21-14. Report on presenting options to the Council to ensure that the staff at Albany Street are properly compensated for their work, and that guests are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (Calendar Item #3) from 3/8/2021

21-17. Report on initiating a process to begin chronicling the rich and vibrant history of people of color in Cambridge, similar to other City-commissioned books such as “We Are the Port: Stories of Place, Perseverance, and Pride in the Port/Area 4 Cambridge, Massachusetts 1845-2005” and “All in the Same Boat” and “Crossroads: Stories of Central Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1912-2000”.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 3/15/2021

21-19. Report on providing an update on progress made towards including information from the Cambridge Minority Business Enterprise Program in the Open Data Portal.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 3/22/2021

21-29. Report on updating the Parental Leave Policy for employees.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons (O-7) from 4/26/2021

21-30. Report on increasing the affordable homeownership stock over the next 10 years by financing the construction of affordable homeownership units through a bond issue of no less than $500 million.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 5/3/2021

21-32. Report on exploring and implement strategies to enhance safety at the intersection of Memorial Drive and DeWolfe Street.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan (O-2) from 5/3/2021

21-35. Report on providing options to update the HomeBridge and Affordable Home Ownership Programs to better align with the City’s values, and promote racial equity and socioeconomic justice.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui (O-6) from 5/3/2021

21-36. Report on developing a holistic plan for managing the traffic and congestion in the Alewife area.
Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-2) from 5/17/2021

21-37. Report on consulting with relevant Department heads and the non-profit community on "Digital Equity" and provide an implementation plan, schedule, and request for appropriation.
Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 5/17/2021

21-38. Report on consulting with relevant Department heads on other broadband benefits programs offered by the Federal government, and the City’s plans to leverage these funds in pursuit of Digital Equity.
Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan (O-5) from 5/17/2021

21-40. Report on implementing a heavy truck traffic ban on Roberts Road from Kirkland Street to Cambridge Street.
Councillor Toomey, Mayor Siddiqui (O-8) from 5/17/2021

21-42. Report on reviewing Cambridge’s corporate contracts and purchases to identify any vendors or manufacturers whose products are used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge’s policy on discrimination.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #2) from 5/25/2021

21-43. Report on referring the Cambridge HEART proposal for funding consideration and to engage in a public community process to discuss this proposal and its implementation.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan (Calendar Item #1) from 6/7/2021

21-45. Report on taking all necessary steps to waive the dog license fee for all senior citizens and examine options for reducing the fees for low-income residents.
Councillor McGovern (Calendar Item #1) from 6/14/2021

21-46. Report on the feasibility of purchasing properties for sale in the Alewife area to address City goals.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone (O1) from 6/14/2021

21-47. Report on exploring the feasibility of expanding services at the senior centers, especially by adding clinical staff.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 6/14/2021

21-48. Report on determining if the City has the discretion to waive the Commonwealth's housing sanitary code requirements and the circumstances in which the City could administer this waiver.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui (O-4) from 6/14/2021

21-49. Report on making immediate improvements at the intersection of Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, Binney and Bristol Streets and to all intersections in the city that are similarly malfunctioning, and to implement longer term changes.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan (O-8) from 6/14/2021

21-50. Report on providing an update on the cost of each license and permit required by businesses, which business license and permit fees are set under state law, which are set by ordinances, and which are determined administratively, as well as which licenses and permits the City has the discretion to waive entirely.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan (O-9) from 6/14/2021

21-51. Report on examining and implementing a flexible, permanent remote work policy for City employees who can perform their tasks remotely.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (O-5) from 6/28/2021

21-52. Report on examining stipend models for the City's multi-member bodies.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan (O-8) from 6/28/2021

21-53. Report on examining safety improvements at the intersection of Ware and Harvard Streets.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-9) from 6/28/2021

21-58. Report on addressing increased gun activity.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-4) from 8/2/2021

21-55. Report on assessing what is driving this new activity, and to deploy the necessary resources to tamp down on the gun violence being seen in the above-referenced areas.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-4) from 8/2/2021

21-57. Report on how the city is working to get City staff to 100% vaccinated and decrease the likelihood that COVID-19 spreads via City staff and in City Buildings.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-10) from 8/2/2021

21-60. Report on reviewing the residential parking permit program to determine whether the criteria for this program can be modified to limit the issuance of residential permits to vehicles that are primarily utilized for personal, non-commercial use.
Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 9/13/2021

21-61. Report on the City’s rodent and pest control efforts since February 2020, to outline what metrics are being used to determine the effectiveness of these efforts, and to issue recommendations as to whether increasing the budget for these efforts, as well as creating new incentives and penalties to ensure community compliance with regulations around rodent control, would lead to a greater level of success in resolving this issue.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan (O-4) from 9/13/2021

21-62. Report on the feasibility of installing lights at all Cambridge dog parks.
Councillor McGovern (O-4) from 9/13/2021

21-63. Report on using only locally sourced produce, farmers, and resident gardeners to study the feasibility of spending Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to address food insecurity by installing raised garden beds throughout Cambridge and providing free, fresh, locally-grown food for residents in need.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-9) from 9/13/2021

21-64. Report on the efforts the City has made toward creating LGBTQ+-Friendly Housing over the past decade, to state what impediments had been identified in realizing this effort, and to outline recommendations for how the City may successfully create such housing within the next three years.
Councillor Simmons (O-1) from 9/20/2021

21-65. Report on the milestones that will be used to determine when the indoor mask mandate will no longer be needed.
Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui (O-4) from 9/20/2021

21-66. Report on reaching out to the owner of 689 Massachusetts Avenue to inquire about the prospect of selling this building to the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 9/27/2021

21-67. Report on working with the staff at the Cambridge Historical Commission, the DCR Commissioner, and members of Cambridge’s state delegation to approve, fund and execute the design and installation of a suitable historic marker by April 2022 to recognize the vision of Frederick Law Olmsted and others in transforming the Cambridge riverfront landscape.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan (O-6) from 9/27/2021

21-68. Report on re-establishing the Community School Neighborhood Councils.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 10/4/2021

21-69. Report on determining the feasibility of creating a uniform process for aiding the resettlement of refugees in Cambridge.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-3) from 10/18/2021

21-70. Report on determining the feasibility of purchasing property from Lesley University to address City goals.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 10/18/2021

21-71. Report on placing a cricket field in one of the Cambridge parks.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 10/18/2021

21-72. Report on appointing a task force that will hold regular public meetings to solicit ideas and feedback from residents on the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan (O-6) from 10/18/2021

21-73. Report on confirming with the State if the Truck Restriction map is up to date, who should be enforcing the ban on Alewife Brook Parkway, and what actions can be taken moving forward.
Councillor Toomey (O-9) from 10/18/2021

21-74. Report on supporting the Uplift the Solar Energy Industry in Massachusetts coalition.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan (O-12) from 10/18/2021

21-75. Report on examining the Safety at the Intersection of Cambridge and Felton Streets.
Vice Mayor Mallon (O-14) from 10/18/2021

21-76. Report on providing an explanation of the incident, including whether legal requirements and department policies for arrests were properly followed.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-15) from 10/18/2021

21-77. Report on ways to report pedestrian and cyclist accidents in real time to residents.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan (O-1) from 10/25/2021

21-78. Report on in addition to stricter parking enforcement, a viable long-term strategy must be developed to mitigate the issues created by the removal of the metered parking spaces along Massachusetts Avenue near Banks Street to ensure that those providing home-based services to seniors in this neighborhood are fully able to do so.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 10/25/2021

21-79. Report on reviewing the language of Ordinance #2021-24 proposed ordinance amendment. See Mgr #3
Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan (O-3) from 10/25/2021

21-80. Report on all work done on the redesign proposal and all feedback from the community including the unhoused community in conjunction with the petition.
(O-4) from 10/25/2021

21-81. Report on conferring with DCR on the possibility of extending the closure of Memorial Drive until at least the final Sunday in December 2021, if not longer, weather permitting.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-6) from 10/25/2021

21-82. Report on support of implementing key safety improvements on the Harvard Bridge, including flex post-protected bike lanes by the end of the year and bus lanes as soon as can be feasibly coordinated with the MBTA.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan (O-8) from 10/25/2021