2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to approval requested for an appointment of new members to the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) - Keisha Greaves, Robert Goss [three-year terms]. (CM22#212)
Appointments Approved 9-0

About the Recommended Appointees
Candidate Keisha Greaves is an entrepreneur and advocate. She is the founder and owner of Girls Chronically Rock, a Cambridge-based small business serving women with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Robert Goss is an artist with personal and professional disability experience.

3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-58 , regarding directing the appropriate City staff to establish a fund designed to assist those City employees in same-sex marriages with paying for surrogacy services. (CM22#213) [City Solicitor’s response]
pulled by Simmons; Placed on File 9-0

Nov 7, 2022
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-58, on directing the appropriate City staff to establish a fund designed to assist those City employees in same-sex marriages with paying for surrogacy services in instances where the City’s health plan insurance providers fail to provide the same coverage afforded to the City’s female employees and those in heterosexual marriages, City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa has provided the attached response.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

ON THE TABLE
1. Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis. [Charter Right – McGovern Oct 17, 2022; Tabled Oct 24, 2022] (PO22#267)

O-3     Oct 17, 2022  Charter Right - McGovern (Oct 17); Amended and Tabled Oct 24
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
WHEREAS: In recent years, the City has worked to address a number of different, critical issues that impact the wellbeing of our community and our planet via a number of different policies and initiatives that are tied to the development of new commercial and residential buildings; and
WHEREAS: From increasing the linkage fees that developers must pay into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, to increasing the mandatory amount of inclusionary units in new residential buildings of ten units or more, to our Net Zero policies, to the proposed BEUDO amendments, to the Affordable Housing Overlay, to the possibility of eliminating parking minimums, there have been a number of new or refreshed initiatives enacted by the City over the past half decade; and
WHEREAS: While each of these policies addresses a very real need, it would be prudent for the City to take a moment to request that an analysis be conducted to determine what impact, if any, all of these combined policies have had upon local commercial and residential development, and what impact may yet be felt by these combined policies in the near term, before the City looks to enact further policies or initiatives related to development; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department to conduct an assessment and analysis of the impacts of the combined, above-referenced policies upon local commercial and residential development over the past half decade, and the anticipated impact of these policies over the next half decade, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Adriana Messina, regarding: Brattle St. Bike Lanes – Overcoming the Delay & Temporary Protected Lanes. (Oct 31)

2. A communication was received from Alexander Keyssar, regarding: Garden Street One-Way. (Oct 28)

3. A communication was received from Alison Anna Bensted and Lino Pertile, regarding: Garden Street petition. (Oct 30)

4. A communication was received from Anjali Merchant, regarding protected bike lanes on Garden Street. (Oct 31)

5. A communication was received from Audrey Cunningham, regarding: Letter in response to Amendment to Chapter 2.78, entitle “Historical Buildings and Landmarks”. (Oct 29)

6. A communication was received from Ausra Kubil, regarding Garden Street one-way. (Oct 28)

7. A communication was received from Beth Gamse and Judy Singer, regarding the Garden Street petition. (Oct 28)

8. A communication was received from Bob von Rekowsky, regarding Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

9. A communication was received from Carol Weinhaus, expressing extreme disappointment with traffic and parking changes. (Oct 28)

10. A communication was received from Carol Weinhaus, regarding changes to bus routes in West Cambridge (routes 74, 75, 78, and 72). (Oct 28)

11. A communication was received from Chris Willard, regarding Garden Street changes. (Oct 28)

12. A communication was received from Clelia Goldings, regarding the City ignoring the Garden Street petition and their own regulations. (Oct 30)

13. A communication was received from Cole Franks, regarding stopping the delay of Brattle Street protected bike lanes. (Oct 31)

14. A communication was received from Dana Tighe, regarding Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

15. A communication was received from Diane Reposa, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

16. A communication was received from Donald and Marianne Crane, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

17. A communication was received from Graeme Peel, regarding the Brattle Street protected cycle lane delays. (Oct 31)

18. A communication was received from Helen Snively, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

19. A communication was received from Javad Seyedi, regarding Cambridge streets for all. (Oct 30)

20. A communication was received from Jennifer Payette, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 30)

21. A communication was received from Jim Bertram and Daniele Skopek, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 29)

22. A communication was received from Joan Pickett, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 29)

23. A communication was received from John Pena, regarding proceeding with Garden Street conversion. (Oct 28)

24. A communication was received from Judy Singer, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

25. A communication was received from Kari Jorgenson, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

26. A communication was received from Kathleen Dutra, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 30)

27. A communication was received from Kathryn Nassberg, regarding bike safety. (Oct 31)

28. A communication was received from Kavish Gandhi, regarding: Public comment, 10/31 – Applications & Petitions #2 and #3 and Policy Order #5. (Oct 28)

29. A communication was received from Ken Beausang, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

30. A communication was received from Lawrence G. Cetrulo, regarding Cambridge traffic/bike lanes. (Oct 28)

31. A communication was received from Liz Walker, regarding Brattle Street bike lanes. (Oct 31)

32. A communication was received from Marianne Crane, regarding the Garden Street project. (Oct 28)

33. A communication was received from Marjorie Hilton, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

34. A communication was received from Matthew Coogan, regarding Brattle Street bike lanes. (Oct 31)

35. A communication was received from Maureen Albano, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 30)

36. A communication was received from Pamela Winters, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 30)

37. A communication was received from Pat Grimsted, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 31, Oct 23, Aug 5))

38. A communication was received from Patricia Harris and David Lyon, regarding misguided bike lanes. (Oct 28)

39. A communication was received from Patricia McGrath, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

40. A communication was received from Patrick w. Barrett, Tim Rowe, and Dan Sibor, regarding the North Mass Ave Zoning Petition. (Oct 30)

41. A communication was received from Peter Littlefield, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

42. A communication was received from Phyllis Sonnenschein, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

43. A communication was received from Rachel Leicher, regarding Cambridge bike safety. (Oct 31)

44. A communication was received from Reiley O’Connor, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

45. A communication was received from Sam and Frank Reece, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 30)

46. A communication was received from Sam and Frank Reece, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 30)

47. A communication was received from Sam Reece, regarding the Garden Street petition. (Oct 29)

48. A communication was received from Sheli Wortis, regarding the Cambridge Lab Regulation Zoning Amendment. (Oct 31)

49. A communication was received from Sima Kainejad, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 30)

50. A communication was received from Stephanie Berk and Charles Welch, regarding the Garden Street petition. (Oct 28)

51. A communication was received from Steve Adeff, regarding the Garden Street project debacle. (Oct 28)

52. A communication was received from Suzanne Watzman, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 28)

53. A communication was received from Vickey Bestor, regarding the Garden Street conversion to one-way. (Oct 30)

54. A communication was received from Walter Popper, regarding Brattle St bike lanes. (Nov 1)

55. A communication was received from Tricia Carney, regarding Brattle Street projected bike lanes. (Nov 1)

56. A communication was received from Steven Seeche, regarding Garden Street Conversion to One-Way. (Nov 3)

57. A communication was received from Ruby A, regarding Install Brattle St. Bike Lanes Now. (Oct 31)

58. A communication was received from Pete Robinson, regarding Follow-Up on Garden Street Conversion. (Nov 2)

59. A communication was received from Patrick W. Barrett III, regarding Lab Ban Petition Issue. (Nov 2)

60. A communication was received from Neil Goodwin, regarding Garden Street. (Nov 3)

61. A communication was received from Michael Copacino, regarding Garden Street bike Lanes. (Nov 2)

62. A communication was received from Lisa Berkman, regarding Garden Street Conversion to One-Way - a traffic disaster. (Nov 3)

63. A communication was received from Lee Farris, regarding comments supporting lab regulation zoning petition. (Oct 31)

64. A communication was received from Lawrence G. Cetrulo, regarding Ignoring citizens rights. (Nov 1)

65. A communication was received from Larry Lesser, regarding Follow-Up on Garden Street Conversion. (Nov 2)

66. A communication was received from Kevin Moses, regarding Delay of protected bike lanes on Brattle Street. (Nov 1)

67. A communication was received from Kay Kaufman Shelemay, regarding Additional Comments on Garden Street Conversion. (Nov 3)

68. A communication was received from Kay and Jack Shelemay, regarding Follow-Up on Garden Street Conversion. (Nov 3)

69. A communication was received from Joe Adiletta, regarding Follow-Up on Garden Street Conversion. (Nov 3)

70. A communication was received from Guillaume Bouchard, regarding Brattle St Bike Lanes. (Oct 31)

71. A communication was received from Frank & Sam Reece, regarding follow-Up on Garden Street Conversion Follow-Up on Garden Street Conversion. (Nov 3)

72. A communication was received from Ellen Blumenthal, regarding Cambridge Traffic, Bike Lanes, Garden St. Re-Alignment. (Oct 31)

73. A communication was received from Elizabeth Petit, regarding Brattle St. protected bike lanes. (Nov 1)

74. A communication was received from Ben Fox, regarding proposed delay in bike lane implementation. (Nov 2)

75. A communication was received from Barbara Anthony, regarding Garden St. (Oct 31)

76. A communication was received from Adam Slamin, regarding Brattle St project delay. (Oct 31)

77. A communication was received from Aaron Shakow, regarding Please support the Cambridge Lab Regulation Zoning Amendment. (Oct 31)

78. A communication was received from Aaron Greiner, regarding Brattle Street Bike Lanes. (Oct 31)

79. A communication was received from Jay Wickersham, regarding Unsafe pedestrian conditions on Walker Street due to City’s changes to Garden Street. (Nov 3)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Nov 7, 2022  Charter Right - Simmons
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The recent change of part of Garden Street from a two way to a one-way street has caused concerns about overflow traffic on neighboring side streets; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department and Department of Public Works to meet with and receive input from residents living on the streets in the impacted area to discuss strategies to mitigate and reduce overflow and cut-through traffic and report back to the Council on recommendations no later than March 27, 2023.

Proposed substitute (Zondervan), proposed amendments by Nolan
WHEREAS: The recent change of part of Garden Street from a two way to a one-way street has caused concerns about overflow and cut-through traffic on neighboring side streets;
WHEREAS: Four community meetings and an in-person open house were held ahead of implementation, and a fifth meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 6:30pm in the cafeteria at the Graham & Parks School;
WHEREAS: The Traffic and Transportation Department is continuing to monitor the situation, including via traffic counting and other methods; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report on any mitigation strategies needed to address these concerns, based on these ongoing discussions with residents, at the November 21, 2022 Regular City Council meeting. direct the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department and Department of Public Works to meet with and receive input from residents living on the streets in the impacted area to discuss strategies to mitigate and reduce overflow and cut-through traffic and report back to the Council on recommendations no later than March 27, 2023.
and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments, including Traffic, Parking and Transportation and Department of Public Works, to meet with an d receive input from residents living on the streets in the impacted areas to discuss strategies to mitigate and to make sure all residents are welcomed to the meeting on Wednesday, November 9 at the Graham & Parks School as well as hosting one more meeting within three weeks and report back to the City Council with any recommendations for this and future projects no later than January 29, 2023.

O-2     Nov 7, 2022  Amended (Mallon), Amended (Nolan), Amended (Zondervan)
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge Vision Zero Action plan adopted in March of 2016, and updated in February of 2018 states; “Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. The Vision Zero approach consists first and foremost of an acknowledgment that crashes are preventable. By examining the factors that cause crashes, from infrastructure to behavior and societal factors, we can make the changes necessary to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Vision Zero also acknowledges that human beings will always make mistakes, so we must have systems in place to ensure that they are not fatal or life changing;’ and
WHEREAS: Our City’s streets are currently being redesigned to better protect more vulnerable road users, which has increased the number of bicycles and pedestrians on our streets and sidewalks every day; and
WHEREAS: We must continue to implement new safety improvements to our Traffic Regulations to meet our adopted Vision Zero Action Plan goals of eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries; and
WHEREAS: In order to meet their Vision Zero goals, Washington D.C recently voted to ban right turn on red movements district-wide, joining New York City as the second City in the United States to do so, with Ann Arbor, Michigan joining the cause in October to ban right turn on red movements in their downtown area; and
WHEREAS: In 2008, the Washington District’s Department of Transportation selected 100 pilot locations to study the “No Turn on Red” implementation as a protection for vulnerable road users, and the study of that pilot found that: “vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts dropped by 97% after the “no turn on red” signs were installed. The number of times drivers failed to yield to pedestrians when the light was red dropped by 92%. Drivers even did a better job yielding to pedestrians when their light was green, with violations dropping by 59%;” and
WHEREAS: This movement is already banned in over half the City of Cambridge’s intersections and the Cambridge Traffic Regulations regarding “No Turn on Red” language currently states:
  “Section 4.5 Traffic Control Legend:
  (c) Steady Red Signal
  (2) No driver of a vehicle facing a red indication shall make a right turn where official “No Turn on Red” traffic signs are installed and maintained prohibiting such turn, at intersections as described in Schedule 4A incorporated herein and made a part hereof available at the Traffic Department;” and
WHEREAS: Banning turns on red Citywide is a safety improvement the City of Cambridge should consider in order to continue to protect vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager is directed to work with the Law Department and the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to investigate how to ban turns on red Citywide[, with the flexibility to permit turns on red where Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department deems it allowable without any negative safety impacts]; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager is directed to contact the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, with the intent that they would have the flexibility to permit turns on red where the Massachusetts Department of Transportation deems it allowable without any negative safety impacts, to begin discussions of banning turns on red movements on roadways in Cambridge controlled by those state entities; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-3     Nov 7, 2022
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: In 2022, more than 62,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States and nearly 50,000 will die from the disease; and
WHEREAS: Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and it is projected to be become the second leading before 2030; and
WHEREAS: Pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer with a five-year relative survival rate at just 11 percent; and
WHEREAS: When symptoms of pancreatic cancer present themselves, it is generally late stage, with the average patient living for about one-year after diagnosis while only 10 percent of patients with an early diagnosis become disease-free after treatment; and
WHEREAS: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death in women and men across the world; and
WHEREAS: Disparities by race and socioeconomic status exist in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer, improved understanding of underlying causes could inform interventions; and
WHEREAS: It is estimated that in 2025, 557,688 new cases will be diagnosed globally; and
WHEREAS: The good health and well-being of the residents of the Commonwealth are enhanced as a direct result of increased awareness about pancreatic cancer and research into early detection, causes, and effective treatments; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record recognizing Nov 17, 2022 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day in the City of Cambridge and urge all citizens of Cambridge to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to light City Hall up in purple on Nov 17, 2022 to honor the people lost to the disease and the on-going efforts to defeat this terrible form of cancer.

O-4     Nov 7, 2022
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has aggressive Parking, Transportation and Demand Management goals for developers and employers in the City; and
WHEREAS: In Envision Cambridge‘s Mobility Plan, a recommended strategy and action is to: “Encourage and incentivize the use of sustainable transportation by City employees through increased transportation benefits and programming.”; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge current MBTA benefit is as follows:

• Non-union employees regularly scheduled to work 16 or more hours per week in permanent positions or in temporary positions with an expected duration of 6 consecutive months or more are eligible for the MBTA Pass Reimbursement Benefit of 65% of the cost of a monthly pass, up to $265/month.

• Union employees may be eligible for a similar benefit pursuant to their collective bargaining agreements.

WHEREAS: It has been recently reported that the City of Boston, as well as Cambridge-based employers Google and Sanofi are entering into a 2 year pilot to allow their employees to ride public transportation for free; and
WHEREAS: This 2 year pilot is based on a program created by MIT in 2016 “that allows the university to pay after-the-fact for individual trips taken by employees and students;” and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has recently moved to implement a remote work schedule, and the need for a monthly subsidized pass may have shifted to a less regular model for many employees; and
WHEREAS: To respond to this new workplace reality, the City should explore an alternative to the current subsidized monthly MBTA pass to allow for greater flexibility with the express goal of making it easier, and less expensive to take mass transit to work; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager work with the Finance Department, Personnel, Payroll, and any other related City departments to determine the feasibility of joining this pilot for two (2) years; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

O-5     Nov 7, 2022
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
ORDERED: That the City Council schedule a Roundtable on Mon, Nov 28, 2022, from 5pm-7pm to receive an update from the City Manager and relevant departments on municipal broadband.

O-6     Nov 7, 2022
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
WHEREAS: The FY23 Capital Budget is $164,063,235; and
WHEREAS: The capital projects in the FY23 budget include safety improvements related to Vision Zero, efficiency upgrades, the creation of a linear park, funding for affordable housing, and much more; and
WHEREAS: The City Council has expressed interest in learning more about how the capital budget is formed; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Finance Committee hold a committee meeting to discuss the FY24 Capital Budget, and future investment priorities in Cambridge’s physical infrastructure ahead of the FY24 budget cycle.

O-7     Nov 7, 2022  Substitute Order Adopted (see below)
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR TONER
WHEREAS: A robust, affordable, and effective public transportation system provides essential services to residents and directly helps the city achieve goals of reducing emission pollution and increasing equity and economic prosperity; and
WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) proposed the second iteration of their plans for a bus network redesign on account of shifting demographics, emerging employment districts, increasing traffic congestion, and changing travel patterns within the Greater Boston Area in recent years; and
WHEREAS: These changes will impact routes that operate within the City of Cambridge, as was discussed during a recent Transportation and Public Utilities Committee hearing and the City Council has gone on record in support of more bus service in the Alewife region as well as in East Cambridge not included in the first bus network redesign; and
WHEREAS: The MBTA revised their original proposal based on over 20,000 comments in order to improve access to hospitals, senior centers, and other destinations; reduce walk distances for riders; preserve existing one-seat rides; and balance resources and stays within the limit of buses available during peak times; and
WHEREAS: The October redesign has made several improvements to bus access in Cambridge, including extending Route T47 to Union Square from its original terminus in Central Square and reinstating Route 87 near Lechmere, extending service to 1:00am; and working to address high frequency routes across the system; and
WHEREAS: While the October redesign has addressed many of the issues brought forward by the community, many notable concerns still exist, namely:

• Routes 68 and 78 should extend rush hour schedules from 3:00pm - 8:00pm to better serve students in afterschool activities;

• The cuts to Route 78 also reduce access to Neighborhood Nine, Cambridge Highlands, Concord Ave between Huron and Blanchard Rd, including the assisted care and medical facilities; it is also the only connector between West Cambridge and Arlington;

• The frequency of Routes 69 and 83 are being cut drastically; the frequencies of both Routes should be increased to account for rush hour needs of the population including vulnerable populations;

• Changes in routes west of Harvard Square, including #74 and #75 need to be assessed carefully in light of new housing units including affordable housing for many residents without cars who rely on public transportation more than others

o As of right now, the MBTA has restored service on Route 74 from Belmont Center to Harvard via Concord Ave;

o There have been no changes to Route 75 in the newest proposal which is essential for many CRLS students;

These routes should be reconsidered to better account for the needs of Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: The dedicated CRLS Route 75 bus on school mornings provides essential transportation services for high school students to get to school on time and should be reinstated and additional dedicated CRLS routes considered for other areas of the city; and
WHEREAS: Without further changes to address these concerns, the plan could have an adverse impact on the city’s goals of increasing public transit overall to reduced emission pollution, and on residents who rely on public transit and who cannot afford vehicles, including senior citizens and other residents of limited mobility, students who rely on public transportation for school and afterschool activities, and many public housing residents who will be further isolated if public transit options are reduced, instead of increased; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in support of the changes that improved access and in support of further changes to address the concerns of residents as summarized above; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council hereby requests that the City Manager reach out to the MBTA to discuss the need for further amendments to the proposed plan for bus routes and to strategize on how the MBTA can keep their promised 25% increase in service and double the number of high frequency corridors considering the challenges they face hiring new drivers; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to representatives at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and to the Cambridge state delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.

Substitute Order (Nolan) - Adopted 9-0
O-7     Nov 7, 2022
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR TONER
WHEREAS: A robust, affordable, and effective public transportation system provides essential services to residents and directly helps the city achieve goals of reducing emission pollution and increasing equity and economic prosperity; and

WHEREAS: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) proposed the second iteration of their plans for a bus network redesign on account of shifting demographics, emerging employment districts, increasing traffic congestion, and changing travel patterns within the Greater Boston Area in recent years; and

WHEREAS: These changes will impact routes that operate within the City of Cambridge, as was discussed during a recent Transportation and Public Utilities Committee hearing and the City Council has gone on record in support of more bus service in the Alewife region as well as in East Cambridge not included in the first bus network redesign; and

WHEREAS: The MBTA revised their original proposal based on over 20,000 comments in order to improve access to hospitals, senior centers, and other destinations; reduce walk distances for riders; preserve existing one-seat rides; and balance resources and stays within the limit of buses available during peak times; and

WHEREAS: The October redesign has made several improvements to bus access in Cambridge, including extending Route T47 to Union Square from its original terminus in Central Square and reinstating Route 87 near Lechmere, extending service to 1:00am; and working to address high frequency routes across the system; and

WHEREAS: While the October redesign has addressed many of the issues brought forward by the community, many notable concerns still exist, namely:

• Routes 68 and 78 should extend rush hour schedules from 3:00pm - 8:00pm to better serve students in afterschool activities;

• Route 78 provides access to Neighborhood Nine, Cambridge Highlands, Concord Ave between Huron and Blanchard Rd, including the assisted care and medical facilities; it is also the only connector between West Cambridge and Arlington: reduced midday service is a concern, though, we believe that weekend service is improved;

• The MBTA is proposing very little change to the schedules of Routes 69 and 83; the MBTA should improve the frequencies of both routes to account for rush hour needs of the population including vulnerable populations;

These routes should be reconsidered to better account for the needs of Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: Changes in routes west of Harvard Square, including #74 and #75 need to be assessed carefully in light of new housing units including affordable housing for many residents without cars who rely on public transportation more than others

• As of right now, the MBTA has restored service on Route 74 from Belmont Center to Harvard via Concord Ave and is also proposing Sunday service on Route 74;

• There have been no changes to Route 75 in the newest proposal which is essential for many CRLS students; and

WHEREAS: The dedicated CRLS bus on Routes 72 and 75 on school mornings provides essential transportation services for high school students to get to school on time and should be reinstated and additional dedicated CRLS routes considered for other areas of the city; and

WHEREAS: The City Council expects the MBTA to respond to items from the joint letter from the Mayor and City Manager including:

• Route 68 to continue to have all-day service

• Extend Route 68 to Lechmere or connect the 68 to a new Kendall-Chelsea service

• Extend the T109 into Allston to connect with the Harvard development; and

WHEREAS: Without further changes to address these concerns, the plan could have an adverse impact on the city’s goals of increasing public transit overall to reduced emission pollution, and on residents who rely on public transit and who cannot afford vehicles, including senior citizens and other residents of limited mobility, students who rely on public transportation for school and afterschool activities, and many public housing residents who will be further isolated if public transit options are reduced, instead of increased; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in support of the changes that improved access and in support of further changes to address the concerns of residents as summarized above; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Council hereby requests that the City Manager reach out to the MBTA to discuss the need for further amendments to the proposed plan for bus routes and to strategize on how the MBTA can keep their promised 25% increase in service and double the number of high frequency corridors considering the challenges they face hiring new drivers; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to representatives at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and to the Cambridge state delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.