Minutes of the City Council - Inaugural Meeting - January 5, 2026 10:00 AM

CITY COUNCIL INAUGURAL MEETING MINUTES OF THE CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL INAUGURAL MEETING MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026 The Inaugural meeting for the City of Cambridge City Council was called to order by City Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane at 10:00 a.m. with the following greeting: GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! The hour of ten o’clock in the forenoon of the first Monday in January of the year 2026 having arrived, I, Paula M. Crane, Interim Cambridge City Clerk, by virtue of the power conferred upon me by the City Charter of the City of Cambridge, Chapter 43 Section 97 of the Massachusetts General Laws, do, for the purposes of organization, call this meeting to order. This is the 49th Inaugural Ceremony under the Plan E form of Government. Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane announced the Councillors-Elect as follows, in order of seniority, and they each processed into the Sullivan Chamber. • In her 13th term Councillor-Elect E. Denise Simmons • In his 7th term Councillor-Elect Marc C. McGovern • In her 5th term Councillor-Elect Sumbul Siddiqui • In her 4th term Councillor-Elect Patricia M. Nolan • In his 3rd term Councillor-Elect Burhan Azeem • In his 3rd term Councillor-Elect Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler • In her 2nd term Councillor-Elect Catherine Zusy • In her 1st term Councillor-Elect Ayah A. Al-Zubi • In his 1st term Councillor-Elect Timothy R. Flaherty Clerk of Committees Nicole Erwin presented the 2026-2027 City Council-Elect. The City Clerk asked all who were willing and able to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, to be followed by a moment of silence, and to remain standing for the National Anthem, performed by Cambridge Police Superintendent Pauline Wells of the Cambridge Police Department. Interim City Clerk Crane asked all to be seated and made the following remarks: Good Morning. My name is Paula Crane and I am the Interim City Clerk for the City of Cambridge. On behalf of the City Council-Elect and City Manager Yi-An Huang, I’m very pleased to welcome those of you who are present in the Sullivan Chamber, as well as those of you who are watching the ceremony via cable, livestream or over Zoom. Webster’s Dictionary has defined “to inaugurate” in a way that reminds us of our collective responsibility in this morning’s event. To inaugurate is to “. . .dedicate, consecrate or observe the opening or beginning, formally, auspiciously and publicly, with the prospect of its continuing as a public service or beneficial agency or force.” And thus, we all, from those who take their oaths of office today to those who witness the beginning of the public service of the 2026-2027 City Council, share in the duty and the hope of this inauguration. As Interim City Clerk it is my duty and pleasure to serve as the Presiding Officer for this morning’s ceremony. Assisting me today are Ms. Nicole Erwin, Clerk of Committees and Ms. Naomie Stephen, Assistant to the City Council. State law, Section 97 of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 43 prescribes today’s ceremony. It is the custom of these proceedings that I now read to you in full Section 97, which is part of the Cambridge Plan E Charter. IT READS: The City Council shall have and exercise all the legislative powers of the city, except as such powers are reserved by this chapter to the school committee and to the qualified voters of the city. The city council, elected as aforesaid, shall meet at ten o’clock in the forenoon of the first Monday of January following the regular municipal election, and the members of the city council shall severally make oath,

before the City Clerk or a justice of the peace, to perform faithfully the duties of their respective offices, except that any member-elect not present shall so make oath at the first regular meeting of the city council thereafter which he attends. For the purposes of organization, the City Clerk shall be temporary chairman until the mayor or vice-chairman has qualified. Thereupon the city council shall, by a majority vote of all the members elected, elect a mayor and a vice-chairman from its own members and the persons elected as such shall likewise make oath to perform faithfully the duties of the respective offices to which they are so elected, and they may so make oath at the same meeting at which they are so elected. The organization of the city council shall take place as aforesaid, notwithstanding the absence, death, refusal to serve or non-election of one or more of the members; provided, that a majority of all the members elected to the city council are present and have qualified. If the office of mayor or vice-chairman becomes vacant, the city council shall in like manner elect one of its members to fill such office for the unexpired term; provided, that no such vacancy shall be filled so long as there is any vacancy in the council. The Chair announced that she will proceed to the review of the Credentials. The Chair designated Councillor-Elect Azeem and Councillor-Elect McGovern as a committee of two to collect the credentials of the elected members of the 2026-2027 City Council and to please pass them up to Ms. Erwin. The Chair announced that Congresswoman Clark will not be joining today due to unforeseen circumstances. The Chair reviewed the credentials submitted by the Cambridge Election Commission and declared that each Councillor-Elect is duly qualified as elected by the voters of Cambridge to the 2026-2027 City Council. A copy of the credentials for each Councillor is attached. The Chair, called the roll of the members elect in order of seniority. Each member, as their name was called, answered present and introduced their ushers. Councillors-Elect E. Denise Simmons – Present Ushers: Mattie Hayes, Jada Ononeme, Valerie Beaudrault, Samadi Mugera, Saliyah DePina and Gacobi Williams Councillor-Elect Marc C. McGovern – Present Ushers: William Thilo McGovern, Juliet McGovern and Addison McGovern Councillor-Elect Sumbul Siddiqui – Present Ushers: Nasreen Bhatti and Inam Siddiqui Councillor-Elect Patricia M. Nolan - Present Ushers: Trishi Parti and David Rabkin Councillor-Elect Burhan Azeem - Present Usher: Unsa Munir Councillor-Elect Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler – Present Ushers: Sarah Wheeler and Anna Curtis-Heald Councillor-Elect Catherine Zusy-Present Usher: Samuel Kendall Councillor-Elect Ayah A. Al-Zubi – Present Ushers: Dr. Mai Azzam, Dr. Abdallah Al-Zubi, Dr. Sara Al-Zubi, Layla Al-Zubi and Mohammed Al-Zubi Councillor-Elect Timothy R. Flaherty – Present Ushers: Lisa Natale and Timothy I. Flaherty The Chair noted that the City of Cambridge is fortunate to have elected representatives who bring impressive histories of public service to their duties as members of this City Council including:

Former Mayor E. Denise Simmons with 12 overall Council terms, three Mayoral terms and six terms as a School Committee Member. Former Mayor Marc C. McGovern with six terms on the City Council, one Mayoral term, and four terms as a School Committee Member. Councillor-Elect Patricia Nolan with three terms on the City Council, and seven terms as a School Committee Member. Councillor-Elect Sumbul Siddiqui with four terms on the City Council, two Mayoral terms and two terms as a School Committee Member. The Chair acknowledged City Manager Yi-Ann Huang, Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, State Representative Marjorie Decker, State Representative Mike Connelly, State Representative Stephen Owens, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, State Senator William Brownsberger, Clerk of Courts and former Mayor Michael Sullivan, former Mayor Kenneth E. Reeves, former City Clerk Diane LeBlanc, and former School Committee Member Manikka Bowman. The Chair noted that as Interim City Clerk it is her duty and honor to administer the Oath to those elected in the November 2025 election. The Chair offered the following remarks: I want to extend my congratulations to the elected City Councillors, those who have served several years, and those who have been elected by the great citizens of Cambridge for the very first time. This is your day – you have all worked very hard to get here and it’s a time for celebration with your family and friends. Each of you has your own story – why you ran for office– who inspired you - but what you all have in common is that you love your City - you love the people of Cambridge, and you want to make a positive difference in their lives. I applaud you. The Chair indicated that Councillors-elect will be called to the Rostrum in alphabetical order to take their Oath. A copy of the Oath of Office administered to each Councillor is attached. The Chair closed this section of the proceedings with a slightly paraphrased excerpt from the words of President-Elect John Fitzgerald Kennedy on January 9, 1961, in a speech to the Massachusetts State Legislature: “For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each of us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions: First, were we truly persons of courage. . . Second, were we truly persons of judgment . . . Third, were we truly persons of integrity . . . Finally, were we truly persons of dedication.” The Chair stated that the requirements of Section 97 having been met; the City Council will now proceed to the election of a Mayor. As presiding chair, I have made the following ruling, which I will read in full: Please note that this ruling applies to the election of Mayor and the election of the Vice Chair. RULING OF THE CHAIR RELATIVE TO THE CHANGING OF VOTE: The Chair rules that a member may change their vote at any time in the proceedings before the result of the vote is declared by the Chair. Each member, as their name is called, will indicate their choice for the office of Mayor. A member may vote “present”. A member may not interrupt the calling of the roll to change their vote before all members have voted.

After every member has voted, I will ask if any member wishes to change their vote. A member may change their vote at this time and may do so up until such time as the Chair declares the vote to be final. When the vote is declared final, I will gavel once to indicate that the ballot is closed and then proceed to the next ballot. When a choice for Mayor is made, I will gavel three times to signify the election. If a Mayor is unable to be elected, I will entertain a motion to close the ballot with voting to resume at the regular city council meeting of January 12, 2026. The Chair announced the First Ballot for Mayor and Called the Roll. Councillor Al-Zubi – Councillor Siddiqui Councillor Azeem – Councillor McGovern Councillor Flaherty – Councillor Zusy Councillor McGovern – Councillor McGovern Councillor Nolan – Councillor Nolan Councillor Siddiqui – Councillor Siddiqui Councillor Simmons – Councillor McGovern Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Councillor Siddiqui Councillor Zusy – Councillor Nolan The Interim City Clerk announced that there were three votes for Councillor McGovern, two votes for Councillor Nolan, three votes for Councillor Siddiqui and one vote for Councillor Zusy. The Interim City Clerk asked if any Councillor wished to change their vote. Councillor Nolan changed her vote to Councillor Siddiqui. Councillor Azeem changed his vote to Councillor Siddiqui. Councillor Zusy changed her vote to Councillor Siddiqui. Councillor Flaherty changed his vote to Councillor Siddiqui. Councillor McGovern changed his vote to Councillor Siddiqui. Councillor Simmons changed her vote to Councillor Siddiqui. The Chair declared the vote final, gaveled 3 times to signify the election, and announced that Councillor Siddiqui has been elected as Mayor. Mayor Siddiqui came to the rostrum and the Interim City Clerk administered the Oath of Office for Mayor. I’m just so honored to be standing here with the opportunity to serve you as Mayor. I want to thank my colleagues Councillors Al-Zubi. Azeem, Flaherty, McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler and Zusy for choosing public service and for trusting me to Chair this body. Thank you to our City Manager and our incredible staff. The work of the City Council only happens through collaboration and because of all of your unwavering dedication. I want to thank the Members, the Members-Elect of the School Committee and the members of the Cambridge State delegation for being here today. You are our partners in lawmaking and when we work together, we expand what is possible. I want to thank all my incredible family and friends, everyone who has shaped me. My parents, Jenny, Willow, Minjee, a lot of my campaign staff, Nuriel, Ian, Chrissy, Tosin, Abir, so many volunteers, so many of my team members from the past who have shaped me so much. Thank you all so much for your support. Finally, thank you to the people of Cambridge. Those who live in and rely on this city from our local businesses, nonprofits, our first responders, service providers, to our universities, educators, institutions, and faith-based organizations. You’re the heart of Cambridge and you push us to be better every day. As we begin a new term today, we do so with a vision that builds on the progress we have already made as a city and with a relentless belief that we can always serve more equitably, more boldly, more curiously. We’ll build on that foundation while facing new challenges. We’ll govern collaboratively, grounded

in our shared love for the city and a commitment to putting people first. The work goes on, the cause endures, and the promise of Cambridge is alive in all of you. Thank you so much. The Chair called the Councillors-Elect in alphabetical order to proceed with the voting of the Vice Chair. If a Vice Chair is unable to be elected, the Presiding Officer will entertain a motion to close the ballot with voting to resume at the regular City Council meeting on January 12, 2026. The Chair announced the First Ballot for Vice Chair and Called the Roll. Councillor Al-Zubi – Councillor Azeem Councillor Azeem – Councillor Azeem Councillor Flaherty – Councillor Zusy Councillor McGovern – Councillor Azeem Councillor Nolan – Councillor Nolan Councillor Siddiqui – Councillor Nolan Councillor Simmons – Councillor Azeem Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler Councillor Zusy – Councillor Nolan The Interim City Clerk announced that there were four votes for Councillor Azeem, three votes for Councillor Nolan, one vote for Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler and one vote for Councillor Zusy. The Interim City Clerk asked if any Councillor wished to change their vote. Hearing none, The Chair announced Ballot #2 for Vice Chair and Called the Roll. Councillor Al-Zubi – Councillor Azeem Councillor Azeem – Councillor Azeem Councillor Flaherty – Councillor Zusy Councillor McGovern – Councillor Azeem Councillor Nolan – Councillor Nolan Councillor Siddiqui – Councillor Nolan Councillor Simmons – Councillor Azeem Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Councillor Nolan Councillor Zusy – Councillor Nolan The Interim City Clerk announced that there were four votes for Councillor Azeem, four votes for Councillor Nolan, one vote for Councillor Zusy. The Interim City Clerk asked if any Councillor wished to change their vote. Councillor Flaherty changed his vote to Councillor Azeem The Interim City Clerk asked if any Councillor wished to change their vote. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler changed his vote to Councillor Azeem Councillor Nolan changed her vote to Councillor Azeem Councillor Zusy changed her vote to Councillor Azeem Mayor Siddiqui changed her vote to Councillor Azeem The Interim City Clerk asked if any Councillor wished to change their vote. The Chair declared the vote final, gaveled 3 times to signify the election, and announced that Councillor Azeem has been elected as Vice Chair. Vice Chair Azeem came to the rostrum and the Interim City Clerk administered the Oath of Office for Vice Chair.

Vice Chair Azeem gave the following remarks: I was not sure how that one was going to go so I didn’t have a great speech prepared as my colleague Mayor Siddiqui. And I do have my phone out, and I am Gen Z. It’s an honor to represent the City of Cambridge and City Hall. There are 120,000 people in our city, and our city diversity is something we cherish. We have a lot of people from all sorts of different backgrounds, all sorts of different experiences. And also, we are a city with many different opinions. It’s a very hard city in some ways to govern. We always have the world’s expert in the audience somewhere who is going to tell you what you’re doing wrong, and lots of other people who have brilliant ideas in the way that we should take our city. But that’s the diversity we cherish in our city. In our strange electoral system where we are elected at-large, run against each other, and run against slightly different people, I see the beauty of our city. All nine City Councillors represent a different fraction of the city. In a system that you don’t really get as well put in other places. We also come together, because in all the ways people in our city have different opinions, we’re also quite united in our fight for affordability, in our fight for a safer, for a fair, and more justice city, and for a city that lives up to our values and stands up for them. So I’m honored to have the support of my colleagues today and be elected Vice Mayor. Most of all, I’m excited to have you all and call Cambridge my home. Thank you. The Chair invited Mayor Siddiqui to the rostrum to present a gift to the outgoing Mayor on behalf of the entire City Council. Mayor Siddiqui presented former Mayor Simmons a crystal gavel to thank her for her Mayoral service to the City of Cambridge. Councillor Simmons made the following remarks: I’ll be brief because I’m standing between you and the food. I just want to say to my colleagues, thank you. It was a pleasure serving as Mayor. As Mayor Siddiqui and Councillor McGovern know, it is not an easy job. You do it because you love the people, the city and you love government. Thank you so much for all the hard work we did last term. I know we’re going to be in for another interesting, taxing, and wonderfully invigorating term in 2026-2027. I couldn’t be doing it with a better group of people, so thank you for this acknowledgement. And for all those people that have supported me in all these years, particularly, my wife and children, I say thank you so very much. The Interim City Clerk stated that as the first item of General Business, the Chair will entertain a motion to adopt the 2024-2025 City Council Rules for the 2026-2027 term. Councillor Simmons made a motion to adopt provisionally the 2024-2025 City Council Rules for the 2026-2027 term. Councillor Al-Zubi – Yes Vice Mayor Azeem – Yes Councillor Flaherty – Yes Councillor McGovern – Yes Councillor Nolan – Yes Mayor Siddiqui – Yes Councillor Simmons – Yes Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Yes Councillor Zusy – Yes The motion passed. The Interim City Clerk took a moment to give the following remarks: I would like to thank the members of City leadership, particularly City Manager Yi-An Huang, Deputy City Manager Kathleen Watkins, and the Commissioner of Public Works. In addition, many City departments worked very hard to make this inaugural day a special say. Several employees of the Department of Public Works have worked tirelessly over the last two weeks, and came in over the weekend to clean City Hall from top to bottom to make the glass sparkle and the oak woodwork shine, and to hang the banners that give the building such a festive feeling. I know you have all noticed how beautiful this building is today, and Paul Lyle and the

DPW team worked very hard to this end. Special thanks to the entire Building Operations and Building Maintenance Teams, as well as Kyle Gnerre and the maestros of it all, Kate Joyce and Stephen Arruda. At this time, we would like to give a very special thanks to Naomie Stephen, Assistant to the City Council. Naomie works extremely hard to make sure the ceremony is a credit to the City Council and to the City of Cambridge. The Interim City Clerk invited all to join the City Council from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. for a celebratory reception at The Foundry, 101 Rogers Street, East Cambridge. She thanked all who joined in this Special Meeting of the Cambridge City Council. She wished all a Happy New Year. The Chair entertained a motion to Adjourn. Councillor McGovern made a motion to adjourn at 11:10 a.m. Councillor Al-Zubi – Yes Vice Mayor Azeem – Yes Councillor Flaherty – Yes Councillor McGovern – Yes Councillor Nolan – Yes Mayor Siddiqui – Yes Councillor Simmons – Yes Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler – Yes Councillor Zusy – Yes The motion passed. Clerk’s Notes: The City of Cambridge/22 City View records every City Council meeting and every City Council Committee meeting. It can be viewed at this link: Jan 5, 2026 10:00 AM - City Council - Inaugural Meeting