Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

March 5, 2022

In Like a Lemming, Out Like a Loon – March 7, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:00 pm

In Like a Lemming, Out Like a Loon – March 7, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

The Charter-Changers will this week charter a course through the sea of Charter Right agenda items pulled last week for reasons unknown. The rhetoric should be priceless in justifying why residents volunteering their time and talents should be challenged by privileged councillors acting as tools for political organizations. Save for the holdover items, the agenda is relatively brief this week. Here are a few notable items:

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-42, regarding a report on reviewing Cambridge’s corporate contracts and purchases to identify any vendors or manufacturers whose products are used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge’s policy on discrimination.
pulled by Carlone (trying to narrow focus to computer companies, i.e. Hewlett-Packard); McGovern notes that products are often comprised of parts from many companies; Zondervan characterizes Solicitor response as a "refusal to respond to the policy order"; Placed on File 9-0

One of the great misunderstanding of occasional Council-watchers is that a short agenda translates into a short meeting. The problem with that is that it fails to account for the “political theater” associated with some items that might otherwise be easily dismissed and placed on file. Such is the case with this quite rational and sensible response from the City Solicitor in response to last year’s marathon-inducing order that was anti-Israel and pro-BDS (Boycott-Divest-Sanction). [Reference: Charter Right #2 of May 24-25, 2001, from Order #6 of May 17, 2021] That kerfuffle was poorly resolved by a) removing the specific reference to Hewlett-Packard and affirming Israel’s right to exist (an amendment that was opposed by Councillors Sobrinho-Wheeler, and Zondervan and Mayor Siddiqui); and b) broadening the scope of the order to include “any vendors or manufacturers whose products are used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge’s policy on discrimination.”

More recently, there was a letter published online on Jan 27, 2022 written by John Roberts, Nancy Murray, Denise Bergman, Kathy Roberts, Jude Glaubman, and Chris Affleck that sought to reignite the kerfuffle. The Solicitor’s response pretty clearly illustrates why boycotting and otherwise targeting every entity who may have done business that a few councillors seem unsavory is a bottomless pit. If this City Council must engage in foreign entanglements, there are more universally acceptable targets available other than Israel. That, of course, will not sway Councillor Zondervan who is likely now massing virtual troops at the border of City Hall. The best course of action for the City Council can be summarized in three words – “Placed on File”.

Note: Nobody actually spoke on this item during Public Comment. Once again, it was all tiresome talking points about bike lanes.

Manager’s Agenda #11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $730,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Traffic and Parking Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($700,000), and to the General Fund Traffic and Parking Department Extraordinary Expenditures account ($30,000) for additional costs associated with the implementation of the Cycling Safety Ordinance.
pulled by Toner; Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on the status of our planned implementation of cycling safety improvements in Porter Square along Massachusetts Avenue between Beech Street and Roseland Street.
pulled by Toner; Order Adopted 8-1 (Zondervan – NO)

Pardon me for not wading into the polluted waters surrounding the Cycling Safety Ordinance (CSO – an acronym which has been more widely used for Combined Sewer Overflow). Perhaps the most significant thing worth noting is the announcement that there will be a minor delay in implementation of the CSO in one section – an unspeakable horror for the adherents of the Cambridge Bicycle Safety group who seek to enforce pledges from compliant incumbents and challengers to cover their ears, eyes, and mouths whenever the notion of amending that ordinance or deviating even slightly from its mandates is mentioned.

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request to approve the disposition of property located at 35 Cherry Street (the “Property”) to the Affordable Housing Trust to facilitate the development of affordable housing.
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

There were a number of ideas proposed for use of this lot but, well, you know where all those considerations are ultimately filed.

Late Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the findings of the “Future of Telework” Committee, and to explain the City’s current policy regarding a remote work policy in the Weekly Digest this Friday, March 11th; and to submit a full report with recommendations to the full City Council at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Monday, March 21st.
Order Adopted 5-2-1-1 (Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Zondervan, Siddiqui – YES; Azeem, Toner – NO; Simmons – ABSENT, Carlone – PRESENT)

The discussion illustrated some basic misunderstanding by Vice Mayor Mallon and Mayor Siddiqui regarding the distinction between their role as city councillors and the role of the City Manager in regardless to City employees. In contrast, Councillor Azeem showed a clear understanding of the role of city councillors under the Plan E Charter (Bravo, Councillor Azeem!). Councillors Toner and Carlone also showed wisdom in their vote.

Manager’s Agenda #16. 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 as discussion in an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body.
Executive Session Held

I have no idea if this is in regard to something new or the potential resolution of something old still in litigation, e.g. Vail Court. Whatever happened to that? I really wish the City had the vision to do something creative with the taken-by-eminent-domain Vail Court property in concert with the adjacent huge parking lot at Prospect St. and Bishop Allen Drive. Mediocrity should not be the rule.

Stolen from August 1974 National LampoonCharter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Michael P. Gardner as a member of the Cambridge Retirement Board for a term of three years, effective Mar 1, 2022. [Charter Right – Mallon, Feb 28, 2022]
Placed on File 9-0 (not subject to City Council review)

Charter Right #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Maxwell Solet as a new member of the Board of Trustee of the Cambridge Health Alliance for a term to expire June 30, 2024. [Charter Right – Mallon, Feb 28, 2022]
Placed on File 9-0 (not subject to City Council review)

Charter Right #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for new appointments and reappointment to Open Data Review Board for a term of two year. [Charter Right – Mallon, Feb 28, 2022]
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

Charter Right #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for reappointment and new appointment to the Water Board. [Charter Right – Mallon, Feb 28, 2022]
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

Charter Right #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for reappointments to the Fresh Pond Master Plan Advisory Board. [Charter Right – Mallon, Feb 28, 2022]
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

Charter Right #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for new appointments and reappointments to the Mid Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Commission. [Charter Right – Mallon, Feb 28, 2022]
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

Charter Right #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for a new appointment and reappointments to the Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District Commission. [Charter Right – Mallon, Feb 28, 2022]
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

Charter Right #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for reappointments to the Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District Commission. [Charter Right – Mallon, Feb 28, 2022]
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

Charter Right #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to approval requested for a new appointment and reappointments to the Historical Commission. [Charter Right – Mallon, Feb 28, 2022]
Tabled 9-0 (Mallon)

The tap dance continues. On the one hand, it is right and proper that the City Council should establish some ground rules for their newfound veto-power over appointments to City boards & commissions. On the other hand, politicizing board appointments was and is a terrible idea. Will the appointments be farmed out to City Council committees to be turned into politically-charged tribunals? Will a new “Review Committee” be established to process them all? Or will the Council just vote on each set of appointments after councillors beholden to political organizations have had an opportunity to delete the names of those appointees unacceptable to their handlers? Inquiring minds want to know.

NOTE: Anyone who thinks it is OK to refer to an item made subject to the Charter Right as having been “charterwritten” needs to enroll in some basic English grammar classes.

Charter Right #14. A Zoning Petition has been received from Craig A. Kelley regarding The Cambridge Transportation De-Carbonization and Congestion-Mitigation Bill.. (Ordinance #2022-10) [Charter Right – Carlone, Feb 28, 2022]
Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 9-0 (Carlone)

Though my guess is that Craig Kelley’s petition won’t survive in its initial form, he deserves credit for reopening the conversation of such things as car-sharing and how electric vehicle charging can be made more widely available. Abutter concerns will not and should not be easily dismissed, but this is still a conversation that needs to take place. I won’t be buying an electric car (or an eclectic car) any time soon, but if I ever do the matter of charging for those of us without driveways can’t be dismissed, and even if battery improvements make things somewhat faster it likely won’t be as fast as filling up the tank. Let’s also not forget that the electrical infrastructure maintained by Eversource will likely need a tremendous amount of reinvestment as vehicles and buildings become more dependent on the electric grid.

Charter Right #15. That the City Manager is requested to work with DCR to pilot an expansion of Memorial Drive closures along any segments east of Western Avenue that could be used as parkland. [Charter Right – Simmons, Feb 28, 2022]
Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Simmons – PRESENT)

This is likely still a non-starter for a variety of reasons. Besides, actual parkland is better than pretend parkland that’s covered in asphalt and only available one or two days per week during a portion of the year.

Charter Right #16. 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]
Amended to add Zondervan as sponsor (and withdraw his proposed amendments); Tabled 9-0 on motion of Simmons

I am endlessly entertained by the City Council’s attempts to override economics in the pursuit of accomodation of the politically connected. In Washington, DC former elected officials become lobbyists, and in Cambridge and Boston they go into cannibis sales. Are there any other taxes and fees being waived for other businesses – especially now that Covid seems to be in retreat – or is this just a weed thing?

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Department of Public Works to introduce the SMART Box rodent control system in Cambridge.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Proposed City Council Order #5: That the City Manager be and herby is requested to appoint a Rodent Rights Commission in order to ensure that all members of the order Rodentia and the genus Rattus be granted the full rights and privileges as all other Cambridge residents – especially in regard to exposure to electric currents and other matters of environmental justice.

Committee Report #1. The Housing Committee met on Dec 1, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to resume its discussion of the Sept 20, 2021 Policy Order that seeks to amend the Zoning Ordinance via potentially raising the linkage fee. [Report]
Report Accepted; Placed on File 9-0

Tax, tax tax – spend, spend, spend. Let others worry about the details and potential consequences.

Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Councillors Toner and Simmons, transmitting a memorandum regarding the search for the next City Clerk. [Outreach List] [Search timeline] [Job posting]
Placed on File 9-0

Where are John Wayne and Jeffrey Hunter now that we need them? – Robert Winters

March 2, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 539-540: March 1, 2022

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 9:37 am

Episode 539 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 1, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Mar 1, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: Ukraine invasion hits home; higher education reinventing itself; adjusting the center; Covid updates; assaulting the Boards; efforts to eviscerate neighborhood conservation districts and some history of their success; turning grudges into policy. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 540 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 1, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Mar 1, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: dependent vs. independent councillors; charter review; city manager search; budget process misunderstandings; purpose of City Council orders under Plan E; some history of responsiveness of city managers and the nuclear option; AAA bond ratings; regulation and taxation; envisioning transit and urban planning. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

February 4, 2022

Don’t Worry About The Government – Selections from the February 7, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 9:38 am

Don’t Worry About The Government – Selections from the February 7, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Here are a few choice items from this week’s agenda:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 9-0Feb 6 Covid 7-day averages

The Covid numbers have been improving daily. Harvard dining halls have now opened at full capacity and required testing has been reduced. The questions now should be about when the City’s various requirements will be reduced or eliminated as we transition from pandemic to endemic.

Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-93, regarding proposed amendments to the Municipal Code relative to recent charter changes (Ordinance #2022-2). [Charter Right – Nolan, Jan 31, 2022]
Tabled 9-0 – Nolan

The big question for me will be how the next round of charter revision plays out. The pattern over the last few years has been one of city councillors seeking more privilege and authority (personal aides, designated parking spaces, private offices, veto power over appointments to City boards & commissions). They have even now asserted themselves as the primary source of all future charter revision by assuming power to appoint all members to any future charter review commission. Will the next call be for a popularly elected mayor and the elimination of the current city manager form of government (even as they are in the process of hiring a city manager)? Depending on how the first round goes, there may be the need for citizens to petition for their own elected charter review commission. In the 1930s, the combination of political patronage, poor fiscal management, and elevated taxes led to a citizens movement to adopt Plan E. History may well repeat itself, but perhaps only after considerable fiscal turmoil.

I will also point out that there are still no protocols in place for how the City Council will review appointments to City boards & commissions or if this authority applies to all boards, commissions, task forces, or ad-hoc committees.City Hall

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the appropriate City staff to determine the feasibility of establishing additional compensation for the City’s essential employees in accordance with the considered State legislation framework.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 9-0

This may be a good idea, but there is something odd about crediting additional years toward an employee’s pension as if this was some new form of currency. One might think that providing “hazard pay” to employees who came to work through the worst part of the pandemic would be the more appropriate action.

Order #2. That Article 10.000 of the Zoning Ordinances of the City of Cambridge be amended to insert a new section 10.600, titled “On-Site Fossil Fuel Infrastructure”.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone
Charter Right – Zondervan

Order #8. Amendment to Article 22 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge entitled “Sustainable Design And Development” to insert a new section.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan
Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 7-0-0-2 (Simmons, Toner – PRESENT)

Order #2 calls for a zoning amendment that would mandate no new gas hookups in new or substantially rehabilitated buildings – except subsidized housing development. Order #8 would mandate emissions reporting for all major new projects and substantially rehabilitated buildings – except any residential buildings that include affordable units.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the City Solicitor to provide a legal opinion on whether the City Council can delegate the authority of curb cut approvals to the Inspectional Services Department through the City Manager.   Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Carlone – NO)

When Marjorie Decker was on the City Council she would regularly question why the City Council should be involved in the approval of curb cuts. In contrast, other councillors over the years have jealously guarded their ability to either block projects or extract benefits using (or abusing) this authority. Delegate it.

Order #4. That section 6.36 entitled, Schedule of Parking and Loading Requirements, of Article 6.000, entitled “Off Street Parking And Loading Requirements And Nighttime Curfew On Large Commercial Through Trucks”, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge be amended.   Councillor Azeem, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Amended 9-0; Charter Right – Simmons

Order #9. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct staff from the Community Development and Law Departments to examine the Zoning Ordinance and provide amendment language for consideration by the City Council to remove all other references to parking minimums, including in Articles 13.000, 14.000, 15.000, 16.000, 17.000, and 20.000.   Councillor Azeem, Councillor Zondervan, Councill McGovern
Amended 9-0; Charter Right – Simmons

I have mixed feelings about this. The creed over the last decade or two has been that new housing near public transit should have relaxed or no parking minimums. Now that density has become the new religion with the added belief that automobiles are the work of the devil, the new wave is for eliminating parking minimums everywhere. Insofar as many tenants and owners may still want a place to park their Electric BMW, it’s likely that some developers will continue to build parking into their projects in order to maximize value. It’s not so clear how less affluent people who have to drive to jobs elsewhere will make out – other than to fight over the diminishing supply of on-street spaces when they return home. Pretty soon every day may feel like street cleaning day.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to report to the City Council on options for spending ARPA money on direct support for households and individuals facing eviction, housing instability, and/or homelessness.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

I’m sure some of this makes good sense, but I would like to see some documentation of the “acute crisis of homelessness, housing instability, and eviction in Cambridge” that this proposal seeks to address as well as the means via which eligibility for this new form of public assistance would be determined. I recall there being claims a year ago about the coming “tsunami of evictions” but I’m not so sure that metaphorical storm ever struck. Nobody questions that housing costs are high in Cambridge, but it’s hard to make a direct connection between that reality and the pandemic.

Order #6. That the City Council appoints City Councillors Denise Simmons and Paul Toner as members of the City Clerk preliminary screening committee to begin the application and interviewing process for the new City Clerk, and to report back to the full City Council, as required by law, for the public interviewing of recommended finalists for the City Clerk position.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met on Jan 26, 2022 for the purpose of reviewing next steps in the City Manager search process.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #6. A communication was received from Vice Mayor Mallon, transmitting a memorandum regarding updates on the City Manager search.
Placed on File 9-0

One of my favorite all-time films starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Natalie Wood and others is John Ford’s “The Searchers”. I hope the City Council’s triple search process ends as well.

Order #7. Amend Section 2.66 of the Municipal Code to add a new section titled “Article III Green Jobs.”   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui
Referred to Health & Environment Committee 9-0

Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information regarding the Fare Free Bus Pilot Working Group.
Placed on File 9-0

Let me guess what the recommendation will be… You need look no further than the name of the working group. – Robert Winters

February 2, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 535-536: February 1, 2022

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Cambridge InsideOut — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:40 pm

Episode 535 – Cambridge InsideOut: Feb 1, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Feb 1, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: Wildlife, snowpocalypse; continued bus/bike lane controversies, options, advisory committee; future planning and Quick Build shortsightedness; Fresh Pond Golf Course controversy, revolutionary stupidity, new councillor naivete, ideology superseding reason. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 536 – Cambridge InsideOut: Feb 1, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Feb 1, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: Groundhog Day; City Manager search, schedule, screening concerns; civic knowledge on a need-to-know basis; simultaneous searches for City Manager, Clerk, & Auditor under cloud of possible charter changes; opportunity to reexamine job descriptions of City Manager, Clerk, Auditor, and City Council Aides and staff; test cases coming in review of Board appointments. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

January 31, 2022

Shoveling Snow Against The Tide – January 31, 2022 Cambridge City Council Meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Fresh Pond — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 6:42 pm

Shoveling Snow Against The Tide – January 31, 2022 Cambridge City Council Meeting

If you don’t dig what’s going down (or coming down), Zoom in to Monday Night Live. In addition to the meeting agenda, there will plenty of other agendas on display – some hidden, some not. Amid mixed precipitation and metaphors, here are some potentially stormy items:Golf course

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and committees to present a report to the Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration Committee which includes information on the history, membership data of golf course users, environmental conditions, and a legal analysis of what uses are currently permitted or what would be involved in changing use for other city needs. [Charter Right – Toner, Jan 24, 2022]
Substitute Order Adopted 9-0

The public comment on the proposed “study” of the golf course will likely be just as plentiful this week as it was last week. I’m sure Councillor Zondervan supports this because it’s just one more chapter in his revolution book. Councillor Azeem knows so little about the people of Cambridge that he thinks that desiring “abundant housing” to grow on the golf course will score him big points in his YIMBY circles. Councillor Nolan will be playing both sides of the issue – as usual. As for Councillor Carlone, that’s anyone’s guess. I suppose if your whole goal in life is to be seen as “progressive”, then nothing should ever be left as is. That, in my opinion, is a stupid point of view. There are many great things that are best left alone save for the maintenance.

Substitution for Policy Order submitted by Councillors Toner, McGovern and Simmons as amended
O-3     Jan 24, 2022   Jan 31, 2022   Adopted 9-0
COUNCILLOR TONER
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Golf Course, also known as the Fresh Pond Golf Course, in West Cambridge is the largest open space in Cambridge and has been enjoyed as welcome green space for since 1933; and
WHEREAS: Golf is an important and safe outdoor activity, with many residents participating, and has operated in a manner to ensure the sport is accessible to an increasingly diverse community of residents, including keeping course fees low to ensure affordable to all users, and supporting the CRLS golf team when most urban high schools charge fees or do not have a golf team due to barriers; and
WHEREAS: The golf course is self-sufficient and operates on member fees and receives no additional funding from the city,
WHEREAS: The City seeks to encourage outdoor activity and physical activity among residents,
WHEREAS: Considering these trends, it makes sense review if other outdoor uses could be incorporated into golf operations without interfering with its current and primary purpose as the only low cost municipal golf course in Cambridge; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with all appropriate departments, as well as the Cambridge Water Board and Fresh Pond Advisory Committee, and present a report to the Neighborhood & Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration Committee, which includes but is not limited to a legal analysts of what uses are currently permitted, information on the history of the golf course, residency and other demographic information about membership data of golf course users, and any environmental constraints; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council request that the Chair of the Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts, and Celebration Committee schedule a public hearing to discuss what other complementary uses, if any, might be made of the space that do not interfere with the regular operations of the golf course, and encourage greater usage by all Cambridge residents; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council by March 30, 2022 to enable a committee hearing this spring.

Note 1: Zondervan stated that he does want to change/limit golf operations.

Note 2: Carlone scolded his colleagues for having scolded the original authors of the policy order.

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-93, regarding proposed amendments to the Municipal Code relative to recent charter changes.
Charter Right – Nolan

The City Solicitor has provided partial language on the matters of City Manager review and how a charter review committee might be formed. There is still no word on how the City Council will go about reviewing board appointments or even which City boards and commission would be subject to Council review. More and more I am coming to the conclusion that city residents may have to soon form their own charter review movement independent of this City Council.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-85, which requesting a report on potential modifications or adjustments to the recent improvements that were made on the segment of Massachusetts Avenue from Dudley Street to Alewife Brook Parkway.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-1, regarding the feasibility of creating a Cycling Safety Ordinance Advisory group.
Placed on File 9-0

The repercussions of The Pledge continue. How many City ordinances are there that come with a pledge that they must never be reviewed or changed? Very progressive. As for the proposed membership of the “Cycling Safety Ordinance Advisory group”, will they be subject to City Council review? More significantly, will this group have any ability to do anything other than to inform the public that little or nothing can or will be done to alter the course of the juggernaut. As the Manager’s communication says, “we educate the community on what elements of the projects are flexible and open to change and which elements are constrained.” Is the only change possible the color of the flexi-posts?

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to not adopt the Cushing, et al., Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation not to adopt the Yamin, et al., Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Dec 8, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Yard Setback Zoning Petition (Ord # 2021-22). [PDF of Committee Report #1 – unedited software-generated transcript with many errors]

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation not to adopt the Francis Donovan, et al., Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

The bottom line these days is that unless zoning changes are blessed by an elite few, they don’t stand a chance, and it doesn’t really matter if they have merit. Pretty soon it won’t even be possible to serve on the Planning Board unless you have been pre-approved by that same elite.

Order #2. Wage Theft Ordinance.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I still don’t fully understand this proposal, though my suspicion, based on the proposed language, is that it may simply be a way to block the hiring of independent contractors or to ensure that only union members can be hired. The term “wage theft” is very provocative, but perhaps not necessarily accurate.

Order #3. That the City Council and School Committee hold a joint virtual roundtable on Tues, Feb 8, 2022 to discuss priorities for the FY23 Budget.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

I’m a little confused about whether this is meant to have the City Council advise the School Department about their priorities or vice-versa. Their respective budgets have no intersection except perhaps in the shared use of some facilities, e.g. for polling locations or community school programs. – Robert Winters

7. Late Resolution for David Albert.   Councillor Toner
Late Resolution Adopted 8-1 with Councillor Zondervan (unbelievably) voting NO

Res #7     Jan 31, 2022
WHEREAS: Officer David Albert announced his retirement after 33 years of service to the Cambridge Police Department; and
WHEREAS: Officer Albert served as a Patrol Officer for 27 years and ended his last 6 years as a Detective in the Criminal Investigations Department; and
WHEREAS: Officer Albert dedicated his energy and focus to serving the citizens of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Officer Albert grew up in North Cambridge on Magoun Street and comes from a large family dedicated to public service to the City of Cambridge serving as police officers, firefighters and nurses, including his youngest daughter, Delaney Albert who recently joined the force; and
WHEREAS: Officer Albert has earned a long and happy retirement with his wife Kathleen;
RESOLVED: That the City Council and City of Cambridge go on record thanking Officer Albert for his long and honorable service to the City of Cambridge.

January 19, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 533-534: January 18, 2022

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Cambridge InsideOut,covid — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:56 pm

Episode 533 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 18, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Jan 18, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: Police Commissioner Christine Elow and some history of Chief vs. Commissioner; optimistic Covid update; bikes & buses – controversy and alternatives; ideology within Community Development Department; future prospects. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters
[On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 534 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 18, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Jan 18, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: Filibuster and the value of slow legislation; Charter questions – past, present, and future; Envision history; Charter Change while seeking new City Manager, City Clerk (and City Auditor); proportional representation (PR) realities and distortions by single-issue politics; role of planning within CDD vs. responding to partisan petitions; PR revisions for fractional transfers should be part of future Charter revision discussions. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

January 18, 2022

Cambridge City Auditor Jim Monagle to retire May 31, 2022

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 9:52 pm

City Auditor Jim Monagle to retire May 31, 2022 at the end of his current 3-year term

Jan 18, 2022 – Under the Plan E Charter, the Cambridge City Council directly hires only 3 people – The City Manager, the City Clerk, and the City Auditor. There is currently a search process underway to identify a successor to City Manager Louis DePasquale when his contract ends on July 5, 2022. City Clerk Anthony Wilson informed the City Council in September that he would be leaving his position when his contract ends on May 31, 2022. Now City Auditor Jim Monagle has informed the City Council that he will be retiring from his position at the end of his contract – also on May 31, 2022.James Monagle

Dear City Council,

After serving as City Auditor for the past 20 years, I am writing to inform you that I plan to retire at the end of my current term, which expires on May 31, 2022. It has been a tremendous honor to serve as City Auditor. I am proud of my record of providing independent and timely oversight of the City’s finances and operations. Working closely with the Council, administration, and my team, I have carried out my duties to ensure that City’s programs are executed legally, efficiently, and effectively. It has been a pleasure working for the City Councils during my tenure.

The role of City Auditor is not always well understood by the public because most of an auditor’s work takes place behind the scenes and is buried in detailed financial reports. The staff of the Auditing Department works tirelessly to promote an honest, effective, and fully accountable City government. The collaborative nature of the auditing team and the passion each employee brings to their role plays a critical role in safeguarding against potential fraud or misuse of City resources. My staff’s attention to detail is responsible for the timely creations of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Schedule A, and Per-Pupil Report. These documents play a crucial role in providing financial information to the City Council, City Manager, the investment community, the state and federal governments, and the residents of Cambridge.

I have been fortunate to have worked with so many incredibly talented and dedicated staff during my tenure, and I want to thank each of them. I also want to thank the three City Managers I have worked with and each City department. The City Administration has always been collaborative, hardworking, and dedicated to serving the residents of Cambridge.

I want to thank the City Council for placing your trust in me and your dedication to your constituents and the City.

James Monagle
City Auditor

January 15, 2022

Election Method Comparison – STV/Cincinnati vs. Fractional Transfer – 2021 Cambridge City Council Election

Filed under: 2021 election,Cambridge,elections — Tags: , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:03 pm

It has been suggested at various times that Cambridge should consider modifications to its current proportional representation election method – especially in regard to its method of distribution of surplus #1 votes using the “Cincinnati Method” which is dependent on the order in which ballots are initially tabulated. An alternate method that is often suggested (but rarely explained) is known as “Fractional Transfer” and various other names. Indeed, the tabulation software currently used by Cambridge (ChoicePlusPro) has Fractional Transfer as its default method, and our own “Cambridge Rules” must be invoked for our local Cambridge elections. The Election Quota is calculated in the same manner, i.e. the total number of valid ballots divided by one more than the number to be elected, rounded up to the nearest integer (or add 1 if a whole number).Vote!

There are several key differences between the Cambridge Rules and Fractional Transfer:
(1) Under the Cambridge Rules, any overvote where the same rank is given to more than one candidate is ignored. Under Fractional Transfer, overvotes may be counted (for example if 4 candidates are given a #1 vote they would each get 0.25 votes) or they may be ignored. This is a choice that would have to be made.

(2) Under the Cambridge Rules, surplus #1 votes are redistributed to the next highest ranked continuing candidates as whole ballots where the whole ballots are chosen via the Cincinnati Method, i.e. every nth ballot where n is the nearest integer to the quotient of the total and the number of surplus ballots. For example, if Quota was 2000 and a candidate had 2600 #1 votes, there would be 600 surplus votes and 2600/600 would be approximately 4.3 and the ballots chosen for redistribution would be (in sequence) #4, #8, #12, etc. Any surplus ballot with no valid next preference would not be transferable and would remain with the #1 choice. Thus there can be no “exhausted” ballots during the surplus distribution. The distribution of surplus ballots continues until the elected candidate’s number of votes is reduced to the Election Quota. If during this surplus distribution another candidate reaches Quota, that candidate would be declared elected and would no longer be eligible to receive additional ballots with any subsequent ballots transferred to the next preference candidate on that ballot still eligible to receive transfers. There are thus two ways in which the initial ballot order can affect the election results – the specific ballots chosen for redistribution and the point at which any other candidate reaches Quota.

Under Fractional Transfer, any elected candidate with surplus votes would have a fraction of ALL ballots transferred to the next preferred continuing candidate with a corresponding weight. For example, if the Quota was 2000 and the candidate had 2500 votes (so the surplus would be 500), then ALL of that candidates ballots would be transferred to the next preferred candidate with a weight of 1/5 or 0.2 with the elected candidate retaining 0.8 of all of all ballots – thus reducing the total to the election quota. In the case where there is no valid next preference, that weight (0.2 in the example) would be exhausted, so there can be ballot exhaustion during the surplus distribution in order for the election to be independent of ballot order. If another candidate reaches Quota during this distribution (or any subsequent surplus distribution), the distribution will continue allowing the newly elected candidate to exceed Quota. A subsequent count will then take place to also reduce that candidates total down to Quota – again transferring a fraction of ALL of that candidate’s ballots in the same manner. Any candidate who has reached Quota at the end of any round is declared elected and becomes ineligible to receive transfers.

(3) Under the Cambridge Rules, after all #1 vote surpluses have been fully distributed, the next Round is the “Under 50” Round where all candidates with fewer than 50 votes at that point are simultaneously defeated and all ballots transferred to next preferred eligible candidates or exhausted if there is no additional valid choice.

Under Fractional Transfer, all candidates who have been “mathematically eliminated” are defeated simultaneously. This means that the sum of all of the votes of those candidates at that point is less than the number of votes for the next lowest candidate. If any continuing candidate reaches Quota during this round, that candidate is declared elected at the end of the round, and any surplus ballots are subsequently redistributed in a subsequent round.

(4) Under the Cambridge Rules, the remainder of the process is a series of runoffs where the candidate with the fewest votes at the end of each round is defeated and all of that candidate’s ballots are transferred to the next highest ranked continuing candidate or exhausted. This continues until the required number of candidates have been elected either by reaching Quota or by having not been defeated at the point where the requisite number of candidates have not been defeated. If any candidate reaches Quota during a round, that candidate is declared elected and is no longer eligible to receive additional ballots. This is another way in which the original ordering of ballots can affect the election outcome. After the initial #1 surplus distributions, no candidate can ever have more than the Election Quota of ballots.

Under Fractional Transfer, the election proceeds in much the same way via a series of runoffs, but whenever a candidate reaches Quota during a round, the count continues until all of the defeated candidate’s ballots have been transferred or exhausted, and any surplus ballots of an elected candidate are transferred in a subsequent surplus distribution round to reduce that elected candidate’s total to Quota. This process continues until the number of candidates is reduced to the number to be elected. In the final round some candidates may go over Quota, but the standard rule is that the election is declared to be complete at that point without any additional surplus distribution.

(5) Under the Cambridge Rules, if a vacancy occurs, the vacancy is filled via a “Vacancy Recount” using only the Quota of ballots that were used to elect that candidate. This is simply a series of runoffs to elect one candidate where all candidates not previously elected are eligible to receive votes (but not including any votes previously received in the original election).

There is no established rule for how a vacancy would be filled under Fractional Transfer. It could be done in the same manner as the Cambridge Rules, but candidates elected in the final round might have a substantial number of surplus ballots compared to any candidates elected during previous rounds all of whom would have exactly a Quota of ballots.

Here is a comparison of three methods for the most recent (2021) Cambridge City Council election: (1) the official results using the Cambridge Rules; (2) Fractional Transfer with overvotes included; and (3) Fractional Transfer with all overvotes ignored. As you can see, the same candidates are elected with the order of election differing slightly and the rounds somewhat different due to differences in the rules – most notably in the introduction of surplus distributions after any candidate reaches Quota during a round.

Official Count:
CouncilFinal2021

Fractional Transfer including overvotes:
Fractional2021

Fractional Transfer – No Overvotes:
Fractional2021NoOvervotes

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