Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

October 31, 2022

Goblin It Up on Halloween – October 31, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Central Square,City Council — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:17 pm

Goblin It Up on Halloween – October 31, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

If the Traffic Board can come back from the grave, I suppose anything is possible. Here are a few items of interest on this week’s agenda:City Hall

On the Table #1. Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis. [Charter Right – McGovern Oct 17, 2022; Tabled Oct 24, 2022]

As I said last week, this Order highlights the need to at least occasionally assess the cumulative effect of multiple City ordinances and policy initiatives. The fact that this was seen as controversial speaks volumes about the lack of vision of some city councillors and the degree to which they are beholden to specific interest groups.

Applications & Petitions #2. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Patrick Barrett et al. North Mass Ave BA-5 Zoning District Petition.
Pulled by Toner; Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0

It’s unfortunate that the designations of the city’s local business mixed-use zoning districts are essentially the same as Covid variants. In any case, Mr. Barrett is back with another zoning petition – a small one in the vicinity of Mass. Ave. and Cedar Street. In addition to other changes, this would establish a max. height of 80 ft. – considerably less than the ? height limit that I hear is soon to be proposed by one of our early alphabetical political interest groups.

Applications & Petitions #3. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Duane Callender, et al. Cambridge Lab Regulation Zoning Amendment.
Pulled by Mallon raising issue and objecting to Zondervan and his Aide (Dan Totten) doing an end run to supercede previous City Council petition and what it means to be collegial; Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0

It is interesting that a similar zoning proposal introduced on Sept 12 by Councillors Zondervan & McGovern (a.k.a. The Odd Couple) that would have banned labs from “fragile districts including Central Square, Harvard Square, and Cambridge Street” was viewed as needing further discussion and refinement and was referred to the Economic Development Committee and Long-Term Planning Committee rather than have the zoning petition clock start ticking by referring it to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board. Councillor Zondervan at that time was not pleased by this and, apparently, this has now resulted in its reintroduction as a citizens petition which necessarily will start the clock. This is somewhat insulting to the majority of councillors who, presumably, wanted to have that further discussion and refinement. That said, this new petition is different in that it at least attempts to distinguish between what the drafters of the petition see as good vs. evil “lab” uses.

Communications #43. A communication was received from Theodora M. Skeadas, regarding from Cambridge Local First supporting the Cambridge Lab Regulation Zoning Amendment.

Pardon my cynicism, but has anyone else noted just how many past and future City Council candidates have used Cambridge Local First as a stepping-stone toward their candidacy?

Resolution #5. Congratulations to Chief Ranger Jean Rogers on her retirement from the Cambridge Water Department.   Councillor Toner

I have known Ranger Jean since she first came to work as the Fresh Pond Ranger. Happy retirement, Jean.

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor and CDD to review the proposed language for Ordinance #2022-18 [Incentive Zoning], as amended in Committee and report their findings back to the City Council.   Councillor Zondervan
Pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Reports #3. Ordinance Committee – Oct 26, 2022 1:00pm. [text of report] The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on a Zoning Petition to amend Section 11.202(d) of Article 11.000, entitled SPECIAL REGULATIONS, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge, by substitution.

These concern the proposed amended language for Incentive Zoning (Linkage) that would shorten the timeline for the next nexus study.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Police Commissioner to convene a meeting with the LBJ tenant community to address their concerns about undesirable and threatening behavior in and near the LBJ Apartment building.
Order Adopted 9-0

Needless to say, the proliferation of this behavior is a BIG problem throughout the greater Central Square area. I’m sure the City’s new Community Safety Department will take care of everything. By the way, has anyone else noted that Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui’s questionable choice as Chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee, has held only one meeting of that committee (May 18), and the topic of that meeting was “to discuss the City’s implementation of the 988 program with City staff and other subject matter experts.” As Leslie Neilson once said, “Nothing to see here.”

Order #3. That the City Manager direct the City Solicitor to research these questions [whether or not a person can be legally required to state their name, and address for the record when they are speaking at a City Council or Committee meeting; and whether or not we should be requiring that an individual provide their name, address, and phone number, to register for public comment] and to report back to the Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee at their next meeting.   Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0Goblin

In my opinion, the only persons who should not be required to give their name and address during public comment or when making comments on social media or any website are people enrolled in the federal witness protection program.

Order #6. That the Mayor schedule a Roundtable meeting on Municipal Broadband.   Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0 as Amended

I’d love to see what the latest cost estimates are for this.

Committee Reports #1. Transportation & Public Utilities Committee – Oct 11, 2022, 1:00pm. [text of report] The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee conducted a public meeting to discuss station expansion, rebalancing, and e-bike implementation with the BlueBikes system.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

My only request is that they repair the station across the street from my house. The sound of cyclists unsuccessfully slamming bikes into those unwelcoming slots all day and night is disturbing the peace.

Committee Reports #2. Ordinance Committee – Oct 19, 2022 4:00pm. [text of report] The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a Public Hearing on the proposed Green Jobs Ordinance (Ordinance #2022-6).
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Jobs are good – green ones too. Mine is currently more crimson than green. – Robert Winters

October 27, 2022

Cambridge City Charter Review – Resources

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Charter — Tags: , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:40 am

Cambridge City Charter Review

Resources for those who wish to objectively view the history and evolution of the charter
of the City of Cambridge from 1846 to the present and possible modifications for the future.

http://rwinters.com/CharterReview/

Cambridge City Charter Study Group

I would like to informally gather a group of concerned Cambridge residents to form a Study Group to better understand the Cambridge City Charter – past, present, and future – in detail. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current Charter? How did we come to have the current (Plan E) Charter? What improvements to the governmental form and election methods might be advisable? [References]

This Study Group would be separate from the “official” Cambridge Charter Review Committee that was recently appointed by several city councillors. Among other things, this group can monitor the official review committee, discuss and critique any proposals coming from that committee, and independently propose alternatives. If you are interested, please let me know. – Robert Winters

original proposed 1846 Charter
(this is not the same as what was
passed and sent to Cambridge voters!)		 1846 Charter w/amendments through 1890 appended
(as approved by Legislature and Cambridge Town Meeting)		 1891 Charter 1915 (Plan B) Charter 1940 (Plan E) Charter
(as amended)
M.G.L. Chapter 43: CITY CHARTERS
M.G.L. Chapter 43B: HOME RULE PROCEDURES
M.G.L. Chapter 43C: OPTIONAL FORMS OF MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION ACT

City SealThe official Charter Review Committee now has a website: https://www.cambridgema.gov/charterreview
This page has links to the recordings of all of the meetings held so far.

How best to distribute political power in Portland? Fault lines erupt over charter ballot proposal (The Oregonian, Sept 18, 2022)
Yeah – I’m quoted in the article. – RW

Additional Resources

House No. 13 – An Act to establish the city of Cambridge – 1846 (HTML – this is not the same as what was passed and sent to Cambridge voters! House No. 13 – An Act to establish the city of Cambridge – 1846 (PDF – scan retrieved via Google) – not the same as final version adopted by voters March 30, 1846
Original 1846 Charter w/amendments through 1890 appended (HTML) – See Note below Original 1846 Charter w/amendments through 1890 appended (PDF) – scan from Revised Ordinances 1892, published by City of Cambridge – adopted by voters March 30, 1846 – See Note below
Note: with Amendments of 1853 (adopted Dec 5, 1853); Amendments of 1857 (adopted May 1, 1857); Amendments of 1867 (adopted Nov 5, 1967); Amendments of 1869 (adopted Nov 2, 1869); Amendments of 1870 (adopted by City Council); Amendments of 1873-A (adopted by City Council); Amendments of 1873-B (adopted by City Council); Amendments of 1877 (adopted by City Council March 14, 1877); Amendments of 1878 (adopted by City Council); Amendments of 1890 (adopted by City Council May 3, 1890)
1891 Charter of the City of Cambridge (HTML)
– adopted by voters Dec 8, 1891		 1891 Charter of the City of Cambridge (PDF) – scan from Revised Ordinances 1892, published by City of Cambridge) – adopted by voters Dec 8, 1891
1911 Proposed Charter (scan from original pamphlet of Cambridge Charter Association) – not approved by voters – 5272 For, 6073 Against
Chart from 1911 Charter Proposal     Inside front cover of 1911 Charter Proposal pamphlet     Insert from 1911 Charter Proposal pamphlet
1915 Charter (Plan B) from Mass. General Laws, Chapter 43 – adopted by voters Nov 2, 1915
1938 Mass. House Report of the Special Commission on Taxation and Public Expenditures – Part X (City Manager Government and Proportional Representation), Feb 25, 1938 – scanned from original
Plan E Charter (as amended through 2021)
defeated in Nov 8, 1938 municipal election: 19955 For, 21722 Against (47.9%-52.1%), 4615 Blanks
approved in Nov 5, 1940 municipal election: Nov 7 Cambridge Chronicle reports 25875 For, 18323 Against (58.5%-41.5%), 7513 Blanks
Spreadsheet of votes in 1938 and 1940 elections to adopt Plan E
M.G.L. Chapter 43: CITY CHARTERS
M.G.L. Chapter 43B: HOME RULE PROCEDURES
M.G.L. Chapter 43C: OPTIONAL FORMS OF MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION ACT
Mass. General Laws Chapter 54A (Proportional Representation)     PDF version Rules for Counting Ballots (1941 pamphlet from Cambridge Election Commission)
Political History of Cambridge in the 20th Century – by Glenn Koocher (Nov 2004); edited by Robert Winters (July 2006)
[An alternate edit of this essay appeared, along with many other valuable essays, in a centennial volume published by the Cambridge Historical Society in 2007.]
The Advent of PR in Cambridge – originally published in the Cambridge Civic Journal on Feb 12, 1998
HOW TO BREAK A POLITICAL MACHINE – Collier’s Magazine, Jan 31, 1948 (posted Sept 24, 2020, updated Mar 27, 2021)

In case you were wondering about how to make Cambridge’s PR elections independent of how the ballots are counted…

Election Method Comparison – STV/Cincinnati vs. Fractional Transfer – 2021 Cambridge City Council Election (posted Jan 15, 2022)

Plan E Cambridge City Councils – At A Glance (Mayor in bold) — Comments?

Plan E Cambridge School Committees (and Mayors) At A Glance — Comments?
Cambridge PR Election Archive
Sept 21, 2020 City Council meeting notes – CCJ Forum (see comment at end)

Sept 23, 2020 Special City Council meeting w/Collins Center:   Agenda/Materials    meeting video (includes links to documents/presentation)

Mar 22, 2021 City Council meeting notes – CCJ Forum (see Communications & Reports #2)  Communication from Mayor Siddiqui re: Collins Center
[Siddiqui memo] [Collins Center 1st memo (Mar 11, 2021)] [Appendices]

May 3, 2021 City Council meeting notes – CCJ Forum (see Communication & Reports #2 at end – memo provided only after meeting was held)
[Collins Center 2nd memo (Apr 28, 2021)]

May 26, 2021 Special City Council meeting w/Collins Center – Agenda (there was no advance notice of this meeting, and it was canceled)

June 2, 2021 Special City Council meeting on Charter Review w/Collins Center:    meeting video

Ad Hoc Selection Committee Announces 15 Charter Review Committee Members (July 1, 2022)

15-member review team to take first look at the Cambridge town charter (July 13, 2022, Cambridge Chronicle)
May 25, 1907 Cambridge Chronicle – “The ‘new charter’ has been abandoned”
 
May 25, 1907 Cambridge Chronicle - part 1		  
May 25, 1907 Cambridge Chronicle - part 2

October 23, 2022

Getting Board and Commissioned – October 24, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:29 pm

Getting Board and Commissioned – October 24, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Over 15 years ago I wrote an essay for The Alewife titled “Getting Board and Commissioned” that was basically an appeal for residents to apply to serve on City boards and commissions. I would still encourage people to do so based on all the same reasons I expressed in that essay. Things are potentially a bit different now in that for some of these boards you could be subjected to scrutiny by elected councillors and their political handlers. That’s a shame, but it’s still worth applying. One thing that has been missing for a very long time is a full accounting of what City boards continue to exist. Some were created based on short-term concerns and have either quietly disappeared or were officially discontinued.

Perhaps the most intriguing of these is the Traffic Board (officially the “Traffic and Parking Commission”) that was created in 1961 by a Special Act of the Massachusetts Legislature and quietly disappeared at least 20 years ago but which legally continues to exist (and due to the “holdover” rules in Massachusetts its 3 members continue to be legal appointees to that board). The significance of this particular board (and the Special Act that created it) is that (a) it grants authority to the Traffic Director to make or change regulations, and (b) it is the legal mechanism via which citizens can appeal a traffic or parking regulation issued by the Traffic Director. City Manager Communication #4 is the first time in decades that acknowledges the Traffic Board. There are a few other interesting items as well, but Mgr #4 is definitely the highlight. It also proposes stipends for some of the City’s boards and commissions. It also clarifies which City boards and commissions are subject to City Council review of appointees.City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation $1,409,562 from Free Cash to the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $2,050,000 from Free Cash to the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund which will be used to fund specific future projects, which will require separate individual appropriations by the City Council.
Order Adopted 9-0

We’ll have to wait and see how these funds are proposed to be spent. These are just formal transfers to the specified Community Benefits and Mitigation funds.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report items numbered 21-52 & 22-25, regarding a report on Boards and Commissions. (CM22#207) [Manager’s Communication] [Info Charts] [Job Description Best Practices] [Standard Demographic Battery for Cambridge Surveys] [Boards/Commission Application] [Survey of Other Communities – Stipends] [Zoning Petition Recommended Language – Removing Limit on BZA compensation]
Attachment A [Info Charts] referred to Gov’t Operations Committee; Attachment F [Zoning Petition Recommended Language – Removing Limit on BZA compensation] referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board as a City Council Zoning Petition; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

This is one of the more substantial items in recent years to appear on the City Manager’s Agenda. It includes:

  • proposing a standard operating procedure for recruiting, screening, and interviewing candidates to Boards and Commissions
  • developing strategies for orienting and training new appointees and conducting exit interviews with departing members
  • consideration of term limits for members of boards and commissions with some accommodation for longer service
  • developing a standardized presentation of appointments and re-appointments to City Council
  • proposal for stipends to some boards and commission members who meet more regularly, e.g. Planning Board, BZA, Historical Commission

The Manager’s Office has provided a long-overdue accounting of all City boards, commissions, and other committees with details on number of members, how each board came to be, which are or are not subject to City Council approval of members, and which are or are not in the Cambridge Municipal Code but which are not technically “boards or commissions” (and are therefore not subject to City Council review of appointments). As mentioned above, this is the first time in decades that the City is acknowledging that the “Traffic and Parking Commission” was never legally discontinued and which provides a legitimate avenue via which residents can appeal regulations issued by the Traffic Director.

I don’t personally see much value in providing stipends to board members. I seriously doubt if such financial considerations factor into most residents’ decisions on whether or not they want to serve on a City board or commission. The level of time commitment is surely a factor, but that is hardly addressed by offering a modest stipend. I’m also not enamored by term limits because any board or organization can benefit from having a mix of new members and long-term members with long-term perspectives.

Not specifically addressed in the Manager’s communication is the issue of “self-perpetuation” of existing boards and the practice of City staff often deciding who may or may not be appointed based on whether or not the appointee shares the philosophy or agenda of the staff person reviewing the list of possible appointees. My feeling has always been that all appointees to City boards have to represent the interests of all residents and not just use their position for their own personal advocacy or that of City staff.

I also feel strongly that there should be a periodic review of all boards, commissions, committees, and task forces to assess their current relevance and whether some might be discontinued, merged, or redefined. A sunset can be a beautiful thing.

Charter Right #1. Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis [Charter Right – McGovern, Oct 17, 2022]
Amended (QZ) 9-0; Tabled (DS) 9-0

Regardless of the motivations behind this particular Order, it highlights the need to at least occasionally assess the cumulative effect of multiple City ordinances and policy initiatives. I know an MIT mathematician who once brilliantly commented on a mathematical paper that it was “locally comprehensible but globally incomprehensible”. The same could be said of the patchwork of City ordinances and policies each of which may have been born out of the best of intentions but which in combination with all else creates a bureaucratic rat’s nest or a level of economic burden that drives reasonable people to frustration and worse.

Unfinished Business #3. 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 (Ordinance #2022-5) [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended, Oct 3, 2022; To Be Ordained as Amended on or after Oct 24, 2022; Expires Nov 1, 2022]
Ordained as Amended (to add “including in all overlay districts” at end of section 6.31) 8-1 (Carlone – NO)

The correct answer on the question of reducing or eliminating parking minimums is: “It’s complicated.” That said, my expectation is that this City Council will once again go with its quasi-religious tendency to adopt the latest trendy housing, zoning, or transportation philosophy hook, line, and sinker without any consideration of nuance, applicability in different settings, or consideration of unintended consequences.

Order #1. That the Rules of the City Council be amended to add the following sentence at the beginning: “The rules of the City Council should be reviewed and provisionally adopted towards the beginning of every new City Council term.”   Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #2. That the Rules of the City Council be amended to add the following sentence at the end of Rule 5: “All motions made by any members of the Council should require a second prior to debate.”   Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Fails of Adoption 2-7 (Simmons, Toner – YES)

Order #3. That the Rules of the City Council be amended to add the following sentence at the end of Rule 12: “During debate each Councillor will state their comments clearly and concisely with the understanding that other members are waiting to present their comments.”   Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

Former Mayor Frank Duehay once said to me that the death knell of any organization is when they spend excessive time and emphasis on their by-laws instead of their mission. Now I don’t think this City Council or their predecessors have overthunk their rules, but my antennae do go up when the modification of rules becomes a focal point. I can’t help but think that some of these rules changes are driven by the misbehavior of one or two specific councillors. For example, regarding the proposed rules change in Order #2, wouldn’t it have been nice if a “second” had been required at various times when Councillor Zondervan proposed something that everyone in the room knew was eventually heading toward a 1-8 vote? As for the proposed rules change in Order #3, this could easily apply to more than a few councillors who have been more interested in speechmaking than in conducting an efficient meeting.

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant City departments to develop a communication on the most environmentally responsive and responsible methods of [managing] yard waste, and utilize the City website and other communication avenues to publicize best practices for leaf disposal.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

Makes sense. Those leaves can be your soil’s best friend and the enemy of your local storm drain. – Robert Winters (who was once known as “Compost Man” around town and who regularly clears the nearby storm drains)

October 19, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 565-566: October 18, 2022

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square,Charter,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:28 am

Episode 565 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 18, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Oct 18, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: Shoutout to MassSave/NEEECO and home insulation; Amendments to Incentive Zoning/Linkage ordained; fealty to political bosses; to ban or not to ban labs; the perils of single-issue politics; Central Square safety and appreciation of CPD. Hosts: Patrick Barrett, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 566 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 18, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Oct 18, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: Middle East site status and history; Charter Review and a campaign for a Charter Commission; Plan E restrictions on councillors and aides; prospects and ideas for charter revision; upcoming appointments and review for City boards and role of political groups; eliminating parking minimums – ideology vs. nuance; the Traffic Board dilemma. Hosts: Patrick Barrett, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

October 15, 2022

No Retreat – Notable Items on the October 17, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,Central Square,Charter,City Council,Harvard Square,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:03 am

No Retreat – Notable Items on the October 17, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

The councillors had a private, unannounced retreat last week where they learned to get along. Yeah, right. This week they’re back to bide their time as some of them continue to “charter” a course to take over the government. Some of the more notable agenda items this week are:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a public health update.
Placed on File 9-0

Incentive Zoning and Linkage

Manager’s Agenda #10. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a Housing Contribution made under the Incentive Zoning provisions of the Zoning Ordinance in the amount of $1,565,953 from DIV 35 CPD, LLC to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order O-12 dated Oct 3, 2022, regarding review of recent proposed amendments to the Incentive Zoning Rate Petition.
pulled by Toner; Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #3. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on July 27, 2022 to continue discussions around an Ordinance potentially raising the linkage fee rates. (#2022-14). [Text of Committee Report]
Rules suspended (Toner) to take this with Mgr #13; Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #4. The Ordinance Committee held a public meeting on Sept 7, 2022 to continue the discussion around Ordinance # 2022-14, Section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000 Special Regulations Linkage Fee, proposal to amend by substitution, raising linkage fee rates. [Text of Committee Report]
Rules suspended (Toner) to take this with Mgr #13; Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #6. Section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000 Special Regulations linkage fee, be amended by substitution. (Ordinance #2022-14) [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 12, 2022; To Be Ordained Oct 17 or Oct 24, 2022]
Rules suspended (Toner) to take this with Mgr #13;
Toner amendment [“so long as there is no change of use”] Adopted 5-4 (BA,DC,PN,DS,PT – YES; AM,MM,QZ,SS – NO);
Azeem Amendment [“has obtained a building permit for reconstruction within three years”]
Adopted 6-3 (BA,DC,MM,PN,DS,PT – YES; AM,QZ,SS – NO);
Zondervan amendment [“for incentive projects less that 60,000 sq ft in total gross-floor-area”] Adopted 9-0;
Zondervan proposed amendment to strike final sentence Fails 4-5 (AM,MM,QZ,SS – YES; BA,DC,PN,DS,PT – NO);
Main Amendment Ordained as Amended 9-0; Reconsideration (Nolan) Fails 1-8 (QZ – YES)

Comm. #61. A communication was received from Patrick W. Barrett III, regarding linkage labs and Central Square.
Placed on File 9-0

Taking a Step Back to Look at Net Effect

Order #3. Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Nolan, Charter Right – McGovern

Political Religion, One-Size-Fits-All, and the Continuing War on Cars

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding the Accessory Parking Requirements Zoning Petition.
pulled by Toner; proposed amended language adopted 7-1-0-1 (Carlone – PRESENT, Toner – NO); Referred to Petition 8-1 (Carlone – NO)

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department to meet with and receive input from the Vision Zero, Pedestrian, Bicycle Committee, the Council on Aging, the Transit Advisory Committee, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, Cambridge Police Department, and any other departments, to review and revise the Cambridge Street Code, promulgate the updated guide throughout the city, and develop recommendations for staffing and methods of improving traffic enforcement. [Charter Right – Zondervan, Oct 3, 2022]
Mayor Siddiqui refers to this as having been “charterwritten” this; Order Adopted 6-2-0-1 (PN,QZ – NO, DC – PRESENT);
Zondervan amendments:
#1 – Fails 1-8 (QZ – YES); #2 – Approved 8-1 (DS – NO); #3 – Approved 8-1 (DS – NO);
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Resolution #4. That the City Council go on record thanking Joe Barr for his service.   Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Azeem

Combating Bank Inflation

Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Suzanne P. Blier, et. al Harvard Square Zoning Petition Modification regarding Frontage of Financial Institutions. [text of petition]
pulled by Zondervan; Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT)

81 Communications – Trees (60), Parking Minimums – Pro and Con, mainly depending on your political religion (8), Bike Lanes (2), Linkage and Incentive Zoning (4), and several more. Of particular note are:
Comm. #60. A communication was received from Patrick W. Barrett III, regarding public safety.
Comm. #61. A communication was received from Patrick W. Barrett III, regarding linkage labs and Central Square.
Comm. #81. A communication was received from Joan Pickett, regarding the status of the citizens’ petition signed by 97 registered voters living on or near Brattle Street.

Joan Pickett’s communication is especially interesting in that it refers to a petition to the Traffic Board which has existed under a Special Act of the Legislature for nearly 50 years but which was allowed to “disappear” by the Department of Traffic, Parking, & Transportation – thereby eliminating any appeals process for changes in traffic and parking regulations. Technically the Board still exists and its 3 members (all of whom are still Cambridge residents) would still be on the Traffic Board as “holdover” appointees until others were appointed. Those appointments were never made.

One Ring to Rule Them All

Order #1. That the City Manager direct the City Solicitor and City Clerk to update the posted City Council rules on the website and other locations where posted, to properly reflect the change made to Rule 24c that adds the sentence “individuals will be heard in the order that they signed up whether they are participating in person or remotely.” and to report back to the Government Operations, Rules and Claims committee when complete.   Vice Mayor Mallon
pulled by Mallon, also 3 Orders with Gov’t Operations Committee Report; Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee met on Apr 28, 2022, to discuss potential changes to the City Council Rules. The attached “RULES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, 2022-2023” shows the changes in red, that the Committee is putting forth to the City Council with a favorable recommendation to adopt. [text of committee report]
Placed on File 9-0; 3 Orders Adopted

And the rest…

Order #2. That the City Manager direct the City Solicitor to develop language to regulate car-sharing services that register vehicles to Cambridge residences.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Simmons
pulled by Mallon, reference to Awaiting Report #21-60; Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Order #4. Supporting HD 5394.  Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Nolan (opposed to tax refunds), amended by Carlone to add all as sponsors (which is an incredibly coercive practice), Adopted as Amended 9-0

October 5, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 563-564: October 4, 2022

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 3:49 pm

Episode 563 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 4, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Oct 4, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: Covid comes home; 25 years of CCJ; Jack Thomas – newspaperman; new City positions – Chief People Officer, Talent Officer, Director of Community Engagement; communication & cooperation; the importance of saying “No”; BEUDO now not just about disclosure, mandates as taxation; Linkage as revenue generator w/o regard to incentives and unintended consequences. Hosts: Patrick Barrett, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 564 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 4, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Oct 4, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: Linkage & Incentive Zoning – where do things stand; revision of ordinances and advice to fit the times, e.g. Incentive Zoning, Street Code; Ribfest!; proposal for Middle East site in Central Square; nostalgia vs. preservation; Redefining community benefits to include housing, open space, ground floor retail, and music, arts, and entertainment venues – shifting the paradigm. Hosts: Patrick Barrett, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

October 3, 2022

Growing a Government – for Better or Worse: October 3, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:58 pm

Growing a Government – for Better or Worse: October 3, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are a few items that warrant further comment this week:Fat City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on new positions. [responds to Awaiting Report Items 22-37 and 22-40]
pulled by Carlone; Placed on File 9-0

Here come the “Chief People Officer”, the “Talent Officer”, the Director of Community Engagement, and the Director of Emergency Management. I’m not quite sure what to make of the first three of these new positions.

The Linkage Question

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-62, regarding requests for a legal opinion and additional analysis on linkage fee rate increase discussion.
pulled by Carlone along with Mgr #6, Mgr #7, Unf. Business #4, Comm. & Reports #1; McGovern amendment adopted 9-0; Referred to Petition

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report with a recommendation not to adopt the Incentive Zoning Rate Increase Petition.
pulled by McGovern; Referred to Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a communication received from the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust regarding the Incentive Zoning amendment.
pulled by McGovern; Referred to Petition 9-0

Unfinished Business #4. Section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000 Special Regulations linkage fee., be amended by substitution. (Ordinance #2022-14). [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 12, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after Oct 3, 2022]
Removed for discussion and amendment, returned to Unfinished Business

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Councillor Marc McGovern, transmitting a proposed amendment to the linkage fee.
McGovern amendment adopted 9-0; Referred to Petition

Late Order #12. That the City Manager direct the Community Development and the Law Department to review the amendment that states that exclusing the first 30,000 sq ft for buildings less that 60,000 sq ftin total size and sharing feedback, and report back to the City Council by the regular City Council meeting on Mon, Oct 17.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondevan, Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Carlone – PRESENT)

We’ll see how this goes, but it will be very disappointing if this all comes down to just maximizing revenue generation without regard to any other incentives or unintended consequences.

Taxation without Representation

Manager’s Agenda #1 (Tax Rate Hearing). A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to votes necessary to seek approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of the tax rate for FY2023. [Tax Rate Orders] [Tax Rate Letter]

The bottom line is that: the FY23 Adopted Operating Budget increased by 6.5% over the FY22 Adjusted Budget. The June 2022 FY23 Adopted Budget projected a property tax levy increase of $41.5 million, or 8.4%, to $536.3 million in order to fund operating and capital expenditures. This included the use of $13 million from Free Cash. With approval of the recommendations, the actual FY23 tax levy required to support the FY23 Budget is $531,600,922 – an increase of $36.9 million or 7.45% from FY22. This increase is lower than the estimated increase of 8.4% projected in the June 2022 Adopted Budget due in large part from higher than projected state aid and the use of reserve funds to lower the required tax levy. The property tax levy increase of 7.45% is above the FY22 increase of 4.7%. The property tax levy increase is also above the five-year (FY19-FY23) annual average increase of 6.44%, and the ten-year (FY14-FY23) annual average increase of 5.31%. Based on a revised property tax levy of $531,600,922 the FY23 residential tax rate will be $5.86 per thousand dollars of value, subject to Department of Revenue approval. This is a decrease of $0.06, or 1% from FY22. The commercial tax rate will be $10.38, which is a decrease of $0.85, or 7.6% from FY22. By property class, on average a single-family home will see a 6.6% tax increase, a condo will see a 6.5% decrease, a two-family will see a 4.7% increase, and a three-family will see a 5.4% increase.

Required Votes:
• Authorize $19,000,000 in Free Cash to Reduce the FY23 Tax Levy. [Adopted 8-1, QZ – NO]
• Transfer of Excess Overlay Balances. [Adopted 8-1, QZ – NO]
• Classify Property and Establish Minimum Residential Factor. [Adopted 9-0]
• Residential Exemptions. [Adopted 9-0]

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to convene a North Massachusetts Avenue Corridor District Zoning Proposal Working Group Policy Order Proposing a North Massachusetts Avenue (NMA) Corridor Working Group for the purpose of developing comprehensive zoning recommendations. [Charter Right – Azeem, Sept 19, 2022]
Withdrawn by Councillor Toner in favor of new Policy Order #3 (yet the required vote for unanimous consent was NOT taken)

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to convene a North Massachusetts Avenue Corridor District Zoning Proposal Working Group by June 15, 2023.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Toner; Order Adopted 9-0

To repeat what I said from the previous meeting: “This is a very promising Order. I will note, however, that unlike the days of yore when CDD would study and process things to death before coming to any conclusions, they often now arrive with conclusions and simply run interference during any subsequent public process. Let’s hope this time is different.”

Wild in the Streets

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Transportation and Parking Department to convene a series of meetings with the Vision Zero, Pedestrian Committee, Bicycle Committee, the newly appointed Bicycling Advisory Committee, Cambridge Police Department, and any other departments deemed necessary, to review and revise the Cambridge Street Code. [Charter Right – Simmons, Sept 19, 2022]
Withdrawn by Councillor Toner in favor of new Policy Order (yet the required vote for unanimous consent was NOT taken)

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department to meet with and receive input from the Vision Zero, Pedestrian, Bicycle Committee, the Council on Aging, the Transit Advisory Committee, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, Cambridge Police Department, and any other departments, to review and revise the Cambridge Street Code, promulgate the updated guide throughout the city, and develop recommendations for staffing and methods of improving traffic enforcement.   Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern
pulled by Toner; Charter Right – Zondervan

It is noteworthy that at the previous meeting a number of prominent members of the bicycle lobby took issue with the idea of updating the Cambridge Street Code, and at least two councillors carried their water. Go figure.

On the Table #3. That the City Council refer the zoning petition regarding lab use to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for a hearing and report. [Tabled Sept 19, 2022]
Removed from Table by Toner 8-1 (QZ – NO); Amended by Toner, Mallon; Amendment Adopted 8-1 (BA – NO); Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (QZ – NO); Referred to Economic Development and University Relations Committee and the Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee for a review and discussion

Unfinished Business #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of appropriation and authorization to borrow $4,500,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of building renovations to the vacant City owned property at 105 Windsor Street. [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 12, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after Oct 3, 2022]
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

Unfinished Business #7. That the City Council schedule a hearing of the Ordinance Committee for the purposes of amending the Ordinance #2022-3 Wage Theft of the City of Cambridge to insert the language. [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 19, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after Oct 3, 2022]
pulled by Zondervan; Ordained 9-0

Resolution #18. Happy 80th Birthday wishes to Bill Cunningham.   Councillor Zondervan

Happy birthday, Bill – even though we’ll probably never agree on a lot of things.

BEUDO Communications

Communications #31. A communication was received from Patrick W. Barrett III, regarding BEUDO Meeting Recap.

Communications #40. A communication was received from Nancy E. Donohue, Director of Government and Community Relations, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce regarding joint Business/Institutional BEUDO letter. [Joint Business/Institutional BEUDO letter] [BEUDO April 2022 letter] [BEUDO questions from 9-15-22] [BEUDO Amendment Requirements]

The “conversation” continues in spite of the tin ears of some councillors.

Time of the Season

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to convene an advisory group to determine ways in which the City can work to lift up the voices and experiences of the descendants of the Indigenous People who currently reside in our community.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Simmons; Adopted 8-1 as Amended (Carlone – ABSENT)

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to affix the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Banner above JFK Street and Mount Auburn Street beginning on Oct 4, 2022, for no less than one week and recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct 10, 2022.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by McGovern; Adopted as Amended 9-0

At the same time, let’s give a hearty shout-out to all of the immigrants from other continents and their descendants who have contributed so much to this country and the world.

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to automatically provide an initial legal opinion to the City Council and the City Clerk at least three business days in advance of the first Public Hearing on any amendment to the Code of Ordinances formally introduced in the City Council.   Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #8. Amendment to section 22.25.1(c) of Article 22, entitled Sustainable Design and Development.   Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Zondervan; Referred to Planning Board & Ordinance Committee 9-0

Committee Report #5. On Sept 21, 2022, at 5:30pm, the Ordinance Committee, Chaired by Councillor McGovern, continued the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2022-5 that would eliminate parking minimums. This ordinance was originally proposed under POR 2022 #19. Councillor Zondervan made a motion that was approved by the Committee to amend the petition by substitution so that it adds the sentence underlined and in red below to section 6.30, and that this be the entirety of the petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended (by Toner) 8-1 (Carlone – NO)

I do want to point out that one can support eliminating parking minimums in many circumstances while still acknowledging their value in other circumstances. Treating this as yet another ideological mandate is not helpful, but I suppose that’s where we’re at these days. – Robert Winters

September 19, 2022

Sloppy Seconds – September 19, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,cycling — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 5:33 pm

Sloppy Seconds – September 19, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Last week was the first City Council meeting for newly minted City Manager Yi-An Huang, and he’ll be back for seconds this week. Here’s a sampler from this week’s buffet:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Council Order No. O-13 of 9/12/22, regarding a report on a legal opinion on the following questions regarding Policy Order #11 (proposed amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance) from the Sept 12, 2022 City Council meeting. [City Solicitor response]
pulled by Toner; Charter Right #3 brought forward 9-0 (the next time Mayor Siddiqui says “charterwritten” I may scream); Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #3. That the Ordinances of the City of Cambridge be amended as it relates to Permitting Preferences for Priority Applicants. [Charter Right – Toner, Sept 12, 2022]
pulled by Toner; Council must declare an “emergency affecting the health and safety of the people of or their property” to justify rushing this amendment to a vote without going through passing to a 2nd Reading and waiting the requisite time prior to a vote; Emergency declared 9-0; Ordinance Amendment Adopted 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9

As I said last week: There comes a point when repeated efforts to prop up and give advantages to certain cannabis operators becomes indistinguishable from political patronage. We have reached that point.

Charter Right #2. That the City Council refer the zoning petition regarding lab use to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for a hearing and report. [Charter Right – Toner, Sept 12, 2022]
Mayor Siddiqui again says “charterwritten”, Toner offers amendments but Zondervan is not interested; McGovern proposes sending Toner proposed amendments along with petition to Planning Board and Ordinance Committee, but this is not permissible; McGovern proposes Tabling both and taking up issues in Economic Development Committee and Long-Term Planning Committee; Toner hopes to discuss, delay for 6 months; Azeem agrees; Mallon agrees on Tabling; Tabled 9-0, Toner withdraws proposed amendments for now

Order #1. That the City Council refer the attached zoning petition regarding the Housing Contribution Rate to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for a hearing and report.   Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0; Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board

Lotsa-Listserv-Generated (LLG) Communications on the matter of proposed amendments to the Incentive Zoning Ordinance (Linkage Fee).

I’m not sure that there’s much to do this week other than to refer the lab restriction zoning petition to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board, but suffice to say that there are contrasts between the “command and control” approach of banning lab uses and the more economically enlightened view of adjusting incentives to promote alternatives. I also still don’t know how the City defines a “lab”.

On the Table #5. An application was received from Andy Layman representing Tasty Burger, requesting permission for three (3) projecting signs at the premises numbered 23 Prospect Street. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutter. [Tabled – Sept 12, 2022]
pulled by McGovern; Order Adopted 7-2 (DC,PN – NO)

This may be small potatoes over tasty burgers, and I do have a fondness for signage, but there is a limit on just how many signs are really necessary to help Mr. J. Wellington Wimpy find his way to his favorite meal (for which he’ll gladly pay you Tuesday).

Wimpy
By the way, before there was the tall building at the corner, there used to be a hamburger joint (Wimpy).

Resolution #1. Resolution on the death of Elie Yarden.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons

I have know many “activists” over the years – some of whom have been very difficult people – but Elie Yarden was always thoughtful and kind to me even when our views were as different as different can be.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to convene a North Massachusetts Avenue Corridor District Zoning Proposal Working Group Policy Order Proposing a North Massachusetts Avenue (NMA) Corridor Working Group for the purpose of developing comprehensive zoning recommendations.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
Pulled by Toner; Charter Right – Azeem

This is a very promising Order. I will note, however, that unlike the days of yore when CDD would study and process things to death before coming to any conclusions, they often now arrive with conclusions and simply run interference during any subsequent public process. Let’s hope this time is different.

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to work with Councillors Azeem and Simmons on all necessary preparations for the next meeting in the discussion on potentially allowing multi-family housing to be built citywide.   Councillor Azeem, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

Generally speaking, allowing more flexibility in the kinds of residential housing that are permissible in any of the city’s residential zones is a good thing. I do worry, however, that this may just be the first step toward blenderizing Cambridge in the long term into just high density porridge. Personally, I like the fact that different parts of Cambridge have very different histories, densities, lot sizes, and residential patterns.

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Transportation and Parking Department to convene a series of meetings with the Vision Zero, Pedestrian Committee, Bicycle Committee, the newly appointed Bicycling Advisory Committee, Cambridge Police Department, and any other departments deemed necessary, to review and revise the Cambridge Street Code.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan
Pulled by Toner; Mallon substitute Order; Charter Right – Simmons

There was a time when cycling advocates would proudly display their “One Less Car” or “Share the Road” T-shirts. Those were the days of peace and love and peasant blouses. Now it’s Lycra and spandex and “War on Cars” and “Separated Bike Lanes”. I also remember when the City’s Traffic Department and the Transportation Folks in CDD would emphasize safe operation of bicycles. Somewhere along the road the emphasis shifted from safe operation and cooperation to segregation. Meanwhile, lots of newfangled “mobility devices” have emerged and safe operation seems like an afterthought. – Robert Winters

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress