Council Meeting – March 3rd, 2025 (Corrected)

Meeting Link

City Manager’s Agenda

Reports and Communications

• #1 (CMA 2025 #27) An update regarding Federal funding
• #2 (CMA 2025 #28) A recommendation to replace the Cambridgeport School building roof
• #3 (CMA 2025 #29) A report from the Supplier Diversity working group
• #6 (CMA 2025 #32) The City Clerk’s office will be updating fees for the various services it provides

Appointments

• #4 (CMA 2025 #30) Public Art Commission – Appointments: David Freilach, Rachel Dowley Alexander, and Chris Herlich. Reappointment: Kai Alexis Smith

Responses to Council Requests

• #5 (CMA 2025 #31) To recognize and honor the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, the city will
  • “Hire a consultant to facilitate an educational training for the City Council and City staff to learn about the Massachusett Tribe and its history”
  • “Maintain and expand the working group of Indigenous community members and city staff”
  • Install a plaque with the text of policy order POR 2024 #145 in the lobby of City Hall

Policy Orders

Requests that the city…

• #1 (POR 2025 #17) Explore potential actions the City can take to mitigate the impact of Eversource price hikes
• #3 (POR 2025 #19) Coordinate with the MBTA in finding ways in which to strengthen safety measures
• #4 (POR 2025 #20) Work with EZ Ride and Passio to fully resolve tracking deficiencies and improve real-time transit accuracy
• #5 (POR 2025 #21) Develop language to create an “Affordable Rent Incentive Program” program for Cambridge
• #6 (POR 2025 #22) Demand information from Eversource regarding the transformer explosion at 17 Edmunds Street on February 19
• #7 (POR 2025 #23) Prioritize snow removal from crosswalks and pedestrian islands
• #8 (POR 2025 #24) Draft a home rule petition allowing Cambridge to stop property owners from passing on broker’s fees to tenants
• #9 (POR 2025 #25) Draft a zoning petition to the City Council for consideration on maximum unit size
• #13 (POR 2025 #29) Create a plaque to be placed in City Hall to show that the Cambridge City Council upholds the separation of church and state and gender equality

That the council…

• #2 (POR 2025 #18) Reaffirm that, “Cambridge is a Sanctuary City not only for immigrants but also for all marginalized communities, including transgender and nonbinary individuals”
• #10 (POR 2025 #26) Go on record in support of HD.2996/SD.1305 An Act to Regulate Junk Fees in Housing and HD.238/SD.35 An Act Eliminating Forced Broker’s Fees
• #11 (POR 2025 #27) “Urge the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and MassHealth to recognize BCaBAs for the purpose of reimbursement and implement a three-tier delivery model for ABA services”
• #12 (POR 2025 #28) “Go on record supporting Teamsters Local 25 should they decide to take action, including extending picket lines to every Stop & Shop store in New England”

Applications and Petitions

• #1 (APP 2025 #8) Temporary Banners – Lesley University – along Massachusetts Avenue between Everett Street and Upland Street
• #2 (APP 2025 #9) Projecting Sign – Russell House Tavern – 14 JFK Street
• #3 (APP 2025 #10) Curb Cut – Brinn Sanders – 177 Hancock Street