May 9th City Council Meeting

Parking Meter Blues
Three issues were raised about the City’s parking policies, specifically related to the placement of parking meters and the enforcements of parking regulations.

Parking meters have recently been installed in front of the former Longfellow School building on Broadway replacing a no parking zone that was needed for school bus service. The building is now being used for an alternative high school and as the temporary home of the main library during construction at the main library on Broadway. With the closing of the Longfellow School the school bus stop was no longer needed and the City has installed the meters to provide short-term parking for library patrons. Most of the discussion focused on the process and communication to residents.

The second meter issue was in response to concerns by residents and at least one business owner in East Cambridge regarding meters on Cambridge Street that were installed replacing a MBTA bus stop that was moved. City staff noted that the Cambridge Street project went through considerable community discussions and that the project added 17 parking spaces along Cambridge Street. Staff also noted that the placement of meters was a topic of community discussions. Councillors and some residents have suggested replacing meters with non-metered 20 minute parking restrictions.

The last issue was enforcement and concerns that at times parking enforcement has a negative affect on the community. The specific issue addressed was the unfortunate ticketing of mourners at a funeral, which City staff called "an aberration." Others issues brought up included when the City gives consideration for funerals and other events and the need for business people and residents to make quick trips into businesses to pick-up and deliver items.

City staff noted that consideration, essentially waiving resident parking and some other parking regulations, is typically given for wakes and funerals and can be granted to residents who make requests for other types of events. Go to http://www.cambridgema.gov/traffic/Consideration.cfm for information on when and how the City grants Consideration.

City staff responded to concerns that they will look at the issues raised by Councillors and community members and work to address community concerns.

Capital Projects
The City Manager forwarded orders requesting authorization to borrow funds for three major capital projects, renovation of several City buildings including City Hall, continued sewer separation work, and to purchase a parcel for the long-discussed West Cambridge Youth Center.

The City will borrow $2 million to renovate City Hall, the Coffon Building (51 Inman Street), the Senior Center, and the Frisoli Youth Center. Work will include improvements to the HVAC systems and other necessary repairs. The boiler in City Hall will be replaced, with some improvements to the distribution system, and the floors in City Hall will also be replaced.

Sewer separation work, which has been an ongoing project, will require $10,365,840 for continuation of work in the Fresh Pond/Alewife, Harvard Square, Cherry Street/South Massachusetts Avenue, and Cambridgeport areas of the City. Work is necessary to separate sewer and storm systems and for some flood control.

The City has been discussing the siting and construction of a permanent Youth Center in West Cambridge since the early 1990s. The City will purchase the West Cambridge VFW site on Huron Avenue from the VFW and renovate the building for use as a VFW and youth and community center.  he VFW will be a tenant in the building occupying the first floor while the youth and community center will occupy the second floor. City staff described this as a unique partnership that meets both the needs of the community and the VFW.

Planning Board Recommendations on Amending Section 6.12 of Zoning Code
In response to concerns from residents in several neighborhoods, with a particular focus on the area around the Church of the Blessed Sacrament Church on Pearl Street, the City Council filed a petition asking the Planning Board to amend the zoning code as it relates to parking in areas where a different but allowable use is proposed for a site. The City’s focus on increasing opportunities for residential development has often reduced parking requirements in order to create incentives for residential development.  A copy of the Planning Board recommendations is available at http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityclerk/cmLetter.cfm?item_id=4280

MAACE State House Day

Kelly Thompson Clark, Cambridge Chamber President and CEO, and Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs, attended the Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) State House day on Wednesday. The major topic of conversation was economic development and improving the economic competitiveness of the State. During the day we had discussions with representatives of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, and the Massachusetts House of Representatives Job Growth Listening Committee.

During the day Kelly and Terry had the opportunity to highlight positive efforts in Cambridge, such as coordinating permitting requirements with the assistance of the City Manager. They also discussed the interest the Cambridge business community has in working cooperatively with other parts of Massachusetts to insure that facilities, such as manufacturing, that may be cost prohibitive to site in Cambridge are sited in other parts of Massachusetts.

State House News

Stem Cell Research
This week the Governor submitted four amendments to the stem cell research bill passed by the House and the Senate. The legislature has the option to pass a new bill with the governor’s amendments or reject the amendments and send the bill back for his signature or veto.

Get Well Senate President
As has been reported in the media Senate President Robert Travaglini was in the hospital this week for surgery. He is expected to be up and around soon. We sent a get well card to him on behalf of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.

For a listing of public meetings, visit the Public Meetings link or the Public Meeting Notices area of the City of Cambridge Web site.