City Council - Regular Meeting

March 24, 2025 ·03:30 PM Final

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF Official record ↗

Agenda — 110 items

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, 2025 and ending March 31, 2026.
2 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City of Cambridge retaining its AAA rating from the nation's three major credit rating agencies.
3 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Yoyo Yau to the Coordinating Council for Children Youth and Families (also known as “Family Policy Council”) effective March 24, 2025.
4 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Proposed Amendments -- Cambridge Municipal Code 13.08, Water System Regulations and Chapter 13.12, Water Reservoirs. PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MARCH 24, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED ON APRIL 7, 2025
5 An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to Cambridge Municipal Code 13.08, Water System Regulations and Chapter 13.12, Water Reservoirs.
6 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $346,020, from Free Cash, to the General Fund Public Works Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account for expenses associated with pre-treating and salting of roads, snow plowing and snow removal contracts.
7 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Department Extraordinary Expenditures account, for street repairs required due to significant winter weather damage. This season the Department had sixteen salting, three plowing and two hauling events to pre-treat, de-ice and clear roads, sidewalks and bike lanes.
8 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-14, regarding a report on snow operations with a focus on crosswalks and pedestrian islands.
9 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-10, regarding explore potential actions the City can take to mitigate the impact of Eversource price hikes, staff have provided an update on recent cost increases and various City and Eversource support programs.
10 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $289,000 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Extraordinary Expenditures account. These mitigation funds will be used to maintain Bluebikes bikeshare equipment in a state of good repair.
11 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a summary of a Planning Board Meeting on the 2024 Town Gown Reports and Presentations.
12 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a proposed Home Rule Petition prepared by the Law Department which would raise the sound business practices and written quote contract thresholds under M.G.L. c. 30B for City contracts with certified disadvantaged businesses.
13 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-7, regarding a request to work with appropriate departments to prepare a communication to DCR Commissioner Arrigo, urging that a study of traffic conditions at the intersections of Western Avenue and River Street at Memorial Drive and Soldiers Field Road (commonly referred to as “the box”), be included in their FY26 Capital Plan, with the goals of improving efficiency and safety at these intersections.
14 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to renewal of the Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AZEEM IN COUNCIL MARCH 24, 2025
1 That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to develop a timeline for the next Incentive Zoning Nexus Study.
2 That the City Manager is requested to work with the Office of the Housing Liaison and all relevant departments to ensure the successful implementation of an outreach and assistance campaign to provide broad and equitable access to eviction record sealing for eligible Cambridge tenants.
3 That the City Manager is requested to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to open the publicly owned parking at the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School Complex for either residential free parking or commercial parking opportunities during “off” hours.
4 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and institutional stakeholders currently operating some form of shuttle to explore options for a municipal transit pilot program.
5 Policy Order re Transgender Day of Visibility
1 1. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $570,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Police Extraordinary Expenditures account for the procurement of replacement firearms for the Police Department. These funds would support the purchase of replacement firearms for the Department. Police Department firearms are typically replaced on approximately a ten-year cycle. The manufacturer has ceased production of the model currently used and replacements are almost impossible to source. It is important that department personnel are all tra
2 1. An Ordinance has been received from the City Clerk, relative to Chapter 2.24 - City Clerk Department, Section 2.24.050 entitled "Fee Schedule".
1 An application was received from Cambridge Community Foundation requesting permission for 60 temporary pole banners along 99 Bishop Allen Drive announcing "MAKING GOOD" from March 114, 2025 through September 2, 2025.
2 An application was received from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School requesting permission for 8 temporary banner pole banners along Central Square and CRLS campus announcing "CONGRATULATIONS CRLS GRADUATES" from May 30, 2025 through July 31, 2025.
3 An application was received from MGM Development Co. requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 74 Hammond Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. Response has been received from the neighborhood association.
1 A communication was received from John Trever, regarding Please vote NO on citywide upzoning petition.
2 A communication was received from Aisha, regarding Bike lanes meeting 3_17 10am comment.
3 A communication was received from Allan Ko, regarding Please oppose new guns for police (CMA #7).
4 A communication was received from Amy Thompson, regarding Our squares and corridors (9).
5 A communication was received from Ann Haycox, regarding Our squares and corridors (20).
6 A communication was received from Annette LaMond & Joe Moore, regarding Our squares and corridors.
7 A communication was received from Arthur Kleinman, regarding Our squares and corridors (1).
8 A communication was received from Arti Pandey, regarding Our squares and corridors (32).
9 A communication was received from Belinda Rathbone, regarding Our squares and corridors (25).
10 A communication was received from Brenda Stanfield, regarding Broadway parking vs bike lanes.
11 A communication was received from Bud Evans, regarding Our squares and corridors (14).
12 A communication was received from Carlos M. Loya, regarding Request for Information and Meeting on Upzoning Proposals on squares and corridors.
13 A communication was received from Carol Birnbaum, regarding Our squares and corridors.
14 A communication was received from Carole Stern, regarding Our squares and corridors.
15 A communication was received from Christine Tessier, regarding Our squares and corridors (4).
16 A communication was received from Cynthia Broner, regarding Our squares and corridors.
17 A communication was received from Cynthia W Smith, regarding Our squares and corridors (13).
18 A communication was received from Deborah A. Colburn, regarding Our squares and corridors (6).
19 A communication was received from Deborah Valenze, regarding Our squares and corridors (1).
20 A communication was received from Elise Moore, regarding Keep our Squares and Corridors Safe.
21 A communication was received from Elizabeth Kon, regarding Our squares and corridors (2).
22 A communication was received from Fred Scholz, regarding Our squares and corridors (1).
23 A communication was received from Gillian Diercks, regarding City Council Meeting public comments.
24 A communication was received from Ginna Donovan, regarding Our squares and corridors (5).
25 A communication was received from Gordon T. Moore, regarding City Design Guidelines Presentation to the Planning Board and Mass Ave.
26 A communication was received from Harvey Halpern, regarding Our squares and corridors (15).
27 A communication was received from Hunter Aldrich, regarding Our squares and corridors (19).
28 A communication was received from John Whisnant, regarding Our squares and corridors.
29 A communication was received from John, regarding Our squares and corridors (18).
30 A communication was received from Judith Aronson, regarding Our squares and corridors (33).
31 A communication was received from Judith Farris Bowman, regarding Our squares and corridors (17).
32 A communication was received from Judy Singer and Beth Gamse, regarding Our squares and corridors (23).
33 A communication was received from Julie S. Vargas, regarding Our squares and corridors.
34 A communication was received from Kitty Gormley, regarding Our squares and corridors (2).
35 A communication was received from Lahra Tillman, regarding Our squares and corridors (37).
36 A communication was received from Laney Bank, regarding Our squares and corridors (35).
37 A communication was received from Layla Cable, regarding Our squares and corridors.
38 A communication was received from Lee Farris, regarding Residents Alliance supports max_ unit size.
39 A communication was received from Lee Meyer, regarding Our squares and corridors (3).
40 A communication was received from Lenore G. Martin, regarding Our squares and corridors.
41 A communication was received from Linda Chicariello, regarding Our squares and corridors.
42 A communication was received from Lisa Glover, regarding Our squares and corridors (7).
43 A communication was received from Liz Keating, regarding Focus on the Impending Recession and Halt New Projects.
44 A communication was received from Liz Werby, regarding Our squares and corridors (24).
45 A communication was received from Lucia Mudd, regarding Our squares and corridors (12).
46 A communication was received from Maggie Baratz, regarding Petition to Leave Garden Street in Current Configuration.
47 A communication was received from Margaret Gadon, regarding Our squares and corridors.
48 A communication was received from Maria Ritz, regarding Our squares and corridors (1).
49 A communication was received from Marilee Meyer, regarding PLEASE RENEW HALF-CROWN MARSH CONSERVATION DISTRICT.
50 A communication was received from Mark Kon, regarding strong concerns about mis-direction of Cambridge.
51 A communication was received from Marlene Brown, regarding Our squares and corridors (3).
52 A communication was received from Marni Clippinger, regarding Our squares and corridors (29).
53 A communication was received from Mary Ann Szporluk, regarding Our squares and corridors.
54 A communication was received from Maureen Whitehouse, regarding Our squares and corridors (26).
55 A communication was received from Michele Pignatelli, regarding Our squares and corridors (31).
56 A communication was received from Nolan Surma, regarding New guns for the police (CMA #7) should be opposed and voted down.
57 A communication was received from Nonie Valentine, regarding Our squares and corridors.
58 A communication was received from Paul Breneman, regarding Our squares and corridors (22).
59 A communication was received from Peter, regarding Our squares and corridors (8).
60 A communication was received from Janet Randall, regarding Our squares and corridors (16).
61 A communication was received from Rhonda Massie, regarding Our squares and corridors.
62 A communication was received from Richard Solomon, regarding I oppose new guns for the police (CMA #7).
63 A communication was received from Robin Greeley, regarding Our squares and corridors (28).
64 A communication was received from Rui Ponte, regarding Our squares and corridors (36).
65 A communication was received from Sharon Sears, regarding Our squares and corridors.
66 A communication was received from Sharon Stichter, regarding Our squares and corridors (27).
67 A communication was received from Shelagh Hadley, regarding Our squares and corridors (21).
68 A communication was received from Susan M. Carter, regarding Housing on corridors.
69 A communication was received from Susan Stewarthow, regarding much will zoning changes increase affordable housing_ What about preserving trees_ and the historic character of neighborhoods_.
70 A communication was received from Suzanne Watzman, regarding Our squares and corridors (10).
71 A communication was received from Yann Dardonville, regarding I oppose public safety cameras (Annual Surveillance Report).
72 A communication was received from Zack Goldberg, regarding Our squares and corridors.
73 A communication was received from Adriane Bishko, regarding You have my support.
1 Congratulations to William Renzi on his retirement from the Department of Public Works.
2 Congratulations to Ana Nava on her retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance.
3 Congratulations to Leona Golden on her retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance.
4 Welcome American Library Association President Cindy Hohl to Cambridge.
5 Condolences on the death of Gladys "Pebble" Gifford.
6 Congratulations to Joanne Bosco on her retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance.
7 Congratulations to Seamus Whelan on his retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance.
8 Condolences on the death of Kitty Dukakis
9 City Council appreciation to Ovadia Robert Simha for his many contributions to the community.
10 Congratulating the Grand Opening of GreenSoul
1 A communication was received from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
1 Awaiting Report Status Update
2 1. Provide an update to the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan (MFIP) including revised cost estimates to help inform the FY26 and ongoing capital budget priorities in a timely manner.

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