Council Meeting March 25th, 2025

Meeting Link

City Manager’s Agenda

Grants and Appropriations

• #1 (CMA 2024 #50) – $1,500 from the American Library Association Digital Literacy Workshop grant to The Grant Fund Library account:
  • “to support interpreter services for information sessions regarding the Affordable Connectivity Program as part the Library’s digital equity efforts.”
• #2 (CMA 2024 #51) – $96,068.22 from the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) grant to the Grant Fund Police Department, to fund:
  • Advanced Intervention and Suicide Prevention trainings
  • Mental health professionals and spiritual leader services
  • Development and enhancement of CISM publications, website and team uniforms
• #3 (CMA 2024 #52) – $82,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s Jail Diversion Program, to the Grant Fund Police Department to fund,
  • “contracting services of a specially trained clinician that will respond to mental health calls throughout the city.”
• #4 (CMA 2024 #53) – $20,000 from the Post Overdose Support Team Grant to the Grant Fund Police Department account, to:
  • “support costs related to providing aftercare support individuals can bring with them to detox.”
• # 5 (CMA 2024 #54) – $5,000 from the Universal Participation Innovation Fund Grant, to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) account, to support:
  • The MCC Universal Participation (UP) Initiative to, “break down the barriers,” that prevent those with disabilities from full civic participation
• #6 (CMA 2024 #55) – $15,000 from The MCC Cultural District Grant to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) accocunt, to:
  • “drive economic growth and strengthen the distinctive character of the Central Square Cultural District.”
• #7 (CMA 2024 #56) -$33,500 from the Local Cultural Council grant to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) account
• #14 (CMA 2024 #63) – $8,615.00 grant from the Center for Families program Cambridge Public Health Commission to provide Family programming and curriculum development, refreshments for parent and child events and activity bag giveaways
• #15 (CMA 2024 #64) – $197,859.96 grant from the Department of Early Education and Care to the Grant Fund Human Services account for preschool investments to improve “quality” and “goods and services necessary to operate.”

Responses

• #8 (CMA 2024 #57) – Response to POR #24-27, the DPW has directed the River Street project contractor to remove the existing bricks from the main pedestrian routes through the Barron Plaza, and place a temporary asphalt sidewalk for the purpose of safety
• #9 (CMA 2024 #58) – The parking study has resulted in the final recommendations that contain 5 strategies with 32 actions including:
  • Using existing parking better
  • Providing clear information
  • Increasing equity through parking and transportation policy changes
  • Improving the experience of all methods of transportation, including walking
• #12 (CMA 2024 #61) – Potential public renewable energy projects that could receive funding through the IRA Direct Pay provision
• #13 (CMA 2024 #62) – Analysis for the MBTA Communities compliance. In summary, our current zoning does provide financial feasibility for market rate compliant development, but feasibility for affordable housing projects remains difficult even under inclusionary zoning policies

Appointments

• #10 (CMA 2024 #59) – Central Square Advisory Committee – Melissa Greene and Kevin Grinberg

Zoning

• #11 (CMA 2024 #60) – Response to POR 24-09, suggested zoning changes to allow unrelated people to live together

#13 (CMA 2024 #62) Economic Feasibility Analysis for MBTA Communities Compliance

In summary, our current zoning does provide financial feasibility for market rate compliant development. Feasibility for affordable housing projects remains difficult even under inclusionary zoning policies, however this is a result of, “current challenging financial market conditions rather than the City’s inclusionary zoning requirements.” These projects are expected to be more feasible under, “under improved financial market conditions and modest increases in expected rents.”

Charter Right

• #1 (POR 2024 #35) Regulating “down-conversions” and other zoning changes
• #2 (POR 2024 #37) Draft zoning language to legalize multifamily housing citywide

Applications and Petitions

• #1 (APP 2024 #10) Zoning – Khalida Griffin-Sheperd et al. – Affordable Housing Trust Zoning
• #2 (APP 2024 #11) Temporary banner – Community Development Department – Massachusetts Avenue in front of City Hall Anouncing Cambridge Community Electricity Program
• #2 (APP 2024 #12) Zoning – Modifying city ordinances to allow unrelated people to live together

Policy Orders

• #1 (POR 2024 #42) – City Council Rule Changes
• #2 (POR 2024 #43) – Confirming the reappointment of Elaine DeRosa to the Cambridge Housing Authority
• #3 (POR 2024 #44) – Confirming the reappointment of Victoria Bergland to the Cambridge Housing Authority
• #4 (POR 2024 45) – Requesting that the city determine whether it could provide incentives for residents who do not have cars
• #5 (POR 2024 #46) – Support of the Regional Heat Pump Accelerator Program.