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February 14, 2007 GAC Update
The Council met Monday and issues discussed included the authorizing the City Manager to refinance several general obligation bonds, solicitations by organizations representing public safety personnel, reappointment of the City Clerk and City Auditor, a committee report on Massachusetts Avenue retail, and a Supreme Judicial Court ruling regarding development at North Point. No Council meeting next week in observance of the Presidents’ Day Holiday.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2007 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.
Congressman Capuano Guest at February 20, 2007 GAC
The Chamber has rescheduled the meeting planned for last November with Congressman Michael Capuano. Those who were planning to attend this event in November have been contacted and given the opportunity to register for this event which was full in November. If you were on the list in November and contacted the Chamber that you will attend you need to do nothing. You will receive a confirmation e-mail by 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 16.
Several individuals have informed the Chamber that they cannot attend so there are a few spaces available for this meeting and luncheon. The meeting and luncheon is scheduled for:
Tuesday February 20
11:30 – 1:30
(Speaking event begins at noon)
Best Western Hotel Tria, 200 Alewife Brook Parkway
Thank you to the Hotel Tria for hosting this
If you would like to attend a limited number of spaces are available on a first come basis. This event is limited to Chamber members and there is no charge. Due to limits on room capacity, there are no walk-ins for this meeting.
RSVP to tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phone (617) 876-4213 by noon, Friday, February 16.
City Manager Robert Healy Guest for March GAC
Cambridge City Manager Robert Healy will be our guest at the March 27 GAC luncheon and meeting, which will be held at noon at the Chamber Board Room. GAC members mentioned last fall that they would to hear from the City Manager annually so this is your opportunity.
Please e-mail tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phone (617) 876-4213 if you plan to attend.
February 12, 2007 City Council Meeting
On Monday, the City Manager reported that the City may be able to save as much as $2 million by refinancing several general obligation bonds next year and reported that the City cannot limit fundraising activities by organizations representing public safety personnel but that no one should feel obligated to donate to these organizations.
The Council also reappointment the City Clerk and City Auditor, received a report from the Council’s University Relations Committee on a hearing to discuss the creation of a partnership with Cambridge universities, colleges and institutions, businesses and neighbors to develop a plan to enable Massachusetts Avenue to reach its full potential and learned of a Supreme Judicial Court ruling regarding development at North Point.
Authorization to Refinance Bonds
The City Manager received authorization by the Council to refinance portions of bonds issued in 1998 that will be eligible for refinancing in 2008. The Manager reported that the City will save as much as $2 million by this action if current interest rates are available next year. Under the terms of the bonds they cannot be refinanced until next year. A copy of the report is available at City Manager Agenda Item 4.
Fundraising fore Public Safety
The Manager responded to a Council request regarding the ability to ban fundraising by organizations under the “guise” of law enforcement and banning direct fundraising by public safety officials. This is a perennial issue resulting from fundraising calls from individuals who represent themselves as being from a public safety agency raising funds for injured personnel, families, etc. When these calls are made Councillors are often contacted by residents and business people concerned that not making a donation will impact public safety services they receive. The Council order asked if the City could ban these activities.
The City Solicitor reported that the City cannot ban such practices. The report did note that public resources are not and cannot be used for these activities and that the public should not be concerned that they will receive less service if they do not contribute when called by these fund raisers. In discussions councilors also noted that public safety personnel and their families receive significant assistance when hurt in the line of duty. A copy of the report is available at City Manager Agenda Item 6.
City Clerk and Auditor Reappointed
The Council voted to approve new terms for both City Clerk D. Margaret Drury and City Auditor James Monagle. Under the City Charter the Council appoints these two positions and the City Manager.
Partnership for Mass Avenue
The Council’s University relations Committee met on January 18 to discuss a partnership to improve Massachusetts Avenue. The focus of the hearing was the role the three universities that own property on this corridor, MIT, Harvard, and Lelsey, can have in improvements. Representatives of the institutions discussed activities they have been involved in to improve this corridor and plans for the corridor. A copy of the report is available at Committee Report 1.
SJC Decision on North Point
Councillor Toomey reported that the State’s Supreme Judicial Court ruled on Monday afternoon that the State Department of Environmental Protection had exempted developers of the North Point site from certain waterway protection regulations. A copy of the Cambridge Chronicle report on this decision is available at SJC slows 48-acre East Cambridge project. The Council passed a later order asking the City Manager to report on the full ramifications of this decision and asked for a meeting with the Cambridge delegation to the state legislature on this matter. The order is available at Council Policy Order 17.
