CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

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CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 4, 2021 5:30 PM

SULLIVAN CHAMBER

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FINAL ACTIONS

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MEETING Monday, January 4, 2021

TIME 5:30 PM

PRESIDING OFFICER

CALL TO ORDER

Attendee Name Present Absent Late Arrived

Dennis J. Carlone   

Patricia Nolan   

Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler    ^{5:40 PM}

Alanna Mallon   

Marc C. McGovern   

Sumbul Siddiqui   

E. Denise Simmons    ^{6:00 PM}

Timothy J. Toomey   

Quinton Zondervan   

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I. CITY MANAGER'S AGENDA

1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19.

CMA 2021 #1

RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan

ABSENT: Councillor Simmons

2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the biennial City of Cambridge Resident Telephone Survey for 2020.

CMA 2021 #2

YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan

3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Zoning Petition which amends Article 8.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.

CMA 2021 #3

RESULT: REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT

4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-74, regarding keeping Riverbend Park opened beyond December 27, 2020.

CMA 2021 #4

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II. CALENDAR

CHARTER RIGHT

1. Policy Order re Covid-19 Vaccines.

POR 2020 #293

Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon

RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [8-1-0]

YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey

NAYS: Councillor Zondervan

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-108, regarding a report on offering early voting in City Council and School Committee Elections.

PENDING RESPONSE FROM LEGISLATURE CMA 2018 #286

RESULT: NO ACTION TAKEN Next: 1/11/2021 5:30 PM

3. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the City of Cambridge Law

Department to review the above changes to the language of the Domestic Partnerships Ordinance and report back to the Council.

PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020.

TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 POR 2020 #180

Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan

4. That Chapter 2.78, Article III, Section 2.78.150 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, entitled

“Definitions for Article III” be amended.

PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 21, 2020 POR 2020 #297

Councillor Carlone

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III. COMMUNICATIONS

1. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding traffic count at Mass Ave. and Walden Street intersection area.

COM 1 #2021

2. A communication was received from Alisa Khan, regarding urging you to vote tonight in favor of in person schooling and revised reopening metrics.

COM 2 #2021

3. A communication was received from Lee Farris, regarding Cambridge Residents Alliance Concerns with Cabots's Alewife NW Quadrangle up zoning petition.

COM 3 #2021

4. A communication was received from Robert J. La Tremouille, regarding Mishandling of out communications "More Proof of Non-Existent" Tree Destruction on the Charles River with the Constant Cambridge City Council Support.

COM 4 #2021

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5. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Cambridge Goal of Reducing Car Ownership by 2020.

COM 5 #2021

6. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding 40B project. Process for 2072 Mass Ave. Comprehensive Permit case.

COM 6 #2021

7. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding letter to the Mayor 40B Pel process.

COM 7 #2021

8. A communication was received from Robert J. La Trémouille, regarding more proof of "non-existent"

tree destruction on the Charles Ricer by DCR.

COM 8 #2021

9. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding 2072 Mass. Ave. Comprehensive Permit Application.

COM 9 #2021

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10. A communication was received from Chloe Schweinshaut, regarding support for Policy Order 2021

#4.

COM 10 #2021

11. A communication was received from Maia McAleavey, regarding expanding in person schools for CPS.

COM 11 #2021

12. A communication was received from Edward Loveall, regarding Policy Order #3 joining Next Century Cities.

COM 12 #2021

13. A communication was received from Saul Tannenbaum, regarding joining Next Century Cities.

COM 13 #2021

14. A communication was received from Rebecca S. Lester, regarding Path to Zero Framework.

COM 14 #2021

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IV. RESOLUTIONS

1. Congratulations to Erina Columbo

Councillor Simmons and entire membership.

RES 2021 #1

RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]

2. Resolution on the death of Charles M. Burke.

Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern and entire membership.

RES 2021 #2

3. Resolution on the Death of James Ravanis.

Councillor Toomey and entire membership.

RES 2021 #3

RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [9-0-0]

4. Resolution on the Death of Wilma Hughes Councillor Simmons and entire membership.

RES 2021 #4

5. Resolution on the Death of William Leeds RES 2021 #5

Councillor Simmons

RESULT: CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS

Next: 1/11/2021 5:30 PM

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6. Resolution on the death of Anna M. (Sico) Fennell.

Councillor Toomey and entire membership.

RES 2021 #6

7. Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan and entire membership.

RES 2021 #7

8. Resolution on the Death of Johnny Robinson Councillor Simmons and entire membership.

RES 2021 #8

9. Resolution on the Death of Irvienne Goldson Councillor Simmons and entire membership.

RES 2021 #9

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10. Resolution on the death of Takako Salvi

Councillor Simmons and entire membership.

RES 2021 #10

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V. POLICY ORDER AND RESOLUTION LIST

1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Law Department to draft Home Rule Petition language for a Fire Cadet Program similar to the language used in the Police Department Home Rule Petition.

POR 2021 #1

Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons

2. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider the request from Councillor Toomey for a street corner dedication in the vicinity of the corner of Carlisle Street and Prospect Street in honor of the late Neil Tobin.

POR 2021 #2 Councillor Toomey

3. Joining Next Century Cities POR 2021 #3

Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan

4. School Metrics POR 2021 #4

Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons

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5. That the City Council go on record urging Governor Baker to sign S.2995 into law as soon as possible.

POR 2021 #6

Councillor Zondervan

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VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. The Economic Development & University Relations Committee met on November 19, 2020 to discuss challenges and opportunities that exist in City purchasing, procurement and programs for MWBEs and other historically disadvantaged businesses and non-profits in Cambridge.

RESULT: ACCEPTED [9-0-0]

A. That the City Manager, City Solicitor, and Purchasing Department confer to provide a report on the possible implementation of a sheltered market program here in Cambridge.

POR 2021 #5 Vice Mayor Mallon

2. The Public Safety Committee met on July 7, 2020 to conduct a public hearing regarding the Cambridge Police Department's Use of Force Policy and related matters.

RESULT: ACCEPTED [9-0-0]

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APPENDED INFORMATION

AWAITING REPORT LIST

16-101. Report on the potential of building below market rental housing on City-owned parking lots along Bishop Allen Drive. On a communication from Councillor McGovern requesting that this matter be forwarded to the 2018-2019 Legislative Session.

Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons (O-4) from 12/12/2016

18-38. Report on inventory of all City-owned vacant buildings and lots and the City's plans for them, if any.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui (O-2) from 3/26/2018

18-60. Report on a small business parking pilot that would allow temporary on-street employee parking during typical daytime operating hours.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 5/14/2018

18-73. Report on establishing and implementing a dynamic new initiative that will seek to place Port residents (ages 18 and over) on paths to jobs with family-sustaining wages.

Councillor Simmons (O-6) from 6/25/2018

18-119. Report on evaluating the existing capacity of fire stations in the Kendall Square area and whether a new fire station is needed, and if so, determining the feasibility of locating a plot of land for this use.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/5/2018

19-3. Report on establishing a Central Square Improvement Fund and allocate no less than 25% of funds generated to the arts.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern (O-6) from 1/7/2019

19-49. Report on recommending restrictions on signage specific to retail establishments that sell e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey (O-15) from 4/8/2019

19-58. Report on working with the Recycling Advisory Committee and other stakeholders to draft an ordinance banning single-use plastic items in Cambridge.

Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone (O-6) from 5/13/2019

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19-62. Report on drafting a formal Anti-bias /Cultural Competency Strategic Plan for eventual adoption and implementation.

19-66. Report on whether it is possible to reduce or eliminate Building Permit Fees for 100%

affordable housing development projects, through an exemption or other means and investigate what types of real estate tax abatements are possible for 100% affordable housing moving forward.

Vice Mayor Devereux, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-3) from 6/3/2019

19-75. Report on exploring the feasibility of partnering with a local research institution to conduct a study that determines how many ridehail vehicles are on the roads during both on and off-peak times and their impacts on congestion and safety.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-4) from 6/10/2019

19-100. Report on the feasibility of implementing an additional regulatory requirement for listing a registration/license number for Short-Term Rentals.

Councillor Kelley, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons (O-19) from 7/30/2019

19-130. Report on requesting to allocate more funds in the FY21 budget for the small business improvement grants and to confer with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office on whether other cities in Massachusetts have been facing similar issues with ADA compliance and what can be done to protect the small businesses.

Councillor Toomey (O-14) from 10/7/2019

19-142. Report on determining the feasibility of expediting the Demolition and Rebuilding permitting process in the event of a natural disaster.

Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 10/21/2019

19-144. Report on determining the feasibility of instituting and funding a Fire Cadet Program.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons (O-4) from 10/21/2019

19-145. Report on reviewing all the City’s policies and procedures related to the procurement, installation and disposal of artificial turf.

Vice Mayor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Zondervan (O-7) from 10/21/2019

19-146. Report on reviewing the existing internal mechanisms for City staffers in all departments to report grievances, to determine if this system is functioning as it should or whether changes should be considered.

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19-147. Report on installing hearing loop technology inside the Sullivan Chamber as part of the upcoming renovations to City Hall, and in other critical City meeting venues wherever possible and other accessibility improvements.

Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 10/28/2019

19-151. Report on the feasibility of making Porter Square and Massachusetts Avenue between Roseland Street and Beech Street a quick-build Complete Street with bus priority.

Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Devereux (O-10) from 10/28/2019

20-6. Report on the acquisition and implementation of interpretation services for City Council meetings and other public City meetings.

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern (O-8) from 1/27/2020

20-23. Report on implementing Simple Recycling' s curbside textile recycling program and report back to the Council on this matter in a timely manner.

Councillor Toomey (O-1) from 5/11/2020

20-27. Report on the advantages and disadvantages of continuing with Civil Service, and the process by which Cambridge could exit Civil Service.

Councillor Nolan (O-5) from 6/22/2020

20-30. Report on establishing a plan designed to provide a thorough, system-wide review of the entire municipal government to identify and remove any vestiges of systemic racism and/or racial bias in any and all City departments, to establish clear, transparent metrics that will help further this critical endeavor.

Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey (O-3) from 6/29/2020

20-31. Report on determining how to best protect and preserve our commercial spaces that support our small business operators and maintain continuity in our commercial districts.

Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui (O-5) from 6/29/2020

20-36. Report on generating a report detailing the Sole Assessment Process, the Civil Service HRD process, the reason for choosing the Sole Assessment Process over the Civil Service HRD process, and the projected costs associated with both processes.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 7/27/2020

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20-37. Report on considering formally renaming the Central Square Library in honor of Maria Baldwin and Rep. John Lewis, with the building being known as “The Maria Baldwin and Rep. John Lewis Library and Center for African American/Black History and Culture” going forward, or to otherwise find another suitable location for this dedication.

Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 7/27/2020

20-52. Report on determining what impact the Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping may have on the City of Cambridge and its community partners and what options the City may have to work around this order.

Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon (O-1) from 10/19/2020

20-53. Report on how Cambridge might participate in PACE Massachusetts pursuant to the PACE Act including exploring all options for incentivizing participation.

Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone (O-2) from 10/19/2020

20-56. Report on establishing a plan that will allow for greater outreach to women-and- minority-owned businesses, technical assistance to these businesses in applying for financial relief, and a clear plan to ensure that those small businesses that have not yet received financial assistance be granted every opportunity to access any future City funding should it be made available.

20-58. Report on creating a comprehensive digital, postal, and traditional media outreach campaign educating residents on the Cambridge eviction moratorium, tenants’ rights, and resources available to at-risk tenants.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui (O-3) from 11/2/2020

20-59. Report on the feasibility of posting all applications for building permits online as soon as available.

Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern (O-6) from 11/2/2020

20-60. Report on analyzing eviction data from 2018 through 2021 and come back with a plan on how to use this data to inform our next action steps.

Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho- Wheeler (O-8) from 11/2/2020

20-61. Report on an update on City-Owned Vacant Properties Inventory.

Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Toomey (O-2) from 11/16/2020

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20-63. Report on a review of the granting of an extension for the 605 Concord Avenue project which appears counter to the City’s zoning code and confer with the relevant departments on how many projects that had a permit prior to these changes could request an extension.

Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 11/16/2020

20-64. Report on drafting appropriate Home Rule language which would allow for acoustic live entertainment performances in small businesses under certain conditions without a license

Vice Mayor Mallon (O-9) from 11/16/2020

20-65. Report on exploring the feasibility of hiring a consultant to perform an Equity Audit on the Cambridge Arts Council.

(O-1) from 11/23/2020

20-66. Report on establishing a Black and Brown-Owned Business Taskforce, to be focused upon strengthening the City’s outreach efforts, information-sharing, assistance mechanisms, and overall relationship with local Black and Brown-owned businesses, and to establish a rolling set of recommendations designed to ensure the City spares no effort in assisting these businesses

(O-3) from 11/23/2020

20-68. Report on a request by the Council for the City Manager to confer with the Metro Mayor’s Association to close indoor dining, gyms, casinos and other non-essential indoor activities as soon as possible and organize a small business and restaurant relief program that will assist during this second shutdown and efforts to stop community spread of COVID-19 and keep schools open.

(Calendar Item #3) from 11/23/2020

20-69. Report on formulating an RFP for a public arts project that will acknowledge the unfinished work of the 19th Amendment, the importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and how the two pieces of legislation ultimately complemented one another in helping to shape a more perfect union.

Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (Calendar Item #2) from 11/30/2020

20-70. Report on implementing comprehensive contact tracing in Cambridge including the ability to conduct backwards contact tracing facilitated with technology such as the use of QR codes.

Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-5) from 11/30/2020

20-71. Report on the feasibility of launching mobile COVID-19 testing vans in December.

Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-6) from 11/30/2020

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20-72. Report on the condition of 105 Windsor Street and cost estimates of any repairs needed and provide recommendations on how to develop any other underused properties based on an inclusive public process centered in the Port neighborhood.

Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons (Calendar Item #1) from 12/14/2020

20-73. Financial Assistance for Vaccinations

20-74. Riverbend Park December extension

Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan (O-4) from 12/21/2020

RESULT: REPORT RECEIVED AND ACCEPTED

20-12. Report on the feasibility of instituting a program to install rings on parking meters to expand bicycle parking options.

Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui (O-4) from 2/10/2020

20-48. Report on the feasibility of creating an antibody testing program.

Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern (O-3) from 9/21/2020