Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

June 13, 2025

Will Reason Prevail? – June 16, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: 2023 election,2025 election,Cambridge,campaign finance,City Council,cycling,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:12 pm

Will Reason Prevail? – June 16, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Penny FarthingThis week’s agenda is dominated by several City Council Orders meant to address (or navigate around) the contentious issue of whether the proposed separated bicycle lanes, removal of most of the existing parking, and loss of curb access should proceed on Broadway as currently mandated by the Cycling Safety Ordinance. This is not really a matter of safety so much as political clout. Some straightforward analysis using the current registered voter list indicates that those who want the street reconfiguration to proceed as planned are approximately 25 years younger than those who have signed the petition opposing the reconfiguration. It is also anecdotally clear that there is also a large gap in socioeconomic status. Basically, young professionals are well-represented among those wanting to remove the parking, and those in opposition include far more seniors, people with mobility issues, and people who need their motor vehicles for work and chores.

Those objecting to the loss of parking and curb access tend to be less tech-savvy and more working-class than those who insist that there be no modifications to the current language of the Cycling Safety Ordinance. These are not just people who live on Broadway. Many people on the streets near Broadway also want a change to the current plan. Many people in The Port neighborhood have signed the petition opposing the current plan. Very few people were aware of the plans when the Cycling Safety Ordinance was amended in 2020.

The underlying question right now for city councillors is basically: “Who do you actually represent?”

According to the most recently available campaign finance reports, the Cambridge Bike Safety Independent Expenditure PAC had $15,426.53 (end of 2024), and they have been actively fundraising since then. They even advertised that donations would be matched by an unnamed source. During the 2023 Municipal Election cycle, they raised $36,501.13 and spent $29,519.41. I expect similar receipts and expenditures this year. In comparison, those opposing the current plans for Broadway have no formal organization and no bank account.

Here are the items I found interesting on this week’s agenda:

Federal Updates and Budget Impacts

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Federal update.
Placed on File 9-0

Bicycles, Parking, Curb Access

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 5th Annual Cycling Safety Ordinance Report and Awaiting Report Item Number 25-3, regarding update on the status and timeline for the completion of the Grand Junction Multiuse Path. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the submission of the Parking Impact Report. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to require the Department of Transportation to study parking utilization of the broader neighborhood & provide parking alternatives before building Broadway bike lanes.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Toner
Amended Order Failed of Adoption 4-5 (Toner, Wilson, Zusy, Simmons – Yes; Azeem, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler – No)

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to suspend implementation of Broadway bike lanes.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Mayor Simmons
Amended Order Failed of Adoption 3-6 (Toner, Wilson, Simmons – Yes; Azeem, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy – No)

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Department of Transportation to evaluate adjustments to meter enforcement hours on Broadway Segment A, designating 25 spaces as residential permit parking overnight to increase overnight parking access for residents.   Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #6. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Cambridge Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of modifying non-resident parking permit fees for households in within the Broadway Segment A project area, including offering a discounted rate structure for permits that are requested by residents with low- income residents.   Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Azeem
Order Adopted 9-0

177 Communications – most in opposition to the plans to remove most of the parking and curb access along Broadway.

I will simply note that Orders #5 and #6 seem like pure evasion of the real issues raised by residents in The Port neighborhood.

Zoning, Housing

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to PO25#25 regarding a zoning petition on maximum unit size. [text of report]
Referred to NLTP Committee, Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $1,000,000, from the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund to the Grant Fund Housing Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account to support a municipal housing voucher grant program which will fund rental housing vouchers to be offered by the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA). This appropriation will allow for City staff to work with CHA in FY26 to transition these households to a City-funded voucher as soon as possible. The program is anticipated to cost approximately $1,000,000 annually. [text of report]
Order Adopted 9-0

Boards, Commissions, Control Freaks

Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of Sarah Holt, Emily Oldshue, and Ruth Webb and the reappointments of Marie-Pierre Dillenseger, Donna Marcantonio, and Peter Schur to the Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District Commission. [Charter Right – Nolan, June 9, 2025] (CM25#146)
Referred to Gov’t. Ops. Committee 9-0

Charter Right #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Nondita Mehrotra, and the reappointments of Constantin von Wentzel, Heli Meltsner, McKelden Smith, Theresa Hamacher, and Freweyni Gebrehiwet to the Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District Commission. [Charter Right – Nolan, June 9, 2025] (CM25#147)
Referred to Gov’t. Ops. Committee 9-0

Charter Right #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of Florrie Darwin, Scott Kyle, and Michael Rogove and the reappointments of Chandra Harrington, Joseph Ferrara, Elizabeth Lyster, Yuting Zhang, Gavin Kleespies, Paula Paris, and Kyle Sheffield to the Cambridge Historical Commission. [Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler, June 9, 2025] (CM25#145)
Referred to Gov’t. Ops. Committee 9-0

On the Table #6. That the City Manager is requested to explore with the Government Operations Committee whether the functions of the Peace Commission may be improved and enhanced by bringing them within another City Commission or Department, such as the Human Rights Commission, and report back in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Simmons, May 19, 2025; Tabled June 2, 2025]
No Action Taken, Nolan Amendment Proposed

It will be interesting to hear the basis for the objections by Councillors Nolan and Sobrinho-Wheeler to these otherwise routine City Board appointments and reappointments.

Infrastructure – Doing what you can within the bounds of what is physically possible

Charter Right #4. Policy Order urging Governor Healey, the MBTA Board of Directors and General Manager Phillip Eng to amend the MBTA Alewife Station Complex redevelopment RFP to include as a priority eliminating untreated Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) sewage in our neighborhoods by incorporating green and gray infrastructure as central components of the project. The order further calls on the MBTA to collaborate with the MWRA, DCR, DPH, the City of Cambridge, and the community to address this public health threat. [Charter Right – Simmons, June 9, 2025]
Order Adopted as Amended 6-3 (MM,PN,SS,JSW,AW,CZ – Yes; BA,PT,DS – No)

June 6, 2025

Mixed Bag – June 9, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,history,recycling — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:05 pm

Mixed Bag – June 9, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Last week’s meeting cleared most of the leftovers out of the back of the legislative fridge. Here are some of the remainders and some new additions:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a request to move to Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation known as Said S. Abuzahra, Trustee of Equity Realty Trust, et al. v. City of Cambridge (Mdsx. Super. Ct. C.A. No. 2017- cv-2459); and strategy with respect to litigation known as Lubavitch of Cambridge, Inc. v. Jim Monteverde as member of the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals et al. (Land Court Docket No. 24 Misc 00622), John W. Toulopoulos Trustee of the Toulopoulos Realty Trust, et al. v. Lubavitch of Cambridge Inc. et al. (Land Court, Docket No. 24 Misc 000528), and Lubavitch of Cambridge, Inc. v. Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal and City of Cambridge.
Convened in Executive Session 8:34pm-9:52pm 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Keywords: (1) Vail Court, (2) Dover Amendment

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-24 regarding a critical drought status report. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Owen O’Riordan, Zusy; Placed on File 9-0

The entire report is quite interesting, but the current status is: On May 20th due to continued above average precipitation, the State Drought Task Force held a special mid-month meeting, and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs downgraded the drought level for the Northeast region to Level 0-Normal.

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the submission of the Zero Waste Master Plan. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, McGovern, Recycling Director Michael Orr, Zusy, Wilson, DPW Commissioner Kathy Watkins, Simmons, Siddiqui; Placed on File 9-0

This is not just about recycling. The only comments I’ll make right now are that I’m still in the skeptical camp regarding rigid mandates and a possible Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program for waste disposal, and that everyone should understand the difference between advocacy and implementation and public acceptability. Most of the people involved in producing this and other proposals are advocates. It is the job of elected representatives to weigh advocacy vs. public acceptability. The matter of separated bike lanes, loss of parking, and the rigidity of the current Cycling Safety Ordinance come to mind.

Getting Board & Commissioned

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of Florrie Darwin, Scott Kyle, and Michael Rogove and the reappointments of Chandra Harrington, Joseph Ferrara, Elizabeth Lyster, Yuting Zhang, Gavin Kleespies, Paula Paris, and Kyle Sheffield to the Cambridge Historical Commission.
Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment Sarah Holt, Emily Oldshue, and Ruth Webb and the reappointments of Marie-Pierre Dillenseger, Donna Marcantonio, and Peter Schur to the Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District Commission.
Charter Right – Nolan

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Nondita Mehrotra, and the reappointments of Constantin von Wentzel, Heli Meltsner, McKelden Smith, Theresa Hamacher, and Freweyni Gebrehiwet to the Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District Commission.
Charter Right – Nolan

On The Table #4. That the City Manager is requested to explore with the Government Operations Committee whether the functions of the Peace Commission may be improved and enhanced by bringing them within another City Commission or Department, such as the Human Rights Commission, and report back in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Simmons, May 19, 2025; Tabled June 2, 2025]

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a revised draft of the “Eastern Cambridge Community Enhancements” Zoning Petition. text of report]
pulled by McGovern (along w/Committee Report #2); comments by McGovern, Nolan; Referred to Petition as Amended by Substitution 9-0; Placed on Unfinished Business 9-0

Committee Reports #2. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on May 20, 2025 to discuss two Zoning Petitions. The first Petition was by Mushla Marasao, et al. to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Sections 5.28.21, 8.22.1, 8.22.2, and Table 5.1. The second Petition was by BMR-320 Charles LLC c/o BioMed Realty, L.P. to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Article 20.000 with the intent to create a new overlay district called the East Cambridge Community Enhancement (ECCE) Overlay District. The Ordinance Committee voted favorably to forward the BioMed Realty Zoning Petition regarding the ECCE Overlay District, with proposed amendments from BioMed dated April 18, 2025, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern along w/Manager’s Agenda #14; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Petition Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to determine whether the City Council can revoke an already approved curb cut application if said application was incomplete due to applicant failure.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Toner, McGovern, Azeem, Nolan, Simmons, City Solicitor Megan Bayer; Order Adopted 6-1-0-2 (Toner – No; Wilson, Simmons – Present)

One week the City Council is in near unanimity regarding delegating curb cut approvals to City staff, and now they want to know how and when they can rescind curb cuts. Go figure.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the City Clerk, the Information Technology Department, the Law Department, and any other relevant departments to draft an ordinance establishing the City of Cambridge Electronic Records Archiving Policy.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zusy
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, McGovern, Simmons (shoutout to Barbara Carrera); Zusy added as sponsor 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

This is important. Just like those old 8-track tapes, cassettes, vinyl records, and even CDs and DVDs become obsolete, the preservation of public records (often in perpetuity) needs to be addressed – especially in an historic city like Cambridge. There needs to be delegated custodians of these records and best practices for preservation, chain of custody, authenticity, integrity, and ease of public access. This is especially true in this age of electronic record-keeping.

Order #3. Policy Order urging Governor Healey, the MBTA Board of Directors and General Manager Phillip Eng to amend the MBTA Alewife Station Complex redevelopment RFP to include as a priority eliminating untreated Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) sewage in our neighborhoods by incorporating green and gray infrastructure as central components of the project. The order further calls on the MBTA to collaborate with the MWRA, DCR, DPH, the City of Cambridge, and the community to address this public health threat.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson [photos]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan w/concerns re: lack of specificity in Order – has a Substitute Order (not acted on); comments by DPW Commissioner Kathy Watkins w/concerns re: Order (98% reduction in CSO for Charles River, 85% CSO reduction in Alewife), notes extensive work by City – complex projects w/complex trade-offs, cost effectiveness, feasibility, Order is too prescriptive, notes plans for storage at Sherman St./Bellis Circle; Zusy comments; Amended (Zusy); Charter Right – Simmons

Note: Though I appreciate the intention of this Order, I have some questions about whether the proposed solutions violate the Laws of Physics.

Charter Right #1. That the exception language in Chapter 2.129.040 Section J of the Cambridge Municipal Code be revised with language clarifying that Cambridge city employees shall not participate in federal immigration enforcement operations and that the sole role of Cambridge city employees during any action by ICE is only to protect public safety and not to assist or facilitate the work of ICE. [Charter Right – Toner, June 2, 2025]
Comments by Toner, City Solicitor Megan Bayer (ICE agents not required to provide name or badge number), City Manager Yi-An Huang (ICE has been notifying local law enforcement), McGovern (add as sponsor), Wilson (add as sponsor), Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler (wants CPD to not do traffic enforcement or crowd control and only address public safety, refers to ICE arrests as “abductions”), Siddiqui, Nolan, Simmons (w/concerns about some of the directives in this Order, risk of escalation); [McGovern, Wilson added as sponsors 9-0]; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Simmons – Present)

This is all well and good, but I have a hard time envisioning Cambridge Police aggressively challenging the actions of ICE employees, taking badge numbers, or doing anything other than simply keeping the peace in a delicate situation involving different law enforcement agencies.

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to ensure that there is full open access for all users to Linear Park from Westley Avenue as an additional community access point. [Charter Right – Toner, June 2, 2025]
Comments by Toner, Nolan, Owen O’Riordan, Transportation Director Brooke McKenna, Sobrinho-Wheeler (w/absurd comparison with Brookline St.), Zusy (concerned about Linear Park being transformed into a “transportation corridor”), McGovern (w/amendment), Siddiqui, Azeem (if opening of gate proves problematic, can always close it again), Wilson (struggles w/lack of consistency of City Council); Amendment Adopted 9-0; comments by Simmons (Who would operate the gate every day?); Sobrinho-Wheeler curiously connects this matter to Multi-Family Housing issue, bristles at notion that single-family homes are being given favorable treatment; Order Adopted 5-4 as Amended (BA,MM,PN,SS,JSW – Yes; PT,AW,CZ,DS – No)

248 Communications – mainly calling for a STOP in the planned installation of separated bike lanes and massive loss of parking on Broadway.

The subtext of both of these matters is how to balance citywide and legislative priorities against legitimate local concerns. In recent years, the trend has been toward the former – often leading to the perception that city councillors and City staff don’t really listen to the residents of the city. That has increasingly become my perception, and that’s a real shame.

Up in Smoke

Unfinished Business #5. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to Chapter 5.50 CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMITTING. [Referred to Ordinance Committee Mar 17, 2025; Passed to 2nd Reading May 19, 2025; Eligible To Be Ordained June 9, 2025] (ORD25#5)
pulled by McGovern; Ordained 9-0

Unfinished Business #6. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to Zoning Petition to remove the repackaging prohibition as a City Council Zoning Petition. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 19, 2025; Eligible To Be Ordained June 9, 2025] (ORD25#6)
pulled by McGovern; Ordained 9-0

Committee Reports #1. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Friday, May 1, 2025 to discuss the 2025 City Manager’s Annual Goals and Review Process. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

June 4, 2025

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 647-648: June 3, 2025

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,City Council,cycling,elections,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:03 pm

Episode 647 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 3, 2025 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on June 3, 2025 at 6:00pm. Topics: 2025 Municipal Election Updates, nomination papers available July 1; Random Observations and Alphabet Soup – some history of Cambridge political dichotomies and more; “defining the issues” in the most self-serving ways; Cambridge Reasonable People Organization?; Taking a long, hard look at City Boards & Commissions. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 648 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 3, 2025 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on June 3, 2025 at 6:30pm. Topics: Review of City Boards & Commissions, sunset provisions for all non-regulatory boards; Technical Working Committee for the Computerization of Cambridge Elections (TWCC); Adoption of the Amended FY2026 City Budget and Loan Authorizations; anticipating fallout from reckless federal policies; candidates readying their campaigns; the problem of City-funded campaign aides for incumbents; addressing vacant storefronts; carrots vs. sticks; turning dysfunctional properties into functional properties; Dover Amendment and City Council miscues – break it and maybe fix it later; Broadway bike lane controversy – dirty, mean tactics of Cambridge Bike Safety. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

June 3, 2025

Random Observations (June 3, 2025)

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,elections — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 5:04 pm

Random Observations (June 3, 2025):

For many decades the Cambridge political dichotomy was defined as the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA) vs. the Independents. At various times this was aligned with the Town vs. Gown divide, and (except for councillors from East Cambridge) also associated with the division between those who favored rent control vs. those who were opposed. During the 1990s, the CCA was largely associated with downzoning and limiting commercial development, while the Independents were generally in favor of new development and growing the tax base (which also kept residential property tax rates low). Everything changed after the demise of rent control (1994) though the political labels and voting patterns persisted for another decade or so.Alphabet Soup

Over the last decade we have seen the rise of new political associations and their associated candidate slates. The Cambridge Residents Alliance (CResA) arose largely in opposition to residential development proposals in and around Central Square. This led to the formation of an opposition group that later came to be known as “A Better Cambridge” (ABC) – initially in support of transit-oriented development, especially in and around Central Square. Some principal leaders in the ABC group were also affiliated with non-profit subsidized housing developers and, with the emergence of the national “YIMBY” movement, ABC shifted its focus toward such local initiatives as the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) which, for the most part, has further concentrated subsidized housing within existing properties owned by the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) and other nonprofit housing developers. ABC has shifted more recently toward a general “densification” philosophy – promoting dense housing development (market-rate and otherwise) anywhere and everywhere rather than just transit-oriented development. “Smart Growth” has yielded to just “Growth and Density” – even at the cost of so-called “naturally occurring affordable housing” and any notions of historic preservation. [This is why I generally refer top ABC as “A Bigger Cambridge”.] The ABC attitude toward such things as “neighborhood conservation districts” (NCDs) can only be described as hostility.

Somewhere along the line, a counter-organization, the Cambridge Citizens Coalition (CCC), came into existence – largely centered around themes of limited growth, especially in existing, relatively established neighborhoods. They have also been solidly in favor of historic preservation where appropriate. In many respects, the new political dichotomy has become CCC vs. ABC, but it’s more complicated than just that. Reflecting current national trends, there has also been a relatively small but nontrivial growth in hard-left political identifications – primarily Sunrise Boston (not sure if they’re still around), Our Revolution Cambridge (ORC – an offshoot of the Bernie Sanders campaigns), and the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). These groups appear to draw support primarily among college-age and recent graduates of our local universities, and the pro-Hamas, anti-Israel crowd largely aligns with the DSA (as well as other national entities like the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) – an offshoot of the “Answer Coalition”. I don’t know that there’s much value added to local government with affiliation to what are effectively fringe national political parties – and hate-filled ones to boot. The Cambridge Residents Alliance, comprised mainly of much older people, has effectively become the aged wing of the local DSA (though Our Revolution has a few aging Marxists as well).

Then there’s the bicycle crowd, primarily the well-funded Cambridge Bike Safety group. They really are the ultimate single-issue group – even more than ABC and its density-above-all focus. There are also counter-efforts such as Cambridge Streets for All (CSA) that has pushed back against the rather hostile revised Bicycle Safety Ordinance (2020) that mandates separated bike lanes that are sometimes reasonable but often arbitrary and problematic. Just as is the case currently in Washington, DC, some matters come down to just raw political power and influence – regardless of sense or effectiveness.

In an interesting twist, people who would have at one time been associated with the CCA and many “townies” who at one time been associated with the Independents, now find themselves (whether or not they realize it) on the same side of the current political dichotomy. They are all what the ABC affiliates would dismiss (with great hostility) as “Neighborhood Defenders” – a term taken from the title of what has essentially become the ABC bible. Preserving quality of life (“liveability”), maintaining adequate parking, tree protection, etc. are viewed in the ABC world much the same way that Robert Moses dismissed the views of Jane Jacobs.

Things line up (more or less) these days as (1) long-time residents (townies) and the CCC, (2) pro-development supporters (ABC), and (3) Leftists and anti-capitalists (who dislike group (1) as the local aristocrats and entitled “boomers” and remain uncomfortable with group (2) because development is associated with capitalists. The bicycle obsessives are less easy to categorize. There are also several small groups emerging (and likely centered on a candidate or two) such as the Cambridge Housing Affordability Organizers (CHAO – seemingly mostly Harvard affiliates) and the Cambridge Housing Justice Coalition (CHJC – very fringy and anti-capitalist) which align with the hard-left and rent control advocacy.

I just wish there was a clear “reasonable” political tent under which some of us could comfortably camp out. – Robert Winters

June 1, 2025

Setting the Table – June 2, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,City Council,cycling,Deaths — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:50 pm

Setting the Table – June 2, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

We’re now into the last month of regular City Council meetings prior to the summer break and, more significantly, the official start of the 2025 municipal election season. Nomination papers will be available at the Election Commission office (moving to 689 Mass. Ave.) starting Tuesday, July 1 with a minimum of 50 valid signatures due no later Thursday, July 31 at 5pm. This is traditionally the time for table-setting, i.e. introducing Orders and Resolutions or casting votes meant to signal your indispensability as an incumbent councillor – or having others affix lead weights to your campaign via association with an unpopular stance on a hot-button issue.

As for this week’s agenda, the most significant order of business is the adoption of the (amended) FY2026 Budget and related Loan Orders. Here are the items I found somewhat interesting/significant this week:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Federal update.
pulled by JSW; comments by City Manager Yi-An Huang (YAH), City Solicitor Megan Bayer, PN; Placed on File 9-0 (vv = voice vote)

These updates have become perhaps the most interesting part of City Council meetings this year as the City of Cambridge sits in the crossfire between the current federal administration and our local universities, related grant-funded interests, and often reckless immigration enforcement and other actions.

FY2026 Budget and Loan AuthorizationsCoins

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a proposed increase in the FY26 budget of $1 million that would create new municipal vouchers and supportive services for people who are unhoused and a $5 million free cash appropriation for a Federal Grant Stabilization Fund. (CM25#133) [text of report]
pulled by MM; comments by City Manager Yi-An Huang (YAH), Asst. City Manager for Human Services Ellen Semonoff, AW, Housing Liaison Maura Pensak, DS, SS; YAH emphasized three matters that may have local repercussions – (1) Federal Reconciliation Bill, (2) State Budget (wait and see), and (3) Federal Continuing Resolution coming this fall that may greatly affect such things as Section 8 voucher funding; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to following amendments to the FY26 Submitted General Fund Budget. These amendments to the Budget reflect changes requested by the City Council based on feedback and discussions during public hearings on the FY26 Operating and Capital Budgets that took place beginning on May 8, 2025, through May 15, 2025. (CM25#134) [text of report]
pulled by PN along with M4, M5, UB8 (FY2026 Budget), UB9-17 (Loan Orders), Committee Reports #1-4; comments by most councillors; note that this will result in a revised 8% tax increase; Referred to UB8 9-0

“These increases will bring the total FY26 Operating Budget to $992,181,320, an increase of $36,596,970 or 3.8% from the FY25 Adopted Budget. The projected tax levy to support the FY26 Budget is $678,659,850, an increase of $50,271,097 or 8% from the FY25 tax levy. The actual tax levy will be determined in the fall as part of the property tax and classification process.”

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the establishment of a Federal Grant Stabilization Fund. (CM25#135) [text of report]
pulled by PN; Adopted 8-0-1 (JSW Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,000,000, from Free Cash to the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund. Funds appropriated to and held by the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund will be expended to help address the funding gaps resulting from the actual or anticipated loss of federal funding for programs and services that benefit the most vulnerable Cambridge residents. (CM25#136) [text of report]
pulled by PN; Adopted 9-0

Unfinished Business #8. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the FY2026 submitted budget and appropriation orders for the General Fund, Water Fund, and Public Investment Fund. [Placed on Unfinished Business, Referred to Finance Committee – Apr 28, 2025]
pulled by PN; General Fund Budget ($928,578,370) Adopted as Amended 7-2 (SS, JSW – No, with specious reasoning); Water Fund Budget ($13,602,950) Adopted 9-0; Public Investment Budget ($41,204,770) Adopted 9-0 [Total Adopted FY2026 Budget $992,181,320]

Unfinished Business #9-17. Loan authorizations totaling $109,936,000
pulled by PN; UB9-12 Adopted 9-0; UB13-17 Adopted 8-0-1 (JSW – Absent)

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on May 8, 2025 to review and discuss the City budget covering the fiscal period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. [text of report]
pulled by PN; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on May 13, 2025 to review and discuss the School Department budget covering the fiscal period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. [text of report]
pulled by PN; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on May 14, 2025 to review and discuss the City budget covering the fiscal period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. [text of report]
pulled by PN; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on May 15, 2025 to review and discuss the City budget covering the fiscal period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. [text of report]
pulled by PN; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

It is worth noting that of the four Finance Committee hearings on the FY2026 Budget, Councillor Azeem skipped three of them entirely and only remotely participated in the other hearing. Showing up for work is apparently not a high priority.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-18 regarding vacant store fronts. (CM25#139) [text of report]
pulled by PN; comments by PN, PT, AW, Melissa Peters (CDD), SS, DS, CZ, BA; Policy Adopted 9-0 (vv); [Note: It is expected that this matter may also come up at the scheduled June 23 meeting of the Econ. Dev. & Univ. Relations Committee]

There is a related hearing coming up on Monday, June 23 at 1:00pm: The City Council’s Economic Development and University Relations Committee will hold a public hearing inviting representatives from the 23 long term vacant properties (defined as has been vacant for more than five years) on the record, to share updates on their tenancy efforts, short and long-term plans, and to provide the community with an opportunity to weigh in on this important discussion.

Order #1. City Council opposition to the expansion of Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson
pulled by PN; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #2. That the exception language in Chapter 2.129.040 Section J of the Cambridge Municipal Code be revised with language clarifying that Cambridge city employees shall not participate in federal immigration enforcement operations and that the sole role of Cambridge city employees during any action by ICE is only to protect public safety and not to assist or facilitate the work of ICE.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
pulled by PT; comments by PT, JSW; Charter Right – Toner

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to provide a legal opinion outlining, in light of current zoning including the most recent Multifamily Zoning Amendments, the ability of Cambridge to regulate institutional and religious uses in C-1 residential districts and what state and federal law allows in terms of local restrictions, if any, for institutional and religious uses.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Yet another example of the City Council’s current “Break it, then (maybe) try to fix it” philosophy of governance.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to explore with the Government Operations Committee whether the functions of the Peace Commission may be improved and enhanced by bringing them within another City Commission or Department, such as the Human Rights Commission, and report back in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Simmons, May 19, 2025]
Comments by City Solicitor Megan Bayer noting that this involves an ongoing personnel matter; Substitute Order by Simmons, amendments to original order proposed by JSW, PN; comments by DS, JSW, PT, BA, YAH, AW, PN, SS, CZ, MM; Tabled 9-0 referencing proposed amendments by DS, JSW, PN [Note: Sobrinho-Wheeler’s hostility to Simmons Substitute Order noted – he clearly wants to focus primarily on the Police Review Advisory Board (PRAB); most other councillors open to a general review of all City boards and commissions]

I will simply refer you to my comments on this for the May 19 City Council meeting.

In the Queue – Ready for Adoption

Unfinished Business #6. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to amend certain subsections of the Affordable Housing Overlay, Section 11.207 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. [Passed to 2nd Reading – May 5, 2025; Eligible To Be Ordained May 26, 2025]
pulled by MM; Ordained 9-0

Unfinished Business #7. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to amend Articles 5.000 and 20.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 12, 2025; Eligible To Be Ordained on or after June 2, 2025]
pulled by MM; Ordained 9-0

225 Communications – primarily in regard to proposed separated bike lanes and removal of parking along Broadway.

A preliminary analysis of those writing in opposition to the proposed Broadway bike lanes vs. those who want them to proceed without delay indicates about a 25 year difference in their respective median ages. Basically, this is a case of the wishes of young professionals being given far greater priority by current councillors than is given to older residents – most of whom have legitimate concerns about being able to park near their homes and to have curb access for a variety of reasons.

Resolution #1. Happy 80th Birthday wishes to Henrietta Davis.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Zusy
pulled by CZ to be added as sponsor

Happy birthday, Henrietta!

Resolution #7. Condolences to the family of Nancy Williams Galluccio.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan
pulled by MM; MM, AW, PN added as sponsors

I was very sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. My sincere condolences to Lo, Lissa, and Anthony on the passing of their mother – someone I have known and respected for more than three decades. – Robert Winters

May 20, 2025

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 645-646: May 20, 2025

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Charter,City Council,cycling,elections,Harvard Square,MBTA,MIT,recycling — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:22 pm

Episode 645 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 20, 2025 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on May 20, 2025 at 6:00pm. Topics: Reflections on 70 years on Earth – 47 years in Cambridge, Mayoral Proclamation; Ranked Choice Voting and limited PR elections for Boston – how it came to be; Review of recent City Council actions and discussions; Cambridge Charter Home Rule pending – relatively few changes from current Plan E Charter; dilemma of when to report a controversy; 2025 municipal candidates emerging – Candidate Pages; opportunities to serve of Boards and Commissions; sunsetting/redefining discretionary Boards, e.g. Peace Commission (Cambridge Commission on Nuclear Disarmament and Peace Education); civic unity; the problem of single-issue advocacy; controversy of firearm replacement, activist payback, DSA organizing; ARPA funding expiration, RiseUp successor. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 646 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 20, 2025 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on May 20, 2025 at 6:30pm. Topics: Cambridge Charter Home Rule Petition – big assist by Law Department, restoring citizen petitions, leaving out poison pills – just like Somerville; AAA bond ratings; Nexus studies for Incentive Zoning and for Inclusionary Zoning; reconsidering Linkage, Inclusionary requirements; Barrett letter; deaths Pebble Gifford, Robert Campbell, Doane Perry; thankless job of being head of a neighborhood association; bicycle lane controversies, reckless plans and policies, bullying by Cambridge Bike Safety group, Broadway as route for emergency vehicles; Harvard Square – Gerald Chan properties, MBTA tunnel innovative ideas; retirement of Diane LeBlanc, Owen O’Riordan; Kathy Watkins to be Deputy City Manager; Budget Hearings, new reality of limitations, shifting of tax burden from commercial to residential, extra heavy burden on single-, two-. and three-family homeowners – Claire Spinner memo; TWC, vouchers, RiseUp, municipal broadband not so fundable; federal updates and clarity of City Manager Yi-An Huang, City Solicitor Megan Bayer, Police Commissioner Christine Elow; federal targeting of Harvard, MIT and downstream repercussions. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

May 19, 2025

Blurring the Lines – May 19, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,Cambridge government,Charter,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:30 am

Blurring the Lines – May 19, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Summer is coming and pretty soon candidates will be pulling papers at the Election Commission to run for City Council or School Committee (or both). In the meantime, the tables are being set for “the issues” by the various single-issue and narrow-focus political advocacy groups around town. Heck, without ghost writers we wouldn’t have half the City Council orders that we see in any given week. Here’s what’s on tap this week:Peoples Republic of Cambridge

Reconsideration #1. First floor retail policy order. [Reconsideration filed by Councillor Toner]
Motion to Reconsider (Azeem) Adopted 8-0-1 (Toner-Absent); Toner amendment Adopted 8-0-1 (Toner-Absent); Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Toner-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Federal update.
pulled by Nolan; Yi-An Huang on federal funding impacts and how we are processing the potential for interactions between federal ICE operations and local police. Harvard now up to $3 billion in federal grants frozen or cancelled, over 100 terminations issued last Thursday along, impacts of faculty staff, students, layoffs ongoing – especially at School of Public Health, MIT in similar position – cuts, layoffs, etc.; both Harvard and MIT issues bonds to raise cash to replace funds lost; Massachusetts school districts affected, etc. – some in litigation, hiring freezes pending; some FY26 Budget adjustments may be necessary; account of Worcester arrest; note that Cambridge also has a “welcoming city” status – what this potentially means; system of checks and balances under severe strain; Councillor Nolan asks about when a warrant is required; City Solicitor Megan Bayer explains what is legally required; McGovern comments on informing people on what we will and will not due in similar situations; Police Commissioner Christine Elow clarifies that the role of CPD is to maintain order and not assisting ICE in arrests; Wilson comments on advice for residents; Azeem asks if a warrant is needed for ICE to break into a car; Megan Bayer notes that CPD does not have the authority to interfere with a federal action; Azeem asks about Governor’s announced hiring freeze; Sobrinho-Wheeler asks if ICE informed Worcester officials in advance of their actions, notes that there is a reporting requirement as part of our Welcoming City Ordinance; Elow notes that there have been 4 federal detainer requests and Cambridge has not honored any of them; Zusy recommends that everyone watch the “Know Your Rights” video; Wilson suggests having a Roundtable Meeting with immigration attorneys and others; Mayor Simmons asks Ellen Semonoff (Human Services) about how school staff should handle summer programs in this regard; Megan Bayer notes trainings for staff should ICE conduct an action within a City building; Nolan asks about local shelters; Placed on File (voice vote)

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Cambridge Out of School Time (OST) Expansion Study Report. [text of report]
pulled by Wilson for comments; Ellen Semonoff notes space constraints, need to access space in school buildings, challenges in staffing and pay/benefits, etc.; Zusy if anything in the report was surprising; Siddiqui, McGovern, Nolan comments; Referred to Human Services & Veterans Committee (voice vote)

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Executive Summary of the City’s Community Benefits Advisory Committee’s work over the past several years. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern for details and concerns expressed by former City Councillor Carlone during Public Comment; Ellen Semonoff concurs that current ordinance does not allow Community Benefits money to be used for infrastructure, explains why this was decided when adopted; Semonoff notes composition of the committee and some history; Siddiqui would like to change the ordinance – perhaps as a funding source for her pet Rise Up local welfare program; Zusy asks for source of funds; Wilson expresses desire to alter Ordinance to divert funding toward other projects, impatience in how long it takes to realize funding; Referred to Human Services & Veterans Committee (voice vote)

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board Report regarding the Cannabis Repackaging Petition.
Referred to Petition 8-0-1 (Toner-Absent)

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on May 7, 2025 on a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Article 11.000 with the intent to amend a subsection of the Cannabis Uses standards, Section 11.800 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, with the intent to remove the provision that prohibits the packaging or repackaging of cannabis products on the premises of a Cannabis Retail Store. The Committee will also review and discuss proposed amendments to the Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 5.50, Cannabis Business Permitting. The Committee voted favorably to forward the proposed amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance and Cambridge Municipal Code to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
Zoning Amendment Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Toner-Absent); Amendment to Municipal Code 5.50 Passed to 2nd Reading 8-0-1 (Toner-Absent); Report Accepted, Placed on File (vv)

Cannabis Sales seem at times to enjoy having the local equivalent of Favored Nation Status. Has any other local business had this level of City Council advocacy and intervention?

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report on the BioMed Realty, L.P. petition to amend the Zoning Map.
pulled by McGovern; Referred to Petition (voice vote); McGovern moves Reconsideration (hoping the same will not prevail); Reconsideration Fails 0-8-1 (Toner-Absent)

Order #1. That this City Council hereby declares June 19, 2025 as a Day of Reflection on Mass Incarceration in the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, go on record in support, and gives its endorsement of, the Juneteenth Festival at Cambridge Common as a vital community event celebrating freedom and resilience, and go on record in support and commending the work of The Black Response Cambridge in creating the film “Where Do Black Men Live?”, which powerfully highlights the lived experiences, struggles, and stories of Black male populations in Cambridge, bringing greater awareness to critical issues of housing, justice, and belonging.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Zusy; comments by McGovern, Zusy, Nolan, Wilson; Order Adopted 9-0

Pardon my not jumping on the support bandwagon, but here are a few nuggets of what this organization espouses:

  • Mission: The Black Response is an abolitionist research and advocacy organization that envisions and works toward building a world free of carceral and harmful responses. We seek to uplift the Black, brown, and otherwise marginalized communities in Cambridge and everywhere by working to unbundle and abolish policing, defund the police to invest in communities, and support the building of alternatives to public safety and the development of community care initiatives.
  • Here we are, Black Cambridge residents. We are actively calling on the Cambridge City Council to #DefundThePolice!
  • Anti-Capitalism – We recognize the interlocking and mutually reinforcing character of racism, patriarchy, and class oppression, as well as the deep and toxic interconnections between the prison industrial complex, capitalism and racism. We believe capitalism and class war are fundamental contradictions at the heart of the global order we live in today. We therefore seek to build equity, cooperation, and self-determination by replacing capitalist practices with racial and economic justice; and centering those most deeply affected by racism.
  • Abolition Internationalism – We believe that the pervasive violence of capitalism, policing and prisons do not stop at our borders. These systems are crucial tools for maintaining imperialism and the subjugation of African-descended people around the world from Atlanta to Haiti to Sudan. We therefore organize in a way which “thinks global and acts local”. In other words, we seek, wherever possible, to align our efforts with decolonial and revolutionary movements in the Global South and around the world.
  • We call on the City Council to end police patrol in the Black communities in Cambridge. … We want community workers instead.

Some advocacy organizations do more harm than good – even in The Peoples Republic of Cambridge.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to explore with the Government Operations Committee whether the functions of the Peace Commission may be improved and enhanced by bringing them within another City Commission or Department, such as the Human Rights Commission, and report back in a timely manner.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; JSW says this is not intended to eliminate functions of the Peace Commission, need for review of this and other boards; Nolan notes that it would be prudent to review of other boards and commissions, wants to also consider changing function of Police Review and Advisory Board; Simmons notes roles of committees but concerns that this Order involves personnel matters, inappropriateness of intervening in this way at this time; Charter Right – Simmons

This Order is Out Of Order. Though the City Council was responsible for establishing some of these boards and commissions many, many years ago, it’s really a case of jumping the Plan E fence to start directing the City Manager on how these boards should be staffed or if and how the management of the city government should best be organized. I would also speculate that the lead sponsor of this Order would like nothing more than to redefine the Police Review and Advisory Board (PRAB) in a manner more aligned with his own personal agenda and that of his DSA affiliates.

The Right Order – something that is decades overdue – would be a call for a periodic review of ALL discretionary boards and commissions. The “Cambridge Commission on Nuclear Disarmament and Peace Education” was established in 1982 for one purpose but now describes itself as: “The Cambridge Peace Commission promotes peace and social justice within Cambridge and in the wider world by working with other municipal agencies, communities of faith, nonprofit organizations, and the community as a whole to build connections, strengthen relationships, and promote positive dialogue.” The mission has clearly changed even though the ordinance has not.

There are many priorities the citizens of a city like Cambridge should be addressing, and perhaps a few priorities that deserve reevaluation. Did you know that an “Oil Recycling Committee” was established but never disestablished? It just disappeared. The Recycling Advisory Committee and the Committee for Environmentally Desirable Practices were once distinct entities established by Ordinance, but they eventually began meeting jointly and exist now only as the Recycling Advisory Committee.

The Cambridge Traffic Board was established by a Special Act of the Legislature in 1961, but it was allowed to die on the vine until a few of us pointed out that state law mandates that it be appointed. The City Manager and the Law Department eventually agreed and three members were appointed (all bike lane advocates, by the way), a couple of years ago – but I have been told that they have yet to meet (please correct me if I have this wrong!). We have a Bicycle Committee and a Pedestrian Committee, yet operators of motor vehicle operators have almost no recourse – and some might argue that the newly-renamed Transportation Department might more aptly be renamed the Department of Traffic Congestion and Obstruction (DTCO).

I have appreciated some of the historical research of the Cambridge Women’s Commission, but I do occasionally wonder whether that board and several other boards are really extracting the highest and best use of the volunteer efforts of the people of Cambridge. Maybe all discretionary boards should have a sunset provision and a thoughtful reauthorization process every decade or so.

There is also the nagging question of whether the agendas of City boards and commissions as well as their membership should be primarily determined by City staff – some of whom are quietly carrying out their own agendas behind the wall of the Plan E Charter.

Order #3. That the City Council go on record in support of H1811/S1114 and H1693/S1124 and the Clean Slate Massachusetts campaign.   Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Siddiqui for comments in support; Nolan added as cosponsor (vv); Order Adopted as Amended (vv)

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to meet with the leadership of the Harvard Square Business Association to discuss the proposal and to take the necessary steps to facilitate the release of $72,000 to fund the RFP development for the tunnel engineering study. [Charter Right – Azeem. May 12, 2025]
Azeem proposes amendment (with Toner); Azeem, Zusy, Nolan comments; Amendment Adopted (vv); Order Adopted as Amended (vv)

Communications #50. Patrick W Barrett III, re: Support for PO25#68 (Inclusionary Housing Study).

This issue isn’t going away – and our newly established Housing Department can no longer wish it away.

Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on April 14, 2025 to review and discuss regulations to encourage the use of solar energy systems and protect solar access for Registered Solar Energy Systems. (PO25#7). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File (vv)

Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on April 16, 2025 to review and discuss capital and large-scale programs and projects currently underway and in the funding plan, and potential future programming and projects that would need to be planned and incorporated into medium- and long-term capital and operating budgets. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File (vv)

My take on this meeting and other recent meetings has been that perhaps this isn’t the time for city councillors to be advocating forcefully for their personal pet projects that might be real budget busters. I would also like to draw everyone’s attention to the very informative memo from Finance Director Claire Spinner that was presented at the May 8, 2025 Budget Hearing. That golden goose seems a little less golden these days. I will add that the shift of the tax levy onto the residential sector won’t fall evenly on all housing types. The condo owners will be the least affected, but the owners of single-, two-, and three-family homes may soon experience some serious sticker shock.

Its Conclusion: “Cambridge faces a critical fiscal juncture that requires disciplined financial stewardship and strategic planning. The FY26 budget reflects a concerted effort to maintain essential services, support community priorities, and meet the budget and tax levy targets set last fall – all while navigating mounting economic uncertainty, shifting property valuations, and increasing dependence on property tax revenue. The potential shift in tax burden from commercial to residential properties and the erosion of excess levy capacity highlight the need for careful moderation in budget growth. By implementing a multi-year fiscal framework, preserving financial flexibility, and preparing for federal funding risks through targeted reserves, the City is taking proactive steps to ensure long-term stability. As we move forward, continued collaboration between the City Council, staff, and the broader community will be essential to making informed choices that sustain Cambridge’s financial health and its capacity to invest in a resilient and equitable future.”

May 11, 2025

Merry Month of May – May 12, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 5:10 pm

Merry Month of May – May 12, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

The FY26 Budget Hearings are continuing, but here are the highlights for this week’s regular City Council meeting… comments and additional details to follow:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to technical corrections that should be made to the Floodplain Zoning text. (CM25#118) [text of report]
pulled by McGovern along with Committee Report #1; comments by Nolan, Zusy; text amended 9-0 per Committee Report #1; Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Apr 30, 2025 to hold a public hearing on a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Article 5.000 and Section 20.70 with the intent of (1) replacing the Floodplain Overlay and Planning Board Special Permit with the Massachusetts model ordinance structure for permitting development in the flood plain through administrative review; (2) updating references to the most recent FEMA maps to maintain compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program; and (3) revising other parts of the Zoning Ordinance for internal consistency. The Committee voted favorably to accept the amendments and forward them to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
pulled early along with Manager’s Agenda #1; Report Accepted, Place on File 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to meet with the leadership of the Harvard Square Business Association to discuss the proposal and to take the necessary steps to facilitate the release of $72,000 to fund the RFP development for the tunnel engineering study.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, City Manager Huang re: cost considerations, Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan re: pedestrianizing a portion of Harvard Square and skepticism re: tunnel proposal, McGovern, Toner, Nolan, Azeem; Charter Right – Azeem

I saw some images and videos of the abandoned tunnel under Brattle Street several years ago. This is a very intriguing idea.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to ensure that all city owned parking lots, with a focus on school complexes, including the still under construction parking at Tobin/Darby Vassal school complex, could be made available for after-hours use by residents.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan re: more general parking concerns; add Siddiqui, Zusy, Wilson as sponsors 9-0; Toner notes that this is a request, a hope – notes that parking used to be available in off hours; Simmons comments, proposed amendment adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

On the Table #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-22, regarding a request to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to open the publicly owned parking at the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School Complex for either residential free parking or commercial parking opportunities during “off” hours. [Tabled – May 5, 2025]

Charter Right #1. The City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to develop a timeline for the next Inclusionary Housing Study, explore remedies to address the lack of housing starts and provide for consideration draft amendments to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, and explore other incentives to encourage developers to include affordable units beyond the requirement voluntarily. [Charter Right – Azeem, May 5, 2025]
Azeem amendment by substitution, McGovern amendment to change date from January 2026 to October 2025; late communication from Chris Cotter (Housing) re: Inclusionary Housing; Toner, Simmons comments; [Editor’s Note: Chris Cotter’s testimony – esp. re: amount of time required for “study”, failure to conduct study on schedule – seems evasive and less than sincere]; Azeem wants accelerated timeline, does not support lowering 20% inclusionary requirement; comments by Zusy, City Manager Huang (noting that lowering pct. would not legally require a study); Simmons comments; date change from Jan 2026 to Oct 2025 adopted 9-0; Nolan, Toner amendments noting (in part) that the required study was not done and a reminder that adjustments of IZ percentages for different project sizes was requested in Sept 2024; comments by Nolan, Toner, Zusy (noting possible reduction in housing demand due to federal policies), Cotter, Wilson, Huang; Azeem calls the question (to end discussion) – voted 9-0; Nolan, Toner amendments adopted 9-0; JSW comments – not in favor of any reductions, wants even higher required percentages for larger projects, use of AHT funds to subsidize; Substitute Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Late Communication #2. A communication was received from Director of Housing, Chris Cotter. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

The original Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (1998) made sense in that the mandate for subsidized units in projects of 10 or more units came with a density bonus plus one additional market-rate unit for every mandated “affordable” unit. The revised ordinance (2017) was politically driven and economically nonsensical. The City Council could now amend the ordinance to reflect current conditions and economic reality … or they can act politically and ensure that few new inclusionary housing units are ever built. Indeed, many of the inclusionary units that have come on line in recent years were ones that were hatched prior to the current ordinance. Municipal election years can confound good decision-making.

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to include in the FY26 Operating Budget a continued commitment to Emergency Housing Vouchers for Permanent Supportive Housing and Mixed Status Families, and the Transition Wellness Center, as well as allocate the necessary resources to establish a municipal successor to Rise Up Cambridge that builds on its mission of providing direct, dignified economic support to families. [Charter Right – Wilson, May 5, 2025]
Wilson proposes substitute Order that; Wilson elaborates that substitute order calls for “allocation of at least 25 additional housing vouchers or $1 million, whichever is greater, that would be open to the 20 remaining residents at the Transitional Wellness Center who do not have a permanent housing placement in process and to other shelter residents in Cambridge; and to allocate funding for a successor program to Rise Up Cambridge as soon as possible”; comments by Wilson, McGovern; Ellen Semonoff reports that there are some beds available at 240 Albany Street for people in recovery, efforts now being made to find situations for all remaining TWC occupants; Nolan comments, proposed amendment to require report of scope and cost of any Rise Up successor program; comments by Yi-An Huang of projects now in pipeline by Affordable Housing Trust (AHT); comments by Zusy re: open-ended continuing costs associated with keeping TWC open, fact that an unlimited number of people will continue to come to Cambridge for our generous services, suggests greater support for 240 Albany St./Bay Cove rather than open-ended provision of vouchers; Toner asks if additional $1 million for vouchers is feasible; Yi-An Huang notes that vouchers would be specifically for those in transition to permanent supportive housing; Toner expresses concerns about wording of request to fund a successor to Rise Up program; McGovern elaborates on possible options for successor program, criteria for eligibility, implementation dates; Wilson addresses matter of a “benefit cliff” that could potentially trigger loss of MassHealth benefits, implementation timeline (hoping to have everything up and running by Jan 1, 2026); Siddiqui notes that getting this into FY2026 Budget may not be possible; Toner expresses concerns about operation of proposed program and where the money would be coming from; Yi-An Huang says there is a path to creating a successor program – challenge is resourcing, questions of scale of program, prioritization; JSW comments about ARPA, opening of shelters, would prefer to give vouchers to all residents of all shelters, calls Rise Up successor program critical; Zusy to vote No because City budget otherwise seeing cuts; Nolan amendment to Substitute Order Adopted 9-0; Substitute Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Zusy-No)

Some councillors must have not read the memo regarding the need for greater fiscal restraint for the time being. And, of course, municipal election years can confound good decision-making.

Charter Right #3. First floor retail policy order. [Charter Right – Zusy, May 5, 2025]
Toner offers additional amendment that the Order be referred to the Economic Development and University Relations Committee and the the Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning Committee for a hearing and discussion before being forwarded to the Ordinance Committee for deliberation; comments by Zusy about value of neighborhood retail; Nolan, JSW, Azeem comments; Amendment Adopted 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent); Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent)

I live in a BA-1 zone (mixed residential/commercial), but I don’t think this would be advisable for all residential zones. It’s one thing to grandfather existing small retail establishments, but I wouldn’t necessarily want to open up all residential zones to ground floor retail. Besides, isn’t everyone aware of how many vacant retail spaces there are right now and the fact that a lot of retail is croaking?

Resolution #7. Resolution congratulating Diane LeBlanc on her Retirement.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner
pulled by Simmons for comments; additional comments by McGovern, Toner, Siddiqui, Azeem, Nolan, Zusy, Wilson, Sobrinho-Wheeler, City Council Assistant Naomie Stephen; standing ovation for Diane LeBlanc; comments by Diane LeBlanc w/appreciation and thanks to staff of City Clerk’s Office

Diane LeBlanc has been a blessing for the last three years. We are an historic city and it has been great to have someone with a background as an archivist in the role of City Clerk.

Committee Report #2. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on May 5, 2025 to initiate the process of re-appointing the City Auditor, PO25#62. The Committee voted favorably to forward the re-appointment of the City Auditor, Joseph McCann, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Joseph McCann reappointed to another 3-year term as City Auditor 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

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