City Council · Regular Meeting, September 8, 2025

• City Manager's report2025 · #215📁 Placed on filea federal update including an update on relevant court casesSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Manager📖 readCMA 2025 #215
• City Manager's report2025 · #216✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $10,200.00 to the Grant Fund Fire Salaries and Wages account ($8,200.00) and to the Grant Fund Fire Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($2,000.00) to provide funds to continue the SAFE Program that educates students in the dangers of fire and its effect on people, property, and the environment. The amount allocated to salary and wages will cover the overtime costs for the firefighters who participate in the programSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerschoolsCMA 2025 #216
• City Manager's report2025 · #217✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $3,100.00 to the Grant Fund Fire Salaries and Wages account ($3,100.00) to provide funds for the Senior SAFE Program that educates seniors in the dangers of fire and its effect on people, property, and the environment. The amount allocated to salary and wages will cover the overtime costs for the firefighters who participate in the programSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #217
• City Manager's report2025 · #218✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $120,000, received from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Jail Diversion Program, to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($120,000). Grant funds will be used to continue the Co-response program with one clinician through June 2026Submitted by Yi-An Huang, City Managerpolice safetyCMA 2025 #218
• City Manager's report2025 · #219✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $10,000, to the Grant Fund Police Department Salaries and Wages Account ($5,000) and to the Grant Fund Police Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($5,000). Grant funds will be used to support costs related to providing aftercare support such as supplies that individuals can bring with them to detox such as clothing, supplies (including Narcan) and personal hygiene products and transportation to treatment or clinical care services. A portion of the funding will also be allocated towards providing dedicated POST outreach servicesSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City Managerpolice safetyCMA 2025 #219
• City Manager's report2025 · #220✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of of $217,963.00, to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salaries and Wages account ($211,997.00), to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($4,680.00), and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Travel and Training account ($1,286.00). In addition to the ABE teaching (Math and ELA -English Language Arts), this grant provides funding for the Career Connections program, advising (education, and career advising), professional development for teachers and staff, as well as advising services at the Cambridge and Woburn Career CentersSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerartsschoolsCMA 2025 #220
• City Manager's report2025 · #221✅ Order adopted, unanimousthe appropriation of $100,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salaries and Wages account ($42,963.00) and to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account ($57,037.00). The purpose of the grant is to provide an integrated education and training program for immigrant adults in the Metro North area who are interested in becoming certified nursing assistants and home health aides (CNA/HHA)Submitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #221
• City Manager's report2025 · #222📁 Placed on filethe appointment of Sephany Alexis, Sally Benbasset, and Christina Turner and the reappointment of Elizabeth Aguilo, Rowan Murphy, and Michelle Lower as members of the Community Benefits Advisory Committee for a term of three yearsSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #222
• City Manager's report2025 · #223↪ Referred to committeeamendments to the Cambridge Tobacco OrdinanceSubmitted by Yi-An Huang, City ManagerCMA 2025 #223

• City officer's report2025 · #113an update regarding legislative activityartsclimatepolice safetyzoning📖 read COF 2025 #113
• City officer's report2025 · #114a memorandum regarding City Voter Guide for Ballot Questions - Proponent Argument for Proposed City Charterbudgetcharterschools📖 read COF 2025 #114
• City officer's report2025 · #115COF 2025 #115 : A communication was received from Lesley Waxman Assistant Director Cambridge Election CommissionCOF 2025 #115

, transmitting a request Letter - In Favor Argument City Charter. 📖 read

36 resident communications received for this meeting, on zoning (9) · police safety (7) · housing general (6) · transit traffic (4) · homelessness (4). Individual letters are summarized in the city's agenda and are not republished here, by policy.

• Policy order2025 · #114✅ Order adoptedCity Council go on record recognizing November 2025 as Alzheimer's Awareness Month and in formally endorsing Cambridge's continued participation in the "Light the World in Teal" initiative on November 3, 2025Council orderPOR 2025 #114
• Policy order2025 · #115✅ Order adoptedAsks the City Manager 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 accommodationsCouncil requesttransit trafficPOR 2025 #115
• Policy order2025 · #116✅ Order adopted as amendedAsks the City Manager 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 organizationsCouncil requestPOR 2025 #116
• Policy order2025 · #117↪ Referred to committee, unanimousAsks the City Manager to work with the appropriate City staff to ensure that, effective immediately (and for each fiscal year in which the Office for Tourism continues to receive TDMD funding) that the City shall redirect its municipal funding to distribute those funds equally among the Central Square Business Improvement District (BID), the East Cambridge Business Association, the Harvard Square Business Association, and the Kendall Square AssociationCouncil requestCHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR TONER IN COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 8, 2025. REFERRED TO THE POR 2025 #117
• Policy order2025 · #118✅ Order adopted as amendedAsks the City Manager 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 cityCouncil requestPOR 2025 #118
• Policy order2025 · #119✅ Order adoptedProclaim the week of September 15 through September 21, 2025 as National Diaper Need Awareness Week in the City of CambridgePOR 2025 #119
• Policy order2025 · #120✅ Order adoptedAsks the City Manager to confer with the Election Commission, the City Solicitor, and the City Clerk, and report back to the City Council no later than the September 15, 2025 City Council meeting on the Policy Order regarding the deadline for Charter ChangeCouncil requestcharterPOR 2025 #120
• Policy order2025 · #121✅ Order adoptedAsks the City Manager 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 CommitteeCouncil requestPOR 2025 #121
• Policy order2025 · #122✅ Order adopted as amendedAsks the City Manager 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 availableCouncil requestPOR 2025 #122
• Policy order2025 · #123✅ Order adopted as amendedAsks the City Manager to consult with relevant departments about the implications of deploying license plate readers and provide recommendations as to whether adjustments in plans for deployment should be made in light of changes since approval in FebruaryCouncil requestpolice safety📖 readPOR 2025 #123
• Policy order2025 · #124✅ Order adoptedAsks the City Manager to work with all relevant departments on zoning amendments to incentivize multifamily zoning while allowing reasonable development of single and two- family homes, the “balanced incentive approach” which is Option Four outlined in the presentation to the NLTP CommitteeCouncil requestzoningPOR 2025 #124

• Resolution2025 · #191✅ Order adoptedCondolences on the death of Thomas W. CollinsRES 2025 #191
• Resolution2025 · #192✅ Order adoptedCondolences to the family of Joan WhitakerRES 2025 #192
• Resolution2025 · #193✅ Order adoptedCondolences to the family of John SemperRES 2025 #193
• Resolution2025 · #194✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to the winners of the Bluebike PSA Poster Design ContestRES 2025 #194
• Resolution2025 · #195✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to Cynthia Shelton Harris for her promotion to Executive Director of Veterans’ ServicesRES 2025 #195
• Resolution2025 · #196✅ Order adopted as amendedCondolences on the death of Elizabeth CamachoRES 2025 #196
• Resolution2025 · #197✅ Order adoptedAcknowledging the 60th Anniversary of Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in BostonRES 2025 #197
• Resolution2025 · #198✅ Order adoptedCondolences on the death of Daniel E. SheehanRES 2025 #198
• Resolution2025 · #199✅ Order adoptedCondolences on the death of Lorraine F. Erb-GrandeRES 2025 #199
• Resolution2025 · #200✅ Order adoptedCondolences to the family and friends of Mary LenoRES 2025 #200
• Resolution2025 · #201✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to Virginia B. Johnson on her nomination for an Emmy Award for her work on the Netflix series American PrimevalRES 2025 #201
• Resolution2025 · #202✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant and Bar on its Grand Opening in WatertownRES 2025 #202
• Resolution2025 · #203✅ Order adoptedCongratulations to The Sacramento Community GardenRES 2025 #203

• Application / petition2025 · #32✅ Order adopteda projecting blade sign at the premises numbered 1960 Massachusetts AvenueApplication from Brian Chipman representing Cannabis Dispensary📖 readapproval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, CommuniAPP 2025 #32
• Application / petition2025 · #33✅ Order adopteda curb cut at the premises numbered 48 Park Avenue; 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 associationApplication from William Rothfuchstransit traffic📖 readAPP 2025 #33
• Application / petition2025 · #34✅ Order adopteda curb cut at the premises numbered 29 Line 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 associationApplication from Yi Yuetransit traffic📖 readAPP 2025 #34
• Application / petition2025 · #35✅ Order adoptedRequest has been received from Sam Stienberg representing CVS, regarding Revocation of Bond #012023137 for CVS, 1390 Massachusetts Avenue. Response from the Inspectional Services Department has been received confirming said sign has been removed📖 readAPP 2025 #35

• Report status2025 · #22Awaiting Report Status Update 09.08.25schoolstransit trafficzoning📖 readARS-25-22
• Awaiting report2025 · #44The 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 developmentsaffordable housinghousing generalAR-25-44
• Awaiting report2025 · #45✅ Report received and acceptedThe City Manager 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 boxes in identified problem areas throughout the cityAR-25-45

• Government Operations Rules & Claims Committee hearing of 2025-08-12 · Accepted
• Neighborhood & Long Term Planning Committee hearing of 2025-08-14 · Accepted
• Ordinance Committee hearing of 2025-08-27 · Accepted