Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

Last Call – June 22, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

The real action seems to be with the Cambridge License Commission as it considers some policy changes – especially in regard to alcohol consumption. This will also be the last regular meeting prior to the Summer Break. Here are the items that struck me as at least a bit interesting:

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to reappointments to the Biosafety Committee [Cara Conway, Mary Corrigan, Dan Anderson, Eirini Iliaki reappointed]. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-34 regarding a report on citywide water use and water supply. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update regarding a Boards and Commissions Ordinance Review and Modernization Initiative. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #16. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-38 regarding changes to the resident parking permit price. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #17. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-7 regarding restrictions to eligibility for on-street resident parking. [text of report]
Referred to the Transportation & Public Utilities Committee 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-4 [AR25-51] regarding updates to the Short-Term Rental Ordinance. [text of report]
Referred to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for Hearing and Report 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #20. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-33 regarding a housing needs study. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #21. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning Petition Planning Board report. [text of report]
Referred to Petition 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #22. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning Petition Planning Board report. [text of report]
Referred to Petition 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #23. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments and reappointments of members to the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee [Teresa Cardosi (AHT rep.) appointed, and Elaine DeRosa (CHA rep.) reappointed]. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to develop a plan for inclusive and robust engagement on any proposed licensing changes, and to ensure that the City’s licensing framework remains as efficient, accessible, and streamlined as the law allows, without imposing unnecessary barriers or burdens on licensees.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Simmons
Referred to the Economic Development & University Relations Committee as Amended 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the relevant departments to explore the ability of the City to prohibit, restrict, or otherwise regulate the use of algorithmic price fixing in its rental housing market, including the potential drafting of ordinance language that would regulate algorithmic price fixing and report back to the City Council in a timely manner.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Cambridge Police Department to prepare a report for the City Council regarding the causes of the significant decline in traffic enforcement since 2015, current departmental priorities, and recommendations for enforcement.   Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to evaluate the impacts of the temporary extended last call and public outdoor drinking district measures during the authorization period, consult with the License Commission, Cambridge Police Department, and other relevant stakeholders on the feasibility and desirability of making these measures permanent, and identify any necessary changes or actions required for implementation beyond the current authorization.   Vice Mayor Azeem, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor McGovern
Referred to the Economic Development & University Relations Committee 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Police Department, the Community Safety Department, the Emergency Communications Department, the Department of Human Service Programs, the Department of Public Works, the Law Department, and any other relevant City departments and community partners to develop a Neighborhood Safety Additions Plan for the areas of the city previously served by ShotSpotter technology. [Charter Right – Simmons, June 8, 2026]
Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to use the Federal Stabilization Fund to provide one-time stabilization payments to Cambridge-based and Cambridge-serving organizations impacted by FY27 MOVA cuts, report back to the City Council with a proposed funding plan, and work with the Mayor’s Office and other relevant City staff to engage with the broader Cambridge nonprofit community to assess the full scope of federal and state funding reductions and their impact on the City’s safety net services. [Charter Right – Al-Zubi, June 8, 2026]
Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

On The Table #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to proposed changes to the City’s Zero Waste Master Plan. [Tabled June 1, 2026]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent); Zero Waste Plan Ordinance Amendment Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Communications & Reports #2. Communication from Councillor Nolan providing a summary of public engagement and ordinance changes under discussion for the Zero Waste Master Plan Update. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Resolution #1. Retirement of Susanne Rasmussen from the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zusy
Resolution Adopted as Amended
8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Communications & Reports #5. A communication from Councillor Timothy Flaherty relative to City Council Order PO26#115 and Discontinuation of ShotSpotter Technology. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

And the judge ain’t gonna look at the twenty-seven 8×10 color glossy pictures with the circles and arrows and the paragraph on the back of each one.…