March 23, 2009 City Council Agenda highlights
Here are the items I found interesting, important, or ridiculous:
Mgr #3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the block rates for water consumption and sewer use for the period beginning Apr 1, 2009 and ending Mar 31, 2010.
Here’s the lowdown:
| Annual Consumption |
FY07 Water Rate |
FY08 Water Rate |
FY09 Water Rate |
FY10 Proposed Water Rate |
FY07 Sewer Rate |
FY08 Sewer Rate |
FY09 Sewer Rate |
FY10 Proposed Sewer Rate |
FY07 total |
FY08 total |
FY09 total |
FY10 proposed total |
|
| Block 1 | 0-40 CcF | $2.84 | $2.84 | $2.90 | $2.98 | $6.44 | $6.44 | $6.75 | $7.28 | $9.28 | $9.28 | $9.65 | $10.26 |
| Block 2 | 41-400 CcF | $3.05 | $3.05 | $3.11 | $3.19 | $6.82 | $6.82 | $7.15 | $7.71 | $9.87 | $9.87 | $10.26 | $10.90 |
| Block 3 | 401-2,000 CcF | $3.23 | $3.23 | $3.30 | $3.39 | $7.32 | $7.32 | $7.67 | $8.28 | $10.55 | $10.55 | $10.97 | $11.67 |
| Block 4 | 2,001-10,000 CcF | $3.44 | $3.44 | $3.51 | $3.60 | $7.89 | $7.89 | $8.27 | $8.92 | $11.33 | $11.33 | $11.78 | $12.52 |
| Block 5 | Over 10,000 CcF | $3.72 | $3.72 | $3.80 | $3.90 | $8.39 | $8.39 | $8.79 | $9.48 | $12.11 | $12.11 | $12.59 | $13.38 |
All rates are per CcF (100 cu. ft., approx. 750 gallons). The water rates are proposed to increase an average of 2.7% (compared to 0% and 2.1% the previous two years). The sewer rates are proposed to increase an average of 7.9% (compared to 0% and 4.8% the previous two years). The combined rates are proposed to increase an average of 6.3% (compared to 0% and 4.0% the previous two years). The City Manager also reports that the annual combined water/sewer rate is projected to increase by an average of approximately 5.7% each year for FY10-14.
Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to require appropriate City departments and staff to begin collecting data based on gender and to make available to the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women and all other departments the gender based data while securing anonymity and confidentiality as appropriate. Mayor Simmons
Though I’m sure to get some nasty e-mail messages for saying so, this is ridiculous. What’s next, requiring weight, height, and tattoo information in the annual City census?
Order #13. That the City Manager is requested to obtain from the Fire Department how many black hydrants are in the West Cambridge area, and whether or not the number of black hydrants in West Cambridge is relatively high in comparison with the rest of the city. Councillor Decker
It would appear that Decker is feeling the sting from the Mar 2 response to her Dec 15 Order about fire hydrant pressure during the Lexington Avenue fire several months ago. Will there be an upcoming Council Order establishing a Fire Hydrant Equity Commission? I’m sure she’ll want it to be fully staffed with health and dental benefits.
Order #15. That the City Manager is requested to report to the City Council with a proposal to label trees at appropriate locations to educate Cambridge residents. Councillor Davis
Great idea, really – and simple and inexpensive. Just like at the arboretum or the Mt. Auburn Cemetery. – RW