POR 2026-146 · Agenda item attachment · Aug 3 2026

POR 2026-146 FIRST IN COUNCIL August 3, 2026 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR NOLAN MAYOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER WHEREAS: On numerous occasions, the City Council has requested forms of automated parking enforcement, including POR 2023 #209 and POR 2024 #123; and WHEREAS: Per CMA 2024 #228, delivered on October 21, 2024, the City Solicitor recommended special legislation as the safest approach to authorize adoption of automated parking enforcement technology, and per POR 2024 #148 and CMA 2025 #69, the City of Cambridge filed a home rule petition to request the ability to mail tickets and use automated parking enforcement; and WHEREAS: Bill H.4231 was recently passed and signed by the governor on July 7, 2026, as Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2026, authorizing the City of Cambridge to expand the options available to issue notices of violation for parking enforcement; and WHEREAS: A number of other cities, in Massachusetts and elsewhere, have begun ticketing using camera-equipped bollards; parking violations can affect disability parking access, transit service, loading zones, bicycle safety, and emergency vehicle access, and it is important for Cambridge to continue to improve street safety through enforcement of parking violations; and WHEREAS: This technology would be implemented at little or no cost to the City and could prove especially useful for enforcement in commercial squares, where parking violations are typically more prevalent and disruptive to other users of the space, and where parking enforcement officers may not be able to keep pace with the volume of infractions; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant City departments to take steps to implement as soon as possible a program for automated parking enforcement which could be piloted in targeted areas of the city to evaluate different technologies, different functionalities for various locations, and publicize regulations, ensuring that all programs are done in the most cost-effective way for the City; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.

A true copy; ATTEST:- Paula M. Crane, Interim City Clerk

City of Cambridge That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to take steps to implement as soon as possible a program for automated parking enforcement which could be piloted in targeted areas of the city to evaluate different technologies, different functionalities for various locations, and publicize regulations Implementation of Automated Parking Enforcement.