Cambridge City Council meeting - November 3, 2025

Cambridge City Council meeting - November 3, 2025 - AGENDA
[Azeem, Toner, Wilson, Siddiqui 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. (CM25#267) [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, City Manager Yi-An Huang; Placed on File 8-0-1 (McGovern-Absent)

2. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $250,000, from the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account, to help address potential short term food insecurity within the Cambridge Community. (CM25#268)
Order Adopted 9-0

3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR #25-52, regarding the Special Commission on Micromobility. (CM25#269) [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Brooke McKenna, Wilson, Zusy; Placed on File 9-0

4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR #25-47 regarding Kendall Square Parking Considerations. (CM25#270) [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to PO25#143 directing the City Manager to work with relevant departments to consider a plan to better utilize the Russell Youth and Community Center. (CM25#271) [text of report]
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Nolan, Wilson, Ellen Semonoff; Placed on File 9-0

6. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $138,372 funded by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salary and Wages account ($33,176), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($105,196). Funds will be used to help with the heating bills during November 1st – April 30th. (CM25#272) [text of report]
Comments by City Manager Yi-An Huang, Nolan, Wilson; Order Adopted 9-0

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Executive Director of the Council on Aging and other relevant City departments to explore the feasibility of creating a dedicated position or function focused on triaging and directing senior residents to appropriate services and supports. Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zusy (PO25#157)
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons, Zusy (who wished to be added as sponsor but was not yet voted), Nolan; Charter Right - Nolan

2. That this City Council go on record urging the Harvard administration to engage in good faith with the demands of workers represented by 32BJ SEIU, including fair pay, healthcare, retirement benefits, and improved protections for immigrant members. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan (PO25#158)
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, McGovern, Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

ON THE TABLE
1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-22, regarding a request to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to open the publicly owned parking at the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School Complex for either residential free parking or commercial parking opportunities during “off” hours. [Tabled – May 5, 2025] (CM25#113)

2. That the City Manager is requested to explore with the Government Operations Committee whether the functions of the Peace Commission may be improved and enhanced by bringing them within another City Commission or Department, such as the Human Rights Commission, and report back in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Simmons, May 19, 2025; Tabled June 2, 2025] (PO25#76)

3. That the City Council go on record thanking SEIU 32BJ for their vigilance, partnership and advocacy on behalf of unionized workers. [Charter Right – Simmons, June 16, 2025; Tabled – June 23, 2025]

APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS
1. An application was received from Reece Brown, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 35 Market Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association. (AP25#40)
Order Adopted 9-0

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Rebecca S. Lester, re: 10/27/25 City Council Meeting – PO25#153 - public comment.

2. Brendan Hickey, re: cpsparents, CPS’s $40,000 superintendent search contract with The Equity Process.

3. Mital lyons-warren, re: lease support PO25#154 safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

4. Caitlin Johnson, re: Please support PO25#154 on safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

5. Rebecca Listfield, re: Please support PO25#154 on safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

6. Stephen Edwards, re: Please support PO25#154 on safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge!

7. Eppa Rixey, re: Please support PO25#154 on safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

8. Derek Etkin, re: Please support PO25#154 safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

9. Patrick Knight, re: Please support PO25#154 on safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

10. Gloria J Korsman, re: Please support PO25#154 on safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

12. Bence Béky, re: Please support PO25#154 on safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

13. Jeffrey S. Oishi, re: Please support PO25#154 on safer North Cambridge connections.

14. Theo McGrath, re: Please support PO25#154 on safer North Cambridge connections.

15. Stuart Gedal, re: Please Vote NO on the Mass. Ave and Cambridge Street Upzoning.

17. Young Kim, re: Request for Resolution of Continued Open Meeting Law Posting Violations — Reference OML 2025-44.

18. Carlos Loya, re: Shooting today - Offer of reward to ensure community safety.

21. Rebecca Listfield, re: Please support PO25#154 on safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

22. Gloria J Korsman, re: Please support PO25#154 on safe traffic infrastructure in North Cambridge.

23. Darren Buck, re: Please support PO25#154 for better local streets in North Cambridge.

2. Congratulations to Jean Clement on his retirement from the Cambridge Health Alliance. Councillor Toner

COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing on October 8, 2025 with the Community Development Department (CDD), Economic Opportunity and Development Division, to provide an update on the city’s efforts to support small businesses and commercial districts in Cambridge. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0
Present: Siddiqui, Wilson
Remote Present: Sobrinho-Wheeler
Also Present: Zusy, Nolan
Absent: McGovern, Toner

COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Paula Crane, Interim City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity. (COF25#140)
Placed on File 9-0

Thurs, Nov 13
5:30pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to continue the discussion from the Oct 30, 2025 hearing on two Zoning Petitions by the Cambridge City Council, Massachusetts Avenue Zoning Petition and Cambridge Street Zoning Petition. There will be no public comment.

Wed, Dec 3
3:00pm The Housing Committee and Finance Committee will hold a joint public hearing to discuss the feasibility and potential impacts of implementing residential development incentives - such as tax incentives, public equity financing, and reduced fees and requirements - on housing production and city finances.

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Nov 3, 2025
MAYOR SIMMONS
COUNCILLOR TONER
WHEREAS: The Cambridge Senior Center and the Council on Aging provide invaluable support to older residents, serving as a trusted and welcoming hub for accessing a wide range of services, programs, and resources; and
WHEREAS: The staff and leadership of the Senior Center, under the direction of the Council on Aging, do extraordinary work in helping seniors navigate challenges related to housing, health, transportation, isolation, and so much more; and
WHEREAS: As the needs of Cambridge’s older population grow more complex, there may be value in exploring how a dedicated triage or navigation position could further augment and complement the Senior Center’s existing services by helping assess individual needs and ensuring that residents are efficiently and effectively connected to the most appropriate City departments or external partners; and
WHEREAS: Such a role could improve service coordination, reduce barriers to access, and further strengthen the city’s commitment to supporting the well-being of its senior population; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Executive Director of the Council on Aging and other relevant City departments to explore the feasibility of creating a dedicated position or function focused on triaging and directing senior residents to appropriate services and supports; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council on potential models, resource implications, and a proposed implementation plan for this effort, with the understanding that it is intended to reinforce – not replace – the vital services already being delivered at the Cambridge Senior Center.

O-2 Nov 3, 2025
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI
VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: Respect for education, worker rights, and immigrant rights are core values deeply woven into the lives, careers, and passions of Cantabrigians; and
WHEREAS: The Trump administration’s attacks on education, worker rights, and immigrant rights threaten the integrity of higher education as well as the broader Cambridge community; and
WHEREAS: The Trump administration has taken actions targeting Harvard University, Cambridge’s largest employer, the wealthiest university in the United States as measured by endowment per student, and a cornerstone of the city’s academic and economic life; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge stands with Harvard University and its students, faculty, and staff against all attacks on higher education, including those targeting international students and immigrants; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge continually recognizes the importance of labor unions to workplace and economic justice; and
WHEREAS: Harvard University’s cleaners and security officers represented by 32BJ SEIU currently work under the protection of union contracts that guarantee pay, benefits including healthcare, and workplace protections, which are set to expire on November 15, 2025; and
WHEREAS: Harvard University’s cleaners and security officers demand that Harvard University sign successor contracts that include fair annual raises for all, quality affordable healthcare, improved retirement benefits, and strengthened protections for immigrant members; and
WHEREAS: While this City Council affirms its support for Harvard University in the face of actions by the Trump administration, it recognizes that the burden of these attacks must not fall disproportionately on the University’s workers and therefore emphasizes that securing the aforementioned contractual protections is especially urgent; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record urging the Harvard administration to engage in good faith with the demands of workers represented by 32BJ SEIU, including fair pay, healthcare, retirement benefits, and improved protections for immigrant members; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward a suitably engrossed copy of this resolution to Harvard University administrators and President Alan Garber on behalf of the entire City Council.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
25-12. The City Manager is requested to work with all appropriate Departments to develop language to create an “Affordable Rent Incentive Program” program for Cambridge and to report back to the City Council with option, including the percentage of possible tax abatements.
Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner (O-5) from 3/3/2025

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

25-32. That the City Manager is requested to meet with the leadership of the Harvard Square Business Association to discuss the proposal and to take the necessary steps to facilitate the release of $72,000 to fund the RFP development for the tunnel engineering study.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui (Calendar Item #1) from 5/19/2025

25-33. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to provide a legal opinion outlining, in light of current zoning including the most recent Multifamily Zoning Amendments, the ability of Cambridge to regulate institutional and religious uses in C-1 residential districts and what state and federal law allows in terms of local restrictions, if any, for institutional and religious uses.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-3) from 6/2/2025

25-40. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor, in consultation with relevant City departments and the Community Benefits Advisory Committee, to draft amendments to the Community Benefits Ordinance that allow for the use of funds for capital expenses, provided that such expenses clearly advance the goals of the Community Benefits program.
Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-3) from 6/23/2025

25-44. The City Manager 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.
Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan (O-1) from 8/4/2025

25-46. The City Manager 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.
Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner from 9/8/2025

25-47. the City Manager is requested to confer with the Department of Transportation, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and any other relevant City departments to assess the current accessible parking capacity in the vicinity of Kendall Square and identify potential solutions, which may include adding dedicated accessible parking spaces, creating short-term accessible loading/unloading zones, or implementing other reasonable accommodations.
Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern from 9/8/2025

25-48. The City Manager is requested to consult with the appropriate City departments, including the City Solicitor’s Office, to establish a formal policy that clearly defines the City’s role and financial responsibilities in supporting large-scale public events hosted by Cambridge-based non-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson from 9/8/2025

25-49. the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department, the City Assessor, and all other relevant departments to develop a comprehensive policy for future private development projects in the city.
Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy from 9/8/2025

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 from 9/8/2025

25-52. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments and multi-member bodies to report back to the City Council and inform the community of the work of, and when the recommendations coming from the Micromobility Commission will be available.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Zusy from 9/8/2025

25-54. The City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department to review current crisis prevention protocols, strengthen them by clearly defining the role and deployment of mental health professionals.
Councillor Wilson, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui from 9/15/2025

25-56. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide an update on rodent control measures citywide and especially how the City addresses rodent mitigation through large construction projects, both public and private.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson from 9/15/2025

25-57. The City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department, the Law Department, and relevant stakeholders to develop and present to the City Council a proposed policy for the timely release of body-worn camera footage.
Councillor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui from 9/15/2025

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.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem from 9/29/2025

25-59. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide a recommendation on the site conditions of 25 Lowell Street and considerations and process for determining the future use of the property.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui from 9/29/2025

25-60. The City Manager is requested to work with the Department of Public Works, the Department of Public Health, and any relevant environmental consultants to provide a comprehensive report on Gold Star Mothers Memorial Park.
Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner (O-1) from 10/6/2025

25-61. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments, state agencies, and the property owner IQHQ to provide an update on efforts to maintain cleanliness and safety in the area on Alewife Paths near Russell Field.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Toner (O-5) from 10/6/2025

25-62. The City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to consider a plan to better utilize the Russell Youth and Community Center.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner (O-6) from 10/6/2025

25-63. That the City Manager is requested to reach out to representatives from Eversource to coordinate at least four public open-house meetings in the coming weeks re: heat and electricity costs.
Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern (O-2) from 10/20/2025

25-64. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to report back to the City Council on current efforts towards poison ivy control in the Fresh Pond Master Plan as well as recommended improvements for signage and regular maintenance planning.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Zusy (O-5) from 10/20/2025

25-65. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Department of Transportation and other relevant departments to examine how to improve connectivity north of Rindge Avenue during the Linear Park Reconstruction Project so that vulnerable road users can bypass Rindge Avenue and Cedar Street where possible.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner (O-2) from 10/27/2025