Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

Budget Season – and another Monday – May 6, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

The number of Communications this week dropped from 744 to 452, but almost all of the current ones were submitted for the previous meeting. Perhaps some of the bicycle lane furor will cool down now – except, of course, for the political vengeance. It’s actually kind of funny that people lost their minds so completely over a brief delay in order to do things better. My guess is that police involvement in protests and, of course, Budget Season will now take center stage.

Here are some of this week’s more notable agenda items:

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2024 Goals and Metrics for the Annual City Manager Performance Review. (CM24#96) [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; PN objects to lack of “metrics” and “smart goals”; Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. Designating May as Mental Health Awareness Month.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Wilson (to add Wilson and McGovern as sponsors); Adopted as Amended 9-0

Here’s a good example from Public Comment of the pressing need for better mental health with a rather problematic individual calling Paul Toner and Patty Nolan “white supremacists.”

Order #2. Opposition to the expansion of private jet facilities at Hanscom Field or anywhere in the region.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by JSW, PN, PT, JP; Order Adopted 8-1 (PT-Present)

It’s not clear whether the concern here is greenhouse gas emissions or the existence of “the ultra-wealthy.” During Public Comment, political aspirant Evan Mackay made it clear that he sees it as the latter.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to provide a summary of city efforts related to PFAS concerns, an update on educational information that can be shared with the community that outline actions individuals can take to reduce their exposure to PFAS, and provide an overview of the federal and state regulatory environment for PFAS in the wastewater stream.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Nolan who wants a full PFAS audit; Order Adopted 9-0

Charter Right #1. On the use of Cambridge officers to police political demonstrations at institutions of higher learning. [Charter Right – Toner, Apr 29, 2024]
Substitute Order introduced by Wilson (who quotes Ayanna Pressley); Sobrinho-Wheeler says point is to prevent violence; Azeem prefers that police not be called unless there is violence, suggests that war is a week away from ending; Siddiqui says students protected by 1st Amendment, notes City Manager’s statement re: police obligations; McGovern calls 1st Amendment and free speech “messy”, also acknowledges police mutual aid obligations; Toner has concerns about substitute, notes Dan Totten’s slanderous comments during Public Comment calling Toner and Pickett “white supremacists”, asks if his substitute amendment could be taken up first; Mayor Simmons explains procedure; Toner moves to remove “WHEREAS: Universities elsewhere, including Columbia, NYU, Yale, USC, Emory, Northeastern, Emerson and UT-Austin, have seen local law enforcement called upon to arrest and remove students and faculty; and”; Azeem asks if Toner would support substitute if that clause was removed; Toner also expresses concerns about “atrocities” being used in the RESOLVED clause; McGovern says he likes the WHEREAS clause that Toner prefers to delete – calls it “factual”, downplays use of the word “atrocities”; Simmons says it isn’t necessary to include the clause and would prefer to see it deleted, would like to replace “peaceful” by “largely peaceful” and replace “believed complicity” with “what they see as complicity”; Nolan prefers substitute from Toner, Nolan, Simmons noting rhetoric at protests calling for “death to Zionists” and destruction of Israel, prefers replacing “peaceful” by “largely peaceful”, also notes mutual aid agreement of police, threatening language of some protesters; Pickett prefers simplest substitute from Toner, Nolan, Simmons; Nolan amendment to replace “peaceful” by “largely peaceful” in 1st and 2nd “Whereas” clauses Adopted 9-0; Toner/Nolan amendment to delete “3rd Whereas” clause Fails 4-5 [PN,JP,PT,DS-Yes; BA,MM,SS,JSW,AW-No]; Nolan amendment to add at end of 4th “Whereas” the phrase “Cambridge police have a mutual aid obligation to help Harvard and MIT police when called to uphold public safety” – Adopted 9-0; Simmons motion to replace “atrocities being endured by” with “the tremendous suffering being inflicted upon”, comments by Simmons on moderating conflicts and fact that not all free speech is protected; Simmons motion Fails 4-5 [PN,JP,PT,DS-Yes; BA,MM,SS,JSW,AW-No]; Substitute Order as Amended Adopted 7-1-0-1 [Toner – No; Simmons – Present]

City Manager Yi-An Huang provided a very clear and detailed statement on this topic at the previous meeting.

452 Communications – virtually all from the previous meeting and about bike lanes.

Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Apr 24, 2024, to review and discuss the Net Zero Action Plan annual report, including review of yearly action items, progress made, and next steps to reach annual goals. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a public hearing on Apr 24, 2024, to discuss the Digital Navigator Pilot Program (DNP), a collaborative effort between the City of Cambridge Information Technology Department, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Public Schools Department, Just A Start, and Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) to discuss how this initiative is designed to support residents’ digital needs. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #2. A communication from Mayor Simmons re City Council Goals.
pulled by Pickett (reads “Values statement”), comments by Mayor Simmons; Placed on File 9-0

Here they are:

Values Statement
The Cambridge City Council is committed to developing policies that are reflective of the shared values of our community, recognizing the diversity of our city – including but not limited to race, sexual orientation, language, nationality, income, age, and ability. We will conduct our deliberations with transparency, community engagement, and consideration of the financial and social implications on our residents, visitors, nonprofits, and businesses.

City Council Goals

1. Housing and Zoning: Address the housing crisis by making it easier to build more housing of all types with a focus on affordability and protections for low, middle-income, elderly, and disabled residents.

2. Economic Opportunity and Equity: Ensure the City of Cambridge offers economic opportunities to all residents and businesses and is taking steps toward greater economic equity, especially among our marginalized communities.

3. Transportation: Improve the safety, efficiency, access, and sustainability of transportation options for all, and advocate for key transit priorities with the MBTA and other state and regional partners.

4. Sustainability and Climate Resilience: Deepen the City of Cambridge’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis through the use of sustainable energy and strengthening climate resilience and supporting our residents and businesses through this transition.

5. Government and Council Performance: The City Council is committed to effective decision making through close collaboration with each other and the City administration, to communicate transparently and to deepen accountability and engagement with the community.

Communications & Reports #3. A communication from Councillor Toner, transmitting Communication from Chair of Government Operations and Planning Committee regarding Charter Review with questions for Clerk, Election Commissioner, City Solicitor regarding Charter Review Recommendations and Process.
pulled by Nolan (who bemoans delay, expresses hope for a special election on this early next year, also notes that Attorney General would also have to review and proposed charter change, governor could veto); Toner notes June 5 meeting on procedures is scheduled, notes questions submitted by councillors, notes that review by Attorney General may not be necessary, notes question of whether Council will take up any recommendations that failed to achieve a 2/3 majority of Charter Review Committee; Placed on File 9-0

This is one of the most significant matters before this City Council, and it’s not yet clear where this is headed. There is a Government Operations Committee meeting on this scheduled for June 5 at 3:00pm. I will have a lot more to say at that time. I may also write about it in the meantime. – Robert Winters

Resolution #7. Resolution on the death of Janet Murray.   Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Mayor Simmons
Comments by McGovern, Simmons; Adopted as Amended 9-0