City Council - Regular Meeting

Agenda — 61 items

1. 1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number #25-55 relative to guidance during ICE encounters.
2. 2 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Marnie Gale and C. Dale Gadsden and the reappointment of Louis Bacci III all for five year terms to the Cambridge Housing Authority Board.
3. 3 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,600, to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The funds will support the Secret Santa for Seniors gift drive, which provided gift bags to approximately 900 seniors during the holidays.
4. 4 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $71,600, to the Grant Fund Water Department Other Ordinary Maintenance Account ($70,960) and to the Grant Fund Water Department Travel and Training account ($640). Funds will be used to convene a Technical Advisory Group (TAG), which will consist of representatives from watershed communities (Lexington, Lincoln, Weston, and Waltham), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), larger commercial property owners, Cambridge Water Department staff, and other interested parties.
5. 5 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $4,800 to the Public Investment Fund Housing Department Salaries and Wages account.
6. 6 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $993,123 to the Grant Fund Office of Sustainability Extraordinary Expenditures account, to support the creation of a Resilience Hub at the Cambridge Community Center. The funding provided through this grant will allow for the procurement and installation of the necessary infrastructure and equipment.
7. 7 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item #25-20 regarding Incentive Zoning Nexus Study.
8. 8 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Zero Emissions Transportation Plan Report.
9. 1 That the City Manager is requested to work with the Department of Public Works, the Department of Public Health, and any relevant environmental consultants to provide a comprehensive report on Gold Star Mothers Memorial Park.
10. 2 Recognize October 2025 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Cambridge, and encourage all residents and City staff to attend the Annual Domestic Violence Vigil on October 8, 2025, to show support for survivors.
11. 3 That the City Council go on record recognizing October 11, 2025, as Black Girl Day Off in the City of Cambridge and encourage residents to honor the spirit of this day by supporting the health, wellness, and empowerment of Black women and girls in our community.
12. 4 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant staff to ensure that the zoning code relating to Institutional Use Regulation is in compliance with State law.
13. 5 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments, state agencies, and the property owner IQHQ to provide an update on efforts to maintain cleanliness and safety in the area on Alewife Paths near Russell Field.
14. 6 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to consider a plan to better utilize the Russell Youth and Community Center.
15. 1 1. Condolences to the family of Red T. Mitchell.
16. 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
17. 1 A communication was received from Adam Baratz, regarding Bakal et al petition.
18. 2 A communication was received from Ann Stewart, regarding 20250929 stewart comment CSO committee and PO 136.
19. 3 A communication was received from Anne Riesenfeld, regarding New School of Music public comment, 9.29.2025.
20. 4 A communication was received from Bernie Corbett, regarding Tunnel Project.
21. 5 A communication was received from Bruce Willis, regarding Lack of Enforcement of Hands-Free Driving Law in Cambridge.
22. 6 A communication was received from Caitlin Shea, regarding Reject the Bakal Zoning Amendment Petition.
23. 7 A communication was received from Candice Driver, regarding September 29 Meeting - Policy Order 3.
24. 8 A communication was received from Carolann Barrett, regarding comments from Sept. 5 City Council meeting.
25. 9 A communication was received from Carolyn Magid, regarding public comment on Policy Order 2.
26. 10 A communication was received from Derek Etkin, regarding Please support PO#131 on social housing for Cambridge.
27. 11 A communication was received from Ed Henley, regarding Public Comment on _Social Housing_ 9_29_25.
28. 12 A communication was received from Ellen Vickery, regarding Reject the Bakal Zoning Petition.
29. 13 A communication was received from Erin Howell, regarding Support for PO #131.
30. 14 A communication was received from Ethan Frank, regarding CRLS bike racks.
31. 15 A communication was received from Henry H. Wortis, regarding Policy Order 2, Social Housing.
32. 16 A communication was received from Jessica Sculley, regarding City Council Sept 29 2025 (002).
33. 17 A communication was received from Kavish Gandhi, regarding POR #2.
34. 18 A communication was received from Louise Venden, regarding Policy order #2 from 9_29_25 meeting.
35. 19 A communication was received from Margaret Ann Brady, regarding Public Comments.
36. 20 A communication was received from Maritza Soto, regarding POR 2025 #131 - Policy Order #2 - Social Housing.
37. 21 A communication was received from Masato Kocberber, regarding Solar Protection Zoning Tradeoffs.
38. 22 A communication was received from Norman Daoust, regarding support for PO# 2025 #131, social housing.
39. 23 A communication was received from O. Robert. Simha, regarding Corrected copy of letter to the Long Range Planning Committee .
40. 24 A communication was received from Sarah Block, regarding Bakal zoning petition - please reject AND add some additional bike racks for CRLS and the library.
41. 25 A communication was received from Steve Garafalo, regarding Support for PO#131 on social housing for Cambridge.
42. 26 A communication was received from Steve Wineman, regarding Social Housing.
43. 27 A communication was received from Suzanne Blier, regarding Old and New, Roof Tops to Tunnels - Sept 29 City Council Meeting.
44. 28 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Request for Funding Clarification – CSO MassAve4 Project.
45. 29 A communication was received from Nonie Valentine, regarding Thank you.
46. 30 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Request for Policy Order on Mass Timber Moratorium.
47. 31 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding PB Open Meeting Violation Complaint Submitted.
48. 1 Condolences on the death of Richard "Big Rick" Howe.
49. 2 Condolences on the death of William L. Ronchetti.
50. 3 Condolences on the death of Sergio Marquez
51. 4 Condolences on the death of Kenneth S. Neal.
52. 5 Condolences on the death of Nora Joan Darrah.
53. 6 Condolences on the death of James F. Doucette.
54. 7 Condolences on the death of Kate S. Frank.
55. 8 Condolences on the death of John Joseph Quinn
56. 9 Resolution on the death of Kathleen Cummings
57. 2 An Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane relative to Dangerous Dog Ordinance 6.08.010 Ordinance.
58. 1 A communication was received from Paula Crane, Interim City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
59. 2 A communication was received from Commissioner Elow Cambridge Police Department, transmitting a memorandum regarding compliance with the Welcoming City Ordinance (Section 2.129.060), which mandates that a statistical breakdown of ICE interactions with the Cambridge Police.
60. 1 Awaiting Report Status Update
61. 2 1. 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.

Watch Cambridge

This is one agenda. Cambridge publishes another every few weeks, and the thing you care about is rarely on the one you happened to find. Name it and we will email you when it appears.

Watch this

Free for 14 days, no card — and nothing charges itself: at day 14 the emails simply stop unless you choose to subscribe ($19 a month). One email when something matches, and nothing else. Unsubscribe from any of them. Searching stays free — it is public record.