Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

October 3, 2022

Growing a Government – for Better or Worse: October 3, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:58 pm

Growing a Government – for Better or Worse: October 3, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are a few items that warrant further comment this week:Fat City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on new positions. [responds to Awaiting Report Items 22-37 and 22-40]
pulled by Carlone; Placed on File 9-0

Here come the “Chief People Officer”, the “Talent Officer”, the Director of Community Engagement, and the Director of Emergency Management. I’m not quite sure what to make of the first three of these new positions.

The Linkage Question

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-62, regarding requests for a legal opinion and additional analysis on linkage fee rate increase discussion.
pulled by Carlone along with Mgr #6, Mgr #7, Unf. Business #4, Comm. & Reports #1; McGovern amendment adopted 9-0; Referred to Petition

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report with a recommendation not to adopt the Incentive Zoning Rate Increase Petition.
pulled by McGovern; Referred to Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a communication received from the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust regarding the Incentive Zoning amendment.
pulled by McGovern; Referred to Petition 9-0

Unfinished Business #4. Section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000 Special Regulations linkage fee., be amended by substitution. (Ordinance #2022-14). [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 12, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after Oct 3, 2022]
Removed for discussion and amendment, returned to Unfinished Business

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Councillor Marc McGovern, transmitting a proposed amendment to the linkage fee.
McGovern amendment adopted 9-0; Referred to Petition

Late Order #12. That the City Manager direct the Community Development and the Law Department to review the amendment that states that exclusing the first 30,000 sq ft for buildings less that 60,000 sq ftin total size and sharing feedback, and report back to the City Council by the regular City Council meeting on Mon, Oct 17.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondevan, Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Carlone – PRESENT)

We’ll see how this goes, but it will be very disappointing if this all comes down to just maximizing revenue generation without regard to any other incentives or unintended consequences.

Taxation without Representation

Manager’s Agenda #1 (Tax Rate Hearing). A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to votes necessary to seek approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of the tax rate for FY2023. [Tax Rate Orders] [Tax Rate Letter]

The bottom line is that: the FY23 Adopted Operating Budget increased by 6.5% over the FY22 Adjusted Budget. The June 2022 FY23 Adopted Budget projected a property tax levy increase of $41.5 million, or 8.4%, to $536.3 million in order to fund operating and capital expenditures. This included the use of $13 million from Free Cash. With approval of the recommendations, the actual FY23 tax levy required to support the FY23 Budget is $531,600,922 – an increase of $36.9 million or 7.45% from FY22. This increase is lower than the estimated increase of 8.4% projected in the June 2022 Adopted Budget due in large part from higher than projected state aid and the use of reserve funds to lower the required tax levy. The property tax levy increase of 7.45% is above the FY22 increase of 4.7%. The property tax levy increase is also above the five-year (FY19-FY23) annual average increase of 6.44%, and the ten-year (FY14-FY23) annual average increase of 5.31%. Based on a revised property tax levy of $531,600,922 the FY23 residential tax rate will be $5.86 per thousand dollars of value, subject to Department of Revenue approval. This is a decrease of $0.06, or 1% from FY22. The commercial tax rate will be $10.38, which is a decrease of $0.85, or 7.6% from FY22. By property class, on average a single-family home will see a 6.6% 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.

Required Votes:
• Authorize $19,000,000 in Free Cash to Reduce the FY23 Tax Levy. [Adopted 8-1, QZ – NO]
• Transfer of Excess Overlay Balances. [Adopted 8-1, QZ – NO]
• Classify Property and Establish Minimum Residential Factor. [Adopted 9-0]
• Residential Exemptions. [Adopted 9-0]

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to convene a North Massachusetts Avenue Corridor District Zoning Proposal Working Group Policy Order Proposing a North Massachusetts Avenue (NMA) Corridor Working Group for the purpose of developing comprehensive zoning recommendations. [Charter Right – Azeem, Sept 19, 2022]
Withdrawn by Councillor Toner in favor of new Policy Order #3 (yet the required vote for unanimous consent was NOT taken)

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to convene a North Massachusetts Avenue Corridor District Zoning Proposal Working Group by June 15, 2023.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Toner; Order Adopted 9-0

To repeat what I said from the previous meeting: “This is a very promising Order. I will note, however, that unlike the days of yore when CDD would study and process things to death before coming to any conclusions, they often now arrive with conclusions and simply run interference during any subsequent public process. Let’s hope this time is different.”

Wild in the Streets

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Transportation and Parking Department to convene a series of meetings with the Vision Zero, Pedestrian Committee, Bicycle Committee, the newly appointed Bicycling Advisory Committee, Cambridge Police Department, and any other departments deemed necessary, to review and revise the Cambridge Street Code. [Charter Right – Simmons, Sept 19, 2022]
Withdrawn by Councillor Toner in favor of new Policy Order (yet the required vote for unanimous consent was NOT taken)

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department to meet with and receive input from the Vision Zero, Pedestrian, Bicycle Committee, the Council on Aging, the Transit Advisory Committee, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, Cambridge Police Department, and any other departments, to review and revise the Cambridge Street Code, promulgate the updated guide throughout the city, and develop recommendations for staffing and methods of improving traffic enforcement.   Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern
pulled by Toner; Charter Right – Zondervan

It is noteworthy that at the previous meeting a number of prominent members of the bicycle lobby took issue with the idea of updating the Cambridge Street Code, and at least two councillors carried their water. Go figure.

On the Table #3. That the City Council refer the zoning petition regarding lab use to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for a hearing and report. [Tabled Sept 19, 2022]
Removed from Table by Toner 8-1 (QZ – NO); Amended by Toner, Mallon; Amendment Adopted 8-1 (BA – NO); Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (QZ – NO); Referred to Economic Development and University Relations Committee and the Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee for a review and discussion

Unfinished Business #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of appropriation and authorization to borrow $4,500,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of building renovations to the vacant City owned property at 105 Windsor Street. [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 12, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after Oct 3, 2022]
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

Unfinished Business #7. That the City Council schedule a hearing of the Ordinance Committee for the purposes of amending the Ordinance #2022-3 Wage Theft of the City of Cambridge to insert the language. [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 19, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after Oct 3, 2022]
pulled by Zondervan; Ordained 9-0

Resolution #18. Happy 80th Birthday wishes to Bill Cunningham.   Councillor Zondervan

Happy birthday, Bill – even though we’ll probably never agree on a lot of things.

BEUDO Communications

Communications #31. A communication was received from Patrick W. Barrett III, regarding BEUDO Meeting Recap.

Communications #40. A communication was received from Nancy E. Donohue, Director of Government and Community Relations, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce regarding joint Business/Institutional BEUDO letter. [Joint Business/Institutional BEUDO letter] [BEUDO April 2022 letter] [BEUDO questions from 9-15-22] [BEUDO Amendment Requirements]

The “conversation” continues in spite of the tin ears of some councillors.

Time of the Season

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to convene an advisory group to determine ways in which the City can work to lift up the voices and experiences of the descendants of the Indigenous People who currently reside in our community.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Simmons; Adopted 8-1 as Amended (Carlone – ABSENT)

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to affix the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Banner above JFK Street and Mount Auburn Street beginning on Oct 4, 2022, for no less than one week and recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct 10, 2022.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by McGovern; Adopted as Amended 9-0

At the same time, let’s give a hearty shout-out to all of the immigrants from other continents and their descendants who have contributed so much to this country and the world.

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to automatically provide an initial legal opinion to the City Council and the City Clerk at least three business days in advance of the first Public Hearing on any amendment to the Code of Ordinances formally introduced in the City Council.   Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #8. Amendment to section 22.25.1(c) of Article 22, entitled Sustainable Design and Development.   Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Zondervan; Referred to Planning Board & Ordinance Committee 9-0

Committee Report #5. On Sept 21, 2022, at 5:30pm, the Ordinance Committee, Chaired by Councillor McGovern, continued the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2022-5 that would eliminate parking minimums. This ordinance was originally proposed under POR 2022 #19. Councillor Zondervan made a motion that was approved by the Committee to amend the petition by substitution so that it adds the sentence underlined and in red below to section 6.30, and that this be the entirety of the petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended (by Toner) 8-1 (Carlone – NO)

I do want to point out that one can support eliminating parking minimums in many circumstances while still acknowledging their value in other circumstances. Treating this as yet another ideological mandate is not helpful, but I suppose that’s where we’re at these days. – Robert Winters

September 9, 2022

Under New Management – September 12, 2022 City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:59 pm

Under New Management – September 12, 2022 City Council Agenda

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Transportation is not only about bicycles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There comes a point when repeated efforts to prop up and give advantages to certain cannabis operators becomes indistinguishable from political patronage. We have reached that point.

The Clash between Ideology and Practicality in Parking

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

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

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

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

Our Friend Peter

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Short-Term View of Long-Term Planning

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

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

Linkage & Labs

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

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on July 27, 2022 to continue discussions around an Ordinance potentially raising the linkage fee rates. (#2022-14). [Text of Committee Report]
Suspend Rules; pulled early by Zondervan; Referred to Petition 9-0

Committee Report #6. The Ordinance Committee held a public meeting on Sept 7, 2022 to continue the discussion around Ordinance # 2022-14, Section 11.202(b) of Article 11.000 Special Regulations Linkage Fee, proposal to amend by substitution, raising linkage fee rates. [Text of Committee Report]
pulled early by Zondervan; Petition amended as below* 8-1 (Zondervan – NO); Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0; Referred to Petition 9-0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

July 5, 2022

Amanda Phillips — more

Filed under: Cambridge,cycling,Inman Square,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — jsallen @ 10:13 pm

I have already published a post in this blog about the Amanda Phillips fatality in Inman Square.

Well, there’s more. Four things:

* The design of Inman Square at the time pushed bicyclists westbound on Cambridge Street bit by bit closer to the stream of motor traffic, unless they controlled the through lane when crossing the Square, or paused till traffic cleared so they could control it on exiting as shown in this video. Controlling the lane was the safe option here, but to adopt it, cyclists need to understand that defensive driving also often requires an assertive lane position.

* It is undisputed that Phillips struck the opening door of a parked vehicle, then fell under a truck just west of Inman Square.

* But, contrary to news reports, Phillips did not ride off the sidewalk — which would pin the blame on Phillips by charging her with  riding illegally on the sidewalk, and so she would have been visible only very briefly if the driver whose door she struck had checked his driver’s side mirror at just the right time.

* Video evidence which came out as the investigation was released was altered to make it appear that Phillips rode off the sidewalk, The video evidence revealed that she had been crossing Inman Square on Cambridge Street and was a fast, strong cyclist. She was not controlling the lane. Who altered the video, I do not know.

It’s been years since I reviewed the evidence and created the two videos. Since then, I have made several inquiries attempting to alert advocacy organizations and news media to what I found — to no avail.

I’ve had it with the silence, and I am going public with this information here.

Inman Square is being reconstructed, largely due to the need felt following the Phillips fatality. How the current redesign of Inman Square will play out, I don’t know. I need to return and check the completed project before I can draw conclusions.

June 26, 2022

Exit, Stage Left – June 27, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council,East Cambridge,Harvard Square,Kendall Square — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:45 pm

Exit, Stage Left – June 27, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

This will be the last regular City Council meeting until the Aug 1 Midsummer Meeting and then in the fall on Sept 12. This will also be Louis DePasquale’s last regular meeting as City Manager. Here is my first pass at the interesting stuff:On Vacation

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 9-0

The case numbers and other statistics are already easily accessible. I would really like to hear more from the experts about what we might expect for the rest of the summer and into the fall – especially in regard to some of the newer Omicron variants.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments and reappointments of the following persons as members of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees. New Appointments: Danielle Allen (Cambridge, 1-year term), Joseph Curtatone (Somerville, 3-year term) Reappointments: Lori Lander (Cambridge, 3-year term), Claire Laporte (Cambridge, 3-year term), Bryan Simmons (Somerville, 3-year term)
pulled by Zondervan; Placed on File 9-0

A former gubernatorial candidate and a former Somerville mayor – not your typical Board appointments.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request from the Board of Election Commissioners recommending the relocation of polling sites, in accordance with Chapter 255 of the Acts of 2020, as amended by Chapter 5 of the Acts of 2021 and Chapter 29 of the Acts of 2021.
Order Adopted 9-0

These are relatively simple changes in polling sites. I have heard that there are some people associated with the Cambridge School Department who object to the use of school buildings as polling sites, and that’s just ridiculous. School buildings are used for this purpose just about everywhere.

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-32 relative to an update on progress made in regard to LGBTQ+-Friendly Housing efforts.
pulled by Simmons; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000, from Free Cash to the Public Works Public Investment Fund Extraordinary Expenditures account to fund the purchase of a Mack LR Electric rubbish packer.
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of appropriation and authorization to borrow $4,500,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of building renovations to the vacant City owned property at 105 Windsor Street.
pulled by Simmons; Charter Right – Zondervan
[Note: Councillor Simmons has been seeking a site for a Cambridge history museum for a number of years. Whether this site is appropriate for this use (among other uses) is an open question. An ideal site would be one that would draw a critical mass of visitors, and it’s not clear that this would meet that criterion.]

“Possible uses include community meeting spaces, spaces for public art, education and exhibitions, as well as a Cambridge history museum and City offices.”

Manager’s Agenda #11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the authorization of a spending limit of $1,650,000 for Fiscal Year 2023, for the Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction revolving fund (Revolving Fund), pursuant to Chapter 3.24 of the Municipal Ordinance titled “Departmental Revolving Funds.”
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request from Boston Properties Limited Partnership (“Boston Properties”) asking to modify two existing open space restrictive covenants on two parks, Broadway Park (also known as South Park) and Binney Park (also known as North Park). Boston Properties has indicated that this request is being made to facilitate the relocation of Eversource’s proposed electrical substation from its property at 135 Fulkerson Street to the so-called “Blue Garage” site within the Mixed-Use Development (MXD) District in Kendall Square owned by affiliates of Boston Properties Limited Partnership (“BPLP”), as contemplated by the zoning amendment ordained by the City Council on February 3, 2021 as Ordinance No. 2020-17 (the “2021 MXD Amendment”) and the further build-out of this site as described below and will include replacement of the open space that will be lost due to this project. [12A Late Order] [12B Late Order] [12C Late Order]
pulled by Zondervan; 3 (Late) Orders Adopted 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9

I look forward to hearing what neighbor Heather Hoffman might have to say about this. The Manager’s letter notes: “The current Broadway and Binney Park covenants total 21,785 square feet of public open space in the area. This plan will increase the overall amount of publicly dedicated open space to 28,455 total square feet, resulting in a new open space that is larger in area and more functional for the public than the existing Broadway and Binney Parks.” I have to also note the following: “Broadway Park (also known as South Park)”. I have a few interesting ideas now that I know Cambridge has within it a place called “South Park.”

Unfinished Business #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $49,000,000 to provide additional funds for the construction of the Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools project located at 197 Vassal Lane. [Passed to 2nd Reading June 13, 2022; To Be Adopted on or after June 27, 2022]
pulled by Carlone; Order Adopted 8-1 (Zondervan NO); Reconsideration Fails 0-9

This will simply finalize the appropriation vote from two weeks ago.

Multiple Communications re: bikes lanes, the Cycling Safety Ordinance, and lawsuit filed by Cambridge Streets for All.

Resolution #8. Congratulations to Louis A. DePasquale on his retirement from his position as City Manager for the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons
pulled by Toner; Resolution Adopted 9-0

Resolution #11. Congratulations to James P. Maloney on the occasion of his retirement from the position of Chief Operating Officer of the Cambridge Public Schools.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Toner; Resolution Adopted as Amended 9-0

Resolution #14. Congratulations to Arthur Goldberg on his retirement from the position of Deputy City Solicitor for the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Mallon; Resolution Adopted as Amended 9-0

Resolution #15. Congratulations to James Monagle on his retirement from the position of City Auditor for the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Mallon; Resolution Adopted as Amended 9-0

I have known all of these men for a long time and they all deserve praise for all that they have contributed over the years.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to more fully review the dramatically growing need for expanded Traffic Calming, Traffic Signals and Vision Zero infrastructure through the city.   Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Carlone; Amended 9-0; Charter Right – Simmons

What the Order really should say is: “ORDERED: That the City Manager, along with his staff, be and hereby is requested to more fully review the dramatically growing need for expanded Traffic Calming, Traffic Signals and Vision Zero infrastructure through the city; etc.” Not everything the City has done in recent years has been without criticism and much of it could have been done better. The Order as stated simply wants to spend another $5,000,000 on more of the same, and I hope City staff is willing to evaluate what has been done before prior to simply spending more money.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Office of Tourism, and the Harvard Square Advisory Committee, and other area stakeholders on a plan for piloting more street closures for pedestrianization.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I’m interested in seeing where this might lead. Selective street closures can make for better venues for events and street entertainment, but it could simply relocate traffic to other streets or create more obstruction than opportunity. This is also something we talk about in Central Square (you know, that other Zip Code).

Committee Report #1. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee met on Apr 5, 2022 to conduct a public hearing on Ordinance #2022-8, an ordinance amending Parking minimums and maximums. [Transcript of meeting]
Accept Report, Placed on File 9-0; One Order Adopted 9-0; 2nd Late Order (zoning petition) referred to Planning Board and Ordinance Committee 9-0

Nothing like a 25-page computer-generated meeting transcript to really cut to the chase. Let me know how the novel turns out. Relevant quotes from staff: (1) “The parking study will take about a year.”; (2) “…one change could be to make it easier for people to use that parking. So that even if the number of spaces is reduced, it doesn’t make people’s daily lives any harder.” [Now there’s a shockingly sensible thing to hear.]. All of the Public Comment was from the density boys of ABC. Personally, I think there are parts of the city where it makes sense to eliminate parking minimums and other parts of the city where it makes sense to keep them. Such a nuanced point of view – very out of fashion. – Robert Winters

Late Order #6. That the Cambridge City Council go on record stating its enduring commitment to the protection of abortion rights, reproductive health care rights, and individuals’ rights to make reproductive decisions about their own bodies; and that the Cambridge City Council declare its support for the Executive Order signed by Governor Charlie Baker on June 24th, 2022.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Late Order #7. That Chapter 5 of the Municipal Code be amended to ban “limited services pregnancy centers” that present themselves as providing pregnancy related services but instead seek to persuade people against having an abortion.   Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

May 2, 2022

On Boiling Frogs and Showdowns Pending – May 2, 2022 at the Cambridge City Council

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:18 pm

On Boiling Frogs and Showdowns Pending – May 2, 2022 at the Cambridge City Council

As expected, the FY2023 City of Cambridge Budget has arrived just in time for the Budget Hearings to get underway. As the potholes grow larger and cash falls like manna from heaven, I’m buckling my seat belt for several weeks of emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, climate change, municipal broadband, alternatives to policing, de-funding the police and, of course, bikes lanes. Public Comment will likely bring cries that the City Budget has no HEART (but plenty of CARP), plus outrage from the Left (and especially Councillor Zondervan) about the ~$5 million increase in the Police Dept. budget.Boiling Frog

Though not on this agenda, I can’t help but speculate how things will play out politically ~18 months from now when the funds for the promised $22 million in ARPA funds to be paid in monthly $500 installments directly to eligible residents runs out (just in time for the next municipal election). I’m very curious about who will be making the eligibility decisions. I also fully expect there will be a lot of pressure to extend or even expand the program permanently out of local taxes – though that would require state legislative action.

Here are the items that boiled up from the firmament this week:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the FY2023 submitted budget and appropriation orders.
pulled by Nolan; Referred to Finance Committee 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

Here’s a spreadsheet showing how things have changed from last year, from 2 years ago, and from 18 years ago.

Here’s an alternate version that shows proposed vs. actual and projected budgets.

And the annual raft of Loan Orders:

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,800,000 to provide funds for the replacement of existing gas boilers at the Morse and Cambridgeport schools.
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $13,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets, sidewalks and bike facilities.
pulled by Carlone; Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $78,500,000 to provide funds for the construction of sewer separation, storm water management and combined sewer overflow reduction elimination improvements within the Port, Alewife and Central Square areas as well as the Sewer Capital Repairs Program and climate change preparedness efforts.
pulled by Carlone; Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $15,000,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of a multi-use paths Danehy/New Street Path, Linear Park and Grand Junction Path, which runs from Henry Street to Gore Street on both City, MIT and MassDOT property.
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $14,600,000 to provide funds for the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan.
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $37,000,000 to provide additional funds for the construction of improvements at the Fire Station Headquarters Building located at 491 Broadway.
Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

That’s $159.9 million in loan authorizations on top of $41.2 million in the Public Investment category.

Manager’s Agenda #11. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,500,000 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Extraordinary Expenditures account from MIT Development for Volpe Project ($500,000) and Alexandria RE Equities/Design & Construction ($1,000,000) and will be used to support the design and construction of the Grand Junction Multi-use Path.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

Together with Manager’s Agenda #5 (above), it looks like we’ll be seeing some movement on the Grand Junction Path real soon – perhaps in time for it to link up with the Somerville Community Path. Ultimately, it would be great if the path can also cross the Charles River on the other half of the RR bridge that runs under the BU Bridge and ultimately will connect with future (pretty damn exciting) amenities in Allston that will come with the realignment of the Mass. Pike.

Manager’s Agenda #13. 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.
pulled by Zondervan; Charter Right – Zondervan

I’m looking forward to a more complete accounting of all of the ARPA appropriations, including the initiative announced at the recent “State of the City” event. I hear echoes of former City Manager Bob Healy saying “one-time non-recurring expenditure” and wonder how much tax-supported permanence may end up being baked into these ARPA allocations.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back on the feasibility of providing all Cambridge high school students with free Charlie Cards throughout the school year. [Charter Right – Simmons, Apr 11, 2022]
Simmons motion to refer to Transportation Committee Fails 3-4-1-1 (DS,PT,QZ – YES; DC,MM,PN,AM – NO; SS – ABSENT; BA – PRESENT)
Tabled 7-1-1 (Nolan – NO; Siddiqui – ABSENT)

On the Table #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Emergency Management Performance Grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $39,600 to the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used to support the purchase of a new vehicle for the Emergency Preparedness and Coordination office. [Charter Right – Nolan, Mar 7, 2022; Tabled – Mar 21, 2022]
Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT); Note: Revised to be a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle

Councillor Nolan continues her audition for Purchasing Agent.

Resolution #4. Congratulations to the Outstanding Employee Award Winners.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Mallon; Resolution Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

I have often attended this award ceremony (May 13, 10am, Sullivan Chamber) which will presumably also include the presentation of the (not yet announced) Brian Murphy Award. Past recipients include Owen O’Riordan (2015), Ellen Semonoff (2016), Jeana Franconi (2017), Richard Rossi (2018), Lisa Peterson (2019), Branville Bard (2020), and Claude Jacob (2021).

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to look into the feasibility of mailing “Watch for Bikes” stickers to residents who have applied for a residential parking permit for the next application cycle in 2023.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (Siddiqui, Zondervan – ABSENT)

Needless to say, if you’re already checking your side rear-view mirror you are likely already watching for bikes. The issue is whether you are so callous that you don’t care. Perhaps we need a sticker that says something like “Be Thoughtful”.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department, the Traffic, Parking & Transportation Department and the Department of Public Works to look into the feasibility of placing a covered bike rack at City Hall using FY23 Capital Budget Funding.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (Siddiqui, Zondervan – ABSENT)

I will simply note that half of the parking spaces along Dorothy “Dottie” Doyle Way behind City Hall are now reserved for city councillors regardless whether or not they are in the building or if they drive a car. Perhaps those spaces should again be made available to all City Hall employees in conjunction with the installation of a covered bike rack.

Order #3. City Council support of H.938 and H.998/S.569, Extended Producer Responsibility for Paint and Mattresses.   Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (Siddiqui, Zondervan – ABSENT)

Order #4. City Council support of H.R.2644, the Green New Deals for Cities Act of 2021.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (Siddiqui, Zondervan – ABSENT)

Although there are some worthy priorities floated in this bill, it is for the most part a boondoggle authored by the extreme Left – including the whole “Squad”. A trillion here, a trillion there and at some point you’re talking real money. This being Cambridge, of course, the only question is whether or not this resolution passes unanimously.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate staff to light up City Hall and painting crosswalks for Pride Month 2022.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (Siddiqui, Zondervan – ABSENT)

I have a related question: For how long does a flag or other decoration marking a particular holiday (or sentiment) remain on City Hall after the holiday has passed? Mr. Frederick Hastings Rindge (1857-1905) would like to have a word with you.

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Mar 9, 2022 to conduct a public hearing on a petition to amend Article 20.90 – Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance by inserting a new section entitled Section 20.94.3 – Temporarily prohibited uses (ORDINANCE #2022-1). [Text of Committee Report #1]
Report Accepted, Placed on File; 5 Orders Adopted 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee met on Apr 7, 2022 to continue a public hearing on a petition to amend Article 20.90 – Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance by inserting a new section entitled Section 20.94.3 – Temporarily prohibited uses (ORDINANCE #2022-1). [Text of Committee Report #2]
Report Accepted, Placed on File; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT), Petition Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 8-0-1 (Siddiqui – ABSENT)

Though this should have been addressed several years ago when concepts for the Alewife Quadrangle were discussed in some detail, it sure looks like the City Council is on the verge of passing their proposed development moratorium. Needless to say, a moratorium is not an actual plan. – Robert Winters

April 11, 2022

April Flowers – Select Items from the April 11, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,Fresh Pond — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:23 pm

April Flowers – Select Items from the April 11, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Here are the first things that popped up from the ground this week:

Deep Blue
Yellow
Light Blue
Pink

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-6, which requested a report on expediting the demolition and rebuilding permit process in the event of a natural disaster.
Referred to Petition 9-0

Though the description suggests hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes, this is really more about expediting things after a house fire.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on MassAve4 and request for approval for the approach and timeline for implementing separated bike lanes on these critical segments of Massachusetts Avenue. [Cover Letter] [Report] [Order]
pulled by Carlone; Kathy Watkins says median removal to be considered more generally as part of “partial build” (as opposed to “quick build”), removal of catenary wires; Joseph Barr suggests that some parking could be retained; Zondervan says that if this modified timeline is not approved then Quick Build is the only option under the ordinance; Mallon reads prepared statement, proposes amendment; Toner notes that Ordinance could be changed and that self-imposed deadline is detrimental, cannot support any of the proposals; Simmons notes past promises that bike projects would later be evaluated but never were, notes great impacts on local businesses; McGovern asks about timelines; Nolan expresses shock re: $55 million cost for 2.5 miles of bike project, Kathy Watkins explains; Nolan emphasizes need to reduce number of cars; Toner suggests shifting some sidewalk space; Siddiqui supports Order as a “pre-step”; Mallon amendments approved 9-0; Charter Right – Carlone

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-10, regarding a report on conducting a study to collect relevant economic data relating to business impacts from bike lane installations.
pulled by Toner; concerned expressed about hearing from business owners; Placed on File 9-0

Pardon my cynicism, but all of this just strikes me as political talk with little real desire or plans to deviate from the current ideological path. Please prove me wrong. I would so much rather see trees and flowers rising from the ground than white plastic posts.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-70, regarding the feasibility of purchasing property from Lesley University to address City goals.
pulled by Nolan; Placed on File 9-0

This is more in the nature of an announcement that Lesley University has agreed to sell its property at 1627 Massachusetts Avenue to Homeowners Rehab, Inc., financed by the City’s Affordable Housing Trust. As stated in the report, “The site consists of a historic building on a 14,400 s.f. lot and presents an opportunity for residential development (market or affordable) given the zoning potential of the site.” The only real question is how much more density is added to the site. The current building has 6,499 sq ft of living area and historic value but most of the site now serves as a parking lot. My guess is that the built density will at least double before all is said and done and the future number of parking spaces will likely to be zero (it is on a major transportation corridor).

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a recommendation from the Planning Board to adopt with additional considerations, the Alewife Overlay Development Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

The City Council, of course, should have passed interim zoning for this area several years ago and before significant land purchases were made. This temporary development moratorium is really more like a confession of failure to have done so. Other than the predictable political rhetoric it’s not clear that the City Council really knows what it wants in this area. One question posed by the Planning Board seems especially relevant for the case when elected officials fiddle and diddle while investors spend tons of money, i.e. “If this Petition impacts property values, potentially benefiting some property owners over others, does this raise specific concerns over the legal defensibility of the Petition?”

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to MBTA Communities Draft Guidelines presentation. [CDD Memo] [MBTA Communities Draft Guidelines] [MBTA Presentation]
pulled by Carlone; Cambridge likely in compliance when guidelines are finalized; Placed on File 9-0

I’m really not sure what conclusions to draw from the materials provided. It appears that Cambridge now has 53,907 units of residential housing, and according to the state’s Housing Choice Initiative we would be required to have at least 13,477 units in multifamily housing in order to meet the “minimum multifamily district unit capacity requirement”. Cambridge zoning districts covering most of the city appear to meet most or all of the requirements, but the materials provided pose as many questions as answers. Regardless, it seems that the Housing Choice Initiative as well as previous “anti-snob zoning” provisions in state law, e.g. Chapter 40B, are intended to target places other than Cambridge which already has a wealth of multi-family housing. That, of course, has never stopped developers and their enablers from using provisions of these well-intentioned laws to further concentrate density in the core cities while neighboring cities watch from the sidelines.

On the Table #1-7. Appointments and Reappointments to City Boards & Commissions on hold while City Council pipes in Muzak to appointees.

There is a meeting of the Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee scheduled for tomorrow, April 11 at 10:00am, “to discuss new guidelines for Boards and Commissions appointments.” Whither that goes no one knows, but the prospect of councillors evaluating the “reputation and character of applicants” remains chilling, especially when we all know that this is really about seating only those who support increased housing density regardless of other factors.

On the Table #9. The Ordinance Committee met on Feb 9, 2022 to conduct a public hearing on proposed amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (2021-26). [Charter Right – Zondervan, Mar 28, 2022; Tabled Apr 4, 2022 – Zondervan] [Committee Report]

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Department of Public Works and the Animal Commission to look into placing free pet waste bags at other sites around the City.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toner
pilled by Mallon; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with City departments, including the Community Development Department and the Department of Traffic, Parking, and Transportation to consider the feasibility of implementing a similar program and any other ways to enforce the anti-idling law.   Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Toner; concerns expressed about “bounty hunter” aspect of proposal; Charter Right – Azeem

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with Boston Calling, Harvard, and any other relevant parties to ensure that noise does not exceed the permitted level at the concert.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons
pulled by Toner; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #4. That the City Council hold a virtual Roundtable meeting on Tues, May 24, 2022 at 6:00pm to receive a training on Robert’s Rules from parliamentarian Ann G. MacFarlone.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to consult with relevant staff to consider a guaranteed income program that expands on Cambridge RISE and targets families in poverty in Cambridge.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner
pulled by Siddiqui; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to report back on the feasibility of providing all CRLS students free Charlie Cards throughout the school year.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Siddiqui; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Late Order #11. That the City Manager is requested to report back on the feasibility of providing all Cambridge high school students with free Charlie Cards throughout the school year.   Councillor Nolan
Charter Right – Simmons

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City departments to provide the City Council with an analysis of the impact of current curb cut policies.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons ABSENT)

This is actually kinda funny. On February 7 the City Council passed an Order calling for delegating curb cut authority, on March 28 they denied a curb cut, and now on April 11 they’ll likely pass an Order to examine curb cut policies. The current Order asks for “an approximation of the number of residential parking spaces that have been lost to new curb cuts each year over at least the last decade” which seems to contradict their other stated concern regarding “curb cut policies and their impact on encouraging car use and reducing green space.” It should be pretty clear that curb cuts can add parking on premises or take away on-street (shared) parking, and often it’s a wash. I would actually be more interested to know how many on-premises residential parking spaces are being rented out in violation of the ordinance that explicitly prohibits this practice.

Order #10. City Council support of the proposed Fair Share Amendment and in urging the voters of Cambridge to support it at the ballot box in 2022.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

For those unfamiliar with this, the proposed Fair Share Amendment would create an additional 4% tax on annual income above one million dollars and dedicate the funds raised by this tax to public education, affordable public colleges and universities, and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, and public transportation. Sounds like a good idea, but I can already hear the scurrying feet of tax lawyers figuring a way to navigate around this. I suppose this also would apply to the sale of a home and maybe added on top of the estate tax, but I’ll leave those questions to the lawyers.

Meanwhile, it’s time to head out to Fresh Pond to give my full attention to the birds and the turtles and the muskrats and the flowers. – Robert Winters

March 25, 2022

Out Like a Lion – March 28, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

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

Out Like a Lion – March 28, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Lion and the LambSpring is springing and the turf wars continue. This week features a citizens petition to modify the Bicycle Safety Ordinance and with it a golden opportunity for city councillors to double-talk their way to stardom. Here are some of the agenda items that I found interesting this week:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.
Placed on File

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-11, regarding Riverbend Park opening and potential expansion.
pulled by Nolan; likely will leave Mem. Drive closed continuously through weekend starting either Friday evening or Saturday morning; Placed on File

Charter Right #2. An application was received from Mathew Marshall, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 221 Columbia Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. “ [Charter Right – Simmons, Mar 21, 2022]
Interesting that the loss of one or two parking spaces at this location due to a curb cut gets so much pushback when elsewhere hundreds of parking spaces are being permanently removed for “quick build” bike lanes that impact businesses, health care providers, day care facilities, churches, and more.
Petition Denied (voice vote, but unanimous)

On the Table #3-9. Appointments and Reappointments to City Boards & Commissions on hold while City Council pipes in Muzak to appointees.

On the Table #10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Emergency Management Performance Grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency in the amount of $39,600 to the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used to support the purchase of a new vehicle for the Emergency Preparedness and Coordination office. [Charter Right – Nolan, Mar 7, 2022; Tabled – Mar 21, 2022]

Councillor Nolan continues her audition for Purchasing Agent.

Communications #3. A communication was received from Annette Osgood and Jeanne Oster, regarding a petition signed by over 1,050 names requesting changes to the Cycling Safety Ordinance.
pulled by Nolan; Placed on File (voice vote); Azeem notes that he would consider taking it up in Transportation Committee but makes clear now that nothing will come of it.

The actual number of petioners appears to be approximately 878 when duplicates are purged. There’s also the unhinged cyclist who wrote: “Fuck you disgusting pieces of shit Up yours cagers. I hope you and your cars burn.”

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor to draft language to enable the Cambridge Police Department and Department of Public Works to donate abandoned bicycles to charitable organizations as outlined under MGL 30B Section 15(g).  Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Adopted as Amended

Order #2. City Council support of the MIT Graduate Student Union.   Councillor Azeem, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted

Order #3. That City Council remind the residents of Cambridge that regular street cleaning begins again on April 1, 2022 and that all residents can sign up for automatic alerts and reminders from the City of Cambridge for the remainder of the year.   Councillor Toner
Order Adopted

Order #4. City Council support urging the Massachusetts Legislature and the residents of Cambridge to oppose House Bill 1234 and the proposed 2022 state ballot initiative and ensuring that the rights of workers remain solid and strong for generations to come.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted as Amended

My favorite phrase in this Order: “The Commonwealth of Massachusetts enjoys a long and distinguished history in the fight for workers’ rights and protections from exploitation from capitalists and corporate interests…”. Alas, life in The Peoples Republik.

Also, there are these Budget Hearings now scheduled in the Merry Month of May:

Tues, May 10

9:00am   The City Council’s Finance Committee will meet to conduct hearing on FY 2023 City Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Budget Overview
Mayor’s Office
Executive – Leadership
Executive – Housing Liaison    
Executive – Diversity
Executive – DGVPI
Executive – Equity and Inclusion    
Public Information Office
Tourism		 Housing Liasson    
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

Wed, May 11

6:00pm   The City Council’s Finance Committee will meet to conduct hearing on FY 2023 School Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, May 17

10:00am   The City Council’s Finance Committee will meet to conduct hearing on FY 2023 City Budget.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Cambridge Health Alliance    
Public Works
Water
Community Development
Historical Commission		 Peace Commission / PRAB    
Cable TV
Debt Service
Library
Human Services		 Women’s Commission
Human Rights Commission    
Veterans’ Services
MWRA
Cherry Sheet		 City Overview Section
Financial Summaries Section
Revenue Section
Public Investment Section

Thurs, May 19

9:00am   The City Council’s Finance Committee will meet to conduct hearing on FY 2023 City Budget (if needed).  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

March 1, 2022

Cambridge’s Bike Lane Mandate Hurts Us All – by John Pitkin

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,cycling,transportation — Tags: , , , , , — John Pitkin @ 11:57 am

An op-ed by former City Councillor Jen Devereux in Cambridge Day belittles the growing opposition of residents to Cambridge’s bike lane mandate. She likens it to a conspiracy about a word game, castigates opponents’ “sky-is-falling rhetoric,” and admonishes them with therapeutic advice that, “feelings are not facts and emotions are not truth.”

Her call for a return to norms and an end to what she terms the “bike wars” rings hollow because she ends her piece with a reminder that two people have been “killed by drivers” in Porter Square since 2016. This strikes me as ironic, since the “bike wars” she laments were touched off by cycle advocates’ using two 2016 cyclist fatalities as a rhetorical battering ram to advance new cycle lanes in Inman Square, Cambridge Street and Brattle Street.

Organized cycle advocates d/b/a Cambridge Bike Safety used this emotional appeal to shut down debate and short-circuit consideration of financial, environmental and social costs as well as alternative means to improve safety for all. Those who voiced objections were even labeled “killers” by association with the unfortunate and, by all accounts, blameless drivers in the fatal crashes.

It is said that “Truth is the first casualty of war.” The same can be said of our “bike wars.” Facts are rarely checked and only valued for their emotional impact or clickability, and the arguments or interests of opponents are dismissed out of hand..

If we want to move forward from this situation a good first step would be to see it not as a “war” but a “social dysfunction,” not zingers flying between partisans, but the equivalent of a heart attack of endemic mistrust in our body politic. It affects everyone and harms us all, because if we don’t trust each other, if we don’t trust our government, we won’t be able to act with the unity we need to meet the existential threats of climate change or the immediate needs of our community. We have to figure out how to work together on common solutions to critical problems, and the bike lane disputes are a distraction from the real work that must be done.

Trust cannot be restored by City Councillors tut-tutting citizens for voicing concerns about the bike lanes when the actual impacts become apparent. Indeed City Council created the current civic mess by not involving the very people – the body politic – that they represent.

The contentious discourse and public debate that Ms. Devereux bemoans could and should have taken place before the mandates in the Cycling Safety Ordinance were enacted in 2019 and strengthened in 2020. She acknowledges that “parking is the third rail of politics.” Other City Councillors must also know. Yet to this day the majority of the City Council as well as City administrators play down the scope of the bike lane mandate, branding them as benign “bicycle safety improvements.” And obligatory public notices of community meetings and installation of new bike lanes were utterly ineffective, leaving most residents and business owners in the dark until the eve of installation.

But now the truth is coming out that the Bike Lane Mandate is a big deal. It touches the “third rail” of parking. And the City Council’s defective process has created a giant mess.

The mandated lanes comprise a 26 mile network, covering 10% of Cambridge’s public streets, including Mass. Avenue and other major arteries, and must be completed or in construction by 2026.

It will mean removing many hundreds of parking spaces, in some areas half or all of the parking, as well as loading zones needed for deliveries to and pickups from businesses. Costs are not known but will be substantial. Engineering services alone for the first Quick-Build lanes, not including implementation, have averaged $160 thousand per mile.  The full design and build of just one major intersection, Inman Square, is budgeted to cost close to $10 million.

The financial impacts on local businesses are not known because the City has not asked the affected businesses.  In places were parking has already been removed some business owners report that their revenues have dropped 45%.  A parking access and loading zones are removed over time, there are reasonable fears that commercial dead zones will spread to sections of Mass. Avenue, Cambridge Street and Huron Avenue where there are now thriving, diverse shopping districts.

Thousands of residents who rely on street parking and access to homes, necessary services, and local shops will also be adversely impacted.

The scope of the Bike Lane Mandate is so broad and complex that the City Council might reasonably have put it on the ballot for residents to vote on in a municipal referendum before acting on it. Instead, the City Council passed the mandate after limited public discussion and debate and deputized the Director of Transportation, Traffic and Parking to inform the affected residents and owners in community meetings of what “cycling safety” means for them.

Now that citizens more clearly understand the grand plan and how it affects them, we are starting to see the beginnings of the kind of vigorous, contentious, factual debate that is needed for democracy to work and that we as Americans expect. These stirrings should not be discouraged or tamped down, but rather welcomed as a hopeful beginning of the civil discourse we urgently need to build trust in one other and strengthen our community.

John Pitkin
18 Fayette Street
Cambridge, MA 02139

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