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Regular City Council Meeting

March 16, 2026 ·05:30 PM Final
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Agenda — 45 items

  1. 1 Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding a federal update including an update on relevant court cases.
  2. 2 Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding the City’s FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
  3. 3 Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding a response to Awaiting Report 26-05 relative to streamlining the residential permitting process.
  4. 4 Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding a response to Awaiting Report 26-11 relative to further incorporating plant-based solutions in the City's work.
  5. 5 Transmitting a Communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding the appropriation of the FY2026 Massachusetts Cultural District Grant in the amount of $15,000.
  6. 6 Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding a response to Awaiting Report 26-08 relative to speed humps on Fayerweather Street.
  7. 7 Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding an update on micromobility regulation.
  8. 1 City Council support of S1022/H.1559, An Act to maintain stable housing for families with pets, and H.4835, An Act to codify pet-friendly elderly housing policies and ensure pet parity across housing authorities.
  9. 2 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.
  10. 1 Condolences to the family of Marion F. Arena (McNally).
  11. 2 Condolences to the family of Frances E. McCauley
  12. 3 Condolences to the family of Stanley T. Kotowski.
  13. 4 Congratulations to the Alibhai-Dadabhoy family on the birth of their son Agha Ibrahim Alibhai.
  14. 5 Condolences to the family of Frances E. McCauley.
  15. 6 Resolution on the 95th Birthday of Toby Cosmo DiFraia.
  16. 7 Thanks to the O’Bannon family for their involvement in The Oscar Micheaux Family Theater Program Company.
  17. 8 Congratulations to the team behind Eastern Edge Food Hall on the opening of this new space in Kendall Square.
  18. 9 Recognition of and appreciation for Children’s Village and its lasting contribution to the Cambridge community and to the children and families they serve
  19. 1 The Finance Committee held a public meeting on February 3, 2026 to review and discuss the Operating Budget in advance of the FY27 budget season.
  20. 2 The Finance Committee held a public meeting on February 11, 2026 to review and discuss the Capital Budget and Public Investment Planning in advance of the FY27 budget season.
  21. 1 A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula Crane, regarding an update regarding legislative activity
  22. 2 COF Mayor School Committee
  23. 1 Condolences to the family of Vincent J. Borelli
  24. 1 Awaiting Report Status Update 3.16.26
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 4 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
  29. 5 Restricting Eligibility for On-Street Resident Parking Permits in New Transit-Oriented Developments.Original Awaiting Report 31839
  30. 6 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
  31. 7 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
  32. 8 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
  33. 9 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.
  34. 10 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.
  35. 11 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.
  36. 12 The City Manager 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 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, or Customs and Border Patrol, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner.
  37. 13 The City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department (CDD) to examine the feasibility, legal considerations, and administrative requirements of permitting qualified third-party 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.
  38. 14 The City Manager is 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.
  39. 15 The City Manager is requested to direct 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.
  40. 16 That the City Manager is requested to assess opportunities to improve the consistency of how meeting information is posted and accessed on the City’s website.
  41. 17 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to produce and deliver to the City Council, prior to the adoption of the FY27 Capital Budget, a consolidated capital lifecycle reconciliation for all major capital initiatives.
  42. 18 That the City Manager is requested to confer with relevant City staff and report back with information on the exploration of a potential Cambridge Snow Corps program.
  43. 19 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments as well as the Election Commissioners to review guidance from the IRS and consult with other municipalities in order to simplify our processes for paying election workers.
  44. 20 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.
  45. 21 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department, Finance Department, Law Department, and other relevant departments to explore all steps towards advancing social housing in Cambridge. Original Awaiting Report Item AR-25-58