MassVoter.com← Cambridge City CouncilCambridge City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
September 8, 2025
28 recorded votes, 21 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 #216
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $10,200.00 to the Grant Fund Fire Salaries and Wages account ($8,200.00) 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 #217
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $3,100.00 to the Grant Fund Fire Salaries and Wages account ($3,100.00) to provide funds for the Senior...
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 #218
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $120,000, received from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s (DMH) Jail Diversion Program, 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 #219
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $10,000, to the Grant Fund Police Department Salaries and Wages Account ($5,000) and to the Grant Fund...
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 #220
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of of $217,963.00, to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salaries and Wages account ($211,997.00), 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 #221
Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $100,000.00 to the Grant Fund Human Service Programs Salaries and Wages account ($42,963.00) and to 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 #222
A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Sephany Alexis, Sally Benbasset, and Christina Turner and the reappointment of Elizabeth Aguilo, Rowan...
APPOINTMENTS ACCEPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE COUNCILLOR ZUSY VOTED ABSTAIN VV8
The Final Actions record a voice vote ("VV8") without saying how each councillor voted, so MassVoter shows the result only.
From the minutes
“RESULT: APPOINTMENTS ACCEPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE COUNCILLOR ZUSY VOTED ABSTAIN VV8.”
Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #114
That the City Council go on record recognizing November 2025 as Alzheimer's Awareness Month and in formally endorsing Cambridge's continued participation in the "Light the World in Teal"...
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 #115
That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Department of Transportation, the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and any other relevant City departments to assess the current...
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 #116
That the City Manager is requested to consult with the appropriate City departments, including the City Solicitor’s Office, to establish a formal policy that clearly defines the City’s role and...
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 #118
That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department, the City Assessor, and all other relevant departments to develop a comprehensive policy for future private...
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 #119
Proclaim the week of September 15 through September 21, 2025 as National Diaper Need Awareness Week in the City of Cambridge.
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 #120
That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Election Commission, the City Solicitor, and the City Clerk, and report back to the City Council no later than the September 15, 2025 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 #121
That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant departments to seek input from the community as well as direct outreach to condo owners and short-term rental operators and develop...
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 #122
That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments and multi-member bodies to report back to the City Council and inform the community of the work of, and when the...
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 #123
That the City Manager is requested to consult with relevant departments about the implications of deploying license plate readers and provide recommendations as to whether adjustments in plans for...
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 #124
That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant departments on zoning amendments to incentivize multifamily zoning while allowing reasonable development of single and two- family...
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 #108
That the City Manager is requested to coordinate with the Community Safety Department, the Cambridge Police Department, and other relevant parties to ensure that the overnight use of the garden...
ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED
The Final Actions give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councillor voted.
Applications And Petitions · APP 2025 #32
An application was received from Brian Chipman representing Cannabis Dispensary, requesting permission for a projecting blade sign at the premises numbered 1960 Massachusetts Avenue approval has...
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 #33
An application was received from William Rothfuchs, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 48 Park Avenue; 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.
Applications And Petitions · APP 2025 #34
An application was received from Yi Yue, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 29 Line Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic...
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 #35
Request has been received from Sam Stienberg representing CVS, regarding Revocation of Bond #012023137 for CVS, 1390 Massachusetts Avenue. Response from the Inspectional Services Department has...
ORDER ADOPTED
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 #191 to RES 2025 #195)
ORDER ADOPTED
The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 5 resolutions (RES 2025 #191, RES 2025 #192, RES 2025 #193, RES 2025 #194, RES 2025 #195); 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.
Resolutions · RES 2025 #196
Condolences on the death of Elizabeth Camacho. Councillor Toner, 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 (7 resolutions, RES 2025 #197 to RES 2025 #203)
ORDER ADOPTED
The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 7 resolutions (RES 2025 #197, RES 2025 #198, RES 2025 #199, RES 2025 #200, RES 2025 #201, RES 2025 #202, RES 2025 #203); 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.
Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2025 #114
A communication was received from City Solicitor Megan B. Bayer, transmitting a memorandum regarding City Voter Guide for Ballot Questions - Proponent Argument for Proposed City Charter.
ORDER ADOPTED AND COF PLACED ON FILE [9-0-0]
From the minutes
“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND COF 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.”
Reconsider: A communication was received from City Solicitor Megan B. Bayer, transmitting a memorandum regarding City Voter Guide for Ballot Questions - Proponent Argument for Proposed City Charter.
RECONSIDERATION FAILED [9-0-0]
The Final Actions' count reads 9-0-0, but the names listed under it show 0 yes, 9 no. Because the two do not agree, MassVoter shows the count of the names only and will ask the City Clerk.
From the minutes
“RESULT: RECONSIDERATION FAILED [9-0-0] NAYS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2025 #115
Reconsider: A communication was received from Lesley Waxman Assistant Director Cambridge Election Commission , transmitting a request Letter - In Favor Argument City Charter.
RECONSIDERATION FAILED [9-0-0]
The Final Actions' count reads 9-0-0, but the names listed under it show 0 yes, 9 no. Because the two do not agree, MassVoter shows the count of the names only and will ask the City Clerk.
From the minutes
“RESULT: RECONSIDERATION FAILED [9-0-0] NAYS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy, Mayor Simmons.”
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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