City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 60 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 4, 2026 at 12:11 P.M. President Breadon in the Chair. Present Councilors Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell. Reverend Dr. Arlene O. Hall, Deliverance Temple Worship Center, delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the February 25, 2026 City Council Meeting. Motion prevailed.
- 2 ROLL CALL
- 3 APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 25, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
- 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
- 5 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend a grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) in an amount not to exceed One Million Five Hundred Nineteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Three Dollars ($1,519,383.00) for construction work related to improving HVAC systems at the Otis School in East Boston.
- 6 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) in the form of a grant, The Obama Foundation Grant, awarded by The Obama Foundation to be administered by the Office of Black Male Advancement. The grant would fund educational achievement, workforce readiness, safety, mentorship, and other locally defined priorities that contribute to long-term success for boys and young men of color.
- 7 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 8 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 9 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Gayana Daniel as ex-officio member of the Task Force on Literacy Rates, effective immediately.
- 10 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City from Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 7:30 P.M., returning Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 4:00 P.M.
- 11 Communication from Councilor Louijeune regarding equity in tourism.
- 12 Communication from Councilor Murphy clarifying Women's History Month resolution.
- 13 Communication from Councilor Murphy, request for immediate briefing on recent school safety incidents.
- 14 Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding the temporary suspension of concurrent phasing traffic signals in the days and weeks following significant snowstorms.
- 15 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 16 Order for a hearing on BPS staffing program impacts.
- 17 Order for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools' FY27 operating budget.
- 18 Order for a hearing to explore snow removal relief and options.
- 19 Order for a hearing regarding navigating city services for residents with complex family and caregiving needs.
- 20 Order for a hearing to discuss creation of a snow corps in Boston.
- 21 Order for a hearing to discuss the City of Boston purchasing snow melters.
- 22 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 23 Order for hearing to examine options to extend and fund the fare-free bus program for routes 23, 28, and 29. On motion of Councilor Culpepper, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Pepén and Worrell as original co-sponsors.
- 24 Order for a hearing regarding occupational cancer risks for Boston firefighters, and programs the City of Boston offers or could offer for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
- 25 Order for a hearing to examine treatment-centered policy approaches to address substance use disorder, homelessness, and civil rights issues in the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard area. On motion of Councilor Culpepper, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Flynn and FitzGerald as original co-sponsors.
- 26 Order for a hearing to examine potential reforms to the Massachusetts State Building Code to allow for mid-rise single stair buildings. On motion of Councilors Durkan and Breadon, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Santana as an original co-sponsor.
- 27 Order for a hearing to review the application and intent of Rule 15.
- 28 Order for a series of hearings regarding all City of Boston grants administered by the Boston Police Department.
- 29 Order for a hearing to conduct a comprehensive review of Boston’s Anti-Displacement Action Plan. On motion of Councilor Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Pepén and Santana as original co-sponsors.
- 30 Order for a hearing regarding recent juvenile weapon incidents and school safety coordination.
- 31 Order regarding a text amendment to the Boston Zoning Code to expand the eligible location of off-site affordable housing units under the Inclusionary Development Policy. On motion of Councilor Culpepper, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Worrell and Pepén as original co-sponsors.
- 32 Order regarding a text amendment to the Boston Zoning Code with respect to retail zoning.
- 33 Order regarding a text amendment to Article 37 of the Boston Zoning Code "Green Buildings and Net Zero Carbon", to expedite and lower costs for development processes. On motion of Councilor Worrell, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Culpepper and FitzGerald as original co-sponsors.
- 34 Resolution recognizing the work of Public Works employees during recent snow storm emergencies. On motion of Councilor Pepén, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Durkan and Culpepper as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Pepén, Durkan and Culpepper, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 35 Resolution urging the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the City to cancel proposed center running bus lanes as part of the Blue Hill Avenue transportation plan project and reallocate funds dedicated for the center running bus lanes to fund the continuation of the fare-free bus program.
- 36 Resolution recognizing March 8, 2026 as International Women's Day. On motion of Councilors Durkan and Breadon, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted
- 37 Resolution declaring March 17, 2026 as "Boston Fleet Olympic Medalist Day" in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilors Durkan and Worrell, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted: yeas 13 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell),
- 38 Resolution in support of ending health disparities impacting the Black community in Boston. On motion of Councilor Santana, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Culpepper and Worrell as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Santana, Culpepper, and Worrell, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted: yeas 13 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell),
- 39 Resolution expressing support for active duty service members and their families. On motion of Councilors Murphy and Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Santana as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Murphy, Flynn and Santana, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted: yeas 13 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell),
- 40 Resolution in support of the MBTA including sidewalk snow clearance in its upcoming commuter rail operator contract. On motion of Councilor Worrell, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 41 Resolution recognizing March 5th as Crispus Attucks Day in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Worrell, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Flynn and Mejia as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Worrell, Flynn, and Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 13 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell),
- 42 Resolution in support of the temporary replacement of concurrent pedestrian phasing traffic signals following snowstorms. On motion of Councilor Flynn, the resolution was not adopted; yeas 4 (Flynn, FitzGerald, Murphy, Worrell), present 9 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber).
- 43 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding the use of $558.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the City of Boston.
- 44 GREEN SHEETS:
- 45 Legislative Calendar for March 4, 2026.
- 46 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 46 Councilor Santana called Docket #0356, Resolution in support of "An Executive Order to Protect Bostonians from Unconstitutional and Violent Federal Operations", from the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. The report was accepted; the resolution was adopted: yeas 13 (Breadon, Coletta, Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 47 Resolution recognizing John Currier.
- 47 Councilor Breadon called Docket #0424, Resolution recognizing Women's History Month and the Boston City Council Women's History Month Celebration, from the Committee on Rules, Ethics, and Administration. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. The report was accepted; the resolution was adopted: yeas 13 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 48 Resolution recognizing Adam Dworanski.
- 48 The Chair stated that in absence of objection, one late filed matter would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matter was added:
- 49 Resolution recognizing Joel Taylor.
- 49 Communication was received from Councilor Culpepper regarding the proposed implementation of center-running bus lanes.
- 50 Resolution recognizing Beverly Christins.
- 51 Resolution in recognition of Frankel Aurelien.
- 51 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 52 Resolution recognizing Joseph Burke.
- 53 Resolution celebrating The Mission Grammar School Groundbreaking.
- 59 The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 60 Adjourned at 3:22 P.M. on motion of President Breadon, and in memory of Mary Reardon, Mary B. (McColgan) O'Toole, Richard Kanaskie, Mrs. Marie Dumornay, and David Lee, to meet again on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk