Cambridge City Council meeting - November 15, 2021

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
City Manager reports that DCR has agreed to extend Riverbend Park (Sat and Sun) through December 19. Placed on File 9-0.

4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments and reappointments of the following persons as members of the Citizens Committee on Civic Unity, effective Nov 1, 2021 for three year terms.
Charter Right - Simmons

I am hereby transmitting notification of new appointments and reappointments of members of the Citizens Committee on Civic Unity effective Nov 1, 2021 for a term of three years:

New Appointments:

Connor Clancy
Connor Clancy is a relatively new Cambridge resident, with a professional background in business. His volunteer work demonstrates a strong interest in making positive contributions and social impacts at the community level. He brings volunteer experience on issues of gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and youth mentoring.

Veronica Ortega
Veronica Ortega is originally from Texas and has lived in Cambridge for the past 14 years. She has extensive experience in civic engagement and organization efforts related to political campaigns. She is particularly interested in expanding engagement on civic issues within the community and especially among youth.

Namrata Sengupta
Originally from India, Namrata Sengupta is a trained scientist who has lived and worked in Cambridge since 2016 and is currently the Program Manager for Scientific Public Engagement at the Broad Institute. She serves on the board of directors for Asian Women for Health and has volunteered as a STEM career coach and science communication speaker.

Abhishek Raman
Abhishek Raman is a first-generation immigrant and currently a Program Officer at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He brings Both professional career and volunteer experience have focused on understanding differences and building bridges between communities and demonstrate a passion for serving and empowering historically excluded communities and individuals who are in need.

Talia Weisberg
Talia Weisberg is currently attending rabbinical school and has been a resident of Cambridge since 2013. She has strong interest and experience in interfaith relations, disability advocacy and rights, race and sexual orientation. She also has event planning experience through both professional experience and volunteer work.

Reappointments:

Kelly Hassett
Kelly is a lifelong Cambridge resident. She has been involved in advocating for women in STEM, LGBTQ safe spaces, and diversity issues, as well as organizing a Women in Technology group while in college.

Laura Smith
Laura brings nearly 20 years of professional experience in the Cambridge Public Schools. She has experience planning and facilitating conversations on race and culture and a strong interest in addressing issues building change and inclusion through events and programs.

Steven Lee
Steven is a lifelong Cambridge resident, a human resources professional, and also serves on the LGBTQ+ Commission. He brings valuable analytical and communication skills to the group.

Eva Martin Blythe
Eva is the former Executive Director of the YWCA Cambridge. She has a strong background in advocacy and brings extensive experience in dealing with issues of race as well as planning community events.

Betsy Bard
Betsy is a former employee at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School and is also involved in theater. She provides unique ideas about how to use creative methods to address civic unity issues, including through investigative theater.

5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant received from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Adult and Community Learning Services, in the amount of $117,990, to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($66,090) and to the Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($51,900), which will provide funding for two Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) training programs for second language learners.
Order Adopted 9-0

6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $175,000 from the General Fund Employee Benefits (Insurance) Salary and Wages account to the General Fund Public Works Travel & Training (Judgment and Damages) account which will cover medical bills and settlements for Public Works personnel injured in the course of their job.
Order Adopted 9-0

7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $400,000 from MassDOT’s FY22 Complete Streets Program to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used to support the Huron Avenue (Glacken Field to Fresh Pond Parkway) project.
Will keep 80% of the existing parking (but eliminate 20% of the currently available parking) - Order Adopted 9-0

I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $400,000 from MassDOT’s FY22 Complete Streets Program to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account.

On Mar 21, 2016, the City Council adopted a formal Complete Streets Policy, which affirmed the City’s commitment to designing and operating our streets to be safe and healthy streets for everyone. This formal commitment to Complete Streets provided the City the opportunity to apply for and receive construction funding through MassDOT’s Complete Streets Program.

Funds will be used to support the Huron Avenue (Glacken Field to Fresh Pond Parkway) project. This segment of Huron Avenue currently has narrow standard bike lanes, no sidewalk along the reservation side of the street, and serves the 75 MBTA bus. The proposed design for improvements, which was developed through a comprehensive community process and reviewed with the City’s Fresh Pond Advisory Committee, Water Board, Bicycle Committee, Pedestrian Committee and Transit Committee, provides additional protected bike lanes; a sidewalk along the Fresh Pond Reservation; additional pedestrian crossings; curb extension bus stops; additional tree plantings, and is consistent with the City’s Bicycle Network Plan.

The improvements on Huron Avenue are estimated to cost approximately $2,600,000. This $400,000 Complete Street funding will supplement previous appropriations of $2,200,000. Under the MassDOT program, the Complete Streets funding has to be spent by Dec 31, 2023. The City will actively apply for additional Complete Street funds in future fiscal years.

8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grant, in the amount of $48,485, received as part of an amended grant scope of services, to the Grant Fund Community Development Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account.
Order Adopted 9-0

9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-6, regarding a report on housing development information.
Referred to Housing Committee 9-0

10. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-75, which requested that the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department (TP+T) and the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) review two recent crashes involving vulnerable users at the intersection of Cambridge Street at Felton Street.
Placed on File 9-0

11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $143,333.33 in license renewal fees received from Comcast to the Public Investment Fund Cable Television Extraordinary Expenditures account to support the local Public, Educational and Government cable television stations which will go to Cambridge Community Television, and to City’s 22-CityView and the Cambridge Public School’s educational cable station, CEA-TV for capital equipment purchases and upgrades.
Order Adopted 9-0

CHARTER RIGHT
1. That the City Council go on record requesting that the forthcoming new Universal Design Playground located in Danehy Park be named the Louis A. DePasquale Universal Design Playground. [Charter Right - Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nov 8, 2021]
Motion by Sobrinho-Wheeler to dually name playground (for Haben Girma) FAILS 3-5-0-1 (PN,JSW,QZ - YES; AM,MM,DS,TT,SS - NO; DC - PRESENT); Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Zondervan - PRESENT)

2. That Article 20.90 - Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance be amended to insert a new section entitled Section 20.94.3 - Temporarily prohibited uses (Ordinance #2021-25). [Charter Right – Toomey, Nov 8, 2021]
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 7-0-0-2 (Simmons, Toomey - PRESENT)

ON THE TABLE
4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-13, regarding next steps on implementation of Universal Pre-K. [Tabled May 17, 2021]

5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-41, regarding a report on closing Mass Ave from Prospect Street to Sidney Street on Friday and Saturday evenings. [Charter Right - McGovern June 28, 2021; Tabled Aug 2, 2021]

6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-56, regarding improvements to Jerry’s Pond and along Rindge Avenue. [Tabled by Mayor Siddiqui Sept 13, 2021]

7. That the City Council adopt a municipal ordinance to reduce or limit campaign donations from donors seeking to enter into a contract, seeking approval for a special permit or up-zoning, seeking to acquire real estate from the city, or seeking financial assistance from the city; Ordinance #2020-27. [Tabled Nov 8, 2021]

8. That the attached Home Petition titled “Petition For An Act Authorizing The City Of Cambridge To Enact An Ordinance To Limit And Monitor Campaign Donations In Local Elections By Individuals Seeking Financial Reward From The City Of Cambridge” be forwarded to the General Court for adoption. [Tabled Nov 8, 2021]

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, regarding defending the Earth, the Country and the Planet.

2. A communication was received from Peggy Lynch, 69 Brookline Street, regarding the traffic volume and speed on Brookline Street.

3. A communication was received from the Manning Tenants Council, regarding Central Square and the parking lot adjacent to 237 Franklin Street.

4. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Public Comment on Charter Right Item 3 Nov. 15 City Council Meeting.

5. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Francis Donovan et al Zoning Petition - Zoning Ordinance Paragraph 5.

8. A communication was received from Shannon Canavin, regarding Advancing Housing Affordability Petition.

9. A communication was received from Saul Tannenbaum, regarding On Municipal Broadband and Digital Equity.

10. A communication was received from Roy Russell, regarding comments on tonight's broadband and digital equity agenda item Nov 15 2021.

11. A communication was received from Rochelle Zapol, regarding Objections to MBTA Bus Stop Added Directly in Front of The Trolley Square Condominium Trust at 2427-2429 Massachusetts Ave.

13. A communication was received from Melissa Ludtke, regarding Resident support for Policy Order 2021 #246.

14. A communication was received from Matt Genaze, regarding Support for Advancing Housing Affordability Petition.

15. A communication was received from Madeleine Aster, regarding Yes to Charter Right Item 3 Nov. 15 and Please ask Traffic to come up with a less risky plan for Mass Ave.

16. A communication was received from Lisa Birk, regarding Policy Order 2021 #247.

17. A communication was received from Linda Moussouris, regarding Public Comment on Charter Right Item #3 on the City Council Agenda Monday 11/15/21.

18. A communication was received from Lenore Martin, regarding AHA Petition to increase affordable housing.

19. A communication was received from Joan Sulis- Kramer, regarding Requesting your consideration of recommendations made in latest Save Mass Ave petition.

20. A communication was received from Janie Katz-Christy, regarding Support the Alewife Development Moratorium and the rollout bike lanes and transit priority on Mass Ave.

21. A communication was received from Jacquelyn Smith, regarding Bikes cars and Bike Lane safety.

22. A communication was received from Helen Snively, regarding Please support the AHA Donovan petition.

23. A communication was received from Frank Paolitto, regarding AHA Donovan Petition.

24. A communication was received from Frank Kramer, regarding Bike lane presentation to council 11/15/21.

25. A communication was received from Francis E. Donovan. ESQ., regarding Support for the Donovan Petition.

26. A communication was received from Eric Grunebaum, regarding Policy Order #246 regarding Alewife zoning.

27. A communication was received from Ellen Levine, regarding Support for AHA petition.

29. A communication was received from Elena Saporta, regarding Support for the Donovan Petition.

30. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Zoning Petition - 20.20000 Citywide Commercial Institutional and Public Overlay District.

31. A communication was received from Diane Martin, regarding Policy Order 2021 #246 on Alewife Development.

32. A communication was received from Dena Brody, regarding Comments for the Ordinance Committee meeting on 11/16/21.

33. A communication was received from Cheryl Blauth, regarding Mass Ave Construction.

34. A communication was received from Catalina Arboleda, regarding Advancing Housing Affordability (AHA) Petition and a comment on the recent changes.

35. A communication was received from Ann Stewart, regarding Support for Policy Order 2021 #246.

36. A communication was received from Andy Zucker, regarding Support for the Advancing Housing Affordability Zoning Petition.

38. A communication was received from Amy Kipp, ## XXXXX Street, regarding Charter Right #2 (formerly Policy Order #4).

39. A communication was received from Allan Sadun, regarding Donovan petition distracts from important work.

40. A communication was received from Allan Sadun, regarding Donovan petition distracts from important work.

41. A communication was received from Amy Kipp, ## XXXXX Street, regarding Charter Right #2 (formerly Policy Order #4).

43. A communication was received from Andy Zucker, regarding Support for the Advancing Housing Affordability Zoning Petition.

44. A communication was received from Ann Stewart, regarding Support for Policy Order 2021 #246.

45. A communication was received from Catalina Arboleda, regarding Advancing Housing Affordability (AHA) Petition and a comment on the recent changes.

46. A communication was received from Cheryl Blauth, regarding Mass Ave Construction.

47. A communication was received from Dena Brody, regarding Comments for the Ordinance Committee meeting on 11/16/21.

48. A communication was received from Diane Martin, regarding Policy Order 2021 #246 on Alewife Development.

49. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Zoning Petition - 20.20000 Citywide Commercial Institutional and Public Overlay District.

50. A communication was received from Elena Saporta, regarding Support for the Donovan Petition.

52. A communication was received from Ellen Levine, regarding Support for AHA petition.

53. A communication was received from Eric Grunebaum, regarding Policy Order #246 regarding Alewife zoning.

54. A communication was received from Francis E. Donovan. ESQ., regarding Support for the Donovan Petition.

55. A communication was received from Frank Kramer, regarding Bike lane presentation to council 11/15/21.

56. A communication was received from Frank Paolitto, regarding AHA Donovan Petition.

57. A communication was received from Helen Snively, regarding Please support the AHA Donovan petition.

58. A communication was received from Jacquelyn Smith, regarding Bikes cars and Bike Lane safety.

59. A communication was received from Janie Katz-Christy, regarding Support the Alewife Development Moratorium and the rollout bike lanes and transit priority on Mass Ave.

60. A communication was received from Joan Sulis- Kramer, regarding Requesting your consideration of recommendations made in latest Save Mass Ave petition.

61. A communication was received from Lenore Martin, regarding AHA Petition to increase affordable housing.

62. A communication was received from Linda Moussouris, regarding Public Comment on Charter Right Item #3 on the City Council Agenda Monday 11/15/21

63. A communication was received from Lisa Birk, regarding Policy Order 2021 #247.

64. A communication was received from Madeleine Aster, regarding Yes to Charter Right Item 3 Nov. 15 and Please ask Traffic to come up with a less risky plan for Mass Ave.

65. A communication was received from Matt Genaze, regarding Support for Advancing Housing Affordability Petition.

66. A communication was received from Melissa Ludtke, regarding Resident support for Policy Order 2021 #246.

68. A communication was received from Rochelle Zapol, regarding Objections to MBTA Bus Stop Added Directly in Front of The Trolley Square Condominium Trust at 2427-2429 Massachusetts Ave.

69. A communication was received from Roy Russell, regarding comments on tonight's broadband and digital equity agenda item Nov 15 2021.

70. A communication was received from Saul Tannenbaum, regarding On Municipal Broadband and Digital Equity.

71. A communication was received from Shannon Canavin, regarding Advancing Housing Affordability Petition.

74. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Francis Donovan et al Zoning Petition - Zoning Ordinance Paragraph 5.16.

75. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Public Comment on Charter Right Item 3 Nov. 15 City Council Meeting.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the death of Kathleen Frances Delaney. Councillor Toomey

3. That a suitable resolution be prepared for Vatsady Sivongxay and Stephen Gray to congratulate them on the recent birth of their second child. Councillor Zondervan

4. Condolences to the family of Medina Dixon. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan

ORDERS
1. That the City Council go on record recognizing Nov 18, 2021 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day in the City of Cambridge. Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

2. That the Regular City Council meeting scheduled for Nov 29, 2021 be changed to a joint Roundtable meeting of the City Council and School Committee to discuss the past election, including but not limited to new practices and polling locations is Cambridge with the City Manager, Election Commission, and any other relevant departments. Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

3. That the Regular City Council meeting scheduled for Mon, Dec 27, 2021, be and hereby is cancelled. Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

4. That the City Solicitor is hereby authorized to draft a response to the open meeting law complaint filed by Heather Hoffman regarding the City Council meeting on November 1, 2021. Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to expand the Affordable Housing Chart attached to City Manager Agenda Item #9 on the November 15, 2021 City Council agenda to include each project’s average unit cost plus footnotes for those projects with the highest unit costs outlining reasons for those much higher costs. Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

6. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to establish a working committee to establish recommendations for a process for naming the City’s parks, buildings, street corner dedications and playgrounds that is predictable, understandable, and transparent, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

2. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS - ABSENT)

3. A communication was received from the City Clerk, transmitting the Pending Zoning Chart.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS - ABSENT)

4. A communication was received from Anthony Wilson, City Clerk, transmitting the Hearing Schedule.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS - ABSENT)

5. A communication was received from the City Clerk, transmitting the 2020-2021 Referral List.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS - ABSENT)

2020-2021 - REFERRAL LIST (as of 11/9/2021)

Civic Unity Committee

None

Economic Development and University Relations Committee

1. A communication transmitted from the City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-21, regarding a report on developing a Vacant Storefront Registry. CMA 2020 #228 of Oct 19, 2020.

Finance Committee

1. Awaiting Report 21-3 response RE: Use of Free Cash. CMA 2021 #117 of May 18, 2021.

Government Operations/Rules and Claims Committee

None

Health and Environment Committee

1. Awaiting Report 19-58 response single use plastics. CMA 2021 #58 of Mar 29, 2021.

2. Awaiting Report 20-23 response on textile recycling. CMA 2021 #59 of Mar 29, 2021.

3. Awaiting Report 21-84 RE: BEUDO proposed amendments (Ordinance #2021-26). CMA 2021 #238 of Nov 8, 2021.

Housing Committee

1. That the City must work with all major housing providers to eliminate or reduce the filing of evictions during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. POR 2020 #242 of Oct 26, 2020.

2. Condominium Conversion Ordinance. POR 2021 #156 of June 28, 2021.

3. Ordinance #2021-20 Section 11.202(b) Article 11.000 Special Regulations. POR 2021 #193 of Sept 20, 2021.

Human Services and Veterans Committee

None

Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning; Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee

1. Conrad Crawford Re-appointment CRA. CMA 2021 #83 of Apr 26, 2021.

Ordinance Committee

1. Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition. POR 2020 #51 of Mar 16, 2020.

2. That the Cambridge City Council pass the Real Estate Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition (Ordinance 2020-27). POR 2020 #174 of July 27, 2020.

3. That the City Council adopt a municipal ordinance to reduce or limit campaign donations from donors seeking to enter into a contract, seeking approval for a special permit or up-zoning, seeking to acquire real estate from the city or seeking financial assistance from the city (Ordinance #2020-28). Calendar Item # 1 (POR 2020 #240) of Nov 2, 2020. Note: originally on 10/26/20 agenda, charter right exercised by Councillor Simmons).

4. The Cambridge City Council direct the City Manager to work with the City Solicitor’s Office to draft a Home Rule Petition that would cap campaign contributions to any City Council candidate to $200 per person, per year, per candidate and limit candidate loans to $3,000 per election cycle. POR 2020 #253 of Nov 2, 2020.

5. Restricting the use of chemical crowd control agents and kinetic impact projectiles (Ordinance #2021-11). POR 2021 #51 of Mar 15, 2021.

6. Tree Protection Ordinance Draft Amendments (Ordinance #2021-7). CMA 2021 #50 of Mar 22, 2021.

7. Cannabis Delivery Municipal Code Amendments (Ordinance #2021-9). CMA 2021 #52 of Mar 22, 2021.

8. Minutes of Oct 13, 2020 Health & Environment Committee (The Health & Environment Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force.). Calendar Item #5 of Mar 22, 2021.

9. Minutes of Nov 10, 2020 Health & Environment Committee (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.). Calendar Item #6 of Mar 22, 2021.

10. Ordinance #2021-12 NCD Ordinance Petition. APP 2021 #26 of May 24, 2021.

11. Ordinance #2021-18 Renter Choice Ordinance. POR 2021 #187 of Sept 13, 2021.

12. Ordinance #2021-21 Wage Theft Ordinance. Por 2021 #197 of Sept 20, 2021.

Ordinance Committee and Planning Board

1. Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2). APP 2021 #3 of Feb 3, 2021.

2. Retail Table of Land Use Update PO (Ordinance #2021-3) (Home Occupation – Ordinance #2021-4). POR 2021 #25 of Feb 8, 2021.

3. Broad Canal Subdistrict with the PUD-3 District (Ordinance #2021-6). APP 2021 #7 of Mar 1, 2021.

4. Cannabis Delivery Zoning Amendments (Ordinance #2021-8). CMA 2021 #52 of Mar 22, 2021.

5. Ordinance #2021-13 Article 22 Emissions Accounting petition. POR 2021 #113 of May 24, 2021

6. Ordinance #2021-16 Section 4.31 “Residential Uses” regarding the service of post-operative care for a dog. POR 2021 #147 of June 28, 2021.

7. Ordinance #2021-17 Advancing Housing Affordability (AHA) zoning petition. APP 2021 #41 of Sept 13, 2021.

8. Ordinance #2021-22 Yard Setback Zoning Petition. APP 2021 #43 of Oct 18, 2021.

9. Ordinance #2021-23 Off Street Parking Zoning Petition. APP 2021 #44 of Oct 18, 2021.

Public Safety Committee

1. That Chapter 2.108 be amended by inserting a new section 2.108.140. POR 2020 #118 of May 18, 2020.

2. The City Manager look into transferring primary traffic enforcement responsibilities from the Cambridge Police Department to unarmed, trained enforcement personnel in the Traffic & Parking Department, Department of Public Works, Health & Human Services, or another suitable department. POR 2020 #178 of Sept 14, 2020.

3. A communication transmitted from the City Manager, relative to the Annual Surveillance Report concerning City Departments’ use of Surveillance Technology or Surveillance Date. CMA 2021 #39 of Mar 8, 2021.

4. A communication transmitted from the City Manager, relative to a response to a Policy Order that was adopted on Dec 14, 2020 as part of the Public Safety Committee Report from Oct 7, 2020, regarding data on ShotSpotter, OMEGA Dashboard and COPLINK. CMA 2021 #41 of Mar 8, 2021.

Transportation & Public Utilities Committee

1. Cycling Safety Ordinance Report. CMA 2021 #113 of May 10, 2021.

2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to first Progress Report due under the Cycling Safety Ordinance (Chapter 12.22 of the Cambridge Municipal Code), which is required to detail “…progress towards meeting the requirements set forth in Subsections C, D, E, F, G, and H. Such report shall include details on the Separated Bicycle Facilities planned for the coming twelve months.” CMA 2021#162 of June 14, 2021.

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Nov 15
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Nov 16
2:00pm The Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on the Advancing Housing Affordability (AHA) Zoning Petition by Francis Donovan, et al (Ordinance #2021-17) (REMOTE HEARING)

Wed, Nov 17
4:00pm The Public Safety Committee will meet to hear an update on the city’s implementation of the HEART proposal as part of an alternative public safety response. (REMOTE HEARING)

Wed, Dec 8
10:00am The Health & Environment Committee and the Human Services & Veterans Committee will meet to discuss the redesign of Carl Barron Plaza with a special focus on the needs of the unhoused community and the ideas presented within Communication #10 from the Oct 18, 2021 regular meeting. (REMOTE MEETING)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Nov 15, 2021
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: In 2021, an estimated 60,430 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States and 48,220 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 become the second leading before 2030; and
WHEREAS: Pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer with a five-year relative survival rate at just ten percent; 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; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record recognizing Nov 18, 2021 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day in the City of Cambridge; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to light up City Hall purple on Nov 18, 2021, in honor of this day.

O-3 Nov 15, 2021
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
ORDERED: That the Regular City Council meeting scheduled for Mon, Dec 27, 2021, be and hereby is cancelled.

O-5 Nov 15, 2021
COUNCILLOR CARLONE
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to expand the Affordable Housing Chart attached to City Manager Agenda Item #9 on the November 15, 2021 City Council agenda to include each project’s average unit cost plus footnotes for those projects with the highest unit costs outlining reasons for those much higher costs.

O-6 Nov 15, 2021
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: In June 2019, the City Council directed the City Manager to establish a working committee that was tasked with, among other things, establishing recommendations on developing a process to name future monuments, markers, and memorials to ensure that this will be more predictable, understandable, and transparent going forward; and
WHEREAS: As a report from that working committee is being readied for presentation to the City Council, it has become apparent that there is also a need to establish a more predictable, understandable, and transparent process for naming our parks, buildings, and playgrounds moving forward; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to establish a working committee to establish recommendations for a process for naming the City’s parks, buildings, street corner dedications and playgrounds that is predictable, understandable, and transparent, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
16-111. 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

19-49. 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

19-62. 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

19-100. 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

19-130. 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

19-145. 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

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

20-27. 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

20-60. Report on analyzing eviction data from 2018 through 2021 and come back with a plan on how to use this data to inform our next action steps.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-8) from 11/2/2020

20-61. Report on an update on City-Owned Vacant Properties Inventory.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/16/2020

20-65. Report on exploring the feasibility of hiring a consultant to perform an Equity Audit on the Cambridge Arts Council.
(O-1) from 11/23/2020

20-69. Report on formulating an RFP for a public arts project that will acknowledge the unfinished work of the 19th Amendment, the importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and how the two pieces of legislation ultimately complemented one another in helping to shape a more perfect union.
Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (Calendar Item #2) from 11/30/2020

20-72. Report on the condition of 105 Windsor Street and cost estimates of any repairs needed and provide recommendations on how to develop any other underused properties based on an inclusive public process centered in the Port neighborhood.
Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 12/14/2020

21-6. Report on obtaining written documentation from the Cambridge Housing Authority, Homeowners Rehab, Inc., Just a Start, and the Community Development Department updating the City Council on the locations, unit sizes, number of units, overall costs, populations served, and expected dates of completion for each of the projects they reported on during the Housing Committee hearing held on Jan 12, 2021. See Mgr #9
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan (O-3) from 2/3/2021

21-8. Report on removing hostile architecture whenever public spaces are designed or redesigned and to create design guidelines that ensure our public spaces are truly welcoming to the entire community and determine how existing bench fixtures can be addressed to support all residents who use them.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui (Calendar Item #3) from 2/8/2021

21-9. Report on providing an overview of various programs and services that are designed to assist the City’s chronically unhoused population and those in danger of becoming unhoused, along with the metrics by which the City determines the effectiveness of these programs.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 2/22/2021

21-10. Report on whether or not the City can require written notice be sent to all abutters, both property owners as well as tenants, regarding the scheduling of a hearing regarding the extension of a building permit request to the Planning Board.
(O-5) from 2/22/2021

21-14. Report on presenting options to the Council to ensure that the staff at Albany Street are properly compensated for their work, and that guests are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (Calendar Item #3) from 3/8/2021

21-17. Report on initiating a process to begin chronicling the rich and vibrant history of people of color in Cambridge, similar to other City-commissioned books such as “We Are the Port: Stories of Place, Perseverance, and Pride in the Port/Area 4 Cambridge, Massachusetts 1845-2005” and “All in the Same Boat” and “Crossroads: Stories of Central Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts 1912-2000”.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 3/15/2021

21-19. Report on providing an update on progress made towards including information from the Cambridge Minority Business Enterprise Program in the Open Data Portal.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 3/22/2021

21-29. Report on updating the Parental Leave Policy for employees.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons (O-7) from 4/26/2021

21-30. Report on increasing the affordable homeownership stock over the next 10 years by financing the construction of affordable homeownership units through a bond issue of no less than $500 million.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 5/3/2021

21-32. Report on exploring and implement strategies to enhance safety at the intersection of Memorial Drive and DeWolfe Street.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan (O-2) from 5/3/2021

21-35. Report on providing options to update the HomeBridge and Affordable Home Ownership Programs to better align with the City’s values, and promote racial equity and socioeconomic justice.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui (O-6) from 5/3/2021

21-36. Report on developing a holistic plan for managing the traffic and congestion in the Alewife area.
Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-2) from 5/17/2021

21-37. Report on consulting with relevant Department heads and the non-profit community on “Digital Equity” and provide an implementation plan, schedule, and request for appropriation. See Mgr #12
Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 5/17/2021

21-38. Report on consulting with relevant Department heads on other broadband benefits programs offered by the Federal government, and the City’s plans to leverage these funds in pursuit of Digital Equity. See Mgr #12
Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan (O-5) from 5/17/2021

21-42. Report on reviewing Cambridge’s corporate contracts and purchases to identify any vendors or manufacturers whose products are used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge’s policy on discrimination.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #2) from 5/25/2021

21-43. Report on referring the Cambridge HEART proposal for funding consideration and to engage in a public community process to discuss this proposal and its implementation.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan (Calendar Item #1) from 6/7/2021

21-45. Report on taking all necessary steps to waive the dog license fee for all senior citizens and examine options for reducing the fees for low-income residents.
Councillor McGovern (Calendar Item #1) from 6/14/2021

21-46. Report on the feasibility of purchasing properties for sale in the Alewife area to address City goals.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone (O1) from 6/14/2021

21-47. Report on exploring the feasibility of expanding services at the senior centers, especially by adding clinical staff.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 6/14/2021

21-48. Report on determining if the City has the discretion to waive the Commonwealth's housing sanitary code requirements and the circumstances in which the City could administer this waiver.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui (O-4) from 6/14/2021

21-49. Report on making immediate improvements at the intersection of Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, Binney and Bristol Streets and to all intersections in the city that are similarly malfunctioning, and to implement longer term changes.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan (O-8) from 6/14/2021

21-50. Report on providing an update on the cost of each license and permit required by businesses, which business license and permit fees are set under state law, which are set by ordinances, and which are determined administratively, as well as which licenses and permits the City has the discretion to waive entirely.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan (O-9) from 6/14/2021

21-51. Report on examining and implementing a flexible, permanent remote work policy for City employees who can perform their tasks remotely.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (O-5) from 6/28/2021

21-52. Report on examining stipend models for the City's multi-member bodies.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan (O-8) from 6/28/2021

21-53. Report on examining safety improvements at the intersection of Ware and Harvard Streets.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-9) from 6/28/2021

21-55. Report on assessing what is driving this new activity, and to deploy the necessary resources to tamp down on the gun violence being seen in the above-referenced areas.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-4) from 8/2/2021

21-57. Report on how the city is working to get City staff to 100% vaccinated and decrease the likelihood that COVID-19 spreads via City staff and in City Buildings.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-10) from 8/2/2021

21-58. Report on addressing increased gun activity.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-4) from 8/2/2021

21-60. Report on reviewing the residential parking permit program to determine whether the criteria for this program can be modified to limit the issuance of residential permits to vehicles that are primarily utilized for personal, non-commercial use.
Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 9/13/2021

21-61. Report on the City’s rodent and pest control efforts since February 2020, to outline what metrics are being used to determine the effectiveness of these efforts, and to issue recommendations as to whether increasing the budget for these efforts, as well as creating new incentives and penalties to ensure community compliance with regulations around rodent control, would lead to a greater level of success in resolving this issue.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan (O-4) from 9/13/2021

21-62. Report on the feasibility of installing lights at all Cambridge dog parks.
Councillor McGovern (O-4) from 9/13/2021

21-63. Report on using only locally sourced produce, farmers, and resident gardeners to study the feasibility of spending Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to address food insecurity by installing raised garden beds throughout Cambridge and providing free, fresh, locally-grown food for residents in need.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-9) from 9/13/2021

21-64. Report on the efforts the City has made toward creating LGBTQ+-Friendly Housing over the past decade, to state what impediments had been identified in realizing this effort, and to outline recommendations for how the City may successfully create such housing within the next three years.
Councillor Simmons (O-1) from 9/20/2021

21-65. Report on the milestones that will be used to determine when the indoor mask mandate will no longer be needed.
Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui (O-4) from 9/20/2021

21-66. Report on reaching out to the owner of 689 Massachusetts Avenue to inquire about the prospect of selling this building to the City of Cambridge.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 9/27/2021

21-67. Report on working with the staff at the Cambridge Historical Commission, the DCR Commissioner, and members of Cambridge’s state delegation to approve, fund and execute the design and installation of a suitable historic marker by April 2022 to recognize the vision of Frederick Law Olmsted and others in transforming the Cambridge riverfront landscape.
Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan (O-6) from 9/27/2021

21-68. Report on re-establishing the Community School Neighborhood Councils.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-4) from 10/4/2021

21-69. Report on determining the feasibility of creating a uniform process for aiding the resettlement of refugees in Cambridge.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-3) from 10/18/2021

21-70. Report on determining the feasibility of purchasing property from Lesley University to address City goals.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 10/18/2021

21-71. Report on placing a cricket field in one of the Cambridge parks.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 10/18/2021

21-72. Report on appointing a task force that will hold regular public meetings to solicit ideas and feedback from residents on the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan (O-6) from 10/18/2021

21-73. Report on confirming with the State if the Truck Restriction map is up to date, who should be enforcing the ban on Alewife Brook Parkway, and what actions can be taken moving forward.
Councillor Toomey (O-9) from 10/18/2021

21-74. Report on supporting the Uplift the Solar Energy Industry in Massachusetts coalition.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan (O-12) from 10/18/2021

21-75. Report on examining the Safety at the Intersection of Cambridge and Felton Streets. See Mgr #10
Vice Mayor Mallon (O-14) from 10/18/2021

21-76. Report on providing an explanation of the incident, including whether legal requirements and department policies for arrests were properly followed.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-15) from 10/18/2021

21-77. Report on ways to report pedestrian and cyclist accidents in real time to residents.
Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan (O-1) from 10/25/2021

21-78. Report on in addition to stricter parking enforcement, a viable long-term strategy must be developed to mitigate the issues created by the removal of the metered parking spaces along Massachusetts Avenue near Banks Street to ensure that those providing home-based services to seniors in this neighborhood are fully able to do so.
Councillor Simmons (O-2) from 10/25/2021

21-80. Report on all work done on the Carl Barron Plaza redesign proposal and all feedback from the community including the unhoused community in conjunction with the petition.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone (O-4) from 10/25/2021

21-81. Report on conferring with DCR on the possibility of extending the closure of Memorial Drive until at least the final Sunday in December 2021, if not longer, weather permitting. See Mgr #1
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-6) from 10/25/2021

21-82. Report on support of implementing key safety improvements on the Harvard Bridge, including flex post-protected bike lanes by the end of the year and bus lanes as soon as can be feasibly coordinated with the MBTA.
Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan (O-8) from 10/25/2021

21-83. Report on piloting a Winter Youth Employment Program to determine if this concept could be expanded beyond just the summer months.
Councillor Simmons (O-1) from 11/1/2021

21-85. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments and housing agencies to ensure all seniors have access to scam prevention materials and training.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 11/8/21

21-86. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Law Department to provide a legal opinion regarding the effect of the proposed Ordinance to Limit and monitor campaign donations on the petitioners of a Citizens’ Petition and the Owners, Board members and employees of an organization seeking financial assistance from the city of Cambridge; and to draft enforcement language and to draft language exempting labor unions from the Ordinance and to provide an opinion about whether Somerville’s Ordinance regarding campaign donations would survive a legal challenge.
Councillor Carlone (O-6) from 11/8/21