Cambridge City Council meeting - November 16, 2026

CITY MANAGER’S AGENDA
1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. (CM26#320) [text of report]

2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, conveying a response to AR26-39 regarding traffic calming devices on Raymond Street, Buckingham Street, and other roadways surrounding Garden Street. (CM26#319) [text of report]

3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Commercial Parking Control Committee. (CM26#321) [text of report]

4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $64,989 from the Municipal Road Safety Program. (CM26#322) [text of report]

ORDERS
1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide an update to the City Council on the construction schedule and to include whether there is any potential delay from the Dec 31, 2026 reopening date for Linear Park. Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern (PO26#215)

2. That the Cambridge City Council acknowledges the valuable contributions of the City employees represented by Teamsters Local 25 and affirms its support for a fair and timely collective bargaining agreement between the City of Cambridge and Teamsters Local 25. Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Simmons (PO26#216)

3. That the City Manager and his staff work with relevant departments to update the Council on the status of amendments to the MFH ordinance and a likely timeline for reviewing and eventually potential adoption of zoning language for proposed amendments. Councillor Zusy, Councillor Nolan (PO26#217)

4. Amending the Cycling Safety Ordinance to Close Gaps in Cambridge’s Bicycle Network. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (PO26#218)

COMMUNICATIONS
1. Aileen Callahan – PO#5
2. April Boss – 11/9/26 City Council Meeting, PO26#206 and Planning Board PB-412
3. Benjamin Goodwin – CRLS threatened me after I told them I was sexually assaulted by a student
4. Carolyn Magid – Support for PO#1 on tonight’s Council Agenda
5. Cynthia W Smith – Increased Private Property Tree Removal Tracking
6. Dan Sprague – Linear Park: reopen it and explain where the money went
7. Joanne Murphy – Sherman St installation of safety measures and traffic calming issue
8. Kathy Watkins – Support for PO#1
9. Lee Farris – Residents Alliance support condo conversion update PO#1
10. Louise Venden – PO26#206
11. Margaret Ann Brady – Support for PO#1 Condo conversion protections
12. Marion Foster – PO#5
13. Nan Elder – Sherman Street Cambridge MA installation of flashing yellow lights, speed bumps
14. Neil Miller – CM#8 PeopleSoft ERP modernization
15. Robert Hale – Public Comment Support for Zusy/Flaherty CDD Amendments to the MFHO Infrastructure Traffic Impact
16. Young Kim – Charter Right Exercised, PO26#206 - Please Consider the Attached Proposed Substitute
17. Young Kim – Reject PO#3 Leave Development Permit Sequencing to Developer’s Discretion
18. Robert O’Neil on behalf of Michael Yogman – November 2026 Interim Report on the Action Network Petition to Amend the MFH Ordinance to Moderate its Negative Impacts that has been signed by more than 4,800 residents of Cambridge requesting substantive amendments to the Multi-Family Housing Ordinance to substantially reduce its negative impacts.

RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution congratulating Tom Cahill on his retirement. Councillor Simmons

Res-1 Nov 16, 2026
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The City Council wishes to recognize and congratulate Cambridge Fire Chief Tom Cahill upon the announcement of his retirement in January 2027, following nearly 32 years of dedicated and distinguished service to the City of Cambridge; and
WHEREAS: Chief Cahill began his career with the Cambridge Fire Department in 1995, rising through the ranks and serving in numerous leadership capacities, including Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief, and Chief of Operations, before assuming the role of Acting Chief of Department in 2022; and
WHEREAS: Throughout his remarkable career, Chief Cahill has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to protecting the lives, property, and well-being of Cambridge residents, while also championing the safety, professional development, and welfare of the firefighters who serve our community; and
WHEREAS: During his tenure leading the Department, Chief Cahill oversaw significant investments in staffing, equipment, and operations, including the expansion of the Department from 272 to 301 members, the addition of Squad 3, the establishment of a third Assistant Chief position, and increased firefighting and support personnel; and
WHEREAS: Chief Cahill has been a steadfast advocate for modernizing the Department’s resources, investing in new fire apparatus, improving Cambridge’s firehouses, and fostering greater transparency, communication, and collaboration throughout the Department; and
WHEREAS: As someone who grew up in Cambridge and devoted his professional life to serving the community he calls home, Chief Cahill has exemplified the very best traditions of public service, leading with integrity, compassion, professionalism, and a profound sense of responsibility to his fellow firefighters and the residents they protect; and
WHEREAS: Chief Cahill’s legacy will be reflected not only in a stronger, better-equipped Fire Department, but also in the countless lives he has touched, the colleagues he has mentored, and the generations of Cambridge firefighters who will continue to benefit from his leadership and dedication; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That the Cambridge City Council formally go on record in extending its heartfelt congratulations and deepest appreciation to Fire Chief Tom Cahill upon his retirement, in honoring his nearly 32 years of exemplary service to the City of Cambridge, and in wishing him and his family a joyful, fulfilling, and well-deserved 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 Fire Chief Tom Cahill on behalf of the entire City Council.

2. That the City Council expresses its deepest gratitude and appreciation to Diane Alicandro for her extraordinary thirty-seven years of dedicated service to the City of Cambridge and its residents. Councillor Flaherty

COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITY OFFICERS
1. A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula Crane, regarding an update regarding legislative activity. (COF26#138)

Mon, Nov 23
12:00pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss CM26#281, regarding a report on the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.
5:30pm City Council Meeting

Tues, Nov 24
12:00pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss CM26#214, regarding curb cut applications, including proposed regulations for the curb cut approval process.

Mon, Nov 30
4:00pm The City Council will hold a Roundtable/Working Meeting to discuss the future uses of City-owned properties.

Wed, Dec 2
11:00am The Health and Environment Committee will hold a public hearing to review and discuss residential decarbonization strategies in Cambridge including decarbonization utility, energy audits per PO26#152, rental registry, grid modernization, and non-gas utilities and stoves.
3:00pm The Finance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss the established City Council budget priorities for the FY28 Budget and the continued conversation of the City’s long-term financial planning.

Tues, Dec 8
12:30pm The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee will hold a public meeting to discuss CM26#283, regarding food vending in City parks, including proposed regulations and establishment of a pilot vending program.

Mon, Dec 14
4:00pm The City Council will hold a Roundtable/Working Meeting to discuss the importance of the innovation ecosystem to city economies, with a focus on its impact in Cambridge.

Tues, Dec 15
1:00pm The Ordinance Committee will hold a public meeting to discuss PO26#185, regarding a proposed Tenant Notification of Property Sale Ordinance.

Tues, Dec 22
3:00pm The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will hold a public meeting to discuss managing residential parking permits as the City grows, including CM26#202, which outlines potential policy options for restricting eligibility for on-street resident parking permits.

TEXT OF ORDERS
O-1 Nov 16, 2026
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is undertaking the redesign and reconstruction of Linear Park between the Russell Field Fieldhouse and the Cambridge-Somerville city line, just north of Mass Ave; and
WHEREAS: Linear Park between Russell Field and the Somerville line has been closed for reconstruction since Oct 27, 2025, and the City’s project page says it “will make every effort to temporarily reopen the path” once the base layer of pavement is in, and binder paving was logged in May 2026; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments to provide an update to the City Council on the construction schedule and to include whether there is any potential delay from the Dec 31, 2026 reopening date for Linear Park; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council by the end of November.

O-2 Nov 16, 2026
COUNCILLOR FLAHERTY
COUNCILLOR SIMMONS
WHEREAS: The Teamsters Local 25 represents approximately 320 employees of the City of Cambridge who provide essential public services to residents across numerous departments and functions, including the Department of Public Works, trash collection and street cleaning, building and library custodial services, electrical and clerical operations, water treatment, parking enforcement, parks and recreation, emergency dispatch, painting, carpentry, and traffic operations; and
WHEREAS: The employees represented by Teamsters Local 25 are dedicated public servants whose work is vital to the health, safety, and quality of life of Cambridge residents; and
WHEREAS: The collective bargaining agreement between Teamsters Local 25 and the City of Cambridge expired on June 30, 2026; and
WHEREAS: Members of Teamsters Local 25 and representatives of the City of Cambridge have participated in seven bargaining sessions over a seven-month period in an effort to negotiate a successor agreement; and
WHEREAS: Many City employees represented by Teamsters Local 25 face increasing economic pressures as the cost of living in Cambridge continues to rise; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has long recognized the important role that organized labor plays in advancing workplace fairness, economic security, and social justice; and
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge has a proud history of supporting workers’ rights and human rights; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the Cambridge City Council acknowledges the valuable contributions of the City employees represented by Teamsters Local 25 and affirms that all municipal employees deserve to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect; and be it further
ORDERED: That the Cambridge City Council go on record respectfully urging the City of Cambridge and Teamsters Local 25 to continue negotiating in good faith toward a fair and timely agreement that ensures equitable wages, protects longevity benefits, and preserves existing workplace language and protections consistent with municipal collective bargaining standards; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward suitably engrossed copies of this resolution to the leadership of Teamsters Local 25.

O-3 Nov 16, 2026
COUNCILLOR ZUSY
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
WHEREAS: The City Council passed citywide zoning reform in February of 2025 to address the need for more housing, and is reviewing the impact to ensure the results are producing housing units and affordable units with attention to the city goal of livability and environmental justice; and
WHEREAS: City staff have been working on possible amendments to the Multifamily Housing Ordinance to address issues that have been raised as counter to the city goals, including increasing flexibility on setbacks and disincentivizing developers from only building larger projects with few units; and
WHEREAS: It is important to understand where this project fits in the city’s workload and when Community Development will present draft amendments, for the council to consider; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager and his staff work with relevant departments to update the Council on the status of amendments to the MFH ordinance and a likely timeline for reviewing and eventually potential adoption of zoning language for proposed amendments.

O-4 Nov 16, 2026
COUNCILLOR NOLAN
MAYOR SIDDIQUI
COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN
COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER
WHEREAS: The Council commends City staff for their sustained and much lauded work to achieve Vision Zero, adopted in 2016 to prevent traffic deaths and serious injuries, a commitment whose urgency is underscored by recent deaths of people walking and biking in Cambridge and Boston; and
WHEREAS: The Council welcomes the City’s work to make pedestrian crossings safer through the Intersection Safety Program and its work through the Cambridge Access and Mobility Plan (CAMP) process to develop an updated transportation plan; and
WHEREAS: By April 2026, the City had installed or begun construction on nearly 19 lane-miles of separated bicycle lanes under the Cycling Safety Ordinance; and
WHEREAS: Cambridge has one of the nation’s highest shares of residents who walk or bike to work, and the City’s regular count locations recorded 250% more bicycle trips in 2024 than in 2004 and nearly four times as many children riding or traveling as passengers as in 2014, while the citywide rate of reported crashes per estimated mile bicycled fell 41% from 2004 to 2024; and
WHEREAS: Closing gaps has long been a priority of the Cambridge Bicycle Plan, and on December 2, 2024, the Council unanimously adopted PO24#152 calling for an update to the 2020 Bicycle Plan requesting a plan to complete missing gaps in the bicycle network with coordination of routes in neighboring communities; and
WHEREAS: For a family biking to school or a student riding from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School to practice at Danehy Park, one busy crossing can rule out the whole trip; and
WHEREAS: Closing gaps in the bicycle network is necessary to help the City meet its Zero Emissions Transportation Plan goal of increasing commuting and everyday cycling; and
WHEREAS: Using a combination of traffic-calming approaches to neighborhood streets and separated bicycle lanes, the proposed amendment should require at least three credited network miles each year from 2027 through 2031, for at least 15 miles in all; and
WHEREAS: The amendment should require the City to provide continuous, separated bicycle travel in both directions with safe crossings on the Cambridge portions of three routes by the end of 2028:
• from the Boston University Bridge to Union Square in Somerville,
• from Kendall Square through Lechmere to Cambridge Crossing, and
• from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School to the playing fields at Danehy Park;
and by the end of 2030:
• from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School to Brattle Street bike lanes,
• from Mt. Auburn Hospital to Porter Square; and
Additional miles beyond the above miles may be qualified traffic-calmed neighborhood streets not requiring full separation; and
WHEREAS: With the goal of connecting every school to the bicycle network, the amendment would give schools and school-related destinations, including playing fields and afterschool programs, priority for the remaining mileage, using separated lanes or neighborhood streets where traffic calming and diversion achieve verifiably low vehicle speeds and volumes; and
WHEREAS: The City may draw on public engagement, the CAMP process, the Intersection Safety Program, or existing transportation plans or programs to select bicycle routes, identify opportunities to improve transit accessibility or give buses priority, and identify pedestrian improvements such as safer crossings; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council schedule an Ordinance meeting as soon as possible to consider amendments that include the above-mentioned changes to Chapter 12.22 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, the Cycling Safety Ordinance.

AWAITING REPORT LIST
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

26-19. 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

26-28. 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

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

26-43. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Cambridge Historical Commission, the Law Department, the Department of Public Works, Inspectional Services, the Cambridge Public Health Department, Community Preservation Act staff, the Harvard Square Business Association, and the owners of properties abutting the Old Stone Wall, for the purpose of developing a practical plan to stabilize, preserve, and restore this historic resource.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Flaherty (O-1) from 6/8/26

26-44. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the relevant departments to explore the ability of the City to prohibit, restrict, or otherwise regulate the use of algorithmic price fixing in its rental housing market, including the potential drafting of ordinance language that would regulate algorithmic price fixing.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor McGovern (O-2) from 6/22/26

26-48. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council with an initial feasibility update no later than Dec 31, 2026, including possible event models, governance structure, estimated costs, potential funding sources, recommended City and community partners, community engagement opportunities, programming concepts, permitting needs, public safety coordination, logistical considerations, and an implementation timeline for launching the revived Central Square World’s Fair in September 2027.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui (O-1) from 8/3/26

26-51. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant City departments to explore options for reforming and modernizing the License Commission, including through the home rule petition process and report back to the Economic Development and University Relations Committee of the City Council in a timely manner.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Flaherty (O-7) from 8/3/26

26-53. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant City departments to take steps to implement as soon as possible a program for automated parking enforcement which could be piloted in targeted areas of the city to evaluate different technologies, different functionalities for various locations, and publicize regulations, ensuring that all programs are done in the most cost-effective way for the City and report back to the City Council in a timely manner.
Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-10) from 8/3/26

26-54. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant City departments to provide a recommendation and outline procedures for implementing Ch. 40U for Short-Term Rental violations, and provide recommendations for any other ordinance violations to enforce with Chapter 40U and report back to the City Council in a timely manner.
Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi (O-11) from 8/3/26

26-57. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to explore the feasibility of establishing a citywide digital wayfinding and information kiosk program on public property throughout Cambridge and report back to the City Council with findings and recommendations, including whether the City should proceed with the development and issuance of a competitive Request for Proposals for a citywide digital wayfinding and information kiosk network.
Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Azeem (O-15) from 8/3/26

26-59. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to provide a comprehensive evaluation of violence response and prevention strategies, along with survivor support services, across City departments including CPD, CSD, CHA, and DHSP and come with recommendations before the City Council’s Public Safety Committee.
Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Al-Zubi (O-3) from 7/23/26 (and Charter Right #3 of 8/3/26)

26-60. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to develop a coordinated initiative to improve and streamline the permitting and licensing process for small businesses.
Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Nolan (O-9) from 9/14/26

26-61. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department to consider a sustained visible presence in the area during the evening and late-night hours of the July 4th holiday period, rather than relying solely on repeated calls for service.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty (O-4) from 9/14/26 (and Charter Right #1 of 9/28/26)

26-64. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Department of Transportation to evaluate traffic and safety conditions at the intersection of Western Avenue and Kinnaird Street and explore the feasibility of installing a traffic signal or implementing other appropriate traffic-calming or safety measures.
Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty (O-1) from 10/19/26

26-65. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Community Development Department and the Transportation Department to request from the MBTA the municipality-specific boarding and RIDE data described in House Document 4638, and to update the April 2024 cost estimate for a fare-free Route 1 to current ridership and fares, itemized by bus fare revenue, RIDE fare revenue, induced RIDE operating cost and administration, and apportioned between Cambridge and Boston by where trips begin and report back to the City Council within ninety (90) days.
Councillor Al-Zubi, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern (O-6) from 10/19/26

26-67. That the City Manager be requested to develop, publish, and maintain the City’s own Divestment List for purposes of this Order and report back to the City Council during the FY 2028 budget process with the feasibility of and a timeline on implementation that shall be no more than six months from the enactment of this Policy Order.
Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (O-7) from 10/19/26 (and Charter Right #2 from 10/28/26)

26-69. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Traffic, Parking & Transportation Department, the Department of Public Works, and any other relevant departments to evaluate and implement traffic-calming and safety measures for micromobility devices on pathways within and adjacent to Cambridge Common and report back to the City Council on potential interventions.
Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Simmons (O-5) from 11/9/26

26-70. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City departments, including the Department of Transportation, to review existing conditions on Sherman Street in the vicinity of Cadbury Commons and determine appropriate traffic calming measures or actions to reduce speeding and report back to the City Council on this matter within 90 days.
Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Simmons (O-6) from 11/9/26