Possible Topics:Cambridge InsideOut - May 1, 2018
Possible Topics:
1) April 30 City Council Meeting
2) Some Observations on the Cambridge City Budget (1992-present)
4) Constellation Charitable Foundation to Sell Kendall Square Land
5) Budget Season Returns - Featured Attractions on the Apr 23, 2018 Cambridge City Council Agenda
Leaving April, Come What May - Spring Treats on the April 30, 2018 City Council Menu
Manager's Agenda #1. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a supplemental appropriation of $200,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account to fund the abatement and demolition of Vail Court. Mister DePasquale, Tear Down These Walls! Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for the Blake & Knowles Foundry at 101 Rogers Street. Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for the Cheney Read House at 135 Western Avenue. These are highlighted because I really enjoy these histories and appreciate the work put in by the Historical Commission in producing them. Charter Right #1. An application was received from the Harvard Square Business Association requesting permission for a temporary lighted banner across the Public Way located at 12 Palmer Street. [plus Communications #6,7,8,9,13] Much Ado About Nothing. Objections from those who probably also disapprove of multi-colored Christmas lights as being too garish. Resolution #1. Congratulations to the recipients of the Outstanding City Employee Awards. Mayor McGovern This awards event is one of my favorite City events. The attendees are almost entirely City employees and their families, but it's an open event and really special. Order #3. That the Ordinance Committee is requested to schedule a public hearing to consider the proposal put forward by the City Manager to amend Chapter 12.16, Section 12.16.170 of the Municipal Code, (the “Street Performers Ordinance”). Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone The proposed changes primarily involve easing up the fee structure for some street performers. Order #4. Campaign Finance Reform. Councillor Toomey I haven't yet seen a proposal for municipal election campaign reform that I can support and which is legal. I'm also not yet convinced that there's a need for this at the local level. Order #5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide a report on the history of Constellation Charitable Foundation's Parcel C in Kendall Square including tax status and other relevant information on the site. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Mallon This is a timely Order. The City Council may want to consider some changes to the zoning for this site as well as ways to leverage the original intentions formulated nearly 20 years ago when what was then the ComEnergy site was developed by David Clem and Lyme Properties as Cambridge Research Park. A performing arts center may still be a good use to be integrated into the site by the next owner if the finances and zoning can be made to work. Order #6. That the City Council go on record supporting the Mass Senior Action Agenda. Councillor Simmons It's good common-sense legislation. Order #8. That the Ordinance Committee be and hereby is requested to review and consider the proposed amendment to §10.17.070-- “Fees for Residential Parking Stickers” for a hearing and report. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux As near as I can tell, Councillor Zondervan's rationale behind his proposal to jack up the resident parking fee to $35 and then $40 is that Somerville charges $40. Some have argued that the fee should be nominal rather than either punitive (because motor vehicle operators are considered evil in Cambridge) or just another revenue generator. A $40 fee isn't going to convince many people to give up their vehicle, but many of us don't appreciate councillors raising fees simply because they can or because they get a rush out of the revenue paid by drivers being used to create obstructions to driving in the city. Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to prioritize the installation of protected bike lanes and bicycle traffic signals in Porter Square. Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone The proposed changes that were presented a couple of months ago were pretty good for all users, including cyclists. Committee Report #1. A communication was received from Paula M. Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Chair Councillor E. Denise Simmons, of the Civic Unity Committee, for a public hearing held on Mar 27, 2018 to discuss whether the City's Boards and Commissions adequately reflect the demographic makeup of the community. Goals vs. Requirements - That is the question. I'll stick with goals. Committee Report #2. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Vice Mayor Jan Devereux, Chair of the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee, for a public hearing held on Wed, Apr 11, 2018 to discuss topics related to the MBTA bus service. Committee Report #3. 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 Mar 28, 2018 to discuss Retail Strategic Plan. I could say more about any of these committee reports, but for now they are provided here only for your reading pleasure. - Robert Winters |
Department-by-Department Budget Summaries: FY1992 through FY2019
Department-by-Department Full-Time Positions: FY1992 through FY2019 (with total employee counts back to 1981)
9:00am The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY2019 City Budget (Sullivan Chamber)
The Committee on Finance will conduct public hearings on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.
These hearings will be held in the Sullivan Chamber, City Hall, broadcast on the municipal cable station and will follow the schedule outlined below. The proposed budget will include recommendations from the City Manager concerning capital and operating budgets.
All interested individuals are invited to attend and be heard and/or submit written testimony. Those wishing to testify may do so either at the beginning or conclusion of each day’s hearings. Copies of the budget may be viewed at the branch libraries and will be available at the Budget Office at City Hall on or after April 23, 2018. Additionally, the budget will be available on the Internet through the City Home Page: www.cambridgema.gov. [Complete schedule with Budget Book references][multi-year comparisons]
| Mayor’s Office Executive - Leadership Diversity Domestic & Gender Based Violence Prevention Initiative Equity and Inclusion Public Information Office Tourism City Council |
City Clerk Law Historical Commission Finance Admin. Budget Personnel Purchasing Auditing |
Treasury/Revenue Information Technology Employee Benefits General Services Election Commission Public Celebrations Reserve Animal Commission |
Fire Department Police Department Traffic, Parking & Transportation Inspectional Services License Commission Electrical Emergency Communications |
| * Date changes for individual departments may occur. The public is invited to attend and be heard. These hearings will be cablecast live on Municipal Television. |
|||
9:00am The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY2019 City Budget (Sullivan Chamber)
The Committee on Finance will conduct public hearings on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.
These hearings will be held in the Sullivan Chamber, City Hall, broadcast on the municipal cable station and will follow the schedule outlined below. The proposed budget will include recommendations from the City Manager concerning capital and operating budgets.
All interested individuals are invited to attend and be heard and/or submit written testimony. Those wishing to testify may do so either at the beginning or conclusion of each day’s hearings. Copies of the budget may be viewed at the branch libraries and will be available at the Budget Office at City Hall on or after April 23, 2018. Additionally, the budget will be available on the Internet through the City Home Page: www.cambridgema.gov. [Complete schedule with Budget Book references][multi-year comparisons]
| Cambridge Health Alliance Public Works Water Community Development Peace Commission / Police Review & Advisory Board |
Weights & Measures Cable TV Debt Service Library Human Services |
Women’s Commission Human Rights Commission Assessing Veterans Services MWRA |
Cherry Sheet City Overview Financial Summaries Revenue Public Investment |
| * Date changes for individual departments may occur. The public is invited to attend and be heard. These hearings will be cablecast live on Municipal Television. |
|||
6:00pm The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY2019 School Department Budget (Sullivan Chamber)
Central Square Advisory Committee Vacancy
Mar 22, 2018 – City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking to fill a vacancy on the Central Square Advisory Committee. This committee helps review all major development actions in the Central Square Overlay District and monitors progress of the non-zoning recommendations of the K2C2 Study relevant to Central Square.
Members represent a cross section of stakeholders, which includes residents from abutting neighborhoods and representatives of Central Square’s business community. The Committee meets as needed to advise on non-zoning recommendations, undertake all Large Project Reviews, and review and comment on all Board of Zoning Appeal variances and special permits within the Overlay District. At this time, a representative of the Central Square business community (property owner, small and large scale merchant or office tenant) is being sought to fill a vacancy. This appointment, to be made by the City Manager, will serve a term of three years that will expire on September 15, 2020, with the option to renew.
The Committee meets, at minimum, every two months with additional meetings scheduled as required based on project review needs. For more information, contact Wendell T. Joseph at 617-349-9462 or wjoseph@cambridgema.gov, or visit the committee’s webpage at http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/advcomms/centraladvcomm.
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 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 to submit an application is April 30, 2018.
Residents Sought for Board Vacancy on Cambridge Human Rights Commission
Apr 20, 2018 – City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking a resident to fill a vacancy on the Cambridge Human Rights Commission.
The Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC) seeks Cambridge residents representing the diversity of Cambridge. Commissioners are expected to attend monthly meetings, participate in subcommittees on outreach and public education, and work with Commission staff on the investigation, mediation and resolution of complaints filed with the Commission which allege discrimination in housing, public accommodations, employment or education based upon race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, family status, military status or source of income.
The Human Rights Commission is made up of 11 members who serve three-year terms. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month at 6:00pm.
The deadline for submitting applications is May 25, 2018. Applications 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 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. For more information, contact Nancy Schlacter, Cambridge Human Rights Commission, at 617-349-4396 or nschlacter@cambridgema.gov.
Free Document ShreddingThe Cambridge Consumers’ Council and the U.S. Postal Service will be helping residents dispose of unwanted records at a free document shredding event.
Documents will be destroyed on the spot in a highly advanced technical mobile shredding truck and sent for recycling. Information for consumer rights and safety will be distributed.
Please note this is a free event based on first come, first served, or until the truck is full to capacity. The parking spots in front of City Hall will be used for drop-off of documents.
Upcoming Envision Cambridge Meetings – Join the Conversation this May
Economy Working Group - Agenda
Tuesday, May 1, 6:00-8:30pm
City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 4th Floor Meeting Room
Housing Working Group - Agenda
Wednesday, May 2, 3:00-5:30pm
City Hall Sullivan Chamber, 795 Mass. Ave.
Alewife Working Group - Agenda
Thursday, May 10, 6:30-8:30pm
West Cambridge Youth Center, 680 Huron Ave.
Alewife Public Meeting - Agenda
Wednesday, May 16, 6:30-8:30pm
Tobin School Cafeteria, 197 Vassal Lane
Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee Meeting - Agenda
Wednesday, May 23, 6:00-8:00pm
Citywide Senior Center Ballroom, 806 Massachusetts Ave.
For more information about Envision Cambridge, visit envision.cambridgema.gov.
Apr 25, 2018 – The City of Cambridge will launch its fifth Participatory Budgeting (PB) cycle from June-December 2018. Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of the capital budget.
For this next process, the City will set aside $900,000 for capital projects to improve the community. Winning projects from past PB cycles include a public toilet in Central Square, musical instruments for CRLS, a freezer van for prepared food rescue, solar panels for the Main Library roof, water bottle fill stations, and many others.
The City is seeking volunteers to serve on the PB Outreach Committee for the 2018 cycle. Volunteers will help ensure that the next PB process engages as many community members as possible.
Outreach Committee members will serve throughout the PB5 cycle (May-December 2018) by:
The Outreach Committee schedule is as follows:
*Locations for all meeting will be in and/or around Central Square.
Outreach Committee members will work closely with Budget Office staff to make PB5 the most successful cycle yet. Food will be provided at Outreach Committee meetings and each volunteer will receive a PB T-shirt.
Cambridge residents interested in serving on the PB Cambridge Outreach Committee can apply online at www.Cambridgema.gov/PB5Outreach or contact Matt Nelson in the Budget Office at pb@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4270. The deadline to apply is May 11, 2018.
For more information about the PB process visit pb.cambridgema.gov.
Apr 24, 2018 - The national public health emergency caused by the opioid epidemic is impacting communities across the country. The city of Cambridge has not been spared these tragedies despite the concerted efforts by key stakeholders, clinicians and advocates to aid those who may be struggling with the gravitational pull of addiction.
Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale has created a new working group which will review disease surveillance data, identify best practices about opioid-related prevention, intervention, and treatment activities as well as share information about the chronic nature of addiction.
In November 2017, then Vice Mayor (now Mayor) Marc McGovern produced a report “Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in Cambridge, which was based on the work of an ad hoc committee made up of city and community partners. In that report, he identified many of the critical challenges that individuals and cities around the country are facing and offered a series of recommendations to address this crisis.
“I want to build upon the work of Mayor McGovern and the ad hoc committee,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “Therefore, recognizing the continued impact that the opioid crisis is having within our community, I am establishing a working group to assess the feasibility of expanding harm reduction efforts in the City of Cambridge as well as consider more innovative strategies to assist residents, students and visitors alike.” The City Manager also noted his appreciation for the work of the advocates and service providers who have urged the City to look at all of the alternatives ways to address the opioid epidemic.
The charge of the City Manager’s Opioid Working Group is to advise the City Manager on policies and practices that address the opioid epidemic in Cambridge. This administrative working group is designed to include a cross-section of representatives from human services, public safety, public health, and healthcare who are instrumental with overseeing the response efforts in the City as well as addressing the clinical / counseling support needed by those who may be experiencing a health crisis.
The Working Group will be chaired by Dr. Assaad Sayah, Chief Medical Officer, Cambridge Health Alliance and Commissioner Branville Bard, Police Commissioner, Cambridge Police Department. The aim is to submit a report to the City Manager by October 2018 outlining specific short and long-term recommended goals that align with the City’s health improvement plan and actions that are currently underway.
Apr 23, 2018 -- Today, Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale submitted his proposed Operating and Capital Budgets for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19), as well as the proposed FY20-23 Operating and Capital Plans, to the Cambridge City Council. The proposed Operating Budget of $636.4 million represents an increase of $25.7 million, or 4.22%, over the FY18 Adjusted Budget. The proposed Capital Budget is $105.4 million.
Last year, the City Council prepared new goals, which are reflected in the FY19 budget submittal. The budget demonstrates the collaborative work of the administration and City Council to address the pressing needs for current and future Cambridge residents and visitors. The FY19 Budget includes many new initiatives and 25 additional staff positions.
“I want to thank the City Council for its leadership and for its active engagement in the FY19 budget process,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “The budget document released today contains many new initiatives and staff positions that are a direct result of the City Council’s collective feedback.”
The public is encouraged to review the budget document which contains the City Council goals, key initiatives, each department’s budget narrative, and this year’s capital projects to gain a deeper understanding of the FY19 objectives. Three highlights from the proposed budget include:
The long-term outlook for Cambridge continues to be very strong, which is confirmed by the City’s consistent AAA bond rating. The City will continue to use its five-year financial and capital plan, debt and reserve policies, and the City Council goals as guides in its long-term planning to maintain stability and predictability in the budgeting process and adherence to its policies.
“I believe that the initiatives and spending priorities recommended in this budget submission reflect not only the goals of the City Council, but also the priorities of the residents and taxpayers of Cambridge. Our effective short and long-term financial, economic, and programmatic planning strategies will help ensure that Cambridge can continue to provide the level of services that residents desire while maintaining the modest tax implications taxpayers have come to expect,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale.
The City Council’s Finance Committee will conduct public hearings on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019, in the Sullivan Chamber of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, on the following dates and times: Tuesday, May 1, at 9:00am, Tuesday, May 8, at 9:00am, Wednesday, May 9 at 6:00pm (School Department), and, if necessary, Thursday, May 10, at 9:00am. These hearings will be broadcast on 22-CityView, the Municipal Channel, and live-streamed on the Open Meeting Portal of the City’s website at www.CambridgeMA.Gov.
Copies (PDF) of the FY19 Budget Submission to the City Council can be downloaded at www.CambridgeMA.GOV/FY19SubmittedBudget.
Apr 23, 2018 – City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Outstanding City Employee Award. The annual award recognizes a select number of employees for superior performance, positive attitude, hard work and dedication to public service. The recipients will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, May 11, at 9:00am, in the Sullivan Chamber of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. All are welcome to attend.
The City Manager will also present an award in honor and memory of the late Brian Murphy, to a person who is committed to making government improve the lives of others.
Congratulations to our 2018 Outstanding City Employees:
In THE COLOR OF LAW, Richard Rothstein makes irrefutable that the segregation laws and policies passed by all levels of government expressly and systematically promoted the discriminatory patterns that persist to this day.
Pro-housing group "A Better Cambridge (ABC)" will host a Boston-metro community conversation with Richard Rothstein who will discuss his widely acclaimed book, The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. Through clear prose and extensive research that Ta-Nehisi Coates has lauded as "brilliant,” Rothstein’s book describes the forgotten story of how our federal, state, and local governments explicitly encouraged racial segregation across the country - in blue states, red states and as recently as the 2008 housing crisis. Today we are living with the repercussions of these policies with, for example, extreme racial wealth inequality and a stubborn achievement gap in our schools. This one-of-a-kind conversation will take place on May 22nd, at 6:30pm at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Fitzgerald Theater.
A panel discussion will follow Rothstein’s presentation, featuring Chrystal Kornegay, Executive Director of MassHousing; Dr. Atyia Martin, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Northeastern and former Chief Resilience Officer of Boston; Eva Martin-Blythe, Executive Director of the Cambridge YWCA; and Bob Terrell, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston; The conversation will be moderated by The Boston Globe’s Ideas Editor, Dante Ramos.
“The Color of Law is one of those rare books that will be discussed and debated for many decades. Based on careful analyses of multiple historical documents, Rothstein has presented what I consider to be the most forceful argument ever published on how federal, state and local governments gave rise to and reinforced neighborhood segregation.”– William Julius Wilson, author of The Truly Disadvantaged
ABC founder and chairman, Jesse Kanson-Benanav, is thrilled to welcome Mr. Rothstein, saying that “in a progressive community like Cambridge and a deep blue state like Massachusetts, we often lose sight of how our own housing and land use policies have contributed to the government-sanctioned segregation that Mr. Rothstein writes about.” And while Cambridge makes a small but ominous appearance in the book, specifically with regard to the intentional racial segregation when the Washington Elms & Newtowne Court public housing developments were first built, “the community discussion following Mr. Rothstein’s presentation will provide more local context, explore how we continue to perpetuate segregation in Cambridge and Greater Boston, and examine what we can do about it.”
The event is free and open to the public, but registration at www.abettercambridge.org is strongly recommended. Doors open at 6:00pm and the discussion begins at 6:30pm. Copies of Rothstein's book will be available for purchase. Advanced purchases are encouraged at The Harvard Bookstore and Porter Square Books.
Richard Rothstein is a research associate of the Economic Policy Institute and a Fellow at the Thurgood Marshall Institute of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He lives in California, where he is a Fellow of the Haas Institute at the University of California–Berkeley. The Color of Law was a Publisher's Weekly Top 10 Best Books of 2017 and was a finalist for the National Book Award.
A Better Cambridge (ABC) is a non-profit organization made up of Cambridge residents who are committed to building a more diverse and sustainable city with housing for all people. They support increased housing of all kinds, smart, eco-friendly density, and growth that is public-transit centered, to create vibrant, walkable, bikeable, livable neighborhoods. Through education and advocacy, they seek to impact the public conversation, include under-represented groups, and encourage thoughtful, smart planning and policy.
Apr 19, 2018 – The Board of Directors of the Constellation Charitable Foundation has announced plans to sell its Kendall Square land, known as Parcel C, and to use the proceeds from the sale to pursue the fulfillment of its original philanthropic and artistic mission.
 Constellation Center site indicated by yellow asterisk |
The main driver of this decision is that the pace of growth in the East Cambridge real estate market has far exceeded expectations, owing to soaring demand and reduced supply for space, particularly in the life science and tech sectors. The skyrocketing commercial value of the land outran the philanthropic value of committing the site to even a world-class performing arts center. The Board thoroughly explored the possibility of incorporating a mixed-use high-rise structure above the arts venues, but too many compromises in quality were required to accommodate the addition to the site of offices, laboratories, and residential spaces. Therefore, the Board has decided that the best option is to sell Parcel C, even as it carries forward its philanthropic mission in the performing arts.
This ongoing work is made possible by the strategically significant accomplishments the Constellation team has made since 1996, pursuing its original research and design of architectural plans for the intended world-class performing arts “Constellation Center.” Their work has been awarded numerous patents, with additional applications pending, and achieved revolutionary innovations embodied in the designs for a five-hall public facility for the performance of music, opera, theater, dance, and cinema. It was also designed to be used for community, educational, and family events, and included meeting, conference, and function space in support of presenters, arts organizations, and the Kendall Square Innovation District. All of this intellectual property, fortunately, can be a movable feast, for application and realization on one or more sites elsewhere.
The work of the Constellation Charitable Foundation will continue as it explores the possibility of replicating its completed designs at another location, and identifying appropriate land opportunities and overseeing the construction of various performing arts facilities. It will also be broadening, publishing, and disseminating its research results in the design, construction, and operation of state-of-the-art performing arts facilities; consulting for colleague organizations planning new, restored, or renovated cultural facilities; and supporting cultural institutions and community projects which complement the aspirations of the Foundation.
The Constellation Charitable Foundation and Constellation Center Board and staff are deeply grateful to our innumerable colleagues and organizations around the world, including many Cambridge- and Boston-area community groups who have supported and assisted our work thus far. We especially appreciate and thank our many generous individual donors, and we are immensely grateful to the City of Cambridge for its enduring support over many years. We assure everyone that the inestimable value of your contributions will continue to find rich fruit in our future endeavors.
The Constellation Charitable Foundation has engaged Andrew Hoar, President and Co-Managing Partner of CBRE New England, as real estate advisor and exclusive agent for the sale of its land. For further information, please contact Glenn KnicKrehm or Andrew Hoar at the phone numbers and email addresses noted below
| Glenn KnicKrehm, President Constellation Charitable Foundation (617) 939-1900 gknickrehm@constellationcenter.org |
Andrew W. Hoar¸ President and Co-Managing Partner CBRE New England (617) 912-7010 andy.hoar@cbre-ne.com |
Budget Season Returns - Featured Attractions on the Apr 23, 2018 Cambridge City Council Agenda
Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the FY19 submitted budget and appropriation orders. The Bottom Line is that the total proposed FY2019 Budget is $622,477,255. That's up 5.3% over last year's FY2018 budget of $591,057,460. You may want to take a longer view at the multi-year comparisons. The largest budget increases are actually in the Executive Department (City Manager's Office) with a 21.1% one-year increase. The budget for the Mayor's Office jumped by 11%. Manager's Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $5,000,000 to provide funds for the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan. Manager's Agenda #3. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $650,000 to provide funds for various School building infrastructure projects, and a new boiler at an Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. Manager's Agenda #4. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $61,500,000 to provide funds for various water pollution abatement projects, including construction of sewer separation, storm water management and combined sewer overflow reduction elimination improvements within the The Port neighborhood, and the River Street neighborhood. Manager's Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $21,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks. In addition to the Operating Budget, the City also each year seeks authorization to borrow significant amounts for various capital projects (presumably at very favorable interest rates thanks to our multiple AAA bond ratings). This year's loan authorizations total $88,150,000. Manager's Agenda #6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a supplemental appropriation of $1,000,000 from Free Cash to the Public Works Public Investment Fund account to fund snowstorm related road repairs and capital equipment. Manager's Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a supplemental appropriation of $2,475,000 from Free Cash to the Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account to fund snowstorm related expenses associated with snow plowing and snow removal contracts, salt, other materials, repair costs. Winter doesn't come cheap. In addition to the amount already budgeted for FY2018, there are these $3,475,000 supplemental appropriations. You can See It and Click It, but it costs money to Fix it. Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-23, relative to repairs to the Harvard Square Portland Loo and methods to prevent service interruptions in the future. Whoever thought a bathroom would turn into a winter research project. I still think we should have found a way to integrate these bathrooms into existing buildings with actual heating systems. Manager's Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a member of the Election Commission effective May 2, 2018 for a term of four years: Victoria Harris Congratulations to Victoria Harris. Unlike some years, the City Manager had several qualified candidates from which to choose. Congratulations also go to outgoing Commissioner Polyxane Cobb who did an outstanding job during her time as an Election Commissioner. Manager's Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as a members of the Arts Council Advisory Board for a term of three years, effective May 1, 2018: Olivia D'Ambrosio and Michael Monestime. Two more outstanding appointments. I do, however, have to make one correction. Contrary to the narrative provided, Michael Monestime and his family now live in North Cambridge, a.k.a. the suburbs, though he's still our Man in Central Square. Applications & Petitions #5. A Zoning Petition was received from Douglas Brown Et Al, regarding Zoning petition that aims to balance the future health and safety impacts of climate change. Frankly, I don't know what to make of this petition. There was supposed to be a petition filed several weeks ago that went by the name "The Pause Petition" that sought to put all new construction in the Alewife area on hold. That proposed Moratorium was endorsed by the North Cambridge Stabilization Committee (NCSC), the Fresh Pond Residents Alliance (FPRA), the Friends of Alewife Reservation (FAR), Green Cambridge, and the Cambridge Residents Alliance (CResA). It was met by a harsh response from the folks from A Better Cambridge (ABC) and others who saw it primarily as a mechanism to stop the building of new housing and, in particular, "affordable housing". Soon thereafter, the moratorium morphed into this new petition wrapped in green, i.e. "Zoning Amendments for a Flood and Heat Resilient Cambridge". Some parts are cribbed from the preliminary recommendations being developed for Alewife as part of the Envision Cambridge process, but there's little doubt that a significant goal of this petition is to make it a lot more difficult to build in some areas - particularly the Alewife area. In addition, there is a very prescriptive 2nd half of this petition that seeks to introduce a "Green Factor" to rule over any new construction requiring a Project Review Special Permit under Section 19.23 of the Zoning Ordinance [50,000 gross sq. ft. or more in all applicable zoning districts - except Business A, Business A-1, or Business A-2 districts where the threshold is 20,000 gross sq. ft.]. This Green Factor "uses a value based system to prioritize landscape elements and site design that contributes to the reduction of stormwater runoff, the improvement of urban air quality, mitigation of the urban heat island effect, and improved well-being of residents and visitors." Without surveying all built properties in the city, I think it's a fair guess to say that very few of them would have a "Green Factor" that would satisfy the wishes of the petitioners. However, it's already the case that most new significant building proposals in Cambridge that go before the Planning Board go to great lengths to factor environmental benefits into their plans with the possible exception of those built in dense urban settings (such as the major Squares). My sense is that this will play out politically in such a way that instead of the "Pause Petition" being spun as blocking housing, this new Petition will be spun as something only a climate-change-denier could oppose. But that's just politics. Personally, I think the petition should be divided into two separate petitions - one dealing with potentially flood-prone areas (and specifically parts of the Alewife area) and another that focuses specifically on the sustainability stuff citywide. I do think the "Green Factor" approach is overly prescriptive, but it would not be a bad outcome if a handbook of recommended standards grew out of this exercise - even if it was separate from the Zoning Ordinance. Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department, Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Department of Public Works, and any other City departments to work with the MBTA to address the above listed necessary improvements to the Harvard Square Station Tunnels while they are being renovated. Vice Mayor Devereux The "above listed improvements" involve temporary relocation of stops, minor schedule adjustments, increased foot traffic in Harvard Square, repaving of bus tunnel roadways, hopefully better lighting and seating in the bus tunnels, general repair and restoration, and maybe even restoration of some of the artwork. To this you can add the current T elevator work that's going on there (as well as in Central Square). Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City staff to ensure that an additional commitment of $20 million from the City’s budget is devoted over the next five years toward the City’s efforts to preserve and create affordable housing units. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui As I often point out, the term "affordable housing" is a euphemism for regulated housing obtained by applying either to the Cambridge Housing Authority or similar agency. It is not the same as addressing the goal of affordability of housing in Cambridge and in the greater Boston area. Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to contact the Constellation Charitable Foundation to receive an update on plans for the Parcel C in Kendall Square and when development can be expected to begin. Councillor Toomey Based on the press release last week, that's a question best addressed by whatever party buys the property. When that sale happens the Constellation Charitable Foundation will be out of the picture. Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the appropriate City Staff, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Friends of Poorman’s Landing, and the East Cambridge Planning Team to ensure the timely repair of Poorman’s Landing. Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone In addition to the letter and the pages specific to Poorman's Landing, the recently published (Jan 2018) Cambridge Riverfront Plan is worth the read. Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department and the City Solicitor to produce a report for use by the Housing Committee that contains information pertaining to the appropriate language for the creation of an Affordable Housing Overlay District. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui I repeat - The term "affordable housing" is a euphemism for regulated housing obtained by applying either to the Cambridge Housing Authority or similar agency. It is not the same as addressing the goal of affordability of housing in Cambridge and in the greater Boston area. Committee Report #1. A communication was received from Paula Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Quinton Y. Zondervan, Co-Chair of the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration Committee, for a public hearing held on Mar 22, 2018 to gain a better understanding of the extent of the City's digital divide and to explore possible ways to increase digital access. I'm sure this will get a lot of play during the upcoming Budget Hearings, but the bottom line is still The Bottom Line - the related proposal that the City should build its own municipal broadband system is a very expensive proposition. Furthermore, the jury is still out on whether exposing the City to this financial risk is even a wise approach. Everybody wants alternatives to the Comcast monopoly, but there may be better ways to achieve this. Committee Report #2. 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 Mar 21, 2018 to discuss the implementation of the Short-Term Rental Ordinance. It doesn't help that AirBnB seems to be sending the message out to all of its "hosts" to join them in their lack of cooperation. Committee Report #3. A communication was received from Paula Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Dennis J. Carlone, Co-Chair and Quinton Y. Zondervan, Co-Chair of the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration Committee, for a public hearing held on Apr 18, 2018, to discuss confirming the City's Manager's selection of Margaret Drury as a member of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA). Slam dunk easy call on the reappointment of our most esteemed former City Clerk Margaret Drury to the revitalized Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. Communications & Reports from City Officers #1. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a communication from Dosha E. Beard, Executive Secretary to the School Committee, transmitting a copy of an order from the School Committee recommending the FY19 General Fund Budget of the Cambridge Public Schools be adopted in the sum of $191,069,500. This represents a pretty steady 31% of the City's Operating Budget (just in case you were wondering). - Robert Winters |
CIVIC CALENDAR
9:00am The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY2019 City Budget (Sullivan Chamber)
The Committee on Finance will conduct public hearings on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.
These hearings will be held in the Sullivan Chamber, City Hall, broadcast on the municipal cable station and will follow the schedule outlined below. The proposed budget will include recommendations from the City Manager concerning capital and operating budgets.
All interested individuals are invited to attend and be heard and/or submit written testimony. Those wishing to testify may do so either at the beginning or conclusion of each day’s hearings. Copies of the budget may be viewed at the branch libraries and will be available at the Budget Office at City Hall on or after April 23, 2018. Additionally, the budget will be available on the Internet through the City Home Page: www.cambridgema.gov. [Complete schedule with Budget Book references][multi-year comparisons]
| Mayor’s Office Executive - Leadership Diversity Domestic & Gender Based Violence Prevention Initiative Equity and Inclusion Public Information Office Tourism City Council |
City Clerk Law Historical Commission Finance Admin. Budget Personnel Purchasing Auditing |
Treasury/Revenue Information Technology Employee Benefits General Services Election Commission Public Celebrations Reserve Animal Commission |
Fire Department Police Department Traffic, Parking & Transportation Inspectional Services License Commission Electrical Emergency Communications |
| * Date changes for individual departments may occur. The public is invited to attend and be heard. These hearings will be cablecast live on Municipal Television. |
|||
6:00pm Regular School Committee meeting (Henrietta Attles Meeting Room, CRLS, 459 Broadway)
10:00am The City Council's Human Services and Veterans Committee will meet. The purpose of this hearing is to discuss Early Childhood Education in Cambridge and hear updates on meeting the goals set forth by the Early Childhood Education task force. (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 Annual City Census 2018 State Primary New Business |
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
9:00am The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY2019 City Budget (Sullivan Chamber)
The Committee on Finance will conduct public hearings on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.
These hearings will be held in the Sullivan Chamber, City Hall, broadcast on the municipal cable station and will follow the schedule outlined below. The proposed budget will include recommendations from the City Manager concerning capital and operating budgets.
All interested individuals are invited to attend and be heard and/or submit written testimony. Those wishing to testify may do so either at the beginning or conclusion of each day’s hearings. Copies of the budget may be viewed at the branch libraries and will be available at the Budget Office at City Hall on or after April 23, 2018. Additionally, the budget will be available on the Internet through the City Home Page: www.cambridgema.gov. [Complete schedule with Budget Book references][multi-year comparisons]
| Cambridge Health Alliance Public Works Water Community Development Peace Commission / Police Review & Advisory Board |
Weights & Measures Cable TV Debt Service Library Human Services |
Women’s Commission Human Rights Commission Assessing Veterans Services MWRA |
Cherry Sheet City Overview Financial Summaries Revenue Public Investment |
| * Date changes for individual departments may occur. The public is invited to attend and be heard. These hearings will be cablecast live on Municipal Television. |
|||
8:00-9:30am Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting (Sullivan Chamber, City Hall)
6:00pm The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY2019 School Department Budget (Sullivan Chamber)
9:00am The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY2019 City Budget - if necessary (Sullivan Chamber)
4:00pm 2018 City of Cambridge Scholarship Awards Ceremony. This meeting to be televised. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
5:00pm The City Council's Housing Committee will meet for an as yet undisclosed purpose. (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm Regular School Committee meeting (Henrietta Attles Meeting Room, CRLS, 459 Broadway)
5:30pm City Council meeting and expected Budget Adoption (Sullivan Chamber)
2:00pm The City Council's Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will conduct a public hearing to follow-up on Policy Order #7 of March 5, 2018 on the future of dock-less bikes in Cambridge. (Sullivan Chamber)
2:00pm The City Council's Economic Development & University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing 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. (Sullivan Chamber)
Once again, the much-heralded "Divest HP" matter is NOT on this week's agenda, so if you want to get excited about this irrelevant initiative, come back in another week or so. Meanwhile, we close out April and look forward to the Lusty Month of May with the following featured treats:
On this week's agenda: