Cambridge City Council meeting - May 4, 2026

Cambridge City Council meeting - May 4, 2026 - AGENDA
[Councillor Simmons was remote]

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#118) [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Surveillance Technology Impact Report (STIR) for the Open Architects student data platform. (CM26#120) [text of report]
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Lee McCanne (CPS), Al-Zubi, Nolan, McGovern, Megan Bayer, Azeem; Refered to Public Safety Committee 9-0

3. A communication transmitter from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a supplier diversity update. (CM26#119) [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi, City staff, Zusy; Placed on File 9-0

4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $34,300 from the FY26 Local Cultural Council grant. (CM26#122)
Order Adopted 9-0

5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a transfer of $70,000 to cover costs related to a Public Works employee injured in the course of the job. (CM26#121)
Order Adopted 9-0

ORDERS
1. Recognizing May as National Water Safety Month. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Flaherty (PO26#93)
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Flaherty; Order Adopted 9-0 as Amended

2. That the City Council go on record calling upon President Trump to immediately rescind Executive Order 14380, immediately enter meaningful negotiations with the Cuban government with the goal of ending the United States oil embargo, and carry out his foreign policy agenda with respect to the wishes of the people of the United States and in accordance with international law. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Al-Zubi (PO26#95)
pulled by Nolan; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan (will vote Present), Simmons (will vote Present), Flaherty (will vote Present), Al-Zubi, Azeem (He will vote to support Order - completely contradicting statements he has made in the past regarding his intention to vote Present on foreign policy matters such as this. Oh, what a difference a State Senate candidacy makes when you’re trying to court the DSA vote.), McGovern, Zusy, Siddiqui; Charter Right - Nolan
[Note: Public Comment was dominated by DSA members and DSA-adjacent allies who expressed their belief that the people of Cuba should not be made to suffer from the actions of the USA (no argument there) and even referred to the actions of the USA as “genocide”. Notably, not a single peep was ever heard from the DSA when Russia annexed Crimea and when it invaded Ukraine. Indeed, DSA members at that time expressed support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.]

3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with relevant City staff to review City ordinances regulating the operation of food vendors in City parks. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Azeem, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi (PO26#96)
pulled by Nolan; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan, Siddiqui; Order Adopted 8-0-1 as Amended (McGovern Absent)

CHARTER RIGHT
1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant staff to explore options for commissioning a housing needs study through a qualified research institution, to establish a clear evidence-based understanding of existing housing conditions, resident needs, and measurable housing goals to guide future decision-making. [Charter Right – Simmons, Apr 27, 2026] (PO26#82)
comments by Simmons, Zusy, Al-Zubi, McGovern, Flaherty, Azeem, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler; Simmons amendment Adopted 7-1-0-1 (Zusy - No; Al-Zubi - Present); Al-Zubi amendment Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
[RW comment: Councillor Simmons is a dear friend of many years but, with all due respect, her amendment to this Order can effectively be summed up by the sentence, “Study it all you want, but don’t use any information learned to change a damn thing.”]

O-5 Apr 27, 2026 Charter Right - Simmons; Adopted as Amended 9-0 w/Simmons amendment and Al-Zubi amendment
COUNCILLOR ZUSY
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY
WHEREAS: The 2019 Envision Cambridge plan established a goal of building 12,500 new housing units by 2030, based on regional housing need projections developed by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council in 2017; and
WHEREAS: In pursuit of that goal, the City of Cambridge and the City Council have looked to zoning as a key municipal tool to shape housing production and affordability; and
WHEREAS: In recent years, the Council has passed a series of significant zoning measures including the Affordable Housing Overlay (passed in 2020, amended in 2023), the Multifamily Housing Ordinance (2025), and most recently the Massachusetts Avenue and Cambridge Street zoning petitions; and
WHEREAS: These zoning measures are intended to create the conditions under which the market can produce more housing; however, housing production is also significantly shaped by external economic factors beyond the City’s direct control; and
WHEREAS: Conditions have changed substantially since 2017, including disruptions of a global pandemic, significant increases in construction and financing costs, and economic headwinds affecting our universities, research institutions, and life science sector – all of which have contributed to rental vacancies and slowed the production of rental and ownership housing; and
WHEREAS: The City is currently conducting an Inclusionary Housing Study examining inclusionary housing requirements for developers, and an Incentive Zoning Study examining zoning-based tools to encourage housing production – both of which focus on the evaluation of specific policy instruments; and
WHEREAS: A Housing Needs Study would serve a distinct and complementary purpose by evaluating current demographic and economic conditions, resident affordability, and shifts in housing demand since prior assessments, and by informing the evaluation and implementation of future housing policy, including those under consideration in the Inclusionary Housing and Incentive Zoning studies; and
WHEREAS: Such a study should analyze existing housing stock across tenure type and affordability level (including the short-term rental market), housing currently under production; and unmet housing needs across income levels, age groups, household types, and unit sizes; and
WHEREAS: The Town of Provincetown, MA has recently engaged the UMass Donahue Institute to conduct a comprehensive housing needs analysis, which has meaningfully informed the community’s housing policies, resource allocation, and land use regulations; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant staff to explore options for commissioning a comparable housing needs study through a qualified research institution, to establish a clear evidence-based understanding of existing housing conditions, resident needs, and measurable housing goals to guide future decision-making; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department (CDD) to present pros and cons of options for a housing needs study and to identify key data gaps such a study could address; and be it further]
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back with a plan for conducting such a study and an assessment of its impact on the City’s current housing work plan by June 2026.
ORDERED: That, for the avoidance of doubt, this Order is intended to support informed housing policy and shall not be understood as a request or endorsement by the City Council to pause, delay, or revisit the implementation of duly adopted zoning ordinances, including but not limited to the Affordable Housing Overlay, the Multifamily Housing Ordinance, and any recently adopted zoning amendments affecting Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge Street, or other residential districts; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ensure that any review, analysis, or study undertaken pursuant to this Order is conducted in a manner that does not delay the acceptance, review, permitting, approval, funding, advancement, or construction of any pending or future market-rate, mixed-income, inclusionary, or 100 percent affordable housing development in the City of Cambridge, except where otherwise required by applicable law.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $10,000,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of improvements along Massachusetts Avenue and vicinity between Bigelow Street and Sindey Street. (CM26#95) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $13,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks. (CM26#96) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $12,000,000 to provide funds to replace and modernize the City’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. (CM26#98) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $14,000,000 to provide funds for remediation and improvements at Gold Star Mothers Park. (CM26#99) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $28,500,000 to provide funds for the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan. (CM26#100) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $12,795,000 to provide funds for financing school building upgrades. (CM26#101) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $8,375,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of surface enhancements and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements in the Baldwin neighborhood. (CM26#102) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $500,000 to provide funds for the City’s Climate Change Program to improve protection against flooding and extreme heat. (CM26#103) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $7,500,000 to provide funds for the sewer Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program. (CM26#104) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,000,000 to provide funds for design and construction of the Harvard Square sewer separation and stormwater management program. (CM26#105) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $310,000 to provide funds for the replacement of Ozone generators at the Water Department. (CM26#106) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $2,000,000 to provide funds for water works construction projects for repairs and replacement of water distribution infrastructure. (CM26#107) [text of report] [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026]

14. Chapter 2.127 Community Benefits Advisory Committee Ordinance. [Passed to 2nd Reading Apr 27, 2026; Eligible to be Adopted May 18, 2026] (ORD26#4)

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Willa Rudel – Support for one-way Garden St
2. Adam Baratz – PO26#76, Keep Garden St. as is
3. Adam Luban – Support for Charter Right #1
4. Aika Kumamoto – Raymond Street Safe for Kids to make two-way Garden St
5. Alec McKinney – Garden Street Design
6. Alexander Angstrom – Support to Retain One-Way Traffic on Garden Street
7. Alexandra Amati – Garden Street
8. Andreea Ilisei – Support for Charter Right #1
9. Andrew Sinclair – Support for Charter Right #1 (one-way Garden St)
10. Andy Zucker – Action at tonight’s City Council meeting
11. Annette LaMond – Please Restore Garden Street to Two-Way Traffic
12. Annette LaMond – Support Neighbors’ Guide to the MFH Ordinance
13. Annette LaMond – Support PO26#82
14. Ashley G. Pittman – Support for Charter Right #1 -- Please keep Garden Street as it’s currently configured
15. Avery Louie – I’m a Garden St. Biker
16. Avery Louie – Thanks for keeping garden street one way
17. Becca Fink – Please keep garden street one-way.
18. Becky Sarah – Please keep Garden St. the way it is now--safe, easy to use for all.
19. Benjamin Flaim – Garden Street
20. Beth Gamse – Apr 27 2026 Agenda items
21. Beverly C. Sealey – VOTE ON GARDEN ST., ETC.
22. Bill Kirtley – Support for PO#2
23. Bill McAvinney – Please respect the lives of our elderly. Vote to keep Garden St. one way.
24. Suzanne Blier – Please consider the following tonight: Housing Study, Bike Lane Change, Budget, Ground Floor Retail
25. Bob Fagan – Support for one-way Garden St
26. Brendan Hickey – Don’t change Garden St
27. Brian Schaefer – Support for Charter Right #1 (one-way Garden St)
28. C. Barrett – Garden Street two-way traffic
29. Candace Young – POR26#76
30. Carol Hauser – PO#2 April 27 vote
31. Carol Lee Rawn – Reiterating Strong Support for PO#2
32. Carolyn Fuller – In Support of Charter Right #1
33. Cécile Garcin – Please vote for Garden Street 2 way PO26#76
34. Charles McCannon – Charles McCannon Charter Right #1
35. Charles R. Norris – Council Vote Concerns Apr 27, 2026
36. Charles Teague – SUPPORT two-way for ALL on Garden Street
37. Chelsea Martinez – Garden Street
38. Christopher Dornin – Please don’t change Garden St. for bikers
39. Claire Goodman – Support for Charter Right #1
40. Constantinos and Katherine Shiatis – Garden Street proposal
41. Cristina Ullmann – Protect our precious idiots
42. Crystal Leslie – FOR CITY COUNCIL Monday 4/27
43. Cynthia Broner – Take action, please, City Councillors!
44. Dalisa Morales – Cambridge Bike Lanes are not safe!
45. Daniel Asay – Support for Garden Street as a One Way Road
46. Dave Halperin – Support for Charter Right #1
47. David Karger – keep current Garden St. design
48. David Wyman – Support for Charter Right #1
49. David Yarmolinsky – Support for one-way Garden St
50. Davide Marini – Support for Keeping Garden Street As Is
51. Davide Marini – Garden Street – Thank You!
52. Dura Winder – #2 Keep Garden Street one way
53. Dylan Callahan – Save money, keep Garden street the way it is
54. Earl K. Miller – Keep Garden St as is
55. Edward Evantash – Garden Street Design
56. Mark Eisenberg – Garden Street Bike lanes
57. Elena Saporta – Mid-Cambridge NCD Review - April 27th
58. Elisabeth Werby – Items on Council Agenda
59. Elise Moore – Vote NO on PO26#76 (Keeping Garden Street one way)
60. Ellen van Bever – Garden Street
61. Emma Johnson – Please keep Garden Street safe with the current design!
62. Eric Aronson – Garden Street vote on Monday
63. Ethan Frank – Residential parking permits should really be more but $75 is good too
64. Genevieve and Joseph Coyle – Letter regarding Up-Zoning and information for residents.
65. Gleb Bahmutov – Please keep Garden Street one directional
66. Gloria J Korsman – Support Charter Right #1
67. William A. Graham – Garden Street two-way decision
68. Shelagh Hadley – Garden Street etc...
69. Hannah Varner – Support for one-way Garden St
70. Heather Hoffman – goals of the massive upzoning of 2025
71. Heddi Siebel – Today’s vote!
72. Henry Lieberman – Keep Garden St. one way
73. Ilisa Hurowitz – Garden Street
74. Jacquelyn Fahey Sandell – Please Support the Housing Needs Study and restore Garden Street to 2 way traffic.
75. Janet S. Lloyd – What is happening?
76. Jennifer Winn Aronson – Garden Street
77. Jeremy Silverfine – Support for one-way Garden St
78. Jessie Lan – Support for Charter Right #1 (one-way Garden St)
79. Jia-Jing Lee – Ahern Field – Surface Evaluation Considerations
80. Jill R Crittenden – Support for PO#2
81. Jill R Crittenden – Garden Street and congestion
82. John Hanratty – Vote YES on PO#4 (PO26#80) and PO#5 (PO26#81)
83. John Hanratty – Vote NO on PO26#76 and return Garden Street
84. Jonathan Haber – Support for Charter Right #1
85. Joseph Moore – ACTION NEEDED!
86. Joshua Gauthier – Support for one-way Garden St
87. Judy Bright – Please vote to revert Garden St. back to 2-way with protected bike lanes
88. Young Kim – City Manager’s Agenda #1,2,14,23,24; Policy Orders #4,5; Charter Right 1, Budget Process Accountability, Policy Sequencing, Implementation Alignment
89. Karen Stevens – Support for one-way Garden St
90. Young Kim – City Manager’s Agenda #1,2,14,23,24; Policy Orders #4,5; Charter Right 1, Budget Process Accountability, Policy Sequencing, Implementation Alignment
91. Willa Rudel – Support for one-way Garden St
92. Karin Öberg – Support for Charter Right #1
93. Wesley Donohoe – Unable to Speak today – 4/27/26
94. Virginia Maurer – Support for Charter Right #1
95. Vanessa Ruget – Please revert Garden back to 2-way
96. Trish Ng – PO #2 Garden Street
97. Tom Meek – Garden Street PO26#76 on the agenda tomorrow night
98. Ted Live – Garden Street
99. Kate Rubin – Vote in favor of safety and keep Garden Street as is
100. Katherine Slive – Garden Street
101. Katie O’Connor – Jordi Olle comment for 4/27 city council meeting
102. Nicolai Cauchy – STOP development. return 2-way car traffic on GARDEN st, and BALANCE OUR FINANCES!!!
103. Ken Carlson – Support for Charter Right #1
104. Steve Fitzsimmons – Action on housing, transportation and Cambridge City budget.
105. Sonia Taktak – Keep Garden street one-way
106. Kevin Ortiz – My Support for Charter Right #1 as a Concord Ave. Resident
107. Sharon Stichter – PLEASE READ
108. Sharon Mombru – Vote No on PO26#76 - from a cyclist and longtime supporter of the city council’s work
109. Seija H – Vote
110. Scott Kilcoyne – Keep Garden Street as is
111. Sarah Griffith – Support the transportation transition
112. Larry – In support of Charter Right #1
113. Sarah Block – Vote yes on Charter Right #1 Keep Garden Street As It Is!
114. LeeAnne Williams – Please keep Garden St the same
115. Sarah Isenberg, David Isenberg – Support for Charter Right #1 (one-way Garden St)
116. Sara Dadkhah – Keep Garden St in current form
117. Lenore G. Martin – PO26#82 and PO26#81
118. Sam Bosbach – Vote to Keep Garden Street as Is
119. Sally Lebwohl – Support for Charter Right #1
120. Ryan Emma – Garden Street
121. Lisa Glover – Support Housing Needs Study and MFH Guide
122. Ruth Block – Support for Charter Right #1 to keep Garden Street as is.
123. Rob Leith – Garden Street
124. Rachel Wilson – Support for Charter Right #1
125. Rachel MacLean – Keeping Garden Street’s current configuration
126. Phyllis Simpkins – Garden Street
127. Perry Lubin – Support for Charter Right #1
128. Paula Cortes – Garden St bike lanes, Council mtg tonight
129. Paul Raccuglia – Support for keeping Garden Street one way
130. Paul O’Connell – Support for Charter Right #1
131. Paul Breneman – Mail
132. Louise Venden – PO26#82 Request Housing Study
133. Patrick Knight – Garden St Redesign -- Support for one-way
134. Norman Daoust – supporting Charter Right #1, Garden St
135. Nora Peirce – Support for one-way Garden St
136. Nick Levitt – Support for one-way Garden St
137. Neheet Trivedi – Support for one-way Garden St
138. Nate Sharpe – Support for Charter Right #1 (Don’t change Garden St.)
139. Nada Bakri – Mail
140. Louise Venden – PO26#82 statement
141. Lucy Murray-Brown – Garden Street, Housing Needs Study, MFH Guide and budget
142. Maggie Baratz – Support leaving Garden Street As Is and Improving Raymond Street Safety!
143. Maria Kosovsky – Comments re: housing upzoning etc.
144. Marie Elena Saccoccio – CM26#99 Remediation and Improvement Cost for Gold Star Mother’s Park.
145. Marie Elena Saccoccio – Garden Street Policy Order, Position of Cambridge Streets for All
146. Mary Alexander – Support for Charter Right #1
147. Mary Anne Carlson – Wasn’t this already voted on?
148. Mary Jane Kornacki – Urging NO vote on Garden Street Policy Order
149. Matthew Kramer – Support for keeping Garden St one-way
150. Matthew Leung – Keep Garden Street One-Way - Support Charter Right #1
151. Max Kaplan – Support for Charter Right #1
152. Meredith Lyngbaek – Support for the Current Configuration of Garden Street
153. Michael Rogove – Michael Rogove Support for PO26#76 - Please, keep Garden St. 1-way
154. Michael Sipser – Please make Garden St two-way
155. Michelle Brann – Support for one-way Garden Street
156. Mike Shafto – Support for Charter Right #1.
157. Mimi Farb – Support for one-way Garden St
158. Mina Makarious – Monday Night’s Meeting re: Garden St.
159. Misha Rubanov – Support for one-way Garden St
160. Young Kim – Request to Include Submitted Communications in 4/27 City Council Final Action
161. Carol Hauser – Thank you!! PO#2 April 27 vote

RESOLUTIONS
1. Congratulations to William “Billy” McDonald on his retirement. Councillor Flaherty

2. Congratulations to The Garment District on its 40th Anniversary. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui

3. City Council appreciation of Nathan Hoefgen-Harvey for his service as a Social Work intern. Councillor McGovern
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Flaherty

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula Crane, regarding an update regarding legislative activity. (COF26#70)

Tues, May 5
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the City and School budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Wed, May 6
6:00pm The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the City and School budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Tues, May 12
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the City and School budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Thurs, May 14
9:00am The Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the City and School budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 (If needed).

Wed, May 20
12:00pm The Public Safety Committee will hold a public hearing to review specific items from the Annual Surveillance Report as required under Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.128, Section 2.128.060, CM26#44, submitted to the full City Council on Mar 9, 2026.

Tues, May 26
11:00am The Health and Environment Committee will hold a public hearing to review and discuss implementation of Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP) 2.0, adopted by Council in June 2025, including review of draft ordinance changes as recommended by the ZWMP 2.0.

Tues, June 9
3:00pm The Economic Development and University Relations Committee will convene a roundtable of representatives from the Cambridge and Greater Cambridge startup ecosystem to provide insight into current conditions, emerging needs, and specific ways the City can strengthen its support for startups and enhance the local innovation environment.

Tues, June 23
10:00am The City Council shall hold a Special Meeting for a mid-year check-in on the City Manager’s 2026 Performance Review Process and progress towards annual goals.

O-2 May 4, 2026 Charter Right - Nolan
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
WHEREAS: Since March 14, 1958, the United States has maintained a trade embargo on Cuba; and
WHEREAS: On January 29, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14380 that labels Cuba an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the United States, serving as a pretext to impose severe economic penalties on any country that attempts to deliver oil or trade with Cuba; and
WHEREAS: The consequences of this Executive Order have been measured in human suffering, with the most vulnerable—children, the elderly, and the sick—bearing the brunt of this cruelty:
• Families left without power for light, refrigeration, and cooking;
• Hospitals risking the closure of wards and the suspension of critical treatments;
• The distribution of food and medicine being paralyzed; and
WHEREAS: All nations have the right under international law to self-determination and to address their internal economic and social needs free from undue external coercion, consistent with the principles of sovereignty and non-intervention; and
WHEREAS: Full restoration of trade and travel between the two countries would be of benefit to both, particularly in the areas of food production, economic opportunity, education, health care, tourism, the arts, music, and sports, along with medical and biotechnological research; and
WHEREAS: For over 30 years, the UN General Assembly has voted annually, with an overwhelming majority, to condemn the US embargo on Cuba; and
WHEREAS: The current United States policy toward Cuba is a special manifestation of harshness which is harmful to those with ties to Cuba, and especially hard on families in Cuba and in the Cuban-American community in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS: In March 2021, the City Council unanimously passed PO21#50 affirming its support to lifting the United States’ blockade on Cuba, with the City Councils in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Richmond, Virginia passing similar resolutions since 2025; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record calling upon President Trump to immediately rescind Executive Order 14380, immediately enter meaningful negotiations with the Cuban government with the goal of ending the United States oil embargo, and carry out his foreign policy agenda with respect to the wishes of the people of the United States and in accordance with international law; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record calling for the immediate restoration of engagement with the Republic of Cuba as initiated by President Barack Obama; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record urging the United States Congress to promulgate and pass legislation that will finally end the unsuccessful and harmful 64-year-old economic, financial, and commercial embargo on Cuba, as well as ending the travel restrictions on United States citizens and residents of Cuba, and Cuban citizens to the United States; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this Policy Order to Cambridge’s delegation to the United States Congress on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-3 May 4, 2026 amended
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
VICE MAYOR AZEEM
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI
WHEREAS: Supporting small and local businesses is a key priority for the City of Cambridge, and allowing food vendors in city parks would provide new low-barrier economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, including immigrant-owned and family-run businesses; and
WHEREAS: Food vending in public parks has been successfully implemented in nearby municipalities, including Boston, where vendors operating in Boston Common offer a range of options such as pastries, coffee, and diverse street food, contributing to a vibrant and welcoming public space; and
WHEREAS: These vendors enhance park usage by providing convenient food access for residents and visitors, activating public space, and contributing to the overall vitality of the park and city; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge’s current municipal code prohibits the operation of food vendors in city parks, limiting opportunities to activate these public spaces and support local economic activity; and
WHEREAS: Allowing regulated food vending in Cambridge parks could be implemented in a manner that ensures public health, safety, accessibility, and equitable access to vending opportunities; and
WHEREAS: Expanding allowable uses in city parks aligns with broader City goals of supporting small businesses, enhancing public space, and fostering community; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with relevant City staff to review City ordinances regulating the operation of food vendors in City parks; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with policy options, including any relevant ordinance language updates, for review and consideration by the City Council and its committees and further engagement with local small businesses, community organizations, and relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.

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]

25-69. 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

26-14. 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

26-16. 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

26-22. 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

26-25. 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

26-30. 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.
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern (O-3) from 4/13/26

26-31. That the City Manager is requested to update the City’s “Succession Planning and Employee Ownership Workbook” and any comparable written or online guidance so that worker buyouts and worker cooperatives are clearly presented as standard succession options for retiring business owners.
Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (O-1) from 4/27/26

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

26-39. 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 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.
Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-2) from 4/13/26 and Charter Right #1 from 4/27/26