City Council - Regular Meeting

Agenda — 43 items

1. 1 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-60, which requested a comprehensive report on Gold Star Mothers Memorial Park.
2. 2 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,000,000, from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Department Extraordinary Expenditures account. These funds will support the removal of stockpiled contaminated soil and initiate the design phase for the remediation and reconstruction of Gold Star Mothers Park.
3. 3 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-56, regarding an update on rodent control citywide.
4. 1 Policy Order regarding canceling December 1, 2025 City Council Meeting
5. 2 Update on Organizational Changes to the Equity & Inclusion Department
6. 1 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
7. 1 An application was received from MIT Museum requesting permission for a seventy temporary banners along Memorial Drive to Sydney Street, Ames Street and the Longfellow Bridge announcing AI: Mind the Gap, Gene Cultures, Essential MIT and Cosmograph on November 2025 through Summer 2026.
8. 2 An application was received from Matt Hayes, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 68 Kinnaird 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.
9. 1 A communication was received from Alan Hope, regarding Maximizing Municipal Revenue Recovery Under M_G_L_ Chapter 40U.
10. 2 A communication was received from Mothers Out Front Cambridge Leadership Team, regarding MOF in Support of Policy Order 2025 #159.
11. 3 A communication was received from Norma Finkelstein, regarding H4744.
12. 4 A communication was received from Rolf Erikson, regarding If only!.
13. 5 A communication was received from Cynthia Hibbard, regarding Support for Policy Order #1 - Statement Opposing Rep_ Cusak's Climate Bill.
14. 6 A communication was received from Susan Stewart, regarding thank you for passing a resolution in opposition of H4744.
15. 7 A communication was received from Lois Markham, regarding Thank you.
16. 1 Congratulations to Lieutenant Joseph Murphy on his retirement from the Cambridge Police Department.
17. 2 Congratulations to Gladys Martinez on her retirement from the Cambridge Police Department.
18. 3 Congratulations to John Bouzan on his retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance.
19. 4 Congratulations to Cambridge’s Michelin-recognized restaurants, Jahunger, Pagu, Sumiao Hunan Kitchen, Giula, Moëca, Oleana, Pammy’s and Urban Hearth, for their outstanding contributions to the cultural and culinary landscape of our city; and be it further
20. 5 Condolences To The Family of Rev. Dr. Robert Avon Bennett, Jr.
21. 6 Condolences to the Family of Mary Baker
22. 7 Condolences To The Family of Calvin Gilkes
23. 1 A communication was received from Paula Crane, Interim City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
24. 1 Awaiting Report Status Update
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.
26. 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.
27. 3 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.
28. 4 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.
29. 5 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.
30. 6 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.
31. 7 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.
32. 8 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.
33. 9 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.
34. 10 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.
35. 11 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.
36. 12 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.
37. 13 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.
38. 14 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.
39. 15 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.
40. 16 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.
41. 17 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.
42. 18 That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Department of Transportation and other relevant departments to examine how to improve connectivity north of Rindge Avenue during the Linear Park Reconstruction Project so that vulnerable road users can bypass Rindge Avenue and Cedar Street where possible.
43. 19 The City Manager is requested to confer with the Executive Director of the Council on Aging and other relevant City departments to explore the feasibility of creating a dedicated position or function focused on triaging and directing senior residents to appropriate services and supports.

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