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Cambridge City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting

January 27, 2020

32 recorded votes, 27 with disagreement.

Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page

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Attendance

Present: Dennis Carlone, Alanna Mallon, Marc McGovern, Patricia Nolan, Sumbul Siddiqui, Denise Simmons, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, Timothy Toomey, Quinton Zondervan

Absent: None

Every vote, in order

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2020 #10

Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $46,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Elections Department Salary and Wages account...

Minutes, page 2 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2020 #11

Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the FY2020 Cultural Investment Portfolio Program Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council...

Minutes, page 3 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · 8–0

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Yes: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toomey, ZondervanDennis Carlone is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan ABSENT: Councillor Carlone.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2020 #12

Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $50,000 from the Cambridge Community Foundation to support the Agenda for Children Out of School...

Minutes, page 3 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · 6–0

ORDER ADOPTED [6-0-3]

Yes: Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Toomey, ZondervanDennis Carlone, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler and Denise Simmons are listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [6-0-3] YEAS: Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan ABSENT: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2020 #15

Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $400,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2020 #16

Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $300,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2020 #17

Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000 from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2020 #18

Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $300,000 from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

Calendar – On The Table · APP 2019 #94

An application was received from Scott Kenton, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 9 Pine Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic...

Minutes, page 5 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

ORDER ADOPTED VV7 COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN NAY COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER PRESENT

The Final Actions record a voice vote ("VV7") without saying how each councillor voted, so MassVoter shows the result only.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED VV7 COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN NAY COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER PRESENT.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Calendar – Unfinished Business · POR 2019 #327

Ordain: Fuel pump warning labels

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ApprovePassed · 7–1

ORDAINED [7-1-0-1]

Yes: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, ZondervanNo: ToomeyAbstained: Simmons

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDAINED [7-1-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan NAYS: Councillor Toomey PRESENT: Councillor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

Applications And Petitions · APP 2020 #2

An application was received from Patrick Barrett, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 907 Main Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services...

Minutes, page 6 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

ORDER ADOPTED

The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Applications And Petitions · APP 2020 #3

A petition was received from MIT List Visual Arts Center, requesting permission for fifteen banners on poles along Ames Street to promote the Galleries and their programming from February 5, 2020...

Minutes, page 6 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

ORDER ADOPTED

The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Applications And Petitions · APP 2020 #4

A petition was received from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, requesting permission for (189) one hundred and eighty-nine banners on poles along Massachusetts Avenue on existing wires at...

Minutes, page 6 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

ORDER ADOPTED

The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

Resolutions

Resolutions adopted together (3 resolutions, RES 2020 #20 to RES 2020 #22)

Minutes, page 12 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 3 resolutions (RES 2020 #20, RES 2020 #21, RES 2020 #22); MassVoter lists them as one vote. The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Resolutions · RES 2020 #23

Congratulations to Darlene Lombos Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey...

Minutes, page 12 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Resolutions

Resolutions adopted together (6 resolutions, RES 2020 #24 to RES 2020 #29)

Minutes, page 12 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 6 resolutions (RES 2020 #24, RES 2020 #25, RES 2020 #26, RES 2020 #27, RES 2020 #28, RES 2020 #29); MassVoter lists them as one vote. The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 12 (PDF)

Resolutions · RES 2020 #30

Resolution on the death of Richard B. Griffin. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan...

Minutes, page 13 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 13 (PDF)

Resolutions · RES 2020 #31

Congratulations to Shy Bird on being named one of Boston Globe's "29 Best New Restaurants in Boston and the suburbs." Councillor Toomey and entire membership.

Minutes, page 13 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 13 (PDF)

Resolutions · RES 2020 #32

Wishing Deborah L. Anderson a Happiest 90th Birthday Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler...

Minutes, page 13 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 13 (PDF)

Resolutions

Resolutions adopted together (5 resolutions, RES 2020 #33 to RES 2020 #37)

Minutes, page 14 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 5 resolutions (RES 2020 #33, RES 2020 #34, RES 2020 #35, RES 2020 #36, RES 2020 #37); MassVoter lists them as one vote. The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 14 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #6

That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Commissioner of Public Works on updating the department’s maintenance plan with an emphasis on cleaning open-trash receptacles more frequently.

Minutes, page 15 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #7

That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to confer with the Cambridge Police Commissioner and other relevant departments to determine the feasibility of purchasing sensory bags for Police...

Minutes, page 15 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #8

That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant city and state departments to amend the Do Not Enter sign at the entrance of Whittemore Avenue from Alewife Brook Parkway to include an...

Minutes, page 15 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #9

Cancellation of the Regular City Council Meeting March 9, 2020

Minutes, page 15 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #10

That the City Manager is requested to confer with relevant City Departments, and, where relevant, the MBTA and counterparts in other municipalities for routes not wholly in Cambridge, on the...

Minutes, page 15 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #11

That the Mayor is requested to schedule a Roundtable/Working Meeting for members of the City Council and School Committee for Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

Minutes, page 15 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 15 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #12

That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Director of the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department on the potential for implementing sufficient traffic-calming solutions on Upton...

Minutes, page 16 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #13

That the City Manager is requested to confer with relevant City departments regarding the acquisition and implementation of interpretation services for City Council meetings and other public City...

Minutes, page 16 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #14

Pass to a second reading: That the Cambridge City Council amend the Municipal Ordinances of the City of Cambridge to insert a new Chapter 2.129, entitled WELCOMING COMMUNITY ORDINANCE

Minutes, page 16 · Video

ApprovePassed · Voice vote, names not recorded

PASSED TO A SECOND READING

The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED TO A SECOND READING Next: 2/3/2020 5:30 PM.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2020 #15

Declare January 31, 2020 as “Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day” in the City of Cambridge.

Minutes, page 16 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 16 (PDF)

Committee Reports · POR 2020 #16

That the city manager convene stakeholder meetings to make comments on the implementation of banning gas. Mayor Siddiqui

Minutes, page 18 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS

The Final Actions say "affirmative vote of nine members"; that is every councillor at the meeting, so each is shown voting yes.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED BY AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF NINE MEMBERS.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 18 (PDF)

Committee Reports

Motion presented by the Health and Environment Committee to insert the words "or sooner by futher amending this section" after the first appearance of the words "December 31, 2020" in the proposed...

Minutes, page 19 · Video

ApprovePassed · 6–3

ADOPTED [6-3-0]

Yes: Carlone, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, ZondervanNo: Mallon, Simmons, Toomey

From the minutes

“RESULT: ADOPTED [6-3-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan NAYS: Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 19 (PDF)

Committee Reports · POR 2020 #4

Pass to a second reading: TPO Extension PO Councillor Zondervan

Minutes, page 19 · Video

ApprovePassed · 7–2

PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED [7-2-0]

Yes: Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, ZondervanNo: Simmons, Toomey

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED TO A SECOND READING AS AMENDED [7-2-0] Next: 2/3/2020 5:30 PM YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan NAYS: Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 19 (PDF)

From the Cambridge City Council’s official Final Actions, posted by the City Clerk on the city’s meeting portal (and, for meetings before late January 2026, the Open Meeting Portal), linked from the City Council page. We check every vote against the councillors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councillor photos: City of Cambridge (cambridgema.gov), from the official headshots on each councillor’s City Council page. Former councillors show initials.

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