City Council - Regular Meeting

Agenda — 90 items

1. 1 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $250,000, 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 FY24.
2. 2 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,000.00, to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account. These funds were awarded to the Summer Food Program by Project Bread and will be used to enhance promotion, outreach, and support activities, and to pay for program related supplies.
3. 3 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $325.00, received from a preschool family fundraiser to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The funds will be used to purchase enrichment supplies for the classroom.
4. 4 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,000.00, to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account. Funds are to be used to support the Cambridge Food Pantry Network. The funds are being used, along with the $156,000.00 allocated by the city, to contract with the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC) to purchase nutritional foods that are distributed to eligible Cambridge residents through the Food Pantry Network.
5. 5 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Adam Westbrook and Diego Macias as members and Daniel Anderson and Joy Jackson as associate members of the Planning Board for a term of five-years.
6. 6 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Planning Board Report regarding the Ronayne, et al., Zoning Petition.
7. 7 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $240,000, from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Law Department Extraordinary Expenditures account to cover unanticipated costs for expert appraisal services related to current litigation involving energy and utility valuations.
8. 8 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a request - if necessary - to move to Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation known as Dalkia Energy Services v. Cambridge, Kendall Green Energy Holdings LLC v. Cambridge, and Southern Energy Kendall v. Cambridge, (Appellate Tax Board Dockets F325664, F325663, F325665, F328941, and all related Appellate Tax Board Docket Numbers for these cases), which are appeals before the Appellate Tax Board.
9. 1 That the City Council renew its observance of Loving Day on June 12, 2024, and encourages all Cambridge residents to embrace the diversity of families and recognize the importance of this day.
10. 2 That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and other appropriate City personnel to implement more robust ticketing and parking enforcement measures near the intersection of Norman Street and Belmont Street.
11. 3 That the City Manager is requested to clarify why the Wage Theft Enforcement Committee has not yet been appointed and to swiftly appoint the committee as called for in the Wage Theft Ordinance.
12. 4 That the City Manager is requested to explore the feasibility of delaying the Mass Avenue reconstruction project to minimize its impact upon the busy season for restaurants and other affected businesses, and, should this not be found feasible, a method of providing financial assistance to the impacted businesses to cover the costs of removing their outdoor dining structures, designed to mitigate some of the financial impacts upon them, should be established. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY MAYOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL JUNE 3, 2024 TABLED AS AMENDED IN COUNCIL JUNE 10, 2024
13. 5 That the City Manager is requested to provide a list of current zoning initiatives along with CDD’s recommendations for a timeline for completing each of the zoning initiatives in order for the Council to confirm zoning priorities.
14. 6 That the City Manager is requested to work with CDD to provide a written outreach plan for engaging the community related to the processes underway in Central Square.
15. 7 That the City Manager is hereby requested to provide the draft Request for Information for the 84 & 96 Bishop Allen Drive to the City Council for review and comment.
16. 8 City Council support of H.1713/S.947, An Act to Ensure Legal Parentage Equality, to ensure all parents and children are afforded the same protections under the law.
17. 9 That the City Manager is requested to provide to the City Council a detailed justification for the increased fees for Youth Centers for the 2024-2025 school year.
18. 1 1. City Council support of the Act Establishing Protections and Accountability for TNC and DNC Workers (S.627/H1158), which would allow TNCs to sustain worker benefits and protections that maintain a level playing field across transportation industries. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR TONER IN COUNCIL MAY 20, 2024.
19. 2 1. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the appropriation and authorization to borrow $11,500,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks. PASSED TO A SECOND READING AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN COUNCIL APRIL 29, 2024
20. 1 An application was received from Edward Batten representing Eastern Bank, requesting permission for two (2) projecting signs and one (1) awning at the premises numbered 415 Main Street. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and proof of mailing from abutter's has been provided.
21. 2 An application was received from Gina Fobelle, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 17 Miller Avenue; 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.
22. 1 A communication was received from Abra Berkowitz, regarding Chicago and NYC's waning diversity and increased property values post-up-zoning.
23. 2 A communication was received from Amy Clarkson, regarding New Zoning Petition_5-6 story buildings in Cambridge .
24. 3 A communication was received from Anand Sundaram, regarding I strong object to moving forward with your current plan at the PLANNING BOARD Meeting on citywide up-zoning (2).
25. 4 A communication was received from Andy Nash, regarding Ordinance committee.
26. 5 A communication was received from Anne Hawley, regarding letter regard.
27. 6 A communication was received from Anne Sundaram, regarding I strong object to moving forward with your current plan at the PLANNING BOARD Meeting on citywide up-zoning.
28. 7 A communication was received from Aram Harrow, regarding zoning.
29. 8 A communication was received from Ariana Olson, regarding Support POR 2024 #62.
30. 9 A communication was received from Barbara Anthony, regarding Upzoning across the Nation and Canada .
31. 10 A communication was received from Brad Bellows, regarding Focus unzoning on major corridors.
32. 11 A communication was received from Catherine Hoffman, regarding Affordable Housing Trust.
33. 12 A communication was received from Catherine Hoffman, regarding multi-family concerns .
34. 13 A communication was received from Catherine Zusy, regarding No to allowing 6-story buildings citywide!.
35. 14 A communication was received from Chris Potter, regarding Statement for gradual zoning changes but against abrupt ones.
36. 15 A communication was received from Christina King, regarding Yes to Zoning Reform.
37. 16 A communication was received from cyalee, regarding Vote YES on Policy Orders #49 and #50 Without Amendment and Support Policy Order #51.
38. 17 A communication was received from Deborah Zucker, regarding Please STOP the proposal to up-zone all of the residential areas of Cambridge!.
39. 18 A communication was received from Elizabeth and John Gilmore, regarding Proposed City-wide Zoning Change.
40. 19 A communication was received from Esther Hanig, regarding Opposition to the zoning petition regarding the Affordable Housing Trust.
41. 20 A communication was received from Ethan Frank, regarding Adjusted Parking Fees - AR 24-15.
42. 21 A communication was received from Ethan Frederick, regarding Public Comment on Exclusionary Zoning.
43. 22 A communication was received from Francesca Gordini, regarding No to the up-zoning.
44. 23 A communication was received from Jana Odette, regarding (largely) unedited interview with Charles Sullivan_ Cambridge Historical Commission.
45. 24 A communication was received from Janet Littell, regarding another citizen housing preference for Cambridge.
46. 25 A communication was received from Jennifer Goulart, regarding Action on bike paths needed now.
47. 26 A communication was received from Jennifer Miles, regarding Upcoming Council Meeting - Removal of Housing Height Restrictions & BZA.
48. 27 A communication was received from Joey Proton, regarding City of Cambridge Emergency Vehicles_ Ambulance_ Fire and Police Emergency blocked by new bike lanes Causing Life Threatening and Legal Issues.
49. 28 A communication was received from John Trever, regarding New Zoning Petition.
50. 29 A communication was received from Judi and Carlos Neu, regarding ZONING (1).
51. 30 A communication was received from Kaleb Abebe, regarding PO 2024 #66- Support for a Pochfest like event in Cambridge.
52. 31 A communication was received from Mark Steffen, regarding Do not raise residential parking fees.
53. 32 A communication was received from Mary Tittmann, regarding End Exclusionary Zoning.
54. 33 A communication was received from Michael Chunko, regarding In support of Council member Azeem's proposed change to the zoning code.
55. 34 A communication was received from Milan Singh, regarding Public comment in support of Councillor Azeem's proposal to legalize six-story buildings.
56. 35 A communication was received from Patricia Armstrong, regarding Longtime cambridge residents oppose massive upzoning.
57. 36 A communication was received from Rachel Plummer, regarding Support for Ending Exclusionary Zoning.
58. 37 A communication was received from Amy Waltz, regarding Ronayne_ & CDD Zoning_ Prioritize additional living units in Existing Buildings_ Avoid Major climate & environmental impacts!.
59. 38 A communication was received from Sharon Bushnell, regarding Dangerous Fayerweather Street Brattle turns.
60. 39 A communication was received from Shefali Oza, regarding In favor of zoning changes.
61. 40 A communication was received from Stephen Fitzsimmons and Orawan Saejao Fitzsimmons, regarding Please support the Cambridge Housing Committee Proposal.
62. 41 A communication was received from Tamar Zimmerman, regarding Concern for Thoughtful Development in our City.
63. 42 A communication was received from Vickey Bestor, regarding Housing Policy.
64. 43 A communication was received from Weldon Pries, regarding New Zoning Petition--please support the following points.
65. 44 A communication was received from Yash Deshpande, regarding Support for the multi-family zoning effort.
66. 45 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Options for use of the BB&N Field_.
67. 46 A communication was received from Dan Totten, regarding Bishop Allen lots redevelopment.
68. 47 A communication was received from Margaret Ann Brady, regarding Keep the value of public land PUBLIC!.
69. 48 A communication was received from Marilee Meyer, regarding Historical Commission Preservation Awards tonight EC court house 6-8.
70. 49 A communication was received from Nella LaRosa-Waters, regarding Central Square Zoning.
71. 1 Congratulations to Claire Edouard on her retirement from the Cambridge Housing Authority.
72. 2 Condolences on the death of Richard P. Farina Sr.
73. 3 Condolences on the death of Reverend Ronald A. Gomes.
74. 4 Condolences on the death of Reverend Dr. Florence Nottage-King.
75. 5 Condolences on the death of Francis Dunn.
76. 6 Congratulations to Catherine Scrive on her retirement from the Cambridge Housing Authority.
77. 7 Congratulations to Dr. James Barrett on receiving the Gold Standard School Safety Award from the Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth.
78. 8 Congratulations to Marita Barrett on her retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance.
79. 9 Congratulations to Police Officer David Gamble on his retirement.
80. 10 Condolences on the death of David Albert.
81. 11 Condolences on the death of Michael Lenkauskas.
82. 12 Resolution on the death of John W. Roberts.
83. 13 Recognizing Innovators For Purpose, and the exemplary service of Mr. and Mrs. Dawson to the youth of Cambridge.
84. 14 In recognition of Dr. Lisa Dobberteen, recipient of the 2024 Brian Murphy Award for Leadership and Public Service.
85. 15 Congratulations to Charles M. Sullivan on receiving the Paul & Niki Tsongas Award for 2024 by Preservation Massachusetts.
86. 16 Condolences on the death of Frederick W. "Fred" Donahue.
87. 17 That the City Council formally go on record in congratulating Joseph Nardella on his
88. 2 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the FY 2025 submitted budget and appropriation orders.
89. 1 A communication was received from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
90. 1 Awaiting Report Status Update