Cambridge City Council meeting – November 3, 2003 – AGENDA
CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
CHARTER RIGHT
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation on the Rooftop Mechanicals Zoning Petition.
ON THE TABLE
2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a Landmark Designation Study Report for Shady Hill Square. 1-11 Shady Hill Square, 36 Holden Street.
3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the Landmark Designation Study Report for designating as a protected landmark the Tulip Tree at 1436 and 1446 Cambridge Street.
4. Request the City Manager to direct the Community Development Department to make maximum use of CPA funds to develop affordable housing that is permanently affordable, such as limited equity cooperatives and condos.
5. Requesting the City Manager to appoint someone to speak with Neighbors for a Better Community to explore possible collaboration.
6. Requesting the City Manager to direct the City Solicitor to draft a home rule petition to enable the City Manager to approve curb cuts.
7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Calendar Item No. 1, dated 11/4/02, regarding the implementation of land use and zoning recommendations of the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Study.
8. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-102, regarding a report on how the Cambridge Housing Authority's emergency switches in resident units function.
9. An application was received from Kendall Square, LLC, requesting five curb cuts at the premises numbered 364 Third Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation with conditions, Historical and Public Works pending Traffic and Parking conditions. Two neighborhood association letters were sent. One neighborhood association approved and the other association responded that it needs more information to make a decision.
10. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-87, regarding the planning process for Massachusetts Avenue from the Cambridge Common north to Porter Square.
11. Requesting the City Council go on record reaffirming its strong commitment to affordable housing, opposing the return of rent control to Cambridge, and take no action on the initiative petition for home rule legislation to re-establish rent control, the issue to be decided by the citizens of Cambridge in the November 4, 2003 election.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12. Petition from Harvard University requesting a sub-surface easement located between 1720 and 1737 Cambridge Street for the purpose of constructing an underground pedestrian and service tunnel beneath Cambridge Street.
13. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a Certification from the Election Commission of the signatures on an initiative petition entitled "Ordinance Regulating Residential Rents and Evictions." Two objections to the certification have been filed.
ITEM MOVED FROM THE TABLE BY COUNCILLOR MAHER. MEETING ADJOURNED BEFORE ITEM WAS ACTED UPON.
14. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Brian Murphy and Councillor David P. Maher, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on September 24, 2003 for the purpose of considering a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to rezone city parks and recreational facilities as open space. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after November 3, 2003. Petition expires December 23, 2003.
15. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Brian Murphy and Councillor David P. Maher, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on September 24, 2003 for the purpose of considering a petition to amend the Zoning Ordinance to implement the recommendations of the Rooftop Mechanical Task Force which met from February 2002 to May 2003. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after November 3, 2003. Petition expires December 23, 2003.
16. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Brian Murphy and Councillor David P. Maher, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on September 24, 2003 for the purpose of considering a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to modify the Table of Use Regulations in the ordinance to restrict or eliminate some anomalous uses now allowed in open space districts. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after November 3, 2003. Petition expires December 23, 2003.
17. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the reallocation of the $500,000 in bond proceeds issued on December 15, 2001 to fund the Lafayette Square Reconstruction Project to the Cambridge Street Improvement Project. I am also requesting that the $500,000 appropriation be rescinded. On or after November 3, 2003 the question comes on adoption.
APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. Approval of surety bond for City Clerk D. Margaret Drury.
2. Approval of surety bond for Deputy City Clerk Donna P. Lopez.
3. Approval of surety bond for City Auditor James Monagle.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Mary T. Mroz, transmitting appreciation for your expression of sympathy on behalf of her late brother, Gerardo Tramontozzi.
2. A communication was received from Representative Paul C. Demakis, transmitting thanks the City Council's support for Senate bill 521/House bill 2599, "An Act Relative to a Ban on Smoking in the Workplace."
RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the death of Norma L. "Cissie" (Maguire) Yanco. Mayor Sullivan
2. Resolution on the death of Robert L. Bletzer. Mayor Sullivan
3. Congratulating Audrey M. Cabral-Pini on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
4. Congratulating Arlene Calvert on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
5. Congratulating Patricia Donahue on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
6. Congratulating Tracy Duffey Finstein on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
7. Congratulating Barbara Fox on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
8. Congratulating Nancy Fulton on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
9. Congratulating Carol Gavin on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
10. Congratulating William Hansis on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
11. Congratulating Catherine M. Hemenway on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
12. Congratulating Margot L. Holtzman on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
13. Congratulating Joan M. Logue on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
14. Congratulating Judith Martin on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
15. Congratulating Rene Meshon on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
16. Congratulating Leslie E. Mili on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
17. Congratulating Shavaun M. O'Neill on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
18. Congratulating Antoinette Powers on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
19. Congratulating Harvey Schuster on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
20. Congratulating Maria J. Silva on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
21. Congratulating Kathleen Wamness-Cherkasly on twenty-five years of service to the Cambridge School Department. Councillor Maher
22. Resolution on the death of Arthur J. McCarthy. Councillor Toomey
23. Resolution on the death of Frank Blanchforte. Mayor Sullivan
24. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mr. Cornelius Reddick. Councillor Simmons
25. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mrs. Ruby Sutherland. Councillor Simmons
26. City Council go on record wishing a Happy 80th Birthday to a Very Special Cantabrigian. Councillor Galluccio
27. City Council go on record extending Happy Birthday and Get Well wishes to Anne Carrabino. Vice Mayor Davis
28. City Council go on record extending Happy 90th Birthday wishes to Mary Rogers. Councillor Toomey
29. Congratulating Joseph Kovalyn, Turf and Landscape Manager for the Department of Public Works, on the occasion of being selected as the 2003 District 1 Groundskeeper of the Year by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association and wish him continued success and thank him for his dedication to the City of Cambridge. Mayor Sullivan
30. Congratulating the MIT Public Service Center on the occasion of its 15th anniversary and wish it continued success. Mayor Sullivan
31. Resolution on the death of Joanne Sakey. Mayor Sullivan
32. Extending appreciation to Beth Rubenstein, Lester Barber, Donald Drisdell and Nancy Glowa for their hard work on behalf of the City on the Carlson/Riverside Rezoning petition as amended by substitution at the City Council meeting on October 27, 2003. Councillor Murphy, Councillor Maher
33. Resolution on the death of Ralph Sette. Councillor Decker
34. Resolution on the death of William H. Flannery. Councillor Toomey
35. Resolution on the death of Patrick F. Kelly. Councillor Galluccio
36. Resolution on the death of Edwin Allen Mullins. Councillor Galluccio
37. Resolution on the death of Cambridge Fire Lieutenant Barry M. Bennett. Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio
38. Extending best wishes to Guy and Mary Sciandra on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Councillor Toomey
39. Congratulating State Senator Cheryl Jacques on her appointment as President and Executive Director of the Human Rights Campaign and thank her for her service to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and her leadership on numerous issues. Vice Mayor Davis
ORDERS
1. Requesting the City Manager to investigate the problem with snow removal in the parking lot behind Kentucky Fried Chicken near 2050 Massachusetts Avenue. Councillor Simmons
2. Requesting the City Manager to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Human Services to seek an alternative program site for aquatic programs when the War Memorial site closes for renovations. Councillor Toomey
3. Cancel the December 1, 2003 City Council meeting to enable employees to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. Mayor Sullivan
4. Requesting the City Manager to report back to the City Council on possible safety improvements to the Cambridge Common. Councillor Murphy
5. Requesting the City Manager to direct the Community Development Department to prepare a response to the proposals for building over the air rights at Porter Square Station, including but not limited to urban design, traffic and parking. Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Sullivan
6. Requesting the City Manager to instruct the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to provide a status report on any areas that have had signs posted changing residential parking to two-hour maximum parking. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Sullivan
7. Requesting the City Manager to direct the Public Works Commissioner to examine the placement of the handicapped sign at the entrance to the Morse School on Granite Street; said sign could be placed so that it is clearly visible to the general public. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Sullivan
8. Requesting the City Manager to confer with the Police Commissioner and the Public Works Commissioner to increase monitoring of Paine Park so that the residents can safely enjoy this park. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Sullivan
9. Requesting the City Manager to report back to the City Council on conditions at Paine Park, including but not limited to play equipment, graffiti, late night use of the park by teenagers, cleanliness, and the large electric transformer that has been installed next to the park’s gate. Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Sullivan
10. Requesting the City Manager to confer with the Police Commissioner and the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to increase enforcement of illegally double- and triple-parked cars on Cambridge and Norfolk Streets, creating a safety hazard. Councillor Toomey, Mayor Sullivan
11. Requesting the City Manager to increase enforcement of illegal and double parking in the area of Inman Square, with specific attention to the Norfolk and Cambridge Streets intersection, including weekends, and to report back to the City Council. Mayor Sullivan
12. Requesting the City Manager to report back to the City Council with a plan to promote recycling of "retired" cell phones and programs where cell phones can be donated to charitable causes. Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Sullivan
13. Requesting the City Manager to report back to the City Council on benches that were removed from the green space between the police station and Franklin Street and to reinstall benches at this location. Mayor Sullivan
14. Requesting the City Manager to report back to the City Council relative to the potential presence of arsenic in the soil under play structures in city parks and tot lots and whether contamination is present, due to use of pressure-treated wood, now or in the past. Vice Mayor Davis, Mayor Sullivan
15. Requesting the City Manager to confer with the Police and Traffic, Parking and Transportation Departments on enforcement of speeding cars which endanger pedestrians in Huron Village. Councillor Maher, Mayor Sullivan
16. Requesting the City Manager to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Community Development to provide the City Council with a zoning analysis of the Massachusetts Avenue corridor from Cambridge Common to Porter Square and to ensure that the planning process include the community with a community meeting. Vice Mayor Davis.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Human Services Committee, for a meeting held on October 15, 2003 for the purpose of discussing how parents covered the gap in out of school time programming for the summer vacation time between camp and school and the effects of school consolidation on after school programming.
2. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair of the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee, for a meeting held on September 3, 2003 to continue discussion on what planning strategies will best enable the Cambridge community to benefit form Cambridge's knowledge-based economy and, specifically, on strategies for follow-up to the June forum at the Hotel at MIT featuring Professor Juan Enriquez.
3. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair of the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee, for a meeting held on September 23, 2003 to continue planning presentation on the Cambridge's knowledge-based economy and its implications for the Cambridge community to feature Professor Juan Enriquez and to take place at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School (CRLS).
4. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair of the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee, for a working meeting held on October 2, 2003 on outreach for an October 16, 2003 presentation sponsored by the Neighborhood Long Term Planning Committee, Harvard, M.I.T., and the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. The presentation will feature a talk by Professor Juan Enriquez on the Cambridge's knowledge-based economy and its implications for the Cambridge community.
HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Nov 3
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Nov 6
12:30pm The Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public meeting to continue the discussion on coordination of services between the Municipal Cable, School Department and CCTV. (Sullivan Chamber)
4:00pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on a petition from John Roback, et al., to amend the Zoning Ordinances by deleting the designation C-2A and substituting in place thereof the designation C-1 in the area bounded by Green, Pearl, Franklin and Brookline Streets. This meeting to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 17
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Nov 18
8:30am The Human Services Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss out of school time (OST) programs in Cambridge, with particular emphasis on whether there are sufficient OST programs to meet the needs of Cambridge families and if so, do parents know about them. (Ackermann Room)
Mon, Nov 24
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 1
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 8
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 15
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 22
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 29
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 November 3, 2003
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to investigate the problem with snow removal in the parking lot behind Kentucky Fried Chicken near 2050 Massachusetts Avenue.
O-2 November 3, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Assistant City Manager for Human Services to seek an alternative program site for aquatic programs when the War Memorial site closes for renovations.
O-3 November 3, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the December 1, 2003 City Council meeting be and hereby is cancelled to enable employees to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.
O-4 November 3, 2003
COUNCILLOR MURPHY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on possible safety improvements to the Cambridge Common.
O-5 November 3, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the
Community Development Department to prepare a response to the proposals for
building over the air rights at Porter Square Station, including but not limited
to urban design, traffic and parking.
O-6 November 3, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the
Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to provide a status report on
any areas that have had signs posted changing residential parking to two-hour
maximum parking.
O-7 November 3, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Public
Works Commissioner to examine the placement of the handicapped sign at the
entrance to the Morse School on Granite Street; said sign could be placed so
that it is clearly visible to the general public.
O-8 November 3, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the
Police Commissioner and the Public Works Commissioner to increase monitoring of
Paine Park so that the residents can safely enjoy this park.
O-9 November 3, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the
City Council on conditions at Paine Park, including but not limited to play
equipment, graffiti, late night use of the park by teenagers, cleanliness, and
the large electric transformer that has been installed next to the park’s
gate.
O-10 November 3, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the
Police Commissioner and the Director of Traffic, Parking and Transportation to
increase enforcement of illegally double- and triple-parked cars on Cambridge
and Norfolk Streets, creating a safety hazard.
O-11 November 3, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to increase
enforcement of illegal and double parking in the area of Inman Square, with
specific attention to the Norfolk and Cambridge Streets intersection, including
weekends; 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-12 November 3, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
MAYOR SULLIVAN
WHEREAS: A new rule (set to go into effect on November 24, 2003) allowing cell
phone users to keep their cell phone number when switching carriers is predicted
to produce millions of “retired” cell phones, ending up in landfills and
leaking chemicals into the ground; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the
City Council with a plan to promote recycling of “retired” cell phones and
programs where cell phones can be donated to charitable causes.
O-13 November 3, 2003
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the
City Council on benches that were removed from the green space between the
police station and Franklin Street; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to reinstall benches
at this location.
O-14 November 3, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the
City Council relative to the potential presence of arsenic in the soil under
play structures in city parks and tot lots and whether contamination is present,
due to use of pressure-treated wood, now or in the past.
O-15 November 3, 2003
COUNCILLOR MAHER
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the
Police and Traffic, Parking and Transportation Departments on enforcement of
speeding cars which endanger pedestrians in Huron Village.
O-16 November 3, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the
Assistant City Manager for Community Development to provide the City Council
with a zoning analysis of the Massachusetts Avenue corridor from Cambridge
Common to Porter Square; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be further requested to ensure that the planning
process include the community with a community meeting.
TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Human Services Committee held a public meeting on October 15, 2003, beginning at 8:35 a.m. in the Ackermann Room for the purpose of discussing how parents covered the gap in out of school time programming for the summer vacation time between camp and school and the effects of school consolidation on afterschool programming.
Present at the hearing were Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee, and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury Also present were Jill Herold, Assistant City Manager for Human Services, Ellen Semonoff, Deputy Director of the Human Services Department (DHS), Carolyn Turk, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Eileen Keegan, Division Head, Community Schools, DHS, Jackie Neel, Division Head, Childcare, DHS, Judy Bibbins, Community Schools, DHS, Mary Wong, Executive Director, Kids’ Council, Roslyn Shoy, Program Director, Community Schools, DHS, Selvin Chambers, Director of Youth Programs, DHS, and Susan Richards Scott, Agenda for Children.
Councillor Simmons convened the hearing and explained the purpose. This meeting was scheduled at the June 24, 2003 meeting of the Human Services Committee with a view of receiving reports on how parents covered the gap in childcare services between the end of school in June and the beginning of camp and between the end of camp in August and the beginning of school in September, as well as reports of how school consolidation has affected afterschool programs for children in Cambridge.
Ms. Neel began with a report on the changes in the DHS childcare programs in light of school consolidation. She said that the moves went remarkably smoothly. The Longfellow Preschool program is now the King Open Preschool. Enrollment seems to be steady. There were two classes in the afterschool program at the former Graham and Parks School. One class is now at the Morse School, so there are two classes of afterschool at the Morse School. One class, the younger kids, is sharing a classroom with the Special Start program. This works well because the Special Start program ends at 1-1:30 p.m., so the teachers have time to set up their afterschool program. The other class at Morse is in the art room. The space issues at the Morse have been challenging, but the principal has been very flexible and accommodating. All of the returning children from the former Graham and Parks program and the Morse program have been placed, but there has not been room for any new children.
Mr. Chambers reported on the youth centers. Enrollment has increased at the Gately and the Frisoli Centers. At the Gately, 66 are enrolled, and there are four slots open. The numbers are also up at the Moore; there are 40 kids enrolled this year, up from the past average of 30 kids. Numbers are also up at the West Cambridge Youth Center in the Haggerty School, and they are way up in the Area Four Youth Center, with lots of Cambridge kids who go to the Prospect Hill Academy School. Mr. Chambers told the committee that the Youth Program also surveyed parents about what their childcare arrangements were over the summer. Reponses were received from 63 families. He submitted a copy of the survey with a list of the responses. Attachment C. He noted that he plans to do further categorization and analysis of the answers.
In response to a question from Councillor Simmons about whether attendance at youth centers is based on neighborhood residence, Mr. Chambers said that there is more correlation of youth center choices with the proximity of the schools that the students attend than with the neighborhoods in which they live. Councillor Simmons asked where the children who attend the Moore Center come from. Mr. Chambers said that the Moore Center actually has a higher correlation of neighborhood residence than the other centers.
Ms. Herold said that DHS would provide the committee with an analysis of youth center enrollment and attendance by neighborhood residence and school.
Councillor Simmons then moved the discussion to the issue of the experience with summer programs during the past summer.
Ms. DeRosa reported that for the CEOC programs, this summer was very similar to the summer before.
Ms. Keegan reported that 684 children were enrolled in Community Schools summer camps this past summer. Community Schools passed out surveys about parent satisfaction and difficulties with summer childcare coverage. They received responses from 141 families, representing 196 children. A summary of the responses is attached as Attachment A. Most of the responses seemed to indicate that the camp hours and schedules met the family needs, although while only four respondents noted needs for additional weeks of camp, there were four responses that the kids would be cared for at home by siblings, six with no plans for coverage of the gaps yet and one who was planning to take the children to work.
Ms. Keegan also submitted a summary entitled "Cambridge Community Schools Post Summer Survey." Attachment B. The second survey was distributed to parents who were enrolling their kids in the Community Schools fall enrichment programs. Eleven percent, (22 families) indicated a need for more camp weeks, and 49% of this group was made up of parents of children who attended the summer academic camps. Thirty one children did not go to any camp. Thirteen of the 31 came from the former Harrington, and indicated that the reason for not sending their kids to camp was lack of money, even though scholarships of 25-50% of the cost were offered to everyone who asked. Six families who were offered the highest level of scholarship indicated that their families still could not afford the cost. Ms. Keegan noted that the previous year, the Schools Summer Academics program paid these costs, but state funds for this program were cut this year.
Ms. Semonoff added that the previous year, $60,000 of state funds to the Schools paid the fees for kids jointly enrolled in school summer academic programs and Community Schools camps. Ms. Shoy said that the joint program added a big incentive for kids to participate in the summer academics. There were several different models for the combination of school and camp. Ms. Turk announced that the School Department just got word that the state funds have been cut again.
Councillor Simmons asked if the youth centers offer academic support. Mr. Chambers said that there is academic support during the school year.
Ms. Richards Scott informed the committee that the 21st Century Partnership Grant provided staff training for summer programs for math enrichment, science and literacy. The material dovetails with school curriculum, especially in the literacy area. The 21st Century programs impacted 450 children over the summer
Councillor Simmons said that she still has questions as to whether parents have sufficient information about the resources for childcare over the summer. She also questioned whether Cambridge needs more summer academics, and if so, how they can be provided.
Ms. Semonoff agreed that publicity is a major issue. For example, St. Peter’s Church in Central Square ran the Afterworks Program, which provided childcare during the weeks before and after the regular camp schedule. They had openings for the end of the summer weeks, even though parents have expressed some difficulties in finding coverage for those weeks.
Councillor Simmons also expressed her interest in more information about programs like Afterworks that are not run by the City of Cambridge. She emphasized that the city cannot "do it all,’ there are neither sufficient funds nor sufficient city buildings. Schools are already staying open so many hours with so many different school, city and community programs that there may not be enough time left for custodians to clean them.
For the next meeting Councillor Simmons would like information about all of the other uses that are taking place at the schools. Perhaps the information could be provided for the Morse, King Open and Peabody Schools to give the committee a good sample to begin to review.
Councillor Simmons thanked all those present for their attendance. It was agreed that the next meeting would take place on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 8:30 a.m. The following issues and items were noted for discussion at the next meeting:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
For the Committee,
Councillor E. Denise Simmons, Chair
Committee Report #2
The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee held a public meeting on September 3, 2003, beginning at 11:10 a.m. in the Ackermann Room, Cambridge City Hall, second floor. The purpose of the meeting was to continue discussion on what planning strategies will best enable the Cambridge community to benefit from Cambridge’s knowledge-based economy and, specifically, on strategies for follow-up the to the June forum at the Hotel at MIT featuring Professor Juan Enriquez.
Present at the hearing were Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair of the Committee, City Clerk D. Margaret Drury, Beth Rubenstein, Assistant City Manager for Community Development, Estella Johnson, Director of Economic Development, Community Development Department (CDD), Paul Parravano, Co-Director of the Office of Government and Community Affairs, MIT, Steve Marsh, Managing Director of Real Estate, MIT, Mary Power, Senior Director of Community Relations for Harvard University, Tom Lucey, Office of Government and Community Affairs, Harvard University, and Kelly Thompson Clark, Interim President, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
The group agreed to plan an event featuring Professor Juan Enriquez at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School (CRLS), aimed at high school students, teachers, parents, other youth and adults who work with youth, as the next step in the committee’s effort to increase public awareness of the opportunities and challenges of the ongoing and fast-moving changes in the knowledge-based economy and culture of Cambridge. It was agreed that the event should take place during mid- to late-August, and that students and teachers would be the main focus of the invitation.
The group also agreed that Chip Greenidge should be invited to provide an introduction and set the context in a way that would interest high school students. It was further agreed that Ms. Drury would check on the availability of the CRLS auditorium and Ms. Power would check on the availability of Professor Enriquez. There was also discussion about inviting young scientists to the program and providing an opportunity for youth to meet a diverse group of young scientists.
The next meeting was set for September 12, 2003 at 3 p.m. Councillor Reeves thanked those present for their participation.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.
For the Committee,
Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair
Committee Report #3
The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee held a public meeting on September 23, 2003, beginning at 11:10 a.m. in the Ackermann Room, Cambridge City Hall, second floor. The purpose of the meeting was to continue planning a presentation on the Cambridge knowledge-based economy and it implications for the Cambridge Community to feature Professor Juan Enriquez and to take place at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School (CRLS).
Present at the meeting were Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair of the Committee, Councillor E. Denise Simmons, City Clerk D. Margaret Drury, Estella Johnson, Director of Economic Development, Community Development Department (CDD), Paul Parravano, Co-Director of the Office of Government and Community Affairs, MIT, Tom Lucey, Office of Government and Community Affairs, Harvard University, Silvia Savedra Keber, Executive Director of Concilio Hispano, and Kathy Reddick, President of the Cambridge NAACP.
The date for then event featuring Professor Juan Enriquez at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School (CRLS), aimed at high school students, teachers, parents, other youth and adults who work with youth was finalized. The event was set for October 16, 2003 at the CRLS auditorium at 3 p.m. This date was later changed to 2 p.m., at the suggestion of Assistant Principal Caroline Hunter, because on Thursdays the students end their academic day at 2.p.m.
Mailing lists, videotaping the presentation and refreshments (pizza) were discussed
The next meeting was set for October 2, 2003 at 10 a.m. It was agreed that the next meeting would focus on outreach for the event. Councillor Reeves thanked those present for their participation.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.
For the Committee,
Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair
Committee Report #4
The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee held a public meeting on October 2, 2003, beginning at 11:15 a.m. in the Ackermann Room, Cambridge City Hall, second floor. The meeting was a working meeting on outreach for an October 16, 2003 presentation sponsored by the Neighborhood Long Term Planning Committee, Harvard, M.I.T., and the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. The presentation featured a talk by Professor Juan Enriquez on the Cambridge knowledge-based economy and its implications for the Cambridge Community. The presentation was scheduled to take place at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School (CRLS) at 2 p.m. and aimed at students, teachers and other adults who work with youth.
Present at the meeting were Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair of the Committee, Councillor E. Denise Simmons, City Clerk D. Margaret Drury, Paul Parravano, Co-Director of the Office of Government and Community Affairs, M.I.T., Michael Owu, Senior Director of Real Estate, M.I.T., Tom Lucey, Office of Government and Community Affairs, Harvard University and Kelly Thompson Clark, President of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
The group folded letters of invitation and flyers, stuffed envelopes and discussed final details of the presentation and of the outreach for the presentation. The need for posters for the high school was discussed. Outreach to guidance counselors and science coordinators was discussed.
Councillor Reeves thanked all those present for their participation. The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 p.m.
For the Committee,
Councillor Kenneth E. Reeves, Chair