City Council - Regular Meeting

Agenda — 54 items

1. 1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases.
2. 2 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Preservation Restriction at 44 J.F. Kennedy Street.
3. 3 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $94,531, received from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, State 911 Department, to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account.
4. 4 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $7,000.00 to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Travel and Training account. The Children's Trust Concrete Support funding will be used to provide gift cards to families to help access nutritional and other concrete supports (diapers, wipes, and other child/family supplies).
5. 5 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-05, regarding 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.
6. 1 That the City Manager is requested to work with the City Council to establish a Seal Review Committee with the charge of recommending an updated city seal and motto in time for adoption prior to the 400th anniversary of the City of Cambridge in 2030.
7. 2 That the Housing Committee will be convened to discuss the concrete details of social housing; 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.
8. 3 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide a recommendation on the site conditions of 25 Lowell Street and considerations and process for determining the future use of the property.
9. 4 That the City Manager is requested to illuminate Cambridge City Hall in purple lights on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in recognition of Rett Syndrome Awareness Month and to demonstrate the City’s support for individuals and families affected by this disorder.
10. 5 That the City Council go on record in recognizing October as National Women's Business Month in Cambridge.
11. 6 Proclaim September 30, 2025, as “Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day” in the City of Cambridge and encourages all Cambridge residents to recognize this day by learning more about LGMD, supporting advocacy and research, and helping build inclusive communities with compassion and understanding for those living with neuromuscular diseases.
12. 7 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and the recently formed coalition to consider options including consideration of costs and benefits to meet a 2050 25 year storm level of control of CSOs, update regulations for private development of stormwater, use of green infrastructure, and improve meaningful public outreach regarding ongoing sewer and stormwater investments, including the creation of a Combined Sewer Overflow Commission.
13. 1 1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-32, regarding a request that the City engage in discussions with leadership from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Harvard Square Business Association (HSBA) regarding a proposal to explore the feasibility of repurposing the long-abandoned MBTA tunnel in Harvard Square into a commercial or cultural space. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AZEEM IN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 15, 2025.
14. 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
15. 1 An application was received from Maggie Booz, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 10 Blanchard Road; 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.
16. 2 An application was received from Raymond Thill representing Moona, requesting permission for a projecting sign at the premises numbered 750 Main Street approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters proof of mailing has been provided.
17. 1 A communication was received from Bruce, regarding Request for Enforcement Plan on Handheld Device Ban While Driving.
18. 2 A communication was received from CRLS Bike Club, regarding bike club letter to Cambridge City Council (2).
19. 3 A communication was received from Gordon T. Moore, regarding Submitted comments for Health and Environment Committee Meeting on Tuesday Sept 16th.
20. 4 A communication was received from Jessica Sculley, regarding City Council Sept 15 2025 POR #117.
21. 5 A communication was received from Lahra Tillman, regarding Must see photos_ Russell Field.
22. 6 A communication was received from Lois Markham, regarding public comment on license plate reader cameras.
23. 7 A communication was received from Marie Elena Saccoccio, regarding Condon American City Canadian City Diagram.
24. 8 A communication was received from Marilee Meyer, regarding Cambridge Day argument for better housing.
25. 9 A communication was received from Michael S. Grill, regarding Support for Cambridge Street Rezoning.
26. 10 A communication was received from Nike Tirman, regarding Garden Street Continued Hazard PLEASE READ .
27. 11 A communication was received from Ovadia R Simha, regarding ECPT Letter Future of Cambridge St Proposal.
28. 12 A communication was received from Roy Russell, regarding Data Retention Policy.
29. 13 A communication was received from Sharmil Modi, regarding CDD Corridor Zoning Recommendations.
30. 14 A communication was received from Susan Leite Bowers, regarding Ltr to Mayor Simmons and councillors re tunnel project.
31. 15 A communication was received from Walden Street neighbors and abutters, regarding 70 Walden Street Development – Follow-Up Concerns.
32. 16 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding My Comment tonight.
33. 17 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding I am disappointed about forwarding Zoning petitions to Ordinance Committee.
34. 18 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Requesting a Policy Order - Report on the MassAve Partial Construction.
35. 19 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Tonigt's vote to forward the 2 zoning petition to the Ordinance Committee.
36. 20 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding SeeClickFix Traffic congestion at Alewife Brook Pkwy & Mass Ave at 8_30 AM (#12524562).
37. 21 A communication was received from Ethan Frank, regarding Support for Corridor Rezoning and Bow Street Pedestrianization..
38. 22 A communication was received from Nonie Valentine, regarding Institutional Use Zoning.
39. 23 A communication was received from Carlos Loya, regarding Re Please help open - Elizabeth's Daycare and Preschool Center in Cambridge
40. 24 A communication was received from Liz Byron Loya, regarding BPS teacher requests response re Elizabeth's Daycare and Preschool.
41. 25 A communication was received from Ovadia R Simha, regarding Dover Amendment.
42. 1 Condolences to the family of Red T. Mitchell.
43. 2 Congratulation to Kevin Treanor and Joe McCabe on their 30 year anniversary of the Phoenix Landing.
44. 3 Condolences on the death of Carlos M. Coelho.
45. 4 Celebrating 50 Years of the Cambridgeport Children’s Center.
46. 5 Condolences on the death of Joao M. Lopes.
47. 6 Congratulations to Dr. Maria McCauley on her election as 2026-2027 President of the American Library Association, for which she was recently honored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.
48. 7 Commending Dr. Maureen McCormick, Ph.D., for her exemplary professional and volunteer service, and celebrating her retirement from volunteer work with De Novo.
49. 8 Thanks to the organizers of the inaugural Celebrating Disability Pride community event which will take place on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Joan Lorentz Park in front of the Cambridge Public Library at 449 Broadway from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
50. 9 Condolences on the death of Nancy Joan Lange.
51. 4 That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department to draft zoning language based on the proposed recommendations, review the feasibility of the proposed recommendations with developers, and consider the possibility of having AHO construction be exempt from the proposed zoning. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AZEEM IN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 FROM COMMITTEE REPORT #3
52. 1 A communication was received from Paula Crane, Interim City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
53. 1 Awaiting Report Status Update
54. 2 1. 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.

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