Cambridge InsideOut - Sept 5, 2023

What will this year’s tax rate message be?

Some of us are waiting to see what the combined impact will be of potential commercial property tax abatements due to increased vacancies, the City’s Operating Budget growing faster than inflation, City Council demands for more programs and subsidies, and other factors. Here’s what the messages have said over the last decade - reverse chronologically:

FY2023 (Sept 2022): “A majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $250 in their tax bill. … In fact, in FY23, 80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $250. This is an increase from FY22, where 74.7% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.” Real Estate Taxes

FY2022 (Oct 2021): “This will be the seventeenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. … In fact, in FY22, 58% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 75% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a slight decrease from FY21, where 59% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100 and 77% of residential taxpayers saw an increase of less than $250.”

FY2021 (Oct 2020): “This will be the sixteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY21, 59% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 77% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a small decrease from FY20, where 61% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100. However, it is an increase from FY20 in terms of the percentage of residential taxpayers (74%) that saw an average increase of less than $250.”

FY2020 (Oct 2019): “This will be the fifteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY20, 61% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 74% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a decrease from FY19, where 70% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100 and a decrease where 83% of residential taxpayers saw an average increase of less than $250 in FY19.”

FY2019 (Oct 2018): “This will be the fourteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY19, 69.8% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 82.6% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a slight increase from FY18, where 68.9% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100 and a decrease where 91.5% of residential taxpayers saw an average increase of less than $250 in FY18.”

FY2018 (Oct 2017): “This will be the thirteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY18, 68.9% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 91.5% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is an increase from FY17, where 67.3% of residential taxpayers saw no reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100. Over the past ten years, the City has seen an average of 72.6% of residential taxpayers see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than a $100 to their residential tax bill, and 73.9% over the past five years.”

FY2017 (Sept 2016): “This will be the twelfth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY17, approximately 67% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100.”

FY2016 (Sept 2015): “This will be the eleventh year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY16, approximately 87% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100.”

FY2015 (Sept 2014): “Approximately 72% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100 in their FY15 tax bill. In addition, another 13% of residential taxpayers will see an increase between $100 and $250. Therefore, a total of 85% of the residential taxpayers will see no increase or an increase of less than $250. This will be the tenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100.”

FY2014 (Sept 2013): “In addition, approximately 74.1% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100 in their FY14 property tax bill. Another 13.5% of residential taxpayers will see an increase between $100 and $250. Therefore, a total of 87.6% of the residential taxpayers will see no increase or an increase of less than $250. This will be the ninth year in a row that a 13 majority of residential taxpayers will see either a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100. The average annual percentage of residential taxpayers who, over the last eight years, will see either a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100, stands at 73.5%.”

It is worth noting, however, that most residential taxpayers are now condominium owners, and because the residential exemption is a fixed amount across all residential categories, this partially explains the apparent relatively modest impact on residential taxpayers. There is a much greater impact on owners of single-, two- and three-family homes. Here’s some information I posted about a year ago that provides some details:

A word or two about Cambridge property tax increases (posted Nov 2022)

There’s a phrase that the Cambridge City Administration has been including in its annual “Dear Residents and Taxpayers of Cambridge” mailing for years that goes something like this: “For FY23, 80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.” This phrase used to end with “or an increase of less than $100”, but I suppose the percentages are much more appealing with the change. One might actually be led to believe that the tax levy is going down based on the initial reading of this annual message. In fact, this year (FY23) the tax levy went up by 7.4%, and the increases in recent years were 4.7%, 7.85%, 6.9%, 5.3%, and 3.8% (reverse chronologically). Much of the tax increases were picked up by commercial properties due to tax classification and City’s tax policy decisions, but the residential tax burden has certainly been on the rise.

One major source of confusion in the competing narratives of “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction…” and the “the tax levy went up by 7.4%” comes down to the fact that condominiums now comprise a very large percentage of residential tax bills, and condo owners have been getting a pretty sweet deal while much of the burden has shifted onto single-, two- and three-family property owners (as well as new residential buildings). Here’s a chart showing the median annual changes in residential tax bills (including the residential exemption) over the last 15 years:

Median Annual Tax Increases - Cambridge

Tax Year condo single-family two-family three-family

FY2009 $ 18 $ 40 $ 24 $ 72

FY2010 $ 69 $ 119 $ 47 $ 41

FY2011 $ 77 $ 306 $ 132 $ 154

FY2012 $ 60 $ 269 $ 177 $ 215

FY2013 $ 65 $ 159 $ 80 $ 85

FY2014 - $ 38 $ 109 $ 110 $ 201

FY2015 $ 15 $ 11 $ 334 $ 253

FY2016 - $ 18 $ 64 $ 101 $ 217

FY2017 $ 11 $ 324 $ 237 $ 336

FY2018 $ 76 $ 136 $ 33 $ 61

FY2019 $ 21 $ 124 $ 292 $ 469

FY2020 $ 43 $ 449 $ 366 $ 369

FY2021 $ 3 $ 246 $ 131 $ 218

FY2022 $ 33 $ 545 $ 301 $ 335

FY2023 - $ 107 $ 419 $ 269 $ 379

5 year average - $ 1.40 $ 356.60 $ 271.80 $ 354.00

10 year average $ 3.90 $ 242.70 $ 217.40 $ 283.80

15 year average $ 21.87 $ 221.33 $ 175.60 $ 227.00

current number of properties 14841 3910 2292 1168

As you can see from these figures, it’s the large number of condominiums (nearly 15,000) that enables the City to declare that “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.” For owners of single-, two-, and three-family homes, the story is quite different - especially during the last 5 years. Indeed, this year is the sweetest deal of all for condo owners. This year’s median change for condo owners is a reduction of $107, while it’s increases of $419 for a single-family, $269 for a two-family, and $379 for a three-family.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream … or Nightmare: August 7, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Midsummer Night As many of you know, the Cambridge City Council generally meets only once each summer, and that meeting is coming up this week. The Midsummer meeting is often known for its very long list of agenda items, and this agenda is no exception. In a municipal election year, we can also generally count of there being a few table-setters from the incumbents looking for ways to draw attention to themselves. This year is unusual in that there appears to be some extraordinary effort being expended to ram through certain measures while a majority or super-majority of votes are still available before voters potentially replace some lame ducks with more rational alternatives.

Here are a few items from this week’s agenda that stood out:

Board & Commission Appointments

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to new appointments and reappointments of the following persons as members of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees: Jane Licurse (appointment); Rae Simpson, Paula Paris, Michael Shear, Ben Milligan, Bill Lahey.
Appointments Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Ethridge King as an Election Commissioner for a term of four years.
pulled by Nolan; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Scott Walker to the Open Data Review Board as a City staff member.
Appointment Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments and reappointments of the following persons as a members of the Climate Committee – Appointments: Joseph Adiletta, Mallorie Barber, Wendy DeWolf, Hajer Hyte, Michelle Holmes, Pasang Lhamo, Katharine Lange, Catarina Martinez, Rachel Mural, Joel Nogic, Tom Rawson, Vandana Sareen, Allie Shepard, Ming Su, and Neheet Trivedi. Reappointments: Keith Giamportone, Lyn Huckabee, Steven Nutter, and David Rabkin.
pulled by McGovern; Appointments Approved 7-0 (Nolan, McGovern recused due to family members among appointees)

Manager’s Agenda #20. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments and reappointments of the following persons as a members of the Committee on Public Planting for a term of two years; Appointments: Uriel Bulow, Raymond Fahrner, Gretchen Friesinger, Robb Johnson, Amira Valliani, Achana Venkataraman, and Angela Zhong. Reappointments: Margaret Booz, Cindy Carpenter, Sara Cohen, Chantal Eide, Sophia Emperador, Sandra Fairbank, Ahron Lerman, Ruth Loetterle, Tracy Orr, and Cynthia Smith.
Appointments Approved 9-0

Neighborhood Conservation Districts - Preservation or Evisceration

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order #23-123, regarding an explanation of the legal standard that is used to compel changes or deny projects reviewed by the Historical Commission or Neighborhood Conservation District Commissions. [text of response]
pulled by Zondervan; Referred to Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to proposed amendments to Ch. 2.78, Art III of the Cambridge Municipal Code, the Neighborhood Conservation Districts (NCD) and Landmarks Ordinance. [text of response]
pulled by Zondervan; Committee Report #9 corrected 9-0; Referred to Petition 9-0

Communications #43. A communication was received from Marie Elena Saccoccio regarding Submission in Opposition to Amendment to Chapter 2.78 entitled Historical Buildings and Landmarks.

Committee Report #9. The Ordinance Committee held a public meeting on Apr 26, 2023, to continue the discussion of potential changes to Chapter 2.78 Historical Buildings and Landmarks, proposed Ordinance #2022-11. The meeting was recessed and reconvened and concluded on June 21, 2023. The Committee voted to send proposed Ordinance 2022 #11, as amended, amending the City of Cambridge Municipal Code, Chapter 2.78 Historical Buildings and Landmarks, to the Full City Council with a favorable recommendation to Pass to a 2nd Reading. [text of report (revised)]
Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

It is remarkable just how much dishonesty is being circulated by the density advocates and ABC-elected sycophants on this issue. I never thought I would see the day when a possible majority of Cambridge city councillors might so gleefully go along with the bulldozing of historic buildings that might stand in the way of their single-issue agenda. I suppose this may be a cyclical phenomenon - like when the West End of Boston was obliterated and when Robert Moses ran roughshod over New York City before Jane Jacobs shined a brighter light on the destruction. Historic review of significant buildings is a good thing - even if some city councillors lack the vision to see this.

Fueling Controversy

Manager’s Agenda #15. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-53, regarding a request that the City Manager work with relevant City Departments on how Cambridge might participate in PACE Massachusetts pursuant to the PACE Act, including exploring all Options for incentivizing participation.
pulled by Nolan; Property Assessed Clean Energy Act (“PACE”), as amended, accepted by the City Council 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #3. Policy Order Re Creating A BEUDO Compliance Advisory Committee. [Charter Right – Azeem, June 26, 2023]
Azeem calls this proposal duplicative; Toner explains forward-thinking purpose of Order; Simmons notes educational component of proposed Compliance Advisory Board and need for better public process; Zondervan notes Electrify Cambridge initiative that would provide intended advise, notes that technical advice best handled by staff; Nolan notes that number of buildings affected are currently only large buildings but also expresses hope that this will eventually affect all buildings, calls Order nonproductive; McGovern asks of CDD if this is necessary; Iram Farooq feels no need for such a committee, $2 million committed for support for technical assistance for property owners; Simmons notes disparities among residents in terms of knowledge of City actions; Order Placed on File 9-0 with no action taken

Unfinished Business #4. An Ordinance has been received from the City Council, relative to Fossil Fuel-Free Demonstration (Ordinance 2023-3). [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended by Substitution June 26, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after July 17, 2023]
Nolan explains her late communications with proposed amendments; Committee Report #15, and Comm. & Reports #5 brought forward 9-0; Zondervan motion to Pass to 2nd Reading with substitute language from Committee Report; Nolan moves to amend substitute language and expresses belief that there should be no exemptions for restaurants, provides anecdotal evidence from one chef; Azeem expresses support for Nolan amendment, calls restaurant objections overstated, but acknowledges potential costs, not ready to vote for Nolan amendment - especially because once adopted it cannot be amended; McGovern expresses support for CDD amendment excluding restaurants until 2035, intrigued by waiver idea; Susanne Rasmussen (CDD) notes that waiver provision could be problematic and may have legal implications; Iram Farooq (CDD) notes that you can pass an exemption or a waiver provision, but a waiver provision put responsibility on ISD on making decisions on what kind of cooking can happen, notes that additional Nolan amendment an improvement but would still require potentially burdensome process; Rasmussen says that a standard for what “cost-prohibitive” is would have to be established; Zondervan supports Nolan amendment, questions suggestion that ordinance cannot be amended, calls it a mistake to exempt commercial kitchens; McGovern does not want to force restaurants to act when not ready, but to provide incentives instead (very good!); Carlone says a program should be established to finance these changes, invokes “crisis” as rationale; Nolan says not just emission reduction but public health, calls all problems solvable; Simmons asks about distinction between exemption and waiver; City Manager notes how amendment puts ISP Commissioner in position of making subjective judgments about what equipment is necessary to “complete a meal” (Nolan shakes her head in disagreement), calls establishing what is and is not “cost-prohibited” a problematic regulation; City Solicitor Glowa notes that in some cities there is a zoning officer to make these kinds of subjective determinations, and Cambridge has never had such a position - a potential problem in having one individual making such determinations, better to have something more formulaic in making such decisions; Carlone says big issue is 2035 - thinks this is too far away and would want it sooner; [in all of this, no recognition that cooking uses are de minimis in the larger picture - RW]; Nolan Amendment Fails 4-5 (DC,PN,QZ,SS-Yes; BA,AM,MM,DS,PT-No); Zondervan moves to change 2035 to 2030 for restaurant deadline - QZ Amendment Fails 4-4-1 (DC,PN,QZ,SS-Yes; AM,MM,DS,PT-No; BA-Present); Ordinance Amended by Language from CDD 7-1-0-1 (PT-No; DS-Present); Ordained as Amended 7-1-0-1 (PT-No; DS-Present); Reconsideration Fails 1-7-1 (Simmons-Yes; Mallon-Absent)

Communications #44. A communication was received from Marie Elena Saccoccio regarding PO23#14 Revisited Vote No on BEUDO.

Communications #92. A communication was received from Patrick W. Barrett III regarding Reject Gas Ban Pilot.

Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Public Library to create an Induction Stoves Loaner Program and help residents access experience using induction stoves. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Order #14. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to review the Across Sidewalk Electric Vehicle Charging (EV) Permit Pilot Program and remove the $200 permit fee associated with the pilot program. Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #8. The Health and Environment Committee held a public meeting on Nov 16, 2022 to discuss how the City can act on the recently passed Massachusetts climate bill, including specifically how the City can implement a ban or restriction on fossil fuels in new construction projects as part of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources 10 city pilot program and how quickly the city can adopt the state’s newly promulgated energy stretch code for buildings. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #15. On Aug 1, 2023, the Ordinance Committee held a public hearing relative to amending the Municipal Code for the City of Cambridge to add a new Chapter, 15.30, titled “Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration”, proposed Ordinance 2023-3, and to consider a proposed amendment to BEUDO requiring new Covered Properties to achieve net zero by 2030. By a unanimous vote of all members present, a motion to recommend to the full City Council that the language passed to a second reading on June 26, 2023, proposed Ordinance 2023-3, Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration, be amended by substitution with the new language provided by CDD, was approved. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #5. A communication was received from Councillor Nolan, transmitting Proposed Amendments to the Fossil Fuel-Free Demonstration Ordinance Language.
Discussed w/Unfinished Business #4; Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Transitioning to better energy sources is a good thing, but I simply cannot understand this City Council’s obsession with making all things mandatory without making any effort to simply convince people to make better choices. I guess you could call me pro-choice. I have never cared for control freaks - and we currently have several of them occupying seats in the Sullivan Chamber.

The High Priority of Cannabis

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Cannabis Amendments Special Permit zoning petition. [text of response]
pulled by Zondervan; Proposed changes to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #12. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on June 27, 2023, relative to the City Council Petition to amend Article 4.30 and Article 11.800 of the Zoning Ordinance. The Committee voted favorably to send the Petition as amended to the City Council with a favorable recommendation to Pass to a 2nd Reading. [text of report]
Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

As I have stated several times over the last several years, it is remarkable just how much attention and effort is spent by this City Council on the sale of marijuana. It’ like having Councillors Cheech & Chong.

Stay in Your Lane

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to consider measures to improve the Cycling Safety Ordinance Business Impact Study. [Charter Right – Toner, June 26, 2023]
Nolan suggests that this Order might best be withdrawn because most questions answered; Nolan moves to place on file; Placed on File 8-0-1 (QZ Absent)

Order #13. That the City Manager is requested to consult with relevant departments on an enhanced communication strategy to inform residents about the implementation of the Cycling Safety Ordinance. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern
pulled by Nolan (who wrongly claims that “the map has been in place for many years”); Simmons notes inadequacy of notification methods; Order Amended to add McGovern; Order Adopted as Amended 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #14. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public meeting on July 20, 2023 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm to discuss the update on the Community Development Department’s Economic Impact Study regarding the implementation of the Cambridge Cycling Safety Ordinance. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Order #17. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on whether change in language to the CSO is necessary to enable installation of permanent, seasonal, and/or temporary outdoor dining and pop-ups alongside separated bicycle lanes consistent with Cycling Safety Ordinance that address concerns about the current situation. Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toner
pulled by Zondervan; Nolan emphasizes that there be no changes to the Cycling Safety Ordinance (“The Pledge”); Zondervan amendments proposed to remove last “Whereas” and the main “Ordered”; McGovern says he has had conversations with Cambridge Bike Safety; Charter Right - McGovern

It is noteworthy that Order #17 dares to violate that untouchable Bike Pledge. Needless to say, any elected official (or candidate) who signs a pledge vowing to never listen to evidence or to refuse to modify an ordinance in order to provide a better balance among competing interests should not be acting in a legislative capacity. Meanwhile, Order #13 effectively says calls for telling people what is coming whether they like it or not. It seems that refusal to listen, and even removing mechanisms for public review and response, seems to be the modus operandi of this and the previous City Council.

Alternative Transportation, The War on Cars, and Killing You Softly with Fees

Order #7. Aligning Parking Fees With Climate and Transportation Goals. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Order #15. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments and agencies to design and implement a pilot program providing subsidized, on-demand transit to low-income residents, people with disabilities and seniors, with a goal of expanding the program to service the region in ways that supplement the MBTA system via fare-free, on-demand transit for everyone. Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Toner; QZ comments; Charter Right - Toner

I do hope that Mr. Zondervan understands that Cambridge does not control the MBTA. That said, I agree that there is some merit in the idea of fare-free buses as a means of providing good choices to residents so that they may choose to drive less often (or to not walk as far). In contrast, Order #7 is yet another effort to penalize the choices many people have to make.

The Rain, The Park, and Other Things

Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 23-42, regarding irrigation at Danehy Park. [text of response]
Placed on File 9-0

Order #4. Canopy Loss & Developing a Replacement Strategy. Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Order #5. Standards for Chicken Keeping. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
pulled early by Toner; Zondervan explains about family served with cease-and-desist order; Toner asks about neighbor complaints; Peter McLaughlin says few complaints, not currently permitted under Zoning Ordinance; McGovern explains that ISD discovered livestock as part of other inspection; Toner asks whatever happened to City initiative on this matter; Public Health Commissioner Derrick Neal notes potential rodent and odor problems; Zondervan notes that Order is asking only for staff to review proposed ordinance; City Solicitor notes that this use not permitted under Zoning Ordinance, Beekeeping language was acted upon but chicken-keeping not acted upon due to continued public health concerns; McGovern suggests allowing this use w/appropriate regulation, suggests urgency; Zondervan requests that no enforcement take place; Azeem suggests that this use could be grandfathered in (for specific sites - Glowa) because it predates Zoning Ordinance (1920s); Nolan wants use allowed and notes that Somerville permits it; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #6. Encouraging De-Paving Throughout The City. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Order #16. That the City Manager is requested to meet with Governor Healey, DCR Commissioner Arrigo and Secretary Rebecca Tepper to discuss resuming Saturday closures to traffic this summer and mitigating the traffic impacts, including by making potential traffic signal adjustments. Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Let there be no doubt that the whole kerfuffle about Saturday closures of Memorial Drive has much to do with political competition - photo ops for some and a campaign to undermine one of our state representatives. Many initiatives such as this inevitably produce winners and losers - in this case traffic diverted onto inadequate neighborhood streets. Car-free cycling for some and diminished pedestrian safety and added inconvenience for others.

De-Paving is a great idea. My only (pleasant) surprise is that the order calls for encouraging it rather than mandating it. As for the chickens, I recall a time a few years ago when there were competing petition campaigns about this in (I believe) Cambridgeport. The real issue was long-time residents vs. skin-pierced newcomers enamored of pretend farming. Personally, I like seeing birds of all feathers around town.

Police Matters (and Really Poor Committee Appointments)

Manager’s Agenda #21. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a report from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) which makes recommendations regarding the release of an officer’s name after a critical incident.
pulled by Nolan; insightful comments by Police Commission Christine Elow and City Manager Yi-An Huang regarding (a) how cities with policies of releasing officer names are generally cities making up for poor reputations (unlike Cambridge), and (b) no Massachusetts cities have a current policy regarding the release of names of officers in critical incidents; policy forthcoming after negotiation with police union, no release of officer names or other information until inquest completed; Placed on File 9-0

Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department and CPD to report to the City Council on all outstanding and recent (last 5 fiscal years: FY’23,’22,’21,’20,’19) lawsuits involving the CPD or individual members of CPD that the City is expending or has expended resources on, including an estimate of how much has been spent on these lawsuits to date in FY24. Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Toner; Zondervan notes anonymous letter received; Toner inquires about when City gets involved in lawsuits against City employees; City Solicitor Nancy Glowa notes very few such lawsuits against police officers and generally handled in-house by Law Department; Simmons expresses concerns about acting based on anonymous letters and unsubstantiated claims, impropriety of councillors intervening in personnel matters; Glowa says that councillors may not intervene; Councillor Zondervan claims a Point of Order, Simmons objects; Charter Right - Simmons (after which QZ claims he has the floor and Simmons says “not any more”)

Committee Report #10. The Public Safety Committee held a public meeting on June 7, 2023 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm to discuss the Police Review and Advisory Board, including CM23#27. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Brian Corr, Executive Director, Police Review & Advisory Board, transmitting a Police Review & Advisory Board Report for the First Quarter of 2023.
Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Mayor Siddiqui has repeatedly appointed Councillor Zondervan as Chair of the Public Safety Committee. I find this bewildering.

Notable Resolutions

Resolution #3. Congratulations to Superintendent Pauline Wells of the Cambridge Police Department on her recent promotion. Councillor Toner

Resolution #4. Congratulations on the retirement of Oral Bynoe from the Cambridge Police Department. Councillor Toner

Resolution #7. Thanks and appreciation to Cambridge School Committee Member Fred Fantini for his service to the students and families in Cambridge for 40 years. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui

Resolution #8. Congratulations to Superintendent Rob Lowe on his retirement from the Cambridge Police Department and on his new Appointment as Chief of the Boston University Police Department. Councillor Toner

Resolution #24. Resolution on the death of Donald W. “Don” Holland Sr. Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui

Resolution #25. Congratulations to organizers of the Cambridge Jazz Festival 2023. Councillor Simmons

Resolution #27. Congratulations to City Councillor E. Denise Simmons on receiving the 2023 Pride Freedom Trailblazer Award. Councillor Toner, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui

Late Resolution #28. Resolution on the death of Charles Ogletree. Councillor Simmons

Alewife - Triangles, Quadrangles, Pentangles, Etcetera

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the relevant departments to provide the City Council with possible projections, based on stated assumptions, of expected outcomes in Alewife for total housing, commercial, open space and public amenities, over the next twenty years, if the proposed zoning were adopted. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #13. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on July 19, 2023, to discuss a City Council Zoning Petition relative to the proposed Alewife Overlay District: Quadrangle (AOD-Q) and design guidelines. The Committee approved a motion requesting that the City Manager work with the relevant departments to provide the City Council with possible projections, based on stated assumptions, of expected outcomes in Alewife for total housing, commercial, open space, and public amenities, over the next twenty years, if the proposed zoning were adopted and to report back to the Full City Council by Sept 11, 2023. See Policy Order on this Agenda. The Committee approved a motion to forward the City Council Zoning Petition relative to the proposed Alewife Overlay District: Quadrangle (AOD-Q) and design guidelines, to the Full City Council with a favorable recommendation to Pass to a 2nd Reading. [text of report]
Passed to 2nd Reading 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Needless to say, addressing planning and zoning in the Alewife Quadrangle should have been done years ago. Perhaps they’ll get ahead of the curve in the Pentangle.

Ancient History, Hiring and Evaluating a City Manager

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met on Dec 4, 2019 at 2:00pm to discuss Policy Order #7, regarding Open meeting law review and Policy Order # 11, regarding Council Budget- Private Attorney. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #2. The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met on Nov 17, 2020 to conduct a public hearing on Decorum of the Council, as well as the Rules Around and Duties of the Council Aides. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #3. The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met on Mar 16, 2021 at 3:00pm to discuss the initial steps that must be undertaken to establish the search process for the next City Manager. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #4. The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met on Apr 7, 2021 at 2:00pm to discuss the policy order seeking to make remote participation in City Council meetings permanent. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #5. The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met on July 12, 2021 at 5:30pm to continue discussing the hiring of the next City Manager. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #6. The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met on Aug 4, 2021 to continue discussing the hiring of the next City Manager. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Committee Report #11. The City Council’s City Manager Evaluation Sub-Committee held a public meeting on June 22, 2023, from 10:00am to 11:00am to discuss the City Manager Evaluation Process. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Great to see the City Clerk’s Office making good progress on these matters left long neglected. Needless to say, the Chair(s) of the Government Operations Committee bears much responsibility in the negligence. It’s almost as though they didn’t want residents to know what they were up to (or simply didn’t care).

The Charter Question

Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Kathleen Born, Chair, Charter Review Committee, transmitting an update to the Cambridge City Council.
Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

I’ll save my comments for when we get closer to the final recommendations. Then I will have a lot to say.

And the Rest …

Manager’s Agenda #16. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the project update on the Central Square Municipal Property Needs Assessment and Planning Study.
pulled by Zondervan; City Manager Huang, Deputy City Manager O’Riordan, CDD’s Iram Farooq explain reasoning for a comprehensive approach to all assets; QZ wants added focus on 105 Windsor St.; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #17. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the submission of the 2023 Affordable Housing Overlay Annual Report.
pulled by McGovern who expresses pride in removing role Planning Board in AHO projects while expressing satisfaction about how individual councillors (Siddiqui, Mallon) can exercise influence over particular projects (how on Earth is this a good thing?); Placed on File 9-0

Two important points not included in the report: (1) virtually all of these AHO projects are about densifying public housing on existing parcels, and (2) neither the public nor even the Planning Board has any say anymore. The Affordable Housing Trust can do whatever it pleases no matter what you or anyone else thinks.

Manager’s Agenda #22. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a response to Policy Order 2022 #278, regarding the legal opinion for a public speaker to state their name, address, and phone number for the record. [text of response]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #26. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to possibility of acquiring the property at 450 Concord Avenue, owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (“Commonwealth”) and utilized by the National Guard Armory of Cambridge. [text of communication]
pulled by Nolan; questions raised (and answered) about seemingly high appraisal; National Guard has no plans to make entire parcel available; Deputy City Mgr. O’Riordan notes history of site as a landfill and that any reuse of land would require costly remediation; Order Adopted 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #27. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a request to move to Executive Session to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property as discussion in an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body.
Move to Executive Session 9-0; Placed on File 8-0-0-1 (Carlone - Present)

Charter Right #2. That the City Council go on record in enthusiastic support of H.R.1433, the Philippine Human Rights Act, and in urging Representatives Katherine Clark and Ayanna Pressley to co-sponsor the existing bill. [Charter Right – Zondervan, June 26, 2023]
Zondervan refers to the United States' neocolonial interference in the Philippines, makes a long foreign policy speech; Nolan gives informed commentary on her amendment proposed regarding reference to Elbit America Cambridge whose primary activities are medical and do not involve weaponry, incorrect association of company with Philippine actions and possible other agenda based on association with Israel; Azeem expresses support for Philippines Human Rights Act but unwilling to vote on matters of foreign policy (good for him!); Simmons positively responds to Azeem’s comments and hope for future conversation about what kinds of resolutions are appropriate for Cambridge City Council; Nolan Amendment Adopted 6-2-0-1 (QZ,SS - No; BA - Present); Order Adopted as Amended 7-0-0-2 (BA,PT - Present)

Committee Report #7. The Civic Unity Committee held a public hearing on Sept 29, 2022 to discuss the two Aug 1, 2022 Policy Orders exploring ways to improve the lives of Cambridge’s African American/Black residents. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

Order #18. City Council support of graduate student workers of Northeastern University and their effort to form a union. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (DC,AM-Absent)

This is all well and good, but let’s never forget that the primary goal of every graduate student should be to graduate and to no longer be a graduate student. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Grading on a Curve: The 2022-2023 Cambridge City Council

Jan 10, 2022:
Order to appoint a 20-25 person Cycling Safety Ordinance (from Dec 21, 2021);
Order to amend Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 to insert a new section entitled Section 20.94.3 - Temporarily prohibited uses;
Chair of GovOps to serve as the City Council’s designee to coordinate with Randi Frank Consulting, LLC;
appointments to the City Council Committees

Jan 24, 2022:
Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan 2021- Update and Executive Summary;
Congratulations to Christine Elow on her appointment as Commissioner of the Cambridge Police Department;
Order opening up possiblility of other uses for golf course - Nolan, Carlone, Zondervan, Azeem;
Councillors Simmons and Toner to lead ad-hoc committee for the City Clerk and City Auditor positions;

Jan 31, 2022:
DePasquale memo on proposed amendments to the Municipal Code relative to recent charter changes;
report on potential modifications or adjustments to the recent improvements made on segment of Mass. Ave. from Dudley Street to Alewife Brook Parkway;
Mgr report on feasibility of creating a Cycling Safety Ordinance Advisory group;
Planning Board recommendations to not adopt the Cushing, et al., Zoning Petition and the Yamin, et al., Zoning Petition;
Ordinance Committee report on Yamin, et al., Zoning Petition;
Planning Board recommendation not to adopt the Francis Donovan, et al., Zoning Petition;
Resolution on retirement of David Albert - QZ votes NO;
Reintroduction of proposed Wage Theft Ordinance

Feb 7, 2022:
Zoning Ordinances of the City of Cambridge be amended to insert a new section 10.600, titled “On-Site Fossil Fuel Infrastructure” (killed Feb 28);
provide a legal opinion on whether the City Council can delegate the authority of curb cut approvals;
Order calling for eliminating all parking minimums in all residential zones;
Order calling for spending ARPA money on direct support for households and individuals;
Appoint Denise Simmons and Paul Toner as members of the City Clerk preliminary screening committee;
Municipal Code to add a new section titled “Article III Green Jobs.”
Article 22 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge entitled “Sustainable Design And Development” to insert a new section
GovOps report on reviewing next steps in the City Manager search process;
Mayor Siddiqui appoints Fare Free Bus Pilot Working Group

Feb 28, 2022:
AAA rating from the nation's three major credit rating agencies;
Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force Report;
Zoning Petition from Craig A. Kelley regarding The Cambridge Transportation De-Carbonization and Congestion-Mitigation Bill;
support of potential Green Line extension to Porter Square;
amend all existing Community Host Agreements previously issued by the City by reducing the Impact Fee to 0.05% of Gross Revenue;
Proposed amendment to Chapter 2.78 of the Cambridge Code of Ordinance, entitled “Historical Buildings and Landmarks.”
Final Report of the Cambridge Advisory Committee on City Art, Monuments, & Markers

Mar 7, 2022:
report on reviewing Cambridge's contracts and purchases to identify vendors, manufacturers whose products used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge's policy on discrimination;
$730,000 from Free Cash for additional costs associated with the implementation of the Cycling Safety Ordinance;
update on status of planned implementation of cycling safety improvements in Porter Square;
disposition of property located at 35 Cherry Street to the Affordable Housing Trust;
Mallon Late Order to have City Manager explain the City's current policy regarding a remote work policy;
communication from Councillors Toner and Simmons regarding the search for the next City Clerk

Mar 21, 2022:
block rates for water consumption and sewer use for the period beginning Apr 1, 2022 and ending Mar 31, 2023;
Nolan auditioning for Purchasing Agent;
City Manager is requested to amend all existing Community Host Agreements;
direct the Community Development Department to immediately convene an Alewife Overlay District Zoning Proposal Working Group;
City Council supports H.3457/S.2309 in Mass. General Court re: regulation of e-bikes;
Mallon memo regarding updates on the City Manager search

Mar 28, 2022:
Manager/DCR communication re: Riverbend Park opening and potential expansion;
Petition requesting changes to the Cycling Safety Ordinance City Council;
support urging the Massachusetts Legislature and the residents of Cambridge to oppose House Bill 1234 and the proposed 2022 state ballot initiative;
Mallon, Nolan to work with Manager to appoint 3 senior City staff to screening committee for the City Auditor along with 2 other councillors

Apr 4, 2022:
pilot of SMART Box and SMART Pipe rodent control technology;
Amendment waiving dog license fees passed to 2nd Reading;
report from the Climate Crisis Working Group

Apr 11, 2022:
report on expediting the demolition and rebuilding permit process in the event of a natural disaster;
update on MassAve4 and request for approval for the approach and timeline for implementing separated bike lanes;
report on conducting a study to collect relevant economic data relating to business impacts from bike lane installations;
feasibility of purchasing property from Lesley University to address City goals;
recommendation from the Planning Board to adopt with additional considerations the Alewife Overlay Development Zoning Petition;
MBTA Communities Draft Guidelines presentation;
feasibility of implementing a program similar to NYC and any other ways to enforce the anti-idling law (bounty hunters);
consider a guaranteed income program that expands on Cambridge RISE and targets families in poverty in Cambridge ($22 million);
feasibility of providing all CRLS students free Charlie Cards

Apr 25, 2022:
Report regarding eliminating hostile architecture;
update from Planning Board on discussions of allowing Multifamily Housing citywide;
Amendment waiving dog license fees ordained 9-0;
Kelley zoning petition re-filed;
8 resolutions from Toner congratulating police officers - voted NO by Zondervan;
Request Manager Report on Boards and Commissions; 2 orders from Toner, Carlone, Simmons re: bike lanes fail 3-6 and 2-7;
consider smaller trash toters

May 2, 2022:
FY2023 submitted budget and appropriation orders & 7 loan orders;
$23,100,176 ARPA fund appropriation - Charter Right Zondervan;
Two Ordinance Committee reports re: Alewife Development Moratorium

May 9, 2022:
Manager response re: GLX project funding;
Manager response re: trash bin sizes;
Responses re: Alewife Moratorium proposed zoning amendments;
$23,100,176 ARPA fund appropriation;
Two Housing Committee reports re: raising the linkage fee rates

May 16, 2022:
Solicitor response to question raised at the May 9, 2022 Council Meeting concerning the Alewife Overlay Development Zoning Petition; Councillor Carlone notes that Alewife Triangle should not be included;
Order requesting info on progress on the Terminal Road connection (Alewife Quadrangle);
Zondervan, Carlone Order to allocate the remaining ARPA funding across community-serving applicants - Charter Right QZ;
drafting and finalization of the questions for the interviews of the City Clerk finalists;
drafting and finalization of the questions for the interview of the City Auditor finalists

May 23, 2022:
Special Meeting to unanimously appoint Joseph McMann as City Auditor and Diane LeBlanc as City Clerk - both for three-year terms;
appropriation of $11,000,000 from Free Cash to support major capital improvements at the Danehy Park Complex;
QZ, DC Order to allocate the remaining ARPA funding amended to reduce to $10.5 million; referred to Finance Committee mtg 2 days later which was then cancelled;
Linkage fee Petition Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board;
Alewife Moratorium amended 5-4 (DC - NO) to exclude Triangle; Ordained 9-0;
drafting and finalization of the questions for the interview of the City Manager finalists;
Simmons Order to limit the blocking off of Memorial Drive to vehicular traffic to Sundays (Charter Right - Toner);
endorsing the establishment a Massachusetts Public Bank;
confer with City departments and gather community input to draft report on the impacts of the MBTA Bus Network Redesign;
Deputy City Clerk Paula Crane be appointed interim City Clerk as of June 1, 2022;
Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee report on new guidelines for Boards and Commissions appointments;
Health and Environment Committee report on “Article III Green Jobs”

June 6, 2022:
City Council voted 8-1 to select Yi-An Huang as the next City Manager;
Special Meeting to negotiate an interim Acting City Manager contract on behalf of the City Council with Owen O’Riordan;
amendments to the Truck Safety Ordinance limit the blocking off of Memorial Drive to vehicular traffic to Sundays - TABLED;
FY2023 submitted budget and appropriation orders Adopted
Patrick Barrett remarks on BEUDO
Simmons Order to “develop a standardized, transparent, and cohesive community engagement plan for the entire, department-wide municipal government.”;
Creation of an Ad-Hoc Committee (Siddiqui, Mallon, Nolan, Toner) for reviewing and selecting self-nominated residents and stakeholders to be on the Charter Review Commission;
Zondervan motion to amend budget to reduce Police Dept. to $68,731,130 Fails 1-8 (QZ - YES);
Siddiqui communication about the Charter Review Committee

June 13, 2022:
Planning Board report with no positive or negative recommendation on the Craig Kelley, et. al. Zoning Petition;
Planning Board recommendation to adopt, with additional comments, the Emissions Accounting Zoning Petition;
second Progress Report due under the Cycling Safety Ordinance;
$49,000,000 to provide additional funds for the construction of the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools;
eminent domain - 689 Massachusetts Avenue: $11,551,208 + $2,212,349 + $2,750,000;
Creation of an Ad-Hoc Committee for the purpose of reviewing and selecting self-nominated residents and stakeholders to be on the Charter Review Committee;
Sundry communications were received, regarding the Bike Lane Lawsuit;
work with DCR and all relevant City departments to expand Memorial Drive closures in the summer and fall of 2022

June 27, 2022:
Louis DePasquale last meeting;
appropriation and authorization to borrow $4,500,000 for design, renovations to 105 Windsor Street (Charter Right - Zondervan);
Modify open space covenants w/Boston Properties in MXD;
$49,000,000 for Vassal Lane School finalized;
Congratulations to Louis A. DePasquale on his retirement;
Congratulations to James P. Maloney on the occasion of his retirement;
Congratulations to Arthur Goldberg on his retirement;
Congratulations to James Monagle on his retirement;
Direct $5 million to Traffic Calming, Traffic Signals and Vision Zero infrastructure;
plan for piloting more Harvard Sq. street closures for pedestrianization;
Two late abortion-related Orders;
ordinance amending Parking minimums and maximums referred to Planning Board and Ordinance Committee

July 5, 2022:
approve a contract with Owen O’Riordan as Acting City Manager

July 20, 2022:
vote on City Manager Huang’s contract;
Discuss Ad Hoc Charter Committee’s recommendation for a chair and appoint Kathleen Born as Chair

Aug 1, 2022:
report on funding received through the housing linkage program;
Affordable Housing Overlay Annual Report report on options to update the HomeBridge and Homeownership Programs;
extend authorization for City Manager to grant street obstruction approvals for sidewalk/street until June 30, 2023;
105 Windsor Street $4,500,000 appropriation order Tabled 9-0;
Lotsa retirements: Cheryl DePasquale, Maryellen Carvello, Thomas Riordan (DPW);
Order to ban Sale of Fur Apparel Products;
Order requesting to establish Task Force on Cambridge’s African American/Black Residents; Black Men and Boys Commission;
Incentive Zoning Program Data;
free bus service;
E bike delivery program;
NLTP, Human Services, Ordinance Committee (BEUDO) reports;
Climate Change Working Group report;
Fare Free Working Group report;
communication re: appointments to Charter Review Committee

Sept 12, 2022:
Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2023;
Planning Board report with negative recommendation on the Accessory Parking Requirements Zoning Petition;
Resolution on the death of Peter Valentine;
Health and Environment Committee to hold a public hearing to discuss the issue of PFAS;
refer zoning petition regarding lab use to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board - Charter Right, referred to committee;
Committee reports re: Linkage, parking minimums

Sept 19, 2022:
legal opinion on questions regarding proposed amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance;
death of Elie Yarden;
City Council go on record thanking Chief Gerard Mahoney for his service;
Order requesting to convene a North Massachusetts Avenue Corridor District Zoning Proposal Working Group;
Order to review and revise the Cambridge Street Code

Oct 3, 2022:
communication from Yi-An Huang re: Chief People Officer, Director of Community Engagement, Director of Emergency Management;
Planning Board report with a recommendation not to adopt the Incentive Zoning Rate Increase Petition;
Tax rate Hearing;
Cambridge Chamber of Commerce regarding joint Business/Institutional BEUDO letter;
Revised Cambridge Street Code order (Toner);
Elim. Parking minimums passed to 2nd Reading

Oct 17, 2022:
Linkage fee increased from $20.10 to $33.34/sq ft with exemptions;
Zoning Petition from Suzanne P. Blier, et. al - Harvard Square Zoning Petition, modification regarding frontage of financial institutions;
communication from Joan Pickett re: status of the citizens’ petition signed by 97 registered voters living on or near Brattle Street;
Resolution re: renaming Vassal Lane Upper School;
Simmons Order Seeking Development Analysis;
Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee - potential changes to the City Council Rules

Oct 24, 2022:
report on Boards and Commissions;
3 rules changes proposed, including requirement for a second.
Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis - Tabled;
Removal of Parking Minimums Ordained 8-1 (Carlone NO);
Fur Sales Ban Ordained 9-0

Oct 31, 2022:
Toner motion to Place Kelley Petition on File fails 4-3-1-1;
Zoning Petition received from Patrick Barrett et al. North Mass Ave BA-5 Zoning District;
Petition Zoning Petition from Duane Callender (really Zondervan/Totten), et al. - Cambridge Lab Regulation Zoning Amendment;
Order asking City Solicitor to research questions re: requiring name/address during public comment;
Order to schedule a Roundtable meeting on Municipal Broadband;
Zoning petition re: quicker nexus study Passed to 2nd Reading

Nov 7, 2022:
Solicitor rejects proposal for fund designed to assist those City employees in same-sex marriages with paying for surrogacy services;
Planning Board report with a recommendation to adopt the Incentive Zoning Rate Study Petition, with clarifying changes;
MANY communications re: Garden Street and Brattle Street bike lanes and traffic changes;
Policy Order Regarding Traffic Flow on Garden Street;
Order to Ban Turns on Red Citywide;
Order to provide free MBTA Pass to all City employees;
Roundtable on Broadband scheduled (Nov 28);
Order asking for Capitol Projects Finance Meeting;
Order endorsing Revised MBTA Bus Redesign

Nov 14, 2022:
Climate Resilience Zoning Draft;
Charter Right item re: traffic flow on Garden Street, 85 out of 87 Communications re: Garden Street;
Order calling for Improved Marketing for Green Plus Cambridge Community Electricity;
Order calling for extending Outdoor Dining Policy;
Gov't Ops. On Rules Changes;
Health & Environment Committee - amend draft Net Zero Action Plan, accelerating timelines

Nov 21, 2022:
Manager response re: continuing the outdoor dining season and considering the extension of the reduced fee schedule;
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority to identify spaces in Central Square that would support the creation and protection of cultural and human services;
Municipal Property Inventory;
$ for Central Square area;
municipal property needs assessment and planning study;
resuming the use of the city-owned water supply on Nov 19, 2022;
review of the proposed language for Ordinance #2022-18, the Incentive Zoning Rate Study Petition;
14 Rules changes;
Amendments to the Affordable Housing Overlay - outrage, referred to committees;
Order requesting Workforce Housing Special Tax Assessments Zones;
Charles Sullivan regarding the Proposed Friendly Amendments to Ch. 2.78, Art. III;
Health & Env. Committee Report on water;
NLTP report on Neighborhood Conservation District Citizen’s Petition

Nov 28, 2022:
Roundtable - Municipal Broadband

Dec 5, 2022:
Home Rule Petition for a special act regarding a fire cadet program;
Planning Board report with a recommendation to adopt the Emissions Accounting Zoning Petition (Version 3) with clarifying comments;
Planning Board Zoning Petition to consider adoption of the attached Climate Resilience Zoning;
City Manager’s 90 Day Report;
Manager communication to suspend the Saturday closures of Memorial Drive between Greenough Boulevard and Western Avenue for the remainder of this year;
provide at least one vaccine clinic in December which will provide gift cards to residents who receive a COVID19 vaccination or booster;
work with the appropriate departments to conduct street cleaning without towing starting with the 2023 season;
Gov't Ops report on City Manager’s Annual Evaluation process

Dec 12, 2022:
Roundtable - Open Space Planning and Programming

Dec 19, 2022:
$ for purchase of water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA);
appropriation of $700,000 for purchase of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) testing equipment;
appropriation of $9,812,215.88 from Free Cash to other categories consistent w/DOR protocoals;
changing the name of the City’s Climate Protection Action Committee’s (“CPAC”) to the “Cambridge Climate Committee.”;
Planning Board recommending adoption of the BZA Stipends Zoning Petition;
Planning Board report recommending adoption of the Suzanne Blier, et al., Zoning Petition;
to discuss strategies to mitigate and reduce overflow and cut through traffic (Garden St.);
death of Sheila Doyle Russell;
Information requests re: BEUDO, tree canopy;
Econ Dev report on BEUDO;
Human Services report re: Central Square;
Ordinance Committee report on BEUDO passed to 2nd Reading

Jan 9, 2023:
fatal officer-involved shooting in Cambridgeport;
Planning Board report recommending that City Council not adopt the Patrick Barrett, et al., Zoning Petition;
Planning Board report recommending that the City Council not adopt the Duane Callender, et al., Zoning Petition;
Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan 5-Year Review and Update;
Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Energy Code;
appointment of Vivek Sikri, Kimberly Kaufman, and Kathryn Carlson to the Cambridge Traffic Board;
possible ordination - Emissions Accounting Zoning Petition;
Zoning Petition from Douglas Brown regarding Amending Article 4, 5 and 8 incrementally modernizing residential zoning;
direct the Law Department to research whether the Barrett et al. petition would need to be refiled should there be a Letter of Commitment attached to the rezoning;
Expanding Municipal Employee Benefits Home Rule Petition;
Law Department to examine the Citizen’s Petition submitted by Suzanne P. Blier;
committee reports on Lab Ban #1, BZA Compensation, Citizen’s Petition submitted by Suzanne P. Blier, Community Safety Department and integration with HEART

Jan 18, 2023:
Special Meeting (Part 1) on Faisal shooting, Police Policies, Procedures

Jan 23, 2023:
report on feasibility of banning turns on red signal indications;
report on feasibility of conducting street cleaning without towing;
money for design of a transportation connection between Terminal Road and Wheeler Street;
Planning Board report recommending that the City Council adopt the Climate Resilience Zoning Petition;
Lotsa communications on Brown Zoning Petition and Faisal shooting;
Order asking to determine the feasibility of purchasing the property located at 37 Brookline Street;
Ordinance Committee reports on Barrett Petition and Callendar Petition

Jan 25, 2023:
Special Meeting (Part 2) on Faisal shooting, Police Policies, Procedures

Jan 30, 2023:
Roundtable w/School Committee

Feb 6, 2023:
bar on repetitive petitions;
Police Review and Advisory Board quarterly reports;
itemized statement of all materials, tools, and property owned by the Cambridge Police Department;
possible ordination of Removing the Limit on BZA Compensation;
Resolution on the death of Alice Wolf;
proposed BEUDO language to change the net zero deadline from 2050 to 2035 - Zondervan;
begin process of obtaining police body worn cameras for the Cambridge Police Department;
direct Police Commissioner Elow to work on providing publicly-accessible traffic stop, arrest and citation police data;
convene a meeting on Police Budget including body camera discussion;
look into the feasibility of automated traffic enforcement in Cambridge;
direct the Police Commissioner to explore additional less-than-lethal alternatives;
engage a third party, independent firm/consultant or university partner to review and examine the Cambridge Police Department’s policies and practices;
Apr 13, 2022 Ordinance Committee report on proposed ordinance number 2022-2, Charter Change Municipal Code Amendments;
Apr 20, 2022 report on continued public hearing on proposed BEUDO amendments;
Government, Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee wants more control over other Boards;
Jan 26, 2023 Ordinance Committee report on proposed Climate Resilience Zoning;
Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, regarding the Douglas Brown Petition

Feb 13, 2023:
Final Landmark Designation Report for the Maria Baldwin-Alvaro Blodgett Houses;
Final Landmark Designation Report for the Cambridge Gas-Light Company Building;
Order asking to work with the residents at 931 Massachusetts Avenue to identify and provide a short-term parking spot;
legal opinion on the Doug Brown petition;
Free School Meals For All Students;
ensure the continuation of Riverbend Park closures on Saturdays and Sundays;
Policy Order Regarding Police Details - Toner
HOME-ARP Public Process [$2.3 million in additional ARPA funds]

Feb 14, 2023:
City Council/School Committee Roundtable

Feb 27, 2023:
report from CDD and the Law Department containing clarifying edits to the Climate Resilience Zoning Petition;
legal Opinion on whether the Barrett, et al. petition would need to be refiled;
2023 Goals and Metrics for the Annual City Manager Performance Review;
Executive Session to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property;
Amendments to Riverbend Park closures Order;
Amended Policy Order Regarding Police Details;
automated traffic enforcement Order adopted as amended;
Ordinance 2022-2 Chapter 2.02 entitled “City Council” ordained;
Flood Resilience Standards Ordained as Amended;
Re-Filed Kelley Petition;
support An Act to Promote Yes In My Backyard;
Harvard Square Zoning Petition as amended be sent to the full City Council with no recommendation;
Callender Petition and Policy Order 2022 #161 to the full City Council with a negative recommendation;
amended proposed Policy Order regarding Labs and Neighborhood Planning to the full City Council
work with Eversource re: infrastructure required to move Cambridge toward electrifying the city

Mar 6, 2023:
convening a North Mass Avenue Corridor District Zoning Proposal Working Group;
extra $40,000 for Charter Review Committee;
AAA ratings;
Annual Surveillance Report;
Emissions Accounting Zoning Petition ordained as Amended;
Retirement of Robert Steck, Sam Corda; Death of David Leslie;
provide language that would amend the Patrick Barrett et al. North Mass Ave BZ-5 Zoning District Petition;
support of the Tenant Protection Act HD.3922/SD.2368;
feasibility of municipally-funded housing vouchers;
City Manager requested to fund the HEART initiative and negotiate a contract for services with HEART;
ensure multi-family properties on the market are reviewed as quickly as possible as potential affordable housing acquisitions

Mar 20, 2023:
Police Commissioner Elow memos on bodycams and review;
block rates for water consumption and sewer use;
Allocation Plan for Cambridge’s HOME-ARP funds;
summary of a Planning Board Meeting on the 2022 Town-Gown Reports and Presentations;
municipal broadband feasibility study;
Ordain Green Jobs 9-0;
Michael Monestime et al. regarding Outdoor Use Zoning Petition for the Central Square Cultural District;
supporting Enabling Legislation for a Real Estate Transfer Fee 9-0;
Policy Order for Garden Street Accommodations

Mar 22, 2023:
Special Meeting w/Presentation from Charter Review Committee Order to give 6-month extension: Charter Right - Zondervan

Apr 3, 2023:
Revised Response to Proposed Amendments to Ch. 2.78, Art. III (Neighborhood Conservation District and Landmarks Ordinance);
Garden Street Safety Improvement Project local traffic analysis;
extension of time for the Special Committee/Charter Review Committee;
Patrick Barrett et al. North Mass Ave BA-5 Zoning District Petition Ordained as Amended 6-3;
139 Communications, esp. Garden St., HEART, AHO;
Request legal opinion which clarifies the state law on zoning petition signature requirements;
amend Rules 38.6, 32B, and 12 to align the City Council Rules with the decision made in Barron v. Kolenda;
Ordinance Committee Report on Chapter 2.78 Historical Buildings and Landmarks, Proposed Ordinance #2022-11;
Housing Committee report on potential amendments to the Affordable Housing Overlay;
Legal Opinion on Recent Supreme Judicial Court Case Regarding Public Comment

Apr 10, 2023:
cricket field in one of the Cambridge parks (Larch Road) and Zondervan Towers;
communication from DCR to the City regarding Memorial Drive closures;
City Manager 2023 Quarter One update;
146 Communications, mainly BEUDO, Garden Street;
Appointment of City Manager Performance Review Ad Hoc Committee;
Request legal opinion on the earliest possible date that potential changes to the charter could be voted on by the electorate;
formally request DCR to reconsider its decision to not close Memorial Drive on Saturdays;
NLTP committee report on potential amendments to the Affordable Housing Overlay;
Finance Committee report on FY24 Police Department’s budget

Apr 24, 2023:
appointment of members of the the Mass. Ave. Partial Construction Working Group;
report regarding exploring additional less-lethal alternatives;
Communication from Joan Pickett - Analysis of Cycling Safety in Cambridge Under the Cycling Safety Ordinance;
working group to conduct outreach in order to discuss and review options for use of the BB&N Field;
develop a policy that would lead to a ban on the use of gas-powered lawn equipment in Cambridge;
Michael Monestime Outdoor Use Zoning in the Central Square Cultural District passed to 2nd Reading

May 1, 2023:
FY2024 submitted budget and appropriation orders (9.9% increase in Budget), $167 million in Loan Orders;
needs assessment of the Danehy Park and recommendations for improvements; and irrigation updates;
Planning Board report with no positive or negative recommendation on the Michael Monestime et. al. Zoning Petition;
Zoning Petition from Ian Ferguson, et al. regarding Pitched Roofs;
Zoning Petition communication from Marie Elena Saccoccio, regarding Proposed Amendments to Ch. 2.78, Art. III.;
promptly draft a zoning petition to be considered for filing by the City Council, based upon the proposed Affordable Housing Overlay amendments now before the Housing Committee;
produce final draft ordinance language for the BEUDO amendments;
Econ. Dev. Committee report on practical impact of various city policies, regulations and ordinances on commercial and residential development and construction projects

May 8, 2023:
Final Landmark Designation Report for the Charles Hicks Saunders House;
Webster Ave. friendly eminent domain taking - Charter Right;
Proposed Cannabis zoning amendment;
Planning Board report with no positive or negative recommendation on the Kelley et. al. Zoning Petition;
update on Afterschool care;
update on the development of the City of Cambridge Community Safety Department;
Order requesting information on Kelley et al. Zoning Petition;
Order to determine the feasibility of purchasing available property from Lesley University to address City goals;
Order re: Online Publication of Legal Notices;
BEUDO Ordinance Committee reports

May 15, 2023:
update concerning the property at 333 Webster Avenue;
Webster Ave. eminent domain taking voted;
Order requesting to fund and implement the grant proposal for a community-scale geothermal heating and cooling system in Cambridge;
Order asking to initiate a planning process to determine the use of several parcels of land along Webster Avenue to accomplish Envision goals;
Order asking for petition(s) to lower speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge;
Zondervan Order to establish policy of releasing names of officers involved in any use of force incident - QZ Charter Right

May 22, 2023:
third annual Cycling Safety Ordinance (CSO) Progress Report;
Alewife Overlay District: Quadrangle (AOD-Q) Zoning Petition and Design Guidelines;
Toner Substitute Order re: releasing police officer names adopted 5-4 (AM,PT,QZ,SS - No);
QZ Order for Home Rule Petition regarding electing the Police Review and Advisory Board Fails 1-8;
Order requestion Law Department to provide opinion on whether the City could fund affordable housing construction through a bond issue

June 5, 2023:
amendments to the FY24 Submitted General Fund Budget (and corresponding Orders);
CDD memo re: amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance - passed to 2nd Reading;
Loan Authorizations Adopted;
Zondervan motion to reduce the Police budget and defund Shotspotter Fails 2-7 (QZ,SS-Yes);
FY24 Budget Adopted;
Order asking to have Affordable Housing Trust budget to be 10% of the overall City budget - Adopted 6-3 (DC,PN,PT - No);
Order requesting further study on the proposed changes by the Franklin Petition;
Order calling for joint hearing re: effectiveness and recommendations on methods to collect data and establish measurable benchmarks and standards for Cycling Safety Ordinance;
Order for legal opinion on using traffic cameras to inform motorists of traffic violations, dangerous actions without issuing any citations

June 12, 2023:
proposed structure for the Cambridge Community Electricity program (CCE) for the period 2024-2025;
CDD potential amendments to the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO); referred as CC Zoning Petition to Ordinance & Planning Board;
Craig Kelley et al. Zoning Petition ordained;
Charter Review Timeline Legal Opinion, Request answer to several questions related to the timeline on voting a possible charter change;
establishment of a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Stabilization Fund w/$10,000,000 from Free Cash;
$1,000,000 from Free Cash for technical assistance in assessing and implementing the City’s BEUDO for new and existing City-owned buildings;
$250,000 from Free Cash for conditions assessment and preliminary feasibility study for 119 Windsor Street;
Amended CSO study Order adopted;
Proposed amendment to BEUDO;
Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Pilot;
Golf Course Demographic Information Policy Order;
Automated Enforcement Home Rule Petition adopted

June 26, 2023:
BEUDU (BEUDERO) ordained with Toner amendment to remove residential apartment buildings
Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration pilot - Passed to 2nd Reading, referred to Ordinance Committee
legal opinion for issuing bonds for affordable housing
Planning Board appointments: Mary Lydecker, Ashley Tan, Tom Sieniewicz, Adam Westbrook, and Diego Macias
Planning Board report recommendation to not adopt Franklin, et al., Zoning Petition
Police Commissioner response on Releasing Names of Officers and Use of Force
Congratulations to David J. Kale on his retirement from the City of Cambridge
Death of Saundra Graham
Committee report on Overdose Prevention Sites a.k.a. Safe Consumption Sites

Aug 7, 2023:
appointmentsto Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees
reappointment of Ethridge King as an Election Commissioner
Legal standard used to compel changes or deny projects reviewed by the Historical Commission or Neighborhood Conservation District Commissions
proposed amendments to Cambridge Municipal Code re: Neighborhood Conservation Districts (NCD) and Landmarks Ordinance
appointment of Scott Walker to the Open Data Review Board as a City staff member
appointments to Climate Committee
memorandum regarding Cannabis Amendments Special Permit zoning petition
how Cambridge might participate in PACE Massachusetts pursuant to the PACE Act
project update on the Central Square Municipal Property Needs Assessment and Planning Study
2023 Affordable Housing Overlay Annual Report
appointments to Committee on Public Planting
report from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)
possibility of acquiring the property at National Guard Armory on Concord Ave.
Fossil Fuel-Free Demonstration Ordained
Thanks and appreciation to Cambridge School Committee Member Fred Fantini
Resolution on the death of Charles Ogletree
Chicken Keeping; De-Paving; Aligning Parking Fees With Climate and Transportation Goals
Request for all outstanding and recent (last 5 fiscal years: FY’23,’22,’21,’20,’19) lawsuits involving the CPD or individual members of CPD
Lots of old committee reports

Catching Up on the (Official) Cambridge News

STEAM Career Exploration Program Offers Hands-On Experience, Career Insight to Cambridge Teens (Sept 1, 2023)

Weekend of Sept 8 Expect Traffic Impacts Due to Road Closures (Sept 1, 2023)

Manhole Fires in the Brattle Square area (Aug 31, 2023)

Second Community Meetings for Neighborhood Action Plans (Aug 31, 2023)

On-Bike Skills Clinic and Group Ride Series for Seniors (Aug 30, 2023)

Pathway for Immigrant Workers Clinic (Aug 29, 2023)

Neighborhood Walk-Through program (Aug 29, 2023)

Fire Safe College Housing (Aug 29, 2023)

Important Rules of the Road to Keep Children Safe This Back to School Season (Aug 29, 2023)

Apply to Cambridge Works, City’s Transitional Jobs Program (Aug 28, 2023)

Kendall Square Construction Projects (Aug 28, 2023)

See And Shop More Than 70 Local Artists At Cambridge Arts Open Studios Sept 9-10 (Aug 28, 2023)

Bread & Puppet ‘Heart Of The Matter Circus’ On Cambridge Common Sept 2 - Free (Aug 28, 2023)

City Manager Addresses Latest Conversations Regarding Our Unhoused Community (Aug 27, 2023)
This elicted the following response from Patrick Barrett that was sent to the City Manager, all of the city councillors, and others:
Manager Huang,
I have some concerns about your latest statement regarding the issues citywide and in particular those involving Central Square, Harvard Sq, and the “unhoused.” The use of the term “unhoused community” to my mind is a misstatement of fact and doesn’t address the issue facing the city. Historically the homeless population in Cambridge has been relatively static hovering around 500-600 identified people for the past 30 years. In Central Square up until the pandemic this entire population was known to us. These people were never an “issue” per se and there existed an overall understanding of what behaviors were tolerated and how the business community, residents, and this population were to interact. What has changed started with the pandemic and the “sweeps” at Mass and Cass that inflated our addict, dealer, prostitution, and gang related populations which in turn moved our regular homeless completely out of the squares. This is the issue we face today and why I feel couching these newer more violent populations under the heading of “unhoused community” is not only offensive, it by design sets up any conversation that follows on a false premise. Further, to dismiss this as a “regional issue” or a matter so complex as to halt any action is little more than a dereliction of duty. I mention this as these are the comments I’ve heard from your staff and I reject them. If the City Manager and staff do not have the ability to articulate the issues that face our community without a sugar coated veneer it opens the door to misinterpretation and political opportunists who have historically used the “unhoused” as a tactic to downplay the real criminal dangers that face our residents, businesses, police, and the actual unhoused population we are trying to protect and serve by lumping the above violent groups into a monolith. I hope in the future the messaging coming from this administration is more thoughtful in its outreach and that complex action to our complex problem is applied. Otherwise we will continue to perpetuate a cycle of violence which is sadly becoming synonymous with our business districts.

Harvard Street will Close near Greene-Rose Heritage Park on Sunday, August 27 (Aug 24, 2023)
A cookout will take place between noon and 6pm. Street closure from 8am to 8pm.

City Departments Map (Aug 24, 2023)

Recent Data Updates - Neighborhood Profile, New Housing Data Page, Rent Tracker & More (Aug 23, 2023)

Cambridge Police Welcomes New Officers After Transferring to the Department (Aug 23, 2023)

Ensure that your Carbon Monoxide Detectors are Working (Aug 22, 2023)

Volunteers Sought to Serve on the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (Application Deadline 9-25-23) (Aug 18, 2023)

City of Cambridge Closures and Service Information for Labor Day Holiday (Aug 17, 2023)

City of Cambridge Plans to Restore Exterior of Historic City Hall (Aug 17, 2023)

Work to Install Separated Bike Lanes on Hampshire Street Begins August 21 (Aug 16, 2023)

Increased funding for Cambridge Small Business Grants (Aug 16, 2023)

Cambridge Police Launches New Procedural Justice Dashboard (Aug 15, 2023)

Have You Seen The Giant Deer In Inman Square? (Aug 15, 2023)

Household Hazardous Waste (Aug 14, 2023)
The third of four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days in 2023 will be on Saturday, August 26, from 9am-1pm, at 65 Waverly Street.

First-Time Homebuyer Lottery Opportunity - The Pathmark (Aug 14, 2023)

Online Registration for Fall Programs at the War Memorial Opens August 14! (Aug 10, 2023)

Work to Install Flex Posts and Concrete Curbing on Brattle Street Begins August 10 (Aug 9, 2023)

GIS Data Download Updates (Aug 8, 2023)

The Company Journal and The Feeder Line (Aug 8, 2023)
from the Cambridge Fire Department

Meet Your Neighbor Day 2023 (Aug 8, 2023)
on Sunday, September 10

Dog And Cat Sculptures Restored, Reinstalled At King Open Playground (Aug 3, 2023)

Late-Night Detours on Route 28 Wednesday, August 2 to Friday, August 4 (Aug 2, 2023)

Take the Neighborhood Goals Survey! (Aug 1, 2023)

Designers Picked To Create Innovative Shade Structures To Address Warming World (Aug 1, 2023)

City Hall Front Entrance Closed for Construction June 6 - August 1 (June 2, 2022)
Request: Please relocate the flags over the entrance so that the message from Frederick Hastings Rindge is no longer obscured.

City Hall Inscription - Frederick Hastings Rindge

Featured this week (and more) in the Calendar (click for complete listings): [Also, see Calendar of 2023 Election-related events]

Tues, Sept 5

6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)

5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #26 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview

Wed, Sept 6

5:00-9:00pm Pre-Carnival Jamboree - Cambridge Carnival (Lafayette Square)

Fri, Sept 8 - Sun, Sept 10

98th Annual Feast of Saints Cosmas & Damian (Porter Street/Warren Street, East Cambridge)

Sat, Sept 9

2:00pm Celebration of Alice Wolf’s Life and Work (Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway)

Sun, Sept 10

11:00am-5:00pm 29th Cambridge Carnival International - Cambridge Carnival (Central Square)

4:30-7:00pm City Council Candidates Forum (4:30pm–7:00pm by Zoom) hosted by Cambridge Citizen’s Coalition (CCC), Cambridge Streets for All (CSA), Cambridge Voters for Good Government (CV4GG), Indivisible Cambridge (IC), East Cambridge Planning Team (ECPT), Harvard Square Neighborhood Association (HSNA), Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association (MCNA) - Zoom Event Signup [Event Flyer]

Mon, Sept 11

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Sept 12

12:00pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss potential amendments to the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge to Protect Family Inclusion and Relationship Diversity, PO23#97. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #27 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview

6:00-8:00pm City Council Candidates Forum hosted by A Better Cambridge (ABC) (The Cambridge Foundry)

Wed, Sept 13

4:00pm The City Council’s Health and Environment Committee will hold a public meeting to discuss PO23#73, which asks the City Manager to work to develop a policy that would lead to a ban on the use of gas-powered lawn equipment in Cambridge by residents, businesses, and City operations and develop incentive programs to support a policy. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Sept 18

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Wed, Sept 20

12:30pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to consider a proposed amendment to BEUDO requiring new Covered Properties to achieve net zero by 2030. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Sept 26

5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #28 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview

Wed, Sept 27

1:00pm The City Council’s Economic Development and University Relations Committee will hold a public meeting from 1:00pm-3:00pm to report and update on the City of Cambridge Disparity Study. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

5:30pm The City Council’s Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will hold a public meeting from 5:30pm-7:30pm to discuss the future treatment of Jerry’s Pond, specifically the Rindge Avenue edge. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Sat, Sept 30

11:00am-1:00pm Cambridge Highlands - Quad Nbhd. Assoc. and the Fresh Pond Residents Alliance Candidate Meet & Greet [Rain Date Sun, Oct 1] (Rafferty Park off Concord Ave, parking next to Sancta Maria)

Mon, Oct 2

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Wed, Oct 4

12:30pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed changes to the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge relative to Chapter 5.50 CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMITTING. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Oct 10

5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #29 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview

Thurs, Oct 12

6:00-8:00pm City Council Candidates Forum sponsored by CEOC and Cambridge YWCA (YWCA Cambridge, 7 Temple St)

Mon, Oct 16

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Oct 17

2:00pm The City Council’s Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee and the Health and Environment Committee will hold a joint public meeting from 2:00pm-4:00pm to discuss the relationship between the City and the Cambridge Health Alliance including a review of the operations and budget of the Public Health Department, the Cambridge Health Alliance annual contract with the City of Cambridge, legal options for structuring the public health board, and other ways to best serve the community’s public health needs. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Wed, Oct 18

7:00-9:00pm Porter Sq City Council Candidate Forum (Lesley University, Porter Square)

Thurs, Oct 19

7:00-9:30pm Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association Candidate Night - City Council & School Committee (Zoom)

Mon, Oct 23

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Oct 24

5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #30 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview

6:00pm-8:00pm City Council Candidates Forum sponsored by Mothers Out Front, Green Cambridge, 350 Mass, City Growers, Mystic River Watershed Association (Central Square Senior Center)

Wed, Oct 25

3:00pm The City Council’s Health and Environment Committee will hold a public meeting from 3:00pm-5:00pm to discuss, review, and evaluate the Zero Waste Master Plan and plan reports and updates, and to discuss possible ways to further reduce waste in Cambridge including exploring how the city might eliminate single-use plastics including but not limited to nips, bottled water, and utensils. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Oct 30

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Nov 6

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Nov 7

Municipal Election. Polls are open 7:00am until 8:00pm.
All absentee ballots (except Overseas Absentee Ballots) must arrive at the Election Commission office by 8:00pm to be counted. Ballot count begins at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square after the polls close. Overseas Absentee Ballots are due by 5:00pm on Friday, Nov 12, but must be postmarked by Nov 2.

5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #31 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview

Vote by mail - mailed out	Vote by mail - returned	Voted in Person - Early Voting	Voted in Person - Election Day	Total Voters	Total Registered	Turnout
12,476	8,616	1,207	12,256	22,079	67,698	33%

Candidates who have provisionally qualified to appear on the November 2023 ballot
City Council: (24 candidates for 9 seats)		School Committee: (11 candidates for 6 seats)
Ayah Al-Zubi, 2B Dodge St., 02139		Alborz Bejnood, 166 Auburn St., Apt B, 02139
Burhan Azeem, 96 Berkshire St., 02141		Richard Harding, 189 Windsor St. #1, 02139
Doug Brown, 35 Standish St., 02138		Elizabeth Hudson, 236 Walden St., 02140
John Hanratty, 15 Mt. Vernon St. #7, 02140		Caroline Hunter, 23 Rockwell St., 02139
Peter Hsu, 70 Gore St. #2, 02141		Andrew King, 71 Chilton St., 02138
Adrienne Klein, 7 Beech St. #308, 02140		Frantz Pierre, 22 Water St. #808, 02141
Marc McGovern, 17 Pleasant St., 02139		José Luis Rojas Villarreal, 19 Cornelius Way, 02141
Joe McGuirk, 314 Columbia St. #1, 02139		Eugenia Schraa Huh, 259 Washington St., 02139
Gregg J. Moree, 25 Fairfield St., 02140		Robert V. Travers, Jr., 54 Fulkerson St., 02141
Federico Muchnik, 82 Richdale Ave., 02140		David J. Weinstein, 45 S. Normandy Ave., 02138
Patricia Nolan, 184 Huron Ave., 02138		Rachel Weinstein, 60 Standish St., 02138
Carrie Pasquarello, 230 Upland Rd., 02140
Joan Pickett, 59 Ellery St. #1, 02138
Frantz Pierre, 22 Water St. #808, 02141
Sumbul Siddiqui, 283 Sydney St. #3, 02139
E. Denise Simmons, 188 Harvard St., 02139
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, 187 Brookline St. #3, 02139
Paul Toner, 24 Newman St., 02140
Dan Totten, 54 Bishop Allen Dr. #2, 02139
Vernon Walker, 165 Main St. #1205, 02139
Hao Wang, 1 Longfellow Rd., 02138
Ayesha M. Wilson, 15 Concord Ave., 02138
Robert Winters, 366 Broadway, 02139
Catherine Zusy, 202 Hamilton St., 02139

Mon, July 3:	Municipal Election Nomination Papers available at Election Commission office. Nomination papers for City Council and School Committee will be available beginning Monday, July 3 at the Election Commission office, 51 Inman Street, Cambridge. The office will be open on Monday, July 3 from 8:30am until 8:00pm. The deadline to file nomination papers is Monday, July 31 at 5:00pm. When visiting the Election Commission office please use the side entrance located on Inman Place until further notice. The 2023 Municipal Election Calendar is posted on the Commission’s website. The requirements to run for City Council or School Committee are: 1. The person must be a registered voter in Cambridge. To register, one must be 18 years of age by Election Day, a U.S. citizen and a resident in the City of Cambridge. 2. The person must file no fewer than fifty (50) and no more than one hundred (100) certifiable signatures of registered voters in the City of Cambridge. The Commission has prepared an information kit for candidates containing important dates, Commission policies, services, and publications. The kits will be available with the nomination papers on July 3. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Nomination papers will be available through the July 31 submission deadline, but it is advisable that a candidate pick up papers early and get started collecting signatures. The process is an excellent way for a new candidates to “get their feet wet” and acclimate to the process of asking for support. ALL pages of your nomination papers must be notarized and there are a total of three sheets. You will also want to get a current database of registered voters. This is available from the Election Commission free of charge to any candidate who has pulled nomination papers. Voter history files and the street listing are also available.
Mon, July 31:	5:00pm deadline to submit nomination papers & statements of financial interest for candidates. A minimum of 50 valid signatures must be filed and a candidate may submit up to 100 signatures. Once a voter's signature has been recorded for a particular candidate, it cannot be used for another candidate in the same race. That is, a voter should sign for exactly one candidate for City Council and one candidate for School Committee. Candidates should submit as many signatures as possible over the minimum of 50 because it is very likely that some signatures will not be certified. It is advisable that all signatures be checked against the voter registration list before submitting them. Candidates do not have to submit all their signatures at one time, and it is advisable that signatures be submitted as each sheet becomes full. The Election Commission staff traditionally checks signatures soon after they are submitted, so it is possible to know how many signatures have been tentatively certified in case it is necessary to obtain more signatures to reach the minimum of 50 certified signatures. Actual certification is only official when the Election Commission votes to approve them.
Mon, Aug 14:	5:00pm deadline for Election Commission to certify signatures on nomination papers.
Wed, Aug 16:	5:00pm deadline for municipal candidates to file withdrawal of nomination.
Sat, Oct 28:	5:00pm deadline to register to vote in municipal election. In person registration hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm at Election Commission office. (Mail in registration must be postmarked by Oct 28).
Mon, Oct 30:	Deadline for School Committee candidates and Political Committees to file Municipal Campaign & Political Finance Reports. (City Council candidates should consult their OCPF packets regarding depository-filing requirements). City Council candidates are required under state law to set up a depository account at a bank. The bank will report all deposits and expenditures directly to the state's Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF). School Committee candidates are not required to set up a depository account, but they must file a campaign finance report in mid-October and at the end of the year.
Tues, Oct 31:	5:00pm deadline to apply for absentee ballot by mail.
Mon, Nov 6:	Noontime (12:00pm) deadline to apply for absentee ballot for over-the-counter voting.
Tues, Nov 7:	Municipal Election. Polls are open 7:00am until 8:00pm. All vote-by-mail ballots (except Overseas Absentee Ballots) must arrive at the Election Commission office by 8:00pm to be counted. Ballot count begins at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square after the polls close. Overseas Absentee Ballots are due by 5:00pm on Friday, Nov 17, but must be postmarked by Nov 7. It is expected that the Election Commission will report preliminary election results Tuesday evening (Nov 7), but this tally does not include auxiliary ballots (write-in ballots and other ballots not yet counted for a variety of reasons). These will be scanned and tabulated on Wednesday. Unofficial election results are expected to be announced on Wednesday when all of the auxiliary ballots have been included. The official election results will not be complete until any overseas absentee ballots and provisional ballots have been included on Fri, Nov 7.
Wed, Nov 8:	9:00am-5:00pm. Ballot count resumes at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square.
Fri, Nov 17:	Overseas Absentee Ballots and Provisional Ballots will be counted at 5:00pm.

Meeting	Date	Agenda	Minutes	Video
#1	Aug 16, 2022	Aug 16, 2022 Agenda	Aug 16, 2022 Minutes	Aug 16, 2022 Video
#2	Sept 13, 2022	Sept 13, 2022 Agenda	Sept 13, 2022 Minutes	Sept 13, 2022 Video
#3	Sept 29, 2022	Sept 29, 2022 Agenda	Sept 29, 2022 Minutes	Sept 29, 2022 Video
#4	Oct 25, 2022	Oct 25, 2022 Agenda	Oct 25, 2022 Minutes	Oct 25, 2022 Video
#5	Nov 8, 2022	Nov 8, 2022 Agenda	Nov 8, 2022 Minutes	Nov 8, 2022 Video
#6	Nov 22, 2022	Nov 22, 2022 Agenda	Nov 22, 2022 Minutes	Nov 22, 2022 Video
#7	Dec 6, 2022	Dec 6, 2022 Agenda	Dec 6, 2022 Minutes	Dec 6, 2022 Video
Planning #1	Dec 13, 2022	Dec 13, 2022 Agenda	Dec 13, 2022 Minutes	Dec 13, 2022 Video
#8	Dec 20, 2022	Dec 20, 2022 Agenda	Dec 20, 2022 Minutes	Dec 20, 2022 Video
#9	Jan 3, 2023	Jan 3, 2023 Agenda	Jan 3, 2023 Minutes	Jan 3, 2023 Video
#10	Jan 17, 2023	Jan 17, 2023 Agenda	Jan 17, 2023 Minutes	Jan 17, 2023 Video
Public Forum	Jan 24, 2023
Planning #2	Jan 27, 2023	Jan 27, 2023 Agenda	Jan 27, 2023 Minutes	Jan 27, 2023 Video
#11	Jan 31, 2023	Jan 31, 2023 Agenda	Jan 31, 2023 Minutes	Jan 31, 2023 Video
#12	Feb 7, 2023	Feb 7, 2023 Agenda	Feb 7, 2023 Minutes	Feb 7, 2023 Video
#13	Feb 28, 2023	Feb 28, 2023 Agenda	Feb 28, 2023 Minutes	Feb 28, 2023 Video
#14	Mar 14, 2023	Mar 14, 2023 Agenda	Mar 14, 2023 Minutes	Mar 14, 2023 Video
City Council Special Meeting	Mar 22, 2023	Mar 22, 2023 Agenda	Mar 22, 2023 Minutes	Mar 22, 2023 Video
#15	Mar 28, 2023	Mar 28, 2023 Agenda	Mar 28, 2023 Minutes	Mar 28, 2023 Video
#16	Apr 11, 2023	Apr 11, 2023 Agenda	Apr 11, 2023 Minutes	Apr 11, 2023 Video
#17	Apr 25, 2023	Apr 25, 2023 Agenda	Apr 25, 2023 Minutes	Apr 25, 2023 Video
#18	May 9, 2023	May 9, 2023 Agenda	May 9, 2023 Minutes	May 9, 2023 Video
#19	May 23, 2023	May 23, 2023 Agenda	May 23, 2023 Minutes	May 23, 2023 Video
#20	June 6, 2023	June 6, 2023 Agenda	June 6, 2023 Minutes	June 6, 2023 Video
#21	June 20, 2023	June 20, 2023 Agenda	June 20, 2023 Minutes	June 20, 2023 Video
#22	June 27, 2023	June 27, 2023 Agenda	June 27, 2023 Minutes	June 27, 2023 Video
#23	July 18, 2023	July 18, 2023 Agenda	July 18, 2023 Minutes	July 18, 2023 Video
#24	Aug 1, 2023	Aug 1, 2023 Agenda	Aug 1, 2023 Minutes	Aug 1, 2023 Video
#25	Aug 15, 2023	Aug 15, 2023 Agenda	Aug 15, 2023 Minutes	Aug 15, 2023 Video
#26	Aug 29, 2023	cancelled
#26	Sept 5, 2023	Sept 5, 2023 Agenda		Sept 5, 2023
#27	Sept 12, 2023			Sept 12, 2023
#28	Sept 26, 2023			Sept 26, 2023
#29	Oct 10, 2023			Oct 10, 2023
#30	Oct 24, 2023			Oct 24, 2023
#31	Nov 7, 2023			Nov 7, 2023
#32	Nov 21, 2023			Nov 21, 2023
#33	Dec 5, 2023			Dec 5, 2023
#34	Dec 19, 2023			Dec 19, 2023

Changing hats

Cambridge Municipal Election News

Difficult news regarding a dear friend

What will this year’s tax rate message be?

A word or two about Cambridge property tax increases (posted Nov 2022)

Aug 19 – I would love to hear what people are thinking about the ongoing Charter Review Committee process.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream … or Nightmare: August 7, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

New Video Series Opens With Focus on Cambridge’s Charter Leading to Plan E

Grading on a Curve: The 2022-2023 Cambridge City Council

Catching Up on the (Official) Cambridge News

Featured this week (and more) in the Calendar (click for complete listings): [Also, see Calendar of 2023 Election-related events]

Tues, Sept 5

Wed, Sept 6

Fri, Sept 8 - Sun, Sept 10

Sat, Sept 9

Sun, Sept 10

Mon, Sept 11

Tues, Sept 12

Wed, Sept 13

Mon, Sept 18

Wed, Sept 20

Tues, Sept 26

Wed, Sept 27

Sat, Sept 30

Mon, Oct 2

Wed, Oct 4

Tues, Oct 10

Thurs, Oct 12

Mon, Oct 16

Tues, Oct 17

Wed, Oct 18

Thurs, Oct 19

Mon, Oct 23

Tues, Oct 24

Wed, Oct 25

Mon, Oct 30

Mon, Nov 6

Tues, Nov 7

Median Annual Tax Increases - Cambridge
Tax Year	condo	single-family	two-family	three-family
FY2009	$ 18	$ 40	$ 24	$ 72
FY2010	$ 69	$ 119	$ 47	$ 41
FY2011	$ 77	$ 306	$ 132	$ 154
FY2012	$ 60	$ 269	$ 177	$ 215
FY2013	$ 65	$ 159	$ 80	$ 85
FY2014	- $ 38	$ 109	$ 110	$ 201
FY2015	$ 15	$ 11	$ 334	$ 253
FY2016	- $ 18	$ 64	$ 101	$ 217
FY2017	$ 11	$ 324	$ 237	$ 336
FY2018	$ 76	$ 136	$ 33	$ 61
FY2019	$ 21	$ 124	$ 292	$ 469
FY2020	$ 43	$ 449	$ 366	$ 369
FY2021	$ 3	$ 246	$ 131	$ 218
FY2022	$ 33	$ 545	$ 301	$ 335
FY2023	- $ 107	$ 419	$ 269	$ 379
5 year average	- $ 1.40	$ 356.60	$ 271.80	$ 354.00
10 year average	$ 3.90	$ 242.70	$ 217.40	$ 283.80
15 year average	$ 21.87	$ 221.33	$ 175.60	$ 227.00
current number of properties	14841	3910	2292	1168