2025 City Council Agenda Notes: January to June

2025 City Council Agenda Notes - January to June
(transferred from main Council Notes page)

The Other Shoe Drops - February 10, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

It should be noted that this Regular City Council meeting will be preceded by a 3:00pm Special Meeting relating to negotiations to extend the contract of City Manager Yi-An Huang. Public comment will permitted at that meeting prior to going into Executive Session.

The Big Items (other than any developments on the City Manager’s contract) are the inevitable ordination of the ill-begotten Multi-Family Housing zoning (better characterized as the Gargantuan Upzoning Amendment) and an Order to move ahead on Municipal Broadband - regardless of cost.

Here are the items on the Regular Meeting that drew my attention this week: City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Cambridge Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan final adoption. (CM25#26) [text of report and Order]
Order Adopted, Placed on File 9-0

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to create a plan with a schedule and milestones to move forward with the creation of a Municipal Broadband Network and present it for consideration by the Council at a Finance Committee meeting in the context of capital projects for coming years. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by JSW dismissing concerns about feasibility claiming much consultation with City officials; Nolan notes that service would not be free, says this Order in not a mandate to move forward, notes importance of net neutrality, says this is a necessary utility, calls it a manageable investment; Toner notes opposition due to range of “Whereas” statements, $150-250 million cost and changing technologies, other ways to address Internet equity; McGovern says he has been supportive of this, but notes different financial circumstances now, refers to “Trump-Musk administration” and federal cuts, proposes amendment to strike to “to move forward to the creation…” clause; Zusy concurs re: current financial circumstances, notes other ways digital equity is being addressed; Siddiqui OK with amendment; Wilson says conversation is important; Simmons says affordable Internet now not a luxury but a necessity, need for greater digital equity, notes that proposal doesn’t assure lower cost; McGovern amendment to remove “to move forward” Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Toner-No)

Though I have no strong feelings on Municipal Broadband, I am aware of the significant costs associated with it as well as the risks and uncertainty of moving forward on an infrastructure proposal in an environment where emerging technologies may make this obsolete. I am also reminded of the various meetings and presentations on the tax levy over the last year and the repeated advice that the City needs to be more fiscally prudent in the near term. Perhaps Councillors Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui, Nolan, and Wilson didn’t get the memo. Or maybe this is being introduced strategically right now as the City Manager’s contract extension is being negotiated. Or maybe it’s just another municipal election year bauble to be dangled in front of the electorate even though there is little or no indication that this will yield any cost savings for consumers. For the record, I deeply dislike Comcast/Xfinity - but mainly because of the crappy Cable TV options which, by the way, never enter into the discussions about Municipal Broadband.

Unfinished Business #1. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to Ordinance 2025 #1 Multi-family Zoning Petition-Part 1. [Passed to 2nd Reading Jan 27, 2025; Amended Feb 3, 2025; Eligible to be Ordained Feb 10, 2025; Expires Feb 17, 2025] (ORD25#1) [Final Version as Ordained]
pulled by Azeem; Azeem amendment to footnote as suggested by CDD staff Adopted 9-0; McGovern amendment re: required abutters meeting that would have required notification to Planning Boards in adjacent towns (not viewable in recording of meeting); Nolan comments on electronic notification; McGovern amendment Adopted 8-0-1 (Toner-Absent); Zusy comments on this proposal producing most luxury units, raised real estate values, displacement, and other negative outcomes, suggests delaying this or reconsidering “3+3” alternative and establish funding mechanisms, community land trust; Azeem praises himself and Siddiqui; Siddiqui calls this her “birthday present”, suggests even more aggressive changes and “being intentional”, dismisses concerns of others as “fear of change”; McGovern addresses concern about “luxury units” and that target population is people who make too much money to be eligible for Inclusionary Housing units, calls this “good government”; Toner concurs and acknowledges that many people will be upset with his vote in favor, dismisses concerns about over-building on small lots, wants to now move forward on Squares and Corridors; Wilson emphasizes “crisis”, says she preferred “3+3” alternative; Nolan credits herself for initializing process for eliminating single-family zoning, says she preferred “3+3” alternative claiming it would have yielded more units and more affordability; Sobrinho-Wheeler notes that all current single-family housing sell for at least $1.5 million, says this change will yield 60% of all new buildings having affordable units; Simmons notes long process and suggests this will yield affordability for generations, says “leadership means making difficult choices”, says Squares and Corridors, housing vouchers next targets, says “we are a role model”; Petition Ordained as Amended 8-1 (Zusy-No); Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Unfinished Business #2. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to ORDINANCE 2025 #2 Multi-family Zoning Petition-Part 2. [Passed to 2nd Reading Jan 27, 2025; Eligible to be Ordained Feb 10, 2025; Expires Feb 17, 2025] (ORD25#2) [Final Version as Ordained]
pulled by Azeem; Petition Ordained as Amended 8-1 (Zusy-No); Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Late Order #6. That the City Manager direct the Community Development Department and Law Department to draft an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that would make the provisions of Section 11.207.5.2.1, Paragraph (e), which allow qualified increases in building height under the Affordable Housing Overlay, not applicable in the Residence C-1 district. Councillor Toner
Late Order Adopted 9-0

Other than the allowance of multi-family housing in all residential districts (which is not controversial), I think this gargantuan zoning change is a huge mistake. The existence of varying heights and densities in different parts of Cambridge is a feature - not a bug. I am also acutely aware of the value of setbacks and access - especially in regard to fire safety. Sometimes I think some of our city councillors are just robots created as part of an MIT project – programmed to solve some maximum packing problem set with no sense of aesthetics, liveability, or community. Meanwhile, the activists promise benefits like cheaper rents and lower costs that will most likely never be realized - at least not as a result of these zoning changes. Sometimes the call of “crisis” is just a tool to ram things through - both nationally and locally.

Committee Report #1. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a public hearing on Jan 28, 2025 to discuss inter-jurisdictional projects that are in play that may impact mobility in Cambridge. The discussion was focused on the Community Development Department’s report of Nov 14, 2024 to the City Council, Awaiting Report 24-36. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

I attended this meeting primarily to alert the councillors (at least those who actually listen) to some alternative approaches to pedestrian and bicycle-friendly crossings of the Charles River.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with appropriate departments to prepare a communication to DCR Commissioner Arrigo, urging that a study of traffic conditions at the intersections of Western Avenue and River Street at Memorial Drive and Soldiers Field Road (commonly referred to as “the box”), be included in their FY26 Capital Plan. Councillor Zusy, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

This was one of the priorities discussed at the above meeting. Many of the current crop of activists only see merit in lane reductions and obstructions that make automobile use as difficult as possible. Reality sometimes has to intervene. - RW

Comments?

Trumping History - February 3, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

City Hall - Paige Barring divine intervention, the ordination of The Bigger Cambridge Zoning is expected to happen next week (Feb 10) after being passed to a 2nd Reading at last week’s meeting. Having experienced a building fire this past Thursday just 10 feet from my house on Broadway, I have never felt the need for space between buildings more than I do right now. Urban planning in Cambridge is being steadily eclipsed by the urge to pack everything closer and stack everything higher. On the bright side, I suspect more than a few residents who rarely vote in local elections may have a change of heart this year now that new building heights and densities may soon be doubling or tripling in their neighborhoods.

Last week the second meeting of the “Special Committee of the Whole” looked at some of the more fringy proposals from some of the more fringy councillors. They dropped the proposal to double City Council terms from 2 years to 4 years when they heard some of the negative aspects that they should have understood all along had they been actually paying attention. The proposal to expand City Council authority in the City Budget process was soundly bashed by City staff, but its chief advocate (Sobrinho-Wheeler, DSA-Cambridge) chose to strategically withdraw it for possible revision rather than see it go down in flames. The proposal to have Department Head appointments be subject to City Council approval was mercifully put to sleep, but there will be another meeting on Feb 13 to continue discussion of some of the other problematic proposals. What they do after that is anyone’s guess, but I hope they will at least take a second look at the mechanisms for citizen redress as well as what appears to be a drastically watered down version of the Plan E prohibition of city councillors going around the city manager to direct or pressure City staff.

As for this week’s meeting, here are some things of possible interest:

Manager’s Agenda #1, #2, #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Surveillance Technology Impact Report (STIR). [#1 - Automated License Plate Recognition; #2 - Locked Cellular Device Access Software; #3 - Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicle] (CM25#9)
pulled by Toner noting that these have already been through Public Safety Committee; Police Commissioner Christine Elow, Dept. Supt. John Boyle explain; Toner notes how drones may have been helpful in Faisal case, asks about circumstances when information gathered might be shared outside CPD; Boyle explains; Toner highlights unsolved murders and hesitancy of some people to come forward with information, trust in CPD; Zusy concurs with Toner, asks about use of surveillance in LA and in NYC, concerns about federal overreach; Elow explains how we have been at a deficit w/o these technologies, need to ask community with cameras, agrees that timing couldn’t be worse with new administration; City Solicitor Megan Bayer notes how policy is to protect residents in line with Welcoming City Ordinance; Yi-An Huang notes when it is appropriate to work with federal agencies in criminal investigations; Zusy asks about use of technologies to monitor protests; Boyle emphasizes that these would not be used to restrict speech but to monitor effects on traffic; Azeem comments, especially re: sharing of information; Megan Bayer explains about license plate recording and redaction of information; Azeem asks about “Proud Boys” illustration (suggesting that he would be OK with sharing info on some organizations but not others) and about joint investigation of extremist groups; Elow notes need for probable cause; Huang objects to these hypotheticals; McGovern notes that as a privileged white male he would not be subject to surveillance; Sobrinho-Wheeler says that only concept of surveillance was discussed at Public Safety Committee, wants to refer all 3 reports to Public Safety for further discussion; Huang notes uncertain times but says drone footage not high priority, real priority in keeping community safe; Wilson notes loss of friends to gun violence and how some technology might have been helpful in solving these crimes; Wilson motion to accept reports on license plate identification and cell phone data access; Siddiqui objects to Wilson motions, suggests that technology use overly broad, objects to use of drones; Nolan has concerns about drones, wants ACLU in conversation; Elow offers example of how technology would be used; Simmons offers additional explanation; Huang notes use of license plate readers to capture places in and out of the city; Nolan questions re: access to phones; Simmons notes Charlene Moore, Anthony Clay, Xavier Louis-Jacques murders and difficulty in bringing murder charges, reality that cameras and other technologies are already all around us, disproportionate effect of violence on Black and Brown communities and need to bring those most affected into conversation; Motion to approve license plate readers, cell phones access and to refer use of drones to Public Safety Committee Adopted 6-3 (BA,MM,PT,AW,CZ,DS - Yes; PN,SS,JSW - No)

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-69 regarding asbestos concerns with the MBTA’s Alewife construction. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, DPW Commissioner Kathy Watkins, Zusy, Sam Lipson (Senior Director of Environmental Health); Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $65,000 to be allocated to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations Other Ordinary Maintenance Account. This grant will support activities focused on the themes of revolution and independence, celebrating the significant historical milestones that have taken place in Cambridge.
Order Adopted 9-0

“This grant will support activities focused on the themes of revolution and independence, celebrating the significant historical milestones that have taken place in Cambridge.” … “Events will take place from April through June 2025, with a marketing campaign beginning in February.”

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of members of the Broadway Street Safety Improvement Project Working Group.
pulled by Zusy - notes timing of these appointments after most conclusions already made, imbalance of appointments tilted toward cycling advocates; Jeff Parenti (TPT) says Cycling Safety Ordinance dictates most except for finer details, esp. use of side streets to make up for loss of parking (which is beyond ridiculous from point of view of resident parking); Parenti deflects concerns about representativeness of the committee; Zusy suggests there should have been a commercial representative on the committee, lot of concern from residents about loss of parking, asks about use of parking lots (which is essentially irrelevant for Broadway); Owen O’Riordan notes recent amendments to TPDM ordinance; Wilson asks how many applications were received (over 30), also has concerns about representativeness of the appointments; Parenti says you don’t want too few or too many people on the committee; Wilson wants to hear from all people; Toner suggests mailing to all property owners w/parking lots (which is a deflection and fails to not potential exorbitant cost); Nolan notes limitations on what the committee can affect (the implication being that there will be no changes to the CSO); Appointments Approved, Placed on File 9-0

First, it’s just “Broadway”, not “Broadway Street”. We’ll see how this advisory process goes, but what many residents of Mid-Cambridge really want is to simply remove Broadway from the list of streets to be reconfigured in this manner, and that tide is rising.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a report on the use of M.G.L. Ch. 40U to determine which local statutes can be enforced by the local-option procedure in order to better collect fines in violation of Cambridge ordinances and provide a recommendation to the City Council for implementation of Ch. 40U procedures. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zusy
Order Adopted 9-0

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to install “Bicycles Must Yield” signs along the Linear Park Parkway, Russell Field, Cambridge Commons, and any other shared use pathway determined appropriate by the City Manager and staff. [Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler, Jan 27, 2025]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler w/concerns about staff capacity and who would be putting up/removing (A-frame) signs; Jeff Parenti would prefer to not deal with these and to use only fixed metal signs (Share the Path; Keep Right); Toner, Nolan, Zusy, Wilson supportive of improved signage; Azeem asks what exactly would change; Owen O’Riordan explains; Order Adopted 8-1 (JSW-No)

Charter Right #2. Condolences to the family of Janet Rose. [Charter Right – Simmons, Jan 27, 2025]
Resolution Adopted as Amended by Substitution 9-0

Charter Right #3. That the City Council Amend Petition One, Section 5.40, Footnote (2) to add paragraph (c) to read: (c) If the building does not require a Planning Board Advisory Consultation per Section 19.40 of this Zoning Ordinance and does not require any special permit from the Planning Board, then before applying for a building permit, the applicant shall schedule an in-person or virtual meeting to answer questions and gather feedback from abutters and shall prepare a notification including, at a minimum, a general description of the project, the date, time, location, and other information necessary for people to attend the meeting, and contact information (telephone and e-mail, at minimum) for the developer and shall provide that notification by mail to abutters, owners of land directly opposite on any public or private street or way, and abutters to the abutters within three hundred feet of the property line of the lot, and to others whom the applicant may choose to contact, and shall include with the building permit application a copy of the notification and mailing list, a summary of the meeting, who attended, and what questions and feedback were received. [Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler, Jan 27, 2025] [amended text]
taken up with Unfinished Business #4; McGovern comments, motion to amend by substitution; Nolan also proposes amendment; comments by Jeff Roberts (CDD); Zusy suggests that is neighborhood associations can do hybrid meetings then developers should also be able to do so; Simmons, Toner, Wilson comments - keep it simple; Nolan amendment Adopted 9-0; Megan Bayer clarifies language; Simmons comments; Sobrinho-Wheeler amendment to allow online notifications Adopted 9-0; Megan Bayer notes that this amendment is a new footnote to proposed ordinance; City Clerk LeBlanc clarifies votes; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0; Additional Amendment to add footnote #37 and to strike previous amendment 9-0; Zusy asks about proposal change 75' height to 74' height in Res. C-1 districts (due to AHO concerns) and to have 40% open space requirement (up from 30%), at least half permeable, for buildings over 75,000 sq ft; Toner seeks examples of where these apply; Jeff Roberts, Melissa Peters explain; JSW concerned about how this might affect unit count; Simmons withdraws this for now.

Unfinished Business #4. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to Ordinance 2025 #1 Multifamily Zoning Petition-Part 1. [Passed to 2nd Reading Jan 27, 2025; Eligible to be Ordained Feb 10, 2025] (ORD25#1) [amended text]
taken up with Charter Right #3; Amended 9-0

The general trend with recent City Councils is to limit most neighborhood and abutter feedback on development proposals and, in the case of the AHO to eliminate or greatly limit the roles of the Planning Board and BZA. They see the book “Neighborhood Defenders” as the last word and that all feedback is inherently NIMBYism. My sense is that if Sobrinho-Wheeler and several others could have their way, the only permissible objections would be from renters.

205 Communications: 73 pro-upzoning, 106 opposed, 15 for the “3+3” alternative (Councillor Wilson commented last week that “the community” supports the “3+3” proposal - based on what exactly?), and 11 others on various topics.

Resolution #4. Congratulations to Robyn Culbertson on the occasion of her retirement as Executive Director of the Office for Tourism. Mayor Simmons

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee and Housing Committee held a joint public hearing on July 10, 2024 to review and discuss the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust and to discuss the City’s relationship with the Trust, consider funding priorities, and ways to fund affordable housing development in Cambridge. [text of report]
Comments by Nolan - meeting recessed, now closed, possible future meetings on topic; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Comments?

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Flushing - January 27, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Robert Moses In the spirit of issuing problematic Executive Orders by the bushel, our intrepid city councillors are expected to move The Bigger Cambridge Zoning forward this week en route to a swift ordination in mid-February. Hey, a 5 foot-wide backyard is plenty, right? Only a capitalist NIMBY could possibly want more. So feel free to shout “Urban Renewal!” from the rooftops, but you had better yell loudly so that they can hear you down at ground level. I also encountered this week a proponent of A Bigger Cambridge who publicly declared that only people with driveways should be allowed to own cars in Cambridge. You can’t make this stuff up.

There is also a Special City Council meeting at 4:00pm to discuss strategy in preparation for negotiations with the City Manager relative to his contract. Perhaps most importantly, there is an 11:00am Monday meeting of the “Special Committee of the Whole”, i.e. all 9 councillors, to take up some of the more problematic suggestions for Charter changes proposed by some of its more radical members. There are also rumors of a possible ballot question campaign from Cambridge’s most problematic clown-car (DSA or “Democratic Socialists of America” - Cambridge Chapter) to throw out Cambridge’s Council-Manager form of government in favor of a strongman (or strongwoman or strongsomething) form of local government. Should the ballot question materialize, there is little doubt that it would be paired with the City Council campaigns of one or more socialist candidates in search of a Big Issue. Perhaps someone named Stalin or Castro will throw his hat in the ring. Then again, perhaps a couple more incumbents will hop in the clown-car.

On the matter of the proposed Cambridge Charter, I noticed that the current draft lacks at least two notable provisions that have been a part of the Plan E Charter since it was adopted in 1940: (1) the provision for citizen-initiated referendums and initiative petitions, and (b) the felony prohibition of councillors from going past the City Manager to pressure City department heads and other employees. These are Very Large Omissions.

Meanwhile, the Regular 5:30pm Meeting of the Ringwraiths has these notable agenda items:

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments and reappointments of members to the Transit Advisory Committee. [The official report notes 14 new appointees, but there are actually 16, in addition to the 8 reappointments.]
pulled by Nolan who states that women underrepresented in these appointments; Simmons concurs; Yi-An Huang notes limitations of the applicant pool; Appointments Approved, Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to PO24#154, regarding the City’s Sanctuary/Trust Act City status, the protections provided by the 2020 Welcoming Community Ordinance, and the importance of ensuring non-citizens are treated with dignity and respect. (CM25#14) [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Carolina Almonte (Comm. on Immigrant Rights & Citizenship), Simmons, McGovern, Toner (asks what may be coming), Yi-An Huang, Megan Bayer (Law Department), Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan (notes possibility of loss of federal funding), Simmons, McGovern (on what City cannot do), Wilson; Placed on File 9-0

When the Feds descend on Cambridge (and they will), this will likely be The Big Story.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on negotiations with Harvard University regarding PILOT payments.
pulled by Toner; updates by Yi-An Huang (50 year agreement in 2004, City option to terminate at end of 20 years, 1 year extension in Sept 2023, expired at end of 2024), Harvard now negotiating in good faith, many changes over 20 years, expectation of increased commitment from Harvard, proposals have been exchanged but still being negotiated, issue of how to value in-kind contributions, seek agreement by July 2025, existing agreement was $4.7 million PILOT in 2024); comments/questions by Toner (asks if we need to terminate the existing agreement); Huang notes one extension already, acknowledges risk of losing current PILOT funding, notes that it is interest of both Harvard and the City to come to an agreement; Sobrinho-Wheeler wants increased PILOT w/o counting in in-kind contributions, prefers shorter (20-year) term; Wilson asks who is involved in the negotiations, what happens if no agreement by July, status of MIT PILOT agreement (50-year agreement with no opt-out provision); Siddiqui emphasizes priorities for PILOT $ (does she want to earmark?); Azeem suggests City has leverage via zoning, I-90 project (is he suggesting quid-pro-quo?), wants more graduate student housing; Nolan says in-kind should not be valued in PILOT but also calls it critically important, also suggests that PILOT $ have earmarks for Council priorities; Zusy emphasizes graduate student housing; McGovern concerns about withholding in-kind contributions, esp. w.r.t. schools, notes that you cannot force graduate students to live on campus and rent levels in graduate student housing needs to be attractive, old Vellucci story of taking Harvard Yard by eminent domain and turning it into parking; Owen O’Riordan notes that a major sewer line goes under Widener Library; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an updated drought regulation ordinance. (CM25#16) [text of report]
pulled by Toner; Nolan comments; Mark Gallagher (Managing Director, Water Dept.) comments; Zusy comments, notes email from Nicolai Cauchy re: water levels; Simmons concerned about gender-neutral language; comments by Megan Bayer re: proposed fine schedule; Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-54, regarding a review of Curb Cut Policies. (CM25#18) [text of report]
pulled by Toner w/hope that Council can be removed from process entirely and completely a staff decision; Megan Bayer notes that there is no legal requirement for abutter feedback; Kathy Watson (DPW) notes proposed process and proposal role of City Council only an case of an appeal; Azeem agrees that there should be no City Council role, no appeal mechanism; Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler concur; Megan Bayer explains that the delegation of power should be done via ordinance, suggest referral to Gov’t Operations because language not yet drafted; Toner Referral to Gov’t Operations Adopted 9-0

The bottom line is that the City Council can delegate this to City departments if it wishes - similar to how the License Commission handles some matters that once were under City Council authority.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-31 regarding an update to the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan (MFIP) including revised cost estimates to help inform the FY26 and ongoing capital budget priorities. (CM25#19) [text of report]
pulled by Zusy w/questions about $23.5 million for Windsor Street and status of Kennedy-Longfellow building; Owen O’Riordan that there will be no students at K-Lo next year, expect $50 million on schools over next 5 years including $10-12 million toward K-Lo building, to be part of this year’s budget hearings; First Street project (parking garage) expected; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-60 regarding federal grant funding. (CM25#20) [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui for comments; Zusy comments re: difficulties of contractors doing Cambridge projects (lay-down areas, parking challenges); comments by Chris Cotter re: off-site construction, role of MAPC; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to potential amendments to required setbacks for additions and alterations to existing buildings in the Multifamily Housing Zoning Petitions. (CM25#21) [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; Committee Report #3 also taken up (9-0); Committee Report #3 Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; McGovern lays out proposed amendments and votes; on Petition #1 setback amendments for existing buildings, comments by Siddiqui, Azeem, Toner, Jeff Roberts (CDD), Amendment Adopted 9-0; on amendment re: procedures and abutter feedback for projects not requiring a special permit, comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler (wants to limit legal recourse for abutters), Megan Bayer, JSW wants to table this and replace “abutters” to “abutting homeowners and renters”, Megan Bayer explains, McGovern suggests JSW exercise his Charter Right; Nolan notes that any building permit can be challenged, notes that this only requires people to listen to feedback; Toner concurs re: right to challenge and Bayer agrees but notes new restrictions in state law to baseless challenges; Toner notes that there is no majority vote here to allow legal challenge, cautions against extending right to challenge to anyone who feels aggrieved; Charter Right by JSW on this amendment; on amendment decreasing heights from 4 to 3 stories and 6 for inclusionary projects; Wilson aligns with JSW re: DSA “3+3” proposal without any minimum land area, notes her history growing up in public housing, advocates more public housing, calls support for “3+3” “overwhelming” (which is ridiculous); JSW concurs re: “3+3” proposal, claims it would yield more market rate and subsidized housing, notes his opposition to lot size limitations, objects to suggestion to delay this, claims that of all new housing other that AHO projects only 1% is “affordable”, says these changes would provide affordable units in 60% of projects; Nolan supports “3+3” amendment even without the proposed lot size limitations, will vote to ordain this proposal; Azeem will not support “3+3” proposal “in spirit of compromise”; Toner will not support “3+3” proposal, notes that developers suggest this would only yield 3-deckers being torn down and replaced by single-family homes, notes public objection to 6-stories on all residential lots; Zusy feels MFH proposal is problematic and will not make housing more affordable, will create havoc in neighborhoods, make homeowners feel vulnerable, notes failure of similar changes in other cities, willing to support “3+3” proposal rather than “4+2” suggesting less backlash; Siddiqui comments on CDD projections, says whatever we pass is better than the status quo, housing developers OK w/“4+2”; Simmons says “4+2” language represents compromise, says CDD estimates 3500 new homes over next 15 years including 660 income-restricted homes; McGovern on “affordable housing piece”, notes rationale of doing AHO first (which sounds like a restatement of the stated ABC strategy), extols virtue of increasing inclusionary percentage to 20%, suggests that proposal primarily about middle-income housing, dismisses suggestion that 6-story buildings would appear on a tiny lot but then suggests it would happen w/o the restriction on lot size, says the “3+3” proposal would add in 15 years produce 550 more housing units and 260 more inclusionary units, says we can make up those numbers by going very tall in Squares and Corridors and even taller with AHO projects, will oppose “3+3” amendment; Zusy says some developers believe 5000 sq ft minimum requirement might not be necessary, suggests this might be rescinded when a 6-story building appears on a street with 2½ stories; Melissa Peters suggests that either option will be impactful in terms of number of units produced “in a positive direction”; Wilson comments suggesting that “the community” supports 3+3; AW,JSW “3+3” amendment Fails 4-5 (PN,JSW,AW,CZ-Yes; BA,MM,SS,PT,DS-No); Nolan comments on Squares and Corridors, etc., bemoans lack of Planning Board advice on petitions; Petition #1 Passed to 2nd Reading 8-1 (Zusy-No); Petition #2 Passed to 2nd Reading 8-1 (Zusy-No); Reconsideration of #1 and #2 Fails 0-9; Placed on File 9-0.

114 Communications - mostly taking sides on The Bigger Cambridge Zoning.

Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood & Long Term Planning Committee held a public hearing on best practices for urban planning Wed, Jan 8, 2025. The meeting will feature MIT’s Chris Zegras Department Head of the Department of Urban Studies and Planning and Professor of Mobility and Urban Planning and Jeff Levine, Associate Professor of the Practice of Economic Development & Planning and Harvard’s Maurice Cox, the Emma Bloomberg Professor in Residence of Urban Planning and Design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. [text of report]

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Jan 8, 2025 to continue the discussion on two Multifamily Zoning petitions. [text of report] [communications]

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee met on Thurs, Jan 16, 2025, at 3:00pm to continue the discussion on Multifamily Zoning Petition Part One and Multifamily Zoning Petition Part Two. [text of report] [communications]

The Council is expected to pass these to a 2nd Reading with ordination likely a couple of weeks later. Personally, I see no reason why such a substantial change is being zipped through the ordination process, but we are in one of those Progress At Any Cost moments in history - kind of like when the West End of Boston was leveled in the name of urban renewal or when Robert Moses ran roughshod over everything that Jane Jacobs defended. I guess it all comes down to your definition of “progress”, but you can count me among those who still prefers human-scale buildings and consistent scale in established neighborhoods. On the issue of the “housing crisis”, I would just remind everyone that Cambridge is not the problem – and we should not necessarily be sacrificing what is good in our city so that other cities and towns can continue to do little or nothing.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council with a update on the status and timeline for the completion of the Grand Junction Multi-use Path and how implementation between Gore Street and Little Binney could coincide with Phase 2 of the CSO implementation on Cambridge Street. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Toner; add all councillors as sponsors; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #3. City Council opposition to Congressional Voter-Suppression SAVE Bill. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

I agree with this Order - mainly because of the burden it would place on our Election Commission and election workers. I will add that if I now had to register to vote for the first time I might run into a problem because I never got a passport and finding my birth certificate might take a Herculean effort. I do think, however, therefore I am.

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to install “Bicycles Must Yield” signs along the Linear Park Parkway, Russell Field, Cambridge Commons, and any other shared use pathway determined appropriate by the City Manager and staff. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; Toner, Nolan, Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler comments; Charter Right - Sobrinho-Wheeler

Yeah, I’m sure those signs will be scrupulously obeyed.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to develop zoning recommendations, pursuant to M.G.L. c.40A §9B, for regulations to encourage the use of solar energy systems and protect solar access for Registered Solar Energy Systems that have been in existence for one year, per Ordinance Ch. 22.60, specifically on structures over 4 stories. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy
pulled by Azeem; Nolan explains how this Order came about, add Wilson, Zusy as sponsors 9-0; Azeem asks for examples, Melissa Peters (CDD) responds; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Charter Right #1. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $2,500,000, from Free Cash, to the Finance Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,500,000), and to the Finance Department Extraordinary Expenditures account ($1,000,000), to support the continued operation and needed capital and equipment improvements to Neville Center, a 5-star skilled nursing facility with 112 beds, which is part of Neville Communities Inc. [Charter Right – Nolan, Jan 6, 2025]
McGovern says “charter-written”, Nolan says “charter-wrote” (Sheesh, do they understand the English language?); Nolan goes on about financial details, concerns about high interest rate and profit by Rockland Trust, etc., wants to bifurcate vote into $1.5 million and $1 million votes; Toner asks what would happen if Council did not support this, Chair of Neville Board notes that this would make things difficult; Zusy wonders why Neville didn’t get any ARPA funds, etc.; Solicitor says it’s OK to bifurcate vote; $1.5 million appropriation from Free Cash (for debt service) Adopted 8-1 (Nolan-No); $1 million appropriation from General Fund (for capital improvements) Adopted 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9.

Resolution #4. Thanks to Iram Farooq for her 25 years of commitment, service, and leadership at the City of Cambridge Community Development Department and best wishes as she joins Harvard University. Councillor Siddiqui, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Wilson
pulled early by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Azeem, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toner, Zusy, Wilson, McGovern, Simmons, Yi-An Huang, Iram Farooq; all councillors added as sponsors; Adopted as Amended 9-0

Resolution #5. Condolences on the death of Robert V. Travers. Councillor Toner, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Toner; add all councillors as sponsors; Resolution Adopted 9-0 as Amended

Resolution #6. Condolences on the death of Henry Edward (Ted) Tierney. Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern

Resolution #7. Condolences to the family of Janet Rose. Mayor Simmons
pulled by Simmons; Charter Right - Simmons (to add more details)

Comments?

Meeting of the Special Committee of the Whole on the City Charter – Monday, January 27, 2025, 11:00am-1:00pm [Agenda]

City Seal I was the only person who gave public comment at the previous meeting in December. Presumably there will be others this time, but the unfortunate truth is that even though this is perhaps the single most significant matter now before this City Council, it has been flying almost completely under the radar.

This meeting features 5 additional proposed Charter changes from several city councillors, but the most interesting part of the agenda is the master class response from City Solicitor Megan Bayer that lays out with remarkable clarity the major problems with each of these proposals.

The new proposals are:

(1) give the City Council the power to increase parts of the annual budget by up to 10% compared to what is initially proposed by the City Manager

(2) City Solicitor would be appointed by the City Council

(3) Popularly elected mayor alongside a City Manager similar to Worcester

(4) 4 year (staggered) terms, with elections every 2 years

(5) Department heads appointed by the City Manager and approved by the Council

It is also worth noting, and I will likely address these during Public Comment, that:

(a) At the previous meeting of this Special Committee of the Whole, the councillors dismissed proposals for Resident Assemblies as well as proposed mechanisms for citizen-initiated referendums and initiative petitions. What they perhaps failed to realize is that citizen-initiated referendums and initiative petitions are part of our current Plan E Charter (by reference) and the apparent intention of the Charter Review Committee was to incorporate those provisions (with some changes) into the new proposed Charter. The action of the Special Committee effectively threw out an existing right to a mechanism for redress by citizens.

(b) The current Plan E Charter imposes severe penalties for Interference by City Council:

Section 107. Neither the city council nor any of its committees or members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or his removal from, office by the city manager or any of his subordinates, or in any manner take part in the appointment or removal of officers and employees in that portion of the service of said city for whose administration the city manager is responsible. Except for the through the city manager, and neither the city council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the city manager either publicly or privately. Any member of the city council who violates, or participates in the violation of, any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both, and upon final conviction thereof his office in the city council shall thereby be vacated and he shall never again be eligible for any office or position, elective or otherwise, in the service of the city.

The Proposed Charter addresses Interference by City Council, but conveniently removes all penalties:

3.3 (d) Interference by City Council Prohibited – Except as provided in Section 2-7 and by this charter, neither the city council nor any of its committees or members shall direct or request the appointment of any person to, or their removal from, office by the city manager or any of their subordinates, or in any manner take part in the appointment or removal of officers and employees in that portion of the service of said city for whose administration the city manager is responsible. Except as otherwise provided by this charter, the city council and its members shall not give orders to any subordinate of the city manager either publicly or privately and shall direct all requests for service through the city manager. Nothing in this section shall prevent city council or its members from discussing matters generally with city staff, presuming the city manager is kept informed.

Without severe penalties against improper Council interference, it is likely that councillors would routinely blow past guardrails that protect against political meddling within City departments. I am of the belief that we should have better mechanisms for inquiry into policies and actions taken within City departments, but removal of these necessary guardrails is definitely not the remedy. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Meet the New Year, Same as the Old Year - January 6, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Eye of Providence There is a theme that has run through recent years in Cambridge City government, namely the belief that public input is a problem and that legislation and even proposed changes to the City Charter should reflect this point of view. Any disagreement is dismissed as NIMBYism. Public involvement in matters such as development proposals or roadway reconfigurations is inherently contrary to what the elite in City government see as the public good. We saw this in the various iterations of the Affordable Housing Overlay where not only is public feedback unwelcome, but even the Planning Board’s role has been reduced to that of spectators. It’s also baked into the latest “multi-family zoning” proposals where concerns about radical changes to existing neighborhoods have been either dismissed or at best marginally tolerated. I found it quite telling that in the current discussion about changes to the City Charter, all votes to consider ideas such as “resident assemblies” or “citizen initiative petitions” or “group petitions” were voted down either unanimously or nearly unanimously. The prevailing point of view seems to be that, once elected, our city councillors become all-knowing and all-seeing arbiters of the public good. Democracy is for suckers.

This is, of course, hogwash. For what it’s worth, I think there is great merit in having some form of “resident assemblies” or “ward committees” – even though I think that what was proposed by the Charter Review Committee was not only terrible but disempowering. Anyway, that’s a discussion for another day. I will also note that some councillors are still considering proposing a change in the Charter to extend their terms from two years to four years (staggered terms) - even though they haven’t given even a moment of thought to what this means in terms of our PR elections or the need for a recall provision. Less accountability has some support because apparently having to seek reelection every two years (like every member of the United States House of Representatives and every member of the Massachusetts House and Senate) is just so inconvenient.

Here are a few things that stand out on this week’s agenda:

Manager’s Agenda #1. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $29,388,181.96 from Free Cash to the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund. During FY24, the City received mitigation revenues from various developers as a result of commitments related to zoning ordinance amendments and special permit conditions. By law, all mitigation revenues must be deposited into the General Fund and can only be appropriated after the Free Cash Certification is complete.
pulled by Siddiqui re: Free Cash balance and source of mitigation revenues; comments by Yi-An Huang, Taha Jennings; Siddiqui wants names of developers; Nolan comments; Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $2,500,000, from Free Cash, to the Finance Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,500,000), and to the Finance Department Extraordinary Expenditures account ($1,000,000), to support the continued operation and needed capital and equipment improvements to Neville Center, a 5-star skilled nursing facility with 112 beds, which is part of Neville Communities Inc.
pulled by Siddiqui w/questions about meetings related to this; Yi-An Huang notes difficulties in funding health care institutions, some history leading up to this point, changing loan terms w/Rockland Trust; Claire Spinner (Finance) additional comments and explanation; Andy Fuqua (Neville Board) on reducing monthly debt service and preservation of physical building; Siddiqui inquires about role of State Legislature delegation; Fuqua notes recent Act adjusting Medicaid reimbursements; Nolan notes concerns about use of public funds to pay down loan to a private bank, wants to know terms of original loan; Spinner notes that original term was 10 years at a high interest rate, term extended, now to be extended to a 30-year term, current debt service is ~$120,000/month to be reduced to ~$75,000/month; Charter Right - Nolan [Azeem asks if City Manager’s Agenda items are subject to Charter Right (of course they are, as are any New Business items)]

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments and reappointments of members to the Citizens’ Committee on Civic Unity.
Appointments Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-65, regarding the creation of a jobs training trust through Home Rule Petition. [text of report]
pulled by Toner noting reasons he will be voting No; Sobrinho-Wheeler takes opposite view, naively noting that the Trust need not be funded and that this exists in Somerville and in Boston; Zusy supports intention of this but says cart is before the horse and that existing programs have not been evaluated and that additional funds and increased (already high) Linkage Fee may not be needed, petition is premature; Nolan supports motion w/explanation re: Nexus Study, agrees that existing programs should also be evaluated; JSW offers to have an additional committee meeting on this topic; Toner notes that such a meeting already pending; Home Rule Petition Adopted 7-2 (Toner, Zusy - No)

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Planning Board Report regarding citywide Multifamily Housing Zoning Petitions.
pulled by Toner re: insinuations that councillors have not paid attention to Planning Board, explains proposed revisions in line with Planning Board suggestions, notes impasse re: development review and relation to AHO; Toner notes that he would prefer to focus first on Squares and Corridors (still undefined) but that other councillors disagree; Azeem notes feedback from both sides of the advocates, prefers version prior to proposed amendments, suggests plenty of time and process to go [not really]; McGovern claims that he and other councillors are listening, disputes suggestion that Council is “eliminating zoning” [which is, of course, an intentional misreading of what people are actually saying]; Nolan notes that exclusive single-family zoning is proposed to be eliminated, wants Planning Board feedback on “4+2” vs. “3+3+3” options, previous Planning Board meetings were specifically about original proposal; Jeff Roberts notes that there is no precedent for back-and-forth w/Planning Board, but that expiration and re-filing would allow for this [It is worth noting that the Planning Board could voluntarily choose to do this. - RW; Simmons notes that Planning Board generally in favor (but with what?), does not want to slow this process down; Nolan notes that Planning Board is advisory to the City Council and has not opined on these specifics even though they have been requested to do so [seems like the CDD staff is the real roadblock here]; Zusy notes that many feel that this process has been rushed, Planning Board report doesn’t really reflect sentiments of Planning Board members and that they gave no recommendation because of their expressed concerns - some of which have not been addressed, possible escalation of property values that will make housing less affordable, notes thousands of letters expressing concerns, wants additional Planning Board meeting on this topic and CDD response to questions raised by councillors; Simmons objects to suggestion that process has been rushed [and not acknowledging that the scale of this proposal is unprecedented]; Jeff Roberts says CDD staff and Law Dept. have been working on this and plan to have responses for Jan 16 Ordinance Committee meeting; Zusy notes some developers are already amassing properties for redevelopment, not much time for evaluation of proposal; Siddiqui notes that Planning Board is only advisory and that City Council’s word is only thing that really matters noting past actions ignoring Planning Board’s advice; Referred to Petition 8-1 (Zusy - No)

Order #1. That the City Manager is hereby requested to work with the relevant City departments to report back on additional multi-family zoning considerations, along with the other amendments put forward by the City Council on Dec 23, 2024. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler to add Siddiqui as co-sponsor (Approved 9-0); Nolan asks clarification of “below current threshold of the inclusionary zoning ordinance”; Toner disagrees with the “average maximum unit size of 2,000 square feet per lot area” requirement; Zusy concurs on this; JSW notes desire to prevent a large single-family (“McMansion”) from being built under proposal; Zusy would prefer language to allow density increase only if increased housing units on the lot; JSW notes that proposal consistent with current zoning language; McGovern dismissively notes that “all we’re doing is asking a question”; Azeem concurs with JSW, says California concept (conditional upzoning based on adding units) noted by Zusy not consistent with existing enabling legislation (Chapters 40A or 40B); Simmons asks if Zusy has a specific proposal); Zusy notes that Azeem answered her question; Order Adopted as Amended 7-2 (Toner, Zusy - No)

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on two Multifamily Zoning Petitions on Nov 19, 2024. This public hearing was recessed and reconvened on Dec 4, 2024. It was again recessed. It reconvened and adjourned on Dec 19, 2024. [Nov 19, 2024 report] [Dec 4, 2024 report] [Dec 19, 2024 report] [communications]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

These reports actually represent three separate meetings, though they are being lumped together because the first two meetings are technically recessed rather than adjourned. This is an unnecessary confusion.

162 Communications - overwhelming with the message “Stop the Rush – Petition amendments do not address the issues voiced by the community”.

Unfinished Business #1. An Ordinance 2023 #8B has been received from City Clerk, relative to Amend Chapter 14.04 – Fair Housing. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 2, 2023; Amended Nov 6, 2023; to remain on Unfinished Business pending legislative approval of Special Act needed prior to ordination] (ORD23-8B)
Siddiqui notes that legislative approval has been obtained, nod to Rep. Marjorie Decker shepherding it through process; Ordained 9-0

According to State Representative Marjorie Decker (who I wish was my representative), legislative approval has now been completed and signed by the Governor, so this matter is now ready for ordination.

Unfinished Business #2. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to proposed amendments to the Cycling Safety Ordinance to extend the deadline associated with the completion of those sections of the ordinance that are required to be completed by May 1, 2026. [Passed to a 2nd Reading Dec 16, 2024; Eligible to be Ordained on or after Jan 6, 2025] (ORD24#8)
McGovern comments, Toner amendment to seek status of Grand Junction Multi-Use Path Adopted 9-0; Nolan says the current timelines are aggressive and that she looks forward to completion of currently planned lanes and additional expansion of the network; Ordained as Amended 9-0

This item is apparently also ready for ordination - though it could really use one important change.

Resolution #8. Condolence Resolution for Dr. Robert S. Peterkin. Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner

Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on Wed, Dec 11, 2024 for an update and discussion on Public Investment Planning. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

I suppose money used to grow on trees in Cambridge. Now we have fewer trees and more fiscal constraints. - RW

Comments?

Hidden Agenda - December 23, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

This week’s agenda is quite short, but perhaps the biggest item on the agenda was actually not on the original agenda at all - a Late Order containing proposed amendments to the two rather problematic zoning petitions now before the Ordinance Committee [Petition #1, Petition #2]. These petitions comprise perhaps the largest residential upzoning in the history of Cambridge zoning but are disguised under the innocuous banner of “allowing multi-family housing” citywide (or, as one of the local political advocacy organizations brands it, “ending exclusionary zoning”). City Hall

Here are the not-so-late agenda items of interest this week:

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor to provide the City Council with a legal opinion on the City Council’s ability to levy a tax or fine on store fronts and commercial properties that remain vacant for more than two years, including any applicable definitions of “vacancy” and relevant legal precedents, and provide such opinion no later than the February 17th City Council meeting. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Toner; Toner notes community scuttlebutt, Law Department never asked for legal opinion; Wilson wants to be added as cosponsor; McGovern recounts history; Siddiqui says she previously worked on this and that there was a legal memo on this (2018-19), says data on vacancies readily available; Sobrinho-Wheeler wants to also penalize residential vacancies; Simmons recounts some history on this; AW and MM added as sponsors 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I will only note here the rather absurd proposal from several years ago that would have levied fines equivalent to the entire assessed value of such properties over the cost of just two years (4.17% of the assessed value every month). Obvious regulatory takings were apparently not so obvious to the councillors who proposed this “remedy” back in February 2017. Something should absolutely be done about the many vacant storefronts, but hopefully something constructive and collaborative rather than hostile or legally absurd.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct Community Development Department (CDD) staff to draft proposed amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance that would accomplish adding select HCA requirements into the ordinance so the city can waive the HCA requirement and that the City Manager is requested to ask the CDD staff to draft a zoning amendment to remove the repackaging prohibition. Councillor Toner, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Toner; Toner notes that these amendments intended to align Cambridge ordinances with recent state law and to streamline process; Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #1. Economic Development & University Relations Committee (cannabis policy issues, including the potential allowance for repackaging of products at local dispensaries, the 1800-foot minimum distance requirement between cannabis businesses, and the lack of zoning provisions for social consumption establishments that are now permitted under state law) - Committee Meeting - Dec 17, 2024. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner-Absent)

Are there any cannabis retail locations in Cambridge that are not owned at least in part by politically connected people?

Unfinished Business #2. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to Flexible Parking Corridor Zoning Petition. [Adopted as a City Council Zoning Petition and Passed to 2nd Reading Dec 2, 2024; Eligible to be Ordained Dec 23, 2024; Expires Feb 19, 2025]
Ordained 9-0

Unfinished Business #3. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to the Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Municipal Ordinance. [Referred to Ordinance Committee Oct 21, 2024; Passed to 2nd Reading Dec 2, 2024; Eligible to be Ordained Dec 23, 2024]
Ordained 9-0

Unfinished Business #4. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to the Commercial Parking Space Permits Municipal Ordinance. [Passed to 2nd Reading Dec 2, 2024; Eligible to be Ordained Dec 23, 2024]
Ordained 9-0

These are the amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and the Municipal Ordinances associated with accommodating parking displaced by the requirements of the (untouchable) Cycling Safety Ordinance (and dedicated bus lanes in some locations).

As for the aforementioned Late Order:

Late Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct Community Development to prepare updated Multi Family Housing Zoning language and report back to the Ordinance Committee, not later than January 16, 2025. Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner
pulled by Toner; Toner notes misinformation over recent days, clarifies procedure of late order, notes that this ordinance is not yet done and additional committee meetings prior to Feb 10 final vote deadline, notes that he would prefer to focus first on (undefined) “corridors”; McGovern offers his own explanation, notes that this is purely procedural in that Council cannot order departments to do anything except through the City Manager via a City Council order and that there are more meetings pending, objects to suggestion that City Council is not listening, characterizes putting back minuscule setbacks as “putting them back in”, suggests that many people favor original proposed ordinance changes; Burhan “phone it in” Azeem says he’s trying to “lower the temperature”; Siddiqui says intent is not to do anything without transparency, objects to “misinformation”; Zusy says she will vote against these amendments, not that amendments are misguided, that people are OK with added heights in squares and (undefined) “corridors”, concerns about allowing massive development as-of-right w/o special permits, loss of open space and other environmental consequences, questionable stated need (76 projects in process now 5,301 units with 987 affordable - mostly in East Cambridge), all housing nonprofits now have multiple projects in process, lack of any urban design plan, unintended consequences; Nolan expresses excitement over proposed zoning changes with reservations about middle-income housing, insatiable demand for market-rate housing, concerns about effect on solar power arrays, notes that many people are unaware of proposed changes, just having meetings does not imply that people are being made aware of proposed changes, hope that Planning Board can have a meeting on this to offer their perspective; Wilson says she supports an amendment to require 3 floors of inclusionary housing for any new 6-story building under this ordinance (plus 3 stories for an AHO project), acknowledges lack of community engagement; Order Adopted, Referred to CDD 8-1 (Zusy-No)

It seems that the current political modus operandus in Cambridge is to propose something outrageous and then scale it back somewhat to merely excessive so that you can claim that a happy compromise has been reached. I still have some serious questions about the data and goals underlying much of these proposed changes. - RW

Comments?

Quick Take – December 16, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here’s my quick take on this week’s agenda highlights:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Judith Laguerre, Yasmin Padamsee Forbes, and Stephen Curran as members of the Cambridge Human Rights Commission for a term of three-years.
Appointments Approved 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent)

“Nevertheless I persist” in encouraging residents to volunteer to serve on City boards & commissions and highlighting all such appointments.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to PO24#141, regarding the BZA Dormers Petition. (CM24#266) [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Unfinished Business Brought Forward 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent), McGovern Motion to Amend by Substitution Adopted 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent); Nolan comments suggesting language still too restrictive (suggests deleting sub-paragraph 3); Jim Monteverde (BZA Chair) responds; Toner agrees w/Nolan amendment; Zusy defers to wisdom of Historical Commission and BZA; Monteverde explains that language would not prohibit a longer dormer - they would have to seek variance, as is required now; Azeem agrees w/Toner-Nolan; Nolan motion to delete 8.22.1.i.3 and renumber Adopted 7-1-1 (Zusy-No, Wilson Absent); Adopted as Amended 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #5. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to ARTICLE 2.000 DEFINITIONS Dormer. A roofed projection built out from a sloping roof, containing a window or windows. ARTICLE 8.000 NONCONFORMITY 8.22.1h. Construction of a dormer or dormers to a nonconforming one- or two-family dwelling. [Passed to 2nd Reading Nov 4, 2024; Eligible To Be Ordained on or after Nov 25, 2024] (ORD24#9)
Taken up w/Managers Agenda #2; Nolan motion to delete 8.22.1.i.3 and renumber Adopted 7-1-1 (Zusy-No, Wilson Absent); Ordained as Amended 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Seems ripe for ordination.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Planning Board Report regarding the flexible parking zoning petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

372 Communications - most regarding the proposed corrections to Garden Street traffic patterns (caused by the Untouchable Cycling Safety Ordinance).

It’s worth noting that the proposal for “flexible parking” (a real departure from the environmental priorities leading up to the City’s PTDM Ordinance) was necessitated by the complete inflexibility of some city councillors regarding the Cycling Safety Ordinance. If anyone actually believes that the right to pay a substantial fee for parking is a fair trade for loss of on-street parking, I have a bridge for sale at a great price.

Order #1. That the City Council meeting scheduled for Jan 13, 2025 be designated as a Joint Roundtable of the City Council and School Committee to discuss the City’s universal pre-kindergarten program. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

I am just a bit curious what is to be discussed. The Order gives no indication.

Order #2. That the City Council approve and issue the City Manager’s Performance Evaluation. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan
pulled early by Toner along w/Dec 10 Minutes; Minutes Accepted 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent); Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent)

Order #3. That the City Council intends to renew the City Manager’s employment beyond Sept 5, 2025, and initiate negotiations for a successor employment contract, which contract, if agreed to, shall become effective Sept 6, 2025. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy
pulled early by Toner along w/Dec 10 Minutes; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent)

Order #4. That the City Council immediately suspend new requests for memorial dedications and that the Government Operations and the Civic Unity Committee, working with the City Manager, hold hearings to discuss new ideas to honor and remember individuals (i.e. memorial garden, fountain, wall or path), criteria for eligibility, a more robust committee structure, and a means for recording and maintaining our current and future memorials. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Zusy
pulled by Toner for explanation; Nolan comments; Order Adopted 9-0

Good idea.

Resolution #3. Resolution honoring John Tagiuri. Councillor Zusy

Late Resolution #4. Resolution Re: Whitney’s Bar. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson
comments by McGovern re: Gerald Chan’s properties in Harvard Square and elsewhere (including Harvard Square Cinema, Dickson’s Bros. Hardware locations); McGovern, Wilson added as sponsors 9-0; Nolan comments (will vote Present based on letter from Chan’s lawyers re: court order and rent forgiveness); Toner reluctant but will support, notes insane and threatening comments by supporters; Wilson supports noting proprietor Dan Maguire is a friend; Simmons notes important history of this business; McGovern notes that some people who express support for business rarely patronize them; Simmons expresses hope that Gerald Chan will reconsider; Siddiqui decries personal threats that have been expressed; Azeem comments; Resolution Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Nolan-Present)

12 Committee Reports - 10 from previous City Council terms (9 never previously reported) and 2 current reports. These follow 8 reports the previous week (Dec 9) and 14 at the (infamous) Nov 25 meeting.
All Reports Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Committee Report #12 - CSO Amendments Passed to 2nd Reading

I really want to take everyone from the City Clerk’s Office out for a beer. They have been cleaning up the mess left by negligent City Council committee Chairs dating back 6 years. Prior to that I don’t recall a single committee meeting that went unreported for more than a few months.

As City Council salaries and personal staff have increased (and reserved parking spaces and private offices provided), responsibility has diminished. Some of this should have been part of the City Charter discussion, but instead they choose to focus on things like longer terms and greater Council control over the City budget process. Curiously, all proposals for possible mechanisms for “Redress of Grievances” were recently unanimously dismissed. - (the real) Robert Winters

Comments?

Special Committee on Charter Review Meeting – Monday, December 9, 1:00pm-3:00pm [Agenda]

December 5th, 2024
To Mayor Simmons and Members of the Cambridge City Council:

As Co-Chairs of the Special Committee on Charter Review, we have scheduled a meeting on December 9th, 2024, from 1 to 3pm for the full Council to discuss the status of Charter Review process and develop a timeline and plan for advancing recommendations to put forward on the November 4th, 2025 ballot.

In advance, we ask that you review the discussions and materials from the June 5th and June 25th, 2024 Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee meetings. Both meetings began with public comment and were followed by discussions on the Charter Review Committee recommendations, challenges of some of the recommendations, and strategies for moving the process forward.

At this time, the only decision that has been made is that a two-thirds majority of the Council will be required to advance any recommendations to the Attorney General and/or Legislature, and residents on a future ballot.

Our goal for the December 9th meeting is to review each of the recommendations from the Charter Review Committee. We will schedule a follow-up meeting in January 2025 for items that require more discussion, as well as any additional recommendations from the City Council.

Sincerely,

Paul Toner Co-Chair,
Special Committee on Charter Review

Sumbul Siddiqui
Co-Chair, Special Committee on Charter Review

The Committee met for 2¼ hours and recessed until a to-be-scheduled next meeting in January. All votes taken were recommendations to the full City Council, held for further discussion, or referrals to the Government Operations Committee for possible future action independent of the Charter revision process.

A. City Manager or Strong Mayor form of Government
Vote was 7-2 to in favor of retaining city manager form. (Siddiqui and Sobrinho-Wheeler preferred strong mayor form.)

B. Maintain an at-large city council elected by proportional representation.
Vote was 8-0-1 to retain PR (Simmons Absent).

C. Maintain an at-large city council of 9 members.
Vote was 7-1-1 in favor. (Nolan expressed preference for a mixed system with some district councillors and some at-large. Simmons was Absent.)

D. Enfranchise non-citizens in municipal elections.
Vote was 8-0-1 to refer to Gov’t Ops. Committee for possible future separate Home Rule Petition (Simmons Absent). There were actually two parts to this: (1) allowing non-citizens to vote, and (2) allowing non-citizens to be candidates in municipal elections. Only Councillor Zusy expressed the view that voting rights are intertwined with citizenship.

E. Enfranchise 16- and 17-year-olds in municipal elections.
Vote was 8-0-1 to refer to Gov’t Ops. Committee for possible future separate Home Rule Petition (Simmons Absent).

F. Move municipal elections to even years.
Vote was 8-0-1 to refer to Gov’t Ops. Committee for possible future separate Home Rule Petition (Simmons Absent).

G. Create more flexibility and modernize election voting and tabulation methods in charter language.
Vote was 8-0-1 in favor with directive that Law Department draft appropriate language (Simmons Absent).

H. Participation in and Accessibility of Government for all Residents by creating Resident Assemblies.
Vote was 1-7-1 with only Sobrinho-Wheeler in favor (Simmons Absent).

I. Public tracking mechanisms of council policy orders.
Vote was 1-8 with general view expressed that this is already done and if any further direction is necessary it would be better in incorporate it into the City Council Rules rather than in the City Charter. Only Sobrinho-Wheeler was in favor.

J. Effectiveness of Government through Measurable Goalsetting.
Vote was 0-9 with general view expressed that this is already done and if any further direction is necessary it would be better in incorporate it into the City Council Rules rather than in the City Charter.

K. Maintain 2-year terms for city councillors.
This was held for further discussion at a later meeting. Some councillors expressed view that extending terms might be viewed as self-serving (obviously).
Note: None of the councillors seemed to understand that staggered 4-year terms (5 and 4) would fundamentally change the nature of our PR elections with a much larger election quota and diminution of minority representation. They also failed to understand the need for a recall provision with longer terms - something that is not compatible with our PR elections.]

L. Responsiveness and Accountability through delineating budget process and priority setting.
Vote was 0-9 with general view that this is already done and if any further clarity is needed it would be better in incorporate it into the City Council Rules rather than in the City Charter.

M. Give the City Council the power to add or increase line items in the budget.
This was held for further discussion at a later meeting.

N. Enshrine resident initiative provision.
Vote was 0-9.

O. Enshrine group petition provision.
Vote was 0-9.

P. Campaign finance study committee.
Vote to refer to Gov’t Ops. Committee was 2-7.

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like 2016 Again - December 9, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Peoples Republic It seems like Deja Vu all over again. As I was grabbing links to past Sanctuary City resolutions, I stumbled upon my notes from the Nov 21, 2016 City Council meeting. Some of the agenda items were strikingly similar to this week’s agenda - both, of course, in the context of a forthcoming Trump presidency. [Sanctuary City references: 1985, 2006, 2016 and 2020; and now this]

Note: There was a meeting of the Special Committee on Charter Review earlier in the day at which a long list of proposed Charter amendments were either recommended, dismissed, held over until the next meeting or referred to the Government Operations Committee for possible separate action.

Here are the items that seemed interesting to me this week:

Boards & Commissions

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Zhonghe Li and Jean Dany Joachim and the re-appointment of David Daniel, Aliyah Gary, Lori Lander, Calvin Lindsay Jr., Ann Lawson, Stella Aguirre McGregor, Michael Monestime, Diane Charyk Norris, Katherine Megumi Shozawa and Christine Lamas Weinberg to the Cambridge Arts Advisory Board for a term of three years.
Appointments Approved; Placed on File 9-0

Resolution #1. Congratulations to CHA Board Commissioner Gerard J. Clark on his retirement. Mayor Simmons

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-24, regarding a Porchfest pilot. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Jason Weeks, Simmons, Wilson; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Affordable Homeownership Commitment. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Transportation and, of course, bikes

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the proposed Bluebike bike share system contract term.
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Yi-An Huang, Stephanie Groll, Wilson, Simmons, Megan Bayer; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and Harvard University to restore Garden Street to two-way automobile traffic while preserving two-way protected bike lanes, preserving as much parking on and/or near Garden Street as possible and identifying potential areas for resident parking on neighboring streets and communicating the changes to the affected neighborhood. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Toner; comments by Toner, Zusy, Nolan, Wilson, Yi-An Huang, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Azeem, Siddiqui, Owen O’Riordan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-61, regarding lowering speeds on state highways. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Jeff Parenti, Brooke McKenna; Order Adopted 9-0

Can you give me sanctuary?

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to forward a letter to all Cambridge organizations working with immigrant populations, as well as all City Departments, reminding them of the city’s Sanctuary/Trust Act City status, the protections provided by the 2020 Welcoming Community Ordinance, and the importance of ensuring non-citizens are treated with dignity and respect. Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner (PO24#154)
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Siddiqui, Nolan, Wilson, Simmons; Order Amended to add all councillors; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

On The Table #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and encourage the state Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the MBTA to adhere to Cambridge local ordinances, including the Cambridge Asbestos Protection Ordinance, during Alewife Construction. [Tabled Nov 25, 2024]
Removed from Table 9-0; comments by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

Resolution #3. Recognition of Cambridge Investment in Renewable Energy. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled for comments by Nolan

8 Committee Reports - 7 from previous City Council terms
Reports Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #2. A communication from Councillor Siddiqui and Councillor Toner, transmitting an update on the Special Committee on Charter Review. Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Comments?

And So It Goes – December 2, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

I skipped last week’s LoveFest, but the memories will last forever. This week features relatively little, but here goes: Be True - Dogtown

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

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

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on November 21, 2024 to discuss the City Council’s Flexible Parking Corridor Zoning Petition, the Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Municipal Ordinance, and the Commercial Parking Space Permits Municipal Ordinance. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; 3 Items Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

Communications & Reports from City Officers #2. A communication from Mayor Simmons transmitting a Report on the Recent Senior Citizens Town Hall. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Comments?

Post-Apocalyptic Gathering - November 18, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

photo by Daniel Mennerich We’ll have to wait to see what the fallout will be of a changing federal picture on left-leaning “sanctuary cities” like Cambridge. I can easily imagine changes in both funding and eligibility for public housing and perhaps some economic repercussions for life sciences and pharmaceutical companies that dominate Kendall Square. Will there be efforts to replace lost federal money by jacking up local property taxes? It’s all just a big guessing game right now. I don’t believe we will be receiving too many federal favors for the next several years.

Here are the items that drew my local attention this week:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the findings of the 2024 Cambridge Resident Satisfaction Survey. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Yi-An Huang, Lee Gianetti, survey rep., Zusy, Azeem, Toner, Wilson, McGovern; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City Manager’s LGBTQ+ Friendly Housing Task Force Final Report. [text of report]
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons, Maura Pensak, Carolina Almonte, Phoebe West, McGovern, Zusy; Placed on File, Referred to Civic Unity Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of members to the Cambridge Street Safety Improvement Project Working Group.
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Brooke McKenna (TPT), Toner (asks if there will be a similar group for Broadway - yes), Wilson; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Erik Sarno and Andrea Taylor and the reappointment of Saffana Anwar, Christopher Fort, Robert Winters, Tahir Kapoor, and Esther Hanig to the Central Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years.
pulled by Zusy; comments by Simmons, Yi-An Huang (on update to add RW), Zusy (notes only 9 applicants for 7 positions on CSAC; for HSAC only 12 applicants for 11 positions - suggests advertising more broadly), Iram Farooq (notes how prescriptive categories are for CSAC and HSAC, mechanism for applying for all open boards and commissions); Zusy asks if a broad range of perspectives is sought; Appointments Approved as Amended, Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of Gareth Dohety, Ivy Moylan, Henry Grabar, Chad Bonney, and Ryan Clinesmith Montalvo and the reappointments of Matthew Simitis, Kari Kuelzer, John DiGiovanni, Nicola Williams, Alexandra Offiong, and Allison Crosbie to the Harvard Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years.
Appointments Approved, Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-36, regarding coordinated and timely communication related to interjurisdictional transportation projects. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan (bus shelters, green roofs, shade, Alewife maintenance tunnel, Asbestos Ordinance; Iram Farooq, Owen O’Riordan, City Solicitor Megan Bayer (noting that state/MBTA not subject to City’s ordinance), Nolan (Draw One Bridge), Farooq (state not currently planning to add bike/ped connection to bridge); Nolan (bridge over Fitchburg commuter rail and addition of station in Alewife area), Farooq (reconstruction of Alewife garage may have possibility of commuter rail station); Zusy (I-90 project coordination, impact of construction on traffic, Eversource projects, asbestos concerns at Alewife, Draw One Bridge, need for commuter rail station at Alewife and bridge); Sobrinho-Wheeler (start date for Memorial Drive reconstruction, Riverbend Park impacts), Owen O’Riordan; Zusy on plans for Transportation Committee; Referred to Transportation Committee 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a draft home rule petition to authorize the City of Cambridge to implement automated parking enforcement technology; and to continue to work with the City of Boston to collaborate on the home rule process. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan on special status of Boston and Cambridge that necessitates a home rule petition, notes that this would be cost-neutral; Siddiqui added as sponsor 9-0; Wilson asks why Boston, Cambridge are exceptions; Megan Bayer explains; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #2. Resolution in Support of H.823 and S.551, Paint Stewardship and Recycling. Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a Home Rule Petition to enact legislation which would allow the City of Cambridge to prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system. [Charter Right – Nolan, Nov 4, 2024]
Nolan notes why home rule petition may be needed; Megan Bayer explains why state law on this matter is insufficient; Toner asks about enforcement; Bayer suggests that this could be done as either a zoning amendment or a municipal ordinance; McGovern suggests sending this to a committee for larger discussion; Zusy seeks clarification of intention, Nolan explains, Zusy notes how things could get “messy” with condo associations; Referred to Health & Environment Committee 9-0

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition for the creation of a Cambridge Jobs Training Trust, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Toner, Nov 4, 2024]
Sobrinho-Wheeler explains at authorization doesn’t obligate Council to implement, no need to send to Ordinance Committee; Amendment to strike “to be sent to the Ordinance Committee for a hearing” Adopted 9-0; Toner proposes sending to Economic Development Committee for further discussion (on 11 questions) and how this relates to how things are done now; comments by Yi-An Huang expresses concerns about raising linkage fees now, Ellen Semonoff, Toner asks whether setting up a Jobs Trust bank account would create obligation to fund it; Yi-An Huang notes last increase in Linkage Fee was from $22 to $33 based on 2019 Nexus Study, next Nexus Study to start in 2025, notes that Council will have to decide how Linkage Fee is to be allocated; Toner proposes referring to Economic Development Committee; Zusy notes inadequate options for CRLS students; McGovern has questions on how this would be implemented - wants to preserve all affordable housing allocation and increase Linkage Fee to add allocation for jobs training, but suggested that if the fee went up to something like $45 he would not support that; Sobrinho-Wheeler proposes amendment to have an Econ. Dev. meeting in addition to filing home rule petition promptly; McGovern notes RSTA initiatives; Siddiqui OK with further conversation in committee; Wilson, Zusy, Nolan, McGovern comments; Adopted Order as Amended 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Committee Report #1. The Housing Committee held a public hearing on Apr 30, 2024 to discuss the feasibility of municipally funded housing vouchers as referenced in PO24#24. The meeting was recessed and reconvened on Oct 15, 2024 to continue the discussion. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Committee Report #2. The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on Oct 23, 2024 to discuss issues facing homeless shelters in Cambridge and concerns raised by the unhoused community. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Committee Report #3. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 23, 2024 to hear specific ideas from neighborhood leaders about revisions to the Multifamily Housing Proposal. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Committee Report #4. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 24, 2024 to discuss research on four-day work week pilot programs with businesses, government agencies, and non-profits and models for a four-day work week that have been implemented locally. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Committee Report #5. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 31, 2024 to discuss the Economics of Real Estate: Housing, Zoning, and the Economic Impact of Zoning. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Comments?

The Eve of Derangement - November 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

American flag The night before a national election often feels strange – when our local government meets to talk about things like hazardous waste collection, speed bumps, and bikes lanes while on the national stage many people are in crisis mode imagining civil war breaking out if the candidate they hate gets elected as President. It often brings to mind the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” So let’s fix those potholes and catch up on those old SeeClickFix requests while much of the country readies for derangement. “Don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters.”

I have of late been thinking a lot about what the word “democracy” actually means – a way of governing which depends on the will of the people. What exactly does that mean then “the people” are almost evenly divided between highly divergent viewpoints? Does this mean that 50.1% should translate into imposing policies that are abhorrent to 49.9% of the people or that an Electoral College win should be viewed as a mandate to run roughshod over the interests of the losing party? Extreme partisanship is a deranged view of democracy. If the country (or the city, for that matter) is nearly evenly divided on an issue, the better democratic option is to find whatever common ground there is and to work out compromises that a clear majority can accept and maybe even embrace. It should never be about “winner take all”. The American System is in some ways inferior to parliamentary systems where coalition governments have to be formed when there is no clear majority. Even Cambridge’s system of proportional representation raises the essential question: “Proportional to what?”

A good friend of mine once wrote an essay about our local Cambridge political factions in the 1980s and 1990s when rent control was THE defining local issue. The notable quote about those factions was simply: “They both benefit from the existence of a problem.” In other words, finding actual compromise solutions would dilute their political clout – even if it would be in everyone’s best interest to solve the existing problems. Partisanship continued to be rewarded right up to the point when Question 9 caused the entire political house of cards to come tumbling down.

Call me naive, if you wish, but I still believe that the great majority of Americans share far more in common than the political partisans would have you believe. So bring on the protests while the rest of us are just taking care of our everyday lives. - RW

Meanwhile, back in The Peoples Republic, here are a few notable agenda items for this eve of derangement:

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-56, regarding a request to consider scheduling a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day and a Paper Shredding Event on a Sunday, instead of having them all on Saturday. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-59, regarding the feasibility of speed control bumps on Antrim Street. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Brooke McKenna (TPT), Simmons, City Manager Yi-An Huang, Toner, Siddiqui, Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan; Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a Home Rule Petition to enact legislation which would allow the City of Cambridge to prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Toner; Charter Right - Nolan

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to prominently incorporate recognition of the Massachusett Tribe during key official events, documents, websites, and communications, establish a living memorial in Cambridge that honors the Massachusett Tribe, with special recognition of Sqa Sachem for her leadership and enduring legacy and place a plaque with this language in a prominent location within City Hall, ensuring that this acknowledgment remains visible and lasting. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Simmons (to amend to add Wilson, Toner 9-0); comments by Simmons, Zusy (who proposed deleting references to Sqa Sachem), McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, Wilson, Zusy, Simmons, Siddiqui; Zusy amendment Fails 1-8 (Zusy-Yes); Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Zusy-Present)
Note: Sqa Sachem is referenced in various sources, in particular Lucius Paige’s History of Cambridge (1877), Chapter XX, Indian History. Lucius Paige was both the Town Clerk and (after 1846) the City Clerk of Cambridge.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition for the creation of a Cambridge Jobs Training Trust, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [support letter] Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Toner; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler (with proposed amendment); Charter Right - Toner

Order #4. The City Manager is requested to work with the Department of Public Works (DPW) on the expansion of the mattress and box spring recycling program to include residents living in multi-unit residential buildings, starting with affordable housing properties that charge a fee to their residents. Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Resolution #10. Congratulations to Robin Harris on being awarded the 2022 National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui
Comments by Toner, Nolan, Simmons

Resolution #16. Condolences on the death of Alan Steinert, Jr. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan to be added as sponsor

Resolution #19. Honoring Cambridge Veterans and Recognizing Veterans Day. Councillor Wilson, Vice Mayor McGovern

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Apr 29, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Broad Canal Zoning Petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee conducted a public hearing on June 10, 2021 to discuss the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee met on July 26, 2021 to continue discussion on two proposals to regulate campaign donations. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee met on July 28, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to Article 22 of the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance “Emissions Accounting” (Ord#2021-13). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 29, 2021 to discuss the Neighborhood Conservation District citizen’s petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #6. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 16, 2019 at 2pm on Taxicab use of E-Hail in the Sullivan Chamber. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #7. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 23, 2019 at 5pm to discuss the Zoning petition to create an Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #8. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 10, 2024 to discuss preliminary recommendations from the Central Square rezoning process. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #9. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Oct 15, 2024 which was recessed and reconvened on Oct 29, 2024, regarding a Zoning Petition by the City of Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000 and 8.000 with the intent to add a definition of “dormer” to Article 2.000 and to amend the requirements related to adding dormers to nonconforming one- and two-family dwellings in Section 8.22.1.h.2 in order to allow certain dormer(s) construction as-of-right. The Ordinance Committee voted favorably to forward the Board of Zoning Appeal’s amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to add a definition of dormer to Article 2.000 and to amend the requirements related to adding dormers to non-conforming one- and two-family dwellings in Section 8.22.1.h.2, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation and that it be passed to a second reading. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #10. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Oct 22, 2024 to review and discuss the updates to the Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Comments?

The Tax Bills Are Coming! The Tax Bills Are Coming! - October 21, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

‘Tis the season of anticipation. Property tax bills may already be in the mail. There’s a rather consequential US Presidential Election coming up in two weeks (with some having already voted). The Yankees will soon be playing the Dodgers (or maybe the Mets) in the World Series. The only things that seem settled are that the Boston Celtics are looking really great and the New England Patriots currently suck. Newsboy!

Here are the things on this Monday’s agenda that stirred some interest:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update from the Human Resources Department. [text of report]
pulled by Wilson, comments by Wilson, Yi-An Huang, Chief People Officer Raecia Catchings, Nolan, Siddiqui, Azeem; Referred to Human Services & Veterans Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-50, regarding a review on the Short Term Rentals Ordinance in Cambridge. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan w/late policy order with proposed amendments, Azeem, Toner, Peter McLaughlin (Commissioner, Inspectional Services), Jimmy DeAngelo (Housing Inspector), Sobrinho-Wheeler, Megan Bayer (City Solicitor), Zusy, Yi-An Huang, Owen O’Riordan; Rules Suspended to take up late policy order; Late Order Adopted 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Late Order #4. Short-Term Rentals Ordinance Amendments. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem (PO24#143)
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-44 regarding a legal opinion on restricting the use of a solar system. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

This is noteworthy only because most of us think of the “solar system” as something other than what you might mount on your roof.

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Planning Board Report regarding the BZA Dormers Zoning Petition.
pulled by McGovern noting that Ordinance Committee meeting on this had to be recessed; Planning Board Report Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Law Department and the Community Development Department to work with the Board of Zoning Appeal to clean up language and come back to the Ordinance Committee with clarifications and amendments to requirements related to adding dormers to nonconforming one- and two-family dwellings. Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (MM,AW-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-51 regarding automated parking enforcement. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Megan Bayer on possibility of joint Home Rule Petition w/Boston, Yi-An Huang, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, Toner, Simmons, Zusy, Nolan; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-20, regarding recommendations for amendments to the Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) and Zoning Ordinances. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Iram Farooq, Zusy, Toner, Megan Bayer, Azeem, Siddiqui, Owen O’Riordan, Nolan, Stephanie Groll (TPT), Sobrinho-Wheeler, Brooke McKenna (TPT); Adopt Proposed Zoning Amendments as a City Council Zoning Petition 8-0-1 (Azeem Absent); Refer amendments to PTDM Ordinance and Commercial Parking Space Permits Ordinance to Ordinance Committee 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order Number 24-50, regarding proposed amendments to the Cycling Safety Ordinance to extend the deadline associated with the completion of those sections of the ordinance that are required to be completed by May 1, 2026. [text of report] [as amended Oct 21, 2024 to reflect new Nov 30, 2026 date]
pulled by McGovern; comments by Azeem, McGovern (proposing date change from Nov 1, 2027 to Nov 30, 2026), Brooke McKenna (on no loss of parking for Newtowne Court residents), Toner, Nolan, Owen O’Riordan, Yi-An Huang, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy, Siddiqui, Simmons, Wilson; Amendment to change Nov 1 to Nov 30 Adopted 9-0; Amendment to change Nov 30, 2027 to Nov 30, 2026 Initially Adopted 5-3-0-1 (BA,MM,SS,JSW,CZ-Yes; PT,AW,DS-No; PN-Present), then votes changed to Adopted 7-2 (PT-DS-No); Referred to Ordinance Committee as Amended 9-0

Order #1. That the regular City Council meeting scheduled for Oct 28, 2024 is changed to a Joint Roundtable with the City Council and School Committee to discuss macro-economic trends in Cambridge and the City’s budget. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Siddiqui; Order Adopted 9-0

Communications & Reports #2. A communication from Councillor Nolan and Councillor Toner, transmitting the Fall Schedule for Finance Committee Meetings. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department to provide an update on the status of the [Resident Experiences of Inclusion and Bias in Inclusionary Housing in Cambridge] report’s recommendations, including progress on implementation and planned next steps. Councillor Siddiqui, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (MM,AW-Absent)

Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Oct, 8, 2024 to receive and update from City staff on BEUDO implementation and to review and discuss regulations, elements of BEUDO, and possible future updates. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Late Resolution #13. Happy 90th Birthday to Larry Berman. Mayor Simmons

Comments?

Taxing Time – October 7, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

It’s that time of year again, fellow citizens (especially you property owners), when the bills come due to pay for all that marvelous largess of your favorite elected officials and City staff. It’s Taxing Time! The revenuers are coming! Peoples Republic of Cambridge

Here are the items that got my attention:

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to produce the petition(s) necessary to accomplish the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries, including and especially Memorial Drive. [Charter Right – Azeem, Sept 30, 2024] (PO24#137)
Comments by all; Adopted as Amended 5-4 (BA,MM,PN,SS,JSW-Yes; PT,AW,CZ,DS-No)

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on Memorial Drive. (CM24#219) [text of report]
pulled by Toner; Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

“In the short time since the crash, DCR has mobilized its Engineering staff, completing layout of an expanded shared use path along the river straddling the BU rotary, for a total of roughly 1,000 linear feet. DCR will widen the path west of the Rotary (to the Magazine Beach parking lot) and east of the rotary (to the BU boathouse).”

“Although the BU Bridge refurbishment project is complete along with improvements to the intersection on the south end of the bridge at Commonwealth Avenue, a severe southbound queueing problem persists, stretching well into lower Cambridgeport in the afternoon rush period, especially before events at Fenway Park. The problem is caused by southbound approach capacity at Commonwealth Avenue rather than by the rotary itself. Additionally, the current bicycle lanes on the BU Bridge do not have physical separation and the lane configuration is challenging for cyclists. Conversations are currently underway between the multiple jurisdictional stakeholders around the rotary and the Bridge about possible improvements to improve both the congestion impacts in Cambridgeport and the bicycle facilities on the Bridge itself.”

Tax Rate Hearing #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to votes necessary to seek approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of the tax rate for FY2025. (CM24#220) [text of report]
Orders Adopted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Agenda Item Number 1A Oct 7, 2024
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is authorized to use $2,000,000 in Overlay Surplus Reserve to be used to reduce the Fiscal Year 2025 tax rate.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Agenda Item Number 1B Oct 7, 2024
ORDERED: That the City Council classifies property within the City of Cambridge into five property classes allowed for the purpose of allocating the property tax levy. Additionally, that the City Council hereby adopts a minimum residential factor of 64.2099 for the purpose of distributing the property tax levy.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Agenda Item Number 1C Oct 7, 2024
ORDERED: That the City Council approves a thirty (30) percent residential exemption for owner-occupied homes.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

The bottom line is: The FY25 Adopted Operating Budget increased by 8.1% ($71.8 million) over the FY24 Adopted Budget. This compares to last year’s 7.2% over the FY23 Adopted Budget ($57.8 million) - after some one-time accounting changes. The FY25 Budget adopted by the City Council in June 2024 projected a property tax levy increase of $53.4 million (9.28%) to $628.8 million in order to fund operating and capital expenditures. With approval of the recommendations in this memo, the actual FY25 tax levy required to support the FY25 Budget is $628,388,753 which is an increase of $52,970,264 or 9.21% from FY24. This increase is slightly lower than the estimated increase of 9.28% projected in June 2024 as part of the Adopted Budget, due in large part to higher than projected investment earnings.

The property tax levy increase of 9.21% is higher than the FY24 increase of 8.3%. The five-year (FY21-FY25) annual average increase is 7.51%, and the ten-year (FY16-FY25) annual average increase is 6.31%. The FY25 residential tax rate will be $6.35 per thousand dollars of value, subject to Department of Revenue approval. This is an increase of $0.43, or approximately 7.3% from FY24. The commercial tax rate will be $11.52, which is an increase of $1.06, or 10.1% from FY24.

By property class, an average a single-family home will see a 7.86% tax increase, a two-family will see a 6.44% increase, a three-family will see a 7.5% increase, and a condo will see an 11.46% increase. This last figure is interesting in that due to the flat residential exemption, condo owners have actually been seeing decreases in recent years. Here are the median figures including the CPA Surcharge:

FY2025 Taxes

Residential Property Type	FY24 Median Tax (incl. CPA surcharge)	FY25 Median Tax (incl. CPA surcharge)	Median $ increase	% increase
Condominium	$1,555	$1,734	$ 179	11.51%
Single-Family	$7,674	$8,277	$ 603	7.86%
Two-Family	$6,713	$7,146	$ 433	6.45%
Three-Family	$8,246	$8,865	$ 619	7.51%

History of changes in residential property taxes

Median Annual Tax Increases - Cambridge (not incl. CPA surcharge)
Tax Year	condo	single-family	two-family	three-family
FY2009	$ 18	$ 40	$ 24	$ 72
FY2010	$ 69	$ 119	$ 47	$ 41
FY2011	$ 77	$ 306	$ 132	$ 154
FY2012	$ 60	$ 269	$ 177	$ 215
FY2013	$ 65	$ 159	$ 80	$ 85
FY2014	- $ 38	$ 109	$ 110	$ 201
FY2015	$ 15	$ 11	$ 334	$ 253
FY2016	- $ 18	$ 64	$ 101	$ 217
FY2017	$ 11	$ 324	$ 237	$ 336
FY2018	$ 76	$ 136	$ 33	$ 61
FY2019	$ 21	$ 124	$ 292	$ 469
FY2020	$ 43	$ 449	$ 366	$ 369
FY2021	$ 3	$ 246	$ 131	$ 218
FY2022	$ 33	$ 545	$ 301	$ 335
FY2023	- $ 107	$ 419	$ 269	$ 379
FY2024	- $ 7	$ 743	$ 494	$ 598
FY2025	$ 175	$ 587	$ 421	$ 602
5 year average	- $19.40	$508.00	$323.20	$426.40
10 year average	$23.00	$363.70	$264.50	$358.40
15 year average	$27.27	$299.40	$231.87	$299.47
number of properties (FY2023)	14841	3910	2292	1168

Note: Unlike previous years, the information on the number of residential properties in each
of the 17 Residential Tax Districts was not provided in this year’s City Manager letter.

Order #1. That this City Council go on record in support of 2024 ballot Question 2 to replace the MCAS graduation requirement and require instead that districts certify that students have satisfactorily completed coursework demonstrating mastery of the skills and knowledge required by the Commonwealth’s strong, statewide standards in order to graduate. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson (PO24#139)
pulled by Toner; comments by all but Simmons; Order Fails 4-4-0-1 (MM,SS,JSW,AW-Yes; BA,PN,PT,CZ-No; DS-Present)
Note: Councillor Toner quoted statistics that, over the last 10 years at CRLS, there have been 5,352 graduations and only 41 who did not receive a diploma due to failure to pass 10th Grade MCAS exam.

Late Communications & Reports #2. A communication from David Murphy, Interim Superintendent of Schools, re: CPS MCAS Achievement Data.
Placed on File 9-0

Suffice to say that I do not agree with this policy order nor do I agree with the current heavily funded media campaign sponsored by the Mass. Teacher’s Association (MTA) in support of this measure. Maintaining the MCAS graduation requirement does not mean that teachers must “teach to the test.” It simply means that they have to do a great job of teaching. Lowering standards (even if the MTA claims this would do otherwise) is what some refer to as the “soft bigotry of low expectations” and I agree with this characterization. – Robert Winters

Comments?

Juggernaut or Not? – September 30, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Juggernaut The dreams of A Bigger Cambridge (who prefer to be called “A Better Cambridge” for political reasons) were delayed from last week via the Charter Right. At issue is a mega-proposal shepherded on a fast track through the Housing Committee by Co-Chairs Burhan Azeem and Sumbul Siddiqui with the aim of doubling (and more) the permissible heights of residential buildings across the city - and packaged with the perfectly agreeable goal of allowing multi-family housing in all zoning districts. The rallying cry to “End Exclusionary Zoning!” is the tactic being employed to push through these two very distinct initiatives, but it’s really just the record-breaking upzoning proposal that is at the heart of the controversy.

There was a great event held last Tuesday at the Main Library called “100 Years of Zoning” marking the 100th anniversary of Cambridge’s first zoning ordinance. (There were actually various “proto-zoning” ordinances already in place before 1924 under our local Building Code - largely motivated by concerns about public health and fire safety.) It was made pretty clear by the presenters that a century ago there was a concern about the proliferation of “tenement housing” that accompanied rapid population growth largely associated with immigration – and at that time the triple-decker was seen in this light. The sorting out of residential zoning districts into higher and lower density zones came a bit later.

When I was growing up in New York City, the term “tenement” was largely associated with dilapidated housing stock in which people were packed - often in unsafe conditions. This is not how I saw our triple-deckers in Cambridge and Boston when I first arrived in 1978. To me, they were graceful residential buildings with front and rear porches that originally allowed a middle-class homeowner to live and thrive in the city and to also provide affordable housing to their tenants. I chose to live in a triple-decker, and I eventually bought the building and I’m still living at the same address. You will get no argument from me about the value of triple-deckers and similar buildings. However, I don’t think they’re for everyone nor do I think that living in or next door to larger apartment buildings is for everyone.

I like some of the lower density parts of Cambridge, and I’m glad that people have been able to settle into the kind of neighborhoods that suit their preferences. It does seem to me that the philosophy (if you want to call it that) of the densifiers at “A Bigger Cambridge” is that apartment buildings should be the standard across all of Cambridge - and if you don’t like it you should move or meet your maker. I could not disagree more.

There are plenty of locations in Cambridge that I could easily identify where a larger apartment building would fit in very well and be an improvement over existing conditions. I can also point out locations where dropping a larger apartment building in would be a radical and very unwelcome change. But that’s not the ABC way. Their “vision” is to impose a single high-density standard across all of Cambridge, and they are selling this under the questionable claim that this will miraculously cause all housing to become more affordable. I don’t question the economic principle that when housing supply is increased in an equilibrium situation, then purchase prices and rents may be expected to decrease. Cambridge housing right now is not really in an equilibrium state – largely due to a couple of decades of growth in university affiliates and our local high-tech economy and a national trend of people choosing to move into the cities and closer to work (a reverse migration compared to the suburban exodus of decades ago). I will also note that there has more recently been a double reverse outward for some people in the age of Covid and work-from-home arrangements, and if ever the dream of driverless vehicles is realized many experts predict even more outward migration.

The question of affordability is an interesting one. Everyone wants housing to be affordable, but the philosophy of those working in our Housing Department seems to be that the only way to do this is via subsidized, deed-restricted housing created via government mandate - hence the so-called “Affordable Housing Overlay” 1.0, 2.0, and I’m certain we’ll soon see 3.0 and beyond as they endlessly try to game the economics of housing development. It does seem to be the case that if developers are permitted to build twice as much as-of-right, the land values will jump accordingly and this will virtually guarantee an AHO 3.0 or other mechanism to further game the economics. This escalation seems inevitable, and some neighborhoods (particular those with “soft sites”) may be ground up under the wheels of this Juggernaut.

At the last City Council meeting, Heather Hoffman posed several questions to city councillors and City staff regarding these twin zoning proposals. Here are her questions (expanded and really deserving of their own article):

1. Would increasing the inclusionary percentage violate the MBTA Communities Act?

2. Would decreasing the inclusionary percentage mean that we could not increase back to where it is now without violating the MBTA Communities Act?

3. What analysis has been done on whether this proposal would cause displacement of currently housed residents? If the answer is none, why is that?

4. What analysis has been done on what effect this proposal would have on median rents? If the answer is none, why is that?

5. What analysis has been done on what sorts of properties would be demolished? If the answer is none, why is that?

6. What analysis has been done on how this proposal would affect currently existing naturally occurring affordable housing? If the answer is none, why is that?

7. What analysis has been done on what is happening to currently existing naturally occurring affordable housing under current zoning? If the answer is none, why is that?

8. What analysis has been done on what effect this proposal would have on the market value of properties that would be upzoned by it? If the answer is none, why is that?

9. What analysis has been done on what effect this proposal would have on development under the AHO? If the answer is none, why is that?

10. What analysis has been done on how this would affect the City’s finances, especially with respect to the City’s ability to maximize tax shifting from residential to commercial properties under Prop 2-1/2? If the answer is none, why is that? Would the City have to find new commercial development prospects in order to maintain its Prop 2-1/2 balance?

The final point I will make now (made extra clear by Heather’s great questions) is that there are MANY unanswered questions about these proposed changes, and virtually zero analysis about their intended and unintended consequences.

Here are the agenda items I find interesting this week:

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Preservation Restriction at 90 Brattle Street. (CM24#214) [text of report]
pulled by Azeem; supportive comments by Azeem; overview of significance of house by Charles Sullivan and owner’s desire for additional protections; enthusiastic support by Mayor Simmons; Preservation Restriction Adopted, Communication Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Half Crown-Marsh NCD Decennial Review Report. (CM24#215) [text of report]
pulled by Azeem; questions from Azeem; Clerk clarifies that matter should be referred to Ordinance Committee; Charles Sullivan concurs with explanation; City Solicitor Megan Bayer notes that matter is not required to go to Ordinance Committee; Azeem questions process; Bayer reiterates that doesn’t need to be accepted as a petition - just a study report satisfying an ordinance requirement; Yi-An Huang notes that Council could just accept the report but that an Order will be required in next 5 months to renew NCD or amend it; Simmons asks who will remind Council and Huang says City will do this; Zusy notes benefit of NCD advice to homeowners; Report Accepted and Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to request that the City Council authorize the purchase of a parcel of land located within the town of Lexington identified as 0 Cambridge/Concord Turnpike in Lexington, Massachusetts. (CM24#216) [map]
pulled by McGovern w/purpose of finalizing tonight; comments/explanations from Owen O’Riordan, Megan Bayer (resolves litigation); Siddiqui notes Bob Reardon’s role in assessment of property; Order Adopted 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-52, regarding an evaluation of the legal feasibility of the following proposals and analyze how much housing could be created under the following proposals. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern re: including requirement of inclusionary units for a 6-story building, 4-story limit otherwise; Bayer concurs; Azeem moves suspension to bring forward the related items on Charter Right (#1, #2 and #3) - prevails 9-0; Azeem comments, asks about “corridors”, Central Square, Mass. Ave., Cambridge St. and where related processes stand; Iram Farooq offers explanation and notes that they are within the limits proposed, desire to be more specific on where proposals apply; Azeem says proposals for corridors and Squares coming next year, etc., wants to move forward to Ordinance Committee; Toner asks for clarification of what Councillor Wilson wants re: inclusionary requirements and whether they would be increased beyond current requirements; Wilson explains; Toner asks if this might constitute an increase, suggests that immediate focus should be on corridors and Squares, does not want to start the clock ticking if sent now to Ordinance Committee, prefers to Table; Nolan asks about which corridors would be included - noting that Huron Ave. is not included; Farooq agrees about need for clarity on what constitutes a “corridor”; Nolan OK w/ending “exclusionary zoning” but has concerns about massive citywide upzoning, notes that focusing on corridors and squares might actually yield more housing units than proposal as written; Nolan expresses desire to include Huron Ave. among corridors and add significant heights and density along Huron Ave. and geographical distribution of more housing, wants analysis of where teardowns might be expected; Zusy shares Nolan’s concerns and would prefer more clarity prior to referring to Ordinance Committee; Zusy moves to Table pending this additional information, expresses concerns about how this is dividing the community and need for more community input; Zusy Motion to Table these three items matters to permit discussion in NLTP Committee Fails 4-5 (PN,PT,CZ,DS-Yes; BA,MM,SS,JSW,AW-No); Siddiqui wants to send to Ordinance, condescends to Zusy about NLTP Committee not being a committee of the whole, says timeline is important - meet in November, clock starts when Ordinance Committee meets on matter; Siddiqui motion to Place Communications of File and refer two petitions to Ordinance Committee; Wilson asks CDD about process if now referred to Ordinance; Farooq notes pending requests for analysis, pending request for community meetings, notes 65 days until Ordinance Committee required to meet, and then 90 days for action by City Council after that; Wilson asks for CDD recommendation and Farooq recommends sending to Ordinance Committee now to prevent “dueling ideas” (??); Simmons notes that these conversations can be confusing for the average person; McGovern wants a “Fact Sheet” as was done when AHO was railroaded through (twice), notes that Ordinance Committee could meet as late as Dec 4, then 90 days after for ordination or can be re-filed - noting that AHO was re-filed twice, saw 62 amendments (many of which were terrible), suggests that this matter is not being rushed; Toner will work with McGovern to develop the Ordinance Committee schedule, agrees with need for FAQ, suggests a Roundtable; Azeem notes that all projects that have produced affordable units have been 6 stories or greater, wants this in current Res A and Res B districts; Nolan wants clarity on what constitutes “community meetings” as opposed to City Council meetings with very limited public participation; Farooq says there would be at least two community meetings in addition to the hearings; Nolan notes perceptions of betrayal of trust, suggests using Envision definitions for what constitutes “corridors”; Farooq says additional analysis expected in November; Siddiqui wants to split motion into separate votes; Zusy notes confusion among citizens in that this proposal flies against recommendations in Envision in regard to protecting character of neighborhoods, noting that existing apartment buildings in C-Port are typically less than 3 stories, setbacks for triple-deckers - and this reality conflicts with current proposals, suggests that need for MANY amendments suggests lack of a clear plan; Simmons notes need for two votes - one simple majority for proposals meeting Housing Choice Act requirements and other requiring two-thirds majority; Megan Bayer notes that sending both to Ordinance is by simple majority; but future ordination requires simple majority for proposals to add housing and two-thirds majority for aspects that do not directly create more housing; Mgr #9 Placed on File 9-0; Charter Right #1 Adopted 8-1 (Zusy-No); Charter Right #2 Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 8-1 (Zusy-No); Charter Right #3 Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 8-1 (Zusy-No).

Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-52, regarding draft zoning language based on the proposal discussed at the Housing Committee to eliminate exclusionary zoning and allow up to six stories of multifamily housing in all residential districts. [text of report]
Adopted 8-1 (Zusy-No)

Charter Right #2. That the Council accept Multi Family Zoning Petition -Part 1, as presented in CM24#207, as a City Council Zoning Petition. [Charter Right – Nolan, Sept 23, 2024] [text of report]
Adopted 8-1 (Zusy-No)

Charter Right #3. That the Council accept Multi Family Zoning Petition - Part 2, as presented in CM24#207, as a City Council Zoning Petition. [Charter Right – Nolan, Sept 23, 2024] [text of report]
Adopted 8-1 (Zusy-No)

Order #3. City Council support of the Week Without Driving challenge and specifically designate Oct 3, 2024 as a day in which participants are encouraged to use alternative transportation options such as public transit, biking, carpooling, and walking. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to produce the petition(s) necessary to accomplish the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries, including and especially Memorial Drive. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Toner; Toner notes that DCR already proposing lane reductions west of JFK St. but there’s a need for more discussion needed for other sections of Memorial Drive, proposes amendment to delete reference to lane reductions; Zusy concurs with Toner noting concerns of people in neighborhoods that would be affected by re-routed traffic, notes another planned changes pending; McGovern notes statistics (1200 crashes, 446 injuries, 20 incapacitating, and 4 fatalities over last 10 years) and need to address most problematic areas sooner than later; Nolan comments and amendment; Siddiqui notes advocacy suggesting that DCR already planning lane reductions here; Yi-An Huang says City has been in close contact with DCR – 1) immediate changes for greater safety where crash occurred, 2) lower speed limit, 3) reconstruction/redesign of rotary over next 2-4 years (and relation to BU Bridge and Mass Pike project), 4) lane reductions between Eliot Bridge and JFK Street; and 5) other land reductions (that have been scaled back) – and need for more community process; Brooke McKenna notes that City can and will request that DCR lower speed limits, coordination with Conservation Commission; Siddiqui seeks clarification on lane reductions; Yi-An Huang promises more detail in writing; Simmons suggests need for more information to be disseminated to potentially affected neighborhoods; Azeem asks about matter before Conservation Commission; McKenna notes that this relates only to area in vicinity of the rotary; Azeem notes that DCR may resist major changes due to associated cost; Charter Right - Azeem

Order #5. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to report back to the City Council on the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) NOFO as soon as possible. Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Late Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Mayor E. Denise Simmons, transmitting the updated 2024-2025 Committee assignments.
Placed on File as Amended 9-0

Comments?

Preview of a Consequential Meeting - September 23, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Cathie Zusy will be sworn is as a city councillor to replace Joan Pickett at the start of this meeting. There are also some very consequential items and another flood of communications related to the controversial proposals to allow large apartment buildings to be built anywhere and everywhere in Cambridge - effectively ending the Resident A and Resident B zones in favor of something similar to Resident C-1 zones - only with substantially higher allowable heights and densities. Here are the featured items:

Swearing-In of Cathie Zusy to fill vacancy created due to passing of Councillor Joan Pickett

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to recommendations of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2024. [text of report]
pulled by Wilson; comments by Wilson, Sobrinho-Wheeler (who disagrees with use of CPA $ for golf course clubhouse renovations), Zusy (noting important role of CPA funding for Magazine Beach), Siddiqui; All six votes Adopted 9-0

This is the annual ritual - guaranteed 80%+ to the Affordable Housing Trust without any consideration of alternatives.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on the Temporary Respite Center at the Registry of Deeds.
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Maura Pensak, Wilson; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-52, re: draft zoning language based on the proposal discussed at the Housing Committee to eliminate exclusionary zoning and allow up to six stories of multifamily housing in all residential districts. (CM24#207) [text of report]
Charter Right on Manager’s Communication and twin zoning petitions - Nolan

I will repeat what I said last week — “The synopsis here is that most individuals and interest groups are perfectly OK with allowing multifamily housing in all zones (though I wish we could put an end to the “exclusionary zoning” terminology and its associated mythology). The matter of allowing up to six stories (or more) everywhere is far more controversial and highly questionable. I don’t think there are many people who question the need for more housing in Cambridge and elsewhere, but there are better and worse places (economically, architecturally,aesthetically, etc.) for such structures to be allowed and encouraged. Failure to make such distinctions is basically equivalent to dismissing the better intentions of zoning to create a mosaic of neighborhoods with varying features appealing to varying needs and desires. Choice is not a bad thing. I really hope the current Housing Committee is not successful in ramming through such a partisan proposal. It would be far better if our elected officials and CDD staff could be more nuanced in their analysis and perspective.”

Alternative language introduced independently last week by Councillor Toner and Councillor Wilson is a mixed bag. The notion that dramatically greater heights and densities should be concentrated only in the Squares and “major corridors” - and exempting other streets - is a bit of a punch in the face to those of us who live on streets such as Broadway, though what exactly constitutes a “major corridor” was not spelled out in the amendment. In contrast, I can fully agree that places like Central Square can support more residential development - especially on sites such as the underutilized parking lots at Prospect and Bishop Allen (and, of course, the adjacent Vail Court). Councillor Wilson’s amendment suggests that only “projects that either contain more than 9 units or that are larger than 10,000 square feet” should get the zoning bonus, i.e. housing developments that would be subject to the current Inclusionary Zoning requirements.

I would also like to remind everybody that Cambridge is not the problem when it comes to allowing apartment buildings, greater densities, and publicly subsidized housing. This is a problem associated with many of the cities and towns in the Greater Boston area - but not Cambridge. This was made clear by the fact that in order for Cambridge to meet the standards of the recent MBTA Communities Act, Cambridge did not need to change a single thing in its zoning code.

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the MBTA to prioritize addressing housing affordability in the redevelopment of the Alewife garage. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Nolan; Nolan amendment adopted 9-0; Order Adopted 9-0

There should, of course, be more residential and commercial development at this important transit node. However, as I have often said, there’s a big difference between addressing housing affordability and simply building more “affordable housing,” a.k.a. public housing. If this is primarily about building several more Rindge Towers at Alewife (as referenced in this Order), then I am less than enthusiastic.

Order #4. City Council support for the construction of the North-South Rail Link. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy
pulled by Nolan; Amended to add Nolan, Zusy as sponsors; Order Adopted 9-0

Cost is an issue – a big issue. Will the suggested benefits really outweigh the exorbitant cost?

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Finance Department, Law Department, and other relevant departments to explore the feasibility of a successor program to Rise Up Cambridge. Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, Zusy, Nolan, Simmons; Amended to add Simmons as sponsor 9-0; Order Adopted 9-0

I have been expecting this since the day the City re-directed $22 million in Covid relief funds toward this new municipal welfare program. Currently the Anti-Aid Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution prevents the use of local property taxes from being used for direct payments to individuals and organizations except as fees for services rendered. Personally, if this kind of expanded welfare program is desired, it should be a statewide program with far better eligibility standards than the temporary federally-funded program currently in place. Better yet, state- and federally-funded public assistance programs should be restructured if this really is a desirable goal.

Resolution #2. Wishing Marvin Gilmore a Happy 100th Birthday. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Toner

I attended a 100th birthday bash for Marvin (as well as honoring several other prominent Cantabrigians) entitled Cambridge Mosaic at the Brattle Theatre this past Friday. It was a wonderful reunion of many great friends.

Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Mon, Sept 9, 2024 to discuss truck safety in Cambridge. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-0-1 (Zusy - Present)

Advocacy for better truck safety is not controversial. The difficulty is that Cambridge cannot impose vehicle standards unilaterally - only the state and really the federal government can do that. As for designing intersections for greater safety, especially in regard to turning vehicles, it’s nice to see the cycling advocates finally coming around to what the rest of us have been saying all along, i.e. separated bike lanes may provide greater “comfort” but the provision of greater safety is primarily about the intersections. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Joan Pickett, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to many, was a long-time resident of Cambridge, MA, and a Cambridge City Councillor. She passed away, surrounded by her loving and adoring family, on August 31, 2024, after an unexpected and brief illness. She was 69.

Originally from Dover, NH, Joan attended Dover High School and spent her childhood summers with her family at their cottage in Alton Bay, NH. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Boston College.

Joan’s love of learning prompted her to move to New York City to further her education. She pursued an MPH (Master of Public Health) and an MBA (Master of Business Administration) at Columbia University, graduating with distinction.

Joan’s Upper West Side home was a joyous, welcoming place, always filled with family, friends, and her precious dogs. Several of her nieces and nephews lived with Joan and Adane while pursuing their education and spending fun-filled summers on the East Coast. Their home was a cornerstone of the family, where doors were always open to visitors and served as a gathering place, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas, when they often hosted extended family.

During her time in New York City, she was a Managing Director at Citigroup before transitioning to various roles at Standard & Poor’s. Her career focused on areas such as commercial lending and municipal bond finance, and she served as the head of the healthcare and higher education unit at Standard & Poor’s bond rating agency. Looking to serve the community on a different level, Joan returned to the Boston area and spent 25 years working closely with both academic and community physicians and staff. She used her years of experience and wealth of knowledge in strategic planning and business development at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

A resident of Mid-Cambridge for almost 27 years, Joan was a committed community leader. She was an active member and past president of the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association and served as chairman of Cambridge Streets for All. She volunteered for the Charles River Conservancy as board chair and finance committee chair. In her retirement, Joan was elected as a Cambridge City Councillor and began her service in that role in January 2024.

Passionate about dog training and rescue, Joan was a founding board member of Caring Canines Pet Therapy, which provided comfort and happiness to children fighting cancer. She adopted and fostered multiple rescue dogs, providing a loving and safe home for neglected and abused animals. She was an avid gardener and created a peaceful oasis that was her favorite place to catch up with family and friends. She loved art and antiques—a passion she inherited from her mother—and spent many happy hours hunting for treasures to sell in her booth at the Cambridge Antiques Market.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, James F. and Addie Pickett, and her sister and best friend, Sally (Pickett) Cadman of Hollis, NH. She is survived by her loving husband, Adane Dessie; Christopher Cadman; her brothers and sisters-in-law; her beloved nieces and nephews; and countless close friends.

A ceremony will be held at Grondin Funeral Home, with burial at Pine Hill, on Saturday, September 28, at 10:30am, followed immediately by a memorial service at Cambridge City Hall from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made on behalf of Joan Pickett to Caring Canines at caringcanines.org.

To all who voted and supported Joan we share your grief and cherish your support. You can e-mail erika1923@yahoo.com with comments or questions.

Acapulco Gold Rush - September 16, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Perhaps the biggest action item on this week’s agenda is the “emergency” amendment to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance to extend the permitting preference period during which the politically connected “social equity” and “economic empowerment” applicants can have an advantage in selling recreational marijuana without any competition from their medicinal marijuana counterparts. This isn’t the first time this ordinance was extended as an “emergency” since its original adoption over 5 years ago.

There are also the two housing-related shots across the bow that were delayed from last week via the Charter Right. Those are accompanied by a flood of communications - mostly in vehement opposition.

Otherwise, the agenda this week is relatively brief. Here are the items I found most interesting:

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-48, regarding a request which directed City staff to enact policy that will extend the priority period for Social Equity and Equity Empowerment cannabis business applicants. (CM24#201) [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by City Solicitor Megan Bayer on 6-month extension, emergency ordination; Simmons motion to pass through all stages of ordination as an “emergency involving the health and safety of the people of Cambridge or their property” passes 6-2 (BA,PN-No); Nolan expresses concerns about this being the 2nd instance of passing this as an “emergency”; Ordained 6-2 (BA,PN-No); Communication Placed on File 8-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Council Order PO24#121, which requested that the City Manager work with relevant staff to provide an update on the status of the Vail Court property and associate litigation in Said S. Abuzahra, Trustee of Equity Realty Trust, et al. v. City of Cambridge, in Executive Session if necessary, at a future meeting.
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; McGovern motion (at 6:59pm) to Table (until 8:00pm when legal counsel will be available) passes 8-0 at which time the City Council will meet in Executive Session; McGovern motion (7:44pm) to remove from Table 7-0-1 (BA-Absent); Move to Executive Session 7-0-1 (BA-Absent)

Order #1. That the City of Cambridge assist companies, institutions, and other organizations in adopting truck safety requirements for their fleets and finding trucking vendors who are able to comply by providing an informational resource and publicizing those that comply. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 8-0

Order #2. That the City Manager is hereby requested to work with relevant departments to review Cambridge’s curb cut policies and report back on if they can be improved to help meet the City’s transportation and sustainability goals with some proposed updates and draft ordinance language designating City staff as the final approval authority for curb cuts. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by JSW, Toner (notes need for a more accurate list of neighborhood associations); Order Adopted 8-0

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager direct the Community Development Department (CDD) and the Law Department to draft zoning language based on the proposal discussed at the Housing Committee to eliminate exclusionary zoning and allow up to six stories of multifamily housing in all residential districts. [Charter Right – Toner, Sept 9, 2024] (PO24#117)
Toner proposes amendment by substitution calling for up to 15 to 25 stories in the Squares, 9-10 stories on major transportation corridors, and changes to Inclusionary Zoning; Wilson proposes amendment; Clerk process question re: Wilson motion to Toner’s amendment by substitution; McGovern notes that Toner amendment is actually not an amendment by substitution, Toner disagrees; minor Toner amendment; JSW opposes Toner substitution; McGovern wants to jack up AHO even more, agrees with going taller in the Squares, opposes having only 4-story heights in Res A and Res B zones - want those zones to also have much greater heights and densities; Nolan calls this a fraught conversation, notes that almost everyone OK with multi-family citywide, suggests that there are other ways to reach goals with fewer unintended consequences, concerns about possible loss of “naturally occurring affordable housing”, maintaining transportation and climate goals, possibility that this could increase housing costs, questions about actual number of inclusionary units that might be produced; Siddiqui acknowledges need to revisit inclusionary zoning requirements, but does not want to do that now; Azeem questions Iram Farouq about timeline for getting zoning language; Farouq says language likely available as soon as next week; Azeem asks about status of squares and corridors; Farouq says heights of Toner amendment not currently consistent with what is being discussed for Central Square, suggests analysis re: Toner amendment might be available by time Ordinance Committee takes up proposed zoning; Azeem wants additional Housing Committee hearings in interim; Wilson OK with Toner substitution but will also have additional amendment; Toner substitute amendment approved 7-1 (JSW-No); Wilson amendment passes 8-0; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager directs CDD to hold public meetings to inform the Cambridge community about the proposed changes before any public hearings of the Ordinance Committee and the Planning Board on this topic. [Charter Right – Azeem, Sept 9, 2024] (PO24#118)
Order Adopted 8-0

283 Communications - mostly in vehement opposition to the Azeem-Siddiqui-ABC proposals to transform Cambridge into Flushing.

Resolution #5. Resolution on the death of Rita Grassi. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner

Resolution #7. Condolences on the death of Francis P. “Red” McGrail. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

Communications and Reports #2. A communication from Mayor Simmons re: Joan Pickett Memorial Service.
Placed on File 7-0-1 (PN-Absent)

E. Denise Simmons, Mayor

September 16, 2024

City Clerk Diane LeBlanc
City of Cambridge
Cambridge City Hall

Re: Communication re: Joan Pickett Memorial Service

Dear Madam Clerk:
Please include this correspondence on the agenda as a late Communication and Report from Other City Officers for the City Council meeting scheduled for September 16, 2024. I am relaying information about the upcoming memorial for our friend and colleague, City Councillor Joan Pickett, who sadly passed away on August 30. The memorial service shall be held at Cambridge City Hall on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 3pm-6pm. This memorial service shall be open to friends, family, and members of the public. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Mayor E. Denise Simmons

Communications & Reports #3. A communication from Mayor Simmons re: Filling City Council Vacancy.
Placed on File 7-0-1 (PN-Absent)

E. Denise Simmons, Mayor

September 16, 2024

City Clerk Diane LeBlanc
City of Cambridge
Cambridge City Hall

Re: Communication re: Filling City Council Vacancy

Dear Council Colleagues,
I want to update you on the process and timeline for seating the new City Councillor who will fill the vacancy left by the passing of our esteemed colleague, Joan Pickett.

The recount to determine the new City Councillor will take place on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at 5pm. Following the recount, we will officially announce the elected candidate who will be filling the vacancy. Once the candidate is elected, they will coordinate with the City Clerk’s office to schedule their official swearing-in ceremony.

I will keep you informed of any further developments and the swearing-in schedule once it is confirmed. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Mayor E. Denise Simmons

Comments?

Amid Sorrow & Loss, the City Council Reconvenes - Sept 9, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

I can barely find the words to express my sorrow at the loss of my friend, City Councillor Joan Pickett. Nonetheless, amidst sorrow and loss, the Cambridge City Council will reconvene this Monday after their Summer Recess. The Vacancy Recount will take place on Thursday, Sept 19 and Cathie Zusy is expected to join the City Council and be sworn in on Monday, Sept 23.

Resolution #6. Condolences to the family of City Councillor Joan Pickett. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson
Adopted as Amended 8-0

I am grateful to Mayor Simmons for shedding a little light on what happened to my friend Joan Pickett - especially her note of appreciation to Naomie Stephen, Paula Crane, and Ayesha Wilson who were with Joan when she took ill last month. More details and memorial plans will follow later this month.

Mayor Simmons emphasized how Joan tried to build bridges between people of differing points of view. Councillors Siddiqui and Wilson were tearful in their remarks about Joan. Councillor Wilson noted the toll that mean-spirited email messages (and more) can have on elected officials, including Joan, and of how she will miss Joan’s kindness, generosity, and grace. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler and Mayor Simmons also noted Joan’s warmth and sense of humor.

Two quotes, in particular, stood out in the discussion around Joan’s death. Naomie Stephen said, “Cambridge needs more Joans.” Mayor Simmons suggested she may in the future use the acronym WWJPD in future City Council deliberations: “What would Joan Pickett do?”

Mayor Simmons rounded out the discussion with a modified version of the short poem “Outwitted” by Edwin Markham (1852-1940):

“He drew a circle that shut me out
Heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and Joan had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!”

Here are the agenda items I found most interesting and/or important on this week’s agenda:

Reconsideration #1. Requiring a 2/3rds vote for approving changes to be forwarded to the legislature and the voters on a future ballot. (PO24#102) [Filed by Councillor Toner who was not on the prevailing side of that vote, and who intends to move suspension of the rules to allow this motion for Reconsideration]
Rules Suspended 8-0; Reconsideration Prevails 8-0; Tabled 8-0

I hope that the majority of city councillors will extend the same courtesy to allow reconsideration of this vote as they extended to Councillor Wilson on Aug 5 when they allowed her to change her vote at the end of that meeting. Since there will not be a full City Council until Sept 23, the best course of action would be to suspend the rules to allow Reconsideration and to then lay this matter On the Table until at least Sept 23.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Irene Monroe to the Cambridge Library Board of Trustees.
Appointments Approved 8-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Avanti Tilak to the Open Data Review Board for a term of two-years.
Appointment Approved 8-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments and reappointments of the following persons to the Family Policy Council; Appointments: Interim Superintendent David Murphy. Reappointments: Tina Alu, Michael Johnston, Michelle Lower, Geeta Pradhan, Bridget Rodriguez, Elizabeth Stapleton (formerly Elizabeth Hill), Tagesech Wabeto.
Appointments Approved 8-0

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the reappointments of David Lyons and Elysse Magnotto-Cleary and the appointments of Khyati Saraf and Lorie Graham as Members of the Conservation Commission for a term of three-years. As well as the appointment of Jim Gerstle and Sean Bedingfield as Associate Members of the Conservation Commission for a term of one year.
Appointments Approved 8-0

There have been MANY appointments and invitations to Boards & Commissions lately. In addition to these four appointments, there are several more pending and another eight invitations with September deadlines.

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a report detailing the Board of Zoning Appeal’s proposed modifications to the Zoning Ordinance, specifically concerning the implementation of dormer guidelines. [text of report]
Petition Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 8-0

Manager’s Agenda #16. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $416,991, received from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to the Grant Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account to support the purchase of an all-electric rubbish packer.
Order Adopted 8-0

This should warm the heart of Councillor Nolan who is almost guaranteed to speak to this matter (she didn’t).

Manager’s Agenda #18. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $276,800, received from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program to the Grant Fund Public Works Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account. This grant will focus on increasing urban trees, create a map of high and low tree mortality areas across the Mystic River Watershed, and establish a regional urban forests working group of municipal tree wardens to develop strategies to maximize the likelihood of urban trees growing to maturity and identify priority areas where environmental justice communities live, travel and go to cool off during hot summers.
Order Adopted 8-0

Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-08, regarding recommendations for the refinement and improvement of the housing permitting process. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, City Manager Yi-An Huang; Iram Farooq (CDD); Kathy Watkins (DPW); Jacob Lazzara (ISD); Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan; Vice-Mayor McGovern; Councillors Sobrinho-Wheeler, Azeem; Brooke McKenna (TPT); Councillors Wilson, Toner; Placed on File 8-0

Manager’s Agenda #22. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to extending the prior authorization for the City Manager or their designee to grant street obstruction approvals, along with any other necessary approvals for temporary obstructions until June 30, 2025. (CM24#197) [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by City Solicitor Megan Bayer (explains how authority of Council on street obstructions for outdoor patios delegated to City Manager, desire to make this permanent), Owen O’Riordan; Order Adopted 8-0

It has become routine since the onset of Covid to extend the authorization for outdoor patios for restaurants. Eventually, since these seem to be popular and have helped some restaurants to thrive, some reconfiguration of the streets and sidewalks may be in order so that these may be better configured permanently.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to enact policy that will extend the priority period for Social Equity and Equity Empowerment cannabis business applicants for a period of six months to one year, or until guidance has been received from the Cannabis Control Commission. Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Simmons to add Councillor Wilson as sponsor; Councillor Azeem asks if there is any sense of expiration of this extension; Councillor Siddiqui adds that in addition to extension there are zoning issues to be considered, notes (legal) risks to extending this exemption; Councillor Wilson notes challenges to operators; Councillor Azeem asks for comments from City Solicitor; Megan Bayer notes that preference period in place now for going on 5 years, minor changes/delay in guidance from Cannabis Control Commission, need to balance against interests of medicinal cannabis retailers, exemption period expires Sept 23 (last enacted under “emergency” provisions); Azeem asks of non-equity applicants have gone through process, discomfort with open-ended nature of this process and how exceptional this is [kudos to Azeem for making total sense here]; Toner shares Azeem concerns, but in favor of an extension; Nolan concurs with desire for extension and legal concerns; Bayer notes that preference period is in ordinance and any extension would require an amendment to the ordinance; Simmons, Siddiqui comments; Order Adopted as Amended 7-0-0-1 (Azeem Present)

There must come a point where the City Council’s efforts to override basic economics (and to cater to political friends) has to be called into question and perhaps be challenged in court. One prominent Central Square cannabis retailer that was not been permitted to sell recreational cannabis has already closed while the City continues to grant special status to “social equity” and “equity empowerment” businesses - some of which are funded from some very deep pockets here and elsewhere.

Order #6. That the City Manager direct the Community Development Department (CDD) and the Law Department to draft zoning language based on the proposal discussed at the Housing Committee to eliminate exclusionary zoning and allow up to six stories of multifamily housing in all residential districts. Councillor Azeem, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Toner; Azeem suspension of rules to also take up Committee Report #5, states that median 1BR rent now $3300, 3BR rent now ($5300) [this is very questionable and likely applicable only for new rentals in “luxury” apartments]; Azeem believes that houses destroyed by fire cannot be rebuilt [questionable], believes that this will yield 900 units of affordable housing and that his proposed changes will yield only what he sees as positive outcomes; Charter Right - Toner

Order #7. That the City Manager directs CDD to hold public meetings to inform the Cambridge community about the proposed changes before any public hearings of the Ordinance Committee and the Planning Board on this topic. Councillor Azeem, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Toner; Charter Right - Azeem

Committee Report #5. The Housing Committee held a public hearing on Aug 21, 2024 to continue the discussion on allowing multifamily housing in all neighborhoods of the City. [text of report]
Rules Suspended to consider with Orders #5,6; Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0

The synopsis here is that most individuals and interest groups are perfectly OK with allowing multifamily housing in all zones (though I wish we could put an end to the “exclusionary zoning” terminology and its associated mythology). The matter of allowing up to six stories (or more) everywhere is far more controversial and highly questionable. I don’t think there are many people who question the need for more housing in Cambridge and elsewhere, but there are better and worse places (economically, architecturally,aesthetically, etc.) for such structures to be allowed and encouraged. Failure to make such distinctions is basically equivalent to dismissing the better intentions of zoning to create a mosaic of neighborhoods with varying features appealing to varying needs and desires. Choice is not a bad thing. I really hope the current Housing Committee is not successful in ramming through such a partisan proposal. It would be far better if our elected officials and CDD staff could be more nuanced in their analysis and perspective.

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide a status update on the implementation of the PACE program and provide resources and information for property owners; and provide any recommendations for expanding PACE adoption. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan; Order Adopted 8-0

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to provide an update on progress towards providing a recommendation for changes to the existing ordinance and a report on the impact of the Short-Term Rentals in Cambridge, including how enforcement happens and how many units are registered and available. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Nolan; Nolan expresses concern about loss of apartment rentals due to conversion to Short-Term rentals; Order Adopted 8-0

I would love to hear about the current state of short-term rentals in Cambridge - if it is at all possible to get an accurate assessment.

Order #10. That the City Manager be hereby and is requested to work with relevant staff to provide an update on the status of the Vail Court property and associate litigation in Said S. Abuzahra, Trustee of Equity Realty Trust, et al. v. City of Cambridge, in Executive Session if necessary, at a future meeting. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson
Order Adopted 8-0

The saga of this eminent domain taking continues. It has been close to a decade since that property was taken by the City and the derelict buildings demolished. I would love to see this matter settled and, ideally, a partnership with the owners of the abutting parking lot at Bishop Allen and Prospect St. crafted that can create a great mixed use development on the combined lots.

Order #11. That this City Council go on record calling for MIT’s dissociation from the fossil fuel industry in the Climate Project. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler to add Siddiqui; Order Adopted 7-0-0-1 (Toner Present)

I’ll trust MIT’s judgment on this one.

Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to provide a status Update on Automated Parking Enforcement. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan re: possible legal issues, potential for safety benefits; Order Adopted 8-0

Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Surveillance Technology Impact Report (STIR). [Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler, Aug 5, 2024]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler proposing to Table this; comments by Police Commissioner Christine Elow re: use of surveillance cameras in Central Square; McGovern notes surveillance concerns but that this is for a very specific Central Square purpose, worth a pilot program, not about “criminalizing homelessness”, people now taking advantaged of unhoused individuals and we often know who are committing crimes, but need for building a case; Megan Bayer notes that meeting held with ACLU, intent by CPD to put policies in place; Azeem notes that everyone now has a camera on them, irony that we can’t now have one when we actually need it, victims are often bystanders; Siddiqui wants a timeline for a policy to be established; Elow suggests policy to be developed before cameras activated; Nolan comments on need for policy and examples where cameras would have been helpful, many home cameras already in place and not subject to ordinance; Simmons comments in favor of these cameras; Sobrinho-Wheeler not in favor w/o policy in place; JSW Motion to Table Fails 3-5 (SS,JSW,AW-Yes; BA,MM,PN,PT,DS-No); Order Adopted 7-1 (JSW-No)

Unfinished Business #5. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to Tenants Rights 8.71.040.2 Notice by the City, City may publicize and provide information at events/programs about the requirements of Chapter 8.71 more frequently. [Passed to 2nd Reading, Aug 5, 2024; Eligible To Be Ordained]
pulled by McGovern; comments by Nolan re: info to be mailed to tenants; Ordained 8-0

I expect this will be ordained at this meeting - for what it’s worth.

Resolution #5. Condolences to the family of Valerie Corr Hanserd. Mayor Simmons

Resolution #7. Congratulations to the Honorable Laurence Pierce on his retirement from the Court. Councillor Toner

Resolution #8. Condolences on the death of Frederick James “Freddie” Cabral. Councillor Toner

Committee Report #1. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a public hearing on June 25, 2024 to discuss the micromobility memo prepared by Acting City Solicitor Bayer, for updates from the Community Development Department and the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department on related topics and to discuss next steps. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0

Committee Report #2. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing on Aug 5, 2024 with the City Manager to receive an update on and offer suggestions for consideration in the City’s negotiations with Harvard regarding future Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0

Committee Report #3. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Aug 6, 2024 to receive and update from the City Manager on progress in meeting annual goals, as well as the timeline and process for completing this year’s evaluation. In addition, the Committee will begin discussions for creating a process of evaluation of the City Clerk and City Auditor. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0

Committee Report #4. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on Aug 7, 2024 to discuss status updates on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in Cambridge. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0

Comments?

Dog Days of Summer – August 5, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (Zoom only - Why?)

It’s that special time for that Special Summer Meeting. It may also be time for a visit to the Babson Boulders in Dogtown. Here are the items that caught this dog’s attention:

Reconsideration #1. City Council support of the Massachusetts State Ballot Question to Decriminalize Natural Psychedelics For Therapeutic Use.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on the Cambridge Preschool Program. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; JSW asks about participating family childcare programs; responses by Ellen Semonoff (DHSP), David Murphy (Interim School Superintendent); Siddiqui, Wilson questions/remarks; Simmons suggests a September Roundtable; McGovern, Nolan questions/remarks; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #17. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of 243,689.30, to the Grant Fund Police Department Extraordinary Expenditures account. This grant will support the purchase of some of the hardware necessary for the implementation of the Department’s Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program.
pulled by Toner; Toner asks about status of union negotiations; Christine Elow notes that these are progressing; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Numbers 24-33, 24-34 & 24-38, regarding Vision Zero responses. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments re: truck safety, university and large employees; remarks by Traffic Director Brooke McKenna; Nolan asks about automated traffic enforcement and legislative approval, status of automated parking enforcement, intersection improvements, education; Sobrinho-Wheeler comment on “turn hardening” and greater visibility, truck side guards, voluntary actions; McGovern asks about timeline for more “quick-builds”, data on most dangerous intersections, near misses, enforcement; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #20. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $175,000 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Fund Traffic Extraordinary Expenditures account. These mitigation funds were received as part of the MIT PUD5 (south of Main Street / Kendall Square) Special Permit (PB #303) and will be used to partially fund the design of the Cambridge Street separated bike lanes and other associated street improvements.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #21. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 24-19, regarding researching incentives and support for residents without cars. [text of report]
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #23. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the submission of the 2024 Affordable Housing Overlay Annual Report. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; remarks by JSW, question about status of some projects where offers were rejected or not pursued, replies by Chris Cotter (Housing); McGovern comments, wants to see breakdown by neighborhood; comments by City Manager Huang, Councillor Nolan; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #27. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on the Request for Information (RFI) for 84 & 96 Bishop Allen Drive. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui in response to public comments, desire for only an AHO project on these sites, wants explanation why it might need to be otherwise; City Manager Huang says its not impossible to do “100% affordable”, but this might result in fewer such housing units, limitations on City funding and fact that City-funded projects will go somewhere even if not at these sites, expenses associated with cultural space and limitations on bonding capacity in light of anticipated school building reconstructions and other priorities, similarities with situation with Alewife garage/station and MBTA; Iram Farooq (CDD) notes that Housing Division are contacting affordable housing developers regarding possibilities at these sites, importance of leveraging other capital; Siddiqui reiterates her desire that these sites be public housing w/cultural component; Sobrinho-Wheeler wants to see some scenarios; McGovern notes that this is just a Request for Information, wants most “affordable” housing even if this involves private developers; Azeem wants to know how many “100% affordable” housing units could be placed under current zoning, Cotter says such an estimate not yet available; Azeem wants to know if there has already been interest expressed, especially by abutting property owners, Farooq says they have hesitated in working with abutters in order to maintain an even playing field; Azeem says number of units and best use of available spaces, interested in long-term land leases; Toner agrees w/McGovern re: partnership w/private developers, supporting of mixed-income housing model; Nolan comments supportive of public/private partnerships; Wilson, Simmons comments; Siddiqui asks about timeline; Melissa Peters (CDD) responds; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to reach out to the Executive Director of the Cambridge Housing Authority to explore the feasibility of utilizing the large screen televisions in the community rooms of CHA buildings to enable seniors living in these buildings to participate in (via public comment) and view City Council meetings as they are held. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Simmons for comments; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Order #6. That the City Council will only consider Charter Review Committee recommendations which received a 2/3rds vote as stated in the Charter Review Ordinance. Councillor Toner, Councillor Pickett
pulled by Toner; Rules suspended to take up Orders 6, 7, and 8; Comm. & Reports #2, and Committee Report #5; Toner explains proposed orders and timeline for possible ballot question in Nov 2025; Azeem proposes amendment to allow other proposals after consideration of CRC proposals with 2/3 vote; Nolan wants to consider other charter amendments; Azeem amendment adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT); Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Order #7. Requiring a 2/3rds vote for approving changes to be forwarded to the legislature and the voters on a future ballot. Councillor Toner, Councillor Pickett
pulled by Toner; Sobrinho-Wheeler opposed to 2/3 vote requirement, wants only simple majority for proposed charter changes; Toner notes that some or all proposed changes may have to go to the State Legislature and that 2/3 vote appropriate - not just a simple policy order; Nolan says simple majority should rule, notes that it’s not Legislature’s role to object to anything unless it violates State Constitution, purpose of 2/3 is to endure likelihood of legislative approval; Order initially Adopted 5-2-1-1 (MM,PN,PT,AW,DS - Yes; SS,JSW - No; JP - Absent; BA - Present); At end of meeting, Councillor Wilson asked for unanimous consent to change her vote from Yes to No. This changed to vote to 4-3-1-1 (MM,PN,PT,DS - Yes; SS,JSW,AW - No; JP - Absent; BA - Present) and Order Failed of Adoption.
[Note: Councillor Pickett was Absent at this meeting and was expected to vote Yes which would have caused this Order to be adopted, so I would expect that at least one city councillor will file for Reconsideration so that this will be voted again in September.]

Order #8. That the Mayor is requested to form a Special Committee of the Whole or hold a special City Council meeting to discuss the Charter Review Committee recommendations and plan the process moving forward. Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Toner; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Committee Report #5. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on June 25, 2024 to continue the June 5, 2024 discussion on Charter Review recommendations and develop draft recommendations to the full City Council for reviewing, deliberating, adopting, and processing possible changes to the Cambridge City Charter for future vote by Cambridge voters. [text of report]
pulled by Toner; Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Communications & Reports #2. A communication from Councillor Toner, transmitting an update from the Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee regarding Charter Review. [text of report]
pulled by Toner; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to urge the necessary departments to reconsider the initial plans for the Upstream Bridge/Draw One Bridge to include the construction of the pedestrian/bicycle pathway as has always been planned for the Draw One Bridge for train renovation and Upstream Bridge for pedestrian/bike crossing. Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Order #11. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant staff and departments to conduct outreach to Cambridge colleges and universities about the pilot University Pass Program and coordinate with the MBTA and report back to the City Council on these outreach efforts. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant staff and departments to create a listserv for residents to sign up for that automatically emails an alert to subscribers when a board or commission vacancy occurs. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Order #13. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to provide a legal opinion on whether Cambridge can enact a local ordinance or regulation similar to H.3685, which would prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system, or whether the City should submit a Home Rule Petition to ensure access to solar energy for residents. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Order #14. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to review climate leading heating and cooling regulations and direct the appropriate departments to develop and implement a policy that aligns with Cambridge’s climate leadership to ensure that City operated buildings have default temperatures that align with health and sustainability best practices, including differing guidelines for workplace occupancy hours and outside of business hours. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Order #15. That the City Manager is requested to work directly with the MBTA regarding the redevelopment of the Alewife garage and advocate for City priorities. Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Siddiqui; Yi-An Huang notes that City will be very involved in community engagement process, adding community benefits, leveraging private capital (MBTA does not have sufficient capital otherwise); Nolan comments/questions re: commuter rail stop, bridge, whether City zoning would apply to this redevelopment; City Solicitor Megan Bayer notes that there are some immunities for government and essential uses; Nolan suggests that MBTA is anticipating a possible commuter real stop, maybe light rail and electrified trains; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

On The Table #2. That the City Manager is requested to support local news production as a public good by conducting a $100,000 per year City-backed news fund pilot for up to three years to be administered through an independent intermediary that will decide on funding criteria and selection of local newspapers that provide material coverage of Cambridge news. [Charter Right – Azeem, June 10, 2024; Tabled June 17, 2024]
No Vote was taken to Remove from Table, yet Azeem, Nolan both spoke to this Order; Nolan speaks to need for public information and nonsustainability of existing local news outlets, surprised that there was no support for this Order, wants idea revisited in the future; Azeem motion to Withdraw accepted without objection.

Resolution #1. Congratulations to George Hinds on 25 Years of dedication to the youth of the Cambridge. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Toner; Simmon, Wilson added sponsors; Adopted as Amended

Resolution #12. Thanks to Flagg Street Studio and the Central Square BID for their commitment to the cultural and public life of the City. Mayor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui

Resolution #15. Congratulations to Cara Seiderman on her retirement from the Community Development Department. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on May 23, 2024 to discuss the ongoing partnership with Neville Manor. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Committee Report #2. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on June 12, 2024 to discuss municipal broadband. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Committee Report #3. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on June 18, 2024 to review and discuss the first annual Green Jobs report, as required by the Green Jobs Ordinance, Article III Ch. 2.66.100. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on June 20, 2024 to discuss amendments to the Tenant’s Rights Ordinance recommended by the Law Department. [text of report]
pulled by Toner; Rules Suspended to take up Comm. & Reports #3; Motion to Amend using language from City Solicitor Bayer Adopted 7-0-2 (Pickett, Siddiqui ABSENT); Ordinance Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT); Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Communications & Reports #3. A communication from Acting City Solicitor Megan B. Bayer, transmitting Tenant’s Rights and Resources Notification Ordinance. [text of report]
pulled by Toner; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Committee Report #6. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing with Harvard, MIT, and Lesley Universities on June 26, 2024 to receive their “Town Gown” reports and to discuss current and potential programs and partnerships with the City. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Committee Report #7. The Housing Committee held a public hearing on June 27, 2024 to further discuss multi-family housing and hear updates from the Community Development Department. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Committee Report #8. The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on July 16, 2024 to receive an update from the City’s Opioid Task Force and local providers regarding the opioid crisis in Cambridge and current and future interventions. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Committee Report #9. The Housing Committee held a public hearing on July 17, 2024 to continue the discussion on allowing multifamily housing in all neighborhoods of the city. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Pickett ABSENT)

Comments?

City Council subcommittees for 2024-2025 [revised Sept 30, 2024 due to death of Councillor Joan Pickett]
Committee	Members
Ordinance	McGovern (Co-Chair), Toner (Co-Chair), Azeem, Nolan, Pickett, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, Simmons (committee of the whole - mayor ex-officio)
Finance	Nolan (Co-Chair), Toner (Co-Chair), Azeem, McGovern, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy, Wilson, Simmons (committee of the whole - mayor ex-officio)
Government Operations, Rules, and Claims	Toner (Chair), Azeem, McGovern, Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler
Housing	Azeem (Chair), Siddiqui (Chair), McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson
Economic Development and University Relations	Toner (Chair), Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, McGovern, Wilson
Human Services & Veterans	McGovern (Chair), Wilson (Chair), Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui, Nolan
Health & Environment	Nolan (Chair), Azeem, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson
Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Art, and Celebrations	Zusy (Co-Chair), Sobrinho-Wheeler (Co-Chair), Azeem, Nolan, Siddiqui
Transportation & Public Utilities	Zusy (Chair), Azeem, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toner, Wilson
Civic Unity	Simmons (Co-Chair), Zusy (Co-Chair), McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson
Public Safety	Toner (Chair), Wilson (Chair), McGovern, Zusy, Siddiqui
Family Policy Council	Siddiqui (Co-Chair), Wilson (Co-Chair)
Special Committee on Rules	Toner (Chair)

Mon, Feb 24

Thurs, Feb 13 - Special Committee of the Whole

The Other Shoe Drops - February 10, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Trumping History - February 3, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Flushing - January 27, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Meeting of the Special Committee of the Whole on the City Charter – Monday, January 27, 2025, 11:00am-1:00pm [Agenda]

Meet the New Year, Same as the Old Year - January 6, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Hidden Agenda - December 23, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Quick Take – December 16, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Special Committee on Charter Review Meeting – Monday, December 9, 1:00pm-3:00pm [Agenda]

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like 2016 Again - December 9, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

And So It Goes – December 2, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner - November 25, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Post-Apocalyptic Gathering - November 18, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

The Eve of Derangement - November 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

The Tax Bills Are Coming! The Tax Bills Are Coming! - October 21, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Taxing Time – October 7, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Juggernaut or Not? – September 30, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Preview of a Consequential Meeting - September 23, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Acapulco Gold Rush - September 16, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Amid Sorrow & Loss, the City Council Reconvenes - Sept 9, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Dog Days of Summer – August 5, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (Zoom only - Why?)