Ordinances 1262 and 1265

Vacant Properties Registration and Fines

Sharon Smith, Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods

City Council is undertaking a program to determine the number of vacant properties within the corporate limits through Ordinance 1262 – Vacant Commercial Properties and Ordinance 1265 – Vacant Residential Properties and return them to productive use. The two ordinances share common language, so they are addressed in this one communique.

The intent of Council is clear and laudable, get people living and working in Cambridge.  However, there are already sufficient municipal powers within Code Enforcement and Land Bank to address the issue of vacant and poorly maintained residential properties.  The proposed ordinance defines a cumbersome new bureaucratic process that will burden all concerned and require considerable effort by City employees. In addition to creating a new registry probably containing information that is in, or should be in Code Enforcement files, new forms and signs created, multiple notifications to owners by the city may be required along with lien filings and potentially multiple $500 and $1000 fines for residential violations that can be imposed arbitrarily without owner notification or delay. Fines for commercial violations are $250 and $500. There is no stated delay between levying fines, so owners can be fined each and every day, as the ordinance currently reads “Every day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense and shall be subject to a separate fine without further action required by the city. Any owner of a vacant storefront who shall fail to register the same as required by this article shall be liable for said fine without notice.”

Nowhere in these ordinances does it clearly state that properties that are not returned to use are subject to fines after one year. Only re-registration is clearly required. And no action, except for registration and sign posting, is clearly required within the first year that these ordinances are enacted. Code enforcement can be a much faster remedy.

Also, the owner must post a sign on the property and re-register the property annually or within 15 days (the time limit is not specified for storefronts) if registration information changes.  The proposed ordinance also does not appear to exempt registering weekend residential properties, many which are lovingly restored by part-time owners. Rental properties are also not exempt and already have a registration requirement. Even vacant properties exempted in the ordinance are required to register.

The ordinances name lists of documents that can be used to prove either “vacancy” or “occupancy.”  However, who gets to choose which one(s) apply? I own a property on High Street for which I pay water and sewage, gas, and electric: is it “occupied” or “vacant?”

The city is clearly using the stick versus the carrot to cause compliance to these ordinances. Some carrots might also encourage positive results, such as one year of city real estate tax forbearance after properties are improved.

Should Council choose to pass both ordinances, some bureaucratic bumble is not clearly defined. For example, does an owner of a vacant storefront with vacant apartments above have to register and report on both residential and commercial registries?

Three conditions may allow a property to be exempt, including “structures under active construction or renovation, with valid permits issued by the City “. The city does not currently require owners of occupied properties to obtain permits for cosmetic or minor improvements, so this would create a disparity between how vacant properties’ and occupied properties’ improvements are handled and a huge burden on the permitting and inspection process. There are a multitude of improvements that a property owner can undertake that do not and should not require city permits. For example, painting the interior and exterior, installing new carpeting/flooring, swapping out appliances, making minor repairs, installing exterior shutters, landscaping, etc.  A lone property owner, working part-time, on his/her own could certainly require more than a year to effect these improvements. Again, this is a bureaucratic burden on the city and the owner.

Under these ordinances all vacant property owners are required to register, but given that some/many may live outside of the area, and the city is not required to initially notify property owners about these new ordinances, how will they know? The ordinances further state “if the city… determines that an unregistered vacant residential/commercial property exists, they shall issue a notice directing the owner to register.” This creates an uneven situation where some owners are notified, and some are not. If these ordinances are modified to require the City to notify the vacant property owners, 500 – 1,000 property’s titles will have to be researched.

Again, this proposed legislation imposes a burden on all concerned. The only net benefit for expending all these resources is that the City will have a list that it does not currently have.

Given the amount of bureaucracy created, the cost to property owners, the existing municipal powers to cite and fine, it is questionable that the residential registry is even needed. At the very least, CAN suggests tabling proposed Ordinance 1265 for one year. This will allow the city to use its resources to implement and adjust the process with the commercial ordinance and learn from that experience. Meanwhile the effectiveness of code enforcement needs to improve and the land bank needs to begin functioning.

Thank you for considering our comments about this important legislation.

Respectfully,

Sharon Smith

CAN Board of Directors

ORDINANCE NO. 1263

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND FOR THE PURPOSES OF AMENDING §§ 1-2 AND 1-15 OF CHAPTER 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS) OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND REGARDING TERMS DEFINED IN THE CITY CODE AND THE CITY COUNCIL’S RULES OF PROCEDURE, RESPECTIVELY, FOR CLARITY, CONSISTENCY WITH CURRENT PRACTICE, AND FOR MORE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT; PROVIDING THAT THE TITLE OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE DEEMED A FAIR SUMMARY AND GENERALLY RELATING TO GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE CITY CODE.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Md. Code Ann., Local Gov’t § 5-202 and § 3-27(1) of the Charter of the City of Cambridge (the “Charter”), the Commissioners of Cambridge are authorized and empowered to pass all such ordinances not contrary to the Constitution and laws of the State of Maryland or the Charter as they may deem necessary for the good government of the City of Cambridge (the “City”); for the protection and preservation of the City’s property, rights, and privileges; for the preservation of peace and good order; to secure persons and property from danger and destruction; and for the protection and promotion of the health, safety, comfort, convenience, welfare, and happiness of the residents of the City and visitors thereto and sojourners therein; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the foregoing authority, the Commissioners of Cambridge have adopted a Code of the City of Cambridge, Maryland (the “City Code”), Chapter 1 of which contains defined terms applicable to the entire City Code as well as Rules of Procedure for the City Council, consisting of the Mayor and the five Commissioners of Cambridge; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Cambridge are desirous of amending §§ 1-2 and 1-15 of the City Code regarding terms defined in the City Code and the City Council’s Rules of Procedure, respectively, for clarity, consistency with current practice, and for more efficient administration of the City government; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Cambridge find that the amendments set forth herein are necessary to promote and protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Commissioners of Cambridge, that:

SECTION 1. Chapter 1 (General Provisions) of the Code of the City of Cambridge, Maryland is hereby amended as follows:

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Sec. 1-2. Definitions and rules of construction.

In the construction of this Code and of all other ordinances of the city, the following rules shall be observed, unless such construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intent of the council:

Board. The word “board” means the board of commissioners of the City of Cambridge.

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Commissioners. The word “commissioners” means the five Commissioners board of commissioners of the City of Cambridge.

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Council. The words “the council” or “the city council” mean the Mayor and the five Commissioners board of commissioners of the City of Cambridge. References to “the council” or “the city council” shall not be construed to grant the Mayor a right to vote in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of the Charter.

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Gender. Words importing imparting the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter.

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Sec. 1-15. Rules and procedures for the conduct of council meetings.

• Meetings generally; Regular regular

• All regular meetings of the council shall be open to the public, unless closed pursuant to section 3-305 of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of All council meetings, including regular meetings, work sessions, and special meetings, shall be open to the public, unless closed pursuant to the authority set forth in the Maryland Open Meetings Act, codified as Title 3 of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended from time to time (hereinafter, the “Open Meetings Act”).

• The city council shall hold regular meetings on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month at 6:00 p.m., provided, however, that when the day fixed for any regular meeting of the council falls upon a day designated by law as a legal or national holiday, or when other circumstances so warrant, such as inclement weather, such meeting shall be canceled, or rescheduled, including to a different time on the day fixed for the meeting pursuant to subsection (3) herein below. Work sessions and public hearings of the city council shall be held on an as-needed basis on the third Monday of each month, and the time therefor shall be 6:00 p.m., unless otherwise set by the council at least one week prior to the work Advance public notice of canceled and

rescheduled meetings shall be provided as soon as practicable under the circumstances and shall be posted on the city’s website and sent to the local news media.

• The time of a meeting may be amended by a three-fifths vote of the members of the council beyond the time specified above should additional matters remain on the council docket or agenda. Closed sessions shall be held prior to the regular meeting, work session, or special meeting, as the case may be; provided, however, that if any unfinished business remains at the time that the regular meeting, work session, or special meeting is scheduled to commence, then the council may adjourn the closed session and later reconvene in closed session at the conclusion of the regular meeting, work session, or special meeting Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the council from meeting in closed session at any other time, tot the extent permitted under the Open Meetings Act.

• Any meeting of the council may be adjourned continued to a later date and time, provided that no adjournment such continuation shall be for a longer period than until the next regular meeting.

• Except as may be otherwise specified in the meeting notice or agenda, All all regular

council meetings of the council shall be held in the council chambers of the city.

• The council may, by resolution or motion approved by three council members at a council meeting, when necessary, change the time and place of the regular an upcoming scheduled The resolution or motion shall set forth the circumstances necessitating such change.

• Except for properly-called executive sessions as permitted by state law, all regular All meetings of the city council other than closed sessions shall be open to the media, and freely subject to recording by radio, television, and photography at any time, provided that such arrangements recording does not interfere with the orderly conduct of the meetings under such rules as the council may prescribe.

• Special meetings; work sessions.
  • Upon the approval of three council members, a special meeting of the council may be called whenever, in their opinion, the public business may require The council may, by motion approved by three council members at a council meeting, or upon the approval of three council members, given separately to the City Manager or their designee, schedule a special meeting or work session whenever the public business may so require.

• Special meetings shall include, but not be limited to, meetings regarding be held for the purposes of conducting urgent business that must be addressed prior to the next regular meeting, to consider projects or events concerning a particular ward of the city,

or a particular group of constituents or for other urgent matters as deemed appropriate by the council members requesting the meeting.

• Whenever a special meeting shall be called, a notice in writing shall be filed with the city clerk and served upon each member of the council either in person or by notice left at his place of residence, stating the date and hour of the meeting and the purpose for which such meeting is called, and no business shall be transacted at the meeting except such as is stated in the notice.

• No special meeting shall be held until at least 24 hours after the notice is issued. Work sessions shall be held for the purposes of reviewing forthcoming city matters, receiving progress reports on current actions or programs or projects, or receiving and discussing other information. No formal action shall be taken by the council during a work session unless advance notice has been provided in the agenda.

• Special meetings and work sessions shall be held on an as-needed basis, to be scheduled for the third Monday of the month if practicable, and the time therefor shall be 6:00 m., unless otherwise set by the council at least one week prior to the special meeting or work session. Advance public notice of special meetings and work sessions, as well as any cancellation or rescheduling thereof, shall be provided in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

• Whenever a special meeting or work session shall be called as set forth in this subsection (b), the City Manager or their designee shall, as soon as practicable, provide notice thereof electronically to all council members and appropriate city staff, stating the date, place, and time of the meeting and the purpose for which such meeting is called.

• Work On the third Monday of each month, the council shall meet informally in work sessions. All work sessions shall be open to the general public, and shall be held to review forthcoming programs of the city, receive progress reports on current programs or projects, or receive other similar information, provided that all discussions and conclusions thereon shall be informal, and no formal action taken by the council, unless advance notice has been provided to the public and media that the council will be meeting in regular session either before or after the work session. Additional work sessions may be held upon the approval of three council members.

• ​ Executive sessions. Executive sessions or closed meetings may be held in accordance with the provisions of the state open meetings act, as codified in section 10-508 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

• Minutes of all regular and special meetings and work sessions shall be kept in accordance with the Open Meetings Act Such minutes shall be maintained in the office of the city clerk. The minutes and shall reflect:

1. The date, time and place of the meeting or session;

1. The members recorded as either present or absent;

1. A general description of all matters proposed, discussed or decided; and

1. Record of any votes

• Audio or video streaming of any meeting or work session may be substituted for written minutes if recorded live and archived by the In such instance, the city shall nonetheless endeavor to keep brief written minutes containing the information set forth in subsection (c)(1) above.

• Approval of minutes, to include closed sessions, of all but closed meetings or sessions shall be considered at the next regular council It shall not be necessary to read the minutes prior to approval. Such minutes may be revised by the clerk City Manager or their designee to correct spelling, numbering, and other such technical defects. Prior to approval, any council member may, through the presiding officer, request the privilege of amending or correcting the minutes to accurately reflect the substances of the prior meeting; provided, however, that the contents of any closed sessions minutes shall not be discussed in open session. If objection is made by any council member to such amendment or correction, a majority vote of the council shall be necessary for adoption of the correction or amendment.

(3) Minutes of closed meetings or sessions shall be reviewed periodically by the city council in closed session and shall be made available to the public or pursuant to the provisions of section 10-509 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Copies of the public disclosure of closed executive sessions, as set forth in section 10-509 of the State Government Article, shall be attached as an exhibit to the minutes of the next regularly scheduled council meeting.

• Journal of
  • ​ A journal of the transcription of the minutes of the council shall be kept by the city clerk, or his designated employee, and shall be entered in a book constituting the official record of the council.
  • ​ The journal of minutes shall be open to public inspection, except for proceedings of closed meetings as permitted by state law.

(g)(d) The presiding Presiding officer;—Election and duties.

• The presiding officer of the council meetings shall be the The mayor shall assume the duties of the presiding officer immediately following his their election and oath of office as set forth in section 3-21 of the City Charter. In the event of a vacancy in the office of mayor, or if the mayor is temporarily unable to discharge their duties, the

president of the commissioners shall preside over the council meetings as set forth in sections 3-18 and 3-21A of the City Charter. If the mayor and the president of the commissioners are both absent, the mayor may appoint another commissioner to preside over the meeting. The commissioner so chosen may take part in debate, make motions, and discharge the duties and powers of the presiding officer. Such substitution shall not continue beyond adjournment.

• The presiding officer shall preserve strict order and decorum at all regular and special meetings of the council meetings and confine council members in debates to the question under discussion.

• The presiding officer shall state every question coming before the council, announce the decision of the council on all subjects and decide all questions of order, subject, however, to an appeal to the council, in which event a majority vote of the council shall govern and conclusively determine such question of order.

• Unless otherwise expressly permitted by statute the City Charter or a city ordinance, the mayor, as presiding officer, shall vote only in the event of a tie vote of the council commissioners on any questions.

• The presiding officer mayor shall sign all ordinances and resolutions adopted by the council during his/her presence, subject to the mayor’s veto authority for ordinances set forth in section 3-20 of the City Charter.

• The council shall select a chair pro tempore on an annual basis who shall preside in the absence of the mayor, in the capacity of presiding The council member selected to serve as chair pro tempore shall be chosen by a majority vote of the council, on a rotational basis.

• ​ In the absence of the mayor and chair pro tempore, the mayor may call any other council member to temporarily chair the meeting in order to take part in debate, to make a motion, or to cover a temporary The council member so chosen shall discharge the duties and exercise the powers and authority of the presiding officer. Such substitution shall not continue beyond adjournment.
• ​ In the absence of the mayor, the council member presiding as chair pro tempore may vote on all questions, his or her name being called last.

• ​ Call to order presiding The presiding officer shall take the chair precisely at the hour appointed for the meeting, and shall immediately call the council to order.

• Roll Before proceeding with the business of the council, the city clerk or his deputy shall call the roll of the members, and the names of those present shall be entered in the minutes.

• A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum and be necessary for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present, those in attendance shall be named and shall adjourn to a later time.

• (7) Order of business. Promptly at the hour set by the law on the day of each regular meeting, the members of the council shall take their regular seats in the council chambers, and Call to order; order of business. At the time scheduled for the start of the meeting, the members of the council shall take their chairs, and the presiding officer shall then call the meeting to For work sessions and special meetings, the business of the council shall be taken up for consideration and disposition as set forth in the agenda. For regular meetings, the business of the council shall be taken up for consideration and disposition in the following order:

1. Roll call Invocation;

1. Approval of minutes of previous meeting Approval of agenda;

1. Committee reports Presentations from approved guests;

1. Appointments Consent agenda, including prior meeting minutes for council approval;

1. Unfinished/old business Ordinances and Charter Amendment Resolutions for first reading;

1. New business Ordinances and Charter Amendment Resolutions for second reading, public hearing, and council action;

1. Appropriations Old business;

1. Comments from mayor, council members, department heads and legal counsel; and

New business;

1. Adjournment Announcement of upcoming city meetings;
2. Public comment;
3. City Manager comment and report to the council;
4. Council comments;

1. Closed session (if necessary);

1. Reconvene in open session; and

1. Adjournment.

• (e)

• All reports, communications, ordinances, resolutions, contract documents, or other matters to be submitted to the council for consideration shall be delivered to the city clerk City Manager or their designee on or before 12:00 noon on Thursday 8:00 m. on Monday prior to each council meeting, whereupon the city clerk City Manager or their designee shall immediately arrange a list of such matters according to the order of business set forth in subsection (d)(7) above and furnish each council member of the council, the mayor, and the city attorney with a copy of the same at least 48 hours prior to the council meeting and as far in advance of the meeting as time for preparation will permit but not later than 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the meeting.

• The agenda shall provide a time when the mayor or During council comments, any council member may bring before the council any business that he feels they feel should be deliberated upon the council. These matters need not be specifically listed on the agenda, but formal action on such matters shall be deferred until a subsequent council meeting, except that immediate action may be taken upon a vote of four members of the council.

• (f) Rules of

• The council president or such other member of the council as may be presiding presiding officer, if other than the mayor, may move, second, and debate from the chair, subject only to such limitations of debate as are by these rules imposed on all members and shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of a council member commissioner by reason of acting as the presiding officer.

• Every council member desiring to speak shall address the chair presiding officer, and, upon recognition by the presiding officer, shall be confined himself to the question under debate, avoiding all personalities and indecorous any improper language or other lack of decorum.

• A council member, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking unless it is to be called to order, or as herein otherwise provided. If a council member, while speaking, be is called to order, they shall cease speaking until the question of order be is determined, and, if in order, they shall be permitted to proceed.

• The council member moving the adoption passage of an ordinance or the adoption of a resolution shall have the privilege of closing the debate.

• A motion to reconsider any action taken by the council may be made only on the day such action was It may be made either immediately during the same session, or at a recessed or adjourned session thereof. Such motion must be made by one of the prevailing side, but may be seconded by any other council members, and may be made at any time and have precedence over all other motions or while a member has the floor.; it A motion to reconsider shall be debatable.

• Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent any council member of the council from making or remaking the same or any other motion at a subsequent meeting of the

• (g) Addressing the Any person desiring to address the council by oral communication shall first secure the permission of the presiding officer, provided, however, that preference will be given to those persons who have notified the city clerk by noon of the Thursday preceding the Monday council meeting of their desire to speak in order that their name may be placed on the agenda and they will be recognized by the presiding officer without further action. Presentations from approved guests. Any person desiring to make a presentation to the council shall first secure the permission of the City Manager, with the order of presentation being on a first come, first served basis. Requests to make presentations must be submitted in writing to the City Manager at least two weeks in advance of the meeting at which they wish to present in order to be placed on the agenda. Unless otherwise approved by the City Manager or their designee in advance, all presentations shall be limited to ten minutes or less. Approved presenters shall be placed on the agenda and will be recognized by the presiding officer without further action.

• (h) Addressing the council after motion made. After a motion is made by the council Except as otherwise set forth in these rules, no person shall address the council without first securing the permission of the presiding officer to do so.

• (i) Manner of addressing the council—Time limit Public hearings and public comment.

• Each person addressing the council during any public hearing or public comment shall step up to the microphone at the podium, shall give his their name and address in an audible tone of voice for the record, and unless further time is warranted, and granted by the presiding officer, shall limit his their address to 20 three

• All remarks shall be addressed to the council as a body and not to any individual

member thereof.

• No person, other than the mayor, the council and the person having the floor, shall be permitted to enter into any discussion, either directly or through a member of the council, without the permission of the presiding officer.
• No question shall be asked of a council member except through the presiding officer, and no council member shall be obligated to respond to any question asked by a member of the public.

• (j)

• Silence constitutes affirmative vote. Unless a council member of the council states that they are abstaining from is not voting, his their silence in failing to respond to a roll call shall be recorded as an affirmative vote.

• If a council member is required to abstain from voting on a matter due to a conflict of interest, as defined in the City Code, the council member shall state the reasons on the record for his or her their abstention.

• (k)

• While the council is in session, the council members must preserve order and decorum, and a no council member shall neither, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the peace of the council or disturb any member while speaking or refuse to obey the orders of the council or its presiding officer, except as otherwise herein provided.

• Any person making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks or who shall become boisterous while addressing the council shall be forthwith, by the presiding officer, barred from further audience before the council at that meeting, unless permission to continue be granted by a majority vote of the council.

• (l) Enforcement of

• The chief of police, or such member or members of the police department as they may designate, shall be sergeant-at-arms of the council He, or they, The sergeant-at-arms shall carry out all orders and instructions given by the presiding officer for the purpose of maintaining order and decorum at the council meeting.

• Upon instructions of the presiding officer, it shall be the duty of the sergeant-at-arms, or any of them present, to place remove from the meeting any person who violates the order and decorum of the meeting under arrest, and cause him to be prosecuted under the provisions of this Code, the complaint to be signed by the presiding officer.

• (m) Members may file protests against council Any council member shall have the right to have the reasons for his their dissent from, or protest against, any action of the council entered in the minutes.
• (n) Ordinances, resolutions, motions, and
  • All ordinances and resolutions shall be prepared by the city attorney, assigned a number, and presented to the council only in printed or typewritten No ordinance or resolution shall be prepared for presentation to the council unless prepared by the city attorney upon requested by of a council member or the city manager of the council, the mayor, or prepared by the city attorney on his on the city attorney’s own initiative.

• All ordinances, resolutions and contract documents shall, before presentation to the council, have been approved as to form and legality by the city attorney or an authorized representative, and shall have been examined and approved for administration by the clerk/treasurer or an authorized representative city manager or their designee, where

there are substantive matters of city administration involved. All such instruments documents shall have first been referred to, and reviewed by, the head of the department under whose jurisdiction the administration of the subject matter of the ordinance, resolution or contract document would devolve fall and be reviewed by said department head. The department head’s comments shall be returned to the clerk/treasurer city manager and forwarded to the mayor and council.

• Ordinances, resolutions, and other matters or subjects requiring action by the council must be introduced and sponsored by a member of he council, except that the mayor or city attorney may present ordinances, resolutions and other matters or subjects to the council, and any council member may assume sponsorship thereof by moving that such ordinances, resolutions, matters or subjects be adopted; otherwise, they shall not be

• No ordinance, resolution, or motion shall relate to more than one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title, and no ordinance or resolution, or section thereof, shall be amended or repealed unless the new ordinance or resolution references the previous ordinance or resolution, or section thereof, being contains the title of the ordinance or section amended or repealed.

• (4) The city clerk shall prepare copies of all proposed ordinances for distribution to the mayor and all members of the council at least 72 hours before the council meeting at which the ordinance is to be introduced. If the ordinance carries an emergency clause, copies of the ordinance must be distributed at least six hours prior to the meeting at which said ordinance is to be considered. Ordinances and resolutions shall be distributed to the council as set forth in subsection (e)(1) above with the exception of emergency ordinances, which shall be distributed to the council as soon as practicable prior to the meeting at which the same is to be considered.

• (5) All ordinances shall have two separate readings, but the second shall never be had on the same day as the first, with the exception of emergency measures ordinances.

• Subject to the provisions of subsection (n)(7) below, all ordinances shall be subject to a public hearing prior to final council action. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, such as zoning text and map amendments and Charter Amendment Resolutions, notice of the public hearing shall be posted on the main page of the city’s website and on any city social media at least two weeks in advance of the

• Ordinances introduced at a council meeting shall not be finally acted upon until at least the next official meeting Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (n)(6) above, except that appropriation and emergency ordinances may be acted on immediately and without a public hearing, and provided further that an affirmative vote of at least four members of the council shall be required for the final passage of an emergency ordinance.

• The yeas and noes shall be taken upon the passage of all ordinances and resolutions and entered upon the official record of the council.

• With the exception of emergency ordinances, for which an affirmative vote of at least four commissioners shall be required in order to pass, An an affirmative vote of at least a majority of the members of the council three commissioners, or two commissioners and the mayor, in the event of a tie vote between the commissioners, shall be necessary to pass an ordinance or adopt a resolution, including a Charter Amendment Resolution, unless any applicable City Code or charter City Charter provision expressly requires a four-fifths or unanimous vote, but a resolution, A motion or any other proposition may be adopted approved by a majority voting on the issue.

• Upon passage, a number shall be assigned to each ordinance or resolution by the city

• (9) Subject to the provisions of subsection (d)(5) above, When passed by the council, an ordinance all ordinances passed and resolutions adopted by the council shall be signed by the presiding officer mayor and be attested by the city clerk City Manager; and it shall be immediately filed and thereafter preserved in the office of the city clerk as a public record.

• (10) The mayor and any member of the Any council member may request written legal opinions, whether verbal or written, relating to city business legal matters, from the city attorney.

• The mayor and any member of the council may, for purposes of inquiry, request verbal opinion or advice on city legal matters from the city attorney.

• ​ Reports and resolutions to be filed with clerk. All reports and resolutions shall be filed with the clerk and entered in the minutes.
• ​ Access to proposed ordinances and resolutions. Copies of all ordinances and resolutions for consideration by the council shall be made available for review by the public and the
• (o) A motion to adjourn shall always be in order and decided without debate.
• (p) Suspension and amendment of these
  • Any provision of these rules not governed by the City Charter or City Code may be temporarily suspended by a vote of a majority of the council. The vote on any such suspension shall be taken by yeses and noes and entered upon the record.

• These rules may be amended, or new rules adopted, by ordinance passed by the council in accordance with this section by a majority vote of the members of the council,

provided that the proposed amendments or new rules shall have been introduced into the record at a prior council meeting.

SECTION 2. The recitals to this Ordinance are incorporated herein and deemed a substantive part of this Ordinance.

SECTION 3. In this Ordinance, unless a section of the City Code is expressly repealed in its entirety and reenacted, new or added language is underlined and in boldface type, and deleted text is crossed out with a single strikethrough. With respect to the substantive provisions of this Ordinance set forth in Section 1, language added after the date of introduction is in bold, italicized font and language deleted after the date of introduction is crossed out with a double strikethrough.

SECTION 4. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court or competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance, it being the intent of the Commissioners of Cambridge that this Ordinance shall stand, notwithstanding the invalidity of any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion hereof.

SECTION 5. All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.

SECTION 6. The title of this Ordinance, or a condensed version thereof, shall be deemed to be, and is, a fair summary of this Ordinance for publication and all other purposes.

AND BE IT FURTHER enacted and ordained that this Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon passage.

ATTEST:                                                       THE COMMISSIONERS OF CAMBRIDGE

By:                                                                                         Glenn Steckman, III, City Manager                                                               Lajan Cephas Bey, Mayor

Introduced the 12th day of January, 2026 Passed the  day of , 2026 Effective the  day of , 2026

CAN REPORT ON 1/21/26 POLICE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

by Amy J.  Craig

I attended the January 21, 2026, Police Advisory Board Meeting held at the CPD Headquarters.  The meeting began with Chief Todd and City Council President Sputty Cephas welcoming everyone.  Lt. McCrae, Sgt. Flynn and Glen Steckman also introduced themselves.

Sue Radcliffe reported that through a $120,000 mental health grant she will be working with first responders to give supportive services and training to meet state standards.  There will be biannual screening for officers and wellness screening.  She will also be able to offer mental health supportive counseling when there is a tragic event, and first responders suffer mental health trauma.  Her first meeting with CPD Administrative staff will be held on February 4, 2026.  Sue will be available at CPD for 8 hours a week until June and then full time.  The goal is for co-responder help for the community as well.

Sgt Flynn reported on the Professional Standards Report on page 9.  Sante Group referrals are being made for MH so that homeless issues can be follow up on.

Chief Todd reported that there were 2 candidates in the academy, and both did not finish.  There are currently 2 additional candidates with the hope for graduation in June.  Montre Jenkins and Cadet Kozak are also helping with previous officer related assistance.  Cadet Kozak has been working on vehicle parking issues in neighborhoods.

School report: There were 209 calls made to MLMS.  Officer Joe Jones got hurt and had to have surgery.  There were 67 calls to Sandy Hill and 70 calls to Maple.  The Sheriff’s office covered CSD.  CPD offered assistance in 116 calls for assistance.  It is very important to have officers in the schools as a duty assignment.  There will also be advanced autism training for officers because of the high number of students in our schools with autism.

CALEA reporting is on page 41.  Chief Todd is working towards accreditation in the Spring of 2027.  He feels that having that accreditation will assist with recruiting.

There is a need for partnerships for more grant monies to assist with mental health issues.  There is the current partnership with the health department.

Lt McCrae gave a discipline report.  There were 7 incidents.  Two of which were with the police involved mental health incident at Deep Harbour.  The use of force statistics is on page 36.

Snow event:  A reminder was made that if there are 3” or more of snow that cars needed to be removed from the snow emergency route.  Glen Steckman indicated that in order for better snow removal that the City streets really needed to be clear of cars. I relayed that information to Chuck and Alison reported it on facebook page.

Sgt Flynn is working with an interactive dashboard with the IT department.  When live the dashboard would be updated every 4 hours.  It is the plan to have it up and running within the next couple of weeks.

Mike Steward (Council appointed member): asked about the laws related to ebikes.  There are three classifications of ebikes to include scooters.  The concern was that they are being operated on the sidewalks and at night you can’t hear them approaching.  Response was that state laws allow them to be ridden on the sidewalks.  Police are doing enforcement downtown but not in the outlying neighborhoods such as the West End.  There is a requirement to have lights on bikes and scooters for night riding.  Enforcement is sporadic.  The hope is to get public service announcements out to inform the community and such riders.  Mike also asked about blackened out car windows.  The response was that darkness is subjective because of differing laws in our surrounding states.

Bob Rowe (Council appointee):  Express ICE concerns in our City.  He asked if Cambridge was prepared to deal with unlawful tactics.  Chief Todd responded that they make sure officers are aware of duty to keep peace and people safe.  Family concerns have been dealt with.  Homeland Security does inform the department if they have to perform any operations.  However, ICE does not.  Mayor Cephas-Bey responded that she encourages citizens to not engage if an ICE operation occurs.  The Chief said that there have been issues of ICE apprehension, and they were never notified.  The department has had to arrange for abandoned vehicle removals.

Next meeting will be held in March or April.