Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

January 6, 2023

Challenges of a New Year – January 9, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:24 pm

Challenges of a New Year – January 9, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

The first meeting of the new year promises to be a difficult one. Here are some featured agenda items:

Updates

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on the fatal officer-involved shooting in Cambridgeport.
Excellent, balanced statements by City Manager and Police Commissioner Elow; community meeting and Special City Council meeting scheduled; comments by SS, AM, BA, MM (body cameras, procedures, independent investigation), QZ moves to bring forward Committee Report #4 on “HEART”: 8-0-1 (DS Absent); Zondervan calls for funding of HEART program suggesting that they would have prevented this incident, calls for demilitarizing police, investment in more mental health services, objects to defense of our “supposedly progressive police force”, calls for Cambridge Police Department “to disarm or disband”, will schedule a Public Safety Committee meeting; remarks by PN, PT, DC, DS (resist the urge to think we have all the facts); Placed on File 9-0

Tragedy, controversy, and crisis can bring out the best and the worst in people, and can provide opportunity for leadership or opportunism. It’s best that everyone withhold judgment until all the details and circumstances of this incident are better understood.

An organized protest is scheduled to take place starting at 3:00pm in front of City Hall prior to the City Council meeting. The City will conduct a Community Meeting on Thurs, Jan 12 at the MLK School (102 Putnam Ave.) from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with District Attorney Marian Ryan, Police Commissioner Christine Elow, and City Manager Yi-An Huang to answer questions; and a Special City Council Meeting is scheduled for Wed, Jan 18 at 3:00pm to discuss protocols, processes, and training in the Cambridge Police Department.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a public health update.
Derrick Neal notes that hospitalizations are now at a high level – stressed but managing; indoor masks recommended; wastewater peaked but declining; Placed on File 7-0-2 (DS,QZ – Absent)

Zoning MattersCity Hall

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report recommending that the City Council not adopt the Patrick Barrett, et al., Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Order #2. That the City Manager direct the Law Department to research whether the Barrett et al. petition would need to be refiled should there be a Letter of Commitment attached to the rezoning.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report recommending that the City Council not adopt the Duane Callender, et al., Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Committee Report #2. Joint meeting of the Economic Development and University Relations Committee and the Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee on Dec 7, 2022, at 1:00pm to review and discuss the attached zoning petition regarding lab use. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT)

Unfinished Business #3. An Ordinance has been received from Diane P. LeBlanc City Clerk, relative to Emissions Accounting Zoning Petition. [Passed to 2nd Reading Dec 19, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after Jan 9, 2023; Expires Mar 6, 2023]

Applications & Petitions #3. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Douglas Brown regarding Amending Article 4, 5 and 8 incrementally modernizing residential zoning.
pulled by Mallon; question about why only one signature on petition, Clerk reads ruling of City Solicitor explaining why this is permissible; Zondervan acknowledges the legality; Toner had same questions about single signature; McGovern also surprised but then barks ABC party line about housing crisis and his desire to not do anything incremental but instead only at a grand scale; Azeem, Simmons also comment; Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT)

Order #7. That the City Manager is hereby requested to direct the CDD and the Law Department to examine the Citizen’s Petition submitted by Suzanne P. Blier, et. al on the Harvard Square Zoning Petition Modification regarding Frontage of Financial Institutions and make recommendations for any amendments that are needed.   Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Dec 14, 2022, at 1:30pm regarding the Citizen’s Petition submitted by Suzanne P. Blier, et. al regarding the Harvard Square Zoning Petition Modification regarding Frontage of Financial Institutions. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0 (Carlone ABSENT)

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Dec 14, 2022 at 12:30pm on Zoning Petition Recommendation – Removing Limit on BZA Compensation (Attachment F of CM22#207 in Council on Oct 24, 2022). The Ordinance Committee voted to send proposed Ordinance #2022-23 regarding removing the limit on BZA compensation to the full Council with a favorable recommendation to Pass to a Second Reading. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File, Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

Energy, Climate, and all that

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Cambridge Net Zero Action Plan 5-Year Review and Update. [text of report]
pulled by Toner; comments by Nolan and Zondervan; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Energy Code. [text of report]
pulled by Toner w/Order #4; Placed on File 9-0

Order #4. That the City Council adopt the Specialized Stretch Code, as outlined in 225 CMR 22.00 and 225 CMR 23.00, with an effective date of July 1, 2023.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Toner w/Mgr’s Agenda #13; series of forums and other outreach proposed for Feb-March (Farooq); comments by Zondervan (wants to adopt w/o outreach), Nolan (says City has been waiting for this – including the ban of natural gas supply to new buildings and more); Carlone tells of sustainable buildings he’s designed and says Stretch Code doesn’t go far enough – calls it “old guard”; Siddiqui notes that it only applies to new buildings and substantial renovation; Simmons asks about what outreach has been done – Farooq acknowledges that no special outreach has taken place; Charter Right – Toner

In short, this Order calls for the immediate adoption of the new “Specialized Stretch Code” without any further discussion or committee meetings even though the new standards may involve considerable new requirements and expense for Cambridge residents. While it may be true that meetings have been held in the past, I will wager that very, very few residents were aware of such meetings or what adoption of the new code might mean in terms of renovation projects in their homes. This is reminiscent of the adoption of amendments in 2020 to the Bicycle Safety Ordinance where residents only found out much later what was in store for Cambridge roadways.

25 Years Waiting

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Vivek Sikri, Kimberly Kaufman, and Kathryn Carlson to the Cambridge Traffic Board pursuant to Chapter 455 of the Acts of 1961 (the “Special Act”).
Placed on File 9-0

I first made the case at City Council about 20 years ago that the City was in violation of the law in its discontinuation of the Traffic Board. Without it, regulatory decisions of the Traffic Director are absolute with no mechanism for redress. We’ll have to see whether or not the City Manager has “stacked the deck” with advocates for specific policies or if the Traffic Board will prove to be objective in matters brought before them by residents or in their role advising the Department of Traffic, Transportation and Parking.

… and the rest

Order #6. That the Assistant City Manager for Community Development be and hereby is requested to inform the Ordinance Committee on whether or not it is the case that the rate of rents being charged in the buildings located in the City squares is primarily driven by those who can pay the highest rent amounts.   Councillor Simmons
pulled by Zondervan; rules suspended to also take up Order #7 and Committee Report #5; Order Adopted 9-0
[Note: Zondervan and Nolan question why these Orders from Committee Reports are listed here, but this is the way it had always been done until relatively recently.]

Other than during the rent control years, was this ever not the case for either residential or commercial buildings?

Committee Report #6. The Public Safety Committee held a public meeting on Dec 14, 2022 at 3:00pm to discuss the implementation of the new Community Safety Department and integration with HEART. [text of report]
Taken up with Mgr #1, Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

The report notes that “Robert Winters… shared concerns on discussions that were presented at the meeting.” That’s quite the understatement. The points I actually made were that: (a) most people, including Cambridge Police, support the idea of having appropriate alternatives in crisis response; (b) the proponents of the HEART proposal have a clear history of hostility toward police; (c) if the City chooses to contract with the HEART proponents in providing alternatives to police, it is inevitable that conflicts and possible litigation will result; (d) all of the rhetoric from the HEART proponents to date has been dismissive of the City’s newly created Community Safety Department which would be the department contracting with HEART; (e) there is no actual evidence of training or expertise among the people associated with HEART; and (f) good management calls for a proper RFP and bidding for the proposed services. – Robert Winters

January 3, 2023

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 573-574: January 3, 2023

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Charter,City Council,covid — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:38 pm

Episode 573 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 3, 2023 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Jan 3, 2023 at 6:00pm. Topics: Sheila Doyle Russell – fond memories and good friends, Senior Center, modernization of elections; 2022 highlights; chronology of actions, reactions, and inactions of City and City Council – especially bike lanes, golf course controversy. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 574 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 3, 2023 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Jan 3, 2023 at 6:30pm. Topics: 2022 chronology of actions, reactions, and inactions of City and City Council; choosing Auditor, Clerk, and City Manager; FY2023 Budget; charter review; expectations for the coming municipal election year. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

November 14, 2022

Featured Items on the Nov 14, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Central Square,City Council,covid — Tags: , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:47 pm

Featured Items on the Nov 14, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

I suppose more fur will fly when they take a second pass at last week’s Order re: traffic disruptions caused by the partial one-way conversion of Garden Street for bicycle comfort (as well as the new questionably executed Brattle St. bicycle facilities). Predictably, there were zillions of communications both last week and this week both from less frequent commenters caught by surprise as well as the usual suspects who can always be counted on to toe their particular party line regardless of actual facts.City Hall

Here are the items that seem most interesting to this toeless observer:

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

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Climate Resilience Zoning. [cover letter] [draft zoning]
pulled by Nolan; Referred to Health & Environment Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-72, regarding a report outlining the efficacy of the Private Property Rodent Control Program and the SMART Digital Rodent Control Boxes, and any changes being contemplated to these current programs; and the status of the Rat Liaison position. [report]
pulled by Mallon; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $586,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account to support the continuation and expansion the City’s rodent control program utilizing SMART box technology and to fully fund the residential property rodent control program. [letter and order]
pulled by Mallon; Placed on File, Order Adopted 9-0

It would be great if they sold smaller indoor units for mice – ones that actually work.

Charter Right #1. Policy Order Regarding Traffic Flow on Garden Street. [Charter Right – Simmons, Nov 7, 2022]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

87 Communications – all but two of which focus on the Garden Street “experiment”. It’s worth noting that only 13 of the 87 communications arrived after the Nov 7 meeting, but since the relevant Order was delayed via Charter Right they’re all still timely.

Let me guess – 100 people will Zoom in during Public Comment reading scripted comments about how wonderful the bicycle comfort lanes are, or how the Traffic, Parking & Transportation lives to make driving as difficult as possible (true), or how if anyone disagrees with any aspect of the Bicycle Safety Ordinance they must be passively trying to kill people. There are good reasons why I generally skip Public Comment these days.

On the Table #2. Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis. [Charter Right – McGovern, Oct 17, 2022; Tabled Oct 24, 2022]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #1. Improved Marketing for Green Plus Cambridge Community Electricity.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I’ll take the cheapest one, thank you.

Order #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate departments to extend the Outdoor Dining Policy and continue to allow winter outdoor dining as has been the case in the last two years.   Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

Many of the Covid-inspired street patios are really past their prime and should be phased out or scaled back to sidewalk-only. That said, the Central Square patios on the south side of Mass. Ave. have become a real destination – even if some reconfiguration and scaling back is in order. Other Covid-inspired accommodations such as Starlight Square need some revision or relocation as we return to more normal times. A blocked-off area with little or no active use most of the time adds little to the vitality of Central Square.

Late Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate departments to consider extending the current reduced fee schedule for another year and to report on this matter by Nov 30, 2022.
Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee met on Oct 25, 2022, to discuss potential changes to the City Council Rules. [text of report]
Moved to Unfinished Business 9-0

As I noted several weeks ago, former Mayor Frank Duehay once told me that the death knell of any organization is when they spend excessive time and emphasis on their by-laws instead of their mission. I am also reminded of those annoying kids in high school who obsessed over “rewriting the student constitution.” I guess they grow up and become city councillors.

Committee Report #2. Health & Environment Committee [to discuss and amend the draft Net Zero Action Plan update, and next steps in implementing and updating the City’s NetZero Action Plan including setting SMART goals for action items, accelerating timelines in line with the Climate Protection Action Committee review and the Climate Crisis Working Group discussion and any other issues related to the Plan] – Oct 28, 2022, 9:00am [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

I expect even more unfunded mandates from “progressive” councillors who feel obliged to tell you how to think, what you can and cannot do or say, what you should or should not buy, what vehicle you should or should not drive, what you should or should not eat, how you should heat your home or cook your food, and pretty much anything else that used to go under the category of “choice”. All they have to do is say there’s an emergency and anything goes.

Wed, Dec 14 (Hearing Schedule)
3:00pm   The Public Safety Committee is holding a public meeting to discuss the implementation of the new Community Safety Department and integration with HEART.

The so-called “H.E.A.R.T. proposal” (Holistic Emergency Alternative Response Team) was first introduced in May 2021 by activists who were openly hostile to police and who repeatedly referred to police as “slave-catchers”. Everyone, including Cambridge Police, agree with the idea that not all emergency calls need to be or should be handled by uniformed and armed police. The City came back with a more rational proposal with the creation of a new Community Safety Department along with a system called CARP (Cambridge Alternative Response Program) that would integrate alternate emergency response with Emergency Communications – in contrast with the activist proposal that would have created a completely separate system divorced from City government (except for the funding). The availability of federal ARPA money with minimal strings attached led to the activists seeking an alternate way to justify their existence. Since then I have heard rumors that the people behind the HEART proposal had an inside track to get a contract under the new department – something some of us consider highly problematic. I hope this is just an unfounded rumor. Some city councillors, Mr. Zondervan in particular, continue in their effort to assume an executive role by asserting that the Community Safety Department will be integrated with HEART even though there is no such reference in the FY2023 Budget. It continues to astound me that Mayor Siddiqui chose to appoint Councillor Zondervan as Chair of the Public Safety Committee. – Robert Winters

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 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]

May 21, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 549-550: May 17, 2022

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Cambridge InsideOut,City Council,schools — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:25 pm

Episode 549 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 17, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on May 17, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: Hiring the City Auditor (Joseph McCann), City Clerk (Diane LeBlanc), and City Manager (4 finalists); the ability to say NO as an essential quality in a city manager; reports on the Budget Hearings; councillors on their best behavior – especially in regard to Police Dept. and Community Safety budgets. Apologies for the poor audio/video quality. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 550 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 17, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on May 17, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: Alewife Moratorium pending – Quadrangle and Triangle, roadway connections, bridges, and some history – connecting the cul-de-sacs; blurred Envision; YIMBY cult vs. thoughtful consideration of where density makes sense; Cambridge schools, vocational education, and opportunities; discussion of municipal broadband continues to ignore Cable TV; broadband options and financial risk. Apologies for the poor audio/video quality. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

May 9, 2022

A Very Few Highlights of the May 9, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:40 pm

A Very Few Highlights of the May 9, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

If all goes well, this meeting should go quickly. The Budget Hearings start the next morning at 9:00am. Here are a few things that might stir some interest:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-99, regarding GLX project funding.
pulled by Mallon; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-26, regarding a report on trash bin sizes.
pulled by Nolan; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $200,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account to support the rollout of standardized trash bins and the collection and recycling of old trash bins.
Order Adopted 9-0

I will do a little virtue-signaling here and say that although two 65-gallon toters are recommended for my triple-decker, I will instead be requesting two 35-gallon toters, and I expect that one of them will remain unused in my backyard except for extraordinary circumstances. Some of us take that whole Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra seriously. I’m also glad that there will be a collection of the old barrels. I’ll hold onto the intact ones for other uses (like Yard Waste) but this will be a good time to lose the cracked ones.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-16, regarding Alewife Overlay District Zoning Proposal Working Group and POR 2022 #84 contained in Committee Report Item Number 1 of May 2, 2022 regarding CDD’s current workload. [text of response]
pulled by Carlone; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to updated information that was requested by the Ordinance Committee at its hearing on Apr 7, 2022, relative to the Alewife Overlay Districts Zoning Petition as well as a legal opinion from City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa, regarding legal questions raised by the Ordinance Committee at the same Apr 7, 2022 hearing. [CDD Memo] [Zoning Opinion (May 9)] [Alewife Opinion (Apr 7)]
pulled by Zondervan; Rules suspended to bring forward Unfinished Business #9; Amendment Adopted 9-0; Communication Referred to Petition 9-0

Unfinished Business #9. 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 #2022-1). [Passed to 2nd Reading May 2, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after May 23, 2022]
Amendment Adopted 9-0

Not much to do with this until ordination on May 23, but I am a bit confused as to why ordination cannot happen at the May 16 meeting – two weeks after the matter was Passed to a 2nd Reading. [The reason is that the Cambridge Chronicle has a Friday afternoon deadline for submission of Legal Notices for the following week and they no longer allow any leeway on this.] In any case, I still see no great vision (or Envision) from the City Council about what they want to see in the Quadrangle, and I have no idea why the proposed moratorium also includes the Alewife Triangle.

Charter Right #1. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $23,100,176 received from the U.S. Department of Treasury through the new Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) established by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), to the Grant Fund Finance Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used for a number of projects related to City Council priority areas particularly: homelessness and housing support, COVID testing, mental health services, job training, food insecurity, small business support, and infrastructure including items related to water, and broadband. [Charter Right – Zondervan, May 2, 2022]
Zondervan wants to Table; Nolan disagrees; Carlone ready to approve and notes that councillors not consulted on $22 million on RISE; Azeem asks Manager how he sees this and what would happen if Tabled; Azeem will vote to approve; Zondervan has expectation that HEART would be funded under contract through new Community Safety Department (based on what?); Siddiqui suggests that Council wants HEART funded even though it would duplicate proposed services; Motion to Table Fails 1-8 (Zondervan – YES); Appropriation Adopted 9-0

There seems to be an organized effort to divert some of this ARPA money toward the ill-founded “HEART proposal” – simply because the ARPA money doesn’t have the same Ant-Aid Amendment protections against political patronage that ordinary tax revenue has. There are messages on various listservs encouraging people to engage in Public Comment on this topic. I am forbidden to comment on at least two of these democracy-challenged listservs, but I did manage a response on one of them. Here it is:

I don’t wish to get into a back-and-forth on this topic, but I do want to emphasize that the FY2023 City Budget has already allocated $2,874,570 in creating a new Community Safety Department that includes 6 full-time budgeted employees.

As the budget narrative says: “The Community Safety Department (CSD) is a newly established department that coordinates community driven solutions to enhance safety and wellness in the community by providing key services and programs targeted at the most vulnerable populations. Based on identified needs in the community for an alternate non-police response to non-violent and behavioral crisis calls and reducing or preventing violence in the community, the Department’s mission is to support the community through a trauma-informed framework and evidence-informed solutions… The Department will be responsible for overseeing the Cambridge Alternative Response Program, as well as other efforts to make the community a safer place to live, work, and experience for all.”

In addition, there are 2+ new budgeted positions in the Emergency Communications Department that appear to be related:
To provide funding for a new Assistant Director of Public Safety IT position.
To provide funding for a new PSIT Project Manager position.
To provide funding for a new Licensed Social Worker position (1/2 year).

Any additional ARPA funding for the so-called “HEART Program” would be nothing more than redundant political patronage.

Robert Winters

The Budget Hearings begin tomorrow and will, in particular, cover the Police Department and the new Community Safety Department.

Tues, May 10

9:00am   The City Council’s Finance Committee will meet to conduct hearing on FY2023 City Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Budget Overview
Mayor’s Office
Executive – Leadership
Executive – Diversity
Executive – DGVPI
Executive – Equity and Inclusion    
Public Information Office
Tourism
Housing Liaison		 City Council
City Clerk
Law
Finance Admin.    
Budget
Personnel
Purchasing
Auditing
Assessing		 Treasury/Revenue
Information Technology    
General Services
Employee Benefits
Election Commission
Public Celebrations
Reserve
Animal Commission		 Community Safety (new)
Fire Department
Police Department
Traffic, Parking & Transportation
Inspectional Services
License Commission
Electrical
Emergency Communications

Committee Report #1. The Housing Committee met to conduct a public hearing on Jan 25, 2022 to receive updates from the Community Development Department, the Cambridge Housing Authority, Homeowner’s Rehab, Inc. and Just A Start on the work they are currently engaged in, and the continuing challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic upon their operations. [Committee Report #1]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Housing Committee met Mar 16, 2022 to conduct a public hearing to continue discussions around potentially raising the linkage fee rates. [Committee Report #2]
Report Accepted, Placed on File; Orders A and B Adopted, Order C strategically Tabled 9-0

This City Council has never seen a fee increase it hasn’t liked and maintains a desire to increase fees to the maximum regardless of any other factors (unless, of course, it might cost them votes). – Robert Winters

Note: Mayor Siddiqui announced at the end of the meeting that the MBTA has responded to the City Council’s request and that the catenary wires in the Porter Square area would be removed in July 2022.

May 4, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 547-548: May 3, 2022

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 9:35 am

Episode 547 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 3, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on May 3, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: FY2023 Budget arrives, significant changes; new Community Safety department; HEART or CARP?, Police budget increased and not “de-funded”; public investment and annual loan orders. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 548 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 3, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on May 3, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: ARPA funding, long-term intentions; Alewife Moratorium pending – Quadrangle and Triangle, blown chances; fare-free transit; “hostile architecture”; bike lane intransigence; fearful rhetoric, actual vs. perceived risk. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

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