The Council met Monday in its last regular session before taking its summer break. The Council appropriated funds for trash compactors in City squares, received a list of appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals, and passed policy orders related to Northpoint, parking in Lafayette Square, the City Manager’s contract, and noise. The Council also went into Executive Session regarding possible litigation related to the Cambridge Employment Program ordinance. The Council meets next in a Special Summer Session on Monday, July 28 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Council Committees will continue to meet. The Ordinance Committee meets tonight, June 25, at 5 p.m. on zoning changes proposed for the development proposed by Alexandria Properties in East Cambridge.

 

The GAC met on Tuesday and our guest was Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert Hass. Look for a report in next week’s GAC Update.

 

The Council met on Monday and appropriated funds for 16 Big Belly Solar Trash Compactors to replace trash containers in and around Central and Harvard Squares, received a list of appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals and passed policy orders related to Northpoint, parking in and around Lafayette Square, the City Manager’s contract beyond 2009, and noise issues. The Council also went into Executive Session regarding threatened litigation relative to the Cambridge Employment Program ordinance.

 

City Manager Agenda Item 8 requested the Council to appropriate funds for the purchase of 16 Big Belly Solar Trash Compactors which will replace traditional trash receptacles in the Central and Harvard Square areas. These devices are powered by solar panels and compact trash which both increases the capacity of trash that can be placed in a receptacle between removals and reduces clutter around trash receptacles. Of course the critical issue is people actually placing trash in the receptacles.

 

City Manager Agenda Item 17 is a transmittal relative to the appointment and reappointment of full and associate members of the Board of Zoning Appeals. The Manager has appointed an impressive group of people to fill these positions.

 

City Council Policy Order 4 asks for an update on the Northpoint development. City Council Policy Order 5 asks if the City can re-open negotiations with the future owners of this development regarding the relocation of the Lechmere MBTA station which is planned to be done at the expense of the developer. The Northpoint development is currently up for sale and, according to the Order, delays caused by the sale of the project may require the MBTA to use its own resources to relocate the station in order to meet other obligations.

 

City Council Policy Order 7 asks that parking be permitted at Lafayette Square to benefit area businesses. Lafayette Square, which is where Main Street and Massachusetts Avenue meet on the eastern end of Central Square, has been the site of major roadway and other improvements for the past several years and local businesses have reported some struggles to maintain customers and operations while this work has been completed. The order suggests that the addition of parking, not currently planned for, would assist area businesses.

 

City Council Policy Order 9 asks the Council’s Government Operations and Rules Committee to hold a hearing over the summer to “determine whether the City Manager is interested in extending his position as City Manager” beyond August 2009, when his current contract ends. According to published reports the Manager’s contract sets February as the date when the Manager is required to inform the Council of his intentions and the date when the Council may instruct the Manager of its intentions regarding his contract. The order also asks how the Council will start the process for both an interim and a new City Manager. The matter was referred to the Government Operations and Rules Committee.

Robert Healy has served as City Manager since 1981 and under his capable and visionary leadership has been instrumental in Cambridge being the best run City in the Commonwealth.

 

City Council Policy Order 11 asks for a draft amendment to the City’s noise ordinance which would require an actual measurement of noise from any equipment prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Policy Order 13 asks for enforcement data relative to the existing noise ordinance.

 

City Manager Agenda Item 1 is a request from the City Manager that the Council go into Executive Session to discuss threatened litigation relative to a City Ordinance. When the Council voted to go into Executive Session it was announced that the issue was the Cambridge Employment Plan. By City Ordinance (Chapter 2.66) this plan establishes requirements regarding employment by contractors on City construction projects and in some applicable areas. The ordinance includes requirements for employing City residents, minority persons and women. The Council adjourned the regular meeting and went into Executive Session where no votes would be taken.