September 19, 2007 GAC Update
The Council met on Monday and appropriated/allocated Community Preservation Act funds and approved an increase in Lodging House fees recommended by the Licensing Commission.
Next Monday’s meeting includes a public hearing to discuss the property tax rate classification. Chamber members attending this morning’s Real Estate Roundtable received an early look at the information the Council will receive.
The Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposed Green Building Requirements amendment to the Zoning Ordinance tonight, September 19, at 5:00 p.m. in the Sullivan Chamber, City Hall.
The Government Affairs Committee meets next Tuesday, September 25, at noon at the Chamber. Our guest will be State Representative William Brownsberger who represents North Cambridge, Belmont and part of Arlington. If you plan to attend please e-mail Terrence Smith at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phone him at (617) 876-4213.
Attorney General Martha Coakley will address an October GAC/Executive Speaker luncheon on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2007 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.
September 25, 2007
GAC Meeting and Luncheon
Noon, Chamber Board Room
State Representative Brownsberger will be our guest at the September Government Affairs meeting and luncheon. Representative Brownsberger is in his first term in the legislature representing Belmont, the North Cambridge neighborhood and part of Arlington. He has also served on the Belmont Board of Selectmen from 1998 to 2007 and is an attorney in private practice.
If you plan to attend please e-mail Terrence Smith at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phone (617) 876-4213.
October 24, 2007
GAC Executive Speaker Luncheon
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley will address the Cambridge business community on her efforts to maintain and enhance a strong business climate in Massachusetts, including development of her Business, Technology & Economic Development Division. She will discuss specific plans and coming efforts to ensure that Massachusetts continues to be a great place to do business and will address concerns affecting business such as cyber-security.
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge
40 Edwin Land Boulevard
Cambridge
Members: $40.00, Non-members: $80.00
Prices require registration and payment at least two business days in advance.
$10 additional thereafter
Registration and more information about our Speaker
November 27, 2007 TBA
September 17, 2007 City Council Meeting
The Council met on Monday and approved the City Manager’s request to appropriate/allocate $12,607,500 in Community Preservation Act funds. The Council also approved an increase in Lodging House fees recommended by the Licensing Commission.
Community Preservation Act Funds Allocated
The City Council approved the City Manager’s request, based on the recommendation of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee to appropriate/allocate $12,607,500 in CPA funds for the current fiscal year. The majority of funds, 80%, were allocated to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust for affordable housing. Open Space and Historic Preservation each received 10% of the funding.
Funds from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) are raised through an additional assessment on the property tax, approved by voters in 2001 with the full support of the Chamber, and matched by State funds. Under State law funds must be allocated to affordable housing, open space and historic preservation and at least 10% must be allocated to each category. The chamber’s support, and much of the campaign to approve the CPA in 2001, focused on the housing component.
The City Manager’s transmittal is available at City Manager Agenda 2.
Lodging House Fees to Increase
Council Approves Increase in Lodging House Fees from $18.15 for the first four rooms and every room thereafter to $24 for the first four rooms at every room thereafter. This fee was last increased in 1992. The item is number 15 on the Unfinished Business part of the Council agenda.
Ordinance Committee to Meet on Proposed Green Building Requirements
The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing tonight, Wednesday September 19, at 5:00 p.m. in the Sullivan Chamber, City Hall, on the proposed amendment to add a Green Building Requirements section to the Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Board held a hearing on this amendment on Tuesday September 4 and voted to recommend to the City Council that a task force be created to review the issues. At the Planning Board the Chamber submitted comments expressing concerns about the proposed amendment and will reiterate those concerns at the Council hearing.
