7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a plan to align all housing and homeless services and programs into a unified Housing Department. (CM26#24) [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Simmons; Tabled 9-0

Agenda Item No. 7     Feb 9, 2026

ORDERED: That Pursuant to Article 5, Section 5-1 of the Charter of the City of Cambridge, the recommendation of City Manager Yi-An Huang, on the reorganization of the Housing Department, be approved.

CHARTER RIGHT
1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-69, regarding a review of the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee to be sent to the state legislature. [Charter Right – Nolan, Jan 26, 2026]
Comments by Nolan (w/amendment), Megan Bayer, Azeem, Al-Zubi, Flaherty (wants to change so that fee charged to buyer rather than to seller), Chris Cotter, Zusy, Siddiqui; Amended 8-0-0-1 (Al-Zubi - Present) to change “equal to 2%” to “up to 2%”; Tabled 6-3 (Al-Zubi, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler - No)

Manager’s Agenda #11 (Jan 26, 2026). A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-69, regarding a review of the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee to be sent to the state legislature. (CM26#14) [text of report]

---

An Act authorizing the City of Cambridge to impose a real estate transfer fee.

SECTION 1. There is hereby imposed a real estate transfer fee equal up to 2 per cent of the portion of the purchase price exceeding $1,000,000 upon the transfer of: (i) any real property interest in any property situated in the city of Cambridge; or (ii) a controlling interest in a trust, limited liability company or other entity that directly or indirectly holds an interest in any class of real property situated in the city of Cambridge; or (iii) any interest that is subject to deed excise taxes pursuant to G.L. c.64D, §1. After the first year of the effective date of this act, the exempted portion of the purchase price shall be increased annually based on the Consumer Price Index, as defined in section 1 of the Internal Revenue Code as codified in 26 U.S.C. section 1, for all urban consumers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area as of January of each year. The exempted portion of the purchase price as determined annually based on the Consumer Price Index shall become effective for sales occurring on or after April 1. The fee shall be the liability of the seller of such property interest, and any agreement between the purchaser and the seller or any other person with reference to the allocation of the liability for the fee shall not affect such liability of the seller to the city of Cambridge. The city of Cambridge may, by ordinance, adopt additional requirements, exemptions and regulations to construe the provisions of this act, including in the case of a transfer of a controlling interest, what constitutes a controlling interest and the calculation of the fee.

SECTION 2. The following transfers of real property interests situated in the city of Cambridge shall be exempt from the fee established pursuant to section 1: (i) transfers to or from the federal government, the commonwealth, the city of Cambridge and any of their instrumentalities, agencies or subdivisions, including the Cambridge housing authority; (ii) transfers of real property interests where all of the dwelling units are subject to a long term affordable housing restriction; and (iii) transfers made without additional consideration to confirm, correct, modify or supplement a transfer previously made.

SECTION 3. The fee established pursuant to section 1 shall be paid to the Middlesex South registry of deeds at the time that an instrument is recorded. The Middlesex South registry of deeds shall transfer the fees to the city of Cambridge twice yearly, with the first payment due on or before September 1, covering the time period of January 1 through June 30, and the second payment due on or before March 1, covering the time period of July 1 through December 31. The Middlesex South registry of deeds shall provide a list of properties that paid the fee when payments are transmitted to the city of Cambridge. The city of Cambridge may, by ordinance, adopt additional requirements, exemptions and regulations to implement or enforce the fee, consistent with this act.

SECTION 4. The city of Cambridge shall deposit all fees received pursuant to this act into the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust Fund established pursuant to chapter 482 of the acts of 1991, which shall use revenues from the fees raised pursuant to this act for affordable housing purposes.

SECTION 5. The fee established pursuant to section 1 shall be collected by the Middlesex South registry of deeds unless the city of Cambridge provides the seller with an affidavit stating that the seller is exempt pursuant to clause (ii) of section 2. Without the exemption affidavit, the Middlesex South registry of deeds shall collect the fee from the seller at the time of recording, unless the seller is exempt pursuant to clause (i) or clause (iii) of section 2. The Middlesex South register of deeds shall not record or register a deed unless the fee is collected from a non-exempt seller.

SECTION 6. Sections 1 to 5, inclusive, shall take effect upon an affirmative majority vote of the city council of the city of Cambridge.

SECTION 7. Section 6 shall take effect upon its passage.

2. That the City Manager ask the appropriate departments to review the city’s digital equity work to date, including the study’s recommendations and all steps taken since the study conclusion in order to update the evaluation of existing internet access programs, assessing whether residents’ digital needs are or could be better provided for and to propose how we can better meet their needs and to report back to the Council by June 2026 on internet access programs. [Charter Right – Al-Zubi, Jan 26, 2026]
Comments and amendments by Al-Zubi; Amendments Adopted 9-0; Add Al-Zubi as sponsor; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

O-1     Jan 26, 2026  Charter Right - Al-Zubi
COUNCILLOR ZUSY
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
VICE MAYOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
WHEREAS: Access to the internet, a modern utility, is a vital part of everyday life and essential for the citizens of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: In 2014 the City formed a Broadband Task Force to work on issues of internet access and evaluate the city’s internet infrastructure with a final report delivered in 2016 with recommendations for future actions including a municipal broadband feasibility study and ways to ensure digital equity; and
WHEREAS: The city completed a citywide comprehensive digital equity study in 2021 which was a result of City Council actions and was meant to serve as a foundation for the city’s future digital equity and broadband initiatives; and
WHEREAS: In 2023 the City further published a report on Municipal Broadband Feasibility & Business Model Options; and
WHEREAS: In February 2025, the Council also passed Policy Order #13 requesting the City Manager to create a plan with a schedule and milestones to move forward the creation of a Municipal Broadband Network; and
WHEREAS: It is critical that we ensure that underserved audiences have internet access, which is very expensive; and
WHEREAS: To achieve this, over the past almost decade, the city has partnered with many to implement internet access programs; and
WHEREAS: In 2016, MIT, Google, Boston Properties, the City of Cambridge, and the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA), established a free Wi-Fi network at Newtowne Court and Washington Elms public housing – this continues to function; and
WHEREAS: In December 2024, with $1.1m of ARPA funds, Cambridge funded a three-year test program between Starry and the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) to provide internet access to the residents of the Frank J. Manning, Washington Elms and Newtowne Court apartments; and
WHEREAS: In 2022, the CHA launched a computer training program for senior residents at a few CHA properties, including Manning apartments, offering free Chromebooks, funded by Google; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge also provides public Wi-Fi in our schools, libraries and public buildings; and the Cambridge Public Library offers a Digital Equity Initiative, offering free tech classes, help and take out technology; and CCTV, with the City, offers a Digital Navigator Program offering free laptops, hotspots and essential tech training; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Public Library just received a grant of $100,000 to further fund their digital navigator program and equipment to provide greater internet access; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate departments to review the city’s digital equity work to date, including the study’s recommendations and all steps taken since the study conclusion in order to update the evaluation of existing internet access programs, assessing whether residents’ digital needs are or could be better provided for and to propose how we can better meet their needs and to report back to the Council by June 2026 on internet access programs; and be it further
ORDERED: That this evaluation include exploration of the federal USAC Lifeline and BEAD programs; and
ORDERED: Despite near-term financial challenges, the City Manager is hereby requested to retain Municipal Broadband in capital planningh for the coming years.

2. Condolences on the passing of Robert K. Patterson, Sr.   Councillor Flaherty
Comments by Flaherty

Res #2     Feb 9, 2026
COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY

WHEREAS: The City Council was deeply saddened at learning of the passing of Robert K. Patterson, Sr., formerly of Cambridge, on January 24, 2026, at the age of 84; and

WHEREAS: Robert Patterson was raised in Corcoran Park in West Cambridge by his devoted single mother, Mary (Coiley) Patterson, and went on to exemplify perseverance, leadership, and service throughout his life; and

WHEREAS: Robert was a proud graduate of Rindge Technical High School, where he served as Class Treasurer and President, and later earned degrees in Civil Engineering and Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute, Franklin Institute, and Northeastern University; and

WHEREAS: Robert served his country honorably as a U.S. Army Reservist, attending Topographical Surveying School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, and was discharged in 1969; and

WHEREAS: Robert dedicated over forty years of service to the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works as a Civil Engineer, and remained a steadfast contributor to his community; and

WHEREAS: Robert was deeply committed to youth development and civic engagement, serving as President of West Cambridge Little League, on the Board of Cambridge Pop Warner Football, and as a longtime volunteer and leader in the Boy Scouts of America, where he earned the prestigious Eagle Scout rank and was later honored with the Order of the Arrow Vigil Award and the Silver Beaver Award; and

WHEREAS: Robert’s devotion to family and faith was evident through his active roles in Sacred Heart and St. Peter Parishes, his service as a Eucharistic Minister, and his tireless support of his children’s education and activities; and

WHEREAS: Robert’s life was marked by generosity, humility, and kindness, whether through charitable work with the Salvation Army, Patriots Foundation, or his quiet acts of helping those in need; and

WHEREAS: Robert is survived by his beloved wife of sixty years, Ann (Flaherty) Patterson; his children Bobby Jr., Jamisean, Ann Martins, and Siobhan Patterson; his brother Bill Patterson, and his extended family and friends who cherished him deeply; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record extending its deepest sympathy for the family of Robert K. Patterson, Sr., and expresses gratitude for his decades of service and contributions to the City of Cambridge and its residents; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Patterson family on behalf of the entire City Council.

3. Resolution on the retirement of Kate Joyce.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui
Comments by Simmons, Siddiqui, McGovern, Flaherty, Nolan, Naomie Stephen

Res #3     Feb 9, 2026
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
MAYOR SIDDIQUI

WHEREAS: Kate Joyce began her service to the City of Cambridge in 2004 as a laborer with the Department of Public Works, bringing with her a strong work ethic, a willingness to take on any task, and a deep sense of responsibility to the people and institutions she served; and

WHEREAS: Over the course of her career, Kate Joyce advanced from laborer to skilled laborer, a progression that reflected not only her technical abilities but also her reliability, professionalism, and commitment to doing every job well; and

WHEREAS: Kate Joyce spent nearly twenty-two years working at City Hall, where she became an indispensable presence, routinely helping to set up and break down the Sullivan Chamber for countless City Council meetings, committee hearings, public events, celebrations, and civic gatherings, often before or after regular business hours and in all manner of conditions; and

WHEREAS: Kate Joyce could be counted on during the most challenging moments as well as the celebratory ones – through the heat of summer, the cold of winter, and especially during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic – continuing to show up, to help, and to support the work of the City and her colleagues; and

WHEREAS: In addition to her daily responsibilities, Kate Joyce embodied the spirit of public service through her generosity, good humor, and steady presence, offering a helping hand, a shared laugh, or a moment of connection that strengthened the sense of community among City employees and reminded all who worked with her that City Hall is sustained not only by policies and procedures, but by people who genuinely care for one another; and

WHEREAS: Kate Joyce’s contributions were recognized through numerous honors, including the City Manager’s Outstanding Employee Award, the Carl Barron Award, the Department of Public Works Commissioner’s Award, and the Mayor’s Luminary Award, reflecting the high esteem in which she was held across departments and administrations; and

WHEREAS: In addition to her service to the City of Cambridge, Kate Joyce has worked part-time for the Harvard Clerical and Technical Workers for nearly three decades, further demonstrating her dedication and commitment to supporting others; and

WHEREAS: Kate Joyce’s career exemplifies the often-unseen but essential work that keeps City government functioning day in and day out, and her presence has been part of the human connective tissue that made City Hall not just a workplace, but a place where people showed up for one another and for the residents they serve; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record offering its sincere congratulations and deepest gratitude to Kate Joyce on the occasion of her retirement, thanking her for twenty-two years of outstanding service, dedication, and kindness to the City of Cambridge and its people, and wishing her good health, happiness, and fulfillment in her retirement, while also expressing its appreciation to her wife, Ellen, for the support that made Kate’s years of service possible; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Kate Joyce on behalf of the entire City Council.

9. Resolution in recognition of Michael J. Johnston, Esq., on his retirement.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons
Add Simmons as sponsor

Res #9     Feb 9, 2026
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS

WHEREAS: Michael J. Johnston, Esq., will retire as Executive Director of the Cambridge Housing Authority effective February 27, 2026, concluding more than three decades of distinguished public service dedicated to affordable housing and housing stability in the City of Cambridge; and

WHEREAS: Mr. Johnston stands among the Commonwealth’s most consequential public housing leaders, having devoted his career to strengthening public housing systems, protecting vulnerable populations, and advancing equitable housing policy in one of the nation’s most challenging rental markets; and

WHEREAS: Mr. Johnston began his service at the Cambridge Housing Authority in 1991 and rose through every major operational level of the agency, gaining unparalleled institutional expertise across leased housing, public housing operations, labor relations, finance, and federal compliance; and

WHEREAS: Prior to his appointment as Executive Director in February 2017, he led and expanded the Authority’s Federal and State Leased Housing Programs, ultimately doubling their size while maintaining fiscal discipline, regulatory compliance, and a strong focus on resident-centered outcomes; and

WHEREAS: As Deputy Executive Director for Administration from 2008 to 2017, Mr. Johnston played a critical role in budget development, union negotiations, and the successful implementation of HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program, preserving long-term affordability for 1,150 housing units; and

WHEREAS: During his tenure as Executive Director, Mr. Johnston oversaw more than $330 million in rehabilitation investments across ten properties, extending the life of more than 880 housing units and significantly improving living conditions, much of this work occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS: Under his leadership, the Authority is opening two permanent supportive housing facilities serving up to 90 formerly underhoused individuals and advancing a $200 million redevelopment initiative to replace 175 obsolete units with 278 new transitoriented homes built to Passive House standards; and

WHEREAS: Mr. Johnston is nationally recognized for his strategic use of the Moving to Work Demonstration authority and for founding the Expiring Use Preservation Program and the Sponsor-Based Housing Program, which together have preserved more than 1,600 affordable units and expanded housing opportunities for individuals and families facing homelessness and domestic violence; and

WHEREAS: Mr. Johnston is a graduate of the New England School of Law, is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is a Massachusetts Certified Purchasing Official, credentials that have informed his thoughtful stewardship of public resources; and

WHEREAS: His career reflects sustained public leadership, policy innovation, and an unwavering commitment to dignity, stability, and opportunity for Cambridge residents; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record recognizing and expressing its deep gratitude to Michael J. Johnston, Esq., for his exceptional service to the Cambridge Housing Authority and the people of Cambridge; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Michael J. Johnston, Esq. on behalf of the entire City Council.

2. Announcement of appointments to the City Clerk Preliminary Screening Committee. (COF26#10) [text of report]
Appointed: Councillor Marc McGovern; Councillor E. Denise Simmons; Councillor Catherine Zusy; Megan Bayer, City Solicitor; Raecia Catchings, Chief People Officer; Matt Nelson, Director of Administration & Operations, Executive Office; Melissa Peters, Assistant City Manager for Community Development; Naomie Stephen, Executive Assistant to the City Council
Placed on File 9-0

3. City Council Value Statement and Priority Areas for the 2026-2027 term (COF26#11) [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

2026-2027 Cambridge City Council Value Statement and Priority Areas

Value Statement
The Cambridge City Council is committed to developing policies that reflect the shared values of our community and recognize the diversity of our city – including but not limited to race and ethnicity, nationality and immigration status, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, and socioeconomic status.

We will conduct our deliberations with transparency, accountability, and community partnership, thoughtfully considering the financial and social impacts on all who live, work, visit, and do business in Cambridge.

City Council Priority Areas
1. Housing and Zoning: Address the housing crisis by making it easier to build more housing of all types with a focus on affordability and protections for low, middle-income, elderly, and disabled residents.

2. Economic Opportunity and Equity: Ensure the City of Cambridge offers economic opportunities to all residents and businesses and is taking steps toward greater economic equity, especially among our marginalized communities.

3. Transportation: Improve the safety, efficiency, access, and sustainability of transportation options for all, and advocate for key transit priorities with the MBTA and other state and regional partners.

4. Sustainability and Climate Resilience: Deepen the City of Cambridge’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis through the use of sustainable energy and strengthening climate resilience and supporting our residents and businesses through this transition.

5. Government and Council Performance: Uphold high standards of City services, governance, and decision-making by working in close collaboration with each other and City staff, communicating transparently, and engaging with the community.

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Feb 9, 2026  amended
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
WHEREAS: As the Trump Administration continues its illegal and violent immigration enforcement efforts–including the killing of two people in Minnesota who were attempting to exercise their constitutionally protected right to free speech — legislative bodies and communities across the country, including this City Council, are taking steps to protect themselves; and
WHEREAS: In January, Washington State Representative Tarra Simmons introduced the ICE Out Act of 2026, HB 2641, which “prohibits all Washington state law enforcement agencies from hiring anyone who was a sworn officer of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on or after January 20, 2025,” and similar legislation has been introduced in the Maryland legislature; and
WHEREAS: This City Council recognizes the Cambridge Police Department plays an important role in keeping our city safe, and we hold our officers to a high standard, providing ample training to limit the implicit bias we all hold and prioritize de-escalation, to ensure our officers earn the trust and respect of the city they serve; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge has a high standard for its law enforcement officers, most of whom carry a gun as part of their employment for the City, and this standard would be lowered if the City knowingly hired individuals who have shown a disregard for upholding our civil liberties and due process, abetted the extrajudicial killings of protesters and detainees, and a history of using violence and illegal tactics; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the relevant City staff and departments to examine if and how the City may prevent the hiring by the Cambridge Police Department of any sworn officer who was hired on or after January 20, 2025 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, or Customs and Border Patrol; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

O-2     Feb 9, 2026
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
VICE MAYOR AZEEM
WHEREAS: In April 2025, the City Council passed PO25#52, urging Harvard to stand up to the illegal and immoral demands of the Trump administration to safeguard academic independence, the rule of law, and democracy, and directing the City Manager to act with urgency and coordinate a united response to counter assaults on Harvard, and by extension, our city’s historic role as a center of higher education; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge is home to a diverse and robust community of students, educators, and institutions of higher education including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lesley University, and Hult International Business School, all of which are an essential part of our economy and produce research benefiting the country and world; and
WHEREAS: The Trump Administration has repeatedly and aggressively undermined institutions of higher education by withholding federal funding to advance its own political agenda, which includes dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, suppressing student speech and protest, restricting scientific research on issues including ones benefitting public health, lifesaving medical discoveries, and climate change, and threatening the rights and safety of international students; and
WHEREAS: These actions threaten not only the United States’ status as a world leader in research and innovation but also constitutionally guaranteed rights to free speech and principles of academic freedom, diversity, peaceful protest, and privacy, which should never be compromised; and
WHEREAS: Academic freedom and independence are essential to our nation, and political pressure should have no role in admissions, hiring, infrastructure, employment, or the content of the curriculum; and
WHEREAS: Entities are standing up for higher education, as evidenced by the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco, San Mateo County in California, and the City of Los Angeles, unanimously passing resolutions for academic freedom and against coercion of universities; and
WHEREAS: Our country’s higher education sector is a global leader in discoveries that drive innovation, economic growth, and job creation, and funding for research should be based strictly on scientific and professional merit and withdrawn only after due process; and
WHEREAS: Diverse backgrounds and experiences are vital to learning, research, and education; and
WHEREAS: Higher education must uphold freedom of speech, peaceful protest, privacy, and all constitutional rights, ensuring college campuses remain forums for open debate and discussion, not a place where ideas are silenced; and
WHEREAS: Academic freedom bestows both rights and obligations on institutions of higher education and they must both protect their rights and uphold their obligations in service to the community and democracy even while facing challenges from those who hold political power and financial influence; and
WHEREAS: Higher education institutions’ obligations include preserving academic freedom, civil liberties, and constitutional and human rights though their own policies and practices – for all faculty, associated scholars, students, staff and others with affiliations to higher education institutions; including adjusting when appropriate to ensure fair and welcoming campus environment for all students, staff and faculty; and
WHEREAS: The response from academic institutions to attacks from the Trump Administration will have a profound impact on the City of Cambridge, the region, the state, and the nation; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Cambridge City Council supports institutions of higher education to resist federal government overreach and condemns the Trump Administration’s attacks on higher education, which are detrimental to our City’s economy and the Commonwealth and country; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to the Governor of Massachusetts, state senate and state house leaders, the Cambridge state and federal delegation, urging them to stand in solidarity with institutions of higher learning in defense of academic freedom, independence and constitutional rights; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to the Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, the presidents of Harvard, MIT, Lesley and Hult, advising them of our support.

O-3     Feb 9, 2026
VICE MAYOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge maintains an inclusionary housing program intended to ensure that a portion of new residential development remains affordable to low- and moderate-income residents; and
WHEREAS: Current eligibility guidelines generally require that qualifying households earn no more than eighty percent (80%) of Area Median Income (AMI), which for the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy area is approximately $92,650 for a one-person household, $105,850 for a two-person household, $119,100 for a three-person household, and $132,300 for a four-person household; and
WHEREAS: Although units at the 80% AMI tier are categorized as “affordable,” the rents are typically set to one-third of gross monthly income, which may still be financially out of reach for certain individuals who qualify; and
WHEREAS: Though the City administers rental assistance vouchers and related subsidy programs intended to provide additional financial relief to eligible households, the number of vouchers is limited; and
WHEREAS: Some otherwise qualified applicants for inclusionary housing units may have informal financial support from family or other third parties; and
WHEREAS: Permitting qualified guarantors or co-signers in limited circumstances may expand access to Inclusionary Housing opportunities without increasing direct public expenditure, provided appropriate safeguards are in place; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department (CDD) to examine the feasibility, legal considerations, and administrative requirements of permitting qualified third-party guarantors or co-signers for applicants to Inclusionary Housing units and provide recommendations as to whether such a policy could responsibly expand access to these units; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on CDD’s findings as soon as practicable.

O-4     Feb 9, 2026  amended
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR ZUSY
WHEREAS: Across the country we are seeing increased presence and surge in civil immigration enforcement activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other Federal Immigration Authorities in municipalities, including actions conducted in and around public spaces; and
WHEREAS: Such enforcement activity has a documented chilling effect on immigrant communities, discouraging residents from accessing healthcare, education, emergency services, and other essential City programs, thereby posing risks to public health and public safety; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has long affirmed its commitment to being a Welcoming Community, including through the Welcoming Community Ordinance; and
WHEREAS: Municipalities across the nation have restricted the use of municipal property, resources, and personnel for civil immigration enforcement purposes, [including peer sanctuary jurisdictions such as Minneapolis, which does not specifically reference ICE in its Separation Ordinance but instead employs function-based definitions applicable to all federal agencies engaged in civil immigration enforcement; and
WHEREAS: The City has both the authority and responsibility to clarify and strengthen its policies in a manner inconsistent with local law and values; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Law Department to draft ordinance language restricting the use of City-owned or City-controlled property, facilities, resources, and personnel for the purposes of federal civil immigration enforcement, including provisions that:

Define “Federal Immigration Authority” to mean any federal department, agency, component, task force, or officer whose primary or secondary function includes the enforcement of civil immigration law, including but not limited to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or any successor entity; and be it further

ORDERED: That such ordinance language shall include provisions that:

1. Prohibit City agencies, departments, officers, and employees from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) any Federal Immigration Authority in civil immigration enforcement activities, except where required by law or pursuant to a valid judicial warrant;

2. Prohibit City agencies from collecting information regarding an individual’s citizenship or immigration status, and from sharing personal or identifying information with ICE or other federal immigration authorities, except where required by law or pursuant to a valid judicial warrant;

3. Prohibit discrimination or the denial of City services on the basis of actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status, and affirm that access to City programs, services, and benefits shall not be conditioned on immigration status;

4. Prohibit ICE any Federal Immigration Authority from using City-owned or City-controlled property as staging locations or operational bases for civil immigration enforcement actions, including but not limited to raids, arrests, or surveillance activities;

5. Bar City employees from granting ICE any Federal Immigration Authority access to City-owned or City-controlled spaces – including libraries, shelters, health centers, recreation centers, and other public facilities – absent a valid judicial warrant, and require that any such warrant be reviewed by the Law Department prior to compliance, where practicable; and

6. Affirm that no City resources shall be expended to assist in civil immigration enforcement activities that are inconsistent with the City’s Welcoming Community policies, public health objectives, or applicable local law; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Law Department to evaluate whether these protections should be adopted as an amendment to the Welcoming Community Ordinance, and to review comparable ordinances adopted by peer sanctuary jurisdictions, including but not limited to the Minneapolis Separation Ordinance (Title 2, Chapter 19), to ensure that Cambridge’s protections are aligned with best practices and cannot be circumvented through jurisdictional semantics, and report back to the City Council.

 
O-5     Feb 9, 2026  Charter Right - Simmons
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR ZUSY
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: The fee for participation in the Resident Parking Permit program was raised in 2011 from $8 to $20 with a built in raise to $25 in 2013, where the rate currently stands, despite requests by council to increase the fee; and
WHEREAS: In 2023 the City Council passed PO23#137 which led to a Joint Health and Environment and Transportation committee meeting, and PO24#39 which requesting recommendations for adjusting parking permit fees to better align with the costs of operating the program; and
WHEREAS: In CM24#106 from May 2024 Cambridge DOT staff indicated that the cost of administering the parking permit program, including printing the stickers and processing applications, is at least $75 per permit, per year, and so every dollar charged below that cost is subsidized by the general fund, which is paid by all Cambridge taxpayers; and
WHEREAS: Senior residents have previously been exempted from paying the minimal fee for the cost of a parking permit, regardless of income or financial situation at the expense of all Cambridge taxpayers, including non-drivers; and
WHEREAS: $75 per year, or just over $6 per month, for unlimited on-street parking access is a nominal fee for car-owners and amounts to less than 1% of the annual cost of owning a car, including car payments, fuel, insurance, maintenance, and taxes, which is estimated at $11,500 annually; and
WHEREAS: Previously, the City Council requested a tiered fee structure for residential parking permits for income-eligible residents; however, after two years, City staff have indicated that implementing a tiered structure would include making significant adjustments to the vendor program and would likely result in much higher administrative costs, at only a marginal savings for residents; and
WHEREAS: The Zero Emissions Transportation Plan, published in October 2025, outlines SMART Goal 7, which is to reduce the number of resident parking permits issued over time, and in 2023 the City created a limit of four cars on the number of vehicles that individual residents are allowed to get a residential parking permit for; and
WHEREAS: The cost of operating the parking permit program should be paid by users and not pushed onto all residents including those who do not own cars and the city should seek to ensure fees charged match costs; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant City departments to:

• Raise the fee to receive a residential parking permit program for all residents to $75, to more accurately reflect the cost of administering the program, and consider how to include a self-identified check off option so as not to increase administrative costs for a subsidized fee of $25 for residents who live in affordable housing, are enrolled in a program such as SNAP or are low income; and

• Remove the senior exemption for the residential parking permit program; and

• Lower the number of cars that individual residents are allowed to get a residential parking permit for from four to two; and be it further

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council before June to ensure that changes are communicated prior to the next cycle of permit issuance.

O-6     Feb 9, 2026  Charter Right - Simmons
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: Expanding and building on universal preschool programming has long been a goal of the Cambridge City Council, and over the last twenty years, the City administration, City Council, School Committee, and Cambridge Public Schools administration have worked to make the goal a reality for all 4-year-olds in Cambridge and many 3-year-olds; and
WHEREAS: The current iteration of CPP was the product of a broad coalition of educators, administrators, parents, and stakeholders, and built upon decades of CPS and DHSP programming, and was a longtime initiative of the City Council, noting the November 28, 2016 Roundtable, the December 2, 2019 Roundtable, and dozens of policy orders including POR 2021 #44, along with an ad hoc joint School Committee and City Council working group; and
WHEREAS: The current iteration of CPP was also borne out of countless reports and commissions as well as delays and frustrations with planning, and future planning needs to grapple with the lessons learned from years of effort; and the City Council received updates on implementation, including at a roundtable on January 13, 2025; and
WHEREAS: On November 10, 2025 the City Council and School Committee met with the City administration and School Department to discuss macroeconomic trends in Cambridge and preview budget and tax levy projections, and the key takeaways of that discussion and the Finance Committee meeting this term confirm that the City is experiencing a multi-year economic slowdown and the City needs to moderate budget growth to protect the City’s financial stability and taxpayer impact; and
WHEREAS: Expanding CPP would be a substantial investment and would clearly impact long-term budget planning, and so in the years before implementation, the City should begin scoping programming and begin to place targets on future implementation, including evaluating different models for means-testing programming, which could allow for further expansion of offerings for Cambridge families within a further limited municipal budget; and
WHEREAS: The costs of childcare have an enormous impact on families in Cambridge, and high childcare costs also keep parents, especially women, out of the labor force and can result in economic disparities in women’s labor market; and
WHEREAS: Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a proven path towards enhancing economic mobility and reducing stress on families, and has great potential to do the same in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: In 2022 New Mexico significantly expanded child-care services offering free childcare to all families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level, and in the process has lifted at least 120,000 people out of poverty, making it one of the most significant investments in the social safety net in the country and an extremely successful poverty reduction investment, and New Mexico recently expanded the effort, guaranteeing no-cost universal child care starting November 1, 2025, showing a strategic expansion of services over time; and
WHEREAS: By taking a long-term approach to planning for expansion of existing CPP programming, including discussing how means-testing programming might help fund expansion sooner, the community can plan for future expansion and strategize financial commitments in the years to come, and by investing in affordable childcare services, one of the largest expenses for families, and surest means of supporting economic mobility; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the City Council and relevant City departments on the process by which Cambridge can expand free early child care offerings, including models for means-tested programming, and exploration of non-City funding sources, from the state or foundations, towards the goal of universal, free, quality child care for every family; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the Council with an initial report for Council discussion by April.

O-7     Feb 9, 2026
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
COUNCILLOR ZUSY
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: On June 28, 1993, the City of Cambridge and MIT entered into an agreement resulting in the opening of the CASPAR shelter in an MIT owned building located at 240 Albany Street in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Since its opening, 240 Albany Street has only undergone minor, as needed, maintenance and is in need of major renovations; and
WHEREAS: Homelessness and substance use continue to be an ongoing issue in Cambridge, resulting in the need for expanded services to support our vulnerable community members; and
WHEREAS: 240 Albany Street has the potential to be expanded to meet these growing needs; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to begin discussions with MIT, CASPAR, the co-chairs of the Human Services and Veterans Committee, all relevant City departments and the shelter residents to develop a plan to renovate and expand 240 Albany Street in order to provide additional low threshold shelter, housing and daytime services, while accommodating shelter residents impacted by the construction closure with housing and support, including low threshold options.

O-8     Feb 9, 2026  amended
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: Employees at both Lamplighter Brewing Co. locations in Cambridge have announced their intent to unionize with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1445 and are seeking voluntary recognition from their employer; and
WHEREAS: Lamplighter has been a beloved community gathering space and Cambridge institution since first opening its doors in the former Metric Systems building on Broadway in Fall 2016, later expanding to a second location within Cambridge Crossing in February 2022; and
WHEREAS: Lamplighter workers seek union representation to ensure their voices are heard as both the company and the brewing industry evolve, and to secure fair wages and predictable working conditions that will allow them to continue providing the highquality service Lamplighter customers have come to expect; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge City Council appreciates Lamplighter's deep commitment to the Cambridge community and to social justice in all its forms, demonstrated through partnerships over the years with more than three dozen local organizations including Just a Start, Food for Free, On The Rise, Cambridge Women's Center, Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, Community Art Center, Cambridge School Volunteers, BARCC, Enroot, Youth On Fire, and their current partner, YWCA Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge City Council has a long history of supporting workers’ efforts to organize and form unions as a cornerstone of workplace justice and democracy; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record expressing strong support for the employees of Lamplighter Brewing Co. and their effort to form a union; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record expressing appreciation to the owners of Lamplighter Brewing Co. for the many contributions they have made to our community, and urging them to voluntarily recognize the unionization effort via card check and to bargain in good faith; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Cayla Marvil and AC Jones, owners of Lamplighter Brewing Co., as well as Fernando Lemus, President of UFCW Local 1445.