Thus begins the last month of the current City Council term, and the open question is whether the new City Council will outdo the current City Council in sheer arrogance and unwillingness to actually listen to the residents of Cambridge. There’s also that whole Mayoral Election thing going on behind the scenes. In the meantime, here are a few notable items on this week’s 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]
Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a request for approval to seek authorization from the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General (the “IG”) for the City to use the Construction Manager at Risk (“CMaR”) procurement and construction method (the “CMaR Method”) in connection with the DPW Salt Shed Replacement Project. [text of report] [DPW Salt Shed] [CMaR details]
Order Adopted 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-59, regarding 25 Lowell Street. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to updates to institutional use regulations. [text of report] [markup version] [final version]
Order Adopted, Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to revised language for the Mass Ave Zoning Petition. [CDD memo] [markup version] [final version] [map] [description]
Amended by Substitution, Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to revised language for the Cambridge Street Zoning Petition. [CDD memo] [markup version] [final version]
Amended by Substitution, Placed on File 9-0
Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee held three public hearings to review and discuss two Zoning Petitions by the Cambridge City Council, the Massachusetts Avenue Zoning Petition (CM25#235) , and the Cambridge Street Zoning Petition (CM25#234). The first hearing was held on Oct 30, 2025 at 5:30pm and recessed. The Committee reconvened and recessed again on Nov 13, 2025 at 5:30pm. The Committee reconvened and adjourned on Dec 2, 2025 at 5:30pm. [text of report] [attached communications] [revised Mass Ave petition] [revised Cambridge St petition]
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department (CDD) and Law Department to prepare a draft of a separate zoning petition to strengthen Active Use requirements on Cambridge Street and the Porter Square PUD subdistricts for sites that redevelop as single parcels. Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Community Development Department to reduce the recommendations for the Inman Square zoning sub-district (CAM-10) from a maximum of 10 stories to 8 stories with ground floor active use/retail as consistent with the majority of the Cambridge Street corridor. Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson
Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant departments, boards, and commissions to strive to publish, whenever practicable, meeting agendas and all supporting documents, presentations, and related materials sufficiently in advance of public meetings to allow residents time to review and prepare. Mayor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department and the Inspectional Services Department staff to streamline the permitting process, including but not limited to creating a central role dedicated to the permitting process, the creation of a unified online permitting portal, and standardized timelines. Councillor Azeem, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Order #6. Home Rule Petition for a Real Estate Transfer Fee. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern
Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Toner – No)
Order #5. Policy Order regarding Interim City Clerk position extension. Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0
Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Mayor Simmons regarding extending the Appointment of the Interim City Clerk. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0
Resolution #8. Condolences to the family of Moses Moore. Mayor Simmons
Resolution #9. Thanking Ellen Semonoff for her years of service to the City of Cambridge. Mayor Simmons
Resolution #12. Resolution thanking Ayesha Wilson for her service. Mayor Simmons
Resolution #13. Resolution on the death of Charles Coe. Councillor Nolan [Boston Globe obituary]
Resolution #14. Congratulations to Neal Alpert and Jen Tourtellot on their recent engagement. Mayor Simmons
Late Resolution #16. Congratulations to Elizabeth Hudson and Will on the birth of their daughter. Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons
Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, transmitting a memorandum regarding pending Awaiting Reports that it wished to be carried forward to the newly elected City Council for their consideration in the next legislative terms. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0
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: