Not The American Revolution – November 17, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting
I am far more interested in watching Ken Burns new series The American Revolution than listening to the Local Nine prattle on about very small things. That said, here are the slightly larger items on this week’s very small agenda:
Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments on court cases and SNAP benefits by Nolan, Yi-An Huang, Siddiqui (wants to continue giving out gift cards even though SNAP benefits have been restored), Azeem (wants to fund everything), Wilson (wants to “tap into stabilization dollars”), Zusy, Ellen Semonoff, McGovern (“we cannot unhouse people”, City Solicitor Megan Bayer. Most notable was statement by Manager that City stands to lose ~8.4 million due to changes in federal housing policies. Placed on File 7-0-2 (JSW,Toner-Absent)
Order #1. That the Cambridge City Council go on record in opposition of H.3469 as reported out of committee this week, sponsored by Mark Cusack, which would drastically undermine the Commonwealth’s climate goals and would undermine its own efforts to address energy affordability facing households and businesses in Cambridge and statewide. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Nolan for amendment; comments by Nolan, McGovern; add all but Toner as co-sponsors; Order Adopted as Amended 7-0-2 (JSW,Toner-Absent)
RW Note: You may want to read the text of the proposed legislation. The intention of the bill appears to be to address energy affordability for ratepayers resulting from recent federal cutbacks by allowing greater flexibility in meeting climate goals.
Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Executive Director of the Council on Aging and other relevant City departments to explore the feasibility of creating a dedicated position or function focused on triaging and directing senior residents to appropriate services and supports. [Charter Right – Nolan, Nov 3, 2025]
Comments by Nolan, McGovern, Simmons, Ellen Semonoff, Zusy; add Zusy as sponsor; Order Adopted as Amended 7-0-2 (JSW,Toner-Absent)
Committee Report #1. The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on Oct 21, 2025 to further discuss the Out of School (OST) Expansion Study Report which was presented to the City Council on May 19, 2025, CM25#127. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (JSW,Toner-Absent)
Committee Report #2. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Oct 27, 2025 to review and discuss the launch of the update to the Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) and hear a status report on the current plan including any adjustments that have been or might be made before any update. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (JSW,Toner-Absent)
Here’s to The Pursuit of Liberty!!