City Council — Regular Meeting, January 26, 2026

City Manager's Agenda (35)

• CMA 2026-35A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for the Nathaniel Stickney House at 45 Mt. Auburn Street. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI IN COUNCIL JANUARY 12, 2026arts📖 read
• CMA 2026-35A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for the Nathaniel Stickney House at 45 Mt. Auburn Street. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI IN COUNCIL JANUARY 12, 2026arts📖 read
• CMA 2026-35A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for the Nathaniel Stickney House at 45 Mt. Auburn Street. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI IN COUNCIL JANUARY 12, 2026arts📖 read
• CMA 2026-35A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for the Nathaniel Stickney House at 45 Mt. Auburn Street. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR AL-ZUBI IN COUNCIL JANUARY 12, 2026arts📖 read
• CMA 2026-04A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases📖 read
• CMA 2026-13A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of Claire Spinner and Ellen Semonoff as Members of the Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-11Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment or reappointment of the following people to the Recycling Advisory Committee for terms of three yearsbike-lanes📖 read
• CMA 2026-14A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-69, regarding a review of the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee to be sent to the state legislature
• CMA 2026-14A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-69, regarding a review of the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee to be sent to the state legislature
• CMA 2026-14A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-69, regarding a review of the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee to be sent to the state legislature
• CMA 2026-14A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-69, regarding a review of the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee to be sent to the state legislature
• CMA 2026-10Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $100,000 received from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to the Public Investment Fund School Extraordinary Expenditures account to fund a feasibility study and schematic design costs for the roof replacement project at the Cambridgeport School, located at 89 Elm Streetschools📖 read

CMA 2026-14 [affordable-housing, housing-general] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)

CMA 2026-14 [affordable-housing, housing-general] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)

CMA 2026-14 [affordable-housing, housing-general] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)

CMA 2026-14 [affordable-housing, housing-general] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)

Communications & Reports from Other City Officers (6)

• COF 2026-01Updated regarding legislative activityzoning📖 read
• COF 2026-01Updated regarding legislative activityzoning📖 read
• COF 2026-01Updated regarding legislative activityzoning📖 read
• COF 2026-02Proposed Amendments to Cambridge Street Zoning Petitiontransit-trafficzoning📖 read
• COF 2026-05A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information about the search process for a permanent City Clerk📖 read
• COF 2026-04A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committeebudgetschools📖 read

Communications (1)

1 resident communication received for this meeting. Individual letters are summarized in the city's agenda and are not republished here, by policy.

Policy Orders (3)

• POR 2026-08That the City Manager ask the appropriate departments to review the city’s digital equity work to date, including the study’s recommendations and all steps taken since the study conclusion in order to update the evaluation of existing internet access programs, assessing whether residents’ digital needs are or could be better provided for and to propose how we can better meet their needs and to report back to the Council by June 2026 on internet access programsaffordable-housingbroadbandhousing-generalschools📖 read
• POR 2026-16That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments regarding incorporating plant-based solutions into the Sustainable Cambridge initiative, incorporating plant-based purchasing practices in City-operated events, and using municipal communications channels to promote sustainable and affordable food and drink practices throughout the Cityclimatetransit-traffic📖 read
• POR 2026-25That the City Manager is requested to conduct a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures at Cambridge City Hall, which shall include an assessment of physical access controls, visitor screening practices, on-site security staffing and training, emergency response and evacuation protocols, and the use of security technologies such as surveillance systems and alarm monitoring. CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL JANUARY 12, 2026housing-generalpolice-safety📖 read

Resolutions (1)

• RES 2026-01That the City Council formally go on record in extending its deepest condolences to the family of Donald Williams for their tremendous lossschools📖 read

Ordinances (3)

• ORD 2026-02Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, relative to amend the Zoning Map and Articles 3.000, 17.000, and 19.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street corridor PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED DECEMBER 22, 2025 TABLED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 22, 2025zoning📖 read
• ORD 2026-02Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, relative to amend the Zoning Map and Articles 3.000, 17.000, and 19.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street corridor PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED DECEMBER 22, 2025 TABLED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 22, 2025zoning📖 read
• ORD 2026-02Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, relative to amend the Zoning Map and Articles 3.000, 17.000, and 19.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street corridor PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 2025 ELIGIBLE TO BE ORDAINED DECEMBER 22, 2025 TABLED IN COUNCIL DECEMBER 22, 2025zoning📖 read

Applications & Petitions (6)

• APP 2026-01An application was received from Joseph Correia representing Patagonia, requesting permission for one (1) projecting blade sign at the premises numbered 39 Brattle Street. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters📖 read
• APP 2026-01An application was received from Joseph Correia representing Patagonia, requesting permission for one (1) projecting blade sign at the premises numbered 39 Brattle Street. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abutters📖 read
• APP 2026-05An application was received from Brian Lavelle, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 204 Garden 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 associationtransit-traffic📖 read
• APP 2026-05An application was received from Brian Lavelle, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 204 Garden 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 associationtransit-traffic📖 read
• APP 2026-03An application was received from Ricky Zeng representing Love Art Sushi, requesting permission for one (1) projecting blade signs at the premises numbered 1 Canal Park. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abuttersarts📖 read
• APP 2026-03An application was received from Ricky Zeng representing Love Art Sushi, requesting permission for one (1) projecting blade signs at the premises numbered 1 Canal Park. approval has been received from Inspectional Services, Department of Public Works, Community Development Department and abuttersarts📖 read

Other Business (5)

• CC 2026-03 — The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on December 9, 2025 to further discuss the implications of deploying automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and to discuss whether adjustments should be made related to the deployment of ALPRs since approval in February of this year, CMA 2025 #257, which was in City Council on October 20, 2025. [police-safety] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-01 — The Housing Committee and Finance Committee held a joint public hearing on December 3, 2025 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.

[housing-general] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)

• CC 2026-02 — The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on December 4th, 2025 to review and discuss the Executive Summary from the Community Benefits Advisory Committee which was presented to the full City Council on May 19, 2025, CMA 2025 #128. [arts, budget] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-04 — The Health and Environment Committee and Housing Committee held a joint public hearing on December 11, 2025 to review and discuss POR 2025 #137, which asks the Community Development Department to draft zoning language to reduce the impact on solar energy systems, based on the recommendations discussed in the September 16, 2025 Health and Environment Committee meeting.

[climate, housing-general, zoning] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)

• AWRPT 2026-01 — Awaiting Report Status Update [schools, transit-traffic] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)