A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-40, regarding updates to the Community Benefits Ordinance

Megan B. Bayer Assistant City Solicitors City Solicitor Paul S. Kawai Sean M. McKendry Elliott J. Veloso Diane O. Pires Deputy City Solicitor Sydney M. Wright Evan C. Bjorklund Kate M. Kleimola Franziskus Lepionka First Assistant City Solicitor Andrea Carrillo-Rhoads CITY OF CAMBRIDGE Public Records Access Officer Seah Levy Office of the City Solicitor 795 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 December 15, 2025 Yi-An Huang City Manager - Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 Re: Awaiting Report No. 25-40 of 6/23/25, requesting that the City Manager direct the City Solicitor 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. Dear Mr. Huang: I write in response to the above-referenced City Council order, that requests that I draft amendments to the Community Benefits Ordinance (the "Ordinance") as explained above, and requests that I consult with the Committee Benefits Advisory Committee (the "Committee") concerning amendments to the Ordinance. I met with the Committee on October 6, 2025, and provided an opinion to the Committee on October 28, 2025. Attached is a copy of the October 28, 2025 opinion which answers questions the Committee had about the application of the anti-aid amendment to the use of Community Benefit Funds and the use of Community Benefit Funds for capital expenses. The Committee conferred on recommended amendments to the Ordinance to address the use of Community Benefit Funds for capital and operating expenses, as well as other recommended amendments. The additional areas the Committee recommended amending are: 1. Needs Assessment: the Committee recommended amending the Ordinance in way that could be more expedient for the Council, City Manager, and Committee; it also reflects current practices 2. Guiding Principles: the Committee recommended incorporating all guiding principles that have been adopted by the Council, even principles that have been adopted after the Ordinance was enacted 3. Membership: the Committee recommended clarifying nominations and appointments. Telephone [phone removed] Facsimile [phone removed] TTY/TTD [phone removed]

I incorporated the recommendations from the Committee and have prepared the attached proposed amendments to the Ordinance. If the Council wishes to move forward with these amendments, I recommend that this communication be put on file and then the future chair of the Ordinance Committee call a meeting in the next term to consider these proposed amendments. Very Truly Yours, meganB. Bay Megan B. Bayer City Solicitor Enc. 2