Members Sought for New City Manager’s Advisory Committee

Jan 13, 2017 – City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking volunteers to serve on the new City Manager’s Advisory Committee. Community input is a vital component of the decision making process in Cambridge and the City strives to engage and involve all stakeholders. In an effort to foster community collaboration and deepen the understanding of community issues, the City Manager is forming this new advisory Committee.

The City Manager’s Advisory Committee will consist of 12-15 residents and stakeholders who will meet at least quarterly to discuss issues happening in the city, develop working relationships, work with organizations, bring different opinions to the table, and work to resolve problems in advance.

Selection of individuals to serve on the City Manager’s Advisory Committee will be based on their ability to represent the diversity of the Cambridge community. The final group of committed participants selected will be broadly representative of many backgrounds including: small/local business community, large business community, non-profit community, neighborhood associations, higher education, arts community, primary/secondary education, public health and human services, housing advocacy, faith community, new immigrant/under represented communities, youth community, senior community, LGBTQ+ community, and mobility community (bike/transit/pedestrian).

Applicants should be Cambridge residents or individuals with a strong connection with the City.

For more information, contact Lee Gianetti, Director of Communication and Community Relations, at 617-349-3317 or lgianetti@cambridgema.gov. Letters of interest, including resume and/or applicable experience, can be sent via email or mail by the deadline of Friday, February 17, 2017 to:
City Manager Louis A. DePasquale
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
E-mail: citymanager@cambridgema.gov

Thurs, Jan 12

2:30pm   The City Council's Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to review City Ordinance 12.08.010 Encroachments onto streets – Permit required – Fee – Exceptions to discuss the City’s policies towards permitting sandwich board and A-frame Signs, and what improvements can be made.  (Ackermann Room)

Call of the Meeting
The Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to review City Ordinance 12.08.010 Encroachments onto streets - Permit required - Fee - Exceptions to discuss the City’s policies towards permitting sandwich board and A-frame Signs, and what improvements can be made.

Comments from City Staff
Law Department, Inspectional Services Department, Department of Public Works, City Clerk’s Office, Community Development Department
•  Current permitting procedures
•  Application process
•  Enforcement measures
•  Current number and location of signs

Public Comment

Discussion

Adjournment

Wed, Jan 18

6:00-8:00pm   Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee meeting  (4th Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

Alewife working group presentation

presentation on mobility issues and opportunities

presentation on climate and environment issues and opportunities

Major Cambridge Development Projects: 2010 to 2016

Featured recent stories in the Cambridge Chronicle (the paper of record):

T.T. The Bear's owner could lose $225k if license buyer can't be found (Jan 13, 2017 by Bill Whelan)

Bikers, water officials clash over trails (Jan 13, 2017 by Gerry Tuoti)

Could advocates' merger boost Cambridge small businesses? (Jan 13, 2017 by Bill Whelan)

Retired fire captain spends half-century documenting Cambridge's fire history (Jan 12, 2017 by Amy Saltzman)

Late Danvers coach Kevin Flynn follows the blueprint of his Matignon mentor (Jan 11, 2017 by Joe McConnell)

Councilors attack delays to Central Square revitalization (Jan 11, 2017 by Monica Jimenez)

Crimson Corner looks to relocate, owner says he was forced out (Jan 9, 2017 by James Sanna)

Pizzeria seeking to open in Crimson Corner space (Jan 6, 2017)

Councilors divided on aggressiveness of affordable housing push (Jan 6, 2017 by Bill Whelan)

Alanna Mallon, founder of Cambridge Weekend Backpack Program, announces run for City Council (Jan 4, 2017)

Cambridge Rindge girls basketball sets sights on another state tourney (Jan 4 by Wayne Gethers)

Employers warn $15 minimum wage would be costly (Jan 3, 2017 by Colin A. Young, State House News Service)

Looking back at 2016 in Massachusetts (Dec 27, 2016 by Gerry Tuoti)

Million-square foot development coming to Kendall (Dec 21, 2016 by Bill Whelan)

Retiring Cambridge K9 officer petitions to keep his dog (Dec 20, 2016 by Bill Whelan)

MassHousing donates to Homeowners Rehab Inc. (Dec 20, 2016)

Cambridge Historical Commission releases publication (Dec 18, 2016)

Cambridge announces participatory budgeting results (Dec 17, 2016)

Baker cuts funds for Cambridge emergency food program (Dec 16, 2016 by Bill Whelan)

Cambridge Health Alliance recognized for excellence (Dec 16, 2016)

Police say man claiming to be Cambridge fire victim tried to steal relief funds (Dec 16, 2016 by Amy Saltzman)

Fear, frustration voiced over future of Harvard Square (Dec 14, 2016 by Monica Jimenez)

Swastikas, racist graffiti found in Cambridge Rindge bathrooms (Dec 14, 2016 by Amy Saltzman)

Cambridge councillors push to build affordable housing on Bishop Allen lot (Dec 13, 2016 by Adam Sennott)

Five things to know about Super PACs in Massachusetts (Dec 10, 2016 by Gerry Tuoti)

Cambridge Public Library Foundation elects board president (Dec 9, 2016)

Transition House's video project breaks down domestic violence stereotypes (Dec 6, 2016 by Emily Cataneo)

Focus shifts to helping victims of 10-alarm fire in Cambridge (Dec 6, 2016 by James Sanna)

Cambridge fire witness: 'It was like an explosion' (Dec 6, 2016 by James Sanna)

ELECTION FOLLOWUP: Find out how many people in your town voted early (Dec 5, 2016 by Caitlyn Kelleher)

PHOTOS: Aftermath of Cambridge fire (Dec 5, 2016)

How to help victims of the massive Cambridge fire (Dec 4, 2016 by James Sanna)

First third of Newtowne Court renovations completed (Dec 1, 2016)

Cambridge to remain sanctuary for immigrants, no matter the cost (Nov 29, 2016 by Bill Whelan)

Cambridge councillors want to keep close eye on police surveillance technology (Nov 28, 2016 by Bill Whelan)

'This is huge:' Cambridge looks to double affordable housing requirement (Nov 28, 2016 by Bill Whelan)

Guest column: The in-town argument for Out of Town News (Nov 22, 2016 by James Mahoney)

Cambridge resident, Apollo code developer Margaret Hamilton awarded Medal of Freedom (Nov 21, 2016 by MIT News)

Cambridge Police Department swears in 9 officers (Nov 17, 2016)

Envision Cambridge reveals explosive growth among students, faculty (Nov 16, 2016 by Bill Whelan)

Feds select MIT to redevelop Volpe site (Nov 16, 2016 by Bill Whelan)

Cambridge celebrates veterans present and past (Nov 14, 2016 by Bill Whelan)

Cambridge Health Alliance expands primary care services in Cambridge (Nov 11, 2016)

Longtime Cambridge councilor leaving for Chamber of Commerce (Nov 9, 2016 by Amy Saltzman)

---

Stories written by Luis Vasquez for the Cambridge Chronicle

Civic Infrastructure (from Dec 1, 2015)

Civic landscape today dominated by single-issue advocacy and neighborhood groups that often do not represent their neighborhoods. Common pattern is that some dominant characters eventually drive out other participants rendering the group a narrow agenda-driven entity. Some groups (PSNA, Agassiz-Baldwin) generally have a better focus such as (a) children (Agassiz), or (b) cooperation with the local business community (PSNA).

Groups like the Cambridge Residents Alliance are dominated by zoning and, arguably, efforts to slow or stop new development - residential or commercial/office/lab. The Fresh Pond Residents Alliance is of this type (in addition to serving as a launching point for a City Council candidacy).

For the Cambridge Schools there are also advocacy groups (Special Ed and others), but not necessarily a general forum for broader discussion.

June 7, 2009 - Once upon a time there was a civic organization in Cambridge known as the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA). It was formed in 1945 out of several organizations that had been existed through the 1930s and that had lobbied the state legislature to create the Plan E Charter option (1938) which featured a city manager form of government and proportional representation elections for city council and school committee. These reforms were central to model charter reform movements active in the United States from the early 1900s. The central theme of the CCA in its early days was "good government" in the sense of being anti-patronage and for professionally managed local government. This changed with the introduction of rent control at the end of the 1960s after which the CCA shifted leftward and became permanently lashed to the mast of the rent control vessel. Though the CCA still exists on paper (I believe), it rapidly declined after the statewide abolition of rent control (late 1994) and essentially disappeared a decade later (early 2005).

I bring up the ghost of the CCA today only to point out that when it was created it had some very admirable goals. Here's the original Mission Statement of the CCA:

Purposes: This association is formed for the following purposes:

• 1. To promote businesslike, honest, and efficient conduct of local government, open to public scrutiny.
• 2. To induce residents to take an active interest in the affairs of the City of Cambridge.
• 3. To encourage and support the candidacy of men and women seeking election to public office and to support intelligent, wholesome leadership in public affairs.
• 4. To assure that the best qualified persons are appointed to positions in the City government after consideration of all qualified candidates.
• 5. To promote among the citizens of Cambridge equitable distribution and benefit of public services and equal opportunity for economic security, education, and social advancement.
• Possible additions:
  6. To foster an environment of mutual cooperation between local business districts and the neighborhoods they serve.

These are pretty good founding principles for a civic organization.

One founding principle of the CCA that fell into disuse over the years is listed above as #3: To encourage and support the candidacy of men and women seeking election to public office and to support intelligent, wholesome leadership in public affairs. Indeed, I can personally testify to the fact that in its dying years the only reason the CCA made endorsements at all was because the CCA-endorsed incumbents wanted the benefit of having an advertised CCA slate of candidates that would help secure their reelection. There was precious little effort to recruit new candidates or to support them. Today, the benefits of incumbency are greater than ever. The cost of political campaigns have become absurdly high and most of the incumbents now have (City paid) staff who are inevitably political appointees who directly or indirectly assist in the reelection efforts of their bosses. The deck is increasingly stacked against challengers. Furthermore, the salary and benefits for elected councillors are now so sweet that it is unlikely that any of them would ever want to move on to another job.

CCA Origin

The Advent of PR in Cambridge - by David Goode

What Slates are Not (from Dec 1, 2015)

Tom Stohlman recently wrote up his version of an explanation of how PR voting works. His illustrations involved cups being filled with water. The representation was a good one, but he completely mischaracterized the role of slates among actual voters. Tom's belief seems to be that most voters identify themselves with one of the various slates in the same way that they might identify as either Democrat, Republican, or other party. Though there are certainly some voters that have such a Black & White view of things, there really isn't much evidence to support that point of view. What seems far more apparent is that voters still are focusing on individual candidates and then appreciate the "advice" that one or more slates seem to provide - even if imperfectly.

The far more dominant factor in this election was that some voters who might previously voted for Leland Cheung chose this time to vote for somebody else - in part due to lack of a campaign, in part due to a concerted effort by Mazen and others to draw those votes away, and in part because of some unpopular stands taken by Cheung, e.g. the 1,000 foot Volpe tower.

A Kelley voter may have been influenced by the advice to vote for other Unity Slate candidates, but there is no natural grouping of some of the Unity Slate candidates other than the political convenience of their having worked cooperatively over the current City Council term. Similarly, a typical Toomey #1 voter might see David Maher as a likely #2 choice, but beyond that the Slate is more like casual advice. A Mazen voter most likely doesn't identify all that much with other candidates beyond perhaps Mariko Davidson. Carlone/Devereux voters might be more inclined to identify with (a portion of) the CRA Slate, but the same certainly cannot be said of most Cambridge voters.

Perhaps Slates may take on more of a distinct identity in future municipal elections, but they were primarily utilitarian this year.

That said, the electorate is changing and the way political association is carried out in future years will have to take this into account.

In terms of candidates, we could really use something analogous to the Farm System of Minor League Baseball.

Looking Ahead

Possible City Council and School Committee candidates for 2017 (with age at time of election)

City Council Candidate	Birthdate	Age	address	Notes
Timothy J. Toomey	6/7/1953	64	88 6th St., 02141	incumbent, first elected in 1989, some speculation that he may not seek reelection
E. Denise Simmons	10/2/1951	66	188 Harvard St. #4B, 02139	incumbent, first elected in 2001
Craig Kelley	9/18/1962	55	6 Saint Gerard Terr. #2, 02140	incumbent, first elected in 2005
Leland Cheung	2/11/1978	39	157 Garden St., 02138	incumbent, first elected in 2009
Dennis Carlone	5/7/1947	70	9 Washington St. #6, 02140	incumbent, first elected in 2013
Marc McGovern	12/21/1968	48	15 Pleasant St., 02139	incumbent, first elected in 2013
Nadeem Mazen	9/20/1983	34	720 Mass. Ave. #4, 02139	incumbent, first elected in 2013
Jan Devereux	5/13/1959	58	255 Lakeview Ave., 02138	incumbent, first elected in 2015
Quinton Zondervan	9/15/1970	47	235 Cardinal Madeiros Ave., 02141	privately announced, registered with OCPF
Alanna Marie Mallon	12/6/1970	46	3 Maple Ave., 02139	not yet announced, but registered with OCPF
Ronald Benjamin	1/5/1971	46	172 Cushing St., 02138	announced, registered with OCPF
Vatsady Sivongxay	2/20/1982	35	59 Kirkland St. #2, 02138	not yet announced, but registered with OCPF
Olivia D'Ambrosio	9/13/1983	34	270 3rd Street #305, 02142	not yet announced, but registered with OCPF
Theodora Marie Skeadas	8/16/1990	27	988 Memorial Drive #185, 02138	not yet announced, but registered with OCPF
Sam Gebru	11/20/1991	25	812 Memorial Dr., 02139	announced, registered with OCPF
Dennis Benzan	1/25/1972	45	1 Pine St., 02139	served 2014-15, speculated that he'll seek reelection, but may choose to remain in private sector
James Williamson	1/13/1951	66	1000 Jackson Pl., 02140	perennial candidate
Gary Mello	5/24/1953	64	324 Franklin St. #2, 02139	ran several times
Greg Moree	6/16/1957	60	25 Fairfield St. #4, 02140	perennial candidate
Ilan Levy	11/1/1967	50	148 Spring St. 02141	ran in 2015, seems to be planning to do it again
Sean Tierney	3/10/1985	32	12 Prince St., 02139	seriously considering a City Council run
Andrew King	4/17/1986	31	40 Essex St., 02139	conflicting reports on whether or not a candidate
Romaine Waite	6/7/1991	26	60 Lawn St. #5, 02138	not announced, but may try again
School Committee Candidate	Birthdate	Age	address	Notes
Fred Fantini	6/8/1949	68	4 Canal Park #203, 02141	incumbent, first elected in 1981
Richard Harding	10/16/1972	45	189 Windsor St. #1, 02139	incumbent, first elected in 2001
Patty Nolan	8/28/1957	60	184 Huron Ave., 02138	incumbent, first elected in 2005
Kathleen Kelly	3/8/1960	57	17 Marie Ave. #1, 02139	incumbent, first elected in 2013
Emily Dexter	3/16/1957	60	9 Fenno St., 02138	incumbent, first elected in 2015
Mannika Bowman	11/27/1979	37	134 Reed St., 02140	incumbent, first elected in 2015
Will MacArthur	5/24/1998	19	18 Shea Rd., 02140	definitely running for School Committee

Jan 10 - There are others who are likely to be candidates but who have not yet chosen to be identified as such. Please let me know of other candidates. Not all of the individuals listed above may wish to be identified as candidates, and I will be more than happy to remove those names (unless I am absolutely certain they will be running!). Anyone who has filed papers with OCPF (Office of Campaign & Political Finance) is assumed to be running for City Council. - RW

CIVIC CALENDAR

Tues, Jan 17

3:00pm   The City Council's Human Services and Veterans Committee will conduct a public hearing to receive an update from the Homelessness Task Force, updates on the creation of a Homelessness Trust Fund and sobering centers, and an emergency cold weather plan for the homeless and how the City and Police Department work with homeless enclaves in the City, including at the Route 2/Route 16 intersection.  (Sullivan Chamber)

7:00pm   Planning Board meeting  (2nd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

General Business

1. Update from the Community Development Department

2. Adoption of Planning Board meeting transcripts

Public Hearings

7:00pm   (continued) 110 Fawcett Street, Cardiac Arrhythmia Syndromes Foundation, seeks special permits pursuant to Sections 20.700 Medical Marijuana Overlay District and 20.70 Flood Plain Overlay District for a proposal to renovate an existing warehouse into a retail Registered Marijuana Dispensary. Public comment has been closed.

8:00pm   (continued) Kendall Center, at various addresses including 145 Broadway, 250 Binney Street and 255 Main Street for which the applicant, Boston Properties Limited Partnership, is seeking special permits pursuant to Section 14.32.2, approval of Infill Development Concept Plan in the Mixed Use Development (MXD) District: Kendall Center for a proposal to increase the Aggregate Gross Floor Area (GFA) in the district form 3,330,000 square feet to 4,273,000 square feet by constructing two new commercial buildings and two new residential buildings, and converting the use of floor area in some existing buildings in a manner that affects whether or not it is included in the calculation of GFA. Associated site and public space improvements are included in the plan. This public hearing will be held jointly with the Board of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority.

From the CRA:

The Planning Board and the CRA Board will hold a joint public hearing (PB #315) on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. at 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA.

Boston Properties Limited Partnership is applying to increase the Aggregate Gross Floor Area in the district from 3,330,000 square feet to 4,273,000 square feet by constructing two new commercial buildings, demolishing two existing commercial buildings, and converting the use of the floor area in some existing buildings in a manner that affects whether or not it is included in the calculation of Gross Floor Area.

The CRA will be considering the approval of the Infill Development Concept Plan in the Mixed Use Development (MXD) District: Kendall Center under the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, Section 14.73 - Interagency Design Review.

Copies of the application are on file at the City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, Cambridge Community Development Department, Third Floor, 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, the CRA Office, 255 Main Street, Fourth Floor, Cambridge, MA, or accessed by clicking here.

Please address written comments to the Cambridge Planning Board and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority.

Wed, Jan 18

5:30pm   Cambridge Election Commission meeting  (1st Floor Meeting Room, 51 Inman St.)

I. MINUTES II. REPORTS 1. Executive Director’s Report 2. Assistant Director's Report 3. Commissioners' Reports III. PUBLIC COMMENT

IV. ACTION AGENDA Unfinished Business 1. 2016 Election Review New Business 1. 2017 Annual City Census

6:00-8:00pm   Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee meeting  (4th Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

Alewife working group presentation

presentation on mobility issues and opportunities

presentation on climate and environment issues and opportunities

Major Cambridge Development Projects: 2010 to 2016

Mon, Jan 23

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Jan 25

5:30pm   The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY18 Operating and Capital Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, Jan 26

6:00-8:00pm   Pedestrian Committee Meeting  (4th Floor Conference Room, 344 Broadway)

6:00-8:00pm   Envision Cambridge Alewife Working Group meeting  (Water Department, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cafeteria)

Mon, Jan 30

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Thurs, Feb 2

5:30pm   The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY18 School Department Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber)

5:30-8:00pm   Volpe Working Group meeting  (Cambridge Police Station, 1st floor Community Room, 125 Sixth St.)

6:00pm   Cambridge Historical Commission meeting  (Citywide Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave.)

Mon, Feb 6

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Feb 8

5:30-7:30pm   Bicycle Committee Meeting  (4th Floor Conference Room, 344 Broadway)

Mon, Feb 13

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Feb 27

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Mar 1

6:00-8:00pm   Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee meeting  (4th Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)