Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

March 21, 2023

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 583-584: March 21, 2023

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Comcast — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:17 pm

Episode 583 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 21, 2023 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Mar 21, 2023 at 6:00pm. Topics: Cambridge Police Department (CPD) policies, analysis, bodycams, tasers, alternatives, rarity of officer-involved shootings; HEART, potential conflicts with CPD; PSL protests and threatened occupation; naiveté of the press and blogosphere. Hosts: Robert Winters, Judy Nathans [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 584 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 21, 2023 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Mar 21, 2023 at 6:30pm. Topics: Municipal Broadband, CCTV funding, Cable TV vs. Internet and streaming, financial exposure/risk, consumer viewpoint; Charter Review and request for extension; history of Cambridge Charter from Town to Plan E – video program coming; shoutout to the Office of the City Clerk. Hosts: Robert Winters, Judy Nathans [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

March 20, 2023

Spring Backwards – March 20, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Central Square,Charter,City Council,Comcast — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 3:41 pm

Spring Backwards – March 20, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Spring officially begins Monday, Mar 20, 2023 at 5:24pm. Six minutes later the Cambridge City Council will spring backwards into Zoom isolation. Here are the agenda items that caught my attention:First Sign of Spring

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the new appointments of Maria Guadalupe Arlotto and Brendan Koscher as members of the Police Review and Advisory Board for terms of five years.
Appointments Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 23-05, regarding a report on beginning the process of obtaining police body worn cameras (BWC) for the Cambridge Police Department, and to work with all appropriate departments to produce policy recommendations that would allow body worn camera usage while also not violating civil liberties in compliance with the City’s Surveillance Ordinance.
pulled by Toner; comments by PT, DS, MM, PN (critical of previous city managers), QZ (opposed to body cameras); responses by Commissioner Christine Elow, and Superintendent Freddie Cabral; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 23-09, regarding a report on engaging a third party, independent firm/consultant or university partner to review and examine the Cambridge Police Department’s policies and practices regarding de-escalation methods, mental health calls for service, training, and more.
pulled by Zondervan; questions from Siddiqui; comments by QZ (concerned about bidding process for contract – curious that no such concerns about HEART funding and contract; also challenging use of a police entity doing review), DS (noting that CPD already intentional about deescalation methods), AM, DC, PN, SS; responses by Elow, City Manager Huang; Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to fund the HEART initiative and negotiate a contract for services with HEART, to include but not limited to HEART responding to certain 911 calls. [Charter Right – Nolan, Mar 6, 2023]
Siddiqui again says “charterwritten”; Toner moves to also discuss Comm. & Rpts. #3; Nolan reads prepared statement, says HEART expects to be ready in Fall, proposes amendments; Zondervan supportive of amendments; Toner OK with amendments but questions HEART, prefers to develop a scope of services for others to bid on, questions about liability; McGovern says that Manager believes that contracts with a non-profit entity do not need to go out to bid, floats notion of $8 million funding for HEART, fully supports Community Safety Department but wants HEART to be outside of any City department; Simmons notes her letter with Toner expressing concerns about HEART, notes model for non-police response that grew from Task Force, wants assurance that any entity chosen is actually equipped to do the job; Zondervan expresses support w/o any questions; Amendments Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 7-1-0-1 (Simmons – Present; Toner – No)

Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Councillor Toner, transmitting Questions regarding Requests to Fund Heart Using City Funds.
Discussed along with Charter Right #1; Placed on File 9-0

It seems all but certain that the reason the City Council meeting is taking place on Mount Zoom this week is because of the multiple police-related agenda items and the inevitability of a PSL invasion (Party for Socialism and Liberation). We may also see further evidence of the current Mayor’s differences of opinion with the City Administration (and perhaps a signal of how she might prefer to change the Charter to gain more authority). [“In Cambridge, our charter grants the City Manager power over the Police Department as well as oversight of personnel matters. There have been repeated demands from the community to release the name of the officer who shot Faisal, and I personally believe this is an important step for the sake of transparency, but a statement released last week made clear the City will not do so.”]. Ms. Siddiqui’s definition of “the community” is not so clear.

Regarding HEART: There’s something disturbing about the fact that city councillors are pressing the City Manager to award a contract to a particular vendor – and especially a vendor with zero track record other than the consistent hostility of its adherents toward the Cambridge Police Department.

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to recommendations for the block rates for water consumption and sewer use for the period beginning Apr 1, 2023 and ending Mar 31, 2024. [FY24 water/sewer charts]
pulled by Nolan; comments by PN; responses by Owen O’Riorden, Kathy Watkins (DPW); Placed on File 9-0

The notable increases in the water rate this year actually exceed the increases in the sewer rate, but it has generally been the reverse for some time. It costs far more to lose the water than to supply it.

Water Rates (per CcF) FY05 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24
Block 1 0 – 40 CcF $2.73 $3.02 $3.02 $3.02 $3.02 $3.02 $3.02 $3.02 $3.02 $3.05 $3.11 $3.32
Block 2 41 – 400 CcF $2.94 $3.24 $3.24 $3.24 $3.24 $3.24 $3.24 $3.24 $3.24 $3.27 $3.33 $3.55
Block 3 401 – 2,000 CcF $3.11 $3.44 $3.44 $3.44 $3.44 $3.44 $3.44 $3.44 $3.44 $3.47 $3.54 $3.77
Block 4 2,001 – 10,000 CcF $3.31 $3.65 $3.65 $3.65 $3.65 $3.65 $3.65 $3.65 $3.65 $3.69 $3.76 $4.01
Block 5 Over 10,000 CcF $3.58 $3.96 $3.96 $3.96 $3.96 $3.96 $3.96 $3.96 $3.96 $4.00 $4.08 $4.35
Sewer Rates (per CcF) FY05 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24
Block 1 0 – 40 CcF $5.54 $8.19 $8.62 $9.21 $9.50 $10.23 $11.00 $11.77 $12.51 $13.51 $14.59 $15.34
Block 2 41 – 400 CcF $5.87 $8.67 $9.12 $9.74 $10.05 $10.82 $11.63 $12.44 $13.22 $14.28 $15.42 $16.21
Block 3 401 – 2,000 CcF $6.30 $9.31 $9.79 $10.46 $10.79 $11.62 $12.49 $13.36 $14.20 $15.34 $16.57 $17.42
Block 4 2,001 – 10,000 CcF $6.79 $10.02 $10.54 $11.26 $11.62 $12.51 $13.45 $14.39 $15.30 $16.52 $17.84 $18.75
Block 5 Over 10,000 CcF $7.22 $10.66 $11.21 $11.97 $12.35 $13.30 $14.30 $15.30 $16.26 $17.56 $18.96 $19.93
Combined Rates (per CcF) FY05 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24
Block 1 0 – 40 CcF $8.27 $11.21 $11.64 $12.23 $12.52 $13.25 $14.02 $14.79 $15.53 $16.56 $17.70 $18.66
Block 2 41 – 400 CcF $8.81 $11.91 $12.36 $12.98 $13.29 $14.06 $14.87 $15.68 $16.46 $17.55 $18.75 $19.76
Block 3 401 – 2,000 CcF $9.41 $12.75 $13.23 $13.90 $14.23 $15.06 $15.93 $16.80 $17.64 $18.81 $20.11 $21.19
Block 4 2,001 – 10,000 CcF $10.10 $13.67 $14.19 $14.91 $15.27 $16.16 $17.10 $18.04 $18.95 $20.21 $21.60 $22.76
Block 5 Over 10,000 CcF $10.80 $14.62 $15.17 $15.93 $16.31 $17.26 $18.26 $19.26 $20.22 $21.56 $23.04 $24.28
Percent Increases (Water)   FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 10 Year 19 Year
Block 1 0 – 40 CcF 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 2.0% 6.8% 9.9% 21.6%
Block 2 41 – 400 CcF 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.9% 1.8% 6.6% 9.6% 20.7%
Block 3 401 – 2,000 CcF 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.9% 2.0% 6.5% 9.6% 21.2%
Block 4 2,001 – 10,000 CcF 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.1% 1.9% 6.6% 9.9% 21.1%
Block 5 Over 10,000 CcF 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.0% 2.0% 6.6% 9.8% 21.5%
Percent Increases (Sewer)   FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 10 Year 19 Year
Block 1 0 – 40 CcF 4.2% 5.3% 6.8% 3.1% 7.7% 7.5% 7.0% 6.3% 8.0% 8.0% 5.1% 87.3% 176.9%
Block 2 41 – 400 CcF 4.2% 5.2% 6.8% 3.2% 7.7% 7.5% 7.0% 6.3% 8.0% 8.0% 5.1% 87.0% 176.1%
Block 3 401 – 2,000 CcF 4.3% 5.2% 6.8% 3.2% 7.7% 7.5% 7.0% 6.3% 8.0% 8.0% 5.1% 87.1% 176.5%
Block 4 2,001 – 10,000 CcF 4.2% 5.2% 6.8% 3.2% 7.7% 7.5% 7.0% 6.3% 8.0% 8.0% 5.1% 87.1% 176.1%
Block 5 Over 10,000 CcF 4.2% 5.2% 6.8% 3.2% 7.7% 7.5% 7.0% 6.3% 8.0% 8.0% 5.1% 87.0% 176.0%
Percent Increases (Combined)   FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 10 Year 19 Year
Block 1 0 – 40 CcF 3.0% 3.8% 5.1% 2.4% 5.8% 5.8% 5.5% 5.0% 6.6% 6.9% 5.4% 66.5% 125.6%
Block 2 41 – 400 CcF 3.0% 3.8% 5.0% 2.4% 5.8% 5.8% 5.4% 5.0% 6.6% 6.8% 5.4% 65.9% 124.3%
Block 3 401 – 2,000 CcF 3.1% 3.8% 5.1% 2.4% 5.8% 5.8% 5.5% 5.0% 6.6% 6.9% 5.4% 66.2% 125.2%
Block 4 2,001 – 10,000 CcF 3.0% 3.8% 5.1% 2.4% 5.8% 5.8% 5.5% 5.0% 6.6% 6.9% 5.4% 66.5% 125.3%
Block 5 Over 10,000 CcF 3.0% 3.8% 5.0% 2.4% 5.8% 5.8% 5.5% 5.0% 6.6% 6.9% 5.4% 66.1% 124.8%

*All rates are per CcF. CcF is an abbreviation of 100 cubic feet. One CcF is approximately 750 gallons

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments and reappointments of Danielle Jones-McLaughlin, Deepti Nijhawan, Loring Brinckerhoff, Avril dePagter, Mary Devlin , Dan Stubbs as members of the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD).
Appointments Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Salvation Army Shelter and Daytime Program.
pulled by Zondervan; comments by QZ, MM, PT; responses by Yi-An Huang, Ellen Semonoff (annual cost $1,080,000); Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to PO23#35, related to the Allocation Plan for Cambridge’s HOME-ARP funds.
pulled by Nolan; comments by PN, QZ, MM, DC, SS; responses by Yi-An Huang, Iram Farooq; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a summary of a Planning Board Meeting on the 2022 Town-Gown Reports and Presentations.
pulled by Carlone; comments by DC (graduate student housing, etc.), PN; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the final report for the City’s comprehensive year-long municipal broadband feasibility study.
Placed on File 9-0

I am eager to be convinced that this is a worthwhile investment that won’t jeopardize the City’s financial standing. The $194 million estimate is almost certainly less that what the actual cost will be. I also have a lot of questions about what this initiative would mean in terms of residents who have their Internet, Cable TV, and phone bundled into a single Comcast package. For example, will a resident still have to contract with Comcast if they want to watch TV? Will the result actually be cost savings or additional cost? Will Cable TV simply dry up and blow away in a few years with everything shifting toward data-intensive streaming options? Even more fundamentally, were any of these questions raised in the supposedly “scientific survey” now being touted by some councillors in their pre-campaign email blasts?

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to PO23#44, related to the Barrett, et al., Zoning Petition. [text of report]
Referred to Petition 9-0

Unfinished Business #3. An Ordinance has been received from Diane P. LeBlanc City Clerk, relative to a Zoning Petition from Patrick Barrett et al. North Mass Ave BA-5 Zoning District Petition (Ordinance #2022-21). [Passed to 2nd Reading, Mar 6, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after Mar 20, 2023; Expires Apr 3, 2023]

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate City departments to ensure multi-family properties on the market are reviewed as quickly as possible as potential affordable housing acquisitions. [Charter Right – Simmons, Mar 6, 2023]
Remarks by Simmons, Nolan; Amendments Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I don’t wish to infuriate anyone by saying this, but the notion that multi-family buildings, particularly two- and three-family buildings, should be removed from private ownership flies in the face of the reality that small property owners have been possibly the greatest source of affordable rents in Cambridge for well over a century. A nonprofit corporation is not an improvement over a good landlord or landlady and these properties have long been an essential part of securing a middle class of Cambridge residents.

Unfinished Business #4. An Ordinance has been received from Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to Ordinance # 2022-6 Article III Green Jobs 2.66.100 Definitions. [Passed to 2nd Reading, Feb 27, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after Mar 20, 2023]
pulled by Zondervan; Ordained 9-0

Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Charles Jessup Franklin et al., regarding allowing new construction that is similar in size and shape as existing buildings for the purpose of promoting housing and first floor retail.
pulled by McGovern; comments by MM, BA (not enthusiastic, wants even higher density); Referred to Planning Board and Ordinance Committee 8-0-0-1 (Carlone – Present)

Perhaps we should call this latest variation the Missing Middle Revisited Petition. Variations on this theme by the densifiers seem endless. The suggested residential densities in this variant are in many ways even greater than those proposed in the previous “Missing Middle” attempt – and continue to be be somewhat oblivious to how housing on Cambridge streets actually functions. [Ref.: “A few observations on density”]

Applications & Petitions #2. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Michael Monestime et al. regarding Outdoor Use Zoning Petition for the Central Square Cultural District.
pulled by McGovern; comments by MM, QZ, PT, PN, DS; Referred to Planning Board and Ordinance Committee 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager work with the Central Square Business Improvement District and provide a license agreement, as well as direct financial and regulatory support for the continued and uninterrupted operation of Starlight Square.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Siddiqui; remarks by Siddiqui, Simmons, McGovern, Nolan, Zondervan, Carlone (consider redevelopment of the edges as well), Azeem, Mallon; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I greatly appreciate that we had Starlight Square during the pandemic, and I absolutely hope that we can have a suitable venue like this in the future. That said, Starlight Square as it is now is something of a relic that would need either a substantial upgrade or a relocation. Many of us view it as an experiment that strongly made the case for comparable and perhaps much better options in the future. Central Square needs options for vendors such as those provided by Popportunity, and we definitely need better gathering spaces for events or a rethinking of existing spaces. Dumping on the BZA (as some councillors are doing) is more of a cheap shot than an actual plan that can be sustained.

Resolution #1. Congratulations to Sara Reese on receiving the 2023 Exemplary School Champion Award for her leadership in workforce development in Cambridge.   Councillor Toner

Resolution #2. Gratitude to Margaret Drury for her many years of tireless service to the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and to the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Simmons (notes Margaret’s three decades of service to the City); remarks by McGovern, Carlone; Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #2. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council is requested to confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request to dedicate a street corner in honor of Ned Handy.   Councillor Carlone, Councillor Toner
pulled by Carlone; remarks by Carlone; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #1. That the City Council go on record supporting Enabling Legislation for a Real Estate Transfer Fee.   Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Carlone; remarks by Carlone (would generate $23 million more per year for affordable housing); Order Adopted 9-0

Order #3. Policy Order for Garden Street Accommodations.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone
pulled by Zondervan; remarks by Toner; notable that there were many nearly identical comments during Public Comment from the “bike lobby” opposing this Order; Charter Right – Zondervan

This is a start – and hopefully not just ass-covering for some city councillors concerned about how West Cambridge residents might vote in November. Ensuring bicycle safety need not be a monolithic enterprise with little room for revision.

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee met on May 7, 2019. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Reported Accepted as Amended, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee met on Feb 16, 2022 to consider the City Council goals in relation to the budget and to gather input and discuss priorities on the FY23 budget. [text of report]
Reported Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Finance Committee met on Feb 23, 2022 to reconvene its Feb 16, 2020 meeting to receive public comment regarding the City Council goals in relation to the budget and to gather input and discuss priorities on the FY23 budget. [text of report]
Reported Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Finance Committee met on Apr 20, 2022 to discuss the city’s ARPA application/funding update status. [text of report]
Reported Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Finance Committee met on May 10, 2022 to conduct hearing on FY 2023 budget. [text of report]
Reported Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #6. The Finance Committee met on May 11, 2022 to conduct hearing on FY 2023 school budget. [text of report]
Reported Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #7. The Finance Committee met on May 17, 2022 to conduct hearing on FY 2023 budget. [text of report]
Reported Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #8. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on June 14, 2022 to receive an update on ARPA funding. [text of report]
Reported Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #9. The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public meeting on Feb 28, 2023, to discuss the status of after school programming in Cambridge. [text of report]
Reported Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Perhaps Neil Sedaka should provide the soundtrack with “Catching Up Is Hard To Do”. My favorite case is the (March 6) adoption of the ordinance establishing the procedure for appointment of the Charter Review Commission as required by the Charter amendments adopted in 2021. The committee was appointed July 1, 2022 – more than 8 months prior to the adoption of the ordinance. – Robert Winters

March 13, 2023

Municipal Broadband or Municipal Boondoggle

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council,Comcast — Tags: , , — Robert Winters @ 12:37 pm

Municipal Broadband or Municipal Boondoggle

March 13, 2023 – There’s a City Council Roundtable tonight that includes a presentation on “Municipal Broadband Feasibility and Business Model Options”. Advocacy for municipal broadband has gained a lot of traction among city councillors over the last few years – perhaps even unanimous support – but the issue has always been about financial cost and exposure, i.e. the notion that a huge amount of money might be invested in a technology that might become obsolete with the next wave of innovation.City Hall

If surveyed, residents would likely be nearly unanimous in the view that having affordable alternatives for fast Internet access is very desirable – hence a winning position for city councillors to support. What is often not said is that municipal broadband would likely not include Cable TV access (unless you subscribe to one of the new streaming options), and if consumers who now bundle their phone, Internet, and TV access wanted municipal broadband there might not even be a financial benefit in doing so. More significantly, the full capital cost of such an investment is estimated to be $194 million with a City contribution estimated to be $150 million.

KEY STUDY FINDINGS

• The full capital cost is estimated at ~$194 million, incorporating a 30% contingency and inflation over a 5-year construction period, assuming a 40% take-rate.

• A City contribution of ~$150 million is required to establish a sustainable FTTP business from scratch, applying reasonable assumptions under a “base case”. This contribution is the investment the City would need to make for which there would likely be no return. The remaining capex can be supported from net revenues after operating costs.

• Entering into a partnership with one or more entities to lease fiber and run the business would reduce the City’s risks and potentially reduce costs. A partner could potentially leverage existing operations and assets, achieving economies of scale.

February 26, 2023

February Follies – February 27, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,Deaths — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:17 pm

February Follies – February 27, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

The shortest month will end with possibly the longest snowfall so far this season as the home nine take the field in Sullivan Stadium. Here are the agenda items that drew my interest:

Note: The PSL virus again hit the Cambridge City Council. They are now all in Quarantine, a.k.a. Zoom.
[For those unschooled in Marxism, PSL is the Party for Socialism and Liberation.]
City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a public health update.
pulled by Siddiqui; remarks by Derrick Neal, Anna Kaplan; PN,DC(has Covid),QZ,Huang; Placed on File 9-0

Note: This is the 14th day running that the City has failed to provide Covid data. Six messages to those responsible have gone unanswered. I continue to update the figures and charts as best as I can from cumulative totals and I will adjust things if and when the City gets its act together. There have been two new deaths recorded recently but no details are available. This is not the only instance where City staff are falling down lately.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-60, regarding streamlining the City’s block party and Play Streets permit requirements.
pulled by Mallon; remarks by Brooke McKenna (TPTD), Iram Farooq (CDD),PN,QZ,DS, Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation in the amount of $1,800,000, from Free Cash to the Public Works Public Investment Fund Extraordinary Expenditures account to fund accessibility improvements to City Hall including the reconstruction of Dorothy “Dottie” Doyle Way.
pulled by Carlone; James Wilcox (DPW) addresses mud and erosion along street, plans for EV charging; Simmons notes history of City Hall, need for landscaping; Nolan (02138) thinks Trowbridge Street borders City Hall; Owen O’Riordan says rear entrance will be modified; Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Black, Indigenous, People of Color-Owned Business Advisory Committee for a term of two years, effective March 1, 2023: Margaret Pimental, Sukia Akiba, and Keisha Graves.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a report from CDD and the Law Department containing clarifying edits to the Climate Resilience Zoning Petition. [text of report]
pulled by Zondervan; Rules suspended to bring forward Unfinished Business #7; Farooq explains recommended edits and implementation dates; Zondervan asks about dates; Solicitor Nancy Glowa; Jeff Roberts public review period for all those impacted by new standards and regulations; Zondervan moves to add Jan 1, 2024 alternate deadline; Nolan wants a date to be Sept 1, 2023; Amendments Adopted 9-0; Ordained as Amended 9-0; Communication Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #7. An Ordinance 2022 #9 has been received from Diane LeBlanc City Clerk, relative to create a new Section 22.80 Flood Resilience Standards. [Passed to 2nd Reading Feb 6, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after Feb 27, 2023; Expires Apr 26, 2023]
pulled by Zondervan, Rules Suspended; Ordained as Amended 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to PO22#314, PO22#315, and PO22#316 from the meeting of 12/19/2022, regarding the Emissions Accounting Petition. [text of report]
pulled by Zondervan; Rules suspended to bring forward Unfinished Business #5; Zondervan motion to adopt recommended amendments, Amendments Adopted 8-0-1 (DS Absent); Azeem raises issues of cost impacts; Suzanne Rasmussen (CDD) says she has no estimate for costs; Azeem requests more clarity on financial impacts; Farooq suggests costs would be modest; Rasmussen suggests more regulations to come; Azeem frustrated by these responses – and skeptical, wants more comprehensive view of total cost or layered regulations; McGovern concurs, notes disparate impact on smaller developers; Regulatin’ Rasmussen remains stone-faced, cares only about reporting format and not about cost; Toner echoes concerns about cumulative cost impacts, prefers to wait until costs better known; Zondervan dismissive of cost concerns, suggesting possible cost savings; Carlone says not to worry – not a dramatic thing, says problems and costs likely reduced, reiterates his dislike for glass, says “time is running out folks”; Nolan says pass it now and worry about the details later, suggests builders could tap into federal funding; Siddiqui suggests waiting a week; Simmons calls out Nolan on assertions that she has “talked to developers”; Azeem asks how many votes needed (answer = 6), suggests waiting until next week; Zondervan agreeable to waiting; Referred to Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 23-1, regarding a legal Opinion on whether the Barrett, et al. petition would need to be refiled should there be a Letter of Commitment attached to the rezoning, and whether the Barrett, et al. petition constitutes “spot zoning.” [text of report]
pulled by Zondervan; Solicitor explains vulnerability to challenge due to lack of a recent planning study, if adopted; Referred to Petition 9-0; Zondervan moves Reconsideration on all votes so far (hoping the same will not prevail), Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Manager’s Agenda #15. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2023 Goals and Metrics for the Annual City Manager Performance Review. [text of report]
pulled by Mallon; Mallon proposes amendments from AM+PN who want annual performance review for all City employees; McGovern wants to claify that this should not include School Department employees; City Manager wants to cover only non-union City employees; Simmons concurs that this should not include School Department employees; one proposed amendment dropped; 2nd amendment adopted 8-0-1 (PT Absent); Amended Goals Adopted 8-0-1 (PT Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #16. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to 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.
pulled by Siddiqui; Executive Session held; Communication Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate departments and agencies to ensure the continuation of Riverbend Park closures on Saturdays and Sundays. [Charter Right – Simmons, Feb 13, 2023]
Azeem amendments; Simmons appreciates but will vote against Order; Nolan claims “overwhelming” support (based on what?) and claims that “the community has spoken loud and clear” and suggests that only a tiny minority objects – she fails to understand the bias of “voluntary response” when a petition is circulated by one faction; Toner regrets that a full compromise not reached; Amendments adopted 9-0; Order Adopted 7-2 (Simmons, Toner – NO)

Charter Right #2. Policy Order Regarding Police Details. [Charter Right – Zondervan, Feb 13, 2023]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

On The Table #3. That the City Manager is requested to look into the feasibility of automated traffic enforcement in Cambridge as well as using unarmed CPD traffic details for future discussion Automated/Unarmed Traffic Enforcement. [Charter Right – Toner, Feb 6, 2023; Tabled – Azeem, Feb 13, 2023]
Remove from Table (Toner) 9-0; Amendments (Toner) to remove all references to police details to make Substitute Order; Azeem prefers original Order; Zondervan says three issues – road construction details, traffic stops, and automated enforcement – wants to retain references to traffic stops; Nolan objects to amendments – says “data is very clear” about unconscious bias and racial profiling; Carlone feels two issues need to be separated – traffic cameras and traffic stops, will vote for amendments; McGovern agrees – all for traffic cameras, skeptical about taking traffic enforcement away from police, wonders how it would work otherwise, will support Toner’s amendments; On Toner’s Substitute Order – Fails 4-5 (DC,MM,DS,PT-Yes; BA,AM,PN,QZ,SS-No); Add Nolan as sponsor 6-0-0-3 (MM,DS,PT-Present); On Original Order – Adopted 5-1-0-3 (BA,AM,PN,QZ,SS-Yes; PT-No; DC,MM,DS-Present)

Unfinished Business #6. An Ordinance has been received from Diane P. LeBlanc City Clerk, relative to Ordinance 2022-2 Chapter 2.02 entitled “City Council”. [Passed to 2nd Reading Feb 6, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after Feb 27, 2023]
Ordained 9-0

Unfinished Business #4. That the Ordinance Committee refer Categories M (Shared Vehicle) and N (Publicly-accessible, Privately-owned Electric Vehicle Charging System) of the Cambridge Transportation Decarbonization and Congestion Mitigation Bill, along with definitions, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. Ordinance #2022-13 as Amended. [Expired Sept 27, 2022]
pulled by Zondervan, Placed on File 9-0

Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Craig Kelley regarding Cambridge Transportation Emissions and Car Sharing Act.
Referred to Planning Board & Ordinance Committee 9-0

Lotsa (103) Communications – including 14 protests from Harvard Square property owners opposed to the Blier, et al. Zoning Petition. Other significant topics are Memorial Drive weekend closures and BEUDO.

Resolution #3. Resolution on the death of Marion A. (Colarusso) Sullivan.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern
pulled by Toner, Simmons; remarks by Councillor Simmons

Order #1. In support of HD. 3252 and SD. 2006, An Act to Promote Yes In My Backyard.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Nolan; remarks by Nolan with concerns that it may affect Cambridge’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DC Absent)

Order #2. That the Petition from Suzanne P. Blier, et.al Harvard Square Zoning Petition as amended be sent to the full City Council with no recommendation.   Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Zondervan; McGovern notes his opposition to petition; expires March 14, but McGovern wants to kill it now; QZ suggests moving it to 2nd Reading hoping it will be voted down; Toner notes that it has a positive recommendation from Planning Board, hopes a compromise can be reachjed with HSBA, will vote it down; Nolan wants to look at this issue citywide; Order Adopted 7-1-1 (DS-No; DC-Absent); Mallon moves Petition to 2nd Reading (hoping it will fail) – Fails 2-6-1 (PN,QZ-Yes, BA,AM,MM,DS,PT,SS-No, DC-Absent); Reconsideration Fails 0-8-1 (DC-Absent)

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee met on Feb 14, 2023, and voted favorably to send the Suzanne P. Blier, et.al Harvard Square Zoning Petition as amended to the Full City Council with no recommendation. [text or report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Carlone Absent)

Order #3. That the joint Economic Development and University Relations and Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committees forward the Callender Petition and PO22#161 to the full City Council with a negative recommendation.   Vice Mayor Mallon
pulled by Toner; Zondervan hopes that petition will not be voted down as it may prevent any action on any laboratory ban for two years, prefers to let it expire, says a negative recommendation will be a “rebuke” to low-income tenants; McGovern notes that link between a lab ban and affordable housing production is a fallacy; Azeem sympathetic to petitioners, but will vote for negative recommendation; Zondervan says there is a direct connection between allowing labs and precluding housing in Squares; Order Adopted 7-1-1 (QZ-No; DC-Absent); Toner moves to pass to 2nd reading – Fails 1-7-1 (QZ-Yes; BA,AM,MM,PN,DS,PT,SS-No; DC-Absent)

Order #4. That the joint Economic Development and University Relations and Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committees forward the amended proposed Policy Order regarding Labs and Neighborhood Planning to the full City Council.   Councillor Toner
pulled by Toner; Charter Right – Zondervan

Committee Report #3. The Economic Development and University Relations & Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebration Committee conducted a public meeting on Feb 7, 2023 at 3:00pm to continue its Dec 7, 2022 discussion of the attached zoning amendments and the Callender citizen petition proposing a technical definition of lab use and a restriction on new instances of the lab use in fragile districts including Central Square, Harvard Square, and Cambridge Street and possible alternative recommendations to address neighborhood concerns. [text or report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Carlone Absent)

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City Departments to work with Eversource to include in their annual reporting, updates on their work to move forward with providing the infrastructure required to move Cambridge toward electrifying the city.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor Mallon
pulled by McGovern; remarks by Nolan, Zondervan, McGovern; Proposed amendment by McGovern; Charter Right – Nolan

Order #6. That a Roundtable be held on Mon, Mar 13, 2023, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the Sullivan Chamber in place of the Regular City Council Meeting, for the purpose of receiving an update on the Municipal Broadband Feasibility Study.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DC Absent)

Committee Report #2. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee conducted a public meeting on Jan 24, 2023, at 3:00pm to continue its Nov 22, 2022 discussion of the environmental and economic impact of BEUDO on residential, business, and academic properties/communities. This will be a roundtable discussion with the Community Development Department, representatives from Eversource, the business community, universities, and large commercial/residential property owners. [text or report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Carlone Absent)

Committee Report #5. The Ordinance Committee met on Feb 15, 2023, and voted favorably to send the proposed Ordinance #2022-6, Green Jobs, as amended to the Full City Council with a favorable recommendation to Pass to a 2nd Reading. (Ordinance #2022-6, Green Jobs) [text or report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File, Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Carlone Absent)

November 5, 2022

Roads Scholars? – Notable Items on the Nov 7, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,cycling — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:18 am

Roads Scholars? – Notable Items on the Nov 7, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Apparently the quickest roads to City Hall right now are via Brattle Street and Garden Street. Here are the agenda items that drove me to comment:Penny Farthing

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to approval requested for an appointment of new members to the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) – Keisha Greaves, Robert Goss [three-year terms].
Appointments Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-58 , regarding directing the appropriate City staff to establish a fund designed to assist those City employees in same-sex marriages with paying for surrogacy services. [City Solicitor’s response]
pulled by Simmons; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report with a recommendation to adopt the Incentive Zoning Rate Study Petition, with clarifying changes.
pulled by Zondervan; Referred to Petition 9-0

Lotsa Communications about bike lanes and the collateral damage of cut-through traffic caused by the City’s latest “engineering” solutions.

Order #1. Policy Order Regarding Traffic Flow on Garden Street.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone
pulled by Toner; comments by Toner, Simmons, Carlone, Nolan, McGovern, Zondervan (proposes amendments), Mallon, Siddiqui, Toner (willing to acept amendments), Carlone, Azeem, Nolan, Simmons; Charter Right – Simmons

Order #2. Ban Turns on Red Citywide.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone
pulled by Mallon (who apparently advertised this proposal with the print and broadcast press), amendment proposed; comments by Azeem, Carlone, Zondervan, Toner (notes that Traffic Director already has authority to impose “No Turn on Red”), McGovern (notes Alewife Brook Pkwy at Rindge Ave. backups), Nolan, Simmons, Siddiqui; Mallon amendment passes 9-0; Amend to add McGovern, Zondervan, Nolan, Carlone as cosponsors passes 9-0; Nolan amendment (as further amended by Zondervan) passes 9-0; Order Adopted 7-2 [Simmons, Toner – NO]

Order #4. MBTA Pass [for City employees].   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon
pulled by Mallon; comments by Siddiqui, Mallon; Order Adopted 7-0-2 (Carlone, Toner – ABSENT)

Order #5. Roundtable on Broadband.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #6. Capital Projects Finance Meeting.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #7. Revised MBTA Bus Redesign.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toner
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Simmons; Substitute Order Adopted 9-0 (this substitute was not made available to the public in any form)

Note: Rather than offer my usual comments this week, I instead spent my time Monday restoring my living room to a condition where I can now find and play all of my favorite CDs and vinyl records. Some things are just more important than Cambridge City Council meetings. – Robert Winters

November 11, 2021

To Be Continued – November 15, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,covid — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:18 am

To Be Continued – November 15, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Most of the significant items from last week were either delayed by Charter Right or Tabled where they may languish or eventually vanish when the lame duck dies. Here are the items worth mentioning:Lame Duck

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
City Manager reports that DCR has agreed to extend Riverbend Park (Sat and Sun) through December 19.

The rate of new cases has been growing since mid-October. While disturbing and somewhat frustrating, the fear and panic that was routine a year ago has largely given way to perspective and trust in the effectiveness of vaccines to at least ward off the worst of the ill effects. Will Thanksgiving and other holidays fuel the Covid fires, or will increased vaccination among younger people blunt those disease vectors? Time will tell. I think it’s booster time.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments of members of the Foundry Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective Nov 8, 2021.
Charter Right – Simmons

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of the following person as a members of the Fresh Pond Master Plan Advisory Board, for a term of three years, effective Nov 15, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments and reappointments of the following persons as members of the Citizens Committee on Civic Unity, effective Nov 1, 2021 for three year terms.
Charter Right – Simmons

I’m glad to see the pace of board appointments picking up, and I hope there are lots more before the politicos sink their fangs into the process after January 1. There is still no protocol for how the councillors will exercise their new micromanagement authority come the New Year (if they dare to do so). Will appointees have to go before a Council tribunal to answer for the jokes they made on social media? Will members of the public be given an opportunity to voice their approval or disapproval of the background of board appointees? Will anyone even want to apply to be on a City board or commission?

Manager’s Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $400,000 from MassDOT’s FY22 Complete Streets Program to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used to support the Huron Avenue (Glacken Field to Fresh Pond Parkway) project.
Will keep 80% of the existing parking (but eliminate 20% of the currently available parking) – Order Adopted 9-0

I believe the proposal is to create a two-way bike path on the Fresh Pond Reservation side of the street – no controversy expected.

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-6, regarding a report on housing development information.
Referred to Housing Committee 9-0

2,814 affordable units in development of which 940 will be new units. This includes the Jefferson Park redevelopment at a cost of $251,769,435 for 278 units (which works out to $905,645 per unit). So glad to see our tax dollars at work in the least efficient way possible.

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Numbers 21-37 and 21-38, regarding digital equity. [McCormick, Gianetti] [Analysis of U.S. Digital Equity Programs] [CHA Housing Broadband Pilot Engineering Report]
Referred to Civic Unity & NLTP Committees 9-0
[Note: None of the proposed actions anticipates any provision of Cable TV.]

I have no real sense whether these reports are sufficiently responsive, but since the councillors will brutally criticize just about anything relating to municipal broadband or the alternatives, does it really even matter what’s in the reports?

Charter Right #1. That the City Council go on record requesting that the forthcoming new Universal Design Playground located in Danehy Park be named the Louis A. DePasquale Universal Design Playground. [Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nov 8, 2021]
Motion by Sobrinho-Wheeler to dually name playground (for Haben Girma) FAILS 3-5-0-1 (PN,JSW,QZ – YES; AM,MM,DS,TT,SS – NO; DC – PRESENT);
Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Zondervan – PRESENT)

I have a few suggestions regarding the naming of several public restrooms in honor an elected official or two.

Charter Right #2. That Article 20.90 – Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance be amended to insert a new section entitled Section 20.94.3 – Temporarily prohibited uses (Ordinance #2021-25). [Charter Right – Toomey, Nov 8, 2021]
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 7-0-0-2 (Simmons, Toomey – PRESENT)

Charter Right #3. Upper Mass. Ave. Bike Lane Improvements. [Charter Right – Simmons, Nov 8, 2021]
Order Adopted 5-4 (DC,AM,MM,PN,SS – YES; DS,JSW,TT,QZ – NO)

Let the fur fly. Honestly, if our councillors were actually working for us they would have proposed interim Alewife zoning within one week of the Envision Alewife recommendations. Even if those recommendations were insufficient there would already have been interim zoning in place. Instead they now propose a moratorium after over a half billion dollars exchanges hands under existing zoning.

As for the upper Mass. Ave. bike lanes, it’s all about whether or not you signed the pledge to cover your ears and close your eyes and mind.

Order #2. That the Regular City Council meeting scheduled for Nov 29, 2021 be changed to a joint Roundtable meeting of the City Council and School Committee to discuss the past election, including but not limited to new practices and polling locations is Cambridge with the City Manager, Election Commission, and any other relevant departments.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

School buildings are public buildings, and they should accommodate our occasional elections as needed.

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Nancy Glowa, City Solicitor, transmitting a letter regarding an Open Meeting Law complaint from Heather Hoffman.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Late Order to have Solicitor Respond Adopted 9-0

I have some interest in this – mainly in regard to the erosion of standards in our new Zoomy version of City Council meetings. We have a City government that apparently believes in the principal: “The public will eventually find out what we did, and we’ll convince them later that what we did was acceptable.”

Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from the City Clerk, transmitting the Pending Zoning Chart.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS – ABSENT)

Communications & Reports #5. A communication was received from the City Clerk, transmitting the 2020-2021 Referral List.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS – ABSENT)

See previous comment regarding the erosion of standards in our new Zoomy version of City Council meetings. – Robert Winters

May 18, 2021

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 503-504: May 18, 2021

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:49 pm

Episode 503 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 18, 2021 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on May 18, 2021 at 6:00pm. Topics: Looking back; camaraderie of the unmasked; Apollo & Cambridge; Budget hearings and political theater; trickle-down politics; boycotts, divestment, and Chapter 30B; Plan E and city management; digital equity/municipal broadband – and Cable TV. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 504 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 18, 2021 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on May 18, 2021 at 6:30pm. Topics: Legal tussles over acoustic music; License Commission; emerging from the pandemic; end of the emergency – beginning of the questions; voting post-Covid; eviction moratorium to end; sidewalk & street dining – temporary or permanent; election year rhetoric; emergent candidates and PR realities; Starlight future. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

April 20, 2021

City of Cambridge Releases Comprehensive Digital Equity Study

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government — Tags: , , , , — Robert Winters @ 5:03 pm

City of Cambridge Releases Comprehensive Digital Equity Study

Apr 20, 2021 – The City of Cambridge today released Digital Equity in Cambridge: Data and Strategic Recommendations, the final report for the city’s comprehensive digital equity study. The report provides a complete and clear understanding of the problems and gaps preventing Cambridge residents from making the most effective and meaningful use of broadband (high speed internet access) in the city. Additionally, the report suggests a range of solutions for the city to pursue to address the findings that emerged around broadband access, affordability, digital skills, and device ownership.City Seal

Cambridge partnered with CTC Technology (CTC) to conduct the study. CTC is a nationally recognized firm that offers independent strategic, technical, and financial guidance primarily to public sector and nonprofit entities. The report will serve as the foundation for the city’s future digital equity and broadband initiatives. CTC has helped develop digital equity strategies for other cities including Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle, Washington.

“We are creating a comprehensive approach to ensure digital equity and 21st century broadband access in our city,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. "The Digital Equity in Cambridge report will inform our strategy to ensure affordable broadband access, digital skills, and device ownership for all residents.”

The Digital Equity in Cambridge report surfaces and explores key findings based on the robust data collected, including:

  • Comcast remains an effective monopoly in much of Cambridge’s fixed internet market, but NetBlazr has expanded, and a new provider, Starry, recently began competing in the city;
  • Comcast’s $10 Internet Essentials plan appears significantly underused by potentially eligible residents in Cambridge;
  • Speed tests conducted over several weeks in Comcast customer homes demonstrate a need for user education in managing in-home networks;
  • Citywide internet usage survey shows most residents are connected to the internet but point to more problems with affordability, devices, and skills for older and lower-income residents;
  • Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) internet usage survey finds many residents face significant challenges related to affordability, device maintenance, and computer skills;
  • City stakeholders defined a variety of gaps and made programmatic suggestions;
  • Interviews with residents of CHA and subsidized housing units reveal some pay $10 monthly while others pay $264 monthly to Comcast; and
  • Strategies outlined by subject-matter experts and practitioners in other cities that have proven effective elsewhere in the country.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the critical role that internet access, device ownership, and digital skills play in successful online learning, job searching, remote work, and telemedicine,” said City of Cambridge Director of Communications Lee Gianetti. “This new report provides the city with a framework for expanding existing programs, creating new initiatives, and learning from digital equity efforts in other cities.”

The study provides a range of recommended strategies the city can deploy to address the digital equity challenges within Cambridge, including:

  • Convene a digital equity and inclusion coalition to guide implementation efforts;
  • Expand the city’s $50,000 pilot program into a Digital Equity Fund emphasizing device and skills programs;
  • Consider establishing a community digital equity specialist position or similar public support function;
  • Engage local philanthropic organizations to broaden the reach of broadband equity initiatives;
  • Partner with organizations that provide low-cost devices and training to Cambridge residents and expand loaner programs;
  • Establish a digital skills training corps;
  • Develop a strategy that explores municipal and other options for increasing broadband competition;
  • Facilitate the provision of additional providers of low-cost service in more CHA developments; and
  • Expand public Wi-Fi and charging stations in core areas, such as Porter and Central squares.

“In the 21st century, digital equity spans nearly every dimension of life, from education and work, to social engagement and civic participation,” said Cambridge Chief Information Officer Patrick McCormick. “Like other inequities, the pandemic exacerbated how anyone lacking online tools and connectivity became disadvantaged in their daily lives. Fortunately, the pandemic also created richer data and tangible use cases to spark conversations and inform analysis. The Digital Equity Study provides clear and compelling insights and recommendations to build a more equitable and inclusive digital future for Cambridge residents and businesses.”

In response to some early study findings and challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Cambridge has already taken specific actions to:

  • Launch a $50,000 pilot program to assist up to 415 families in obtaining $10 Internet Essentials subscriptions;
  • Redirect study resources to allow CTC later this year to conduct a preliminary high-level engineering and cost estimation work for high-speed residential broadband service in three CHA developments: Newtowne Court, Washington Elms, and the Manning Apartments;
  • Engage in preliminary discussions with Life Science Cares, a nonprofit organization that funds anti-poverty programs and expressed interest in being part of a public-private partnership to address digital inequities;
  • Accelerate the Cambridge Public Schools laptop and hotspot provision efforts, providing all students with laptops and (where needed) hotspots. The Cambridge Public Library also began its first-ever technology lending programs; and
  • Partner with the Cambridge Public Library, the MetroNorth Regional Employment Board, and Cambridge Community Foundation to provide essential technology, including Chromebooks, hotspots, and webcams, to adult learners participating in Cambridge Community Learning Center programs.

This study, prepared throughout late 2019 and 2020, did not presuppose what the problems were or what the solutions should be. It thoroughly explored access, affordability, digital skills, and device ownership. The study methodology included the following activities:

  • Analyzed consumer and FCC pricing and availability data to understand the local broadband market, the presence of competition, and any market changes since the City of Cambridge commissioned its earlier broadband study;
  • Through a variety of means (surveys, resident interviews, and conversations with local broadband providers) gathered data on the usage of existing low-cost broadband subsidy programs, particularly the $10 Comcast Internet Essentials program;
  • Conducted a statistically valid mail survey of a sample of the entire city population to understand broadband usage patterns, sentiments, and gaps;
  • Conducted a statistically valid mail survey of a sample of residents of the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) and of subsidized housing for a closer look at lower-income residents and any challenges they face;
  • Interviewed a range of stakeholders representing city departments, nonprofits, schools, library, and others (we also have appended the work of the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition, which separately conducted a survey of local nonprofit staff);
  • Interviewed a sampling of Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) and subsidized housing residents who volunteered to be interviewed as part of our mail survey, to understand what they pay for services, and what challenges they face;
  • Conducted in-home internet speed tests of Comcast customers to take hourly measurements over a period of weeks to evaluate service quality and assess potential sources of reported problems, albeit at an anecdotal level;
  • Interviewed practitioners and experts who have studied or implemented digital equity plans and programs in other cities to glean lessons and suggest strategies that might assist the city and its stakeholders in implementing solutions; and
  • Developed several strategic and programmatic recommendations based on all of the above research and data, informed as well by the examples of models in other cities.

Creating a digital equity and inclusion coalition to help guide and support implementation of study recommendations will be one of the early action items. While the Digital Equity in Cambridge study lays out strategies to address digital equity challenges within Cambridge, implementation will require engagement from a variety of internal and external stakeholders and the establishment of an implementation timeline. Detailed planning and implementation plans will be managed by staff from the Information Technology Department and the City Manager’s Office.

Download a copy of the report, Digital Equity in Cambridge: Data and Strategic Recommendations. Print copies are available upon request. Please call the Cambridge City Manager’s Office at 617-349-4300 to schedule a pick-up.

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