It was only a matter of time before the socialist and anti-capitalist voices on the City Council grew louder. This week they are in full voice. In contrast, this week also marks the release of the FY27 Budget and some very significant loan authorizations which, needless to say, will be funded by those good old capitalist realities like private property ownership and real estate taxes. The contrast of conflicting realities is sheer delight. Here are some of this week’s highlights:
FY2027 Operating Budget: $1,017,855,440 ($1,032,959,502 including the Water Fund)
Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to submission of the FY2027 budget and appropriation orders for the General Fund, Water Fund, and Public Investment Fund. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan comments by Nolan, Yi-An Huang, Taha Jennings, Flaherty, Azeem, Simmons, Siddiqui; Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
FY2027 Loan Authorizations: $109,980,000
FY2027 Public Investment Budget: $45,173,083
Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $10,000,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of improvements along Massachusetts Avenue and vicinity between Bigelow Street and Sidney Street. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan, comments on #2-13 by Nolan, Flaherty; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $13,000,000 to provide funds for the reconstruction of various City streets and sidewalks. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $12,000,000 to provide funds to replace and modernize the City’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $14,000,000 to provide funds for remediation and improvements at Gold Star Mothers Park. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $28,500,000 to provide funds for the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $12,795,000 to provide funds for financing school building upgrades. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $8,375,000 to provide funds for the design and construction of surface enhancements and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements in the Baldwin neighborhood. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $500,000 to provide funds for the City’s Climate Change Program to improve protection against flooding and extreme heat. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $7,500,000 to provide funds for the sewer Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,000,000 to provide funds for design and construction of the Harvard Square sewer separation and stormwater management program. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $310,000 to provide funds for the replacement of Ozone generators at the Water Department. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation and authorization to borrow $2,000,000 to provide funds for water works construction projects for repairs and replacement of water distribution infrastructure. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; Passed to 2nd Reading and Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-20 regarding a report on major capital initiatives at or above $15,000,000 for the period from FY21 to FY26. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Zusy, Huang, Kathy Watkins, McGovern; Referred to Finance Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #15. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a response to AR26-23 regarding the Cambridge Preschool Program. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi, Nolan, Siddiqui; Referred to Human Services & Veterans Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #16. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the reappointments for the Cambridge Library Board of Trustees. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0
James Roosevelt, Elisabeth Werby, Risa Mednick, Michael Baenen, Karen Kosko reappointed to 3-year terms.
Manager’s Agenda #17. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Family Policy Council appointment and reappointment. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0
Tracy Rose Tynes appointed, Yoyo Yau reappointed.
Manager’s Agenda #18. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Fiqir Worku to the Human Rights Commission. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Peace Commission Appointments. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan on streamlining and consolidation of boards, Huang, Saffana Anwar (Peace Comm.), Zusy; Appointments Confirmed 9-0
New appointments: Paul Knott, Heather Rivera, Katherine E. Stevenson, Pamela Howard, Muna Kangsen, Karim L. Razzaz, Julie Ayaz
Reappointments: Larry Kim, Elka Kuhlman, Annie Brown, Bonnie Talbert, Sarah DeMott, Kazimiera Fraley
Manager’s Agenda #23. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Mass Ave Active Use zoning petition. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, McGovern, Azeem (noting comments from Cambridge Redevelopment Authority), Zusy (noting that there is a Special Permit option to opt out of 1st floor retail); Adopted as a City Council Zoning Petition and Referred to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for Hearing and Report 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #24. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Cambridge Street Active Use zoning petition. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; Adopted as a City Council Zoning Petition and Referred to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board for Hearing and Report 9-0
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council within ninety (90) with a brief written update describing: (a) the updates made to succession-planning and employee-ownership materials; (b) the status of the worker-cooperative technical-assistance referral pipeline; (c) any guidance issued or planned regarding below-threshold quote-seeking from worker-owned cooperatives and related vendor-outreach steps; and (d) any additional low-cost, staff-feasible next steps the City Manager recommends for expanding support for worker-owned cooperatives in Cambridge. Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)
Workers of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!
[Is this really something that local government should be doing?]
Order #2. That the City Council go on record endorsing the May Day Strong National Day of Action on May 1, 2026, as an expression of Cambridge’s support for workers’ rights, economic justice, and the tradition of peaceful civic engagement. Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)
A great day to go shopping.
Order #3. That the City Council encourage MassDOT to implement infrastructure improvements to the Museum Way and Charles River Dam Road intersection. Councillor Zusy, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler; Order Adopted 9-0
Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to direct appropriate departments to develop an accessible “Neighbors’ Guide to the MFH Ordinance.” Councillor Zusy, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, McGovern, Melissa Peters (CDD), Azeem, Flaherty, Nolan, Huang; Order Adopted 9-0
Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant staff to explore options for commissioning a housing needs study through a qualified research institution, to establish a clear evidence-based understanding of existing housing conditions, resident needs, and measurable housing goals to guide future decision-making. Councillor Zusy, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Azeem, Al-Zubi (w/proposed amendment), McGovern, Melissa Peters (CDD), Huang, Flaherty, Simmons; Charter Right – Simmons
[Note: As I have pointed out before, the mythical target of 12,500 new housing units did not grow out of the Envision Cambridge process. CDD staff simply inserted that number from the MAPC after the fact, and questioning this arbitrary goal is now long overdue. – RW]
Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Cambridge Department of Transportation (CDOT) and any other relevant departments to halt any further design, engineering, procurement, or construction activities related to implementing a reconfiguration of Garden Street to restore two-way motor-vehicle traffic. [Charter Right – Flaherty, Apr 13, 2026]
Comments by Siddiqui, Flaherty, Al-Zubi, Nolan (long speech), Sobrinho-Wheeler, McGovern, Brooke McKenna (Dept. of Congestion, Obstruction, & Aggravation), Azeem, Zusy (noting that Transportation Dept. intentionally slow-walked the reconfiguration, and a proposed amendment); Simmons comments and motion to Table [Fails 4-5 (Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Zusy – YES; Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO)]; comments by Azeem, Huang, Siddiqui, Flaherty (notes that neighbors overwhelmingly prefer two-way operation), McGovern; Zusy proposed amendment to text of Order [Fails 4-5 (Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Zusy – YES; Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO)]; Nolan comments re: loss of trust; Simmons motion to Refer to Transportation Committee [Fails 3-6 (Flaherty, Simmons, Zusy – YES; Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO)]; Order Adopted 5-4 (Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – YES; Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Zusy – NO); Reconsideration Fails 4-5 (Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Zusy – YES; Al-Zubi, Azeem, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui – NO)
[Note: This was never about the relative safety of two options. It is now and has from the beginning been purely about catering to political advocacy groups. – RW]
379 Communications – almost all re: whether the current horrible one-way Garden Street configuration should be changed to an equally horrible two-way configuration.
Chances are this will again be the main topic during Public Comment. Garden Street was a perfectly safe and relatively quiet street for all the years prior to the City screwing it up.
Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Tues, Mar 24, 2026 to discuss the 2026 City Manager’s Annual Goals and Review Process. [text of report]
Report Accepted and Placed on File 8-0-1 (Azeem Absent)
Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Mon, Mar 30, 2026 to review the Community Benefits Ordinance and discuss potential updates including allowing the allocation of funding to community organizations for capital projects. The Ordinance Committee voted favorably to forward the proposed amendments to the Community Benefits Ordinance to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; Two amendments Adopted and Passed to 2nd Reading 7-0-2 (Azeem, McGovern Absent); Report Accepted and Placed on File 7-0-2 (Azeem, McGovern Absent)
In Cambridge we like to tout our Proportional Representation (PR) election system as superior to other systems, and in many ways this is true. There is one question, however, that has been nagging at me for some time: “Proportional to what?” During the heyday of Cambridge rent control, it was pretty clearly the case that the City Council was in a similar proportion to the tenant-dominated electorate and that many, perhaps most, voters at that time were guided by that one dominant issue before considering any other issues or candidate traits. After the demise of rent control after Question 9 in 1994, the dominance of the rent control issue faded quickly and we entered a prolonged period where individual personalities and legacy affiliations guided local electoral choices. The notion of proportionality became more of a relic than anything else. In recent years, we have seen the rise of single-issue politics (density, subsidized housing, bike lanes, preservation), but identity politics is as much of a factor as any polarized issue. The question of “Proportional to what?” could not be muddier. What I find most aggravating is how single-issue advocates quote municipal election results to argue why their single issue is somehow reflective of the will of the electorate. There are so many confounding factors involved in voter choice that it is simply never valid to draw conclusions on issues that were not explicitly on the ballot.
This 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.