Regular City Council Meeting

• Meeting Date: March 09, 2026, at 05:30 PM
• Meeting Type: Regular City Council Meeting
• Governing Body: Cambridge City Council
• Attendees:
  • Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui
  • Vice Mayor Burhan Azeem
  • Councilor Ayah Al-Zubi (Present for start, absent for final votes)
  • Councilor Timothy Flaherty
  • Councilor Marc McGovern
  • Councilor Patricia Nolan
  • Councilor Denise Simmons
  • Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
  • Councilor Catherine Zusy

A total of 18 speakers provided testimony on various agenda items. Key themes included:

• Social Work and Education: Nathan Hoffgen Harvey (BU Social Work intern) spoke in support of Policy Orders #1 and #2, opposing the Department of Education's reclassification of professional degrees. He noted: "The Department of Education's changes would only make the social worker deficit worse."
• Surveillance Oversight: Alex Matthews (Digital Forth) urged the Council to revoke authorization for ShotSpotter, Central Square CCTV, and Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR).
• Cambridge Street Zoning: Multiple residents (Marlene Lundberg, Susan Markowitz, Lee Ferris, Phyllis Bretholtz) advocated for "fine-tuning" the Cambridge Street zoning, specifically requesting no bio labs as-of-right, 10-foot rear setbacks, and 45-degree height step-backs on the south side of the street.
• Social Housing: Dan Totten and Jacob Brown expressed concern over the timeline for social housing, urging the city to move faster than the proposed May scoping date.
• Fiscal Policy: Gary Mello criticized the city's practice of paying for three separate AAA bond ratings, calling it "redundant" and a waste of six figures in taxpayer money.

The Council reviewed the annual surveillance report as required by the city's surveillance ordinance.

• Action: Referred to the Public Safety Committee.
• Discussion: Councilor Al-Zubi announced plans to hold a committee hearing in late May to discuss specific technologies. She also indicated a standalone meeting would be held regarding "ShotSpotter" (Sound Thinking) due to high community interest.

The City Manager transmitted a communication regarding Cambridge retaining its AAA rating from the three major credit rating agencies.

• Key Financial Data:
  • The city successfully refinanced debt, resulting in a $2 million savings in future interest costs.
  • The true interest rate for the recent bond sale was just below 2.2%.
  • Total direct debt is approximately $800 million as of the end of FY26.
• Discussion: Councilor Nolan highlighted concerns regarding pension and OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) liabilities. CFO Spinner noted the city's plan to have the pension liability fully funded by 2029.

The Council discussed the 2025-2026 Green Jobs Initiative report.

• Discussion: Councilors emphasized the need for better outreach to low-income residents and people of color. Councilor Simmons noted that barriers like lack of driver's licenses or vehicles often prevent participation.
• Staffing: The city introduced Rebecca Arellano as the new Green Jobs Specialist.
• Outcome: Placed on file.

The Council considered the appropriation of a $250,000 Mass Save Community First Partnership Grant to the Office of Sustainability.

• Purpose: The funds will support a three-year grant (approximately $85,000/year) to hire a full-time outreach coordinator through All Energy to promote energy efficiency for residents and small businesses.
• Vote: Adopted 9-0-0.

The City Manager presented the work plan for housing and zoning for the upcoming year.

• Key Priorities:
  • Central Square Rezoning.
  • AHO (Affordable Housing Overlay) five-year report.
  • Cambridge Street active ground floor use amendments.
  • Social Housing scoping (scheduled to begin in May 2026).
• Discussion: Councilor Al-Zubi expressed disappointment with the May start date for social housing, arguing for more immediate action. City Manager Huang noted the complexity of the hybrid public-financing models required for social housing.

The Council considered a free cash appropriation of $400,000 for a settlement payment related to a lawsuit involving an accidental firearm discharge by a Cambridge Police lieutenant in 2019.

• Discussion: Councilor Sobrinho-Wheeler opposed the settlement, stating: "I believe settling the case will undoubtedly cost the city far more money... because the settlement will sweep the details of this case under the rug." Councilor Flaherty supported the settlement, citing the risk of a multi-million dollar verdict given the history of lawsuits against the firearm manufacturer.
• Vote: Approved 6-2-1.
  • Yes: Azeem, Flaherty, McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, Siddiqui.
  • No: Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy.
  • Absent: Al-Zubi.

• Policy Order #1: Opposing the Department of Education's proposed reclassification of professional degrees. (Adopted)
• Policy Order #2: Recognizing March 2026 as National Social Work Month. (Adopted)
• Charter Right #1: Regarding Cambridge Street zoning and active ground floor use. Councilor Zusy moved to withdraw the order, intending to address the items in a Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning Committee meeting instead. (Withdrawn by Unanimous Consent)