City Council ▸ 2021-09-13
City Council · Regular Meeting, September 13, 2021
26 City Manager's Agenda4 Communications & Reports from Other City Officers24 Communications16 Policy Orders17 Resolutions4 Applications & Petitions5 Other Business5 Committee Reports
City Manager's Agenda (26)
- City Manager's report2021 · #186 Placed on file, unanimousa COVID-19 updateSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Managerschools📖 readCMA 2021 #186
- City Manager's report2021 · #187 Order adopted, unanimousa recommendation from the Board of Election Commissioners for the City Council to vote to authorize in-person early voting for the November 2, 2021 Municipal Election, 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 2021Submitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager📖 read CMA 2021 #187
- City Manager's report2021 · #188 Report accepted/placed on fil, unanimousa request from the Board of Election Commissioners recommending the relocation of polling sites for the November 2, 2021 Municipal ElectionSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager📖 readCMA 2021 #188
- City Manager's report2021 · #189 Order adopted, 8–0the appropriation of a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Leadership Scholarship Program Grant funded from the State 911 Department in the amount of $10,000 to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Salaries and Wages account ($3,500) and to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Travel and Training account ($6,500) which will to cover personnel costs, training fees, and travel costs for the employee who receives the scholarship to attend a designated Leadership Certification ProgramSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Managerpolice safetyCMA 2021 #189
- City Manager's report2021 · #190 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of an FY22 State 911 Department Training grant in the amount of $127,597 to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Salary and Wages account ($89,449), and to the Travel and Training account ($38,148) which will support training of Emergency Communications Center personnel, classroom fees, and training materialsSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #190
- City Manager's report2021 · #191 Order adopted, unanimousauthorization to grant street obstruction approvalsSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Managerzoning📖 readCMA 2021 #191
- City Manager's report2021 · #192 Placed on file, unanimousAwaiting Report Item Number 21-21, regarding a report on traffic calming options in the vicinity of Pemberton Street and Fairfield StreetSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Managerpolice safetyschoolstransit traffic📖 readCMA 2021 #192
- City Manager's report2021 · #193Awaiting Report Item Number 21-56, regarding improvements to Jerry's Pond and along Rindge AvenueSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Managerbike lanesschoolstransit traffictrees📖 readPLACED ON THE TABLE BY MAYOR SIDDIQUI IN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 13, 2021CMA 2021 #193
- City Manager's report2021 · #194 Placed on file, unanimousthe appointment of the following persons as new Associate Members of the Planning Board for a term of five-years, effective September 1, 2021: Alan Price and Ashley TanSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #194
- City Manager's report2021 · #195 Placed on file, unanimousa reappointment and appointment of new members of the Central Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective July 1, 2021 - Reappointment: Esther Hanig. New Appointments: Saffana Anwar and Christopher FortSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #195
- City Manager's report2021 · #196 Referred to the petition, unanimousa Planning Board report with no positive or negative recommendation on Article 22.000 Emissions Accounting Zoning PetitionSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Managerclimatezoning📖 readCMA 2021 #196
- City Manager's report2021 · #197 Referred to the petition, unanimousa Planning Board report on the Post-Operative Animal Care zoning petition, which recommends the adoption of an alternative zoning amendment to effect the proposed changeSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Managerzoning📖 readCMA 2021 #197
- City Manager's report2021 · #198 Placed on file, unanimousthe appointment of members to the newly formed BIPOC Business Advisory Committee for a term of one-year, effective September 1, 2021Submitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #198
- City Manager's report2021 · #199 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grant in the amount of $268,820 to the Grant Fund Community Development Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account. The City is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), which manages the Metro Mayors collaboration, to conduct a regional project titled Building Resilience to Climate Driven Heat in Metro Boston and will reimburse MAPC for their expenses following receipt of grant disbursements to the City by the CommonwealthSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerclimateCMA 2021 #199
- City Manager's report2021 · #200 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $39,292 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Extraordinary Expenditures Account ($33,399), and to the Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($5,893) which will assist with providing affordable housing, revitalize neighborhoods, and expand economic opportunities to low and moderate-income personsSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Manageraffordable housinghousing generalCMA 2021 #200
- City Manager's report2021 · #201 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $2,024,011 received from HUD as part of the Housing Opportunities for People with Aids (HOPWA) Grant to the Grant Fund Community Development Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account which will be used for assisted living programs and supportive services; shelter services, rental assistance and housing search servicesSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Managerhomelessnesshousing generalCMA 2021 #201
- City Manager's report2021 · #202 Placed on file, unanimousthe reappointments of the following members of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2021: 3-year terms - Yvette Verdieu, James Henderson, Marian Darlington-Hope, Barbara Guthrie, Katherine Kosinski. 1-year term: Joshua Posner, Alexander WhiteSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #202
- City Manager's report2021 · #203 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $88,895 received from the Cambridge Housing Authority, to the Grant Fund Human Service Department Programs Salary and Wages account for the Cambridge Employment Program which will be used to maintain the capacity of the Cambridge Employment Program by continuing to fund a vocational case manager to provide career counseling and case management services to Cambridge residents seeking employment, particularly those residing in public housingSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Manageraffordable housinghousing generalCMA 2021 #203
- City Manager's report2021 · #204 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of the Children’s Trust Fund grant for the Center for Families program in the amount of $18,375.00 to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($16,560.00) and to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($1,815.00) which will be used by the Center for Families to support family programs targeting parents of children up to eight years, which include a variety of family support and parent education programs and resourcesSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #204
- City Manager's report2021 · #205 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of various donations to the Council on Aging in the amount of $1,585.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($985.00) and to the Travel and Training account ($600.00), which will be used to support services for Cambridge Seniors, including virtual classes and instruction, gift cards, and the provision of minor home adaptation equipmentSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #205
- City Manager's report2021 · #206 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of the Cambridge in Motion Grant for $1,000.00 from the Cambridge Public Health Department to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to support the Munching and Moving Program at the Morse PreschoolSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #206
- City Manager's report2021 · #207 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $9,615.00 for the Center for Families program funded by the Cambridge Public Health Commission, Agenda for Children to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to provide Family programming and curriculum development, pre-bagged refreshments for outside and in-person events and activity bag giveawaysSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #207
- City Manager's report2021 · #208 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of funds for the College Success Initiative from the Cambridge Community Foundation for $15,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account which will be used to support part of the salary costs associated with a college success coach who will provide individualized college coaching for students attending UMass Boston and for graduates of the Community Learning Center’s Bridge to College program who attend Bunker Hill Community CollegeSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerschoolsCMA 2021 #208
- City Manager's report2021 · #209 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of a Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) grant in the amount of $79,992.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($47,084.00), and to the Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($32,908.00) which will be used to provide an integrated education and training program to adults in the Metro North area who want to start a career in the Information Technology field and work as Computer User Support Specialists, Help Desk Technicians, etcSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerCMA 2021 #209
- City Manager's report2021 · #210 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of the Friends of the Community Learning Center (CLC) grant funded by the Cambridge Community Foundation in the amount of $4,500.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account which will be used to support the distribution of Chromebooks to CLC students and provide technical assistance to them to connect with the CLC zoom classroomsSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City ManagerschoolsCMA 2021 #210
- City Manager's report2021 · #211 Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance grant funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in the amount of $118,723.49 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($101,480.49), to the Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($14,243.00), and to the Travel and Training account ($3,000.00) which will be used for costs related to the Carey Men’s Permanent Supported Housing Program operated by the Multi-Service CenterSubmitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Managerhomelessnesshousing generalCMA 2021 #211
Communications & Reports from Other City Officers (4)
- City officer's report2021 · #77communications from Tanya Ford, Executive Director of the Cambridge Election Commission regarding support and in opposition of the proposed charter amendments to be included in a mailing to voters prior to the November 2, 2021 Municipal Electioncharterzoning📖 read COF 2021 #77
- City officer's report2021 · #78a memorandum regarding the current three-year term as City Clerk expiring on May 31, 2022📖 readCOF 2021 #78
- City officer's report2021 · #79an explanation of the proposed amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinancezoning📖 readCOF 2021 #79
- City officer's report2021 · #80(untitled)schools📖 readCOF 2021 #80
Communications (24)
24 resident communications received for this meeting, on housing general (8) · trees (6) · zoning (4) · climate (3) · schools (2). Individual letters are summarized in the city's agenda and are not republished here, by policy.
Policy Orders (16)
- Policy order2021 · #173 Order adopted as amended, unanimousExecutive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request for a street corner dedication at the corner of 159 Lakeview Avenue at Huron Avenue in honor of John and Carol DonaghyCouncil orderPOR 2021 #173
- Policy order2021 · #174 Order adopted, unanimousAsks the City Manager to direct the appropriate City staff to create a new section on the City Council’s webpage devoted to clearly outlining the various steps of the dedication request processCouncil requestPOR 2021 #174
- Policy order2021 · #175 Order adopted, unanimousAsks the City Manager to direct the Director of the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department and the City Solicitor to review the City’s residential parking permit program to determine whether the criteria for this program can be modified to speak to the above-referenced concerns and to develop recommendations that speak to these modificationsCouncil requesttransit trafficPOR 2021 #175
- Policy order2021 · #176 Order adopted as amended, unanimousCity Manager isrequested to direct the appropriate City departments to draft a report on the City’s rodent and pest control efforts since February 2020, to outline what metrics are being used to determine the effectiveness of these efforts, and to issue recommendations as to whether increasing the budget for these efforts, as well as creating new incentives and penalties to ensure community compliance with regulations around rodent control, would lead to a greater level of success in resolving this issueCouncil orderbudgetPOR 2021 #176
- Policy order2021 · #177 Order adopted, unanimousAsks the City Manager to consult with the appropriate City departments regarding the feasibility of installing lights at all Cambridge dog parksCouncil requestPOR 2021 #177
- Policy order2021 · #178 Order adopted, unanimousAsks the City Manager to confer with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department regarding the feasibility of installing speed bumps on Inman StreetCouncil requesttransit trafficPOR 2021 #178
- Policy order2021 · #179 Order adopted, unanimousExecutive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request for a suitable dedication for William “Bill” SageCouncil orderPOR 2021 #179
- Policy order2021 · #180 Order adopted, unanimousCity Council go on record as being willing to work with the Governor’s Office and any non-profits in helping to settle Afghan refugees in Cambridge should it be neededCouncil orderPOR 2021 #180
- Policy order2021 · #181 Order adopted, unanimousAsks the City Manager to confer with the Cambridge Community Development Department, Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs, Department of Public Works, local non-profit organizations, Cambridge businesses dedicated to locally sourced produce, farmers, and resident gardeners to study the feasibility of spending Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to address food insecurity by installing raised garden beds throughout Cambridge and providing free, fresh, locally-grown food for residents in needCouncil requestPOR 2021 #181
- Policy order2021 · #182 Order adopted, unanimousCity Council go on record recognizing September, 2021 as Recovery Awareness Month in the City of CambridgeCouncil orderPOR 2021 #182
- Policy order2021 · #183 Order adopted, unanimousAsks the City Manager to work with all relevant City departments, the City Council, the Black community, and the general public in Cambridge to implement the attached proposal to establish a Commission of Racial Justice and EquityCouncil requestPOR 2021 #183
- Policy order2021 · #184 Order adopted as amended, 8–0In response to the Election Commission request for a summary argument in support of proposed charter amendments, that the City Council authorize Mayor Siddiqui and Councillor Nolan to submit language to the Election Commission before the deadline on September 20, 2021POR 2021 #184
- Policy order2021 · #185 Ordained, 8–1Ordinance #2021-19 - Amendments to the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance📖 readPOR 2021 #185
- Policy order2021 · #186 Failed of adoption, 4–5Asks the City Manager to work with the relevant City departments, the contractor, and the community to take another look at ways in which Sennott Park construction could be contained or compartmentalized in such a way that would allow for various sections or elements of the park to remain safely accessible during the construction period while they are not actively being worked onCouncil requestPOR 2021 #186
- Policy order2021 · #187 Referred to committee, unanimousAsks the City Manager to instruct the Law Department to review the proposed ordinance regarding Renter Choice (Ordinance #2021-18) and provide feedback on implementationCouncil requesthousing generalPOR 2021 #187
- Policy order2021 · #188 Ordained, 8–1City Council hereby declares that there is an emergency involving the health and safety of the people of Cambridge or their property, pursuant to G.L. c.43, §20that necessitates the passages through all stages of ordination on this dayCouncil orderPOR 2021 #188
Resolutions (17)
- Resolution2021 · #189 Order adopted, unanimousResolution on the death of Richard P. “Lefty” FieldsRES 2021 #189
- Resolution2021 · #190 Order adopted, unanimousCongratulations to Lorraine Vendetti on her retirement from the Cambridge Health AllianceRES 2021 #190
- Resolution2021 · #191 Order adopted, unanimousCongratulations to Molly Seidel on earning a Bronze Olympic MedalRES 2021 #191
- Resolution2021 · #192 Order adopted, unanimousResolution on the death of David W. CostaRES 2021 #192
- Resolution2021 · #193 Order adopted, unanimousResolution on the death of Brian T. McMahonRES 2021 #193
- Resolution2021 · #194 Order adopted, unanimousResolution on the death of Antonio Jose CorreiaRES 2021 #194
- Resolution2021 · #195 Order adopted, unanimousCondolences to Pat Taylor on the death of her son Kirk TaylorRES 2021 #195
- Resolution2021 · #196 Order adopted, unanimousResolution on the death of Joseph M. PattenRES 2021 #196
- Resolution2021 · #197 Order adopted, unanimousResolution on the death of Margaret M. “Peggy” M. CreamerRES 2021 #197
- Resolution2021 · #198 Order adopted, unanimousCondolences to the family of Wilhelmina HaynesRES 2021 #198
- Resolution2021 · #199 Order adopted, unanimousCongratulations to Christine Elow on being named Acting Commissioner for the Cambridge Police Departmentpolice safetyRES 2021 #199
- Resolution2021 · #200 Order adopted, unanimousResolution on the death of Herbert "Herbie" KuelzerRES 2021 #200
- Resolution2021 · #201 Order adopted, unanimousResolution on the death of Michael S. MedeirosRES 2021 #201
- Resolution2021 · #202 Order adopted, unanimousThanks to Ann and Taft Murray for their hard work and dedication the community both at Thomas Graves Landing and beyond, and wish them the best of luck in future endeavorsRES 2021 #202
- Resolution2021 · #203 Order adopted, unanimousCongratulations to Paloma Sequeira, Imogen Cabot, and Lettie Cabot for their well-earned and remarkable victories in the 2021 'World Rowing Junior Championships' in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and the Under-23 World Rowing Championships in Racice, Czech RepublicRES 2021 #203
- Resolution2021 · #204 Order adopted, unanimousResolution on the death of David Keefe FeeleyRES 2021 #204
- Resolution2021 · #205 Order adopted, unanimousCity Council formally go on record in observing National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 – October 15 throughout the City of CambridgeCouncil orderRES 2021 #205
Applications & Petitions (4)
- Application / petition2021 · #38 Order adopted, unanimousa projecting sign at the premises numbered 292 Concord AvenueApplication from Carol Fournier representing Abroad Modern📖 readapproval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, CommuniAPP 2021 #38
- Application / petition2021 · #39 Order adopted, unanimousa projecting sign at the premises numbered 1969 Massachusetts AvenueApplication from Christopher Vuk representing Rock & Roll Daycare📖 readapproval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, CommuniAPP 2021 #39
- Application / petition2021 · #40 Order adopted, unanimousa curb cut at the premises numbered 851 Cambridge 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 associationApplication from Paulo Correiatransit traffic📖 read CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR TOOMEY IN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 PLACED ON THE TAPP 2021 #40
- Application / petition2021 · #41 Referred, unanimousORDINANCE 2021-17: A Zoning Petition Has been received from Francis Donovan, regarding Advancing Housing Affordability (AHA) zoning petitionhousing generalzoning📖 readAPP 2021 #41
Other Business (5)
- Awaiting report2021 · #54 Report received and acceptedReport on exploring the feasibility of providing Equity Roadmap with regular funding for Friday Night HypeAR-21-54
- Awaiting report2021 · #55Report on assessing what is driving this new activity, and to deploy the necessary resources to tamp down on the gun violence being seen in the above-referenced areaspolice safetyAR-21-55
- Awaiting report2021 · #56 Report received and acceptedReport on the feasibility of committing financial resources to assist in redesigning and/or reshaping the outdoor public ways, natural space and infrastructure including sidewalks, protected bike lanes and tree canopy at the southern edge of Jerry’s Pond along Rindge Avenue to make it more accessible, more green and more equitable and to create a welcoming entryway to Cambridge from the westbike lanestreesAR-21-56
- Awaiting report2021 · #57 Report received and acceptedReport on how the city is working to get City staff to 100% vaccinated and decrease the likelihood that COVID-19 spreads via City staff and in City BuildingsAR-21-57
- Awaiting report2021 · #58Report on addressing increased gun activityAR-21-58
Committee Reports (5)
- Ordinance Committee hearing of 2021-01-27 · Accepted [Unanimous]
- Human Services & Veterans Committee hearing of 2021-04-07 · Accepted [Unanimous]
- Civic Unity Committee hearing of 2021-05-27 · Accepted [Unanimous]
- Ordinance Committee hearing of 2021-09-01 · Accepted [Unanimous]
- Committee hearing of (unknown date) · Passed To A Second Reading [Unanimous]