City Council - Regular Meeting

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Siddiqui. The initial roll call recorded the following attendance:

• Present: Councilor Al-Zubi, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councilor Flaherty, Councilor Nolan, Councilor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councilor Zusy, Mayor Siddiqui.
• Absent: Councilor McGovern, Councilor Simmons.

Note: Councilors McGovern and Simmons joined the meeting shortly after the initial roll call and participated in subsequent votes.

The City announced several administrative updates regarding public engagement:

• Agenda Management: On January 26, 2026, the city will transition to 'One Meeting' as its official agenda management system.
• Public Comment Portal: A new digital feature for submitting public comments will launch on January 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM for the upcoming January 26 meeting.

Thirty-three speakers addressed the Council, primarily focusing on the Cambridge Street Rezoning Petition and parking policies:

• Cambridge Street Rezoning (Opponents): Henry Wardus (Our Revolution Cambridge), Lee Farris (Cambridge Residents Alliance), and others expressed concerns regarding gentrification and displacement. Key points included the lack of inclusionary housing requirements in BA zones and the potential loss of 'naturally occurring' affordable housing. Susan Markowitz noted, 'This petition does not really represent the earlier Cambridge Street study with consensus that six stories in height would meet the goals.'
• Cambridge Street Rezoning (Supporters): David Halperin, James Zoll, and Alan Sadoon argued that the rezoning is essential to address the housing shortage. Supporters emphasized that increasing density near transit corridors is the most effective way to lower costs and support local retail.
• City Hall Security: Dan Totten spoke against Policy Order #3, characterizing increased security measures as 'security theater' that could have a 'chilling effect on the welcoming atmosphere of the building.'
• Landmarking: Jerry Puccillo (Foundation for Civic Leadership) opposed the landmark designation of 43-45 Mount Auburn Street, arguing it would create unnecessary hurdles for a nonprofit civic space.

City Manager Yi-An Huang and the City Solicitor provided an update on several high-profile legal cases involving the federal government:

• Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Discussion of Chelsea and Somerville v. Trump and San Francisco v. Trump. The city continues to monitor threats to federal funding based on sanctuary policies.
• HUD Funding: King County v. Turner involves an injunction protecting approximately $6.4 million in 'Continuum of Care' funding for homelessness services.
• Civil Rights: Councilor Flaherty highlighted Vasquez Perdomo v. ICE, a case involving racial profiling and Fourth Amendment protections, urging the city to join amicus briefs against unlawful ICE stops.
• SNAP Benefits: The city is monitoring Rhode Island State Council of Churches v. Rollins regarding potential cuts to SNAP funding, which impacts roughly 10,000 Cambridge residents.

The Council voted to approve the appropriation of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI).

• Purpose: To support 'digital navigators' at the Cambridge Public Library and Public Schools and to distribute up to 190 laptops and hotspots to residents in need.
• Action: Approved 9-0 on a roll call vote.

The Council adopted a policy order regarding the coordination of tourism and the management of the Harvard Square Kiosk.

• Action: Requested the City Manager to convene a standing coordination group including the Office for Tourism and business associations.
• Focus: Reviewing legal parameters of the Tourism Destination Marketing District (TDMD) and the operational mission of the visitor information kiosk.
• Vote: Adopted 9-0.

The Council authorized a comprehensive review of city-owned land to determine best future uses.

• Action: Requested a roundtable discussion and an inventory of all city-owned properties, focusing on redevelopment processes for affordable housing, open space, and municipal needs.
• Vote: Adopted 8-0 (Councilor McGovern absent).

The Council considered a policy to restrict on-street resident parking permits for new transit-oriented developments.

• Action: Requested a legal report on the feasibility of making residents of new developments within a half-mile of MBTA stations ineligible for on-street permits to reduce congestion and encourage transit use.
• Discussion: Councilor Zusy noted this would prevent 'parking misery' in dense neighborhoods like Mid-Cambridge.
• Vote: Adopted 9-0.

The Cambridge Street Rezoning Petition was brought forward from the table.

• Status: After significant debate and public testimony, the Council chose to leave the petition on the table. It is eligible for ordination at the January 26, 2026, meeting before its expiration on January 28, 2026.

Several items were delayed via the exercise of Charter Rights:

• Nathaniel Stickney House (45 Mt Auburn St): Councilor Al-Zubi exercised a Charter Right on the final landmark designation report (City Manager Agenda Item 4).
• City Hall Security Review: Councilor Simmons exercised a Charter Right on Policy Order #3, which requested a comprehensive review of safety and security measures at City Hall.