Possible Topics:Cambridge InsideOut - June 1, 2021
Possible Topics:
2) Civic Opportunities - Planning Board
4) Who's Zoomin' Who? - May 24-25 City Council meeting
Middle East politics and boycotts
Assault on Neighborhood Conservation Districts
Report of Task Force on Future of Public Safety vs. “HEART” proposal
5) Foreign Affairs and Other Adventures – May 17, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting
6) Municipal election on the horizon 2021 Cambridge Candidate Pages (preliminary)
Municipal Finance observations
7) Elections elsewhere:
New York City Mayoral (RCV - Jun 22);
Boston Mayoral (Top Two - Sept 14);
Somerville Mayoral (Free For All)
6255 tested positive - This is an increase of 1 testing positive from the previous day and 57 over 20 days.
123 confirmed deaths (76 in long-term care facilities, 47 in general community)
Click on graph above for latest Cambridge data.
June 1, 2021 Breakdown of Cases (353 known active cases) - a decrease of 21 active cases from the previous day.
There have been 4234 recoveries - an increase of 21 from the previous day.
Things are improving thanks to vaccinations, and the 7-day averages of new cases are now consistently low.
Harvard University COVID-19 data MIT COVID-19 data
May 27, 2021 – In light of the lingering effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Board of License Commissioners (the “Board”) adopted the following to ensure we continue to support our licensed businesses through the recovery period.
2022 Renewal Fees.
The following is a one-time, non-precedent setting reduction in renewal fees for licenses for the year 2022 (inclusive of those that renew in the Spring of 2022), set as a recovery measure.
(1) 40% reduction on the total license renewal fees for all license types except: Pole & Conduit, Waste Haulers, Leaf Blowers, and Flammables Only. This means there would be a 40% reduction of the renewal fee for all of the following license types: alcohol (restaurant, club, hotel, general on premises/bar, any series pouring permit), common victualler (restaurant), entertainment, innholder, lodging houses/dormitories, letting of motor vehicles, used car dealers, garages, open air parking lots, second hand good stores (antiques and junk), hawker/peddler (food trucks), jitneys, and liveries. Waiver of all fees for the renewal of taxi driver licenses and medallions as done in years prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
(2) To continue promoting safe practices and based on expert advice that being outside is better than inside, annual patio renewal fees for 2022 will be $25.00 for private patios and $75.00 for public patios.
(3) The renewal fees will be due by the date set in the usual manner. None of the renewal fees will be pro-rated or collected in installments except for the alcohol renewal fee which can be collected bi-annually as a 50/50 split (the first half due in November 2021, the second half due in May 2022).
Temporary Extensions of the Licensed Premises to an Outdoor Area Due to COVID-19 (“Temporary Extensions”).
Per COVID-19 Orders Nos. 35 and 50, these Temporary Extensions will expire on August 15, 2021. Provided that the Governor’s new bill is signed, these will be extended through November 29, 2021. The Board voted to adopt the new expiration date if approved by the legislature. In the alternative, the Board will adopt any legal mechanism possible to extend the temporary patios through the end of the year or whatever date provided by the adopted legislature. The Chair has been designated as the person to create and implement the process with the Board’s ratification to follow.
May 24, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking Cambridge residents interested in serving on the Planning Board. Board members are volunteers who serve five-year terms.
The Planning Board reviews proposals for urban development under the special permit provisions of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance and Chapter 40A of the Massachusetts General Laws, makes recommendations to the City Council on proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, and engages in general planning related to land use and development in the city.
A goal of the city is to expand and deepen community engagement with a focus to strengthen the diversity and inclusion of its various boards and commissions, and to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
Serving on the Planning Board is a meaningful way to participate in important decision making that shapes the future of the City of Cambridge.
Planning Board members’ responsibilities include:
The Board has seven full members and two associate members, who participate in general business discussions and may be appointed to act on special permit cases in place of full board members.
The following qualities are desired for Planning Board members:
For more information, visit: www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment/planningboard.
The application deadline is Friday, June 25, 2021. Applications can be submitted at www.Cambridgema.gov/apply. A letter of interest and a resume or other description of applicable experience can also be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. Please note that appointments are currently required due to COVID-19 safety protocols. To make an appointment to pick up an application, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or email fgaines@Cambridgema.gov.
May 23 - When my dear friend and neighbor Alison Woodman died in January, I decided that since my slowly-rusting and breaking-down 42-year-old VW Bus was becoming a beloved burden too much to bear, I wanted to buy Alison's car. At the time I had no idea what make or model or year it was. I just wanted to drive Alison's car because that's the way my ridiculous mind works. Well, it's my car now - registered just a few days ago. So from now on instead of seeing me in my extraordinarily cool 1979 VW Bus you might now see me tooling around town in a 2014 Honda Civic with far more bells and whistles than I am accustomed to, e.g. heat and air-conditioning. The fuel economy is also at least triple what my Bus was getting. The funny (and I might even say magical) thing is something I only realized yesterday when looking at the label on the back of the car. Some things you can't plan. They just happen. - RW
Who's Zoomin' Who? - May 24-25, 2021 Cambridge City Council meetingA temporary cease-fire may be going into effect in Israel and Gaza, but that won't stop the Zoom speeches this Monday. Lots of rhetorical rockets were fired last week. This week there's likely to be a lot of response and maybe even some skirmishes. What all this has to do with the City of Cambridge escapes me. [Note: This meeting was recessed and continued to a May 25 Special City Council meeting starting at 5:30pm.] Here are some things that struck a chord or a nerve: Manager's Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request the adoption of a statutory small business exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $10,000 in assessed value and the authorization for an exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $20,000 in assessed value, by requesting a special act from the Legislature and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This exemption has been in effect for the current FY21 fiscal year, and the City sought and received a Special Act of the legislature to allow the City to make the exemption permanent. Perhaps most notable in this communication is this: “Not only will this tax exemption assist small businesses financially and administratively, but it will also relieve the burden upon the City for the collection and accounting of small accounts.” Manager's Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request to approve the acquisition of land in Lincoln, Massachusetts for the purpose of adding to the City’s watershed lands for water supply protection and conservation purposes. [Water Board Letter] [Map/Plot Plan] Manager's Agenda #8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the PFAS Treatment Grant in the amount of $115,680.00 received from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection 's Drinking Water Program (DEP) to the Public Investment Fund Water Extraordinary Expenditures account which will assist in the effort to remove Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from our finished water and will also help to offset the costs of the ongoing Cambridge Water Department bench-scale study to determine the effectiveness of granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove PFAS from our water. Unlike other items on this meeting agenda (see below) that have no connection whatsoever to the City of Cambridge but which will draw public comments galore, these two items have everything to do with one of the most essential services provided by our local government - the provision and security of clean drinking water. These items will likely draw little, if any, public comment. Charter Right #1. In Support of H.R.2590, “The Palestinian Children and Families Act”. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Nolan In Council May 17, 2021] Charter Right #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Purchasing Department to review Cambridge’s corporate contracts and identify any companies that are in violation of Cambridge’s policy on discrimination, including (but not limited to) Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Hewlett Packard Incorporated over their role in abetting apartheid in the Middle East, and to suggest alternatives for Cambridge to explore in order to ensure the city embody the values it put on paper. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Nolan In Council May 17, 2021] Note 1: Zondervan introduced an amendment to the substitute language specifically calling out Hewlett-Packard (and implicitly endorsing BDS). Note 2: Zondervan introduced another amendment to the substitute language saying same but w/o specifically calling out Hewlett-Packard (yet still implicitly endorsing BDS). Note 3: Zondervan introduced another amendment regarding right of people to defend themselves and specifically calling out Israeli government attacks against Palestinean people (replacing Netanyahu w/Israeli government and removing any reference to any negative actions by Hamas and Israel's right to exist). Note 4: Sobrinho-Wheeler introduced an amendment to the substitute language amending “ORDERED: That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with the Purchasing Department to review Cambridge’s corporate contracts and purchases to identify any vendors or manufacturers whose products are used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge’s policy on discrimination.” Approximately 25 communications relating to last week's Resolution and Policy Order regarding Israel, Gaza, and boycotts. At last count on Monday morning, there were 426 people signed up for Public Comment with the overwhelming majority of those signed up expected to comment on these two matters that have nothing whatsoever to do with the City of Cambridge. A Special Meeting was scheduled for Tues, May 25 to continue the meeting. The Monday meeting was all Public Comment (apparently 537 people). Applications & Petitions #1. A petition was received from Loren Crowe, requesting that the City Council ordain ordinance language relative to the creation and operation of Neighborhood Conservation Districts in the city. [Text of Petition] This petition appears to be the latest skirmish in a battle that began when some people in East Cambridge sought to create a neighborhood conservation district a couple of years ago. This tit-for-tat battle has now turned into a “cause” for those who see preservation as antithetical to their idea of “progress.” What comes to mind when I see these battles for power and control are Jane Jacobs vs. Robert Moses in New York City, and the demolition of over half of Boston's West End to make way for Jerome Rappaport's Charles River Park. “If You Lived Here You'd Be Home Now” - but only if you never lived here before. Order #2. That the City Council amend the Article 22 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge entitled “SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT” to insert a new section 22.24.4 (Ordinance #2021-13). Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan This is being billed by its authors as the “Cambridge Green New Deal Zoning Petition.” It is presented as being primarily about reporting requirements for emissions associated with the construction and maintenance of new buildings and is being pitched in terms of “green jobs” and “economic opportunity and climate justice for our most vulnerable residents.” However, it appears to really be about forcing the elimination of natural gas as a fuel source (which cannot currently be banned according to a ruling from the Mass. Atty. General), and additional government control over property, e.g. “The developer will present a payment schedule for how to zero out the Total Emissions of the building, using a social cost of carbon formula approved by CDD. The payment schedule may be annualized over a period not to exceed 10 years. The outstanding balance shall act as a lien on the property in case it is sold. Any offset must demonstrate direct benefits to low-income and minority communities in Cambridge, including economic opportunity through job creation and or financial savings through e.g. utility bill reductions.” Oh yeah, and “any residential buildings that include affordable units” will be exempt from any of the proposed requirements. This current City Council can be characterized best by one word: “Control” Order #3. Cambridge HEART Proposal. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Councillor Simmons and Councillor McGovern, transmitting a memorandum regarding the Report for Future of Public Safety Task Force. The so-called "HEART proposal" comes from the group that calls itself “The Black Response” and is fundamentally rooted in the abolition of traditional police. It appears that its presentation at this moment is meant as a challenge (more like a short circuit) to the report from the Task Force which nonetheless shares some similar ideas. We are fortunate to have a Police Commissioner and a City administration open to reasonable suggestions and it will be interesting to see if some helpful reallocation of resources grows from these suggestions without jeopardizing public safety. The deliberations of the Task Force have been far from transparent, but there was at least some effort to involve a greater cross-section of the community. Emphasis is needed about what exactly constitutes “the community” with councillors and residents alike routinely claiming what is not theirs in any reasonable sense. Contrary to some of rhetoric offered at the recent FY22 Budget Hearings, a proposal from a small unrepresentative group of advocates does not translate into “the community has spoken.” - Robert Winters Don't forget about these: Tues, May 253:00pm The City Council's Health and Environment Committee will meet to discuss proposed amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) that would drive down energy use and emissions in existing buildings in Cambridge as well as an update on the Net Zero Action Plan 5-Year Review process and recommendations. (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Zondervan] Wed, May 2610:00am The City Council's Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing on the reappointment of Conrad Crawford to the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board and to discuss the pilot of street closures in Harvard Square. (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Nolan] 12:00pm Special Meeting of the City Council (Sullivan Chamber) Thurs, May 27Time Unknown The City Council's Civic Unity Committee shall meet to discuss the recently released 'Social Equity Legislation in Cannabis: A National Study of State and Local Approaches' by the Initiative organization. (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Simmons] Tues, June 13:00pm The City Council's Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing on the small business grant and loan programs managed by the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Mallon] Wed, June 22:00pm The City Council's Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Alewife Envision Plan. (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Nolan] 5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on an order to amend the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge to insert new section Restricting the Use of Chemical Crowd Control Agents and Kinetic Impact Projectiles. (Sullivan Chamber) [Co-Chairs = Carlone, McGovern] Tues, June 811:00am The City Council's Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss strategies and opportunities to alleviate permit and license fees for small businesses, through possible consolidation or elimination. (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Mallon] Wed, June 911:00am The City Council's Health and Environment Committee will meet to discuss the city's progress on our Zero Waste Plan, and relevant items referred to committee, including eliminating single use plastics. (Sullivan Chamber) 5:00pm The City Council's Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee will hold a public hearing to follow-up from the initial neighborhood group hearing and further discuss how the City can work with groups. (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Nolan] Thurs, June 105:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2). (Sullivan Chamber) [Co-Chairs = Carlone, McGovern] Tues, June 1511:00am The City Council's Government Operations Committee will meet to discuss the hiring of the next City Manager. (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Simmons] |
Foreign Affairs and Other Adventures – May 17, 2021 Cambridge City Council meetingElection-year dynamics are in full swing as our incumbents tailor their appeal to voters whose attention lies both inside and outside the borders of our little 6.39 square mile peoples republic. Here are the items that drew my attention this week: Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-58, regarding a report on creating a comprehensive digital, postal, and traditional media outreach campaign educating residents on the Cambridge eviction moratorium, tenants' rights, and resources available to at-risk tenants. Now that the Governor has announced that we're going to 100% Reopening as of May 29 and all the Covid indicators are rapidly trending in a good direction, is there any legal justification for maintaining the eviction moratorium? By the way, there is no indication of any “tsunami of evictions” coming any time soon in Cambridge, and the communication notes that “Thankfully, numbers have been very low in Cambridge, and we believe this is due in part to the strong and ongoing partnerships the City has built and continues to build with property management companies.” It is, however, an election year, so I expect to see a tsunami of rhetoric coming regardless. Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-3, regarding a report on the parameters on eligible expenses from Free Cash. This is great to have some clarity for our research-challenged councillors. There are definitely some councillors who would like nothing more than to hand out cash and prizes - especially to those whose memories run until at least next November - but state law and the Mass. Constitution does not grant such ease to cities and towns. We are obliged to be creative (as in paying restaurants to provide meals on a fee for service basis during the pandemic) or at least to cast such expenditures in terms of broad public benefit even if the resources are going directly to individuals (as is the case with most housing programs). Manager's Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $70,000 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Extraordinary Expenditures account from mitigation funds contributed by Regency Centers to the Harvard Square Improvement Fund as a condition of special permit #PB334 which will be used for the purchase and installation of public space improvements on Palmer Street in Harvard Square. This expenditure is pocket change, but the intention (I believe) is to work with the abutting property owners on Palmer Street to recreate it as a much more active and interesting space where the boundary between private and public space is intentionally blurred. This alley is necessary for deliveries and other utilitarian needs, but with very little other traffic it's a perfect location for music and other performances. Movies, hot dog vendors, and other street food would also be nice. Making this a spectacular space will likely cost significantly more than $70K, but I'm sure some of the abutters can chip in. Maybe we can have a pickup game of stick-ball there sometime. If you hit the Coop bridge on the fly, that has to be at least a triple. Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to revised versions of the Retail Zoning Petition and Home Occupations Zoning Petition. Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Apr 14, 2021 regarding the Retail Uses Zoning Recommendations - Refiled (Ordinance #2021-3) and the Home Occupations Zoning Recommendations - Refiled (Ordinance #2021-4). Much of this is long overdue, but the list of proposed changes is just long. Would anyone like to translate and simplify for the rest of us? On the Table #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-64, requesting Home Rule language to allow for acoustic live entertainment performances in small businesses under certain conditions without a license. [TABLED IN COUNCIL FEB 22, 2021] Manager's Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to additional information on a Acoustic Music response currently On the Table. [License Commission Mar 9, 2021 Memo] [License Commission Feb 22, 2021 Memo] This new response from the License Commission makes a lot of sense. One area that never gets the attention it deserves is how the City and the License Commission balance competing interests in mixed use zones, e.g. when a venue that could generate noise is in close proximity to apartments. This becomes especially important with more people working from home. Manager's Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-13, regarding next steps on implementation of Universal Pre-K. I like reading these kinds of things. All too often the refrain from City leaders is about public assistance rather than economic and personal empowerment; and education - from pre-K on up to college-level classes - is a big part of what constitutes empowerment. Manager's Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to further proposed amendments to the Tree Protection Ordinance and draft regulations. [Attachment A] [Attachment B] [Attachment C] Please, councillors, just let homeowners make reasonable choices about how we manage our property without inflicting onerous requirements or excessive costs just because you think you know what's best. That may involve a little trust. Is that something you can warm up to? Charter Right #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with all relative City departments, the Central Square BID and the MBTA to close Mass Ave. from Prospect Street to Sydney Street on Friday and Saturday evenings from 7:00pm to 1:00am through September 2021 and report back to the Council. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL MAY 10, 2021] Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department, the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the City Manager's Small Business Advisory Committee, the Cambridge Business Coalition, and other relevant City Departments to outline a plan for future outdoor dining and necessary City supports to ensure its’ success. Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan It has been great seeing how creative some business owners (and business associations and business improvement districts) have been as they navigated the pandemic working cooperatively with City departments. I expect this will continue long after the pandemic. That said, just closing down a street for the sake of saying you closed down a street isn't especially helpful. Shutting down Mass. Ave. every Friday and Saturday night would have a lot of ripple effects on transportation and on the surrounding streets, and it's not at all clear what, if any, benefits might result. The action is on the sidewalks and outdoor patios right now and not in the middle of the street. Save the full closures for a few targeted events on some summer and fall weekend afternoons. Definitely make the extended patios a permanent part of the non-winter pedestrian experience in places like Central Square. Charter Right #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Law Department to review the proposed ordinance to reduce or limit campaign donations, POR 2020 #240, and respond to the City Council, in a reasonable time, with suggested edits, comments and recommendations. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN IN COUNCIL MAY 10, 2021] Charter Right #4. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the City Solicitor’s Office to draft a Home Rule Petition that would cap campaign contributions to any City Council candidate to $200 per person, per year, per candidate. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN IN COUNCIL MAY 10, 2021] I seriously think this is more political distraction than anything else. There's a morality faux fight implicit in all this that's borderline pathetic. If you simply shine a very bright light on candidates whose campaigns are fueled from questionable sources, that should be enough. Resolution #5. Resolution on the death of John E. "Jack" Flynn. Councillor Toomey This was really sad news. I hadn't heard a word about Jackie in years. He was once upon a time a fixture in the City Clerk's office and at City Hall. Resolution #6. Death of Jenna Santos. Mayor Siddiqui I read about this in a School Committee communication. It has been a rough year for current CRLS students and some recent CRLS graduates. I heard just the other day about another recent CRLS graduate who died of a drug overdose in Central Square. Resolution #7. In Support of H.R.2590, “The Palestinian Children and Families Act”. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern Order #6. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Purchasing Department to review Cambridge’s corporate contracts and identify any companies that are in violation of Cambridge’s policy on discrimination, including (but not limited to) Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Hewlett Packard Incorporated over their role in abetting apartheid in the Middle East, and to suggest alternatives for Cambridge to explore in order to ensure the city embody the values it put on paper. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone I respectfully disagree. Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to (1) refresh the rainbow benches outside of City Hall by June 1, 2021, (2) re-paint the crosswalks in colors that represent the Trans Flag, the Pride Flag, the Bi Flag and the People of Color Pride Flag by June 1, 2021, and (3) light City Hall up in rainbow colors in recognition of Pride Month from June 1, 2021-June 12, 2021. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler This is all well and good, but at some point the question has to be raised regarding how long any given “statement” should remain on City Hall or the surrounding area. For example, the “Juneteenth” flag appeared on City Hall last summer when that day (June 19) was recognized. One might reasonably think that the flag would come down after the holiday and return again this summer, but it remained all year - most likely because of the racial theme during a difficult year. What is awkward here is that even the suggestion that such a flag should be removed until the next celebration could likely be viewed as a hostile act. Nobody is likely to ask about policies regarding such matters because of the discomfort, but there really should be policies and practices that apply to such commemorations and statements. While I'm risking offense, I may as well also note that those POW-MIA flags have been flying now probably since the Vietnam Conflict was still raging. Here's a suggestion - charge the Civic Unity Committee with making recommendations regarding how and for what duration flags and similar things should be displayed. Order #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts State Police, and MassDOT to develop a holistic plan for managing the traffic and congestion in the Alewife area and report back to the City Council. Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon Cambridge comes full circle. For those who didn't just move here, let me remind everyone that this is precisely what kicked off the whole adventure that resulted in the “Envision Cambridge” process. It's almost like our “Envision” needs a new prescription every year. Order #4. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with relevant Department heads and the nonprofit community on "Digital Equity" and report back to the Council with an implementation plan, schedule, and request for appropriation. Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan Order #5. That the City Manager be and hereby is ordered to consult with relevant Department heads on other broadband benefits programs offered by the Federal government, and report back to the City Council on the City’s plans to leverage these funds in pursuit of Digital Equity. Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan I often wonder these days how many City Council orders are ghost-written on Cottage Street or Laurel Street or in some Somerville apartment. By the way, I signed the original petition for municipal broadband, but the more this drags on the more my doubts grow regarding whether that's even a good road to travel. Sometimes it just seems more like just a wedge issue that exists primarily to argue for charter reform and/or clear-cutting the City administration. - Robert Winters |
Dec 14, 2020, updated May 24, 2021 – I really hate to get started on this topic so early in the game, but there are already rumors of possible candidates for 2021 and several potential candidates have already filed the paperwork with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) so that they can start raising campaign donations. At least 7 incumbent city councillors have already sent word to supporters about seeking reelection, and others may follow. Here's a list of what we know so far:
| Name | Address | Filed w/OCPF | Notes |
| Challengers (11) who have declared intention to seek reelection or are actively fundraising (there may be others) | |||
| Frantz Pierre | 22 Water Street #808, 02141 | Nov 10, 2020 | not listed as registered voter as of Nov 2020 at given address, case worker at Margaret Fuller House |
| Tonia Hicks | 337 Pearl Street, 02139 | Nov 13, 2020 declared |
campaign Chair lives in Colorado, Treasurer lives in North Carolina |
| Dana Bullister | 155 5th Street #1, 02141 | Nov 23, 2020 declared |
listed as own campaign Chair and Treasurer, was rumored as candidate in 2019 |
| Joe McGuirk (new website!) |
314 Columbia St. #1, 02141 | Dec 7, 2020 declared |
bartender at Highland Kitchen in Somerville, and the Lexington at Cambridge Crossing |
| Santos Carrasquillo | 188 Harvard St. #3B, 02139 | Jan 11, 2021 | occupation unknown |
| Theodora Skeadas | 988 Memorial Drive #185, 02138 | Feb 19, 2021 declared |
Executive Director of Cambridge Local First; previously filed w/OCPF in Dec 2016 as a candidate but did not pursue at that time |
| Nicola Williams | 8 Brewer St. #5, 02138 | declared, actively fundraising, ran in 2019 | business owner, community activist, organizer of the Cambridge Carribean Carnival, serves on the board of several Cambridge non-profit and neighborhood organizations |
| Paul Toner | 24 Newman St., 02140 | declared, initial campaign deposit 4/18/21 | Senior Director of National Policy, Partnerships and Northeast Region for Teach Plus; former VP and president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (2006-2014), and of the Cambridge Teachers Association (2001-2006); middle school social studies teacher, lawyer, and former teacher union leader. He previously ran for City Council in 2017. |
| Roy Ribitzky | 163 Webster Ave. #3, 02141 | 4/26/21 | Guest Experience Professional in the Food and Beverage Industry; currently Bar Lead & Shift Supervisor at The Smoke Shop BBQ, Somerville. |
| Burhan Azeem | 35 Speridakis Terr., 02139 | 5/2/21 announced via email (ran in 2019) | Works at startup that does at-home COVID & post-op care for patients in India. |
| Eckstut, Robert | 251 Western Ave. #1, 02139 | 5/12/21 | Poker Player, author, activist (from LinkedIn page); Chair/Treasurer lives in California |
| Rumored possible City Council candidates - either new or returning | |||
| Jeffery McNary | 116 Norfolk St. #201, 02139 | expressed interest | ran in 2019 w/o accepting donations |
| Sam Gebru | 812 Memorial Dr. #614A, 02139 | recently made $200 candidate loan to acct. | ran in 2017 and has kept campaign account active |
| Incumbents (7) who have declared intention to seek reelection or are actively fundraising (there may be others) | |||
| Dennis Carlone | 9 Washington Ave. #6, 02140 | declared | first elected 2013, 4 terms on City Council |
| Marc McGovern | 17 Pleasant St., 02139 | declared | first elected in 2013, 4 terms on City Council |
| Quinton Zondervan | 235 Cardinal Madeiros Ave., 02141 | raising money | first elected in 2017, 2 terms on City Council |
| Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler | 187 Brookline St. #3, 02139 | actively fundraising | first elected in 2019, 1 term on City Council |
| Denise Simmons | 188 Harvard St. #4B, 02139 | actively fundraising | first elected in 2001, 10 terms on City Council |
| Alanna Mallon | 3 Maple Ave., 02139 | declared | first elected in 2017, 2 terms on City Council |
| Sumbul Siddiqui | 283 Sidney St. #3, 02139 | declared on her website | first elected in 2017, 2 terms on City Council |
| New School Committee candidates (presumably all incumbents will be seeking reelection) | |||
| none | |||
Please send me any additions, corrections or credible rumors at Robert@rwinters.com.
If you know of any great potential candidates for either Cambridge City Council or School Committee, please encourage them to consider being a candidate in the 2021 municipal election.
2021 Cambridge Candidate Pages (preliminary)
Cambridge City Council Campaign Receipts 2021
Note: The "A Better Cambridge" PAC filed its Dissolution Report on April 14 - apparently in favor of operating all of its political campaign financing via its Independent Expenditure PAC. The significance of this change is that an ordinary political action committee (PAC) is required to file monthly bank reports (twice/month during the active campaign season). An Independent Expenditure PAC has no such reporting requirements, i.e. there is very little transparency.
CIVIC CALENDAR (abridged)
3:00pm The City Council's Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing on the small business grant and loan programs managed by the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm School Committee Virtual Meeting (webcast from Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
The next Regular Meeting of the School Committee will be held on Tues, June 1 at 6:00pm held in and broadcast from the Attles Meeting Room, CRLS for the purpose of discussing any and all business that may properly come before the Committee.
There will be a Special Meeting of the School Committee immediately following the Regular Meeting on June 1 for the purpose of entertaining a motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing strategy for contract negotiations for (Interim Superintendent), as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the strategy and negotiation positions of the School Committee. Votes may be taken in Executive Session and the School Committee will reconvene in open session.
11:30am City Council Special Meeting to discuss the charter assessment conducted by the Collins Center. (Sullivan Chamber)
2:00pm The City Council's Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Alewife Envision Plan. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on an order to amend the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge to insert new section Restricting the Use of Chemical Crowd Control Agents and Kinetic Impact Projectiles. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm Cambridge Election Commission meeting (51 Inman Street, Remote Participation via ZOOM)
10:00am The City Council's Housing Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss inclusionary zoning preference/eligibility, and how the new state-level Housing Choice law will affect zoning in Cambridge. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm City Council meeting - expected Budget Adoption (Sullivan Chamber)
11:00am The City Council's Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss strategies and opportunities to alleviate permit and license fees for small businesses, through possible consolidation or elimination. (Sullivan Chamber)
8:00am-9:30am Recycling Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom)
11:00am The City Council's Health and Environment Committee will meet to discuss the city's progress on our Zero Waste Plan, and relevant items referred to committee, including eliminating single use plastics. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:00pm The City Council's Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee will hold a public hearing to follow-up from the initial neighborhood group hearing and further discuss how the City can work with groups. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2). (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
11:00am The City Council's Government Operations Committee will meet to discuss the hiring of the next City Manager. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting (Police Station, First Floor Conference Room, 125 Sixth St.)
5:30-7:30pm Joint Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transit Advisory Committee Meeting (Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00-7:30pm Central Square Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom)
5:00pm The City Council's Transportation and Public Utilities, NLTP, and Public Safety Committees will meet to conduct a public hearing on a communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the first Cycling Safety Ordinance report which analyzes the block-by-block impacts of installing quick-build separated bike lanes on four specific segments of Massachusetts Avenue, as identified in Section 12.22.040 (E) of the ordinance. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
2:00pm The City Council's Public Safety Committee and the Economic Development & University Relations Committee will meet jointly to hear from Saskia VannJames, President of the Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council, on the importance of cannabis cooperatives and their potential role in the equitable development of Cambridge’s emerging recreational cannabis industry. (Sullivan Chamber)
5:30pm Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting (Police Station, First Floor Conference Room, 125 Sixth St.)
