Cambridge City Council meeting - November 9, 2020

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

2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of an Elections COVID Response Grant, in the amount of $70,510.50, received from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, to the Grant Fund Election Commission Other Ordinary Maintenance Account which will be used to help cover the costs associated with ballot drop boxes, location rental and cleaning, voting equipment and supplies, and other costs related to the 2020 Presidential Election.
Order Adopted 9-0

3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of a new member of the Human Rights Commission for a term of three years, effective Nov 9, 2020: Stefanie Haug
Placed on File 9-0

CHARTER RIGHT
1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department to commence the public process with the Port neighborhood and surrounding communities to determine the future use of the 35 Cherry Street parcel for affordable housing, and in conjunction with the community, determine the type of housing that would meet the most pressing needs in the area. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL NOV 2, 2020]
Order Adopted 9-0

2. An application was received from Jesse Aguilar, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 87 Cambridge Park Drive; 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. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR NOLAN IN COUNCIL NOV 2, 2020]
Order Adopted 9-0

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
3. 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. [PENDING RESPONSE FROM LEGISLATURE]

4. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the City of Cambridge Law Department to review the above changes to the language of the Domestic Partnerships Ordinance and report back to the Council. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER SEPT 14, 2020]

5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a response to Policy Order O-13 of Oct 5, 2020, regarding a draft Truck Safety Ordinance. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL OCT 19, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER NOV 9, 2020]
Ordained as Amended 9-0

6. Green Energy Analysis Zoning Amendment. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL NOV 2, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER NOV 23, 2020]

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Jeffery Sarra representing Sweet Green, requesting permission for a projecting sign at the premises numbered 145 Broadway approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and no abutter's available Sweet Green at the moment has no abutters. The store fronts are currently vacant around the premises.
Order Adopted 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Marie Elena, regarding POR 2020#128.

2. A communication was received from Jesse Aguilar, Highpoint Engineering Inc., regarding curb cut application for 87 Cambridgepark Drive.

3. A communication was received from James J. Rafferty, Esquire Adams & Rafferty, regarding additional information regarding the curb cut application for 101 Cambridgepark Drive.

4. A communication was received from Saul Tannenbaum, regarding why is Cambridge silent on devastation of MBTA service cuts.

6. A communication was received from Gilberte Houbart, regarding Tree Protection Ordinance.

7. A communication was received from Eugebua Schraa, regarding support for POR 2020 #246 build affordable housing at 35 Cherry Street.

8. A communication was received from Donald Summerfield, regarding testimony COVID.

RESOLUTIONS
1. That the City Council go on record congratulating Rick Blangiardi on his recent election victory as Mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii. Councillor Toomey

2. That the City Council go on record thanking the Cambridge Election Commission, for their tireless efforts this election season, and all of the poll workers in Cambridge for their dedication and service in ensuring everyone’s votes were counted. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillo Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended

ORDERS
1. Policy Order Seeking Appropriate Memorial for Joan Qualls Harris. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

2. Policy Order Seeking Dedication for Eva Martin Blythe. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

3. That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward this order for a suitable memorial for Richard E. McKinnon to the Dedication Committee for their review and approval. Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0

4. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Councillor Toomey for a street corner dedication in the vicinity of the corner of Otis Street and Sciarappa Street in honor of the late Joseph and Mary Szulewski. Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0

5. That the City Council go on record as supportive of all efforts to fully fund the MBTA without any of the cuts to service detailed in the “Forging Ahead” Plan. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Transportation & Public Utilities Committee - Committee Meeting - Sep 16, 2020, 1:00pm [That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Transportation Department and Solicitor to provide the City with an update on the progress toward a draft Ordinance as soon as possible and with the draft of an Ordinance by Oct 19, 2020. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon]
Placed on File 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, communicating information from the School Committee.
Placed on File 9-0

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Nov 9
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Tues, Nov 10
10:00am The Health and Environment Committee will meet to continue discussing amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)
6:00pm A Joint Roundtable for members of the City Council and School Committee will be held on Tues, Nov 10, from 6:00 to 8:00pm for the purpose of discussing the impact of COVID-19 on Cambridge Public Schools. This meeting will be livestreamed online and broadcast on Cambridge Educational Access TV (CEATV) Channel 98/99. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Thurs, Nov 12
10:00am The Human Services & Veterans’ Committee will conduct a public hearing on homelessness. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the PUD-CDK District Zoning. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Tues, Nov 17
2:30pm The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee will conduct a public hearing on decorum of the Council, as well as the rules around and duties of the Council Aides. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Wed, Nov 18
2:00pm The Neighborhood & Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Municipal Broadband Feasibility Study RFP. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Thurs, Nov 19
2:00pm The Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss challenges and opportunities that exist in City purchasing, procurement and programs for MWBEs and other historically disadvantaged businesses and nonprofits in Cambridge. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the KSURP Zoning Ordinance Amendment. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Tues, Nov 24
3:00pm The Neighborhood & Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss Awaiting Report response on Harvard Square street closures. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Wed, Dec 2
5:00pm The Public Safety Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on the Cambridge Police Department inventory list. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Wed, Dec 9
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Cannabis Delivery-Only Zoning Ordinance petition. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Wed, Dec 16
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay petition. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

Thurs, Dec 17
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Retail Uses Zoning Ordinance petition and the Home Occupations Zoning Ordinance petition. (Sullivan Chamber - televised)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Nov 9, 2020
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council be and hereby is requested to confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from City Councillor E. Denise Simmons for a street dedication in honor of the late Joan Qualls Harris; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward this order to the Dedication Committee for their review and approval.

O-2 Nov 9, 2020
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council be and hereby is requested to confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from City Councillor E. Denise Simmons for a street dedication in honor of outgoing YWCA Cambridge Executive Director Eva Martin Blythe in the vicinity of Temple Place; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward this order to the Dedication Committee for their review and approval.

O-3 Nov 9, 2020
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Councillor Toomey for a suitable memorial for Richard E. McKinnon; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward this order to the Dedication Committee for their review and approval.

O-4 Nov 9, 2020
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Councillor Toomey for a street corner dedication in the vicinity of the corner of Otis Street and Sciarappa Street in honor of the late Joseph and Mary Szulewski; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward this order to the Dedication Committee for their review and approval.

O-5 Nov 9, 2020
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MALLON
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
WHEREAS: An essential part of a world class government is providing reliable and accessible transportation to all residents; and
WHEREAS: The essential, frontline workers who have protected our health and supported our economy throughout this pandemic are especially reliant on a well-functioning public transportation system; and
WHEREAS: The MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board recently announced its “Forging Ahead” Plan, calling for budget cuts and the reduction of bus, ferry, and rail services, which will soon be debated by the Massachusetts state legislature; and
WHEREAS: As low-income residents are more likely to use public transportation, while middle-income or high-income may be better positioned to opt for private transportation, cutting service and overcrowding on MBTA transit service would only further exacerbate the disparate health impacts the COVID-19 pandemic is having on low-income communities; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has stood up for continued investment in public transportations, recognizing it is a matter of equity and climate urgency; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record as supportive of all efforts to fully fund the MBTA without any of the cuts to service detailed in the “Forging Ahead” Plan; and further be it
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk prepare a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution and transmit it to the Cambridge legislative delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.

TEXT OF COMMITTEE REPORTS
Committee Report #1
TRANSPORTATION & PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMITTEE
Date: Wed, Sept 16, 2020 1:00pm, Sullivan Chamber
Members Present: Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler (Chair), Quinton Zondervan, Alanna Mallon, Timothy J. Toomey (late), Patricia Nolan
Other councillors present: Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern

The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing to discuss improvements to Harvard Square to promote safe streets and truck traffic regulations in Cambridge. [Sept 16, 2020]

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler called the meeting to order.

Mayor Siddiqui and Councillor Carlone were also present.

Councillor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler explained that there had been death in Harvard Square caused by pedestrians and cyclists being hit by trucks driving through the area. He expressed an interest in learning how to pedestrianize Harvard Square.

Kathy Watkins, Assistant Commissioner of Engineering and City Engineer, gave a presentation to the committee. The presentation is attached to these minutes.

Ms. Watkins explained how renovations to the historic kiosk will open it up to the public and celebrate the historic character of the building. This explained that the city would looking at safety improvements to the square.

Joseph Barr, Director of Traffic, Parking & Transportation, explained how the city would be addressing truck traffic in Harvard Square. He explained the process for having truck traffic restrictions approved by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler opened the floor to public comment.

Councillor Nolan moved to allow Richard Curran to speak for longer than 3 minutes
Passed 5-0

Richard Curran, 175 Richdale Avenue, stated that his wife, Sharon Hamer, died in Harvard Square on September 17, 2019. He supported safety improvements like protected bike lanes, limiting traffic to one lane, repainting the crosswalk markings and syncing the timing of the two traffic lights on Kennedy Street and Massachusetts Avenue. He urged the committee to ban multi-ton trucks from Harvard square.

George Schneeloch, 81 School Street, Somerville, stated that the city should make voluntary changes, for example, setting up a truck depot so smaller trucks can make deliveries instead of bigger ones. He stated that persons experiencing homelessness were also being hit and killed by motor vehicles.

Councillor Nolan moved to allow Denise Jillson to speak for longer than 3 minutes.
Passed 5-0

Denise Jillson, 2203 Massachusetts Avenue, Executive Director of the Harvard Square Business Association, stated that the association supported an order approved by the city council on Oct 2, 2017asked in part to lower the transportation speed limit within the Harvard Square overlay district to 15 miles per hour for all vehicles including bicycles to work with the Harvard Square Business Association to create a comprehensive plan to install more bicycle lanes throughout the entire square to Harvard Square overlay district three, assign three walking officers to Harvard Square at all times during the day and request that the officers help with traffic at the super crosswalk. Establish a plan for managing tour buses coming into the square including drop off and pickup locations in parking and continue to work closely with the MBTA and other stakeholders to improve the transit service connections and improve on time performance of transit vehicle serving the square.

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler moved to close public comment’
Passed 5-0

Councillor Quinton Zondervan expressed disappointment that big trucks cannot be banned in Harvard Square and the city could not build protected bike lanes.

Vice Mayor Mallon asked Mr. Barr if the truck safety ordinance is something that the council could start to move forward.

Joseph Barr, Director of Traffic, Parking & Transportation, explained that the city has been working on draft language internally, and that it will be presented to the council soon.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Mallon, Mr. Barr stated that there will be modification to Church street to increase safety.

Ms. Watkins stated that construction on the kiosk will start sometime in November.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan, Mr. Barr explained that in order to limit truck traffic in Harvard Square to certain times the City would need approval from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. He stated that overnight restrictions on residential street were more likely to be approved.

In response to a question from Councillor Nolan, Mr. Barr explained that the City did have the regulatory authority to close a street at certain times of the day as long as the closure applied to all traffic. Mr. Barr explained that there can be pushback from residents about street closures.

Councillor Patricia Nolan stated that she was excited by and supported pedestrianizing parts of Harvard Square.

Councillor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler 1:16:05
Thank you come through to me, is there anything you'd like to add?

Councillor Timothy Toomey stated that he would like a concise and simple document explaining the council’s authority to regulate traffic on city streets. He expressed support with moving forward with a truck safety ordinance.

In response to a question from Councillor Toomey, Mr. Barr stated that he was not aware of any progress in the creation of truck depot to allow cargo from larger trucks to be transferred to smaller trucks when entering Cambridge.

Mayor Siddiqui stated that she agreed that the administration should get the truck ordinance to the Council as soon as is feasible.

Councillor McGovern stated that it was his understanding that most of the businesses in Harvard Square were not receiving deliveries from big trucks. Mr. Barr stated that he did not have any specific information about the percentage of the trucks making deliveries to versus passing through the square.

Councillor McGovern expressed concern about the possibility of diverting trucks down smaller side streets. He urged the council to carefully consider how changes will affect where truck traffic will be directed.

Mr. Barr stated that City should be clear about the expected benefits when it chooses to close streets.

Councillor Dennis Carlone stated that Denver, Santa Monica, Charlottesville, Chicago have closed streets and New York City is beginning to design closed streets. And San Francisco is planning to close its main street, which is Market Street to traffic and allow only mass transit and special vehicles delivery. He stated that he supported making Harvard square more pedestrian oriented.

In response to a question from Councillor Carlone, Ms. Watkins explained that a raised crosswalk encourages pedestrians to cross at any time, but the preference is to have pedestrians cross the street when indicated by traffic signals.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Mallon about closing traffic to Harvard Square on certain days, Mr. Barr stated he would consult with the public health department about that in terms of encouraging gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Mallon, Kathy Watkins that the paver cross walks in Harvard Square are not historic. The issue with the existing cross walk is sightlines in terms of visibility. The current plan is to add high visibility markings.

In response to Councillor Nolan’s question about moving forward on a pilot, Mr. Barr stated that the city must notify local businesses and ensure residents have some awareness of closure, even if the closure is just for the weekend.

In response to a question from Councillor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler about closing Harvard Square portion of Massachusetts Avenue to truck traffic or all traffic, Mr. Barr explained that Massachusetts Avenue is a state route. Therefore, closures to all traffic or daytime closure to truck traffic are unlikely to be approved by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. He added that there was a concern about this traffic being diverted down smaller streets should this portion of Massachusetts Avenue be closed to traffic.

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler moved to suspend the rules to extend the meeting to 3:20pm.
Passed 5-0

In response to a question from Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mr. Barr stated that the lowest speed that the city could set legal speed limit is 20 miles an hour. He further explained that must of Harvard Square already has a 20 mile per hour speed limit.

Councillor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler encouraged the city to consult with homeless resident about improvements to Harvard Square.

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler moved to send the following policy order:
Whereas: Cambridge has witnessed two the deaths of Cambridge residents killed by large trucks in Harvard Square in the past year; and
Whereas: A Truck Safety Ordinance would provide requirements for safety improvements made to trucks owned by companies which have contracts with the City; and
Whereas: The City of Boston currently already has a Truck Safety Ordinance and a similar ordinance in Cambridge is something that has been talked about for multiple years in Cambridge; now therefore be it
Ordered: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Transportation Department and Solicitor to provide the City with an update on the progress toward a draft Ordinance as soon as possible and with the draft of an Ordinance by Oct 19, 2020.

Councillor Zondervan moved to add the entire committee as sponsors.
Passed 5-0

The motion to send the amended policy order to the full city council passed on a unanimous 5-0 roll call vote.

Motion to adjourn by Councillor Toomey
Passed 5-0

1. A communication was received from Katherine F. Watkins, City Engineer / Assistant Commissioner for Engineering transmitting a presentation for the September 16, 2020 meeting of the Transportation and Public Utilities meeting.

Proposed Order Nov 9, 2020
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN
VICE MAYOR MALLON
WHEREAS: Cambridge has witnessed two the deaths of Cambridge residents killed by large trucks in Harvard Square in the past year; and
WHEREAS: A Truck Safety Ordinance would provide requirements for safety improvements made to trucks owned by companies which have contracts with the City; and
WHEREAS: The City of Boston currently already has a Truck Safety Ordinance and a similar ordinance in Cambridge is something that has been talked about for multiple years in Cambridge; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Transportation Department and Solicitor to provide the City with an update on the progress toward a draft Ordinance as soon as possible and with the draft of an Ordinance by Oct 19, 2020.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
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

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

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

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

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

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

19-22. Report on the feasibility of allowing small businesses to host live acoustic music performances without a license, and if feasible, present the City Council with a proposal to allow such performances.
Vice Mayor Devereux, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-5) from 2/25/2019

19-45. Report on compiling a full accounting of streets, schools, and public buildings that may be named in honor of those who have ties to the American slave trade, and to work towards renaming all of these streets, schools, and buildings.
Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 4/8/2019

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

19-58. Report on working with the Recycling Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to draft an ordinance banning single-use plastic items in Cambridge.
Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-6) from 5/13/2019

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

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

19-74. Report on establishing a working committee to review the monuments, memorials, and markers throughout Cambridge to determine whether any of these commemorate those who were linked to the slave trade or engaged in other similarly shameful acts and to determine which individuals should be newly recognized with a monument, memorial, or marker.
Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Devereux, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-2) from 6/10/2019

19-75. Report on exploring the feasibility of partnering with a local research institution to conduct a study that determines how many ridehail vehicles are on the roads during both on and off-peak times and their impacts on congestion and safety.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-4) from 6/10/2019

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

19-123. Report on the feasibility of closing some portion of Harvard Square to vehicular traffic on a select number of days during the summer of 2020 to have open market-style events.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan (O-1) from 10/7/2019
REPORT RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED. RESPONDED IN HEARING JULY 29, 2020

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

19-134. Report on increasing funding to the City’s HomeBridge program so that access to homeownership may be made available to a wider range of incomes, as the program intends.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey (O-20) from 10/7/2019

19-142. Report on determining the feasibility of expediting the Demolition and Rebuilding permitting process in the event of a natural disaster.
Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 10/21/2019

19-144. Report on determining the feasibility of instituting and funding a Fire Cadet Program.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 10/21/2019

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

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

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

19-151. Report on the feasibility of making Porter Square and Massachusetts Avenue between Roseland Street and Beech Street a quick-build Complete Street with bus priority.
Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-10) from 10/28/2019

20-4. Report on the feasibility of instituting and funding a fare-free pilot bus program.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-5) from 1/27/2020
REPORT RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED. RESPONDED IN HEARING JULY 29, 2020

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

20-10. Report on renaming the Agassiz neighborhood.
Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui (O-1) from 2/10/2020

20-12. Report on the feasibility of instituting a program to install rings on parking meters to expand bicycle parking options.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-4) from 2/10/2020

20-18. Report on the feasibility of implementing additional dedicated bus lanes, as well as fully separate protected bicycle lanes.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-6) from 2/24/2020
REPORT RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED. RESPONDED IN HEARING JULY 29, 2020

20-23. Report on implementing Simple Recycling' s curbside textile recycling program and report back to the Council on this matter in a timely manner.
Councillor Toomey (O-1) from 5/11/2020

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

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

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

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

20-37. Report on considering formally renaming the Central Square Library in honor of Maria Baldwin and Rep. John Lewis, with the building being known as “The Maria Baldwin and Rep. John Lewis Library and Center for African American/Black History and Culture” going forward, or to otherwise find another suitable location for this dedication.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 7/27/2020

20-44. Report on working to appoint a Vaccine Task Force to develop a plan that keeps equity at the forefront.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 9/14/2020

20-45. Report on examining what traffic calming measures may be implemented for Walden Street, Raymond Street and Richdale Ave.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (O-11) from 9/14/2020

20-48. Report on the feasibility of creating an antibody testing program.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-3) from 9/21/2020

20-52. Report on determining what impact the Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping may have on the City of Cambridge and its community partners and what options the City may have to work around this order.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 10/19/2020

20-53. Report on how Cambridge might participate in PACE Massachusetts pursuant to the PACE Act including exploring all options for incentivizing participation.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-2) from 10/19/2020

20-54. Report on drafting an ordinance requiring the city to only purchase goods that are made in full compliance with USA environmental and labor standards.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui (O-3) from 10/19/2020

20-56. Report on establishing a plan that will allow for greater outreach to women-and-minority-owned businesses, technical assistance to these businesses in applying for financial relief, and a clear plan to ensure that those small businesses that have not yet received financial assistance be granted every opportunity to access any future City funding should it be made available.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 10/26/2020

20-57. Report on contacting the appropriate representatives of the Cambridge Crossing buildings, and with appropriate representatives of the Governor’s Office, to ensure that the "party buses" the sorts of luxury buses filled with flashing, multicolored lights, dance music and interior bars, typically rented out by groups of people to shuttle them around are not in violation of any current statewide Covid-19 protocols.
Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 10/26/2020