Agenda - November 4, 2002 Cambridge City Council meeting
CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation on the Zoning Petition to Modify the Incentive Zoning Provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.
2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation of $8,400 in the Grant Fund DHSP Salary & Wages ($7,611), and Other Ordinary Maintenance ($789) from the CHA to fund a portion of the Bridge Transition to College Program for high school and GED graduates who desire to attend college.
3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation of $22,100 in the Grant Fund of the DHSP Salary & Wages ($20,900) and Other Ordinary Maintenance ($1,200) from the Friends of the CLC to support the Even Start and ABE Program.
4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation of $20,000 in the Grant Fund of the DHSP Salary & Wages Account ($14,925) and Other Ordinance Maintenance Account ($5,075) from the Governor’s Alliance Against Drugs for the Prevention Coalition to continue its substance abuse and violence prevention work in the middle school classrooms.
5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation of $47,329 in the Grant Fund of the DHSP Salary & Wages Account ($45,215) and Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($2,114) from HUD to the Community Learning Center to provide computer classes for CHA residents of Jefferson Park and 119 Windsor Street.
6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation of $722,995 in the Grant Fund of the DHSP Salary & Wages Account ($644,922) and Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($78,073) from the Mass. Dept. of Education to the Community Learning Center for the purpose of providing Adult Basic Education, ESOL and Literacy classes.
7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an appropriation of $75,000 in the Grant Fund of the DHSP Salary & Wages Account ($65,325), Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($8,875) and Travel & Training Account ($800) from the U.S. Dept. of Justice for the Cambridge Prevention Coalition to continue its substance abuse prevention work in middle school classrooms.
8. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $86,165 in the Grant Fund of the DHSP Salary & Wages Account ($63,874), Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($20,576), and Travel & Training Account ($1,715) from the Mass. Dept. of Education to the Community Learning Center through the Young Adults with Learning Disabilities Project.
9. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Council Order No. 9, dated 9/23/02, regarding a draft Home Rule Petition regarding increasing the exemption for residential real property from 20% to 30%.
CHARTER RIGHT
1. Charter Right exercised by Councillor Maher on Order #3 of October 28, 2002 requesting the City Manager to immediately commence to implement the land use and zoning recommendations of the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Study.
ON THE TABLE
2. Landmark Designation Study Report for Shady Hill Square, 1-11 Shady Hill Square and 36 Holden Street.
3. Landmark Designation Study Report for designating as a protected landmark the Tulip Tree at 1436 and 1446 Cambridge Street.
4. Order #19 of September 9, 2002 requesting 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. Order #17 of October 7, 2002 requesting the City Manager to appoint someone to speak with Neighbors for a Better Community to explore possible collaboration.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6. 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.
7. Proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to Section 11.200 to increase linkage fees paid by developers of commercial housing seeking special permits to increase density or intensity of use. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after November 11, 2002. This petition expires December 31, 2002.
APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from John Harvard’s Brew House, requesting permission for a sandwich board sign at the premises numbered 33 Dunster Street.
CONSENT COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Phyllis Murphy, transmitting thanks for the resolution on behalf of Joseph Murphy.
2. A communication was received from Entact Solution, Inc., regarding Notice of Availability of Immediate Response Action Completion Statement and Class A-2 RAO on 125 Brookline Street.
3. Sundry communications received from the following Riverside residents, regarding how they feel about preserving the character of life in their neighborhood.
Raymond Pina 13 Soden Street
Michael Dotten 11 Soden Street
RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution congratulating the Middlesex County Assessors Association on its 75th anniversary and wishing its members continued success. Mayor Sullivan and entire membership
2. Resolution on the death of George Melnik. Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Toomey and entire membership
3. Resolution on the death of Eugene J. Megna. Mayor Sullivan and entire membership
4. Resolution on the death of Anthony R. Santoro. Mayor Sullivan and entire membership
5. Resolution congratulating the Cambridge Family YMCA and award winners Mary Harris, City Year, Inc., and Peter Mack on behalf of the M.I.T. student volunteers, on the occasion of the Cambridge Family YMCA 2002 Spirit, Mind and Body Tribute Luncheon on November 22, 2002. Councillor Murphy and entire membership
6. Resolution congratulating Ted Darling on the dedication of a new conference room in his name by the Rindge Alumni and the Rindge School of Technical Arts. Councillor Toomey and entire membership
7. Resolution on the death of Orlando Ramos. Councillor Toomey and entire membership
8. Resolution on the death of Dorothy T. Zamparelli. Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan, Councillors Toomey, Maher and entire membership
9. Resolution wishing a Happy Birthday to Raymond Bandar. Councillor Reeves and entire membership
10. Resolution on the death of Leonard W. Whaley. Councillor Reeves and entire membership
11. Resolution on the Hildebrand Weaving Dreams Gala. Councillor Reeves and entire membership
12. Resolution wishing Melissa Lee a Very Happy Sweet Sixteenth Birthday. Councillor Galluccio and entire membership
ORDERS
1. Ensure that all responses to Councillor requests for constituent services through the Hansen System be returned within fourteen days, unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Councillor Decker
2. Dedicate the corner of Third and Cambridge Street as John "The Barber" Maddalo Square. Mayor Sullivan
3. Name a memorial bench or square in memory of John Harney in the vicinity of Huron Avenue and Appleton Street. Councillor Maher
4. Assign additional police patrols in the streets around the Haggerty School. Councillor Maher
5. Report on including more arts programming on the City’s cable station to promote public involvement and participation in the arts available in Cambridge. Mayor Sullivan
6. Report on unsafe parking and a list of narrow streets and alleyways where illegal parking is a problem. Vice Mayor Davis
7. Review handicapped parking on Magee Street. Councillor Reeves
8. Schedule a roundtable on citizen participation in civic life. Councillor Reeves
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor David P. Maher, Chair of the Government Operations and Rules Committee, for a meeting held on October 23, 2002 to receive comment on the City Manager’s performance from the public.
COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Vice Mayor Henrietta Davis, transmitting additional information on Charter Right Order #3 of October 28, 2002.
HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Nov 4
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Nov 6
5:00pm The Housing Committee will conduct a public meeting to continue discussion on 2 Mount Auburn Street, the moderate income home ownership program and adjustments to income limits in the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Nov 7
8:30am - 5:00pm The Government Operations and Rules Committee will conduct an offsite meeting with a facilitator to review the current City Council’s Goals and consider changes if necessary. No public comment. (Hotel at MIT, 20 Sidney Street)
Wed, Nov 13
9:00am The Government Operations and Rules Committee will conduct a working meeting with the City Manager for group evaluation by members of the City Council and to discuss what the Committee will recommend to the full City Council. No public comment. (Sullivan Chamber)
4:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Truck Zoning Ordinance, Section 6.96. This hearing is televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Fri, Nov 15
10:00am The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a follow-up meeting with NSTAR to discuss the report on the exact and projected amount expended on maintenance by NSTAR for the last three years, the report on the outages in the Mount Auburn/Strawberry Hill/Cambridge Highlands area of the city, and any energy saving measures NSTAR can offer Cambridge residents and businesses. (Sullivan Chamber)
11:00am The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a follow-up meeting on the issue of noise including leaf blowers with city staff and to discuss a work plan. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 18
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Nov 20
12:30pm Government Operations and Rules Committee (City Council Office Conference Room)
Fri, Nov 22
10:00am The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a roundtable discussion for City Council members with city staff to discuss the proposed Climate Protection Plan. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 25
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Nov 26
4:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to consider a petition by Robert S. Carlson et al. to amend the zoning in the Riverside area. This hearing is televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 9
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Dec 11
4:00pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss a proposed amendment to the Municipal Code to provide for an Assistant City Manager for Public Safety. (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm The Public Facilities, Art and Celebrations Committee will conduct a public meeting to continue the discussion on the impact of state budget cuts on city arts programs, the status of the report on developing a Cambridge Art survey and an artist space initiative, and possible tools for the city to develop artists’ living and work space. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Dec 12
5:30pm Health and Environment Committee (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 16
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Jan 6
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Jan 13
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Jan 27
5:00pm Special Presentation for Cambridge Public School Art Department showing. Reception in Mayor’s Office. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Feb 3
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Feb 10
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Feb 24
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 November 4, 2002
COUNCILLOR DECKER
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ensure that all responses to Councillor requests for constituent services through the Hansen System be returned within fourteen days back to requesting Councillor; if more time is needed, the Councillor should be formally notified if no more than a seven day extension, unless there are extraordinary circumstances.
O-2 November 4, 2002
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record dedicating the corner of Third Street and Cambridge Street as John "The Barber" Maddalo Square; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Assistant to the City Council, after the consultation with the family, confer with the Department of Public Works for a suitable sign and dedication ceremony.
O-3 November 4, 2002
COUNCILLOR MAHER
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record, after consultation with the family, naming a memorial bench or square in memory of John Harney in the vicinity of Huron Avenue and Appleton Street; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Assistant to the City Council arrange a dedication ceremony with the family and arrange with Public Works for an appropriate sign.
O-4 November 4, 2002
COUNCILLOR MAHER
ORDERED: That the City Manger be and hereby is requested to direct the Police Commissioner to assign additional police patrols in the streets around the Haggerty School.
O-5 November 4, 2002
MAYOR SULLIVAN
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on including more arts programming on the City’s cable station as a way to promote public involvement and participation in the arts available in Cambridge (see attached information).
O-6 November 4, 2002
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: Emergency personnel in Boston were recently hindered by illegally parked vehicles while responding to a fire, leading to the tragic death of an eight-year-old girl; and
WHEREAS: Narrow Cambridge streets and the density of vehicles in Cambridge neighborhoods pose similar safety risks; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to examine issues relating to unsafe parking and the safety implications posed; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council as soon as possible with a list of narrow streets and alleyways where illegal parking is a problem and poses safety risks; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council as soon as possible with a plan to address this issue, possibly including a revision of the fine structure and/or a public education campaign.
O-7 November 4, 2002
COUNCILLOR REEVES
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to review handicapped parking on Magee Street, in particular where the Putnam Gardens resident requesting said space has moved.
O-8 November 4, 2002
COUNCILLOR REEVES
ORDERED: That the City Council be and hereby is requested to schedule a roundtable on citizen participation in civic life. The meeting might reasonably include a discussion of recent Kennedy School analysis about the impact of age, immigration and economic status on civic participation and voting.