Cambridge City Council meeting - Nov 5, 2018 - AGENDA
[Councillor Kelley was ABSENT]
CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as new members of the Commission on Immigrant Rights & Citizenship for a term of three years, effective Nov 5, 2018: Elizabeth Badger, Sandra Mercedes Canas, Donna Davis and Karim El Razzaz.
Placed on File
Nov 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am hereby transmitting notification of the appointment of the following persons as new members of the Commission on Immigrant Rights & Citizenship for a term of three years, effective Nov 5, 2018:
Elizabeth Badger
Ms. Badger has spent her legal career as an immigrants’ rights advocate. Her current position as Senior Attorney with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) focuses on the rights and wellbeing of immigrant children and youth. In this role Ms. Badger has worked with immigrant youth at CRLS, where her foster son, a Salvadoran immigrant, has experienced some of the obstacles faced by immigrant youth navigating life in a different culture. Ms. Badger hopes to assist CIRC in understanding the unique needs of immigrant youth in Cambridge and to help address those needs through the Commission’s work.Sandra Mercedes Cañas
Ms. Cañas, a Salvadoran immigrant, has worked on immigrant issues and in support of immigrant communities for her entire career. Currently the Program Director at ENROOT, a Cambridge-based nonprofit that serves immigrant youth and families, she secures internship placements for immigrant high school students, trains worksite supervisors of the interns, coordinates schedules for interns and supervisors, oversees the matching of mentors with mentees and of tutors with students, and provides case management and supervision for program participants. Ms. Cañas works to build strong relationships with CRLS and City officials to advance the work of ENROOT. Ms. Cañas will bring her deep understanding of the challenges faced by immigrant youth to the work of CIRC as it seeks to identify ways the City can address those needs.Donna Davis
Ms. Davis, a long time Cambridge resident, grandchild of immigrants and former consultant with Bolt Baranek Newman, MIT, Index Technology and Abt Associates, has volunteered for many years with CLSACC and GBLS and has been a member of the Library Board Foundation. Ms. Davis brings her long-standing involvement in supporting immigrant families as they navigate life in Cambridge and the US to the work of CIRC, in particular her interest in expanding literacy opportunities and legal services. Her 15+ years of work on non-profit boards gives her the experience to work cooperatively to address group process and decision-making. Ms. Davis hopes to bring her analytic experience and desire to act locally in the current climate of intolerance for immigrant populations to her work with the Commission.Karim El Razzaz
Mr. El Razzaz, an immigrant from Egypt, works as Community Project Manager at the Islamic Society of Boston (in Cambridge/ISB) where he addresses the needs of the Islamic faith community through programming, coordinating with stakeholders, outreach and education about a range of concerns including economic empowerment, religious activities, community engagement and educational attainment. Through his involvement with CIRC he hopes to enhance his knowledge about the range of services the City offers its citizens as well as how to more effectively address the concerns of immigrant Muslims who seek him out to assist them in addressing their needs. Mr. Elrazzaz brings his depth of understanding about the challenges faced by Muslim immigrants to inform the work of the Commission.Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-40, regarding an update on the Harvard Square Theater.
Placed on File
3. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $19,200 within the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) STOP Grant from the Grant Fund Police Department Salary and Wages account to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($17,700) and to the Travel and Training account ($1,500) which will provide funding for a 3-day Trauma Informed training for all officers, as well for a portion of the costs associated with community outreach materials for the Domestic Violence Unit and for Certified Advocate Training for the Victim Advocate and the Victim Advocate Assistant.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley ABSENT)
4. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $92,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Police Extraordinary Expenditures account for the fit out of a new Police Reporting Station at 628 Massachusetts Avenue in Central Square.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley ABSENT)
Nov 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $92,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Police Extraordinary Expenditures account for the fit out of a new Police Reporting Station at 628 Massachusetts Avenue in Central Square.
The Reporting Station will staffed by officers dedicated to Central Square, and open to the public when officers assigned to the location are not patrolling the square on foot or by bike. The dedicated officers, and the new Reporting Station, will increase the Department’s visibility in the community.
The Cambridge Police Department has been able to lease the space from the Cambridge Savings Bank at a nominal cost. The Bank has also supported the demolition, build-up and upfitting of the space, as well as provided for utilities and maintenance.
This appropriation will be used to ensure that the Reporting Station is fully operational, as well as equip and secure the facility to comply with State and FBI Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) security standards. This includes, but is not limited to, telecommunication and data devices, as well as security features (including intrusion alarms and panel, secure card access, alarm buttons, ballistic capacity glass and wall panels, and security monitors). An emergency call box will also be located outside the facility and will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone seeking help. The Reporting Station is anticipated to open sometime in December.
Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $142,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account to support approximately 14 weeks of Integrating Communications, Assessment and Tactics (ICAT) Training.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley ABSENT)
6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $200,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Extraordinary Expense Account to fund a Bicycle Plan Update with Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan.
Order Adopted 7-0-1-1 (Simmons ABSTAIN, Kelley ABSENT)
Nov 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $200,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Extraordinary Expenditures account to fund a Bicycle Plan Update with Feasibility Analysis and Implementation Plan.
The 2015 Cambridge Bicycle Plan created a bicycle network vision, an aspirational plan for creating a high-quality bicycle infrastructure network on streets and paths in the city. The Plan did not include technical studies to evaluate space and operational constraints for each street segment to determine the feasibility of creating separated facilities in the short term. It also did not include a phasing plan or timeframe for completion of the overall network as the intent of the Plan was for it to be used as a guide and reference for projects undertaken, particularly projects that are part of the City’s Five-Year Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction Plan. The proposed update will expand on prior work by including a feasibility analysis and will create a more detailed implementation framework.
The Community Development Department will lead a public process to update the Plan, in coordination with other departments including Traffic, Parking & Transportation, Public Works, and Public Health. We expect that an update to the Plan will have positive results for all as the bicycle network vision follows three guiding principles: safety, comfort, and connection.
The update will:
• Incorporate information related to Vision Zero policies into the Plan.
• Update the network vision to incorporate recently constructed bicycle facilities.
• Create a feasibility assessment and implementation framework for the network, with short, medium and long-range plans.
• Use of digital tools to help visualize and explore new street design concepts and provide easy to understand plans for feedback
• Identify street segments that can be implemented under “quick build” scenarios, along with cost estimates for implementation.
• Identify projects that are feasible to be implemented through the Five Year Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction Plan, or as part of a longer-term capital project.
• Modify the network plan and develop alternatives where feasibility limitations exist in the current Plan.
• Create a section on prioritization and evaluation methods, which will include metrics for the City to track progress toward plan goals, in line with those identified in the Envision Cambridge mobility recommendations.
We anticipate that work will begin early in 2019, with a time frame of approximately 12-18 months. Implementation of bike facilities to develop a connected network will continue during the process, at locations such as South Mass Ave, Inman Square, Ames Street, River Street, O’Brien Highway. In addition, we will continue to advance off-road facilities including the Grand Junction Corridor and the Cambridge-Watertown Greenway.
Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $2,739,451 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Public Works Department Extraordinary Expenditures Account to support the reconstruction of Gore Street.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley ABSENT)
Nov 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $2,739,451 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Public Works Department Extraordinary Expenditures Account to support the reconstruction of Gore Street.
The funds were received from DivcoWest to reconstruct Gore Street. DivcoWest is constructing a new city sewer main on Gore Street, between O’Brien Highway and Medford Street in Somerville, to service the sewer flows from the Cambridge Crossing (North Point) Development.
Following the sewer construction, the City will reconstruct the streets and sidewalks; replace the over 100-year 8” water main, including replacing all lead services; and work with Eversource Gas to replace their over 100-year old 6” gas main.
City staff held an initial community meeting on June 19, 2018 to review the scope of the project and get input from the residents on potential improvements for Gore Street. A second community meeting took place on Nov 1, 2018 and provided an opportunity to review plans and provide feedback and discussion about the street and sidewalk reconstruction of Gore St. and Rufo Road.
Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $100,000 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Public Works Department Extraordinary Expenditures Account to support improvements along Massachusetts Avenue in the vicinity of Lesley University in Porter Square which will be used for improvements along Massachusetts Avenue such as sidewalk improvements, enhanced tree plantings and / or street furniture.
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (Kelley, Toomey ABSENT)
Nov 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $100,000 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Public Works Department Extraordinary Expenditures Account to support improvements along Massachusetts Avenue in the vicinity of Lesley University in Porter Square.
The funds will be used for improvements along Massachusetts Avenue such as sidewalk improvements, enhanced tree plantings and / or street furniture. This is the final contribution towards Lesley’s $200,000 commitment associated with their June 22, 2009 Commitment Letter referenced in Ordinance #1327. Previous funds were appropriated and used to support the Massachusetts Avenue demonstration block between Harvard Square and Porter Square.
Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
9. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Department of Human Services Extraordinary Expenditures account to begin a design process for a new Universal Design Playground.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley ABSENT)
Nov 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $500,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Department of Human Services Extraordinary Expenditures account to begin a design process for a new Universal Design Playground.
As noted in the attached letter from Mayor Marc McGovern to the City Council, an exclusively Universal Design playground will be the first of its kind in Cambridge and is an effective way to demonstrate Universal Design principles, while also being used by people of all abilities and ages.
The new park will be located on an unutilized 0.75 acre portion of Danehy Park adjacent to the Field Street parking lot. The location features off street parking and onsite maintenance staff.
While the location is convenient for youth and special needs programs nearby, the park is also intended to serve as a citywide attraction with the potential to serve as a national model. A focus group was recently created and will have their initial meeting after a design firm is selected. The group will then work closely with the design firm and the community through a comprehensive public process to develop program concepts.
We expect to issue an RFP for a design firm in November with the public design process beginning this winter. Once the design process is complete I anticipate requesting an additional $2,000,000 appropriation for the construction of the park sometime in 2019.
Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $150,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Finance Extraordinary Expenditures account to support a 12-month digital equity research initiative.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley ABSENT)
Nov 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am requesting the appropriation of $150,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Finance Extraordinary Expenditures account to support a 12-month digital equity research initiative.
The recommended methodology for the next 12 months is to study and analyze gaps affecting the City’s low-income or otherwise disadvantaged population in use of the broadband internet.
The work that was done as part of the Broadband Task Force has provided the City with valuable data. The City will be focusing on an important topic included in the Task Force’s recommendation, namely digital equity. The City’s research will seek to better understand the gaps-including those related to broadband access, affordability, digital skills, and device ownership-that may be preventing all residents from making the most effective, meaningful use of broadband.
The results of this comprehensive study will be used to develop targeted and strategic recommendations to address the findings.
Additionally, I will be formally concluding the work of the Broadband Task Force and appointing a new City Manager’s Digital Equity Advisory Board which will provide input and guidance at key milestones during the yearlong study of digital equity in the Cambridge. I appreciate the foundational work of the Broadband Task Force and the time and effort its members dedicated to creating the Task Force’s report.
The Advisory Committee will assist in creating a draft vision and set of goals for the City’s digital equity strategy. Additionally, the Advisory Board, based on the findings of the study, will help develop targeted strategies the city could take to address the gaps discovered. It is estimated that the committee’s work would last 12- 16 months.
Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,000,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account to be used: (1) for grant agreements with nonprofit organizations to address the City’s most pressing service needs, and (2) to enter into a contract with a Project Evaluator to work with the grant recipients as well as the Community Benefits Advisory Committee (CBAC), which is overseeing this effort.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley ABSENT)
Nov 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I hereby request the appropriation of $5,000,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account to be used: (1) for grant agreements with nonprofit organizations to address the City’s most pressing service needs, and (2) to enter into a contract with a Project Evaluator to work with the grant recipients as well as the Community Benefits Advisory Committee (CBAC), which is overseeing this effort.
Background
Since 2010, over $20 million in mitigation funds designated for community benefits purposes have been pledged to the City of Cambridge (the “City”) as a result of zoning amendments and special permit requirements, of which $7.4 million has been received and transferred to the City to the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to date. A detailed timeframe for the additional funds (beyond the $7.4 million) is not known at this time.Prior to the formation of the CBAC by ordinance (Chapter 2.127 of the Cambridge Municipal Code), the City, with the advice of a Needs Assessment Advisory Committee and funding support from the Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF), conducted a comprehensive needs assessment for an in-depth understanding of the City’s most pressing needs and service gaps, and to enable the City to make informed decisions on the investment of Community Benefits Funds. The <https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Planning/cambridgeneedsassessment> was completed in January 2017 and adopted by City Council in May 2017.
CBAC is charged with soliciting and evaluating proposals from local nonprofit partnerships for the provision of services to Cambridge residents, and with establishing the rules, regulations and guidelines for the proper administration of community benefits funds. The CBAC’s recommendations are informed by Cambridge City Council’s Guiding Principles for Community Benefits Funding (Attachment A), which were originally established by the Ordinance, then adopted and expanded in the Community Needs Assessment. CBAC includes the diverse perspective of residents, representatives from the local nonprofit community including the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition (CNC), businesses, CCF, and universities, and works with City staff to make recommendations to the City Manager for the award of Community Benefits Grants.
All CBAC meetings are open to the public. In addition, while developing the funding approach, the Committee held two (2) Listening Sessions to which the nonprofit community was invited to ask questions and give feedback on the approach.
Additional information and resources and the full list of members are available here:
<https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Planning/CommunityBenefitsAdvisoryCommittee>Current Phase:
The CBAC is overseeing a competitive grant process to disseminate the first round of Community Benefits funds. The Community Benefits competitive grant process will occur in two phases: a 6-month Planning Phase; and a 3-year Implementation Phase.Using the Guiding Principles for Community Benefits Funding and the plan for implementing the Community Benefits process outlined in the Ordinance, this process is designed to bring nonprofit organizations together in partnerships that can address the three Top Tier Needs identified in the 2017 Community Needs Assessment. The Committee identified as the priority population to be served families with children that are low-income or in poverty, particularly those headed by a single woman (Target Population). The three Top Tier Needs are:
• Affordable Housing & Homelessness
• Financial Security
• Behavioral Health: Mental Health & Substance AbuseCBAC is prioritizing innovative approaches for the priority population that have the capacity to address all three Top Tier Needs in ways that respond to the unique needs of families, with the recognition that families may be impacted by one or more of the Top Tier needs in different ways.
CBAC recognizes that the Top Tier Needs represent complex and often interrelated issues, and is looking for innovative approaches to the provision of services that prioritize partnership and coordination, an integration of services, and a commitment to broader engagement of the community and available resources. CBAC is seeking to fund partnerships that will use the funds to develop creative and innovative approaches that could be new and/or that enhance and add value to what partnering organizations are already doing.
CBAC will select and recommend to the City Manager up to five (5) partnerships to receive a 6-month Planning grant from the City. These 6-month Planning grants will provide selected partnerships with up to $30,000 to formulate and hone their partnership and proposed approach, culminating in the development of a Plan for Implementation. At the completion of the Planning period, CBAC will review submitted Plans for Implementation and select and recommend to the City Manager up to five (5) partnerships to receive a grant for up to $750,000 per partnership to be distributed over a 3-year Implementation period. Grantees must participate in the Planning Phase in order to be eligible for the Implementation Phase, and receipt of a Planning grant does not guarantee receipt of an Implementation grant.
Through this process, CBAC aims to identify and support promising and innovative models for partnership that can address all three Top Tier Needs in the shorter-term and over time. The focus on the Top Tier Needs does not preclude partnerships from addressing other needs identified in the Community Needs Assessment or including services that respond to other pressing needs among families that are part of the priority population.
This process is also designed to inform future rounds of Community Benefits funding.
ANTICIPATED TIMELINE
Planning Grant Phase |
|
November 2018 |
Release of Planning Grant RFP; Convene potential applicants on RFP, project background, relevant data, and Q &A |
January 2019 |
Additional convening for potential applicants, before proposals are due |
February 2019 |
Planning grant proposals due to CBAC |
March & April 2019 |
Planning grant proposals reviewed and finalists interviewed |
Mid-April, 2019 |
Announce award(s) of no more than five (5) planning grants of up to $30,000 each |
May - November 2019 |
Planning grant awardees develop Plan for Implementation |
TIMELINE Implementation Phase (tentative dates) |
|
November 2019 |
Planning grants expire and Plans for Implementation submitted to CBAC |
December 2019 – January 2020 |
Plans for Implementation reviewed and partnerships interviewed by CBAC, evaluation team & external review committee |
February 2020 |
Announce award(s) of no more than five (5) implementation grants |
February 2020 – January 2023 |
Plan implementation and ongoing Evaluation work |
January 2024 – December 2024 |
Evaluation completion |
I am pleased with the work of the Community Benefits Advisory Committee and urge your approval of the appropriation request in so that the Community Benefits funding process can move forward.
Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
Attachment A: Guiding Principles for Community Benefits Funding
Frame Needs Thoughtfully
1. Fund programs or services that directly benefit Cambridge residents.
2. Emphasize funding priorities established by the City Council informed by the outcomes of the needs assessment.
3. Prioritize support for vulnerable and underserved populations.
4. Consider neighborhood(s) impacted by development projects.
5. Consider other public resources allocated to a neighborhood in order to better understand unmet needs.
Build on Existing Assets and Programs
6. Promote awareness of and connection to existing programs and services.
7. Prioritize approaches that leverage other private and public resources.
8. Encourage an asset-based approach that recognizes and builds on the resilience of Cambridge residents and communities.
Promote Holistic Approaches, Innovation and Collaboration
9. Recognize the inter-connectedness among community needs.
10. Emphasize holistic and creative ideas that promote prevention and coordination across systems and organizations.
11. Remain open to bold and innovative approaches to challenging issues.
12. Recognize that addressing community challenges takes time and provide the latitude for longer term interventions.
13. Prioritize funding for nonprofit applicants that promote collaboration, partnership and collective impact.
14. Encourage and incorporate program evaluation to identify which strategies work best.
Simplify the Application Process
15. Establish a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative process.
16. Provide support and technical assistance to nonprofits in the application process to ensure equal opportunity and access.
17. Provide opportunities for renewable grants to returning nonprofit providers that have an excellent performance evaluation record and programmatic success.
12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with a consultant service agency to provide evaluation services for 5 years from the date of the execution of the contract pursuant to G.L. c. 30B, §12b for the purpose of obtaining independent evaluation services to assess the use of community benefits funding by City-based nonprofit organizations in accordance with the Community Benefits Ordinance and the Guiding Principles of Community Benefits Funding.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Kelley ABSENT)
Nov 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am hereby requesting that the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with a consultant service agency to provide evaluation services for 5 years from the date of the execution of the contract pursuant to G.L. c. 30B, § 12b. In order for the City to enter into a contract for more than 3 years, I need to obtain the approval of the City Council. The purpose of this contract is for the City to obtain independent evaluation services to assess the use of community benefits funds by City-based nonprofit organizations in accordance with the Community Benefits Ordinance and the Guiding Principles of Community Benefits Funding.
Specifically, the consultant agency will assist the Community Benefits Advisory Committee with the establishment of a conceptual framework to maximize the impact of the use of these funds, and to ensure that the funds are being used to accomplish the City’s goals and objectives for Community Benefits Funding. The consultant agency will provide guidance to the City so that City staff can develop guidelines for the selected nonprofit agencies to use in formulating specific plans to ensure efficient use of resources. In addition, the consultant agency will assist the City with its post-execution assessment of the global framework and of the nonprofit organizations’ individual implementation plans.
The Purchasing Department will be publishing requests for proposals pursuant to G.L. c. 30B, §6 to locate and select a consultant service vendor for this contract in the next few weeks.
Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
Agenda Item Number 12 Nov 5, 2018
ORDERED: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with a consultant service agency to provide evaluation services for 5 years from the date of the execution of the contract pursuant to G.L. c.30B, §12b for the purpose of obtaining independent evaluation services to assess the use of community benefits funding by City-based nonprofit organizations in accordance with the Community Benefits Ordinance and the Guiding Principles of Community Benefits Funding.
13. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-108, regarding a report on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee Elections.
Order Adopted
November 5, 2018
To the Honorable, the City Council:I am writing in response to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-108, regarding a report on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee Elections, which ordered:
“That a petition be submitted to the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, accompanied by a bill for a special law related to the City of Cambridge to be filed with a copy of this order, be, and hereby is, approved under Clause One (1) of Section Eight (8) of Article Two (2), as amended, of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to the end that legislation be adopted precisely as follows, except for clerical or editorial changes of form only: PETITION FOR A SPECIAL LAW ENTITLED, AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO OFFER EARLY VOTING IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS”; and further ordered:
“That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a copy of this attached petition to the Massachusetts legislative delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.”
In response to the above two referenced Council Orders, the City Clerk forwarded the petition and accompanying bill for a special law to the Massachusetts legislative delegation on behalf of the City Council. However, the Council Order further ordered:
“That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee elections.”
In response to the third order, requesting that I report back on offering early voting in Cambridge, I have conferred with the City Solicitor following her review of the petition and accompanying bill, and I recommend substituting the attached revised petition and accompanying bill to the Legislature. I am available to answer any questions you may have.
Very truly yours, Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
Recommended Revisions:
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO OFFER EARLY VOTING IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:SECTION 1.
Beginning in the year 2019, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the City of Cambridge’s Election Commissionshallmay offer early voting for municipal elections.The City of Cambridge
’s Election Commission shallmay elect to allow any qualified voter, as defined in section 1 of chapter 51 of the General Laws, to cast a ballot for any biennial municipal election during the early voting period.The City of Cambridge’s Election Commission
shallmay promulgate regulations to implement this act not inconsistent with section 25B of chapter 54 of the General Laws and with other election laws applicable in the City of Cambridge, including those governing proportional representation voting. Such regulationsshallmay include, butshallare notbelimited to, a process for establishing early voting locations, dates, staffing, and a process for applying for, receiving, separating, compiling, recording, and securing early voter ballots. Each early voting site shall be accessible to persons with disabilities.SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
This act shall take full effect upon its acceptance and appropriation by majority vote of the City Council of said City, but not otherwise.
Agenda Item Number 13 Nov 5, 2018 Adopted
WHEREAS: On Oct 29, 2018 the Cambridge City Council adopted Policy Order #1 (the “Order”), which ordered that a petition be submitted to the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, accompanied by a special law related to the City of Cambridge to be filed with a copy of the Order, such home rule petition for a special law entitled: ‘AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO OFFER EARLY VOTING IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS;” andWHEREAS: The Order further requested that the City Clerk forward a copy of the home rule petition to the Massachusetts Legislative delegation on behalf of the entire City Council; and
WHEREAS: The home rule petition together with the required signature page was forward to the Massachusetts Legislative delegation by the City Clerk on Oct 30, 2018; and
WHEREAS: The Order also requested that the City Manager report back to the City Council on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee elections; and
WHEREAS: The City Manager requested that the City Solicitor review the language in the home rule petition, and following her review the City Solicitor has suggested amendments; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council move to amend by substituting the attached language for the language that was previously adopted in the home rule petition by the City Council on Oct 29, 2018; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward the substituted language for the aforementioned home rule petition to the Massachusetts Legislative delegation.
Final Version Adopted:
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO OFFER EARLY VOTING IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:SECTION 1.
Beginning in the year 2019, notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the City of Cambridge may offer early voting for municipal elections.The City of Cambridge may elect to allow any qualified voter, as defined in section 1 of chapter 51 of the General Laws, to cast a ballot for any biennial municipal election during the early voting period.
The City of Cambridge’s Election Commission may promulgate regulations to implement this act not inconsistent with section 25B of chapter 54 of the General Laws and with other election laws applicable in the City of Cambridge, including those governing proportional representation voting. Such regulations may include, but are not limited to, a process for establishing early voting locations, dates, staffing, and a process for applying for, receiving, separating, compiling, recording, and securing early voter ballots. Each early voting site shall be accessible to persons with disabilities.
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
This act shall take full effect upon its acceptance and appropriation by majority vote of the City Council of said City, but not otherwise.
CHARTER RIGHT
1. An application was received from Martin Cafasso, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 19 Fayette Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association.
Moved to Unfinished Business
2. That the City Manager is requested to include protected bicycle infrastructure along the entire length of River Street as part of the FY20 River Street Redesign project.
Order Adopted
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. That the proposed Municipal Code entitled “Street Performers” in Section 12.16.170 as amended on June 25, 2018 by Policy Order #15 be placed on Unfinished Business awaiting revised ordinance language from the City Solicitor after consultation with the Arts Council based on the recommendations in the Committee Report dated June 25, 2018.
4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to proposed amendments to the following ordinance: and proposed amendments to Chapter 14.04 of the Cambridge Municipal Code (the "Fair Housing Ordinance). Fair Housing (passed to a 2nd reading) Awaiting Home Rule Legislation - before proposal can be ordained.
APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. A petition was received from Central Square Business Association, requesting twenty-eight temporary banners on street light poles along Massachusetts Avenue from Hancock Street to Albany Street celebrating the redesignation of Central Squares a cultural district.
Order Adopted
2. An application was received from Mark Langlais for the Colette Restaurant, requesting permission for 5 awnings at the premises numbered 1924 Massachusetts Avenue. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters.
Order Adopted
COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Susan S. Twarog, regarding Mid-Cambridge dog park next to Library tot lot.
2. A communication was received from Peter Sturges, regarding early voting.
3. A communication was received from Bruce Biewald, regarding bicycles in Cambridge.
4. A communication was received from Joshua Hartshorne, regarding support for protected bike lane.
5. A communication was received from Helen Fu Hartshorne, regarding support for protected bike lane.
6. A communication was received from Patricia Bull, 399 Broadway, regarding support for Policy Order 2018 #245.
7. A communication was received from Nancy Ryan, regarding First Street Garage Disposition.
8. A communication was received from Charles Teague, 23 Edmunds Street, regarding support for use of salt substitute this winter.
9. A communication was received from Jeanne Koopman, 248 River Street, regarding public parking spaces on First Street.
10. A communication was received from Abby Fechtman, 116 Thorndike Street, regarding NO on parking plan for Spring Street Garage.
11. A communication was received from Michael Hawley, regarding First Street Garage.
12. A communication was received from Tara Greco, regarding support use of salt substitute this winter.
13. A communication was received from Rosemary Booth, regarding First Street Garage Spaces.
14. A communication was received from Joseph Anton Aiello, regarding First Street Garage.
15. A communication was received from Margaret Monsell, 118 Hancock Street, regarding support for mid-Cambridge dog park.
16. A communication was received from Catherine Sullivan, 16 Notre Dame Avenue, regarding support on reducing salt in areas where salt is damaging trees.
17. A communication was received from Kathy Watkins, regarding First Street garage parking spaces.
18. A communication was received from Andy Nash, 18 Worcester Street, regarding First Street garage.
19. A communication was received from Walter McDonald, regarding First Street Garage.
20. A communication was received from Jacquelyn A. Smith, Ashburton Place, regarding First Street garage.
21. A communication was received from Carol O'Hare, 172 Magazine Street, regarding &Pizza and Milk Bar application.
22. A communication was received from Joseph Rose, 72 Spring Street, regarding Fist Street garage.
23. A communication was received from Dustin Weigl, regarding support for protected bike infrastructure along River Street.
24. A communication was received from Elena Saporta, 102 Ellery Street, regarding support for de-icing alternatives
25. A communication was received from Scott Burger, regarding support for Policy Order's #262, #257, #256, #252 and #250.
26. A communication was received from Gretchen Freisinger, 18 Orchard Street, regarding support for use of salt substitute.
27. A communication was received from Florrie Wescoat and Maggie Booz, Planning Committee, regarding the use of salt substitutes.
28. A communication was received from Mark P. Rogers, regarding Court House redevelopment.
29. A communication was received from David Levitt, 10 Notre Dame Avenue, regarding opposition of sale and lease at First Street.
30. A communication was received from Carol O'Hare, 172 Magazine Street, regarding First Street garage parking spaces.
31. A communication was received from John Whisnant, 61 Otis Street, regarding First Street garage.
32. A communication was received from Kathryn Fenneman, Executive Director, Tutoring Plus of Cambridge, in support of the appropriation from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to grant agreements with non-profit organizations to address the City’s most pressing needs.
33. A communication was received from the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition in support of the appropriation of $500,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund.
34. A communication was received from Jane Hirschi, Executive Director, CitySprouts Program, in support of the Community Benefits process that Cambridge is committed to.
35. A communication was received from Itamar Turner-Trauring, 139 Oxford Street, in support of protected bike lanes on River Street and the budgetary request to complete planning a full network of bike lanes.
36. A communication was received from Saul Tannenbaum, 16 Cottage Street, in support of the appropriation to study and craft solutions for Cambridge’s digital equity problem.
37. A communication was received from George Schneeloch, 81 School Street, Somerville in support of updating the Cambridge Bicycle Plan.
38. A communication was received from Michael Hawley, 101 Third Street, in support of further study for the First Street garage.
39. A communication was received from Marilee Meyer, 10 Dana Street, in support of the Policy Order to rethink the Envision Cambridge process.
40. A communication was received from Lee Farris, 269 Norfolk Street, in support of the Policy Order to further study the First Street garage.
41. A communication was received from Patrick Barrett, 41 Pleasant Street, regarding further study of the First Street garage, rethinking the Envision Cambridge process and in support of the temporary banners for Central Square.
42. A communication was received from Chris Matthews, 26 Sixth Street, in support of further study of the First Street garage.
43. A communication was received from Rosemary Booth and Jerry O’Leary, 303 Third Street, urging support of Policy Order #3 to further study the First Street garage.
44. A communication was received from Peter Glick, 6 Donnell Street, in support of Policy Order #4 to rethink the Envision process.
45. A communication was received from Hasson Rashid, 820 Massachusetts Avenue, relating to City Manager Agenda Items #11 and #12 and Policy Orders #3 and #4 and any other items that relate to homelessness.
46. A communication was received from Charles Franklin, 162 Hampshire Street, relating to police station in the Kendall Square area, food equity, the digital equity issue and the Envision process being too broad.
47. A communication was received from Roy Russell, 40 Cottage Street, regarding the digital equity issue and that the City Manager is ignoring the other recommendation for a municipal broadband facility.
48. A communication was received from Donnie Worth, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, in support of the appropriation for implementation of a bike plan and the installation of protected bike lanes on River Street.
49. A communication was received from Abigail Lewis-Bowen, 80 Thorndike Street, regarding the First Street garage.
50. A communication was received from Carol O’Hare, 172 Magazine Street, in support of the Police Reporting Station in Central Square.
51. Sundry communications received in support of the budget allocation for an updated bike plan.
52. Sundry communications received in support of a City municipal public broadband.
53. Sundry communications received in support of the installation of protected bike lanes on River Street.
54. Sundry communications received regarding the Sullivan Courthouse and the First Street garage.
RESOLUTIONS
1. Wishing Rachel Trudel a Happy Birthday. Councillor Siddiqui
2. Veterans' Day Resolution. Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern, Vice Mayor Devereux
3. Congratulating The Cambridge School on their 10th Anniversary. Mayor McGovern
4. Congratulations to Melissa E. Carpenito, Erica M. Crane, Rebecca L. Skorker, and Erica L. Tompkins on their graduation from the Emergency Communications Dispatcher Academy. Councillor Mallon, Councillor Toomey
5. Congratulations to the Co-Founders of the Loop Lab, Christopher Hope and Moise Michel, on a successful open house and innovative workforce development program. Councillor Mallon, Councillor Siddiqui
6. Resolution on the death of Barbara Elderd. Councillor Toomey
7. Congratulating CERO Cooperative on their Recent Award. Councillor Zondervan
8. Resolution on the death of Kristen Doyle. Mayor McGovern
9. Resolution on the death of Gerard A. Bragalone. Councillor Toomey
ORDERS
1. That the City Manager work with the Department of Human Services and Project Bread to fund additional City summer food sites and collaborate on creative and innovative ways to engage participants in programming that will increase the use of open food sites. Councillor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui
Order Adopted
2. That the City Manager work with the Fire Department to evaluate 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. Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted
3. Further Study Needed on First Street Garage. Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Amended, Charter Right - Simmons
4. Rethink Approach to Envision Cambridge. Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux
Order Adopted as Amended
5. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to monitor the site and ensure frequent trash removal and other measures are taken to maintain a clean and inviting area surrounding Jerry’s Pond. Councillor Siddiqui
Order Adopted
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. A communication was received from Paula Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Quinton Zondervan, Chair of the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration Committee, for a public hearing held on Oct 16, 2018 to discuss CMA 2018 #196 and any other matter related to Jerry’s Pond.
Report Accepted, Placed on File, Order #5 Adopted
HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Nov 5
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Nov 7
1:00pm The Health and Environmental Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the safety of natural gas infrastructure in Cambridge, the use of contractors, including Feeney Brothers, and any related matter. This Hearing will be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Nov 8
2:00pm The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Federal Communications Commission’s new policy on regulating small cell technology and the City’s response and policies. (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Nov 13
3:00pm The Health and Environmental Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss draft recommendations from the Envision Cambridge Climate and Environment working group and any other related matter. (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Nov 14
3:00pm The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Policy Order adopted regarding Cambridge publicly finance Municipal Election Program and the Cambridge Municipal People’s Pledge Program. This Hearing will be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 19
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Nov 20
1:00pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public hearing to review the current status of the Short-Term rental (STR) registration and enforcement efforts in Cambridge, including any legal proceedings, the exploration of possible new legal proceedings against illegal STR operators or platforms and will assess the City’s need to implement new policies or contracts given the state’s inability to create a master registration of any sort and to discuss opportunities to work with the state to create a funding stream for STRs. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Nov 26
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Nov 27
4:00pm The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the next the steps in creating a protected bike network and an update on future Vision Zero infrastructure improvements. (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Nov 28
3:00pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public hearing to review the Cambridge Police Department’s truck enforcement actions, to discuss how Cambridge can better use navigational platforms like Garmin and Signage to keep trucks off of illegal or impractical roads, how Cambridge may extend its no-truck designations, how pilot programs on sideguards are working, how City contracts may be used to demand safer vehicles for both contractors and sub-contractors for City projects and similar truck-related issues. (Sullivan Chamber)
Thurs, Nov 29
1:00pm The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss truck safety measures in the City. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:00pm The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss Urban Form Recommendations from the Community Development Department. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 3
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Tues, Dec 4
5:00pm The Health and Environmental Committee will conduct a public hearing to review the preliminary LiDAR-based canopy study results from Apr 1, 2018 and to discuss potential reasons for the precipitous decline in our tree canopy and any other related matter. (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Dec 5
3:00pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public hearing to explore the legal options Cambridge does and does not have when permitting existing, new and emerging mobility platforms in Cambridge; said uses will include the ability for Cambridge to regulate platforms that operate Non-City property and the differences between streets and sidewalks when considering what permits are needed and any regulatory gaps that might exist where City permitting authority is unclear but desired and how the City may get that necessary authority. (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 10
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Dec 12
5:00pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the responsibility of Cambridge police officers or other officers working in Cambridge under the Cambridge Police Department Authority, such as out-of-town officers working a construction detail, to respond to bike-related collisions, whether car/bike, bike/bike, bike/mobility devices or bike/pedestrian, to include providing instructions and guidance on how to follow-up with accident reports and correct efforts to digitize both the State citation and the State accident report form. - HEARING TO BE RESCHEDULED DATE TO BE DETERMINED (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 17
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Mon, Dec 31
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Wed, Jan 9
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the proposed amendment to the Municipal Code in Chapter 8.66 entitled “Tree Protection” to amend section 8.66.40 entitled “Applicability” and by adding a new section 8.66.050 entitled “Procedure for other projects”. (Sullivan Chamber)
TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Nov 5, 2018
COUNCILLOR MALLON
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: The Summer Food program is a Federal program that allows children and teens up to age 18 to get a meal with no questions, no means-testing, and no cost; and
WHEREAS: The Summer Food program fills the summer nutrition gap for the students in our community who benefit from the free lunch program during the school year; and
WHEREAS: Federal limitations on the locations of summer open food sites according to Census Tracts make it difficult to equitably serve our most vulnerable children; and
WHEREAS: To supplement the Federally funded locations, the City has funded two independent open food sites this year to help fill the gap; and
WHEREAS: To ensure that children and teens are getting access to the nutrition they need over the summer, the City needs to look at innovative food delivery programs and sites such as, but not limited to: low cost adult access, adding sites at libraries, and building in meal times during existing programming; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Human Services, and other relevant departments to fund additional City summer food sites so that location will not be a barrier to those who need to be served; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Human Services, Project Bread, and other relevant departments to collaborate on creative and innovative ways to engage children, teens, and families in programming that will increase participation rates at all open summer food sites; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council by April 2019 in time to prepare for the summer food season.
O-2 Nov 5, 2018
COUNCILLOR MALLON
MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: The biotech industry, research laboratories and life sciences have had a significant presence in the Kendall Square area for several years and there have recently been concerted efforts to develop the Kendall Square area into more of a mixed-use district, including residential in addition to business, biotech and life science uses; and
WHEREAS: Increasing development in Kendall Square presents new challenges to the City’s delivery of emergency services, such as an increasing number of buildings and higher building heights, the increased growth of research laboratories and other facilities, and more people to manage during an emergency; and
WHEREAS: The increase in the number of residents in Kendall Square may lead to an increased demand for services, particularly emergency services; and
WHEREAS: Kendall Square is not currently home to a fire station; and
WHEREAS: Nearby fire stations, such as those in East Cambridge and Lafayette Square, should be included in a feasibility study to evaluate the City’s capacity to respond to emergencies that could arise in the Kendall Square area; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Fire Department and any other appropriate departments to evaluate the existing capacity of fire stations near the Kendall Square area to respond to emergencies including whether a new fire station is needed, and if so, to determine the feasibility of locating a plot of land, City owned or otherwise, for the purpose of building a new fire station to serve the Kendall Square neighborhood; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council in a timely manner.
O-3 Nov 5, 2018 Amended, Charter Right - Simmons
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 30B, the City released an RFP on Oct 18, 2018 for the disposition of property to solicit proposals for a leasehold interest of 420 parking spaces and 7,000 square feet of ground floor retail space in the First Street Garage; and
WHEREAS: The disposition of city-owned property is contingent upon the City Council, by a vote of two-thirds majority, finding that the arrangements specified through the RFP process will lead to the greatest public benefit that can be obtained from the City property in question, pursuant to Chapter 2.110 of the City of Cambridge Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS: In 2014, the City Council resolved that “it will not simply consider whether the RFP's agreed-upon price represents the fair market value of the city-owned parking spaces in the First Street Garage, but rather, the City Council will listen closely to the concerns of East Cambridge residents and consider the overall impact of the Sullivan Courthouse redevelopment project in order to determine whether the developer's proposal will lead to the greatest public benefit that can be obtained from the City property in question”; and
WHEREAS: At a meeting on Oct 24, 2018, the East Cambridge Planning Team voted unanimously in opposition to the proposed disposition of First Street Garage; and
WHEREAS: At a community meeting on Oct 30, 2018, which was so well attended it overflowed the room, significant and persistent concerns were raised by members of the community about the proposed disposition and the impact it would have; and
WHEREAS: More than 3 million square feet of office space has been added in Kendall Square and Cambridge Crossing (NorthPoint) since the RFP was originally proposed in 2013, with another 5 million square feet of mixed-use buildings coming to the area over the next 5 years, and a recently announced renovation of CambridgeSide, which will eliminate 800 parking spaces; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to conduct a comprehensive, independent planning, and traffic, and parking study of the neighborhood and use of the First Street Garage, within 6 months and include it in the disposition report as required by 2.110, Section B.6, so that the Council can make an informed decision as to whether the proposed disposition is in the best public interest; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back on this matter as soon as possible.
O-4 Nov 5, 2018 Amended
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
VICE MAYOR DEVEREUX
WHEREAS: Envision Cambridge’s six Working Groups released draft goals and recommendations to the public in June 2018; and
WHEREAS: In their community presentations on Envision since that time, CDD and Utile have focused on an analysis of three specific zoning ideas included in the 175 total recommendations: a 100% affordable housing overlay, a “super inclusionary” overlay, and an environmental performance incentive overlay; and
WHEREAS: This approach has caused considerable and unfortunate confusion among many members of the community, some of whom do not seem to realize that Envision Cambridge is much more than this trio of specific zoning ideas, a conclusion that makes it difficult for them to engage with Envision as a whole, despite the many good ideas and goals contained within it; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct CDD to de-emphasize the three zoning analyses during presentations to the community on Envision Cambridge, and to focus those presentations instead on getting feedback and buy-in on the goals of all six Envision Cambridge Working Groups; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct CDD to present an overview of Envision Cambridge including a fact sheet the three zoning analyses during presentations to the community on Envision Cambridge, and to focus those presentations on getting feedback and buy-in on the goals of all six Envision Cambridge Working Groups; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct CDD and Utile to also analyze Envision recommendations for strengthening tenant protections and increasing revenues and expenditures for city-subsidized affordable housing; 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 on this matter.
O-5 Nov 5, 2018
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to monitor the site and ensure frequent trash removal and other measures are taken to maintain a clean and inviting area surrounding Jerry’s Pond; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and other city and state agencies as necessary to improve the surrounding publicly owned properties through landscape design and other measures that make them more accessible and inviting to the community; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Health, MassDEP, the Environmental Protection Agency and other city, state and federal agencies as needed to design a program of active monitoring for exposure to potential contaminants present at the Jerry’s Pond site so that any exposure can be swiftly detected and mitigated if possible.
TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
The Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning; Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 16, 2018 at 3:01pm in the Sullivan Chamber to discuss CMA 2018 #196 (ATTACHMENT A) and any other matter related to Jerry’s Pond.
Present at the hearing were Councillor Zondervan, Co-Chair; Councillor Carlone, Co-Chair; Councillor Siddiqui; Vice Mayor Devereux; Councillor Kelley; Louis DePasquale, City Manager; Lisa Peterson, Deputy City Manager; Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development; Khalil Mogassabi, Deputy Director of Community Planning and Chief Planner, Community Development Department (CDD); Kathy Watkins, Senior Engineer, Department of Public Works (DPW); Nancy Glowa, City Solicitor; Bob Reardon, Director of Assessing; Dan Totten; Sarah Stillman; Liz Walker; Wil Durbin, Chief of Staff, Mayor’s Office; and Paula M. Crane, Deputy City Clerk.
Also present were Eric Grunebaum, John Doucet, David Bass, Victor Plosinski, Rachel DeLucas, Michael Rome, Macky Buck, Ronah Gregory, Marcia Hams, Joel Nogic, Louis Weissman, Rachel Lucas, Peter Valentine, Charles Teague, Mike Nakagawa and Lisa Birk.
Councillor Zondervan convened the hearing and read the Call of the Meeting and noted that the meeting is being video recorded. He thanked Councillor Siddiqui for her leadership on this important topic. He noted that this is an environmental justice question and he said that we must figure out how to remediate the site. He noted his hope to take a long-term perspective. He stated that the present situation is very challenging and progress must be made. He said that he would like to look 50 years into the future and determine what we want the site to be and come to some consensus on what that vision is. He said that only then can progress be made on this intractable issue.
Lisa Birk, Alewife Study Group, gave an overview of a PowerPoint presentation titled “A Vison for Jerry’s Pit” (ATTACHMENT B). She thanked the Committee for the opportunity to share this information and the discussion that will ensue.
Joel Nogic, Alewife Study Group, gave a summary of handouts (ATTACHMENT C) which include Alewife Study Group Updates, Alerts and a map of the site conditions during Dewey and Almy operations. He said that these do not list asbestos, but it is clear asbestos was significantly used.
Eric Grunebaum, Alewife Study Group, gave an overview of a PowerPoint presentation by the Friends of Jerry’s Pond (ATTACHMENT D).
Councillor Carlone said that he has experience with this site as well as a number of others just like this site. He said that the Lechmere Canal was polluted, and the City installed clay, but they wanted to lessen the depth of the canal. He asked what is necessary to seal the pond and still plant trees. Ms. Birk responded that 4 feet is the acceptable amount for trees because it is a flood plain which complicates matters. David Bass, 23 Norris Street, responded that the site is not dangerous if it is not disturbed because the asbestos and the materials that are most hazardous come with exposure. He said that there is no need to cap the site.
Councillor Zondervan said that it is in a flood plain and we do expect to see increased flood risk. He asked if there is any risk from flooding disturbing the site in the future. Mr. Bass stated that this is not his area of expertise, so he is not qualified to answer the question. Councillor Zondervan asked if water would disturb contaminants in the soil if it were to flood. Mr. Bass answered that these contaminants are not mobilized by water. He said that the ones that are toxic will not be affected by water.
Councillor Carlone asked if coming in contact with the water would be a problem if the full scheme were done. Mr. Grunebaum said that they don’t think enough study or characterization of the site has been done. He said that it is fair to say that you would not want to ingest sediments from the Charles River or from locations where there were old industries. He said that they are engineering a project before it is embarked upon. He said that more testing must be undertaken before there can be a proper study of the site. Mr. Grunebaum said that asbestos does not travel in soil so if you test at 10 locations for asbestos and some number of those locations do contain asbestos, it does not guarantee that other locations in that vicinity have asbestos. The area around Jerry’s Pit has not been tested as much as the area on the north side. Ms. Birk said that she is totally in favor of testing as there are loads of chemicals that were used on this site. She noted that the records for the contaminated sludge are missing.
Public Comment began at 3:54pm.
Rachel Lucas, Friends of Jerry’s Pond, stated that she resides at 29 Seagrave Road. She said that her house is located in the flood zone. She said that her professional background is in material sites. She said that she did research and she came across studies that question some of the questions regarding capping being effective, specifically at this site. She said that she is in favor of further testing, particularly right next to pond, with more continuous monitoring. She asked the City to get more aggressive about testing the site.
Michael Rome, 18 Gold Star Road, said that what is missing is that things will change and there may be a way in the future to deal with this in a much safer manner. He said that it is criminal what WR Grace did to the environment.
Mackey Buck, 18 Gold Star Road, said that she has been part of Friends of Jerry’s Pond. She said that it is horrifying that in her neighborhood and our city, this toxic dump exists and we are not doing anything about it. She said that it is great that things have grown around the pond but with flooding and climate change, there is no way that we can walk out of the room and not say that there has to be more testing. She said that the testing is vital and can be the ground work to figure out what we can do with this site.
Marcia Hams, 95 Clifton Street, stated that testing is extremely important on an ongoing basis. She said that she would be very worried about opening up the area to public use in a way that could be dangerous to children and people who walk through the area. She said that continuing to have a fence around the pond and beautifying the area where people walk could make sense. She noted that she is worried about disturbing a site that is so contaminated.
Louis Weissman, Montgomery Street, said that he is a member of the Alewife Study Group. He said that he worked with the Alewife Study Group early on when it was a battle to stop a development that would have a hotel around Jerry’s Pond with towering office parks. He said that he was part of the group that helped uncover contaminants at that site. He said that he agrees with everything that Ms. Birk has stated. He stated that he always felt that there would be a Part B after the initial fight. He said that it is wrong to say that we just stop at the initial fight as something must happen on that site. He said that everyone has a responsibility for Part B.
Peter Valentine, Brookline Street, stated that everyone comes from all creation and we are connected with forces that can stop destruction. He said that we must develop a mantra where you breathe and continually repeat the words and essences that you want to become forever. He said that people create forums in their minds which help to feel disharmonious force.
Victor Plosinki, 104 Clifton Street, stated that he is a longtime resident of Cambridge. He said that he appreciates the fact that everyone is in agreement with testing and the hazards that exist underground. He said that he thinks for the present time until testing or mitigation is done, the area should remain fenced off. He said that he is amazed at people taking picture of the wildlife in this area. He said that the wildlife needs protection from people at times. He suggested softening the look on Rindge Avenue. He stated that he appreciates the efforts of the clean-up groups. He said that as it relates to the flood plain, in October of 2006 when there was 10 inches of rain in one day, it was the first time that he got water in the basement.
Charles Teague, 23 Edmunds Street, advocated for trees. He said that the best thing to do is to preserve what nature has made. He thanked Vice Mayor Devereux for her work at this site. He said that he likes trees and science shows that the fewer trees, the hotter, smellier, less healthy Cambridge is. He said that the Friends of Jerry’s Pit are out of touch because the Cambridge tree canopy is collapsing. He said that there has been 18% canopy loss in 9 years. He said that in 2009, canopy covered 31% of area in Cambridge while in 2030 it is projected to be 15%. He said that it is projected that 4300 plants must be planted each year to stay where we are today. He said that he is stunned at the concept of capping. He said that in Linear Park, excessive mulching is killing trees. He said that this is the place to do something different and to emphasize preservation.
Mike Nakagawa, 51 Madison Avenue, stated that he appreciates the discussion. He said that there is a lot of contamination in the area. He said that a lot of it hides well and looks benign but causes cancer. He said that he was ready to move if they started digging. He said that asbestos is permanent in soil and lungs.
David Bass said that he was present when one of the samples was taken that had high levels of asbestos. He said that the fact that there was so much asbestos was significant. He said that disturbing this has the potential to mobilize and is dangerous. He said that the site is dangerous. He noted that he has not been working as a hazardous waste remediation engineer for quite some time but there is the need to be cautious and vigilant as things change and as we learn new things. He said that testing is good as long as the site remains unchanged. He said that what is more important is monitoring of exposure. He said that the contamination of greatest concern, asbestos, is not water soluble. He said that this does not mean that asbestos can have a dramatic effect. He said that this area is part of a continuous habitat that includes the Alewife Reservation and is a gem. He said that everything we do to make that habitat smaller decreases the biodiversity in it which must be kept in mind.
Public Comment closed at 4:30pm.
Vice Mayor Devereux thanked the groups for their tireless work. She said that the remarks regarding the tree canopy are well taken and that is information that has emerged more recently. She said that she loves the vision but she does not see the path at the moment. She said that Envision Alewife is supposed to be for the 2030 timeframe and anything that we would talk about for that piece of land makes it a very implausible picture to draw and put in a plan, particularly when paired with new open space and new office and housing units. She said that it does not seem realistic to put in the plan. She said that we keep doing plans for the Alewife area and all plans have a bridge and it has not happened to date. She said that it feels like we are creating another bridge. She said that the open space that was envisioned in the last Alewife Plan has not come to pass. She said that she does not see an immediate path forward that will get us there by 2030-2035.
Councillor Kelley asked if the City could get access to the property because there are valid questions. Lisa Peterson responded that that because the City does not own the property, the City would need permission from the property owner and the property owner would retain responsibility for whatever is found on the site. She said that the City would be willing to participate in a grant if the property owner were interested in having testing and then taking responsibility for findings. Councillor Kelley said he was taken back by comments that climate change and increased water flow could change what is going on at the site and where it would be moving. He said that the City could conceivably go to the owner to ask if the City can do testing on the property. Ms. Farooq said that the City has spoken to owners about its willingness to do testing on the property in the context of the grant process. The owners said that they would rather not do anything additional. She said that their response is that they have not figured out long-term plans for the site. She said that communication has been open but she does not expect a different response.
Councillor Zondervan said that he would like to understand the legal jurisdiction. He said that his understanding is that the owners are in compliance with state and federal laws relating to this contaminated site. He said that there is new information that is becoming available in terms of how asbestos may interact with water as well as climate change and additional risks of flooding which may impact the site and distribute contaminants to other sites. He said given that information, what legal jurisdiction does the City have to say that we need to remediate this somehow in the future. He asked if there is there any basis in the law that the City could leverage to advance the conversation. Ms. Glowa responded that that she does not believe that the City has authority that would relate to speculative possibilities for the future.
Joel Nogic said that from his experience, when new information came to the surface, the Alewife Study Group wrote letters to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), State Representatives, Senators and Congress. He said that the DEP may have authority when new information comes to light to be able to require or request something from the owner.
Eric Grunebaum said that GCP is a company that reports to care about sustainability. He said that he is embarrassed for Cambridge in that it that should show moral courage to do something about this. He said that there is law under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act so there are other avenues to pursue. He said that he cares deeply about trees and he submitted the first application to plant 100 trees under the Participatory Budgeting process. He said that there is almost no land before it drops off to the pond. He said that this is a realistic plan. He said that the bank could be extended and more trees could be added. He said that it is premature to try to engineer the project but there are things that can be done to increase ecology. He noted that it is possible to have boardwalks through natural areas. He said that we must increase the natural landscape along the pond.
Councillor Siddiqui said that the goal of the Policy Order was to find out if the City can test or not and the answer is a clear no. She said that she expected this. She said that the City has a question before it: What is the relationship that we want with GCP who has said that they are still evaluating this property for business purposes which is frightening. She said we must think about how to work on that relationship. She said that she is supportive of residents’ efforts. She said that short-term solutions can include trash removal with continued discussion. She said that she wants to continue the conversation to ensure that the voices of residents who live in the Rindge Towers have their voices heard.
Councillor Carlone said that he worked on a great project in Lawrence which was paid for by Gencore. He said that it was well-received and he is sorry to say that in the end they asphalted the whole area. He said that it was an open space encapsulation and was heavily polluted. He said that when looking at the maps in both presentations, they indicate that the Grace study area did not include everything going to Alewife Brook Parkway. He said that he has been told that there is some City land that edges this site. He questioned if this land is on the Russell Field side of Alewife Brook. Eric Grunebaum said there is DCR land on the Alewife Brook side. Councillor Carlone said that the City could work with the DCR to fund the cleaning of state and city land to make it attractive. He said that Grace realizes that it is a no win for them and they leave it as it is and pressure must be applied along the edges.
Vice Mayor Devereux said that she is not intending to say that the conversation should not continue but there is a need to define what long-term is. She said that she wants to understand what kind of zoning changes could be suggested for this area and whether that would be good or bad in terms of motivating the company to clean this site up. She said that the Rindge Avenue sidewalk is very narrow and that area cannot support more density without thinking about non-car connections.
Councillor Zondervan said that we have heard that the Alewife Study Group and stakeholders are concerned about restoring this site. He asked if the conversation about moving the dirt has been couched in the language that such movement would not happen unless it was safe. He noted that we have also heard about the benefits to leaving the site alone because of tree canopy and wildlife assets. He said that we also heard that there are areas adjacent to the property under state and city control and there may be short term possibilities where significant improvements could be made to those areas and incorporate Jerry’s Pond in a natural way. He said that these ideas are worth exploring. He said that the question of testing is also worth exploring. He said that this may be able to be done without the property owners’ permission.
Councillor Carlone said that the easiest thing is communicating with the state to form a partnership to make a difference. He said that this is the most plausible of any movement forward that has some impact.
Councillor Siddiqui made the following motion:
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Conservation and Recreation to monitor the site and ensure frequent trash removal and other measures are taken to maintain a clean and inviting area surrounding Jerry’s Pond; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and other city and state agencies as necessary to improve the surrounding publicly owned properties through landscape design and other measures that make them more accessible and inviting to the community; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Health, MassDEP, the Environmental Protection Agency and other city, state and federal agencies as needed to design a program of active monitoring for exposure to potential contaminants present at the Jerry’s Pond site so that any exposure can be swiftly detected and mitigated if possible.
The Motion - Passed.
Councillor Zondervan thanked all those present for their attendance.
The hearing adjourned at 5:04pm.
For the Committee,
Councillor Quinton Y. Zondervan, Co-Chair
Councillor Dennis J. Carlone, Co-Chair
AWAITING REPORT LIST
16-26. Report on the possibility of the City Council implementing a zoning change, on the permitting of all new restaurants where a wood-fired oven is used as a significant method of food preparation. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Devereux, Councillor Kelley (O-5) from 4/4/2016
16-42. Report on plans for the former Riverside Community Health Center on Western Avenue, including transfer of ownership of the building to the City and the process for determining future usage. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Vice Mayor McGovern (O-1) from 5/2/2016
16-83. Report on drafting possible legislation and other recommendations for interim actions to identify and address the public health impacts of any commercial wood-fired ovens. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Mayor Simmons (Calendar Item #4) from 10/31/2016
16-101. 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
16-108. Report on whether people displaced and qualify for Emergency Status who are using Section 8 in other cities or towns can retain their resident preference for the purpose of Inclusionary Housing. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 12/19/2016
17-22. Report on the potential growth of next-generation wireless technology in the City, to include: the expected footprint of citywide coverage from just one company and what market competition might produce; the integration of public and private infrastructure to support the network; what local standards the City might hope to maintain relative to aesthetics and safety; and how this new technology fits into our Broadband access plans. On a communication from Councillor Kelley requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Councillor Cheung, Councillor Devereux, Councillor Kelley (O-14) from 2/27/2017
17-87. Report on a schedule for resubmitting a revised draft of the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance that incorporates clearer wording and/or more clearly explains each section in less technical jargon and is more coherent in its entirety, with the goal of seeing such an Ordinance adopted by the end of this City Council term. On a communication from Councillor Kelley and Councillor Devereux requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Devereux (O-8) from 9/18/2017
18-4. Report on exploring mechanisms for achieving greater levels of snow clearing by the city and increase the public response during major snow events or heavy snow winters.
Councillor Zondervan, Mayor McGovern, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-5) from 1/22/2018
18-6. Report on information regarding electronic device usage by City-elected officials.
Councillor Toomey (O-7) from 1/22/2018
18-7. Report on the possibility of changing the snow removal exemption to include two and three-family houses.
Councillor Toomey (O-1) from 1/29/2018
18-10. Report on creating a list of mitigated meeting and conference room private spaces that are available to the public, what the exact eligibility of using these spaces is, and making the list available to the public.
Councillor Toomey (O-5) from 1/29/2018
18-15. Report on any other relevant City Department to gain a sense of who is purchasing buildings in Cambridge.
Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 2/5/2018
18-21. Report on the feasibility of initiating a formal transit study and action plan of the Alewife area in response to unanimous concerns of the Envision Alewife Working Group.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Siddiqui (O-7) from 2/26/2018
18-27. Report on why there continues to be significant audio and video difficulties during live internet broadcasts of City Council meetings.
Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 3/5/2018
18-37. Report on the possibility of accepting the City of Boston's invitation to join their intergenerational housing pilot program.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey (O-1) from 3/26/2018
18-38. Report on inventory of all City-owned vacant buildings and lots and the City's plans for them, if any.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui (O-2) from 3/26/2018
18-40. Report on notifying the owners of the former Harvard Square Theater to provide a firm schedule for when they will submit their application to the Cambridge Historical Commission and a projected timeline for the rest of the process. See Mgr #2
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone (O-8) from 4/2/2018
18-44. Report on ensuring an additional commitment of $20 million from the City’s budget is devoted over the next five years toward the City’s efforts to preserve and create affordable housing units.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui (O-6) from 4/23/2018
18-53. Report on an updated schedule for resubmitting a revised draft of the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance that incorporates suggestions from the Light Cambridge Committee by June 11, 2018.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone (O-1) from 5/14/2018
18-58. Report on the Housing Committee and how the City could establish a method of eviction data collection.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui (O-5) from 5/21/2018
18-60. Report on a small business parking pilot that would allow temporary on-street employee parking during typical daytime operating hours.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 5/14/2018
18-61. Report on commissioning a public art piece, statue, or memorial that would commemorate the dedication of women in Cambridge to passing the Nineteenth Amendment.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui (O-5) from 6/4/2018
18-62. Report on acquiring Big Belly Solar trash cans to replace the current open top trash receptacles, with an emphasis on the business districts.
Mayor McGovern, Councillor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone (O-1) from 6/18/2018
18-65. Report on working with the Mayor’s Summer Youth Program and other appropriate City departments to organize a Town Hall Meeting for Cambridge youth.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern (O-5) from 6/18/2018
18-66. Report on establishing a Young Adult Civic Unity Committee to be modeled after the Citizen Civic Unity Committee and to recruit applicants from all across the community and across all socio-economic backgrounds.
Councillor Simmons (O-7) from 6/18/2018
18-68. Report on determining the permitting and legality issues of Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing in the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan (O-11) from 6/18/2018
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
18-78. Report on meeting with representatives from DCR, Friends of Magazine Beach, the cycling community, and all other stakeholders to develop a design and funding plan to ensure that the essential safety upgrades to the Paul Dudley White Community Path are completed to complement the ongoing Magazine Beach renovations.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-13) from 6/25/2018
18-79. Report on the Grand Junction Overlay District and provide update in September.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone (O-2) from 7/30/2018
18-81. Report on efforts to be made to ensure that at least one public building at an accessible location can be open on a Sunday or holiday that coincides with an extreme heat event.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (O-4) from 7/30/2018
18-83. Report on an action plan to work with the City’s Community-Based Organizations to create a network of summertime evening programming to reduce the threat of violence in the City’s public spaces in 2019 and beyond.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Mallon (O-9) from 7/30/2018
18-85. Report on the feasibility of appointing an advisory committee to work through resiliency elements raised during the Envision process and through the Brown petition.
Councillor Toomey (O-13) from 7/30/2018
18-86. Report on the feasibility of adopting a policy of replacing any failed 4000K LED streetlights with warmer alternatives as opportunities arise, and offering shielding/filtering upon request from nearby residents whenever possible.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-14) from 7/30/2018
18-87. Report on the navigational editing capabilities of the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-16) from 7/30/2018
18-88. Report on contracting with an outside survey company to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of inclusionary tenants' experiences, with a particular emphasis on biased practices.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (O-17) from 7/30/2018
18-90. Report on the feasibility of establishing a crosswalk at the intersection of Soden Street and Western Avenue.
Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #3) from 9/24/2018
18-91. Report on drafting a plan that shall allow the Mayor’s Annual Harvard Senior Luncheon to be held regardless of the weather conditions.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui (Calendar Item #4) from 9/24/2018
18-92. Report on increasing enforcement of the Bike Lane Bill to keep our bicycle infrastructure free and unobstructed.
Mayor McGovern, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan (Calendar Item #6) from 9/24/2018
18-93. Report on the sale of The Constellation Center's Parcel C in Kendall Square.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Toomey (Calendar Item #7) from 9/24/2018
18-94. Report on considering to work with consultants and other available resources to help incorporate data access and management concerns into discussions, permits and licenses for new mobility platforms.
Councillor Kelley (Calendar Item #8) from 9/24/2018
18-96. Report on how the City views internet-based platforms as opportunities for outreach and communication and what sort of guidelines have been, or are being, developed to help everyone understand how the City’s various departments do or do not utilize these communication resources and how any communications on these platforms are managed so that the messaging and information is kept up-to-date.
Councillor Kelley (Calendar Item #10) from 9/24/2018
18-97. Report on updating the vacant property database as well as reviewing the strategies presented in the Storefront Vacancies Best Practices Report.
Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (Calendar Item #12) from 9/24/2018
18-98. Report on the recognition of National Energy Awareness Month, as a means of highlighting the importance of achieving the goals set forth in the Net Zero Action Plan.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan (O-1) from 9/24/2018
18-99. Report on the creation and implementation of a survey or other feedback mechanism for individuals who have been in contact with the Human Rights Commission.
Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Mallon (O-2) from 9/24/2018
18-100. Report on taking all possible immediate actions to preserve and restore Linear Park.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Kelley (O-3) from 9/24/2018
18-101. Report on identifying ways to raise awareness about the prevalence of food allergies and decrease the level of risk posed by food remnants left in public parks and playgrounds.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Mallon, Councillor Carlone (O-1) from 10/1/2018
18-102. Report on the potential of utilizing the Icelandic crosswalk design in an intersection in East Cambridge.
Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 10/1/2018
18-103. Report on seeking a formal response from CVS as it relates to a racial profiling incident.
Councillor Simmons (O-6) from 10/1/2018
18-104. Report on a list of streets where it is recommended that the speed be reduced to 20 MPH.
Vice Mayor Devereux (O-10) from 10/1/2018
18-105. Report on the feasibility of placing a condition in the public bidding documents prohibiting municipal contractors from displaying any signage other than company markers and contact information on vehicles.
Councillor Siddiqui, Mayor McGovern, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-1) from 10/15/2018
18-106. Report on celebrating National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in October of 2019 by scheduling a commemoration ceremony and lighting up City Hall and individual firehouses.
Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern (O-2) from 10/15/2018
18-107. Report on prioritizing the Public Safety outreach measures in the FY20 budget.
Councillor Mallon, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Simmons (O-5) from 10/15/2018
18-108. Report on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee Elections.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (O-1) from 10/29/2018
18-109. Report on the feasibility of fencing off an area on the North side of the Joan Lorentz park for a dog park or at another suitable location in Mid-Cambridge.
Councillor Mallon, Councillor Siddiqui (O-2) from 10/29/2018
18-110. Report on determining whether unisex bathrooms can be installed in City Hall, or whether existing bathrooms could be modified into unisex bathrooms.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (O-3) from 10/29/2018
18-111. Report on addressing the increase of TNC-associated vehicles stopping in the middle of streets and bicycle lanes.
Councillor Simmons (O-7) from 10/29/2018
18-112. Report on determining what measures would best serve to prevent vehicles from blocking the Fresh Pond Mall's driveway onto Alewife Brook Parkway.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Kelley (O-8) from 10/29/2018
18-113. Report on coordinating a walk down Rindge Avenue, covering at least from Haskell Street to Sherman Street, to analyze the congestion and intersections with interested residents to try to find mitigating solutions or to explain why mitigation may not be possible
Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Zondervan (O-12) from 10/29/2018
18-114. Report on opportunities and plans to increase signage or other communication efforts to help ensure that all users of Brattle Street between Eliot and Mason Streets understand the cyclists may be using Brattle Street in the opposite direction of prevailing motor vehicle traffic.
Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-14) from 10/29/2018
18-115. Report on the current status of the Surveillance Technology Ordinance and a date the City Council can expect an updated version of the proposed Ordinance.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Carlone (O-16) from 10/29/2018
18-116. Report on the current status of any City Hall renovation plans and a timeline of planned events.
Councillor Kelley, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Toomey (O-17) from 10/29/2018
18-117. Report on using the best available salt substitutes and additives, and apply all other appropriate chloride reduction practices this winter in all areas where salt may be damaging trees, including but not limited to Linear Park.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone (O-18) from 10/29/2018