MassVoter.com← Cambridge City CouncilCambridge City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
March 17, 2025
30 recorded votes, 17 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Meeting video · City meeting page
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Present: Burhan Azeem, Marc McGovern, Patricia Nolan, Sumbul Siddiqui, Denise Simmons, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, Paul Toner, Ayesha Wilson, Catherine Zusy
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #37
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $140,000 from the General Fund Department of Transportation Salary and Wages account to the General Fund...
ORDER ADOPTED AND PLACE CMA ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND PLACE CMA ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #38
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of 5,000.00 received from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to the Grant...
ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #39
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $97,500, to the Grant Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance Account. These funds will be used to...
ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #40
Table: Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $570,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Police Extraordinary Expenditures account...
TABLED AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE [7-2-0]
Yes: Azeem, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, ZusyNo: Simmons, Toner
From the minutes
“RESULT: TABLED AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE [7-2-0] Next: 3/24/2025 5:30 PM YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy NAYS: Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #41
Table: Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $160,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Police Extraordinary Expenditures account...
TABLED AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE [5-3-1]
Yes: McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Wilson, ZusyNo: Azeem, Simmons, TonerJivan Sobrinho-Wheeler is listed as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: TABLED AND REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE [5-3-1] Next: 3/24/2025 5:30 PM YEAS: Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy NAYS: Councillor Azeem, Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons ABSENT: Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #42
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $30,000,000 from Free Cash to the Debt Stabilization Fund. This appropriation will be used to mitigate...
ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #43
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the transfer of $75,000 from the General Fund Human Resources Salaries and Wages account to the General Fund Human Resources...
ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #44
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $468,750 to the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account ($438,750) and to the Grant Fund Fire...
ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #45
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of$50,000, to the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account. Funds will be used to purchase...
ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #46
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $39,600.00 to the Grant Fund Fire Extraordinary Expenditures account. The funds will be used for the...
ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #47
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $250,000, from Free Cash to the General Fund Law Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The...
ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #48
Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments and reappointments of members to the Climate Committee.
CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: CMA PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
City Manager's Agenda · ORD 2025 # 5
Refer: A. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to Chapter 5.50 CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMITTING
REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE [8-1-0]
The Final Actions' count reads 8-1-0, but the names listed under it show 8 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Because the two do not agree, MassVoter shows the count of the names only and will ask the City Clerk.
From the minutes
“RESULT: REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE [8-1-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons ABSENT: Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler.”
City Manager's Agenda · ORD 2025 # 6
B. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to Zoning Petition to remove the repackaging prohibition as a City Council Zoning Petition.
ADOPTED AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT [8-0-1]
Yes: Azeem, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Toner, Wilson, ZusyJivan Sobrinho-Wheeler is listed as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: ADOPTED AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons ABSENT: Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler.”
City Manager's Agenda · ORD 2025 # 7
A. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to amend certain subsections of the Affordable Housing Overlay, Section 11.207 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance.
ADOPTED AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT [8-0-1-0]
Yes: Azeem, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toner, WilsonAbstained: Zusy
From the minutes
“RESULT: ADOPTED AND REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT [8-0-1-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Mayor Simmons PRESENT: Councillor Zusy.”
Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #31
That the City Manager is requested to appoint the members of a working committee tasked with integrating the objectives of both the Task Force to Examine the Status and Wellbeing of the City’s...
ORDER ADOPTED AND REFERRED TO THE CIVIC UNITY COMMITTEE
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 AND REFERRED TO THE CIVIC UNITY COMMITTEE.”
Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #32
That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City departments to draft language to create an Ordinance to insure that vacant store fronts and commercial properties keep their...
ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED
The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #33
Designating the Fourth Thursday of March as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day.
ORDER ADOPTED
The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #34
That the City Manager provide the Council with a report before May 31, 2025, that includes a summary of all requests for approval of Surveillance Technology Impact Reports received by the city...
ORDER ADOPTED
The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #35
That the City Council approve the motions that passed favorably in the Special Committee of the Whole/Charter Review. Committee Report is attached.
ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
Calendar – Charter Right · APP 2025 #10
An application was received from Brinn Sanders, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 177 Hancock Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services...
ORDER ADOPTED
The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
Calendar – Charter Right · POR 2025 #25
That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant staff to present a zoning petition to the City Council for consideration on maximum unit size.
ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED
The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
Calendar – Unfinished Business · ORD 2025 # 4
An Ordinance has been received from the City Clerk, relative to Chapter 2.24 - City Clerk Department, Section 2.24.050 entitled "Fee Schedule".
AMENDED [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: AMENDED [9-0-0] Next: 3/24/2025 5:30 PM YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
Applications And Petitions · APP 2025 #11
Refer: A Zoning Amendment Petition Has been received from Mushla Marasao in regards to Article 5.28.21, 8.22.1, 8.22.2, Tbl 5.1, et al.
REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT [8-0-1]
Yes: Azeem, McGovern, Nolan, Siddiqui, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toner, ZusyAyesha Wilson is listed as absent for this vote.
From the minutes
“RESULT: REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons ABSENT: Councillor Wilson.”
Applications And Petitions · APP 2025 #12
An application was received from Donger Lei representing FUPO CAFE, requesting permission for an awning at the premises numbered 359 Huron Avenue. Approval has been received from Inspectional...
ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [9-0-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
Applications And Petitions · APP 2025 #13
An application was received from Elizabeth Yanez representing Spanish Immersion School infant Toddler Preschool Pre-K, requesting permission for an awning at the premises numbered 171 Huron...
ORDER ADOPTED
The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
Applications And Petitions · APP 2025 #14
Refer: A Zoning Amendment Petition Has been received from BMR-320 Charles LLC c/o BioMed Realty, L. P., regarding a Zoning Ordinance and the Zoning Map of the City of Cambridge, which, upon...
REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT [8-1-0]
The Final Actions' count reads 8-1-0, but the names listed under it show 8 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Because the two do not agree, MassVoter shows the count of the names only and will ask the City Clerk.
From the minutes
“RESULT: REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD FOR HEARING AND REPORT [8-1-0] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons ABSENT: Councillor Wilson.”
Resolutions · RES 2025 #49
Happy 93rd Birthday wishes to Moses Moore. Mayor Simmons and entire membership.
ORDER ADOPTED
The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
Resolutions · RES 2025 #50
Congratulations to Deborah Mason on her 50th Anniversary of dedication to the arts and dance education in Cambridge Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan and entire membership.
ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED
The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
Resolutions
Resolutions adopted together (5 resolutions, RES 2025 #51 to RES 2025 #55)
ORDER ADOPTED
The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 5 resolutions (RES 2025 #51, RES 2025 #52, RES 2025 #53, RES 2025 #54, RES 2025 #55); MassVoter lists them as one vote. The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
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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