City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 93 items
- 1 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Boston was held in the Christopher A. Iannella Chamber, City Hall on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 12:15 PM. President Breadon in the Chair. Present Councilors Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell. City Clerk Alex Geourntas delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the March 18, 2026 City Council Meeting. Motion prevailed.
- 2 ROLL CALL
- 3 APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 18, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
- 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
- 5 On the message and order, referred on March 25, 2026, Docket #0619, to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by One Million, Forty-Six Thousand, One Hundred Seventy-Eight Dollars ($1,046,178.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools for the FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the School Committee of the City of Boston and the United Steelworkers 2936 (Bus Monitors), the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to be passed.
- 6 On the message and order, referred on March 25, 2026, Docket #0620, for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Schools Department for FY26 in the amount of One Million, Forty-Six Thousand, One Hundred Seventy-Eight Dollars ($1,046,178.00) to cover the FY26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the School Committee of the City of Boston and the United Steelworkers 2936 (Bus Monitors). The terms of the contracts are July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. The major provisions of the contracts include base wage increases of 2% to be given in July of each fiscal year of the contract term, as well as a $1/hr flat increase in January, 2026 and a $0.70/hr flat increase (for assigned monitors only) in January, 2028, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to be passed.
- 7 WITHDRAWN
- 8 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) in the form of a grant, FY26 Earmark for Fairmount Housing Development, awarded by MA Executive Office Of Public Safety & Security to be administered by the Police Department. The grant would fund support of Police overtime for visible patrols in the Fairmount Development.
- 9 Councilor Flynn called Docket #0623, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Christopher Osgood as a member of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, for a term expiring March 30, 2030. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Flynn, the rules were suspended; the appointment was confirmed.
- 10 Message transmitting certain information under Section 17F relative to the Memoranda of Understanding between the Boston Police Department and external entities, passed by the Council on January 30, 2026.
- 11 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 12 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 13 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Max Rome, as a Constituent Trustee of the Boston Groundwater Trust.
- 14 Notice was received from the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Ordinances of 1979 regarding action taken by the Mayor on papers acted upon by the City Council at its meeting of March 11, 2026.
- 15 Communication was received from the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding “Proposed Minor Modification to the Charlestown Urban Renewal Plan, Project No. Mass. R-55, with respect to Parcel C-1A.”
- 16 Communication was received from Councilor Murphy requesting a briefing from the budget office regarding recent citywide spending controls and hiring constraints referenced in public reporting.
- 17 Communication was received from Councilor Murphy regarding an officer-involved shooting in Roxbury.
- 18 On the designation of Petition #228.07, referred on March 25, 2026, Docket #0630, - The Bussey House, 1203-1205 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA 02124 (in effect after April 22, 2026 if not acted upon), the committee submitted a report that the petition ought to pass. The report was accepted; the petition was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), absent 1 (Mejia).
- 19 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 20 Order for a hearing regarding Boston Public Schools student-athlete transfer and eligibility policies.
- 21 Order for a hearing to discuss Boston's FY27 operating budget.
- 22 Order for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools' FY27 operating budget.
- 23 Order for a hearing to review administrative transparency, equitable student representation, and student freedoms in higher education.
- 24 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 25 Order for a hearing to examine diversity and representation within the Boston Fire Department, including leadership positions.
- 26 Order for a hearing to examine measures to prevent human, sex, and drug trafficking during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Boston.
- 27 Order for a hearing to audit and review the City Council budget amendment process.
- 28 Order for a hearing regarding citywide spending controls, hiring constraints, and fiscal outlooks across departments.
- 29 Order for a hearing to examine the denial of a longstanding nonprofit event permit and the city's policies governing use of public parkland.
- 30 Order for a hearing to discuss city services and quality of life concerns in Copley Square.
- 31 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding White Stadium.
- 32 Order for a hearing to examine the Boston Police Department's protocols for releasing police body camera and dashboard camera footage.
- 33 Resolution calling on the Boston Police Department to update body camera and dash camera release protocols to include access to oversight entities following police-involved shootings, mass shootings, and major events.
- 34 Resolution recognizing Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.
- 35 Resolution in support of H.4683, "An Act Relative to Teacher Preparation and Student Literacy."
- 36 Resolution recognizing March 31, 2026 as Transgender Day of Visibility.
- 37 Resolution upholding alcohol restrictions at all Boston Public School facilities including the 14-Acre White Fund Parcel in Franklin Park.
- 38 GREEN SHEETS:
- 39 Legislative Calendar for March 25, 2026.
- 39 Councilor Flynn called Docket #0132, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend technology equipment valued at approximately Four Hundred Thirty Thousand Three Hundred Forty Dollars ($430,340.00), from the Connected & Online Program Grant, awarded by United States Department of the Treasury, passed through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, to be administered by the Department of Innovation & Technology. The equipment includes laptops, desktop bundles, and related equipment. The equipment will support public access to education, workforce development, digital literacy, and telehealth services across multiple City departments, with deployments centered at BCYF Centers and sites operated by the Office of Workforce Development and the Office of Returning Citizens. This award reflects strong cross-departmental collaboration and advances the City’s broader digital equity goals, from the Committee on City Services. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
- 40 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 40 Councilor Flynn called Docket #0135, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the form of a grant, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), awarded by United States Department of the Treasury, passed through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, to be administered by the Department of Innovation & Technology. The grant would fund a multi-session digital skills workshop series at multiple locations and distribute devices to learners, from the Committee on City Services. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
- 41 Resolution in memory of George W. Gardner, Jr.
- 41 Councilor Flynn called Docket #0137, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the form of a grant, Municipal ADA Improvement Grant, awarded by The Massachusetts Office on Disability to be administered by the Department of Innovation & Technology. The grant would fund updating the municipal ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan to address barriers to accessibility in web-based services and applications, from the Committee on City Services. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
- 42 Resolution in memory of Shirley E. (Cameron) Duke.
- 42 Councilor Flynn called Docket #0378, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty Dollars ($20,930.00) in the form of a grant, the El Centro Fellowship Grant, awarded by Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston to be administered by the Department of Innovation & Technology. The grant would fund the fellowship program for El Centro IT training program graduates, from the Committee on City Services. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
- 43 Resolution in memory of Brenda Gael McSweeny.
- 43 Councilor Worrell called Docket #0133, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Nineteen Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Eight Dollars And Three Cents ($219,178.03) in the form of a grant, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Funding, awarded by MA Executive Office for Administration & Finance to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant would fund the Center for Working Families' Boston Tax Help Coalition in assisting low-income taxpayers with personal income tax filings for the 2026 tax season, from the Committee on Labor & Economic Development. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
- 44 Resolution congratulating Brazilian Women's Group.
- 44 Councilor Worrell called Docket #0134, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($120,000.00) in the form of a grant, Financial Empowerment Program, awarded by United Way, passed through the Boston Local Development Corporation, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant would fund financial education, credit/asset building, and employment services for residents at the Center for Working Families, from the Committee on Labor & Economic Development. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
- 45 Resolution recognizing Jack Maharaj.
- 46 Resolution recognizing Elaine Kevgas.
- 46 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 47 Resolution in memory of Sheryl Goler Richards.
- 48 Resolution recognizing Rachel Boeteng.
- 49 Resolution in tribute to Phillip Cohen Myrick.
- 50 Resolution recognizing the Child and Family Wellness Center.
- 51 Resolution in memory of Edmond Guillory.
- 52 Resolution recognizing Dr. Ted Landsmark.
- 53 Resolution recognizing the Chinese Progressive Association.
- 54 Resolution recognizing the Tai Shan Community Association.
- 55 Resolution recognizing the families of Tom and Eddie Butler.
- 56 Resolution recognizing Richie Linehan.
- 57 Resolution recognizing Lee Burke and the Michael Burke Foundation.
- 58 Resolution recognizing Bobby Ferrara.
- 59 Resolution recognizing Randy Greeley.
- 60 Resolution recognizing the Collins Family.
- 61 Resolution recognizing State Representative David Biele.
- 62 Resolution recognizing the Sam Yick Association of New England.
- 63 Resolution recognizing the Wong Family Benevolent Association.
- 64 Resolution recognizing the Timothy "Doc" Cook Scholarship Foundation.
- 65 Resolution in memory of Dan McCole.
- 66 Resolution recognizing the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr.
- 67 Resolution recognizing the South Boston Citizens' Association.
- 68 Resolution recognizing R. Emily Goldberg Winer.
- 69 Resolution recognizing Rabbi Barry Dolinger.
- 70 Resolution recognizing the Castle Square Tenants Organization.
- 71 Resolution recognizing the DiDomenico Foundation.
- 72 Resolution recognizing the family of Susan Hurley.
- 73 Resolution recognizing Jessica Tang.
- 74 Resolution recognizing the Leung Family Association.
- 75 Resolution recognizing the Boston Groundwater Trust.
- 76 Resolution recognizing Women Veterans of Massachusetts.
- 77 Resolution recognizing the Emerald Society of the Boston Police Department.
- 78 Resolution recognizing Roxbury Prep.
- 79 Resolution recognizing Betty Jenkins.
- 80 Resolution recognizing Peggie Hope.
- 81 Resolution recognizing Vavisa Brown.
- 82 Resolution recognizing Cardicia Welcome.
- 83 Resolution recognizing Carmen Ayala.
- 84 Resolution recognizing Ana Rosario.
- 91 The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 92 Adjourned at 3:09 p.m. on motion of President Breadon, and in memory of Stephen Bronchuk, George Reese, Emmanuel Damas, and Lillie Mae Keizer, known as Mother Borders, to meet again on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk