Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

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

Here you go my fellow Cantabrigians:

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