Regular City Council Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor Siddiqui.

Roll Call of Members Present:

• Councilor Al-Zubi: Present
• Vice Mayor Azeem: Absent (Later Present)
• Councilor Flaherty: Present
• Councilor McGovern: Present
• Councilor Nolan: Present
• Councilor Simmons: Present
• Councilor Sobrinho-Wheeler: Present
• Councilor Zusy: Present
• Mayor Siddiqui: Present

Eight members were initially recorded as present, with one absent.

A total of 86 individuals signed up for public comment. Key testimony included:

• Irene Kang (113 7th St): Supported Policy Orders #2 and #3. Regarding Ahern Field, she stated: "Converting Ahern Field into an artificial turf athletic field is not just a simple matter of choosing a material like you would choose a carpet. This is a major city planning decision."
• Julia Stevens (179 Spring St): Opposed turf at Ahern Field, noting: "Grass is forgiving, fresh and it doesn't release microplastics into the air."
• Susan Reed (52 Garden St): Supported Policy Order #2 to hold Garden Street construction, citing safety for seniors: "Under this plan, they must walk 145 steps through the crosswalks nearly 30 times as far."
• Sharon Mombrew (Raymond St): Opposed Policy Order #2, arguing for the finality of the previous Council vote: "This is a failure of governments, not a feature of it. Please vote no on policy order 2676. The decision has been made. Let it stand."
• Jason Targoff (President, Cambridge Youth Soccer): Supported turf at Ahern Field to increase playable hours: "Our vision... is a community of happy and healthy children in the city of Cambridge."
• Chloe Hockey (112 Vassell Ln): Supported Policy Order #1 regarding Harvard Academic Workers (HAW), citing the need for job stability and cost-of-living adjustments.

The Council acted on several items transmitted by City Manager Yi-An Huang:

• Item #5: Transfer of $73,000 for Police Settlement Costs. Relative to the transfer of $73,000 from the general fund police salary and wages account to the general fund police travel and training, judgment and damages account to cover anticipated settlement costs for personnel injured in the performance of duties.
  • Outcome: Approved 9-0.
• Item #10: Police Review and Advisory Board Quarterly Report. Relative to the report for Fall 2025 to the first quarter of 2026.
  • Outcome: Referred to the Public Safety Committee on a motion by Councilor Al-Zubi.

Policy Order #1: Support for Harvard Academic Workers (HAW)

• Summary: Urges Harvard administration to end time caps for non-tenure track faculty and recognize the labor status of all researchers.
• Action: Amended to correct the number of affected employees.
• Vote: Adopted 8-0-1 (Councilor Zusy voting Present).

Policy Order #2: Garden Street Reconfiguration

• Summary: Requests the City Manager to halt design and construction related to restoring two-way motor vehicle traffic on Garden Street.
• Discussion: Commissioner McKenna noted that restoring two-way traffic would cost approximately $250,000 and likely increase congestion at the Huron Ave intersection due to signal phase complexities.
• Action: Councilor Flaherty exercised his Charter Right, delaying the vote until the next meeting on April 27, 2026.

Policy Order #3: Ahern Field Construction Pause and Report

• Summary: Requests a report on the rationale for installing artificial turf at Ahern Field and a pause on construction until the report is delivered.
• Action: Amended by Councilor Zusy to include a study of demographics in relation to field resource allocations citywide.
• Vote: Adopted as amended.

The Council considered Committee Report #3 from the Ordinance Committee regarding active use requirements on Cambridge Street and Mass Ave:

1. Policy Order 2026-72: Requirement for special permits for formula businesses on Cambridge Street.
   • Vote: Adopted 9-0.
2. Policy Order 2026-73: Strengthening active use requirements on Massachusetts Avenue while keeping Warren Street in the CAM-6 district.
   • Vote: Adopted 9-0.
3. Policy Order 2026-74: Proposing changing the section of O'Brien Highway to BA Zoning District.
   • Vote: Adopted 9-0.

• Late Resolution: Recognized the Cambridge-El Salvador sister city relationship and the work of San Jose Las Flores. Adopted.
• Announcements:
  • Councilor Zusy announced a lecture on social housing at the Harvard Joint Center on Housing (April 14) and an open house regarding Broadway bike safety (April 16).
  • Councilor Simmons announced a fireside chat with Caroline Hunter on April 22 at 5:30 PM in the Council Chamber to celebrate 100 years of Negro History Week.