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Cambridge City Council · 2020–2021 Council · Regular meeting

March 22, 2021

27 recorded votes, 6 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 2021 #48

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update on vaccination rollout.

Minutes, page 2 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [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 2021 #49

Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of a grant received from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Accelerating Climate...

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 2021 #50

Refer: A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to proposed amendments to the Tree Protection Ordinance.

Minutes, page 2 · Video

ProceduralPassed · 8–1

REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE [8-1-0]

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

From the minutes

“RESULT: REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE [8-1-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan NAYS: Councillor Toomey.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2021 #51

A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to recommendations for the block rates for water consumption and sewer use for the period beginning April 1, 2021 and...

Minutes, page 3 · 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 3 (PDF)

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2021 #52

Refer: A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to suggested zoning text amendments as well as amendments to Chapter 5.50 of the Municipal Code regarding...

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD [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 3 (PDF)

Calendar – On The Table · RES 2021 #5

Resolution on the Death of William Leeds.

Minutes, page 4 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [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 2021 #6

An application was received from TD Bank, requesting permission for 4 (four) awnings at the premises numbered 617 Massachusetts Avenue. Approval has been received from Inspectional Services...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ApproveFailed · 4–4

FAILED OF ADOPTION [4-4-1-0]

Yes: Mallon, McGovern, Simmons, ToomeyNo: Carlone, Nolan, Siddiqui, ZondervanAbstained: Sobrinho-Wheeler

From the minutes

“RESULT: FAILED OF ADOPTION [4-4-1-0] YEAS: Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey NAYS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan PRESENT: Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler.”

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

Calendar – On The Table

Refer: The Health & Environment Committee met on October 13, 2020 to discuss amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force.

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ProceduralPassed · 8–1

REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE [8-1-0]

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

From the minutes

“RESULT: REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE [8-1-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan NAYS: Councillor Toomey.”

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

Refer: The Health and Environment Committee met on November 10, 2020 to continue discussing amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force.

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ProceduralPassed · 8–1

REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE [8-1-0]

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

From the minutes

“RESULT: REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE [8-1-0] YEAS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan NAYS: Councillor Toomey.”

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

Applications And Petitions · APP 2021 #10

An application was received from Samantha Nardone representing Boston Properties, requesting permission for a (5) five temporary banners across Main Street announcing Kendall Center Brand thru...

Minutes, page 6 · 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 6 (PDF)

Applications And Petitions · APP 2021 #11

An application was received from Brian Walsh, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 75 Smith Place; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic...

Minutes, page 6 · 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 6 (PDF)

Communications · COM 157 #2021

Communications placed on file together (2 communications, COM 157 #2021 to COM 158 #2021)

Minutes, page 7 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 2 communications (COM 157 #2021, COM 158 #2021); MassVoter lists them as one vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [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 7 (PDF)

Resolutions

Resolutions adopted together (6 resolutions, RES 2021 #76 to RES 2021 #81)

Minutes, page 8 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]

The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 6 resolutions (RES 2021 #76, RES 2021 #77, RES 2021 #78, RES 2021 #79, RES 2021 #80, RES 2021 #81); MassVoter lists them as one vote.

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 8 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2021 #53

Opposing wood-burning biomass plants

Minutes, page 10 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [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 10 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2021 #54

In Support of the FARE Act

Minutes, page 10 · 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 10 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2021 #55

Making Remote Participation in City Council Meetings Permanent

Minutes, page 10 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [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 10 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2021 #56

That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Department of Equity and Inclusion, the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department, the Purchasing...

Minutes, page 10 · 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 10 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2021 #57

Opposing The MBTA Service Cuts

Minutes, page 11 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [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 11 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2021 #58

Policy Order to Light City Hall Red

Minutes, page 11 · 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 11 (PDF)

Committee Reports

Place on file: The Public Safety Committee met on October 14, 2020 to discuss traffic enforcement and PO 2020 #178.

Minutes, page 12 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ACCEPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ACCEPTED [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 12 (PDF)

Place on file: The Ordinance Committee met on October 28, 2020 to discuss the Real Estate Transfer Home Rule Petition. Committee.

Minutes, page 12 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ACCEPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ACCEPTED [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 12 (PDF)

Place on file: The Ordinance Committee met on February 11. 2021 to conduct a public hearing a petition to amend Article 8.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance Committee.

Minutes, page 12 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ACCEPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ACCEPTED [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 12 (PDF)

Committee Reports · CMA 2021 #3

Pass to a second reading: A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Zoning Petition which amends Article 8.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.

Minutes, page 12 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PASSED TO A SECOND READING [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PASSED TO A SECOND READING [9-0-0] Next: 3/29/2021 5:30 PM 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 12 (PDF)

Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2021 #26

Place on file: A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui and Vice Mayor Mallon transmitting information about a Commercial Composting Pilot Program in Cambridge

Minutes, page 13 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [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 13 (PDF)

Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2021 #27

Place on file: A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting an update on the Charter Assessment Review.

Minutes, page 13 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [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 13 (PDF)

Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2021 #28

Place on file: A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting Communicating information from the School Committee.

Minutes, page 13 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [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 13 (PDF)

Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2021 #29

Place on file: A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting questions for the City Manager's COVID-19 update.

Minutes, page 13 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [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 13 (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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