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City Council - Regular Meeting

March 25, 2024 ·05:30 PM Final
Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 66 items

  1. 1 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,500, to the Grant Fund Library Other Ordinary Maintenance account. Funds will be used to support interpreter services for information sessions regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program as part of the Library’s digital equity efforts.
  2. 2 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $96,068.22 to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($96,068.22). Funds from the grant will be used to support Advanced Intervention and Suicide Prevention trainings, provide funding for mental health professionals and spiritual leader services, and fund the development and enhancement of CISM publications, website and team uniforms.
  3. 3 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $82,000, to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($82,000). This is the first year of this multi-year grant. Grant funds will be used to support costs related to contracting services of a specially trained clinician that will respond to mental health calls throughout the city.
  4. 4 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of 20,000, to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($20,000). This is the second year of this multi-year grant. Grant funds will be used to support costs related to providing aftercare support such as supplies that individuals can bring with them to detox including backpacks or small duffel bags with items such as clothing, supplies (including Narcan) and personal hygiene products, transportation to treatment or clinical care services, assistance with vital documents to aid r
  5. 5 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of 5,000 to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The MCC Universal Participation (UP) Initiative activates the aspirations of the Americans with Disabilities Act to break down the barriers that prevent full civic participation in Massachusetts’ cultural sector.
  6. 6 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,000 to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The MCC Cultural District Grant provides financial support to state-designated Cultural Districts throughout the Commonwealth.
  7. 7 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $33,500 to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) Other Ordinary Maintenance account. Funds will be used to support the Arts Council’s Artist Grant Program which provides financial grant opportunities and partnership from Cambridge Arts.
  8. 8 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-11, regarding the condition of the existing brick sidewalk pavement at Carl Barron Plaza.
  9. 9 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Parking Study Executive Summary.
  10. 10 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Central Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years; Melissa Greene and Kevin Grinberg.
  11. 11 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order Number 24-09, regarding a report back with any necessary edits to zoning language that would allow unrelated people to live together in the City of Cambridge.
  12. 12 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number #24-03, regarding a response on potential public renewable energy projects that could receive funding
  13. 13 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-10, regarding the data analysis included in the Economic Feasibility Analysis provided to EOHLC as part of Cambridge’s MBTA Communities final compliance submission.
  14. 14 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $8,615.00 for the Center for Families program received from the Cambridge Public Health Commission, Agenda for Children to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The Center for Families will use this grant to provide Family programming and curriculum development, refreshments for parent and child events and activity bag giveaways.
  15. 15 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $197,859.96 to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($187,059.96) and to the Grant Fund Human Services Salary and Wages account ($10,800.00). The Department of Early Education and Care has awarded the Kennedy-Longfellow, the Haggerty, and the Windsor Preschools EEC Childcare Stabilization Grants. Funds are to be used for ‘investments to improve quality, such as supplies, curriculum, screening tools etc.’ as well as for ‘goods and services necessary to operate, such as materia
  16. 1 1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department and Community Development Department to study whether the City Council could add maximum lot area per dwelling unit, maximum setback requirements, and minimum floor area ratios in some districts or as part of an overlay in the Zoning Ordinance and whether the City Council could require a special permit for a down conversion in developments that would result in a net loss of housing units. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR PICKETT IN COUNCIL MARCH 18, 2024
  17. 2 1. Policy Order to Edit City Council Rule 21A, 21B and add 21C Requiring Two City Councilors to Sponsor Policy Orders and Resolutions to be Filed and Placed on Council Agenda. TABLED IN COUNCIL MARCH 18, 2024
  18. 3 1. ORDD-2023-8B : Ordinance 2023 #8B Amend Chapter 14.04 – Fair Housing
  19. 1 A Zoning Petition Has been received from Khalida Griffin-Sheperd et al. regarding Affordable Housing Trust Zoning.
  20. 2 An application was received from the Community Development Department requesting permission for a temporary banner across the public way located at Massachusetts Avenue in front of City Hall announcing Cambridge Community Electricity Program - 100% renewable energy from April 2, 2024 through April 15, 2024.
  21. 3 A Zoning Petition has been received from the City Council regarding Family Definition.
  22. 1 A communication was received from Aaron Shakow regarding P.O. # 7 must ensure that zoning changes do not preserve the exclusion of lower-income residents.
  23. 2 A communication was received from Antonina Colbert regarding Support for separate bike lanes.
  24. 3 A communication was received from Carolyn Shipley regarding Traffic Calming Request - Once Again.
  25. 4 A communication was received from Cindy Carpenter regarding complete the separated bike lane network now!
  26. 5 A communication was received from Cindy Zhang regarding Friends of the Charles River White Geese.
  27. 6 A communication was received from Dan Totten regarding objection to gutting of public comment and zoning must be equitable.
  28. 7 A communication was received from Erin Cram regarding Please finish the bike lanes.
  29. 8 A communication was received from Ethan Frank regarding Net Zero Transportation plan and parking permits.
  30. 9 A communication was received from John Hawkinson regarding deferring action on the Council Rules amendments.
  31. 10 A communication was received from Max regarding Please protect Public Comment Listen to CHCJ's recommendations about Policy Order #7.
  32. 11 A communication was received from Megan Bonney regarding Completing separated bike network.
  33. 12 A communication was received from Patrick W. Barrett III regarding Policy Orders 35 37 and 40 (kind of for kind of against ... best of luck).
  34. 13 A communication was received from Quinton Zondervan regarding Action Alert: Policy Order on Monday's Council Agenda proposes zoning changes - assure that changes meet the needs of no-, low-, and moderate-income households.
  35. 14 A communication was received from Nancy Gold regarding Public Comment on proposed rule changes.
  36. 15 A communication was received from Cathy Hoffman regarding Policy Order #7 and #5.
  37. 16 A communication was received from Faria Afreen regarding Vote YES for Policy Order #7.
  38. 17 A communication was received from Clyve Lawrence regarding Support for Policy Order #34 fare-free 1 Bus.
  39. 18 A communication was received from Stephanie Guirand regarding March 18 2024 City Council Meeting Public Comment Remarks.
  40. 19 A communication was received from Robert Bledsoe regarding City Council Rules Change.
  41. 20 A communication was received from Sheli Wortis regarding support for tonight's policy orders.
  42. 21 A communication was received from Young Kim regarding Committee Report #3 related communications.
  43. 22 A communication was received from Stephen Cellucci regarding Public comment changes and upzoning.
  44. 23 A communication was received from Lee Farris Residents Alliance on PO #7 and support for PO 4, 5, 9 and 10.
  45. 24 A communication was received from Andrew Strassman regarding support of separated bike lanes.
  46. 25 A communication was received from Conor & family regarding Bike lane supporter!!
  47. 26 A communication was received from Giacomo Lanzani regarding Protected bike lines.
  48. 27 A communication was received from Young Kim regarding 3/18 City Council Action on Economic Impact Report cries out for Council Reform.
  49. 1 Congratulations to Michael Morrissey on his retirement from the Cambridge Fire Department.
  50. 2 Condolences on the death of Joel E. Murray.
  51. 3 Condolences on the death of Jennie C. Carvello.
  52. 4 Condolences on the death of Alfredo Cutone.
  53. 5 Condolences on the death of Clara Petrosino.
  54. 6 Condolences on the death of Daniel Hargrove.
  55. 7 Condolences to the family of Georgianna Sylvia Varona.
  56. 8 Condolences on the Death of John T. Rocca
  57. 9 Congratulations to Alanna Mallon
  58. 1 City Council Rule Changes.
  59. 2 That the City Council confirm the reappointment of Elaine DeRosa to the Cambridge Housing Authority for a term of five years.
  60. 3 That the City Council confirm the reappointment of Victoria Bergland to the Cambridge Housing Authority for a term of five years.
  61. 4 That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department, the Community Development Department, and the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to determine whether the City could provide incentives for residents who do not have cars.
  62. 5 Support of the Regional Heat Pump Accelerator Program.
  63. 3 An Ordinance has been received relative to amending Section 3.34.070 Authorized Revolving Funds.
  64. 1 A communication was received from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
  65. 1 Awaiting Report Status Update
  66. 2 1. Report back after conferring with relevant City departments on potential public renewable energy projects that could receive funding through the IRA Direct Pay provision.