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Regular City Council Meeting

June 22, 2026 ·05:30 PM Final
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Agenda — 69 items

  1. 1 Minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held on February 9, 2026.
  2. 2 Minutes of the Special City Council meeting held on January 27, 2026.
  3. 1 A communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a request to approve the use of electronic poll pads on election day.
  4. 2 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to reappointments to the Biosafety Committee.
  5. 3 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of donations received in honor of Frances Antupit, in the amount of $10,563.98, to the Grant Fund Historical Commission Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
  6. 4 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $10,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Grant to the Grant Fund Department of Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
  7. 5 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of donations received for the Police Department Secret Santa for Seniors Program, in the amount of $2,750, to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
  8. 6 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of various donations to the Council on Aging in the amount of $4,101.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
  9. 7 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriation of MASSCAP Inc. funds in the amount of $1,821.91 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
  10. 8 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to donations to The Cambridge Program for Individuals with Special Needs in the amount of $5,013.96 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
  11. 9 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation, in the amount of $625,000, from the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
  12. 10 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriation of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) grant in the amount of $137,222.00 funded by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salaries and Wages account ($23,951.00) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($113,271.00).
  13. 11 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation, in the amount of $68,980.00, received from the Cambridge Housing Authority for the Cambridge Employment Program, to the Grant Fund Human Services Programs Salary and Wages account.
  14. 12 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriation of a Sports and Entertainment Events Fund Grant, in the amount of $26,000, received from the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism to the Grant Fund Executive Department Salaries and Wages account.
  15. 13 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 26-34 regarding a report on citywide water use and water supply.
  16. 14 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update regarding a Boards and Commissions Ordinance Review and Modernization Initiative.
  17. 15 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a response to Awaiting Report 26-02 regarding school parking access.
  18. 16 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 26-38 regarding changes to the resident parking permit price.
  19. 17 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 26-07 regarding restrictions to eligibility for on-street resident parking.
  20. 18 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Home Rule Petition that would increase the personal property tax exemption threshold to $30,000.00 in assessed value for Fiscal Year 2027 and onward.
  21. 19 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report AR 26-04 regarding updates to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance.
  22. 20 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 26-33 regarding a housing needs study.
  23. 21 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning Petition Planning Board report.
  24. 22 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning Petition Planning Board report.
  25. 23 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments and reappointments of members to the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee.
  26. 1 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to develop a plan for inclusive and robust engagement on any proposed licensing changes, and to ensure that the City’s licensing framework remains as efficient, accessible, and streamlined as the law allows, without imposing unnecessary barriers or burdens on licensees
  27. 2 That the City Manager is requested to confer with the relevant departments to explore the ability of the City to prohibit, restrict, or otherwise regulate the use of algorithmic price fixing in its rental housing market, including the potential drafting of ordinance language that would regulate algorithmic price fixing and report back to the City Council in a timely manner.
  28. 3 That the City Manager is requested to direct the Cambridge Police Department to prepare a report for the City Council regarding the causes of the significant decline in traffic enforcement since 2015, current departmental priorities, and recommendations for enforcement.
  29. 4 That the City Manager is requested to evaluate the impacts of the temporary extended last call and public outdoor drinking district measures during the authorization period, consult with the License Commission, Cambridge Police Department, and other relevant stakeholders on the feasibility and desirability of making these measures permanent, and identify any necessary changes or actions required for implementation beyond the current authorization.
  30. 5 City Council support of An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS.
  31. 1 That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Police Department, the Community Safety Department, the Emergency Communications Department, the Department of Human Service Programs, the Department of Public Works, the Law Department, and any other relevant City departments and community partners to develop a Neighborhood Safety Additions Plan for the areas of the City previously served by ShotSpotter technology.
  32. 2 That the City Manager is requested to use the Federal Stabilization Fund to provide one-time stabilization payments to Cambridge-based and Cambridge-serving organizations impacted by FY27 MOVA cuts, report back to the City Council with a proposed funding plan, and work with the Mayor's Office and other relevant City staff to engage with the broader Cambridge nonprofit community to assess the full scope of federal and state funding reductions and their impact on the City's safety net services.
  33. 3 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to proposed changes to the City's Zero Waste Master Plan.
  34. 4 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 26-25 regarding a report on how the decision to install artificial turf was made.
  35. 5 Zero Waste Master Plan Ordinance changes.
  36. 1 An application was received from Patrick Conte, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 87-101 Blanchard Road; 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.
  37. 1 PublicComment_20260617120522
  38. 1 Retirement of Susanne Rasmussen from the City of Cambridge.
  39. 1 A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula Crane, regarding an update regarding legislative activity.
  40. 2 06.17.26 ZWMP 2.0 Council Communication
  41. 3 A communication from Mayor Siddiqui transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the School Committee.
  42. 4 A communication from Mayor Siddiqui transmitting a memorandum regarding the Family Policy Council 2025-2026 Year in Review.
  43. 5 A communication from Councillor Timothy Flaherty relative to City Council Order PO-2026-115 and Discontinuation of ShotSpotter Technology
  44. 1 Congratulations to the CRLS Boys Baseball Team for a historic season.
  45. 2 Celebrating the Cambridge Arlington 7/8 Grade Boys Massachusetts Youth Lacrosse Division 2 Select Championship
  46. 1 Awaiting Report Status Update 6.22.26
  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 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
  49. 3 Restricting Eligibility for On-Street Resident Parking Permits in New Transit-Oriented Developments.Original Awaiting Report 31839
  50. 4 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.
  51. 5 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.
  52. 6 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.
  53. 7 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.
  54. 8 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.
  55. 9 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.
  56. 10 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.
  57. 11 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to review the current legal landscape and provide recommendations for how to regulate construction of large data centers in Cambridge.
  58. 12 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested work with relevant City departments to provide a report on how the decision to install artificial turf was made, the rationale for artificial turf, and what process was taken to ensure community concerns and public health considerations were fully addressed, and to ensure that construction will not move forward until a report is delivered.
  59. 13 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with relevant City staff to review City ordinances regulating the operation of food vendors in City parks.
  60. 14 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant staff to explore options for commissioning a comparable housing needs study through a qualified research institution.
  61. 15 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant City departments to do extensive outreach to residents, businesses, and property owners to communicate the current water level status and take all measures to reduce nonessential water use citywide, and provide a report on citywide water usage and water supply.
  62. 16 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments to review the state bills referenced as well as the previously filed Home Rule Petition and prepare a new Home Rule Petition that would allow Cambridge to install and operate cameras to enforce red light, speeding, or other moving violations as outlined in H.3754 and S.2344 and the prior home rule.
  63. 17 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments stop using ShotSpotter, including turning off and physically removing the surveillance tools no later than 90 days.
  64. 18 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Mayor’s Office, Law Department, Election Commission, and other relevant City Departments to engage the Collins Center in assisting the City in reviewing policy options for allowing Cambridge voters to directly elect the City’s Mayor.
  65. 19 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments to keep unchanged the current fee treatment for senior citizens, as for persons with handicap permits, by maintaining the existing exemption for seniors with respect to the proposed new charges.
  66. 20 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ensure that Cambridge City Hall is illuminated with appropriate Pride colors in advance of the City’s June 20th Pride Celebration and report back to the City Council on the status of these efforts in sufficient time to ensure that the work is completed prior to the June 20th celebration.
  67. 21 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments and community organizations to provide the City Council with a comprehensive Food Access Report that includes, but is not limited to, an accounting of existing programs, expenditures, outcomes, and unmet needs to inform a public hearing on food insecurity and related City policies, programs, and expenditures
  68. 22 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department and Law Department to develop and implement a policy requiring the posting of “Know Your Rights” informational and educational materials in all police department facilities.
  69. 23 That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Cambridge Historical Commission, the Law Department, the Department of Public Works, Inspectional Services, the Cambridge Public Health Department, Community Preservation Act staff, the Harvard Square Business Association, and the owners of properties abutting the Old Stone Wall, for the purpose of developing a practical plan to stabilize, preserve, and restore this historic resource.