City Council · Regular Meeting, February 27, 2026

• City Manager's report2026 · #34📁 Placed on file (voice vote, 8 present)TRANSMITTING A COMMUNICATION FROM CITY MANAGER, Yi-An HUANG, RELATIVE TO A FEDERAL UPDATE INCLUDING AN UPDATE ON RELEVANT COURT CASES📖 readCMA 2026-34
• City Manager's report2026 · #35TRANSMITTING A COMMUNICATION FROM CITY SOLICITOR MEGAN BAYER REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO THE TRANSFER FEE HOME RULE PETITION📖 readCMA 2026-35
• City Manager's report2026 · #35TRANSMITTING A COMMUNICATION FROM CITY SOLICITOR MEGAN BAYER REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO THE TRANSFER FEE HOME RULE PETITION📖 readCMA 2026-35
• City Manager's report2026 · #35TRANSMITTING A COMMUNICATION FROM CITY SOLICITOR MEGAN BAYER REGARDING AMENDMENTS TO THE TRANSFER FEE HOME RULE PETITION📖 readCMA 2026-35
• City Manager's report2026 · #43AWAITING REPORT STATUS UPDATE 3.2.26schoolstransit traffic📖 readCMA 2026-43
• City Manager's report2026 · #44↪ Referred to the public safety committee vv9A COMMUNICATION TRANSMITTED FROM YI-AN HUANG, CITY MANAGER, RELATIVE TO THE 2025 ANNUAL SURVEILLANCE REPORT CONCERNING CITY DEPARTMENTS’ USE OF SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY OR SURVEILLANCE DATAartspolice safety📖 readCMA 2026-44

• City officer's report2026 · #15A COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM DAVID MURPHY, SUPERINTENDENT CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. REGARDING PRIORITIES DRIVING OUR FY27 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLSbudgetschools📖 readCOF 2026-15
• City officer's report2026 · #15A COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM DAVID MURPHY, SUPERINTENDENT CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. REGARDING PRIORITIES DRIVING OUR FY27 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLSbudgetschools📖 readCOF 2026-15
• City officer's report2026 · #15A COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM DAVID MURPHY, SUPERINTENDENT CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. REGARDING PRIORITIES DRIVING OUR FY27 OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOLSbudgetschools📖 readCOF 2026-15
• City officer's report2026 · #20📁 Placed on file (voice vote, 9 present)COMMUNICATING INFORMATION FROM THE SCHOOL COMMITTEEbudgetschools📖 readCOF 2026-20
• City officer's report2026 · #19📁 Placed on file (voice vote, 9 present)UPDATE REGARDING LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITYhousing general📖 readCOF 2026-19
• City officer's report2026 · #19📁 Placed on file (voice vote, 9 present)UPDATE REGARDING LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITYhousing general📖 readCOF 2026-19
• City officer's report2026 · #19📁 Placed on file (voice vote, 9 present)UPDATE REGARDING LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITYhousing general📖 readCOF 2026-19

• Policy order2026 · #37✅ Adopted (voice vote, 8 present)ORDER IN SUPPORT OF TRANSPARENCY AND CONSISTENT PUBLICATION OF MEETING AGENDAS AND MATERIALS📖 readPOR 2026-37
• Policy order2026 · #38✅ Adopted as amended (voice vote, 8 present)ORDER RE CAPITAL BUDGET LIFECYCLE RECONCILIATION PRIOR TO FY27 APPROVALbudget📖 readPOR 2026-38
• Policy order2026 · #39✅ Adopted as amended (voice vote, 9 present)THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HEREBY IS REQUESTED TO INSTRUCT ALL CITY DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND OFFICES TO DISCONTINUE ALL OFFICIAL POSTING AND ENGAGEMENT ON X WITHIN 60 DAYS; AND TO INCLUDE AN EXPLANATION OF WHY THE CITY WILL NO LONGER USE Xpolice safetyschoolstransit traffic📖 readPOR 2026-39
• Policy order2026 · #47✅ Adopted, 9-0-0CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT OF S.2726/H.3594: AN ACT REGARDING FREE EXPRESSIONschools📖 readPOR 2026-47
• Policy order2026 · #46✅ Adopted, 9-0-0RECOGNIZE MAY 2026 AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER DIRECT THE APPROPRIATE CITY STAFF TO ILLUMINATE CITY HALL IN GREEN FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH FROM MAY 4 – MAY 10, 2026📖 readPOR 2026-46
• Policy order2026 · #45✅ Adopted, 9-0-0THAT THE CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZE MARCH 15, 2026 AS INTERNATIONAL LONG COVID AWARENESS DAY IN THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE AND THAT CITY HALL BE ILLUMINATED IN TEAL AND GRAY ON MARCH 15, 2026📖 readPOR 2026-45
• Policy order2026 · #48✅ Adopted (voice vote, 9 present)RECOGNIZE MAY 14, 2026, AS MEF2C AWARENESS DAY IN THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE AND DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO ILLUMINATE CITY HALL ON MAY 14, 2026 IN RECOGNITION OF MEF2C AWARENESS DAY📖 readPOR 2026-48
• Policy order2026 · #49✅ Adopted as amended (voice vote, 9 present)CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT OF S.428/H.4207: AN ACT RELATIVE TO SCHOOL LIBRARIESschools📖 readPOR 2026-49
• Policy order2026 · #42✅ Adopted, 8-0-1-0THAT THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORTS HOUSE BILL H.3754, AND SENATE BILL S.2344, “AN ACT RELATIVE TO TRAFFIC REGULATION USING ROAD SAFETY CAMERAS; AND THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HEREBY IS REQUESTED TO WORK WITH RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO REVIEW THE STATE BILLS REFERENCED AS WELL AS THE PREVIOUSLY FILED HOME RULE PETITION AND PREPARE A NEW HOME RULE PETITION THAT WOULD ALLOW CAMBRIDGE TO INSTALL AND OPERATE CAMERAS TO ENFORCE RED LIGHT, SPEEDING, OR OTHER MOVING VIOLATIONS AS OUTLINED IN H.3754 AND S.2344 AND THE PRIOR HOME RULEtransit traffic📖 readPOR 2026-42
• Policy order2026 · #43✅ Adopted, 9-0-0THAT THE CITY MANAGER BE AND HEREBY IS REQUESTED TO WORK WITH RELEVANT CITY DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS THE ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO REVIEW GUIDANCE FROM THE IRS AND CONSULT WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN ORDER TO SIMPLIFY OUR PROCESSES FOR PAYING ELECTION WORKERS AND PAY WORKERS BY STIPEND WITHOUT MANDATORY WITHHOLDINGS OR MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONSlabor📖 readPOR 2026-43
• Policy order2026 · #40✅ Adopted (voice vote, 9 present)THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS REQUESTED TO CONFER WITH RELEVANT CITY STAFF AND REPORT BACK WITH INFORMATION AS THE FIRST STEP IN THE EXPLORATION OF A POTENTIAL CAMBRIDGE SNOW CORPS PROGRAMhousing generalschoolstransit traffic📖 readPOR 2026-40
• Policy order2026 · #44✅ Adopted, 9-0-0THAT THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2026 BE A ROUNDTABLE/WORKING MEETING TO DISCUSS THE BEST FUTURE USES OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES AND ASSOCIATED REDEVELOPMENT PROCESSES, AS REQUESTED IN POLICY ORDER 2026 #5📖 readPOR 2026-44

• Ordinance2026 · #01✅ Ordained, 8-1-0AMEND SECTION 4.50 OF THE CAMBRIDGE ZONING ORDINANCE AS FOLLOWS WITH THE INTENT OF PERMITTING THE USE OF LAND FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES AS-OF-RIGHT IN ALL ZONING DISTRICTS: RELIGIOUS PURPOSES; EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ON LAND OWNED OR LEASED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OR ANY OF ITS AGENCIES, SUBDIVISIONS OR BODIES POLITIC OR BY A RELIGIOUS SECT OR DENOMINATION, OR BY A NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION; AND FOR A CHILD CARE CENTER, SCHOOL-AGED CHILD CARE PROGRAM, FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME, OR LARGE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1A OF CHAPTER 15D OF MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS. PASS TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2026ORD 2026-01
• Ordinance2026 · #01✅ Ordained, 8-1-0AMEND SECTION 4.50 OF THE CAMBRIDGE ZONING ORDINANCE AS FOLLOWS WITH THE INTENT OF PERMITTING THE USE OF LAND FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES AS-OF-RIGHT IN ALL ZONING DISTRICTS: RELIGIOUS PURPOSES; EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ON LAND OWNED OR LEASED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OR ANY OF ITS AGENCIES, SUBDIVISIONS OR BODIES POLITIC OR BY A RELIGIOUS SECT OR DENOMINATION, OR BY A NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION; AND FOR A CHILD CARE CENTER, SCHOOL-AGED CHILD CARE PROGRAM, FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME, OR LARGE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1A OF CHAPTER 15D OF MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS. PASS TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2026ORD 2026-01
• Ordinance2026 · #01✅ Ordained, 8-1-0AMEND SECTION 4.50 OF THE CAMBRIDGE ZONING ORDINANCE AS FOLLOWS WITH THE INTENT OF PERMITTING THE USE OF LAND FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES AS-OF-RIGHT IN ALL ZONING DISTRICTS: RELIGIOUS PURPOSES; EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ON LAND OWNED OR LEASED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OR ANY OF ITS AGENCIES, SUBDIVISIONS OR BODIES POLITIC OR BY A RELIGIOUS SECT OR DENOMINATION, OR BY A NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION; AND FOR A CHILD CARE CENTER, SCHOOL-AGED CHILD CARE PROGRAM, FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME, OR LARGE FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1A OF CHAPTER 15D OF MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS. PASS TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL MARCH 2, 2026ORD 2026-01

ORD 2026-01 [schools] [zoning] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)

ORD 2026-01 [schools] [zoning] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)

ORD 2026-01 [schools] [zoning] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)

• Application / petition2026 · #13✅ Adopted (voice vote, 9 present)AN APPLICATION WAS RECEIVED FROM KENDALL SQUARE ASSOCIATION REQUESTING PERMISSION FOR FOURTEEN (14) TEMPORARY BANNERS ALONG THIRD STREET, GALLILEO GALILEL WAY AND MAIN STREET ANNOUNCING KENDALL SQUARE ASSOCIATION BANNER ARTWORK FROM FEBRUARY 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 2026📖 readAPP 2026-13
• Application / petition2026 · #13✅ Adopted (voice vote, 9 present)AN APPLICATION WAS RECEIVED FROM KENDALL SQUARE ASSOCIATION REQUESTING PERMISSION FOR FOURTEEN (14) TEMPORARY BANNERS ALONG THIRD STREET, GALLILEO GALILEL WAY AND MAIN STREET ANNOUNCING KENDALL SQUARE ASSOCIATION BANNER ARTWORK FROM FEBRUARY 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 2026📖 readAPP 2026-13

• CC 2026-17 · MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 20, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-17 · MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 20, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• 26-87006 · Hearing Scedule [budget] [homelessness] [housing-general] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-18 · MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 20, 2025 TAX RATE CLASSIFICATION PUBLIC MEETING [budget] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-18 · MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 20, 2025 TAX RATE CLASSIFICATION PUBLIC MEETING [budget] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-19 · MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 27, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-19 · MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 27, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-20 · MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 17, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-20 · MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 17, 2025 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-12 · A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL’S CITY CLERK PRELIMINARY SCREENING COMMITTEE WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2025. THE COMMITTEE MOVED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION OF CITY CLERK, BECAUSE DOING SO IN OPEN SESSION WOULD HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT IN OBTAINING QUALIFIED APPLICANTS. 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-16 · THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026 ON A ZONING PETITION BY THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL. THE PETITION PROPOSES CHANGES TO SECTION 4.50 OF THE CAMBRIDGE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW AS OF RIGHT IN ALL ZONING DISTRICTS, RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL USES, AND CHILDCARE USES. CMA 2025 #288 THE COMMITTEE VOTED FAVORABLY TO FORWARD THE PETITION TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL WITH A FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION TO PASS TO A SECOND READING. [zoning] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-16 · THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2026 ON A ZONING PETITION BY THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL. THE PETITION PROPOSES CHANGES TO SECTION 4.50 OF THE CAMBRIDGE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW AS OF RIGHT IN ALL ZONING DISTRICTS, RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL USES, AND CHILDCARE USES. CMA 2025 #288 THE COMMITTEE VOTED FAVORABLY TO FORWARD THE PETITION TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL WITH A FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION TO PASS TO A SECOND READING. [zoning] 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-15 · THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND UNIVERSITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON DECEMBER 16, 2025 WITH THE OFFICE OF TOURISM TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE TOURISM OFFICE’S EFFORTS AS IT RELATES TO DESTINATION MARKETING, VISITOR SERVICES, AS WELL AS AN UPDATE ON THE TOURISM DESTINATION MARKETING DISTRICT PROGRAM. 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-13 · A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL’S CITY CLERK PRELIMINARY SCREENING COMMITTEE WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2025. THE COMMITTEE MOVED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION OF CITY CLERK, BECAUSE DOING SO IN OPEN SESSION WOULD HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT IN OBTAINING QUALIFIED APPLICANTS. 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-11 · A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL’S CITY CLERK PRELIMINARY SCREENING COMMITTEE WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2025. THE COMMITTEE MOVED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION OF CITY CLERK, BECAUSE DOING SO IN OPEN SESSION WOULD HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT IN OBTAINING QUALIFIED APPLICANTS. 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• CC 2026-14 · A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL’S CITY CLERK PRELIMINARY SCREENING COMMITTEE WAS HELD ON OCTOBER 10, 2025. THE COMMITTEE MOVED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION OF CITY CLERK, BECAUSE DOING SO IN OPEN SESSION WOULD HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT IN OBTAINING QUALIFIED APPLICANTS. 📖 read (assigned by posting date)
• AR 2026-16 · 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. [affordable-housing] [housing-general] (assigned by posting date)
• AR 2026-15 · The City Manager is requested to direct the relevant City staff and departments to examine if and how the City may prevent the hiring by the Cambridge Police Department of any sworn officer who was hired by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, or Customs and Border Patrol, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [police-safety] (assigned by posting date)