City Council Meeting – January 26th, 2026

Meeting Link

This entire meeting will be remote due to the snow emergency.

Of Note

This is the last meeting before expiry during which the council can vote on The Cambridge Street Zoning Petition (ORD 2025 #17), which would establishing four new zoning districts along Cambridge Street. There are three options:

• Vote to Ordain: The petition becomes ordained and the city’s zoning ordinance will be amended
• Vote to Defeat or No Action: The petition expires on Jan. 28th. The petition could be resubmitted as is or with amendments

Although not officially on the agenda, Mayor Siddiqui and Councillor Nolan are sponsoring amendments to reduce the height throughout most of the corridor from 8 to 6 stories and reduce the height of the Lechmere parcel from 15 to 10 stories.

City Manager’s Agenda

Reports and Communications

• #1 (CMA 2026-04) A federal update
• #11 (CMA 2024-14) “A review of the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee”

Appointments

• #2 (CMA 2026-09) Family Policy Council – Joseph Corazzini, Caitlin Dube, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, David Weinstein
• #4 (CMA 2026-05) Public Weighers to operate scales at 500 Front St – John Brooks, James Carreira, Wilfrid Charles, Stephane Cummings, Henry Doan, Melisa Domine, Kevin Hannon, Matt Heitman, Anthony Lavina, Jason Pianpiano, Greg Sylvain
• #5 (CMA 2026-11) Recycling Advisory Committee

Appointments: Olufolakemi Alalade, Brian Goldberg Eric Herman, Tristram Dammin, Sugandha Karmacharya, Suzanne Shaw, Tian Feng, Monica Yudron, Ashan Rodriguez, Ting Zhang, Jenna Zwanger.

Re-Appointments: Dailey Brannin, Debby Galef, Debby Knight, Richard Nurse, Meera Singh, Helen Snively, Elka Kuhlman, Stephanie Wasiuk, Tracie Gordon, Emily Lee, Carlie Peters, David Demme, Rob Vandenabeele

• #6 (CMA 2026-13) Cambridge Health Alliance Board of Trustees: Claire Spinner, Ellen Semonoff
• #10 (CMA 2026-12) Constables With Power – Appointments: Amanda Garms. Re-appointments: Omar Mejia, Philip Sciandra, and James Desrosiers

Appropriations and Grants

• #3 (CMA 2026-10) $100,000 received from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to, “fund a feasibility study and schematic design costs for the roof replacement project at the Cambridgeport School, located at 89 Elm Street”
• #7 (CMA 2026-06) $226,880 from the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) from the Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for, “shelter operating costs, providing essential services to homeless persons outside of a shelter setting, rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention case management services”
• #8 (CMA 2026-08) $54,491 from the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to, “support staff salaries and educational materials and technology supplies for two ESOL classes and a computer skills class at the Community Learning Center”
• #9 (CMA 2026-07) $58,056.80 grant from the MassHire Metro North Workforce Board to, “reimburse the City for salary and program costs associated with enrolling income-eligible youth in the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program”

Policy Orders

Requests that the city…

• #1 (POR 2026-08) “review the city’s digital equity work to date”
• #2 (POR 2026-16) incorporate, “plant-based solutions into the Sustainable Cambridge initiative,” and, “promote sustainable and affordable food and drink practices throughout the City”
• #3 (POR 2026-17) conduct an, “extensive pedestrianization study,” including additional pedestrianization of Brattle Street
• #4 (POR 2026-19) reschedule the City Council on Monday, February 23, 2026 as a Joint Roundtable/Working meeting with the School Committee to discuss FY27 CPS budget priorities
• #6 (POR 2026-21) cancel the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, November 30, 2026
• #7 (POR 2026-22) cancel the City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, December 28, 2026
• #8 (POR 2026-23)”provide an update regarding Policy Order 2025 #69 FY26 Operating Budget a continued commitment to Emergency Housing Vouchers for Permanent Supportive Housing and Mixed Status Families, and the Transition Wellness Center”

That the council…

• #5 (POR 2026-20) convene for its special summer meeting Monday, August 3, 2026
• #9 (POR 2026-24) appoint a committee to screen applicants for the position of City Clerk

Charter Rights

• #1 (CMA 2026 #4) “Final Landmark Designation Report for the Nathaniel Stickney House at 45 Mt. Auburn Street”
• #3 (POR 2026 #3) conduct a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures at Cambridge City Hall

Tabled

• #1 (ORD 2025 #17) Cambridge Street Zoning Petition: Establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street – expires on Jan. 28th