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Cambridge City Council · 2022–2023 Council · Regular meeting

November 20, 2023

26 recorded votes, 7 with disagreement.

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

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Attendance

Present: Burhan Azeem, Dennis Carlone, Alanna Mallon, Marc McGovern, Patricia Nolan, Sumbul Siddiqui, Denise Simmons, Paul Toner, Quinton Zondervan

Absent: None

Every vote, in order

Submission of the Record

Place on file: Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting - October 30, 2023 5:30 PM

Minutes, page 1 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ACCEPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ACCEPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

Place on file: Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting – November 6, 2023 5:30 PM

Minutes, page 1 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ACCEPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ACCEPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #271

A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Dennis Jen as a member of the Open Data Review Board for a term of two-years.

Minutes, page 2 · Video

Confirm appointmentPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

APPROVED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #274

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 23-72 regarding mechanisms to support Cannabis Business in Cambridge.

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 Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #275

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Planning Board's recommendation on the Henkeeping Zoning Petition and amended zoning text.

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #276

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order #23-207, regarding Inman Square Apartments.

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #277

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Study.

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ProceduralPassed · 7–2

PLACED ON FILE [7-2-0]

Yes: Azeem, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, TonerNo: Carlone, Zondervan

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [7-2-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui NAYS: Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #278

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an Equity Inclusion Fall 2023 Update.

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #279

A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the American Freedmen Commission Ordinance.

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

CMA 2023 #279 REFERRED TO ORDINANCE 2023 #11 FREEDMEN COMMISSION ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: CMA 2023 #279 REFERRED TO ORDINANCE 2023 #11 FREEDMEN COMMISSION ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #280

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report 22-40, regarding a Community Engagement Update.

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #281

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2023 Cambridge Resident Satisfaction Survey Results.

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2023 #282

Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $500,000, from Free Cash, to the Public Investment Fund Executive Extraordinary Expenditures account to...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROPRIATION ADOPTED CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

Calendar – Unfinished Business · ORD 2023 # 6

Ordain: An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to proposed changes to Cannabis Business Permitting Proposed Ordinance 2023-6.

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDAINED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDAINED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

Calendar – Unfinished Business

Ordain: ORDD-2023-8A : Ordinance 2023 #8A Amend Chapter 2.76 – Human Rights Commission ORDD-2023-8A

Minutes, page 5 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDAINED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDAINED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

Calendar – Unfinished Business · ORD 2023 # 9

Ordain: An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council to amend Articles 2.000, 4.000, 5.000, and 23.000 of the Cambridge Zoning...

Minutes, page 6 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDAINED AS AMENDED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDAINED AS AMENDED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

Communications

Communications placed on file together (10 communications, COM 2161 #2023 to COM 2170 #2023)

Minutes, page 8 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]

The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 10 communications (COM 2161 #2023, COM 2162 #2023, COM 2163 #2023, COM 2164 #2023, COM 2165 #2023, COM 2166 #2023, COM 2167 #2023, COM 2168 #2023, COM 2169 #2023, COM 2170 #2023); MassVoter lists them as one vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

Resolutions

Resolutions adopted together (4 resolutions, RES 2023 #298 to RES 2023 #301)

Minutes, page 10 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]

The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 4 resolutions (RES 2023 #298, RES 2023 #299, RES 2023 #300, RES 2023 #301); MassVoter lists them as one vote.

From the minutes

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

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2023 #208

Special Meeting on City Manager Review

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 Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2023 #209

Automated Parking Enforcement

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 Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2023 #210

Resolution In Support of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley's Call for a Ceasefire

Minutes, page 11 · Video

ApproveFailed · 2–0

FAILED OF ADOPTION [2-0-7-0]

Yes: Siddiqui, ZondervanAbstained: Azeem, Carlone, Mallon, McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, TonerThe Final Actions record this as failing even though more councillors voted yes than no (2-0); under the council’s rules some measures need five votes (a majority of the full council) or a two-thirds vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: FAILED OF ADOPTION [2-0-7-0] YEAS: Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui PRESENT: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 11 (PDF)

Committee Reports

Place on file: Housing Committee - Committee Meeting - Sep 13, 2022 3:00 PM

Minutes, page 12 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ACCEPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ACCEPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

Place on file: Ordinance Committee - Committee Meeting - Nov 9, 2023 1:00 PM

Minutes, page 12 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 9 present

ACCEPTED [9-0-0]

From the minutes

“RESULT: ACCEPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

Committee Reports · ORD 2023 # 11

Pass to a second reading: A. An Ordinance 2023 #11 has been received from City Clerk, relative to Chapter 2.131 - American Freedmen Commission

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: 12/4/2023 5:30 PM YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui.”

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

Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2023 #203

A communication was received from Diane LeBlanc, City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.

Minutes, page 13 · Video

ApprovePassed · 8–0

ROLL CALL [8-0-1]

Yes: Azeem, Carlone, Mallon, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, ZondervanMarc McGovern is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ROLL CALL [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor McGovern.”

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

Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2023 #204

A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee.

Minutes, page 13 · Video

ApprovePassed · 8–0

ROLL CALL [8-0-1]

Yes: Azeem, Carlone, Mallon, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, ZondervanMarc McGovern is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ROLL CALL [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor McGovern.”

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

Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2023 #205

A communication was received from Councillor Nolan, transmitting proposed amendments to the Gas-powered Leaf Blowers Ordinance.

Minutes, page 13 · Video

ApprovePassed · 8–0

ROLL CALL [8-0-1]

Yes: Azeem, Carlone, Mallon, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, ZondervanMarc McGovern is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ROLL CALL [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui ABSENT: Councillor McGovern.”

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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