Cambridge City Council meeting - April 13, 2026

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. (CM26#88) [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Sara Rivera as an Election Commissioner for a term effective Apr 13, 2026 and expiring Mar 31, 2030. (CM26#84) [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Bicycle Committee Appointments. (CM26#89) [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Pedestrian Committee Appointments. (CM26#86) [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $73,000 from the General Fund Police Salary and Wages account to the General Fund Police Travel and Training (Judgment and Damages) account to cover current and anticipated settlement costs for police personnel injured in the performance of their duties. (CM26#83)
pulled by Zusy for comments; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $37,411.95 from the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition’s Community Safety Initiative Shannon grant to support hot spot patrols, youth violence reduction strategies, and the Focused Deterrence program, as well as the Teen Public Art program “Upcycling and Entrepreneurialism” through the Community Art Center. (CM26#82)
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,560 from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education grant to encourage participation of new and existing Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors. (CM26#80)
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $4,954 from the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance grant to support operations of the men’s emergency shelter. (CM26#79)
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $13,064 from the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance grant to support workforce development at the Cambridge Salvation Army and training and professional development for shelter staff. (CM26#78)
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Police Review & Advisory Board Quarterly Report for the period of Fall 2025 through the First Quarter of 2026. (CM26#85) [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi for comments; Nolan comments; Referred to Public Safety Committee 9-0

11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding an update on the City Manager Performance Review Process. (CM26#87) [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

ORDERS
1. That the City Council go on the record urging Harvard administration to end the practice of time caps for non-tenure track teaching faculty and urging Harvard administration to acknowledge the labor contribution and employee status of all its researchers, regardless of funding source, and contractually recognize these researchers’ protected right to union representation. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi (PO26#75)
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler for comments and minor amendment; Zusy comment; Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Zusy-Present)

2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Cambridge Department of Transportation (CDOT) and any other relevant departments to halt any further design, engineering, procurement, or construction activities related to implementing a reconfiguration of Garden Street to restore two-way motor-vehicle traffic. Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (PO26#76)
pulled by Flaherty; comments by Al-Zubi, Brooke McKenna (wants to keep current configuration), Flaherty (objecting to “repetitive litigation” - bad public policy); Charter Right - Flaherty

3. That the City Manager is requested work with relevant City departments to provide a report on how the decision to install artificial turf at Ahern Field was made, the rationale for artificial turf, and what process was taken to ensure community concerns and public health considerations were fully addressed, and to ensure that construction will not move forward until a report is delivered. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Al-Zubi (PO26#77)
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, McGovern, Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, Zusy with amendment, Flaherty, Azeem, Al-Zubi, Yi-An Huang, Siddiqui; Zusy amendment Adopted 9-0; add’l sponsors added 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

4. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department and relevant staff to include a requirement for special permits for formula businesses on Cambridge Street as discussed at the Apr 6, 2026 Committee meeting. Councillor Zusy, Councillor Nolan (PO26#72)
Order Adopted 9-0

5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department and relevant staff to prepare a draft zoning petition to strengthen Active Use requirements on Massachusetts Avenue per the recommendations and Option 2 on Cambridge Street, while keeping Warren Street in the CAM-6 District. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Flaherty (PO26#73)
Order Adopted 9-0

6. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to create draft language to propose changing the section of O’Brien Highway to B.A. Zoning District. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Flaherty (PO26#74)
Order Adopted 9-0

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Chapter 2.129 Welcoming Community Ordinance. [Passed to 2nd Reading Mar 30, 2026; Eligible To Be Ordained Apr 20, 2026] (ORD26#3)

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Anna Astori – Request to Place Ahern Field Item on City Council Agenda
2. Beverly Seidenberg – Public input for resident parking permit fees; MFH Ordinance
3. Lee Farris, Stephanie Guirand, Catherine Hoffman, Puja KranzHowe, and Carolyn Magid – For the 46 Council Roundtable discussion from Cambridge Housing Justice Coalition
4. Diane Norris and Charles Norris – Important Feedback for City Council Roundtable on Apr 6, 2026 on 25 Lowell Street
5. Ethan Frank – Harvard Square Pedestrianization
6. Young Kim – Roundtable Process Planning Gap 185 Larch Rd Example
7. Irene Kang – Re: Ahern Field
8. Wendy Prellwitz – A shame to cut loose the Cambridge Art Association New School of Music
9. Jason Alves – Support for CM#6
10. Suzanne Blier – The MFH Ordinance Today and Proposed Positive Changes Going Forward
11. Phil Rinehart – Two suggestions on proposed $75 fee for Resident Parking Permits
12. Lee Farris – Cambridge Residents Alliance Budget priorities
13. Paul E Fallon – In Support of 95 Cushing St
14. Mary Jane Kornacki – PO26#32 - NO to making ALL seniors pay for parking permits
15. Natalie Goodman – Multifamily Zoning
16. Molly Trowbridge – Submitting Comments in support of the Cambridge Office of Tourism
17. Molly Trowbridge – Submitting Comments in support of the Cambridge Office of Tourism

RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution on the death of Lloyd C. Sicari. Councillor Flaherty

2. Resolution acknowledging Patriots Day 2026. Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui

4. Resolution recognizing Cambridge-El Salvador Sister City and the work of San José Las Flores. Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
Comments by Al-Zubi, Simmons

3. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Apr 6, 2026 to continue the discussion that was held at the Mar 11, 2026 hearing regarding zoning recommendations to strengthen active use requirements on Cambridge Street and Mass Ave as a follow-up on the recently adopted zoning petitions. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; 3 Orders Adopted 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Present: Al-Zubi, Flaherty, McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy
Remote Present: Azeem, Siddiqui

1. That the Ordinance Committee recommend to the full City Council that the City Manager direct the Community Development Department and relevant staff to include a requirement for special permits for formula businesses on Cambridge Street.

2. That the Ordinance Committee recommend to the full City Council that the City Manager direct the Community Development Department and relevant staff prepare a draft zoning petition to strengthen Active Use requirements on Massachusetts Avenue per the recommendations and Option 2 on Cambridge Street, while keeping Warren Street in the CAM-6 District.

3. That the Ordinance Committee recommend to the full City Council that the City Manager direct the Community Development Department to create draft language to propose changing the section of O’Brien Highway to B.A. Zoning District.

RECOMMENDED ORDERS

A. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department and relevant staff to include a requirement for special permits for formula businesses on Cambridge Street as discussed at the Apr 6, 2026 Committee meeting. (PO26#72)
Order Adopted 9-0

B. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department and relevant staff to prepare a draft zoning petition to strengthen Active Use requirements on Massachusetts Avenue per the recommendations and Option 2 on Cambridge Street, while keeping Warren Street in the CAM-6 District. (PO26#73)
Order Adopted 9-0

C. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to create draft language to propose changing the section of O’Brien Highway to B.A. Zoning District. (PO26#74)
Order Adopted 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication from Mayor Siddiqui transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the School Committee. (COF26#60) [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

2. A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula Crane, regarding an update regarding legislative activity. (COF26#58)
Placed on File 9-0

HEARING SCHEDULE
Mon, Apr 13
3:30pm The City Clerk Preliminary Screening Committee will meet to go into executive session to interview applicants for the position of City Clerk by a preliminary screening committee because doing so in an open session will have a detrimental effect in obtaining qualified applicants. [in-person only, no public comment]
5:30pm City Council Meeting

Wed, Apr 15
12:00pm The Health and Environment Committee will hold a public hearing to receive a general update from the Office of Sustainability on priorities and initiatives.

Tues, Apr 28
3:00pm The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will hold a public hearing to review and discuss the Residential Permit Parking Program, associated costs, and the relationship between the program, the services it provides, and the general use of the public ways in Cambridge. The hearing will also include discussion of the Policy Order passed at the Mar 30, 2026 City Council meeting, PO26#32.

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Apr 13, 2026 amended
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
WHEREAS: Education, research, and academic inquiry are values intimately connected to the lives, careers, and passions of Cantabrigians; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge continually recognizes the importance of labor unions to workplace and economic justice; and
WHEREAS: Harvard University, as Cambridge’s largest employer, has an outsized control on the living conditions available to academic laborers residing in Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Harvard University’s practice of short-term contracts for many academic researchers generates substantial artificial precarity for these employees and for the Cambridge economy; and
WHEREAS: Harvard University’s practice of time capping non-tenure track teaching faculty encourages artificial turnover among Cambridge residents; and
WHEREAS: Nearly 8000 [number amended - to be determined] Harvard employees represented by the Harvard Academic Workers (HAW) have been in good faith bargaining for fair contracts for 22 months; and
WHEREAS: These employees have faced an outsized burden of federal government attacks on higher education, experiencing extensive layoffs, threats to visa status, and increased workload; and
WHEREAS: These unions have taken active steps towards fighting federal attacks on higher education while also bargaining for fair treatment by their employer; and
WHEREAS: Harvard University administration is taking advantage of Trump’s anti-worker National Labor Relations Board to attempt to strip union protections from academic laborers through misclassification, refusing to recognize the employee status of many researchers, and adopting expansive interpretations of supervisory status in labor law; and
WHEREAS: This Council has previously passed resolutions supporting the rights of HAW’s sister union Harvard Graduate Student Union (HGSU) who are facing similar attacks and slow negotiations from Harvard’s administration; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on the record urging Harvard administration to end the practice of time caps for non-tenure track teaching faculty; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on the record urging Harvard administration to acknowledge the labor contribution and employee status of all its researchers, regardless of funding source, and contractually recognize these researchers’ protected right to union representation; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on the record in strong opposition to the Harvard administration applying expansive definitions of supervisory status, and arbitrary distinctions based on funding sources as a means to strip workers of their union rights; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record urging the Harvard administration to bargain with HAW with the intent to address the concerns and pressures these workers face by means including, but not limited to, fair compensation, grievable abuse protections, and job security; and be it further
ORDERED: That, if the Harvard administration fails to address HAW workers’ concerns in a timely manner, the City Council go on record in support of a strike by HAW and urging the Harvard administration to meaningfully make steps to prevent a work stoppage; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to Harvard University administrators and President Alan Garber on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-2 Apr 13, 2026 Charter Right - Flaherty
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The 2022 Garden Street redesign introduced separated bicycle lanes and one-way vehicle travel to improve safety and reduce conflicts for people walking, biking, and driving; and
WHEREAS: City analysis indicates that restoring two-way vehicle traffic would likely increase conflicts for people traveling on Garden Street, would not mitigate congestion, and would remove nearly all parking and loading; and
WHEREAS: The City’s analysis found that changes in traffic volumes on nearby streets are generally consistent with broader citywide trends, that restoring two-way traffic on Garden Street may not substantially reduce cut-through traffic on neighboring residential streets, and that targeted traffic-calming and operational measures may be more effective in addressing such concerns, though further community engagement is needed; and
WHEREAS: While a reconstructed loading zone may address some curb access needs, it may not substantially offset the nearly complete loss of parking and loading capacity, an important area of concern for residents requiring accessible parking or short-term loading on Garden Street; and
WHEREAS: Restoring two-way motor-vehicle traffic on Garden Street would require substantial additional capital beyond the initial estimate and operating work, including reconstruction of portions of the street and sidewalk to create a small loading zone and relocation of a Bluebikes station, with associated design, construction, and coordination costs; and
WHEREAS: The City Council seeks to balance these competing considerations through a data-informed and transparent decision-making process; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Cambridge Department of Transportation (CDOT) and any other relevant departments to halt any further design, engineering, procurement, or construction activities related to implementing a reconfiguration of Garden Street to restore two-way motor-vehicle traffic or relocate the existing Bluebikes station; and be it further
ORDERED: That CDOT prioritize near-term, lower-cost operational and safety improvements that can be delivered through quick-build measures, including directed traffic-calming interventions on Raymond Street, Buckingham Street, and other impacted streets, informed by engineering judgment, data analysis, community context, and observed conditions to create safer conditions for all road users, and that CDOT conduct at least one community hearing as soon as possible to present a menu of potential traffic-calming strategies, and solicit community input on additional opportunities for traffic calming before development and implementation; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to provide the City Council with a written update within six months of passage of this Order describing an alternative set of safety improvements that do not restore two-way motor vehicle traffic on Garden Street while still addressing concerns around traffic congestion and public safety vehicle access.

O-3 Apr 13, 2026 amended
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is moving forward with targeted improvements to the 158 Spring Street building and Ahern Field to strengthen this important East Cambridge campus, and community feedback gathered through public meetings, pop-ups, stakeholder conversations, and the March 11 open house has directly informed elements such as park layout, entrances, seating, play areas, and landscape improvements; and
WHEREAS: At Ahern Field, proposed improvements include a new synthetic turf field with lighting, renovated basketball and hockey/pickleball courts, better park entrances, new seating and gathering spaces, and enhanced landscaping to create a more welcoming and active space for people of all ages; and
WHEREAS: The City Council and City staff have long been considered about the proliferation of PFAS materials in a range of uses citywide, as noted in CM22#181, which outlined policies and procedures on artificial turf, and CM24#137, which provided updated policies on PFAS in all relevant city areas (water, firefighting, turf, waste, etc.); and
WHEREAS: On the Danehy Park field replacement project, which included replacement of turf fields and track, City staff considered a number of options for materials and opted not to use typical “crumb rubber,” and instead used a wood-fiber-sand mix, and took steps to independently test the turf grass blades for PFAS; and
WHEREAS: Providing a durable field at Ahern improves access to recreation for East Cambridge residents, especially for youth and families who rely on nearby facilities and may not have easy access to fields elsewhere; and
WHEREAS: The City should take great care to ensure that construction of the new field will fully address public health impacts and provide durable and accessible playing fields for the entire community; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested work with relevant City departments to provide a report on how the decision to install artificial turf was made, the rationale for artificial turf, and what process was taken to ensure community concerns and public health considerations were fully addressed, and to ensure that construction will not move forward until a report is delivered; and be it further
ORDERED That the City Manager work with relevant City departments to study and analyze the demographics in relation to field resource allocations, including how many synthetic vs. natural turf fields we want to have and in which neighborhoods to meet resident needs; 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.

TEXT OF RECOMMENDED ORDERS (from Committee Report #3)
O-4 Apr 13, 2026
COUNCILLOR ZUSY
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: The Ordinance Committee met on March 11, 2026 and April 6, 2026 to discuss zoning recommendations to strengthen active use requirements on Cambridge Street and Mass Ave as a follow-up to the recently adopted zoning petitions following the Our Cambridge Street Planning Study and Mass Ave Planning Study; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Ordinance Committee recommend to the full City Council that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department and relevant staff to include a requirement for special permits for formula businesses on Cambridge Street as discussed at the April 6, 2026 Committee meeting.

O-5 Apr 13, 2026
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY
WHEREAS: The Ordinance Committee met on March 11, 2026 and April 6, 2026 to discuss zoning recommendations to strengthen active use requirements on Cambridge Street and Mass Ave as a follow-up to the recently adopted zoning petitions following the Our Cambridge Street Planning Study and Mass Ave Planning Study; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Ordinance Committee recommend to the full City Council that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department and relevant staff to prepare a draft zoning petition to strengthen Active Use requirements on Massachusetts Avenue per the recommendations and Option 2 on Cambridge Street, while keeping Warren Street in the CAM-6 District.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
25-29. 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.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Wilson (O-2) from 5/12/2025. [forwarded by Councillor Nolan as AR26-2]

25-51. 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.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (O-8) from 9/8/2025. [forwarded by Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui as AR26-4]

25-58. 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. [no longer listed]
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui (O-2) from 9/29/2025. [forwarded by Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler as AR26-24]

25-69. Review 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.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-6) from 12/8/2025. [forwarded by Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern as AR26-6]

26-7. Restricting Eligibility for On-Street Resident Parking Permits in New Transit-Oriented Developments.
Councillor Zusy, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Nolan (O-2) from 12/22/2025, Charter Right #2 of 1/12/2026

26-10. Work with relevant departments to prepare for a Council discussion on best future uses for City-owned properties and the processes for redevelopment. [no longer listed]
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Al-Zubi (O-5) from 1/12/2026

26-14. That the City Manager conduct a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures at Cambridge City Hall, including an assessment of physical access controls, visitor screening practices, on-site security staffing and training, emergency response and evacuation protocols, and the use of security technologies such as surveillance systems and alarm monitoring.
Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 1/12/2026, Charter Right #2 from 1/26/2026

26-15. The City Manager 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 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, or Customs and Border Patrol, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [no longer listed]
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Al-Zubi (O-1) from 2/9/2026

26-16. The City Manager 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.
Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Simmons (O-3) from 2/9/2026

26-18. The City Manager 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.
Councillor Zusy, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Azeem (O-1) from 1/26/2026, Charter Right #2 from 2/9/2026

26-19. That the City Manager is requested to assess opportunities to improve the consistency of how meeting information is posted and accessed on the City’s website.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-1) from 3/2/2026

26-20. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to produce and deliver to the City Council, prior to the adoption of the FY27 Capital Budget, a consolidated capital lifecycle reconciliation for all major capital initiatives.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Flaherty (O-2) from 3/2/2026

26-22. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments as well as the Election Commissioners to review guidance from the IRS and consult with other municipalities in order to simplify our processes for paying election workers.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zusy (O-6) from 3/2/2026

26-23. That the City Manager 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.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui (O-6) from 2/9/2026, Charter Right #2 from 3/2/2026

26-25. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct all City departments, boards, commissions, and offices to discontinue all official posting and engagement on X within 60 days; and to include an explanation of why the City will no longer use X.
Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Nolan (O-3) from 3/2/2026

26-26. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department and the Transportation Department to meet with Harvard’s Office of Community Relations and the Longwood Collective (MASCO) to harmonize institutional bus protocols with public-facing commitments.
Councillor Al-Zubi, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan (O-3) from 3/23/2026

26-27. That the City Manager is requested to direct relevant City departments and staff to examine and report back on whether the city can require single-stall public bathrooms to be gender-neutral.
Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Azeem (O-4) from 3/23/2026

26-28. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to review the current legal landscape and provide recommendations for how to regulate construction of large data centers in Cambridge.
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zusy (O-5) from 3/30/2026

26-29. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to raise the fee of the parking permit program for all residents to $75, 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, 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.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern (O-5) from 2/9/2026, Substitute Order Adopted 3/30/2026

26-35. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments to review the state bills referenced as well as the previously filed Home Rule Petition and prepare a new Home Rule Petition that would allow Cambridge to install and operate cameras to enforce red light, speeding, or other moving violations as outlined in H.3754 and S.2344 and the prior home rule.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern (O-5) from 3/2/26