The City Council held a Special Meeting on December 17, 2025 to review the City Manager’s evaluation.

1 MINUTES OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2025 A Special Meeting of the Cambridge City Council was held on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 2nd Floor Sullivan Chamber. The Call of the Meeting was to review the City Manager’s evaluation. At the request of Mayor Simmons, Clerk of Committees Erwin called the roll. Councillor Azeem – Absent Vice Mayor McGovern – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Nolan – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Siddiqui – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Toner – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Councillor Wilson – Present/Remote Councillor Zusy – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Mayor Simmons – Present/In Sullivan Chamber Present – 8, Absent – 1. Quorum established. *Councillor Azeem was present and remote at 3:35p.m. Present at the meeting was City Manager, Yi-An Huang, Chief People Officer, Raecia Catchings, City Solicitor, Megan Bayer, Assistant City Manager for Community Development, Melissa Peters, and Director of Administration and Operations, Matt Nelson. Mayor Simmons noted that public comment may be made in accordance with Council Rules and MGL Chapter 30A, Section 20. Mayor Simmons also noted that the meeting was being audio and video recorded by the City and could be being audio and video recorded by members of the public. The Chair, Mayor Simmons noted that public comment could be emailed to CityClerk@Cambridgema.gov. Public Comment Marjorie Saunders, 7 Maple Avenue, Cambridge, MA, spoke in opposition to the City Manager’s recent department restructuring and staff layoffs. Mayor Simmons recognized City Manager Huang for opening remarks. City Manager Huang shared an overview of the past year, adding that there has been improved transparency, stronger collaboration with the City Council, and responding to Policy Orders and reports in a timely manner. The City Manager shared that his Office and City Leadership have been proactive as it relates to federal challenges and the government shutdown and reviewed the importance of fiscal responsibilities and creating earlier Council engagement with the budget, as well as having more community input. The City Manager acknowledged the concerns raised and feedback received regarding the recent restructuring of the Women’s Commission.

2 Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Toner who reviewed the evaluation materials and scores. Councillor Toner explained that the scores were based on a combination of City Council scores and comments, City Solicitor’s legal guidance, the City Manager’s self-evaluation, and feedback from senior staff and leadership. Councillor Toner reviewed the scores and comments. The City Manager’s Evaluation report was included in the Agenda Packet. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Azeem who pointed out that this performance evaluation is now beyond the learning curve from the past few years and noted the overall positive feedback from staff related to operations and morale. Councillor Azeem shared that it would be important to have stronger, long-term planning related to traffic, parking, and transit concerns. Councillor Azeem added how important it is to be transparent with the budget with both the City Council and the community, especially when hard financial decisions need to be made. Councillor Azeem also emphasized how important it is to provide information on where the City stands as far as values during these uncertain times. Mayor Simmons recognized Vice Mayor McGovern who acknowledged the difficulty of the role as City Manager and added that he is meeting expectations while balancing Council priorities, overseeing the budget, and many other day to day responsibilities. Vice Mayor McGovern shared concerns related to the recent restructuring and layoffs of the Women’s Commission, noting that communication and transparency with the City Council may have resulted in a more thoughtful process and outcome. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Nolan who reviewed her feedback on the evaluation and shared concerns about the lack of collaboration between the City Council and City Manager. Councillor Nolan had additional concerns related to coordination within different departments and not being consistent with City Council involvement after discussions. Councillor Nolan spoke in strong support for the City Manager making efforts towards committing to better collaboration, transparency, mutual respect, and partnership with the City Council, especially with difficult financial decisions and policy changes. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Siddiqui who acknowledged the difficulty of the City Manager’s role and thanked him for his leadership during the current federal challenges while maintaining efficient day-to-day operations. Councillor Siddiqui highlighted the progress being made on initiatives such as community engagement efforts and pointed out the importance of maintaining strong communication. Councillor Siddiqui added that it is also important to continue to have cross department coordination and strong leadership during these uncertain times. Councillor Siddiqui shared concerns about the recent layoffs and the lack of communication with the City Council. Councillor Siddiqui encouraged the City Manager to review and understand the feedback that was given to him in order to be more intentional when trying to reach goals and to have a better working relationship with the City Council. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler who spoke in favor of the City Council having earlier involvement with the budget. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler shared concerns about transparency related to the recent personnel decisions and the restructuring of departments and that there should be clearer expectations with Council input with the City Manager/City Council form of government. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler thanked the City

3 Manager and staff for being responsive to issues and concerns being raised by the public and the improvements made to Awaiting Reports. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler suggested that there be better follow up and timeline with Policy Orders that are being worked on. Councillor Sobrinho- Wheeler suggested that the format for the City Manager evaluation be changed for future evaluations to meet different criteria. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Toner who provided an overview of how and why the evaluation process was designed, noting that it is supposed to be holistic and include feedback from the City Council, staff, and the resident survey. Councillor Toner noted that any changes made to the evaluation process should be made early in the next term, so the City Manager and the City Council understand what the expectations are. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Wilson who acknowledged the difficulty of the City Manager’s role and thanked him for making strong efforts toward federal concerns and legal actions and supporting SNAP recipients. Councillor Wilson agreed with other City Councillors that there is area for the City Manager to grow stronger in leadership and management, especially with the recent layoffs. Councillor Wilson asked the City Manager how he plans to apply the feedback that was given as he continues to move forward in his role. City Manager Huang shared that the conversation was constructive and that he is taking the feedback very seriously and looks forward to creating a clearer partnership with the City Council. Councillor Wilson shared that it will be important for the City Manager to rebuild trust and morale with staff following the recent layoffs. Councillor Wilson added that there needs to be stronger communication with budget priorities and responsiveness with City Council and community concerns. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Toner who made a motion to close public comment. Clerk of Committees Erwin called the roll. Councillor Azeem – Yes Vice Mayor McGovern – Yes Councillor Nolan – Yes Councillor Siddiqui – Yes Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Yes Councillor Toner – Yes Councillor Wilson – Yes Councillor Zusy – Yes Mayor Simmons – Yes Yes – 9. Motion passed. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Zusy who thanked the City Manager for his leadership and highlighted his response to federal challenges, financial stability, affordable housing, education, and social services. Councillor Zusy offered suggestions on areas that could be better, such as better transparency in certain areas. Councillor Zusy noted the importance of maintaining the City’s AAA bond rating and keeping traffic and public safety, open space, and sustainability efforts strong priorities. Councillor Zusy acknowledged the difficulty of the City Manager’s role and shared she looks forward to working with him in the next term.

4 Mayor Simmons echoed many of the comments made by City Councillors and thanked the City Manager for his internal and external leadership and responsiveness. Mayor Simmons suggested that there be improvement on ongoing neighborhood and community concerns and stronger communication with the City Council related to the budget and budget impacts. Mayor Simmons added that it is important for the City Manager the City Council to work together to better align priorities and collaboration going forward. Mayor Simmons recognized Councillor Siddiqui who made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Clerk of Committees Erwin called the roll. Councillor Azeem – Yes Vice Mayor McGovern – Yes Councillor Nolan – Yes Councillor Siddiqui – Yes Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Yes Councillor Toner – Yes Councillor Wilson – Yes Councillor Zusy – Yes Mayor Simmons – Yes Yes – 9. Motion passed. The Special Meeting of the City Council adjourned at approximately 4:52p.m. Attachment A – Communications from the public. 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.granicus.com/player/clip/1123?view_id=1&redirect=true