City Council — Regular Meeting, September 11, 2023

City Manager's Agenda (18)

• CMA 2023 #221A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on and appointments to the LGBTQ+ Friendly Housing Task Forceaffordable-housinghousing-generalschools📖 read
• CMA 2023 #222Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Program Grant, in the amount of $1,000,000, received from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) to the Public Investment Fund Water Extraordinary Expenditures account, for the repair of the Cambridge Reservoir Dam - Hobbs Brook Gatehouse and Culvert Outlet
• CMA 2023 #223A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment Anna Spier as a resident member to the Community Benefits Advisory Committee
• CMA 2023 #224Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of donations from Harvard and MIT to support the Cambridge Promise pilot program in the amount of $50,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account. This last-dollar plus program pays for tuition, mandatory fees, plus school-related expenses not covered by a student’s Pell Grant and outside scholarshipsschools
• CMA 2023 #225Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant for the Center for Families program in the amount of $263,815.00 to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($243,692.00), and to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($20,123.00). This grant covers twelve months of programming and will be used by the Center for Families to support a portion of the cost of 7 full-time staff and 2 part time staff salaries
• CMA 2023 #226Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Children’s Trust Fund grant for the Center for Families program in the amount of $180,000.00 to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($127,810.00), to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($35,690.00), and to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Travel and Training account ($16,500.00). This grant covers twelve months of programming and will be used by the Center for Families to support a portion of the cost of 4 full-time staff and 2 part time staff salaries
• CMA 2023 #227Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Adult and Community Learning Services grant received from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in the amount of $1,000,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($955,753.00), to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($42,462.00), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Travel and Training account ($1,785.00). This is a state grant for core ESOL services
• CMA 2023 #228Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)/Adult and Community Learning Services in the amount of $368,269.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account. Funds will support ESOL and ABE teaching, as well as support for advising
• CMA 2023 #229Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of of various donations to the Council on Aging in the amount of $5,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account. These donations will be used to support services for Cambridge Older Adults
• CMA 2023 #230Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Friends of the Community Learning Center (CLC) grant in the amount of $48,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($40,478.00), to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($4,984.00), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Travel and Training account ($2,538.00). They are providing support for Bridge Program advising, coaching and mentoring, for the ESOL/Certified Nursing Assistant Program, and career advising for other CLC studentsschools
• CMA 2023 #231Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program grant in the amount of $354,603.00 funded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (formerly the Department of Housing and Community Development) to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($32,174.00), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($322,429.00). Funds will be used for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)housing-general
• CMA 2023 #232Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance grant funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in the amount of $133,486.58 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($94,858.28), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($38,628.30). Funds will be used for costs related to the Carey Men’s Permanent Supported Housing Program operated by the Multi-Service Centerhomelessnesshousing-general
• CMA 2023 #233A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to 135 Fulkerson Street parcel and its tramsfer to the City for public use
• CMA 2023 #234A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order # 23-133, regarding regarding possible projections of build-out of the Alewife Quadrangle under the proposed AOD-Q zoning petitionhousing-generallaborzoning📖 read
• CMA 2023 #235A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order # 23-135, regarding standards for henkeepingzoning📖 read
• CMA 2023 #236A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to updates to the City of Cambridge’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) process for the upcoming 10th cycle (PB10) of the programbudget
• CMA 2023 #237A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to extending the prior authorization for the City Manager or their designee to grant street obstruction approvals, along with any other necessary approvals for temporary obstructions until June 30, 2024📖 read
• CMA 2023 #238A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Victoria Bergland as a member of the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) Board of Commissioners as the resident Representative for a term of 5-yearshousing-general📖 read

Communications (169)

169 resident communications received for this meeting — affordable housing (75) · housing general (68) · bike lanes (54) · transit traffic (50) · zoning (39). Individual letters are summarized in the city's agenda and are not republished here, by policy.

Policy Orders (11)

• POR 2023 #149Dedication for Edward J. “Ted” Hoff
• POR 2023 #150Policy Order re Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month in Cambridge
• POR 2023 #151That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to establish and implement a regular maintenance schedule for tree wells, bump outs, crosswalks, and other pedestrian areas to prevent overgrowth and ensure consistent upkeeptransit-traffictrees
• POR 2023 #152Policy Order to design and affix a commemorative plaque in honor of Atieno Simmons on one of the Pride benches in front of City Hall
• POR 2023 #153Policy Order re Improving the Quality of Life In and Around Central Square📖 read 📄 PDF
• POR 2023 #154Rodent Control Update
• POR 2023 #155Reviewing the Short-Term Rentals Ordinance
• POR 2023 #156Changes to the Amendments to the Affordable Housing Overlayaffordable-housinghousing-general
• POR 2023 #158That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the relevant departments, including Community Development and Law to review the attached proposed amendment language and propose any adjustments no later than the October 2, 2023 Regular City Council Meetingclimatetransit-trafficzoning📖 read
• POR 2023 #159That the City Council go on record in opposition to the Cambridge Police Department and the City of Cambridge government sending trainees to, participating in any collaborations with, or supporting the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center or any similar facilities, in any wayclimatepolice-safety📖 read
• POR 2023 #160Policy Order re: Dedication in honor of William "Bill" V. Hill

Resolutions (23)

• RES 2023 #225Resolution Wishing Gail Seidman A Swift Recovery
• RES 2023 #226Resolution on the death of Patricia A. Maloney
• RES 2023 #227Condolences to the family of Lovie Jean Shelton
• RES 2023 #228Resolution on the death of Helen B. Sullivan
• RES 2023 #229Congratulations to the U13 Cambridge Hitmen on winning the Lou Tompkins All Star Championship
• RES 2023 #230Congratulations to the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolate Church of Greater Boston on the occasion of its 100th Anniversary
• RES 2023 #231Resolution on the death of Luis M. Rodrigues
• RES 2023 #232Resolution on the death of Albert J. Sarchioni Jr
• RES 2023 #233Resolution on the death of Mary Grace
• RES 2023 #234Congratulations to Manobaldo Amaral on his Retirement from The Cambridge Health Alliance
• RES 2023 #235Congratulations to Elaine Condon on her Retirement from The Cambriddge Health Alliance
• RES 2023 #236Congratulations to Carmen Delgado on her Retirement
• RES 2023 #237Congratulations to Dawn Olcott on her Retirement
• RES 2023 #238Congratulations to Connie Young on her Retirement
• RES 2023 #239Resolution on the death of Leah Warren Rugen
• RES 2023 #240Congratulations to Nancy Glowa on her Retirement
• RES 2023 #241Resolution on the death of Maria de Jesus Monteiro
• RES 2023 #242Resolution on the Death of Herman Banks
• RES 2023 #243Resolution on the death of Luis M. Rodrigues
• RES 2023 #244Resolution on the death of Marie E. Vieira
• RES 2023 #245Condolences To The Family of Gracieuse Limose St. Jean
• RES 2023 #246Congratulations to the 15U Cambridge Hitmen on their championship win
• RES 2023 #247Resolution on the death of Bill Hill

Ordinances (1)

• ORD 2023 # 7An Ordinance has been received from City Council, relative to Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) amendments. (Proposed Ordinance #2023-7)affordable-housinghousing-generalzoning📖 read

Applications & Petitions (4)

• APP 2023 #50A Zoning Petition Has been received from the City Council regarding standards of henkeepinghomelessnesshousing-generalzoning📖 read
• APP 2023 #47An application was received from Heather Dudko representing Bank of America, requesting permission for a projecting sign at the premises numbered 121 First Street, Cambridge, MA. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters proof of mailing has been provided📖 read
• APP 2023 #48An application was received from Scott Fraser representing Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre requesting permission for a temporary banner to be hung across the public way located at JFK at Mount Auburn Street from September 12, 2023 through September 24, 2023 promoting Dance for World Community📖 read
• APP 2023 #49An application was received from Pamela Jagiello representing Joe's Pizza, requesting permission for two awnings at the premises numbered 3 Brattle Street. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and proof of mailing to abutters has been received along with one abutter approval📖 read

Other Business (10)

• AR-23-48Report back on the Department of Veterans Services and the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department's determination of how and where it would be most appropriate to establish signs along the City’s borders proclaiming Cambridge to be a Purple Heart Citypolice-safetytransit-traffic
• AR-23-49Report on possible projections, based on stated assumptions, of expected outcomes in Alewife for total housing, commercial, open space and public amenities, over the next twenty years, if the proposed zoning were adoptedhousing-generalzoning
• AR-23-50Report on the review of the opportunity to work with MIT leadership and their staff to meet the requirement of planting at least the required 1,000 caliper inches-worth of trees in the very much underplanted Area 2 (main campus) as soon as possibletrees
• AR-23-51Report on the review of existing policies and guidelines on project designs and reviews to determine whether there are opportunities to minimize new or additional pavement and encourage using permeable surfaces in public and private construction throughout the city
• AR-23-52Report on the Across Sidewalk Electric Vehicle Charging (EV) Permit Pilot Program and the removal of the $200 permit fee associated with the pilot program

• (untitled)
• an update regarding legislative activity 📖 read 📄 PDF 📄 PDF 📄 PDF 📄 PDF
• information from the School Committee
• Proposed Amendments to the Fossil Fuel-Free Demonstration Ordinance Language 📖 read
• POR 2023 #157 : That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments including the Affordable Housing Trust, Community Development Department and Law Department to review the attached zoning proposal and report back to the City Council with an initial assessment regarding the feasibility and efficacy of such an approach no later than October 31, 2023.

CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR TONER IN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 [affordable-housing, climate, housing-general, zoning] 📖 read

Committee Reports (3)

• Health & Environment Committee hearing of 2022-06-23 — Accepted [Unanimous]
• Ordinance Committee hearing of 2023-07-31 — Accepted [Unanimous]
• Committee hearing of (unknown date) — Passed To A Second Reading [6 To 3]