City Council — Regular Meeting, September 9, 2024

City Manager's Agenda (22)

• CMA 2024 #176A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to to a Surveillance Technology Impact Report (STIR)police-safety📖 read
• CMA 2024 #177A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Irene Monroe to the Cambridge Library Board of Trustees📖 read
• CMA 2024 #178A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Avanti Tilak to the Open Data Review Board for a term of two-years
• CMA 2024 #179Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,603.12 to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Other Ordinary Maintenance Account. Funds will be used for quality assurance (call review) for the emergency medical protocol used by staff to provide pre and post-dispatch instructions for medical emergencies
• CMA 2024 #180Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $300,027.61 received from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, State 911 Department, to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Department Salary and Wages account ($195,084.41), the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($3,130) and the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Department Travel and Training account ($101,813.20). This formula-based reimbursement grant will support training of Emergency Communications Center personnel, classroom fees, and training materialspolice-safety
• CMA 2024 #181Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $574,531, received from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, State 911 Department, to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Department Salary and Wages account ($481,080), and the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($93,451). This formula-based reimbursement grant will support the costs of Emergency Communications Center personnel salaries, overtime, and annual maintenance costs of dispatch-related softwarepolice-safety
• CMA 2024 #182A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a report detailing the Board of Zoning Appeal’s proposed modifications to the Zoning Ordinance, specifically concerning the implementation of dormer guidelineshousing-generalzoning📖 read
• CMA 2024 #183A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments and reappointments of the following persons to the Family Policy Council; Appointments: Interim Superintendent David Murphy. Reappointments: Tina Alu, Michael Johnston, Michelle Lower, Geeta Pradhan, Bridget Rodriguez, Elizabeth Stapleton (Formerly Elizabeth Hill), Tagesech Wabeto
• CMA 2024 #184A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report, regarding the City’s Gold Star Pool summer schedule and the possibility of extending public swimming pool availability
• CMA 2024 #185Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $11,500.00 received through a donation from the T. Baker Fund, Inc. for the City of Cambridge STEAM Initiative, to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($11,500.00). These funds were donated by the T. Baker Fund, Inc. and will be used to support the Cambridge STEAM Initiative’s Makerspace efforts
• CMA 2024 #186Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $10,000 received from the Cambridge Community Foundation, for the College Success Initiative (CSI), to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Department salaries and wages account. These funds 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 Collegeschools
• CMA 2024 #187Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $18,711.00 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($18,711.00). These additional funds will be used for HEAP client benefitshousing-general
• CMA 2024 #188Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $6,505.00, received from donations to The Cambridge Program for Individuals with Special Needs, to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account. Funds were generously donated in memory of Paul Ryder, who served as the City’s Director of Recreation from 1982-2016. The Cambridge Program will use the funds to purchase supplies and equipment to better support participant and program needs
• CMA 2024 #189A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the reappointments of David Lyons and Elysse Magnotto-Cleary and the appointments of Khyati Saraf and Lorie Graham as Members of the Conservation Commission for a term of three-years. As well as the appointment of Jim Gerstle and Sean Bedingfield as Associate Members of the Conservation Commission for a term of one-year📖 read 📄 PDF 📄 PDF 📄 PDF 📄 PDF 📄 PDF
• CMA 2024 #190Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,101.85, to the Grant Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account. These funds will supplement the 2023 RDP grant award of $110,500 appropriated in March 2024
• CMA 2024 #191Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $416,991.00, received from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to the Grant Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account to support the purchase of an all-electric rubbish packer
• CMA 2024 #192Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $200,000 from the General Fund Public Works Salary and Wages account to the General Fund Public Works Travel and Training (Judgment and Damages) account to cover current and projected FY25 costs related to Public Works personnel injured in the course of their job
• CMA 2024 #193Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $276,800, received from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program to the Grant Fund Public Works Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account. This grant will focus on increasing urban trees, create a map of high and low tree mortality areas across the Mystic River Watershed, and establish a regional urban forests working group of municipal tree wardens to develop strategies to maximize the likelihood of urban trees growing to maturity and identify priority areas where environmental justice communities live, travel and go to cool off during hot summerstrees
• CMA 2024 #194A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-08, regarding recommendations for the refinement and improvement of the housing permitting processaffordable-housingclimatehousing-generalschoolstreeszoning📖 read
• CMA 2024 #195Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $350,000, from the General Fund Employee Benefits Salaries and Wages Account to the General Fund Employee Benefits Travel and Training Account. Funds will be used to cover the costs of anticipated payments of workers compensation medical bills for personnel injured in the course of their job, through the end of FY25labor
• CMA 2024 #196A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-26, regarding clarification on the Wage Theft Ordinancelabor📖 read
• CMA 2024 #197A 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

Communications (41)

41 resident communications received for this meeting — housing general (29) · affordable housing (20) · transit traffic (5) · schools (4) · homelessness (2). Individual letters are summarized in the city's agenda and are not republished here, by policy.

Policy Orders (12)

• POR 2024 #112That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to prioritize the repair of the water bubbler at Anderson Tennis Courts on Pemberton Street
• POR 2024 #113That the City Council go on record acknowledging September as Suicide Prevention Month
• POR 2024 #114Declare September as National Recovery Month
• POR 2024 #115That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to provide a comprehensive report outlining the City's knowledge of the garbage chute issues at 1 Leighton Street
• POR 2024 #116That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to enact policy that will extend the priority period for Social Equity and Equity Empowerment cannabis business applicants for a period of six months to one year, or until guidance has been received from the Cannabis Control Commission
• POR 2024 #117That the City Manager direct the Community Development Department (CDD) and the Law Department to draft zoning language based on the proposal discussed at the Housing Committee to eliminate exclusionary zoning and allow up to six stories of multifamily housing in all residential districts. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR TONER IN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9, 2024housing-generaltenants-rentzoning📖 read
• POR 2024 #118That the City Manager directs CDD to hold public meetings to inform the Cambridge community about the proposed changes before any public hearings of the Ordinance Committee and the Planning Board on this topic. CHARTER EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AZEEM IN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 9, 2024
• POR 2024 #119That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide a status update on the implementation of the PACE program and provide resources and information for property owners; and provide any recommendations for expanding PACE adoption
• POR 2024 #120That the City Manager is requested to provide an update on progress towards providing a recommendation for changes to the existing ordinance and a report on the impact of the Short-Term Rentals in Cambridge, including how enforcement happens and how many units are registered and available
• POR 2024 #121That the City Manager be hereby and is requested to work with relevant staff to provide an update on the status of the Vail Court property and associate litigation in Said S. Abuzahra, Trustee of Equity Realty Trust, et al. v. City of Cambridge, in Executive Session if necessary, at a future meeting
• POR 2024 #122That this City Council go on record calling for MIT’s dissociation from the fossil fuel industry in the Climate Projectclimate
• POR 2024 #123That the City Manager is requested to provide a status Update on Automated Parking Enforcementpolice-safetytransit-traffic📖 read

Resolutions (12)

• RES 2024 #201Congratulations to Karen Roust on her retirement
• RES 2024 #202Condolences on the death of James M. "Jim" Albert
• RES 2024 #203Retirement of Dennis John Paul Kaveney from the First Church Shelterhomelessness
• RES 2024 #204Condolences on the death of Thomas Murphy
• RES 2024 #205Condolences to the family of Valerie Corr Hanserd
• RES 2024 #206Condolences to the family of City Councillor Joan Pickett
• RES 2024 #207Congratulations to the Honorable Laurence Pierce on his retirement from the Court
• RES 2024 #208Condolences on the death of Frederick James "Freddie" Cabral
• RES 2024 #209Best wishes to Nathan Klima as he begins studies at MIT and thanks for his commitment and service to the residents of Cambridge
• RES 2024 #210Congratulations to Detective Brian O'Connor for being awarded the American Donald D. Drummond International Member of the Year Award
• RES 2024 #211Congratulations to Donald Copeland on his retirement
• RES 2024 #212Congratulations to the organizers of the 5th Annual Community Cookout

Applications & Petitions (4)

• APP 2024 #30An application was received from DND Homes LLC., requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 490 Putnam Avenue; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Approval response has been received from the neighborhood associationtransit-traffictrees📖 read
• APP 2024 #31An application was received from John Felix, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 316 Pearl Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Approval response has been received from the neighborhood associationtransit-traffic📖 read
• APP 2024 #32An application was received from FAST SIGNS OF WOBURN representing Bom Dough, requesting permission for a projecting sign at the premises numbered 1 Canal Park. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and proof of abutters mailing has been providedlaborzoning📖 read
• APP 2024 #33An application was received from Pamela Jagiello representing STUDS, requesting permission for an awning at the premises numbered 1 Brattle Square Unit 2C. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and proof pf abutters mailing has been providedzoning📖 read

Other Business (11)

• ARS-24-18Awaiting Report Status Update 9.9.24artsbudgethousing-generaltransit-traffic📖 read
• AR-24-39The City Manager is requested to reach out to the Executive Director of the Cambridge Housing Authority to explore the feasibility of utilizing the large screen televisions in the community rooms of CHA buildings to enable seniors living in these buildings to participate in (via public comment) and view City Council meetings as they are heldhousing-general
• AR-24-40The City Manager is requested to take the necessary actions to ensure the City’s Gold Star Pool remains open through the end of September 2024, and shall be ready to open at the start of June 2025, three weeks earlier than the pool opened this year
• AR-24-41The City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to work with the City of Somerville to address the parking signage on Seven Pines Avenuetransit-traffic
• AR-24-42The City Manager is requested to work with all relevant city and state departments to amend the Do Not Enter sign at the entrance of Whittemore Avenue from Alewife Brook Parkway to include an exception for abutters
• AR-24-43The City Manager is requested to work with relevant staff and departments to conduct outreach to Cambridge colleges and universities about the pilot University Pass Program and coordinate with the MBTA and report back to the City Council on these outreach effortstransit-traffic
• AR-24-44The City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to provide a legal opinion on whether Cambridge can enact a local ordinance or regulation similar to H.3685, which would prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system, or whether the City should submit a Home Rule Petition to ensure access to solar energy for residentsclimate
• AR-24-45The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to review climate leading heating and cooling regulations and direct the appropriate departments to develop and implement a policy that aligns with Cambridge’s climate leadership to ensure that City operated buildings have default temperatures that align with health and sustainability best practices , including differing guidelines for workplace occupancy hours and outside of business hoursclimate

• an update regarding legislative activity 📖 read 📄 PDF 📄 PDF 📄 PDF
• Police Review and Advisory Board Quarterly Report for 2023 Q4 📄 PDF
• Police Review and Advisory Board Quarterly Report for 2024 Q1 📄 PDF

Committee Reports (5)

• Transportation & Public Utilities Committee hearing of 2024-06-25 — Accepted
• Economic Development & University Relations Committee hearing of 2024-08-05 — Accepted
• Government Operations Rules & Claims Committee hearing of 2024-08-06 — Accepted
• Finance Committee hearing of 2024-08-07 — Accepted
• Housing Committee hearing of 2024-08-21 — Accepted