3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a request for the City Council to authorize the Purchasing Agent to award a contract for 5 years with an option to renew for an additional 5 years to the successful bidder on the Flexible Spending Services Bid. (CM25#192)
Order Adopted, Placed on File 9-0

CM25#192     Aug 4, 2025
To the Honorable, the City Council:
The Human Resources Department’s contract for Flexible Spending Services is expiring as of December 2025. The Purchasing Department will be putting this contract out to bid, and the Human Resources Department would like the Purchasing Department to award a contract to the successful bidder for a five (5) year term with an option to renew for an additional five (5) years at the sole discretion of the City (1/1/2026-12/31/2036). Where this invitation for bid will follow public bidding laws, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B requires a majority vote of the City Council authorizing the award of a contract for a duration longer than three (3) years.

Having a five (5) year contract with an option to renew for an additional five (5) years in place with a Flexible Spending Services provider will allow us to provide continuity to our staff particularly as this benefit does allow for a one-year grace period on contributions not used in the previous calendar year. Additionally, a contract for this duration for this type of service allows for consistency in service and, in most cases, a better price.

I hereby request that the City Council authorize the Purchasing Agent to award a five (5) year with an option to renew for an additional five (5) years contract to the successful bidder on the Flexible Spending Services bid.

Yi-An Huang
City Manager

4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of members to the Commercial Parking Control Committee (CPCC). (CM25#193)
Placed on File 9-0

CM25#193     Aug 4, 2025
I am writing to inform you that I am appointing the following persons below as members of the Commercial Parking Control Committee (CPCC) pursuant to Chapter 10.16.030 of the Cambridge Municipal Code for a term of one (1) to three (3) years, effective August 4, 2025:

• Nathaniel Kay
• Casey Szilagyi
• Dana Ray Bullister
• Jacqueline Palavicino
• Patrick Magee

The Commercial Parking Control Committee (CPCC) reviews applications for new Commercial Parking Permits. The CPCC will meet on an as-needed basis with meetings held at least biannually, based on submission of the applications for Commercial Parking Permits. The committee members have a range of personal and professional experience and are interested in balancing the city’s transportation and economic development policies.

A public advertisement was posted for members of the Committee on April 24, 2025. The original applications deadline of June 2, 2025, was extended to June 23, 2025, to allow additional time for submissions. Interviews were conducted by Assistant Commissioner for Transportation Planning, Stephanie Groll, and Transportation Planner, Adam Shulman, during the weeks of July 14 and 21, 2025. Each applicant expressed a strong interest in parking and transportation issues in the city and a desire to contribute to the municipal decision-making process. None of the appointed members has a financial interest in commercial parking operations within Cambridge.

I am pleased to welcome the five new members whose expertise and experience will enable them to contribute to this committee’s important work.

1. Nathaniel Kay is a Transportation Consulting Analyst with a background in Systems Engineering and finance. He brings experience in data analysis, project coordination, and strategy. Nathaniel has actively been engaged in Planning Board, City Council, and zoning meetings. The appointment as a member is for a one-year term, with eligible for reappointment.

2. Casey Szilagyi is a Software Engineer with a background in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science. He has a strong interest in transportation and transportation planning, particularly regarding how land use and parking policies influence travel behavior. The appointment as a member is a one-year term, with eligible for reappointment.

3. Dana Ray Bullister is an academic researcher with a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary Design and Media, focusing on data visualization. She currently serves as the Boad Chair of the YWCA Cambridge and volunteers with multiple social impact organizations in Cambridge and Boston. The appointment as a member is for a two-year term, with eligible for reappointment.

4. Jacqueline Palavicino is Chief of Staff at a non-profit voting rights organization and serves as a consultant. She has a background in Liberal Arts Management and Real Estate and Built Environment. With over a decade of experience leading strategy, operations, and program development across multiple sectors, she brings a valuable perspective to the committee. The appointment as a member is for a three-year term, with eligible for reappointment.

5. Patrick Magee owned and operated a full-service restaurant for 17 years, overseeing all aspects of business operations. He is the founder of the East Cambridge Business Association and has been an advocate for changes to the Parking and Transportation Demand Ordinance and the Flexible Parking Corridors policy. He is committed to enhancing community life through creative and enjoyable approaches. The appointment as a member is for a three-year term, with eligible for reappointment.

I appreciate the willingness of these community members to serve and look forward to their contributions as members of the Commercial Parking Control Committee.

5. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $704,800, received from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Community Mitigation Fund to the Grant Fund Community Development Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($39,300); the Grant Fund Community Development Department Salaries and Wages account ($75,000); the Grant Fund Community Development Department Extraordinary Expenditures account ($12,000); the Grant Fund Community Development Department Travel and Training account ($1,000); the Grant Fund Arts Council Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($235,100); the Grant Fund Police Salaries and Wages account ($112,400); the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account ($48,000); the Grant Fund Fire Travel and Training account ($32,000); and the Grant Fund Transportation Extraordinary Expenditures account ($150,000). (CM25#194)
Order Adopted 9-0

FY26 grant funds will be used for the following projects:
• Public art outreach and education - $235,100
• Bicycle safety improvements - $150,000
• Safe biking training program - $102,300
• De-escalation and tactical training - $94,400
• Increased traffic enforcement - $50,000
• Fire blankets - $48,000
• Commercial district special events support - $25,000

7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item #25-15 regarding the creation of plaque upholding the separation of church and state and gender equality. (CM25#196)
Placed on File 9-0

CM25#196     Aug 4, 2025
To the Honorable, the City Council:
In response to Awaiting Report #25-15 which requested that the City Manager work with relevant departments to create a plaque to be placed at the entrance of or inside City Hall that demonstrates the values that the Cambridge City Council upholds of the separation of church and state and gender equality, please see below from Executive Director of the Cambridge Historical Commission, Charlie Sullivan:

The Cambridge Historical Commission and other departments continue to refine the text of a statement regarding upholding the separation of church and state and gender equality, with reference to the inscription concerning good government placed on the balcony of City Hall by the donor of the building, Frederick Hastings Rindge.

The statement will be incorporated into proposed updates of the front lobby of City Hall utilizing FY26 Community Preservation Act funding. The proposal includes:

• Evaluation and thoughtful reorganization of the existing and future memorials and commemorative displays.

• Design and installation of a plaque focused on Women in the Armed Forces and a statement regarding the separation of church and state and gender equality.

• Improvements to the existing finishes.

Implentation of this project is anticipated to occur in the second half of FY26, subject to approval of CPA funding.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of John Nardone as a member of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for a term of five years. (CM25#197)
Placed on File 9-0

To the Honorable, the City Council:
I am hereby transmitting notification of the appointment of John Nardone as member of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for a term of five years. This appointment requires notification to the City Council only.

John Nardone, Acting Commissioner of Public Works. The Community Preservation Act requires that the CPAC includes a member whose duties involve the oversight of parks. Mr. Nardone was appointed as Acting Commissioner of Public Works in July 2025, after serving as the Assistant Commissioner for Operations and eventually Deputy Commissioner since 2002. He has undergraduate degrees in both Civil Engineering and Architectural Engineering from the Wentworth Institute of Technology. Mr. Nardone’s engineering background, coupled with his work in Municipal operations and public construction will also inform the CPAC as it reviews and recommends projects for funding. His appointment is effective July 28, 2025.

9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-28, regarding an update on the status of potential civilian flagger operations in the Cambridge Police Union contract. (CM25#198)
Placed on File 9-0

To the Honorable, the City Council:
Please find attached response from Police Commissioner, Christine Elow, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-28, regarding an update on the status of potential civilian flagger operations in the Cambridge Police Union contract.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

---

To: City Manager, Yi-An Huang
From: Police Commissioner, Christine Elow
Date: July 22, 2025
Ref.: PO25#67

This memorandum has been prepared in response to City Council Policy Order PO25#67 which requested an “update with details on the status of potential civilian flagger operations in the Cambridge Police Union contract” and asked the “relevant city staff explore a civilian traffic flagger program”.

The Cambridge Police Department has reached an agreement with both police unions regarding the possibility of retaining trained civilians for some details that are not filled by officers. The Police Department is currently working with the Purchasing and Law Departments to draft and begin a procurement process by late summer 2025.

We will be able to provide further updates once bids are awarded.

Respectfully,
Christine Elow
Police Commissioner

10. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $30,000, received from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Jail Diversion Program, to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($30,000). This appropriation if approved represents funding through the first quarter of FY26. These funds, if approved will enable the department to continue the current co-response program with one clinician through September 2025. (CM25#199)
Order Adopted 9-0

CM25#199     Aug 4, 2025
To the Honorable, the City Council:
I am hereby requesting the appropriation of $30,000, received from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Jail Diversion Program, to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($30,000). This appropriation if approved represents funding through the first quarter of FY26.

These funds, if approved will enable the department to continue the current co-response program with one clinician through September 2025. In late June, DMH announced that funding for the FY26 Budget had not been finalized, and so no full year FY26 funding announcements could be made. Instead, DMH made interim short-term awards to preserve existing programs until funding decisions are made at the state level. The Department hopes to receive full year funding notifications by the end of the first quarter.

Grant funds will be used to support costs related to contracting services of a specially trained clinician that will respond to mental health calls throughout the city. The program is intended to help community members experiencing a mental health crisis get the assistance they need rather than directing them into the criminal justice system, as well as reducing emergency room visits. The co-responder clinician will ride with police officers in cruisers and respond directly to calls for service where they can help evaluate and make recommendations for care on scene.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

18. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-37, regarding full and open access to Linear Path at Westley Avenue. (CM25#207)
Placed on File 9-0

CM25#207     Aug 4, 2025
To the Honorable, the City Council:
Please find attached report from Brooke McKenna, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, relative to Awaiting Report 25-37 which requested that the City Manager work with relevant City departments to ensure that there is full open access for all users to Linear Park from Westley Avenue.

Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager

---

To: Yi-An Huang, City Manager
From: Brooke McKenna, Commissioner
Date: July 31, 2025
Subject: Awaiting Report 2025-37: Full and Open Access to Linear Path at Westley Avenue

In response to Awaiting Report 25-37 requesting that the City Manager work with relevant City departments to ensure that there is full open access for all users to Linear Park from Westley Avenue as an additional community access point, and that the City Manager direct the relative city departments, including CDD and the Police Department, to work with the Westley Avenue community on ways to improve neighborhood safety, including but not limited to, possibly adding improved lighting and a gate that can be locked by the city at night and unlocked in the morning, we report the following:

In response to community feedback regarding the importance of including a community access point from the Linear Path to the neighborhood located to the south of the path, the design plans for the path will be updated to include a new connection between Linear Park and the neighborhood at Westley Avenue. This path will meet access codes and be able to be readily maintained. No trees will be impacted or removed with the addition of a connection at Westley Avenue.

Some local neighbors have expressed security concerns related to the connection between the path and Westley Avenue. In response to these concerns, the City will evaluate lighting levels on Westley Ave. and consider improvements as needed.

At this time, the City does not believe the installation of a gate that would be locked at certain times of day is feasible, due to both access and operational issues. Continuity across all access points along the park is an important element of providing a reliable experience for users of the park. Limiting the hours of access at Westley Ave would undermine this continuity. Operationally, it is not feasible to manually lock and unlock one gate and electronic locks are untested in this environment and likely to provide significant maintenance challenges. However, the design of the entrance to the path at Westley Ave will not preclude the addition of a gate at some further date. The City further commits to monitoring the operation of the Westley Ave access point upon completion of the Linear Path redesign project.

23. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report regarding the Marasao, et al., Zoning Petition (Religious Uses). (CM25#212) [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Date: July 30, 2025
Subject: Marasao, et al., Zoning Petition (Religious Uses)
Recommendation: The Planning Board submits this report with comments and no positive or negative recommendation.

To the Honorable, the City Council,
On May 20, 2025, the Planning Board (the “Board”) held a public hearing to discuss a Zoning Petition by Mushla Marasao, et al., a group of at least ten registered voters represented by Lubavitch of Cambridge, Inc. (the “Petitioner”) to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Sections 5.28.21, 8.22.1, 8.22.2, and Table 5.1. The overall effect of the changes would be to remove gross floor area (GFA) and floor area ratio (FAR) limitations for religious uses, permit conforming additions to nonconforming structures without limitation for religious uses, and permit religious uses with the same dimensional limitations as residential uses. In addition, in a Residence C-1 district, certain open space requirements otherwise applicable to residential uses would not be applicable to religious uses, religious use buildings would be permitted up to 6 stories and 74 feet above grade without meeting inclusionary housing requirements, and religious use buildings taller than 35 feet and 3 stories above grade would not be required to notify neighbors and hold a meeting.

The Board heard a presentation from representatives of the Petitioner and comments from many members of the public. The Board also received written materials in advance from staff in the City’s Community Development Department (CDD) and from members of the public. After hearing testimony and briefly discussing the Petition, the Board voted to request a legal opinion from the City Solicitor to answer questions about state and federal laws pertaining to religious uses, then continued the hearing to a future date.

On July 8, 2025, the Board resumed the hearing after having received a letter from City Solicitor Megan E. Bayer dated June 16, 2025 (which was also provided to the City Council). After discussing this additional material with the City Solicitor and CDD staff, hearing additional comments from the Petitioner and members of the public, and deliberating on the Petition, the Planning Board voted to forward a report to the City Council with no positive or negative recommendation. This report summarizes the points raised during the Board’s deliberations.

Board members acknowledged that the Petition poses difficult questions and that the City Council will need to consider many issues beyond those within the purview of the Planning Board. The Council should carefully consider the legal factors described in the City Solicitor’s letter regarding state and federal laws and the City’s potential legal liability in the event of a challenge to permitting decisions. The Board voted to transmit comments only related to planning issues, with the understanding that the City Council (with the advice of the City Solicitor) will need to weigh the full range of considerations and come to a decision that considers the interest of the City as a whole even if it does not fully align with the Board’s views on planning issues.

Board members noted that this Petition proposes a substantial change to how religious uses are regulated but was not part of a planning study or significant community engagement process. The proposed changes mostly follow the recently adopted changes to support multifamily housing, which were based on longstanding planning goals to promote housing growth and affordability and were subject to extensive discussion by the City Council and the community before adoption. Through the course of community engagement and public hearings on the multifamily zoning amendments, many concerns were raised around issues such as height impacts, open space, and neighborhood input. In shaping the final zoning, the Council needed to weigh these concerns against the larger goal of promoting housing. The current proposal is not grounded in similar planning efforts. Some Board members suggested that the proposal may have benefitted from more time spent on community discussion and planning.

Board members expressed specific concerns about the parts of the Petitions that waived requirements for religious uses that would otherwise be applicable to residential uses, including open space and neighborhood notification requirements in Residence C-1. Several Board members expressed support for the Ordinance Committee’s request to consider removing those provisions to make the requirements at least equivalent to those for residential uses.

Another specific area of concern was height. When considering whether to allow residential buildings of up to 6 stories in Residence C-1 districts, the Council spent considerable time weighing the impacts of additional height against the broader public interest in promoting housing affordability, ultimately requiring that developments above 4 stories need to meet inclusionary housing requirements. Under the current proposal, the allowed height for religious uses would be 6 stories without specified benefits that would counterbalance the impact of height above 4 stories. That issue could benefit from further consideration, while acknowledging the constraints under RLUIPA that a requirement must serve a compelling government interest and apply the least restrictive means of doing so. A special permit process for additional height was suggested as one option to consider how impacts could be mitigated on a site-specific basis, although a special permit might raise concerns about the risks of discretionary approval as discussed in the City Solicitor’s letter. It would also be different than the approach to housing, which is based on an as-of-right affordability requirement.

Board members also discussed the issue of intensity of use, which describes the different types of impacts (such as transportation demand) that different uses might have based on the type of activity taking place. Limitations on residential uses were set with an expectation of the type of activity taking place in and around a residence. Non-residential uses tend to have more varied types of activity and therefore different intensities of use. Religious uses could incorporate many different types of activities including assembly, classrooms, offices, and living quarters, which can all have different impacts at different times. Board members did not make any specific suggestions, but expressed concern that regulating the full range of potential religious uses in the same uniform way as residential uses could lead to unanticipated outcomes.

Finally, Board members acknowledged the concerns around legal liability when discretionary permits are needed, but also noted (as described in the City Solicitor’s letter) that a case-by-case analysis is required to determine the appropriate application of regulations under RLUIPA. Whatever the zoning regulations are, there will be some cases where zoning relief or other special approvals are needed to accommodate the needs of a specific religious use. In those cases, the City’s boards will need to use their discretion to make decisions consistent with RLUIPA. Board members expressed faith in the City’s boards and administration to take their responsibilities seriously and treat such applications fairly.

The Planning Board voted 6-0 in favor of transmitting the above report, with one member absent.

Respectfully submitted for the Planning Board,
Mary Flynn, Chair

5. Condolences to the family of William Bruce “Bill” King.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner

R-5     Aug 4, 2025
MAYOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TONER

WHEREAS: The City Council was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of William Bruce “Bill” King at the age of 93; and

WHEREAS: Bill King was a proud graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School, a Navy officer during the Korean War, and a corporate attorney whose pioneering work in the field of Real Estate Investment Trusts helped elevate Goodwin Procter to national prominence in real estate capital markets; and

WHEREAS: Bill King spent more than six decades living in and giving back to the City of Cambridge, where he served with distinction as President of the Cambridge Civic Association, trustee of local educational institutions, corporator and trustee of Cambridge Savings Bank, overseer of Mount Auburn Hospital, and a board member of The Cambridge Homes; and

WHEREAS: In 1973, Bill King was appointed to the Cambridge Historical Commission, where he served with diligence and vision for 44 years—31 of them as Chair—championing historic preservation through tools such as demolition delay and neighborhood conservation districts, and earning a reputation as a fair and thoughtful steward of the city’s architectural and cultural heritage; and

WHEREAS: For his decades of dedicated volunteer service, Bill King was honored with the inaugural Francis H. Duehay Volunteer Public Service Award in 2015 and a Preservation Award from the Cambridge Historical Commission in 2017, reflecting the deep appreciation of a city he served so well; and

WHEREAS: Even after leaving Cambridge in 2019, Bill’s civic spirit never waned; he embraced his new community in Needham with characteristic vigor, and at the age of 90, was elected to serve in the Needham Town Meeting—proving that commitment to public service need never fade with age; and

WHEREAS: Bill King will be remembered not only for his distinguished professional and civic accomplishments, but also for his warmth, intellect, storytelling, humility, and deep devotion to his family, friends, and colleagues; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council formally go on record in expressing its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Bill King, and in recognizing with gratitude and admiration his many decades of service, leadership, and love for this community; 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 King family on behalf of the entire City Council.

6. Resolution on the death of Tom Lehrer.   Mayor Simmons

R-6     Aug 4, 2025
MAYOR SIMMONS

WHEREAS: The City Council was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cambridge resident Tom Lehrer on July 26, 2025, at the age of 97; and

WHEREAS: Tom Lehrer was a brilliant mathematician, a fiercely original musical satirist, and a longtime member of the Cambridge academic community whose incisive wit and unmatched ability to skewer hypocrisy, and sacred cows made him a cultural force in postwar America; and

WHEREAS: Born in Manhattan in 1928, Mr. Lehrer came to Cambridge to study mathematics at Harvard University at the age of 15, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees there and later teaching at both Harvard and MIT, shaping generations of students with his intellect, clarity, and humor; and

WHEREAS: In the 1950s and 1960s, while continuing his academic career, Mr. Lehrer emerged as one of the era’s most audacious and influential satirists, writing songs of biting brilliance such as “The Vatican Rag,” “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,” and “The Masochism Tango,” setting acerbic lyrics to deceptively cheerful tunes, and releasing recordings from Cambridge that would go on to sell hundreds of thousands of copies by word of mouth alone; and

WHEREAS: Mr. Lehrer’s work challenged social conventions, political hypocrisy, and moral pretensions with fearless irreverence, earning him a devoted following, and while his performing career was relatively brief, his cultural impact was outsized, inspiring generations of comedians, critics, teachers, and musicians; and

WHEREAS: Tom Lehrer was, above all, a proud resident of Cambridge, who balanced his bicoastal life with decades of teaching and composing in our city, and who continued to call Cambridge home through his final days; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record extending its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Tom Lehrer for their tremendous loss; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Mr. Lehrer’s loved ones and representatives on behalf of the entire City Council.

9. Retirement of Dr. Lisa Dobberteen from the Cambridge Public Health Department.   Vice Mayor McGovern

R-9     Aug 4, 2025
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN

WHEREAS: It has come to the attention of the City Council that Dr. Lisa Dobberteen will be retiring from the Cambridge Public Health Department this August 2025, marking thirty years of dedicated service to the health and well-being of the Cambridge community; and

WHEREAS: Dr. Dobberteen joined the Cambridge Public Health Department in 1994 as the Medical Director for School Health and has served as Medical Director for Public Health Programs since 2014, providing steady and compassionate clinical leadership throughout her tenure; and

WHEREAS: Her decades of service have been defined by a deep commitment to equity, access, and high-quality care, especially for Cambridge’s most vulnerable residents; and

WHEREAS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Dobberteen played a central role in shaping the City’s clinical response, guiding public health strategy, and offering trusted expertise to City Council, the School Committee, and the broader community during an unprecedented time; and

WHEREAS: Colleagues and city leaders alike have praised her for her calm, clear, and thoughtful guidance in moments of crisis, and for her unshakable professionalism under pressure; and

WHEREAS: In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to public service and leadership, Dr. Dobberteen has been named the 2024 recipient of the Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service, an honor that reflects both the respect of her peers and the depth of her impact; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record expressing its deepest gratitude to Dr. Lisa Dobberteen for her exceptional service and leadership, congratulating her on her well-earned retirement; and be it further

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

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on May 28, 2025 to discuss PO25#48 on sex trafficking. This hearing allowed for stakeholders and other community members to raise awareness and share resources to keeping individuals safe and free of harm. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Present: McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson
Also Present: Simmons, Zusy

2. The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on June 2, 2025 for an update and review of the Cambridge Police Department’s use of “Shot-Spotter” technology. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Present: McGovern, Siddiqui, Toner, Wilson, Zusy
Also Present: Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan

3. The Civic Unity Committee held a public hearing on June 11, 2025 to discuss how Cambridge can proactively prepare for the growing challenges associated with elder care. The discussion focused on critical areas including: senior housing needs, equitable access to medical and mental health care, and the mounting shortages in the healthcare workforce that impact elder services. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Present: Zusy, Simmons
Remote Present: McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson

4. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee and the Housing Committee held a joint public hearing on June 17, 2025 to discuss draft zoning recommendations for Cambridge Street and Massachusetts Avenue. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Present: Azeem, McGovern, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy
Remote Present: Wilson, Nolan

5. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee and the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a joint public hearing on June 18, 2025 to help define a study, including its focus, areas of consideration and expected outcomes to identify service gaps and potential improvements in the public transit and shuttle network in the city. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Present: Zusy
Remote Present: Azeem, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, Siddiqui
Absent: Toner

6. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing on June 23, 2025 for the purpose of inviting representatives from the 23 long term vacant properties (defined as has been vacant for more than five years) on the record, to share updates on their tenancy efforts, short and long-term plans, and to provide the community with an opportunity to weigh in on this important discussion. (PO25#49) [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Present: McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson
Remote Present: Siddiqui, Toner
Also Present: Nolan, Zusy

7. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on July 28, 2025 to discuss updates to the City’s Welcoming Community Ordinance. The Committee voted favorably to forward the proposed amendments to the Welcoming Community Ordinance to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Present: McGovern, Nolan, Wilson, Zusy
Remote Present: Siddiqui, Toner, Simmons
Absent: Azeem, Sobrinho-Wheeler

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1     Aug 4, 2025  Amended
COUNCILLOR TONER
MAYOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR WILSON
COUNCILLOR AZEEM
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge faces a critical shortage of housing, exacerbating affordability challenges for residents across income levels; and
WHEREAS: High permitting fees disproportionately burden smaller residential developments, limiting the ability of local developers to contribute to the housing supply; and
WHEREAS: Reducing or eliminating permitting fees for residential projects, including exempting multifamily projects from building permit fees as highlighted in the memo sent to the Council on June 30th, 2025, from Melissa Peters, Assistant City Manager for Community Development and Chris Cotter, Director of Housing wherein it states:
“Exempting Multifamily Projects from Building Permit Fees Building permit fees are a smaller but still significant cost for multifamily developers. Multifamily projects pay a fee of $20 for every $1,000 of estimated construction cost. Reducing building permit costs could also assist with making new development more financially feasible.”; and
WHEREAS: Exempting residential projects from building permit fees is a targeted action to reduce financial burdens on housing developers, thereby incentivizing the construction of multifamily housing to address the housing crisis; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department, in collaboration with the Finance Department, to conduct a comprehensive review of current permitting fees for residential development projects, with a focus on identifying opportunities to create a tiered fee structure that reduces or eliminates fees entirely particularly for smaller-scale and affordable housing developments; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with a response and recommendations with a proposed implementation plan by September 15, 2025; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City of Cambridge reaffirms its commitment to prioritizing housing development as a critical means of addressing the housing crisis and fostering an inclusive vibrant community.

O-2     Aug 4, 2025  Amended
COUNCILLOR TONER
MAYOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR WILSON
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: Porter Square is home to over 150 independent retail shops, restaurants, and services, contributing to the economic and cultural vibrancy of North Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The Porter Square area is facing increasing quality-of-life issues that impact both residents and business, including public space management, safety, cleanliness, and economic vitality; and
WHEREAS: Unlike other commercial areas in Cambridge, Porter Square currently lacks a formal business association or entity that advocates for or coordinates on behalf of its diverse business community; and
WHEREAS: The district contains key institutional and commercial landmarks, including Lesley University, multiple hotels, shopping plazas, and active transit connections, that could serve as natural anchors in the formation of a BID; and
WHEREAS: North Massachusetts Avenue is currently under consideration for rezoning, making this an important time to proactively plan for long-term district management and economic development; and
WHEREAS: Members of BIDs enjoy many benefits as a result of sharing resources, such as coordinated marketing strategies, increased foot traffic and a healthier retail environment; and
WHEREAS: BIDs are integral in improving communities by putting on events, coordinating seasonal decorations, maintaining cleanliness and safety of streets, connecting community members with social services, and creating a more inviting environment for both residents and visitors by emphasizing “place-making”; and
WHEREAS: The success of the Central Square Business Improvement District has shown that a BID can provide a sustainable model for district maintenance, promotion, safety, and economic stewardship; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record in support of exploring the feasibility of forming a Business Improvement District (BID) in Porter Square; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to allocate $25,000 in feasibility funds to support an exploratory process – potentially including stakeholder engagement, legal and technical assessments, and community outreach – to evaluate the creation of a Business Improvement District in Porter Square.

O-3     Aug 4, 2025
MAYOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TONER
WHEREAS: There has been a longstanding and worsening set of concerns stemming from the nightly congregation of unhoused individuals on the front porch and garden areas between St. James Episcopal Church and the Beech Street condominiums along Massachusetts Avenue; and
WHEREAS: Members of that condominium community have consistently reported significant and repeated overnight disturbances, including overnight occupancy, increased drug use and transactions, noise, and unsafe conditions in both the porch and garden areas; and
WHEREAS: The porch area is church-owned property, and St. James Episcopal Church has expressed a strong commitment to its mission of offering sanctuary to those in need, including permitting unhoused individuals to seek rest overnight in this space – yet there are concerns that without proper oversight, members of the public may also utilize the garden space during those hours; and
WHEREAS: The garden area adjacent to the property is considered condominium-owned open space that is open to the public only between sunrise and sunset and is explicitly off-limits at night — yet it has become a site of increasing overnight occupation and problematic activity; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Police Department has indicated that enforcement in and around private property—particularly faith-based spaces—requires careful coordination, and that the current legal thresholds limit intervention absent specific encampment criteria or violations of trespass law; and
WHEREAS: Mediation efforts are scheduled between the church and the condominium association regarding use of the porch area, yet the question of how the City and the church will address enforcement in the garden area remains unresolved; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to coordinate with the Community Safety Department, the Cambridge Police Department, and other relevant parties to ensure that the overnight use of the garden area between St. James Episcopal Church and the Beech Street condos is actively monitored and that appropriate actions are taken in such a way that balances public safety considerations with the humanitarian values that guide our city; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with an outline of what additional enforcement tools may be needed to allow the City to better respond to this matter, and to similar situations involving overlapping public-private spaces where significant health and safety concerns are being raised; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter no later than October 1, 2025.

O-4     Aug 4, 2025
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The Harvard Square Theatre, originally known as the University Theatre, opened in 1926 and remained operational until 2012; and
WHEREAS: The theatre showcased films and hosted concerts and performances by legendary artists including Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, David Bowie, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Hall & Oates, and The Clash; and
WHEREAS: Harvard Square is not only recognized for its rich history and academic institutions but also for its vibrant museums and performing arts scene; and
WHEREAS: In addition to live performances and new film releases, the Harvard Square Theatre was home to weekly midnight screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show; and
WHEREAS: This beloved tradition began in 1984, when the screenings moved from Boston’s Exeter Street Theatre to Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: The Harvard Square Theatre also hosted the first Rocky Horror stage production in the United States, performed by a full-body cast; and
WHEREAS: When the theatre closed in 2012, it brought to a close Rocky Horror’s 28-year run with over 1,500 screenings; and
WHEREAS: The Harvard Square Business Association continues to honor the spirit of Rocky Horror, most recently partnering with Moonbox Productions to bring live theatrical pop-ups to vacant storefronts; and
WHEREAS: The iconic Harvard Square Theatre will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council go on record congratulating the Harvard Square Business Association for keeping the Time Warp alive and declaring August 9, 2025, as Rocky Horror Day in the City of Cambridge.

O-5     Aug 4, 2025  Amended
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR WILSON
WHEREAS: Substance Use Disorder continues to impact cities across the country, including the City of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Many individuals struggling with this disorder use substances through injection, leading to the improper disposal of needles; and
WHEREAS: The City has received numerous complaints from residents about needles being found in playgrounds, parks, and public squares; and
WHEREAS: Between July 2024 and July 2025, the Central Square Business Improvement District collected 85,000 discarded needles in Central Square alone, including an average of 6,000 needles per month from the drop box located on Green Street; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Department of Public Health, the Department of Public Works, and any other relevant City departments to develop a plan to install needle drop and naloxone boxes in identified problem areas throughout the city and report back to the City Council.

O-6     Aug 4, 2025  Amended
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
WHEREAS: The Cambridge City Council continues to support Policy Order PO21#195, adopted on September 20, 2021 that urges the United States Congress to fulfill its obligation to prevent nuclear war, as outlined in the Back from the Brink campaign; and
WHEREAS: The prospect of nuclear war seems far removed from Cambridge and the likelihood of effect on Cambridge a seemingly remote possibility, the impact of using even a tiny fraction of these weapons would dramatically affect the City and could cause worldwide climate disruption and global famine; and
WHEREAS: Despite advances in monitoring and treaties, the potential for catastrophe is ever present for nuclear war, and the economic implications and federal budget allocations prevent spending on needed social programs including funding that would go to states and cities; and
WHEREAS: Since the height of the Cold War, the United States and Russia have dismantled more than 50,000 nuclear warheads, but some 12,000 nuclear weapons still exist and pose an intolerable risk to human survival; and
WHEREAS: The United States and Russia, together possess an estimated 95 percent of these weapons, and should meet their obligations under Article VI of the 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to “pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control”; and
WHEREAS: Rep. James McGovern and at least 26 other Representatives have submitted H. Res. 317, a resolution calling for the President and other elected officials to the House of Representatives to:
  (1) actively pursue a world free of nuclear weapons as a national security imperative; and
  (2) lead a global effort to move the world back from the nuclear brink, halt and reverse a global nuclear arms race, and prevent nuclear war;
now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record in support of H. Res. 317 and hereby requests that Representatives Katherine Clark and Ayanna Pressley co-sponsor and lead support of Rep. McGovern’s H. Res. 317; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council hereby requests that Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Edward Markey introduce a companion resolution in the Senate to H. Res. 317; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record in support of S. Res. 323 and hereby requests Senator Elizabeth Warren co-sponsor and lead support of Senator Markey’s S. Res. 323; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to the Cambridge federal delegation on behalf of the entire City Council.

O-7     Aug 4, 2025
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR WILSON
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: The 6th Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article XII of the Massachusetts Constitution guarantee the right to counsel in a criminal proceeding; and
WHEREAS: In Massachusetts, approximately 80% of criminal defendants qualify as indigent and rely on court-appointed counsel, provided either by public defenders employed by the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) or by private attorneys known as bar advocates who handle a majority of these cases statewide; and
WHEREAS: The Cambridge District Court and Middlesex County courts serve hundreds of Cambridge residents each year who depend on this system to exercise their constitutional right to a fair trial; and
WHEREAS: Bar advocates are currently paid $65/hour for District Court cases and $85/hour for Superior Court cases – the lowest rates in New England – despite bearing their own costs for office space, malpractice insurance, health coverage, retirement contributions, case preparation, and other expenses; and
WHEREAS: Due to these uncompetitive rates, hundreds of bar advocates – including many who regularly serve Cambridge courts – have been unable to accept new cases since May 2025, leaving over 1,300 defendants statewide without counsel, including over 100 individuals held in custody; and
WHEREAS: Under the Lavallee protocol, defendants who lack appointed counsel must be released after seven days in custody and have their cases dismissed after forty-five days, including cases involving domestic violence, assaults on police officers, and other serious offenses; and
WHEREAS: When defendants are left without counsel, innocent people may be unable to preserve critical evidence or secure witness testimony that would prove their innocence, resulting in permanent harm to their ability to receive a fair trial; and
WHEREAS: These dismissals and delays undermine public safety, the rights of victims, the integrity of local courts, and disproportionately harm vulnerable populations, including juveniles; and
WHEREAS: A functioning indigent defense system is essential to ensuring fairness, public confidence, and equal access to justice for all residents; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging Governor of the Commonwealth Maura Healey and the Massachusetts Legislature to act without delay to safeguard the constitutional rights of indigent defendants and preserve the integrity of the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system by increasing compensation rates for bar advocates to ensure adequate participation statewide, and establishing pay parity with neighboring states and competitive future rates to prevent recurring crises; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Governor Maura Healey and Cambridge’s state legislative delegation.

O-8     Aug 4, 2025
COUNCILLOR WILSON
MAYOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The month of August was first designated as National Black Business Month in the year 2004, due to the dedicated advocacy of historian John William Templeton and entrepreneur Fredrick E. Jordan; and
WHEREAS: Since the creation of this designation, each August provides us with an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and support black-owned business and entrepreneurs throughout our nation and within our local community; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge, our neighbors, and our visitors, can easily take part in Black Business Month at the following community events organized to highlight the Black owned businesses of Cambridge,
  • Small Business Open House on City Services, Mon 8/11/25, 11:00am-1:00pm; LOCATION: Cambridge Public Library, Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl St.
  • National Black Business Month Kickoff Networking Event, Tues 8/12/25, 4:00-6:00pm; LOCATION: BRED Cambridge, 730 Main St.
  • Speed Networking for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs, Wed 8/13/25, 12:15-1:00pm; LOCATION: MIT Open Space, 292 Main St.
  • CSBBN National Black Business Month Reception, Tues 8/19/25, 6:00-8:30pm; LOCATION: 1175 Cambridge St.
  • Vendor Fest at the 6th Annual “Everybody Gotta Eat BBQ”, Sun 8/24/25, 12:00 (noon) - 6:00pm; LOCATION: Greene-Rose Heritage Park, 155 Harvard St., Cambridge
WHEREAS: The significance of National Black Business Month, and the importance of Black wealth creation, rests on the inherent connection that exists between Black American’s personal freedom and economic agency, and
WHEREAS: Pursuing justice with this understanding has been central to each advancement towards racial equality in the United States, and
WHEREAS: The initiative of our local Black businesses today, and the quality goods and services they provide to our community is worthy of recognition; now therefore be it
ORDERED: The Council recognizes August as National Black Business month, celebrates the contributions Black businesses make to our local economy, and appreciates the meaningful role these Black entrepreneurs have in the cause of equality and the advancement of a more just future.