Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

February 2, 2021

Pre/Post-Groundhog Day featured attractions – Feb 3, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 4:22 pm

Pre/Post-Groundhog Day featured attractions – Feb 3, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here goes — A lot to chew on…..Groundhog

The Feb 1 meeting was postponed to Wed, Feb 3 due to the Snow Emergency.

Starting with The Plague
Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Placed on File 9-0

Order #2. Policy Order re: Establishing an On-Site Vaccination Program.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. Policy Order re: Covid-19 Protocols at Affordable Housing Worksites.   Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #7. Vaccinating CPS Staff Plan PO.   Vice Mayor Mallon
Tabled – Mallon (9-0)

Order #8. Supporting the School Committee.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted as Amended 7-1-0-1 (Zondervan – NO, Sobrinho-Wheeler – PRESENT)

Stay Positive and Test Negative. Seriously, we should get all teachers and school staff vaccinated and able to do their jobs without fear as soon as humanly possible.

Coronagenda
Charter Right #1. That the City further investigate renting space from the New England School of English to house appropriate members of our unhoused community. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL JAN 11, 2021]
Adopted as Amended 7-0-0-2 (DS,TT – PRESENT)

This now obsolete Order (the space on Green Street has been rented as state-funded temporary housing for a some time now) was contained in the Nov 12 committee report of a public hearing on homelessness. The New England School of English apparently made available their dormitory space on Green Street that had been vacant due to the current pandemic. It was never meant to be a long-term arrangement. Activists are using this opportunity to push an agenda centered on the demand that the City establish and fund non-congregate shelter/housing for unhoused individuals. Not addressed in their demands is the fact that without similar facilities being established in Boston and elsewhere this effectively becomes a regional facility drawing people from all over the Greater Boston area. Also not addressed by the activists are the staffing and logistical challenges associated with a clientele with a high incidence of substance abuse and mental health challenges. Indeed, during the relatively short time the Green Street facility has been open there have been several drug overdoses and one suicide (jump from the parking garage across the street). One of the great luxuries of activism is that you rarely have to deal with the hard stuff.

A little open space while we still can…. and the joys of mitigation
Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,717,250 from the Mitigation Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Fund Department of Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account. Funds were received from contributions to the East Cambridge Open Space Fund and will be used will be used to fund the design and construction of three new parks in the East Cambridge/Kendall Square area; Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park, Triangle Park and Binney Street Park.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $3,174,389 from Free Cash to the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund which will be used to fund specific future projects, which will require separate individual appropriations by the City Council.
Order Adopted 9-0

Zoning and legal matters
Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-142, regarding a report on determining the feasibility of expediting the demolition and rebuilding permitting process in the event of a natural disaster.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-63, which requested a review of the granting of an extension for the 605 Concord Avenue project.
Charter Right – Nolan

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt with comments and suggested modifications, the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District (Srinivasan, et al.) Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

"The Board encourages the City Council to carefully consider to what extent a bridge may or may not be guaranteed as part of a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit and what types of alternatives would be acceptable to the City." – Ideally, this area should have its own commuter rail stop and multiple crossings over the railroad tracks, including at least one crossing that would permit shuttle buses and possibly other vehicles. The Alewife Triangle and Quadrangle should be united rather than forever remain separate oversized cul-de-sacs. Property owners and developers should recognize the value in this or seek another line of work.

Unfinished Business #5. A Zoning Petition has been received from Cambridge Redevelopment Authority regarding a Zoning Ordinance to reflect the proposed changes to the KSURP. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JAN 11, 2021. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER JAN 25, 2021] [Petition and Memo] [Draft Letter of Commitment]
Ordained 9-0

Communications #1. A communication was received from Tom Evans, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, submitting a Letter of Commitment to accompany the MXD Zoning Petition and Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan submission.
Adopted, Letter of Commitment incorporated; Placed on File 9-0

Ordination seems likely at this meeting. I’ll leave the details as a reading assignment.

And then there’s this
Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Carolyn Fuller – Ordinance #2021-2 Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition. [Text of petition] [signatures]
Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for Hearing and Report 9-0

The organization that calls itself "A Better Cambridge" (ABC) has now fully earned its alternative name "A Bigger Cambridge". The crux of this petition is the merging of the Residence A-1, A-2, B, C, and C-1 districts into a single unified Residence N district with dramatically increased allowable density (FAR 1.25 – Floor-Area-Ratio, the ratio of built living area as a fraction of the land area of the lot) and greatly diminished front, side and rear setbacks. It also permits additional height to allow 3 stories across all these combined districts. The appellation "Missing Middle Housing" has, in fact, nothing to do with this proposal other than as a sales pitch. In addition to allowing multi-family housing in all zones, this is simply a petition to increase – by a factor of 2 to 3 in many cases – the amount that can be built across the city – a real Gold Rush for property developers. For example, the Res A-1 and A-2 districts currently permit a 0.5 FAR; Res C permits a 0.6 FAR; and Res C-1 permits a 0.75 FAR. This proposal simply blows the lid off all of these allowable densities. Apparently, the fact that Cambridge is already one of the densest cities in the United States is simply not enough for the Sim City players who form the core of "A Bigger Cambridge". In terms of affordability for the "missing middle" there is simply nothing in this petition that would indicate this as a likely outcome. The affordability of the traditional two-family or three-family home in years past came with the responsibilities of being a landlord with the rents helping to cover the mortgage. This proposal would more likely result in even larger single-family homes (McMansions) and a greater stock of high-end condominiums and investment properties.

It’s true that Cambridge has a lot of nonconforming buildings that could not have been built under current zoning, including my own triple-decker (land area 3,133 sq ft, total living area 3,978 sq ft, and an FAR of 1.27 with negligible side setbacks and a very small yard). If I were proposing changes to Cambridge zoning I would likely allow some additional density where it makes sense, but I certainly would not recommend the replication of my own situation on my tiny lot as the new standard.

What exactly is the goal of ABC? New York City ranks 6th with a population density of 27,016 per square mile. San Francisco ranks 21st at 17,246. Somerville is 16th at 18,432. Cambridge ranks 26th in the USA at 16,355. Boston is 51st at 13,321. Chicago is 75th at 11,868. Philadelphia is 95th at 11,234. Berkeley is 110th at 10,753. Cambridge is not Belmont (5,317/sq mi).

Suffice to say, I think the general lay of the land in Cambridge today is actually quite good – an interesting balance of densities and housing types. Some greater flexibility for property owners might be a good thing, but wholesale redefinition of the city would not be a wise choice.

Bikes, bikes, and more bikes and other transportation matters
Manager’s Agenda #11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $115,300 received in donations received from MIT Real Estate, Museum of Science, and CambridgeSide to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Department Extraordinary Expenses account which will be used for costs associated with the BlueBikes bikeshare system.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $452,600 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund received from various sources to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used for the purchase and expenses of Bluebikes bikeshare equipment.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number Awaiting Report 19-75, regarding the feasibility of partnering with a local research institution to conduct a study that determines how many ridehail vehicles are on the roads during both on and off-peak times and their impacts on congestion and safety.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #15. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-151, regarding the feasibility of making Porter Square and Massachusetts Avenue between Roseland Street and Beech Street a quick-build complete street with bus priority.
Placed on File 9-0

2013 Cambridge commuter shares: 28% transit, 24% walk, 7% bike, 4% carpool. The numbers have likely shifted a bit since 2013 but even with BlueBike stations and various infrastructure changes across the city it’s unlikely that the share of residents biking will ever rival transit or walking. At any given time are there more bikes on Cambridge roads or Ubers? If electric vehicles and or/autonomous vehicles proliferate, what do you think will be the result?

21st Century Commerce
Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-56, regarding establishing a plan that will allow for greater outreach and technical assistance to women-and-minority-owned businesses and small businesses that have not yet received financial assistance to assess any future City funding. [CDD report]
Placed on File 9-0

Resolution #14. The Cambridge City Council, hereby assembled, urges Amazon to meet and confer with the Cambridge community, included, but not limited to, representatives of labor unions including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 25.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Adopted 9-0

Order #1. Spending Disparity Study PO.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Thank You Notes
Resolution #7. Retirement of CCTV Executive Director, Susan Fleischmann.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons
Charter Right – Mallon

Resolution #15. Thank You to Lisa Peterson.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan
Adopted 9-0

Resolution #17. Thank You to Elizabeth “Liza” Malenfant Paden.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Toomey
Adopted 9-0

I have known all of these Great Women of Cambridge for decades. Susan Fleischmann is the one who pushed me to start doing TV broadcasts – initially with Election Night coverage and then eventually the sequel to the original Cambridge InsideOut. I first met Lisa Peterson when she worked in the City Manager’s Office during Bob Healy’s tenure. She was our point person during the early days of Cambridge Recycling about 30 years ago. Liza (and, really, all you have to say is Liza in Cambridge civic circles and everyone knows who you mean) has been a friend in and out of City government – along with her extended family – for close to 30 years. The total hours I kept Liza from getting back to work on Inman Street over the years gabbing about life and politics and how the city operates is something we’d better not talk about lest they dock her retirement.

A growing chorus of voices from Fairmont Avenue
Order #6. Policy Order re: Renaming Fairmont Avenue.   Councillor Simmons
Charter Right – Simmons

Oh, the hardship. I guess we’d also better start worrying about Washington Ave. vs. Washington St., Highland Ave. vs. Highland St., Oxford Ave. vs. Oxford St., and Wyman St. vs. Wyman Rd. Life in Cambridge is just so difficult.

Luxury Seating
Order #9. Eliminating Hostile Architecture.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
Charter Right – Nolan

Methinks the sponsors of this Order (and the activists who inspire them) wouldn’t know the difference between hostile and helpful.

Cambridge City Council on Hallucinogens
Order #10. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to direct city staff to work with the City’s state and federal partners in support of decriminalizing all Entheogenic Plants and plant-based compounds.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 8-1 (Toomey – NO)

This Order may actually explain a lot about the behavior of the Cambridge City Council. Perhaps when the pandemic winds down they can decorate the Sullivan Chamber with Peter Max posters and pipe in some Donovan songs like "Mellow Yellow" and "Sunshine Superman". Bringing back black lights would also be a nice touch.

Carrots or Sticks
Committee Report #1. Health & Environment Committee met on Aug 11, 2020 meet to discuss the Net Zero Action Plan FY20 progress report and to receive a general update on the plan including the upcoming 5-year review process.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Greater efficiency is always a good thing, but incentives are always better than mandates when it comes to private homes. I don’t think enough councillors fully understand this. – Robert Winters

January 4, 2021

Meet the New Year, Same as the Old Year – Featured Items on the January 4, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,covid — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:10 pm

Meet the New Year, Same as the Old Year – Featured Items on the January 4, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

There are two things in my daily/weekly routine that fill me with dread. The first is when I check the latest count of Covid infections and deaths among Cambridge residents. The most recent count indicated 51 new infections but fortunately no new deaths. However, after a long period of no new deaths (it was pinned at 100 for 82 days), there have been 8 new reported deaths since Dec 15, and this is very alarming. My other moment of dread is when I check the agenda for the next City Council meeting. That’s when I expect to see the latest attempt by our elected scolds to dictate to Cambridge residents what they in their imagined brilliance feel is The Way Things Must Be. Whether it’s dictating how to manage trees in my yard or whether my gas stove should be banned, they are always in the hunt for further ways to limit personal choice or play to the latest trendy movements. Thankfully, this week they gave us a break, but who know what’s in the pipeline. Sometimes I think that constitutional rights may be the only recourse.2020 to 2021

The last meeting of 2020 had some interesting late additions. They emerged from Executive Session with a late appropriation order for a $1.4 million legal settlement (or so it appears). We are only left to speculate whether this was related to the Vail Court eminent domain taking of a few years ago or something else. In the Vail Court case, if the property owners had any sense (they didn’t) they could have built a mixed income residential development that would have added vitality to that corner of Central Square. Instead, the City felt compelled to take the property by eminent domain for the usual uninspired purposes. Had that property been redeveloped in concert with the underutilized parking lot at the corner of Prospect Street we could have seen a really interesting revitalization of what may be the single most drab location in the Greater Central Square area. That, of course, would have required creative thinking and negotiation from the Community Development Department, but instead we ended up with asphalt and legal settlements. Then again, perhaps the $1.4 million was for hush money. At least that would make for a more interesting story.

The other big story from the previous meeting was the $18.5 million eminent domain taking of an athletic field along Fresh Pond Parkway and the simultaneous disposal of the Green Ribbon Open Space Report from March 2000 (see comments of previous meeting if interested). Predictably, the councillors endorsed by ABC (A Bigger Cambridge) would prefer to Build Baby Build on that land. Clearly Cambridge has far too much open space. </sarcasm>

Here’s my first pass at the marginally interesting stuff this week:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #1. Policy Order re: Covid-19 Vaccines.
Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Zondervan – NO)

Order #4. That the City Council go on record supporting the School Committee in aligning School opening and closing with the “Schools and Path to Zero” framework with the goal of opening up all schools for in person learning, and supporting all efforts to include as many students as practically possible for at least some in person learning, with the goal of full time in person learning as soon as it can be done safely.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons
Adopted 9-0

There was a great little book published some years ago called Innumeracy – Mathematical Illiteracy and its Consequences by John Allen Paulos. I often think of this book and it’s theme when reading or hearing from city councillors or from more than a few people in the City’s employ. Whether it’s in promoting development with few goals or quantification, or the laundry list of brainstorming ideas that was dubbed "Envision Cambridge," or in making sense of the relative risk of Covid-19 infection from various activities, innumeracy is often the rule. Regarding the public schools, at some point three metrics were chosen to determine whether our schools would be primarily in-person or done via remote learning. If we exceed 2 of the 3 metrics, it’s shutdown time for all the schools. That’s where we are right now – average of 25.7 new cases/day (the limit is 25, so a slight excess) and 851.5/ml viral copies in wastewater testing (limit is 100/ml).

The crux of Order #4 seems to be to support the proposal to open the schools and keep them open just as long as individual schools can demonstrate that they are maintaining and ensuring a low-risk environment. I have no idea what the thinking of School Committee members is on this matter, but I do like the basic idea of evaluating each situation on its own merits.

As for the Order re: vaccines held over from the last meeting, I’ll simply note that on the one hand our councillors want to ensure that only the most effective vaccines are made available to Cambridge residents, but they also want us to be last in line only after all higher-risk communities have been vaccinated (Order #3 of Dec 21). The truth is that most of these decisions are not in the hands of city councillors but more appropriately in the hands of public health officials, and for this I am grateful.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the biennial City of Cambridge Resident Telephone Survey for 2020.
Placed on File 9-0

I used to actually read these survey results, but I now question their validity. On the housing question in particular, I will simply note that possibly 100% of residents want housing to be affordable, but that’s not the same as endorsing the City’s approach to "affordable housing." So many satisfaction surveys are more a function of the way the questions are asked than of the responses received. By the way, I believe that mom and apple pie are still highly regarded.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Zoning Petition which amends Article 8.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.
Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 9-0

Since the court decision leading to this recommendation would favor slightly more flexibility for owners of single-family and two-family homes, I’ll not be surprised if there’s resistance to the recommendation by the density boosters who would prefer that Cambridge be more like Coop City in the Bronx. The nerve of someone wanting to live in a single- or two-family home. Don’t they know there’s a crisis going on? </sarcasm>

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-72, regarding keeping Riverbend Park opened beyond Dec 27, 2020.
Placed on File 9-0

Sorry folks. I guess the ample sidewalks and paths alongside Memorial Drive will have to be repopulated for the duration of the season.

Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Law Department to draft Home Rule Petition language for a Fire Cadet Program similar to the language used in the Police Department Home Rule Petition.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons
Adopted 9-0

This is a good idea, but I still find it remarkable that a Home Rule Petition is required to create programs like these.

Order #3. That the Cambridge City Council formally expresses its interest in joining other cities actively pursuing digital equity and internet access by signing up for Next Century Cities.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
Adopted 9-0

In all the controversy and committee meetings about the possibility of investing in municipal broadband, there are a few things that don’t get nearly enough attention. One is the matter of TV – you know, as in television programs. You would think from the proponents that TV (Cable or otherwise) is something only senior citizens want. Maybe it’s true and that nobody under 50 watches television anymore, but it never seems to be part of the discussion. Another matter rarely addressed is the matter of who would actually provide the content and connectivity. It’s not the same as water or electricity where you simply introduce the water or voltage to the conduit. Another point not emphasized nearly enough is that cities where municipal broadband has been established tend to be those who already operate their own electric utilities – and we don’t. Anyway, I don’t know much about Next Century Cities, but they seem to be concerned only with equity rather than content.

Committee Report #1. The Economic Development & University Relations Committee met on Nov 19, 2020 to discuss challenges and opportunities that exist in City purchasing, procurement and programs for MWBEs and other historically disadvantaged businesses and non-profits in Cambridge.
Report Accepted; Placed on File; Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Public Safety Committee met on July 7, 2020 to conduct a public hearing on the Cambridge Police Department’s Use of Force Policy and related matters.
Report Accepted; Placed on File 9-0

These reports are included for information only. Meanwhile, Councillor Zondervan is having another committee meeting this week in which he’ll continue his campaign to defund the police. Political theater is such a poor substitute for real entertainment. – Robert Winters

December 20, 2020

Dropping the Curtain on a Very Bad Year – Featured Items on the December 21, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,Harvard Square — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:51 pm

Dropping the Curtain on a Very Bad Year – Featured Items on the December 21, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Here’s my rundown of the interesting stuff this week:New Year Ahead

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-44, regarding a Vaccine Task Force.
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

Order #2. Policy Order re Covid-19 Vaccines.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon
Charter Right – Zondervan

Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate City personnel to establish a waiver for low-income individuals utilizing the Covid-19 vaccine if the vaccine would otherwise cost money to access.   Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

The Beat Goes On. I would just like a better sense of what the principal causes are for the latest wave of Covid-19 positive tests. The fact that there were several new fatalities recorded this past week after many weeks without any new fatalities is, to say the least, alarming. Privacy concerns notwithstanding, a little explanation and reassurance right now will go a long way – even as the vaccine wagon rolls into town.

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a response to Policy Order No. O-8 of July 27, 2020, regarding a review of the proposed amendments to Chapter 2.119 of the Municipal Code – the Domestic Partnership Ordinance.
Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Unfinished Business #2. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the City of Cambridge Law Department to review the above changes to the language of the Domestic Partnerships Ordinance and report back to the Council. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER SEPT 14, 2020]  See Mgr #2

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the Planning Board to adopt with modifications, the MXD Amendments Zoning Petition.
Referred to MXD Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adoption the Cannabis Delivery Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0 (Petition to be Re-Filed in January due to changes in State Law)

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt with modifications, the Canal District Kendall (PUD-CDK) Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to memo from the development economics consultant team led by Karl F. Seidman regarding a financial assessment of the Canal District Kendall (PUD-CDK) Zoning Petition submitted by BioMed Realty.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Unfinished Business #3. A Zoning Petition has been received from BMR–Third LLC c/o BioMed Realty, L.P. regarding a Zoning Amendment Petition for a new Planned Unit Development PUD District CDK. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED ON NOV 30, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER DEC 21, 2020.]  See Mgr #10, #11
Ordained 9-0 as Amended; Letter of Commitment incorporated

Communications #6. A communication was received from Salvatore Zinno Vice President, Development, BMR-Third LLC, regarding commitment letter to accompany zoning amendment petition.
Letter of Commitment incorporated into Zoning Amendment

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the following requests relative to the eminent domain taking of 185 Larch Road: 1. Appropriate $7,702,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Law Department Travel & Training (Damages) Account to cover the pro tanto payment toward the expenses of acquisition as required by the above referenced Sections of Chapters 40 and 43 of the General Laws for the property located at 185 Larch Road owned by BB&N; 2. Approve an Order to take by eminent domain a 185 Larch Road; and 3. Appropriate $10,798,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Law Department Travel & Training (Damages) Account to fund the settlement of BB&N’s remaining eminent domain damages claim.
Order Adopted 8-1 (Toomey – NO)

Lest you think otherwise, note that the City Manager’s message says: “For several decades the City Council has been asking City Managers to actively pursue opportunities to acquire and increase access to open space for all residents. Unfortunately, this goal has been very difficult to achieve due to the lack of availability of land suitable for open space use in Cambridge. Due to this, when BB&N expressed interest in selling Buckingham Field, we aggressively pursued this opportunity to acquire additional open space in Cambridge.”

About 20 years ago I served on the City’s Green Ribbon Open Space Committee whose charge was to develop priorities and strategies to acquire additional open space in Cambridge. Since then there have been some opportunities seized by the City to achieve these goals – notably the purchase and street closure that led to Greene-Rose Park in The Port neighborhood, movement on the Grand Junction corridor, and some parcels that came to us as a result of various upzonings. This is a densely-developed city with very few opportunities available for adding to our very small inventory of open space.

It is noteworthy that on the night when the City Council voted on a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the eminent domain taking of the BB&N land on Larch Road for open space, many city councillors chose to focus primarily on how they could turn around and build on this newly-acquired open space. In short, many/most councillors were essentially saying that we should tear up the Report of the Green Ribbon Open Space Committee of March 2000.

There are certainly lots of worthwhile priorities such as housing, schools, and additional space for Public Works, but it’s simply shameful that this particular group of councillors would choose to disregard long-standing calls for open space acquisition in such a dismissive way. Suffice to say that housing, including subsidized housing, can be built almost anywhere in the city. Few, if any, would advocate for demolishing residential buildings in order to create open space, but they seem very comfortable and even eager to eliminate open space at the very moment they are acquiring it.

I really hope there are some big changes on the City Council in November 2021.

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request to move to Executive Session in order to discuss possible settlement and pending litigation.
Late Order Adopted 6-2-0-1 (Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO; Nolan – PRESENT) after Executive Session for appropriation of $1.4 million for unspecified purposes (see below)

Manager’s Agenda #13. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,400,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Law Travel and Training (Judgment and Damages) account to cover current and future disbursements that must be paid from this account.
Late Order Adopted 6-2-0-1 (Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO; Nolan – PRESENT)

I completely respect the idea of Executive Session “to discuss possible settlement and pending litigation” and for various other reasons, but I have never understood why this has to be such a McGuffin (as Alfred Hitchcock would say) where even the general topic of the Executive Session remains a suspenseful mystery. Would it compromise the City’s position to just add a clarifying phrase such as “regarding an open space purchase” or “for the acquisition of residential units” or “in regard to the ongoing Vail Court litigation”? In the absence of such, my suspicious mind and desire for drama always drifts toward “for the purchase of the silence of Madame Bouvier regarding the scandal in the City Hall clock tower.”

Resolution #7. Thanking Rep. Robert A. DeLeo for his many years of dedicated service.   Councillor Toomey
Failed of Adoption 3-3-0-3 (Mallon, McGovern, Toomey – YES; Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan, Siddiqui – NO; Carlone, Nolan, Simmons – PRESENT)

Order #1. That the Cambridge City Council calls upon the Animal Legal Defense Fund management to respect the democratic choice of its workers by, without delay, voluntarily recognizing ALDF United and bargaining a contract with ALDF United that reflects the core values of ALDF – compassion, innovation, balance, justice, commitment, and integrity – and that seeks to create a workplace that is anti-racist, cooperative, equitable, inclusive, just, respectful, and transparent.   Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Nothing says "municipal election year coming" like a ghost-written order in search of a candidate endorsement.

Order #4. That the City Manager and DCR explore the feasibility of keeping Riverbend Park open beyond Dec 27, 2020.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

This may be a Very Good Thing, but let’s please stop the pretense that this has anything to do with the pandemic and the need for social distancing.

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 21, 2020 to conduct a public hearing on the Harvard Square Conservation District Study Committee Report.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Order Adopted 9-0; proposed amendments to Chapter 2.78, Article III, Section 2.78.150 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, entitled “Definitions for Article III” Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

I always love reading reports from the Cambridge Historical Commission and its related study committees. In addition to being extremely well-written and documented, they serve as a reminder that Cambridge does indeed have many buildings and settings that are absolutely worth preserving and enhancing. This truth is often lost on the latest wave of activists in the Robert Moses tradition of tearing all things down in the name of density without vision or any sense of history. Transit-oriented development and other smart projects notwithstanding, A Bigger Cambridge is not necessarily a better Cambridge.

Committee Report #2. A communication was received from Paula Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Nolan, Chair of the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration Committee, for a public hearing held on Oct 14, 2020 to discuss the process for conducting the feasibility study for municipal broadband and the Request for Proposal.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

I’m glad that there’s some movement on this regardless whether it leads anywhere – either at the speed of light or more slowly. I do find it interesting (and perhaps it’s a generational thing) that there was not a single mention of Cable TV in the report. Some of us bundle our phone, TV, and Internet together and, even if most of us have a less-than-stellar view of the Comcast Evil Empire, we don’t see broadband access as completely separate from our ability to get really crappy TV programming at an unreasonably high cost. – Robert Winters

December 14, 2020

A Clear Look at the December 14, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,history — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:26 pm

A Clear Look at the December 14, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Here you go my fellow Cantabrigians:Peoples Republic of Cambridge

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Placed on File 9-0

Order #2. The City Manager will work with the COVID-19 advisory board to help the city identify the parameters upon which each strategy and technology reduces the risk to public health and the control of the spread of SARS CoV-2.   Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

The vaccine may now be in distribution, but we still have a long way to go, and that includes finding practical ways to help businesses get through this.

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $15,000 from the General Fund Reserves Other Ordinary Maintenance account to the General Fund Women’s Commission Other Ordinary Maintenance account to pay for costs associated with expanded efforts on the Mapping Feminist Cambridge: Inman Square and the Mapping Feminist Cambridge:  Central Square projects.
Order Adopted 9-0

I have gone on some of their history walks and they are great: [Inman Square] [Area IV] [Cambridgeport] [Riverside and Cambridgeport] [Mid-Cambridge]

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-74 and 19-45, regarding reviewing public monuments, memorials and markers and streets, schools and public buildings.
Placed on File 9-0

I just hope that this doesn’t translate simply into cancellation and eradication of history. Some of us prefer our history murky and honest rather than sanitized or obliterated.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-62, regarding providing interpreters at polling locations.
Placed on File 9-0

As always, our Election Commission demonstrates practicality and good sense.

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-54, regarding a report on drafting an ordinance requiring the city to only purchase goods that are made in full compliance with USA environmental and labor standards.
Placed on File 9-0

The zealots aren’t going to like this response – even though it makes total sense.

Charter Right #1. Initiate a community process to develop the property at 105 Windsor Street as a community space that will create economic opportunity in the neighborhood, as part of an overall neighborhood plan that includes looking for ways to create affordable housing, open space and urban agriculture opportunities.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL DEC 7, 2020]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Just as was the case with the Foundry, the politicians line up for pet projects and recognition. I really wish we had a dependable method for actually getting honest and representative feedback from "the community" regarding their priorities for how to get the best use from public assets.

Charter Right #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-12, regarding the feasibility of adding bike parking rings to parking meters. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR NOLAN IN COUNCIL DEC 7, 2020]
Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Home Rule Petition seeking special legislation from the Legislature which would authorize the City of Cambridge to provide police, fire and other emergency services (“Emergency Services”) to portions of the Cambridge Crossing project that are partially located in the cities of Boston and Somerville, with one such property wholly located within Somerville. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER IN COUNCIL DEC 7, 2020]
Order Adopted 9-0

These are just leftovers from last week. The reports were as clear as an unmuuddied lake or the azure skies of deepest summer – so of course our councillors needed more time to understand them.

Resolution #2. Congratulating Sean Effel As He Begins His Next Chapter.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey
Resolution Adopted as Amended 9-0

I feel like we need to redo that closing scene from the film "Shane".

Resolution #5. Support for a Guaranteed Income.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan
Resolution Adopted 9-0

What could possibly go wrong? I’ll take mine in Green Stamps.

Order #1. Elimination of Single Family Zoning.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

There’s a big difference between a situation where a city is predominantly or exclusively single-family zoning vs. a city like Cambridge which is predominantly multi-family with some single-family districts. It’s a good bet that any discussion of this will include bucketfuls of agenda-driven revisionist history.

While I think anyone should have flexibility in how they operate their home – especially those who have more home than they really need – I consider the diversity of housing types in Cambridge to be a good thing – A Very Good Thing – and that includes those parts of Cambridge where single-family homes are the dominant housing type. Something for everybody. I live in a triple-decker and I have friends who live in large apartment buildings, but that’s not for everyone. It’s worth noting that among cities across the USA with a population of 100,000 or more, Cambridge rings in with the 4th highest population density. Are we striving to be #1? – Robert Winters

December 7, 2020

The Surge – Featured Items on the Infamous December 7, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,covid — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:06 pm

The Surge – Featured Items on the Infamous December 7, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Covid is still the center of attention and, yes, some of the numbers of late have been on the scary side. I have no idea what that should translate into when it comes to public policy, but I really do hope that the principal causes can be addressed so that I don’t have to just crawl into a little ball for the coming winter. This year simply sucks in every way, and even though the vaccine is coming it still feels like chasing rainbows.The Surge

By the way, the word just came down on the Cambridge Public Schools: “Because COVID-19 cases in Cambridge have increased, and the Cambridge Public Schools have surpassed the thresholds set in partnership with its scientific advisors, CPS will make a temporary shift to remote learning for all students beginning on Thursday, December 10. The shift to all remote learning will continue for at least 1 week at least through December 16. In-person learning will resume when two or more metrics remain below threshold for 7 consecutive days. Reopening decisions based on the metrics will be made in consultation with the Cambridge Public Health Department.”

Here are a few items of interest on this week’s Day of Infamy agenda:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of Federal CARES Act funds in the amount of $1,256,118 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, and to support emergency housing assistance efforts.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of new Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $2,268.869 to the Grant Fund Department of Human Services Programs Salary and Wages account ($106,013) and to the Grant Fund Department of Human Services Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($2,162,856) and will be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus pandemic among individuals and families who are homeless and will support shelter operating costs and provision of essential services to homeless persons outside of a shelter setting.
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #2. Policy Order re Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #3. Supporting Food Pantries & Closing the SNAP Gap PO.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

These are all related either directly or indirectly to the pandemic. Needless to say, these are extraordinary times that require extraordinary effort and policies to get through this. It also needs to be pointed out that even if Cambridge has "an embarassment of riches," there are still legal limitations to what we can do, and creative solutions (like contracting with local restaurants to provide food for relief efforts) are often the best available options. But seriously, the damn federal government should be providing loan guarantees across the board so that costs can be deferred until better times.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Home Rule Petition seeking special legislation from the Legislature which would authorize the City of Cambridge to provide police, fire and other emergency services (“Emergency Services”) to portions of the Cambridge Crossing project that are partially located in the cities of Boston and Somerville, with one such property wholly located within Somerville.
Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler

Annexation of our lesser neighbors is another option, but Mayors Curtatone and Walsh might raise unreasonable objections to this modest proposal or demand that we give them Harvard and MIT as compensation.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-12, regarding the feasibility of adding bike parking rings to parking meters.
Charter Right – Nolan

This has been suggested in the past via policy orders, and the response now is the same, i.e. nope – except for posts that have lost their heads due to either Cool Hand Luke or removal of parking spaces.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-134, regarding increasing funding to the City’s HomeBridge program.
Placed on File 9-0

It’s expensive, and qualified potential homeowners will not really own their home in the sense that they cannot do with it as they see fit. As the communication states, "Homes purchased with HomeBridge funding become part of the City’s stock of deed-restricted affordable housing."

Applications & Petitions #2. A Zoning Petition has been received from Amy Oliver, regarding that the City require the installation of GREEN ROOFS vegetated or BioSolar on future construction and significant rehab of buildings that are 20,000 square feet and larger.
Referred to Planning Board & Ordinance Committee

There are some really great benefits associated with this proposal, but it also serves to highlight the fact that Cambridge advocates and policy-makers generally can rarely find a happy medium between issuing mandates and doing nothing at all. Installing a green roof can provide great benefit for both property owners and climate, but there are good reasons why a property owner might still choose not to go this route – most notably cost and eternal maintenance (though the proposal really tries to wish this concern away). This won’t affect owners of small properties (at least not in this initial incarnation), and owners of some larger properties are already proposing treatments like this, so perhaps this will all work out. That said, I really wish this City would shift its inclinations from mandates to incentives – even if the zealots howl in protest.

Resolution #1. Resolution Wishing Swift Recovery to Dennis Benzan.   Councillor Simmons

This is the first I’ve heard of this, but absolutely Get Well Dennis.

Order #1. Initiate a community process to develop the property at 105 Windsor Street as a community space that will create economic opportunity in the neighborhood, as part of an overall neighborhood plan that includes looking for ways to create affordable housing, open space and urban agriculture opportunities.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Charter Right – Zondervan

I like what is suggested in this Order, but I continue to be amazed at the lethargy of the City of Cambridge in putting some of their own properties into productive use. – Robert Winters

December 2, 2020

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 481-482: December 1, 2020

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,City Council,East Cambridge,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:17 am

Episode 481 – Cambridge InsideOut: Dec 1, 2020 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Dec 1, 2020 at 6:00pm. Topics: Frank Duehay; COVID rates still up – shutdowns averted for now; Council committee priorities in the time of COVID. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 482 – Cambridge InsideOut: Dec 1, 2020 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Dec 1, 2020 at 6:30pm. Topics: Neighborhood associations; controversies; MCNA, ECPT, NAEC, NCSC, ANC, CSNC, PSNA, FPRA, HSNA, CNA, A4NC, WHNA, etc.; history; priorities; the gold standard of neighborhood associations; the value of archives for history and introduction; listserv vs. website vs. Facebook; reputation – not “standing”; community school program and neighborhood councils. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

November 30, 2020

Leftovers – Highlights from the November 30, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,Comcast,covid — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:54 am

Leftovers – Highlights from the November 30, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Here are the items of interest this week:Leftovers

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Covid-19 update.
Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. That City Manager be and hereby is requested to implement a program similar to the patio heater reimbursement program for purchasing air sanitizers that meet or exceed the above specifications for Cambridge businesses.   Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #3. Expanding Testing in Nursing Homes PO.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui
Withdrawn 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to present the City Council with a comprehensive data report on a weekly basis, for the duration of the pandemic emergency, including (but not limited to) regional and Cambridge-specific trends.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments to implement comprehensive contact tracing in Cambridge including the ability to conduct backwards contact tracing facilitated with technology such as the use of QR codes, and to report back to the City Council on this matter as soon as possible.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #6. That the City Manager confer with the Cambridge Department of Public Health on the feasibility of launching mobile COVID-19 testing vans in December and report back to the City Council as soon as possible.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

I suppose all these ideas are great, but it sometimes feels as though everyone is just drafting Policy Orders as soon as they hear something they don’t understand. It’s interesting that we actually have a City Council subcommittee called the "Health & Environment Committee" (emphasis on "Health") that has met a total of four times this Council term on the topics of "Net Zero Action Plan" (once) and the "Tree Protection Ordinance" (thrice). That committee has never met on the topic of the pandemic and currently has no meetings scheduled. I guess it’s Trees > NetZero > Covid as the pecking order of priorities.

Meanwhile, businesses are closing for good and our "Economic Development and University Relations Committee" has met on the topics of "MWBEs and other historically disadvantaged businesses and non-profits", a "vacant storefront registration policy", a "Retail Land Use Initiative and Retail Table of Land Use update", and "updating the commercial land use classification system", and they have an upcoming meeting on "Vacant Storefront Policy." To their credit, they also met recently on the topic of "Cambridge higher learning institutions’ return to campus plans, policies, and health guidance". How reassuring to know that we may soon have a vacant storefront policy rather than concrete steps to prevent those vacancies.

Manager’s Agenda #3. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to two appropriations totaling $9,500,000 related to the Foundry as follows: $6 million from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Department of Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures Account; and $3.5 million from the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority to the Public Investment Fund Department of Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures Account.
Order Adopted 9-0

I sincerely hope the Foundry project works out for the best, but perhaps we should rename "The Gift that Keeps on Taking" as simply "The Money Pit."

Charter Right #3. Policy Order to strengthen community bonds and ensure equitable access to neighborhood organizations. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR NOLAN IN COUNCIL NOV 23, 2020] [Original Order #4 of Nov 23, 2020]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0; Late Order Adopted 9-0

I have been largely staying out of the back-and-forth over this questionable policy order, so I’ll just make a few points that you can feel free to salute or ignore:

1) Neighborhood groups have no “official” standing or “privilege” in spite of what some well-orchestrated public commenters have suggested. They are just collections of individuals who offer points of view. The notion that the Cambridge City Council or any other government entity should have any dominion over them is simply absurd.

2) Neighborhood associations and other civic organizations are only as valuable or respected as the credibility that they either gain or squander. I have seen some of them manage to greatly grow their credibility, and I have also seen some that have squandered it. No need to name them here.

3) The problem of “lack of diversity” in neighborhood associations and other civic groups is really rooted more in the fact that most people really don’t want to be involved in civic affairs (which I think is a shame), and it always seems as though getting a representative cross-section of members is difficult if not impossible. If the interest is not there, that’s no reason to fold nor should it be the basis for criticism.

4) I have a particular disgust for the whole idea of “taking over a neighborhood association” in order to push any agenda. Forming a civic group (as opposed to a neighborhood association) is the better choice. Civic/political groups can and do maintain distinctive points of view – and people can feel free to join them or do battle with them. Neighborhood associations really should be different – and should be more like a forum for different points of view. I also think that those associations that provide resources and services are generally the better for it.

5) If a neighborhood association or civic organization wants to be taken seriously these days, they really do have to maintain some kind of web presence that not only keeps people informed about current matters but also historical matters. We are rapidly losing institutional memory in Cambridge and keeping good archives can help – a lot. Having regular public meetings is also pretty important, though obviously a lot of that is currently on hold now due to the pandemic.

6) Email listservs can often lead to squabbles that can quickly get out of hand. One way to handle this, though not ideal, is to have trustworthy moderation. Really personal squabbles (like serious insults or just getting really ticked off) should be taken offline. Everyone is capable of getting ticked off and that should not be disqualifying. Better to settle things over a game of pool or a few beers or just agree to disagree.

7) Don’t pour gasoline on fires.

Unfinished Business #6. That the enclosed amendments to the Tree Protection Ordinance be adopted to extend the temporary prohibition on tree cutting permits until Feb 28, 2021. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL NOV 16, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER NOV 30, 2020] [Order #5 of Nov 16, 2020]
Ordained 7-1-0-1 (Toomey – NO; Simmons – PRESENT)

Please stay out of my yard. I’ve been here over four decades and the last thing I need is to have uninformed Cambridge city councillors overruling necessary decisions I have to make about managing the trees on my property.

Order #2. Council Opposition to Comcast Data Cap.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

I’m also wary of Comcast instituting data caps, but even though we have a lot of web traffic in and out of my house we’re still nowhere near the proposed data cap. I’m more concerned that there’s 957 Channels and There’s Nothing On. That and the fact that my two-year "introductory rate" is about to run out and I may have to play hardball with The Evil Empire.

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Nov 12, 2020 to conduct a public hearing on the PUD-CDK District Zoning Amendment.
Report Amended to Include Revised Language 9-0; Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

Just build something really great, will ya? – Robert Winters

Comments?

Off the Deep End – Cambridge City Council Nov 23, 2020 Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,covid — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:47 am

Posted a week late but, heh, it’s free!

Off the Deep End – Cambridge City Council Nov 23, 2020 Agenda

Seriously, I think the Cambridge City Council has now lost its collective mind. More on that later. [Please note that the regular 5:30pm meeting will be preceded by a 3:00pm Special Meeting to discuss the COVID 19 trajectory with health and science experts.]Use Your Head

Here are some agenda items sure to draw the maximum of 120 seconds per person public comment (especially Charter Right #3 and Order #4):

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Covid-19 update.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $9,277,190 from Free Cash to the General Fund School Department Salaries and Wages account ($7,446,360), General Fund School Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,781,455), and General Fund School Department Travel and Training account ($49,375), to fund additional costs associated with the reopening of schools with health and safety mitigations related to COVID-19.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request to move to Executive Session to discuss the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property.
Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to explore the feasibility of keeping Riverbend Park open beyond Nov 29. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR TOOMEY IN COUNCIL NOV 16, 2020] [Order #8 from Nov 16, 2020]
Order Adopted as Amended 7-2 (Simmons, Toomey – NO)

Charter Right #3. That the City Manager confer with the Metro Mayor’s Association to close indoor dining, gyms, casinos and other non-essential indoor activities as soon as possible and That the City Manager, Community Development Department, the Economic Development Division, the Assessing Department and other relevant City Departments organize a small business and restaurant relief program that will assist during this second shutdown and our efforts to stop community spread of COVID-19 and keep schools open. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR TOOMEY IN COUNCIL NOV 16, 2020] [Order #10 from Nov 16, 2020]

Substitute Order   [Order Adopted as Amended 7-1-1 (Toomey – NO; Simmons- ABSENT)]
MAYOR SIDDIQUI

VICE MAYOR MALLON
WHEREAS: Citywide, Cambridge businesses, the Cambridge Public Health Department and Cambridge Public Schools have implemented protective measures and strategies to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 throughout the community; and
WHEREAS: Though these protective measures have kept Cambridge COVID-19 positivity rates lower than neighboring cities, Cambridge’s positive cases do continue to increase daily; and
WHEREAS: Epidemiologists recommend targeted interventions to stop the spread of COVID-19 to keep schools open; and
WHEREAS: Research suggests a strong correlation between indoor activities and the rise of COVID-19 community spread; and
WHEREAS: Indoor activities are contributing to the rise in cases in Cambridge, getting our metrics dangerously close to closing schools and resuming remote only learning again; and
WHEREAS: We must take action to stop the spread of COVID-19 in order to keep our schools open and prioritize our scholars and their educations as we navigate through the next phase of the public health crisis; and
WHEREAS: Our efforts must be part of a regional response in order to not unfairly penalize Cambridge restaurants and small businesses; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager confer with the Metro Mayors’ Association to temporarily restrict high risk indoor activities, such as indoor dining and gyms, and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager, Community Development Department, the Economic Development Division, the Assessing Department and other relevant City Departments organize a relief program to assist and financially support businesses affected by these temporary closures.
ORDERED: That the City Manager and all relative Departments, begin meeting immediately with the business community and the Covid-19 Expert Advisory Panel to discuss what interventions can be universally implemented to make indoor business activities safer.

Resolution #6. Resolution on the death of Francis H. Duehay.   Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan

Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to explore the feasibility of hiring a consultant to perform an Equity Audit on the Cambridge Arts Council, and to report back to the City Council by Jan 4th, 2021.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #2. That the City Council formally go on record in asking the City Manager to work with the appropriate City Staff in formulating an RFP for a public arts project that will acknowledge the unfinished work of the 19th Amendment, the importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and how the two pieces of legislation ultimately complemented one another in helping to shape a more perfect union, and that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.   Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
Amended; Charter Right – Nolan

Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department and other pertinent City staff to establish a Black and Brown-Owned Business Taskforce, to be focused upon strengthening the City’s outreach efforts, information-sharing, assistance mechanisms, and overall relationship with local Black and Brown-owned businesses, and to establish a rolling set of recommendations designed to ensure the City spares no effort in assisting these businesses.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. Policy Order to strengthen community bonds and ensure equitable access to neighborhood organizations.   Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan
Charter Right – Nolan

This is actually nuts.

Order #5. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to appropriate the funds necessary to procure the work of the Collins Center as outlined in their submitted proposal.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

My guess is that "charter change" simply translates into "more Council authority and privilege" regardless whether that leads to anything better. – Robert Winters

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