May 14, 2008 GAC Update
The Council met on Monday and passed a minor change to the zoning ordinance, approved authorization to borrow for several capitol expenditures, and passed policy orders regarding vehicle idling, inspections of multifamily buildings and repairs to sidewalks in Central Square. The Council meets next Monday in a regular session.
Remember to register for the next Wednesday’s GAC meeting and luncheon. Our guest is James Scafide from the Office of Attorney General Martha Coakley. Note the change in day to Wednesday. If you plan to attend please RSVP to Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or by phone at 617-876-4213.
CB Richard Ellis provides an Cambridge Real Estate Market Overview tomorrow morning, Thursday May 15, at 7:30 a.m. at the Cambridge Marriott. The program is free but you must register in advance. Additional information on the program is available by clicking on the above link or on the Chamber website at http://www.cambridgechamber.org/chamber/programs.html.
The City’s annual GoGreen Business Awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday May 22 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Annex. Full information provided below.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2008 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.
May GAC Meeting and Luncheon
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
James Scafide, Chief of the Business Technology and Economic Development Division of the Office of Massachusetts Attorney General, will be our guest at the May GAC meeting and luncheon. He will discuss Attorney General Martha Coakley’s initiatives around job creation and economic development and is interested in learning what issues are of importance to the Cambridge business community.
Noon, Chamber Board Room
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or by phone at 617-876-4213.
(Note change of date for the guest and that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday)
June GAC Meeting and Luncheon
June 24, 2008
Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Haas will address the June GAC Meeting and Luncheon
Noon, Chamber Board Room
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Terrence Smith, Director of Government Affairs at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or by phone at 617-876-4213.
2008 Go Green Business Awards
The City of Cambridge invites members of the business community to the 2008 GoGreen Business Awards presentation on Thursday, May 22, at 344 Broadway, the City Hall Annex. The reception will begin at 5:30 PM, and the program will be from 6:15 to 7 PM. Barbara Batshalom, founder and executive director of the Green Roundtable, is the featured speaker. Awards will be presented to businesses and institutions that have taken significant action in the areas of energy conservation, transportation, and recycling. This is an opportunity to connect with others and to celebrate what is happening in Cambridge. RSVP to sanderberg@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4671.
May 12, 2008 City Council Meeting
The Council met on Monday and passed a minor change to the zoning ordinance regarding bicycle storage sheds, approved authorizations to borrow funds for sewer projects, improvements to a fire station and replacement of all City and public safety radio systems and passed policy orders regarding vehicle idling, inspections of multifamily buildings and repairs to sidewalks in Central Square.
Zoning Ordinance Amended to Exempt Bicycle Storage Sheds from Gross Floor Area
The Council met on Monday and received City Manager Agenda Item 1, a recommendation from the Planning Board to amend the zoning ordinance to exempt bicycle storage from gross floor area. This provides bicycle storage the same treatment as garages. The Council passed the underlying amendment which was on the calendar, Calendar Item 7. The Ordinance Committee discussion of this amendment is available at Committee Report 1 from the April 14 City Council meeting.
Council Authorizes Borrowing for Capitol Expenditures
The Council approved authorizations to borrow funds for sewer projects, improvements to a fire station and replacement of all City and public safety radio systems during the fiscal year beginning on July 1. The orders had been passed to a second reading at the April 28 City Council meeting. City Manager Agenda Item 23 from the April 28 requests authorization of $8,630,000 to continue sewer projects in the Cherry Street/Massachusetts Avenue, Agassiz and Fresh Pond Areas of the City. City Manager Agenda Item 24 requests $1,000,000 for extensive improvements to the Lafayette Square Fire Station and ire Headquarters. City Manager Agenda Item 25 requests $6,700,000 to replace all City and public safety radio systems.
Policy Orders
The Council passed policy orders regarding vehicle idling, inspections of multifamily buildings and repairs to sidewalks in Central Square.
Policy Order 2 asks the City Manager to review the policy on idling of vehicles and transmit information to the Council, including the number of tickets issued for idling, to the Council. The Order asks for specific information regarding idling of taxis, school buses, fleets of delivery trucks such as FedEx and DHL, city and state vehicles.
Policy Order 3 asks for information on the City’s program to inspect multifamily buildings. The Order requests information on the purpose of inspections, fees involved and how information is transmitted to the public.
Policy Order 4 states that many defects exist in Central Square sidewalks and asks for a timetable for temporary and permanent repairs.
The Council held a roundtable meeting on Cambridge demographics on Monday and held the second day of Budget hearings on Wednesday. The Council meets next Monday in a regular session.
For a listing of public meetings, visit the Public Meetings link or the Public Meeting Notices area of the City of Cambridge Web site.
