Regular City Council Meeting

• Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui called the regular meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. stating a quorum was present.
• A roll call recorded 9 members present: Councilor Ayah Al-Zubi, Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem, Councilor Timothy Flaherty, Councilor Marc McGovern, Councilor Patricia Nolan, Councilor E. Denise Simmons, Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councilor Catherine Zusy, and Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui.
• Announcements:
  • Councilor Nolan highlighted the upcoming property tax rate hearing scheduled for the September 28 City Council meeting.
  • Councilor Simmons noted the success of the recent 101st Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian and the Cambridge Caribbean Carnival.
  • Councilor Zusy announced Citywide Open Studios, the Danahy Park Family Day, and a virtual community meeting on September 17 regarding Outer Huron bike lanes.
  • Mayor Siddiqui announced the Cambridge Cat Tour and Meowfest on September 26 in Cambridgeport as part of Meet Your Neighbor Month.

Twenty-one speakers addressed the City Council on various agenda items:

• UE Local 256 / MIT Graduate Student Union (Policy Order 3): Lauren Chua (President, UE Local 256), Ani Adavi, Baltasar Diniz, Benjamin Velez, Ansel Garcia-Langley, Suvina Sreenalayam, Daniel Shen, Zamyra Johnson, and Hannah Milarczyk spoke in favor of Policy Order 3, urging MIT administration to settle a fair contract. They highlighted protections against the loss of the union shop, preservation of healthcare benefits, stipends matching the local cost of living (noting grad workers make 75–76% of a living wage), and codified protections for international workers.
• ITP Awareness Month (Policy Order 2): Kristen Prevost spoke in support of lighting City Hall purple on September 25 to raise awareness for Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP).
• Local Business & Historic Preservation: Suzanne Blier spoke in support of streamlining small business permitting, university-built housing, and opposing federal rollbacks to the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Community Safety and Public Health: Valerie Bonds advocated for monitoring chemical research safety at MIT and curtailing illegal fireworks.
• SNAP and MassHealth Reductions (City Manager Agenda Item 2 & Policy Order 12): Rachel Plummer and Tina Alu of the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC), along with Elaine DeRosa (Chair, Cambridge Housing Authority Board), urged approval of the $500,000 city response appropriation and advocated for hiring additional state Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) caseworkers. Plummer reported that local SNAP enrollment had declined 15% largely due to administrative and paperwork barriers, with an estimated 200,000 residents statewide facing risk of MassHealth loss.
• National Historic Preservation Act (Policy Order 10): Marilee Meyer spoke in favor of protecting Section 106 review guardrails against federal dismantling.
• Traffic Enforcement and Street Safety (City Manager Agenda Item 19): Christopher Cassa spoke regarding a 57% decade-long decrease in traffic citations, stressing the need for traffic rule enforcement to protect cyclists and pedestrians.
• Zoning Impacts: Former Mayor Kenneth Reeves expressed concerns regarding the citywide multifamily zoning amendments, citing unintended community impacts and demographic shifts within the African American community.
• Restroom Accessibility & City Clerk Office: Heather Hoffman advocated for gender-neutral restrooms, praised Interim Clerk Paula Crane, and supported CPA recommendations.
• 32BJ SEIU Security Officers (Policy Order 1): Samuel Gomes Rodriguez Jr., Northeast Security officer at Northeastern University, urged Council support for health coverage and livable wages, stating, "We say no more to having to choose between either to pay for bills, rent, groceries or medication."
• Municipal Governance & Enforcement: James Williamson urged consideration of an elected City Manager and criticized bicycle traffic law enforcement. Dan Totten spoke against an elected ceremonial mayor while wishing success to 32BJ SEIU and MIT GSU.

• The City Council suspended the rules to bring Policy Order 1 forward.
• The order expresses Council solidarity with 32BJ SEIU security officers and Logan Airport service workers bargaining for living wages, dignity, and employer-paid healthcare.
• Councilor Simmons, Councilor McGovern, and Councilor Sobrinho-Wheeler spoke to the moral imperative of ensuring service workers can afford housing, food, and healthcare in the region.
• Councilors Al-Zubi and Nolan were added as co-sponsors.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Policy Order 1 as amended was adopted.

• The City Council took up Policy Order 3 under suspension of the rules.
• The resolution urges the MIT administration to agree to a fair contract that protects union security (union shop), maintains healthcare benefits, protects international students, and provides living wages for 3,000 graduate research and teaching assistants.
• Councilors Simmons and Nolan were added as co-sponsors.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Policy Order 3 as amended was adopted.

• Councilor Nolan moved to reconsider the Council's prior adoption of Policy Order 2026-140, which requested a home rule petition authorizing an additional off-premises all-alcoholic beverages license for a retailer at 336 Rindge Avenue.
• Under suspension, Communication #4 from Other City Officers was pulled to accompany the reconsideration motion.
• Discussion:
  • Councilor Nolan argued that granting an ad hoc off-premises all-alcohol license without public process or broad notice disadvantages existing licensees who paid upwards of $300,000 for quota licenses on the open market, advocating instead for an equitable or comprehensive approach to quota relief.
  • Councilor McGovern and Vice Mayor Azeem argued against reconsideration, stating the State Legislature routinely rejects blanket quota increases from municipalities but requires specific, demonstrable public need tied to named businesses, and holding up the petition would harm a small business in dire straits.
  • City Solicitor Megan Bayer and Licensing Commission Chair Nicole Murati Ferrer clarified that moving a home rule petition for one licensee is legally permissible, though the Legislature requires proof of public need, and noted that the Law Department would draft the actual statutory petition language for subsequent Council approval regardless.
• Vote on Motion to Reconsider:
  • Failed 4-5.
  • Dissenting/Voting Aye: Councilor Al-Zubi, Councilor Nolan, Councilor Zusy, Mayor Siddiqui.
  • Voting Nay: Vice Mayor Azeem, Councilor Flaherty, Councilor McGovern, Councilor Simmons, Councilor Sobrinho-Wheeler.
• Communication #4 was placed on file ("The ayes have it").

• On a motion by Councilor Simmons, the City Council took a roll-call vote to adopt the balance of the City Manager agenda items, with Items 2, 3, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 24, and 25 pulled for separate consideration.
• Outcome: Passed 9-0.

• City Manager Yi-An Huang submitted an appropriation of $500,000 from the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund to the Department of Human Services Programs Grant Fund to mitigate federal cutbacks to SNAP and MassHealth enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
• Discussion:
  • Councilor Al-Zubi highlighted that SNAP participation in Cambridge had fallen 15% due to 70% procedural denial rates and extensive DTA phone hold times. City Manager Huang reported that the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund retains a balance of $3.1 million following this transfer.
  • In response to Councilors Zusy and Flaherty, City Manager Huang emphasized that this $500,000 serves as catalytic funding for staff outreach, education, and caseworker assistance, but warned that if local SNAP losses drop another 15%, it would strip $6 million in food assistance from Cambridge families, while MassHealth reductions could remove $28–$30 million in healthcare access.
  • Councilor Simmons requested that the administration provide early updates regarding budget impacts and the maintenance of the City's AAA bond rating.
• Outcome: Passed 9-0.

• City Manager Huang and Budget Director Taha Jennings submitted the FY2027 Community Preservation Act (CPA) project allocations totaling $23,750,000 across three categories: $19,000,000 (80%) for affordable housing, $2,375,000 (10%) for historic preservation, and $2,375,000 (10%) for open space.
• Jennings acknowledged the unexpected passing of longtime CPA Committee member Kevin Foster, honoring his service since 2012.
• Votes:
  1. FY2027 Local Surcharge Revenues ($20,250,000 total):
     • Vote 1A: $16,200,000 (80%) allocated to the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust. Passed 9-0.
     • Vote 1B & 1C: $2,025,000 (10%) to Historic Preservation (including Cemetery Lodge stained glass, City Hall belfry, Gift of the Wind restoration, Odd Fellows Hall facade, preservation grants, and St. Augustine's Church accessibility) and $2,025,000 (10%) to Open Space (including Hell's Half Acre, Hoyt Field, Lynch Family Skatepark, and Father Callanan/Wilder Lee Park). Passed 9-0.
  2. FY2026 State Matching Funds ($3,000,000 total):
     • Vote 2A, 2B, 2C: $2,400,000 (80%) to Affordable Housing Trust; $300,000 (10%) to Historic Preservation (Black Cambridge Historical Collections, Tarbell School facade); $300,000 (10%) to Open Space (Wilder Lee Park). Passed 9-0.
  3. CPA Fund Balance ($500,000 total):
     • Vote 3A, 3B, 3C: $400,000 (80%) to Affordable Housing Trust; $50,000 (10%) to Historic Preservation (City Hall weatherization); $50,000 (10%) to Open Space (Wilder Lee Park). Passed 9-0.
  4. CPA Administrative Costs (Vote 4A):
     • $15,000 allocated for Community Preservation Coalition membership dues. Passed 9-0.

• Communication recommending an amendment to the Cambridge Municipal Code to establish a new revolving fund for renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction to serve municipal energy operations.
• Energy Director Susanne Rasmussen explained the fund will capture revenues from the city's virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) wind energy credits and the sale of solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) to finance emissions-monitoring programs and greenhouse gas reduction projects.
• Councilor Nolan emphasized that the city must ensure transparent accounting to avoid double-counting renewable energy claims against the net-zero action plan.
• Outcome: Passed 9-0 to a second reading.

• Awaiting Report relative to whether the City can legally mandate gender-neutral signage on single-stall restrooms in public buildings and places of public accommodation.
• The City Solicitor and Inspectional Services Department (ISD) reported that the state building and plumbing codes preempt municipalities from enacting local mandatory signage ordinances for private commercial accommodations, but noted the City can provide educational guidelines and partner with the LGBTQ+ Commission.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Placed on file.

• Annual update evaluating the performance of commercial and residential properties subject to the Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Ordinance.
• Staff noted a slight decrease in remote workdays, with steady-state single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) rates and an increase in MBTA transit commute share (rising from 26% to 31% of resident work trips following track improvements). Additionally, 48% of customers visiting local business districts arrived on foot.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Placed on file.

• Report from the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) examining traffic enforcement data from 2021 through 2025.
• Key Discussion Points:
  • CPD traffic division representatives noted that enforcement dipped significantly during 2020–2021 but stabilized via Municipal Road Safety Grant funding. CPD utilizes crash-mapping data to direct patrols to high-collision corridors, including Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge Street, and Inman Square.
  • Traffic citations in August 2026 included 266 motor vehicle stops (207 warnings, 35 civil fines, 24 criminal citations) and 53 bicycle stops (49 warnings, 4 civil fines). CPD reported citing more e-scooters than any other municipality in Massachusetts.
  • Traffic Director Brooke McKenna confirmed the City is developing an automated parking enforcement program to ticket short-term violations (such as parking in separated bike lanes and double-parking) using mobile surveillance technology, which will be submitted for Council Surveillance Ordinance approval.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Placed on file.

• CPD communication reporting compliance under the Welcoming City Ordinance.
• The report showed zero ICE civil detainers and zero administrative warrants processed. Councilor Al-Zubi asked CPD to maintain strict vigilance regarding routine inquiries from federal immigration authorities.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Placed on file.

• Transmittal regarding the expansion of the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) and appointment of members to the Joint Child Care Access Task Force, focused on expanding services to infants and toddlers.
• Task force leadership includes Mayor Siddiqui, Councilor Nolan, and Councilor McGovern, along with administration leaders Cheryl Watson Fisher, Dr. Michelle Gottfried, and Assistant City Manager Nicole Corzini.
• Outcome: Appointments approved 9-0; transmittal placed on file ("The ayes have it").

• Policy Order 4, filed by Councilors Simmons and Flaherty, requested that the City Manager coordinate a response plan with CPD to halt recurring illegal fireworks displays occurring until 2:00 a.m. at Cherry Street, Harvard Street, and the Fletcher Maynard Academy grounds.
• Procedural Dispute:
  • Councilors Al-Zubi and Sobrinho-Wheeler proposed an amendment designating the Community Safety Department (CSD) as the lead agency, arguing that nonviolent noise disturbances are better handled through unarmed community-response mechanisms.
  • Councilor Simmons objected strongly to replacing the Police Department as the lead agency, emphasizing that neighborhood families and seniors had endured decade-long disruptions that CSD lacks the enforcement capacity to stop.
• Action: Councilor Simmons exercised her Charter Right, laying the order and proposed amendments on the table until the next regular Council meeting.

• Policy Order declaring September 14, 2026, as Blessed Sacrament Drill Team and Color Guard Day in Cambridge, celebrating its 90th anniversary.
• Councilors Zusy and Simmons recounted the history of the championship drill team, formed in 1936 in Cambridgeport.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Adopted as amended.

• Order requesting the City Manager develop an interdepartmental initiative to simplify the commercial permitting and licensing process for small businesses.
• Accompanied by Communication #2 from Mayor Siddiqui, who noted the City was selected to participate in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative to target small-business permitting challenges.
• Outcome: Adopted; communication placed on file ("The ayes have it").

• Resolution opposing federal rollbacks to Section 106 review processes under the National Historic Preservation Act.
• Councilor Zusy noted broad national opposition by over 600 tribal and municipal bodies against the weakening of historic landmark protections.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Adopted as amended.

• Policy Order authorizing the City Solicitor to engage outside counsel in consultation with the Chief People Officer to negotiate an employment contract with Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane on behalf of the City Council.
• Councilors praised Crane's decades of dedicated municipal service, institutional memory, and performance as Interim Clerk throughout two national searches.
• The entire City Council joined as co-sponsors.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Adopted as amended.

• Resolution urging Governor Maura Healey, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and the Massachusetts General Court to hire additional Department of Transitional Assistance caseworkers to resolve severe backlogs and dropped call volumes impeding SNAP renewals.
• Councilor Nolan was added as a co-sponsor.
• Outcome: "The ayes have it." Adopted as amended.

• Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning Petition (Calendar Item 1):
  • Motion by Councilor McGovern to ordain the zoning petition as amended.
  • Outcome: Ordained 9-0.
• Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning Petition (Calendar Item 2):
  • Motion by Councilor McGovern to ordain the zoning petition as amended.
  • Outcome: Ordained 9-0.
• Reconsideration: Councilor McGovern moved reconsideration on both items hoping the same would not prevail.
  • Reconsideration failed 0-9 (Voting Nay: Al-Zubi, Azeem, Flaherty, McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy, Siddiqui).

• Applications and Petitions Items 1–4 were approved 9-0.
• Fifty-two general communications were placed on file ("The ayes have it").
• Resolutions 1–7 were adopted unanimously; Resolution 8 was withdrawn by sponsor Councilor Zusy as duplicative of Policy Order 7 ("The ayes have it").
• Five committee reports and roundtable minutes from August 6 were approved and placed on file ("The ayes have it").

• Communication from Councilors Nolan and Al-Zubi outlining upcoming schedule dates for FY2028 budget-priority hearings and joint roundtables in October and November 2026, and confirming the property tax classification hearing on September 28, 2026.
• Outcome: Placed on file ("The ayes have it").

• Under suspension of the rules, the Council adopted three late measures:
  • Resolution congratulating the Rindge Alumni Association on its 128th Annual Reunion Dinner.
  • Resolution recognizing Leukemia Awareness Month.
  • Late Policy Order requesting that City Hall be illuminated in teal on September 20 in observance of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
• Outcome: All late resolutions and policy orders were adopted ("The ayes have it").
• The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.