City Council · Regular Meeting, March 17, 2025

• City Manager's report2025 · #33📁 Placed on filethe 2025 Annual Surveillance Report concerning City Departments’ use of Surveillance Technology or Surveillance DataSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Managerartspolice safety📖 readCMA 2025 #33
• City Manager's report2025 · #35📁 Placed on filean update regarding Federal fundingSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #35
• City Manager's report2025 · #36📁 Placed on filethe reappointment of Michael P. Gardner as a member of the Cambridge Retirement Board for a term of three years, effective March 1, 2025Submitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #36
• City Manager's report2025 · #37✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe transfer of $140,000 from the General Fund Department of Transportation Salary and Wages account to the General Fund Department of Transportation Travel and Training (Judgment and Damages) account to cover current and anticipated medical services and/or prescription reimbursement costs for the remainder of the fiscal year, and a lump sum settlement for Traffic and Parking personnel injured in the performance of their dutiesSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Managertransit trafficCMA 2025 #37
• City Manager's report2025 · #38✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of 5,000.00 received from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to the Grant Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account to purchase a new Universal Waste Shed for the DPW Recycle Center. The grant will enable the City to support the Recycle Center and protect the environment by providing a larger space for collecting batteries and fluorescent light bulbs before a contractor hauls them away for safe processingSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #38
• City Manager's report2025 · #39✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $97,500, to the Grant Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance Account. These funds will be used to support the implementation of the Zero Waste Master Plan 2.0 through outreach, education, and technical assistance to residents; improving the Recycle Center; and conducting a waste characterization studySubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #39
• City Manager's report2025 · #40✅ Order adopted, 6–3the appropriation of $570,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Police Extraordinary Expenditures account for the procurement of replacement firearms for the Police Department. These funds would support the purchase of replacement firearms for the Department. Police Department firearms are typically replaced on approximately a ten-year cycle. The manufacturer has ceased production of the model currently used and replacements are almost impossible to source. It is important that department personnel are all trained on the same firearm to ensure safety and interoperabilitySubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Managerpolice safetyTABLED IN COUNCIL MARCH 17, 2025CMA 2025 #40
• City Manager's report2025 · #41✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $160,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Police Extraordinary Expenditures account for the procurement of a new fully electric accessible transport wagon. This funding will allow the purchase of a fully electric, American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant transport wagon to replace one of the aging F350s. The new vehicle will ensure the safe and comfortable transport of community members to court, shelters, and other service providersSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Managerpolice safetyCMA 2025 #41
• City Manager's report2025 · #42✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $30,000,000 from Free Cash to the Debt Stabilization Fund. This appropriation will be used to mitigate anticipated debt service costs in future years for the City’s major capital projectsSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #42
• City Manager's report2025 · #43CMA 2025 #43 : Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $75,000 from the General Fund Human Resources Salaries and Wages account to the General Fund Human Resources Other Ordinary Maintenance (Professional and Technical) account to obtain a Benefits Broker that can provide comprehensive consulting and advisory services to support the city’s employee and retiree benefits programs, including health, vision, dental, flexible spending, and life insuranceCMA 2025 #43
• City Manager's report2025 · #44CMA 2025 #44 : Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $468,750 to the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account ($438,750) and to the Grant Fund Fire Travel and Training account ($30,000)CMA 2025 #44
• City Manager's report2025 · #45✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of$50,000, to the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account. Funds will be used to purchase additional nozzles/tips, gauges, and adaptors for high-rise hose kits which were purchased with previous grant monies to be deployed for battling high-rise incidents. The rescue equipment (harnesses) will be used for industrial and rope rescue incidentsSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #45
• City Manager's report2025 · #46✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $39,600.00 to the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account. The funds will be used for the purchase boots for tech rescue companies, rescue gloves for members of the department, and uniforms and training for the bicycle teamSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Managerbike lanesCMA 2025 #46
• City Manager's report2025 · #47✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $250,000, from Free Cash to the General Fund Law Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The funds will be used to cover unanticipated increases in costs, as well as future expenses through the end of the fiscal year, relating to legal matters handled by outside counsel legal services, stenographers and court reporters, constable services, consultants and experts, as well as filing fees and related costs in matters pending in courts and/or administrative bodiesSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #47
• City Manager's report2025 · #48📁 Placed on file, unanimousthe appointments and reappointments of members to the Climate CommitteeSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerclimateCMA 2025 #48
• City Manager's report2025 · #49📁 Placed on fileAwaiting Report Item Number #24-62, regarding an update on recommendations and planned next steps from the City’s study of resident experiences of inclusion and bias in Inclusionary Housing in CambridgeSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Manageraffordable housinghousing general📖 readCMA 2025 #49
• City Manager's report2025 · #50📁 Placed on filePolicy Order Item Number 2024-162, regarding proposed amendments to the Cannabis Business Ordinance to add select HCA requirements so the city can waive the HCA requirement and zoning amendment to remove repackaging prohibitionSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Managerzoning📖 read CMA 2025 #50
• City Manager's report2025 · #51📁 Placed on filethe appointments of members to the Cambridge Kiosk Advisory CommitteeSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #51
• City Manager's report2025 · #52📁 Placed on fileAwaiting Report Item Number PO #2025-16, regarding permissible height increases under the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) in the Zoning OrdinanceSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Manageraffordable housinghousing generalzoning📖 read CMA 2025 #52
• City Manager's report2025 · #53↪ Referred to committeeAwaiting Report Item Number #24-58, regarding the feasibility of a successor program to Rise Up CambridgeSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Manager📖 readCMA 2025 #53

Funds will support an initial analysis that may include a review of the City's benefit programs, assistance in developing options for benefits packages, and providing guidance with state and federal regulations

Funds will be used to purchase equipment to support the hazardous materials response team

• City officer's report2025 · #41an update regarding legislative activityschools📖 read COF 2025 #41
• City officer's report2025 · #42City Charter - Update Regarding Alternative Mayoral Selection Proposals and Other Updatescharter📖 read REFERRED TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE/CHARTER REVIEW IN COUNCIL MARCH 17, 2025COF 2025 #42

66 resident communications received for this meeting, on housing general (42) · zoning (40) · budget (22) · transit traffic (13) · tenants rent (12). Individual letters are summarized in the city's agenda and are not republished here, by policy.

• Policy order2025 · #31✅ Order adopted and referredAsks the City Manager to appoint the members of a working committee tasked with integrating the objectives of both the Task Force to Examine the Status and Wellbeing of the City’s African American/Black Population and the Commission on the Status of Black Men and Boys into a unified, actionable frameworkCouncil requestPOR 2025 #31
• Policy order2025 · #32✅ Order adopted as amendedAsks the City Manager to direct the appropriate City departments to draft language to create an Ordinance to insure that vacant store fronts and commercial properties keep their properties in safe and clean conditionsCouncil requestPOR 2025 #32
• Policy order2025 · #33✅ Order adoptedDesignating the Fourth Thursday of March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration DayPOR 2025 #33
• Policy order2025 · #34✅ Order adoptedCity Manager provide the Council with a report before May 31, 2025, that includes a summary of all requests for approval of Surveillance Technology Impact Reports received by the city council during the prior year pursuant to Section 2.128.030 or Section 2.128.040 of the Surveillance Ordinance, including whether the City Council approved, disapproved, or required modifications to the Surveillance Technology Impact Reports received, for the Council to review and adoptCouncil orderpolice safetyPOR 2025 #34
• Policy order2025 · #35✅ Order adopted, unanimousCity Council approve the motions that passed favorably in the Special Committee of the Whole/Charter Review. Committee Report is attachedCouncil ordercharter📖 readPOR 2025 #35

• Resolution2025 · #49✅ Order adoptedHappy 93rd Birthday wishes to Moses MooreRES 2025 #49
• Resolution2025 · #50✅ Order adopted as amendedCongratulations to Deborah Mason on her 50th Anniversary of dedication to the arts and dance education in CambridgeartsRES 2025 #50
• Resolution2025 · #51✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to Ronit Barkai on her retirement from Transition Housetransit trafficRES 2025 #51
• Resolution2025 · #52✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to Officer Oswaldo Ortiz on his retirement from the Cambridge Police Departmentpolice safetyRES 2025 #52
• Resolution2025 · #53✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to Fire Lieutenant Adam Shuman on his retirement from the Cambridge Fire Departmenttenants rentRES 2025 #53
• Resolution2025 · #54✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to Heli Medeiros on retiring from the Cambridge Health AllianceRES 2025 #54
• Resolution2025 · #55✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to the 3rd Annual "Public Vs. Prep" TournamentRES 2025 #55

• OrdinanceORD 2025 # 5✅ Ordained, unanimousAn Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to Chapter 5.50 CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMITTING📖 readORD 2025 # 5
• OrdinanceORD 2025 # 6✅ Ordained, unanimousAn Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to Zoning Petition to remove the repackaging prohibition as a City Council Zoning Petitionzoning📖 readPASSED TO SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MAY 19, 2025. ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED JUNE 9, 2025ORD 2025 # 6
• OrdinanceORD 2025 # 7✅ Ordained, unanimousAn Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to amend certain subsections of the Affordable Housing Overlay, Section 11.207 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinanceaffordable housinghousing generalzoning📖 read PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MAY 5, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED MAY 26, 2025ORD 2025 # 7

• Application / petition2025 · #11↪ Referred to committee, 8–0A Zoning Amendment Petition Has been received from Mushla Marasao in regards to Article 5.28.21, 8.22.1, 8.22.2, Tbl 5.1, et alzoning📖 readREFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT IN COUNCIL MAPP 2025 #11
• Application / petition2025 · #12✅ Order adopted, unanimousan awning at the premises numbered 359 Huron AvenueApplication from Donger Lei representing FUPO CAFE📖 readApproval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, CommuniAPP 2025 #12
• Application / petition2025 · #13✅ Order adoptedan awning at the premises numbered 171 Huron AvenueApplication from Elizabeth Yanez representing Spanish Immersion School infant Toddler Preschool Pre-Kschools📖 readApproval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, CommuniAPP 2025 #13
• Application / petition2025 · #14↪ Referred to committee, 8–0A Zoning Amendment Petition Has been received from BMR-320 Charles LLC c/o BioMed Realty, L. P., regarding a Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map of the City of Cambridge, which, upon adoption would create a new East Cambridge Community Enhancement Overlay District, or the "ECCE Overlay District,"zoning📖 read REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT IN COUNCIL MAPP 2025 #14

• Report status2025 · #7AR Status Update 3/17/25affordable housingbike lanesclimatehousing generaltransit traffic📖 readARS-25-7
• Awaiting report2025 · #10✅ Report received and acceptedThe City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to explore potential actions the City can take to mitigate the impact of Eversource price hikesAR-25-10
• Awaiting report2025 · #11✅ Report received and acceptedThe City Manager is requested to exert all appropriate influence on EZ Ride and Passio to take immediate and concrete steps to fully resolve tracking deficiencies and improve real-time transit accuracy for riderstransit trafficAR-25-11
• Awaiting report2025 · #12The 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 abatementsAR-25-12
• Awaiting report2025 · #13✅ Report received and acceptedThe City Manager is requested to commit to prioritizing snow removal from crosswalks and pedestrian islands for the rest of this and future snow seasons and direct appropriate City staff to generate a policy for prioritizing snow removal from crosswalks and pedestrian islands after snow stormstransit trafficAR-25-13
• Awaiting report2025 · #14✅ Report received and acceptedThe City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition allowing Cambridge to end the practice of property owners passing on broker’s fees to tenantstenants rentAR-25-14
• Awaiting report2025 · #15✅ Report received and acceptedThe City Manager is requested to 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 equalityAR-25-15
• Awaiting report2025 · #16✅ Report received and acceptedThe City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to coordinate with the MBTA in finding ways in which to strengthen safety measurestransit trafficAR-25-16

• Build density

• Committee hearing of 2024-12-09 · Accepted
• Public Safety Committee hearing of 2025-03-03 · Accepted