Cambridge City Council meeting - December 2, 2024

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Surveillance Technology Impact Report (STIR). (CM24#255)
Placed on File 9-0

2. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $40,529 to the Grant Fund Human Rights Salary and Wages Account ($34,529) and the Grant Fund Human Rights Travel and Training Account ($6,000). The grant award is used to cover a portion of the salary of the Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC) Attorney-Investigator, who works on Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) cases. FHAP activities include case processing, education/outreach, and participation in any mandatory HUD-sponsored training. HUD requires ongoing staff training on the Fair Housing Act and regulations, investigation skills and techniques, decision drafting, conciliation, and changes in federal anti-discrimination law. The grant award also provides funding for CHRC staff and commissioner travel and training for fair housing-related educational opportunities. (CM24#256)
Order Adopted, Placed on File 9-0

3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update regarding Community Engagement. (CM24#257) [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to review with a robust and inclusive community process the Cambridge Bicycle Plan, most recently updated in 2020, and identify potential improvements and consider next steps for a network of Separated Bicycle Facilities, and Separated Bicycle Facilities on streets across the city in order to facilitate safer travel and ways to coordinate routes with neighboring communities including Arlington, Somerville, Watertown, Belmont, Boston, and others. Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (PO24#152)
Order Adopted 9-0

ON THE TABLE
1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and encourage the state Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the MBTA to adhere to Cambridge local ordinances, including the Cambridge Asbestos Protection Ordinance, during Alewife Construction. [Tabled – Nov 25, 2024] (PO24#151)

O-2 Nov 25, 2024 Tabled 9-0
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR ZUSY
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Asbestos Protection Ordinance, Chapter 8.61, was passed unanimously by the Cambridge City Council in 1999 in order to protect Cambridge residents from the hazards of asbestos, and was designed to fill in the gaps left by state and federal standards involving air pollution; and
WHEREAS: At the time of its passing, the Cambridge Asbestos Protection Ordinance (CAPO) was the first of its kind in the nation and filled an important loophole in state and federal law, which only regulated asbestos in buildings and enclosed areas, rather than in the soil and open areas; and
WHEREAS: Asbestos is a particularly dangerous contaminant because:

• Asbestos does not degrade in the environment; if inadvertently carried offsite, it may remain there as a threat for later exposure;

• Once lodged in the body, asbestos fibers remain as a carcinogenic irritant without being cleared, and adding to the cumulative lifetime exposure; the effects last long after the incident which caused exposure has ended;

• Asbestos has been repeatedly and irrefutably proven to cause a cancer in humans called mesothelioma and is painful and causes death within a few months, with no known cure;

• No level of exposure has been shown to be safe, despite numerous studies;

As such, there are very strict laws concerning the removal and disturbance of asbestos products in buildings, and in general, if asbestos is not in a form that is a current health risk, it is often advised to leave it undisturbed rather than creating a potentially very serious risk; and
WHEREAS: CAPO defines asbestos contaminated soil, and disruptive activities that would be covered by the ordinance; the property owner would be required to either:

• Place a structure (e.g. a tent) over the area where contaminated soil will be disrupted while the activities take place; or

• Cover the area with clean fill so that the contaminated soil will not be disturbed during construction activities;

These provisions match the regulation of asbestos containing materials in buildings; and
WHEREAS: On Monday, September 30, the MBTA held its first public meeting for an improvement to tunnel access for red line maintenance and concerns were raised about the tunnel’s location on a highly contaminated area; and
WHEREAS: To protect the community and future residents from harmful asbestos exposure, it is essential that construction projects on all potentially contaminated sites follow safety rules and regulations promulgated by federal, state, and local authorities; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant City departments and encourage the state Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the MBTA to adhere to our local ordinances, including the Cambridge Asbestos Protection Ordinance, during the project; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council by December 2024; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this policy order to the Cambridge delegation and to the MBTA on behalf of the entire City Council.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2. An Ordinance 2023 #8B has been received from City Clerk, relative to Amend Chapter 14.04 – Fair Housing. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 2, 2023; Amended Nov 6, 2023; to remain on Unfinished Business pending legislative approval of Special Act needed prior to ordination] (ORD23-8B)

3. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to ARTICLE 2.000 DEFINITIONS Dormer. A roofed projection built out from a sloping roof, containing a window or windows. ARTICLE 8.000 NONCONFORMITY 8.22.1h. Construction of a dormer or dormers to a nonconforming one- or two-family dwelling. [Passed to 2nd Reading Nov 4, 2024; Eligible To Be Ordained on or after Nov 25, 2024] (ORD24#9)

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication from Sharon deVos, re: Planning Board Meeting.

2. A communication from Alexandra Danton-Klein, re: Writing in support of plan to remove brokers fees from rentals.

4. A communication from Allan Sadun, re: Support ending tenant-paid broker’s fees.

5. A communication from Amy Perlmutter, re: [NorthCommons] against upzoning petition.

11. A communication from David Bass, re: PO2 (PO24#151) supporting MBTA adherence to Asbestos Protection Ordinance.

12. A communication from Eppa Rixey, re: PO2 (PO24#151) SUPPORT telling MBTA to adhere to local laws.

13. A communication from John H. Henn, re: Global warming trees urban head islands and the upzoning proposal.

15. A communication from Charles Teague, re: PO2 (PO24#151) SUPPORT telling MBTA to also honor our tree law that protects us from climate change (1).

18. A communication from Marty Bakal, re: Using funds from Linear Park redesign for Gift of Wind sculpture.

19. A communication from David Denison, re: Please oppose the current upzoning proposal.

20. A communication from Carrie Burke, re: Opposition to expansion of parking for 67 Inman.

21. A communication from Charles Teague, re: Six stories, no setbacks, city-wide zoning: 3-30-300 Rule for trees.

22. A communication from Elizabeth Greywolf, re: horrible results of eliminating zoning.

23. A communication from David Scheiner and Jessica Perkins, re: Opposition to Proposed curb cut at 67 Inman St.

25. A communication from Erica Moore, re: Opposed to Robert Winters appointment.

26. A communication from Katie Surges, re: Please do not approve 67 Inman request.

28. A communication from Lisa Birk, re: PO2 (PO24#151) - In SUPPORT of telling MBTA to adhere to local laws.

33. A communication from Janet Randall, re: PO2 (PO24#151) SUPPORT telling MBTA to also honor our tree law that protects us from climate change.

34. A communication from Stephen Cellucci, re: 11/25 agenda, Reconsideration #1. [DSA]

35. A communication from Tarik Chaudhry, re: Please Reconsider the Approval of AP24#38.

37. A communication from Haley Aiken, re: Inman Street resident asking that 67 Inman parking expansion application is not approved.

38. A communication from John Hanratty, re: Proposed Up-zoning Ordinance will not work and will hurt renters, owners.

39. A communication from Yair Sanchez Molina, re: 67 Inman street private parking.

41. A communication from Kenneth Perry, re: Opposition to Proposed Curb Cut at 67 Inman Street APP 2024 #38.

43. A communication from Francesca Nannizzi, re: Support for PO24#150 on broker fees.

44. A communication from Rabbi Yoni, re: PO#10 re Passionate Support for Right to Counsel in Summary Process - PO24#10.

45. A communication from Kristin and Chris Moneyron, re: 67 Inman Private Parking request.

46. A communication from John Pitkin, re: For trees, the setbacks they need and livability.

47. A communication from John Pitkin, re: Response to Jason Furman in Boston Globe on how to increase housing supply.

49. A communication from Madeleine Aster, re: Support PO2 (PO24#151) Cutting down trees on asbestos sites releases asbestos into the air and will endanger the many families who live in the area.

50. A communication from Mani, re: Please No Delay Installing Separated Bike Lanes.

53. A communication from Brenda Stanfield, re: Curb cut petition at 67 Inman St.

54. A communication from Wendy Landman, re: Comments and request for additional information re: Multifamily Zoning.

55. A communication from Heather Hoffman, re: a few thoughts on bigotry and bullying.

58. A communication from Merav Gold, re: Please Pause the Multifamily Housing Proposal.

59. A communication from Michael Byrne, re: Don’t approve the zoning proposal petition.

60. A communication from Nancy Gold, re: I oppose Robert Winters’ reappointment to the Central Square Advisory Committee (Recommendation #1 on 11/25 agenda) (2).
[Nancy Gold, 71, of Cambridge, arrested Mar 7, 2024]

61. A communication from Nonie Valentine, re: Upzoning - 6 stories+ in all neighborhoods_ why it’s a no.

64. A communication from Rika Welsh, re: Cambridge Resident comments in opposition to the Upzoning Proposal before you, 11/25/24.

65. A communication from Ruth Ryals and James Cornie, re: To the planning board city council.

66. A communication from Linda Moussouris, re: Trees, Proposed Upzoning, Environmental Issues; MBTA actions at Alewife; Linear Park Redesign.

67. A communication from Judy Bright, re: Letter re: Upzoning and open land shrinkage.

68. A communication from Sara Levy, re: I strongly oppose the proposed citywide upzoning.

71. A communication from Susan Cory and Dan Tenney, re: object to Anti-Zoning proposal.

72. A communication from Susan Pharr, re: Globe article, Concern about the Planning Committee’s radical recommendations.

73. A communication from Susan Ringler, re: PO2 (PO24#151) SUPPORT telling MBTA to also honor our tree law that protects us from climate change.

75. A communication from Willow Carretero Chavez, re: I oppose Robert Winters’ reappointment to the Central Square Advisory Committee (Recommendation #1 on 11/25 agenda).
[Nine Arrested after Police Assaulted During Protest: Willow Ross Carretero Chavez, 21, of Somerville, MA • Disorderly Conduct]

76. A communication from Zoe Mandese, re: Support of prohibiting renter-paid broker fees.

LATE RESOLUTION
1. That the Cambridge City Council warmly welcomes Councilors Vela and Qadri and Mayor Pro Tem Pool to the City of Cambridge on December 4th, 2024 and invites them to enjoy the unique character, history, and culture of our city. Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on November 21, 2024 to discuss the City Council’s Flexible Parking Corridor Zoning Petition, the Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Municipal Ordinance, and the Commercial Parking Space Permits Municipal Ordinance. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; 3 Items Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0
Present: McGovern, Nolan, Toner, Wilson, Zusy, Simmons
Remote Present: Azeem, Sobrinho-Wheeler
Absent: Siddiqui
The Committee voted favorably on the following:

A. To forward the Flexible Parking Corridor Zoning Ordinance to amend Articles 2.000, 4.000, and 6.000 to add a definition of “Flexible Parking Corridor” to Article 2.000, add footnotes 64 and 65 to Section 4.30 Table of Use Regulations, and add Section 6.25 Flexible Parking Corridor Regulations, to the Full City Council with a favorable recommendation that it be passed to a second reading.
Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

B. To forward the Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Municipal Ordinance that reflects the changes proposed by City staff, to the Full City Council with a favorable recommendation that it be passed to a second reading.
Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

C. To forward the Commercial Parking Space Permits Municipal Ordinance that reflects changes by City staff to the Full City Council with a favorable recommendation that it be passed to a second reading.
Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting an update re: legislative activity. (COF24#149)
Placed on File 9-0

2. A communication from Mayor Simmons transmitting a Report on the Recent Senior Citizens Town Hall. (COF24#150) [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Tues, Dec 3
3:00pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss amendments to the Cycling Safety Ordinance (CSO), as amended in full Council on October 21, 2024.

Wed, Dec 4
2:30pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on two Multifamily Zoning Petitions. This is a continuation of the public hearing that was recessed on Nov 19, 2024. There will be public comment at this meeting. This meeting will be recessed and reconvened on Dec 19, 2024, and again, there will be public comment. Further, two additional meetings are being planned.

Mon, Dec 9
1:00pm City Council Special Committee of the Whole meeting on City Charter
5:30pm City Council Meeting

Wed, Dec 11
3:00pm The Finance Committee will hold a public hearing for an update and discussion on Public Investment Planning.

Tues, Dec 17
12:00pm The Economic Development and University Relations Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss cannabis policy issues, including the potential allowance for repackaging of products at local dispensaries, the 1800-footminimum distance requirement between cannabis businesses, and the lack of zoning provisions for social consumption establishments that are now permitted under state law.

Thurs, Dec 19
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on two Multifamily Zoning Petitions from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. There will be public comment at this meeting. This is a continuation of the public hearing that was recessed on Nov 19, 2024, that reconvened and recessed again on Dec 4, 2024. Further, two additional meetings are being planned.

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Dec 2, 2024
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The City’s Vision Zero Plan is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all, and the Cycling Safety Ordinance seeks to support Vision Zero through a comprehensive network of protected bike lanes for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to access destinations safely; and
WHEREAS: The CSO provides for important connections throughout many parts of Cambridge; and establishing a network of lanes on busy streets where people need to travel; and
WHEREAS: The 2020 Bicycle Plan has limited protected routes connecting parts of the city, including the western half of the city and North and South paths across the eastern part of the city which are essential for completing a network across the city, as well as connecting to other towns and cities used by Cambridge residents; and
WHEREAS: The last update of the Bicycle Plan and the timelines in the CSO was completed in 2020, with a plan for installation over five years, which means the time for updates covering the next five years, through 2030, should start as soon as possible to ensure time for community input and thoughtful planning for the next phase of the network of protected lanes, and
WHEREAS: The Grand Junction Multi-use path will eventually provide a needed North-South connection in the East side of the city, but is currently missing key connections to the Charles River near the Boston University Bridge and a completed connection to the Somerville Community Path, to provide a continuous off-street path for many residents, students, workers and visitors to stroll, jog, or bike; and
WHEREAS: The Grand Junction Multi-use path has the potential to connect several separated bike lanes on the eastern half of the city, including Massachusetts Avenue, Main Street, Broadway, and Cambridge Street; however, connections in other areas of the city will be essential to ensuring safe travel for all within a full network of separated bike lanes; and
WHEREAS: Somerville recently passed their Safe Streets Ordinance, which is modeled on Cambridge’s CSO, with the goal of creating safe, accessible, sustainable streets by working to complete their Bicycle Network Plan; and it will be important to coordinate priority routes between Cambridge and Somerville, especially to coordinate bike lane options for travel within the region; and
WHEREAS: In order to promote collaboration on planning, and to ensure that all installations are done with robust community input and enough time to design thoughtfully and use existing data to review the plans and adjust, it would be beneficial to start the community process as soon as possible in open forums to allow for broad input and adequate long term planning for a completed network of Separated Bicycle Facilities; and
WHEREAS: Installations for Separated Bicycle Facilities as part of the current scope of the CSO are scheduled to be completed in Fall 2026, to facilitate installations in future years and continue to work towards a completed network of safe streets, discussions on strategies should start now; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant City departments to review with a robust and inclusive community process the Cambridge Bicycle Plan, most recently updated in 2020, and identify potential improvements and consider next steps for a network of Separated Bicycle Facilities, and Separated Bicycle Facilities on streets across the city in order to facilitate safer travel and ways to coordinate routes with neighboring communities including Arlington, Somerville, Watertown, Belmont, Boston, and others; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council by February 2025 with a plan for a process to update the city’s bicycle plan with recommendations to improve the connectivity and completeness of the network through 2030, in order to facilitate long term planning and community discussion.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
24-24. Report on work done with relevant City departments and the Cambridge Arts Council to consider whether Cambridge could facilitate a Porchfest event. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem (O-2) from 5/20/2024

24-31. Provide an update to the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan (MFIP) including revised cost estimates to help inform the FY26 and ongoing capital budget priorities in a timely manner.
Councillor Pickett, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner (O-1) from 6/10/2024

24-53. at the City of Cambridge assist companies, institutions, and other organizations in adopting truck safety requirements for their fleets and finding trucking vendors who are able to comply by providing an informational resource and publicizing those that comply.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Azeem (O-1) from 9/16/2024

24-54. t the City Manager is hereby requested to work with relevant departments to review Cambridge’s curb cut policies and report back on if they can be improved to help meet the City’s transportation and sustainability goals with some proposed updates and draft ordinance language designating City staff as the final approval authority for curb cuts.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson (O-2) from 9/16/2024

24-58. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Finance Department, Law Department, and other relevant departments to explore the feasibility of a successor program to Rise Up Cambridge.
Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 9/23/2024

24-60. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to report back to the City Council on the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) NOFO as soon as possible.
Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 9/30/2024

24-61. The City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to produce the petition(s) necessary to accomplish the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries, including and especially Memorial Drive.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern (Calendar Item #1) from 10/7/2024

24-62. The City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department to provide an update on the status of the Resident Experiences of Inclusion and Bias in Inclusionary Housing in Cambridge report’s recommendations, including progress on implementation and planned next steps.
Councillor Siddiqui, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson (O-3) from 10/21/2024

24-63. The City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to prominently incorporate recognition of the Massachusett Tribe during key official events, documents, websites, and communications, establish a living memorial in Cambridge that honors the Massachusett Tribe, with special recognition of Sqa Sachem for her leadership and enduring legacy and place a plaque with this language in a prominent location within City Hall, ensuring that this acknowledgment remains visible and lasting and report back.
Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson (O-2) from 11/4/2024

24-64. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a Home Rule Petition to enact legislation which would allow the City of Cambridge to prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system.
(Calendar Item #1) from 11/18/2024

24-65. The City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition for the creation of a Cambridge Jobs Training Trust, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner.
(Calendar Item #2) from 11/18/2024

24-66. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a draft home rule petition to authorize the City of Cambridge to implement automated parking enforcement technology; and to continue to work with the City of Boston to collaborate on the home rule process.
(O-1) from 11/18/2024