Springing into Inaction – March 21, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda
It looks like a pretty light agenda this week. Here are a few notable items:
Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to recommendations for the block rates for water consumption and sewer use for the period beginning Apr 1, 2022 and ending Mar 31, 2023. [Order]
pulled by Nolan; Zondervan wants to quit our own water supply and switch to MWRA; City Manager disagrees w/Zondervan claim we have PFAS "contaminated water"; City Engineer Kathy Watkins and DPW Commissioner Owen O’Riordan provide expert information re: sewer system improvements; Carlone asks about advantages of AAA bond ratings; Azeem asks about relationship between rates and consumption, long-term projections on capacity vs. population growth; Order Adopted 9-0
Charter Right #10. That the City Manager is requested to amend all existing Community Host Agreements previously issued by the City by reducing the Impact Fee to 0.05% of Gross Revenue and to refrain from placing this burden upon any future HCAs that may yet be issued. [Charter Right – Zondervan, Feb 28, 2022; Tabled Mar 7, 2022]
Removed from Table 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT); Simmons explains her amendments, Zondervan amendments; Amendments Adopted on voice vote; Order Adopted on voice vote; Reconsideration Fails 0-9
Resolution #2. Happy 100th Birthday to Marion A. Sullivan. Councillor Simmons
Resolution #14. Resolution on the death of Lawrence Hudson. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Police Department to look into specific pedestrian safety interventions that can be placed at the intersection of Broadway and Highland Avenue. Vice Mayor Mallon
pulled by Mallon; notes recent motor vehicle accident and claims many near-accidents (but this is really just hazardous for pedestrians); Adopted as Amended (voice vote)
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to immediately convene an Alewife Overlay District Zoning Proposal Working Group. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon
pulled by Toner; Carlone explains that an urban design plan should precede any approval of zoning changes, bemoans fact that City Council continues to leave this out; Zondervan wants at least 50% housing in this area; Adopted as Amended (voice vote)
Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Vice Mayor Mallon, transmitting a memorandum regarding updates on the City Manager search. [memo] [timeline] [outreach] [leadership profile] [application for Initial Screening Committee]
Placed on File as amended (voice vote)
Late Order #5. That the City Council supports H.3457/S.2307 in Mass. General Court re: regulation of e-bikes. Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted (voice vote)
Note: This was the first meeting in two years where all 9 councillors were physically present.