Cambridge City Council meeting - December 15, 2003

Cambridge City Council meeting - December 15, 2003 - Agenda

CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as Constables for a term of three years, effective the first day of January, 2004:
With Power
Mark Edwards, 107 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA 02134
David Sullivan, 72 Whitelock Drive, Marlborough, MA
Leanders Smith, 14 Loomis Street, Cambridge, MA 02140
Without Power
Jose Ayala, 28 Fuller Street, Dorchester, MA 02124

ON THE TABLE
1. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a Landmark Designation Study Report for Shady Hill Square. 1-11 Shady Hill Square, 36 Holden Street.

2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the Landmark Designation Study Report for designating as a protected landmark the Tulip Tree at 1436 and 1446 Cambridge Street.

3. Request the City Manager to direct the Community Development Department to make maximum use of CPA funds to develop affordable housing that is permanently affordable, such as limited equity cooperatives and condos.

4. Requesting the City Manager to appoint someone to speak with Neighbors for a Better Community to explore possible collaboration.

5. Requesting the City Manager to direct the City Solicitor to draft a home rule petition to enable the City Manager to approve curb cuts.

6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Calendar Item No. 1, dated 11/4/02, regarding the implementation of land use and zoning recommendations of the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Study.

7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 03-102, regarding a report on how the Cambridge Housing Authority's emergency switches in resident units function.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. Petition from Harvard University requesting a sub-surface easement located between 1720 and 1737 Cambridge Street for the purpose of constructing an underground pedestrian and service tunnel beneath Cambridge Street.

9. A communication was received from D. Margaret Drury, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Brian Murphy, Co-Chair of the Ordinance Committee, for a meeting held on November 6, 2003 for the purpose of considering a petition filed by John Roback et al. to amend the zoning in an area bounded by the centerlines of Green, Pearl, Franklin and Brookline Streets from the existing Residence C-2A to Residence C-1. The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after December 15, 2003. Petition expires February 4, 2004.

COMMUNICATIONS
1. A communication was received from Chris C. Streeter, M.D., regarding the safety concerns at the intersection of Concord Avenue and Spinelli Way.

2. A communication was received from Jessica Boyatt, regarding the safety concerns at the intersection of Concord Avenue and Spinelli Way.

3. A communication was received from Representative Paul C. Demakis, transmitting thanks for the resolution conveying the Cambridge City Council and School's support for a moratorium on new charter schools.

4. A communication was received from Representative Paul C. Demakis, transmitting thanks for the resolution conveying the City Council's support for the decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in Goodridge vs. the Department of Public Health.

5. A communication was received from Joseph E. Connarton, Executive Director, Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, transmitting the Required Fiscal Year 2005 Appropriation.

6. A communication was received from Paul Cellucci, transmitting thanks for the City Council resolution of sympathy on behalf of his father Argeo R. Cellucci.

7. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, regarding the MDC not removing the snow on both sidewalks over the Harvard Bridge/Massachusetts Avenue Bridge.

8. A communication was received from Roy Bercaw, regarding bigotry in Cambridge.

RESOLUTIONS
1. City Council go on record expressing its appreciation to James C. Desmond for his thirty seven and a half years of dedicated service to the citizens and to the City of Cambridge and wish him much happiness in his retirement. Mayor Sullivan

2. City Council go on record expressing its appreciation to Albert Masterson for his many years of dedicated service to the citizens and to the City of Cambridge and wish him much happiness in his retirement. Mayor Sullivan

3. City Council go on record expressing its appreciation to Charles Mottola for his thirty-two years of dedicated service to the citizens and to the City of Cambridge and wish him much happiness in his retirement. Mayor Sullivan

4. City Council go on record expressing its appreciation to Warren Rhone for his thirty years of dedicated service to the citizens and to the City of Cambridge and wish him much happiness in his retirement. Mayor Sullivan

5. Resolution on the death of Richard A. Umanzio. Councillor Galluccio, Councillor Maher, Councillor Toomey, Mayor Sullivan

6. Resolution on the death of Janice (Randall) Stephanik. Councillor Toomey

7. Resolution on the death of Joseph J. Eachus. Councillor Galluccio

8. Extend get well wishes to Zelia Pacheco-Kelliher. Councillor Galluccio

9. Resolution on the death of Francine M. (Curley) Downey. Councillor Toomey

10. Resolution on the death of Ann G. (Goffredo) Antonelli. Mayor Sullivan

11. Resolution on the death of Yvonne Dahan. Councillor Galluccio

12. Resolution on the death of Mary Agnes Bergin. Councillor Galluccio, Mayor Sullivan

13. Resolution on the death of Mrs. Rogers. Mayor Sullivan

14. Resolution on the death of Catherine Buckley. Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Decker

15. Resolution on the death of Leonard M. Frisoli. Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio

16. Resolution on the death of Catherine J. McMahon. Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio, Councillor Toomey

17. Resolution on the death of Donald A. York. Mayor Sullivan, Councillor Galluccio

18. Congratulations on the birth of Sydnie Ring. Mayor Sullivan

19. Resolution on the death of Ronald L. Ellis. Councillor Galluccio, Councillor Toomey

20. Resolution on the death of George Crowley. Councillor Galluccio

21. Resolution on the death of Ruth Thiffault. Councillor Galluccio

22. Resolution on the death of Alice Lesuer. Councillor Galluccio

23. Resolution on the death of Nancy Movius. Councillor Galluccio

24. Resolution on the death of Barbara Mori. Councillor Toomey

25. City Council go on record congratulating the Everett High School Football team on their victory in the Division I Superbowl. Councillor Galluccio

26. Resolution on the death of Thomas M. Tracy. Mayor Sullivan

27. City Council go on record extending thanks to Consul General Margarita Gonzalez Gamio for her dedicated service to the Mexican Consulate and wish her well in her future endeavors. Mayor Sullivan

28. Extending a very Happy 90th Birthday wish to Leo E. Diehl and proclaim January 9, 2004 as Leo E. Diehl Day in the City of Cambridge. Mayor Sullivan

29. Congratulating Christopher Edley on being newly appointed as Dean of Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California Berkeley. Councillor Reeves

30. Congratulating Charles Lyons of the Arlington Board of Selectmen on becoming President of the National League of Cities. Vice Mayor Davis

31. Extending wishes for a speedy recovery to Mrs. Lillian Maher. Mayor Sullivan

ORDERS
1. City Council go on record urging Governor Romney to act before year's end on the Zero Emission Vehicle Standard. Vice Mayor Davis

2. Requesting the City Manager to report back to the City Council regarding the City's policy and procedures for clearing snow from and maintaining public handicapped parking spaces. Vice Mayor Davis

3. Requesting the City Manager to add the pertinent public information contained in the city’s weekly PIO updates to the city’s web site (removing those items that are strictly internal to staff). Vice Mayor Davis

4. Requesting the City Manager to direct the Election Commission to post on its web site, during each election cycle, the list of candidates as part of their election information. Vice Mayor Davis

5. Requesting the City Manager to instruct the Community Development Department to schedule a meeting with the Inman Square Business Association to discuss and plan future events for Inman Square, and go on record thanking and congratulating the Inman Square Business Association for their holiday get-together, "Shop Inman by Moonlight" that was held December 11, 2003. Councillor Toomey

6. Requesting the City Manager to report back to the City Council in two weeks on the status of club golf hours at the Tip O'Neill Golf Course in light of rumors that club golfing will be eliminated. Councillor Galluccio

COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Marilyn Y. Bradshaw, Executive Secretary to the School Committee, transmitting two orders adopted by the School Committee on December 2, 2003 regarding the sale of the MDC Simone Ice Skating Rink on Gore Street and the recent statutory requirement for "dispensing of medication" and presence of medical personnel" for field trips.

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Dec 15
5:00pm Special Presentation to Just-A-Start (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Dec 16
3:00pm The Public Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the following: (Ackermann Room)
-an update on the points of safety campaign
-anti-idling campaign
-fundraising tactics being practiced by the Police Department.

Wed, Dec 17
5:30pm The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss the status of a proposed development along the Alewife Reservation and related water and sewer connectivity. (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, Dec 18
8:30am The Economic Development, Training and Employment Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the 2004 Democratic National Convention. (Ackermann Room)
2:00pm The Health and Environment Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss green purchases and to receive an update on public toilets. (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 22
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 5, 2004
10:00am INAUGURAL MEETING (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 12, 2004
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Jan 26, 2004
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 2, 2004
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 9, 2004
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 23, 2004
5:30pm City Council Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 December 15, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
WHEREAS: Car manufacturers have recently announced the delay of release of their hybrid cars for sale for another 1-2 years; and
WHEREAS: Governor Mitt Romney must finalize the Zero Emission Vehicle Standard by the end of the year or else further delays in bringing clean cars to Massachusetts roads will be created; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging Governor Romney to act before year’s end on the Zero Emission Vehicle Standard; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Governor Romney on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-2 December 15, 2003 (amended)
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with a snow removal plan that creates high priority pedestrian routes and timely removal of snow on these sidewalks so that pedestrians are not forced into the streets; and be it further
ORDERED: That this plan also include details on clearing city owned sidewalks with a timetable that is consistent with city ordinance; and be it further
ORDERED: That this plan also include details on the city's "Snow Exemption Program" as published in the City brochure "Snow: Our Winter Challenge (2002)" and Cambridge 2004 Resident Information; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council regarding the city’s policy and procedures for clearing snow from and maintaining public handicapped parking spaces.

O-3 December 15, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to add the pertinent public information contained in the city’s weekly PIO updates to the city’s web site (removing those items that are strictly internal to staff).

O-4 December 15, 2003
VICE MAYOR DAVIS
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Election Commission to post on its web site, during each election cycle, the list of candidates as part of their election information.

O-5 December 15, 2003
COUNCILLOR TOOMEY
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Community Development Department to schedule a meeting with the Inman Square Business Association to discuss and plan future events for Inman Square; and be it further
RESOLVED: That this City Council go on record thanking and congratulating the Inman Square Business Association for the holiday get-together, "Shop Inman by Moonlight" that was held December 11, 2003.

O-6 December 15, 2003
COUNCILLOR GALLUCCIO
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council in two weeks on the status of club golf hours at the Tip O'Neill Golf Course in light of rumors that club golfing will be eliminated.