Cambridge InsideOut - Aug 7, 2018

5) July 30 City Council meeting
Nakagawa-Brown debacle
Sherman Street RR crossing and "quiet zone" proposal
Cornhole OK'd for City Hall lawn after extensive legal research

7) Envision Cambridge - Updates
Affordable Housing Overlay recommendation
Addressing traffic congestion by not addressing traffic congestion

9) News, Upcoming Events, etc.
Vacancies on City Boards & Commissions
Harvard Square Kiosk
Kendall Square/Boston Properties proposals
Central Square Police Substation
Cranes everywhere on the horizon
Surveillance Technology Ordinance
Primary endorsements and the continuing uglification of politics

Endless Summer - July 30, 2018 Cambridge City Council Agenda

City Hall The City Council's one summertime Special Meeting is this Monday. The actual number of agenda items is not unusually high for a Midsummer meeting, but the 1001 page package of Council materials surely must have violated some City tree ordinance or another. The likely big draw will be the Nakagawa-Brown Petition (which goes by various other marketing names) - the latest in a multi-decade effort to slow new construction in Cambridge. There's also a proposed ordinance for how to regulate marijuana sales in our emerging world of people neutralized by mind-numbing cellphones, apps that erode personal navigational abilities, and substances that dull your mind.

Here are the agenda items I found either interesting, refreshing, or ridiculous - with minimal comment:

Manager's Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-57, regarding a report on launching a program during the summer months to activate the front lawn of City Hall in the afternoons with games.

Manager's Agenda #21. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation not to adopt the Douglas Brown, et al., Zoning Petition.

Order #13. That the City Manager, with input from Mayor McGovern and the City Council, is requested to appoint an advisory committee to work through resiliency elements raised during the Envision process and through the Brown petition and report back to the City Council, with the input of the appropriate City agencies and departments. Councillor Toomey

Committee Report #3. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Dennis J. Carlone and Councillor Craig A. Kelley, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a public hearing held on June 27, 2018 to discuss the Zoning petition received from Douglas Brown et al to amend the zoning Section 20.70 Flood Overlay district and creation of a new Section 22.80 - Green Factor.

An enormous number of letters of formal opposition to the Nakagawa-Brown Petition.

The protest letters may represent a sufficiently high percentage of the affected land area that a super-duper majority of 7 of 9 votes would be needed for this zoning amendment to pass. [If you need my 0.07 acres to cross the threshold, let me know.] That said, it probably couldn't muster 5 votes and will likely be allowed to expire without coming to a vote. There may be a few ideas contained in the petition that could be useful if revised and brought up in a different context, e.g. incentives for better use of privately owned open space and/or recommendations for greater resiliency in building infrastructure. The worst aspect of this petition, in my humble opinion, is that it is being sold as a "climate safety petition" as if the goal was to protect people when it's primarily about limiting growth (which is a perfectly rational goal, but just be honest about it). Some of its supporters have even gone so far as to suggest that failure to pass this would be "immoral".

By the way, it's not just the possibility of derailing the renovations to the Miller's River Apartments that makes this petition problematic, and a few nit-picky amendments to carve out exceptions won't make it any better. This petition would throw an enormous percentage of the city's buildings into nonconformity and could turn even the most basic building modifications into an expensive legal nightmare. There's also an apparent belief that property owners are incapable of making rational economic choices, e.g. taking steps to minimize future costly damage due to heavy rains or storm surges. The petitioners have apparently decided that only they can ensure your personal safety.

Update: Based on concerns that this proposed zoning amendment would jeopardize funding for the Millers River renovations as well as other proposed affordable housing projects, the City Council chose to move the petition to a 2nd Reading for the purpose of having that vote fail (which it did on a 4-5 vote with Councillors Carlone, Devereux, Kelley, and Zondervan voting to pass to a 2nd Reading and Councillors Mallon, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toomey, and Mayor McGovern voting against passing to a 2nd Reading). This not only ends the life of this petition but also prevents its reintroduction for the next two years. After the vote, Councillor Toomey made a motion for "Suspension of the Rules for the purpose of Reconsideration hoping the same will not prevail" - a parliamentary move to finalize the vote. That first requires that the Rules be suspended which requires 6 votes, and it failed on a 5-4 vote with those who had voted against passing to a 2nd Reading voting for Suspension of the Rules. That leaves open the possibility that one aggrieved councillor may file for Reconsideration of the vote - a pointless gesture that would most likely lead to a hastily scheduled Special Meeting solely to vote on Reconsideration which would yield no change in the outcome - only delay. [PS - Councillor Zondervan turned out to be that aggrieved councillor who filed for Reconsideration. The only problem is that, as I suspected, under Robert's Rules of Order (not this Robert) a member has to be on the prevailing side of a vote in order to be able to file for Reconsideration. In this case the prevailing side was the vote NOT to pass to a 2nd Reading, so Councillor Zondervan was ineligible.]

It was pointed out over and over at the meeting that most of the elements of the petition with any merit were already in discussion and being considered both within City departments and City task forces and as part of the Envision Cambridge process. - RW

Manager's Agenda #22. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a draft zoning petition concerning the regulation of cannabis establishments in the City of Cambridge in response to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-75. [Cannabis Zone Map]

My prediction: Legal marijuana shops will sell the expensive stuff and the riff raff will still buy from other sources. Also, let's face it - so-called "medical marijuana dispensaries" were always intended to be a first step toward recreational pot shops. I hope they can at least bring back the Peter Max posters and lava lamps from the head shops of my youth.

Manager's Agenda #26. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-14, regarding a report on applying for a Targeted Brownfields Assessment grant for Jerry's Pond.

Three rambling and incoherent communications regarding Magazine Beach from the inevitable Robert LaTrémouille.

Five communications from the ever-colorful Peter Valentine - who always means well.

Resolution #7. Retirement of Ellen Shacter from the Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services. Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui

Resolution #18. Resolution on the death of George Teso. Councillor Toomey

Resolution #19. Resolution on the death of Richelle Robinson. Councillor Simmons

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council for an update on the Grand Junction Overlay District in September. Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with appropriate staff from the City, MassDOT, the Federal Railroad Administration, the MBTA and any other organization with jurisdiction over the Sherman Street train crossing and related train traffic with the goal of implementing whatever street and intersection changes are necessary to get this area re-designated a “quiet zone.” Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Mallon, Councillor Toomey

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department and any other relevant City departments on what attempts were made to discuss with Lesley University or the Episcopal Divinity School about purchasing the property for affordable housing development and the results of any such discussion. Councillor Toomey

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City departments to establish an action plan to work with the City’s Community-Based Organizations to create a network of summertime evening programming to reduce the threat of violence in the City’s public spaces in 2019 and beyond. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Mallon

Order #14. That the City Manager is requested to adopt a policy of replacing any failed 4000K LED streetlights with warmer alternatives as opportunities arise, and offering shielding/filtering upon request from nearby residents whenever possible. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux

I want those LED lights that keep changing colors.

Order #15. That the Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts, and Celebrations Committee hold a hearing before October to discuss the various events being planned for Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2018 and ways to properly observe the holiday in a way that promotes the culture, history, and diversity of Native American peoples during future years. Mayor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan

This Order really makes me yearn for a cannoli from the Cafe Roma Pastry Shop on Hanover Street in the North End.

Order #16. That the City Manager is requested to confer with relevant City staff to determine the navigational editing capabilities of the City of Cambridge. Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Mallon

I continue to marvel at just how quickly the ability of human beings to navigate or even know where they are has degenerated thanks to their "smart" phones and their "smart" cars.

Order #17. That the City Manager is requested to contract with an outside survey company to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of inclusionary tenants' experiences, with a particular emphasis on biased practices. Councillor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui

Must be that video.

Committee Report #2. A communication was received from Paula M. Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councilor E. Denise Simmons, Chair and Councilor Sumbul Siddiqui of the Housing Committee for a public hearing held on May 15, 2018 to discuss the development of an Affordable Housing Overlay District plan.

Committee Report #4. A communication was received from Paula M. Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councilor E. Denise Simmons, Co-Chair and Councilor Sumbul Siddiqui Co-Chair of the Housing Committee for a public hearing held on Apr 10, 2018 to discuss the first annual report from the Community Development Department as called for in the updated Inclusionary Zoning ordinance.

Committee Report #5. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, for a public hearing held on June 19, 2018 to review the whole licensing and permitting process and to discuss ways to make it more efficient.

Committee Report #6. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, for a public hearing held on June 13, 2018 to was to receive an update on the Short-Term Rental Ordinance #1397.

Committee Report #7. A communication was received from Paula Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Sumbul Siddiqui, Chair of the Economic Development and University Relations Committee, for a public hearing held on May 23, 2018 to discuss an Arts Overlay District ordinance that would achieve the goals of creating and preserving spaces for the arts in the Central Square Cultural District.

Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez City Clerk, transmitting a communication from Mayor Marc McGovern, appointing Councillor Mallon as chair to the newly formed Mayor’s Task Force on the Arts.

Comments?

How to Read Cambridge - Lesson 1

So there's a public meeting on Thursday, May 3 regarding what is called the "South Massachusetts Avenue Corridor Safety Improvements Project". The meeting will take place from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at MIT, Room 2-190 (182 Memorial Drive, Simons Building). The essentials from the meeting notice are:

"To improve safety and reliability for users of the street, the City of Cambridge is evaluating 'quick build' changes to Massachusetts Avenue from Sidney Street to Memorial Drive with an emphasis on increasing the comfort and convenience of people walking, biking and riding buses. This project supports the City’s Vision Zero goal to reduce and eliminate serious injuries/fatalities from crashes, as well as City policies that promote the use of sustainable ways to travel in Cambridge."

Having seen a few notices and having attended more than my share of meetings, allow me to interpret. When the public notice uses the word "comfort" or the phrase "comfort index", that's code for "separated bike lanes", i.e. PVC plastic posts bolted to the road, and I can pretty much guarantee that regardless whether this gives any safety improvement or if it creates significant traffic problems, the entire matter is nonnegotiable. The purpose of the meeting is to tell you what has already been decided, and the only public input that might have any effect will be in regard to aesthetic matters (color of the posts) and whether or not even more parking spaces should be removed to compensate for any potential hazards at intersections or reduced visibility.

This project will likely not be nearly as controversial as what was done to Cambridge Street or Brattle Street (due to the scarcity of residents along this stretch of Mass. Ave.), but I imagine there could be some concerns from the businesses since it's likely that most or all parking may soon disappear. Perhaps the only real question at this point is whether all of the parking disappears or if traffic is reduced to one lane each way for the whole stretch (which may well result in traffic being backed up during some hours along the entire stretch). One things is virtually certain – if you don't think that segregated bike lanes are a good idea here, you may as well stay home because nobody will hear you. - RW

Cambridge Conservation Commission Members Sought

July 24, 2018 – City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking two Cambridge residents to fill vacancies on the Cambridge Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission is responsible for administration of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA), a state law governing activities in and immediately adjacent to local wetlands, waterways, and floodplains.

The Commission holds two regularly scheduled public meetings each month to review permit applications under the WPA, issue permits, and conduct other business related to the management of Cambridge’s natural resource areas.

The Conservation Commission consists of seven members appointed by the City Manager to serve three-year terms. Cambridge residents with expertise in landscape architecture, civil/environmental engineering, hydrology, ecology, or law are encouraged to apply.

Applications to serve on this committee can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience may be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, September 7, 2018.

Cambridge City Manager Seeks Members for Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship

July 30, 2018 – Cambridge City Manager Louis DePasquale is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (CIRC). The Commission consists of 11 volunteer members, who are appointed by the City Manager, following an application and interview process. The term of the appointment is three years. Commissioners are expected to be knowledgeable about immigrant rights and citizenship and must be residents of Cambridge. It is desirable for this Commission to be fully representative of the diverse Cambridge community.

Cambridge welcomes immigrants and wants to encourage their success and access to opportunity and advancement in this country. It will be a goal of this Commission to get the message of welcome out, through collaboration with organizations that already provide services and outreach to our immigrant community. The Commission will act as a centralizing organization in Cambridge, to address immigrant rights and citizenship issues through providing information, referral, guidance, coordination and technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to support immigrant rights and citizenship.

Commissioners are expected to work with other members of the Commission and staff to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship Ordinance (CMC Chapter 2.123).

Individuals interested in being considered should apply by using the city’s online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, August 24, 2018.

Deadline to Register to Vote and Availability of Absentee Ballots for the State Primary, September 4, 2018

The State Primary will be held on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. For Cambridge residents not already registered, the last day to register to vote is Wednesday, August 15, 2018 until 8:00pm. The Office of the Secretary of State has developed an Online Voter Registration System at www.registertovotema.com. Individuals may use the online system to submit an online application, update their address or change their party affiliation. You must have a valid driver's license, learner's permit, or non-driver ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). If you do not have an RMV ID you can use the system to create an application. Print and sign the completed form and mail or bring it to the office of the Cambridge Election Commission.

Absentee Ballots are now available at the Cambridge Election Commission office. Any voter who is unable to go to the polls on Election Day due to physical disability, religious belief, or absence from the City may request an Absentee Ballot from the Commission. The deadline to apply for an Absentee Ballot is Friday, August 31st at 5:00pm. Absentee Ballots may be mailed to voters, or such voters may choose to vote at the Commission office during regular city office hours: Monday, 8:30am-8:00pm; Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30am-5:00pm; Friday, 8:30am-Noon. The office will be open for extended hours on the following dates:
Last Day to Register to Vote for the State Primary - Wednesday, August 15, 2018 from 8:30am-8pm.
Last Day to Apply for an Absentee Ballot Friday, August 31, 2018 from 8:30am-5pm.

The polls will be open on Election Day, September 4th from 7:00am until 8:00pm. For any additional information, please visit the Cambridge Election Commission office at 51 Inman Street, call (617-349-4361) or visit the Election Commission website at www.cambridgema.gov/election.

Temporary Locations for the State Primary, September 4 & New Polling Location

1) Due to renovations, those who vote in Ward 3 Precinct 3, Salvation Army Headquarters, 402 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge will vote next door at the Lafayette Square Fire Station, 378 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge (Entrance on Sidney Street) for the 2018 State Primary. The Cambridge Board of Election Commissioners approved the temporary relocation of the polling precinct for Ward 3 Precinct 3 at a meeting held on Wednesday, June 1, 2018.

2) Those who vote in Ward 9 Precinct 3, Haggerty School, 110 Cushing Street, Gym, Lawn Street Entrance, Cambridge will no longer vote at this location. The new voting location will be Corcoran Park Community Building, 1 Corcoran Lane, Cambridge. The Cambridge Board of Election Commissioners approved the relocation of the polling precinct for Ward 9 Precinct 3 at a meeting held on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

3) Due to renovations, those who vote in Ward 10 Precinct 1, Russell Apartments, 2050 Mass. Ave., Cambridge will vote at the Peabody School Gym, 70-R Rindge Ave., Cambridge (Entrance in rear of building). The Cambridge Board of Election Commissioners approved the temporary relocation of the polling precinct for Ward 10 Precinct 1 at a meeting held on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

Cambridge Polling Locations for 2018 State Primary Election

Cambridge’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Project Achieves LEED® Platinum Certification
Building Design Embodies Net Zero Ideals

July 30, 2018 – The City of Cambridge is proud to announce that the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lower School and Putnam Avenue Upper School Project has earned LEED® Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This is highest rating attainable in this category, based on Version 2009 for schools. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)* provides third-party verification that a building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving environmental performance.

The 170,000 square foot complex located at 100-102 Putnam Avenue opened in December 2015 as the first near net zero school building in Cambridge. It houses the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lower School, the Putnam Avenue Upper School, and the Department of Human Service Programs’ Preschool, After-School, and Community School programs.

Projects pursuing LEED certification earn points across several categories, including energy use and air quality. With a score of 89, the MLK Jr. school building is the second highest scoring new LEED for Schools project in the nation (just behind Dunbar Senior High School in Washington DC, also designed by Perkins Eastman).

Designed by Perkins Eastman and constructed by Rich-Caulfield MLK Venture, the building embodies Net Zero ideals and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) in action. Throughout the building are embedded opportunities for students to explore the arts, sustainability, and engineering concepts, including math-themed interactive artwork and interpretive displays with signage illuminating the facility’s use of insulation and sustainable materials, consideration of natural light, and reliance on systems for solar energy collection, geothermal heating, and grey water reclamation. PhotoVoltaic panels help generate over 40% of the building’s electrical needs; geothermal wells reduce heating and cooling loads, and an underground storage tank collects rainwater that is used for non-potable water. The building is designed to use 60% less energy than typical educational buildings in New England and is a literal teaching tool with cutouts in the corridors that show the mechanical system at work. This enables students to understand how the energy they use, and save, manifests. Signage is placed throughout the schools explaining these processes.

“We were extremely proud to have built a high-quality sustainable facility that serves the children of Cambridge and enhances the neighborhood,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “This project and prestigious recognition were the result of an incredible collaboration between the City, Cambridge Public Schools, the architect, the contractor, and the leadership of Deputy City Manager Lisa Peterson and the Cambridge City Council.

For more information on the LEED certification process and green buildings in Cambridge, visit http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/sustainablebldgs.

About LEED: *LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving environmental performance, including energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. The LEED program was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

City of Cambridge Municipal Buildings with LEED certifications:
Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway (Gold 2005)
Russell Field House, 82 Clifton St. (Certified 2008)
Robert W. Healy Public Safety Facility, 125 Sixth St. (Silver 2010)
War Memorial Building Renovation, 1640 Cambridge St. (Silver 2010)
Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway (Silver 2010)
West Cambridge Youth & Community Center, 688 Huron Ave. (Silver 2011)
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, 459 Broadway (Gold 2013)
Alice K. Wolf Center, 5 Western Ave. (Gold 2015)

MLK School Classroom
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lower School and Putnam Avenue Upper School Project Classroom
Photo by Robert Benson, Courtesy Perkins Eastman

Boston Properties Infill Development Concept Plan Phase 2 / 325 Main Street Development Proposal

Follow the project on Boston Properties CoUrbanize website: https://courbanize.com/projects/kendallsquared/updates

For more detailed information on the project you can click here and here to download two PDFs.

Kendall Kendall

CIVIC CALENDAR

Tues, Aug 7

3:00pm The City Council's Public Safety Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss fun violence, the Cambridge Police Department task force and new initiatives and the Central Square Sub-Station. (Sullivan Chamber)

5:00pm School Committee Summer meeting (Henrietta Attles Meeting Room, CRLS, 459 Broadway)

6:30pm 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

6:30pm – PB#336 (Continued from 5/15/2018 & Extension) – 1043-1059 Cambridge Street – Special Permit application by 418 Real Estate LLC, c/o Hope Legal Law Offices to construct a mixed use building with 18 residential units and 4,564 square feet of ground floor commercial use(s) pursuant to Sections 19.20 Project Review, Article 2.000, footnote 16 exemption for basement floor area, 10.43 Special Permit, and 6.35 Reduction of parking requirement. (Notice) (Materials)

General Business

4. PB#141 – 364 Third Street Open Space - Design Review (Materials)

5. PB#241A – 1901 & 2013 Massachusetts Avenue – Extension

6. PB#337 – 178 Elm Street – Extension

General Business items may be taken out of the order in which they appear on the agenda above. Times for General Business items are approximate. Public comments are taken only during a Public Hearing. During the discussion and deliberation on General Business items, the Planning Board does not solicit public comment. The City of Cambridge will provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities upon request. Please make requests for alternative formats at least two weeks in advance by contacting the Planning Board staff listed below. For further information concerning this agenda, please contact Liza Paden, Planning Board staff, at 617-349-4647, lpaden@cambridgema.gov. Applications and Petitions are online at www.cambridgema.gov/cdd. Full zoning petition texts available online at: www.cambridgema.gov/cdd/zoninganddevelopment/zoning/amendments.

Wed, Aug 8

3:00pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the City Council petition to amend the Zoning Ordinance in the Article 5.000 as it relates to rainwater and flat roofs. This Hearing is to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)

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

Old Business

2018 State Primary (Tues, Sept 4)

- Revised draft List of Designated Health Care Facilities for 2018

- Deadline to register to vote – Wednesday, August 15th

- Updating 150-ft markings at polling locations

- Deadline to request an absentee ballot – Friday, August 31st from 8:30am to 5pm (Election Comm. Office will be open from 8:30am-5pm)

- Election commissioner election day coverage

- Election day drivers

- Poll worker trainings & commissioner training assignments - Tuesday, August 14th, 6pm-9:30pm & Saturday, August 18th, 2pm-5:30pm

New Business

2018 State Election, Tuesday, November 6th
- DHCF appointments for absentee voting

Early Voting 2018

Thurs, Aug 9

6:00pm Cambridge Historical Commission Meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
Perhaps most significant is this agenda item: Case L-128: 116 Brookline St., by petition of registered voters. Consider petition to initiate a landmark designation study of EMF building (1920). [Staff memo]

Mon, Aug 13

5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss draft revisions to the proposed Municipal Code amendment to create a new chapter 12.22 entitled “Surveillance Technology Ordinance”; said revision were submitted to the City Council on June 25, 2018. (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Aug 14

3:00pm The City Council's Public Safety Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss bike theft, security efforts, the Cambridge Police Department “bait bike” regulation, locking and storage regulations. (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Aug 15

6:00-8:00pm Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee meeting (City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 2nd Floor Conference Room)

At the August meeting, we will present details of the proposed affordable housing overlay, a recommendation from the Housing Working Group.

Thurs, Aug 16

3:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the petition filed by Randy Kasten for the Pizzuto Family Limited Partnership to amend the zoning map along the easterly side of New Street from Danehy Park continuing southwesterly along New Street to rezone Industry A-1 to create a new overlay zoning district entitled “New Street Overlay District” and further amend section 20.900 in Article 20.000; amend the Table of Regulations by creating a new self storage facility line, amend Section 4.37 in Article 4.000 and Section 6.36.7 in Article 6.000 to add a new category entitled “Self Storage Facility”. This Meeting is to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)

7:00pm 25th Annual Oldtime Baseball Game (St. Peter's Field, Sherman St.)

Ray Bourque, Tim Wakefield to appear in 2018 Abbot Financial Management Oldtime Baseball Game. Free admission, no tickets necessary. [Facebook Page][Oldtime Baseball website]

Tues, Aug 21

6:30pm Planning Board meeting (2nd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

Wed, Aug 22

6:00pm Central Square Advisory Committee meeting (City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 4th Floor Conference Room)

This meeting will focus on "Placemaking in Central Square" to reintroduce and revisit the City's approaches to public space with the goal of creating a set of values for public spaces in Central Square.

Tues, Aug 28

6:30pm Planning Board meeting (2nd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

Tues, Sept 4

6:00pm School Committee meeting (Henrietta Attles Meeting Room, CRLS, 459 Broadway)

Wed, Sept 12

8:00-9:30am Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting (Sullivan Chamber, City Hall)

1:00pm The City Council's Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the guiding policy and safety priorities for regulating and permitting shared electric scooters to operate in Cambridge. This Meeting is to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)

4:00pm The City Council's Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Storefront Vacancies Best Practices report recommendations, and any other updates from the Retail Strategy Report. (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Sept 17

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Sept 24

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Sept 25

6:00pm School Committee meeting (Henrietta Attles Meeting Room, CRLS, 459 Broadway)

The School Committee will reconvene in Executive Session immediately following the regular meeting in the School Committee Conference Room, 459 Broadway, for the purposes of hearing a Level III grievance as part of collective bargaining with CEA Unit E and for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining strategy and litigation/arbitration strategy with respect to such grievance as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining and the litigation/arbitration positions of the Cambridge School Committee.

Mass & Main - Nov 5, 2017	Mass & Main - Feb 5, 2018
Mass & Main - Mar 9, 2018	Mass & Main - May 4, 2018
Patrick Barrett's Hotel - May 11, 2018	Patrick Barrett's Hotel - June 22, 2018
Seaport District - May 11, 2018	Bishop Allen Drive Housing - June 22, 2018
Mass & Main - June 30, 2018	Mass & Main - June 30, 2018
Mass & Main - August 2018	Mass & Main - August 2018

EMF Building - June 17, 2018	EMF Building - June 17, 2018
EMF Building - June 17, 2018	Morris Naggar Building - Neglect

Members Sought for Mayor’s Arts Task Force

Endless Summer - July 30, 2018 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Pending Zoning Amendments

Envision Cambridge Updates - Working Group Draft Recommendations

How to Read Cambridge - Lesson 1

The Triviality of SeeClickFix

Cambridge Conservation Commission Members Sought

Cambridge City Manager Seeks Members for Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship

Deadline to Register to Vote and Availability of Absentee Ballots for the State Primary, September 4, 2018

Temporary Locations for the State Primary, September 4 & New Polling Location

Cambridge’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Project Achieves LEED® Platinum Certification
Building Design Embodies Net Zero Ideals

Boston Properties Infill Development Concept Plan Phase 2 / 325 Main Street Development Proposal

Members Sought for Mayor’s Arts Task Force

Endless Summer - July 30, 2018 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Pending Zoning Amendments

Envision Cambridge Updates - Working Group Draft Recommendations

How to Read Cambridge - Lesson 1

The Triviality of SeeClickFix

Cambridge Conservation Commission Members Sought

Cambridge City Manager Seeks Members for Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship

Deadline to Register to Vote and Availability of Absentee Ballots for the State Primary, September 4, 2018

Temporary Locations for the State Primary, September 4 & New Polling Location

Cambridge’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Project Achieves LEED® Platinum Certification Building Design Embodies Net Zero Ideals

Boston Properties Infill Development Concept Plan Phase 2 / 325 Main Street Development Proposal

Cambridge’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Project Achieves LEED® Platinum Certification
Building Design Embodies Net Zero Ideals