Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

April 26, 2026

May Day meets the FY2027 Budget – April 27, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:32 pm

May Day meets the FY2027 Budget – April 27, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

It was only a matter of time before the socialist and anti-capitalist voices on the City Council grew louder. This week they are in full voice. In contrast, this week also marks the release of the FY27 Budget and some very significant loan authorizations which, needless to say, will be funded by those good old capitalist realities like private property ownership and real estate taxes. The contrast of conflicting realities is sheer delight. Here are some of this week’s highlights:Coins

FY2027 Operating Budget: $1,017,855,440 ($1,032,959,502 including the Water Fund)

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to submission of the FY2027 budget and appropriation orders for the General Fund, Water Fund, and Public Investment Fund. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan comments by Nolan, Yi-An Huang, Taha Jennings, Flaherty, Azeem, Simmons, Siddiqui; Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

FY2027 Loan Authorizations: $109,980,000
FY2027 Public Investment Budget: $45,173,083

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $10,000,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of improvements along Massachusetts Avenue and vicinity between Bigelow Street and Sidney Street. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan, comments on #2-13 by Nolan, Flaherty; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $13,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $12,000,000 to provide funds to replace and modernize the City’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $14,000,000 to provide funds for remediation and improvements at Gold Star Mothers Park. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $28,500,000 to provide funds for the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $12,795,000 to provide funds for financing school building upgrades. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $8,375,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of surface enhancements and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements in the Baldwin neighborhood. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $500,000 to provide funds for the City’s Climate Change Program to improve protection against flooding and extreme heat. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $7,500,000 to provide funds for the sewer Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,000,000 to provide funds for design and construction of the Harvard Square sewer separation and stormwater management program. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $310,000 to provide funds for the replacement of Ozone generators at the Water Department. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $2,000,000 to provide funds for water works construction projects for repairs and replacement of water distribution infrastructure. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

FY2027 Budget Summaries

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-20 regarding a report on major capital initiatives at or above $15,000,000 for the period from FY21 to FY26. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Zusy, Huang, Kathy Watkins, McGovern; Referred to Finance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #15. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a response to AR26-23 regarding the Cambridge Preschool Program. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi, Nolan, Siddiqui; Referred to Human Services & Veterans Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #16. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the reappointments for the Cambridge Library Board of Trustees. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

James Roosevelt, Elisabeth Werby, Risa Mednick, Michael Baenen, Karen Kosko reappointed to 3-year terms.

Manager’s Agenda #17. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Family Policy Council appointment and reappointment. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Tracy Rose Tynes appointed, Yoyo Yau reappointed.

Manager’s Agenda #18. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Fiqir Worku to the Human Rights Commission. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Peace Commission Appointments. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan on streamlining and consolidation of boards, Huang, Saffana Anwar (Peace Comm.), Zusy; Appointments Confirmed 9-0

New appointments: Paul Knott, Heather Rivera, Katherine E. Stevenson, Pamela Howard, Muna Kangsen, Karim L. Razzaz, Julie Ayaz
Reappointments: Larry Kim, Elka Kuhlman, Annie Brown, Bonnie Talbert, Sarah DeMott, Kazimiera Fraley

Manager’s Agenda #23. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Mass Ave Active Use zoning petition. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, McGovern, Azeem (noting comments from Cambridge Redevelopment Authority), Zusy (noting that there is a Special Permit option to opt out of 1st floor retail); Adopted as a City Council Zoning Petition and Referred to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for Hearing and Report 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #24. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Cambridge Street Active Use zoning petition. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; Adopted as a City Council Zoning Petition and Referred to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for Hearing and Report 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council within ninety (90) with a brief written update describing: (a) the updates made to succession-planning and employee-ownership materials; (b) the status of the worker-cooperative technical-assistance referral pipeline; (c) any guidance issued or planned regarding below-threshold quote-seeking from worker-owned cooperatives and related vendor-outreach steps; and (d) any additional low-cost, staff-feasible next steps the City Manager recommends for expanding support for worker-owned cooperatives in Cambridge.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Workers of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!
[Is this really something that local government should be doing?]

Order #2. That the City Council go on record endorsing the May Day Strong National Day of Action on May 1, 2026, as an expression of Cambridge’s support for workers’ rights, economic justice, and the tradition of peaceful civic engagement.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

A great day to go shopping.

Order #3. That the City Council encourage MassDOT to implement infrastructure improvements to the Museum Way and Charles River Dam Road intersection.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to direct appropriate departments to develop an accessible “Neighbors’ Guide to the MFH Ordinance.”   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, McGovern, Melissa Peters (CDD), Azeem, Flaherty, Nolan, Huang; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant staff to explore options for commissioning a housing needs study through a qualified research institution, to establish a clear evidence-based understanding of existing housing conditions, resident needs, and measurable housing goals to guide future decision-making.   Councillor Zusy, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Azeem, Al-Zubi (w/proposed amendment), McGovern, Melissa Peters (CDD), Huang, Flaherty, Simmons; Charter Right – Simmons
[Note: As I have pointed out before, the mythical target of 12,500 new housing units did not grow out of the Envision Cambridge process. CDD staff simply inserted that number from the MAPC after the fact, and questioning this arbitrary goal is now long overdue. – RW]

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Cambridge Department of Transportation (CDOT) and any other relevant departments to halt any further design, engineering, procurement, or construction activities related to implementing a reconfiguration of Garden Street to restore two-way motor-vehicle traffic. [Charter Right – Flaherty, Apr 13, 2026]
Comments by Siddiqui, Flaherty, Al-Zubi, Nolan (long speech), Sobrinho-Wheeler, McGovern, Brooke McKenna (Dept. of Congestion, Obstruction, & Aggravation), Azeem, Zusy (noting that Transportation Dept. intentionally slow-walked the reconfiguration, and a proposed amendment); Simmons comments and motion to Table [Fails 4-5 (Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Zusy – YES; Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO)]; comments by Azeem, Huang, Siddiqui, Flaherty (notes that neighbors overwhelmingly prefer two-way operation), McGovern; Zusy proposed amendment to text of Order [Fails 4-5 (Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Zusy – YES; Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO)]; Nolan comments re: loss of trust; Simmons motion to Refer to Transportation Committee [Fails 3-6 (Flaherty, Simmons, Zusy – YES; Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO)]; Order Adopted 5-4 (Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – YES; Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Zusy – NO); Reconsideration Fails 4-5 (Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Zusy – YES; Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO)
[Note: This was never about the relative safety of two options. It is now and has from the beginning been purely about catering to political advocacy groups. – RW]

379 Communications – almost all re: whether the current horrible one-way Garden Street configuration should be changed to an equally horrible two-way configuration.

Chances are this will again be the main topic during Public Comment. Garden Street was a perfectly safe and relatively quiet street for all the years prior to the City screwing it up.

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Tues, Mar 24, 2026 to discuss the 2026 City Manager’s Annual Goals and Review Process. [text of report]
Report Accepted and Placed on File 8-0-1 (Azeem Absent)

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Mon, Mar 30, 2026 to review the Community Benefits Ordinance and discuss potential updates including allowing the allocation of funding to community organizations for capital projects. The Ordinance Committee voted favorably to forward the proposed amendments to the Community Benefits Ordinance to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; Two amendments Adopted and Passed to 2nd Reading 7-0-2 (Azeem, McGovern Absent); Report Accepted and Placed on File 7-0-2 (Azeem, McGovern Absent)

April 22, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 665-666: April 21, 2026

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Cambridge Redevelopment Authority,Central Square,Charter,City Council,cycling,East Cambridge,Harvard Square,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:11 pm

Episode 665 – Cambridge InsideOut: Apr 21, 2026 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Apr 21, 2026 at 6:00pm. Topics: Middlesex Canal, Billerica and some history of local canals; Riverview down, Broadway sidewalks and street reconfiguration, Eversource failures; Central Square Rezoning and CRA Open House; Retirement of Police Commissioner Christine Elow and a story; Board and Commission Vacancies, Traffic Board history. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 666 – Cambridge InsideOut: Apr 21, 2026 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Apr 21, 2026 at 6:30pm. Updates – water & sewer rates, modernizing funding for community media, Harvard Square pedestrianization, dissatisfaction with Culture House and Harvard Square Kiosk, large data centers, resident parking permit fee tripled without review of actual costs, appointment of Sara Rivera as Election Commissioner, Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee appointments, Harvard time caps for non-tenure track teaching faculty, Harvard graduate student strike, restoration of Garden St. to two-way motor-vehicle traffic; History and Revival of the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA). Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

April 13, 2026

In Lieu of Taxes – April 13, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,cycling,planning — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:25 pm

In Lieu of Taxes – April 13, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are a few things of potential interest at this week’s meeting:City Hall

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]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Sara Rivera as an Election Commissioner for a term effective Apr 13, 2026 and expiring Mar 31, 2030. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

There has been chatter in some quarters regarding Tom Stohlman not being reappointed to the Election Commission. These are mostly conspiratorial suggestions that this was due to Tom’s asking important questions in the wake of last November’s kerfuffle in the Preliminary PR Count when test ballot data was inadvertently not cleared prior to the Election Night tabulation. I seriously doubt whether that was a major factor in the appointment process. Any of the three nominated candidates would have been a good choice. Let’s also not dismiss the idea that a majority female City Council might not be thrilled with continuing an all-male Election Commission. I have more issues with those who are questioning the appointment than I do with the appointment itself (and Tom is a long-time friend), and I certainly don’t wish to see Sara Rivera’s arrival on the Election Commission clouded by manufactured controversy.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Bicycle Committee Appointments. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Pedestrian Committee Appointments. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Speaking of appointments to City boards and commissions, there is a matter worthy of discussion that never gets any attention – namely the process where City staff have effectively become the appointing authority. City staff generally do the vetting of the board applicants and then forward the list of preferred appointees to the City Manager for the formal appointment. In an ideal system, City boards with actual authority should be representative of the residents of the city and not be primarily advocates for policies and preferences espoused by City staff. Issue-specific advisory committees are a somewhat different story, e.g. you wouldn’t expect a member of the Recycling Advisory Committee to be an opponent of recycling or a member of the Bicycle Committee to be hostile to the presence of bicycles on city streets. That said, advisory committees should be just that – advisory. It distresses me whenever I hear of significant actions (such as road configurations) being contingent on the blessing by one-sided boards of activists. Also, in a City with a proportional representation election system, one might think there should be some degree of proportionality and differing perspectives on most City boards and commissions.

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Police Review & Advisory Board Quarterly Report for the period of Fall 2025 through the First Quarter of 2026. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi for comments; Nolan comments; Referred to Public Safety Committee 9-0

The relatively small number of cases that have come before the PRAB certainly lends support to some of the reconfiguration of boards that was viewed by some as controversial late last year.

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding an update on the City Manager Performance Review Process. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Order #1. That the City Council go on the record urging Harvard administration to end the practice of time caps for non-tenure track teaching faculty and urging Harvard administration to acknowledge the labor contribution and employee status of all its researchers, regardless of funding source, and contractually recognize these researchers’ protected right to union representation.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler for comments and minor amendment; Zusy comment; Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Zusy-Present)

I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, as a former Mathematics Preceptor at Harvard it was the 7-year time cap that dictated my exit – though I have continued in the Harvard Extension School and the Harvard Summer School for 25 years after my exit from the teaching faculty in the Mathematics Department. I definitely would have preferred to stay, but I had other options. On the other hand, it has always been my understanding that the time cap was something favored by the faculty to prevent the Harvard administration from tamping down the number of tenured faculty in favor of non-tenured faculty willing to work for significantly less compensation and a greater teaching workload. Some other colleges have found better solutions to this dilemma. For what it’s worth, I was always happy to work for less compensation and a substantial teaching workload. It’s a job, not a country club.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Cambridge Department of Transportation (CDOT) and any other relevant departments to halt any further design, engineering, procurement, or construction activities related to implementing a reconfiguration of Garden Street to restore two-way motor-vehicle traffic.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
pulled by Flaherty; comments by Al-Zubi, Brooke McKenna (wants to keep current configuration), Flaherty (objecting to “repetitive litigation” – bad public policy); Charter Right – Flaherty

This provides yet another illustration of how things can go sideways when elected officials insert themselves into the business of road design and traffic management. The Cycling Safety Ordinance and its inflexible amendments are perhaps the greatest example of bad decisions being forced by incompetent politics. The Garden Street flip-flopping is a corollary to this, but it’s not the case that we should expect better outcomes from our dysfunctional Department of Congestion, Obstruction, and Aggravation. Pick your poison – politics or Kool-Aid. When City policies are dominated by the principle of “solution in search of a problem”, keep your expectations low.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested work with relevant City departments to provide a report on how the decision to install artificial turf at Ahern Field was made, the rationale for artificial turf, and what process was taken to ensure community concerns and public health considerations were fully addressed, and to ensure that construction will not move forward until a report is delivered.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Al-Zubi
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, McGovern, Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, Zusy with proposed amendment [to be determined], Flaherty, Azeem, Al-Zubi, Yi-An Huang, Siddiqui; Zusy amendment Adopted 9-0; add’l sponsors added 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I don’t know what’s best in terms of natural grass vs. more durable artificial turf, and I’m not really sure how PFAS becomes a health concern when you’re not Grazin’ in the Grass. Then again, I once knew a person who wouldn’t allow smoke detectors in her building when she learned that there was a trace amount of radioactive material in the detectors used for ionization.

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on Tues, Mar 10, 2026 to review and discuss the Police Department budget for FY27 before it is submitted to the City Manager, as required under Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.74.040. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Mar 11, 2026 to have a conversation regarding zoning recommendations to strengthen active use requirements on Cambridge Street and Mass Ave as a follow-up to the recently adopted zoning petitions following the Our Cambridge Street Planning Study and Mass Ave Planning Study. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Apr 6, 2026 to continue the discussion that was held at the Mar 11, 2026 hearing regarding zoning recommendations to strengthen active use requirements on Cambridge Street and Mass Ave as a follow-up on the recently adopted zoning petitions. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; 3 Orders Adopted 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

There are three proposed Orders in Report #3 meant to tweak the current zoning. Tweaking is good – especially as an alternative to some of more radical rezoning of recent years upon which political ambition has been built without regard for the potential consequences. – RW

March 28, 2026

Coming Up at the March 30, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,Harvard Square,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:43 am

Coming Up at the March 30, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Street cleaning starts Wednesday, April 1. If you’re a chronic delinquent, your 2025 Resident Permit Parking sticker expires on Tuesday. I fully expect to see a long line of miscreants at the City Hall Annex on Monday and Tuesday.You are Number 6!

Meanwhile, down the street at City Hall, we have these:

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]

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an overview of the City’s initial Artificial Intelligence efforts. [text of report]

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-12 regarding Harvard Square pedestrianization. [text of report]

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-3 (AR25-48) regarding establishing a formal policy that clearly defines the City’s role and financial responsibilities in supporting large-scale public events hosted by Cambridge-based non-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including criteria for fee waivers. [text of report]

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-9 regarding and report back to the Council on (i) legal parameters related to City funding and Tourism Destination Marketing District restrictions, and (ii) oversight and accountability related to the operation of the visitor information kiosk, and related governance expectations, including alignment with City priorities. [text of report]

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-17 regarding proposed updates to the City’s Welcoming Community Ordinance. [text of report]

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to initiate the planning process for Cambridge 400 and as part of this, to convene a Cambridge 400 Advisory Committee composed of members representing the range of stakeholders whose participation is needed to guide this work.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to review the current legal landscape and provide recommendations for how to regulate construction of large data centers in Cambridge.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zusy

On The Table #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to raise the fee of the parking permit program for all residents to $75, consider how to include a self-identified check off option so as not to increase administrative costs for a subsidized fee of $25 for residents who live in affordable housing, are enrolled in a program such as SNAP or are low income, remove the senior exemption for the residential parking permit program and lower the number of cars that individual residents are allowed to get a residential parking permit for from four to two. [Charter Right – Simmons, Feb 9, 2026; Tabled Mar 2, 2026]

There seemed to be some movement three weeks ago toward not eliminating the senior exemption – before Mayor Siddiqui intervened by tabling the matter so that any possible amendments could instead be discussed out of public view. We could also use a more honest accounting of the actual costs of administering the permit parking program. As someone comment at last week’s meeting, the Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) charges a registration fee of $50 every two years. How can the City’s Department of Congestion, Obstruction, and Aggravation (a.k.a. Transportation Department) justify triple that cost? Why can’t the fact that a motor vehicle is registered to a Cambridge address suffice? We do, after all, have access to the RMV database. Why must renewal be done every year rather than every two years?

Comments and additional details to follow.

March 22, 2026

Coming Up at the March 23, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council,transportation,water — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:26 pm

Coming Up at the March 23, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here you go:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to recommendations for the block rates for water consumption and sewer use for the period beginning April 1, 2026 and ending March 31, 2027. [text of report]
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, Nolan, Mark Gallagher (Water Dept.), Flaherty; Orders Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Water & Sewer Block Rates: FY17 – FY27
Water and Sewer Rates - FY26

Water & Sewer Rate Increases: FY17-FY27
Water & Sewer increases: FY16-FY26

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $900,000 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund and the rescission of funds from two grants in the amount of $2,000,000 and $400,000 respectively to support a new off-road bridge over the Fitchburg Rail Line. [text of report]
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Brooke McKenna (Transportation), Nolan; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

“Funds will be used to support the design costs toward a new off-road bridge over the Fitchburg Rail Line that will connect Danehy Park to the Rindge Avenue neighborhood…”

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a BUEDO Review Board Appointment. [text of report]
Appointment Confirmed 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to classification of the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) Review Board as special municipal employees. [text of report]
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,234,379 from Free Cash to support snow operations. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, John Nardone (DPW), Sobrinho-Wheeler, TJ Shea (DPW), Flaherty, McGovern, Kathy Watkins, George Heinz (DHSP), Zusy, Siddiqui; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $700,000 from Free Cash to support road repairs related to snow operations. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan (taken up with Mgr #5); Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-21 regarding exploration of a potential Snow Corps program. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler (taken up with Mgr #5); Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2025 Town Gown Reports and Presentations discussed by the Planning Board in February. [text of report]
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Nolan, Melissa Peters (CDD), Al-Zubi, City Manager Yi-An Huang; Placed on File 9-0

Order #2. City Council support of H.91 and S.2556, An Act to modernize funding for community media programming.   Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by McGovern for comments; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department and the Transportation Department to meet with Harvard’s Office of Community Relations and the Longwood Collective (MASCO) to harmonize institutional bus protocols with public-facing commitments.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to direct relevant City departments and staff to examine and report back on whether the city can require single-stall public bathrooms to be gender-neutral.   Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem [attachment]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern (w/amendments), Flaherty, Zusy, Nolan, Siddiqui; Amendments Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

On The Table #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to raise the fee of the parking permit program for all residents to $75, consider how to include a self-identified check off option so as not to increase administrative costs for a subsidized fee of $25 for residents who live in affordable housing, are enrolled in a program such as SNAP or are low income, remove the senior exemption for the residential parking permit program and lower the number of cars that individual residents are allowed to get a residential parking permit for from four to two. [Charter Right – Simmons, Feb 9, 2026; Tabled Mar 2, 2026] (PO26#32)
No Action Taken

There seemed to be some movement three weeks ago toward not eliminating the senior exemption – before Mayor Siddiqui intervened by tabling the matter so that any possible amendments could instead be discussed out of public view. We could also use a more honest accounting of the actual costs of administering the permit parking program. As someone comment at last week’s meeting, the Mass. Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) charges a registration fee of $50 every two years. How can the City’s Department of Congestion, Obstruction, and Aggravation (a.k.a. Transportation Department) justify triple that cost? Why can’t the fact that a motor vehicle is registered to a Cambridge address suffice? We do, after all, have access to the RMV database. Why must renewal be done every year rather than every two years?

Unfinished Business #2. Amend section 4.50 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of permitting the use of land for the following purposes as-of-right in all zoning districts: religious purposes; educational purposes on land owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any of its agencies, subdivisions or bodies politic or by a religious sect or denomination, or by a nonprofit educational corporation; and for a child care center, school-aged child care program, family child care home, or large family child care home as defined in section 1a of Chapter 15d of Massachusetts General Laws. [Passed to 2nd Reading Mar 2, 2026; may be ordained on or after Mar 23, 2026] (ORD26#1)
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan; Ordained 8-1 (Flaherty – No)

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on Feb 25, 2026 to receive a status update on Federal Grants (including ARPA) and the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund, as well as a discussion on establishing future Budget Priorities. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Late Order #5. Support A Federal Earmark to Take Plans for the Boston-Cambridge Riverwalk Construction at Science Park to 25% Design.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Nolan (PO26#63)
Comments by Zusy, Flaherty, Nolan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

March 17, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 663-664: March 17, 2026

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Cambridge Redevelopment Authority,Central Square,City Council,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:38 pm

Episode 663 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 17, 2026 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Mar 17, 2026 at 6:00pm. Topics: Joseph Sater – Central Square hero; walk along the Middlesex Canal; Riverview down; Central Square rezoning coming soon, housing comments; Cambridge St. zoning, possible revisions, problematic process; comments on war with Iran – hope and fear; Citizens Bank protests and some inconvenient truth; comments on recent City Council meetings – triple AAA bond rating and its advantages, Surveillance Ordinance reports. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 664 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 17, 2026 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Mar 17, 2026 at 6:30pm. Topics: Consolidated Housing Department, City housing policies and priorities, social housing, decommodification; proposed fee increases for Resident Parking Permit program, revocation of senior exemption, political nonsensification, bad math, and historical facts; Transportation Department mission to make owning and using a motor vehicle as difficult as possible; Real Estate Transfer Tax Home Rule Petition; City Council policy to ban use of Twitter/X; Cambridge Redevelopment Authority involvement in Central Square. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

March 16, 2026

Coming Up at the March 16, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:13 pm

Coming Up at the March 16, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are a few items of interest (at least to me) on this week’s agenda:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Yi-An Huang, Siddiqui; Placed on File 7-0-2 (PN,CZ-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding the City’s FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. [text of report]
Placed on File 7-0-2 (PN,CZ-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #3. Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding a response to Awaiting Report 26-05 relative to streamlining the residential permitting process. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Melissa Peters (CDD), Jen Caira (CDD), Simmons; Placed on File 7-0-2 (PN,CZ-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #7. Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding an update on micromobility regulation. [text of report]
Placed on File 7-0-2 (PN,CZ-Absent)

On The Table #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to raise the fee of the parking permit program for all residents to $75, consider how to include a self-identified check off option so as not to increase administrative costs for a subsidized fee of $25 for residents who live in affordable housing, are enrolled in a program such as SNAP or are low income, remove the senior exemption for the residential parking permit program and lower the number of cars that individual residents are allowed to get a residential parking permit for from four to two. [Charter Right – Simmons, Feb 9, 2026; Tabled Mar 2, 2026] (PO26#32)
No Action Taken

Unfinished Business #2. Amend section 4.50 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of permitting the use of land for the following purposes as-of-right in all zoning districts: religious purposes; educational purposes on land owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any of its agencies, subdivisions or bodies politic or by a religious sect or denomination, or by a nonprofit educational corporation; and for a child care center, school-aged child care program, family child care home, or large family child care home as defined in section 1a of Chapter 15d of Massachusetts General Laws. [Passed to 2nd Reading Mar 2, 2026; can be ordained on or after Mar 23, 2026] (ORD26#1) [Ordinance Committee report]
No Action Taken

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee held a public meeting on Feb 3, 2026 to review and discuss the Operating Budget in advance of the FY27 budget season. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (PN,CZ-Absent)

Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee held a public meeting on Feb 11, 2026 to review and discuss the Capital Budget and Public Investment Planning in advance of the FY27 budget season. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 7-0-2 (PN,CZ-Absent)

Note: The meeting adjourned at 6:11pm – one of the shortest meetings ever. – RW

March 8, 2026

Springing Forward toward Somewhere – March 9, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Central Square,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 4:49 pm

Springing Forward toward Somewhere – March 9, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are the notable items this week (or at least what I think is notable) on this relatively short agenda:Daylight Savings Bill passes!

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2025 Annual Surveillance Report concerning City departments’ use of surveillance technology or surveillance data. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi, comments that there will be a Public Safety Committee in late-May on this plus add’l meeting on Shotspotter; Referred to Public Safety Committee 9-0

I’m just glad we no longer have Councillor Zondervan around to raise the issue of surveillance via laryngoscopes. Then again, maybe the new kids will have some of their own entertainment to offer.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City of Cambridge retaining its Triple A (AAA) rating from the nation’s three major credit rating agencies. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Claire Spinner (Finance), Taha Jennings (Budget), Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, Zusy, Flaherty, Azeem, Al-Zubi; Placed on File 9-0

Though this is clearly a good thing, I always expect some kind of claptrap about how this somehow means that we’re not focusing enough on “the community”. I also wouldn’t be at all surprised if at least one councillor saw this as a signal that the City should borrow a huge sum to fund the latest fashionable priority such as “social housing”. Don’t forget about those rainy days, kids!

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to 2026-2027 Housing and Zoning priorities. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi (focus on “social housing”), Melissa Peters (CDD), Yi-An Huang (thinking about 30-40% Inclusionary requirement – seriously?), Chris Cotter, Azeem, Siddiqui, Nolan, McGovern, Zusy, Flaherty; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Committee Report #1. The Housing Committee held a public hearing on Dec 16, 2025 to begin a discussion around social housing as referenced in PO25#131. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting a communication from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, regarding a free cash appropriation in the amount of $400,000 to the General Fund Law Dept Travel and Training (Judgement and Damages) account for the settlement payment relating to Ahern v. Sig Sauer, Inc. and City of Cambridge (United States District Court District of Massachusetts, Docket No. 1:21-cv11007-DJC). [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler (explaining why he will vote against this appropriation, other anti-police sentiments, viewpoint that police officers should not have guns); comments by Azeem (expressing view that settlement would save money – disagreeing with JSW), Flaherty (on fiduciary responsibilities and fact that the firearm in question has been subject of many lawsuits across the country), Simmons (on wisdom of settlement), Nolan, Siddiqui (agrees with JSW); Order Adopted 6-2-1 (JSW,SS-No; AAZ-Absent)

Suffice to say that I do not agree with Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler on this, and it is noteworthy that Mayor Siddiqui is in the same camp as him. I am also quite certain that Councillor Al-Zubi would also have been in this camp had she been present and voting. – RW

Charter Right #1. Include discussion of other changes to the Cambridge Street zoning at the upcoming Ordinance Committee meeting about active ground floor use.   [Charter Right – Al-Zubi, Mar 2, 2026]
procedural comments by Siddiqui; comments by Simmons, Zusy (wants this discussed at Ordinance Committee, but will schedule a meeting of NLTP committee, proposes to withdraw this Order); McGovern (will not permit discussion of this at Ordinance Committee), Azeem; Order Withdrawn by Unanimous Consent 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

On The Table #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to raise the fee of the parking permit program for all residents to $75, consider how to include a self-identified check off option so as not to increase administrative costs for a subsidized fee of $25 for residents who live in affordable housing, are enrolled in a program such as SNAP or are low income, remove the senior exemption for the residential parking permit program and lower the number of cars that individual residents are allowed to get a residential parking permit for from four to two. [Charter Right – Simmons, Feb 9, 2026; Tabled Mar 2, 2026]
No Action Taken

There seemed to be some movement last week toward not eliminating the senior exemption – before Mayor Siddiqui intervened by tabling the matter so that any possible amendments could instead be discussed out of public view.

On The Table #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a plan to align all housing and homeless services and programs into a unified Housing Department. [Tabled Feb 9, 2026] [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent) as part of Public Hearing

6:30pm Public Hearing   The City Council will hold a public hearing pursuant to Article 5, Section 5-1 of the Charter of the City of Cambridge, to consider the recommendation of the City Manager Yi-An Huang, on the reorganization of the Housing Department to consolidate City housing and homeless service programs currently provided across three City departments into one City department.
comments by Siddiqui on Charter provisions; presentation by Yi-An Huang w/Chris Cotter, Maura Pensak, Maria Melo, Cassie Arnaud, Anna Dolmatch, Alexis Buckley; comments by Cotter, Pensak; comments by Nolan, McGovern, Zusy, Flaherty, Al-Zubi (esp. re: whether Housing should be under CDD or be independent of CDD), Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui; Reorganization Approved 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent); Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Committee Report #2. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Jan 29, 2026 to discuss City Council Rules for the 2026-2027 term. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Al-Zubi Absent)

Resolution #3. Condolences to the family of Joseph Sater.   Councillor Simmons

Joseph and his entire family have been good friends to everyone associated with Central Square for many decades and I will miss him greatly. – RW

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