Minutes of the Regular City Council meeting held on March 16, 2026

1 MINUTES OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Monday, March 16, 2026 A Regular Meeting of the Cambridge City Council was held on Monday, March 16, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. by the Honorable Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, adopted by Massachusetts General Assembly and approved by the Governor, this public meeting was hybrid, allowing participation via Zoom and in person. Mayor Siddiqui asked the Clerk of Committees to call the roll. Clerk of Committees Erwin called the roll. Councillor Al-Zubi – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Vice Mayor Azeem – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Flaherty – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor McGovern – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Nolan – Absent Councillor Simmons – Absent* Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Zusy – Absent* Mayor Siddiqui – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Present – 6, Absent – 3. Quorum established. *Councillor Simmons was present in the Sullivan Chamber at 5:40p.m. *Councillor Zusy was listening to the meeting via Zoom on her cell phone. Mayor Siddiqui led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance and called for a moment of silence. PUBLIC COMMENT The Chair, Mayor Siddiqui, noted that public comment may be made in accordance with Council Rules and MGL Chapter 30A, Section 20. Mayor Siddiqui also noted that the meeting was being audio and video recorded by the City and could be audio and video recorded by members of the public. Mayor Siddiqui noted that each person would have three minutes to speak. Eva Paddock, 312 Walden Street, Cambridge, MA, spoke in opposition to the proposed increase to residential parking permits and urged the Council to keep the senior exemption, Calendar Item #1. Kit Lilly, 58B Hammond Street, Cambridge, MA, spoke in support of POR 2026-56, City Council support for S.1022/H. 1559 and H. 4835, pet friendly housing. Victoria Ruff, 30 Sciarappa Street, Cambridge, MA, spoke in support of POR 2026-56, City Council support for S.1022/H. 1559 and H. 4835, pet friendly housing.

2 Heather Hoffman, 213 Hurley Street, Cambridge, MA, offered comments on the importance of pets, permitting, plants and trees, litigation, and micromobility. John Pitkin, 18 Fayette Street, Cambridge, MA, Mayor Siddiqui noted that Public Comment would remain open until 6:00p.m. CITY MANAGER’S CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Simmons who made a motion to adopt and place on file CMA 2026-252, CMA 2026-57, CMA 2026-58, CMA 2026-55, and CMA 2026-53. Clerk of Committees Erwin called the roll. Councillor Al-Zubi – Yes Vice Mayor Azeem – Yes Councillor Flaherty – Yes Councillor McGovern – Yes Councillor Nolan – Absent Councillor Simmons – Yes Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Yes Councillor Zusy – Absent Mayor Siddiqui – Yes Yes – 7, No – 0, Absent – 2. Motion passed. CITY MANAGER’S NON-CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Siddiqui recognized City Manager Yi-An Huang on CMA 2026-54 regarding a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. The City Manager provided a brief update, noting that there have not been any substantive changes in the federal environment over the last couple weeks, and that there have not been any updates to the litigation tracker. Mayor Siddiqui raised concerns about the increase in immigration enforcement issues, and spoke about the City of Boston’s new immigration fund, and asked the City Manager what support and conversations need to happen within the Human Rights Commission and the Immigrant Rights Commission. City Manager Huang acknowledged the evolving challenges with enforcement and shared the City is exploring ways they can provide more support. Mayor Siddiqui made a motion to place CMA 2026-54 on file. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. Mayor Siddiqui opened Public Comment. John Pitkin, 18 Fayette Street, Cambridge, MA, offered comments and suggestions related to the proposed increase of resident parking fees, Calendar Item #1. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Melissa Peters, Assistant City Manager of Community Development, and Jennifer Caira, Deputy Chief of Planning, on CMA 2026-56, regarding a response to

3 Awaiting Report 26-05 relative to streamlining the residential permitting process. Melissa Peters and Jennifer Caira provided a brief update on the review of policies, codes, and fees, noting that it is a city-led review. Melissa Peters explained that the focus is to reduce costs, risks, and delays within housing development. Jennifer Caira added that recommendations will be brought to the City Council by mid-June of this year. Mayor Siddiqui made a motion to place CMA 2026-56 on file. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. POLICY ORDERS Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor McGovern who provided an overview of the Policy Order, sharing that it is showing the City Council’s support for S.1022/H. 1559 and H. 4835. Councillor McGovern noted that these two Acts are related to maintaining stable housing for families with pets, and codifying pet-friendly elderly housing policies. Councillor McGovern shared how important pets are to families and that no one should have to choose between stable housing and losing their pet. Mayor Siddiqui and Councillor Simmons requested to be added as Co-Sponsors to the Policy Order. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor McGovern who made a motion to add Councillor Simmons and Mayor Siddiqui to POR 2026-56. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. Mayor Siddiqui made a motion to adopt POR 2026-56 as amended. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. CALENDAR No action taken. APPLICATIONS AND PETITIONS There were none. COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Simmons who made a motion to place Communications #1-#24 on file. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. RESOLUTIONS

4 Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Simmons who made a motion to adopt Resolutions 2026-37, 2026-38, 2026-41, 2026-43, 2026-44, and 2026-46, making them unanimous upon adoption. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Simmons who made a motion to bring both Resolution 2026-38 and Resolution 2026-42 before the City Council. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. Councillor Simmons noted that both Resolutions were for the same person, Frances E. McCauley, and wishing condolences to her family. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Flaherty who made a motion to withdraw Resolution 2026-38. Clerk of Committees Erwin called the roll. Councillor Al-Zubi – Yes Vice Mayor Azeem – Yes Councillor Flaherty – Yes Councillor McGovern – Yes Councillor Nolan – Absent Councillor Simmons – Yes Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Yes Councillor Zusy – Absent Mayor Siddiqui – Yes Yes – 7, No – 0, Absent – 2. Motion passed. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Simmons who made a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-42, making it unanimous upon adoption. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Simmons on Resolution 2026-45, Congratulating the team behind Eastern Edge Food Hall on the opening of the new space in Kendall Square. Councillor Simmons shared she recently visited the food hall and encouraged others to go. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Simmons who made a motion to be added as a Co- Sponsor to Resolution 2026-45. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. Mayor Siddiqui made a motion to adopt as amended Resolution 2026-45, making it unanimous upon adoption. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent.

5 Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor McGovern who made a motion to close public comment. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. COMMITTEE REPORTS Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor McGovern who made a motion to accept and place on file Committee Reports 2026-27 and 2026-28. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS FROM OTHER CITY OFFICERS Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler who made a motion to place on file COF 2026-27 and COF 2026-29. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. LATE RESOLUTIONS Mayor Siddiqui made a motion to suspend the rules to bring forward two late Resolutions. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Flaherty on RES 2026-47, condolences to the family of Vincent J. Borelli, sharing that he was a thoughtful gentleman and it’s a loss for the entire neighborhood. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Flaherty who made a motion to adopt RES 2026-47, making it unanimous upon adoption. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Simmons on RES 2026-48, condolences to the family of Edward (Ed) C. Bernis, sharing that he worked for the City for over 40 years and that he loved his job and the City. Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor Simmons who made a motion to adopt RES 2026- 48, making it unanimous upon adoption. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. ANNOUNCMENTS

6 Mayor Siddiqui shared that the Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee meeting that was scheduled for March 18th was moved to March 24th. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Siddiqui recognized Councillor McGovern who made a motion to adjourn the meeting. On a voice vote of seven members present, the motion passed. Councillor Nolan and Councillor Zusy were absent. The March 16, 2026 Regular City Council meeting adjourned at approximately 6:10p.m. Clerk’s Note: The City of Cambridge/22 City View records every City Council meeting and every City Council Committee meeting. The video for this meeting can be viewed at: https://cambridgema.v3.swagit.com/videos/378168 In City Council March 23, 2026. Adopted by a yea and nay vote:- Yeas 9; Nays 0; Absent 0.- Attest:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane Interim City Clerk