Chapter 2.127 Community Benefits Advisory Committee Ordinance.  

Title 2 - ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL Chapter 2.127 COMMUNITY BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Cambridge, Massachusetts, Code of Ordinances Created: 2025-04-22 12:17:04 [EST] (Supp. No. 14) Page 1 of 4 [Clean version of ordinance with revisions] Chapter 2.127 COMMUNITY BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2.127.010 Established. There is hereby established a Community Benefits Advisory Committee (the "Committee") to accomplish the purposes set forth herein. 2.127.020 Purpose. The purpose of the Committee is to identify the community benefits needs of the residents of Cambridge based on the priorities established by the City Council and to solicit and evaluate applications with proposals to address the community benefits needs by qualified applicants in order to make recommendations to the City Manager for the allocation of Community Benefits Funds for the award of grant agreements or contracts. 2.127.030 Definitions. "Applicant" shall mean a Community Based Organization applying to the City to provide Community Benefits subject to a grant agreement or contract. "Application" shall mean a proposal by an Applicant to enter into a grant agreement or contract to provide Community Benefits. "Community Based Organization" shall mean a non-profit entity registered pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) that provides Community Benefits. "Community Benefits" shall mean the provision of programs or services, or capital and/or operating expenses of a Community Benefits Organization that are related to an necessary for a Community Benefits Organization to provide programs or services, that directly benefit Cambridge residents including but not limited to human services, the arts, cultural enrichment, sustainability measures, public health, housing, educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics ("STEAM") and other areas of community enrichment provided by Community Based Organizations. "Community Benefits Advisory Committee" or "Committee" shall mean the Committee established by this Chapter and appointed by the City Manager. "Community Benefits Funds" or "Funds" shall mean any funds offered to and received by the City in connection with the enactment of an amendment to the City's Zoning Ordinance or other agreements entered into with the City which provide funds to the City and are held by the City to be expended for community benefits or other related purposes. "Community Benefits Stabilization Fund" or "Stabilization Fund" shall mean a stabilization fund established by the City to hold Community Benefits Funds. "Funding Priorities" shall mean funding goals declared by the City Council for the expenditure of Community Benefits Funds in Cambridge.

Created: 2025-04-22 12:17:04 [EST] (Supp. No. 14) Page 2 of 4 2.127.040 City Council Goalsetting—Appropriations. The City Council shall periodically review and update the City's Funding Priorities based in part on the Committee’s identification and assessment of Cambridge's most pressing Community Benefits needs, which will be reported to the City Manager. The City Manager may make recommendations to the City Council regarding the appropriation of funds from the Stabilization Fund. The City Council may make appropriations after it receives the City Manager's recommendations. 2.127.050 Powers and Duties of the Committee. To carry out its responsibilities under this Chapter, the Committee shall: A. Make recommendations to the City Manager for the award of grant agreements or contracts for Community Benefits to be paid for from the Stabilization Fund consistent with the City Council's Funding Priorities. B. Establish rules, regulations and guidelines to provide for the proper administration and implementation of the Committee's responsibilities in consultation with City staff and as approved by the City Manager. 2.127.060 Committee Process. The Committee shall conduct public meetings as needed to accomplish the following: A. Prioritize needs, possibilities and resources regarding Community Benefits based on the City Council's Funding Priorities. Subject to and consistent with the City Council's Funding Priorities, the Committee shall consider the following guiding principles: Frame Needs Thoughtfully 1. Fund programs or services that directly benefit Cambridge residents. 2. Emphasize funding priorities established by the City Council informed by the Committee’s identification and assessment of needs. 3. Prioritize support for vulnerable and underserved populations. 4. Consider neighborhood(s) impacted by development projects. Build on Existing Assets and Programs 5. Consider other public resources allocated to a neighborhood in order to better understand unmet needs. 6. Foster awareness of and connection to existing programs and services. 7. Prioritize approaches that leverage other private and public resources. 8. Encourage an asset-based approach that recognizes and builds on the resilience of Cambridge residents and communities. Promote Holistic Approaches, Innovation and Collaboration 9. Recognize the inter-connectedness among community needs.

Created: 2025-04-22 12:17:04 [EST] (Supp. No. 14) Page 3 of 4 10. Emphasize holistic and creative ideas that promote prevention and coordination across systems and organizations. 11. Remain open to bold and innovative approaches to challenging issues. 12. Recognize that addressing community challenges takes time and provide the latitude for longer term interventions. 13. Prioritize funding for nonprofit applicants that promote collaboration, partnership and collective impact. 14. Encourage and incorporate program evaluation to identify which strategies work best. Simplify the Application Process 15. Establish a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative process. 16. provide support and technical assistance to nonprofits in the application process to ensure equal opportunity and access. 17. Consider opportunities for renewable grants to returning nonprofit providers that have an excellent performance evaluation record and programmatic success. B. Develop requests for Applications to provide Community Benefits consistent with the City Council's Funding Priorities. C. Evaluate Applications for the provision of Community Benefits. D. Develop or establish recommendations to the City Manager for the award of a grant agreement or contract for the provision of Community Benefits. 2.127.070 Membership—Appointment—Term. A. The Committee shall consist of thirteen members appointed by the City Manager, including the City Manager or his or her designee who shall serve as the Chair. B. The members shall be appointed for terms of three years. The term of the City Manager or that of his or her designee and any City staff designees shall not expire. C. The Committee shall be comprised of the following representatives—three (3) members shall be representatives of non-profit organizations that provide services to Cambridge residents; three (3) members shall be City staff designees including the City Manager or his or her designee; four (4) members shall be Cambridge residents, who shall be residents of the City at the time of appointment; one (1) member shall be a representative of the Cambridge Community Foundation; one (1) member shall be a representative of the City's business or property development community; and one (1) member shall be a representative from one of the City's universities or colleges. At least two (2) of the non-profit representatives shall be selected by and provided to the City Manager by the Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition so long as that organization submits the selections in a timely fashion. D. If any appointed Committee member misses half of the scheduled meetings of the Committee during any calendar year, the absences of the Committee member shall be reviewed by the Chair and the Chair may recommend dismissal and replacement of such member to the City Manager.

Created: 2025-04-22 12:17:04 [EST] (Supp. No. 14) Page 4 of 4 2.127.080 Officers—Quorum—Rules and Regulations—Committees. A. The City Manager shall appoint a Vice Chair. The Vice Chair shall chair a meeting or meetings in the Chair's absence. B. Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of convening a meeting and of conducting the business of the Committee. The Committee shall approve its actions by majority vote. C. All records of the Committee shall be public except as provided by State law. D. Committee members shall serve without compensation. E. Committee members shall be classified as special municipal employees for the purpose of Chapter 268A of the Massachusetts General Laws. 2.127.090 Effective Date. This Chapter shall take effect upon its passage. In City Council May 18, 2026. Ordained 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