Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

October 19, 2026

International Night Out – October 19-20, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Central Square,City Council,Harvard Square — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:18 pm

International Night Out – October 19-20, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

There are a number of interesting and relevant items on this week’s agenda, but that’s not what will be bring out the radical fringe. For that we have two fallacy-filled Orders from the DSA councillors (Al-Zubi and Sobrinho-Wheeler) relating to Israel and Palestine. It will be interesting to see if any other councillors join the party.

Note: The Oct 19, 2026 meeting of the City Council was recessed at 11:45pm after over 6 hours of Public Comment – almost all by people taking either side of the BDS proposals (Orders #7 and #8). There was no action on any agenda items. The meeting resumed Oct 20 at 9:00am.

MIT encampment

Here are the items that drew my attention:

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. Transmitting communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a recommendation that in accordance with the requirements of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the Cambridge City Council amend and clarify the FY27 Public Investment Bond Authorization of $12,795,000 and the FY26 Public Investment Bond Authorization of $19,986,000 for building repairs across Cambridge Public Schools. [text of report]
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a response to AR26-14 regarding a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures at Cambridge City Hall. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to PO26#81 and AR26-55 (PO26#148) regarding Multifamily Housing communications. [text of report]
pulled by Zusy; comments by McGovern, Yi-An Huang, Nolan, Zusy, Jennifer Caira (Deputy Chief of Planning, CDD); Placed on File 8-0-1 (Flaherty Absent)

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to review and reconsider the Harvard Square Kiosk Operating and Stewardship Model.   Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Simmons, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler; Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler

Back when suggestions were being solicited for the Kiosk, I made the suggestion that the Kiosk should operate as an affordable hot dog stand (not just hot dogs, of course, but like Sullivan’s at Castle Island) with a projection screen at one end where people could watch things like Red Sox games – like we used to do through the window at Cardullo’s. Some City staff really liked the idea (albeit privately – because, you know, Cambridge), so the idea went absolutely nowhere. The current operation coordinated by CultureHouse, though perhaps well-intentioned, is thoroughly sterile. Perhaps that might improve when the whole plaza is reopened (hopefully before hell freezes over), but I agree with the intent of the City Council order that the whole operation needs to be reevaluated.

Order #3. That the City Council go on record opposing Massachusetts’ 2026 ballot question 5 on limiting state revenue due to the consequences this would have for the City of Cambridge and other municipalities across the Commonwealth.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Al-Zubi, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Election Commission, Communications staff, and other relevant departments to encourage residents to utilize the early voting sites or vote by mail and to prioritize communication of the need for voters to plan for enough time to vote, given the complexity of the ballots.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Zusy; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #6. Fare-free MBTA Route 1, developed jointly with the City of Boston.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan; comments by Al-Zubi, Nolan, McGovern, Zusy, Siddiqui; Nolan added as sponsor; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

While there is merit in this suggestion, I continue to wonder how the cost of free transit and so many other “here’s some free stuff” initiatives will be funded – especially during times of limited revenue. Politicians often score points by giving away goodies without considering how to fund all the free stuff.

Order #7. City Council Divestment from companies complicit in the Genocide, Apartheid, and Occupation of Palestinians.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi, Azeem; Charter Right – Azeem (prior to introduction of Substitute Order from Simmons, Nolan, Flaherty)

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor to provide the Ordinance Committee, before its hearing, with an opinion on the proposed ordinance under M.G.L. c. 30B and applicable federal law to boycott companies complicit in Israel’s Apartheid, Genocide, and Illegal Occupation of Palestine.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan; Charter Right – Nolan

There were 875 Communications – Placed on File 9-0

Late Order #13. That the Mayor work with the City Council Office, the City Clerk’s Office, and other City staff to call and notice a special meeting to take place the week of October 26, 2026, to continue discussion on PO26#195 (Order #7) and PO26#196 (Order #8).   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

Let’s not beat around the bush here. Both of these orders are based on falsehoods fueled by social contagion. My guess (or perhaps my hope) is that most city councillors will vote Present on both of these Orders and that there will be at most 3 sincere votes in support (you can likely throw in Siddiqui in addition to the sponsors of the Order). Then again, any councillors who still dream of “moving up” may fear the wrath of the DSA if they don’t at least go along with some less inflammatory substitute. It should be noted, of course, that offering substitute versions is really just a way to “have it both ways” rather than to definitively call out an ill-conceived proposal.

I see that a “Continuation of the City Council meeting (if necessary)” has already been scheduled for the following morning at 9:00am, so I guess we can expect to be treated to many hours of Public Comment on Monday night. I was able to witness a preview on Sept 29 in front of City Hall where protesters staged a “die in” after the usual chants and speeches and waving of Palestinian flags. Political players included Councillors Al-Zubi and Sobrinho-Wheeler (no others), soon-to-be State Senator Erika Uyterhoeven (DSA), and the perpetually ineffective State Rep. Mike Connolly – all of whom chanted along with the accusations of genocide and the now time-worn calls of the BDS movement (Boycott, Divest, Sanction).

I really hope there will be some public comment opposing these Orders, but the intimidation of those who disagree is very real.

Note: After the Charter Right was exercised on Order #7 and Order #8, the proponents of those two Orders, mainly wrapped in their keffiyehs and many wearing face masks, exited loudly with the stamping of feet and chanting “Free, Free Palestine!” At the end of the meeting, Councillor Al-Zubi exited the Sullivan Chamber saying to those still assembled in the gallery (many of whom were Jewish): “I guess you people are pro-genocide.”

Order #9. City Council support of the Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act of 2025 (S.3308 / H.R.6356) and urge Congress to enact strong, enforceable civil rights protections for automated systems used in consequential decisions.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #11. That the MWRA reconsider plans to construct a 10-million-gallon CSO storage tank beneath Magazine Beach.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, McGovern, Simmons, Flaherty, Nolan, Yi-An Huang, Kathy Watkins; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

The proposal recently presented by the MWRA for their CSO storage tank that would require permanently fencing off 2.3 acres of newly restored green space at Magazine Beach is a non-starter that should be unanimously opposed.

Order #12. Reaffirming the City Council’s commitment to high-quality health care for all residents and its strong support of H.1405/S.860, An Act establishing Medicare for All in Massachusetts.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Zusy; comments by Al-Zubi, Zusy; Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Reports #1. The Housing Committee held a public hearing on Oct 1, 2026 to have a roundtable discussion with several arts and cultural institutions in Central Square on planning and cultural preservation in Central Square. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

I am still perplexed about this topic being addressed by the City Council’s Housing Committee when it so obviously should have been before the Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Art, and Celebrations (NLTP) Committee.

October 3, 2026

Hexus Nexus – October 5, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,cycling,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:42 pm

Hexus Nexus – October 5, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

City HallI’ll definitely have more to say about this week’s agenda – especially about the arrival of the long-delayed Nexus Study on Inclusionary Zoning – but here are the main attractions for this week’s one ring circus:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Seth Minkoff to the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (CIRC). [text of report]
Appointment Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, conveying a response to AR26-32 regarding food vending in parks. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by JSW, Zusy, Siddiqui, Nolan; referred to Gov’t Operations 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an Inclusionary Zoning Report. [Manager’s Letter][CDD/Housing Recommendations][Nexus Report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi, McGovern, Azeem, Simmons, Nolan, Flaherty, Zusy, Siddiqui; Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Order #1. That the proposed language for “Tenant Notification of Property Sale” be forwarded to the Ordinance Committee for hearing and report.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by JSW, McGovern, Nolan (add as sponsor), Flaherty, Siddiqui; Order Referred to Ordinance Committee as Amended 9-0

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City staff to advocate for a stronger level of CSO Control and virtual CSO elimination by 2050 in the CSO Control Plan and to advocate for broader funding across the state and entire MWRA region, and for additional federal funding.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Nolan, Al-Zubi (w/amendment), Zusy (references to Magazine Beach CSO project), Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, Flaherty (cost concerns), McGovern, Siddiqui; Al-Zubi amendment Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Charter Right #1. Postponing the roll out of the Outer Huron Bike Lanes from the Bicycle Safety Ordinance until we solve the parking problem. [Charter Right – Zusy, Sept 28, 2026]
comments by Zusy w/amendment (calling for one-year delay so that City can install Permit Parking only signs on one side of the street), McGovern (double talk), Simmons, Flaherty (emphasizing the myriad destinations in this area that need parking), Nolan (not supportive of original, OK w/McGovern/Siddiqui substitute), Siddiqui, Al-Zubi (quotes a study suggesting these spaces not filled), Brooke McKenna (occupancy of parking spaces varies by time of year, time of day; suggesting change in regulation of parking – unrestricted in day, resident-only overnight, only golfers in their lot w/placards, changes along Glacken Field – no success in locating any off-street parking), Zusy (on when changes in parking regulations could be implemented), Nolan, McGovern (suggests use of golf course lot for evening events at Russell Center/VFW), Simmons (asks if Parkside Place were agreeable to allowing use of their parking, would it be free? – No), Kathy Watkins (not optimistic about any alternate parking), Siddiqui (asserts that majority oppose any delay); Zusy amendment Fails 4-5 (BA,TF,DS,CZ-Yes; AAZ,MM,PN,JSW,SS-No); Zusy will not support McGovern/Siddiqui amendment because it doesn’t do anything and sends the wrong message; Flaherty agrees that the substitute is disingenuous and proposal unfairly impacts this neighborhood; McGovern/Siddiqui substitute Adopted 6-3 (AAZ,BA,MM,PN,JSW,SS-Yes; TF,DS,CZ-No)

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the relevant staff and departments to implement the recommendations following the May 2025 Human Services & Veterans Committee meeting, such as strengthening anti-poverty measures, establishing a dedicated CARE Team call and referral line, prioritizing commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking prevention efforts for LGBTQIA+ youth, and report back to the City Council on progress. [Charter Right – Nolan, Sept 28, 2026]
Nolan comments on protection of sex workers not arresting or prosecuting those who sell work (“this line of work”), supports full decriminalization of sex workers, but not for those who buy it, proposed amendments to the Order; Sobrinho-Wheeler (“whatever line of work you are in”, draws parallel with cannabis legalization); McGovern (“It’s the right thing to so, we have heard a lot from people in the industry.”), Zusy (has questions for police or other City staff – “Is Cambridge Police involved in enforcement against sex workers?”), Shameka Gregory (Executive Director, Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative (DGBVPI)) responds – many opinions on this, but unanimous support for protections of sex workers, lack of trust in law enforcement; Simmons comments (noting that CPS does not prioritize arrest people for sex work); Azeem calls question (9-0); amendments Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Flaherty-Present); Al-Zubi added as sponsor w/comments; Siddiqui, Simmons comments; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Flaherty-Present)

192 Communications (including one supposedly from Art Vandelay – for those who get the joke)

Late Resolution #4. Resolution honoring Stephen Henry Kaiser, Ph.D.   Councillor Zusy
Councillor Zusy notes that Steve is currently in Mt. Auburn Hospital with pneumonia

September 26, 2026

The Taxman Cometh – September 28, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,cycling,Fresh Pond — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:14 pm

The Taxman Cometh – September 28, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

There’s a lotta money on the table this week – setting the rates for the Fall tax bills, and a scheduled rally by the Teachers Union (a.k.a. Cambridge Education Association) to substantially jack up the School Department budget. There’s also a common-sense proposal to delay or stop the removal of parking on the section of Huron Ave. west of the golf course that challenges the dogma of the Cambridge Bicycle Safety crowd. There are also a couple of City Board appointments, an announcement that my pal Jason Weeks will be moving on after many years at the Cambridge Arts Council, a proposal for some minor adjustments to the Multi-Family Housing Ordinance, and more!Dogtown

Here are the items that drew my attention:

Tax Rate Hearing (6:30pm): A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the FY27 tax rate. [City Manager’s Letter][Tax Rate Orders]
comments by Nolan, Zusy, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Claire Spinner (Finance), Gayle Willett (Assessing), Flaherty, Yi-An Huang (low tax rates, high property values, highest budgets for broader and deeper services), Al-Zubi, Azeem, Nolan, Siddiqui; Order 1a Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent); Nolan explains equity issues re: flat Residential Exemption; Order 1b Adopted 9-0; Placed on File 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9

The bottom line is: The FY27 Adopted Operating Budget is $1.033 billion which is an increase of 4.1% (or $41 million) over the FY26 Adopted Budget. The actual FY27 tax levy required to support the FY27 Budget is $725,384,189 which is an increase of $46,531,718 or 6.85% from FY26, consistent with the estimate presented when the budget was adopted in June 2026.

TO BE EDITED The property tax levy increase of 6.85% is lower than the FY25 increase of 8.0%. The five-year (FY23-FY27) annual average increase is 7.96%, and the ten-year (FY18-FY27) annual average increase is 6.9%. The FY26 residential tax rate will be $6.95 per thousand dollars of value, subject to Department of Revenue approval. This is an increase of $0.28, or approximately 4% from FY26. The commercial tax rate will be $16.99, which is an increase of $2.92, or 21% from FY25 (which follows a 22% rate increase the previous year).

“A major concern going forward is that if residential values increase and commercial values continue to decrease, the City could hit the ceiling for the property tax classification shift. Once the classification ceiling is reached, the residential class will bear all tax levy increases while this condition continues.”

As a result of the market activity in calendar year 2025, which is the basis of the FY27 property assessments, total residential property values increased by 2.3%. Total commercial property values decreased by 12.4%. These negative results reflect the continued softening of the commercial and lab markets.

By property class, an average a single-family home will see a 6.47% tax increase, a two-family will see a 8.24% increase, a three-family will see a 8.38% increase, and a condo will see a 0.71% decrease. Due to the flat residential exemption, condo owners will often see a decrease or only a very small increase in years when other property owners are hit with a significant increase. Here are the median figures including the CPA Surcharge:

FY2027 Taxes – including CPA Surcharge and Residential Exemption

Residential
Property Type		 FY24
Median Tax		 FY25
Median Tax		 FY26
Median Tax		 FY27
Median Tax		 Median
$ increase		 %
increase
Condominium $1,555 $1,734 $1,964 $1,950 – $ 14 -0.71%
Single-Family $7,674 $8,277 $9,122 $9,712 $ 590 6.47%
Two-Family $6,713 $7,146 $7,802 $8,445 $ 643 8.24%
Three-Family $8,246 $8,865 $9,657 $10,466 $ 809 8.38%

History of changes in residential property taxes

Median Annual Tax Increases – Cambridge (not incl. CPA surcharge)
Tax Year condo single-family two-family three-family
FY2009 $ 18 $ 40 $ 24 $ 72
FY2010 $ 69 $ 119 $ 47 $ 41
FY2011 $ 77 $ 306 $ 132 $ 154
FY2012 $ 60 $ 269 $ 177 $ 215
FY2013 $ 65 $ 159 $ 80 $ 85
FY2014 – $ 38 $ 109 $ 110 $ 201
FY2015 $ 15 $ 11 $ 334 $ 253
FY2016 – $ 18 $ 64 $ 101 $ 217
FY2017 $ 11 $ 324 $ 237 $ 336
FY2018 $ 76 $ 136 $ 33 $ 61
FY2019 $ 21 $ 124 $ 292 $ 469
FY2020 $ 43 $ 449 $ 366 $ 369
FY2021 $ 3 $ 246 $ 131 $ 218
FY2022 $ 33 $ 545 $ 301 $ 335
FY2023 – $ 107 $ 419 $ 269 $ 379
FY2024 – $ 7 $ 743 $ 494 $ 598
FY2025 $ 175 $ 587 $ 421 $ 602
FY2026 $ 224 $ 821 $ 638 $ 770
FY2027 $ 24 $ 836 $ 841 $ 766
5 year average $61.80 $681.20 $532.60 $623.00
10 year average $48.50 $490.60 $378.60 $456.70
15 year average $34.67 $371.53 $309.87 $377.27
20 year average $36.60 $309.50 $247.75 $300.60
number of properties 15472 3925 2172 1138

Board Appointments:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Climate Committee. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the LGBTQ+ Commission. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an Arts Council Leadership Announcement. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $2,250,000 from the Water Fund Balance to fund the purchase of supplemental drinking water from the MWRA. [text of report]
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-26 regarding harmonization of institutional bus protocols. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. City Council opposition to H.R. 8870 and Increases in Federal Truck Size and Weight Limits.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Al-Zubi
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. That the City Council hold a Roundtable/Working Meeting on Mon, Nov 30, 2026, from 4:00-6:00pm, to discuss the future uses of City-owned properties.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council within thirty days on the status of the negotiations between the Cambridge School Committee and the Cambridge Education Association, in Executive Session if the Law Department advises that a report in open session would disclose collective bargaining strategy Support for Cambridge Public Schools paraprofessionals, substitutes, and clerks.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
pulled by Zusy; Siddiqui recuses herself; comments by Al-Zubi (wants to fund everything), Zusy (notes actual salary ranges, this is School Committee’s business and that proposals would add 18% to School Dept. budget, will vote No), Nolan (this is School Committee business and would step into middle of contract negotiations, district has proposed a 60% increase over 2 years of lowest paid paraprofessionals, wants School Committee to work within current budget, notes continuing mediocre MCAS results), Sobrinho-Wheeler (support any union no matter what), Flaherty (this is not just about supporting unions, but passing this would set a bad precedent), McGovern (calls this “a tough one”, but City Council has no line item authority with the School Department and its budget), Azeem (it would be fine if we spent extra, but this belongs with School Committee, Al-Zubi (claims there is no conflict of interest, wants confidential information on negotiations to be provided), Simmons (notes former School Committee members on Council and how the School Committee would resent City Council intervention in this matter – stay in our own lane), Zusy (clarifies pay ranges for paraprofessionals – average salary is more like $52,000, in line with neighboring communities); Motion Fails 2-4-1-2 (AAZ,JSW-Yes; BA,TF,PN,CZ-No; SS-Absent; MM,DS-Present)

Order #8. Postponing the roll out of the Outer Huron Bike Lanes from the Bicycle Safety Ordinance until we solve the parking problem.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Flaherty, Simmons, Nolan, Azeem, Kathy Watkins, Al-Zubi, McGovern (w/substitute Order with Siddiqui), Siddiqui; Charter Right – Zusy

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Police Department and other relevant departments to develop a coordinated July 4th response plan for the Cherry Street, Harvard Street, and Fletcher Maynard Academy area to ensure that this spot not be utilized for the illegal use of fireworks. [Charter Right – Simmons, Sept 14, 2026]
comments by Simmons (opposes proposed amendments), Al-Zubi (withdraw previous amendment, introduce new amendment); previous amendment withdrawn 9-0; comments by Flaherty, Sobrinho-Wheeler, McGovern (fine w/original Order), Zusy (will vote for original Order, this is about enforcement and not social services), Siddiqui (would delete reference to Community Safety taking the lead), McGovern, Azeem; Amendment by Al-Zubi, Sobrinho-Wheeler Fail 4-3-0-2 (AAZ,PN,JSW,SS-Yes; MM,DS,CZ-No; BA,TF-Present); Original Order Adopted 7-2 (AAZ,JSW-Present); Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Resolution #3. Happy 102nd Birthday to Marvin Gilmore.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Flaherty with story and to be added as sponsor; comments by Simmons

Committee Report #1. The Housing Committee and the Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebration Committee held a public hearing on June 25, 2026 to continue discussion of the 2025 Multifamily Zoning Amendments and consider potential modifications. The Committees also reviewed PO26#123, relative to proposed amendments to the Multifamily Zoning Ordinance. The June 25, 2026 Committee meeting recessed and reconvened on Sept 16, 2026. At the Sept 16, 2026 meeting both Committees voted favorably to recommend to the full City Council adoption of the proposed Policy Order, as amended, requesting that the City Manager work with CDD and relevant City Departments to prepare zoning language based on the recommendations discussed at the Sept 16, 2026 joint Committee hearing. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; comments on proposed Order by McGovern, Nolan, Yi-An Huang, Melissa Peters (CDD), Zusy, Azeem (notes that 20% Inclusionary and other zoning changes are not producing the housing that was projected, especially with high interest rates and tariffs – OK with proposed amendments but make other future changes), Flaherty (suggests having a sunset provision), McGovern, Melissa Peters (will respond within 6-8 weeks); Order Adopted 9-0

Order #11. (proposed in Comm. Report #1) That the City Manager is requested to work with CDD and relevant City departments to prepare zoning language based on the recommendations discussed in the Sept 16, 2026 Joint Housing and Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning Committees for consideration by the full City Council.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0 (see Committee Report #1)

September 15, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 675-676: September 15, 2026

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square,Charter,City Council,cycling,Harvard Square,history,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:11 pm

Episode 675 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 15, 2026 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Sept 15, 2026 at 6:00pm. Topics: Concord, Massachusetts – Old North Bridge, Reformatory Trail, Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge and the Concord River, path to Author’s Ridge and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery; Open Archives, serendipity and the Hood Rubber Company; reopening of Carl Barron Plaza in Central Square coming this month – will Harvard Square Kiosk area follow?; some tales of the reconfigured Broadway – high speed motorized bikes in the bike lanes, floating bus stop at the high school an accident waiting to happen, endangerment of good drivers; Huron Ave. west bike lanes coming regardless of what anyone has to say; Saturday attractions – Danehy Park Family Day, Somerville Fluff Festival, Central Square Night Market; Sept 25 Meet Your Neighbor Event; Sept 26 Roast in the Coast. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 676 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 15, 2026 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Sept 15, 2026 at 6:30pm. Topics: A few words on the summer controversies, ShotSpotter, and Resident Assembly; Sept 14 Council meeting – hiring of ex_ICE officers, Community Preservation Act allocation vote and some historical perspective, Board appointments, the absurdity of self-congratulating reports from City departments, some history of the PTDM Ordinance, automated traffic and parking enforcement (with cameras and surveillance!) coming soon, Resident Permit Parking (triple cost coming soon!), micromobility and the foresight of Craig Kelley, the question of a directly-elected mayor returns, the problem of the current Council being the only source of changes in city government – and always changes that grant more authority and privileges to city councillors; City Clerk Paula Crane; problematic fireworks in The Port and a dumb idea from the DSA councillors; streamlining of permits and licenses; ordination of Cambridge Street and Mass. Ave. zoning amendments; Social Housing Task Force report; a letter from Patrick Barrett on Neighborhood Conservation Districts, Multifamily Housing Zoning, Inclusionary Zoning and the elusive Nexus Study. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

September 14, 2026

The Return – September 14, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Charter,City Council,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:47 pm

The Return – September 14, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

There are no Big Controversial Issues to pitch to a Resident Assembly this week, so I suppose The Nine will have to face the challenges of representation (or misrepresentation) on their own after their summer vacation. Here are a few items that piqued my interest:Dogtown

To Drink the Impossible Drink

Reconsideration #1. Councillor Patricia Nolan has filed Reconsideration for PO26#140: “That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the City Solicitor and the License Commission to draft and submit a Home Rule Petition to authorize one additional Section 15 all-alcoholic beverages license not to be drunk on the premises.”
Reconsideration Fails 4-5 (AAZ,PN,CZ,SS-Yes; BA,TF,MM,DS,JSW-No)

Communications & Reports #4. A communication from Councillor Nolan Regarding Reconsideration of the Alcohol License Home Rule Policy Order. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0 (early w/Reconsideration #1)

Federal Policies Trickling Down

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 an appropriation, in the amount of $500,000, from the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account, to support a citywide response to federal changes affecting SNAP and MassHealth benefits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3). [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi, Yi-An Huang, Siddiqui, Zusy, Flaherty, Simmons; Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #20. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding Welcoming Community Ordinance Reporting from the Cambridge Police Department. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #21. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, conveying a response to AR26-15 regarding hiring of former Federal immigration enforcement agents by the Cambridge Police Department. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Order #10. City Council support of protecting and strengthening Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.   Councillor Zusy, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan to be added as sponsor; comments by Zusy, Nolan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #12. That the City Council urge the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts General Court to prioritize the hiring of additional DTA case workers to ensure those eligible for SNAP are able to receive and maintain benefits and taking other steps needed to end the SNAP access crisis.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan to be added as sponsor, comments by Nolan, Siddiqui; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Hey Big Spender (with apologies to Peggy Lee)

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Community Preservation Act Appropriations. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Taha Jennings (noting death of CPA Committee member Kevin Foster), Zusy, Kathy Watkins, Simmons, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler (who does not understand that when CPA was originally adopted it was with the understanding that it would be cost-neutral to taxpayers but would leverage state funds), Flaherty; All Orders Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee and Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a joint public hearing on Apr 30, 2026 with Harvard University to discuss and receive and update on the Harvard University Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #5. A communication from Councillors Nolan and Al-Zubi Regarding a Proposed Schedule for Budget Related Finance Committee Hearings. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan for comments; Placed on File 9-0

Excuse me, but we have some Appointments to make

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of five members to the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship for terms of three years. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of David Canavan to the Police Review and Advisory Board for a term of five years. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Fresh Pond Advisory Board. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #24. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding the Cambridge Preschool Program and the establishment of a Task Force charged with identifying policy solutions to expand supports for families with young children. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, McGovern, Siddiqui, Yi-An Huang, Joseph Corazzini, Cheryl Ohlson; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #25. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Joint Childcare Access Task Force. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

We know where the bodies are buried

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $250 in donations in support of the Old Burying Ground. [text of report]
Order Adopted 9-0

Buildings and Stuff

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, requesting that the City Council amend the City of Cambridge’s Authorized Revolving Fund Ordinance to establish a new revolving fund for the Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Reduction to serve the City’s municipal energy use. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Ellen Katz (DPW), Zusy; Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-27, requesting that the City Manager direct staff to examine whether the City can enact an ordinance requiring public buildings and places of public accommodation in Cambridge with one or more single-stall restrooms to have at least one single-stall restroom with gender-neutral signage. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Megan Bayer; Placed on File 9-0

Traffic & Transportation

Manager’s Agenda #18. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2025 Transportation Demand Management Program Report. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Ryan McKinnon, Zusy, Stephanie Groll, Flaherty; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-45, regarding a review of decline in traffic enforcement. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Brooke McKenna (automated traffic and parking enforcement, i.e. surveillance, is coming soon), Police Commissioner Pauline Wells, Azeem, Lt. Phil McDavitt, McGovern, Zusy, Flaherty, Yi-An Huang, Nolan; Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a public hearing on Apr 28, 2026 to review and discuss the Residential Permit Parking Program, associated costs, and the relationship between the program, the services it provides, and the general use of the public ways in Cambridge. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a public hearing on June 24, 2026 to discuss micromobility in Cambridge, including current safety trends, the recently filed State legislation “Ride Safe Act,” and next steps for education and enforcement considerations. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Charter Chatter and Appointment of the City Clerk

Manager’s Agenda #23. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-37, which requested that the City Manager work with the Mayor’s Office, Law Department, Election Commission, and other relevant City departments to engage the Collins Center in reviewing policy options for allowing Cambridge voters to directly elect the City’s Mayor. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Order #11. That the City Solicitor engage the services of a suitable law firm, in consultation with the City’s Chief People Officer and with approval of the City Solicitor, to negotiate an employment contract with Paula M. Crane on behalf of the City Council.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Al-Zubi, McGovern, Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Azeem; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I emphatically support the move to elevate Acting City Clerk Paula Crane to City Clerk – joining a long line of wonderful people who have held that position going back to the establishment of Cambridge as a city in 1846 (and even earlier as a town).

As for the matter of direct election of the mayor, I think this is a very bad idea in a city with a city manager form of government. I will add that the current practice of having the City Council exclusively deciding all possible changes to the city’s Charter (subject only to a formal plebiscite) – where every iteration concentrates more power and privileges into the hands of city councillors – is a dreadful state of affairs.

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Police Department and other relevant departments to develop a coordinated July 4th response plan for the Cherry Street, Harvard Street, and Fletcher Maynard Academy area to ensure that this spot not be utilized for the illegal use of fireworks.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons, Flaherty; proposed amendment by Al-Zubi, Sobrinho-Wheeler to instead have Cambridge HEART and other City departments do the intervention rather than Cambridge Police; comments by Al-Zubi, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy, McGovern, Siddiqui, Simmons, Nolan, Azeem; Charter Right – Simmons
Note: I personally hear these fireworks through the night every July 4 (on Broadway near Lee Street). It’s a REAL problem even at that distance. It must be an impossible situation near the source. The suggestion that “Cambridge HEART” should be doing the intervention is astonishingly naive.

Order #8. Recognize September 2026 as Meet Your Neighbor Month in the City of Cambridge, commending the Peace Commission for its leadership, and encouraging all Cambridge residents to take this opportunity to meet a neighbor, share stories, and build the connections that strengthen our community.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem
Order Adopted 9-0

Riding that Streamliner Train

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to develop a coordinated initiative to improve and streamline the permitting and licensing process for small businesses.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Siddiqui along w/Communications & Reports #2; comments by Siddiqui, Nolan, Zusy; Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing on Tues, June 9, 2026 to convene a roundtable of representatives from the Cambridge and Greater Cambridge startup ecosystem to provide insight into current conditions, emerging needs, and specific ways the City can strengthen its support for startups and enhance the local innovation environment. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #2. A communication from Mayor Siddiqui transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the City of Cambridge participation in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui along w/Order #9; Placed on File 9-0

Zoning Out

Unfinished Business #1. Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning petition. [Passed to 2nd Reading Aug 3, 2026; Eligible to be Ordained Aug 24, 2026]
pulled by McGovern; Ordained as Amended 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Unfinished Business #2. Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning petition. [Passed to 2nd Reading Aug 3, 2026; Eligible to be Ordained Aug 24, 2026]
pulled by McGovern; Ordained as Amended 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Committee Report #4. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on June 22, 2026 to review and discuss the 5-year update to the Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) including recommendations from the analysis and evaluation and feedback from community meetings. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #3. A communication from Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi and Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the Social Housing Task Force. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

For your consideration…

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , — PatrickWBarrettIII @ 11:44 am

For your consideration… – a letter from Patrick Barrett

Cambridge City Council
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Mayor Siddiqui and Honorable Cambridge City Council,Patrick Barrett

I am writing to you in my capacity as an advocate, long-time volunteer, multiple committee member, and at this point in my career too many Cambridge specific advocacy boards and initiatives to name. I am, of course, also a real estate developer.

In the coming weeks you will be discussing the renewal of the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District (MCNCD), amendments to the revolutionary Multifamily Housing Zoning ordinance which is currently slated to be examined and taught this Spring at both Harvard and MIT, and you will finally release the long overdue 1 Inclusionary Zoning Nexus Study. I have been involved in enough discussions about “controversial” issues in Cambridge to know when the die has already been cast. This comes typically by way of concessions made during the mayoral shuffle at the beginning of any term or when we tip over the edge of any even year into the “danger zone” of the municipal election cycle. Rarely are these concessions in the best interests of Cambridge and even more rarely do the knee-jerk decisions based on misinformation campaigns or the fear inspired by a potential election loss ever produced a good outcome.

On June 8th I represented a client on a conversion project; we were adding a sizable addition to create 4 large format townhouse units from an existing smaller format three-unit building. An interesting twist in that case was that prior to our presentation another presentation was given by a sitting member of the Cambridge Historical Commission (CHC). His project, a down conversion of a three-unit building (in fairness the developer didn’t know if it was a 2 or 3) into a single-family home with an additional single-family home behind it. The existing property is pending at $3.5M. Aside from the clear conflict of interest that a sitting CHC member has with the MCNCD (CHC reviews all MCNCD appeals) what set this presentation apart was that it was approved unanimously with little conversation about the loss of housing and a bit of lip service to a 51” caliper tree on the abutting lot. When my case came up the first question asked of me by Commissioner Tice was “Are these units affordable?” – a ridiculous question that somehow never came up during the previous case. This was then followed by Commissioner Corstens asking me, the attorney advocate, directly, “What is your legacy?” – a bizarre question but similar to a question Councillor Zusy had asked me a while ago who also happened to be in the audience that evening. The chef’s kiss came in the form of Kyle Sheffield joining in, now announcing himself as a concerned citizen (and abutter), admonishing the project and calling me out directly for challenging the City’s unlawful and irrevocably broken Inclusionary Ordinance. Our case was rejected, no continuance, no further discussion. A City special employee attacking a litigant in a very publicized legal challenge could only be construed as an attempt to unduly sway a regulatory body or to intimidate or both. Our case was rejected and Cambridge lost at least three new units of much needed housing and gained two new $5+M homes. The MCNCD is by far the largest NCD in the city and according to the Cambridge Historical Commission, consists of approximately 2000 buildings and is roughly .35 square miles. It acts as a de-facto homeowner’s association displacing development to other less “protected” areas of the city. The MCNCD residents enjoy this “protection” at zero cost to themselves to the detriment and expense of everyone who cannot afford Mr. Sheffield’s bespoke $5M homes. That is the legacy of the MCNCD. That is why it should not be renewed.

On September 16th this Council will convene in the Sullivan Chamber to discuss the proposed pre-ordained changes to the Multifamily Housing Zoning ordinance wherein there is a 100% chance that the proposed changes and more, shared a few months ago, will be pushed forward to CDD for drafting. In doing so you will signal to all projects in the city and all prospective projects that Cambridge is essentially closed for business; pencils down until we know what the rules are. To date, not a single inclusionary housing project has been approved. While Councillor Flaherty can write op-ed’s 2 about how the 2025 ordinance is “failing” all he really exposed was how little he knows about the development process in the City of Cambridge. It takes, at minimum, 12-18 months just to go from a schematic design to assemble a CDD-approved application to application approval before one can even get to permitting which will also take months, maybe even another year. Had anyone started a month before the ordinance was ordained, we would still be sitting in CDD’s waiting room; and we are. The frustration felt by the citizenry and through the Council are all the smaller projects that do not have to go through any process (nor should they). These projects stay below the “magic” numbers: 9,999, 11,999, and 24,999 – thresholds for inclusionary zoning, passive house, and small project review by the Cambridge Community Development Department. These projects tend to be in tight conditions and are difficult to execute but are necessary to upgrade and rebuild this city. However, the set of rules you have before you favor these smaller builds over larger ones and as a policy it is the antithesis of Article 1.30 and 19.30. You favored development in the middle of a block and not only penalized corners but made them almost undevelopable without a variance or special permit. Fortunately, the state acted and now what it means to get a variance is a whole new issue; one you ought to bring up on the 16th. However, nothing in the proposed changes fixes or even addresses it and the only suggestion I’ve heard so far would make the condition laughably worse. I could go on with examples, but this is why a knee jerk mob-ruled change will not address or even ameliorate the underlying issues legitimate complaints have pointed out. A working group of experts; developers large scale and small scale should be publicly consulted on any change before one is pushed forward on the 16th. We should not erase progress applauded in local and national press and by experts across the country because the change you have embraced makes people uncomfortable. We should not indulge “serial misinformationalists” ™ who have littered the airwaves with AI slop, misleading and overly dramatic Facebook posts, phony development lists, and who feel very comfortable doxxing homeowners simply because they fear change. Please vote to keep this in committee, convene a group of practitioners, and get it as close to right as possible. Maybe the Council should sit in at MIT and Harvard’s classes next Spring?

Lastly, the inclusionary report comes out at the end of this month and will definitely state that 20% inclusionary requirements work! It will further offer the Council a simple buffet of options that will largely be seen as unnecessary to the general population, each one more baffling than the next and begging the question; why? How do I know this? Because this is a pattern of behavior that those of us who pay attention have seen time and time again. It’s exactly what happened in 2016 that got us here in the first place. I fully understand that this is a highly political and ideologically driven issue but math is math. It isn’t, however, just the man with the wanted sign who is saying this. All you have to do is look at Chelsea, San Francisco, San Jose, Denver, Portland OR, Seattle, East Palo Alto, and Redwood City who have already significantly reduced their IZ requirements to see where this issue is headed. It’s national. It is why towns across the US are exploring ways to reduce. Where Cambridge sets itself apart, like Somerville and Boston (who also chose RKG) is that politically, reduction or elimination is just a non-starter. If you read RKG’s analysis of Somerville in 2025 you can literally see the consultants twisting themselves into knots on every page. Whether it’s their 23% operational costs for rental building (excluding tax) without a way to incorporate that number to get a real value or $67k land value per unit they associate with projects. They used two different feasibility bars and used them inconsistently, that $67k land cost was applied to all five districts but rent varied by subarea, their downstream scenarios all modeled after Subarea 3, all inputs were interview-sourced without disclosure “for-profit developers,” and the smallest most adversely affected project size was never tested. If you use enough sliders and pick the data you like, everything works. They, like Rosen before them, cherry pick best case conditions for large and small development and present them as a cohesive metric for underwriting real estate development. I just wanted to get it on record this time, (I missed the chance in 2016 though Cambridge Day has a few choice comments), that this report is nonsense like the one’s RKG has produced in the past which has left Boston and Somerville scrambling 3 and politically trapped by their own nonsense RKG “study.” Maybe there is a better way? 4

Respectfully,
Patrick W. Barrett III

Footnotes:

1   11.203.2 Inclusionary Housing Requirement.
(c) The City shall initiate a reevaluation of the Inclusionary Housing Requirement at an interval of no more than five (5) years from the time the Inclusionary Housing Requirement was last amended. Such reevaluation shall include a report provided to the City Council reviewing factors such as changes in demographic characteristics and residential development activity, housing trends measured in terms of, but not limited to, vacancy rates, production statistics, prices for dwelling units, and affordability, and the relationship between Inclusionary Housing Projects and all housing in Cambridge. The Community Development Department shall also conduct an annual review and report on the Inclusionary Housing Program.

2   It Didn’t Work – by Councilor Flaherty

3   Not going so well

4   A better way

August 19, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 673-674: August 18, 2026

Filed under: Cambridge,Central Square,City Council,cycling,elections,recycling,School Committee,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:26 pm

Episode 673 – Cambridge InsideOut: Aug 18, 2026 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Aug 18, 2026 at 6:00pm. Topics: OldTime Baseball Game; Destroying Broadway – bike lanes, white posts, collisions coming, no room for school buses, delivery vehicles, BlueBikes truck; nonexistent “community engagement” by Transportation Department – a.k.a. Department of Congestion, Obstruction, and Aggravation; rats next door and garbage located under neighbors’ windows; Cambridge Multi-Family Zoning has no room for rubbish and recycling; ShotSpotter controversy continued; residents not being heard by our nonrepresentative City Council; July 23 and Aug 3 City Council meetings; Evasive Action via Resident Assembly vs. Actual Action; Isn’t the City Council supposed to be our Representative Assembly?; ShotSpotter reactivated. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 674 – Cambridge InsideOut: Aug 18, 2026 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Aug 18, 2026 at 6:30pm. Topics: On Representation – proportional representation and otherwise; Proportional to what?; Pretend Parties and Single-Issue Advocacy; City Council proportional to advocacy groups and not to residents of the city; questionable representation on School Committee; paucity of good candidates at all levels of government; “We have a democracy problem in this country.”; Is a choice between a socialist and a YIMBY really a choice?; Incentives for candidacy all fouled up; self-congratulatory reports written by proponents of CSO and AHO; streamlining permitting for better or worse; Mass. Ave. and Cambridge St. zoning tweaks – folly of legislatively dictating economic outcomes; Central Square World’s Fair revival; disappearance of the Cambridge River Festival; allowing more fun and reforming the License Commission – for better or worse; wayfinding, information kiosks, and the proliferation of signage; Primary Election, Early Voting, and some key races. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

August 1, 2026

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You – August 3, 2026 Midsummer Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Central Square,City Council,Deaths,history,School Committee — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 7:25 pm

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You – August 3, 2026 Midsummer Cambridge City Council meeting

Public Comment will most likely be a replay of the DSA misfits and nitwits who were invited to share their misinformation at the July 23 Special City Council meeting. Then again, perhaps some actual residents from Newtowne Court and The Port will show up to provide a few lessons in reality. The recent Special Meeting ended badly with one freshman DSA city councillor imploding when the votes appeared to not be going her way. I hope this one goes better. Here are the agenda items that stood out for me:Dogtown

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 #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Police Review & Advisory Board Quarterly Report for the second quarter of 2026. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #16. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-35 which requested that the City Manager work with relevant departments to review the state bills referenced as well as the previously filed Home Rule Petition and prepare a new Home Rule Petition that would allow Cambridge to install and operate cameras to enforce red light, speeding, or other moving violations. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #17. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to potential alternative methods of curb cut review. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan, Zusy, Flaherty, Azeem; Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #18. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding the Sixth Annual Cycling Safety Ordinance Progress Report. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Brooke McKenna, Flaherty, McGovern, Zusy; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2026 Annual Report of the Affordable Housing Overlay. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #20. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Will MacArthur to the Social Housing Task Force. [text of report]
Appointment Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #21. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to opportunities to streamline the permitting process. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Melissa Peters (CDD), Jennifer Caira (CDD), Al-Zubi, Zusy, Flaherty; Placed on File 9-0

Zoning and Development
Manager’s Agenda #22. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to edits to the Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning Petition. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Petition amended 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent) per Committee Report #5; Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent); Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #23. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to edits to the Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning Petition. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; McGovern explains that Cambridge Street currently has no active use requirements, proposed amendment by substitution would require active uses only in Lechmere and Webster Ave. areas, current petition would require active uses on all of Cambridge St. for all buildings greater than 3 stories; Amendment by Substitution Fails 2-7 (Azeem, Sobrinho-Wheeler – Yes); Petition Passed to 2nd Reading 8-1 (Azeem – No); Placed on File 9-0

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council regarding improved tree loss accounting and reporting systems by Oct 1, 2026.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Zusy for comments; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #12. Greater Interdepartmental Coordination and Community Information Sharing Relating to Development.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, McGovern, Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

Petition #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Michelle Lower of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. transmitting a proposed Zoning Ordinance to amend the provisions of Section 13.59.42 if the Zoning Ordinance to allow for the transfer of 250,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area from the PUD-4C Zoning District on the Industry B Zoning District in exchange for the conversion of the existing brick and beam structure at 161 First Street into Affordable Housing. The Petition seeks to amend the Zoning Map by creating the “Technology Square Transfer Receiving District.” (PET26#3) [text of report]
Referred to Planning Board & Ordinance Committee 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on June 2, 2026 to discuss possible changes relating to setbacks, stepbacks, open space and wet labs to the recently adopted Cambridge Street Zoning. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Ordinance Committee held two public hearings on June 16, 2026 and July 7, 2026 on two City Council zoning petitions to amend Article 17.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regarding active use requirements on North Massachusetts Avenue and Cambridge Street, including a special permit requirement for Formula Businesses on Cambridge Street. [text of report]
Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent); Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #6. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on July 21, 2026 on a Zoning Petition by Douglas P. Brown, et al., to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000, 5.000, 6.000, 11.000, and 19.000 with the intent of amending height, setback, and open space requirements, adding step back and building depth and width requirements, and adding minimum off-street parking requirements for residential uses in Residence C-1 districts, including the Affordable Housing Overlay, as well as reducing the Project Review Special Permit threshold from 75,000 to 20,000 square feet for residential uses in Residence C-1 districts, among other changes. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler noting that petition received a 2-7 negative recommendation from Ordinance Committee; Councillor Flaherty unsuccessfully tried to exercise his Charter Right (but this is not New Business), comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Flaherty, Siddiqui; Sobrinho-Wheeler Motion to Adopt Petition Fails 0-9; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to examine how a revived Central Square World’s Fair could build upon the successful partnership between the City, Cambridge Arts, and the Central Square Business Improvement District, including lessons learned from the annual Cambridge Dance Party and other large-scale public events.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Licensing and License Commission
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department and the License Commission to jointly lead the City’s evaluation of a limited pilot program from Fall 2026 through Fall 2027 allowing certain eligible licensed establishments to serve alcohol until 3:00am.   Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Simmons; Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the City Solicitor and the License Commission to draft and submit a Home Rule Petition to authorize one additional Section 15 all-alcoholic beverages license not to be drunk on the premises.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Zusy; comments by McGovern, Zusy; Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Zusy – Present)

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to explore options for reforming and modernizing the License Commission, including through the home rule petition process.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Flaherty
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Law Department, the Department of Public Works, the Transportation Department, and any other appropriate departments to determine whether the City may require Eversource, and any contractors or subcontractors working on Eversource’s behalf in Cambridge, to submit weekly certified payroll reports or similar payroll documentation for work performed in Cambridge’s public ways.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #5. That the City Council hold a Roundtable/Working Meeting on Thurs, Aug 6, 2026, from 1:30-3:30pm, to discuss the City of Cambridge’s ongoing and future work in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve services – including comparative examples – while ensuring any AI use aligns with City values, complies with legal and privacy requirements, and benefits both employees and the public.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to take steps to implement as soon as possible a program for automated parking enforcement which could be piloted in targeted areas of the city to evaluate different technologies, different functionalities for various locations, and publicize regulations Implementation of Automated Parking Enforcement.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #11. That the City Council accept M.G.L. Ch. 40U as a method of collecting some fines.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #14. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Historical Commission, the property owner, and other appropriate parties regarding placing a historical marker on 103 Irving Street in recognition of Julia Child’s life, work, and connection to Cambridge.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #15. That the City Manager is requested to explore the feasibility of establishing a citywide digital wayfinding and information kiosk program on public property throughout Cambridge.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Zusy; comments by Siddiqui, Zusy, Flaherty, Nolan, McGovern, Simmons; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #16. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate staff to work with the Health and Environment Committee to discuss a time-of-sale energy audit and review possible ordinance language, for potential adoption after deliberation and refinement.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Al-Zubi, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Nolan for comments (she ultimately wants mandates); Order Adopted 9-0

Order #17. That the Cambridge City Council in support of the initiatives in the House and Senate Environmental Bond Bill and the Energy Affordability Bill as priorities for the deliberation of the conference committee and for inclusion in the final bill, in order to support the climate and affordability initiatives of the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to take all necessary steps to temporarily restore and reactivate ShotSpotter within the areas of Cambridge previously covered by the system. [Charter Right – Al-Zubi, July 23, 2026]
Comments by Al-Zubi, Siddiqui, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Flaherty, Azeem, Yi-An Huang, Jackson Price, Zusy, Nolan; Amendments proposed by McGovern, Siddiqui Adopted 9-0; Nolan amendment to not allow ShotSpotter to be restored until a full STIR report is made Fails 3-6 (Al-Zubi, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler – Yes); Order Adopted as Amended 6-3 (Al-Zubi, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler – No)
Note: Essentially, the McGovern/Siddiqui amended language to have a “resident assembly” do an evaluation and make recommendations must be viewed as a confession that the current City Council is NOT representative of the residents of Cambridge and that their actions often do not reflect the sentiments of the people of Cambridge – especially those residents living in neighborhoods like The Port and those not affiliated with advocacy groups.

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is hereby requested to report on progress of the February 2026 report’s recommendations, and plans for ensuring appropriate levels of support and staffing for the Community Safety Department, including continued expansion of CSD’s violence prevention program, the number and types of calls handled by the CARE team, and the timeline for more comprehensive staffing for the CARE team emergency response program and is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Simmons, July 23, 2026]
Comments by Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy, Nolan, Flaherty; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Charter Right #3. That the City Manager is requested to provide a comprehensive evaluation of violence response and prevention strategies, along with survivor support services, across City departments including CPD, CSD, CHA, and DHSP and come with recommendations before the City Council’s Public Safety Committee and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Simmons, July 23, 2026]
Comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler; Order Adopted 9-0

Charter Right #4. That the City Manager is requested to investigate directing the appropriate City departments to install security cameras overlooking Cambridge public parks, with such cameras operational only between the hours of 8:00pm and 8:00am. [Charter Right – Simmons, July 23, 2026]
Comments by Azeem, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Flaherty, Police Commissioner Pauline Wells; Referred by Azeem 9-0 to City Manager (to be then referred to resident assembly as per ShotSpotter vote)

Committee Report #1. The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on Apr 29, 2026 to review the Cambridge Police Department’s use of ShotSpotter technology, also known as SoundThinking, which was referred to the Public Safety Committee through the Annual Surveillance Report, CM26#44, on Mar 9. 2026. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #5. Zero Waste Plan Ordinance Amendment. [Passed to 2nd Reading June 22, 2026; Eligible To Be Ordained on or after July 13, 2026] (ORD26#7) [text of report]
Comments by Nolan; Ordained 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on May 26, 2026 to review and discuss implementation of Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP) 2.0, adopted by Council in June 2025, including review of draft ordinance changes as recommended by the ZWMP 2.0. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Resolution #3. Condolences to the family of Xavier Bautista.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui

Resolution #6. Congratulations to Glenn Koocher on his retirement.   Councillor Simmons

Resolution #8. That the Cambridge City Council go on record thanking Michele Kincaid for her many years of service to the City of Cambridge and wishing her a happy retirement.   Mayor Siddiqui
Comments by Siddiqui

Resolution #10.   Condolences to the family of Vincent “Vince” Lawrence Dixon.   Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Simmons
Comments by Simmons, Flaherty; Simmons added a sponsor

Communications & Reports #2. A communication from Councillor Nolan Submitting Proposed Amendments to Short Term Rental Zoning Petition. [text of report]
Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Communications & Reports #3. A communication from Mayor Siddiqui transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the School Committee. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

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