December 6, 2006 GAC Update
The City Manager is assembling a Committee to be part of the selection process for a new Police Commissioner. As you may know our current Commissioner Ronnie Watson will be retiring next year. If you are interested you need to forward a letter of interest to the City Manager by December 28, 2006.
The Council met on Monday and passed funding to build the new main library, discussed policing issues, public toilets, and the liquor license cap policy, and changed zoning in the Concord-Alewife area.
On Tuesday New York City ordered a ban on the use of trans fats in restaurants and the Cambridge's Department of Public Health sent timely information to a number of representatives of the business community to help in understanding the action New York City has taken.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2006 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research.
Vice Mayor and State Representative Toomey Guest at January GAC
Cambridge Vice Mayor and State Representative Timothy Toomey, Jr. will address the January GAC meeting and luncheon on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at noon in the Chamber of Commerce Board Room. Vice Mayor Toomey was first elected to the City Council in 1989 and to the State Legislature in 1992. He is in his first term as Vice Mayor. Prior to his election to the Council he served two terms on the Cambridge School Committee. Please e-mail tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phone (617) 876-4213 if you plan to attend.
Assist the City in Hiring a New Police Commissioner
The City Manager is assembling a citizens' advisory committee to assist in the hiring of a new Police Commissioner. As you may know our current Commissioner Ronnie Watson will be retiring next year. The Manager has used a similar process in when selecting previous Police Commissioners. If you are interested you need to forward a letter of interest to the City Manager by December 28, 2006. Letters can be sent to Robert Healy, City Manager, City of Cambridge, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 or by e-mail to citymanager@CambridgeMA.GOV. The City Manager’s report to the Council on this matter is available at City Manager Agenda Item 20.
December 4, 2006 City Council Meeting
The Council met on Monday and passed additional funding for construction of the new main library, a change in the zoning in the Concord-Alewife area, discussed Police issues including the process to hire a new Police Commissioner and public toilets, and ordered continued discussion of the alcohol license cap policy within the Council’s Economic Development, Training and Workforce Committee.
Additional Funding Approved for New Central Library
The latest chapter in the more than decade long process to site and build a new central public library was writ on Monday when the Council approved $13 million in additional funding for this project bringing the cost to more than $75 million. Cost increases have occurred since the original estimate was provided to the Council in 2001 as part of the site selection process; a process that took most of the 1990s.
The Council voted to add $150,000 to the Manager’s original request to allow for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. These funds had been dropped, but not the technology needed to meet the LEED standards, as a cost-cutting measure.
The Manager’s transmittal provides a detailed report on rising construction costs and is available at City Manager Agenda Item 16.
Alewife Parcel Rezoned
The Council voted to change the zoning of a portion of the lot at 61R Smith Place to Residence B from Industry B-2/Alewife Overlay District. This change will reduce both the type and amount of development allowable on this site.
Policing Matters
The Council received several agenda items from the City Manager requesting appropriation of grant funds from the State for use by the Police Department. The Council used these items as an opportunity to discuss broader matters related to the operations of the Cambridge Police Department, the process of selecting a new Commissioner, and other related issues. The Council then approved the appropriations.
Public Toilets
In response to a Council order on public toilets in the Central Square area the Manager transmitted a report on the various options for Automated Public Toilets (APTs) recommending that the City go out to bid with private companies that will build, operate, and maintain these stand-alone facilities using advertising on the outside of the facilities to cover costs. Two sites are identified for these facilities: Lafayette Park and the corner of Western and Massachusetts Avenues at 26 Central Square. This issue has come before the Council in the past and the issue for some Councillors has been the advertising.
The Manager’s report notes identifies several option previously investigated. These including purchasing or leasing APTs, at a 2001 cost to purchase of $90,000 and to lease was $50,000 to $65,000 per year, expanding hours of existing public facilities, entering into partnerships with private property owners or entering into an agreement with a private company that would own, operate and maintain APTs using advertising revenue to fund costs. A copy of the report is available at City Manager Agenda Item 1.
License Cap Policy Discussions to Continue
The Council passed an Order that City Departments continue to work with the Council’s Economic Development, Workforce and Training Committee on issues related to the alcohol license cap policy established by the Cambridge License Commission. This has been an issue of increasing interest to members of the Council as they have looked for ways to keep Cambridge an interesting place for those who live, work, and visit the City. A copy of the order is available at City Council Policy Order 13.
New York City Ban on Trans Fats
On Tuesday New York City announced a ban on trans fats in restaurants. This issue was recently discussed by the Cambridge City Council and the Cambridge Public Health Department recommended outreach and education with the restaurant community rather than a ban.
New York’s decision will again bring the issue to the forefront and the Department of Public Health has provided the Chamber with some information on this issue which I am happy to forward to any who are interested. The Public Health Department is also planning on meeting with the restaurant group of the Central Square Business Association and is interested in meeting with others in the restaurant community.
If you would like copies of the information from the Public Health Department please send an e-mail request to tsmith@cambirdgechamber.org.
