City Council - Regular Meeting

Agenda — 55 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 request for approval to seek authorization from the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General (the “IG”) for the City to use the Construction Manager at Risk (“CMaR”) procurement and construction method (the “CMaR Method”) in connection with the DPW Salt Shed Replacement Project.
3. 3 Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant for the Center for Families program in the amount of $71,428.00. Funds will be used to assist families with resource navigation, parent leadership development, food access and distribution, and concrete supports, as well as connecting with families through resource fairs and community partners.
4. 4 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-46, regarding use of the garden area between St. James Episcopal Church and the Beech Street Condominiums.
5. 5 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-63, which requested public open-house meetings with Eversource regarding heat and electricity bills.
6. 6 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-59, regarding 25 Lowell Street.
7. 7 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to updates to institutional use regulations.
8. 8 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to revised language for the Mass Ave Zoning Petition.
9. 9 A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to revised language for the Cambridge Street Zoning Petition.
10. 1 That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant departments, boards, and commissions to strive to publish, whenever practicable, meeting agendas and all supporting documents, presentations, and related materials sufficiently in advance of public meetings to allow residents time to review and prepare.
11. 2 That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department and the Inspectional Services Department staff to streamline the permitting process, including but not limited to creating a central role dedicated to the permitting process, the creation of a unified online permitting portal, and standardized timelines.
12. 3 That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department (CDD) and Law Department to prepare a draft of a separate zoning petition to strengthen Active Use requirements on Cambridge Street and the Porter Square PUD subdistricts for sites that redevelop as single parcels.
13. 4 That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Community Development Department to reduce the recommendations for the Inman Square zoning sub-district (CAM-10) from a maximum of 10 stories to 8 stories with ground floor active use/retail as consistent with the majority of the Cambridge Street corridor.
14. 5 Policy Order regarding Interim City Clerk position extension.
15. 6 Home Rule Petition for a Real Estate Transfer Fee.
16. 7 That the City Council go on record in support of Lesley University faculty in their fight for a fair contract and urging President Steinmayer and Lesley University administration to support a just contract for its workers.
17. 8 That the City Council go on record urging the Massachusetts General Court to pass and for the Governor to sign legislation that would adopt Erin’s Law statewide to ensure that all children receive the education, support, and protections necessary to prevent sexual abuse and promote safe learning environments
18. 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
19. 1 A communication was received from Annette LaMond, regarding Zoning Matters.
20. 2 A communication was received from Catherine Hoffman, regarding more questions raised.
21. 3 A communication was received from Gerald Bergman, regarding Recent layoffs and Commission restructuring .
22. 4 A communication was received from Judy Somberg, regarding Dismissal of commission staff members.
23. 5 A communication was received from Kathy Roberts, regarding Cambridge Residents Rights.
24. 6 A communication was received from Karen Falb, regarding Case 4906_ Brattle St_ from Mason St_ to Fresh Pond Pkwy_ by City of Cambridge_ Review existing two-way bike lanes and related structures_ (continued from Nov_ 6).
25. 7 A communication was received from Lee Farris, regarding Reinstate Equity & Inclusion staff.
26. 8 A communication was received from Lee Farris, regarding Status of city housing voucher allocations and spending _.
27. 9 A communication was received from Lida Griffin, regarding Concern for Inclusive.
28. 10 A communication was received from Michael Delia, regarding Submission_ Contract Zoning & Community Benefits – Lessons Learned (320 Charles Street).
29. 11 A communication was received from Michael Grill, regarding Electrical upgrades to the Webster Avenue area.
30. 12 A communication was received from Rob Straus, regarding Recent abrupt layoffs on Women’s Commission.
31. 13 A communication was received from Shippen Page, regarding Recent City staff firings.
32. 14 A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding Request to Resolve OML–Related Planning Board Posting Issues Locally.
33. 1 Congratulations to Joanne Farwell on her retirement from the Cambridge Public School Department.
34. 2 Congratulations to LiPai Chang on her retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance.
35. 3 Congratulations to Neeta Patel on her retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance.
36. 4 Congratulations to Michelle Schomacker on her retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance.
37. 5 Congratulations to David O'Connor on his retirement from the Information Systems Department.
38. 6 Congratulations to Lieutenant Bryan O'Neil on his retirement from the Cambridge Fire Department.
39. 7 Condolences on the death of Olga Milli.
40. 8 Condolences to the family of Moses Moore.
41. 9 Thanking Ellen Semonoff for her years of service to the City of Cambridge.
42. 10 Condolences on the death of Catherine Mary Casey.
43. 11 Condolences on the death of Lee Catherine Brown.
44. 12 Resolution thanking Ayesha Wilson for her service.
45. 13 Resolution on the death of Charles Coe.
46. 14 Congratulations to Neal Alpert and Jen Tourtellot on their recent engagement.
47. 15 Condolences on the death of Renee Inomata
48. 16 Congratulations to Elizabeth Hudson and Will on the birth of their daughter
49. 2 An Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, relative to amend the Zoning Map and Articles 2.000, 3.000, 4.000, 5.000, 6.000, 11.000 17.000, and 20.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Massachusetts Avenue corridor.
50. 3 An Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, relative to amend the Zoning Map and Articles 3.000, 17.000, and 19.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street corridor PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED DECEMBER 22, 2025 TABLED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 22, 2025
51. 1 A communication was received from Paula Crane, Interim City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.
52. 2 A communication was received from Mayor Simmons regarding of the extension of the appointment of the Interim City Clerk.
53. 3 A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, transmitting a memorandum regarding pending Awaiting Reports that it wished to be carried forward to the newly elected City Council for their consideration in the next legislative terms.
54. 1 Awaiting Report Status Report Update
55. 2 1. 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.

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.