June 20 City Council Meeting

Good Jobs at Good Wages
The City Council passed an order calling on Cambridge employers to support the following goals: a family wage; health care; the right to organize; and the right to dignity and respect. During public comment several speakers noted that resolutions like this one are important in labor-organizing efforts. A copy of the policy order resolution as passed is available at: http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityClerk/PolicyOrder.cfm?item_id=7358

Rats
Several orders dealt with rats in several areas of the City. The Council discussed a number of ways to address this problem including asking the City Solicitor to draft an ordinance requiring that trash be put out in solid, possibly rat proof containers, asking the City Manager to develop a purchasing or discount program for the purchase of such trash containers, and conferring with officials in Boston regarding steps taken there to address rat problems. The Council also asked the City Manager to address specific problems in Area 4.

City staff members have been meeting with residents from throughout the City regarding rats. The City continues to enforce regulations regarding proper storage and disposal of trash and residents are asked to keep trash covered, keep yards and grounds clear of rubbish, etc. Businesses should be vigilant about keeping dumpsters and other trash receptacles secured and covered and properties clean to help in addressing this issue. Copies of the related orders are available at: http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityClerk/PolicyOrderList.cfm

Skating
The Commonwealth recently received out bids for management of the Simoni Skating Rink on Gore Street in East Cambridge. The City, after reviewing the requirements included in the bid request, asked the state for changes in the requirements as part of the City’s bid, a request the state denied. Two private contractors did submit bids. Cambridge Youth Hockey and others in the community have expressed concern about how the rink will be operated in it is managed by a private entity.

Complicating matters is an issue whether the state has the right to convey management of the rink to anyone except the now defunct Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). The City owns the land and entered into an agreement with the allowing the MDC to build and operate the skating rink back in the early 19070s. The Council passed an order asking the City Manager to continue negotiations with the state and an order requesting the City Manager to get a legal opinion regarding whether the agreement between the City and the MDC for use of the land limits the state’s ability to transfer management of the facility to another party.

US Army Birthday Celebration
On June 14 the US Army celebrated its 230th birthday on the Cambridge Common. The US Army was founded on the Common in 1775. This Flag Day celebration has become a matter of controversy among some members of the community. The US Army sponsored this event with assistance from the City’s Office of Veterans Affairs. A resolution was passed asking the City Manager for information about the event including its planning. A copy of the resolution is available at:  http://www.cambridgema.gov/cityClerk/PolicyOrder.cfm?item_id=7362

Other Actions
As this was the last meeting until August 1, a number of other matters came before the Council including:
• A request to the City Manager to work with staff to moderate traffic speed on Pearl Street and increase traffic enforcement of the speed limit on Western Avenue.
• A request to the City Manager to designate staff to arrange a community meeting on the proposed Urban Ring transit project.
• A request to the City Manager to investigate cause of recent electric service outages and to determine whether energy conservation measures would reduce outages.
• The Council also received committee reports on the proposed Charles River Challenge bike, road, and kayak race; on providing healthy food to low income residents; and on evaluating the needs of the homeless.
• The Council also congratulated many individuals and organizations including the Board of the Harvard Square Business Association for their continued commitment, the winners of the Go Green Business Awards; the City’s Community Development Department, Cambridge Savings Bank, and Just-A-Start for their housing programs and services; and to Vanessa Leyvas of the Red Sox for her support of the young people of Cambridge.

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