docketcity.com
Home › Cambridge › Meetings

Regular City Council Meeting

February 9, 2026 ·05:30 PM Final
Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 59 items

  1. 1 Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting - June 30, 2025 5:30 PM
  2. 2 Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting - September 15, 2025 5:30 PM
  3. 3 Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting - September 29, 2025 5:30 PM
  4. 4 Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting - October 6, 2025 5:30 PM
  5. 5 Minutes of the City Council - Tax Rate Public Meeting - October 6, 2025 6:30 PM
  6. 6 Minutes of the City Council - Inaugural Meeting - January 5, 2026 10:00 AM
  7. 1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases.
  8. 2 Transmitting communication from Police Commissioner, Christine Elow, regarding a Federal immigration enforcement tracker.
  9. 3 Transmitting a Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation the of the FY2026 Cultural Investment Portfolio Program Grant in the amount of $17,100.
  10. 4 Transmitting a Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Transfer of $72,500 from the General Fund Public Works Salary and Wages account to the General Fund Public Works Travel and Training (Judgment and Damages) account to cover current and projected FY26 costs related to Public Works personnel injured in the course of their job.
  11. 5 Transmitting a Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to proposed changes to Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 8.28, Regulation on Youth Access and Sale of Tobacco Products and on Smoking (“Chapter 8.28”).
  12. 6 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Violence Prevention Recommendations Report from the Community Safety Department.
  13. 7 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a plan to align all housing and homeless services and programs into a unified Housing Department.
  14. 8 Transmitting a Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME Grant Program in the amount of $648,119.56.
  15. 9 Transmitting a Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Community Development Block Grant Appropriation in the amount of $1,723,735.89.
  16. 10 Transmitting a Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Opportunities for People with Aids (HOPWA) Grant in the ammount of $2,395,799.
  17. 11 A communication was received from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, transmitting Planning Board recommendations on the Institutional Use Zoning Petition.
  18. 12 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the final research report on Rise Up Cambridge, the City’s citywide cash assistance program.
  19. 1 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the relevant City staff and departments to examine if and how the City may prevent the hiring by the Cambridge Police Department of any sworn officer who was hired on or after January 20, 2025 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, or Customs and Border Patrol, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner
  20. 2 Protecting Academic Freedom and Condemning Attacks on Higher Education
  21. 3 That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department (CDD) to examine the feasibility, legal considerations, and administrative requirements of permitting qualified thirdparty guarantors or co-signers for applicants to Inclusionary Housing units and provide recommendations as to whether such a policy could responsibly expand access to these units.
  22. 4 That the City Manager is hereby requested to direct the Law Department to draft ordinance language restricting the use of City-owned or City-controlled property, facilities, resources, and personnel for the purposes of federal civil immigration enforcement, and that the Law Department evaluate whether these protections should be adopted as an amendment to the Welcoming Community Ordinance.
  23. 5 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to raise the fee of the parking permit program for all residents to $75, consider how to include a self-identified check off option so as not to increase administrative costs for a subsidized fee of $25 for residents who live in affordable housing, are enrolled in a program such as SNAP or are low income, remove the senior exemption for the residential parking permit program and lower the number of cars that individual residents are allowed to get a residential parking permit for from four to two.
  24. 6 That the City Manager is requested to work with the City Council and relevant City departments on the process by which Cambridge can expand free early child care offerings, including models for means-tested programming, and exploration of non-City funding sources, from the state or foundations.
  25. 7 That the City Manager is requested to begin discussions with MIT, CASPAR, the co-chairs of the Human Services and Veterans Committee, all relevant city departments and the shelter residents to develop a plan to renovate and expand 240 Albany Street in order to provide additional low threshold shelter, housing and day time services, while accommodating shelter residents impacted by the construction closure with housing and support, including low threshold options.
  26. 1 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.CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR NOLAN IN COUNCIL JANUARY 26, 2026
  27. 2 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. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI IN COUNCIL JANUARY 26, 2026
  28. 1 An application was received from Nick Zappia representing IMAGINE, requesting permission for a one (1) projecting blade sign at the premises numbered 358 Huron Avenue. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters.
  29. 2 An application was received from Donger Lei representing Sumi House, requesting permission for a one (1) awning at the premises numbered 359 Huron Avenue. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters.
  30. 1 Resolution on the passing of Gail Seidman
  31. 2 Condolences on the passing of Robert K. Patterson, Sr.
  32. 3 Resolution on the Retirement of Kate Joyce
  33. 4 Resolution: Celebration of the life of Charlie Fineman
  34. 5 Condolences on the passing of Mary T. (Quinn) Schifferdecker
  35. 6 Condolences on the passing of Nicholas J. Arancio
  36. 7 Congratulations to the Cambridge Warriors Basketball Team
  37. 8 Condolences To The Family of David Antoine Dottin
  38. 9 Resolution in Recognition of Michael J. Johnston, Esq., on his Retirement
  39. 10 Condolences to the Family of John A. Quinn
  40. 1 Update regarding legislative activity
  41. 2 2026.02.05 Clerk Screening Committee Appointments, Communication from the Mayor
  42. 3 City Council Value Statement and Priority Areas for the 2026-2027 term
  43. 4 Communicating Information from the School Committee
  44. 1 Condolences to the Family of Janet Doucette
  45. 2 Policy Order Supporting Union Recognition at Lamplighter Brewing Co., with Appreciation for the Owners’ Community Contributions
  46. 1 Awaiting Report Status Update 2.9.26
  47. 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
  48. 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
  49. 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
  50. 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.
  51. 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
  52. 6 Restricting Eligibility for On-Street Resident Parking Permits in New Transit-Oriented Developments.Original Awaiting Report 31839
  53. 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
  54. 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
  55. 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
  56. 10 That the City Manager work with relevant departments to incorporate plant-based solutions into the Sustainable Cambridge initiative and purchasing practices in City-operated and School-related events.
  57. 11 That the City Manager 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.
  58. 12 That the City Manager provide an update to the council, including (but not limited to): current implementation status, including vouchers issued to former residents of the Transition Wellness Center; final prioritization criteria adopted; staffing structure and support services; strategies employed to address voucher discrimination and support successful lease-up; program parameters; challenges encountered during implementation; and plans for ongoing program assessment and evaluation.
  59. 13 That the City Manager conduct a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures at Cambridge City Hall, including 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.