City Council - Regular Meeting

October 20, 2025 ·03:30 PM Final

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF Official record ↗

Agenda — 79 items

1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases.
2 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $24,020 received from the Office of the Attorney General, Local Consumer Aid Fund, to the Grant Fund License Commission (Consumer’s Council) Salaries and Wages account. The funds will be used to allow the Consumers' Council to continue the mediation of consumer complaints from individuals in Cambridge as well as in Somerville, Arlington, Belmont, Watertown and Waltham which do not have their own complaint mediation program.
3 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Charles J. Marquardt as an Election Commissioner for a four year term, effective through March 31, 2029.
4 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $274,577.93 received from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, State 911 Department, to the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Department Salary and Wages account ($172,691.93), the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($4,753.00) and the Grant Fund Emergency Communications Department Travel and Training account ($97,133.00). This formula-based reimbursement grant will support training of Emergency Communications Center personnel, classroom fe
5 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $48,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($40,398.00), to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($5,064.00), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Travel and Training account ($2,538.00). The grant is provided through funds from the Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation, and will provide support for Bridge Program advising, coaching and mentoring; advising and outreach for the ESOL/Certified Nursing Assistant Program; and career a
6 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $275,237.00 to the Grant Fund Human Services Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The funds are authorized by MHSA to provide emergency individual shelter services at the Cambridge Salvation Army. Funds will be used to support the operation of the Men’s Shelter, which provides 35 shelter beds, and to support the Salvation Army’s Daytime Drop-in Center.
7 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-53, regarding a request that the City Manager consult with relevant departments about the implications of deploying license plate readers and provide recommendations as to whether adjustments in plans for deployment should be made in light of changes since approval in February.
8 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment and reappointment of members to the Committee on Public Planting for terms of three years.
9 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-34 regarding curb cut disputes.
1 City Council support for Massachusetts’ community colleges and state universities and urging the state Legislature to pass the DRIVE Act with an amendment to cover student supports and other cuts beyond research grants as a first step toward public higher education funding that adequately supports students, faculty and staff.
2 That the City Manager is requested to reach out to representatives from Eversource to coordinate at least four public open-house meetings in the coming weeks regarding heat and electricity costs.
3 City Council support of H.811, An Act authorizing cities and towns to provide for citizen-funded election campaigns.
4 City Council support of the unionization efforts of Massachusetts State House legislative staff and H.2093/S.1343, and urge the recognition of the Massachusetts State House Employee Union.
5 That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to report back to the City Council on current efforts towards poison ivy control in the Fresh Pond Master Plan as well as recommended improvements for signage and regular maintenance planning.
6 That the City Council supports House Bill H.3564, An Act Relative to Infrastructure Replacement Projects, and House Bill H.3446 /Senate Bill S.2248, An Act Relative to Municipal Voices in Gas Utility Work that are currently before the Massachusetts Legislature.
7 City Council support of Bill Lifting Caps on Municipal Solar.
8 City Council opposition to Harvard University’s efforts to strip union protections from workers in the Harvard Graduate Students Union bargaining unit, and to all forms of union busting, and go on record urging the Harvard administration to engage in good faith with the demands of our residents organizing with HGSU, HAW, and the Harvard Undergraduate Workers Union (HUWU), including fair pay, healthcare, and workplace harassment and discrimination protections.
9 That the City suspend using Flock cameras, and all ALPR technology currently in use, until the City Council votes to reinstate or revoke the use of such devices.
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. An Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane relative to Dangerous Dog Ordinance 6.08.010 Ordinance.
1 An application was received from Brian Albrecht, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 239 Brookline 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 Arti Pandey, regarding Longfellow Music Program.
2 A communication was received from Beth Gamse, regarding Please allow sufficient time for consideration of proposed City Council Property Tax Rate Classification .
3 A communication was received from Brendan Hickey, regarding Mid-Cambridge NCD quorum and solar protections.
4 A communication was received from Carol Agate, regarding Linear Park.
5 A communication was received from Catherine Ahearn, regarding City Council Meeting Statement_Oct 6 2025.
6 A communication was received from Eppa Rixey, regarding Public Comment on 10_6 Policy Order #2 (POR 2025 #142).
7 A communication was received from Erin Miller, regarding potential commercial real estate tax increase, impact on small businesses.
8 A communication was received from Ethan Frank, regarding Concern over solar panel protections.
9 A communication was received from Federico Muchnik, regarding 2072 Mass Ave. - Letter to Jason Korb and Sean Hope _ Capstone.
10 A communication was received from Ginna Hall, regarding Remove ALPR Cameras.
11 A communication was received from Helen Walker, regarding In Support of POR 2025 #141 re_ Institutional Use Regulations and New Exemption from Dover Amendment.
12 A communication was received from John Trever, regarding No more higher taxes!.
13 A communication was received from Julius Fister Flock, regarding automatic license plate reader cameras.
14 A communication was received from Kiril Stefan Alexandrov, regarding Outrageous--this proposed 22% tax hike on commercial properties!.
15 A communication was received from Lisa Birk, regarding In deep support of _removing_ all ALPR Flock cameras.
16 A communication was received from Lori Leo and Troy’s mom, regarding Longfellow Music Program.
17 A communication was received from Marilee Meyer, regarding please support regulations for institutional and religious expansion.
18 A communication was received from Robert Kinch, regarding Letter to Denise.
19 A communication was received from Sharmil Modi, regarding Charter Right #137 re_ Setbacks for Future Solar Protection.
20 A communication was received from Susan E. Mintz, regarding Green Jobs Specialist.
21 A communication was received from Suzanne Blier, regarding The impacts continue and we need to be more responsive..
22 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Escalation of Unanswered Requests — Transparency, Accountability, and the Need for a Timeline.
23 A communication was received from Marilee Meyer, regarding Returned mail_ see transcript for details.
1 Condolences on the death of Margarida Santos.
2 Condolences on the death of Ronald Mederios.
3 City Council thanks to the Sufi Service Committee (Boston) and its volunteers for a decade of selfless service to our most vulnerable neighbors, and in recognizing and the Committee for their vital contributions to addressing food insecurity, homelessness, and poverty in Cambridge.
4 Condolences on the death of Joseph J. McGuirk.
5 Condolences on the death of Shirley Ann Towne.
6 Gratitude to Cambridge’s Own Lewis “Doc” West, Musician and Mentor, and best wishes for his continued success.
7 Condolences on the death of Joan F. Grainger.
8 Condolences on the death of William "Bill" Mangone.
9 Condolences on the death of Jacqueline Richardson.
10 Resolution on the death of Kimberlee Costanza. That the City Council formally go on record in expressing its deepest condolences to the family of Kimberlee Costanza for their tremendous loss.
3 An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to the Martin Bakal, et al. Zoning Petition.
1 A communication was received from Paula Crane, Interim City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
1 Awaiting Report Status Update 10.20.25
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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 The City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to provide a legal opinion outlining, in light of current zoning including the most recent Multifamily Zoning Amendments, the ability of Cambridge to regulate institutional and religious uses in C-1 residential districts and what state and federal law allows in terms of local restrictions, if any, for institutional and religious uses.
5 The City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to determine whether the City Council can revoke an already approved curb cut application if said application was incomplete due to applicant failure.
6 The City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor, in consultation with relevant City departments and the Community Benefits Advisory Committee, to draft amendments to the Community Benefits Ordinance that allow for the use of funds for capital expenses, provided that such expenses clearly advance the goals of the Community Benefits program.
7 The City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department, in collaboration with the Finance Department, to conduct a comprehensive review of current permitting fees for residential development projects, with a focus on identifying opportunities to create a tiered fee structure that reduces or eliminates fees entirely particularly for smaller-scale and affordable housing developments.
8 The City Manager is requested to coordinate with the Community Safety Department, the Cambridge Police Department, and other relevant parties to ensure that the overnight use of the garden area between St. James Episcopal Church and the Beech Street condos is actively monitored.
9 the City Manager is requested to confer with the Department of Transportation, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and any other relevant City departments to assess the current accessible parking capacity in the vicinity of Kendall Square and identify potential solutions, which may include adding dedicated accessible parking spaces, creating short-term accessible loading/unloading zones, or implementing other reasonable accommodations
10 The City Manager is requested to consult with the appropriate City departments, including the City Solicitor’s Office, to establish a formal policy that clearly defines the City’s role and financial responsibilities in supporting large-scale public events hosted by Cambridge-based non-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
11 the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department, the City Assessor, and all other relevant departments to develop a comprehensive policy for future private development projects in the city.
12 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.
13 The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments and multi-member bodies to report back to the City Council and inform the community of the work of, and when the recommendations coming from the Micromobility Commission will be available.
14 The City Manager is requested to consult with relevant departments about the implications of deploying license plate readers and provide recommendations as to whether adjustments in plans for deployment should be made in light of changes since approval in February.
15 The City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department to review current crisis prevention protocols, strengthen them by clearly defining the role and deployment of mental health professionals.
16 The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide an update on rodent control measures citywide and especially how the City addresses rodent mitigation through large construction projects, both public and private.
17 The City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department, the Law Department, and relevant stakeholders to develop and present to the City Council a proposed policy for the timely release of body-worn camera footage.
18 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.
19 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.
20 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.
21 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.
22 The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to consider a plan to better utilize the Russell Youth and Community Center.

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