City Council - Regular Meeting

May 19, 2025 ·03:30 PM Final

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF Official record ↗

Agenda — 130 items

1 First floor retail policy order. RECONSIDERATION FILED BY COUNCILLOR TONER
2 An application was received from Matt Mayo, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 49 Alpine 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. RECONSIDERATION FILED BY COUNCILLOR NOLAN IN COUNCIL MAY 12, 2025
3 Reconsideration Of APP 2025 #19
1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Federal update.
2 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $100,000, received from a Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) Grant, to the Grant Fund Community Development Department Extraordinary Expenditures Account. Funds will contribute to the installation of seven new level 2 electric vehicle charging heads.
3 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a transfer in the amount of $150,000, from the General Fund Fire Salaries and Wages account to the General Fund Fire Other Ordinary Maintenance account. Funds will be used to supplement the cost to equip 10 new firefighters with personal protective gear and equipment, and station uniforms. We had an opportunity to increase the numbers of firefighters we had originally anticipated hiring due to unforeseen retirements. These funds will cover the cost of medical exams, station uniforms, bunker gear and other required equipment
4 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a 5-year contract for AED installation and maintenance.
5 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $34,300, to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) Other Ordinary Maintenance account. Funds will be used to support the Arts Council’s Artist Grant Program which provides financial grant opportunities and partnership from Cambridge Arts.
6 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $298,794.13, funded by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account. Funds will be used for emergency shelter operating costs at the Cambridge Salvation Army Men’s Shelter. Additionally, funds will be used towards workforce development costs for the shelter’s direct line staff.
7 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $8,615.00, for the Center for Families program, funded by the Cambridge Public Health Commission, Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The Center for Families will use this grant to provide family programming and curriculum development, refreshments for parent and child events and activity bag giveaways.
8 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,000 to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account. These funds were awarded to the Summer Food Program by Project Bread and will be used to enhance promotion and outreach, support activities, and to pay for program related supplies.
9 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Cambridge Out of School Time (OST) Expansion Study Report.
10 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Executive Summary of the City’s Community Benefits Advisory Committee’s work over the past several years.
11 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board Report regarding the Cannabis Repackaging Petition.
12 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report on the BioMed Realty, L.P. petition to amend the Zoning Map.
13 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number #25-11 regarding EZ Ride ETA issues.
1 That this City Council hereby declares June 19, 2025 as a Day of Reflection on Mass Incarceration in the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, go on record in support, and gives its endorsement of, the Juneteenth Festival at Cambridge Common as a vital community event celebrating freedom and resilience, and go on record in support and commending the work of The Black Response Cambridge in creating the film “Where Do Black Men Live?”, which powerfully highlights the lived experiences, struggles, and stories of Black male populations in Cambridge, bringing greater awareness to critical issues of hou
2 That the City Manager is requested to explore with the Government Operations Committee whether the functions of the Peace Commission may be improved and enhanced by bringing them within another City Commission or Department, such as the Human Rights Commission, and report back in a timely manner. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY MAYOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL MAY 19, 2025 PLACED ON THE TABLE JUNE 2, 2025
3 That the City Council go on record in support of HD 1811/SD 1114 and HD 1693/SD 1124 and the Clean Slate Massachusetts campaign.
4 Late Policy Order re NEFS Custodian Contract for City CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY MAYOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL MAY 19, 2025
1 1. That the City Manager is requested to meet with the leadership of the Harvard Square Business Association to discuss the proposal and to take the necessary steps to facilitate the release of $72,000 to fund the RFP development for the tunnel engineering study.
2 1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-22, regarding a request 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. PLACED ON THE TABLE IN COUNCIL MAY 5, 2025
3 1. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the FY 2026 submitted budget and appropriation orders for the General Fund, Water Fund, and Public Investment Fund. PLACED ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN COUNCIL APRIL 28, 2025
1 An application was received from Gail Wang requesting permission for a temporary banner across JFK at Mount Auburn Street and Massachusetts Avenue in front of City Hall announcing Boston Dragon Boat Festival on May 26, 2025 through June 9, 2025.
2 An application was received from Bailey Clurman Chamber of Commerce requesting permission for a temporary banner across Massachusetts Avenue in front of City Hall announcing Cambridge Taste from June 9, 2025 through June 24, 2025.
3 An application was received from Andrew Jawa, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 11 Union Street; 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.
1 A communication was received from Alan Joslin, regarding Please vote NO on key budget and policy items.
2 A communication was received from Alexandra Irving, regarding18 Clinton MC-6545 Cambridge multi-unit rented housing replaced with multimillion single family homes for sale.
3 A communication was received from Andrew Rogers, regarding Request to prioritize TWC residents for new vouchers.
4 A communication was received from Andy Nash, regarding Policy order #6.
5 A communication was received from Ann Robbart, regarding Alpine St curb cut app.
6 A communication was received from Anne Sundaram, regarding No to retail.
7 A communication was received from Annette LaMond, regarding No to Retail on Residential Streets.
8 A communication was received from Betsy Damian, regarding curb cut on alpine st_.
9 A communication was received from Brendan Hickey, regarding Please support POR 2025 #70.
10 A communication was received from Brennan Waters, regarding Support First-Floor Retail Zoning.
11 A communication was received from Camilla Elvis, regarding Support first floor retail .
12 A communication was received from Carolyn Magid, regarding Charter Right 1 and 2 (on tonight's agenda).
13 A communication was received from Catalina Arboleda, regarding Too Much Spending_ when Cambridge faces likely economic trouble.
14 A communication was received from Corey Sung, regarding Prioritize TWC residents for new vouchers.
15 A communication was received from Crystal Komm, regarding Today's Vote on PO25#70.
16 A communication was received from Dan Sprague, regarding Yes to mixed use.
17 A communication was received from Dan Totten, regarding Thoughts on TWC _compromise_.
18 A communication was received from Dave Halperin, regarding Support first floor retail.
19 A communication was received from Dave Slaney & Leslie Cohen, regarding Policy Orders 1 & 2.
20 A communication was received from David HattisIn, regarding Support of Adjusting Inclusionary Zoning.
21 A communication was received from Denise Jillson, regarding Writing in Support of First-Floor Retail
22 A communication was received from Eileen Babbitt, regarding 47-49 Alpine St Curb cut application .
23 A communication was received from Ellen MeiGive, regarding housing vouchers to the residents of the Transition Wellness Center!.
24 A communication was received from Ethan Frank, regarding City owned parking lots & first floor retail.
25 A communication was received from Feanil Patel, regarding Support for POR 2025 #70 (First Floor Retail.
26 A communication was received from Gerald Bergman, regarding Cambridge budget - vote no_ council mtg 5_12 and Finance Committee mtg 5_14.
27 A communication was received from Henry H. Wortis, regarding Inclusionary Housing.
28 A communication was received from Jacqueline Brown, regarding New Memberships and Critical Council Votes.
29 A communication was received from Jessica Sheehan, regarding support for first floor retail.
30 A communication was received from Josh Zakim, regarding Written Testimony in Support of Policy Order #68.
31 A communication was received from Joshua Hartshorne, regarding In support of POR 2025 #68.
32 A communication was received from Judy Somberg, regarding Charter Right #2 - Please support funding for our most vulnerable residents.
33 A communication was received from Karen Klein, regarding Please vote NO on key budget and policy items (1).
34 A communication was received from Kiersten Kerby-Patel, regarding I support first floor retail.
35 A communication was received from Elizabeth Van Ranst, regarding Items on Tonight's Agenda_ Housing & Retail.
36 A communication was received from Kit WuIn, regarding support of retail on 1st floor in Cambridge.
37 A communication was received from Lee Farris, regarding Residents Alliance Opposes CR #1_ Supports CR #2.
38 A communication was received from Liz Marran, regarding Position letter 49 Alpine Street Curb cut application .
39 A communication was received from Liz Werby, regarding First Floor Retail.
40 A communication was received from Mary Baine Campbell, regarding Housing for mixed households_ formerly unhoused and low-income residents.
41 A communication was received from Mary Byrne, regarding Please vote NO on key budget and policy items.
42 A communication was received from Matthew Sutton, regarding Cambridge City Council.
43 A communication was received from Michael DiMella, regarding letter of support of policy order #68.
44 A communication was received from Michael Monestime, regarding Writing in Support of First-Floor Retail.
45 A communication was received from Michael Rogove, regarding PO 70 - First floor retail and neighborhood character.
46 A communication was received from Nancy Menzin, regarding The proposed curb cut at 49 Alpine Street.
47 A communication was received from Nonie Valentine, regarding City Manager's proposed spending.
48 A communication was received from Norma Finkelstein, regarding 49 Alpine Street cub cut.
49 A communication was received from Pat Sekler, regarding Please vote NO on retail use of residential streets.
50 A communication was received from Patrick W Barrett III, regarding Support for Policy Order #68 (Inclusionary Housing Study).
51 A communication was received from Roger Lowenstein, regarding Today's Vote on PO25#70.
52 A communication was received from Rosalind Michahelles, regarding affordable housing ORD25#7.
53 A communication was received from Saira Prasanth, regarding Prioritize TWC residents for new vouchers.
54 A communication was received from Sarah Stonethe, regarding Wellness Center and vouchers.
55 A communication was received from Sharon Stichter, regarding Retail on every street_.
56 A communication was received from Sheli Wortis, regarding Charter Rights 1 and 2.
57 A communication was received from Shelley RiemanI, regarding stand with TWC residents.
58 A communication was received from Skip Schiel, regarding Policy Order 6_ AS IS and Charter Right #2_.
59 A communication was received from Stephen Cellucci, regarding Spaulding Transition Wellness Center residents deserve a plan.
60 A communication was received from Susan Cooke, regarding Cambridge City Council Votes on PO25#70 & ORD25#7 and Economic Issues.
61 A communication was received from Susan Ringler, regarding PLEASE ACT QUICKLY to preserve parking on Broadway!.
62 A communication was received from Suzanne Watzman, regarding REGARDING PO25#70_ ORD25#7 and RE-thinking expenditures.
63 A communication was received from Terrence Tivnan, regarding Curb cut request at 49 Alpine St.
64 A communication was received from William Simmers, regarding 49 Alpine St_ application for curb cut.
65 A communication was received from Yann Dardonville, regarding Prioritize TWC residents for new vouchers.
66 A communication was received from Alex Yu, regarding Clarification of Abutter Support for 49 Alpine St Curb-Cut Application.
67 A communication was received from Derrick Egbert, regarding A NO Vote against owners of 49 Alpine Street for A Curb Cut.
68 A communication was received from Guillemette Simmers, regarding Curb cut at 47-49 Alpine Street.
69 A communication was received from Liz Marran, regarding Please Vote NO on 49 Alpine St curb cut this Monday May 19.
70 A communication was received from Peter Kuhlmann, regarding Ahern Park Field.
71 A communication was received from Nonie Valentine, regarding PO25#70 Retail on every street - no.
72 A communication was received from E.V. Sweeney, regarding Please vote NO on key budget and policy items.
73 A communication was received from Cambridge Bicycle Safety , regarding Petition with over 1200 signatures to keep Broadway on Schedule.
1 Congratulations to Maria Laranjeira on her retirement from the Auditing Department
2 Congratulations to Linda Branco on her retirement from the Cambridge Public Schools
3 Congratulations to Lieutenant Steven Donahue on his retirement from the Cambridge Police Department
4 Condolences To The Family of Esther Scantlebury
5 Congratulations on the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Peter Sturges and Sasha Lauterbach
6 Resolution Celebrating Pari Kim on Her Graduation and Recognizing Her Advocacy and Contributions to the Cambridge and Massachusetts Community
7 Condolences on the death of Richard T. Christo
8 Condolences on the death of Thomas Bates Jr.
9 Condolences on the death of Charles "Charlie" King
10 Condolences on the death of Lorraine Waite Cooper
11 Late Resolution re Memorial Day 2025
4 An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to Chapter 5.50 CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMITTING
5 An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to Zoning Petition to remove the repackaging prohibition as a City Council Zoning Petition. PASSED TO SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MAY 19, 2025. ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED JUNE 9, 2025.
1 A communication was received from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
1 Awaiting Report Status Update
1 The City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a Home Rule Petition to enact legislation which would allow the City of Cambridge to prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system.
2 The City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council with a update on the status and timeline for the completion of the Grand Junction Multiuse Path and how implementation between Gore Street and Little Binney could coincide with Phase 2 of the CSO implementation on Cambridge Street.
3 The City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a report on the use of M.G.L. Ch. 40U to determine which local statutes can be enforced by the local-option procedure in order to better collect fines in violation of Cambridge ordinances and provide a recommendation to the City Council for implementation of Ch. 40U procedures.
4 The City Manager is requested to exert all appropriate influence on EZ Ride and Passio to take immediate and concrete steps to fully resolve tracking deficiencies and improve real-time transit accuracy for riders.
5 The City Manager is requested to work with all appropriate Departments to develop language to create an “Affordable Rent Incentive Program” program for Cambridge and to report back to the City Council with option, including the percentage of possible tax abatements.
6 The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to create a plaque to be placed at the entrance of or inside City Hall that demonstrates the values that the Cambridge City Council upholds of the separation of church and state and gender equality.
7 The City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City departments to draft language to create an Ordinance to insure that vacant store fronts and commercial properties keep their properties in safe and clean conditions.
8 That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to develop a timeline for the next Incentive Zoning Nexus Study.
9 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to do more outreach to residents, businesses, and property owners to communicate the drought status and take all measures to reduce nonessential water use citywide, and provide a report on citywide water usage and water supply.
10 That the City Manager is requested to establish a Lost and Found program at Cambridge City Hall.
11 That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to assemble a list of public and private spaces available to the public, indoors and outdoors, noting contact information and any associated requirements, ensuring that there are public meeting places identified in each neighborhood.
12 That the City Manager investigate bike pod storage options to be placed in suitable areas in the City to provide residents and visitors safe storage options.
13 That the City Manager is requested to prepare an update with details on the status of potential civilian flagger operations in the Cambridge police union contract and work with relevant city staff to explore a civilian traffic flagger program and update the current police union contract on the City's website.
14 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.
15 The City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to develop a timeline for the next Inclusionary Housing Study, explore remedies to address the lack of housing starts and provide for consideration draft amendments to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, and explore other incentives to encourage developers to include affordable units beyond the requirement voluntarily.
16 That the City Manager is requested to include in the FY26 Operating Budget a continued commitment to Emergency Housing Vouchers for Permanent Supportive Housing and Mixed Status Families, and the Transition Wellness Center, as well as allocate the necessary resources to establish a municipal successor to Rise Up Cambridge that builds on its mission of providing direct, dignified economic support to families.

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