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View GCA Update Archive
Updated May 28, 2008
The 2008 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.
May 28, 2008 GAC Update
The Council did not meet this week due to the Memorial Day holiday. The Council will meet next Monday.
The GAC met last Wednesday and our guest was James Scafide from the Office of Attorney General Martha Coakley. Jim discussed the Attorney General’s efforts to improve the climate for doing business in Massachusetts.
The Cambridge Public Health Department will hold a public hearing on proposed regulations to ban artificial trans fats at food service establishments. Information on the proposal is available on the Public Health Department website at http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/policy-practice/transfat/trans_fat_regulation.php
The State has begun construction work on both the Longfellow Bridge and the BU Bridge. This work will result in closure of lanes. Both projects are under the authority of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Information on DCR construction projects is available at Traffic Advisories. The City is also posting advisories on its website at www.cambridgema.gov.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2008 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.
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.
Jim Scafide Addresses May GAC
Jim Scafide of Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office addressed the May GAC meeting and luncheon held on May 21st. Mr. Scafide, who heads the Business, Technology and Economic Development Division, spoke about the Attorney General’s efforts to build a relationship based on cooperation between her office and the Massachusetts business community. He reported that the Attorney General is working with Governor Deval Patrick’s office on a regulatory review initiative and that the Attorney General recently announced an initiative to reach out to the technology community on issues of specific concern to that sector.
Mr. Scafide said that his division acts as a liaison between the Attorney General’s Office and the business community. Since his appointment last July he has been meeting with members of the business community from around the state asking for information regarding regulations and practices business people identify as unfriendly to business. He has received several hundred suggestions through those meetings and is following-up on those suggestions. He noted that things that look like simple changes are often more complex or difficult than he initially thought.
The Attorney General has assigned him specific responsibility for reviewing proposed regulations and changes to regulations. Recent work includes reviews of regulations regarding mortgage lenders, brownfield remediation, and data confidentiality. He said that he believes guidance developed with regulations should include a pathway to compliance and that regulations should focus on intended outcomes.
Addressing regulatory issues is important, according to Scafide, because many of the states that offer the greatest competition for our industries have established one-stop permitting processes. This issue has been raised to him as he has met with business leaders. His office is working to learn more about the services offered by competitor states and to identify incentives and opportunities to continue to streamline the permitting process in Massachusetts.
During questions and answers he was asked about utility regulation and the difficulty companies sometimes have in coordinating work with some utilities. He said that he has heard a number of concerns about these issues and that the office will work to address these issues where appropriate. He also asked that anyone with specific concerns contact him.
He was asked about the almost two-year delay in publishing a new State Building Code. Scafide reported that he was recently named to serve as the Attorney General’s representative on the Commonwealth’s Building Code Coordinating Council, a panel established to review changes to the State Building Code. He said that he has only been on this panel since January and it has met only once but that he would look into the likely release of the new code.
Mr. Scafide introduced his newest staff person, Jessica Duhamel, at the meeting. They are both available to hear concerns and provide assistance to members of the Cambridge business community. Jim can be reached at james.scafide@state.ma.us and Jessica can be reached at Jessica.Duhamel@state.ma.us
The Council met on Monday and passed the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, received a report from the Cambridge Public Health Department regarding a ban on trans fats, and received a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance in the Kendall Square area.
May 21, 2008 GAC Update
No Council meeting Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday.
The GAC meets today and out guest is James Scafide from the Office of Attorney General Martha Coakley. Look for a report on his remarks in next week’s Update.
The City’s annual GoGreen Business Awards presentation is scheduled for Tomorrow, Thursday, May 22 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the City Hall Annex. Full information provided below.
The Museum of Science is hosting a forum titled Nanotechnology in Cambridge: What Do You Think? tomorrow, Thursday, May 22 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Go to http://www.mos.org/events_activities/forum&d=2639 for more information and to register.
2008 GoGreen 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 19, 2008 City Council Meeting
At Monday’s meeting the Council passed the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, received a report from the Cambridge Public Health Department regarding a ban on trans fats, and received a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance in the Kendall Square area to permit additional laboratory and office development while providing significant benefits to the East Cambridge neighborhood.
FY 2009 Budget Approved
The Council passed the budget for Fiscal Year 2009 which begins on July 1, 2008. Passage of the budget followed three days pf hearings held by the Council’s Finance Committee. The $434 million covers both City and School Department expenditures and is an increase of five-percent over the current year. The increase is due to employee health care, salary and pension costs, increased assessments from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority and other state assessments, increased energy costs and debt service.
Cambridge remains in a strong fiscal position with excess levy capacity of almost $90 million, $73 million in free cash and almost $20 million in the City debt stabilization fund and $12.6 million in the School Department debt stabilization fund. The debt stabilization fund will allow the City to mitigate the impact of on the property tax for major capitol projects.
Cambridge Public Health Recommends Ban on Trans Fats
City Manager Agenda Item 6 includes a report from the Cambridge Public Health Department titled Eliminating Artificial Trans Fat from Food Service Establishments in Cambridge. The report was developed by Public Health and the Cambridge Trans Fats Task Force, a group appointed by the City Manager that included City staff, members of the restaurant and food service industry, public health professionals and citizens.
The report recommends that the City ban Trans Fats by the end of 2009. The ban will include elimination of the use of trans fats by the Cambridge School Department in early 2009. The Public Health Department will work with the restaurant and food service community on implementing this change following completion of its regulatory process. A hearing on this proposal is scheduled for Wednesday June 25, 2008 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the Sullivan Chamber, Cambridge City hall.
Proposed Zoning Changes in Kendall Square
The Applications and Petitions agenda (item number 5) includes proposed amendments to PUD-3A, PUD-4C and PUD-4B Districts of the Zoning Map of the City of Cambridge submitted by Alexandria Properties. The petition was referred to the Planning Board and the Council’s Ordinance Committee. An Ordinance Committee hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday June 25, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. at the Sullivan Chamber, City Hall. In brief discussion it was noted that this proposal has been discussed with representatives from the East Cambridge neighborhood.
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.
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 Fire 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.
May 7, 2008 GAC Update
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.
The GAC met last Tuesday and heard about the work of the Cambridge License Commission from our guest Chairman of the Cambridge License Commission Richard Scali.
The next GAC meeting is Wednesday May 21 and our guest is James Scafide from the Office of Attorney General Martha Coakley.
The Council met on Monday and received the FY 09 Budget, received reports regarding the health of the life science industry in Cambridge, planning work to be completed regarding the re-use of church properties and encouraging aging in-place, and limits on the City’s ability to deny resident parking permits, The Council received a zoning petition to allow a hotel development, reconsidered two items from the April 14 meeting, and passed orders regarding flyers on utility poles, moving utility wires underground and banning trans fats. The Council received Committee reports on the budget, the Cambridge Energy Alliance and neighborhood and long-term planning.
Richard Scali Addresses GAC
The GAC met on Tuesday, April 27 and heard a presentation from Richard Scali, Chair of the Cambridge License Commission. The License Commission issues more than 2,800 licenses annually for a wide variety of activities including hotels, restaurants, taxis, alcohol sales and gasoline storage. The City’s Consumer Division is also part of the License Commission. Mr. Scali focused on two major initiatives, the Clean Air Cab Program and changes to the Alcohol License Cap Policy.
The Cambridge Clean Air Cab Program works with the cab industry to hybrid cabs on the road in Cambridge. The License Commission provided $10,000 grants to the owner of these cabs for the switch to hybrid vehicles. This program is funded through a $30,000 donation from Whole Foods Markets and funds from the License Commission. Six Ambassador-Brattle Cabs, all with Whole Food advertising roof cabs, are currently on the road. The City is working with the cab industry to have 22 to 25 hybrid taxis on the road by next year. Mr. Scali reported that the City funds for this program come will be raised by auctioning two new taxi medallions. The City auctioned an accessible van taxi medallion recently and the winning bid was $385,000. The vehicles in use are Toyota Camry Hybrids.
Mr. Scali reported that in February the License Commission approved recommendations from the Alcohol Cap and Economic Development Task Force to make changes to the Alcohol License Cap Policy. The Task Force, which included Commission staff, staff from the City’s Economic Development Division, the City Council and members of the community, worked over the past year to identify opportunities to change the Alcohol License Cap Policy which was put in place in the mid-1980s.
Demand for alcohol licenses has increased over the past several years in Cambridge and the policy developed by the Task Force is intended to allow the Commission to better accommodate changes in the market. The new policy allows for the issuance of new licenses which have no value and are not transferable. Traditional licenses can be sold and the price of these licenses has increased greatly in high demand areas like Harvard Square. The new licenses will have annual renewal fees which will range from $2,450 for an establishment that serves beer 7 days a week until 1:00 a.m. to $6,320 for an establishment that serves all alcohol seven days a week until 1:00 a.m. These fees are higher than those required for traditional licenses.
During questions and answers Mr. Scali reported that enforcement issues are handled through a progressive discipline process which includes training of staff, reduction of hours of operation, and closings that can range from a week to a month. Only in the most extreme cases are licenses cancelled.
He was asked about rude taxi drivers and reported that the City works with the industry and individual cab drivers to address complaints. In some cases drivers have lost the right to drive a cab in Cambridge. Mr. Scali was asked about coordinating taxi services with Boston, Brookline and other area communities and reported that the concern is that Boston, with almost 2,000 cabs would dominate the market. Cambridge currently has 256 taxis.
Mr. Scali presented hand-outs on both the Clean Air Cab Program and changes in the Alcohol Cap Policy and copies are available from the Chamber. Thank you to Richard Scali for speaking at the April GAC and to all who attended.
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