2021 City Council Agenda Notes - July to December
(transferred from main Council Notes page)
This will be the last meeting of the 2020-2021 Cambridge City Council which will likely be remembered for its lack of cohesion and the distant quality of its remote public meetings held in Zoom. The increased access of remote public comment was arguably a plus but any advantages were outweighed by the scripted nature of call-in comments driven by social media and the complete lack of meaningful interaction between members of the public and between elected officials and the public. A two-minute Zoom speech with the clock ticking followed by an abrupt mayoral cutoff is hardly a model for public participation. Perhaps even more problematic was the tendency for consequential policies to be developed and implemented in relative isolation and obscurity.
As the councillors head for the exits until Seven of Nine of them return to base for the January 3 Inaugural, here are the more interesting and/or disturbing items on this week's agenda:
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Placed on File 9-0
This should be an interesting update in light of the recent surge in positive Covid tests in Cambridge and elsewhere. I won't be at all surprised if additional restrictions are forthcoming. I hope there can be a little more light shed on the principal causes of the current surge. Is the Omicron Variant a factor? Personally, I'm getting my booster today and I hope everyone has done so or is scheduling it for very soon.
Unfinished Business #5. 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; Passed to 2nd Reading - Dec 6, 2021; To Be Ordained on or after Dec 20, 2021]
Mallon amendment to make ordinance contingent on approval of Home Rule Petition and Governor's signature FAILS 4-5 (AM,MM,DS,TT - YES; DC,PN,JSW,QZ,SS - NO); Ordained 7-1-0-1 (Toomey - NO; Simmons - PRESENT)
As I have said before, this proposal seems like a real can of worms with varying interpretations of who should or should not have additional limits placed on their political campaign donations. Disclosure should be enough. In truth, the amount of questionable political donations and the number of candidates willing to accept such donations have declined significantly in recent years. Even with their donations limited, I expect that the role of “independent expenditure political action committees” will likely only grow.
Resolution #1. Thanks to Manikka Bowman for her years of service on the Cambridge School Committee. Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui
Resolution Adopted 9-0
Resolution #2. Thanks to Councillor Tim Toomey For his years of service to the City of Cambridge and its residents. Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui
Resolution Adopted 9-0
Resolution #6. Thanks to City Councillor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler for his public service. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone
Resolution Adopted 9-0
Congratulations to all departing elected officials, but a special shout-out to Councillor Tim Toomey who has been diligently doing his job for many years through a variety of political environments. I wish him all the best in his retirement and fully expect that he will continue to provide constituent services well beyond his exit from political office.
Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to appoint a 20-25 person Cycling Safety Ordinance Implementation Advisory Committee to advise and improve upon the implementation of the citywide bicycle safety infrastructure and to establish recommendations on mitigating any concerns raised in regard to this infrastructure, with the appointments to be announced no later than January 31, 2022. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Charter Right - Zondervan
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to convene meetings between his office, the Director of the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department, and with the heads of the Neighborhood Business Associations, with the Neighborhood Associations, and within each of the Cambridge Housing Authority’s senior buildings, to ensure that these stakeholders are given the opportunity to collaborate on devising new plans that will inform the City’s approach going forward in establishing citywide bicycle-safety infrastructure that works for bicyclists, motorists, pedestrians, seniors, those with mobility impediments, the local business community, and all our residents. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Charter Right - Zondervan
I fully expect a lot of double-speak as some councillors pretend to actually care about the concerns of many residents who are now facing or will soon be facing the impacts of some major changes in roadway configurations regardless whether they provide any net benefit. I also expect very little acknowledgement of the unintended consequences, e.g. the inability of delivery people to legally do what they need to do. The basic template usually reads something like “blah blah blah … and such that this does not in any way change the mandates of the Bicycle Safety Ordinance” – even if everything being requested is fair and reasonable. There are some times when I feel as though we have no representation at all - proportional or otherwise.
Order #4. That the Cambridge City Council go on record requesting that Massachusetts Municipal Depository Trust create a portfolio option as soon as possible for all municipalities that has no exposure to fossil fuels or prisons or their funders. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons - ABSENT)
This may be all well and good, I still think there's some hubris on the part of elected officials in wanting to dictate how the retirement money of employees must be invested.
Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate City departments to ensure multi-family properties on the market are reviewed as quickly as possible as potential affordable housing acquisitions. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Simmons - ABSENT)
Order #6. That the City Council go on record urging the Baker Administration and the Legislature to reverse course and changes and do whatever it takes to continue the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program as they are currently operating, and making use of additional ARPA funds as needed. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0
Committee Report #1. The Housing Committee met Sept 23, 2021 to discuss the Condo Conversion Ordinance.
Report Accepted, Placed on File; Order Adopted 7-0-0 -2 (McGovern, Toomey - PRESENT)
At some point there needs to be an analysis of the cumulative effect of all the policy decisions that have been made or proposed over the last several years in the housing arena, especially in regard to the question of the net shift from privately-owned housing toward government-owned or government-controlled housing. Order #5 seems to suggest that whenever a multi-family home is up for sale the ever-deepening pockets of Cambridge should outbid all others and take it permanently off the market rather than have anyone own something in which they can build some equity.
Order #10. That all items pending before the City Council and not acted upon by the end of the 2020-2021 Legislative Session be placed in the files of the City Clerk, without prejudice provided that those proposed ordinances which have been passed to a second reading, advertised and listed on the Calendar under "Unfinished Business" during the 2020-2021 City Council term, along with any other pending matters on the Calendar listed as "Unfinished Business," shall be forwarded to the next City Council and further provided that any items pending in committee or appearing on the City Manager’s “Awaiting Report List” may, at the discretion of the appropriate body, be forwarded to the next City Council. Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0
Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Anthony Wilson, City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
Placed on File 9-0
I really hope that most of the items in “Awaiting Report” are allowed to expire and that the new 2022-2023 City Council starts off with a relatively clean slate. One of the items goes back 5 years. In truth, there is no good reason that so many of these items should be languishing so long for a report back. If the associated Order called for something that is either infeasible or purely symbolic or just plain silly, the City Manager and staff should simply provide a timely single-paragraph response saying as much. If a majority of councillor are still insistent on pursuing some initiative, chasing wild geese, tilting at windmills, or obtaining some information, they can always file another Order or have it out with the City administration. - Robert Winters
Late Order #11. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to coordinate with the appropriate City personnel in order to establish an indoor mask mandate in common spaces of all buildings and indoor environments throughout the City of Cambridge, and that he report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner. Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0
Late Order #12. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to allow all employees who are able to perform their duties remotely to work from home until further notice. Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0
Late Order #13. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to establish a proof of vaccination requirement for certain activities and establishments in the City of Cambridge, including but not limited to indoor dining, bars, nightclubs, gyms and indoor entertainment venues; and report back to the City Council by its January 10th meeting. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Comments?
This will be the next-to-last meeting of the 2020-2021 City Council which may best be remembered (at least by me) as The Nine who operated under the Shadow of Zoom to carry out agendas that likely would never have flown had there been actual public meetings. I fully expect that any partially hidden agendas of this term will be on full display in the upcoming term.
Here are the things that appeared this week in my personal palantír:
Manager's Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Kimberly Massenburg, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House as a member of the Community Benefits Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective Dec 13, 2021, as recommended by the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition.
Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Police Department Deputy Superintendent Frederick Cabral as a member of the Human Services Commission for a term of three years, effective Dec 13, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments and reappointments of the following persons as members of the Cambridge Immigrant Rights & Citizenship for a term of three years, effective Dec 13, 2021 - New Appointments: Eva Gottschalk, Abhishek Raman and Joe Manok. Reappointments: Karim El Razzaz and Jennifer Sparks.
Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments and reappointments of the following persons as a members of the Human Rights Commission for a term of three years, effective Dec 13, 2021 - New Appointments: Stephen Curran and Judith Laguerre and Reappointments: Yasmin Padamsee Forbes.
Placed on File 9-0
…and the councillors collectively sighed in anguish for being denied their opportunity to grill the appointees on their worthiness…
Charter Right #1. That the City Clerk is requested to forward the Home Rule Petition establishing a Net Zero emissions requirement for building construction in Cambridge in accordance with its Net Zero Action Plan, adopted in 2015, to the entire state legislative delegation for immediate adoption. [Charter Right Exercised By Councillor Zondervan In Council Dec 6, 2021]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Councillor Zondervan, transmitting proposed amendments to Calendar #1.
Placed on File 9-0
Order #1. Fossil Fuel Special Permit Policy Order. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #5. Reaffirming Commitment to the Goal of 100% Renewable by 2035. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0
Though I may agree with many of the goals, there is still something unsettling to me about rigid mandates that take rational economic decisions out of the equation. Energy efficiency saves money in the long term and most people will make good economic choices accordingly. Cars are much more environmentally friendly than in years past. Heating systems are also getting more efficient and home insulation programs are available. I do not agree with outright bans on natural gas options. Some people, including me, prefer to cook on a gas stove and I have no intention of changing my heating and hot water systems over to electric any time soon. Fortunately, most of the mandates apply only to new buildings (for now), so I suppose I won't be hounded just yet.
Communications #6. A communication was received from Lori DiLiddo, regarding To Human Services Veterans Meeting Re: Carl Barron Plaza.
Placed on File 9-0
This is a breath of fresh air.
Order #3. COVID19 Expert Advisory Panel. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #6. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Director of Traffic, Parking, and Transportation and Divco West regarding the spending plan and possible reallocation for the anticipated GLX refunds, and to report to the City Council on the use of GLX Project Participation Agreement funding in a timely manner. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 9, 2021 to discuss the possibility of amending the ordinance to extend the preference period, and to explore what additional financial assistance the City may be able to help Economic Empowerment applicants obtain during that extended period, and to provide an opportunity to hear from stakeholders on this.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Two Orders Adopted
Suffice to say that I really don't think local legislatures should be leaping through flaming hoops to pick the winners in the cannabis contest. Incentives and competitive advantages are one thing, but there are limits beyond which it becomes a matter of government dictating who is permitted to be successful.
Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Councillor Simmons, transmitting an update to the members of the City Council and to the public on the process around the search for the City’s next city manager.
Placed on File 9-0
I heard that the City's Request for Proposals for a search firm drew just one bidder. If that's not correct, please let me know. As for the process yet to come, I do not have great expectations. On the other hand, perhaps the ideal candidate is already near at hand. - Robert Winters
Comments?
The Pandemic Council Term is winding down even as the Omicron Variant is winding up for the next term. I fully expect another two years of coronagendas pushed through under the Shadow of Zoom.
Here are a few items of possible interest for this week:
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Nolan - ABSENT)
Suffice to say that the latest rates of positive tests have been quite alarming - even though fatalities have become quite rare (as he searches for wood on which to vigorously knock). I would very much appreciate more information about where the increased positive tests are rooted. It appears as though the university populations and younger people are the chief contributors, but many of us would like more clarity.
Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as new members of the Family Policy Council effective Dec 1, 2021: Wendy Georgan, Tabithlee Howard, Sophie Goldman, Elijah Lee-Robinson, Elaine Wen
Placed on File 9-0
Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the City Solicitor to draft the appropriate ordinance amendments for the City Council to review following the recent charter amendments. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons - ABSENT)
<sarcasm>I believe we need to see a report detailing the status of each of these appointees in terms of ethnic representativeness, rental status, and philosophy regarding housing density. After all, Family Policy is Housing Policy. Please wait until after January 1 to refer these appointments to the Civic Unity Committee.</sarcasm>
I am looking forward to seeing how the tribunals will be structured for the evaluation of the worthiness of citizen volunteers by a panel of clueless and politically motivated councillors. Meanwhile, all I have heard regarding the rather important matter of choosing the next City Manager is a throng of crickets.
Manager's Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-88, regarding amendments to the draft Ordinance to limit and monitor campaign donations by individuals seeking financial benefit from the City of Cambridge. [Solicitor's response]
Referred to Proposed Ordinance 7-0-0-2 (Simmons, Toomey - PRESENT)
On the Table #1. 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]
Taken from Table 9-0; Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 7-2 (Simmons, Toomey - NO)
On the Table #2. 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]
Taken from Table 9-0; Placed Back on Table 8-0-0-1 (Simmons - PRESENT)
For what it's worth, I don't actually support these restrictions. I'm all for disclosure, and I do my best to help illuminate campaign donations, but the forced imposition of restrictions like those in the proposed ordinance is a slippery slope that serves no useful purpose and is based on the loosiest and goosiest of interpretations and carve-outs for politically acceptable influence-purchasing. Every candidate is free to refuse donations from any source or to highlight the acceptance of those donations by their competitors.
And just to piss off anyone who continues to lose sleep over the Citizens United case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, I actually agree that the right to raise and spend money falls under the category of “free speech”. That said, I think everyone should cast a suspicious eye toward Super-PACs, Independent Expenditure PACs (which, lets face it, often aren't all that independent of the candidates they support), and any other vehicle used to purchase election victories. Perhaps a more relevant pursuit would be to ensure that all credible candidates are guaranteed widely accessible free platforms via which voters can get to know them.
Some of the most lavishly-funded campaigns derive their treasures not from “individuals seeking financial reward from the City of Cambridge” but from highly-paid professionals who enjoy great access and influence with the councillors they support. I will add that I find it endlessly entertaining to listen to the rhetorical contortions of councillors arguing both sides of this issue. Everyone is always looking for an edge.
Communications #1-6 all address concerns about the recent N. Mass. Ave. bus and bike lane installation and its impacts on traffic and commercial viability.
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with appropriate departments on what the standard public process will be prior to implementing new sections of bike lanes, and what general evaluation process will take place post-installation. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
The problem, of course, is that the City Council passed amendments to the Bike Safety Ordinance that essentially limits public process to little more than a discussion over the color of the flex posts. Considerations of such things as the viability of businesses, traffic congestion, and even actual bike safety must take a back seat to everything except perceived safety and the comfort of cyclists.
Order #3. That the Cambridge City Council condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any actions that may result in the physical injury of any individual, regardless of their support or non-support, of the bike/bus lane implementation on Massachusetts Avenue. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 7-0-0-2 (Simmons, Toomey - PRESENT)
To any idiot who thinks that you can advance your cause by spreading tacks or bricks or broken glass in bike lanes: Violence is a poor substitute for reason, persistence, or even mockery. Try winning your argument with wit and wisdom instead. Even if you don't prevail you can still live with your conscience (assuming you have one).
Order #2. City Council opposition to the MBTA’s plans to introduce new diesel infrastructure at the North Cambridge Garage and buses with diesel heaters. Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Placed on File (motion of Mallon) 8-1 (Zondervan - NO)
Order #6. That the City Clerk is requested to forward the Home Rule Petition establishing a Net Zero emissions requirement for building construction in Cambridge in accordance with its Net Zero Action Plan, adopted in 2015, to the entire state legislative delegation for immediate adoption. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Charter Right - Zondervan
I will soon be getting insulation pumped into all the outer walls of my building, and I think most Cambridge property owners are receptive to greater energy efficiency in their buildings. That said, I am always suspicious of actions by the City Council that may potentially lead to dramatic increases in the cost of home renovations.
Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor to draft home rule language to establish a Cambridge Jobs Creation Trust for City Council review by the Dec 20, 2021 regular City Council meeting. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0
It sure seems as though this City Council is poised to jack up the linkage fee on new commercial developments as high as legally possible regardless of the intended or unintended consequences. Any reasonable person likely supports job creation for residents, but the proposed Cambridge Jobs Creation Trust seems more like a justification for an increase in the linkage fee than anything else.
Order #9. That a special meeting of the City Council, School Committee, Cambridge Health Department and other appropriate city and school staff be scheduled to discuss the findings of the 2021 Cambridge Teen Health Survey for Middle and High School students and what immediate interventions are going to be implemented in response to concerns. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)
Suffice to say that the statements “46% of high school students and 31% of middle school students reported feeling tense, nervous, or worried every day for two or more weeks in a row” and “35% of high school students and 27% of middle school students reported feeling so sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 weeks or more that they stopped doing usual activities” may well apply to a lot of people at various times during the pandemic. - Robert Winters
Comments?
Here's my take on the interesting stuff this week:
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to reappointments and new appointments of members of the Transit Advisory Committee for a term of 2-years, effective Nov 22, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointments and new appointments of members of the Pedestrian Committee for a term of 2-years, effective Nov 22, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointments and new appointments of members of the Bicycle Committee for a term of 2-years, effective Nov 22, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointments of the following members of the Planning Board, effective Nov 22, 2021: Mary Flynn, Louis Bacci, Jr., Catherine Preston Connolly and H. Theodore Cohen.
Placed on File 6-3 (McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan - NO)
Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments of members of the Foundry Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective Nov 8, 2021. [Charter Right - Councillor Simmons, Nov 15, 2021]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (McGovern - ABSENT)
Charter Right #2. 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 - Councillor Simmons, Nov 15, 2021]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (McGovern - ABSENT)
I have no idea what Councillor Simmons is up to with her Charter Right last week to delay acceptance of the reports of the City Manager's appointments. I shudder to think of what it may be like next year when some councillors may question or veto some of these appointments for reasons having little or nothing to do with the qualifications of the appointees. Perhaps Councillor Simmons is offering us a chilling preview.
During a time when more comprehensive transportation planning is warranted it's interesting that we have no advisory committee addressing motor vehicle traffic, and all other transportation modes are balkanized into separate silos.
Manager's Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-80, regarding a report on redesign work done at Carl Barron Plaza.
Referred 9-0 to Dec 8 Joint Hearing of Health & Environment Committee and Veterans & Human Services Committee
A few tweaks here and there may be helpful, but the proposed redesign has been pretty well fleshed out at this point and is hostile to no one. Bringing up this matter at this point is more political turf-fighting than anything else. I will, however, note that several years ago I voted in favor of a Participatory Budget proposal for a public swing in one of more of the City's Squares. That might be a nice addition to Central Square.
Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-76, regarding a report on the incident involving the Cambridge Police Officers outside Central Square YMCA on Oct 17, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0
Some of us will be expecting apologies from a couple of city councillors on this one. Invoking irrelevant national issues in this matter was hostile and insulting - and entirely expected from those two councillors.
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct City staff to work with partners including the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) and the Central Square Business Improvement District on identifying spaces in Central Square that would support the creation and protection of cultural and human service spaces that align with the City’s goals. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
The devil will be in the details. We all want to see stabilization of arts and cultural resources, but if the only result of this request is the expansion of some of the more problematic services that only serve to define Central Square in the worst possible way, that will not be an improvement.
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to meet with the Public Health Department, the Department of Human Service Programs, and the Recreation & Aquatics Department to look into providing a suitable practice space for the Cambridge Synchronized Swimming Team for Cambridge residents. Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0
You can't top Harry Shearer, Martin Short, and Christopher Guest on SNL.
It's encouraging to see City Council Orders of late that call for the creation of spaces for pickleball, cricket, and now sychronized swimming. I just won't be satisfied until there's at least one miniature golf option available in the city - maybe coupled with a batting cage.
Committee Report #1. The Housing Committee met on Nov 10, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to discuss the Sept 20, 2021 Policy Order that seeks to amend the Zoning Ordinance via potentially raising the linkage fee.
Amended, Placed on File 9-0
Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa, transmitting memorandums regarding Home Rule Petition on Transfer Fee amendment. [City Solicitor's Letter] [Petition (redlined)]
Placed on File, Order Adopted 9-0
And The Beat Goes On. Boston’s linkage fees total about $17.30 per square foot of new commercial development. Councillor Zondervan's motion to recommend an increase in Cambridge's linkage fee to $33.34/sq ft failed (for now). The meeting was recessed, not adjourned, and may reconvene at some point w/o additional public comment. Personally, I find problematic the continued singular belief that creating subsidized housing with little or no emphais on homeownership or building of equity. In Boston there is always at least some discussion of empowerment and wealth creation for those who might otherwise be excluded from such opportunities.
Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa, transmitting a response of City of Cambridge to Open Meeting Law Complaint of Heather Hoffman dated Nov 3, 2021.
Placed on File, Order Adopted 9-0
Regardless of the particulars, there has been a trend during the pandemic toward limited transparency in Cambridge public meetings, especially in regard to late orders and other matters not known to the public prior to a meeting or available in publicly posted agenda materials. Even proposals for charter change sprang out of nowhere. Zoom is simply no substitute for actual public meetings.
Communications & Reports #5. A communication was received from Councillor Dennis Carlone transmitting recommendations regarding the Alewife Quadrangle urban design and zoning.
Placed on File 9-0
I'm sure Councillor Carlone has some good ideas here - as would be expected from someone whose livelihood is based on such ideas. That said, I'll repeat what I said last week on this topic: “Honestly, if our councillors were actually working for us they would have proposed interim Alewife zoning within one week of the Envision Alewife recommendations. Even if those recommendations were insufficient there would already have been interim zoning in place. Instead they now propose a moratorium after over a half billion dollars exchanges hands under existing zoning.”
Communications & Reports #6. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, regarding the 2022 City Council Inauguration.
Placed on File 9-0
The swearing-in ceremony is proposed to take place in-person on Jan 3, 2022 in the Sullivan Chamber with masks and distancing observed. There will be fewer invited guests, and the public will have to settle for Zoom. - Robert Winters
Comments?
Most of the significant items from last week were either delayed by Charter Right or Tabled where they may languish or eventually vanish when the lame duck dies. Here are the items worth mentioning:
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.
The rate of new cases has been growing since mid-October. While disturbing and somewhat frustrating, the fear and panic that was routine a year ago has largely given way to perspective and trust in the effectiveness of vaccines to at least ward off the worst of the ill effects. Will Thanksgiving and other holidays fuel the Covid fires, or will increased vaccination among younger people blunt those disease vectors? Time will tell. I think it's booster time.
Manager's Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments of members of the Foundry Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective Nov 8, 2021.
Charter Right - Simmons
Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of the following person as a members of the Fresh Pond Master Plan Advisory Board, for a term of three years, effective Nov 15, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #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'm glad to see the pace of board appointments picking up, and I hope there are lots more before the politicos sink their fangs into the process after January 1. There is still no protocol for how the councillors will exercise their new micromanagement authority come the New Year (if they dare to do so). Will appointees have to go before a Council tribunal to answer for the jokes they made on social media? Will members of the public be given an opportunity to voice their approval or disapproval of the background of board appointees? Will anyone even want to apply to be on a City board or commission?
Manager's Agenda #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 believe the proposal is to create a two-way bike path on the Fresh Pond Reservation side of the street - no controversy expected.
Manager's Agenda #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
2,814 affordable units in development of which 940 will be new units. This includes the Jefferson Park redevelopment at a cost of $251,769,435 for 278 units (which works out to $905,645 per unit). So glad to see our tax dollars at work in the least efficient way possible.
Manager's Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Numbers 21-37 and 21-38, regarding digital equity. [McCormick, Gianetti] [Analysis of U.S. Digital Equity Programs] [CHA Housing Broadband Pilot Engineering Report]
Referred to Civic Unity & NLTP Committees 9-0
[Note: None of the proposed actions anticipates any provision of Cable TV.]
I have no real sense whether these reports are sufficiently responsive, but since the councillors will brutally criticize just about anything relating to municipal broadband or the alternatives, does it really even matter what's in the reports?
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)
I have a few suggestions regarding the naming of several public restrooms in honor an elected official or two.
Charter Right #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)
Charter Right #3. Upper Mass. Ave. Bike Lane Improvements. [Charter Right – Simmons, Nov 8, 2021]
Order Adopted 5-4 (DC,AM,MM,PN,SS - YES; DS,JSW,TT,QZ - NO)
Let the fur fly. Honestly, if our councillors were actually working for us they would have proposed interim Alewife zoning within one week of the Envision Alewife recommendations. Even if those recommendations were insufficient there would already have been interim zoning in place. Instead they now propose a moratorium after over a half billion dollars exchanges hands under existing zoning.
As for the upper Mass. Ave. bike lanes, it's all about whether or not you signed the pledge to cover your ears and close your eyes and mind.
Order #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
School buildings are public buildings, and they should accommodate our occasional elections as needed.
Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Nancy Glowa, City Solicitor, transmitting a letter regarding an Open Meeting Law complaint from Heather Hoffman.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Late Order to have Solicitor Respond Adopted 9-0
I have some interest in this – mainly in regard to the erosion of standards in our new Zoomy version of City Council meetings. We have a City government that apparently believes in the principal: “The public will eventually find out what we did, and we'll convince them later that what we did was acceptable.”
Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from the City Clerk, transmitting the Pending Zoning Chart.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS - ABSENT)
Communications & Reports #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)
See previous comment regarding the erosion of standards in our new Zoomy version of City Council meetings. - Robert Winters
Comments?
The Election is over save for the overseas votes, and it's pretty much a wash. We replaced the retiring Tim Toomey with Paul Toner, and, for the kids, Sobrinho-Wheeler with Burhan Azeem. All of the incumbents were reelected to the School Committee and we added the lavishly well-funded Akriti Bhambi to fill the soon-to-be vacated seat. It's always interesting to see how people associated with the various slates view these elections entirely through the lens of their respective slates and agendas with barely any acknowledgment of the fact that almost all of the incumbents were reelected based on their individual campaigns.
Now begins the season of phone calls and private meetings during which the various mayoral hopefuls try to make their case to be the next all-powerful weak mayor. Needless to say, Mayor Siddiqui's 4121 #1 Votes gives her an edge (if she wants it), but I'm sure others will make the case in the name of “equity” and “whose turn it is” to ascend to the hallowed throne. Meanwhile, has anyone heard anything at all about where we stand on the rather important matter of selecting the next City Manager? Oops, I guess they must have forgotten.
As for the business of city councilling, here's a sampler of what's up for discussion/action/inaction this week:
Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-84 regarding BEUDO (Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance) proposed amendments. [CDD Memo] [current draft] [City Solicitor opinion]
Referred to Health & Environment Committee 9-0
Covered under the proposed amendments are: (1) municipal property with one or more buildings with 10,000 sq ft or more; (2) one or more non-residential building(s) where such building(s) singly or together contain 25,000 to 49,999 sq ft); and (3) one or more residential building(s) that singly or together contain 50 or more residential dwelling units - rental or condos. So my electric and gas bills can stay safely in my bottom drawer – for now. Some councillors are already looking ahead to the day when they can drop the bar down to cottages or people living in a van down by the river.
Unfinished Business #5. Ordinance #2021-24 (Oct 25, 2021 Order #3) That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor and the appropriate staff to review the language of this proposed ordinance amendment and to report back to the City Council in advance of the next City Council meeting. [Passed to a 2nd Reading Oct 25, 2021; To Be Ordained on or after Nov 8, 2021]
Ordained as Amended 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)
This will pass 9-0 unless one of the councillors casts a protest vote because the proposal to label gas pumps doesn't go far enough. Maybe the next step will be stenciling city roads with “How Dare You!” and a little Greta image.
Order #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. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey
Charter Right - Sobrinho-Wheeler (don't let the door hit you on the way out, councillor)
There are some who choose to protest the naming of public facilities after people who are either still living or still working for the city. Just a reminder that we're not issuing postage stamps or minting coins (well, except for perhaps Al Vellucci). So here's to Thomas W. Danehy Park, the Walter J. Sullivan Water Treatment Facility, the Robert W. Healy Public Safety Building, and Timothy J. Toomey Park, and the Louis A. DePasquale Universal Design Playground. My ideal is a bit different, courtesy of the late, great John Prine.
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City departments, as well as the Commission of Persons with Disabilities and the Special Education Parents Advisory Council, to develop a plan to install fully accessible equipment in every playground throughout the city. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
This would be great, but presumably it means “in addition to the existing playground equipment” as opposed to “replace all playground equipment”. I doubt if monkey bars and skate parks can be made fully accessible.
Order #4. 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. Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
Charter Right - Toomey
Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee met on June 2, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to discuss the Alewife Envision Plan.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
I'm all for coming up with a grand vision for this area with multiple bridges crossing the tracks and all sorts of fun, new additions. That said, don't you think all this grand visionary stuff should have been put in place long before parcels were sold with the presumption that they could be built out under existing zoning? Parcels in this area were apparently only very recently sold for a sum in the neighborhood of half a billion dollars. If the City were to now pass either temporary or permanent zoning changes that significantly decrease the development potential, it sure seems like a good case could be made by the new owners that they should be compensated for that loss. I hope that won't happen, but this says a lot about the consequences of City Council inaction or lack of a coherent vision. By the way, the order contains one of the more interesting maps from the 1979 Alewife Revitalization study, a.k.a. “The Fishbook”.
Order #5. Upper Mass. Ave. Bike Lane Improvements. Councillor Nolan
Amended 7-2 (DS,TT - NO); Charter Right - Simmons
The latest installment in the ongoing turf wars over roadway allocation where politicians deftly try to please all of the people all of the time. The problem here is, of course, that these things should never have been enshrined into an ordinance with inflexible mandates. But hey, don't forget to sign The Pledge. Meanwhile, Cambridge roads are starting to feel more like a Habitrail for hamsters – overly prescriptive and thoroughly inflexible.
Committee Report #3. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee and the Housing Committee met on Aug 24, 2021 to conduct a joint follow-up hearing to continue the discussion on the elimination of single and two-family only zoning and restrictions on the type of housing that can be built city-wide.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Now that the election has passed it will be interesting to see how fast The Densifiers try to rush through their Big Plans. I do like the idea of relaxing some of the restrictions to allow more multi-family homes, but I would prefer to see housing growth based more on available opportunities than on wholesale revision and density doubling densification based on a transient and trendy philosophy and historical revisionism. We have been down that road before.
Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 20, 2021 to conduct a hearing on an ordinance amendment to reduce or limit campaign donations.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-0-2 (DS,TT-Present)
Policy Order/Home Rule Petition: 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. Councillor Carlone
Order and Home Rule Petition Tabled 7-0-0-2 (DS,TT-Present)
Late Order #6. 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
Order Adopted 9-0
While I may agree with the general idea of this proposal, the devil may lie in the details. It's not always so clear which donors to campaigns are seeking or will eventually receive financial reward. For example, if someone contributes either money or labor toward a political campaign and is currently hired or is later hired as a City Council Aide, would that be a violation? Or is political patronage not covered under the proposed ordinance? - Robert Winters
Comments?
Mail-In Voting, Early Voting, and now finally Voting at the Polls on Tues, Nov 2 - and it's anyone's guess whether we'll see any turnover other than the replacement of veteran Councillor Tim Toomey. Even the Election Night gathering at the Senior Center for The Count has been all but shut down by the lingering pandemic. I still don't know what I'll be doing on Election Night.
Will voter turnout go up? Will it go down? What effect will the availability of mail-in voting have on voter turnout? Will this result in a different cross-section of voters than in past elections? Will the Revolutionaries take over and commence a milder version of the Reign of Terror (minus the guillotines)? Will the densifiers transform Cambridge into Co-Op City North? Will automobiles be run out of town like St. Patrick drove the snakes off the Emerald Isle? Will Plan E be replaced by Plan 9? So many questions, so little time. I'm just getting ready to circle the wagons.
Vote for me and I'll set you free..... Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors, mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills, hippies moving to the hills, people all over the world are shouting, end the war.... And the band played on. - Ball of Confusion, The Temptations
The Eve of Election usually means a light agenda so that candidates can run home to make last-minute pleas to voters, though sometimes it also brings a late ploy for attention by stoking the flames of controversy. There's not much to work with in this week's limited agenda, but you never know what surprises may pop out like a jack-in-the-box. Anyway, here are some of the ingredients for this week's sausage.
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Placed on File 9-0
After the initial surge of the Delta Variant our numbers were trending solidly downward. There was then a resurgence (students returning, Red Sox excitement, letting your guard down?), but now things seem to be again trending downward. Damn you, Covid! Be gone! Masks are for Halloween!
Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-79, regarding proposed amendments to Article 8.12 of the Municipal Code (labels on fuel pumps).
Referred to Unfinished Business 9-0
Unfinished Business #4. Ordinance #2021-24 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor and the appropriate staff to review the language of this proposed ordinance amendment and to report back to the City Council in advance of the next City Council meeting. [Passed to a Second Reading Oct 25, 2021; To Be Ordained on or after Nov 8, 2021]
I'm sure this will easily pass next week. Perhaps this will be the start of a whole parade of “messaging”. Will parking meters soon beg people to ride a bike instead? (Uh, oh. I hope I didn't just cause another City Council Order to be written.) Will the 7-11 soon be required to install water dispensers next to the beverage case? Oops, I see another Council Order being written.
Order #2. City Council support of MIT Divest’s campaign to divest MIT’s endowment from the fossil fuel industry. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Climate Crisis Working Group to include a recommendation and proposal to amend the Green Fleet Policy in their final report. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0
Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee met on July 15, 2020 to conduct a public hearing to discuss the timeline, scope, and budget of the Tobin/Vassal Lane School Project, including updates on the Armory property, and how it fits into the long-term plan for all school buildings in the City to accommodate expected enrollment changes over the next 10 to 20 years and to receive an update on the legislative office plans. [report appeared after meeting]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0 - even though the report was missing
Committee Report #2. The Health and Environment committee met on May 25, 2021 to discuss proposed amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) that would drive down energy use and emissions in existing buildings in Cambridge as well as an update on the Net Zero Action Plan 5-Year Review process and recommendations.
Report Accepted, Placed on File, Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Committee Report #3. The Housing Committee met on June 3, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to discuss inclusionary zoning preference/eligibility, and how the new state-level Housing Choice law will affect zoning in Cambridge. [report appeared after meeting]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0 - even though the report was missing
Note that no reports were provided for either the July 15 NLTP Committee meeting nor the June 3 Housing Committee meeting. In fact, I count about 33 committee meetings that happened more than a month ago for which reports were never delivered. Come to think of it, there are even 13 committee reports from the previous term that were never delivered. Former City Clerk Donna Lopez would never have allowed the Chairs of City Council committees to be so neglectful. I don't mean to come down hard on our current City Clerk Anthony Wilson, but he really needs to start disciplining the committee Chairs. I hope his successor understands the importance of the role of being “Clerk of Committees” in addition to issuing marriage certificates and death certificates and all the other responsibilities of the City Clerk's Office. Of course the real negligence here falls to the city councillors themselves. - Robert Winters
Comments?
Let me start by expressing my severe dissatisfaction with Councillor Zondervan's characterizations last week of planned improvements in Central Square's Carl Barron Plaza and his inflammatory and politically-motivated portrayal of an arrest that occurred near the Senior Center. Zondervan continues to prove that he knows Net Zero about Central Square and the people who spend considerable time there. You can add Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler as equally clueless and politically motivated. The fact that few councillors choose to push back in these matters shows the collective lack of any spine among our elected representatives. I would love for them to prove me wrong this Monday.
Charter Right #1. A communication was received from the community, regarding Carl Barron Plaza reconstruction. [CHARTER RIGHT - ZONDERVAN, OCT 18, 2021]
Referred 8-1 to Policy Order #4 (TT - NO)
Order #4. Public Hearing on Carl Barron Plaza Redesign. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone
Adopted as Amended 7-2 (DS,TT - NO)
7 Communications regarding plans for the North Mass. Ave. reconfiguration involving bus lanes, bike lanes, and removal of parking.
This week brings a follow-up Order calling for an additional public hearing on the Carl Barron Plaza Redesign - an extension of the River Street reconstruction project that has had many public meetings stretched over the last several years. The irony is that the sponsors of this week's Order argue that “petitioners express frustration that their ‘input, ideas, and vision’ for the plaza have not been sought up to this point.” Meanwhile, hundreds of residents and business owners who have expressed concerns about lack of process with the North Mass. Ave. redesign that will install separated bike lanes, bus-only lanes, and which will remove considerable parking will be getting only a quick Zoom meeting in a few days where they have already been told that the meeting is purely informational and that nothing in the plans will change.
Something that our elected representatives and City staff need to understand is that there is no single way to characterize “community members who use Carl Barron Plaza on a daily basis” or of those who frequent other parts of Central Square. Some are friends of mine, some are people with substance abuse problems, some are unhoused, some have stable housing and simply like to hang out in Central Square, and many are the patrons who keep Central Square businesses afloat. There are also predators who instill fear in other community members. The patrons who wait for the #1 Bus at Pearl Street are community members who have been driven away from the bus shelter by the intimidating behavior of other “community members.” It's unfortunate that our elected officials (and City staff) routinely enable the predation and intimidation rather than take steps to realize the vision that many of us hold of a “family-friendly Central Square.”
Manager's Agenda #3. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $180,500 from Free Cash to the General Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account to support the expansion of Equity Roadmap’s Friday Night Hype program in Cambridge.
Order Adopted 9-0
As the Manager's note says: “Friday Night Hype provides Upper School students with a safe space, a warm meal, mentorship, and various enrichment opportunities. Friday Night Hype was created to target inequities such as the opportunity and achievement gaps for young people and families.”
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with relative City departments on ways to report pedestrian and cyclist accidents in real time to residents. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor and the appropriate staff to review the language of this proposed ordinance amendment [regarding gasoline service station regulations] and to report back to the City Council in advance of the next City Council meeting. Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0
This Order revisits the June 13, 2016 proposal from Councillors Devereux, Mazen, and McGovern on “requiring gas pump labels with information about the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels at all gas stations in the City.” This kind of messaging opens up a potentially large can of worms. Will other consumer choices soon have accompanying messages? Will we soon be revisiting the “sugary drinks” proposals? Will our new cannabis outlets have warnings on all their products?
Order #5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Community Development Department, the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, and any other appropriate City department to discuss implementation of a plan which charges EV customers for electricity and not parking at municipal EV charging locations. Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0
In other words, free parking for those who own and can afford electric vehicles.
Order #6. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with DCR on the possibility of again extending closures until at least the final Sunday in December 2021, if not longer, weather permitting. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Toomey - ABSENT)
Not a bad idea to fully embrace the longer seasonal weather delivered courtesy of climate change.
Order #7. Debt-Free Public Higher Education. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
I had a debt-free public higher education courtesy of the City University of New York - Queens College. Well, there were fees, but my Regents Scholarship more than covered the cost of the books and fees and I had enough left over to fund a cross-country trip via thumb and Greyhound.
Order #8. That the City Council go on record in 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
Order Adopted 9-0
I am not a member of the “separated bike lanes or bust” crowd, but I have always believed that they make sense on roads where there is considerable “friction” between cyclists and motor vehicles with a significant speed differential. The Harvard Bridge is one such location. I won't say whether the current proposals are the right proposals, but I do agree that something needs to be done. What may become problematic is the traffic congestion and spillover traffic that may result from the combination of lane reductions on the bridge in conjunction with other reductions and reallocation of road width elsewhere along Mass. Ave. in both Boston and Cambridge.
Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 21, 2021 to continue a hearing on an amendment to Article 22 of the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance “Emissions Accounting” (Ord # 2021-13).
Report Accepted, Placed on File, Adopt Order 9-0
The greatest wisdom expressed in this report was from Sarah Gallop, representing MIT. “She stated that climate change is an urgent issue, but the zoning petition is an example of policymaking that is taking place outside of a thoughtful City-governed framework. She expressed concern with a number of piecemeal zoning petitions that have been passed recently. Each of these new zoning efforts has been advanced in a vacuum rather than in a comprehensive manner. She asked the council to return to a more collaborative approach to policymaking.”
This characterizes a lot of what has been coming out the the City Council over the last few years. I once wrote an essay entitled “In Search of a Progressive Definition” in which I noted that the word “progressive” is routinely left undefined or purposely vague. Since then I have come to the view that “progressive” most often is meant to describe the belief that “we know what is best for you, so just shut up and one day you will agree with us.” In this sense, “progressive” and “democratic” are actually antonyms. - Robert Winters
Comments?
As our elected officials nervously wait out the pre-election purgatory, the meetings go on. Here are the agenda items this week that struck me as interesting or concerning:
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Charter Right #1. The Health and Environment Committee met on Apr 14, 2021 to conduct a public hearing regarding the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Zondervan in Council Oct 4, 2021]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
I think a big question on the minds of a lot of people is when some of the mandates will be modified or lifted. Our 7-day average daily COVID-positive test numbers are now consistently down to single digits. When the local history of this pandemic is written, it will show a mix of appropriate and sometimes excessive caution, business innovation driven by survival, and also some politically-driven failures such as last year's “shared streets” that were neither necessary nor effective. It will also show how some elected officials exploited the obscured nature of Zoom meetings to ram through agendas unrelated to the pandemic.
Manager's Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $170,975 from Free Cash to the General Fund Elections Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to cover the additional costs associated with recently approved vote by mail-in, and early voting for the municipal election, Nov 2, 2021.
Order Adopted 9-0
Not much to say about this other than the fact that elections aren't free and that the existence of Mail-In Voting and Early Voting have made the timeliness of getting information to voters somewhat challenging.
Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Michael Jeremy Yamin, regarding Yard Setback Zoning Petition.
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 7-1-1 (Zondervan - NO; Toomey ABSENT)
Applications & Petitions #2. A Zoning Petition has been received from Karen Cushing, regarding Off Street Parking consistent with the base zoning district, in order to minimize the use of on-street parking in the surrounding area.
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 7-1-1 (Zondervan - NO; Toomey ABSENT)
Both of these petitions ask to modify some provisions that were enacted as part of the “Affordable Housing Overlay” (AHO). Specifically, they seek to partially restore some of the diminished setbacks from property lines and to treat AHO projects the same as other properties in terms of parking requirements. It is worth noting that such requirements may soon be lowered or eliminated as part of a separate rezoning process.
Communications #5. A communication was received from Jeanne Oster and Annette Osgood, regarding Save Mass Ave Save Our City Online Petition Paper Petition - 503 signatures.
Communications #6. A communication was received from Yi Sheng Wang, regarding Cycling Safety Ordinance.
Communications #8. A communication was received from Sharon Stichter, regarding Porter square De Facto Simulation of Mass Ave Safety Improvement Project - Dudley St to Alewife Brook Pkwy.
Communications #9. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding De Facto Simulation of Mass Ave Safety Improvement Project - Dudley St to Alewife Brook Pkwy.
Communications #12. A communication was received from Jeanne Oster, regarding to expand the definition of the Mass Ave Four so all streets between Alewife Brook Parkway and Everett St can be looked at together as a cohesive whole.
There will be a follow-up meeting on Thurs, Oct 28, 2021 at 6:00pm.
Suffice to say that some aspects of the North Mass. Ave. plans that are about the be implemented are coming as quite a shock to some residents and area businesses, and there are efforts now underway to find some compromise and alternatives. There are two simultaneous changes about to be implemented - (1) separating bicycle lanes along with significant removal of parking spaces, and (2) dedicating full travel lanes as “Bus Only” lanes. The net effect may be to reduce Mass. Ave. down to a single travel lane in each direction along much of this corridor. Current traffic congestion will likely grow worse, but some see this as a means to an end by driving people out of their cars and onto an inadequate public transportation system. Whether that will actually happen is debatable.
This is yet another example of how City actions hatched in obscurity during Zoom-only pandemic versions of public process have left some people feeling as though they are under the wheels of a juggernaut. Meanwhile, elitist activists write off the concerns of those affected as “fear of change.” In my view, North Mass. Ave. has long been in need of safety improvements, especially for cyclists in close proximity to relatively higher traffic speeds along a major traffic corridor, but this process could be a case study in how not to plan or implement significant changes. Sadly, we've been writing a whole book of such case studies.
Communications #10. A communication was received from the community, regarding Carl Barron Plaza reconstruction.
Charter Right - Zondervan
This appears to be an organized effort to label some of the proposed redesign of Carl Barron Plaza in Central Square as “hostile architecture” – which is simply not the case. Included in the communications are some good suggestions for amenities such as a water fountain/filler, level sidewalks, and better means of waste disposal. I have friends who spend a lot of time in this location who are not substance abusers, but this location has over time become a problematic center for alcohol and drug abuse – certainly not the only such location in Central Square, e.g. the inbound #1 bus stop near Pearl Street. By the way, requests to CDD, the Transit Advisory Committee, and the Pedestrian Committee to issue a policy statement regarding priority to actual bus passengers have gone nowhere. Meanwhile bus passengers wait at a distance from the bus stop rather than be harassed at the shelter where most or all of the available seating is not available or is so hostile that passengers prefer to wait up the street at a distance from the bus shelter.
My viewpoint about the design of public places is that you should primarily design not for what you think you're stuck with but rather for the environment you wish to see - and that includes a better location for public events, public transportation, and the interplay between public spaces and private spaces such as abutting businesses and residences. This is a busy crossroads for bus and train passengers as well as for neighborhood residents visiting Central Square and all that is has to offer. If we create a great space, the users will sort things out.
Order #2. That the City Council go on record prioritizing Cambridge residents for Building Pathways. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
This is a good Order primarily about fostering opportunities for area residents, particularly in underserved communities, to access careers in the construction industry. All too often City initiatives center more on subsidy and public assistance rather than on economic empowerment, and it's good to occasionally see some emphasis on the latter rather than the former.
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship and other relevant City staff to determine 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
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to determine the feasibility of purchasing property from Lesley University to address City goals. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0
As the Order states: “Lesley University recently announced a new campus plan that includes the University’s intention to sell its underutilized properties…” Insofar as some of those properties may be useful in advancing some City goals, this is worthy of pursuit. That said, the recent trend of calling on the City to simply buy up properties whenever they are up for sale - or even drafting laws to give advantages to the City purchase of properties - is just as worrisome as universities collecting properties as though Cambridge was a board game from Parker Brothers.
Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to place a cricket field in one of the Cambridge parks. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0
Two weeks ago it was pickleball. This week it's cricket. There are worse things that City Council Orders could be addressing. I can only hope that next week will bring calls for miniature golf. If so, I have some really great ideas on that subject.
Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to appoint 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
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
The worst form of City budgeting is one where you dangle $65 million in federal funds like a piñata in front of nine blindfolded city councillors with sticks. That said, perhaps some good suggestions from the public will emerge that aren't just calls for diversion of funds for pet projects.
Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City departments to start placing QR codes on signage around construction projects so that interested parties can quickly and easily access information regarding these projects to promote information sharing and transparency. Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0
As all of my friends know, I don't own a cell phone and I have no plans to get one. The only QR I know is the QR-factorization I teach in my Linear Algebra courses. A regular sign (with actual words!) would likely do just as well at construction projects.
Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate staff of both the City and State to confirm 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
Order Adopted 9-0
Meanwhile, the trucks keep a-storrowin' with increasing frequency. Apparently Reading and Driving are becoming as difficult for some as Walking and Chewing Gum. Worry not, say the futurists – soon they'll all be driverless and we can all just blame the programmers.
Order #11. City Council support for the proposed site location for Eversource’s Geothermal Pilot Program project. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to support the Uplift the Solar Energy Industry in Massachusetts coalition. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0
These are both good Orders, but I have no plans to get rid of either my gas stove, my gas-fired boiler, or my gas-fired hot water heater anytime soon. I'm sure that it's because I fear change - or so the self-declared enlightened ones tell me.
Order #13. That the City Council go on record in reaffirming strong support for H.1426/S.890, the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Toomey - NO)
This ill-begotten proposal was bound to roll around again. Many property owners would love to offer the opportunity to purchase to some of their tenants, but the real intention of this legislation is to transfer privately-owned residential property into the hands of nonprofits and housing authorities working in conjunction with municipalities and using tax revenue to execute the transfer. The title “Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act” is hopelessly dishonest. - Robert Winters
Comments?
With one month to go before the municipal election (and less if you consider Early Voting and Mail-In Voting), there is usually some expectation of political theater or credit-grabbing at this and the next few City Council meetings. In this game of musical chairs, the music is still playing.
The main agenda item for this week is the Tax Rate Hearing at 6:30pm followed by the ritual of 11 roll call votes that will likely all be unanimous (unless one or two councillors want to play the tune of not using $22.5 million in Free Cash to reduce the FY22 tax rate because, you know, everyone would just love to pay higher taxes). I will also remind everyone, as Bob Healy would do every year at this time, that the City Council does not actually set the residential and commercial tax rates. That responsibility rests with the MA Dept. of Revenue even though (unless somebody miscalculated) the City has already done the calculations and knows the inevitable outcome, i.e. a residential tax rate of $5.92 per thousand and a commercial tax rate of $11.23 per thousand. The rates for last year were, respectively $5.85 and $11.85.
Here's the full list what struck me as interesting this week:
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to votes necessary to seek approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of the tax rate for FY2022.
Referred to Special Meeting at 6:30pm on Tax Classification; 11 Orders Adopted
Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan voted against using Free Cash and overlay surplus/reserves to reduce tax rate.
$22,500,000 in Free Cash to reduce FY22 tax rate - Adopted 7-2 (JSW,QZ - NO);
$2,500,000 in overlay surplus/reserves to reduce FY22 tax rate - Adopted 7-2 (JSW,QZ - NO);
$9,500,000 from City Debt Stabilization Fund as revenue source to General Fund Budget - Adopted 8-1 (QZ - NO)
Late Order #9. That the Housing Committee and Finance Committee hold a joint public meeting to discuss the property tax rate and progressive revenue. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
There are so many statistics you could look at when comparing things over the years, but here are a few:
| Year |
Property Tax Levy |
Annual
Increase |
Residential
Tax Rate
(per $1000) |
Commercial
Tax Rate
(per $1000) |
Ratio
(Comm/Res) |
Median
Tax
(single) |
Median
Tax
(condo) |
Median
Tax
(2-fam) |
Median
Tax
(3-fam) |
| FY2022 |
$514,805,115 |
4.70% |
$5.92 |
$11.23 |
1.90 |
$6,477 |
$1,672 |
$5,927 |
$7,240 |
| FY2021 |
$472,520,148 |
7.85% |
$5.85 |
$11.85 |
2.03 |
$5,761 |
$1,608 |
$5,471 |
$6,711 |
| FY2020 |
$438,128,694 |
6.91% |
$5.75 |
$12.68 |
2.21 |
$5,515 |
$1,605 |
$5,340 |
$6,493 |
| FY2019 |
$409,809,861 |
5.33% |
$5.94 |
$13.71 |
2.31 |
$5,066 |
$1,562 |
$4,974 |
$6,124 |
| FY2018 |
$389,080,359 |
4.40% |
$6.29 |
$14.81 |
2.35 |
$4,942 |
$1,541 |
$4,682 |
$5,655 |
| FY2017 |
$372,674,087 |
5.15% |
$6.49 |
$16.12 |
2.48 |
$4,806 |
$1,465 |
$4,649 |
$5,594 |
| FY2016 |
$354,430,753 |
3.80% |
$6.99 |
$17.71 |
2.53 |
$4,482 |
$1,454 |
$4,412 |
$5,258 |
| FY2015 |
$341,445,455 |
3.93% |
$7.82 |
$19.29 |
2.47 |
$4,418 |
$1,472 |
$4,310 |
$5,040 |
| FY2014 |
$328,544,945 |
3.66% |
$8.38 |
$20.44 |
2.44 |
$4,407 |
$1,457 |
$3,976 |
$4,787 |
| FY2013 |
$316,947,770 |
5.97% |
$8.66 |
$21.50 |
2.48 |
$4,298 |
$1,495 |
$3,866 |
$4,586 |
| FY2012 |
$299,090,641 |
5.33% |
$8.48 |
$20.76 |
2.45 |
$4,139 |
$1,430 |
$3,786 |
$4,501 |
| FY2011 |
$283,961,699 |
5.69% |
$8.16 |
$19.90 |
2.44 |
$3,870 |
$1,370 |
$3,609 |
$4,286 |
| FY2010 |
$268,662,984 |
5.38% |
$7.72 |
$18.75 |
2.43 |
$3,564 |
$1,293 |
$3,477 |
$4,132 |
| FY2009 |
$254,945,578 |
5.20% |
$7.56 |
$17.97 |
2.38 |
$3,445 |
$1,224 |
$3,430 |
$4,091 |
Note: Condominium owners continue to get the sweetest deal of all.
The trained (and maybe even the not-so-trained) eye will notice that the skewing of the tax rates is declining for a combination of reasons. Also embedded in the City Manager's letter is the warning that, “a major concern going forward is that if residential value increases outpaced commercial/industrial/personal property increases, the City could hit the ceiling for the property tax classification shift. Once the classification ceiling is reached, the residential class will bear the majority of any tax levy increase.”
Cambridge residents, and especially condominium owners, have for some years enjoyed the luxury of relatively tame residential real estate taxes thanks to the policy of shifting most of the tax burden onto commercial properties.
Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-22, regarding updating neighborhood organization lists.
Placed on File 9-0
Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to re-establish the Community School Neighborhood Councils. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0
“The Community Development Department (CDD) maintains a list of neighborhood organizations on its website. CDD recently reached out to known neighborhood organizations listed on the website to ensure information is current and accurate. Neighborhood planners are tasked with reaching out to neighborhood organizations annually to keep the information updated. Moreover, the webpage now includes clear information on how leaders of new or existing neighborhood organizations can report changes to neighborhood planners. CDD is currently working to further improve user friendliness of its neighborhood organizations webpage.”
Meanwhile, the “A Better Cambridge” group is doing all that they can to challenge the legitimacy of any and all neighborhood organizations.
Perhaps the best model for resident and neighborhood involvement would be a hybrid between neighborhood organizations (which are free to advocate as they see fit) and a revised and enhanced array of Community School Neighborhood Councils that can tap into City services and resources. That model has worked well in the past in my Mid-Cambridge neighborhood and in some other neighborhoods.
Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-33, regarding Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment standards in the review of development projects.
Placed on File 9-0
I have nothing in particular to say about this other than the general observation that just as horse stables gradually vanished giving way to garages and service stations, so too will a more comprehensive system for charging electric vehicles have to develop as gasoline-powered vehicles gradually give way to electric vehicle and perhaps even autonomous vehicles (for which we will be subscribers and not actual owners).
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to make available the appropriate staff and information pertaining to past efforts to establish a Green Jobs program. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0
I doubt many people these days will dispute the value of job training for “green jobs.” Where I part company with these councillors is in their belief that this should best be done as a City program. It seems pretty clear that “Green Jobs” companies will do a far better job of this training and that it would be far more appropriate to simply connect our residents with these employers and make it as advantageous as possible for such companies to set up shop hear and in our surrounding communities.
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to establish a written plan designed to ensure that Black people, LatinX, Indigenous people, and people of color will be recruited by the City, trained, and placed in leadership positions throughout the municipal government. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
I agree completely in the value of acting affirmatively in recruitment, training, and advancement, but I have never agreed with the notion that anyone should be “placed in leadership positions” based solely or primarily on their race or ethnicity - or any other fact, for that matter, other than who is the best person for the job.
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct appropriate staff to design a Language Access Plan in conjunction with the Cambridge Public Schools. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #5. That the City Council go on record requesting that the Neighborhood & Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee hold a hearing to discuss the ways the city might support residents interested in having pickle and paddle ball opportunities available. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0
When I first moved to Cambridge from New York City in 1978 I brought my paddleball racket with me. I soon discovered that nobody in the area played either handball or paddleball - which were played everywhere in NYC.
Order #6. City Council support of the MIT Graduate Student Union. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
I understand that unionization of graduate student is “a thing” these days, but I remain perplexed at the notion that the United Auto Workers are organizing graduate students at Harvard, and apparently now the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America is organizing graduate students at MIT. I agree that graduate students should not be exploited as cheap labor with minimal benefits, but I also understand that the primary goal of a graduate student is to get a degree and no longer be a graduate student. It's not like we want to be awarding gold watches to graduate students for their many years of service.
Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to present a plan, which includes funding, and the findings of any feasibility study of any DHSP and any other City department providing children and/or city youth programs, for rapidly expanding out of school time in the city to create enough slots for all families who need it. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to convene a Caregiver Advisory Council that is overly represented by high priority families will be convened in partnership with DHSP that engages key stakeholders that includes, but is not limited to, the Agenda for Children, current and former out of school time staff and leadership, and out of school time community benefit organizations. Such a council will receive reports as ordered by Policy Order 2021 #201 that describe who applied and were enrolled, capacity, staffing, and outreach efforts. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0
I read an article in the Boston Globe yesterday (Human services agencies face staffing crisis, delaying services for those in need) explaining that “A steady stream of workers have left community-based human services jobs during the pandemic, and many jobs are going unfilled, leading to a staffing shortage that has reached emergency levels, providers say. Some programs are facing vacancy rates as high as 60 percent.” I also recall that our own Ellen Semonoff (DHSP) said recently that the limitation in providing slots in programs had more to do with lack of staff than lack of funding. City councillors may want to expand access to such programs, but you still need the content and the staff to provide anything of value.
Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee met on Apr 14, 2021 to conduct a public hearing regarding the City’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Charter Right - Zondervan
Let the record show that City staff did an extraordinary job in helping us to navigate this pandemic even though nobody had a guidebook that laid out all that needed to be done. Let's also remember some of the Big Ideas that were proposed in the political arena that fell flat and were based on a combination of misunderstanding about the transmission of the virus as well as separate agendas about hostility toward motor vehicles. Remember those streets that were supposed to be pedestrian-priority but where almost all pedestrians still preferred the sidewalks, and where drivers used the barriers for slalom driving? Perhaps the most successful reconfiguration was the expansion of outdoor patios (street and sidewalk) that helped some businesses survive and which will likely continue, though perhaps in a more limited way, beyond this pandemic. - Robert Winters
Comments?
It's a relatively compact agenda this week. Here are some of the seemingly more significant items on the agenda:
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Unfinished Business #5. That the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge be amended to allow the service of postoperative care for a dog (Ordinance #2021-16). [Referred to Committee In Council June 28, 2021; Passed to a Second Reading In Council Sept 13, 2021; To Be Ordained on or after Sept 27, 2021]
Ordained 9-0
Resolution #2. Thanks to Michael Monestime for his five years of work as Executive Director of the Central Square Business Association and best wishes in his future endeavors. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Resolution Adopted 9-0
Those of us who have been actively involved for a long time in trying to restore Central Square to its full potential will testify as to just how long people talked without success about establishing a Business Improvement District (hint - it was more than a quarter-century). Getting that level of agreement among many property owners was, as the saying goes, like herding cats. It was only when two main stars came into alignment that the impossible became possible - the energetic, take-no-prisoners efforts of Patrick Barrett, and the charismatic, hard-working, and relentlessly optimistic presence of Michael Monestime.
From there the approval of the BID seemed almost easy because of the level of well-founded faith that everyone had in these two individuals to make things happen and to make things happen right. They chose great people for their staff and as their ambassadors on the street, and they managed to strike the right balance with City management and the City departments in terms of responsibility and initiative while being respectful of the surrounding neighborhoods. The pandemic was the ultimate test of not only how well the City could work with the BID, but also how well the BID could work with the local business community to find ways to survive the storm. Starlight Square is just one shining example, but there was much more and there will be much more.
Not every business weathered the storm, but the Central Square business district in now well-positioned to emerge in good shape. Michael Monestime was a big part of how we got through this and why there is continued cause for optimism. Michael has the Midas touch, so look for great things in all that he does from here.
Order #1. Resolution Condemning the Treatment of Haitian Immigrants in Texas. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Order #3. Affirming Reproductive Freedom. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Toomey - Present)
Order #5. End Title 42 Deportations. Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0
I'm not sure that all national and foreign policy will yield to the exhortations of the Cambridge City Council, but knock yourselves out.
Order #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to reach out to the owner of 689 Massachusetts Avenue to inquire about the prospect of selling this building to the City of Cambridge, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0
While I suppose the City could grab this building at significant cost to house the City Council aides or for some other purpose, this really is in the core of the Central Square business district and I would hate to see it turned over to institutional use. That said, Councillor Simmons has long advocated for some sort of Cambridge-specific museum to showcase our long history. I don't know if this would be a good museum location or if that might be a part of the future uses at this site, but I still would like to see more active ground-level activity throughout Central Square.
Order #6. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work 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, and report back on their progress before the end of the current Council term. Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0
This is a great idea. Though some people would be more than happy to tear down much of Cambridge as they worship at the altar of higher density, it's nice to see that other people still want to celebrate some of the good planning and vision of those who came before us. The riverfront is just one example. There are also a lot of great neighborhoods that are spectacular just as they are.
Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met to conduct a public hearing on Apr 8, 2021 to discuss the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2).
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Speaking of worshiping at the altar of higher density, this cobweb-covered committee report is on a densification proposal that expired in July but which will likely rise from the dead when it's more politically expedient to ram through an even worse iteration. It continues to amaze me how some people see significantly higher density as an end in itself without regard to a wide range of other considerations. Let's try this one more time – Cambridge is already among the most densely developed and densely developed cities in both Massachusetts and the entire United States.
By the way, the committee report indicates that this meeting that is only now being reported 6 months after the fact was not actually adjourned, but recessed. That means that if they should ever decide to reopen the meeting they can just blow off any additional public testimony. That would likely suit some of the councillors just fine – because they're not actually listening to anyone except the choir. - Robert Winters
Comments?
Here are my choices for the notable stuff:
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the recommendations of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2022.
19 Orders Adopted; Reconsideration Fails 0-9
80%-10%-10%. Never changes.
Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request for approval to submit an amendment to the proposed Home Rule Petition for a special law regarding a fire cadet program for the City of Cambridge Fire Department.
Order Adopted 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9
Just a technical revision for clarity.
Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department, the City Solicitor, and other appropriate City staff to compile a report detailing 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
Order Adopted 9-0
I still don't understand the intent of this, though apparently the legal opinion that this “might violate federal fair-housing laws” has led to a more “affirmative action” alternative rather than the previous segregated housing proposal which seemed fundamentally regressive.
Order #4. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with the Public Health Department and report back to the City Council 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
Order Adopted 9-0
This Order is primarily a request for public information, i.e. “it would be helpful for the community to know how decisions are made and what specific milestones need to be achieved.” At first glance I thought it was yet another attempt by inexpert councillors to micromanage our public health professionals. I actually would love to know what the milestones will be – and I hope they come real soon.
Order #5. That section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000 of the Zoning Ordinance, regarding the linkage fee, be amended by substitution. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern
Referred to Housing Committee, Ordinance Committee, and Planning Board 9-0 as Amended
Our “squeeze 'em 'til it hurts” councillors are proposing to increase in one giant leap the Incentive Zoning Linkage Fee from the current $20.10 per square foot to $33.34 per square foot for new commercial developments of more than 30,000 square feet of gross floor area. That's a 66% increase. The fee sat at $4.58 per square foot of new commercial development from 1988 to 2015 when it was increased to $12 per square foot plus periodic annual and CPI adjustments that brought it to the current $20.10 per square foot in 2020.
Order #6. Council Support of H.926, The Massachusetts Schoolchildren Pesticide Protection Act. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0
This is absolutely a good idea, but it's always worth remembering that prior to the (hopefully thoughtful and cautious) use of pesticides and other means to combat food-borne pathogens, sickness and death as well as some cancers (notably stomach cancer) were very common. The Modern World giveth and taketh away.
Order #7. That the City Council urges the US Congress to fulfill its obligation to prevent nuclear war, as outlined in the Back from the Brink campaign. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0 as Amended
So good to see the Cambridge City Council engaging again in what it does best - national and foreign policy.
Order #9. That the City Council schedule a hearing of the Ordinance Committee for the purposes of amending the Ordinance of the City of Cambridge regarding MUNICIPAL BUILDING PERMITS and WAGE THEFT. Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern
Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0
Among other things, it's interesting that in this proposal the City Council is already presuming to have veto power over City Manager appointments. Also, the proposed “Wage Theft Enforcement Committee” would require that “No less than half the committee members shall be Cambridge residents, and no less than half shall be union/labor representatives.” In other words, existing labor unions would control all proposed enforcement.
I will note that even in the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance there is no mention of any union requirements. Indeed, a search for the word “union” in the Zoning Ordinance returns no results.
Committee Report #1. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee met on July 14, 2021 to discuss car storage policies in Cambridge.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
The Cambridge City Council's never-ending war on motor vehicles continues. Councillor Zondervan stated that “car storage is one of the worst land uses cities employ and hopes to achieve zero car storage and usage through policy regime.” Councillor Zondervan has a parking space on his property.
Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from City Clerk, Anthony I. Wilson, transmitting memorandums from City Solicitor, Nancy E. Glowa regarding Minor Correction to Ballot Question No. 3 Which Is to be Placed on the Nov 2, 2021 Ballot Pursuant to Calendar Item No. 3 of 6/28/21. [Note: Date of Election Day corrected – RW]
Amended text Approved 9-0; Report Placed on File 9-0
There is much that can be said on this topic and I will continue to do so in the days to come. The most significant change is the proposal to effectively give a bare majority of the City Council the right to control 100% of the membership of all City boards and commissions. So much for representation of minority viewpoints or, for that matter, expertise from anyone other than those favored by 5 councillors.
As further evidence of the shoddy work of the proponents of these ballot questions, the proposal that would require annual performance reviews of the city manager (which, by the way, they already have the power to do) would amend section 116 of the Plan E Charter that has to do with “General election laws; applicability” even though this proposed change has zero to do with elections. It seems pretty obvious that this should more properly amend section 103 that concerns “City manager; appointment; qualifications; compensation; removal.” Reading is apparently a lost art.
Personally, I feel that the primary intention of these “reforms” is simply to transfer some measure of executive power away from the city manager to the legislature (City Council) - which is supposed to be a policy-making body. The other two ballot questions are superfluous. It's also worth noting that there was essentially zero public process leading up to the Council's decision to place these particular questions on this November's municipal ballot. There are potentially some good amendments to the Charter that could have been considered (for example, modifying the PR elections to eliminate ballot order dependence), but those were never discussed. - Robert Winters
Comments?
After every long break from City Council meetings I generally read through the upcoming agenda with a sense of dread - expecting that the competition to be more outrageous than the other councillors will finally go right off the cliff. There's some of that in this week's agenda and as we head toward Early Voting and the Nov 2 municipal election I'm sure there will be even more attention-seeking rubbish. Here's a sample of agenda items ranging from routine to ridiculous.
The Pandemic and Related Matters
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to authorization to grant street obstruction approvals.
Report Accepted, Placed on File; Order Adopted 9-0
Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Community Development Department, Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs, Department of Public Works, local non-profit organizations, Cambridge businesses dedicated to 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
Adopted 9-0
Elections and Charter Deform
Manager's Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the Board of Election Commissioners for the City Council to vote to authorize in-person early voting for the Nov 2, 2021 Municipal Election, in accordance with Chapter 255 of the Acts of 2020, as amended by Chapter 5 of the Acts of 2021 and Chapter 29 of the Acts of 2021.
Report Accepted, Placed on File; Order Adopted 9-0
RECOMMENDED EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, HOURS AND DAYS
Cambridge Water Department - 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge
Main Library – 449 Broadway, Cambridge
Valente Library – 826 Cambridge Street, Side Entrance on Berkshire Street, Cambridge
| Saturday |
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| October 23 |
October 24 |
October 25 |
October 26 |
October 27 |
October 28 |
October 29 |
| 10am – 3pm |
CLOSED |
11am – 7pm |
10am – 5pm |
11am – 7pm |
10am - 5pm |
10am -5pm |
Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request from the Board of Election Commissioners recommending the relocation of polling sites for the Nov 2, 2021 Municipal Election.
Report Accepted, Placed on File; Order Adopted 9-0
The polling place relocations affect Precincts 1-1, 1-2, 9-2, 9-3, and 11-3.
Order #12. In response to the Election Commission request for a summary argument in support of proposed charter amendments, that the City Council authorize Mayor Siddiqui and Councillor Nolan to submit language to the Election Commission before the deadline on Sept 20, 2021. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Adopted as Amended 9-0
Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from City Clerk, Anthony I. Wilson, transmitting communications from Tanya Ford, Executive Director of the Cambridge Election Commission regarding support and in opposition of the proposed charter amendments to be included in a mailing to voters prior to the Nov 2, 2021 Municipal Election.
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toomey - PRESENT)
Two of the ballots questions aren't necessary because the City Council always had the authority to demand an annual review of the City Manager or a periodic charter review. The other question promises to turn all City boards and commissions into political bodies rather than nonpartisan citizen bodies. Imagine if you will (spoken in Rod Serling tones) a city in which favoring historic preservation at a site of a proposed high density development will disqualify you from serving on the Historic Commission.
Parks and Trees, Birds and Bees
Manager's Agenda #8. 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 9-0 - Siddiqui
Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments on how the City can change practices such that all projects will treat trees as essential infrastructure. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Toomey in Council Aug 2, 2021]
Order Adopted 7-1-1 (Toomey - NO; Simmons - ABSENT)
Order #14. That the City Manager is requested to work with the relevant City departments, the contractor, and the community to take another look at ways in which Sennott Park construction could be contained or compartmentalized in such a way that would allow for various sections or elements of the park to remain safely accessible during the construction period while they are not actively being worked on. Councillor Zondervan
Order Fails of Adopted 4-5 (DC,PN,JSW,QZ - YES; AM,MM,DS,TT,SS - NO)
Many Appointments
Manager's Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as new Associate Members of the Planning Board for a term of five-years, effective Sept 1, 2021: Alan Price and Ashley Tan
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a reappointment and appointment of new members of the Central Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective July 1, 2021 - Reappointments: Esther Hanig, Robert Winters, Michael Monestime, Joel Alstein, Tahir Kapoor; New Appointments: Saffana Anwar and Christopher Fort
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of members to the newly formed BIPOC Business Advisory Committee for a term of one-year, effective Sept 1, 2021.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Manager's Agenda #17. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointments of the following members of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2021:
3-year terms - Yvette Verdieu, James Henderson, Marian Darlington-Hope, Barbara Guthrie, Katherine Kosinski
1-year term: Joshua Posner, Alexander White
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Zoning Petitions for Dogs and People
Manager's Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report with no positive or negative recommendation on Article 22.000 Emissions Accounting Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0
Manager's Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report on the Post-Operative Animal Care zoning petition, which recommends the adoption of an alternative zoning amendment to effect the proposed change.
Referred to Petition 9-0
Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 1, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the petition to amend the Zoning Ordinance by inserting a new row in section 4.31 “Residential Uses” regarding the service of post-operative care for a dog.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Petition Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 9-0
Applications & Petitions #4. A Zoning Petition has been received from Francis Donovan, regarding Advancing Housing Affordability (AHA) zoning petition.
Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 8-0-1 (McGovern ABSENT)
Cannabis, Race, and Patronage
On the Table #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to determine the feasibility of establishing a pilot reparations program that would take a to-be-determined percentage of revenue from local cannabis sales and distribute these monies to local Black-owned businesses and to economic empowerment applicants. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Zondervan in Council June 21, 2021; Placed on the Table in Council June 28, 2021]
Adopted as Amended 9-0
On the Table #5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to establish a restitution program that would take a to-be-determined percentage of revenue from local cannabis sales and distribute these monies to current and former Cambridge residents who have been harmed by the war on drugs, with a targeted launch date of July 2022. [Placed on the Table in Council Aug 2, 2021]
Adopted 9-0
Order #11. That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant City departments, the City Council, the Black community, and the general public in Cambridge to implement the attached proposal to establish a Commission of Racial Justice and Equity. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #13. Amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance. Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone
Amended (section 5.50.040) 9-0; Amended to declare emergency to ordain w/o 2nd Reading 8-1 (Toomey - NO);
Ordained as Amended 8-1 (Toomey - NO); Reconsideration Fails 1-8 (Toomey YES)
Committee Report #3. The Civic Unity Committee me on May 27, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to discuss the recently released 'Social Equity Legislation in Cannabis: A National Study of State and Local Approaches' by the Initiative organization.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Councillor Zondervan, transmitting an explanation of the proposed amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance.
Placed on File 9-0
Pardon my cynicism, but all of this amounts to little more than cash rewards for connected people, and I doubt I'll ever warm up to the idea that only people who meet specific racial identity criteria may serve on a particular board or commission. Another really sweet feature in Order #11 is the demand that all commission members receive $100/hour compensation for meeting attandance and that any work done in addition to meeting attendance shall be compensated through a contract with the city. Requests for political patronage rarely are as transparent as this little gem.
Streets & Cars
On the Table #4. 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 exercised by Councillor McGovern in Council June 28, 2021; Placed on the Table in Council Aug 2, 2021]
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Director of the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department and the City Solicitor to review the City’s residential parking permit program to determine whether the criteria for this program can be modified to speak to the above-referenced concerns and to develop recommendations that speak to these modifications. [An individual obtained residential parking permits for perhaps ten vehicles, all of which are parked on the residential streets near this individual’s home and all of which are primarily utilized not for this individual’s personal use, but instead for the purpose of being rented out (in a concept similar to the peer-to-peer car share model) as a business enterprise.] Councillor Simmons
Adopted 9-0
Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department regarding the feasibility of installing speed bumps on Inman Street. Councillor McGovern
Adopted 9-0
Miscellany – Weapons, Refugees, Security Deposits
Unfinished Business #6. Order to amend the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge to insert new section Restricting the Use of Chemical Crowd Control Agents and Kinetic Impact Projectiles. [Passed to a Second Reading in Council Aug 2, 2021]
Ordained 9-0
Order #8. That the City Council go on record as being willing to work with the Governor’s Office and any nonprofits in helping to settle Afghan refugees in Cambridge should it be needed. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Adopted 9-0
Order #15. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Law Department to review the proposed ordinance regarding Renter Choice (Ordinance #2021-18) and provide feedback on implementation. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons
Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0
Comings and Goings
Resolution #11. Congratulations to Christine Elow on being named Acting Commissioner for the Cambridge Police Department. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan
Adopted as Amended 9-0
Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from City Clerk, Anthony I. Wilson, transmitting a memorandum regarding the current three-year term as City Clerk expiring on May 31, 2022.
Placed on File 8-1 (Carlone - NO)
Comments?
The Midsummer City Council meeting usually brings an enormous number of resolutions and several volatile policy orders and other actions guaranteed to draw a crowd. Strangely, this year brings a short agenda from the City Manager, relatively few resolutions, only ten policy orders, and not a whole lot of controversy. Perhaps the greatest amount of fervor will be outside City Hall starting at 5:00pm when there is a "Save The Trees" rally scheduled that is certain to bring out incumbents and challengers as various groups struggle to frame the issues leading up to this November's municipal election. By the way, the deadline for submitting nomination signatures is 5:00pm on Mon, Aug 2 - no exceptions.
Actually, the pre-meeting show says more about what has gone wrong in Cambridge than anything else. The “Rally for Cambridge Trees” was apparently already planned, but the “Rally for Our Youth” was also scheduled for the same time and place. That's all well and good - the City Hall lawn can handle multiple gatherings - but the real dysfunction has been in the competing rhetoric on the various listservs. Based on the principle that walking and chewing gum simultaneously is not physically possible, the insufferably righteous have effectively declared that if you want to preserve trees you must clearly not care about gun violence, or housing affordability, or anything else.
We live in a time of binary thinking. You either want no cars or you hate cyclists. You either want to hug trees or you want to cut them all down in order to pack in as much building as humanly possible. Perhaps the only thing people agree on is that murdering people is bad, but I haven't yet heard a whole lot of wisdom about what to do about it or if “doing something” will even accomplish anything. Well, at least we can all have rallies 'n stuff.
OK, here's some agenda stuff:
Manager's Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a recommendation of the Cambridge Historical Commission to approve the final Landmark Designation Report for the Alberta V. Scott House at 28 Union Street.
Placed on File; Order Adopted 9-0
This was my friend Ann's house until last year. She is the undisputed Compost Queen of Massachusetts. So this house is doubly significant. By the way, I love reports like this from the Cambridge Historical Commission. It's great living in a city with a lot of history and historical buildings. Hopefully the single-minded density dudes won't tear them all down in their quest for population supremacy.
Charter Right #1. 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 exercised by Councillor McGovern in Council June 28, 2021]
Tabled 9-0 (McGovern)
The real action is on the sidewalks and the patios, not in the middle of the Mass. Ave. - occasional festivals notwithstanding. Let's again talk when you have a big event planned.
Charter Right #2. City Council endorsement of the Agassiz Neighborhood name being changed to the Baldwin Neighborhood in honor of Maria L. Baldwin. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Nolan in Council June 28, 2021]
Order Adopted 9-0
Reparations or patronage - you decide
On the Table #4. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to determine the feasibility of establishing a pilot reparations program that would take a to-be-determined percentage of revenue from local cannabis sales and distribute these monies to local Black-owned businesses and to economic empowerment applicants. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Zondervan in Council June 21, 2021; Placed On The Table in Council June 28, 2021]
Order #8. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to establish a restitution program that would take a to-be-determined percentage of revenue from local cannabis sales and distribute these monies to current and former Cambridge residents who have been harmed by the war on drugs, with a targeted launch date of July 2022. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan
Tabled 9-0 (Simmons)
It's been interesting to see just how thick the conflicts of interest run in this Acapulco Gold Rush. The latest I've heard is that the advocates want to delay “until September so there is more time for community engagement so these policies to reflect the will of the community and time for adding language that reflects a historical reckoning and acknowledges the city of Cambridge’s founding role in slavery.” But seriously, it's all about the money.
Resolutions & a message from the President
Communication #11. A communication was received from Peter Valentine, regarding life security.
Thanks, Peter, as always.
Resolution #8. Resolution on the death of Priscilla McMillan. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone
Resolution #10. Resolution on the death of Robert Moses. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan
While we're remembering Bob Moses, let's not forget the mission of The Algebra Project which is even more relevant today than it was in 1982. Many of us who teach mathematics understand that the road to empowerment is paved with a good education, and that includes a good mathematics education.
Mission
The Algebra Project, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) national, nonprofit organization that uses mathematics as an organizing tool to ensure quality public school education for every child in America. We believe that every child has a right to a quality education to succeed in this technology-based society and to exercise full citizenship. We achieve this by using best educational research and practices, and building coalitions to create systemic changes.
Resolution #13. Thanks to Branville G. Bard, Jr. for his four years of service to the Cambridge Community, and in wishing him great success as he enters his exciting next chapter. Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone
Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Zondervan - NO)
[Note: Councillor Zondervan said, "I have trouble wishing him great success as he enters his exciting next chapter." Mayor Siddiqui then said, "I'm not sure where your manners are." When Zondervan tried to continue, Mayor Siddiqui used her discretion to cut him off - much to the satisfaction of the rest of the City Council.]
I have a lot of respect for Branville Bard - not only for his approach to police work in Cambridge but also for his forthrightness in responding to elected officials who often talk more than they think. We have had a good run of Police Commissioners ever since the position was created - Perry Anderson, Ronnie Watson, Robert Haas, and Branville Bard and those who have served in the interim. In choosing the next Commissioner, I hope great consideration is given to some of the great people currently serving in the Cambridge Police Department.
Resolution #17. Farewell and Best Wishes to Matthew McLaughlin. Councillor Carlone
Fare thee well indeed, but perhaps it's past due for a conversation about the practice of having political activists and elected officials from neighboring cities acting as City Council Aides. My tax dollars and all that.
Addressing violence and public safety
Resolution #11. Resolution on the death of Robert R. “LB” Favreau, III. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Department of Human Service Programs, the Peace Commission, and other relevant City departments to explore the feasibility of providing Equity Roadmap with regular funding for Friday Night Hype. Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Order #3. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to designate a suitable street corner, square or the Pemberton Basketball Courts in honor of Xavier Louis-Jacques. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #4. Policy Order Re Addressing Increased Gun Activity. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0 [Motion by Zondervan to delete the "Ordered" calling for police involvement Failed 1-7-1 (Zondervan YES, Sobrinho-Wheeler - ABSENT)]
“Call for the wailing women to come; send for the most skillful of them. Let them come quickly and wail over us till our eyes overflow with tears and water streams from our eyelids.” - Jeremiah 9:17-18 (thanks to Denise Simmons)
I have no idea what the best course of action is in addressing gun violence in Cambridge or elsewhere, but I do sometimes think about the fact that if I was a young man in Cambridge these days my choices for fun wouldn't be so great. Of all the suggestions I have heard, the only one that rings true to me is simply giving people some alternatives, e.g. sports, music, streetcorner philosophizing, math, science, computers. I really don't think politicians have a whole lot to offer here, but I'll definitely be listening to My Brother's Keeper.
Committee Report #1. The Public Safety Committee and the Human Services & Veterans Committee met on Jan 19, 2021 to hear from community experts on possible ways to design a community-centered public safety response service.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee met on June 2, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on an order to amend the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge to insert new section Restricting the Use of Chemical Crowd Control Agents and Kinetic Impact Projectiles.
Report Accepted, Placed on File, Order Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0
Order #2. City Council support of HD.3457 and SD.2309, An Act Relative to Electric Bicycles. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0
I suppose this is a good thing, but you know what the scariest, craziest thing I see on the roads these days is? People zipping along at high speed on electric skateboards and scooters - right side and wrong side of the street, weaving through traffic, onto and off of sidewalks, and passing at high speed to the right of right-turning motor vehicles. I wonder how they fit into this bill.
Order #5. Support for Replenishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Committee Report #3. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee met on June 8, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to discuss strategies and opportunities to alleviate permit and license fees for small businesses, through possible consolidation or elimination.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments on how the City can change practices such that all projects will treat trees as essential infrastructure. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Charter Right - Toomey
I suppose this Order will go hand-in-hand with the rally before the meeting. It will be interesting to see how many councillors who voted to exempt all subsidized housing proposals from tree protections will now be out in front hugging trees on the City Hall lawn.
Quality of Life
Order #7. That the City Manager instruct the Community Development Department to draft zoning amendments requiring special permits be required for research and development, laboratory and research facilities in the districts noted in the attached memorandum to ensure a robust community process. Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0
This is a good initiative. If zoning was originally meant in part as a way to create some separation between kindergartens and smokestacks, it seems more than appropriate today to find some way to ensure that residents don't have to be subjected to the noise of 24-hour-per-day mechanicals and other activity from laboratory and similar buildings.
Order #9. That the City Manager confer with the Department of Public Works, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, the Community Development Department, and other relevant City staff to discuss the feasibility of committing financial resources to assist in redesigning and/or reshaping the outdoor public ways, natural space and infrastructure including sidewalks, protected bike lanes and tree canopy at the southern edge of Jerry’s Pond along Rindge Avenue to make it more accessible, more green and more equitable and to create a welcoming entryway to Cambridge from the west. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0
This could be be a really great place with a little TLC. I can't wait until someone calls it gentrification.
Order #10. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to report back to the City Council on how the city is working to get City and Public School staff to 100% vaccinated, including the possibility of mandating vaccinations 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
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Just require vaccination. Meanwhile, the City Council will be phoning it in from home while they talk about City staff in City buildings.
Order #12. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to immediately reimplement and extend Cambridge’s eviction moratorium until at least October 31, 2021. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0
Down the Tubes
Committee Report #4. The Government Operations committee met on June 29, 2021 to discuss the hiring of the next City Manager.
Report Accepted, Placed on File, Two Orders Adopted 9-0
I would rather leave this choice to nine random strangers than to this City Council. The only question I have at this point is whether they'll choose the next city manager for the sake of a “Look at-us!” press release or because they want a compliant rubber stamp.
Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui and Councillor Nolan, transmitting information about the Attorney General’s ruling on Calendar Item #3 (Charter Amendments). [City Solicitor’s Letter (July 19)] [Atty. General’s Letter (July 26)] [Proposed Charter Amendments]
Placed on File 9-0
What they call “a year-long discussion and review” was really virtually no process at all. As for the specific ballot questions: (1) Requiring an annual review of the City Manager is something they have always had the power to require without any need to amend the charter. (2) Reviewing the Charter every decade is also something they could have done all along, but perhaps there really wasn't the need. (3) Requiring City Council approval of all appointments to City boards and commissions is the surest way to politicize all of the boards with any regulatory authority. I wonder how Councillor Nolan will feel when Historical Commission appointees start being rejected for voting to preserve historic buildings rather than allow them to be torn down for the sake of ever-greater density. I have long felt that the City Manager - whether it was Bob Healy, Rich Rossi, or Louis DePasquale have at least tried to have a good cross-section of residents - even though it has often been challenging to get a rich pool of applicants. In the new regime, all it will take will be 5 councillors to control 100% of the membership of City boards. At this rate, I may be the next person leading the charge for charter reform - just to undo the damage of this City Council.
Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui and Councillor Nolan, communication regarding the formation of a Climate Crisis Working Group.
Placed on File 9-0
Once again, that that Rahm Emanuel quote comes to mind: “Never allow a good crisis go to waste. It’s an opportunity to do the things you once thought were impossible.” That can bring good things, or that can bring oppressive restrictions simply because they can. - Robert Winters
Comments?
City Council main page.