Regular City Council

• Governing Body: Cambridge City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular City Council Meeting
• Date: March 30, 2026, at 05:30 PM
• Attendees:
  • Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui
  • Vice Mayor Marc McGovern
  • Councilor Burhan Azeem
  • Councilor Ayah Al-Zubi
  • Councilor Timothy Flaherty
  • Councilor Patricia Nolan
  • Councilor Denise Simmons
  • Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
  • Councilor Catherine Zusy
• City Staff: Yi-An Huang (City Manager), Kathy Watkins (Deputy City Manager), Jay Fusco (Chief Information Officer), Claire Spinner (Assistant City Manager for Finance).

A total of 14 speakers addressed the Council on various agenda items:

• Willa Norvell (Run on Climate): Spoke in support of Policy Order #5 regarding data center regulation. She noted that AI accounts for a third of US market value and warned that without ordinances, Cambridge faces "depletion and contamination of their local water supply" and "unsafe noise levels."
• Kit Lilly: Supported S-2721 and H-5217 (Rodenticide restriction). Highlighted that anticoagulant rodenticides cause animals to "internally bleed to death" and noted veterinary transfusions can cost over $2,000.
• Lawrence Atkins: Opposed the parking permit fee increase to $75, citing concerns for seniors and those on fixed incomes. He stated, "this takes away from what this city is, a town for everybody."
• Barbara Goodchild (Mass Audubon): Supported Policy Order #4. She shared the story of "Ruby," a red-tailed hawk that died from rodenticide poisoning, stating, "it infuriates me that we are poisoning the food that raptors eat."
• Nikki Jordan: Raised concerns regarding housing stability and smoking violations at 20 Ware Street.
• Jason Alves (East Cambridge Business Association): Supported the pilot program for city services at festivals (CMA #76/77), noting that festivals drive tourism and meals tax revenue.
• Michael Monestime (Central Square BID): Supported tourism and event funding, noting the city currently absorbs roughly $800,000 annually in event-related costs.
• Marilee Meyer: Criticized upzoning for diminishing city identity and supported rodenticide restrictions.
• Rob Vandenbiel (Cambridge Loves Wildlife/Dark Sky MA): Supported Policy Order #4 (Rodenticides) and Policy Order #7 (International Dark Sky Week).
• Suzanne Blier (Harvard Square Neighborhood Association): Supported the Cambridge 400 Advisory Committee and pedestrianization of Lower Bow Street.
• Edward Zhu (Popscope): Supported International Dark Sky Week to promote responsible outdoor lighting.
• Gary Mello: Criticized the parking permit fee increase and the $2.25 credit card fee at the parking office.
• Heather Hoffman: Commented on city litigation and the loss of historic buildings.
• Charles Franklin: Supported Harvard Square pedestrianization and the parking fee increase, noting the program costs $3 million to run while only collecting $1 million.

City Manager Yi-An Huang and staff presented a plan to replace the city's 25-year-old PeopleSoft system.

• Financial Impact: Estimated cost of $15 million to $20 million over five years.
• Timeline: Phase one (Human Resources/Payroll) is expected to begin in approximately nine months, with full implementation taking up to five years.
• Key Features: Transition from paper timesheets to automated workflows and employee self-service portals.
• Action: Placed on file.

The Council discussed the city's initial AI guidelines and the formation of an AI Working Group.

• Sustainability: Councilor Nolan raised concerns about the energy consumption of AI. CIO Jay Fusco confirmed that "responsible use" includes evaluating the energy and water impact of large language models.
• Action: Report accepted and placed on file (9-0 roll call vote).

The Council considered amendments to Chapter 2.123 of the Municipal Code regarding participation in immigration enforcement.

• Legal Context: City Solicitor clarified that the amendments are consistent with the Lunn v. Commonwealth decision, affirming no local obligation to enforce federal civil immigration detainers.
• Action: Passed to a second reading by a 9-0 roll call vote (Al-Zubi, Azeem, Flaherty, McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy, Siddiqui).

The Council discussed the need to regulate the construction of data centers due to their high energy and water demands.

• Action: The order was amended to remove the word "large" to cover all data center types. Adopted as amended.

A substitute policy order was introduced to increase the annual residential parking permit fee from $25 to $75.

• Key Provisions:
  1. Fee increased to $75 for most residents.
  2. A $25 "hardship" option available via self-identification (no documentation required).
  3. Fees for visitor permits for residents without cars ($25) and handicap permits (Free) remain unchanged.
• Discussion: Councilor Simmons and Councilor Flaherty opposed the measure, arguing it unfairly burdens seniors on fixed incomes. Councilor McGovern and Councilor Nolan argued the program currently runs a $2 million deficit that subsidizes car owners at the expense of the general fund.
• Vote to Substitute: Passed 7-2 (Flaherty, Simmons opposed).
• Vote to Adopt: Passed 7-2 (Flaherty, Simmons opposed).

• Policy Order #1: Requested the Law Department and Public Health Department to update Chapter 8.28 regarding tobacco sales to conform with state law. Adopted.
• Policy Order #2: Initiated the planning process for the "Cambridge 400" anniversary and the convening of an advisory committee. Adopted as amended.
• Policy Order #3: Supported state legislation promoting housing stability for older adults. Adopted as amended.
• Policy Order #4: Supported Senate Bill 2721 and House Bill 5217 to restrict the use of anticoagulant rodenticides. Adopted.
• Policy Order #7: Proclaimed April 13-20, 2026, as International Dark Sky Week in Cambridge. Adopted.