>>> regular meeting.
Thes order to business is roll
call of members present.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi.
Present.
Vice mayor azeem.
Present.
Councilor flaherty.
Present.
Councilor Mcgovern.
Absent.
Councilor nolan.
Present.
Councilor simmons.
Absent.
Councilor sobrinho-wheeler.
Present.
Councilor zusy.
Present.
Mayor siddiqui.
Present.
You have two members recorded as
absent and seven recorded as
present.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: please join
me in the pledge of allegiance
and pause for a moment of
silence.
I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the united states of america,
and to the republic for which it
stands, one nation under GOD,
indivisible with liberty and
justice for all.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: chapter two
of the acts of 2025, adopted by
massachusetts general court and
approved by the governor, the
city is authorized to use remote
participation of meetings at the
cambridge city council.
In addition to having members
participate remotely, we set up
teleconference for public
comment.
Or on the city's cable channel
22.
To speak, you have to sign up at
website.
you can also email written
comments for the record to the
city clerk and city clerk.
We welcome your participation
and you can sign up until 6:00
P.M.
Please note the city video
records this meeting and makes
it available for visual viewing.
Third parties MAY also be audio
recording this meetinged I want
to also announce that as of
JANUARY 26th, 2026, the city
will transition 23r the current
agenda management software to
one meetingats its official
management system as part of our
ongoing transparency,
accessibility and public
engagement.
We will provide a comment future
available.
[Indiscernible]
JANUARY 2026 council meeting.
Enhanced system that allows
residents to submit
communications directly through
the portal for agenda items.
Comments MAY be part of the
public record, in accordance
with open meeting law
requirements.
It provides a much more
streamlined user-friendly
experience, while offering
commitment to participation.
Instructions will be existing
city councilor and city clerk
web pages and will be included
with all city councilor with
calendar events.
For questions, please contact
the city clerk's office.
We now move on to public
comment.
Public comment MAY be made in
accordance with city council
rules.
Once you finish speaking, the
next speaker will be called.
not permitted -- you're not
permitted to allocate your time
to other speakers.
We ask you to say your name and
the agenda item you're speaking
on.
We have about 33 speakers signed
up.
Per our rules, each speaker will
have two minutes.
We'll now go to the speakers.
>> Clerk: clerk, if you can call
them.
I'm having you're right this
minute.
>> would you like me to call?
>> Clerk: yes.
I should be in shortly.
You can call for now.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: first speaker
is henry whartz.
I don't see henry.
You're on zoom?
Go ahead.
>> yes, sorry.
Henry, 106 berkshire street, one
block away from cambridge
street.
I'm speaking on behalf of those
in cambridge about the propose
ed
cambridge street.
This proposal should be allowed
to expire.
Each referring to the impact of
this rezoning on you are
neighborhood and city.
Of course, it will permit the
construction of many new
buildings along cambridge the
there is no doubt about that.
The issue is who will live here
and who will be forced out of
the city because of their
current homes.
People make less than 50% of the
area median income are the most
burdened by housing costs.
That's about 30% of cambridge
households.
none of these people will be
able to move into new units,
none.
New buildings.
A few units will be 100% --
buildings with ten or more units
will be 80% market rate.
And people below 50% of the ami
who most need housing won't be
eligible because they don't have
vouchers because at this time,
there are no available vouchers
given the high cost of land and
construction in cambridge,
households need to have incomes
in the range of $200,000 to
afford new market rate housing.
Our new neighborhoods will be
the people our new neighbors
will be the people making over
$200,000 because the low it
moderate income people now
living in these units won't be
able to afford.
The net result will be
displacement and gentrification.
Please don't pass this letter.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is lee farris.
Lee has not joined us.
We are going to richard,
followed by susan.
You have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
If you can press the button,
you'll see a green light.
>> hello.
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
-- does not apply to cambridge
street and mass ave.
-- P.A. Zoning.
If this passes.
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
[Audio difficulties]
-- so the result will be --
[Indiscernible]
-- and this was an oversight.
i think all the councilors, and
this cap cannot be fixed.
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
Please show us the evidence.
It's six stories high along
cambridge street will not
produce enough housing.
Safety.
The cambridge fire department
claims that the equipment
available should not exceed 60
feet and beyond that.
Fire personnel will be subject
to great danger.
Have you looked into this?
Project review.
Zoning should require that
whatever specification is
required binding project review
for commercial buildings should
apply as well to residential
buildings.
Small independent retail.
The backbone of neighborhood
connectivity.
Displaced with live retail.
What is going to be done about
that?
In conclusion, this petition is
ruined.
There's not been enough input.
It is not what we want.
It can and must be improved.
What about a two-month process
that notefies all people living
near cambridge street, provides
written material before an oral
with facts defending the
petition goals.
Along cambridge street notifying
people, and a meeting time for
in-person.
>> Clerk: your time has expired.
Please email the remainder of
your comments.
Our next speaker.
Shelley, you have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> thank you very much.
shelly raymond 201 franklin
street cambridge.
That is central square.
I have seen central square
become all big.
Our beloved bookstore and 10,000
villages is gone.
Harvard square is long gone.
Inman square is now the only
place I can go to to gather
here.
The hardware store, some of the
small restaurants.
Christina's, a little spice
place.
Those are precious retail
outlets.
They lose their spaces and we
get target and cvs.
It will be devastating.
As other speakers have said, the
process is really flawed.
There's not been community
input.
There hasn't been a chance for
residents and businesses to
reply, to get their voices
heard.
I was on cambridge street
earlier today at the little
coffee houses, and all those
businesses will be in trouble if
they have to succumb to this
upzoning.
Open space is another problem.
It will give too little open
space with too little value.
5-feet setbacks and no side
setbacks, which is in the
proposal.
Provides almost inaccessible
patches that aren't useful to
building residents and are just
the we need open space.
We need green space.
We need setbacks and oxygen to
breathe.
Cambridge is a wonderful place
and we do need more housing,
fewer -- more housing, more
social housing, and low-income
housing would really serve our
community well.
I really hope to see it.
I've been here since 1970 and I
don't want to give up on this
wonderful city.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker.
Mairlyn meyer.
>> hi, mairlyn meyer.
There are two issues.
Now I have no neighbors.
The original first step to inl
did you irk reservation
guidelines.
Now setting for development.
The goal is to make buildings
easier with design, height and
shape.
We have more casual expertise
experience preservation
orientation in an effort to do
bidding.
We can't lose historical site
and context.
This new change, the up zoning
petitions of the process again,
loses to pro-developers at the
expense of those who live here.
The mass ave -- zoning maps for
luxury housing.
Please allow cambridge street to
address its shortcomings by
letting it upzoning expire for
better city plan.
We need to address lab street
trees scul -- minuscule by
setbacks and fire safety.
Projects smaller than 25,000
square feet need review.
We have a nexus study addressing
inclusionary and affordable
housing itself.
We need to protect small
businesses against evictions.
Is any of cambridge street in a
c-1 district?
Do zoning totals align with
affordable housing goals?
The expiring petition is not a
relitigation, but an opportunity
to address innate flaws with a
new council, and keep ed at,
quote, wanting to own this, out
of the final product.
Please let this expire for a
better cohesionive result.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
We're going to go back to lee
farris.
We'll go back to jim monte verde
verde.
Two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> thanks.
Can you hear me?
>> I can.
>> speaking for the cambridge
alliance.
I ask councilors to let the
petition expire.
Why?
[Poor audio]
-- buildings with no
inclusionary units, as well as
no active ground floor.
When zoning was passed last year
the requirement of 4 plus 2
amendment that inclusionary in
buildings of four floors.
Turns out it was only for one
zone, not the B.A. Zone like
cambridge.
As council has heard,
construction costs go up 30%
starting with the first floor.
Ders -- [Indiscernible]
No inclusion ground floor as
currently written.
-- inclusionary are a key reason
pthey support the petition.
They said there would be very
few.
I'm also concerned about the
displacement that would result
from this petition.
Unlike north mass ave, north of
cambridge street already is
three floors tall with naturally
occurring affordable housing
over retail.
Cdd has not produced any numbers
for how many units would be lost
causing displacement.
Cdd has also not shown the total
number of units that will be
created and has only shown the
net units.
That means we can't see the
amount of displacement on
cambridge street for the result.
These cannot be addressed in the
current petition, so I ask
councilors to let it expire.
Then I hope to see a robust
community process taking no more
than two months, take place, and
then we can have the petitions
that we all deserve.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Next speaker.
Two minutes.
>> good evening.
I ask you let the cambridge
street zoning proposal expire
and require it be revised with
benefit of robust open and
public review process.
The cambridge street study
identified a building height of
six stories along the street and
inman square, eight stories as
proposed.
This height change should be
vetted in a public review
process like the cambridge
street study and based on
professional recommendations.
The pro lacks design review
process threshold proposal
should be revised to acquire a
project review of all the
buildings on cambridge street to
maintain and enhance its unique
character and cohesiveness.
Likewise, the zoning proposal
needs improvement to allow
existing retail uses to continue
in any reconstruction, retail
character of the street.
Please let the zoning proposal
-- the proposal expire, so that
it can be improved through a
public renew and comment.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is young kim
followed by louise, then harry
walker.
You have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
[Indiscernible]
>> speaking of the second
reading of the cambridge street
petition.
Procedural grounds.
Before further upzoning,
cambridge street and central
square, councilors should
acquire consolidated city-wide
review of housing growth since
the aho family zoning --
[Indiscernible]
Not one petition at a time.
The last release of affordable
housing annual update shows
widening necessary.
The fiscal 24 update --
[Indiscernible]
The fiscal 24 update the fiscal
year shows only about nine
million in fiscal 25 while the
petitions and that shop drop has
not been addressed in the zoning
review.
Why did it go up by 30 or 40,
and drop back down to 90 to next
year.
I'm not a housing expert so I
can't explain.
Maybe you can.
Council should not cutting away
corridor without first examining
community city-wide impact.
Procedurally, [Indiscernible]
-- [Indiscernible]
and to the city clerk at the
closing moments of DECEMBER 22.
But I have not heard.
>> Clerk: your time has expired.
That ends the remainder of your
comments.
Thank you.
Our next speaker is louise
renden, followed by helen walker
then gert trud -- ger trud.
Luis?
If you can unmute yourself.
>> can you hear me?
>> Clerk: we can.
Please go ahead.
>> I urge you to take a no vote
on this until the city evaluated
the impacts of the ambitious
zoning changes made over the
past seven years.
These zoning changes were aimed
at increasing supply of rental
and ownership housing in order
to lower rental rates and sales
prices.
Have they achieved those goals?
Dramatic changes thed often have
unintended consequences for
neighborhoods, the environment,
and city finances.
Measuring the results of these
policies is critical to ensure
that zoning changes result in
building housing residents need
and can afford.
Many questions must be asked
before further zoning changes
are made and the following data
should be evaluated in order to
support this upzoning proposal
and inform modification to
ordinances like multifamily
housing that's already been
adopted.
Councilors should request data
and evaluation of building
permits issued between 2020 and
2025 for residential units,
including net units added by
affordable housing overlay,
inclusionary zoning, and market
rate categories, and proposed
rental and sale prices of these
units.
Recent data on residential
permits show 67 units 2025.
565 in 2024, and 109 in 2023.
Why are there such wide
variances?
Occupancy grant the during the
same period for permitted
projects by affordable and
market rate units, showing those
units that have been built
should be evaluated.
Also, reach out to affordable
and market rate housing
developers experienced in
building here to understand
their challenges and the ways
the city might support building
housing to fit our needs.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is helen walker
followed by -- gertrude.
>> can you hear me?
>> Clerk: yes, ma'am.
Please go ahead.
>> helen walker.
Thank you for the chance to
speak about the cambridge street
zoning petition.
The cambridge street pets from
content specifics inattention,
just as the mass ave petition
suffered from procedural
inattention.
With the mass ave petition,
council is told the text is not
in the agenda packets, so
council revoted.
Actually, there was a text with
many edits in undisclosed
location no one knew about.
Yet text no one voted on
appeared under the record
version.
With cambridge street, there was
already a consulting planet
process and record document
mixed use residential to six
stories, with setbacks after
five stories.
A sure sign that even six was
considered a bit too high, with
measures outlined.
All this vanished into thin air,
and where are the amendments the
community keeps requesting?
Inclusionary units required over
four stories.
Project review threshold and
projects over four stories.
Protection for existing ground
floor business, preferential
treatment for small business,
open space comparable to all
other residential districts, at
least 15%, mostly create --
limits on new lands near
housing.
Please let current zoning
petition expire, begin a brief
two-week consulting process to
consider the outstanding issues,
and create a new zoning petition
the community can support.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is gertrude
goodman, followed by jerry and
then neil.
Gertrude, two minutes.
Please go ahead.
[Indiscernible]
>> I'm going to ask you to --
[Indiscernible]
-- this particular piece of
ordinance or whatever you it.
The rest is a review of what's
going on.
15-story high-rise on the corner
of prospect of cambridge street
disintegrating into the earth.
Most of you people know the
HRIOs.
Pyou know they are not taking
care of my building or other
buildings.
It's time to start thinking
about -- six story.
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
>> I've been in the building for
33 years.
[Indiscernible]
We need housing, and the city is
not helping us.
Inclusionary won't help us to do
that either.
[Indiscernible]
You need to do it reasonably.
[Poor audio]
-- good relationship with the
people of inman square.
Some of those people have been
there.
Stuck getting into section
eight.
[Poor audio]
-- do not have the access other
people have at $200,000.
$2,000.
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is jerry
followed by neil, then david.
Jerry evening.
My name is jerry and I'm a
consultant to the foundation for
civic leadership, which owns the
building at 4345 auburn street.
I'm speaking tonight on behalf
of ian simmons, the PRESIDENT Of
the foundation, who wanted to be
here, but had a long-standing
family commitment and is unable
to make it.
Fcl respectfully opposes the
landmarking designation of 43
and 45 to encourage him to vote
against it.
For over two decades, the
building served as low-cost
civic space for cambridge
residents, and students.
From the day we purchase the
property, we have viewed it as a
longtime civic development, a
place meant to adapt and grow,
so it can continue to serve
future generations in cambridge.
Because the building sits within
harvard square conservation
district, any significant
changes require a certificate of
appropriateness.
In our view, the existing
process provides a strong and
appropriate balance between
preservation and progress.
We have appreciated our
interactions with the chc staff
during the landmark study, and a
report provides excellent
guidelines that we intend to
build upon.
We continue to work closely with
the staff in the city.
However, our landmark
designation will create
unnecessary hurdles for a small
nonprofit, seeking to carry out
responsible improvements.
It could also limit our ability
to consider future uses that
advance the broader civic goals
around housing density and
transit.
The historic significance does
not meet the threshold typically
seen in cambridge landmark
designations.
In fact, its greatest value lies
in civic activity it supports
today.
Restore its architectural and
historical features.
Thank you very much.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker.
Followed by david.
You have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> can you hear me now?
>> Clerk: we can.
Please go ahead.
>> thank you very much.
My name is neil rohr.
i live at 655 concord avenue,
and I'm here to speak on
regarding charter right number
two.
First, I'd like to congratulate
mayor siddiqui and vice mayor
azeem on their appointments as
mayor and vice mayor.
Very proud that we have them in
leadership.
I want to thank the co-sponsors,
councilor azeem, nolan and zusy.
And ied expect this order will
receive a 9-0 vote.
Now in the order summerville is
referred to, I think it's an
excellent example.
The people I speak to there say
that in transit areas, it has
cut down on difficulty finding
on-street parking, and cut down
somewhat on traffic.
We really need this in
cambridge.
I think people on both sides of
the issue of too much building,
zoning changes, or too much for
the city, do support limiting
the competition for parking and
decreasing traffic.
So I would hope that you would
pass this unanimously and move
forward on it.
The purpose of this parking
permit restriction is to limit
the impacts on new housing
developments, to on street
parking permit parking capacity
and traffic congestion.
You might also want to add guest
permits to the parking permits.
I live in an area which is going
it see new housing.
We need to get this in place so
there isn't even worse situation
of parking and traffic.
Thank you very much.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker.
Speaker number 15 is david
halperin, followed by felix and
james.
You have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> good evening, david halperin
14shtion valentine street.
I'd like to express my support
for cambridge street zoning.
First of all, I'd like it
correct for the record that any
development would real require
inclusionary.
In addition to other roirmentds,
inclusionary kicks in on a
building that has more than
10,000 feet of first floor area
-- requirements.
A building of six stories is
nonunits.
It would still not be feasible
under 10,000 square feet.
So we will continue to get
inclusionary display.
And we need all the tools in our
toolbox to talk about housing
crisis.
You know, continuing with the
status quo.
We have seen for years and years
and years cambridge has
underbuilt.
You know, we have the aho for
100% of affordable housing, and
that is wonderful.
I could not support that more,
but we're only going to get so
many tax credit grants.
We're following behind on our
affordable housing goals, so we
need to get inclusionary working
social housing working.
We in the tool box.
-- we need every tool in the
tool box.
Additionally, I want to live in
a vibrant city.
One of the things I like about
cambridge is the density and the
benefits that come with that,
and bringing more people to the
retail.
People are worried that this is
going to cause huge amounts of
redevelopment.
But as we've seen so far from
previous buildings, that you're
going to get a building here and
there.
The economics of that are not
actually that good.
It's better to make it possible
from my perspective than to
continue to, you know, limit to
six.
You can already build six for
not seeing that development on
cambridge street.
Please ordain this petition.
Thank you very much.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is felix
supreme courtls -- sprecles.
Please go ahead.
>> dear councilors, having --
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
-- sentiments expressed by other
residents.
I'm hoping the third time is a
charm and will result in a
different outcome.
First, let me be clear I support
more housing in cambridge,
especially for many lower income
residents, which is a priority.
It's different than the
cambridge street proposal of
2023-24.
In future public hearings, you
include not only the voices of
residents, but those of business
owners the length of cambridge
street within effort to reach
out and solicit their voices.
Here are some of my concerns.
Zoning should require binding
special project review that is
required for nonresidential
buildings of 20,000 square feet.
This brings special attention --
things have learned -- that
speaks to issues such as traffic
parksing, quality of life
issues.
[Poor audio]
Dertion ders [Indiscernible]
-- do not qualify as open space.
Residents -- should be limited
to -- .
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
So much.
This is not a full list of my
concerns.
I will include them in another
message.
I appreciate your concern.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is james.
Followed by mark truant, then
alan.
James, you have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> thank you.
This is james alt, 2003
pemberton street.
I'd like to thank the returning
councilors and welcome the new
councilors to continuing the
work on the years' long plan to
alleviate the consequences of
our decades' long housing
shortage.
The cambridge street zoning
proposal we're now considering
will continue the work of
removing existing barriers to
more housing that's more
affordable, to more of our
neighbors.
Since the early days of this
effort, starting with the
affordable housing overlay, it
has become increasingly clear
that zoning reform is making
possible housing constructions
that could not and did not
happen previously.
Amthough the multizoning family
amendments that use the same
approach, have been in effect
for less than a year.
So nothing has been built yet.
We're seeing proposals and plans
for zero to eight households to
provide housing for 30 to 70
households with some including
small retail spaces that MAY
help local businesses.
The unpopularity of the economic
and social hubs that are former
draconian zoning code has helped
create is evidence -- evident in
the results of the last few city
elections, especially in the
face of last year's repeal
slate.
Despite this, we're hearing
calls for further barriers to
housing and ends for special
conditions for special
neighborhoods of the city.
The exclusionary foundations of
our prior says are being exposed
yet again.
Ignoring the benefits the zoning
reform has brought and can
continue to bring to the
majority of the city in which
two-thirds of residents are
renting their homes, and many
cannot afford are still
increasing rents, let alone
multimillion dollar purchase
prices.
Please proceed to pass this
proposal this evening.
Thank you very much.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is mark
followed by alan, then erika.
You have two minutes.
>> 32 warren street in
cambridge.
I've been a resident of
cambridge for 40 years.
Actually I own property on one
street that is in this B.A. Zone
that's at issue.
and I would like to say that I
second all the really great
comments that my fellow citizens
have made, asking to let this
expire because I don't -- it
would be very -- [Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
>> I kept coming up here -- bank
account -- person -- as gertrude
so well put, it's just not going
to create the kind of housing
that people want.
My girlfriend from italy in 1925
-- poor audio]
S ders mussolini and the
fascists.
My grandfather was a socialist.
I'm just sad that -- affordable
housing is not my grandfather's
socialism.
We can't afford --
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
>> do it the right way.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is alan,
followed by aeshg a, then
alexander -- allen.
Allen, two minutes.
You can turn the mic on.
>> sorry.
Hi, everybody.
I'm allen on cambridge street.
I'm speak as a on the cambridge.
I also came here -- my earth if
a also came here in the 1930s
from mussolini.
One of the wonderful things is
that you don't have to show your
papers.
You can live and go wherever you
want.
That is one of the things that
made it a free country for him.
I didn't have a huge point with
that.
But what I want to say is I
lived in union square for six
years.
i worked in union square for six
years.
It was one of those natural
occurring affordable housing
places.
It was a small building.
The landlord kicked us out
because she was going to
renovate.
It turned into an airbnb.
It's no longer housing available
to the community.
Housing is coming online to
replace that?
What housing is allowing people
to come in and live in inman
square?
What housing is coming in to
allow people to live the as the
old housing stock gets taken off
line?
I've not seen a lot for that.
We need as much housing as we
can get.
Cambridge street zoning is a
good tool on the table to get us
a lot of housing in the corridor
areas, which are less sensitive.
I think cambridge street zoning,
you should pass it.
Stop, slow down, get it right.
I've not heard a lot of clarity
about what getting it right
means, other than doing less of
it.
If you do less of it, go ahead,
but you might as well do less
right now.
You should do more right now.
I think -- [Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is speaker
number 20, erika.
Followed by alexander westman.
Then denise jocelyn.
Erics two minutes.
-
go ahead.
>> hi, good evening.
i'm here to urge everyone to
pass the cambridge street
upzoning.
I have lived in cambridge for 11
years, but recently had to move
out due to increasing rent
costs.
So I want to support the
cambridge street upzoning
because like alan said, with he
need more housing to come
online.
Especially in the corridors and
squares.
This proposal came from a lot of
community engagement with broad
support.
And we are currently behind our
2030 goals of more housing.
Despite housing affordability
being a tough issue in this
week's annual survey, we are
behind these housing production
goals.
And it will help us meet total
housing production in affordable
housingy zoning.
This zoning -- housing zoning.
This zoning will also allow more
environmentally friendly
neighborhoods because it allows
residents to live in more
transit oriented homes, rather
than driving further away, and
more residents will sustain
local small businesses to keep
these corridors vibrant.
So thank you.
I want to urge you to pass this
upzoning proposal.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is alexander
followed by denise jocelyn.
Alexander, you have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> hello.
I'm alexander.
I've been a resident of
cambridge now for 16 years,
which is my entire adult life
housing is expensive in
cambridge because people want to
live in cambridge because there
are good high-paying jobs here,
and there's insufficient
housing.
It is that simple.
The tendency of new construction
to be high cost is a consequence
of the reality that housing
costs are high, not the other
way around.
Building new housing is the only
solution to this problem.
As long as the cambridge economy
does well, and cambridge remains
a desirable place to live,
high-income residents will
continue to outcompete lower
income residents for the
available housing stock.
And the only solution to that
problem is building new housing.
Building housing obviously
brings challenges.
A lot of people are concerned
about transportation, about
parking, and socially.
And the clear solution to that
problem is to build housing
densely, and to or corridors and
near transit centers.
If cambridge is to build more
housing, and the solution to
this problem is more housing,
which I think most people agree,
but a lot of people say not here
or not in this way.
But if we want to build more
housing, where should we build
it if not in the corridors and
near public transit?
That is the obvious place to
build it.
That is the best place to build
it.
We need to pass this upzoning to
enable cambridge to grow, and
allow the housing supply
problems -- sorry.
I kind of trailed off.
I think it's really the only
solution to cambridge housing.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker.
Then mark.
For those waiting, speaker
number 22.
Denise, you have the floor.
Two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> good evening, denise joseph,
the executive director of the
harvard business association.
First of all, congratulations to
mayor siddiqui, vice mayor azeem
and all the councilors.
Speaking tonight on po-206-02, I
want to thank councilor simmons
and councilor flaherty for
supporting this council order,
which requests a city manager
immediately convene and staff a
standing coordination group,
which includes the cambridge
office of tourism, relevant city
departments, representatives of
the city's business associations
to support regular communication
advanced planning, and alignment
of tourism pro neighborhood
economic activity.
This also act that the city
manager direct the city
solicitor and community
development department to review
and report back to the council
on the legal parameters related
to city funding and tourism
destination, marketing district
restrictions, as well as
oversight and accountability,
related to the operation of the
visitor information kiosk and
related governance expectations.
On behalf of the business
association's directors,
officers, and members, we
sincerely ask this council for
the full support.
And thank you for your
consideration.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker.
Followed by mark keebler, then
bill.
You have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
Ar.
-- itamar.
>> hi.
My name is itamar turner.
I'm here to speak on cambridge
as well as union square.
We need more housing for
multiple reasons.
People talk about affordability.
Even if you don't believe more
housing will make things more
affordable, inclusionary will
make a difference.
20% of 50 units is more than 20%
of 10 units.
If you build taller buildings,
you will have more tenants.
But beyond that, we have bigger
trends outside of our particular
city and state.
So there's a recent survey where
they talked to people across the
united states, who are trans,
nonbinary, and -- 43 trans and
nonbinary people move to other
states.
[Indiscernible]
5% of lgbtq people's.
That's a lot of people.
I've talked to people who are
doing everything in different
countries.
Massachusetts is a pretty
attractive place to live in,
except it's really expensive to
live here, and also don't have
enough housing.
Don't have enough physical
units.
So we just need more physical
housing for people who would
really benefit significantly for
moving there, and we have this
is one of many ways we should be
doing this.
More broadly changes in general,
we need to build societal --
part of that means, and our
state does not learn how to
build housing.
We need to build more.
Inclusionary units, make those
affordable.
That's part of the solution.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is mark
keebler.
Mark, two minutes.
If you can turn on the mic.
>> hi.
Thank you.
Good evening, councilors.
My name is mark keibler.
I live at 52 portage street.
I'd like to welcome the new
councilors.
Thank you for your time and all
the work you put into these
planning proposals.
So I'm also here tonight to
support the cambridge street
rezoning, and I'd like to
emphasize why I believe this
ordinance represents good
policy.
Cambridge has spent years
engaging residents through
envision cambridge and our
cambridge streetss.
The city is following through on
these commitments.
Where it makes sense along signs
of corridors, places in
neighborhood business.
So this proposal --
[Indiscernible]
It is tied directly to public
benefits.
Better street design,
inclusionary housing.
The daily life of the people who
live and spend time on cambridge
street.
Support with businesses.
So a few blocks on cambridge
street.
The length of this ordinance.
More families who have the
chance to stay in cambridge and
frankly, the chance for me to
stay here with greater peace of
mind.
That means new support for local
businesses, and lifestyle.
People have the opportunity for
car-free living.
This council has done incredible
work on housing in recent years.
On friday, in cambridge --
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
Yearly increase at 7%.
We've done a lot.
I feel we shouldn't drop limits.
I'd like to urge you to support
this rezoning.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is bob lytton.
Bob, two minutes.
>> thank you so much for your
time.
I apologize for not thrk in
person.
I have personal obligations.
-- for not being there in
person.
I support cambridge street.
I do not believe new building or
development should happen on
cambridge street.
In fact, I very much supported
more housing, deeply affordable
housing.
Since it's been alluded to
specifically refugees and people
most vulnerable in our community
and abroad.
I appreciate that cambridge
street is a corridor in our
community, and we should provide
ways to facilitate the creation
of new housing, while respecting
those who live, work and play in
the area.
Many of my neighbors have
expressed concerns about the
neighborhood and housing and
details.
I'm very disappointed in those
so-called cambridge residents.
Paint public participants as
being anti-housing development
and status quo.
They and me have common sense,
and community interest in mind
and detailed perspective.
Me personally, represent those
who appreciate -- on those who
public meeting.
I had the privilege of being
raised by an immigrant parent.
It often comes from.
That is what is motivating these
concerns in public comments.
I encourage council to --
[Indiscernible]
And be proud of what our
community is and will be.
I also want to note that a
comprehensive public records
equest for communications and
development workers of the city.
I was given anest a matter of
fact 637 for records that would
have the public better
understand the various data with
this proposal.
I would encourage council to dig
into the available information,
ask hard questions about what is
and isn't possible, and support
the public officer and his
discretion to waive the
associated fees on this and
other public record that's would
help the cambridge public
participate and be better
informed about the possiblities
under consideration.
Please be transparent and
proactive in communicating the
hows and whys in this and other
petitions.
>> Clerk: our next speak every.
-- speaker.
Dana, then followed by debbie
shapiro.
Dana, two minutes.
>> long time, no see.
To the cambridge city council, I
live on cambridge street.
Now I live in central square.
I am speaking in strong support
of the cambridge street zoning
petition currently before you.
I will be to give a voice to the
great majority of recent voters
one of the most important
effective means for enabling
affordability, which is focusing
development on corridors and
squares.
This proposal, if the results of
years of community process and
planning.
It reflects extensive engagement
like the community development
department and unanimous,
informed, and positive
recommendation before the
planning board on OCTOBER 21st.
Tonight, I'm calling for to you
do well by people renters like
myself, and to do well by
process.
The most important priority of
our council should reflect the
single most important priority
of our residents, which is
addressing our severe housing
crisis.
Virtually, we agree badly needed
homes for our people in those
places that can support it most,
which is major corridors near
transit, and close to local
businesses.
This is an opportunity for our
new council to demonstrate
whether it is content to talk
the talk about this, or whether
it's willing to walk the walk on
this crucial priority because
cambridge street is exactly such
a corridor.
Housing along these corridors
allow residents to live near
t-stops and have an option to
not own a car.
They provide need density
without conjesting our streets
from personal experience having
lived on cambridge street
without needing to own a car.
This type of housing is
incredibly important.
I strongly urge you to pass the
zoning petition.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: our next speaker.
Debbie, you have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
Debbie, if you can unmute
yourself.
You have the floor.
>> ok.
Hi, I'm debbie snap.
I live at 404 broadway on the
corner of goodman road --
shapiro.
I lived here almost 40 years.
I want to comment on the
restricting eligibility for
street resident parking
permanent ordinance.
I think it's a great idea.
It's a great way to deal with
the parking issues that are
coming,ss.
I'd like to propose that this
restrict -- increases.
I'd like to proposal that this
be restricted to broadway where
parking is being eliminated to
create bike lanes.
Right now the parking spots are
80% filled during the day, and
that's before 60% of the spots
go away in favor of bike lanes.
At the same time, there are four
multiunit developments in
progress.
Three on ellory street and one
on broadway.
That is about 170 new apartments
within a two-block area,
nondesignated parking.
Consider many of these units
will more than likely be
resident and potentially more
than one car.
That's going to create an
unsustainable parking situation.
Broadway is no more season that
three-quarters of a mile to the
t stop.
Half a mile.
This is no more and even closer
to the mass ave bus line.
So striks could -- restriction
could help head off what I see
as a predictable parking
disaster in cambridge and I urge
you -- ordinance.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: our next speaker is
andrew.
Andrew.
>> good afternoon, city council.
I live at 229 prospect and inman
square.
I ask this council to appoint
updates to cambridge street
zoning.
In NOVEMBER 2024, I went out of
my apartment to go to the
pharmacist, pick up gloves and
got an ice cream of the all of
those are within a five-minute
walk of my apartment.
As I grew up in suburban
pennsylvania where the nearest
grocery store was 15-minute
drive away, the ability was
astounding.
The fact residnces and
businesses are intermingled and
comingled what drove me to move
here and start.
This is why I support the zoning
change so not only more people
would be able to live in this
great city to live the life I do
now, but so all the shops on
cambridge street can flourish
and grow.
Every time I walk down cambridge
street I notice many of the
store fronts.
Cambridge street does not have
the public transit support to
bring in customers from across
the region.
Since bike lanes have been
delayed, they will bring
customers from across the city.
Therefore, it stands to reason
the best way to support local
businesses in east cambridge is
to create a larger local
customer base, to incentivize
east cambridge residents.
Future economic and community
development.
To combat rising rents and cost
of living by not increasing
housing stock would only
exacerbate those issues.
There are many people who wish
to live here, people who wish to
continue living here, use our
local business, and live the
life they wanted.
This is why I and this support
the zoning changes to cambridge
street because it is right for
our neighborhoods.
It is right for our businesses,
and it's right for our city.
Thank you very much.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker.
You have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> hi.
Happy new year.
Congratulations to all the new
city councilors and everyone.
i am a renter in central square.
I'm calling in support of the
cambridge street zoning plan
that is before you.
First, I just wanted to talk
about people.
It's easy to get lost in
complicated zoning disputes to
date.
But we all know people that have
pride to stay in cambridge, and
haven't been able to.
Thinking about a good friend of
my wife, high school in the area
and grew up in the boston area.
Is an artist, and was living on
I think just off inman square.
Really loved living in the
neighborhood.
It was great she was nearby
after a breakup, to find a place
that she could afford to live on
her own in inman square.
We're in cambridge.
So she had to move out of state.
She lives in providence and now
commutes into boston to work
each day.
I think we owe it to our
residents so more of our friends
more of our family, more of the
people we love are able to stay
in the city.
Second, I want to echo what
others have said about
inclusionary zoning.
More than I think around 40% of
inclusionary zoning tenants
receive vouchers after this
policy the it will create more
homes for people.
I also want to talk about the
details of this policy, the
highest heights are right next
to the district on wekster and
windsor -- webster.
I think as a city, we need to
allow those places to grow and
evolve.
I don't think we should lock in
on abuses near inman square.
So I hope you pass this
petition.
Thank you.
Have a good night.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is dan totten.
Followed by daniel, then zion.
Dan two, minutes.
>> hi.
My name is dan totten.
I live on bishop.
I want to wish you a happy new
year.
Congratulations to the two
councilors on their
inauguration.
For six years, I was a city
employee who worked out of this
building each day many of us
like to consider this to be the
people's house, and have major
concerns about further turning
it into a ite of surveillance
and control.
We need to maintain welcoming
atmosphere, so the most
vulnerable residents feel
comfortable coming in, seeking
support and participating in
civic life.
In recent years, significant
security measures have already
been implemented.
There are cameras everywhere and
staff wear badges around their
necks.
There's nothing wrong with using
other existing measures.
My issues with the last ordered
clause, which asked for
recommended improvements and
propose implementation timeline.
It comes across -- inviting the
city manager to do whatever he
wants on a rapid timeline
without any public input.
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
-- security technology provide
zero specificity bag searches,
police.
What's to stop?
If has metal detectors, what
about schools where city
employees also work.
Are city councilors more serving
of protection than librarians or
other workers who also interact
with the public daily?
Numerous studies have shown
metal detectors are nothing more
than security theater that
provide an illusion of building
security while having a
significant chilling effect on
the welcoming atmosphere of the
building.
This order cites five incidents
over 48 years over hundreds of
cities.
I think this is cherry-picked
data that's being used to
justify predetermining
conclusion.
And I think this order treats
violence as something that
enters city hall from the
outside, rather than examining
how city hall itself perpetuates
violence by displacement.
Thank you very much.
>> Clerk: our next speaker is
donna summerville, followed by
zion, then james.
>> mayor siddiqui, vice mayor
azeerjs city council and the
public.
-- azeem.
I'd like to ask you --
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
>> Mayor Siddiqui: if there's no
one else on the agenda, we must
make a motion to allow for
further comment on an item
that's not before us.
Motion from the body.
Motion by councilor al-zubi to
allow donald summerfield it
speak on it agenda item that's
not before us.
We'll have to do roll call.
Yes.
Just hold tight if you can.
Sos before us.
Councilor simmons, would you
like it speak to the motion.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank you,
MADAM Chair.
I'm always eager to allow for
public comment on items that are
not before us.
However, what's unfortunate
about when that happens.
There MAY have been someone that
wants to speak to or support, or
speak against that particular
item.
And we have cut that off because
it's not on the agenda.
So as much as I respect
MR. Summerfield a great deal, as
much as I with like to say yes,
it's not on agenda.
I'm going to have to vote no.
The reason being is it could be
a topic that's very important to
other people.
No notice of that, so they will
have been denied that
opportunity.
I yield the floor.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: I have the
city council.
Anyone who would like to speak
on this?
>> I'll say the same.
I typically the to do this
because I think we don't want to
set a precedent where if we have
the rule, then it's the rule for
everyone.
It's really hard, whether we
draw -- I've known
MR. Summerfield for a long time.
[Indiscernible]
I think it's something we need
to think about.
If we want to change the rule,
we can.
But I typically don't vote for
this because again, I think it
sets up an expectation where how
do I draw the line?
How does council draw the line
on who gets to do this and who
doesn't?
What is the point of the rule?
People are always free to email
us on any subject.
If they want something to be put
on the agenda, and it's
something that can feel free to
talk to a do that.
I think we have to be careful in
terms of consistency.
That's all.
>> Mayor Siddiqui:.
Thank you.
MADAM Mayor.
>> Clerk: his speech is related
to the item.
It's regarding affordable
housing.
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
>> it's ok.
We'll figure it out.
We'll get back to you.
So there's a motion before us.
[Poor audio]
>> maybe give him an opportunity
to clarify when it comes to
affordable housing, it would be
worthwhile.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: so -- not on
the agenda.
So that's why I ascertain that
motion.
Please do the roll call and see
what happens.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi.
Yes.
Vice mayor azeem.
Present.
Councilor flaherty.
Present.
councilor Mcgovern.
No.
Councilor nolan.
Yes.
Councilor simmons.
No.
Councilor sobrinho-wheeler.
No.
Councilor zusy.
Present.
-
mayor siddiqui.
Yes.
You have three members recorded
in the affirmative, three
recorded in the negative and
three recorded as present.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: so the motion
fails.
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
Followed by james williamson.
>> MADAM Mayor.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: yes.
>> Councilor McGovern: if
MR. Summerfield wants to speak,
if MR. Summerfield could relate
his affordable housing comments
to the cambridge street upzoning
that, he then could speak, in
which case we could give him
that opportunity, right?
We voted no.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: I don't want
to make this difficult, but the
conversation is starting to --
this is not on the agenda.
In the future, if there are not
any public speakers, we need to
make sure the item is
referenced.
So if you're referencing the
item --
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
That was not made clear to
anyone.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank you,
MADAM Chair.
I understand where you're going
with this.
Where we are standing on the
final line of saying this is
appropriate.
The problem now is that we took
a vote that it was not before us
us.
And now I feel like we've sort
of manipulating or modifying to
make it fit to say thank you to
my colleague, because everyone
here wants to support public
comment.
So I would rather respectfully
ask that the vote be taken.
As my colleague has mentioned,
most of us have office hours.
Everyone can write if there's
more than one.
There's ample opportunity to
bring something up that is not
on the agenda.
My fear is that it veers off.
We've opened the door.
So where the vote was taken.
I let the vote stand.
I yield the floor.
>> Mayor Siddiqui:.
I appreciate the comment.
Councilor simmons.
As chair, I allow two minutes,
comment.
>> I'd like to comment on the
cambridge street zoning.
I'm neither for nor against it,
but I'm for more housing.
Members of the public, staff,
city councilors, mayor siddiqui,
vice-mayor azeem, my name is don
summerfield.
I'm lucky to have affordable
housing at that.
I frequently pass by someone on
the street that doesn't have
shelter, a sidewalk, or a bank
lobby doesn't count as -- it's
especially hard for that
90-year-old woman I see
sometimes on the subway when
there was a hearing for the
affordable housing overlay.
A person as the building might
shadow his tomato plants.
The person in need of housing
might disagree on more tomatoes
or a house.
It's a very ugly situation.
At risk, especially those with
psychiatric issues.
I pass by people everywhere
hearing voices.
A warming center is a start, but
we need more housing.
I think the city should open a
gym at the cambridge overflow
warming center in inclement
weather.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is diane
followed by james williamson.
Then heather hoffman.
You have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> I'm zion.
I want to welcome the new
councilors.
[Poor audio]
Given new councilors --
[Indiscernible]
Ed yo]
-- something I would not want to
have anyone live through.
There were changes.
The decision to go out.
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
-- accessibility issues and
restrictions.
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
-- councilors actions to reflect
that.
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
-- there are six cars honking
and waiting.
Having loading zones or space
for deliveries.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: thank you.
Our next speaker is james
jamison followed by heather
hoffman, then jack muller.
Please go ahead.
>> can you hear me?
Thank you.
James williamson, churchill ave
in north cambridge.
I want to speak to the landlord
petition for this stickney
house.
Are they sticking it to us.
To me, having lived here for
over 50 years, and I think there
are people who, you know, you
have to be over 95 years old to
have been born before the
addition to the house in
question was added in 1928.
That addition, some of you MAY
remember when the number one bus
went down bow street.
That is maybe my first early
connection to this addition to
the building.
That brick addition is theful
part of how this building has
evolved.
It's unique.
It gives it distinctive
character that matters a lot,
and is being ignored in this
landmark designation petition in
order to try and persuade the
owner it's going to be ok.
We're going to let you do more
or less of what you want.
That addition doesn't matter.
The addition to the white house,
the east wing was basically
built out in, I think, 1942.
That is at least 15 years after
this addition was built by an
architect, who had worked with
Mccain and white.
So how do you feel about the
tearing down of the addition to
the white house?
Does it matter?
Not important?
There's an important ballroom
being built there.
There's I think it doesn't
matter.
I think it should be rejected as
it's currently formulated.
>> Clerk: thank you, james.
That's the remainder of your
comments.
Next speaker is heather hoffman,
followed by jack.
Heather, you have two minutes.
Please go ahead.
>> hello, heather hoffman.
213 hurley street.
I want to -- everything dan
totten said.
I work in public buildings.
They vary in their welcomeness.
I prefer the ones that welcome
me.
With respect to all the
litigation we're involved with.
And also, the absolute
convincing assurance that we
will beat patrick baird's
lawsuit and inclusionary zoning
will continue in all of its
glory I say, talk about that.
Then talk about what happens if
this lawsuit goes the way the
cambridge building montero
lawsuits went.
With respect to the city
council's I have some
suggestions for things you
should take up.
Evaluate the new charter.
Tons of people don't even snow
we have one.
What changes need to be made,
including for example, the
inauguration.
Also, looking at deadlines for
ordinances such as inclusionary
zoning to be reviewed.
We should also be looking at all
the ramifications with all this
new zoning, and looking at
makinging it so the pedestrians
can get around with all the
construction, neighborhood
long-term planning, transport
transportation.
For finance, how about taking a
look at what it's going to talk
us in texas?
And finally, cambridge street
zoning.
Let it expire.
I sent you a letter, which I
almost never do.
Please read it.
Thank you.
>> Clerk: our final speaker is
jack.
Please go ahead.
>> thank you.
[Indiscernible]
>> not to be redundant because I
think my fellow citizen
expressed my position -- housing
mission ordinance.
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
>> Clerk: thank you.
MADAM Mayor, that is all that
were signed up to speak.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: that
concludes comment.
I'll ask azeem to close with
comment.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi.
Yes.
Vice mayor azeem.
Yes.
Councilor flaherty.
Yes.
Councilor Mcgovern.
Yes.
Councilor nolan.
Yes.
councilor simmons.
Yes.
Councilor sobrinho-wheeler.
Yes.
Councilor zusy.
Mayor siddiqui.
Yes.
You have nine members recorded
in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui:.
[Poor audio]
>> MADAM Chair.
>> councilor simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: number two
and five please.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
simmons number two.
Number five.
>> mayor siddiqui.
Councilor nolan.
>> Councilor Nolan: number four.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: number four.
Councilor al azeem.
>> Councilor Al-Zubi: I'd like
to pull number one.
>> vice mayor azeem.
>> Vice Mayor Azeem:.
Three.
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
-- include an update on court
cases.
City manager.
>> City Manager: thank you so
much, mayor siddiqui.
Welcome to our new councilors.
Good to see you all.
This is the first return.
I want to ensure that we have an
updated picture of the
litigation we're involved in as
a city for two city councilors.
Please reach out to city
solicitor.
We're happy to of any special
cases of special interest to the
city.
We certainly welcome any
questions tonight as well.
We don't have any significant
updates to date.
The more significant in terms of
the cases.
The most significant ongoing
case remains the lawsuit
regarding hub continuing care
funding.
We expect a clearer picture in
the coming weeks, and we will
communicate as soon as we have a
more definitive ruling from the
court.
Similarly, there is no
substantive action on the
federal budget bill needed to
pass before the JANUARY 30th
deadline.
There is one glimmer of good
news, which is both the house
and the senate have passed
budgets that have likely held
concrete significant -- the
initial proposal would have gone
down by 20% or almost $50
billion.
While much of the day statements
from grants of the last year,
pwhile still not entirely clear
how priorities in research
pfunding directives change: the
overall level of research
funding has been protected.
We continue to monitor the
federal budget.
We expect to have a clearer
picture by our next council
meeting on JANUARY 26th.
That will be five days before
the JANUARY 30th exploration of
the last federal budget
scomention.
So we'll make sure there's an
update in two weeks.
I also wanted to reflect on the
shooting in minneapolis.
The lack of policy federal
procedure, theical us and knee
jerk response of federal
leadership and surging of
actions are making everyone in
our community and amore safe.
This is incredibly disturbing.
There have been actions at the
city and state level that we've
seen the last couple of days.
St. Paul issued a cease and
desist to homeland security to
stop the use of city-owned
parking lots and property for
federal civil immigration
actions.
Similarly, stiff minneapolis
issued an executive order and
asked to provide a more
standardized -- private property
owners and wish to mark their
properties off limits to
immigration actions.
Aso, just a couple of hours ago
state and senate officials in
illinois and minnesota have
filed a federal lawsuit against
the trump administration,
clearly of mass deployment of
immigration agents in the
absence of congressional
authorization violates the
constitution and infringes on
states rights.
These lawsuits are seek
significant on the current
practices of federal agents.
Working with city council.
Better understand the lawsuits
that have been filed.
We just started a review.
They will be filed in court
today.
And as we have litigation
options, we'll be in close
coordination with the state
attorney general's office, as we
determine potential next steps,
potential legal steps.
Over the last year, we have
worked very closely with the
city council and the city's
ordinance, education.
We support great are legal
support for immigrants just a
couple of days ago.
We were putting out a call for
volunteers to work with --
[Indiscernible]
Federal housing vouchers housing
vouchers.
So I'm very appreciative of the
work that has happened that the
city council and across so many
city departments and partners.
In 2026, we continue to look for
ways it stand up for our values
and take actions to protect our
community.
So I'll take questions and thank
you very much.
>> Councilor Zusy: through,
mayor.
To jump into the city of --
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
-- denied their injunctive
release in this case.
How are we documenting for
future or irreparable harm just
in preparation for further
setbacks from the federal
administration.
It seems clear we're going to
need stronger evidence.
>> City Manager: sure.
Through you, mayored qismt I
would defer to the city
solicitor.
And the city solicitor.
I think there's a lot of
similarities in the chelsea and
summerville case and other
sanctuary cities cases that
we've listed.
But happy for them to provide an
overview and looking forward to
discussion.
>> thank you.
Through you, MADAM Mayor.
Someone in chelsea filed a case
really early on after the
sanctuary jurisdiction order was
issued.
And then a little time after
that.
Other jurisdictions starting
with the lead plaintiff being
san francisco, filed a similar
case over on the west coast.
And we did not initially join
the case that the san francisco
case was amended.
And we joined additional
plaintiff when the case was
amended, when the case was
amended.
And what we -- what the basis of
the harm of that case was to
show being harmed and the other
counties and cities involved are
being harmed, was the economic
harm.
So the sanctuary executive
orders talk about eliminating
funding for sanctuary
jurisdictions.
So we worked with our finance
team and actually with every
department in the city that
receives federal funding, and
did a really thorough analysis
of all the funding that comes in
in.
Before that case, the finance
had started working on making
sure they had a clear picture of
what our city federal funding
looks like.
But that really forced us to
kick it gear and do a really
thorough analysis of where --
make sure we capture every
department and all the federal
funding.
That is what we submitted, along
with the other plaintiffs to
show that this was harm that
would happen to the city.
And it's not speculative because
just the fact of funding being
cut off because of our sanctuary
policies.
There is uncertainty.
And -- [Indiscernible]
when we cut funding and the
court found that we were showing
they did not get a preliminary
in order their favor.
Some of it MAY be because of
jurisdictions.
Some of it MAY be that they
filed so early, that they hadn't
had the full amount of time full
amount of time whether that
impacts where they are going at
this time.
We are continuing to work
closely with all city
departments and particularly,
finance on the federal funding
picture.
And additionally, as things
develop, if there are other
types of federal are impacting
the city to be able to
articulate that harm as well.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
al-zubi.
>> Councilor Al-Zubi: -- case
relating to housing and
homelessness.
How much do we have of a dollar
amount for continuing of care
funding that we've secured?
>> thank you.
Through you, MADAM Mayor.
So I can speak generally that we
receive around six million in
continuum of care funds.
And so that the king county case
as an injunction in place that
is ensuring that we get that we
get that we brought along with
the national alliance to end
homelessness.
That's for the next fiscal year
of funding.
I think that's also around $6
million.
>> through you, mayor siddiqui.
I think this has been one of the
challenges with the
administration they are going
after the funding on a lot of
angles and we end up in court on
a number of different actions.
King county was about the
initial conditions that were
being shared, which largely if
they were implemented could mean
hud could disqualify us from
future grants.
So that case, I think we
essentially have an injunction
on.
The case that I was referencing
that we're currently in the
middle of litigating is
regarding hud having changed the
continuum of care, essentially
moving the existing 90% funding
year over year supportive
hosing to 30%, and trying to
move the other 30% of funding
into new programs in accelerated
time frame that I think really
was not plausible to develop new
programs in.
So our court case on that front
with a number of other cities
and states was a number of
things including the fact that
the federal government didn't
follow the appropriate process
that they needed to and a number
of other things.
So how this shakes out whether
there's a full injunction.
I think one of the challenges
from a legal perspective to stop
actions from taking place.
I think it's not easy for the
federal government to do things
proactively.
Because the existing programs
should stay in place, and this
coming year should lock like
last year, I think there's this
challenge where the court is not
necessarily used to what she did
pis not legal but what you must
do now is do this program in
this certain way.
So you can imagine how for
instance if we can't reduce 90%
to 30%.
What if we reduced 30% and
that's where we're waiting to
see how the court is going to
rule.
>> through you.
The conditions that hud was
trying to impose for those
specifics.
>> thank you, MADAM Mayor.
I don't have them all at the tip
of my fingers, but they all have
conditions on cooperating with
immigration actions and
prohibiting dei initiatives
prohibiting programs or using
funds for gender ideology in the
federal government's words.
An issue we felt we needed to
take action is, we would argue
that funds that are used to
fight homelessnessed to provide
permanent support of housing are
not being used for immigration
enforcement or gender ideology,
or diversity, equity and
inclusion initiatives.
They are being used to house
people.
But the federal government's
interpretation of those
conditions, we know from things
that have been said in the media
and the PRESIDENT Are broader
and differ from our
interpretations.
So the potential enforcement if
we interpret conditions
differently than the federal
government is the reason we felt
we were compelled to take action
to challenge those conditions.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor.
>> Councilor Al-Zubi: the last
question to the other
councilors.
State council, churches --
[[Indiscernible]
-- other funding partners,
organizations can absorb the
differences if snap is
ultimately cut and contingency
plans in place?
We saw a test of that this past
fall.
Ideally, you would want to be
proactive about potential future
setbacks on that.
>> City Manager: sorry.
Can you repeat the question,
mayor siddiqui.
>> Councilor Al-Zubi: happy to.
Are we prepared for possible
setbacks if they decide to
attack this again?
In other words, can we absorb
some of the differences if snap
is cut again?
Because it's what we saw happen
this past NOVEMBER.
And I want to make sure we're
taking steps to be proactive in
case that were to happen again.
>> City Manager: through you,
mayor siddiqui.
The challenge in terms of being
able to commit to fully funding
any potential deficit in the
snap funding is just a scale of
the funding.
I think the other challenge is
the uncertainty of some of the
policy rollout that's been
placed.
-
I think there's both a scare
challenge and an uncertainty
challenge.
So I think if you go back to
that period when the government
was shut down, and all of this
was happening, there was both a
challenge where the total
monthly amount going out for
benefits of snap I think is $2
million a month within just the
city of cambridge for about
10,000 people who are on snap
benefits.
i'll have to check, but that's
about right from the
conversations we're havingment
it's incredibly difficult for us
to absorbs pal level.
The second challenge that we
have was how we respond when a
lot of this is getting tied up
in court cases, and we had a
short horizon where people were
going to be up against that
monthly time period where their
snap benefit was supposed to be
provided, but it wasn't clear
whether the federal government
was going to reopen at any point
in time.
It could have been a period of
days, weeks or months people
would be without snap benefits.
Making those decisions was
incredibly difficult when you
think about us needing to make
much more firmer commitments.
Even with that uncertainty, even
with that scare challenge, as a
city, we didn't feel like doing
nothing, was something that we
could stomach.
And so council, for the quick
action that we were able to take
for the partners that we had
with the cambridge community
foundation and public schools,
the housing authority, our
senior organizations,
summerville, cambridge elder
services.
I think we MAY be in that
similar situation where we MAY
be navigating a lot of policy
uncertainty.
To the extent that does come a
firm resolution, a firm cut with
the council and the community
about how much we could think
about.
But I think that's ultimately a
number of conversations that we
are going to have, as we come up
against the fy 27 budget
programs we are concerned about
that MAY disappear.
The court cases have allowed us
to maintain the status quo for
longer.
That seems to be where the hud
continuum of care is going to go
in court.
Even if we got -- I think it's
very likely we MAY end up in the
same conversation as we come
into fiscal year 28.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor al
zuby?
>> Councilor Al-Zubi:.
Thank you.
I think it's really important
for us to consider a robust
contingency plan, considering
the administration is --
[Indiscernible]
I yield.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: owe any
questions?
Councilor nolan?
>> Councilor Nolan: thank you.
Through, mayor siddiqui, to the
citys thank you for this update.
Thank you for the questions.
In the beginning, you mentioned
the steps that many of the other
cities are taking.
We have done an extraordinary
amount of work here to ensure we
do everything we possibly can to
within obviously, our legal
authority to safeguard our
residents.
However, there were some
policies mentioned.
I don't think the federal
administration is using our
parking lots for anything.
If there is anything in that
initial round you're hearing
from other cities that we can
add on to and aensure everything
we possibly can to keep our
residents safe, I think it would
be really important for you to
work with the mayor to ensure
the council raise in on any of
that.
If they have any question on
these lawsuits.
I really hope the city has heard
we are trying to do everything
we, can and the law department
is way overworked.
I hope that there's some folks
within the city who are coming
through to help us because it's
clearly a strain on us
psychologically and probably
financially in terms of the work
that doesn't get done, as I know
I have certainly bugged the
solicitor for a number of other
things.
If we need additional support
for that.
It's important to do for
defending our freedom and also
our residents.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor?
>> to the city manager and city
solicitor.
[Indiscernible]
I think I pronounced that
correctly.
It's on page ten of the summary.
This is a case, in my view, that
is such a massive departure
constitutional --
[Poor audio]
The city has filed an amicus
brief.
And I understand and recognize
however worked the city
manager's office is, that this
is such, in my view, an
incredibly important
constitutional case where the
plaintiffs did seek and receive
a temporary restraining order
and joining ice from conducting
stops.
Unlawful stops based on racial
profiling, rather than
individualized reasonable
suspicion of unlawful presence
in the country.
And the application of this
precedent is remarkable.
This is one of those cases that
stands out to me as one that
seriously the tack on our
constitutional practice and our
liberty, rights and protections
athat have been around since the
founding of this country and is
an aattack on the fourth
amendment.
And I note also in the status
report that justice -- on the
supreme court has said that or
has indicated and of the opinion
if the case eventually reaches
the supreme court, that the
supreme court will likely
reverse any permanent injunctive
similar to the temporary relief
that the district court
previously ordered.
It's remarkable, in my view.
I know how overworked the city
solicitor's office is.
But in my mind, this is one of
those cases that can create such
a dangerous precedent for
application throughout our
country, in this state, in the,
to individuals being racially
profiled in many of our
neighborhoods.
So to the extent that there is
any available elbow grease in
the city solicitor's office, I
would ask that if you have it,
maybe you can spend it and file
or join an amicus brief with the
city of boston.
I really do believe this is one
of those cases that is so
remarkable, and the response by
the supreme court just at this
stage of the litigation is so
remarkable, that it requires, in
my view, a strong sort of
argument on our point.
So that's all I just ask.
Thank you.
>> City Manager: through you,
mayor siddiqui.
Thank you councilor flaherty for
your the I couldn't agree more.
As this -- for your remarks.
I couldn't agree more.
We were organizing across a
number of different cities, and
had put out to the same effect,
essentially, this was during the
time when especially in many of
our communities, chelsea lynn.
They are experiencing this kind
of action.
Ice enforcement that was really
targeted on individuals, not
with any record or targeting,
but sort of just sweeping up
people who looked a certain way,
were in a certain place.
And it really put out a
statement essentially arguing
this was unconstitutional.
So very dismayed as well when
the supreme court essentially --
[Indiscernible]
Injunctioned owe docket.
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
-- talk us through the amicus
briefs.
Certainly, as a plaintiff when
there's a clear harm in our
case.
Sometimes there's a desire to
get amicus briefs.
But I think talking through the
process might be useful.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: city
solicitor?
>> thank you.
Through you, MADAM Mayor and
point well taken on the
importance of this case.
Just before the meeting tonight,
starting to read the new
complaint that was filed today
by minnesota, st. Paul and
minneapolis with many of the
same issues, alleged in that
complaint happening right now on
the ground in those cities.
So we have been working with a
fews, looking at cases where we
might be able to join and
support the case in a brief.
We have been in close connection
with a number of other sanctuary
jurisdiction cities here in the
state and across the country,
through some of our municipal
lawyers, bar associations.
We have been working with the
public rights project, which has
been taking the lead in this
litigation and municipalities.
There are other groups as well,
from even back during the first
trump presidency when the city
participated in some amicus
briefs where we have had people
who we worked with then.
We reached back out when new
briefs come up, and asked if
this city is interested in
joining.
Then some issues where we hadn't
heard that anyone is, you know,
in the process of working on a
brief.
But we have initiated briefs,
and we've partnered with some
law firms to see that through.
So it's been a real bit of both
working our networks and taking
initiative, and primarily
partnering with others, who have
done the lion's share of the
writing of these briefs.
And I discussed any possible
opportunities with the city
manager before we sign on.
We keep the council updated
sometimes through an additional
email, just to let you know
something that happened right
away, or through this every
other week litigation tracker
update.
I'm always happy to hear from
the council.
If you're aware of a particular
case and issue and want us to
look at that, and see about
taking some more action.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: ok.
>> thank you, MADAM For that.
>> Councilor Flaherty: I should
note for the record, I know
exactly how much work it is to
draft an amicus brief to the
united states supreme court.
It's overwhelming work.
I congratulate you for your
efforts, and I congratulate you
for seeking partners at large
firms here in boston, pro bono
activities, maybe harvard law
school, boston college law
school, my alma mater might be
willing to work on this as well.
Maybe we can work on developing
networks to assist in these
efforts.
But this is the one.
This case really is the one.
This is the federal government
and the united states supreme
court saying, in effect, the
that racial profiling is ok.
I think we can all agree that
it's not.
If we have a chance to fight on
this one, maybe we should pick
this fight.
Listen, thank you so much.
I appreciate it, MADAM Mayor.
>> Councilors thank you for your
-- [Indiscernible]
>> Mayor Siddiqui: --
[Poor audio]
[Indiscernible]
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi.
Yes.
Vice mayor azeem.
Yes.
Councilor flaherty.
yes.
Councilor Mcgovern.
Yes.
Councilor nolan.
Yes.
Councilor simmons.
Yes.
Councilor sobrinho-wheeler.
Yes.
Councilor zusy.
Yes.
Mayor siddiqui.
Yes.
You have nine members recorded
in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: seeing none
-- agenda item number two.
This is communication --
[Indiscernible]
[Poor audio]
Councilor simmons?
>> Councilor Simmons: thank you,
MADAM Chair.
I want to thank you for this
police advisory board.
Just a few things.
It's not a criticism.
As many of you know the police
advisory board was established
in 1984.
One reason why I raise that is
because in the description of
the police advisory board, does
it speak to that?
I think it's an important thing
to note why we have this police
review advisory board.
We have a couple of new members.
We have people tuning in.
They have no idea.
So I just want to make a
recommendation that there might
be some item that talks about
historical backdrop, to tell
people, here's this police
review.
We're pointing people to it.
They can refer to why these
people are being appointed.
They never got their
credentials.
Let's talk a little bit about
their credentials.
There was a time when we
recommended members.
You would give us their resume.
Now you give us a little bit of
a synopsis.
Not that I took issue with that,
but I don't really get a sense
of who they are.
I know who they are in regards
to being appointed to the police
review advisory board maybe
because we don't quite have the
history of why.
I think it would be important,
as long as the resume is not as
long as the enpsych low media --
encyclopedia.
Because having been around and I
know a little bit about the
formation of the police review
advisory board.
I did take note of all the
expertise of the people -- that
the people have.
What I'm look little bit more
balance in terms of just the
ordinary citizen that might also
be interested to have an option
to serve, but they don't have,
say, experience.
Professional decade of
experience and human services.
I feel that we're moving, and
it's not a bad continuing that's
for almost exclusively highly
educated people with years of
experience.
I'm looking for some folks who
MAY not have as much experience,
but would be able to give their
time, talent, and intellect to
the board if invited.
So I'm looking to us for our
community engagement efforts.
Whatever you call them.
The community engagement team
that go out it knock on doors
and let people know we're doing
various things, that we really
go and look.
Let's go to the town court.
Let's go to apartment gardens.
Let's go.
I'm certain if there were people
that knew these opportunities
were available, MAY not have 10,
15 years in human services, but
have a lot of basic neighborhood
knowledge.
Basic knowledge in areas that
would be just as important to
have a police advisory board.
I just want to mention that.
I'm looking for a little bit
more balance.
We talk about community
engagement on all levels.
So let's be more cognizant about
who we bring on, so it's not
skewed in one direction.
The last time I'll say that.
If you do get shun who has a lot
of learned knowledge, community
knowledge, a group of highly
educated MAY not come back
because I feel like I don't have
the B.A.
I don't
.
>> Mayor Simmons: I want us to
be more cognizant so we have a
broad representation on our
boards and commissions.
Thank you, MADAM Chair.
I yield the floor.
>> Chair: thank you, count lor
simmons.
>> through you, mayor and good
evening councillors.
I want to start by introducing
myself.
I serve as the executive
secretary for the advisory
board.
I also oversee the human rights
commission and the commission on
immigrant right and citizenship.
thank you, councilor sim mons
for the questions.
I'm happy to touch base on.
I apoll jiez for not including
the resumes.
The board members work hard to
make sure the pool of applicants
who are rechtive of our
community, which is difficult
because we pulled that off when
everyone was enjoying time off.
We looked at what is the vision
of the board now that it's under
new leadership and specifically
for people that can help us with
community engagement, which is a
focal point right now.
As well as, committed to
training which I'm trying to
remain consistent and across the
board as we work with the police
department.
We thought the two applicants
that move forward with
appointments really are
committed to that and fully
understand the mission.
One is a long time cambridge
resident and the other is newer
to cambridge but had what we
found
experience.
It's difficult to find because
we are looking to find that
neutrality in the space, which
we understand is difficult but
we're excited about the two
applicants.
>> I thought about sitting from
that perch having peoples names.
When I knew you I didn't know
you.
This is very helpful.
I applaud the work you do.
I know you work overtime, all
the time and every time to have
representation.
We look for people that look
like us or act like us.
I suggest to the work you do,
which is a lot and great, how do
we say who is not here.
What type of person do we not
have and how that might round
out the board and really grow
our community engagement.
Again, this is not at all a
slight to the work you do.
I know you work really hard and
have a cute baby at home you're
trying to take care of.
It's how do we utilize other
ways to get people that don't
typically serve on these boards
and commissions.
No criticism to the work you do
just looking at opportunity and
options to have a broader
representation of people from
other neighborhoods that we
don't.
I expect if we were to do a grid
we were trending in a certain
direction and not in the other
direction that speaks to
diversity and breath and depth.
I yield the floor.
>> Chair: thank you.
Councilor nolan.
>> Councilor Nolan: thank you.
Through you, mayor, and to the
staff.
I want to 100% build on what
councilor simons just said
thchlt is a review advisory
board working with the police
department on training and
through the city and is
critically important when we
look boo complaints that are
filed.
It's critically important as the
councilor says, there's lots of
ways to define diversity.
These resumes in some ways are
really impressive.
And yet, as has been said, if
you have very different life
experience and who is much --
I'm interested in making sure
residents here are very much
willing to look a scans at any
official report and make sure
they approach it from the
perspective of residents across
the city.
Opposed to just accepting
anything that goes forward.
I want to -- I'm glad the
councilor raised it and I fully
support her request that we look
seriously at how it is that we
are providing recommendations
for these.
I have no reason to pose these
necessarily but I would much
prefer we had assurance some
members of the board were in a
completely different mindset
than what might be assumed here.
Do we have a full report of the
last ten years of all cases
adjudicated?
If not, how quickly can we get
that?
>> thank you for question.
That is something that we
continue since we've been in the
new transition that's just on my
to do to bring back.
I think getting these
appointments since there is
quorum.
That's absolutely something we
will continue doing and are
aware is required by the
ordinance.
>> Chair: councilor nolan.
>> Councilor Nolan: thanks.
Look, there's all this talk
about what is in ordinance and
what isn't filed.
This is critically important.
We care enough about it we send
it.
We are getting kudos across the
country and I for one have no
knowledge whether we deserve the
kudos because I have no idea of
how it's viewed by the general
person on the street because we
don't get those reports.
I recognize and I should have
said through you, mayor, I
recognize they are new and I'm
glad you're working at it.
If this is several years of
boards, not speaking to you but
to the fact we have not gotten
what is -- not just legally
required but almost morally
required to make sure we're
moving forward.
The last time I checked one of
the concerns, having talked to
several people who filed
complaints honestly, is they
were not sustained and felt
totally not listened to by the
parb, because they felt the
people were predesupposed to
defend everything.
That's not something we want to
see in other areas of
government.
I hope moving forward we can
ensure folks dr the data is
already there.
Thank you.
>>>the issue of what the
ordinance is I think we can take
up but do folks have questions
about the specific appointments?
>> all of the meetings are
public meetings.
There is documentation in terms
of what's been on the agenda and
decisions that have come before
prav.
Your points are well taken and
there's good work to do.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: I see no
further commentary from
colleagues.
I will entertain a motion to
approve the appointments and
place the matter on file.
On a motion by>> councilor
azeem?
>> yea.
>> Clerk: councilor carlone,>>
yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor similarmons?
>> yes.
>> councilor sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: it is
approved and placed on file.
Agenda item three.
A communication transmitted from
the city manager relative to the
appointment of members
conservation district
commission.
Vice mayor you have the floor.
>> Councilor Azeem: thank you.
We have newly appointed powers
to review -- appointments by the
city manager to different boards
and things like that.
I wanted to say the only people
I know on this are people given
in public comment disagreeing
with different housing
initiatives the city council has
done and I think that's fine.
That's democracy.
There are a lot of opinions.
I know in the past some people
have brought up concerns if
someone has a different opinion
than they do, has given public
comment.
I want to say I think that's
fine.
The only people I know here that
very difficult politics.
It's a democracy and we need
points representedment happy to
vote for this but wanted to do
acknowledge that.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
vice mayor.
Any comments?
hearing none on a motion by vice
mayor to approve the
appointments and place the
communication on file.
Roll call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> councilor sobrinho-wheeler>>
yes.
>>yes councilor siddiqui?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: the item is
placed on file.
Communication from city manager
relative to designation for
[Indiscernible] On the street.
Councilor you have the floor.
>> Councilor Nolan: thank you.
This is relative to
recommendation for final
landmark designation report.
As usual, a report that has lots
of data and information on it
which I always learn something
about the history of whatever it
is in cambridge.
Not just usually the building
but the neighborhood and also
what was going on at the city at
the time.
I'm excited always to read that.
I'm also excited about the
plans.
The owner is dedicated and
committed to having a center
that will enhance the city.
That will benefit the square and
that will preserve the building.
As noted it's part of the
harvard square conservation
district.
There's lots of restrictions and
rules and regulation that is
have to be followed by it.
I wanted to say that that
history is important and for me
to landmark seems something that
I cannot support.
Because this is a project that
is desperately overdue, I think,
in the square.
I toured the building.
It was offered to everyone to
say see the building.
There is work that needs to be
done and to landmark would be
highly restrictive.
The reason I feel comfortable
in that is the harvard square
conservation district has some
and the owner said it's going to
continue to be a nonprofit
center.
It's going to be used for the
benefit of the community.
It is clearly going to bring
into the square exactly what we
need in terms of civic
engagement.
I'm happy.
I would love for this to be done
as soon as possible.
It is for that reason I will
not support the landmark
recommendation of the
commission.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
al-zubi and then vice mayor and
then councilor simmons.
>> Councilor Al-Zubi: I would
like more time to folks directly
involved, as well as, process
the report before the vote.
I want to make a motion to
charter right.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: so councilor
al-zubi exercises her charter
right.
Move to next item on the city
manager's agenda.
We don't get to vote on that.
City manager item five.
This is transmitting
communication there city manager
relative to $100,000 received
from the broadband institute to
the grant fund and other
maintenance.
[Indiscernible] Support local
and provide voices to resident
DECEMBER in distribution
[Indiscernible] And hot spots
to -- digital navigator serving
individuals in cambridge public
schools.
Councilor simmons you have the
floor.
>> thank you.
We have the director on the
screen.
I would like to give the floor
to her to talk us through about
how she sees the appropriation,
how it's going to work.
Then I have questions after I
hear from her.
I yield to the director.
>> thank you so much.
Through you, mayor.
It's great to be here tonight to
talk about our digital equity
program and this grant.
One of the things I've
observed -- I've been here nine
years in cambridge.
Our commitment, the city's
commitment to equity, innovation
and creative collaborations is
quite special.
One of the things I wanted to
mention to start off is that the
city's digital equity initiative
is providing access to
technology and learning
opportunities.
It's both.
It's the access to technology
and building opportunities and
that this has been a
collaborative.
I think ths one of the peshl
things about this grant through
the mass broadband institute is
that it really has been a
collaboration.
This is helping to continue
that.
It's not only nonprofits
including cctv and justice star
and many others, this digital
equity collaboration has always
been with four city departments.
Cambridge public school
district, human services, I.T.,
and the library.
Our digital-and-a-half va tors
connect residents with a wide
array of services.
This includings tech learning.
Assisting and signing up with
low cost providers, connectivity
issues and connecting residents
with devices they so desperately
need.
This includes low cost computer,
free devices, combination of the
two.
Hot spots or related equipment.
I wanted to invite our assistant
director to share more about the
grant.
Thank you, jason.
>> this grant comes from mass
broadband institute.
They had a program through which
the city participated and worked
with a consultant to create a
digital equity.
At the end they were invited to
apply for the grant up to
$100,000 to implement
recommendations from that study.
We did apply for the grant and
were awarded it to two specific
recommendations from the study
that were part of the grant
application were extending the
digital navigators for the
public library and the public
schools.
The other source of funding for
navigators was arpa money.
That funding is going to run out
in MARCH.
Part of this $100,000 will cover
the salaries for those two
positions from MARCH through the
end of this regional digital
navigator program in JUNE.
The remainder of the $100,000 is
set for refurbished or new
laptops and hot spots with up to
a year of service -- internet
service prepaid on them.
The digital navigator pilot has
been distributing devices that
were coming in from a different
grant funding stream.
Unfortunately that grant funding
is ending and we're happy to use
the new grant to restart
distribution of laptops and
hotspots.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank
you, through you.
Thank you for that information.
Particularly when you talked
about digital equity needs.
Through you MADAM Chair to city
manager.
I'm pleased to see this program
and how it's going to lend
opportunity to the people that
are locked out of the
information portal because they
don't have or understand how to
take advantage of technology.
That being said I want to bring
you back to a couple of months
ago when we talked about having
seniors.
Seniors who have said they had a
hard time participating in and
engaging with us in council
because they did not have access
to technology.
The response back was that we
couldn't afford it.
I'm hoping that -- when I heard
the list of organizations,
departments if you will, we're
working with.
Ccbt, justice dot I didn't hear
council on aging.
Maybe it was yooefr sight.
If this is an opportunity where
senior citizens in particular,
although they are not named her
expressly, have an opportunity
to be able to participate, use
their digital technology that
seems to be low cost or no cost
through the grant, and then be
train
trained and be able to
participate in council meetings.
They've said.
We don't want to come because
it's too late in the evening.
The city manager talked about
eni will talk about this with
vice mayor when we have a
meeting through government ops
how do we make public comment
more accessible to people.
This is an opportunity I hope we
will not MISS Our senior
citizens.
Particularly those in the 11
senior citizen buildings that
have community room, staff
infrastructure that could help
them if that opportunity were to
come and meet them at their
door.
I am pleased with this grant of
money.
I'm hoping and, I don't know if
I address my concerns, needs,
wants and desires to all of you
to say as you are dispersing
funds in this program, this
program we look forward make
suring our senior citizens that
live in buildings that want to
participate and cannot because
they do not have digital access,
we will look with an eye to yes
we can make that happen in those
buildings.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: city
manager.
>> councilor, I hear that.
I think one of the big
challenges I hear from seniors
in addition to some of the
challenges with accessing city
council, more and more we see
life move away from mail, away
from phones.
If you want to pay your credit
card nowadays you cannot
actually call, in many cases.
If you have a bill you need to
pay there's not a number you can
call and off times more and more
when you call the number they
say you must go online to pay
your bill.
So I think the work that this
grant is supporting is
incredibly importanted and for
seniors looking for assistance
we're excited to make sure they
know this is a resource.
They can access it.
A lot of the distribution of
devices, laptops, hotspot, I
think what you are saying,
councilor simmons, absolutely,
it's an opportunity for people
who don't want to come in the
evening to be able to sign on
for fr their homes like
everybody else that is able to.
For us to also provide digital
navigators who can help people
get set up, be trained, find --
a little bit difficult link to
find on the website.
We are working on that, too, so
they can navigate to public
comment and speak and have their
voices be heard.
I think you're right on.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank
you, MADAM Chair.
Through you city manager vm I'm
going to hold you to that.
I think it's important.
If I'm not clear maybe this is a
question to the director.
Are we asking, particularly
senior citizens, go to the
library or send the navigator to
them.
One, you have a critical mass of
seniors in the building.
Particularly if it's inclement
weather, if it's mobility
issues.
If we can send the digital
navigators to them that would be
a big step in the right
direction.
>> MADAM Mayor.
We do both.
We do service in our libraries.
I think that's important because
we have seven libraries that are
open many hours of the week.
I think over 330 hours per week.
And so that's a wonderful
service to people because a lot
of times people know where their
neighborhood library is.
They support there.
We also send people out.
For example, our digital
navigators and we will do that
through this program.
Thank you.
>> Councilor Simmons: through
you, MADAM Mayor.
Thank you director.
I believe, jason, is at the
central square library, is he
not?
>> I have not been there if n a
few years.
Yes.
I was.
>> Councilor Simmons: come
back.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: 237
franklin is adjacent to the 45
pearl street.
That would be a great place to
pilot.
When we talked about this
earlier.
150 and 237 were two buildings
interested in doing that kind of
thing.
If we want to do a pilot using a
portion of the digital
navigators to give access to
seniors that MAY be a good place
to start.
Sorry you're not there jason.
Wherever you are I hope you're
doing well.
I yield the floor.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
simmons yields councilor
al-zubi.
>> Councilor Al-Zubi: through
you, I strongly support this
appropriation.
We've seen clearly conditions
have major impacts on
educational outcomes and
especially in the age we're in
basic digital access shouldn't
be a luxury.
I just have one question.
What is outreach and application
process to connect with people
and families in and equitable
way going to look like?
>> Mayor Siddiqui:
[Indiscernible].
>> thank you so much.
Through you, MADAM Mayor.
Jason I'm going to hand that
over to you.
Just one of the mentions.
In addition to libraries digital
navigators we have partners with
C.H.A. And H.R.I.
They also have navigators that
focus on seniors.
It's a team approach and jason,
i don't know if you have any
other details you want to share
about the program.
Thanks.
>> sure.
So this is the library and the
public schools have their
specific navigators but they are
part of a lower cohort of seven
navigators through the
organizations in the city.
Justice start, cambridge housing
authority, H.R.I. Have navigator
that is have been focusing on
their target audiences.
Folks at H.R.I. Buildings or
C.H.A. Buildings.
The navigator at schools is
primarily working with families
and youth.
There are navigators at tc-tv
and these navigators work across
different locations.
Right now there are navigator
services available either
through appointment or as drop
in and there are specific
classes that people can take.
They can also sign up for a
30-minute time slot.
They have a specific problem
they need to work on getting
solved.
We do have those at the central
square branch, as well, on a
regular basis and we're really
working to make sure that we're
getting the word out through the
library, through the schools,
through cctv.
Additionally making sure we are
using the connections we have in
the library with our esol
program, our social worker so
they are getting the word out to
folks they are working with who
are, you know, learning a new
language or taking one of our
citizenship prep courses or
helping to access services
through our social services.
For older adults at the main
library who does proactive
outreach and work with seniors
living in the city.
Really relying on the fact that
this broad spread of
reach certain segments of our
residents and help to amplify
each others messages and
hopefully hit as many folks as
we can.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
al-zubi.
>> Councilor Al-Zubi: I just
want to say thank you for this
work you're doing.
I would really encourage,
similar to what councilor
simmons brought up on meeting
people where they are at as much
as you can in this work.
Especially considering digital
access and literacy can be tough
to learn.
Thank you for your work and I
yield.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
zusy.
>> Councilor Zusy: thank you,
chair.
I also am thrilled that you have
received this award for $100,000
to continue our services.
I also am a fan of jason from
the central square library.
It's great to see you up there.
Thank you for applying for the
grant, I presume, and receiving
it.
I have submitted policy order in
APRIL 2025 with councilor
sobrinho-wheeler and azeem for
an update overall about the
cities digital access programs.
I asked for a report back.
We never got a report back.
I will be resubmitting this
policy order asking for a report
back.
what I don't understand is are
you part of the solution?
From research we did, again,
back in APRIL 2025, M.I.T.,
gogle, boston properties and
the city of cambridge working
with the cambridge housing
authority had established free
wi-fi network at new town court
and washington and with arpa
funds working with the C.H.A.
We were providing internet to
folks at the frank j. Manning
apartments, washington and the
newtown court apartments.
C.H.A. Had a computer training
program for senior residents at
several C.H.A. Properties
including offering free
chromebooks funded by google.
I'm eager to understand better
and perhaps at a different time
are the city's broader efforts.
I want to understand how the
good work that you're doing fits
in with other efforts.
I agree with my fellow
colleagues that providing
digital access is absolutely
essential today.
Look for another policy order
from me.
Thank you.
I yield.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: further
questions about this?
Hearing none.
On a motion by councilor on
placing the communication on
file.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor azeem?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor siddiqui?
>> yes.
You have nine members recorded
in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: it is
approved and we place city
manager item four
-- five on
file.
Policy orders.
Councilor simmons?
>> Councilor Simmons: I would
like to pull 1 through 4.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
simmons is pulling 1, 2, 3, and
4.
>> Councilor Zusy: number five,
please.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
zusy pulls number five.
Seeing no one else.
Go ahead and do a roll call on
policy order number six.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: policy
number six is adopted.
Policy one.
This is city manager is
requested to direct the
appropriate city departments
including department of
transportation to evaluate and
install speed bumps on
fayerweather street and
particularly attention to the
stretch between walnut and field
street.
Councilor simmons you have the
floor.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank
you.
I want to acknowledge and thank
my colleagues councilor flaherty
and councilor McGovern for
signing onto this policy order.
We have done a wonderful job and
worked hard to pedestrianize our
neighborhoods, particularly on
the fayerweather street area.
There still remains concerns
about safety.
As you turn your attention to
the first two whereas' which is
residents along fayerweather
street particularly the
intersection with walnut and
field street and adjacent to the
field and new park raised
concerns about vehicles
accelerating and traveling as
excessive speeds going onto say
parking on both sides of the
street, limited sight line and
frequent use of children and
families and elderly citizens
accessing the nearby parks.
This policy order is asking as
it says in the order that the
city manager include or speak
with the department of
transportation and other
appropriate city departments to
evaluate the situation.
it should say with a view toward
installing speed humps.
I don't know if they call them
humps instead of bumps along
fayerweather street.
I want to acknowledge and thank
my colleagues for signing on
because they, as well, have the
same concerns about people
saying we don't feel that safe.
Can someone look at the view
toward mitigating traffic.
This is what this seeks to do.
With that I yield the floor and
give my colleagues, councilor
flaherty or councilor McGovern
if they would like to speak to
this.
I yield.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
flaherty?
>>Councilor Flaherty: I would
like to second everything that
councilor simmons says about
this.
There are a lot of children in
the neighborhood.
It is a needed improvement.
I think safety concerns are
front of mind for me in all of
this.
I think it's improvement that we
should have speed humps along
fayerweather street.
Thank you.
I yield the floor.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
nolan.
>> Councilor Nolan: thank you.
I think this is important for us
to look at across the city.
I do wonder if this order is to
evaluate and install.
I know the transportation
department and D.P.W. Have been
working to install speed humps
across the entire city.
I don't know if this -- how this
fits in with the priorities or
how others were determined or
whether this has been talked
about.
I think the reason this is
highlighted is this is near a
park, near danehy park and saint
peters field where there's more
traffic than maybe on an average
street.
Assuming the conditions apply to
every residential street across
the city.
I'm happy to support this but
want to make sure we work in
conjunction with the city to
ensure it's done in a way it's
evalwatted then installed along
with the priorities set by us
studying what it is that is most
needed.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: I'll just
mention that we do have the 2025
installations that happened and
those were based on, you know,
feedback from -- requests from
residents and city council.
The initial pilot happened just
this fall and new locations were
[Indiscernible] Using both
community submitted traffic,
requests, and other criteria.
I think that this to me makes.
See councilor simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: you're
adding information relative to
what we're looking at.
Maybe this will help.
Maybe bring this to the top of
the list.
I'm hoping colleagues will
support it.
I don't know if councilor
McGovern wants to speak to it
but it's really what we know we
want to do.
Particularly because it's in the
area of saint peters field and
newpark.
We want to make sure families
fully utilize the amenities of
our parks by getting there
safely whether their child is
supervised or not.
Again, I'm hoping this goes
forward.
It speaks to what we've said
implicitly and explicitly we
want to be able to have eyes in
the city to people can travel
safely.
I yield.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: I don't see
further hands.
We can adopt the order by roll
call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: we move to
policy order number two.
The city manager is asked to
direct the solicitor and
development department to review
and report back to council on
legal parameters and city
funding and tourism destination
marketing district restrictions
and oversight of accountability
operations of the visitor
information kiosk and related
governance expectations
including alignment and city
priorities.
councilor simmons you have the
floor.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank
you.
I want to thank councilor
flaherty for supporting this
order.
We recently, I think this summer
but I don't know.
We had a presentation from the
office of tourism, it was an
extensive 75 slide presentation.
A lot of information.
Hard to sort through it all.
But still a lot of questions,
MADAM Mayor.
I want to take a moment to
explain the intent.
I think it's important to be
clear of what we're trying to do
here.
At the summer economic
development hearing we heard
appreciation for the office of
tourism.
I stand clear that I was here on
the ground floor when the office
of tourism was established and
the role it plays in supporting
cambridge's local economy.
What we also heard from
councilor and stake holders was
a sense our tourism effort could
benefit from clearer
coordination.
More consistent communication
and more structured way of
aligning goals across city
department, business
associations, commercial
districts and our tourism
partners.
Cambridge is facing economic
pressure.
You don't have to go far to see
what's going on in our city.
In some ways I field when it
comes to tourism and economic
development we are beginning to
lose ground, particularly in
commercial areas.
Increasing foot traffic and
businesses matter more than
ever.
Tourism promotion is one
important tool in that effort
but it works best when everyone
is involved in operating with
shared expectation and regular
channels for collaboration.
This policy order is intended to
help create that structure.
It calls for standing
coordination group.
Clearer information sharing, a
better understanding of existing
legal constraints and regular
reporting back to council so we
can see what's working, what's
challenging and where
adjustments might be helpful.
For me it's alignment.
Not enforcement.
Not con franation.
Strengthening how we work
together we can strengthen the
impact of the work happening and
ultimately better support the
local businesses and
neighborhoods that make
cambridge such a vibrant place.
With that I yield.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor simmons.
We go to councilor zusy.
>> Councilor Zusy: thank you,
chair.
I think there's concerns -- I
have DECEMBER 16th of the
economic development.
It was a great meeting and I
talked about the department of
tourism to produce an annual
report that business
associations should be invited
to join the board.
I suggested the business
association should receive
grants from the office of
tourism from their funds.
it was clear there needed to be
greater transparency, better
communication, and more
collaboration between city
associations and department of
tourism.
I feel as though they've been a
mysterious organization because
they've been producing annual
reports but I've been impressed
with candace -- I don't know how
to pronounce her name -- her
work and I feel as though they
are joining the mitch lynn guide
is going reap great benefits for
the community.
I think she's headed in the
right direction.
I do feel that the construction
that is happening at the what
was the pit that it's been going
on for years and years and
years.
The kiosk and programs there.
Culture house is doing a lot of
good work but they really
hampered.
I had written earlier to
deputy -- commissioner deputy
city manager watkins about it
will no longer be a pit but the
kiosk area will be completed.
We hope it will be done in
NOVEMBER of 26.
I think that's going to be a
huge game changer for kiosk and
I think it will make all the
difference there.
I think part of the challenge
with the kiosk is not only the
construction but that its
mission is -- there's -- it's
unclear.
What was great about news is
going there and seeing from all
over the world and magazines
from all over the world was
really a transcending
experience.
Cambridge is the home of so many
thought leaders and I think they
think big in the city and the
out of town business at the
kiosk is a statement of
cambridge thinking big.
I was surprised when I visited
the kiosk this weekend to find,
again, there is an art show
featuring boston artists.
It was nice artwork but I felt
like the artwork -- whatever
happens to the kiosk should be
local.
It should have cambridge focus
or else it should be sort of
transport us to other places.
I guess more broadly.
As part of this exploration I
will be thinking more about what
the mission of the kiosk should
be.
There's been some concern about
the -- it has to be quiet around
the kiosk, which I think is an
issue.
It is sort of the commons for
harvard square.
It's the center for harvard
square.
It seem likes there should be
some activity there.
I think we need to rethink the
mission and the culture of the
kiosk but I think we're heading
in the right direction and I
will especially be there once
construction is completed in the
surrounding area.
Thanks to D.P.W. For overseeing
all of that work, working with
the mbta.
I look forward to the final
completion.
Thank you.
I yield.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: anyone else
who hasn't spoken.
Councilor nolan.
>> Councilor Nolan: thank you,
mayor.
i'll be brief.
I can support this idea.
I appreciate we need to build
ton work that was done on this
issue.
This asks for a report so we can
coordinate and understand.
It is something that I think the
more we can get the reports and
information the better for all
of us.
The coordination I'm glad to see
the business associations in
here.
I think it MAY well be also, I'm
sure this was the intent of this
order, to include the
institutions, as well.
So much of our tourism, frank hi
to the city, comes because of
harvard and M.I.T.
And to a lesser exstent leslie
because it's smaller but they
are clearly involved in how
tourism dollars end up in the
city.
There's a decline over the last
few years and concerted effort
by some people to not have us be
a tourist destination and we
have to counter that.
I can support and look forward
to this being a report to work
together on understanding how it
is all the entities can help
strengthen the city.
I will note that the kiosk is
one part but we also, hopefully
soon, will have some
organization of harvard square
to dramatically increase, I
think, the livability and
tourism dollars spent there.
Thank you, I yield.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: anyone else
who hasn't spoken?
Hearing none we can go on and do
a roll call on adopting.
Councilor simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: through
you to my colleague, councilor
zusy.
Thank you.
You brought up two points I
didn't I. Appreciate you
bringing them up.
One is culture house, in
particular.
I know the city manager is here.
I have to tell you I'm purr
plexed how we got culture house.
We won the bid but I think they
are out of their depth.
I think that's why you see
businesses.
You can come to the table.
I would love to hear from you on
this.
I'm just perplexed.
Not to cast any a
-- they
typically don't get cambridge.
Because they don't get cambridge
they program outside cambridge.
I don't know why, MR. City
manager, if you can walk slowly
if you like.
I just don't understand why we
even had a process when we had
organizations that were local
that could have done the work.
It's almost like a slap in the
face.
Now you've got them and would
someone talk to them and say,
you know, you've contracted with
cambridge to do something in
cambridge.
Boston is a lovely place.
They do their own marketing.
Sullivan can do their own
marketing but you have to -- you
watch a movie from 1955 and
you'll see the out of town
ticket agency.
It has a history and culture.
It's an icon and landmark.
I'm just perplexed.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: I think this
order calls for [Indiscernible]
it calls for parameters,
oversight accountability.
Questions about culture house
and the kiosk.
If you can provide a comment and
if you need more time we'll do
this.
>> Councilor Simmons: if you
need more time I'll be in your
office tomorrow.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: please guy
head.
>> through you, mayor.
I think there's some
intersection beween parts of
this policy order regarding the
broader work and the harvard
square kiosk.
I probably would argue those are
somewhat distinct issues.
I think to councilor simmons's
commentary.
Overall a very transparent, open
and legal process for
procurement of the harvard
square kiosk.
This was the second time we ran
the procurement.
There were a number of bidders
and I think some of the bids
wre just not responding to
ultimately what was in the
R.F.P.
That made it difficult to choose
certain folks that were excited
about being part of the harvard
square kiosk and programming it.
I think there are just legal
restrictions in terms of when we
run an R.F.P. We put out a set
of criteria and bids have to
meet those.
Cultural house put out a strong
bid.
They've been doing good work.
I refer to assistant city
manager peters to talk about the
work they've done.
But I know there MAY be
disagreement in the community.
i think that does happen.
The community is diverse and
vibrant as ours but it feels
peculiar in that chamber we're
criticizing one of these
vendors.
I'm happy to have conversations.
We talked about this a little
bit but happy to have some of
these conversations in the right
setting.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: I'm going
to save time.
Rather than have deputy city
manager peters extol the virtues
of culture house.
Put this on the table.
You and I will have a
conversation about this.
What this report is asking you
to do is give more information.
I would ask my colleagues to
read that R.F.P.
Some of the problems we have are
because of it.
I will yield the floor.
You can relax.
We can take this up at another
time.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: I don't
think anyone else would like to
speak to the order.
I will go ahead and do a roll
call on adopting policy order
two.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: policy order
number two say adopted.
We're going to policy order
three.
The city manager is requested to
conduct a comprehensive review
and safety and security measure
of cambridge city hall including
assessment of physical access
control, visitor screening
practices, on site security
staffing and training, emergency
response and evacuation
protocols and use of security
technologies and surveillance
systems and alarm monitoring.
Councilor simmons you have the
floor.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank
you, MADAM Mayor.
Briefly, I think the policy
order really speaks for itself.
It talks about the need -- as
someone who has worked in city
hall a number of years and how
things have gotten a little bit
more dangerous.
As you read through policy ored
it speaks to concerns.
I spent a lot of time in the
building and talk to people that
work here.
In the area of comfort is
beginning to wane because of
what we've seen happen just as
recently at boston city hall.
I want to be clear.
I'm not trying to make city hall
less welcoming.
I work hard personally and I
think the city council in
general works hard to make sure
it's welcoming.
We host so many different
programs and opportunities
because we want people to come
and into the hall.
I did see that there is -- let
me take a step back.
I want to acknowledge my
colleague for signing onto this
policy order.
I see there is an amendment
being offered.
I love the opportunity if
councilor sobrinho-wheeler is
not here rather than take it up
in his absence I'm going
exercise my charter right and
come back to it.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
simmons exercises her charter
right on policy order three.
We move to policy order number
four.
The city council go on regard ak
no, ma'amminging 2026 as a
centennial celebration of negro
history week and recognizing
enduring contributions to the
nation's understanding of
itself.
This was filed by councilor
simmons, councilor flaherty, and
councilor McGovern.
Councilor simmons you have the
floor.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank
you.
I offer this policy order as it
says this is a century ago in
FEBRUARY of 1926 when racial
segregation, political
disinfranchisement were legally
sanctioned and socially
entrenched.
I'm not a child of the south,
per se, but my mother is.
She would tell me stories about
how signs would be put up
saying, you know, whites only.
She told me stories about having
to ride on the back of the bus.
These were vivid in her memory
but there are good thing that is
happened in the african american
community at the time talked
about is negro.
My birth certificate says I'm
colored.
You know that but I'm black.
This is an opportunity for us as
a city as we look at the 2026
centennial celebration of the
city looking at the
contributions of the individuals
and how we got where we are and
how we tell the story on who is
back and whose sweat and labor.
Not only built this city but had
extraordinary contributions that
have been erased, marginalized.
I hope my colleagues and thank
you councilor flaherty, all of
us will lean in and lift this up
and find ways together and
individually to lift up the
whole idea of 100 years of negro
history week now as we know as
black history month.
I offer this with a sense of
exuberance and excitement to
tell the story of those stories
who have not been told.
With that I yield the floor.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor simmons.
Councilor flaherty.
>>Councilor Flaherty: thank
you.
I would like to congratulate
councilor simmons for drafting
this policy order and it's my
pleasure to second it.
Someone we all know very well on
this council and who is
legendary in the city of
cambridge, gillmore, who is 101
years old, is a young man here
in the city who has done more
for the city than any of us in
combination and collectively
probably will ever do.
He's the grandson of slaves.
A world war two combat veteran
who is highly decorated for his
honor and his courage when he
stormed the beaches of normandy.
That have campaign he was denied
access by white servicemen on a
vessel returning to the states.
He came back, as he likes to
say, on a tug boat.
When he arrived in cambridge, he
sought a loan and was denied and
he told that man, maybe some day
you'll work for me.
He then went onto found the
first black-owned bank in the
eastern region of the united
states of america.
Throughout his life has achieved
incredible things in equity, in
housing, in parliament.
If in a very small way this
policy order somehow and in some
way recognizes his achievements
in life then I think we'd all be
pleased to celebrate that and go
along with councilor simmons's
policy order.
Marvin gillmore, in my
estimation is a hero.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor flaherty.
Councilor nolan.
>> Councilor Nolan: thank you.
I think this is an important
element to add to the way the
city celebrates the history.
I will say that a book written
on carter woodson and the art of
black teaching is a great read,
if you haven't read it.
He might be local.
It might be a great person to
have over.
I heard him speak at a
breakthrough greater boston
event and also have read his
book and recommended it to
several others.
it's specifically art carter
woodsons impact on black
education in the country
starting in the 1920s and 1930s.
The title of the book is
referencing the fact it had to
be taught in a way that would
not disrupt or get the teachers
in trouble but they were
definitely uses woodson's work
in a way that provided an
education for their students
that would otherwise not have
been provided.
Happy to support this and look
forward to the city celebrating
this as one of the many ways we
celebrate the 250th.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor nolan.
Anyone else who would like to
speak on this?
Thank you krs for bringing this
forward.
Adopt the order on roll call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: the policy
order four passes.
We can go to policy order five.
The city manager is requested to
work with relevant departments
to prepare council discussion on
best future uses for city-owned
properties and the processes for
re.Com.
This was filed by choois and
councilor nolan and councilor
zusy.
Councilor nolan then councilor
zusy.
>> Councilor Nolan: thank you,
mayor, and thank you for
co-sponsoring this.
This came about because as we
know it's laid out in the policy
order we have had the suggestion
about the properties we own
around here in central square.
Yet we have over the last ten
years bought a number of other
properties.
It's really important that any
of the plan wing do we do it in
a comprehensive coordinated
fashion instead of one off.
This policy order suggests we
have a round table.
There's not a date but I hope
this happens relatively quickly.
I know D.C.M. Did see this
policy order and understood the
intent.
Because as we move forward in
the next years we know there's
going to be a variety of
properties we have to figure out
what to do -- how to use.
The intent of this, and I hope
we support this strongly, is to
ensure the council and community
are involved.
There was concern, which all of
us heard about particularly on
one property, the sherman street
which had been known as the
bella circle property.
People wondering, it's under
construction and we didn't know
about it and council didn't
know.
there was confusion about wait.
Is this dedicated for one use?
I know I had reached out to the
city and made sure no this is
not yet.
It MAY be the best use is one
use or another but we really
want to make sure that whatever
is decided on all of these
properties is done again and
coordinated fashion for planning
across the city.
Also done with the council as
representatives of the community
involved so we can work together
moving forward.
That's intent.
I don't have to go into detail
on the various property bus
there are a lot and we have to
decide how we are going to use
them.
That's it.
Thank you, again, and thank you
to councilor zusy for
sponsoring.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: I'll go to
councilor zusy and then I will
go to councilor al-zubi.
I have to use the restroom so
vice mayor is able to take the
floor and facilitate.
Thank you.
>> Councilor Zusy: thank you,
chair, and chair azeem.
Two in one.
Councilor nolan, thank you for
drafting this policy order and
inviting me to be a co-sponsor.
I have a question, through you,
chair, really for the deputy
city manager, which is it
wasn't -- the city council
requested a list of -- and
inventory of city property.
For old times I think have we
received it?
Through you, chair, to the
deputy city manager.
>> through you, chair.
i know we've provided it to
someone.
Not sure all.
As part of this report we can
provide that, as well.
As part of doing the round table
we can provide that in a formal
way.
>> Councilor Zusy: excellent.
Thank you.
I think it will be really great
to see that.
I support this policy order.
I do get a little worry because
I think when a councilor becomes
involved thinks because very
political.
Along with housing the community
needs parks, arts and cultural
spaces, parking and places for
D.P.W. To park equipment.
We can't forget that.
Housing is important but to have
a functional city we really have
to have places for all these
other thing, as well.
I look forward to hearing back
about the list of properties and
look forward to this broader
discussion.
Thank you.
I yield.
>> Chair: councilor al-zubi.
>> Councilor Al-Zubi: I wanted
to hop in and note I strongly
support this.
I appreciate my colleagues
bringing this on the floor.
In fact, would love to
co-sponsor it.
I would like to note, especially
now, public land belongs to all
of us and should remain in
public hands.
Hopefully also serve the public
good.
From my perspective we need to
focus on the use of city-owned
properties to create affordable
housing as an example.
i look forward to this round
table and hopefully working with
community organizations and
members, city staff,
councillors, to develop concrete
proposals for affordability.
>> Mayor Siddiqui:
[Indiscernible] Do a roll call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
Absent.
Councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have eight members
recorded in the affirmative and
one recorded as absent.
>> Mayor Siddiqui:
[Indiscernible] Hearing none.
>> I just wanted you to say my
name.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you.
We will do a roll call on
adopting the amended --
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: policy order
six is filed and adopted.
We are finished with the city
manager's agenda.
We move to calendar.
There are two charter rights.
I will go to the first one.
This was a policy order saying
that the city manager works with
the government operations and
civic unity committee to hold
hearings to discuss new ideas to
honor and remember individuals
criteria for eligibility,
committee structure with diverse
representation of the city
residents and means for
recording and maintaining
current and future memorials.
Exercised by councilor simmons
in council on DECEMBER 22nd.
Councilor simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank
you.
I would like to take this off as
is the rule because the charter
right can only stay to the next
meeting to move this forward.
As it is written in the policy
order, this is the conversation
we've been having a long time
around memorials.
One started people working in
service or civic life.
It's grown.
It's grown in a way that we, in
some way, cannot control it.
We have memorials on one block.
We'll have four signs with four
different people.
All very important but it's not
a method or practice that we can
sustain.
The idea behind this policy
order is to work with the city
manager and to the subcommittees
and city council to say is there
another way to do it to be
honoring so we can honor those
that need to be honored but not
in such a way we run out of
city-owned real estate to place
them up.
That is what this policy order
seeks to do.
Let's look at it.
Let's have conversations.
Let's take it out to the
community and come back with
recommendation on how to do
that.
I yield the floor.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor simmons.
Any other comment on this?
I think it's very important and
there's a lot of thought and
work.
I look forward to discussion in
government ops.
We can do a roll call on
adopting the order.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: that item
passes.
Calendar item two which is a
policy order around restricting
resident for parking permits and
more transient oriented
developments.
I'll go to councilor simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank
you, MADAM Mayor.
I exercised my charter right and
I'm in the same place.
On the third whereas seeking to
use public transit.
I think public transit is
important but it's not been
reliable.
I know we've talked about
maintaining, sustaining or
adopting an idea where we pay
for free transit to get folks
around the city.
It's a noble cause.
I worry we lay so much on
unpredictable means of getting
around the city.
Public transit being one of
them.
Not to throw the mbta under the
bus but we know that it's been
less than reliable.
We offer a policy order that in
part depends on a system that is
not tremendously reliable for
various reasons too long to go
into.
It gives me pause.
It is before us now to be taken
up.
It will probably pass and I will
vote for this only because it
says that we are to get
information back so we have some
policy choices so we can make
decisions.
With that I will vote if favor
but I just wanted to say I would
like to hear from colleagues,
councilor zusy, vice mayor, or
councilor nolan or maybe not.
The hour is moving along.
But I wanted for my colleagues
to understand I'm not trying to
be obstructionist I just have
concerns over depending on a
mode of transportation or
transportation operation that
has been less than reliable.
I yield the floor.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor simmons.
Councilor zusy and then
councilor azeem and then
councilor nolan.
>> Councilor Zusy: thank you,
chair.
This policy order was inspired
because that's scarcity of
parking.
We've all received letters.
There are concerned about large
developments around elery
street.
There ares parking scarcity.
Most of the developments are
within a half mile of the
harvard square t.
This would be properties where
residents would not receive
parking permits.
The idea is that those living in
tran see yent oriented
developments within a half mile
of the stations would be
encouraged to use the mbta.
It's only going to get better,
councilor simmons.
The buses are supposed to be
getting better in the next five
years.
I think the red line is really
getting much, much better.
Our concern is that if the
residents in these oriented
developments are a given parking
permits will add to what my
friend calls parking misery in
many neighborhoods.
We want to continue to support
investment in mass transit.
Better mass transit.
Encourage those who can use it
to use sustainability
transportation.
Apparently this is working in
somerville and those that are
choice limited, individuals with
disabilities and residents of
affordable housing units are
sometimes given -- are provided
with exemptions.
They might get a permit.
There is a possibility to get a
permit if you need one in the
transit-oriented developments.
We're adding a lot of density to
the city and I know that's
something most of the city -- I
think the whole council supports
in one way or another but we
can't have all of those
residents have cars, too,
because -- especially if there's
no parking minimum.
This will help to encourage
resident, again, in those
transit-oriented developments so
close to mbta stations to use
mass transit and walk and bike
and get around other ways.
Car shares and other mechanisms.
So that's why I think it's a
great idea.
I'm looking forward to hearing
comments and I yield.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
azeem and then councilor nolan.
>> Councilor Azeem:.
Thank you.
In a new development someone MAY
say hey, I I don't need to be
parking without making it easy
for people to take the bus or
train.
I can use street parking.
Then they take advantage of
something without providing
something which is off site
parking.
i think it's a problem and makes
it harder for people already in
the city and need the parking to
use it.
I think that's the issue we were
trying to solve.
An issue we come across is that
under general massachusetts
general law, under housing
development rules we have to be
fair in how we assess properties
and requirements we have on
them.
One way to have a fair
assessment is to say development
that is are near transit we
should have additional
requirements saying that, hey,
if your residents are going to
bring a car, we need you to
provide a parking spot for them.
It's unfair for them to use
on-street parking when you're
not building parking for them
and you're expecting them to --
you're saying to us we expect
them to take the t but you're
trying to take advantage of the
public realm and make it harder
for everyone else to park and
drive.
That is what our expectation is.
In general I share a lot of
councilor simmons's concerns the
mbta isn't up to snuff and isn't
improving rapidly enough.
I think of this as a way to
properly align incentives.
If someone isn't spro providing
parking they expect people to
get around on transit not
because they are taking
advantage of the system and
making it harder for everyone
else to park.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
nolan.
>> Councilor Nolan: thank you.
Just as a reminder this is
asking for what the legal
options are which we don't know.
I think we asked it in various
forms yet we haven't gotten the
full form of legal opinion to
say here's what you can do.
I know the city solicitor is
aware of this request because
the fact is we did say there's
no minimum parking.
It means that anybody who builds
in the city has no requirements
to build any parking.
That does have an impact.
I voted for that.
I first talked about it.
It makes since moving forward
yet there have been real serious
impact on certain people and it
very much depends on the part of
the city you're in.
Reality is there's parts of the
city it has a greater impact the
utilization of on street parking
is probably 90%-95%.
Other areas of the city
including where I live it's more
like 70%.
You could add 30% more cars and
still get utilization that meant
people can find it.
I think it's important that we
own that.
We acknowledge it and, again, I
hope we pass this.
I think we need to know what are
our legal options.
Of course, all of us if we had a
magic wand would tomorrow make
this mbta and public transit
completely reliable, affordable,
frequent, no problems
whatsoever.
Over the last couple of weeks
I've been on the red line and it
it was amazingly fast and I've
been on it when it's not so
amazingly fast.
I waited for a bus that was
supposed to come and took longer
than it should have and also got
on a bus right away.
We're in a situation that as a
city the more we is solve this
and work together we have a
bunch of ways we as a city are
working with public transit to
try to improve that.
We hopefully will do our own
form of transit as we move
forward with the study of how it
is we improve transportation
across the city.
I do fully support it and
acknowledge that the reason this
is brought forward and thanks
councilor zusy for taking the
lead on this, is because we need
to figure out what the options
are.
Once we know what they are, we
can't do anything until we know
what we can do legally.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: I go to
councilor McGovern and then
councilor flaherty.
>> Councilor McGovern: thank
you, MADAM Mayor, through you.
I do support this, as well.
I won't ask to be added just for
speed sake.
I do really support this.
I do think this has to be part
of a broader picture as we start
to deal with parking issues in
the city.
I think and residential
stickers.
We need to look at the fact my
wife and I can register eight
cars at our house because it's
four per person.
I think it's something we need
to take another look at, as
well.
I appreciate this order and I
will be supporting it.
Thank you.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
flaherty.
>>Councilor Flaherty: thank
you, through you, MADAM Mayor.
This is an essential order.
The elimination of minimum
parking requirements requires
this.
It requires a legal opinion.
We're living in an alternate
reality if we think that persons
who either rent or purchase a
unit in a transit-oriented
building or development then
just going to unilaterally
advocate their own right to have
a vehicle and park it publicly
on the street by obtaining a
parking permit from the city of
cambridge, we're kidding
ourselves.
That will lead to further
difficulties for residents and
those development areas
obtaining parking.
I think there will be.
I wish the city solicitor all
the good will.
There will be a challenge to
this, whatever policy we enact.
I fully support this.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor flaherty.
I think we've heard from whoever
wants to be heard.
We can adopt the order.
On a motion by councilor zusy.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: item two is
adopted.
We have now a zoning petition on
the table.
This is the cambridge street
zoning petition.
It was passed to a second
reading as amended in council
DECEMBER 8th.
It's eligible to be ordained.
It was tabled last DECEMBER 22nd
meeting.
The petition expires
JANUARY 28th.
We have one more meeting which
is JANUARY 26th where we can
adopt this or let it expire.
What is the pleasure of the city
council?
Vice mayor has stated he would
like to leave this on the table.
Councilor nolan has stated she
would like us to leave this on
the table.
Anyone else?
We will go ahead and we don't
have to take any motion.
I don't see a motion to take it
off the table.
We need five votes to take it
off the table.
We'll leave it on the table and
talk about this JANUARY 26th.
We are done with the calendar.
We move onto applications and
petitions.
>> Councilor Simmons: move
adoption.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: on a motion
by councilor simmons to adopt
applications and petitions 1 and
2.
We'll do a roll call, please.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: the two
application and petitions are
adopted.
We'll move onto communications.
There are 139 communications.
>> Councilor McGovern: place on
file.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: on a motion
by councilor McGovern to place
all communications on file.
We'll do a roll call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: the 139
communications are placed on
file.
We move onto resolutions.
There's one resolution.
Would anyone like to pull it?
>> Councilor McGovern: move
adoption making unanimous upon
adoption.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: on a motion
by councilor McGovern we will do
a roll call on adopting the
resolution and making unanimous
upon adoption.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
Councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: the
resolution is adopted.
Committee reports.
There's one committee report
from government ops.
Pleasure of the city council?
If you're making a motion speak
into the mic.
>> Councilor Nolan: accept and
place on file.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
nolan moves to accept the report
and place it on file.
Roll call on that.
thank you.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> the report is accepted and
placed on file.
We have no round table minutes.
We'll go onto communications and
reports from other city
officers.
Pleasure of the city council?
On a motion by councilor simmons
to place all four on file.
Roll call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: all four
communications and reports for
other city officers are adopted.
We now move onto any late
resolutions?
Clerk, are there any late
resolutions.
>> Clerk: one late resolution.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: we have one
late resolution.
We need to make a motion to
suspend is rules.
>> Councilor McGovern: so
moved.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: on a motion
by councilor McGovern to suspend
the rules to bring the late
resolution forward.
Roll call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
Absent.
Councilor sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have eight members
recorded in the affirmative and
one recorded as absent.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: we are in
suspension.
We go to the resolution.
Councilor McGovern.
>> Councilor McGovern: I was
sad to read about the passing of
bob.
I was talking to him a month or
so ago.
The resolution goes into detail
about his many, many, many, many
contributions to the city of
cambridge.
He's a kid of cambridge, born
here and raised here.
But the list of things he
accomplished in his 92 years in
this city is spectacular.
Beyond all of that I just what
I'm going to really MISS The
most is his kindness.
His smile.
His guidance.
Just a genuinely nice, wonderful
person.
Obviously at 92 he retired a
little while ago but not
completely.
We were just at the, I think,
MADAM Mayor, you were there.
We were at the rotary club
meeting with the high school
kids.
He was there.
Helping to organize that even as
recently as this past year.
Just a remarkable person and
it's a big loss for the city.
I know others probably want to
be added.
I read today and wanted to get
this in quickly.
I know he's -- a lot of us knew
him and he touched a lot of us
and influenced a lot of our
lives.
This will be unanimous upon
adoption anyway.
But a loss for city and
condolences to his family.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you
for brig it forward, councilor
McGovern.
We'll go to councilor zusy and
then councilor nolan.
>> Councilor Zusy: I just wanted
to say I'm thankful to councilor
McGovern for drafting this
excellent resolution honoring
bob.
I was lucky enough to know him,
too, from the crick club, which
he was a member of for many
years.
He was the executive director of
the cambridge community
foundation and he launched
cambridge volunteers, which
continues to go strong today
under lori's leadership, which
is another very, very important
institution.
I feel like the two institutions
help to define cambridge in a
very, very nice charitable way.
We'll MISS Bob and thank you for
this lovely synopsis of some of
his contributions.
Many contributions.
Thank you.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
nolan.
>> Councilor Nolan: thank you.
Yes.
Thank you.
We missed by a few minutes.
I think I submitted with the
mayor a resolution similar.
Councilor McGovern already has
it in.
Many of us.
I read about it.
There was the obituary appeared
in the globe over the weekend.
It's first time I heard about
it.
I reached out to a few people
and said I didn't know.
They hadn't known either.
I think having this happen right
around the holidays meant it
took a while for news to filter
out and cambridge day had a
lovely article about him today.
As the resolution points out he
was the first executive director
of the community foundation.
He had been a teacher.
Like many others my interactions
with him also -- he was
incredibly gracious and
knowledgeable and always pushing
for more to be done for the city
that he loved and lived in for
so long.
It's a real loss to community
and yet it was a treasure he was
able to do all that.
He also helped create the
coalition of nonprofits in the
city in addition to cambridge
volunteers.
I'm not sure if that was
mentioned in this write up but
he did touch so many different
lives and we were lucky to have
him in the city.
I would ask to be added but
since I know the mayor and I put
it in but if it's going to be
unanimous upon adoption that's
fine if it's very clear.
Again, thanks to everyone in the
community who he touched and
lucky us for having met him.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you to
those who spoke and certainly
condolences to the family.
He lived an amazing life.
Go ahead.
Councilor McGovern.
>> Councilor McGovern: is
councilor simmons in the room.
She did ask earlier she wanted
to be added.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: it's going
to be unanimous upon adoption.
>> Councilor McGovern: that's
fine.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: councilor
nolan.
>> Councilor Nolan: there was
also just so folks know there
will be a celebration of life on
APRIL 11th.
that was announced.
There hasn't been one but I'm
sure it will be a community
event.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: we'll go
ahead on councilor McGovern's
motion to adopt the resolution
and making it unanimous upon
adoption.
Roll call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes and MAY GOD have mercy on
his soul.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
Councilor simmons is absent.
Councilor sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have eight members
recorded in the affirmative and
one recorded as absent.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: the late
resolution is adopted.
I will need to entertain a
motion to suspend the rules to
go back to communication and
reports from other city officers
number two because we actually
have to accept the reports to
the current legislative term and
place those communication on
file.
So on a motion by councilor
nolan to suspend the rules we'll
do a roll call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
Yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: we'll go
ahead and do an additional
needed roll call on the awaiting
reports and bringing them
forward.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: reports are
brought forward.
We will go ahead -- there's no
late policy orders.
We'll go to announcements.
Announcements from the body.
Councilor simmons.
>> Councilor Simmons: thank
you.
It's the chair.
A couple of things.
As many of you know this week --
not this weekend, next weekend
will be the mlk weekend.
There will be helping hands,
365, I hope I'm saying that
right.
They will be laufrnging their
program over at the central
square church.
There will be a lot of
activities in the hall, in the
senior center.
I think they are using the ywca.
Also there will be a program at
st. Paul ame on the same day
from 11:00 to 1:45.
I would recommend you come.
The millennium gospel choir is
the most incredible in the
boston area.
Please come.
If you don't like gospel music
you should come, still.
The most important thing is we
just adopted an order around the
100 years of negro history week.
This is a time of reflection,
redemption and restoration.
Ahope we launch the process by
attending a number of these.
These are just cambridge.
If you go to our website it will
mention a number of other
commemorations you go to.
If you're so interested there
are a lot of things happening
across the metro boston area, as
well.
Let's stay in cambridge and take
part in what's happening in our
own city and town.
I yield the floor.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor simmons.
I will add that wednesday
JANUARY 14th from 6:00 to 7:30
at the main library there's the
51st year of the DR. Martin
luther king JR. Day lecture
series.
Definitely come to that.
We will be hearing from
DR. Brennan and terry who has
done a lot of really important
work.
Then specifically mondays
iteration is from 11:00 to 2:00
as you see on the flier passed
around.
The 16th annual mlk service in
learning is mentioned.
It's from 3:00 to 5:00.
It will be -- definitely join.
It's really important.
We'll go to councilor zusy.
>> Councilor Zusy: two other
events for those of you that are
interested in our combined sewer
overflows and -- the virtual
meeting on thursday JANUARY 15th
at 6:00 P.M. With the mwra, city
of cambridge and somerville.
That will be important.
Then we don't have council on
monday but tuesday between 5 and
7, there's girls sport night.
A great event.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor zusy.
Councilor flaherty.
>>Councilor Flaherty: thank
you, MADAM Mayor.
I have an announcement.
JANUARY 31st at 5:00 P.M.
There will be a basketball game
btween the cambridge police
department defenders versus
defenders the cambridge
warriors.
This is at the war memorial gym
JANUARY 31st at 5:00 P.M.
The program that will be playing
the cambridge police department
are the -- as I mentioned the
cambridge warriors, which is a
special needs team.
the undefeated gold medallist
cambridge warriors and they'll
be representing massachusetts at
the special olympic games which
I believe is in -- it might be
minnesota this year.
I'm not sure.
Tickets are $10 a person or $5
for people under 15 years of
age.
This is a mandatory attendance
for all members of the cambridge
city council.
Most especially councilor
al-zubi who, as I know for the
record, is an outstanding
basketball coach and we're
looking forward to having here
in my company at this game.
Thank you.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: thank you,
councilor flaherty.
I think we should entertain.
>>Councilor Flaherty: I'm glad
you mentioned it.
I have some thoughts on who can
be the point guard.
We'll get to that later.
>> Councilor Al-Zubi: we have
thoughts on who can be the
shooting guard.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: any other
announcements for the body in?
Anything else.
Hearing none we'll go on a
motion by councilor simmons to
adjournment.
Roll call.
>> Clerk: councilor al-zubi?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: vice mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor flaherty?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor McGovern?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor nolan?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor simmons?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor
sobrinho-wheeler?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: councilor zusy?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: mayor?
>> yes.
>> Clerk: you have nine members
recorded in the affirmative.
>> Mayor Siddiqui: we are
adjourned.