The clock is running down on the first half of the game. Time to get a beer or decide to be a candidate or both. Here’s hoping that Maura Healey is in a Cambridge appointing mood this month and next so that we can open up some seats and bring in some prospects from the minors. Here’s what’s on this week’s dance card:
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 Emissions the Accounting Zoning Petition (Version 3) with clarifying comments. [Planning Board report]
pulled by Zondervan; Referred to Petition 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board Zoning Petition to consider adoption of the attached Climate Resilience Zoning. [Planning Board Zoning Petition]
pulled by Nolan; Referred to Planning Board & Ordinance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City Manager’s 90 Day Report.
pulled by Mallon; Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee held a public meeting on Nov 22, 2022 to discuss the City Manager’s Annual Evaluation process. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0
Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Vice Mayor Mallon, transmitting information regarding the City Manager Annual Review process. [City Manager Performance Review] [Proposed City Manager Annual Performance Review Process] [City Manager Draft Annual Performance Review Template]
Placed on File as Amended 9-0
I especially liked this note in the Manager’s Report: “Finally, many of our greatest challenges are fundamentally regional issues – housing, homelessness, climate change, and transportation. We often view our work within our 6.4 square miles, but there is a need for greater coordination with our neighbors and state government. As we enter 2023 and welcome a new Healey administration, I’m looking forward to Cambridge having a greater voice to advocate for and collaborate to find solutions that match the scale of our challenges.”
And this: “As with all relationships, I believe the relationship between the City and Council is not a static arrangement that can be written down or governed through contract provisions. Relationships are interactions between people over time and built on mutual respect, shared norms, communication, and trust. There will be mistakes and areas for improvement, and we won’t agree on every issue, but I’m committed to creating a government that works and where we are increasing alignment and trust between the City, Council, and community.”
Perhaps the greatest indication of the mettle of our new City Manager will be how he handles all the upcoming appointments to City Boards & Commissions. Will political considerations outweigh other factors? For at least this one observer, those appointments and how the city councillors handle or mishandle their newfound power to review (some of) these appointments will be very telling. The City Manager also speaks of “greater empowerment for leaders and staff,” but accountability and answering for poor decisions and the willingness to change direction when warranted are just as important. The same goes for all of our elected officials.
Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to asking the Department of Conservation and Recreation to suspend the Saturday closures of Memorial Drive between Greenough Boulevard and Western Avenue for the remainder of this year. (CM22#241)
pulled by Zondervan; Zondervan motion to ask Manager to not ask DCR to suspend remaining Saturday closures fails 3-6 (AM,QZ,SS – YES; BA,DC,MM,PN,DS,PT – NO); Placed on File 9-0
Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Reports Items Numbered 16-111, 18-38, and 20-61, regarding Municipal Property Inventory. [Charter Right – Zondervan, Nov 21, 2022]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner ABSENT)
I wish this Property Inventory was so heavily intertwined with the future of the greater Central Square area, but this is the hand we’ve been dealt. I will be very disappointed if the provision of subsidized housing outweighs the whole range of other possibilities. I also hope that residents and councillors from the other side of the city don’t continue in their misguided and lazy belief that all social services should be further concentrated in Central Square – one of our most significant commercial and cultural districts in the city.
83 Communications – mostly from last week expressing shock and outrage about the proposal from three councillors to supersize the city no matter what anyone thinks.
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to work with the residents at 931 Massachusetts Avenue to identify and provide a short-term parking spot in front of 931 Massachusetts Avenue. Councillor Toner, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons
pulled by Toner; Toner amendment Adopted 6-3 (BA,AM,QZ – NO); Azeem amendment Adopted 6-3 (DC,DS,PT – NO); McGovern amendment Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (QZ – NO)
Further evidence that an amended and overly rigid Bicycle Safety Ordinance is no substitute for good traffic engineering that anticipates and takes into account the whole range of parking and transportation needs.
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to conduct street cleaning without towing starting with the 2023 season. Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Nolan; Charter Right – Simmons
I have mixed feelings about this – especially as a resident who has been voluntarily clearing the storm drains in my neighborhood for decades. I have always appreciated a good curb-to-curb cleaning during the warmer months and plowing snow as close to the curb as possible during winter. Having even one vehicle to go around negates much of this benefit. I would be happier if a new policy had some discretion, i.e., if the crews and police feel that little is gained by towing in a specific occasion then a pricey ticket may be sufficient. Unfortunately, there are many people now living in Cambridge who might just write that off as the “cost of doing business” as they wallow in their negligence. – Robert Winters
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