City Council - Regular Meeting

Agenda — 25 items

1. 1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to on update on the City's Rodent Control Programs.
2. 2 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Zhonghe Li and Jean Dany Joachim and the re-appointment of David Daniel, Aliyah Gary, Lori Lander, Calvin Lindsay Jr., Ann Lawson, Stella Aguirre McGregor, Michael Monestime, Diane Charyk Norris, Katherine Megumi Shozawa and Christine Lamas Weinberg to the Cambridge Arts Advisory Board for a term of three years.
3. 3 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-24, regarding a porchfest pilot.
4. 4 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Affordable Homeownership Commitment.
5. 5 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,117,356.00 funded by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($163,078.01), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($954,277.99). The program assists with heating bills between November 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025.
6. 6 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the proposed Bluebike bike share system contract term.
7. 7 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-61, regarding lowering speeds on state highways.
8. 1 That the City Manager is requested to work with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and Harvard University to restore Garden Street to two-way automobile traffic while preserving two-way protected bike lanes, preserving as much parking on and/or near Garden Street as possible and identifying potential areas for resident parking on neighboring streets and communicating the changes to the affected neighborhood.
9. 2 That the City Manager is requested to forward a letter to all Cambridge organizations working with immigrant populations, as well as all City Departments, reminding them of the city’s Sanctuary/Trust Act City status, the protections provided by the 2020 Welcoming Community Ordinance, and the importance of ensuring non-citizens are treated with dignity and respect.
10. 3 Congratulations to SHARE CHA and its members on filing for union certification with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations; urging CHA management for a fair process, to recognize their bargaining unit without delay, and to begin good-faith negotiations expeditiously; and supporting the ratification of a just contract that considers the financial stability of the Cambridge Health Alliance and reflects the value of these clinicians and the patients they serve.
11. 1 1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and encourage the state Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the MBTA to adhere to Cambridge local ordinances, including the Cambridge Asbestos Protection Ordinance, during Alewife Construction.
12. 2 1. ORDD-2023-8B : Ordinance 2023 #8B Amend Chapter 14.04 – Fair Housing
13. 1 A communication was received from Caitlin Dube, regarding Since the change to making Garden Street one-way, I have noticed more traffic in our neighborhood.
14. 2 A communication was received from Jean G. Krulic, regarding Objection to current proposed citywide upzoning zoning plan.
15. 3 A communication was received from John Grady, regarding Zoning changes.
16. 4 A communication was received from Lee Farris, regarding Residents Alliance support for MBTA following Cambridge Asbestos and Tree Ordinances.
17. 1 Congratulations to CHA Board Commissioner Gerard J. Clark on his retirement.
18. 2 Resolution on the death of Judith "Jay" Wilson.
19. 3 Recognition of Cambridge Investment in Renewable Energy.
20. 4 Condolences on the death of Barclay Tittmann.
21. 5 Condolences on the death of Jerry Dean Murphy.
22. 1 A communication was received from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
23. 2 A communication was received from Councillor Siddiqui and Councillor Toner, transmitting an update on the Special Committee on Charter Review.
24. 1 Awaiting Report Update Status Report
25. 2 1. Report on work done with relevant City departments and the Cambridge Arts Council to consider whether Cambridge could facilitate a porchfest event.