Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

Under New Management – September 12, 2022 City Council Agenda

It may not be Buckingham Palace or Balmoral Castle, but the virtual crown has now officially changed heads as Yi-An Huang takes over as Cambridge City Manager. Our new City Clerk Diane LeBlanc and her staff are also exhibiting some royally good initiative in catching up on the backlog of City Council minutes – and hopefully soon some of the dozens of missing City Council committee reports from the last several years – even if only brief reports to complete the record. I also like the brevity of this week’s committee reports that give just the basic actions with references to videos that are all available on the City website. Adding timestamps for key moments is my only suggestion.

Here are some of the agenda items that seem interesting to this royal subject:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 and Monkeypox update.
Placed on File 9-0

The Manager showed true commitment by actually contracting Covid in preparing this report.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the recommendations of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2023. [FY23 Project Recommendations] [Summary of CPAC process]
Pulled by Nolan; 18 Votes – all Adopted 9-0

80%-10%-10%. It’s always 80%-10%-10%. Suggesting otherwise is considered sacrilege.

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-47, regarding utilization of Code Red for text alerts regarding new polling locations for the primary election on Sept 6, 2022.
Pulled by Mallon; Placed on File 9-0

This is a tricky one. Code Red is supposed to be about emergency alerts (including that dire warning that your car may be towed in April). Should a reminder to vote be treated the same way as an emergency? Some may think so – but it’s also true that voter turnout can tilt an election, so promoting turnout could be seen as a political act. Besides, every registered voter gets a postcard and other mailings with information on where and when to vote and all voting options.

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-49 regarding Bristol and Cardinal Medeiros intersection improvements. [Traffic Department Response] (Note: This also responds to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-53.)
Pulled by Zondervan; Placed on File 9-0

This is in response to Councillor Zondervan’s Order regarding the intersection where his house is located.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-19, regarding drafting language to enable the Cambridge Police Department and Department of Public Works to donate abandoned bicycles to charitable organizations. [City Solicitor’s Response]
Pulled by Mallon; Placed on File 9-0

Good idea. Note that the City Solicitor’s recommendation is that this also include other mobility devices such as e-scooters and wheelchairs of de minimus value. It’s not clear what might be done with abandoned or unclaimed expensive (de maximus value?) bicycles and other devices.

Transportation is not only about bicycles

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-22, regarding the feasibility of increasing the number of high school students who receive a MBTA M7 Card at no cost. [Manager’s Response]
Pulled by Nolan; Placed on File 9-0

To be paid from ARPA funds. Like other current magnanimous gestures, one has to ask whether things funded from the ARPA manna that fell from federal heaven will at some point be folded into the City’s annual tax-supported operating budget. In the meantime, enjoy the ride.

Order #2. That the City Council urge the MBTA to reverse its decision to reconfigure and reduce service along the 47 Bus Line and take whatever steps are necessary to return it to its previous level of service.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 9-0

According to the T, the revised T39 bus route would replace most of the 47 Bus route and extend all the way from Porter Square to Forest Hills. Also, the current frequency of “every 30 min or better” would instead be “every 15 min or better”. I’m confused by this Order’s “urging the MBTA to reverse its decision to reconfigure and reduce service along the 47 Bus Line” – notwithstanding any current concerns about reductions due to labor shortages. What’s not to like about a longer route with more frequent service? [Clarification – Due to driver shortages and other reasons, service on the current 47 Bus Route has in fact been temporarily reduced.]

The Visible Hand of Picking Winners in the Wacky World of Cannabis

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-51, regarding Cannabis Industry Information. [CDD Response]
Pulled by Zondervan; Rules Suspended to take up Order #11 and Late Order from Toner; Report Placed on File 9-0; Order #11 – Charter Right (Toner); Late Order Adopted 9-0

Order #11. That the Ordinances of the City of Cambridge be amended as it relates to Permitting Preferences for Priority Applicants.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Charter Right – Toner

Late Order #13. Request that the City Manager ask the City Solicitor to prepare a legal opinion on the following questions regarding Policy Order #11 from the Sept 12, 2022 City Council meeting.   Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 9-0

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.

The Clash between Ideology and Practicality in Parking

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report with negative recommendation on the Accessory Parking Requirements Zoning Petition.
Pulled by Carlone; Refer to Petition (Zondervan) 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Ordinance Committee met on Aug 3, 2022 to conduct a public hearing on Ordinance #2022-8, an ordinance amending Parking minimums and maximums. [Text of Committee Report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

It’s worth noting that the Planning Board’s negative recommendation was unanimous. This, of course, will not stand in the way of the ideologues. Most people are perfectly agreeable regarding waiving or eliminating parking requirements in the city’s major squares and transit nodes, but that doesn’t necessary extend to every square inch of the city unless, of course, your alphabet ends after the first three characters. There are plenty of neighborhoods which currently have a delicate equilibrium in parking that are likely to be greatly disrupted by either adding a lot of new Priuses or replacing hundreds of on-street parking spaces with white plastic posts. We used to actually care about unintended (and intended) consequences back when thinking was part of the equation.

I appreciated the City Clerk’s no-nonsense note regarding timing: “The Committee will meet on Sept 21. To meet the deadlines, this needs to be voted out to full Council at this meeting to appear on the agenda for Oct 3. Assuming it passes to a 2nd Reading, it would be advertised on Oct 12, and could be ordained on Oct 24. There is no wiggle room. This must come out of committee on Sept 21.”

Our Friend Peter

Resolution #2. Resolution on the death of Peter Valentine.   Councillor Simmons

Order #7. That the Dedication Committee hold a special meeting to expedite the process of naming the corner of Brookline Street and Franklin Street in honor of Peter Valentine.   Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

There was an absolutely marvelous celebration of Peter’s life organized by friends and family and held at Starlight Square this past Saturday, Sept 10. Among other revelations, we learned that Peter was once a great basketball player in his original hometown of Everett and that he was a big Frank Sinatra fan. Many people saw Peter mainly in terms of his house, his fence, and his unusual clothing, but he was also a friend to many, many people (including me) – and many of them were there for the celebration in Starlight Square which owes its name to Peter. Farewell, my friend.

Resolution #11. Congratulations to The Dance Complex on the occasion of its 30 year anniversary in Central Square.   Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested work with the Cambridge Historical Commission, DPW, the Dedication Committee, and any other relevant City departments to create a system to document the histories of those honored, and to make those histories available to the public, including but not limited to a website on the City’s web page or a QR code on each sign.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 9-0

There is a map, and I seem to recall there being some narrative that went along with this. There may even have been a City Council Order calling for this to be done comprehensively, but this seems to have faded into obscurity. It would be great if this initiative could be revived and perfected. For example, from a Aug 29, 2011 Gov’t Operations Committee Report: “Mayor Maher commented that history of street names and the history of the persons to whom street corners are dedicated is becoming extremely important. He stated that it would be great to start to do research-finding for street corners. Councillor Seidel stated that should be the next step.”

The Short-Term View of Long-Term Planning

Order #8. That the Health and Environment Committee of the City Council hold a public hearing to discuss the issue of PFAS, and overall water quality, cost of operating our own water department, cost of MWRA versus Cambridge Water Department and other appropriate factors to be considered and work with the City Manager, the Water Board, and relevant city staff to set up the initial meeting this fall.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Azeem
Pulled by Toner; Order Adopted as Amended (Toner), Referred to Health & Environment Committee 9-0

Suffice to say that any notion of abandoning Cambridge’s water supply and its high quality water treatment facility would be incredibly short-sighted and unwise (and expensive). That said, any opportunity to educate Cambridge residents (and city councillors) about how they get their water (and what becomes of their wastewater) is worth pursuing.

Linkage & Labs

Order #10. That the City Council refer the zoning petition regarding lab use to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for a hearing and report.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Charter Right – Toner

Committee Report #4. 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]
Suspend Rules; pulled early by Zondervan; Referred to Petition 9-0

Committee Report #6. 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]
pulled early by Zondervan; Petition amended as below* 8-1 (Zondervan – NO); Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0; Referred to Petition 9-0

Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Councillor Zondervan, transmitting a further amendment to the Linkage Fee Petition.
pulled early by Zondervan; Referred to Petition 9-0

Late Communications & Reports #4. A communication was received from Councillor Zondervan, clarifying his proposed amendment to the Linkage Fee Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Late Order #12. That the City Manager direct the City Solicitor answer any legal questions that came up during the discussion that occurred during the regular City Council meeting on Sept 12th.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

Revising Cambridge’s Incentive Zoning Ordinance is long overdue, and the amendments that were passed in committee are on the right track – despite the claims of some low-information advocacy groups. It’s not all about maximizing revenues for a single purpose. The Community Development Department should also develop better language to make clear the definition of “lab”. Though some are and can be dreadful neighbors due to light, noise, and other intrusion, not all laboratory uses are plagues on their neighbors – and some of them are doing miraculous work. The greater issue is the fact that some of Cambridge’s current ordinances greatly incentivize the construction of laboratory uses over other desirable uses, and that needs to change.

I enjoyed the City Clerk’s no-nonsense note: “To meet the deadlines, this needs to be voted out to full Council at this (Sept 7) meeting to appear on the agenda for September 12. [It was] If this is passed to a 2nd Reading on Sept 12, it would be advertised on Sept 21 and could be ordained on Oct 25. There is no wiggle room.”

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee met on Mar 2, 2022 for the purpose of reviewing the draft leadership profile, and next steps in the City Manager search process. [Text of Committee Report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

34 pages of old news that should have been reported 5 months ago. Now where are the other 11 Gov’t Ops. committee reports from this year and the previous two City Council terms that were never filed? If these were my students they’d be struggling to earn a “D”.

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee conducted a public hearing on June 29, 2022 to discuss Zoning Petition from Craig A. Kelley – The Cambridge Transportation De-Carbonization Congestion-Mitigation. (Ordinance #2022-13). [Text of Committee Report]
Petition Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS – ABSENT)

Further conversation is still to be had on this and it is expected to be re-filed. As the City Clerk notes: “Because of the Jewish Holiday, the Council cannot meet on Sept 26 and therefore this matter will expire. The Committee is also waiting on an opinion from the Law Dept. related to this matter.”

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee met on July 26, 2022 to reconvene and continue a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (Ordinance #2021-26). [Text of Committee Report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

There is a virtual “Building Emissions Public Forum” scheduled for this Wednesday evening (Sept 14). As the notice says (emphasis mine): “The City is considering changes that would require large buildings to lower their emissions over time. Join staff from the Community Development Department and several City Councillors” [Patricia Nolan and Quinton Zondervan only – apparently only those councillors who are zealously supportive of the proposed amendments as now written] “for a webinar to learn about proposed changes to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO). If you can’t attend virtually, we will stream the webinar on the second floor of 344 Broadway. There are a limited number of seats available.” [About BEUDO – In Cambridge, more than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings. Since 2014, the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) has required buildings over a certain size to report energy use to the City. (50+ units for residential, and 25,000+ square feet for commercial.) Proposed amendments would require these buildings to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time. For more information, please visit cambridgema.gov/BEUDO (which only addresses the current reporting requirements with no mention of any proposed changes that may require extensive and expensive retrofits of existing buildings).

On the Table #4. An application was received from Andy Layman representing Tasty Burger, requesting permission for three (3) projecting signs at the premises numbered 353 Prospect Street. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutter. [Tabled Aug 1, 2022; updated address and proof of mailing appended]
Removed from Table 9-0; Placed Back on Table 6-3 (BA, MM, PT – NO)

There’s not much to be said on this item other than the fact that the address has been corrected and two perfectly good signs are proposed for the front and back of this building. On the other hand, there are several other protruding blade signs proposed that probably should not be approved. I love spectacular signage and I can never get enough neon (or neo-neon) (like the gorgeous “Diner” sign directly across Prospect Street), but pasting directional signs for a single business sticking out like you might see at a strip mall is not so great (even for a good burger). – Robert Winters