That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor, in consultation with relevant City departments and the Community Benefits Advisory Committee, to draft amendments to the Community Benefits Ordinance that allow for the use of funds for capital expenses, provided that such expenses clearly advance the goals of the Community Benefits program

O-3 FIRST IN COUNCIL June 23, 2025 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR WILSON COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge Community Benefits Advisory Committee <https://library.municode.com/ma/cambridge/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2 ADPE_CH2.127COBEADCO> (CBAC) (established via ordinance in 2015) ensures the provision of tangible benefits from significant development throughout the City, contributing to the public good by funding opportunities for community enrichment, including human services, the arts, cultural enrichment, sustainability measures, public health, housing, educational programs; and WHEREAS: Nationally, Community Benefits are also used as powerful tools to center underserved and impacted residents closest to development projects through means including workforce training, support for small businesses, construction of community resources, and environmental benefits to mitigate the impact of these development projects; and WHEREAS: In its 2025 Executive Summary <file:///C:\Users\NStephen\Downloads\Attachment- 25286.pdf>, the CBAC highlighted the need for meaningful deliberation on how to best target support to meet the greatest needs of the community, aligning with the City Councils stated goals; and WHEREAS: While the programmatic services supported by the CBAC’s recommended funding continue to have lasting impacts throughout the City through the provision of direct services and community building initiatives, the need to support the City’s non-profit partners through capital investments is further underscored; and WHEREAS: Ongoing conversations among the City Council, staff, and the Community Benefits Advisory Committee have identified the need for greater flexibility in the use of Community Benefits funds, including the ability to support capital expenditures that serve a public purpose, expanding the range of benefits impacting the community; and WHEREAS: There exist significant capital infrastructure needs of our community organizations; and

WHEREAS: Amending the ordinance to allow for capital investments-such as infrastructure, facilities, or equipment-can strengthen the impact of community benefit programs by supporting long-term physical improvements that directly benefit residents closest to development activity, as well as broader benefits communitywide; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor, in consultation with relevant City departments and the Community Benefits Advisory Committee, to draft amendments to the Community Benefits Ordinance that allow for the use of funds for capital expenses, provided that such expenses clearly advance the goals of the Community Benefits program; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager report back to the City Council on the timeline and process for reviewing, approving, and implementing these amendments by the summer meeting.