Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

March 14, 2024

Springing Forward – March 18, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 5:23 pm

Springing Forward – March 18, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are the things I found interesting this week:First Sign of Spring

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City of Cambridge retaining its AAA rating from the nation’s three major credit rating agencies. (CM24#42) [text of reports]

This is almost routine at this point. I can’t even remember when we last failed to get a “triple triple”. One thing that struck me in the Moody’s report was: “Cambridge’s assessed value projected to decline by 2% in 2025 before recovering in 2026.” I don’t believe there’s any way that residential assessed values could be falling, so any drop is likely due to lower commercial assessed values. There’s also this: “The city’s assessed value is projected to flatten over the next couple years including a 2% decline in total assessed value that is projected in 2025. The decline in total AV is driven by a projected 7% decline in commercial value in 2025 and projected 2% decline in 2026. The declines are driven primarily by the challenges in the commercial office space sub-sector as a result of work-from-home options that have taken hold in many companies and industries in the city and across the nation. The residential sector is projected to see no change in 2025 values followed by a projected 2% increase annually beginning in 2026 through 2028.” The S&P report has this cautionary note: “We could lower the rating if reserves were to decrease significantly without a plan for restoration or if debt service and retirement costs were to pressure the city’s finances.”

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 April 1, 2024 and ending March 31, 2025. (CM24#43) [text of report]

The notable increases in the water rate last year and 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 water than to supply it.

water-sewer rates FY25

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

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and meet with the MBTA and City of Boston in advance of the July Red Line shutdown about the implementation of a fare-free 1 bus program.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department and Community Development Department to study whether the City Council could add maximum lot area per dwelling unit, maximum setback requirements, and minimum floor area ratios in some districts or as part of an overlay in the Zoning Ordinance and whether the City Council could require a special permit for a down conversion in developments that would result in a net loss of housing units.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan

I am very leery of this proposal – especially if it is interpreted to apply to existing buildings. During the days of rent control, the requirement that a “removal permit” was required prior to joining units was routinely used to prevent property owners from doing very reasonable things. For example, when I bought my triple-decker, the apartment where I now live had been operated as a rooming house, and the City treated it as 5 housing units. I had to use my tenure dating back to 1978 in the building to be allowed to legally restore the floor back to the apartment it had been for over fifty years. Had I not been able to do this, it would not have been possible for me to continue owning or living in the building. Many years later, I now occasionally consider the possibility of occupying two floors of the building, and I would be outraged if our elected officials took away my flexibility to do that. The devil, as is often said, is in the details. There is a very creepy mindset in the minds of some elected officials that personal freedom should always take a back seat to their political agendas.

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to work with the chairs of the Housing Committee on zoning language that effectively promotes multi-family housing, including inclusionary units, citywide.   Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson

While I generally agree with the idea of allowing multi-family housing citywide, I really don’t think that this Order should be quoting a class project by a Harvard freshman in making assertions (some of which are demonstrably false) regarding the history of zoning in Cambridge.

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and report back to the City Council with recommendations for adjusting parking permit fees to better align with associated costs.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem

Once again, if this is simply a matter of adjusting fees to cover the administrative costs of the resident parking permit program, then fine. On the other hand, if the intention is to use increased fees to carry out yet another social engineering program, then I hope this goes nowhere fast.

Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to develop ways to fund support of decarbonization and clean energy projects and technical assistance for property owners of all types especially those with limited resources, with an initial focus on work associated with BEUDO emissions reduction requirements.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Pickett, Councillor Siddiqui

As I have said before, if the City wants to provide incentives to change energy sources or provide greater efficiencies for homeowners, then I’m totally on board with that. I am, however, mindful of the woefully inadequate electrical infrastructure in Cambridge (look up sometime to see how many streetlights are connected to extension cords over the street to get their power) and the potential consequence of increased electrification. I also encourage everyone to read the recent March 14 New York Times article “A New Surge in Power Use Is Threatening U.S. Climate Goals”. – Robert Winters

March 5, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 611-612: March 5, 2024

Episode 611 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 5, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Mar 5, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Super Tuesday; Iran voting boycott vs. campaign for “No Preference”; Trump vs. Biden; ward committees; City Council less dysfunctional, more collaborative w/City Manager; Finance Committee – levy projections, call for restraint, need to maintain excess levy capacity; use of operating budget for affordable housing has consequences; anticipated 10%+ annual increases in levy coming; fewer building permits – revenue not subject to Prop 2½ limits; commercial values relatively flat – shift of levy from commercial to residential; within residential, condos get sweetest deal after residential exemption and most of the increases borne by single-, two-, and three-family properties; need for intervention now to avoid future need for overrides; councillors had luxury for years in not having to think about limitations; FY24 consolidated spending categories; note that every stick of affordable housing (deed restrictions) has de minimis tax revenue – receive far more value in services that tax generated. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 612 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 5, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Mar 5, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Mar 4 City Council meeting; PERF report – police-involved shooting, good recommendations, positive evaluation of CPD practices, less-lethal options, CPD to be first in Mass. with policy on releasing names of involved officers; Central Square Lots Study in parallel with zoning changes; other assets, adjacent properties; everyone loves Central Square until they don’t; demise of current Starlight Square, need for replacement; contradictory signals on whether to gather more information or take action; exclusive focus on “affordable housing” creates net financial negative in perpetuity – math doesn’t work; plan in concert with privately-owned adjacent lots, e.g. Bishop Allen/Prospect, Green/Pleasant lot and Needle Exchange building; 44 years and 24 studies – the never-ending study of Central Square; not just about making everything bigger – need to make things better, more creative and more interesting; death of Paul Ryder; Charter Review update – next steps, desire to control process, facets of City government via Special Acts that should be part of Charter or at least be referenced – License Commission, Election Commission, Traffic Board, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge Housing Authority, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority; housing-related orders re: real estate transfer tax and municipally-funded vouchers (a real budget buster); the more we fund affordable housing the wider the gap in affordability. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

March 4, 2024

Marching Fourth – March 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Marching Fourth – March 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Lion and the LambPerhaps this is the year we’ll march in like a lamb and out like a lion. There are some interesting things circling around – notably the recent Feb 28 Finance Committee meeting where City staff made it abundantly clear that the City Council might want to be just a bit less ambitious and expansive in their requests to fund everything under the sun. They are anticipating tax levy increases for the next few fiscal years in excess of 10%, and this may translate into very large jumps in property taxes – especially for single-, two-, and three-family homes. [Don’t worry, condo owners, you will likely continue to get the sweetest deal in town. The main message was “The City is at a critical inflection point and will need to take action to preserve future financial stability.”

Perhaps the two most substantive items on the week’s agenda are the final report from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and the Central Square Lots Study Report.

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the final report from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). [text of report]
pulled by Wilson to announce that there will be a Public Safety Committee meeting on this on Apr 2, 3-5pm; Referred to Public Safety Committee 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Central Square Lots Study Report. [text of report]
pulled by Wilson – a says outreach was unsatisfactory, loss of Starlight Square; Yi-An Huang responds to questions about representation, nature of process of the study, role of councillors in facilitating community feedback; McGovern questions about Request for Information (RFI), Melissa Peters responds about RFI and planning for Central Square rezoning, trade-offs, housing options; Yi-An Huang refers to Lots Study as a “test fit”, desire for housing, including “affordable”, need to bring Cambridge Redevelopment Authority into process, possibility of joining with adjacent (privately-owned) properties [Note: this was exactly the point I made in the Central Square Advisory Committee (CSAC) meeting on this – especially in regard to the privately-owned lots at Prospect/Bishop Allen and building on Green Street adjacent to parking lot at Pleasant (currently hosting Needle Exchange)]; McGovern on Starlight (Lot 5) and how its loss would be upsetting to many; Yi-An Huang notes that he has discussed with with CSBID, City financial support for Starlight/Popportunity – uses phrase “square within the square”, possibility of housing, performance space, and parking at this location; Siddiqui expresses disappointment that there will be a limited Starlight season this year with an early end, notes ARPA award to support it, says there is community support to extend it; Pickett wants to reconcile Lots Study and planning for zoning changes; Melissa Peters says Lots Study and zoning planning are parallel processes, RFP will come after the zoning is completed; Pickett asks about continuing community engagement; Nolan concerns about long-term planning [Hey, isn’t there a committee with that name?], suggests citywide survey, impacts on City budget – both capital and operating budgets, quantifying value of Starlight Square; Azeem bemoans loss of Starlight, need for alternatives, offers comments on various lots and properties; Sobrinho-Wheeler uptalks; Simmons wants to refer to NLTP Committee, expresses hope for Starlight, notes decades of studies on Central Square – brings up slide (from CCJ site), Central Square as a cultural district, how this fits in with ongoing MAPC study, shallow referencing of “people of color”, dissatisfaction with degree of outreach, 44 years with 24 studies – “hurry up and wait”; Yi-An Huang notes that this “test fit” utilized past studies; disagreement about whether there is a call for action or additional feedback and study; Yi-An Huang (correctly) notes that Starlight was built as a temporary structure during Covid and that focus now should be on future alternatives; Wilson references long gap between ideas/suggestions and actions; Pickett speaks to how NLTP will take this on; McGovern expresses a “blitz” of meetings on this; Referred to NLTP 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-4, regarding recommendations and legal opinions for adjusting transportation related fees and other considered changes based on the conversations in committee on Dec 6, 2023. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan – wants to raise resident parking permit fees w/low-income discounts, fees based on vehicle size; City Solicitor Megan Bayer responds; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a communication regarding the American Rescue Plan Act’s (“ARPA”) definition of “Obligation.” [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler – what happens to unspent ARPA funds; Magan Bayer says these go back to U.S. Treasury if unspent; Matt Nelson provides additional information; Nolan asks if this has been communicated to nonprofit organizations; Yi-An Huang responds in the affirmative; Pickett wants to know what unallocated funds remain; Wilson comments; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-7, regarding a review of the Final Report of the Charter Review Committee. [text of report]
pulled by Pickett – reminder (from Toner) to councillors to forward their questions to Councillor Toner; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Resolution #4. Condolences on the death of Paul Ryder.   Councillor Toner

Order #1. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider a request for a dedication in a suitable location in honor of Paul Ryder.   Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Order #5. Tenant Protection Resources.   Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan, Wilson, Simmons; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Committee Report #1. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing on Thurs, Feb 15, 2024 to discuss the current lab, office, and retail vacancies in Cambridge and their expected impact on City revenues in the near and long term. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

November 20, 2023

Cambridge Does Gaza – November 20, 2023 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Cambridge Does Gaza – November 20, 2023 Cambridge City Council Agenda

All the world is watching as Cambridge takes on the Middle East. </sarcasm>Peoples Republic of Cambridge

Here are the featured menu items for tonight’s meal:

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Home Rule petition regarding the Fire Chief position.


Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 23-72 regarding mechanisms to support Cannabis Business in Cambridge. (CM23#274) [text of report]

Unfinished Business #2. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to proposed changes to Cannabis Business Permitting Proposed Ordinance 2023-6. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 16, 2023; Eligible to be Ordained] (ORD23#6)


Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Planning Board’s recommendation on the Hen-keeping Zoning Petition and amended zoning text. (CM23#275) [text of report]

Unfinished Business #5. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council to amend Articles 2.000, 4.000, 5.000, and 23.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of allowing hen-keeping as a permitted accessory use to principal residential (excluding transient accommodations as defined in Section 4.31.i), religious, and educational uses; with limitations and subject to regulation and permitting by the Cambridge Public Health Department. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 16, 2023; Eligible to be Ordained; Expires Jan 8, 2024] (ORD23#9)


Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Study. (CM23#277) [text of report]

The East Cambridge Neighborhood District Study is a great document – the continuation of great work of our peerless Cambridge Historical Commission. What the City Council will do with this or should do with this is a matter of some concern. Normally this would be an easy decision, but the spirit of New York’s Robert Moses continues to permeate current Cambridge politics – an environment where tearing down historic buildings, or any buildings, is apparently welcomed in favor of going higher and denser regardless of all other considerations. The spirit of Jane Jacobs will return at some point, and the only question is the extent of damage carried out in the interim.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an Equity Inclusion Fall 2023 Update. (CM23#278) [text of report]

This is worth looking at primarily as an illustration of how bureaucracies grow.


Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the American Freedmen Commission Ordinance. (CM23#279) [text of report]

Committee Report #2. A public meeting of the Cambridge City Council’s Ordinance Committee was held on Thurs, Nov 9, 2023, to consider changes to the Cambridge Municipal Code that would establish the American Freedmen Commission. The Committee approved a motion that the City Manager be and is hereby requested to direct the Law Department and any other relevant department to review the proposed ordinance language to create the Freedmen Commission and provide any recommendations in writing to the City Council by Nov 20, 2023. The Committee voted favorably to send the proposed language to the City Council with a favorable recommendation that it be passed to a second reading. (text of report)

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds and whether this will amount to something constructive or just garden-variety political patronage.


Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 22-40, regarding a Community Engagement Update. (CM23#280) [text of report]

This is clueless on so many levels. For example, “Additionally, each department is at a different point on its community engagement journey: the Department of Public Works (DPW) for example, started building its community relations team in the early 2000s …” In fact, our Department of Public Works has been a model of community engagement and personalized service delivery for many decades. Only a bureaucrat would see otherwise. On the other hand, the “community engagement” of some other departments will continue to be mainly performative in the sense that most decisions have already been made by staff or mandated via City ordinance with little room for discussion or change.

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2023 Cambridge Resident Satisfaction Survey Results. (CM23#281) [text of report]

Manager’s Agenda #12. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000, from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Executive Extraordinary Expenditures account to support an evaluation of the Rise Up Cambridge Cash Assistance for Families Program. (CM23#282) [text of report]

The bottom line is that this program was only made possible because of the federal windfall of ARPA dollars growing out of the Covid disruption. What followed in so many cities was political opportunism – enacting initiatives that otherwise would not have been financially feasible or even legal. We are now in the phase where “studies” are being proposed and funded to extend this new add-on local welfare program.

Unfinished Business #3. ORD23#8A To amend Chapter 2.76 – Human Rights Commission and Chapter 2.119 Domestic Partnerships. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 2, 2023; Further Amended Nov 6, 2023; Eligible to be Ordained as Amended]

Resolution #3. Resolution on the death of Teresa Solano Neighbor.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons

I attended the November 11 memorial service for Teresa at Bigelow Chapel in Mount Auburn Cemetery and, as is often the case, it served as a reunion of many friends. Teresa was the Executive Director of the Election Commission during the period when we computerized our municipal elections and when I served on the Technical Working Committee for the Computerization of the Cambridge Elections (TWCC). That was a very rewarding experience for many of us who were involved in that project, and Teresa was a great partner in that initiative.

Order #1. Special Meeting on City Manager Review.   Mayor Siddiqui

Order #2. Automated Parking Enforcement.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone

Order #3. Resolution in support of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s Call for a Ceasefire.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui

This last item, of course, will likely consume most of the evening and accomplish nothing. – RW

October 2, 2023

A Taxing Situation – October 2, 2023 City Council Meeting and Tax Rate Hearing

A Taxing Situation – October 2, 2023 City Council Meeting and Tax Rate Hearing

Real Estate TaxesAs expected, the property tax bills for owners of one-, two-, and three-family homes is leaping upward this year, and next year and future years are likely to see even more dramatic increases. Shockingly, the rapid expansion of new programs (and more) actually costs money, and there are limits to just how much revenue you can raise by growing more commercial property to cover those costs.

Including the likely ordination at this meeting of the zoning amendment that will allow stratospheric heights along some streets and squares with no meaningful mechanism for public input, here’s a sampler of what’s on deck this week:

TAX RATE HEARING
The Cambridge City Council will conduct a public hearing related to setting the property tax rate classification. Under the laws of the Commonwealth, the City has the option of taxing residential and commercial/industrial property at different tax rates. At this public meeting, the City Council will review tax rates/classifications proposed by the City Manager and the Board of Assessors. The votes taken will result in property tax rates that reflect the City’s property tax levy for Fiscal Year. [City Manager’s Tax Rate Letter]

The bottom line is that: the FY23 Adopted Operating Budget increased by 10.0% ($82.3 million) over the FY23 Adopted Budget, though $24.6 million of that increase represents a shift of funding for the Affordable Housing Trust from the Capital Budget to the Operating Budget. A better accounting therefore is that the FY24 Operating Budget represents an increase of $57.8 million or 7.2% over the FY23 Adopted Budget. The FY24 Budget adopted by the City Council in June 2023 projected a property tax levy increase of $48.8 million, or 9.2%, to $580.3 million in order to fund operating and capital expenditures. With approval of the recommendations in this memo, the actual FY24 tax levy required to support the FY24 Budget is $575,418,489 which is an increase of $43.9 million or 8.3% from FY23. This increase is lower than the estimated increase of 9.2% projected in June 2023 as part of the Adopted Budget, due in large part from higher than projected investment earnings, hotel motel taxes, and building permit revenue.

The property tax levy increase of 8.3% is above the FY23 increase of 7.45%. The property tax levy increase is also above the five-year (FY20-FY24) annual average increase of 7.03%, and the ten-year (FY15-FY24) annual average increase of 5.77%. The FY24 residential tax rate will be $5.92 per thousand dollars of value, subject to Department of Revenue approval. This is an increase of $0.06, or approximately 1% from FY23. The commercial tax rate will be $10.46, which is an increase of $0.08, or 0.7% from FY23. By property class, on average a single-family home will see a 8.41% tax increase, a condo will see a 6.5% decrease, a two-family will see a 4.7% increase, and a three-family will see a 5.4% increase.

FY2024 Taxes

Residential Property Type FY24 Median Tax (incl. CPA Surcharge) Median $ increase
Condominium $1,555 – $ 7
Single-Family $7,674 $ 743
Two-Family $6,713 $ 494
Three-Family $8,246 $ 598

History of changes in residential property taxes

Median Annual Tax Increases – Cambridge
Tax Year condo single-family two-family three-family
FY2009 $ 18 $ 40 $ 24 $ 72
FY2010 $ 69 $ 119 $ 47 $ 41
FY2011 $ 77 $ 306 $ 132 $ 154
FY2012 $ 60 $ 269 $ 177 $ 215
FY2013 $ 65 $ 159 $ 80 $ 85
FY2014 – $ 38 $ 109 $ 110 $ 201
FY2015 $ 15 $ 11 $ 334 $ 253
FY2016 – $ 18 $ 64 $ 101 $ 217
FY2017 $ 11 $ 324 $ 237 $ 336
FY2018 $ 76 $ 136 $ 33 $ 61
FY2019 $ 21 $ 124 $ 292 $ 469
FY2020 $ 43 $ 449 $ 366 $ 369
FY2021 $ 3 $ 246 $ 131 $ 218
FY2022 $ 33 $ 545 $ 301 $ 335
FY2023 – $ 107 $ 419 $ 269 $ 379
FY2024 – $ 7 $ 743 $ 494 $ 598
5 year average – $ 7 $ 480 $ 312 $ 380
10 year average $ 7 $ 306 $ 256 $ 324
15 year average $ 20 $ 268 $ 207 $ 262
number of properties (FY2023) 14841 3910 2292 1168

As you can see from these figures, it’s the large number of condominiums (nearly 15,000) that enables the City to declare such things as “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or only a modest increase.” For owners of single-, two-, and three-family homes, the story is quite different – especially during the last 5 years. Indeed, this year continues the sweet deal for condo owners. This year’s median change for condo owners is a reduction of $7, while it’s increases of $743 for a single-family, $494 for a two-family, and $598 for a three-family. Next year promises to see even greater increases.

Required Votes:
• Transfer of Excess Overlay Balances. [Authorize $2,000,000 in overlay surplus/reserves to be used for reducing the FY24 tax rate.]
Order Adopted 9-0

• Classify property into the five classes allowed, and adopt a minimum residential factor of 65%.
Order Adopted 9-0

• Approve the residential exemption factor of 30% for owner occupied homes.
Order Adopted 9-0


Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to revisions to the Affordable Housing Overlay Petition. [CDD Memo]
Placed on File 9-0Corridors of Destruction

Unfinished Business #3. An Ordinance has been received from City Council, relative to Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) amendments. (Proposed Ordinance #2023-7) [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 11, 2023; Amended Sept 18, 2023] [text of First Publication] [AHO-Sept12Edit]
Amended 8-1 (BA,AM,MM,PN,DS,PT,QZ,SS-Yes; DC-No) – further details to follow

Communications & Reports #4. A communication from Councillors Nolan, Carlone, and Toner transmitting alternative language to the Affordable Housing Overlay amendments. [text of communication]
Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #5. A communication from Councillors Nolan, Carlone, and Toner transmitting alternative language to the Affordable Housing Overlay amendments. [text of communication]
Placed on File 9-0

I have stated from the outset that the entire concept of the original Affordable Housing Overlay as well as this next premature amendment was a flawed concept in a number of ways. First, it is based on unrealistic and unsustainable targets for deed-restricted housing units. The cost is not simply the cost of construction. The amount of real estate taxes coming from every such unit is the bare legal minimum (think ~$100 rather than $1000 or $8000 – see above) while the cost of services for each resident is far greater. In other words, each additional deed-restricted unit represents a permanent sizable cost that must be covered either by shifting that burden onto other residential taxpayers or by permitting new commercial construction or both. As one local expert has stated, “Affordable housing makes housing less affordable.” This, of course, does not mean that “affordable housing” should not be built but rather that the actual costs must be understood – and we never hear any of that discussion among city councillors (or candidates).

The second fundamental principle of the AHO has been and continues to be the prohibition of any meaningful public input from residents, including direct abutters.

The important question that should be asked is what the appropriate percentage of deed-restricted units should be. During the Envision Cambridge process, there was a basic acknowledgment of that percentage being in the neighborhood of ~15% of all housing units and that perhaps that should rise somewhat. However, in a poorly attended meeting late in the game, a target percentage of 25% of all new housing units appeared out of nowhere, and it is from that unrealistic figure that claims of our “not meeting our goals” is derived. This is economically infeasible and unsustainable from the perspective of residential property taxation (see above).

The AHO is based on the principle of restricting housing growth in order to force the sale and development of residential housing only toward the so-called nonprofit developers. Specifically, if you own property along some of the proposed “AHO corridors” (see map above) you may need to seek variances for even modest alterations to your property, but a nonprofit developer can snap up the property next door and build a structure more than three times as tall (up to 12 stories on “AHO corridors” and 15 stories in “AHO squares”) with little or no setbacks and not be subject to any of the other restrictions that have been imposed over time on other property owners. This is bad from a planning perspective. It is an assault on urban design. It is economically unsustainable. Nonetheless, this latest AHO amendment will likely have 5 or 6 votes to be ordained based purely on populist politics and a shallow understanding of urban planning and municipal finance.


Unfinished Business #2. Amendment to Chapter 2.78 of the Cambridge Code of Ordinance, entitled ”Historical Buildings and Landmarks.” (Ordinance #2022-11). [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended, Aug 7, 2023; further Amended Sept 18, 2023; Eligible to be Ordained – no expiration] [text of proposed amendment]
Ordained 6-3 (BA,AM,MM,DS,QZ,SS-Yes; DC,PN,PT-No)

Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Allene R. Pierson, regarding Cambridge Lodging House Zoning Change to strengthen Cambridge residential housing efforts, mitigate the disruptive impacts of short-term platform-based market rate rentals. [Signed petition] [Lodging House Petition]
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0


Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with CDD and the Law Department to review the proposed amendment to BEUDO regarding new buildings, and to propose adjustments, especially with regards to the building permit vs certificate of occupancy question.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct CDD to meet with the Universities, large labs, large property developers and anyone with technical expertise regarding the proposed BEUDO amendment to get their input.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Sept 20, 2023, to discuss potential amendments to the Building Energy Use Ordinance. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0


Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant departments to change the hours of off leash usage at Joan Lorentz Park to 6:00 to 10:00am to allow usage prior to typical work hours.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #7. Appointment of Lauren Reznick to the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority for a five-year term.   Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #8. Housing contributions from the City’s major institutions.   Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #9. That the City Council schedule a roundtable on Mon, Oct 23, 2023, from 3:00pm-5pm to receive an update from the City Manager, relevant departments, and community partners on Central Square.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to work with the License Commission and other relevant departments to prepare recommendations on regulations that would ban or limit the sale of nips in Cambridge.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone
Charter Right – Toner

Order #13. That the City Manager is requested to reaffirm the City’s commitment to renovating the schoolhouse at 105 Windsor Street as a top priority following the completion of the Central Square lots study.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan
Charter Right – SimmonsPeoples Republic of Cambridge

Committee Report #1. The Civic Unity Committee held a public hearing on Aug 21, 2023 to discuss a proposed ”Cambridge Truth and Reconciliation Taskforce” from local reparations activists. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 12, 2023, to hold a public hearing on potential amendments to the Municipal Code for the City of Cambridge to Protect Family Inclusion and Relationship Diversity, POR 2023 #97. The Committee voted favorably to send the proposed Ordinance language as amended to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation to Pass to a 2nd Reading. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File; Ordinance Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

Committee Report #3. A public meeting of the Cambridge City Council’s Health and Environment Committee was held on Tues, Sept 13, 2023. The call of the meeting was to discuss PO23#73. The Committee voted favorably that the City Manager direct relevant departments to work with the Health and Environment and Ordinance Chairs and report back to the City Council no later than the end of October 2023. The Committee also directed the City Manager to work with relevant departments on funding sources to incentivize the transition to electrification of lawn equipment. Note: PO23#163 and PO23#164 were adopted in City Council on Sept 11, 2023. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

September 6, 2023

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 597-598: September 5, 2023

Episode 597 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 5, 2023 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Aug 1, 2023 at 6:00pm. Topics: Municipal election updates; changing hats; Candidate Pages – many good new candidates; endorsing organizations; the problematic “Bike Pledge” and the fallacy of perfection of the Cycling Safety Ordinance; misinterpretation of election results and slates; feeders vs. preferred candidates; the purpose of proportional representation – and the need for a strong executive; bringing ideas rather than beliefs; representation vs. advocacy; perverse candidate questionnaires; deviation from party line may lead to job loss or non-appointment – a problem in democracy; tax troubles on the horizon. Hosts: Robert Winters, Patrick Barrett [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 598 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 5, 2023 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Sept 5, 2023 at 6:30pm. Topics: Taxes, tax classification, and Prop 2½; fiction and promise of candidate handcards; taking wrong roads toward housing affordability; the problem of earmarking housing for specific groups; driving vs. “The T” and delusional thinking; looking at housing and transportation holistically, unilateral “solutions” are not solutions; Cambridge is better because of its diversity of housing styles and densities; solving problems or just taking down “the aristocracy”; the need to walk and observe; CDD undoing decades of better planning; lefties need to find more joy in life. Hosts: Robert Winters, Patrick Barrett [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

June 5, 2023

Preview – June 5, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Preview – June 5, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are a few select items on this week’s agenda, starting with the expected adoption of the FY2024 Budget:Coins

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to amendments to the FY24 Submitted General Fund Budget.
pulled by Nolan; Orders #3 and #4 and Committee Reports #1, #2, and #3 taken up early (see below); Zondervan asks Manager to increase tax levy by an additional 4% instead of applying Free Cash; Manager explains why this would not be prudent; Order Adopted 9-0, Referred to Finance Committee Reports

“With these changes the estimated increase in the property tax levy for FY24 is approximately 9.2% (from the original FY24 estimate of 8.8%).” Please note that even though the rate of inflation has gone up, the City’s tax levy has gone up even more.

Order #3. That City Manager is requested to adjust the Health Alliance Budget to ensure that all services provided to the City of Cambridge by the Health Alliance for Public Health Department needs and staff are fully funded, and to adjust the Capital Budget to ensure all necessary repairs are made to the Windsor Street Clinic.   Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to increase the Affordable Housing Trust budget in FY24 by 7.1% to equal the increase of the overall city budget, increase the Affordable Housing Trust budget by $20 million through a free cash appropriation, outside of the FY24 budget, and engage in creating a 3-year plan to increase the Affordable Housing Trust budget to 10% of the overall City budget.   Councillor Simmons

Order Divided:
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to increase the Affordable Housing Trust budget in FY24 by 7.1% to equal the increase of the overall city budget.
Order Adopted 9-0

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to increase the Affordable Housing Trust budget by $20 million through a free cash appropriation, outside of the FY24 budget.
Order Adopted 5-4 (BA,MM,DS,QZ,SS – Yes; DC,AM,PN,PT – No)

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to engage in creating a 3-year plan to increase the Affordable Housing Trust budget to 10% of the overall City budget.
Order Adopted 6-3 (BA,AM,MM,DS,QZ,SS – Yes; DC,PN,PT – No)

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee conducted a public hearing on Tues, May 9, 2023, from 9:00am-5:00pm to discuss the City and School budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee conducted a public hearing on Wed, May 10, 2023, from 6:00pm-11:00pm to discuss the School Department budget covering the fiscal period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Finance Committee conducted a public hearing on Tues, May 16, 2023 and reconvened on May 18, 2023, to discuss the City and School budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Zondervan motion to reduce the Police budget and defund Shotspotter:
That the Police Department Budget be reduced to $73,000,000 and that funding for Shotspotter be discontinued in FY24.
Fails 2-7 (QZ,SS-Yes) – [Not surprising that Zondervan voted this way, but now Mayor Siddiqui has officially gone on record in favor of “Defund the Police”]

General Fund Budget of $834,684,910 Adopted as Amended 8-1 (QZ – No)
Water Fund Budget of $15,502,965 Adopted 9-0
Public Investment Budget of $18,056,905 Adopted 9-0
All Loan Orders Adopted 9-0
Reconsideration Fails 0-9 on all Budget-related items

Unfinished Business #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $50,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of the Mass Avenue between Waterhouse Street and Alewife Parkway. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 1, 2023; Referred to Finance Committee] [text of order (May 1, 2023)]
Order Adopted 9-0

Unfinished Business #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriation and authorization to borrow $35,350,000 to provide funds for the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan. Funds will support upgrades to the 689 Mass Avenue Interior; upgrades at the Moses Youth Center; Interior fit-out of Rindge Pre-K building; electric vehicle charging station infrastructure at several municipal buildings; and additional work at Inman and East Cambridge Fire Houses; First Street Garage upgrades to stairs and elevator; and other City building upgrades. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 1, 2023; Referred to Finance Committee] [text of order (May 1, 2023)]
Order Adopted 9-0

Unfinished Business #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriation and authorization to borrow $2,500,000 to provide funds for the construction of the Peabody School Playground and Corcoran (Raymond Street) park. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 1, 2023; Referred to Finance Committee] [text of order (May 1, 2023)]
Order Adopted 9-0

Unfinished Business #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,800,000 to provide funds for financing school building upgrades. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 1, 2023; Referred to Finance Committee] [text of order (May 1, 2023)]
Order Adopted 9-0

Unfinished Business #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $51,500,000 to provide funds for the construction of sewer separation, storm water management and combined sewer overflow reduction elimination improvements within the Port and River Street areas as well as the Sewer Capital Repairs Program and climate change preparedness efforts. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 1, 2023; Referred to Finance Committee] [text of order (May 1, 2023)]
Order Adopted 9-0

Unfinished Business #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $26,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets, sidewalks and bike facilities. $15,000,000 of this loan order is attributable to the improvement project related to sewer infrastructure upgrades on River Street, which include full depth roadway reconstruction, new sidewalks, new street trees and various other street improvements. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 1, 2023; Referred to Finance Committee] [text of order (May 1, 2023)]
Order Adopted 9-0

When you consider the rapid rise in the tax levy coupled with expected property tax reductions and abatements for the many commercial properties that are currently underutilized, there is a good chance that residential property tax bills this fall may jump significantly. Meanwhile, our City Council continues to advocate for even more discretionary spending.


Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR23-29, regarding amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance. (CM23#155) [cover memo] [Summary Chart] [Amendment_redline] [Amendment_clean]
Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-0-1 (Simmons – Present)

The proposed amendment of the “Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance” was first introduced on Nov 8, 2021, was referred to the Ordinance Committee on Jan 24, 2022, and has since been the subject of much criticism – especially from condominium owners who could potentially be hit with significant costs. Some of the provisions would also greatly affect commercial properties – particularly in regard to mandated electrification and its associated hardware and access. There are also feasibility questions in regard to electrical supply and how Cambridge’s mandates might divert resources away from other communities. The name of the ordinance really should be amended to something more like “Building Energy Use Mandatory Retrofit Ordinance” (BEUMRO) since this clearly would no longer be just about “disclosure”.

When exactly did notions like encouragement and incentive give way to mandates?

Unfinished Business #9. An Ordinance has been received from Craig Kelley et al, relative to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge regarding EV and car share Zoning change. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 15, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after June 5, 2023; Expires Aug 1, 2023] (ORD23#2) [text of report (May 15, 2023)]
No Action Taken

There is a lot of merit to this proposal, but that pesky “Law of Unintended Consequences” continues to be a concern. Will residential properties become the 21st Century equivalent of “filling stations”.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to provide further study on the proposed changes by the Franklin Petition, as well as a careful review of the language to remove any potential conflicts and ambiguities and is requested to direct the Law Department to provide guidance on any legal issues and questions raised by CDD and the Planning Board by the Franklin Petition.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

The Franklin et. al. Petition would essentially double and triple allowable densities broadly across all residential zones and mixed-use zones. Though it claims to be an effort to “restore” the right to build structures similar in size and shape as existing buildings, this is entirely not the case in most areas that would be affected by the proposed zoning change. It also substantially reduces setback and open requirements. It also would require ground floor nonresidential uses in many settings – even as retail continues to struggle. This Order asks the Community Development Department and the Law Department to review the petition language for potential conflicts and ambiguities especially as they relate to “climate planning, affordable housing, and inclusionary zoning”, but this proposal needs a lot more than just a review for consistency.


Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to establish a new phone number and email address for Inclusionary Tenants to utilize for complaints and emergency issues as they arise, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed in a timely and effective manner.   Councillor Simmons
pulled by Simmons; Order Adopted 9-0

It’s interesting how the comfort level among some people has been increasing in asking to have different rules and mechanisms for different people.

Order #2. Recognizing June 19, 2023 as Juneteenth in the City of Cambridge, and in urging all Cambridge residents to reflect upon the meaning of this important day.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Simmons; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

At the risk of being attacked for pointing this out, why exactly is the Juneteenth flag displayed on the front of City Hall 365 days per year? Juneteenth takes place on June 19. [This reminds me of the song by Roy Wood’s Wizzard called “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”.] It’s also worth considering Renee Graham’s recent column in the Boston Globe entitled, “The gentrification of Juneteenth”.

Order #8. That City Manager is requested to ensure adequate funding to fully repair the irrigation system in Danehy Park immediately.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner (PO23#106)
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Hopefully things will be better for this year’s Cambridge Jazz Festival on June 29-30. Last year’s event was more like Burning Man due to the scorched grass.

Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Fire Department, the Police Department, Emergency Communications Department, Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Department of Public Works and the Harvard Square Business Association to determine if permanent automatic bollards could be feasible in the area of Winthrop Street.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Mallon; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #11. That the Transportation and Public Utilities and Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebration Committees work with the City Manager and appropriate City departments and staff, to hold a joint hearing to receive input from City staff and the community to review the effectiveness and develop recommendations on methods to collect data and establish measurable benchmarks and standards as it relates to the Cycling Safety Ordinance.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Toner; Charter Right – Azeem

This is likely to dominate Public Comment. I anticipate an amendment from at least one of the councillors of the form “as long as this in no way affects any aspect of the Cycling Safety Ordinance”. Some councillors are quite content to never reevaluate their decisions. – “and the Judge wasn’t going to look at the twenty seven eight-by-ten color glossy Pictures with the circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each One explaining what each one was to be used as evidence…”

Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to provide a legal opinion on whether the city could, without violating state law, use traffic cameras, regulated under the Surveillance Ordinance, to inform motorists of potential traffic violations or dangerous actions, without issuing any citations or formal warnings.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

Please don’t do that. Pretty please with sugar on it. – Robert Winters

May 15, 2023

In the Merry Month of May – Making Mischief at the May 15, 2023 Meeting

In the Merry Month of May – Making Mischief at the May 15, 2023 Meeting

Women VotingToday’s my birthday and we’ll be celebrating it with a hike in Concord (as well as the grading of Final Exams). This is also premier day on CCTV for the video “Cambridge City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E” that John Pitkin, Gregorio Leon, and I have been working on for the last several months. John and I do most of the narration with an assist from our good friend (and former city councillor) Jim Braude. You can watch it on CCTV Channel 9 at 5:30pm (just in case Public Comment gets either boring or annoying) and at several other times this week. Special thanks to the CCTV staff, Diane LeBlanc, Alyssa Pacy, Charlie Sullivan and all of the wonderful people at the Cambridge Historical Commission. We have more “Civic View” programs planned. [Watch on YouTube]

Tonight’s City Council meeting features these morsels:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the Board of Election Commissioners for the City Council to vote to authorize in-person early voting for the Nov 7, 2023 Municipal Election, in accordance with “The VOTES Act”.
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

Early Voting and No-Excuse Absentee Voting may be here to stay, but a formal City Council vote is required. Vote Early and Vote Often! (well, not really)

DESIGNATED EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, HOURS, AND DAYS

Cambridge Water Department – 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
Valente Library – 826 Cambridge Street, Side Entrance on Berkshire Street
Main Library – 449 Broadway

Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
October 28 October 29 October 30 October 31 November 1 November 2 November 3
9:00am-3:00pm 9:00am-3:00pm 8:30am-8:00pm 8:30am-5:00pm 8:30am-5:00pm 8:30am-5:00pm 8:30am-12:00pm

Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a recommendation that the City Council approve an Order to take by “friendly” eminent domain proceeding parcels of land located at 319 Webster Avenue, Cambridge (as shown on Cambridge Assessors Map 81, Parcel 21), 333 Webster Avenue, Cambridge (as shown on Cambridge Assessors Map 81, Parcel 23), and 455 Columbia Street (as shown on Cambridge Assessors Map 81, Parcel 16) (collectively “Cambridge Parcels”), and approve an Order authorizing the purchase of a parcel of land located at 94 Webster Avenue, Somerville (as shown on Somerville Assessors Map 96, Parcel B-7) (“Somerville Parcel”) (collectively, the “Premises”), all of which are owned by Webster Avenue Ventures LLC (“WV”). [Charter Right – Mallon, May 8, 2023]
Nolan motion to Table Ch. Rt #1 Fails 1-8 (PN – Yes); Appropriation of $3,101,250 Adopted 8-1 (PN – No); Order of Taking Adopted 8-1 (PN – No); Appropriation of $10,276,750 Adopted 8-1 (PN – No); Order of Purchase Adopted 8-1 (PN – No); Appropriation of $1,022,000 Adopted 8-1 (PN – No); Appropriation of $1,000,000 Adopted 8-1 (PN – No); Rules Suspended for Reconsideration 8-1 (PN – No); Reconsideration Fails 1-8 (PN – Yes)

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to initiate a planning process to determine the use of several parcels of land along Webster Avenue to accomplish Envision goals, including how to best ensure that the acquisition of these parcels results in additional affordable housing and open space.   Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0 (early in meeting)

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update concerning the property at 333 Webster Avenue.
pulled by Mallon; Rules suspended to take up Charter Right #1 and Order #3; Placed on File 9-0

Often lost among competing priorities are the basic things that are necessary for a well-functioning city. This includes public works facilities. I’ll add that this also includes things like redemption centers, loading zones, parking, and sufficient road width for emergency vehicles. These are often forgotten by zealous planners and elected officials who rarely see beyond their own narrow single-issue agendas.


Order #1. City Council support of bill SD 487 and HD 825 which would require the use of Integrated Pest Management strategies and improve pesticide monitoring in Massachusetts to limit ecological damage due to rodenticides.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department and other relevant departments to fund and implement the grant proposal submitted to DOE GTO to design and implement a community-scale geothermal heating and cooling system in Cambridge.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to produce the petition(s) necessary to accomplish the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0


Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with the relevant departments to establish a policy of releasing the names of officers involved in any use of force incident, up to and including those incidents resulting in injury or death.   Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Zondervan [“I submitted this order because I agree with the public’s observation that the decision around whether to release the name of the officer is not yet actually in the hands of the City Manager — because we haven’t yet asked him to do so. I believe that the public has a right to know where the Council stands on this issue. Of course, it is important to acknowledge that the asks contained in this order are wholly insufficient. As some members of the public have pointed out, this is just a first step. Knowing the identity of the officer isn’t going to change anything about what happened or make it any less likely to happen next time – because this isn’t about just weeding out a few bad apples. The institution of policing itself is fundamentally broken and we must move away from it as quickly as possible, towards true investment in our community. I’m aware that some of my colleagues have produced a substitute order whitewashing the original ask to release the name of the officers involved in the killing of Faisal. While I’m heartened to see the council finally engaging with this ask, and glad to see that my colleagues agree that most forward-thinking police departments release the names of officers involved with use of force even when awaiting the results of investigations, it is disappointing but not surprising to see the ask to release the officers’ names immediately be completely erased by this substitute. To give my colleagues an opportunity to reconsider, I exercise my Charter Right.”]; Charter Right – Zondervan (who objected to the proposed Substitute Order)

Besides catering to the young socialists, rallying his base, and encouraging harassment, I really don’t know what Councillor Zondervan expects to gain from this. I do expect a Charter Right, but if this does come up for a vote it will be VERY interesting to see which other councillors, if any, choose to sign on.


Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on May 3, 2023, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Citizens Zoning Petition from Craig Kelley, et al. – Cambridge Transportation Emissions Reduction and Car Sharing Act (APP 2023 #9). [The Committee voted favorably to send the Craig Kelley, et al. – Cambridge Transportation Emissions Reduction and Car Sharing Act Petition to the Full City Council with a favorable recommendation to Pass to a Second Reading.] [text of report]
Passed to 2nd Reading 8-1 (QZ – No); Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

As I said last week, this seems like an interesting initiative, but I’m wary of potential unintended consequences.


The Kouncil Kids may need to retire early so that their eyes will be bright and their tails bushy for what should be the last of the FY2024 Budget Hearings Tuesday morning.

Tues, May 16
10:00am   The City Council’s Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the FY2024 City Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
Community Maintenance and Development & Human Resources Development:

Cambridge Health Alliance    
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Community Development
Historical Commission
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Capital Building Projects    
Library
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Women’s Commission
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