Committee Report - PUPW - 2-3-20 — File 209690

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 1 of 6 Printed 2/6/2020 February 3, 2020 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Jesse Clingan Chair Present William A. White Jr. Vice Chair Present Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven City Councilor Present Others present: Ann Connor-Mayor’s office, Steve MacEachern-DPW and Nick Antanavica- ISD. Representatives from Water and Sewer department were not available to attend tonight to respond to agenda items. The meeting was held in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Chairperson Clingan and adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Approval of the November 20, 2019 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 204552: That the Director of Capital Projects or the Director of SPCD update this Board about the transportation management and parking plans for both the construction and the post-construction phases of the new High School. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 205059: That the Administration present the information described herein about the Brown School's physical plant and planned and completed renovations, to this Board, to the School Committee, and to the Brown School community. Councilor-at-Large White asked Mr. MacEachern for a follow up who has not had a chance to speak with Mr. Raiche. Ms. Connor will resubmit a memo that had been previously submitted to the committee in response to this request. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 206959: That the Administration deem Newport Construction and Northern Tree to be “not considered responsible bidders or offerors” for 5 years, reflecting their performance

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 2 of 6 Printed 2/6/2020 on the Beacon St Reconstruction. Ms. Connor read through previous minutes stating that Councilor Scott was to send Ms. Pappenheim some case laws to review. The chair will follow up with Councilor Scott on this matter. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 208578: That the Director of Water and Sewer provide a quarterly update regarding the number and location of emergency sewer and water repairs. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 208579: That the Director of Water and Sewer provide a quarterly update regarding the progress filling vacancies in those departments. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 208580: That the Director of Water and Sewer provide a quarterly update regarding any maintenance requests being deferred for lack of resources. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 208840: That the Director of SPCD provide this Council with an updated project schedule for the Beacon Street reconstruction project including the current timeline and project milestones being monitored. The chair will follow up with Councilor Scott on this item. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 208963: 28 residents commenting on the completion of the reconstruction of Beacon Street, and next steps. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 208995: That the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer provide an update on upcoming and past meetings with Spectra Energy (now Enbridge) related to the Algonquin Gas Transmission line and the J2 loop and any communications on risks and safety procedures related to those pipelines. The committee asked who the state notifies in the case of gas leaks. It was suggested that Mr. Raiche come back to the committee to help explain the process. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209048: That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management, the Chief Fire Engineer, the Chief of Police and other necessary departments advise this Council of the

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 3 of 6 Printed 2/6/2020 impacts of any further development along Alewife Brook Parkway on the Algonquin Gas Transmission Pipeline running along Alewife Brook. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209076: That the Administration inform this Council how, if it all, the city may recoup from utility companies its costs for a public safety response to gas leaks. Ms. Connor will follow up with Councilor-at-Large Hirsch on this matter and provide a written response from the City Solicitor’s office. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209079: That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management or another representative of the Administration report to each Councilor by November 1, 2019, on the placement of concrete for electrical equipment at the Brown School, and what alternate locations could be less impactful on the school's limited physical space. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209191: That the Director of Inspectional Services and/or the Director of Engineering report to this Council how the construction of driveways with pervious surfaces is inspected to ensure that the subsurface has been correctly installed so precipitation is absorbed. Mr. Antanavica stated that the installation of driveways is inspected by city engineering. ISD plans the installation details and works to insure proper amount of materials is used so it drains when raining. The committee asked for Mr. Raiche to attend the committee to address this item. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209286: That the Director of Engineering and the Commissioner of Public Works repave the crosswalk on Aberdeen Road at Highland Avenue, as it remains a tripping hazard for pedestrians. Mr. MacEachern stated the work will be completed in the spring 2020. He has spoken to the contractor and it is a simple grind out to level the crosswalk. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209299: That the Commissioner of Public Works report to the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works about DPW monitoring of utility pole complaints to determine whether the utilities follow through on them. Mr. MacEachern stated there is a new person at Eversource. He and someone from the city’s engineering group will go over to address these concerns with Eversource. It was stated there are a number of issues included with the poles that includes leaning and double poles.

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 4 of 6 Printed 2/6/2020 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209300: That the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer provide a written response to the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works by November 26, 2019, on meetings with Spectra Energy/Enbridge about the Algonquin Gas transmission line and the J2 loop, and on any communications about risks and safety procedures. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209345: That the Commissioner of Public Works repaint the "No-Cycling" decals on business district sidewalks. Mr. MacEachern stated DPW will stencil the decal on the streets in the spring. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209348: That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management advise this Council what can be done immediately to lessen the continual flooding of Alewife Brook Pkwy when it rains. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209349: 18 residents requesting that the MBTA bus stop that was at 95 Beacon St and has been moved to 97 Beacon St, be returned to 95 Beacon St. RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 209386: The the Director of Inspectional services enforce current snow clearance regulations on business and residential properties, with follow-through as snow melts and re-freezes during each snow event. Mr. Antanavica suggested using door knockers to make businesses and residents aware of violations if snow is not cleared. He stated that mailing out violations can take three days before an owner receives the notices. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209387: That the Commissioner of Public Works address the gaps in snow removal at corners and intersections. Mr. MacEachern stated the city is looking to purchase equipment to help clear snow from handicap, sidewalks and bike lanes. The current equipment snaps covers when doing bike lanes. The new equipment will be more durable. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209388: That the Commissioner of Public Works clear snow from sidewalks and

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 5 of 6 Printed 2/6/2020 crosswalks in at least the squares, arterial roads, and bus routes. Councilor Ballantyne requested that Raymond Avenue be cleared, behind West Somerville Neighborhood School to make it easier for students walking to school. It was also requested for more people to shovel at the Winter Hill Innovation School stairs area. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209389: That the Director of SPCD and the Commissioner of Public Works commit to provide a year-round safe pedestrian environment. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209390: That the Director of SPCD replace the missing street signs off North Street, and replace the smaller signs with clearly visible signs on poles. The committee would like this item referred to the Committee on Traffic and Parking. RESULT: DISCHARGED W/NO RECOMMENDATION 209422: That the Commissioner of Public Works move the right turn arrow signal at the corner of Broadway and Temple Street to a more visible location. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209424: That the Commissioner of Public Works remove the abandoned newspaper boxes that are in front of the Winter Hill Post Office. Councilor White's motion that the Superintendent of Inspectional Services provide the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works with information as to whether the newspaper boxes throughout the city are permitted or not, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209425: That the Commissioner of Public Works place a trash receptacle in front of the Winter Hill Post Office. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209427: That the Commissioner of Public Works trim the tree at 116 Sycamore Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 209443: That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Health and Human Services discuss the city’s road salting policy and residents' concerns about environmental impacts, health impacts and the expense of "over-salting."

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 6 of 6 Printed 2/6/2020 Mr. MacEachern talked about sensible spreader equipment that will not repeat over the same area to avoid over-salting. This new equipment will help to control the speed of the spinner and spreading. Additionally, a vendor would like to donate equipment to the city to make its own brine. Mr. MacEachern stated that the City of Cambridge is investing $1.5M to create its own plant to create salt mixture. Councilor Ballantyne asked Ms. Connor to find out from Mr. Sellers-Garcia the type of salt to use to create a brine. The committee would like this item referred to the Committee on Open Space, Environment and Energy. RESULT: DISCHARGED W/NO RECOMMENDATION 209466: That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management update the Ward 6 Councilor on alternative locations for electrical equipment in the Brown School green space. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 209610: That the City Engineer and Commissioner of Public Works inspect the sidewalk on the east side of Cedar Street for all instances of spalling, and report to this Council 1) what caused it, 2) how the City will correct it, and 3) what measures the City will take against the contractor, if it was caused by improper installation. Mr. MacEachern stated that Engineering is overseeing this request and will notify the contractor. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE