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Regular City Council Meeting

January 26, 2026 ·05:30 PM Final
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Agenda — 51 items

  1. 1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases.
  2. 2 Transmitting a communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following people to the Family Policy Advisory Council.
  3. 3 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $100,000 received from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to the Public Investment Fund School Extraordinary Expenditures account to fund a feasibility study and schematic design costs for the roof replacement project at the Cambridgeport School, located at 89 Elm Street.
  4. 4 Transmitting a communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as Public Weighers for the calendar year 2026 to operate scales at 500 Front St, Cambridge, MA 02142.
  5. 5 Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three years.
  6. 6 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of Claire Spinner and Ellen Semonoff as Members of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees.
  7. 7 Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $226,880 from the Emergency Solutions Grant to the Grant fund Human Services salary & wages and other ordinary maintenance accounts.
  8. 8 Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $54,491 from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to the Grant fund Human Services salary & wages and other ordinary maintenance accounts.
  9. 9 Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $58,056.80 from the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board to the Grant fund Human Services salary and wages account.
  10. 10 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people as Constables for terms of three years.
  11. 11 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-69, regarding a review of the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee to be sent to the state legislature.
  12. 12 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Cambridge Street Zoning Petition.
  13. 1 That the City Manager ask the appropriate departments to review the city’s digital equity work to date, including the study’s recommendations and all steps taken since the study conclusion in order to update the evaluation of existing internet access programs, assessing whether residents’ digital needs are or could be better provided for and to propose how we can better meet their needs and to report back to the Council by June 2026 on internet access programs.
  14. 2 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments regarding incorporating plant-based solutions into the Sustainable Cambridge initiative, incorporating plant-based purchasing practices in City-operated events, and using municipal communications channels to promote sustainable and affordable food and drink practices throughout the City.
  15. 3 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prioritize pilot projects in 2026 without the use of a consultant for an extensive pedestrianization study, and in the medium-term consider how additional pedestrianization of a section of Brattle Street by restoring two-way traffic to JFK Street could enhance the Square.
  16. 4 That the regular City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026, be a Joint Roundtable/Working meeting with the School Committee to discuss the FY27 Cambridge Public Schools budget priorities.
  17. 5 That the City Council shall convene for its special summer meeting Monday, August 3, 2026.
  18. 6 That the regular City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, November 30, 2026, be and hereby is canceled.
  19. 7 That the regular City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, December 28, 2026, be and hereby is canceled.
  20. 8 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide an update regarding Policy Order 2025 #69 FY26 Operating Budget a continued commitment to Emergency Housing Vouchers for Permanent Supportive Housing and Mixed Status Families, and the Transition Wellness Center.
  21. 9 That the Mayor hereby appoints a committee, to screen applicants for the position of City Clerk.
  22. 1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for the Nathaniel Stickney House at 45 Mt. Auburn Street. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI IN COUNCIL JANUARY 12, 2026
  23. 2 That the City Manager is requested to conduct a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures at Cambridge City Hall, which shall include an assessment of physical access controls, visitor screening practices, on-site security staffing and training, emergency response and evacuation protocols, and the use of security technologies such as surveillance systems and alarm monitoring. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL JANUARY 12, 2026
  24. 3 Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, relative to amend the Zoning Map and Articles 3.000, 17.000, and 19.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street corridor PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED DECEMBER 22, 2025 TABLED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 22, 2025
  25. 1 An application was received from Joseph Correia representing Patagonia, requesting permission for one (1) projecting blade sign at the premises numbered 39 Brattle Street. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters.
  26. 2 An application was received from Ricky Zeng representing Love Art Sushi, requesting permission for one (1) projecting blade signs at the premises numbered 1 Canal Park. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters.
  27. 3 An application was received from Brian Lavelle, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 204 Garden Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association.
  28. 1 Vote Certification Document -
  29. 1 Resolution Wishing Donald Williams a Full Recovery
  30. 2 Condolences on the death of Renee Inomata.
  31. 3 CIty Council announce and celebrate that Cambridge has achieved 2025 What Works Cities Platinum Certification.
  32. 4 Congratulations to Gato Exotico on its Grand Opening in Cambridge.
  33. 5 Speedy Recovery wishes to Mr. Sterrett.
  34. 6 Condolences to the family of Ann Sicari.
  35. 1 The Housing Committee and Finance Committee held a joint public hearing on December 3, 2025 to discuss the feasibility and potential impacts of implementing residential development incentives - such as tax incentives, public equity financing, and reduced fees and requirements - on housing production and city finances.
  36. 2 The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on December 4th, 2025 to review and discuss the Executive Summary from the Community Benefits Advisory Committee which was presented to the full City Council on May 19, 2025, CMA 2025 #128.
  37. 3 The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on December 9, 2025 to further discuss the implications of deploying automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and to discuss whether adjustments should be made related to the deployment of ALPRs since approval in February of this year, CMA 2025 #257, which was in City Council on October 20, 2025.
  38. 4 The Health and Environment Committee and Housing Committee held a joint public hearing on December 11, 2025 to review and discuss POR 2025 #137, which asks the Community Development Department to draft zoning language to reduce the impact on solar energy systems, based on the recommendations discussed in the September 16, 2025 Health and Environment Committee meeting.
  39. 1 Updated regarding legislative activity
  40. 2 Proposed Amendments to Cambridge Street Zoning Petition
  41. 3 A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee.
  42. 4 A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information about the search process for a permanent City Clerk.
  43. 1 That the City Manager is requested to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to ensure that all city owned parking lots, with a focus on school complexes, including the still under construction parking at Tobin/Darby Vassal school complex, could be made available for after-hours use by residents. Original Awaiting Report Item AR-25-29
  44. 2 The City Manager is requested to consult with the appropriate City departments, including the City Solicitor’s Office, to establish a formal policy that clearly defines the City’s role and financial responsibilities in supporting large-scale public events hosted by Cambridge-based non-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Original Awaiting Report Item AR-25-48
  45. 3 The City Manager is requested to work with all relevant departments to seek input from the community as well as direct outreach to condo owners and short-term rental operators and develop additional recommendations based on the discussion in the Ordinance Committee. Original Awaiting Report Item AR-25-51
  46. 4 Streamline the permitting process, including but not limited to creating a central role dedicated to the permitting process, the creation of a unified online permitting portal, and standardized timelines, and report back to the City Council not later than March 2026. Original Awaiting Report AR-25-68
  47. 5 Review the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee to be sent to the state legislature. Original Awaiting Report AR-25-69
  48. 6 Restricting Eligibility for On-Street Resident Parking Permits in New Transit-Oriented Developments.Original Awaiting Report 31839
  49. 7 Direct appropriate City departments, including the Department of Transportation, to evaluate and install a series of speed humps along Fayerweather Street, with particular attention to the stretch between Walnut Street and Field Street. Original Awaiting Report #31840
  50. 8 Direct the City Solicitor and the Community Development Department to review and report back to the Council on (i) legal parameters related to City funding and Tourism Destination Marketing District restrictions, and (ii) oversight and accountability related to the operation of the visitor information kiosk, and related governance expectations, including alignment with City priorities. Original Awaiting Report ID #31841
  51. 9 Work with relevant departments to prepare for a Council discussion on best future uses for City-owned properties and the processes for redevelopment. Original Awaiting Report #31842