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Cambridge City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting

September 29, 2025

23 recorded votes, 23 with disagreement.

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

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Attendance

Present: Burhan Azeem, Marc McGovern, Patricia Nolan, Sumbul Siddiqui, Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, Paul Toner, Ayesha Wilson, Catherine Zusy

Absent: Denise Simmons

Every vote, in order

Submission of the Record

Place on file: Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting – June 23, 2025 5:30 PM

Minutes, page 1 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ACCEPTED AND PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ACCEPTED AND PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #237

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases.

Minutes, page 2 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #238

A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Preservation Restriction at 44 J.F. Kennedy Street.

Minutes, page 2 · Video

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 8 present

APPROVED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: APPROVED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #239

Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $94,531, received from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, State 911 Department, to the...

Minutes, page 2 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #240

Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $7,000.00 to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Travel and Training account. The...

Minutes, page 2 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

City Manager's Agenda · CMA 2025 #241

Refer: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-05, regarding a report on the use of M.G.L Ch. 40U to determine which local statutes...

Minutes, page 3 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #130

That the City Manager is requested to work with the City Council to establish a Seal Review Committee with the charge of recommending an updated city seal and motto in time for adoption prior to...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #131

That the Housing Committee will be convened to discuss the concrete details of social housing; that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #132

That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide a recommendation on the site conditions of 25 Lowell Street and considerations and process for determining the...

Minutes, page 4 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #133

That the City Manager is requested to illuminate Cambridge City Hall in purple lights on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in recognition of Rett Syndrome Awareness Month and to demonstrate the City’s...

Minutes, page 5 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #134

That the City Council go on record in recognizing October as National Women's Business Month in Cambridge.

Minutes, page 5 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #135

Proclaim September 30, 2025, as “Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day” in the City of Cambridge and encourages all Cambridge residents to recognize this day by learning more about LGMD...

Minutes, page 5 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Policy Order And Resolution List · POR 2025 #136

That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and the recently formed coalition to consider options including consideration of costs and benefits to meet a 2050 25 year...

Minutes, page 6 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Calendar – Charter Right · CMA 2025 #233

Place on file: A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-32, regarding a request that the City engage in discussions with leadership...

Minutes, page 7 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: CMA PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

Calendar – On The Table · POR 2025 #94

That the City Council go on record expressing its profound disappointment over Apex Clean Energy’s decision to forgo the use of local union labor on the Bowman Wind Project.

Minutes, page 8 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY SUBSTITUTION [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY SUBSTITUTION [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Applications And Petitions · APP 2025 #37

An application was received from Maggie Booz, requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 10 Blanchard Road; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services...

Minutes, page 9 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Applications And Petitions · APP 2025 #38

An application was received from Raymond Thill representing Moona, requesting permission for a projecting sign at the premises numbered 750 Main Street approval has been received from Inspectional...

Minutes, page 9 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)

Communications

Communications placed on file together (25 communications, COM 3318 #2025 to COM 3342 #2025)

Minutes, page 10 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 25 communications (COM 3318 #2025, COM 3319 #2025, COM 3320 #2025, COM 3321 #2025, COM 3322 #2025, COM 3323 #2025, COM 3324 #2025, COM 3325 #2025, COM 3326 #2025, COM 3327 #2025, COM 3328 #2025, COM 3329 #2025, COM 3330 #2025, COM 3331 #2025, COM 3332 #2025, COM 3333 #2025, COM 3334 #2025, COM 3335 #2025, COM 3336 #2025, COM 3337 #2025, COM 3338 #2025, COM 3339 #2025, COM 3340 #2025, COM 3341 #2025, COM 3342 #2025); MassVoter lists them as one vote. Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

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

Resolutions · RES 2025 #210

Congratulation to Kevin Treanor and Joe McCabe on their 30 year anniversary of the Phoenix Landing. Councillor Zusy, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson and entire membership.

Minutes, page 17 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED AS AMENDED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 17 (PDF)

Resolutions

Resolutions adopted together (7 resolutions, RES 2025 #211 to RES 2025 #217)

Minutes, page 17 · Video

Adopt orderPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1]

The Final Actions record the same result and vote for each of these 7 resolutions (RES 2025 #211, RES 2025 #212, RES 2025 #213, RES 2025 #214, RES 2025 #215, RES 2025 #216, RES 2025 #217); MassVoter lists them as one vote. Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: ORDER ADOPTED [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 17 (PDF)

Committee Reports

Place on file: The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on September 9, 2025 to review and discuss ongoing work to mitigate and reduce Combined Sewer Overflows within Cambridge...

Minutes, page 20 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

REPORT ACCEPTED AND PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: REPORT ACCEPTED AND PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 20 (PDF)

Place on file: The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on September 10, 2025 to discuss COF 2025 #106, including questions that were submitted by City Council members regarding an...

Minutes, page 20 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

REPORT ACCEPTED AND PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: REPORT ACCEPTED AND PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 20 (PDF)

Communications And Reports From Other City · COF 2025 #124

Place on file: A communication was received from Paula Crane, Interim City Clerk, transmitting an update regarding legislative activity.

Minutes, page 21 · Video

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 8 present

PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1]

Denise Simmons is listed as absent for this vote.

From the minutes

“RESULT: PLACED ON FILE [8-0-1] YEAS: Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Zusy ABSENT: Mayor Simmons.”

Read it in the official minutes, page 21 (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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