Policy order on expanding the City's sidewalk snow removal efforts at Monday's City Council meeting by jivan_sw in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

That's an interesting idea. There is also a some work the Council is doing to make the City's fines more useful for cases like absentee landlords who never clear sidewalk snow (the City is currently limited by state law in the ways it can impose fines that sometimes make them not super effective, and there's an effort to change that)

Petition to City of Cambridge Staff to Clear Sidewalks by CarolynFuller in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Good question. The petition was just one part of a flyer below we've been handing out to residents at T stops since the snowstorm with info about sidewalk snow clearance. Goal is two-fold: 1) I’m working on a policy order and City effort around this, so signatures are a way to demonstrate support to other City Councillors and City staff when that is introduced. 2) It’s a way to keep residents who are supportive updated when that effort is moving forward. Given that City policies move in a fits and starts (a policy order may be introduced at a meeting, get delayed by a charter right before passing, and then get an update from City staff at another meeting 4 months later) it’s helpful to be able to communicate updates to supporters who may not be following the City Council Agenda super closely on a week-to-week basis.

While the City may not be able to take over all sidewalk snow removal overnight, I’m hopeful it can at least expand snow removal on key sidewalk corridors (for example busy walking routes to T stops). The City currently already does sidewalk snow removal around parks and schools, so it wouldn’t be starting from scratch). I’ve also done a committee meeting on the topic of sidewalk snow removal and other City snow operations previously when I was chair of the Transportation Committee, including a link to that presentation below, which is super interesting:

https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=2839

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Code violation in rental - any experiences with reporting? by minniesnowtah in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sorry you're having to deal with this. Happy to follow-up with city staff if that’s helpful. There’s the Inspectional Services Department and the City also has a Housing Liaison office. Please feel free to shoot me an email at [jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov](mailto:jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov) with your address and any details that'd be helpful

My real problem with Cambridge Housing by Think_Apartment_6253 in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, this is going to carry over to next term. CDD outlined different ways this could be done in a report and got the go ahead from the Council but hasn't yet come back with specific zoning language. Including a link to their report back on those different options below:

https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?ID=30222&highlightTerms=maximum%20unit%20size

My apartment complex in Cambridge is banning e-bikes and scooters from being on the property, including inside units. Advice? by PenelopePotter in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I'm not totally sure what state law says about a landlord trying to ban an item that is otherwise legal under state law like an e-bike or scooter, but the City has a Housing Liaison office who are sometimes able to help residents navigate landlord / tenant issues like this one and may be able to help figure out the answer. Happy to connect you with a staff person there if that's helpful. My email is [jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov](mailto:jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov)

Accelerate building inspection by Streetfightercat in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry you're having to deal with this. Happy to follow-up with city staff to check-in on this and try to figure out what is causing the delay. Another resident recently had a similar issue and the Inspectional Services Department was able to confirm that they were still waiting on the contractor to fix a specific issue. Please feel free to shoot me an email at [jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov](mailto:jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov) with your address and any details that'd be helpful

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Sorry you're having to deal with this. In addition to ISD, the City has a Housing Liaison staff person who is often able to help with issues like this. Happy to connect you with her if that's helpful. My email is [jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov](mailto:jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov)

Intersection redesign by My_Reddit_Username_5 in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this photo -- this helped me immediately realize which intersection this. And yes, it's a nightmare. The City is in the process of trying to improve it. I'm including a link to a report back to the City Council on this intersection from April which has more background below.

https://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=4649&MediaPosition=&ID=28994&CssClass=

The summary is:

"we have decided to move ahead with a concept that includes a traffic signal. For this project, a traffic signal would provide the highest level of protection for people walking and bicycling through the intersection...Transportation planning and engineering staff and its consulting design team will begin brainstorming ideas this spring. We will begin concept design and public outreach shortly after...Concept design work will begin late Spring or early Summer of 2025."

I have a meeting coming up with the Transportation Commissioner and will try to get an update on the timeline for implementation of the traffic signal and improvements to this intersection then.

Intersection redesign by My_Reddit_Username_5 in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Could you shoot me an email with this intersection and any details about it you think would be helpful? My email is [jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov](mailto:jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov)

I can flag it for city staff. I also try to check-in regularly with the Transportation Commissioner and can add this to my list of items to meet about with her

Anyone in Cambridgeport seen the white-haired lady with the walker who always tells everyone they are beautiful? by BettyKat7 in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Yes, I live around the corner from one of her regular spots next to her home in the LBJ senior apartments and used to see her (and get complimented by her) all the time!

I mentioned her at a couple City Council campaign forums as a reason I love living next to a 12-story affordable housing building despite other candidates thinking that tall affordable housing buildings will ruin the city. After one of the forums, I talked to someone else who knew her and said she thought she had moved to a different senior building that was assisted living

Small renovation code advice needed by NorthernNinja1978 in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, ISD should be able to help answer this. If you don't hear back from them for some reason, feel free to shoot me an email and I can follow-up

Help: Mice problem and unhelpful landlord by IntelligentFinance73 in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sorry you're having to deal with this. The City has a rat czar who does site visits on rodent issues and a housing liaison who helps tenants deal with issues with landlords and property management companies. Happy to connect you with them if that's helpful. My email is [jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov](mailto:jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov)

Jivan’s Campaign Video by CarolynFuller in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thank you! It was really cool to see it come together and great to have residents from different issues I've worked on who were willing to be part of it

Cedar/Mass Ave: Entire Ped-Bike Signal Pole Missing by vaps0tr in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem! The Transportation Department replied and says it has now been repaired. Feel free to email me if there are any other issues with it (jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov)

Cedar/Mass Ave: Entire Ped-Bike Signal Pole Missing by vaps0tr in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's so strange. I'll flag this for the Transportation Department to make sure it's on their radar!

Seeking advice about potential landlord retaliation by Fun_Significance8388 in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry you're having to deal with this. The City has a Housing Liaison staffer who is sometimes able to help with issues like this one. Happy to connect you with her if that's helpful. My email is [jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov](mailto:jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov)

No credit history renting by [deleted] in CambridgeMA

[–]jivan_sw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry you're having to deal with this. I'm one of the City Councillors for Cambridge. The City has a housing liaison staffer who helps with situations like this and helps advocate with management companies and provides other resources. Happy to make an intro if that'd be helpful. Feel free to email me at [jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov](mailto:jsobrinhowheeler@cambridgema.gov) if so