Regular City Council

Agenda — 46 items

1. 1 Minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held on March 16, 2026
2. 1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to recommendations for the block rates for water consumption and sewer use for the period beginning April 1, 2026 and ending March 31, 2027.
3. 2 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $900,000 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund and the rescission of funds from two grants in the amount of $2,000,000 and $400,000 respectively to support a new off-road bridge over the Fitchburg Rail Line.
4. 3 ​​A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) Review Board Appointment.​
5. 4 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to classification of the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) Review Board as special municipal employees.
6. 5 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,234,379.00 from Free Cash to support snow operations.
7. 6 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $700,000.00 from Free Cash to support road repairs related to snow operations.
8. 7 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 26-21 regarding exploration of a potential Snow Corps program.
9. 8 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2025 Town Gown Reports and Presentations discussed by the Planning Board in February.
10. 1 That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to light up City Hall in light blue, light pink, and white from March 31, 2026, until April 6, 2026, in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility.
11. 2 City Council support of H.91 and S.2556, An Act to modernize funding for community media programming
12. 3 That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department and the Transportation Department to meet with Harvard's Office of Community Relations and the Longwood Collective (MASCO) to harmonize institutional bus protocols with public-facing commitments.
13. 4 That the City Manager is requested to direct relevant City departments and staff to examine and report back on whether the city can require single-stall public bathrooms to be gender-neutral.
14. 5 Support A Federal Earmark to Take Plans for the Boston-Cambridge Riverwalk Construction at Science Park to 25% Design
15. 6 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 .
16. 1 Congratulations to the CRLS Unified Sports Program on achieving recognition as a National Banner Unified Champion School and celebrates its ongoing commitment to inclusion and excellence.
17. 2 That the Cambridge City Council express its deep appreciation for Minara’s contributions to the cultural, social, and civic life of Cambridge.
18. 1 The Finance Committee held a public hearing on February 25, 2026 to receive a status update on Federal Grants (including ARPA) and the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund, as well as a discussion on establishing future Budget Priorities.
19. 1 A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula Crane, regarding an update regarding legislative activity
20. 2 A communication from Mayor Siddiqui transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the School Committee.
21. 1 Supporting East Cambridge Planning Team's Letter in Favor of Boston-Cambridge Riverwalk Construction at Science Park Project
22. 2 Condolences on the Passing of Patricia L. O’Connor
23. 3 Late Resolution Congratulating Cambridge Community Center 2026 Honorees
24. 4 Late Condolence Resolution to the Family of Gloria Thompson
25. 5 Condolences To The Family of Yvette Dottin
26. 6 Late Condolence Resolution for Leon Braithwaite
27. 7 Late Resolution recognizing Eric and Yukiko Toledo for their outstanding volunteer service and commitment to Cambridge Youth Sports.
28. 1 Awaiting Report Status Update 3.23.26
29. 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
30. 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
31. 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
32. 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
33. 5 Restricting Eligibility for On-Street Resident Parking Permits in New Transit-Oriented Developments.Original Awaiting Report 31839
34. 6 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
35. 7 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
36. 8 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.
37. 9 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.
38. 10 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.
39. 11 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.
40. 12 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.
41. 13 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.
42. 14 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.
43. 15 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.
44. 16 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.
45. 17 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.
46. 18 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