Here’s my first pass at the highlights. Revisions, comments, etc. to follow:
Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to recommendations of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2026. [text of report]
pulled by Simmons; comments by Taha Jennings, Nolan, Zusy
VOTE 1: Fiscal Year 2026 Local Funds ($19,700,000) voted 9-0
VOTE 2: Fiscal Year 2025 State Matching Funds [received in FY2026] ($2,800,000) voted 9-0
VOTE 3: CPA Fund Balance – Administration ($15,000) voted 9-0
VOTE 4: Historic Preservation Reserve ($113,000) voted 9-0
VOTE 5: Open Space Reserve ($331,000) voted 9-0
80%-10%-10% from now until the end of time – non-debatable. Anything else might be interpreted as democratic.
Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number #25-50, regarding a Deadline for Charter Change.
pulled by Simmons; Megan Bayer notes that House and Senate approved, sent to Governor to sign, Election Commission preparing guides, ballot; Yi-An Huang thanks Sal DiDomenico, Marjorie Decker, now just waiting for Governor’s signature; Tanya Ford provided updates; comments by Simmons, Nolan, Megan Bayer (not the full text on the ballot or the guide – just the summary), Wilson, Siddiqui, Zusy, Simmons (special thank you to Tanya Ford); Placed on File 9-0
I’m presuming this means that it’s got the go-ahead. For those who are paying attention, the proposed Charter is fundamentally the same as the Plan E Charter that has worked well for the City of Cambridge since its adoption in 1940. Thankfully, all the problematic proposals were beaten back, but all that could soon change if a clown car is elected in November for the next City Council.
Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Numbers 25-38, 25-39 and 25-41, regarding issues related to parking in the area surrounding the eastern end of Broadway. [text of report]
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Brooke McKenna (evasive re: parking for employees at 344 Broadway), Wilson (notes large number of School and City staff who park on Broadway), Siddiqui, Toner, Nolan, Stephanie Groh; Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-27, regarding the City Manager investigate bike pod storage options to be placed in suitable areas in the city to provide residents and visitors safe storage options. [text of report]
pulled by Wilson; comments by Wilson, Stephanie Groh, Simmons; Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-42 regarding pedestrianization of Lower Bow Street. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan (wants auto-bollards), Kathy Watkins; Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-32, regarding a request that the City engage in discussions with leadership from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Harvard Square Business Association (HSBA) regarding a proposal to explore the feasibility of repurposing the long-abandoned MBTA tunnel in Harvard Square into a commercial or cultural space. [text of report]
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons (disappointed), Zusy, Azeem; Charter Right – Azeem
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to provide an update to the City Council at the September 29, 2025 City Council meeting regarding the status of discussions with the MBTA and HSBA, the potential allocation of funds for the tunnel feasibility RFP, and any anticipated next steps in this process. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons, McGovern, Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0
Though I think this is a fabulous idea worth exploring, I would not recommend holding your breath waiting for movement on this. There are multiple parties involved – both public and private, and even one-ball juggling often proves far too difficult when undertaking creative ideas involving more than one party.
Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the transmission of the Cambridge Street Zoning Petition. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern; Zoning Petition referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 8-1 (Zusy – No)
Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the transmission of the Massachusetts Avenue Zoning Petition. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern; Zoning Petition referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 8-1 (Zusy – No)
Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-43, regarding a request for an interim report on demolition and building permit applications received during the six-month period following the City Council’s adoption of the Multifamily Housing Zoning Amendment on February 10th, 2025. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern (17 demolition petitions filed, 7 issued since MFZ passed); Jeff Roberts (CDD) says 46 applications submitted and of these 13 issued to date, 13 for residential demolitions and 7 issued; McGovern desperately trying to put a positive spin on this; Nolan; Melissa Peters (CDD); Jacob Lazzara (ISD); Zusy (notes that some developers may be waiting pending possible changes in Inclusionary rate); Azeem says we’re not going to lower the Inclusionary requirement; Toner; Placed on File 9-0
It is at times like this that I look back at all the ideas floated during the Envision Cambridge process and come to the conclusion that the Community Development Department has simply tossed it all into the wastebasket. Surely there is a “third way” somewhere between the current status and having Mass. Ave. and other corridors lined end-to-end with 12-story and higher buildings.
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department to review current crisis prevention protocols, strengthen them by clearly defining the role and deployment of mental health professionals. Councillor Wilson, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Cambridge Police Department, the Law Department, and relevant stakeholders to develop and present to the City Council a proposed policy for the timely release of body-worn camera footage. Councillor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Azeem, Nolan, McGovern; Order Adopted 9-0
These Orders grew out of a Public Safety Committee meeting last week in which the Cambridge Police Department provided the facts and almost all of Public Comment (except me) provided the fiction. In Cambridge, the tail continues to wag the dog.
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Commission on Immigrant Rights & Citizenship, the City Solicitor, the Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, and other relevant stakeholders to evaluate and implement ICE Encounter Guidance. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons, McGovern, Yi-An Huang, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan, Wilson; Order Adopted 9-0
Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City staff to ensure that, effective immediately (and for each fiscal year in which the Office for Tourism continues to receive TDMD funding) that the City shall redirect its municipal funding to distribute those funds equally among the Central Square Business Improvement District (BID), the East Cambridge Business Association, the Harvard Square Business Association, and the Kendall Square Association. [Charter Right – Toner, Sept 8, 2025]
Comments by Toner (w/Comm #1); Comments by Simmons, Wilson; Referred to Econ. Development & University Relations Committee 9-0
Communications #1. Candice Beaulieu, re: CIVITAS- TDMD FAQ Sept 2025.
pulled by Councillor Toner; Referred to Econ. Development & University Relations Committee 9-0
There is a back story here that hopefully will get aired more fully. – RW
