Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

June 21, 2020

A Not-So-Quick Look at the June 22, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,Central Square,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 9:19 pm

A Not-So-Quick Look at the June 22, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

These are the items that drew my interest:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update.

Though this item seems to have become a semi-permanent fixture on the City Manager’s Agenda, I continue to appreciate all the information that it brings forward. It helps to arrest my fears. (I can still use the word "arrest," right?)

Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,641,000 from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures Account for the first year of a two-year lease of operating and office space for the Department of Public Works on Mooney Street.

Here’s a little historical tidbit for you: The impetus for starting recycling in Cambridge was the plan from the Commonwealth to locate approximately 13 materials recovery facilities (MRFs) throughout Massachusetts with one of them at "the Mabardy site" on Mooney Street which back in 1989 was a waste transfer facility. The idea was to get an all-volunteer "interim recycling drop-off" system up and running. The first planning meeting was in April 1989 and we had two sites up and running in June 1989. Only one state-operated MRF was ever built (in Springfield). The plans were eventually dropped to 5 MRFS, but as curbside recycling programs were established the waste industry responded by establishing their own MRFs. For the time being at least, Cambridge appears to be keeping its Recycling Drop-off Center (which supplements the curbside collection) at the DPW Yard on Norfolk St., but some of the Public Works operations will relocate to Mooney Street where 31 years earlier our regional MRF was once slated to be built.

Manager’s Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,300,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Human Services Extraordinary Expenditures Account to construct a new Universal Design Playground.

This is kind of a big deal, especially if you live anywhere within marching distance of Danehy Park. We clearly intend to continue with capital projects like this even with the uncertainties visited on us by that godawful virus.

Universal Design Playground

Manager’s Agenda #8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a recommendation of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for an allocation of $1,000,000 from the CPA Fund Balance to the Community Preservation Act Fund COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program.

While this is a perfectly great expenditure, it does show how the Community Preservation Act (CPA) has morphed into yet another add-on to the general fund with fewer restrictions than what was approved by voters nearly two decades ago.

Manager’s Agenda #10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of Federal CARES Act funds in the amount of $1,529,834 to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Department Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used to assist residents and small business owners who are impacted by the virus.

Manager’s Agenda #12. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $120,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Executive (Cambridge Office of Tourism) Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will directly support a city-wide campaign, “Hello Again” in collaboration with the City and the business community – to welcome businesses, customers, and the surrounding neighborhoods back by promoting health safety and positivity following the COVID-19 shut down.

Charter Right #1. Policy Order (June 10) Re Addressing Systemic Racism in Cambridge. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS]Kindness

Pardon me while I shift paradigms. The Babson Boulders of Dogtown are my source of inspiration.

Communications #2. A communication was received from Kevin P. Crane, 27 Norris Street, regarding Shared Streets.

Short, sweet, and to the point. I will, however, observe the fundamentally militaristic inclinations of today’s Cambridge activists. It’s all about establishing a beachhead and defending it even as the circumstances change. I personally like the idea of "shared streets" and I feel that a two-way, low-speed, shared-street approach would have been the better way to accommodate cyclists on Brattle Street from Brattle Square to Mason Street. Unfortunately, that beachhead has already been established and its defenders will never give an inch. At this point, my presumption is that Harvard, Garden, and Magazine Streets will forevermore be shared streets even after the virus subsides, and my only concern is that our two-wheeled soldiers will eventually want to stop sharing.

Order #1. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with the appropriate city departments to place all collective bargaining agreements between the City and unions on the city website, in an easily accessible location, to increase transparency for the public.   Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to provide a report by the end of summer for discussion at a September Council meeting on the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with Civil Service, and the process by which Cambridge could exit Civil Service.   Councillor Nolan

I’m curious what the motivation of Councillor Nolan is in forwarding this Order right now.

No longer under civil service: Acton, Adams, Burlington, Easthampton, Franklin, Grafton, Lee, Lexington, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marlborough, Maynard, Milford, Millis, North Adams, North Attleboro, North Reading, Norwood, Orange, Provincetown, Reading, Sharon, Sudbury, Uxbridge, Walpole, Wayland, Wellesley, Westwood, Williamstown.

From a Town of Wellesley document (2018): "The primary purpose of civil service when the Massachusetts legislature enacted the civil service, ‘Merit System’, in 1884 was to protect hiring and discipline from patronage and political interference. … Today we have comprehensive policies and collective bargaining that afford these protections.” … “The civil service system in Massachusetts is no longer up to the important task of helping government recruit and hire the most talented Personnel.”

It’s interesting that one of the arguments in support of leaving Civil Service is the existence of collective bargaining agreements and a police union. Meanwhile, others are arguing for the prohibition of unions for police and other public safety employees.

I’m of the school that says that all options should be on the table – including the staffing of construction and other details by civilians rather than exclusively by uniformed officers. I’m also of the school that says that free speech should be nearly absolute (except for the usual "yelling fire in a crowded theater" type of prohibitions). I’m not so sure how many people would agree with me these days on either of these counts.

So where is all this headed? I listened to a primarily millennial-and-younger throng ("hundreds" – NBC-Boston, "over a thousand" – Boston Globe, or "some 2000" on a local politics/news/advocacy blog) on Saturday chant “No Justice, No Peace. Abolish the Police” as they strolled through Central Square. I also noted how they had the crowd do a prolonged "repeat after me" session in front of City Hall reminiscent of the "Occupy" days of yore (hard to call this "free" speech when you being asked to repeat somebody else’s speech). In any case, they were not debating whether police unions were OK or whether the Civil Service system is advantageous. I took note of the fact that the Cambridge Police Department provided public safety protection for the throng, especially extensive traffic control, in order to protect the speech of those who would choose to abolish them.

Order #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to work with the Central Square Business Association in developing a pilot program that will allow Central Square to close to vehicular traffic on Sundays and allow restaurants to fully embrace the concept of outdoor dining for the summer months of 2020, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.   Councillor Simmons

Great idea – really. Bring your masks. Don’t forget to remove while eating.

Order #3. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to identify an air-conditioned space for a Cambridge Day Services Center for unhoused people.   Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons

Even without the air conditioning, there really is a need for some of the "street residents" to have some safe place to go that has some constructive things to do during daytime hours, especially with the libraries still closed. That said, there are a lot of people who will still prefer to be outdoors.

Order #4. Anti-Racist Free Little Libraries.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon

Education is good. I guess what concerns me here is the notion that our local government wants to dictate which books are to be permitted in a "little free library." It’s one thing for a property owner to exercise discretion in curating what’s on the shelves of the little library on their own property, but think for a minute where this road leads when the local legislature does the curation. Will I be fined for placing a few of my old Calculus books on the shelf? Will DPW be contacted via SeeClickFix to yank out any books that fail the litmus test? Will Zondervan/Nolan have an Order next week for "Little Free Climate Change Libraries"? By the way, I’m really overdue in building a Not-So-Little Free Math Library in front of my house to pass along some of my stash.

Order #7. That the Cambridge City Council go on record in support of including a two-track Grand Junction railway crossing in MassDOT’s Allston Multimodal Improvement Project plans, and urges the FMCB to vote in favor of this inclusion.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor NolanPolice Call Box

This volleyball seems to be going back and forth right now among some people on the Cambridgeport listserv (in addition to the proposal that all people posting on the listserv racially identify themselves prior to expressing themselves – I kid you not). I believe that the current position of the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association is that they support a two-track RR bridge for the Grand Junction corridor in the belief that a light rail option (i.e. trolleys) will one day operate along that corridor in addition to the always popular bicycle and pedestrian amenities (which would require additional accommodation on the bridge). It was not so long ago that Lt. Gov. Tim "100mph Rollover Crash" Murray was strongly advocating heavy rail along the Grand Junction corridor. I personally like the idea of a ped/bike/trolley corridor, but I think heavy rail would be a horrorshow of grade crossings, traffic congestion, or – at best – extremely expensive elimination of the grade crossings.

This City Council Order states: "One opportunity is to expand the Grand Junction Railway bridge from a one-track to a two-track crossing, which would realize the potential to connect the commercial hub of Kendall Square to Boston and MetroWest municipalities such as Framingham and Worcester via high-speed regional rail." Be careful what you wish for.

Order #9. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to obtain an itemized statement of all materials, tools, and property owned by the Cambridge Police Department.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler

I suppose these intrepid councillors are trying to get at the question of whether or not Cambridge Police have any equipment that might be characterized as "military" in nature, e.g. an armored vehicle. We should ask Brinks the same question as they patrol our streets picking up and dropping off sacks of money from various banking institutions. Personally, I just want to know if the CPD still has a supply of "billy clubs" and "nightsticks" and, of course, keys to open those vanishingly few police callboxes.

By the way, since both of these councillors were at the Saturday rally, did they join in the chants and in the "repeat after me" robotic chants? Inquiring minds want to know. You know… in the spirit of transparency.

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee’s Special Meeting and Regular Meeting.

I continue to appreciate these reports but I remain very concerned that public education is not being equitably distributed in this virtual environment and that it will remain very difficult to correct this regardless what steps are taken.

June 15, 2020

Budget Politics – Retail vs. Wholesale: What’s on Sale on the June 15, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council,Comcast — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 4:29 pm

Budget Politics – Retail vs. Wholesale: What’s on Sale on the June 15, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda?

Here a few agenda items of note:City Hall

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to report back to the Council on how some, or all, of the $4.1 million dollar increase in the Police Department budget between FY20 and FY21 may be redirected towards measures that promote public health and safety in other departments. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER IN COUNCIL JUNE 10, 2020]

Communications #2. A communication was received from Jae Storozum, 16 Whittier Street, regarding a response to Police Commissioner Bard’s statement.

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Councillor Zondervan, transmitting Amendments to Policy Order 2020 #133 (a.k.a. Order #7 from June 8 / Charter Right #1 on current agenda).

The June 8-10 City Council meeting provided an interesting study in Retail vs. Wholesale Politics. Most local candidates are familiar with retail politics – the kind of person-to person politics that involves lots of questions, conversations, coffee, shoe leather, and door-knocking. In contrast, there’s wholesale politics which many of us still associate with TV commercials, billboards, and mass mailings. The fact is that wholesale politics is now more likely to take the form of social media campaigns, ginormous email lists culled from various sources within your tribe, and devices like the "political action network" or something similar that can engineer a mass email campaign or drive people to a website or (in the pandemic world we now find ourselves) to a public meeting hosted in Zoom. There is a fundamental asymmetry between how activists at either end of the political spectrum democratically participate versus how moderates participate. Suffice to say that it’s unlikely that you’ll ever see a flood of moderates inundating a public meeting or laying down in the middle of a highway – even if theirs is the more common point of view. They do, however, vote.

Whether you believe Cambridge Police are wonderful, are already making needed reforms, are in need of restructuring, or whether they should be outright abolished (a non-starter), it’s interesting to see how different people attempt to make their case. I won’t pretend to know where most people really stand on some of these policing issues – locally or elsewhere, but I do think it’s pretty clear that public opinion has been growing more firm in the belief that police departments everywhere need to be more accountable when it comes to the use of deadly force. The salient question in Cambridge is whether the Cambridge Police Department has been moving in a good direction and whether that should be supported. I believe that Police Commissioner Branville Bard and his department have been clearly moving in a good direction for some time now and that they should be supported. I would love to see a more broad discussion over this coming year on what other steps might be taken, including looking at overtime pay and the costs associated with police details, and not just on which functions might be outsourced. Commissioner Bard’s focus on "procedural justice" should absolutely be supported. I really would rather not see our elected officials carry out a "vote of no confidence" via a symbolic and purely political act of "defunding." If you want to cut budgets, look at the whole FY2021 Budget and don’t just single out the Police Department budget in the spirit of "Give us Barabbas" in order to placate the crowd.

Then there’s the matter of councillors continuing to engage in one-upmanship, but there’s not a hell of a lot we can do about that.

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.

Here’s one question that I hope someone will address: Now that the number of new cases of coronavirus per day has dropped considerably, is there any indication of how these new infections are most likely occurring? There recently was a chart circulating indicating relative risk of various activities. That was helpful in demystifying the threat. We could really use more information like that.

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a response to the City Council forwarding the ITD budget with an unfavorable recommendation.

Manager’s Agenda #10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $50,000 from Free Cash to the Grant Fund Executive Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to support the City’s digital equity efforts to support qualifying families during the COVID19 pandemic who do not have Internet access at home.

This is progress. I’m not convinced either way what the best course of action will be regarding municipal broadband vs. making the best of available resources, but maybe this analysis (and the counter-analysis) will convince me one way or the other.

Committee Report #1. A communication was received from Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons and Councillor Dennis J. Carlone, Co-Chairs of the Finance Committee, for a public hearing held on May 26, 2020, June 2, 2020 and on June 3, 2020 to discuss the General Fund Budget.

Committee Report #2. A communication was received from Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons and Dennis Carlone, Co-Chairs of the Finance Committee, for a public hearing held on June 2, 2020 to discuss the Water Fund.

Committee Report #3. A communication was received from Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor E. Denise Simmons and Councillor Dennis Carlone, Co-Chairs of the Finance Committee, for a public hearing held on June 2, 2020 to discuss the Public Investment Fund.

Unfinished Business #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $6,500,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of various water pollution abatement projects, including but not limited to Sewer Capital Repairs Program and climate change preparedness efforts.

Unfinished Business #6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,800,000 to provide funds for various Schools for repairs to electrical service, roof replacement, chiller replacement, floor replacement and replacement of bi-directional amplifier and antenna in various school buildings.

Unfinished Business #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $5,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks.

Unfinished Business #8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $16,000,000 to provide funds for the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan which will support improvements at the Department of Public works Complex including the Ryan Garage, Lafayette Square Firehouse structural repair, and other municipal buildings.

Unfinished Business #9. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $9,000,000 to provide funds for the construction of improvements of the Lexington Avenue and River Street Firehouses.

Unfinished Business #10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $237,000,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper School.

I suppose the only real questions re: the FY2021 Budget vote are (1) whether there will be a symbolic "defund the police" rescission; (2) whether the Council will "send a message" on the municipal broadband question; and (3) whether there will be any further gazing into the crystal ball about the continued impact of Covid-19 on residents, property values, rents, sustainability of businesses, tax revenue, and funding priorities. – Robert Winters

June 8, 2020

You Say You Want A Revolution, Well You Know… – June 8, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 3:47 pm

You Say You Want A Revolution, Well You Know… – June 8, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Here are the handful of items from the City Manager plus some Orders that leapt out like a clenched fist from the make-believe proletariat:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to efforts to respond to the restaurant community’s need to expand outdoor dining services in response to Governor Baker’s announcement that restaurants will be permitted to provide outdoor dining services at the commencement of Phase II of the Commonwealth’s Reopening Plan…City Hall

I’m very curious to see how this slow and cautious "reopening" works out. I don’t think things will really be anywhere close to the way they were pre-corona for a long time. I still find it surreal to see everyone (or nearly everyone) wearing masks (including me). How this will work out with restaurants is largely unknown. It would be a lot simpler if they all had parking lots that could be reallocated for outdoor seating, but much of Cambridge is nothing like some suburban shopping center with those options available and plentiful. All we have are the sidewalks, maybe some portions of streets – and those really only work for restaurants adjacent to or very close to those spaces.

Then again, I suppose if you just advertise your business as a protest march many of the restrictions and health & safety guidance will be waived.

Order #1. That the Cambridge City Council schedule a hearing to discuss the possible use of body cameras by the Cambridge Police Department.   Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons

Order #7. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to report back to the Council on how some, or all, of the $4.1 million dollar increase in the Police Department budget between FY20 and FY21 may be redirected towards measures that promote public health and safety in other departments.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan

Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Councillor Zondervan, regarding Funding our Community, Transforming our Policing.

Order #8. That the Cambridge City Council declare racism as a public health crisis.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon

So much of this is based on an interesting metaphysical principle apparently accepted by a number of city councillors, namely that action at a distance works with political reform in much the same way as gravitational attraction. If you are horrified by abusive and even deadly behavior by law enforcement in a place like Minneapolis (as well you should be), then cutting funds to your local police department will address that horror. I have seen published a list of great ideas that should be the standard for law enforcement – and basically all of them are already established policy for Cambridge Police. So much for recognizing and rewarding positive initiatives.

For what it’s worth, I have no particular love for mass movements – including pro-Trump rallies, Our Revolution gatherings, "Defund the Police" actions, or even celebrations after your favorite team just won the World Championship. That said, I’m glad to see that at least the violence seems to be lessening – "flattening the curve" seems to be understood across lots of categories. I saw some bits and pieces from the Sunday rally on the Cambridge Common and was encouraged by some of the sense expressed by participants and organizers. Parenthetically, I got an enormous kick out of hearing one of the main organizers note that in Cambridge the disproportionate emphasis on "trees, bikes, and noise pollution" comes from a place of privilege (and this received a huge cheer). Now I don’t buy into all this confession-based privilege BS, but I think the implicit point was that these niceties may actually come at the expense of other things such as economic empowerment and creating pathways for people to move from poverty and government assistance toward economic security and having a personal stake in their city of birth (or choice). That’s a lot different than acting out of noblesse oblige.

I’ll simply note that we have appointed committees such as the "Climate Action Task Force", a "Climate Protection Action Committee", the "Leaf Blower Use Review Group", the "Advisory Committee on Climate Resiliency Zoning", various arts-related boards and commissions, numerous neighborhood conservation district commissions, a Bicycle Committee, a Pedestrian Committee, a Transit Advisory Board, a "Future of Mobility Implementation Blueprint Technical Advisory Group", various other advisory committees (including some on which I have served and continue to serve), a Women’s Commission, an "LGBTQ+ Commission", a "Harvard Square Kiosk Working Group", a "Public Planting Committee", a "Vision Zero Advisory Committee", and then some. These are all wonderful, but where is the "Jobs for Cambridge Youth Commission?" How about simply a "Recreational Opportunities for Young People Advisory Committee?" I do realize that there are nonprofits who actually do promote such things, but I wonder how this whole array of citizen initiatives on various environmental, transportation, and quality of life matters resonates with a kid growing up in Cambridge who is just looking for some hope and opportunity or simply something to do. I often think that what we really ought to be doing is letting local entrepreneurs run wild with their ideas and reward them handsomely for matching jobs to local people who want those jobs. I also think that making ground-level retail space at cost should be mandatory in any new mixed use building. Where are the apprenticeships for electricians and plumbers and carpenters? It’s not like Cambridge people aren’t doing work on their gazillion dollar houses and condos.

Getting back to the City Council orders, I really see them primarily as political theatrics, and my perception of our elected councillors as bleating sheep grows by the week.

Order #3. 100% Affordable Housing Overlay Zoning Petition 2020.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey

I frequently find myself applying Occam’s Razor when trying to understand things in mathematics, in physics, and also in public policy. This latest submission of the so-called "Affordable Housing Overlay" probably establishes a new municipal record for overly prescriptive and convoluted policy. The driving principle continues to be the transfer of as much private property to public and quasi-public ownership with the Housing Division within the Community Development Department as landlord/gatekeeper. This comes at a time when we are likely to see significant shifts in housing demand and property valuation due to the pandemic. Rather than see how the rental and real estate markets might shift in response, this Council understands only command and control. I’ll have a lot more to say about this misguided policy and its backers as it snakes its way through the weeds.

OK, that’s enough for this week. – Robert Winters

PS – The June 8 meeting was all Public Comment and was recessed. The meeting will reconvene on Wed, June 10 at 5:30pm w/o any additional public comment. The agenda has been augmented with several additional items.

June 1, 2020

A Look at the June 1, 2020 City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council — Tags: , , , , — Robert Winters @ 5:48 pm

A Look at the June 1, 2020 City Council Agenda

As The World Burns, the City Council is now meeting to premier their new Zoom shows and characters – Councillor Nolan will host "Science Says" while Councillor Zondervan continues to perfect his "Mumbles" character while the City Clerk repeatedly asks, "What was that you said, Councillor?" There will also be a prolonged discussion on the difference between a million dollars and a billion dollars.City Hall

As for the agenda items to be acted out by these memorable characters and others, there are these special scenes:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $677,300 from Free Cash, to the General Fund Finance Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($125,000); to the General Fund Fire Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($125,000); to the General Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($208,300); General Fund Executive Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($200,000) and to the General Fund Emergency Communications Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($19,000) which will cover projected costs of materials and supplies related to the COVID-19 crisis for City departments through the end of the fiscal year. Funds will be used to purchase masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, cleaning materials and spray sanitizer, as well as communication costs.

Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $60,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account for continued support of Homeless Shelter / Local Restaurant Community meals program through the end of the fiscal year.

Manager’s Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $2,175,000, from Free Cash, to the General Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($944,000); to the General Fund Human Services Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($770,000); to the General Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($245,000); and to the General Fund Finance Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($216,000); to cover costs associated with the War Memorial Temporary Emergency Shelter at 1640 Cambridge Street.

Manager’s Agenda #8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of appropriation of $150,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Finance Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account, for COVID-19 testing kits.

Most of these agenda items involving expenditures were signaled at last week’s first Budget hearing. Good thing we kept that Free Cash piggy-bank intact rather than raid it to exhaustion for pet projects. It was never just about keeping a AAA bond rating. The Budget Hearings continue this week.

Communication #9. A communication was received from Saul Tannenbaum, 16 Cottage Street, regarding correcting the record on Municipal Broadband costs.

This communication provides a preliminary version of a feasibility study of municipal broadband that has already been done (true), and the City Manager indicated at the Budget Hearing that the City’s consultant has plenty more information to provide at a future committee hearing (if they ever get around to holding such a meeting). The manager’s off-the-cuff remark was that he didn’t want to commit to "a million dollar study for a billion dollar program." I definitely want to hear more because the last thing I’ll do is accept the supposed expertise of these councillors. If the City Administration believes that an acceptable level of Internet access is available via other means, I would like to hear about that. Above all, if a credible argument can be made that a City investment in municipal broadband will put the City at great financial risk, I would like to hear about it and better understand why this might be the case. Elected officials like to score points on how much they can spend, but city managers earn their keep by finding ways to spend what is necessary to efficiently deliver services – or at least that’s how it’s supposed to work.

Order #3. Governor Baker’s Emergency Order on March 25, 2020 included a ban on reusable bags and lifted all municipal bans and fees on plastic bags.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan

I hope that reusable bags will again be permitted but that fees on plastic bags will not be imposed until the coast really is clear.

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee’s Regular Meeting and Subcommittee meetings.

I appreciate these reports but I remain very concerned that public education is not being equitably distributed in this virtual environment and that it will remain very difficult to correct this regardless what steps are taken.

PS – I haven’t felt this nervous about the state of my country since 1968. I have yet to see anyone emerge as the kind of leader who can rally people toward peace and justice rather than vengeance and defense. Maybe if Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama all did a joint message that might be a start, but there are many people acting out right now on both extremes of the political spectrum who would likely be unmoved. Anarchy and Twitter stardom apparently remain more attractive to some characters than civilization. – Robert Winters

May 18, 2020

Big Loans and Bigger Speeches – May 18, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda Notes

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council — Tags: , , , , — Robert Winters @ 4:51 pm

Big Loans and Bigger Speeches – May 18, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda Notes

The boys and girls will again have a virtual shindig this week in and out of the Sullivan Chamber. I’m still counting on an innovative Kendall Square startup to develop special glasses that can filter out the glare of virtue signaling, but until then there’s this:Budget Season!

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000 from the Massachusetts. Department of Environmental Protection to the Grant Fund Public Works Department Extraordinary Expenditures Account which will be supplemented with $379,000 in City funds to purchase three plug-in hybrid rubbish packers that will replace three diesel powered rubbish packers.

“And we was fined $50 and had to pick up the garbage…..” – Stockbridge, MA

Manager’s Agenda #3. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $6,500,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of various water pollution abatement projects, including but not limited to Sewer Capital Repairs Program and climate change preparedness efforts.

Manager’s Agenda #4. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $5,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks.

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $16,000,000 to provide funds for the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan which will support improvements at the Department of Public works Complex including the Ryan Garage, Lafayette Square Firehouse structural repair, and other municipal buildings.

Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $9,000,000 to provide funds for the construction of improvements of the Lexington Avenue and River Street Firehouses.

Manager’s Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $237,000,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper School.

Manager’s Agenda #8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,800,000 to provide funds for various Schools for repairs to electrical service, roof replacement, chiller replacement, floor replacement and replacement of bi-directional amplifier and antenna in various school buildings.

These are the annual Loan Authorization orders that accompany the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Note the big fish in there – $237 million to borrow for the design and construction of the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper School. Last year’s loan authorizations totaled $74.3 million and $88.15 million the year before that. I suppose we’ll be seeing a tidy little jump in debt service next year even with our AAA bond rating. I hope one of the city councillors at least asks what the projections for residential real estate taxes might be for the next cycle. It’s not like other budgets are being slashed. Once again, here’s a chart showing the one-year and two-year changes to department budgets as well as the 16-year changes.

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.

Expect more grandstanding from the usual suspects as soon as the City staff have completed their reports. There’s nothing like a good crisis to practice your political speech-making. Frankly, I just want to hear what the Cambridge response might be to Governor Baker’s cautious "phase one re-opening plan." I expect some councillors will continue to harp on street closures as the One Big Answer to All Things.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Police Department to provide information to the City Council about social media protocols and what disciplinary action has been taken as result of the Department’s social media use incident.

I really wish some councillors understood the City Charter and actually listened last week to what the City Solicitor (correctly) had to say. The last thing we need are politically driven councillors micromanaging City employees. By the way, if a City Council aide calls for the firing of a City employee, is that a violation of Chapter 43, Section 107?: “Except for the purpose of inquiry, the city council and its members shall deal with that portion of the service of the city as aforesaid solely through the city manager, and neither the city council nor any member thereof shall give orders to any subordinate of the city manager either publicly or privately. Any member of the city council who violates, or participates in the violation of, any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both, and upon final conviction thereof his office in the city council shall thereby be vacated and he shall never again be eligible for any office or position, elective or otherwise, in the service of the city.”

Order #2. Creating an Arts Recovery Advisory Committee.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern

Order #3. That the City Council go on record in strong support of Bill HD. 5054 relative to restaurant delivery commissions during the COVID-19 state of emergency.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to provide an immediate update to the Council on the digital equity research initiative and advisory board, and on efforts to ensure reliable access to the Internet citywide.   Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan

Regardless how one feels about municipal broadband, I think we do need some answers about how some version of universal Internet access can be achieved if only for the purpose of educational access in a school year conducted via Zoom and similar platforms.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Election Commission and Board of Election Commissioners to determine the feasibility of universal vote-by-mail for the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone

I’ll take this one. If you boys and girls were paying attention when there was the previous debate about "early voting" for municipal elections, it was explained to you at that time that such authority lies with the State and not with the City – hence the Home Rule Petition that is now collecting dust in the foyer of the State House and which is dutifully included in every City Council agenda packet by our City Clerk. The City cannot simply enact universal vote-by-mail via a Council vote or by a vote of the Election Commission. That authority resides with State government – and I expect that universal vote-by-mail may well be forthcoming from our glacial legislature. That said, if they were to simply permit "no excuse absentee voting" which everyone seems to understand is both feasible and politically acceptable, that would likely address most of the concerns about safety in voting. Time’s a wastin’, legislators.

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to amend the Cambridge emergency advisory on face coverings/masks to require face coverings be worn inside common areas of multi-unit buildings with the exception of 2-and 3- family buildings and in all workplaces where more than one person is present at all times.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern

Good idea. Even in my triple-decker, the tenants and I maintain social distancing in a way that might make you think we don’t get along. (We do.)

Order #7. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to develop and present to the City Council a comprehensive strategy for how we are going to reopen the city.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler

By "present to the City Council a comprehensive strategy", the authors of the Order no doubt mean "present to the City Council a plan to carry out the specific strategies that we hereby propose". This seems to be a recurring theme of these councillors.

Order #9. That Chapter 2.108 be amended by inserting a new section 2.108.140.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler

Some of you may recognize this as just a reformulation of the eminent-domain-like proposals from these same socialist councillors from a few weeks ago. When nobody salutes your flag, just sew the threads into another flag. There are better ways to handle an emergency than confiscating whatever property suits you.

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, communicating information from the School Committee’s Special Meetings held on May 7, 2020.

Are we actually still providing public education in Cambridge or are school staff just lending a few suggestions to those students who are now being effectively home-schooled by their parents – while a lot of other students are enjoying an early summer vacation?

May 12, 2020

Cambridge InsideOut Episode 463: May 12, 2020 – Still Inside more than Outside

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 8:29 pm

Episode 463 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 12, 2020 – Still Inside more than Outside

This episode was broadcast on May 12, 2020 at 6:30pm. Topics: The Empty City; closing of streets; mandatory face masks and social distancing; Coronagendas; carefully restarting construction; Catching Up with the City Council; FY2021 Budget; To Tweet or Not to Tweet – Councillors and the City Charter; access to recycling. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in this episode]

May 11, 2020

Budgets and Bandanas – Coming up on the May 11, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:47 am

Budgets and Bandanas – Coming up on the May 11, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Here’s my take on this week’s agenda:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the FY2021 submitted budget appropriation orders.Budget Season!

I like to track how the budgets of the various City departments change from year to year and in the long term. Here’s a chart showing the one-year and two-year changes as well as the 16-year changes.

The big jumps upward this year are for Public Celebrations (up 31.8% in one year and 45.7% for two years), Public Investment (up 38% in one year and 114% for two years), and the Library (up 26.3% and 38.9%). Curiously, Employee Benefits dropped 16.4% from the FY20 Budget, but the change from the Adopted Budget or actual expenditures could possibly be different.

I am trying to read between the lines about how the Covid-19 pandemic will express itself in the FY21 Budget, but perhaps those effects may primarily be felt in terms of a long string of supplemental expenditures and dipping into "free cash".

The City Council apparently continues to treat itself with its political appointees (a.k.a. aides) with an 11% one-year jump. The City Manager’s Office (Executive) also increased its budget by nearly 13% in one year and 24.4% over two years. The overall FY21 Proposed Budget is 5.5% more than last year’s Proposed Budget.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to review the order and align it with guidelines promulgated by the CDC, WHO, Dr. Fauci, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to make clear face coverings are required in public settings only when physical distancing is not possible. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED IN COUNCIL MAY 4, 2020]

Everyone has opinions. Everyone has agendas. Some people say they have God on their side. Others claim they have Science on their side or that Climate Change is their Righteous Cause and that everyone should comply with their agenda or else. Everyone has opinions, and bullshit is currency in Cambridge. The streets and sidewalks are not crowded – not even Memorial Drive, so they vote to close down streets to curry favor with their preferred constituents. Walking, coughing, maskless disease vectors congregate on benches and in doorways in Central Square, but the City Council will debate for hours whether it’s OK for someone to doff their mask in the park without penalty. I am often reminded of the secret of performing magic – distraction.

Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to order the Department of Public Works and any other relevant departments to consider implementing Simple Recycling’s curbside textile recycling program and report back to the Council on this matter in a timely manner.   Councillor Toomey

Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Works and any other relevant City departments to reopen the Recycling Center for a limited time and to place recycling bins strategically across the City for residents who are unable to access the Recycling Center to allow for residents to recycle plastic items such as bags.   Councillor Toomey

One thing I have known for 30 years is that Councillor Toomey has been one of the most stalwart supporters of recycling in Cambridge, so it’s no surprise that these Orders are coming from Councillor Toomey. Regarding the Recycling Center, many of us are clearing out and organizing our living spaces while staying at home, and it sure would be great if we could recycle some of our scrap metal and more. I have a defunct old TV taking up space that won’t be picked up with the rubbish and the City has suspended all other alternatives. We have brought tons of stuff to various Red Cross donation bins and elsewhere, but there’s a lot more where that came from. Remember the old "Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance?" Well, they won’t even let you in the store with that now and you will likely exit with a bunch more plastic bags, and it might be good if there was a place to lose them.

Order #2. That the City Manager report to the Council with an update on recommendations being discussed by the Small Business Advisory Group so the Council may be prepared for quick action on items that may properly come before the body.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler

I have no doubt that this will soon become one of the hottest topics at City Council meetings.

Order #4. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Police Department to provide information to the City Council about social media protocols and what disciplinary action has been taken as result of the Department’s social media use incident.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone

The "Shoe On The Other Foot Test" should be applied here. Imagine that someone in the Police Department inadvertently used the wrong account to tweet something like “More insane crap from that f— (expletive redacted) Orange Menace in the White House. Sad for us.” Do you think there would even be a story let alone demands for disciplinary action? By the way, the person who erred here has been one of the most solid, courteous, and well-respected members of the Police Department for a very long time, and most of the present and former city councillors know it. I will be interested to see which councillors want to throw him under the bus for not complying with Cambridge political orthodoxy.

Order #5. That the City Council go on record in solidarity with all Lesley University workers and in support of the demands of the community petition.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler

I am in general agreement with all of the intentions of this Order, but I would like to inform those who don’t understand the concept of infinity that not even our local elite universities have infinite financial resources. Even Harvard and MIT are having to make some difficult choices. – Robert Winters

May 4, 2020

Murder Hornets, Plague, Charles River Turns to Blood, and the ordinary business of the May 4, 2020 City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:40 am

Murder Hornets, Plague, Charles River Turns to Blood, and the ordinary business of the May 4, 2020 City Council meeting

There’s one mask I’m still waiting to see out there, and I don’t know if I’ll find it terrifying, reassuring, or just clever or funny.Plague Mask

I heard there has been one arrest of a man who pulled a knife on someone not disguised as either Batman or Zorro. There’s also a pointless "Next Door Cambridge" rhetorical war being waged on whether the cops should have been called on a maskless group in the Library park on Broadway. I personally just amuse myself by pretending that every day is now Halloween, though all those new souls and saints tend to dampen the frivolity.

Meanwhile at Virtual City Hall there’s another virtual meeting taking place this Monday covering virtually nothing other than Covid-19 matters (which is as it should be when the fat’s in the fire or the shite’s in the fan). Here are a few items that tweaked my beak:

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Larry Ward as an Election Commissioner for a term of 4 years, effective April 1, 2020.

Larry has been a good friend and neighbor for decades. I have to wonder what elections in Cambridge (and elsewhere) will be like during this plague. At the very least, if the State Legislature has not yet passed no-fault absentee voting, then they haven’t been paying attention. On the other hand, maybe they’ll just approve a mail-in option and call it a day. Then again, maybe if we’re lucky the coast will be sufficiently clear in November to actually go to the polls (if we dare).

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to review the recommendations listed above with the appropriate City personnel with a view toward establishing clear guidelines that will allow for the re-opening of construction projects across the City, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner. [EXERCISED CHARTER RIGHT IN COUNCIL APR 27, 2020]

We clearly have allowed some "essential businesses" to operate during this ordeal – with the understanding that safety protocols must be respected. There are plenty of other things that could potentially be restarted with that same understanding, and that includes some construction activities.

Resolution #2. Resolution on the death of Wayne Travers.   Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern

Wayne was at one time the monitor at the Recycling Center in the DPW Yard. We spent many hours there together in days of yore. Though we haven’t been in touch for quite a few years, I have very fond memories of Wayne, his motorcycle, and his sense of humor. Farewell, friend.

Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department to create a plan for how the City will support small, local businesses in recovering from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including use of existing city resources and CARES Act funding to provide additional support, such as individual coaching to support businesses as they are allowed to return to work.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons

This will likely be one of the most difficult tasks for which the City can provide only partial solutions. One option that I hope is considered is to allow many/most Cambridge businesses great freedom to adapt their businesses creatively without unnecessary bureaucratic interference.

Order #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Director of Cambridge Public Libraries to explore ways in which physical library materials can be made available to Cambridge Public Schools students and other Cambridge residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui

Order #3. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Cambridge Arts Council and other relevant departments to determine an appropriate public memorial for members of the Cambridge community who have been lost as a result of this COVID-19 virus.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Carlone

I’ll do my best at optimism here and look forward to the day when we can commemorate not only those lost in the pandemic but also the scientists who developed the therapies and/or vaccines that helped to bring it under control.

Order #4. That the City of Cambridge declares May 4, 2020, “Kent State Martyrs Remembrance Day,” and declares May 15, 2020, “Jackson State Martyrs Remembrance Day,” and invite all Cambridge residents to learn about and reflect on the tragic events that occurred on those days.   Councillor Zondervan

While I completely agree with recognizing the anniversaries of both of these tragic events, I really dislike the use of the word "martyrs" here just as I dislike when the word "heroes" is used to characterize victims of senseless or religious violence.

Order #5. That the City Manager enhance the data center to include information which the City Council deems essential to facilitating our collective response to the COVID-19 crisis.   Councillor Zondervan

Order #6. That the City Manager restart Planning Board meetings virtually and prioritize the completion of any special permits that are in process.   Councillor Zondervan

The wording of this Order makes clear that this is about jump-starting marijuana sales opportunities, unless there are other "Economic Empowerment applicants" of which I am unaware. I guess we all have our priorities.

Order #7. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City personnel to devise a plan that will place Cambridge on a path to offer free covid-19 tests to all Cambridge residents, similar to that recently enacted by the City of Somerville, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.   Councillor Simmons

I suspect this may already be planned – depending on availability of dependable testing materials and staffing levels. It does, however, remind me of an old rule we had about mathematics diagnostic testing, namely that you only do it when you have an idea of what you’re going to do with the results. I’m sure we’d all like to have a better sense of the true infection rates, but what then will be done with the results? Will this trigger extensive "contact tracing?" Will it be a precondition for returning to work or moving into an apartment? Will housing developments be partitioned into "tested positive" and "tested negative" sections? In some societies these would not be considered unusual steps, but I doubt whether that could happen in Cambridge. Maybe we’ll just make better graphs.

Order #8. That the City Manager work with the IT Department to design a system for video conferencing and public comment during the City Council and other official meetings that allows the administrator of the meeting to prevent, eject, and recover from any bad actors attempting to disrupt the meeting.   Councillor Zondervan

We love our technology, but we never seem to establish safeguards and protocols until we’re busy reacting to abuses. I personally wish there was a mechanism for tracking down and prosecuting these "bad actors" even if that meant compromising their precious anonymity. I wonder if this sort of thing came up in the "surveillance ordinance" discussion last year when they were worrying about laryngoscopes.

Order #9. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to review the order and align it with guidelines promulgated by the CDC, WHO, Dr. Fauci, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to make clear face coverings are required in public settings only when physical distancing is not possible.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan

The difficulty is that the phrase "required in public settings only when physical distancing is not possible" will be often be a matter of opinion, and I think we all know what the opinion of that unmasked person running or riding past you will likely be – regardless of race, age, or gender. – Robert Winters

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