Council Meeting April 29th, 2024

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Meeting Link

Day two Link

City Manager’s Agenda

#1 (CMA 2024 #73) The FY2025 Budget

This is the initial proposal for the fiscal year 2025 budget. The 2025 fiscal year starts in July. The total proposed budget is $939,336,875.

#16 (CMA 2024 #88) Report on meeting with MBTA and City of Boston in advance of the July Red Line shutdown

The CDD met with the MBTA regarding a fare-free 1 bus. The MBTA doesn’t have the funds for this, so it would need to be funded by Cambridge and Boston. Cambridge’s contribution would need to be at least $1.0 to $1.3 million annually, which may be difficult to find in the FY 2015 budget. The MBTA will consider making free bus lines that significantly overlap with redline closures.

#17 (CMA 2024 #89) Updates regarding updating zoning to allow additional sharing of private parking

The CDD is working on drafting a zoning amendment that would make it easier to, “share off-site parking with nearby uses”. Part of the goal of this is to reduce the impact of on-street parking loss. These zoning changes will be more difficult for residential than for non-residential parking spaces. See page 157 of the full agenda for detailed graphs, charts, and maps explaining the current options.

Loan Authorizations

  • #2 (CMA 2024 #74) – $11,500,000 to fund the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks
  • # 3 (CMA 2024 #75) – $4,350,000 to fund the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan: significant building improvements and deferred maintenance projects.

Proposed projects include but are not limited to upgrades of Public Works facilities, municipal offices, youth centers, branch libraries and fire stations, renovations to 105 Windsor Street and upgrades of HVAC and electrical systems

  • #4 (CMA 2024 #76) – $3,000,000 to create open spaces at the Peabody School Playground, Corcoran (Raymond Street) Park, Rafferty Park, Wilder-Lee Park, and 359 Broadway
  • #5 (CMA 2o24 #77) – $2,560,000 to provide funds for financing school building upgrades
  • #6 (CMA 2024 #78) – $6,550,000 to provide funds for the water utility equipment and systems upgrades and water works construction projects
  • #7 (CMA 2024 #79) – $8,500,000 for the sewer repairs and climate change preparedness projects

Appropriations and Grants

  • #8 (CMA 2024 #80) – $192,000 to fund current and anticipated workers’ compensation settlement costs related to School Department personnel injured in the performance of their duties
  • #9 (CMA 2024 #81) – $25,000 to cover costs related to the Memorial Day and Decoration Day celebration
  • #10 (CMA 2024 #82) – $35,000 to cover the costs for upcoming community events
  • #11 (CMA 2024 #83) – $13,500 to support archives assistants of the Historical Commission
  • #12 (CMA 2024 #84) – $21,500 from the Mass. Department of Education to support student ambassador attendance of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) Conference
  • #14 (CMA 2024 #86) – $559,070 to cover the cost to equip and screen 17 new firefighters
  • #15 (CMA 2024 #87) – $249,900 to coordinate the design of an off-road, multi-use path connection between the Grand Junction Path in Cambridge and the Community Path Extension in Somerville

Other Communications

  • #13 (CMA 2024 #85) – Recommendation by City Engineer James Wilcox to name four new private ways: Jackson Place, Clifton Place, Clifton Circle and Graham Place

Policy Orders and Resolutions

#3 (POR 2024 #57) – Requesting that the Foundation for Civic Leadership reconsider their plans for the Democracy Center meetinghouse

The Foundation for Civic Leadership (FCL) runs a meeting house near Harvard Square called The Democracy Center that is used as a meetinghouse and, “hub for cultural and organizing groups from across greater Boston for many years.” The FCL is planning on closing the Democracy Center indefinitely due to a, “change in the organization.” This order requests that the FCL reconsider their plans due to the importance of the Democracy Center to the community.

Other Policy Orders

  • #1 (POR 2024 #55) – Going on record requesting…

that The Thomas P. ONeil/Fresh Pond Municipal Golf Course be formally named the “Paul Ryder Golf Club House” in dedication to Paul’s years of service and dedication to the City of Cambridge.

  • #2 (POR 2024 #56) – Requesting that the Dedication Committee to consider a dedication in a suitable location to honor Mafalda “Muffie” Gargano

Charter Right Policy Orders

#1 (POR 2024 #50) – Requesting amendments to the Cycling Safety Ordinance

To address address concerns raised by residents and business owners about the potential loss of parking due to bike line construction on Cambridge Street, Main Street, and Broadway, this PO requests that the city draft amendments to the Cycling Safety Ordinance. These amendments would move the required completion date from May 1, 2026 to November 1, 2027. Further, it asks that bike lanes not be installed on those streets until either July 1, 2025 or until the Parking Ordinance is amended as suggested by PO #1 (POR 2024 #49), whichever is sooner.

Other Charter Right Policy Orders

  • #2 (POR 2024 #52) – Support for H.2963, a state house bill aimed at getting fair compensation from universities and other organizations that are exempt from property taxes
  • #3 (POR 2024 #54) – Requesting that the Amendments to the Tenants’ Rights Ordinance from CMA 2024 #68 be forwarded to the Ordinance Committee

Late Policy Orders

  • (POR 2024 #58) Urging the City Manager, MIT, and Harvard to respect the rights of students to protest

Applications and Petitions

#1 (APP 2024 #15) – David Randa representing the Feast & Fettle – one wall sign and one double sided projecting sign – 1699 Massachusetts Avenue


All comments are from members of our comment team.

2 responses to “Council Meeting April 29th, 2024”

  1. Charles J. Franklin Avatar
    Charles J. Franklin

    Other than the biking showdown, there are some interesting things on Monday’s agenda, like the entire budget for FY 2025. There’s a report from the MBTA meeting about having the 1 Bus be free, and a PR urging the Foundation for Civic Leadership to not close the Democracy Center. They’ll also going to discuss H.2963, a state house bill to try and get a more fair share from the universities since they don’t pay taxes.

    There’s also an appropriation for the repurposing of the 105 Windsor building. It’s a large unused building in The Port neighborhood that belongs to the city. There have been a number of debates and discussions about how it should be used to benefit what are typically undeserved communities, the Newtowne Court and Washington Elms public housing developments in particular.

    It’s a real shame that a number of important agenda items are going to get over shadowed by the still important bikelane issue today.

  2. Charles J. Franklin Avatar
    Charles J. Franklin

    There were 301 people signed up to comment last night. I was literally the last one after over 5 hours of public comment. More than 200 people spoke against the PO to delay/extend the CSO deadline. Similarly, there were over 1000 emails opposing the PO. Fewer than 10 people spoke in favor of it during public comment, however there were over 600 emails in support. The PO did pass 5-4 with Nolan, Simmons, Wilson, Toner, and Pickett voting in the affirmative.

    There were also 6 commenters on the Democracy Center PO, including a representative from the Foundation for Civic Leadership which owns it.

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