Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

December 16, 2023

Hoping for Something Better – December 18, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Charter,City Council,Deaths — Tags: , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:40 pm

Hoping for Something Better – December 18, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

That's All Folks!This is the last meeting of the 2022-23 Cambridge City Council, and I really hope the next group of nine will find the road back to reasonable. I have had my fill of councillors engaging in political patronage, calling cops murderers, enacting mandates without expending effort to convince people, and backroom political machinations held under the guise of “ad-hoc” committees created to evade the primary purposes of the Open Meeting Law. We can do better. Maybe the new City Council can even find that “Third Way” on matters involving bikes, housing, and other matters rather than playing “winner take all” every which way. The Big Elephant in the room next year will be deliberations on revisions to the City Charter, and it’s not yet clear if rationality will prevail over political self-interest in that process. I have refrained from commenting so far on that upcoming pachyderm, but that will end soon and I intend to be brutally honest in my assessment.

The out-of-sight battle for who shall be Mayor is, of course, raging and my understanding is that all six incumbents are seeking the crown. I have a couple of favorites, of course, but as Werner Heisenberg taught us, the act of measurement can only introduce uncertainty into what is being measured, so I’ll shut up for now and hope for the best. I’ll also refrain from comments on the three departing councillors thanks to some sage advice that my mother gave me a very long time ago.

It’s a light agenda for this sunset meeting, but here are a few items of potential interest:

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for Miss Markham’s School at 10 Buckingham Street on the Buckingham, Browne & Nichols (BB&N) Lower School campus. (CM23#303) [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; remarks by MM (dismissive of landmarking of building “I don’t know what we’re preserving.”), Charles Sullivan (who explains the historical and architectural significance), McGovern would prefer a plaque rather than landmarking; PN will not support landmarking – OK with a plaque; DC supports landmarking, would prefer to see original portion of building preserved, possibly moved, and new building built in addition, Sullivan concurs; DS supports landmarking, wants efforts to be expended to preserve, Sullivan notes that other than landmarking no other options; QZ sees no value in preserving this building; Siddiqui also does not support landmarking; Order Fails of Adoption 2-6-1 (DC,DS-Yes; AM,MM,PN,PT,QZ,SS-No; BA-Absent); Placed on File 8-0-1 (BA-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 23-82, regarding an update on Municipal Broadband and Digital Equity. (CM23#307) [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; remarks by PN, wants timeline; Yi-An Huang notes pairing of Digital Equity and Municipal Broadband and fact that some improvements in digital equity can be done at modest cost (not $200 million), City-owned fiber network would have some policy advantages, substantial amount of City subsidy would be required and must be balanced against other priorities, whether or not it should be part of 5-year plan, need to find the money first; Nolan harps on “this is a utility” and apparently believes Harvard, MIT, and “Kendall Square” would provide financial support (really?); QZ tells story of broadband access in Suriname, would raise taxes to pay for this; Placed on File 8-0-1 (BA-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #10. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $68,000, from Free Cash to the General Fund City Council Other Ordinary Maintenance account to support the work of the Charter Review Committee. Funds will be used to support the work of the Charter Review Committee which has been meeting since August 2022 and is tasked to review the City’s current charter and to recommend changes. These efforts included contracting with an outside consultant to assist with research and facilitation of committee meetings, as well as public outreach events and materials. The Committee is anticipated to release a final report by Jan 31, 2024. (CM23#308)
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (BA-Absent)

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department to fundamentally change how it responds to situations that could lead to violence and death. [Charter Right – Zondervan, Dec 11, 2023] (PO23#215)
pulled by Zondervan; QZ asks about killing of Faisal; Christine Elow notes work with PERF, working with police union on body cameras and policies, released dashboard, after-inquest review by PERF, work on less-lethal options and other launchers, training of entire department; QZ asks about what policies are being negotiated with union; QZ asks about arms that police carry, possibility of response without firearms; Elow notes that Comm. Bard agreed with reduction of weaponry, 20% of inventory was destroyed, camouflage eliminated; QZ asks about long guns on roofs at protest last week; Elow explains that at large events best practices requires rooftop observations, knew of Elbit protest in advance and possibility of counterprotest, Special Response Team on roof, concerns about harm and vandalism; preparation for worst-case scenarios; QZ continues to harp on presence of rifles on roof; Siddiqui asks about policy vs. practice re: presence of rifles with Special Response Team; Elow notes what has happened elsewhere in country and need to be prepared; PN notes that Public Safety meeting was not held due to lack of quorum, but originally scheduled for Dec 6, then changed to Dec 13 when members could not attend; PN gives prepared speech on inquest and process; Nolan proposes amendments to Zondervan order; MM notes that officers on roof were not “snipers” (Elow concurs) and that preparedness for worst-case scenarios is necessary; DS notes diversity of opinion and that “you’re entitled to your own opinions but not your own facts”, notes that seniors want public safety and that they don’t want Police Department neutered, not like police departments elsewhere; DS cautions against neutering of CPD possibly leading to tragic outcomes, cannot support original order or amended order; Elow notes that Special Response Team formed under Comm. Robert Haas as an alternative to State Police or other law enforcement agencies, only used for special circumstances; Yi-An Huang notes that this conversation has been ongoing all year, notes that PERF generally only brought in when terrible things have happened elsewhere, notes that Faisal incident was a complicated situation that unfolded fast, notes that our police officers need to be supported; Toner will vote no because we are already making good progress; Carlone notes that we have done this already and that if we must pass an Order it should be the amended version; QZ says we have not dealt with this issue in the current term; Elow notes that CPD looks at every incident differently; Nolan notes that we have done some of this before, does not support disarming the Police, notes that Elbit protests here and elsewhere had escalated; Siddiqui will support substitute order, need for further conversation; Amendment by Substitution Passes 8-1 (QZ-No); Order as Amended Passes 5-4 (BA,DC,PN,QZ,SS-Yes; AM,MM,DS,PT-No); Amended Order forwarded to next City Council (Awaiting Report)

Unfinished Business #4. An Ordinance 2023 #12 has been received from City Clerk, relative to BEUDO the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge be amended in Chapter 8.67.100 entitled “Emission Reduction Requirements”. [Passed to 2nd Reading Dec 4, 2023; Eligible to be ordained on or after Dec 18, 2023] (ORD23#12)
pulled by Zondervan; Iram Farooq notes that CDD does not support this further amendment, notes that current ordinance reduces by 90% but exorbitant costs for minimal additional reduction and other problematic aspects of amendment, notes that CDD came up with most stringent ordinance possible and this was already adopted and that further amendment now would be a breach of trust; Zondervan notes that his latest proposed amendments addresses these concerns; Farooq says no fuel now available to meet proposed specifications and that only natural gas would currently suffice and with higher carbon cost – nothing gained with added regulatory structure; McGovern notes Council actions over past few months in this area, not supportive of amendments; Nolan says even if not a good idea to amend so soon this was our expectation under new stretch code, says it’s possible to meet needs on extreme cold days, says we won’t meet state mandated goals on emission reduction; Carlone says this is doable, “I’ll be voting for children”; Ordination Fails 4-5 (DC,PN,QZ,SS-Yes; BA,AM,MM,PT,DS-No)

Resolution #1. Resolution on the death of Paul Parravano.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled early by Councillor Simmons; remarks by DS,MM,PT,AM,DC,PN,QZ,SS; Adopted 8-0-1 (BA-Absent)

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to coordinate with MIT to establish a suitable memorial in Cambridge in honor of Paul Parravano.   Councillor Simmons (PO23#218)
pulled by Simmons; Order Adopted 9-0

Resolution #2. Resolution on the death of Roderick L. Jackson.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern
Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (QZ-Absent)

Resolution #4. Congratulations to Clifford Cook on his retirement from the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Toner

Resolution #6. Thanks to Alanna Mallon for her service to the citizens of Cambridge.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern

Resolution #7. Thanks to Quinton Zondervan for his service to the citizens of Cambridge.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern

Resolution #8. Thanks to Dennis Carlone for his service to the citizens of Cambridge.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Wed, Nov 29, 2023 to discuss a Zoning Petition by Allene R. Pierson et al. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #6. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Wed, Dec 6, 2023 to discuss potential changes to the Cambridge Municipal Code, Chapter 12.22 Cycling Safety Ordinance. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #4. A communication was received from Councillor Marc McGovern, relative to discharging the Cycling Safety Ordinance matter from Committee and moving it forward. to the next Council Ordinance Committee. (COF23#239)
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #7. The Health and Environment Committee and the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a joint meeting on Dec 6, 2023 to discuss PO23#147 (options for amending parking fees and regulations throughout the City in order to further support the City’s goals of low carbon travel). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #8. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on Dec 12, 2023 to receive an update and have discussion on Public Investment Planning. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Cleaning Out the Closet

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Councillor Azeem, transmitting an update regarding matters in the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee [Implementing ways to enforce the anti-idling law. (PO22#55 of Apr 25, 2022)]. (COF23#236)
pulled by Azeem; Discharged from Transportation & Public Utilities Committee 9-0; Forward to next Council’s Committee 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Councillor Simmons re Motion to Discharge Committee Items Councillor Simmons. (COF23#238) [text of report]
pulled by Simmons; Matters Discharged from Civic Unity and Housing Committees 9-0; Forward to next Council’s Committee 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #5. A communication was received from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting, in accordance with POR 2023 #216, adopted Dec 11, 2023, recommendation that City Council take an affirmative vote to carry over pending Awaiting Reports to the next City Council. (COF23#240) [text of report]
Forward subset of Awaiting Report List to next City Council, including Policy Order of Charter Right #1; Adopted 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

December 3, 2023

Robots Rule – December 4, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Charter,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 8:28 pm

Robots Rule – December 4, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Robot - Lost in SpaceThe first thing that struck me when I looked over the meeting agenda was the list of 387 Communications – more than twice anything I’ve seen before (except for that Bergman stunt many years ago with messages submitted on paper plates – but that’s another story). So I decided to look them over in some detail. The main thing is that 288 of them were nearly identical concerning that Gaza order from the Nov 20 meeting and were sent via a robot (from “actionnetwork.org”) and addressed to “City Clerk Alex Geourntas” – who happens to be the City Clerk for Boston. [Our actual City Clerk is Diane LeBlanc, by the way.] So much for doing your homework, but I suppose even robots may have dogs who like to eat their homework. Perhaps the funniest of these was the one signed by former Cambridge City Clerk Margaret Drury who apparently didn’t take notice of the addressee in the robotic message that was sent under her name to the wrong City Clerk.

There are 333 messages in favor of the Gaza order, 8 opposed, 4 who suggested that the City Council should instead focus on local matters (there’s a concept), and one suggesting that such communications should be limited to actual Cambridge residents. There were 148 of 288 robotic Gaza messages from Cambridge residents and 139 from non-residents. There was also one Somerville resident who defiantly stated that “you have lost my vote.” They never had your vote, Einstein.

There are also 17 communications from people who are apparently pissed off at the City Council’s Nov 20 “Present” vote on the matter – apparently an attempt to sidestep taking a definitive position. Voting on foreign affairs has never been off-limits in the past, but I guess this one is different because of the various constituencies and the political consideration of siding with or opposing something associated with our local “Squad” representative in the U.S. Congress.

I think the new City Council should consider a rules change to address this proliferation of robot-generated messages – perhaps replacing them with a single communication of the form “sundry messages (288) received in support of Nov 20 order re: Gaza.” Together with new AI tools becoming available all the time, we may otherwise soon see weekly bundles of hundreds or even thousands of communications generated every week bearing little connection to matters actually relevant to Cambridge.

Also noteworthy is the message sent by a member of Siddiqui’s hand-picked Charter Review Committee in which she wants to know the head count of all those making public comment or submitting (robotic) communications on either side of the issue. Perhaps the next iteration of the charter recommendations will include a proposal for popular plebiscite to determine public policy. Give us Barabbas. I honestly believe the entire Charter Review business should be restarted with a properly selected charter commission and all meetings held in public session rather than the Zoom-based insular meetings of the current failed process that had negligible public participation.

By the way, the minutes of the Nov 20 meeting indicate that of the 159 people who spoke in person or remotely, 100 supported the Gaza order, 47 were opposed, and 12 others addressed matters that were actually relevant to the business of the Cambridge City Council.

One last note: I am especially appreciative of the Nov 30 public comment and the Dec 4 communication from Cara Seiderman re: the Gaza ceasefire order. It takes a good deal of bravery for a prominent City employee to make a statement opposing the Gaza order as written in an environment where many of the people with whom she regularly interacts may be hostile to her point of view. Cancel culture has unfortunately become part of Cambridge culture – and not just on the Harvard campus.

There is an actual agenda for the Dec 4 meeting that contains a few interesting items. Here’s a sampler:

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a report on the evaluation of the 2023 Street Cleaning Pilot. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the evaluation of the 2023 Street Cleaning Pilot and recommended language for special legislation to increase fines.
Order Adopted 7-2 (DS,PT-No)

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $4,280,000, from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Human Services Extraordinary Expenditures account to support major ongoing improvements at Danehy Park including turf field and track replacement, irrigation improvements, water feature replacement, and capital improvement planning. [text of report]
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation not to adopt the Pierson, et al., Zoning Petition.
Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Home Rule petition regarding the Fire Chief position. [Charter Right – Toner, Nov 20, 2023]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. A late communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding a home rule petition for taking the Fire Chief position out of civil service. (CM23#290)
Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #5. An Ordinance 2023 #10 has been received from City Clerk, relative to the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge be amended in Chapter 8.16.081, Leaf Blowers. [Pass to 2nd Reading Nov 6, 2023; Eligible to be ordained on or after Nov 28, 2023] (ORD23#10)
pulled by Toner; comments by PT, PN, QZ; Ordained as Amended 9-0

Committee Report #6. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Nov 28, 2023 to discuss proposed changes to the Cambridge Municipal Code that would lead to a phased-out ban of the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Cambridge. The Committee voted to send the proposed ordinance language as amended in Committee to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation that the language passed to a second reading on Nov 6, 2023 be further amended to reflect the change in transition date, (8.16.081.4 – Transition, 2. and 3.) from March 15, 2027 to March 15, 2026. (text of report)
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #7. An Ordinance 2023 #11 has been received from City Clerk, relative to Chapter 2.131 – American Freedmen Commission. [Passed to 2nd Reading Nov 20, 2023; Eligible to be ordained on or after Dec 4, 2023]
Ordained as Amended 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments and with state and federal regulators to establish an orderly testing and deployment strategy for Full Self Driving on Cambridge roads.   Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #2. That the City Council go on record requesting that MIT withdraw its objection to Eversource and the City of Cambridge proposed transmission line route so that the project can move forward expediently.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with CPD to fundamentally change how it responds to situations that could lead to violence and death.   Councillor Zondervan
Order Withdrawn

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on Oct 31, 2023 to discuss updates on the Participatory Budget and ARPA. (text of report)
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Tues, Nov 14, 2023 to discuss the City’s proposed Linear Park redesign. (text of report)
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on Nov 15, 2023 to discuss and receive updates from the Community Safety Department and HEART. (text of report)
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #4. The City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on the City Managers evaluation process held a public meeting on Nov 17, 2023 to discuss the updates on the evaluation process. (text of report)
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #5. A public meeting of the Ordinance Committee was held on Tues, Nov 28, 2023. The call of the meeting was to consider an amendment to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance that would require new covered properties to achieve net zero by 2030. The Committee voted to send the following amendment language back to the City Council with no recommendation. (text of report)
pulled early by Toner; comments by PT, Yi-An Huang (feels this is not good policy in terms of cost/benefit), QZ (disagrees, proposes amendment), PN, DC, MM, Iram Farooq, Megan Bayer (Acting City Solicitor), QZ proposes amendments (passes 5-4 (BA,AM,DS,PT-No); Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 5-4 (BA,AM,DS,PT-No); Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Late Resolution #3. Resolution on the death of Bernard Goldberg.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons

November 20, 2023

Cambridge Does Gaza – November 20, 2023 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council,Deaths — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 3:06 pm

Cambridge Does Gaza – November 20, 2023 Cambridge City Council Agenda

All the world is watching as Cambridge takes on the Middle East. </sarcasm>Peoples Republic of Cambridge

Here are the featured menu items for tonight’s meal:

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Home Rule petition regarding the Fire Chief position.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 23-72 regarding mechanisms to support Cannabis Business in Cambridge. (CM23#274) [text of report]

Unfinished Business #2. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to proposed changes to Cannabis Business Permitting Proposed Ordinance 2023-6. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 16, 2023; Eligible to be Ordained] (ORD23#6)

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Planning Board’s recommendation on the Hen-keeping Zoning Petition and amended zoning text. (CM23#275) [text of report]

Unfinished Business #5. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council to amend Articles 2.000, 4.000, 5.000, and 23.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of allowing hen-keeping as a permitted accessory use to principal residential (excluding transient accommodations as defined in Section 4.31.i), religious, and educational uses; with limitations and subject to regulation and permitting by the Cambridge Public Health Department. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 16, 2023; Eligible to be Ordained; Expires Jan 8, 2024] (ORD23#9)

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Study. (CM23#277) [text of report]

The East Cambridge Neighborhood District Study is a great document – the continuation of great work of our peerless Cambridge Historical Commission. What the City Council will do with this or should do with this is a matter of some concern. Normally this would be an easy decision, but the spirit of New York’s Robert Moses continues to permeate current Cambridge politics – an environment where tearing down historic buildings, or any buildings, is apparently welcomed in favor of going higher and denser regardless of all other considerations. The spirit of Jane Jacobs will return at some point, and the only question is the extent of damage carried out in the interim.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an Equity Inclusion Fall 2023 Update. (CM23#278) [text of report]

This is worth looking at primarily as an illustration of how bureaucracies grow.

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the American Freedmen Commission Ordinance. (CM23#279) [text of report]

Committee Report #2. A public meeting of the Cambridge City Council’s Ordinance Committee was held on Thurs, Nov 9, 2023, to consider changes to the Cambridge Municipal Code that would establish the American Freedmen Commission. The Committee approved a motion that the City Manager be and is hereby requested to direct the Law Department and any other relevant department to review the proposed ordinance language to create the Freedmen Commission and provide any recommendations in writing to the City Council by Nov 20, 2023. The Committee voted favorably to send the proposed language to the City Council with a favorable recommendation that it be passed to a second reading. (text of report)

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds and whether this will amount to something constructive or just garden-variety political patronage.

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 22-40, regarding a Community Engagement Update. (CM23#280) [text of report]

This is clueless on so many levels. For example, “Additionally, each department is at a different point on its community engagement journey: the Department of Public Works (DPW) for example, started building its community relations team in the early 2000s …” In fact, our Department of Public Works has been a model of community engagement and personalized service delivery for many decades. Only a bureaucrat would see otherwise. On the other hand, the “community engagement” of some other departments will continue to be mainly performative in the sense that most decisions have already been made by staff or mandated via City ordinance with little room for discussion or change.

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2023 Cambridge Resident Satisfaction Survey Results. (CM23#281) [text of report]

Manager’s Agenda #12. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000, from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Executive Extraordinary Expenditures account to support an evaluation of the Rise Up Cambridge Cash Assistance for Families Program. (CM23#282) [text of report]

The bottom line is that this program was only made possible because of the federal windfall of ARPA dollars growing out of the Covid disruption. What followed in so many cities was political opportunism – enacting initiatives that otherwise would not have been financially feasible or even legal. We are now in the phase where “studies” are being proposed and funded to extend this new add-on local welfare program.

Unfinished Business #3. ORD23#8A To amend Chapter 2.76 – Human Rights Commission and Chapter 2.119 Domestic Partnerships. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 2, 2023; Further Amended Nov 6, 2023; Eligible to be Ordained as Amended]

Resolution #3. Resolution on the death of Teresa Solano Neighbor.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons

I attended the November 11 memorial service for Teresa at Bigelow Chapel in Mount Auburn Cemetery and, as is often the case, it served as a reunion of many friends. Teresa was the Executive Director of the Election Commission during the period when we computerized our municipal elections and when I served on the Technical Working Committee for the Computerization of the Cambridge Elections (TWCC). That was a very rewarding experience for many of us who were involved in that project, and Teresa was a great partner in that initiative.

Order #1. Special Meeting on City Manager Review.   Mayor Siddiqui

Order #2. Automated Parking Enforcement.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone

Order #3. Resolution in support of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s Call for a Ceasefire.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui

This last item, of course, will likely consume most of the evening and accomplish nothing. – RW

November 5, 2023

Vote Wang for Solidarity

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council,cycling — Tags: , , , , , , — Hao Wang @ 8:13 am

Vote Wang for Solidarity

The curtain for the 2023 election will drop after about one Cambridge Day; all the candidates and activists will soon take a bow. We will again reflect on who we were and what we have done.

The apparent take is that, as one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S. and one of the most sophisticated crucibles for ingenuity, we could have done better. We had an election season roiled by hatred, disrespect, social shaming, and gross mischaracterization. An all-or-nothing, either-or type of thinking epitomizes our political arena.

Many of our activists were quick in condemning, social shaming, minimizing any voice of reason, and grossly mischaracterizing the pragmatic approach the city badly needs. In today’s Cambridge, one cannot be a practical bike lane supporter. It would be best if you were a zealous, our way or highway advocate. Otherwise, you will be labeled as an opponent to saving lives, only trying to rip off the bike lanes. In today’s Cambridge, quick-to-shame activists will label many moderate views on civic issues as “homophobic” or “transphobic.”  Anyone who differs from a single component of their agenda will be quickly treated as an unforgivable opponent. In their belief, being a moderate is “just supporting the other side.”

Angry and hostile tones permeated this election, and group allegiance came out as a kind of mentality disorder and hate politics, grossly deterring the balanced approach the city needed to bring itself together. Even our esteemed Harvard Crimson may have forgotten the noble tradition of Walter Cronkite in journalism, mistaking allegation with verification, conviction with indictment. In some reporters’ minds, a judge and jury will no longer be necessary; the accused is automatically guilty as charged.

In this toxic arena, we are no longer capable of building a consensus. There can be no rational political dialogue. In this climate, Cambridge did not treat our centrist, moderate, or independent respectfully. A balanced candidate was hard to win. The “us vs them,” “all or nothing” mentality is almost certain to harm everyone ultimately.

It may be very late in this election, but we need our solidarity back. Diversity will not hold without solidarity. Equality starts with solidarity. As a city, we will need to transcend cultural and political boundaries. We must signify once again our unity, mutual support, and our shared sense of community. We must show compassion and regain our ability to empathize with others and stand by their side for their needs and ways of life. We need to offer our cooperation and support to each other. The polarization is toxic. The apathy must go. The divisive politics must go.

 

Hao Wang

2023 Cambridge City Council Candidate

https://votewang.com

October 30, 2023

Seeking Six Lame Ducks – Oct 30, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council,elections,School Committee,schools — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 4:29 pm

Seeking Six Lame Ducks – Oct 30, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

The circus that is this year’s municipal election will soon be over and we’ll know in a couple of weeks whether Cambridge will step back from the brink or careen over the edge. Hopefully events at the national and international scale will be enough to convince people locally of the dangers of the democratic socialists, the “intersectional left”, and others (like DSA, Our Revolution, and even the little old ladies of the Cambridge Residents Alliance) who casually embrace antisemitism hidden behind Halloween masks of liberation as they celebrate murder, rape, and kidnapping.City Hall

Speaking of elections, I was able to skip some City Council candidate events this week in order to focus on more important things like the School Committee election and, in particular, an event in East Cambridge entitled, “What’s Algebra Got to Do with It? – a School Committee Forum on Math and Academic Challenge.” I may write about this elsewhere, but the bottom line is that the participating incumbents had virtually nothing of substance to say other than the usual School Committee jargon, and several of the new candidates really shone – particularly Elizabeth Hudson, Alborz Bejnood, and Eugenia Schraa Huh. Bobby Travers also showed great promise as a candidate who has seen it all over the years working within the Cambridge Schools. Honestly, the only incumbents I see as worth retaining are José Luis Rojas Villarreal and Caroline Hunter. That’s an even 6. All too often the School Committee election is the forgotten stepchild of Cambridge elections – but their $245 million budget and the fact that the education and future prospects of so many Cambridge children is largely dependent on having good schools suggests that maybe voters should pay a little more attention.

Meanwhile, back at City Hall, here are some of the more notable items on this week’s agenda:

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $2,091,000 from Free Cash to the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund. During FY23, the City received mitigation revenues from various developers as a result of commitments related to zoning ordinance amendments and special permit conditions. By law, all mitigation revenues must be deposited into the General Fund and can only be appropriated after the Free Cash Certification is complete.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Claire Spinner as Assistant City Manager for Fiscal Affairs.
pulled by Carlone; comments by Nolan, City Manager Huang (over 50 applicants); Placed on File 9-0

152 Communications – many either in favor or opposed to the policy order from the previous meeting regarding proposed changes to Linear Park in North Cambridge.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department and the City Solicitor to look at possible base zoning changes for a new residential use that has a first-floor mixed-use option or other zoning alternative, to review the city’s permit policy for extending construction hours/days & propose changes that more significantly protect residents’ quality of life, and to work with the Department of Public Health to look at ways the City’s board of health, under the Nuisance Law, might further restrict undue noise.   Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Carlone; comments by Carlone, Toner, McGovern; Order Adopted 9-0

None of the current city councillors live in a mixed-use district. I have – for over 45 years. I’m happy to tell you about the pros and cons.

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments and the consultant team and deliver an update on Municipal Broadband and Digital Equity by December 2023.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan; Zondervan added as sponsor; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

My assumption is that even if all relevant indicators suggest that Municipal Broadband won’t provide a fraction of the benefits its proponents have suggested, and even if it’s cost-prohibitive, a majority of councillors will signal Full Speed Ahead.

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to engage with various stakeholders including recycling advocates, package store owners, and business associations, and report back to the city council with a list of recommendations to reduce the use of miniature liquor bottles.   Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to report back to the City Council with an update to the Mar 23, 2021 report on the process of banning various single-use plastics in line with the discussion during the Health and Environment Committee meeting and actions by the state and by various municipalities.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Toner; comments by Nolan, Toner, Carlone, Zondervan, McGovern, Azeem; add Zondervan as sponsor; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #10. City Council support of letter to State Lawmakers on the Mass Clean Heat Platform.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #13. City Council support of H. 872 An Act establishing a climate change superfund and promoting polluter responsibility, and the companion bill S. 481.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Zondervan; add Siddiqui, Nolan; comments by Zondervan, Nolan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #14. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department and other relevant City departments and prepare a report regarding the efficacy of establishing a dual reporting system for the Director of Public Health, the process by which the City could establish by ordinance a Commissioner of Public Health who would report directly to the City Manager, and the reestablishment of a Health Policy Board.   Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon
pulled by Simmons; comments by Nolan, Simmons; Charter Right – Simmons

It’s also worth noting the following two items on the Hearing Schedule:

Wed, Nov 8
3:00pm   The Public Safety Committee will hold a public hearing from 3:00pm-5:00pm to discuss the results of the inquest regarding the Police shooting of Arif Sayed Faisal. [CANCELLED]

This is not a local legislative matter. An inquest was conducted and the officer(s) involved were found to have acted in a reasonable and proper manner consistent with their training and responsibilities. A Zondervan hearing on this matter would be nothing more than a political show, and I’m glad the meeting was cancelled.

Wed, Nov 15
3:00pm   The Public Safety Committee will hold a public hearing from 3:00pm-5:00pm to discuss and receive updates from the Community Safety Department and HEART.

As I have said many times, the new Community Safety Department – as a mechanism for handling matters not necessarily requiring Cambridge Police – has the potential to relieve Cambridge Police officers of some of the responsibilities that can be safely managed by others. Cambridge HEART, in contrast, is little more than political patronage for a group of people who have consistently shown nothing but hostility toward Cambridge Police and law enforcement in general. – Robert Winters

October 17, 2023

How to turn a flawed AHO2 into a net positive for Cambridge

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Cambridge government,Central Square,City Council,Harvard Square,planning,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Hao Wang @ 2:33 pm

How to turn a flawed AHO2 into a net positive for Cambridge

Yesterday, October 16, 2023, the three-year-old Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) zoning got a boost in height to 12 stories along Cambridge’s main corridors and 15 stories in Central, Harvard, and Porter squares. However, many expect the impact of this new law to be limited. The limitation for these buildings for 100% AHUs and nonprofit builders are preferred to construct will neither lead to a widespread success as a housing solution nor create these housing units fast enough. Besides, the implementation of it will surely meet neighborhoods’ opposition.

How do we create better outcomes for this flawed ordinance?

First, we must preserve our squares and corridors to the standards and characters that our neighborhoods desire. We can build with the support of our communities. A well-intended policy to house more people in our city must come with our appeals to neighborhoods’ support. More trees and open spaces can only improve the quality of life of our new residents. Building even taller buildings at the easier-to-build places will reduce the cost of the new units than force-building them at our squares and some stretches of our corridors.

Secondly, we should motivate commercial builders and allow these buildings for mixed-use and a good portion for market rates. We have a limited capacity to build. Cambridge is not known for producing large quantities of housing units quickly. If we are mostly limited to nonprofit builders, our ability to build will not fulfill the AHO or Envision Cambridge promises.

Lastly, we need to address the broader issues facing our city. The socioeconomic underpinning has shifted since Envision Cambridge.  Our city is undergoing a likely hollowing out of our middle classes, coupled with a poverty problem.  Gentrification is already happening, though incomplete. Our teachers, scientists, researchers, police, medical staff, and young college graduates all need housing. Many of them are forced to leave Cambridge and live elsewhere. Reducing the percentage of affordable housing units to less than 25% of the new build, coupled with increasing the threshold to apply for housing assistance, can help them to live and work here, to mix with our low-income population, which in turn will generate more jobs and opportunities for our low-income population, ultimately contribute to the eradication of poverty in our city.

The AHO2, however well intended, was created with less operation experience, little impact analysis, and essentially no implementation planning. The new council should work together to turn it into a net positive for our city.

Hao Wang

2023 Cambridge City Council Candidate

https://haoforcambridge.com

October 10, 2023

Rally at City Hall – Oct 9, 2023

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Cambridge government,Central Square,City Council — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:24 am

Rally at City Hall – Oct 9, 2023

From The Dispatch, Oct 10: In a statement Monday, President Joe Biden announced that 11 American citizens had been among those killed in the attacks on Israel over the weekend, with more likely held hostage by Hamas. “In this moment of heartbreak, the American people stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israelis,” the president said, likening the attack to those America suffered on September 11, 2001. “We remember the pain of being attacked by terrorists at home, and Americans across the country stand united against these evil acts that have once more claimed innocent American lives. It is an outrage. And we will continue to show the world that the American people are unwavering in our resolve to oppose terrorism in all forms.”

Meanwhile, in Cambridge, MA, hundreds rallied in front of Cambridge City Hall shouting Intifada! Intifada! in what can best be described as a celebration of the recent atrocities committed by Hamas. There were some familiar faces in the crowd, including people politically active in Cambridge. Now I know that this was not a representative sample of the people of Cambridge, and I certainly don’t believe that antisemitism and the celebration of murder, rape, and kidnapping is tolerated by any more than a small minority of deranged residents. I also got the sense that many of the celebrants were not actually Cambridge residents and included plenty of area college students. That said, they chose Cambridge City Hall as the site for their rally. “No Place for Hate” – except when it is. When fires grow, consider who is providing the oxygen.

I stood with the Israel supporters across the street, and I stand with Israel now. I hope this war is resolved quickly with minimal loss of life. I now look forward to some classic “bothsidesism” from our Cambridge elected officials and candidates. – Robert Winters

Oct 9, 2023 City Hall Rally  Oct 9, 2023 City Hall Rally

Oct 9, 2023 City Hall Rally  Oct 9, 2023 City Hall Rally

Oct 9, 2023 City Hall Rally  Oct 9, 2023 City Hall Rally

When People Tell You Who They Are, Believe Them (Bari Weiss, The Free Press, Oct 10, 2023)
This is what ‘decolonization’ really looks like. Look carefully at who is cheering it on.

This Is What ‘Decolonization’ Looks Like (Peter Savodnik, The Free Press, Oct 9, 2023)
Fancy-sounding academic jargon is not a curious intellectual exercise. Words make worlds. Words make nightmares.

“And as you might have seen, there was some sort of rave or desert party where they were having a great time until the resistance came in electrified hang gliders and took at least several dozen hipsters,” a speaker at a Democratic Socialists of America rally in New York proclaimed to whoops and laughter. (DSA members include representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar.)

You can learn more about Eugene Puryear, the person who said these words on Wikipedia. Puryear writes regularly for Liberation News, the newspaper of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. In 2008, Puryear ran on the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s ticket alongside presidential nominee Gloria La Riva. The La Riva/Puryear slate was on the ballot in six states and received 6,818 total votes. In July 2015, Puryear was announced as the running mate of Gloria La Riva, the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s 2016 presidential nominee. However, he was not eligible to hold the office, as he would not have been at least 35 years old by Inauguration Day. He was critical of the Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

Many of you may recall that the “Party for Socialism and Liberation” was the primary organizer of the series of anti-police rallies and Cambridge City Council meeting disruptions earlier this year. Those rallies and the demands associated with those rallies were enthusiastically supported by some sitting City Councillors as well as some of the current crop of City Council candidates.

October 2, 2023

A Taxing Situation – October 2, 2023 City Council Meeting and Tax Rate Hearing

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Central Square,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 7:28 am

A Taxing Situation – October 2, 2023 City Council Meeting and Tax Rate Hearing

Real Estate TaxesAs expected, the property tax bills for owners of one-, two-, and three-family homes is leaping upward this year, and next year and future years are likely to see even more dramatic increases. Shockingly, the rapid expansion of new programs (and more) actually costs money, and there are limits to just how much revenue you can raise by growing more commercial property to cover those costs.

Including the likely ordination at this meeting of the zoning amendment that will allow stratospheric heights along some streets and squares with no meaningful mechanism for public input, here’s a sampler of what’s on deck this week:

TAX RATE HEARING
The Cambridge City Council will conduct a public hearing related to setting the property tax rate classification. Under the laws of the Commonwealth, the City has the option of taxing residential and commercial/industrial property at different tax rates. At this public meeting, the City Council will review tax rates/classifications proposed by the City Manager and the Board of Assessors. The votes taken will result in property tax rates that reflect the City’s property tax levy for Fiscal Year. [City Manager’s Tax Rate Letter]

The bottom line is that: the FY23 Adopted Operating Budget increased by 10.0% ($82.3 million) over the FY23 Adopted Budget, though $24.6 million of that increase represents a shift of funding for the Affordable Housing Trust from the Capital Budget to the Operating Budget. A better accounting therefore is that the FY24 Operating Budget represents an increase of $57.8 million or 7.2% over the FY23 Adopted Budget. The FY24 Budget adopted by the City Council in June 2023 projected a property tax levy increase of $48.8 million, or 9.2%, to $580.3 million in order to fund operating and capital expenditures. With approval of the recommendations in this memo, the actual FY24 tax levy required to support the FY24 Budget is $575,418,489 which is an increase of $43.9 million or 8.3% from FY23. This increase is lower than the estimated increase of 9.2% projected in June 2023 as part of the Adopted Budget, due in large part from higher than projected investment earnings, hotel motel taxes, and building permit revenue.

The property tax levy increase of 8.3% is above the FY23 increase of 7.45%. The property tax levy increase is also above the five-year (FY20-FY24) annual average increase of 7.03%, and the ten-year (FY15-FY24) annual average increase of 5.77%. The FY24 residential tax rate will be $5.92 per thousand dollars of value, subject to Department of Revenue approval. This is an increase of $0.06, or approximately 1% from FY23. The commercial tax rate will be $10.46, which is an increase of $0.08, or 0.7% from FY23. By property class, on average a single-family home will see a 8.41% tax increase, a condo will see a 6.5% decrease, a two-family will see a 4.7% increase, and a three-family will see a 5.4% increase.

FY2024 Taxes

Residential Property Type FY24 Median Tax (incl. CPA Surcharge) Median $ increase
Condominium $1,555 – $ 7
Single-Family $7,674 $ 743
Two-Family $6,713 $ 494
Three-Family $8,246 $ 598

History of changes in residential property taxes

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
FY2024 – $ 7 $ 743 $ 494 $ 598
5 year average – $ 7 $ 480 $ 312 $ 380
10 year average $ 7 $ 306 $ 256 $ 324
15 year average $ 20 $ 268 $ 207 $ 262
number of properties (FY2023) 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 such things as “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or only a modest increase.” For owners of single-, two-, and three-family homes, the story is quite different – especially during the last 5 years. Indeed, this year continues the sweet deal for condo owners. This year’s median change for condo owners is a reduction of $7, while it’s increases of $743 for a single-family, $494 for a two-family, and $598 for a three-family. Next year promises to see even greater increases.

Required Votes:
• Transfer of Excess Overlay Balances. [Authorize $2,000,000 in overlay surplus/reserves to be used for reducing the FY24 tax rate.]
Order Adopted 9-0
• Classify property into the five classes allowed, and adopt a minimum residential factor of 65%.
Order Adopted 9-0
• Approve the residential exemption factor of 30% for owner occupied homes.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to revisions to the Affordable Housing Overlay Petition. [CDD Memo]
Placed on File 9-0Corridors of Destruction

Unfinished Business #3. An Ordinance has been received from City Council, relative to Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) amendments. (Proposed Ordinance #2023-7) [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 11, 2023; Amended Sept 18, 2023] [text of First Publication] [AHO-Sept12Edit]
Amended 8-1 (BA,AM,MM,PN,DS,PT,QZ,SS-Yes; DC-No) – further details to follow

Communications & Reports #4. A communication from Councillors Nolan, Carlone, and Toner transmitting alternative language to the Affordable Housing Overlay amendments. [text of communication]
Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #5. A communication from Councillors Nolan, Carlone, and Toner transmitting alternative language to the Affordable Housing Overlay amendments. [text of communication]
Placed on File 9-0

I have stated from the outset that the entire concept of the original Affordable Housing Overlay as well as this next premature amendment was a flawed concept in a number of ways. First, it is based on unrealistic and unsustainable targets for deed-restricted housing units. The cost is not simply the cost of construction. The amount of real estate taxes coming from every such unit is the bare legal minimum (think ~$100 rather than $1000 or $8000 – see above) while the cost of services for each resident is far greater. In other words, each additional deed-restricted unit represents a permanent sizable cost that must be covered either by shifting that burden onto other residential taxpayers or by permitting new commercial construction or both. As one local expert has stated, “Affordable housing makes housing less affordable.” This, of course, does not mean that “affordable housing” should not be built but rather that the actual costs must be understood – and we never hear any of that discussion among city councillors (or candidates).

The second fundamental principle of the AHO has been and continues to be the prohibition of any meaningful public input from residents, including direct abutters.

The important question that should be asked is what the appropriate percentage of deed-restricted units should be. During the Envision Cambridge process, there was a basic acknowledgment of that percentage being in the neighborhood of ~15% of all housing units and that perhaps that should rise somewhat. However, in a poorly attended meeting late in the game, a target percentage of 25% of all new housing units appeared out of nowhere, and it is from that unrealistic figure that claims of our “not meeting our goals” is derived. This is economically infeasible and unsustainable from the perspective of residential property taxation (see above).

The AHO is based on the principle of restricting housing growth in order to force the sale and development of residential housing only toward the so-called nonprofit developers. Specifically, if you own property along some of the proposed “AHO corridors” (see map above) you may need to seek variances for even modest alterations to your property, but a nonprofit developer can snap up the property next door and build a structure more than three times as tall (up to 12 stories on “AHO corridors” and 15 stories in “AHO squares”) with little or no setbacks and not be subject to any of the other restrictions that have been imposed over time on other property owners. This is bad from a planning perspective. It is an assault on urban design. It is economically unsustainable. Nonetheless, this latest AHO amendment will likely have 5 or 6 votes to be ordained based purely on populist politics and a shallow understanding of urban planning and municipal finance.

Unfinished Business #2. Amendment to Chapter 2.78 of the Cambridge Code of Ordinance, entitled ”Historical Buildings and Landmarks.” (Ordinance #2022-11). [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended, Aug 7, 2023; further Amended Sept 18, 2023; Eligible to be Ordained – no expiration] [text of proposed amendment]
Ordained 6-3 (BA,AM,MM,DS,QZ,SS-Yes; DC,PN,PT-No)

Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Allene R. Pierson, regarding Cambridge Lodging House Zoning Change to strengthen Cambridge residential housing efforts, mitigate the disruptive impacts of short-term platform-based market rate rentals. [Signed petition] [Lodging House Petition]
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with CDD and the Law Department to review the proposed amendment to BEUDO regarding new buildings, and to propose adjustments, especially with regards to the building permit vs certificate of occupancy question.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct CDD to meet with the Universities, large labs, large property developers and anyone with technical expertise regarding the proposed BEUDO amendment to get their input.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Sept 20, 2023, to discuss potential amendments to the Building Energy Use Ordinance. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant departments to change the hours of off leash usage at Joan Lorentz Park to 6:00 to 10:00am to allow usage prior to typical work hours.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #7. Appointment of Lauren Reznick to the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority for a five-year term.   Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #8. Housing contributions from the City’s major institutions.   Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #9. That the City Council schedule a roundtable on Mon, Oct 23, 2023, from 3:00pm-5pm to receive an update from the City Manager, relevant departments, and community partners on Central Square.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to work with the License Commission and other relevant departments to prepare recommendations on regulations that would ban or limit the sale of nips in Cambridge.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone
Charter Right – Toner

Order #13. That the City Manager is requested to reaffirm the City’s commitment to renovating the schoolhouse at 105 Windsor Street as a top priority following the completion of the Central Square lots study.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan
Charter Right – SimmonsPeoples Republic of Cambridge

Committee Report #1. The Civic Unity Committee held a public hearing on Aug 21, 2023 to discuss a proposed ”Cambridge Truth and Reconciliation Taskforce” from local reparations activists. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 12, 2023, to hold a public hearing on potential amendments to the Municipal Code for the City of Cambridge to Protect Family Inclusion and Relationship Diversity, POR 2023 #97. The Committee voted favorably to send the proposed Ordinance language as amended to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation to Pass to a 2nd Reading. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File; Ordinance Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

Committee Report #3. A public meeting of the Cambridge City Council’s Health and Environment Committee was held on Tues, Sept 13, 2023. The call of the meeting was to discuss PO23#73. The Committee voted favorably that the City Manager direct relevant departments to work with the Health and Environment and Ordinance Chairs and report back to the City Council no later than the end of October 2023. The Committee also directed the City Manager to work with relevant departments on funding sources to incentivize the transition to electrification of lawn equipment. Note: PO23#163 and PO23#164 were adopted in City Council on Sept 11, 2023. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

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