City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 107 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, February 25, 2026 at 12:09 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 February 11, 2026 City Council Meeting. Motion prevailed.
- 2 ROLL CALL
- 3 APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 11, 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 the amount of One Hundred Eighty-Nine Thousand Dollars ($189,000.00) in the form of a grant, The Solar Recommissioning Project Grant, awarded by MA Department of Energy Resources to be administered by the Environment. The grant would fund the replacement of existing inverters with newer models, the incorporation of rapid shutdown modules to meet safety regulations, the replacement of the monitoring system, and proper redressing of wiring.
- 6 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.
- 7 Message transmitting certain information under Section 17F regarding cost of out-of-district vocational placements for Boston resident students, Docket #0297, passed by the City Council on February 4, 2026.
- 8 Message transmitting certain information under Section 17F regarding traveling Boston Public School employees and parking access needs, Docket #0298, passed by the City Council on February 4, 2026.
- 9 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 10 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 11 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City from Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 7:00 A.M., returning Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 12:00 P.M.
- 12 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City from Monday, February 16, 2026 at 9:00 A.M., returning Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.
- 13 Notice was received from the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Ordinances of 1979 re: action taken by the Mayor on papers acted upon by the City Council at its meeting of February 11, 2026.
- 14 Communication was received from the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding “Proposed Minor Modification to the Washington Park Urban Renewal Plan, Project No. Mass. R-24, with respect to Parcel L-19.”
- 15 Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding temporary rollback of Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) percentage for five years.
- 16 Communication was received from the Office of Black Male Advancement of the report entitled "Black Male Advancement Impact Report 2025".
- 17 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 18 Order for a hearing on BPS staffing program impacts.
- 19 Order for a hearing regarding Boston Public Schools student-athlete transfer and eligibility policies.
- 20 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 21 An Ordinance Establishing the Boston Emergency Relief Fund.
- 22 An Ordinance Modernizing and Increasing Transparency at the Zoning Board of Appeal.
- 23 Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to the Zoning Board of Appeal.
- 24 Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Directing the City of Boston Fire Department to Waive the Maximum Age Requirement for Firefighters for Richard Scimeca.
- 25 Order for a hearing regarding Boston LGBTQIA+ youth community spaces and their public health benefits.
- 26 Order for a hearing regarding Boston's LGBTQIA+ mental health data collection processes, existing services, and further community needs.
- 27 Order for a hearing to ensure access to lifesaving online resources for LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized communities in response to proposed federal and state digital censorship legislation.
- 28 Order for a hearing regarding legalizing construction of triple-deckers and other 2- to 4-unit housing in the City of Boston.
- 29 Order for a hearing regarding legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in every neighborhood in the city of Boston.
- 30 Order for a hearing to facilitate the creation of Single Room Occupancy (SROs) in the City of Boston.
- 31 Order for a hearing to discuss how Boston Public Schools can expand the use of evidence-based best practices for inclusive learning environments for multilingual and special education learners.
- 32 Order for a hearing regarding the public safety requirements and possible locations for a new emergency operations center in the city of Boston.
- 33 Order for a hearing regarding how the Boston Police Department collects, uses, protects, and shares information that may be requested by external entities.
- 34 Order for a hearing regarding all City of Boston grants administered by the Boston Fire Department.
- 35 Order for a hearing to discuss parking benefit districts.
- 36 Order for a hearing to examine reallocating funding for the Blue Hill Avenue project toward streetscape improvements and beautification and to provide a status update on project implementation.
- 37 Order for a hearing to examine the status of the proposed Long Island reconstruction project and the reopening of the Long Island Treatment Center.
- 38 Order for a hearing to examine weather emergency policies for unhoused individuals in the City of Boston and coordination with housing and homelessness assistance providers and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
- 39 Order for a hearing to examine crossing guard staffing shortages in the City of Boston and to explore strategies for improved coordination and volunteer recruitment.
- 40 Order for a hearing on transparency and accountability of private fundraising in Boston Public Schools.
- 41 Order for a hearing to review prevention and response to bullying, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct in Boston Public Schools.
- 42 Order for a hearing to identify community priorities, needs, and hopes in Boston Public Schools.
- 43 Order for a hearing on civil rights, constitutional, and legal implications of the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), The Associative Violence Information System (AVIS), Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR), and participation in Federal Joint Task Forces (JTTF).
- 44 Order for a hearing to examine and modernize the Boston City Charter in advance of the City's 400th anniversary.
- 45 Order for a hearing to explore how to amend special law to expand access to the ballot box by removing language barriers and aligning with the language and communications access ordinance.
- 46 Order for a hearing to bring World Cup activations and economic activity to Boston neighborhoods.
- 47 Order for a hearing to discuss water and sewer infrastructure in Chinatown and the Leather District.
- 48 Order for a hearing on the establishment of a Committee on Civility in the City of Boston.
- 49 Order for a hearing to discuss appropriate uses of Boston 311 and 9-1-1 emergency.
- 50 Order for a hearing to discuss the Boston 2025 crime statistics.
- 51 Order for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools (BPS) health services leadership requirements.
- 52 Resolution recognizing Women's History Month and reaffirming Boston's commitment to women's rights.
- 53 Resolution declaring February 17, 2026 as Jesse Jackson Day in the City of Boston.
- 54 Resolution recognizing the 27th of February as Dominican Independence Day.
- 55 Resolution recognizing March 2nd as Read Across America Day.
- 56 Resolution recognizing March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in the City of Boston.
- 57 Resolution recognizing March as National Social Work Month.
- 58 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).
- 59 Resolution urging continued funding of the MBTA's Fare-Free Bus Program.
- 60 Resolution in recognition of the Independence of Ghana on March 6, 1957.
- 61 Resolution in support of H.D. 5608, "An Act Promoting Rule of Law, Oversight, Trust, and Equal Constitutional Treatment," (The PROTECT Act).
- 62 Resolution in support of an initiative to create a U.S. commemorative stamp series in honor of African American Veterans.
- 63 Resolution in support of receiving a response to docket #0221: Order requesting certain information under Section 17F: regarding elevator access, life safety, and disability compliance.
- 64 Resolution in support of establishing a Blue Ribbon Commission to study and address Downtown office vacancies and city revenue.
- 65 Resolution in support of the seven nights per week "Residential Parking Only" in South Boston.
- 66 Resolution in support of a temporary rollback for the Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) and affordable housing requirement to 13%.
- 67 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding increased White Stadium costs and their effect on other Boston Public Schools capital projects.
- 68 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding Memoranda of Understanding, cooperation agreements or collaborative partnerships between the City of Boston and external entities.
- 69 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding detainer requests from January 1, 2024 to the present.
- 70 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 71 Councilor Breadon offers the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Veniece Miller in City Council, effective February 28, 2026.
- 72 Councilor Breadon for Councilor Mejia offers the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee John D. Moore in City Council, effective February 21, 2026.
- 73 Councilor Breadon for Councilor Mejia offers the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Millie Rivera and Skarlett Abreu Martinez in City Council, effective February 21, 2026.
- 74 Councilor Breadon for Councilor Mejia offers the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Millie Rivera and Skarlett Abreu Martinez in City Council, effective February 28, 2026.
- 75 GREEN SHEETS:
- 76 Legislative Calendar for February 25, 2026.
- 76 Councilor Weber called Docket #0128, message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of Six Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($6,500,000.00) for the purpose of paying costs for the window and door replacement projects at the following schools: the Edward Everett Elementary School and the Richard J. Murphy K-8 School. This includes the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto, and for which the City of Boston may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of the Public Facilities Department on behalf of the Boston Public Schools, from the Committee on Ways and Means. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Weber, the order was read a second time and again passed: yeas 13 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 77 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 77 Councilor Weber called Docket #0129, message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) for the purpose of paying costs for the roof replacement projects at the following schools: the Thomas J. Kenny Elementary School and Hugh Roe O’Donnell Elementary School. This includes the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto, and for which the City of Boston may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of the Public Facilities Department on behalf of the Boston Public Schools, from the Committee on Ways and Means. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Weber, the order was read a second time and again passed: yeas 13 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 78 Resolution recognizing Boston Hip-Hop Legends.
- 78 The Chair stated that in absence of objection, 1 late-filed matter would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matter was added:
- 79 Resolution recognizing Norman Brown.
- 79 Communication from the Law Department regarding an Open Meeting Law complaint filed on February 21, 2026.
- 80 Resolution recognizing February 12, 2026 as "North End Curling Club Day" in the City of Boston.
- 81 Resolution celebrating the grand opening of Swingers Back Bay.
- 81 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 82 Resolution congratulating the Boston Lunar New Year Festival Gala.
- 83 Resolution recognizing Joseph Charles.
- 84 Resolution recognizing eight (8) individuals upon receipt of their awards in celebration of Afro-Caribbean Black History.
- 85 Resolution recognizing the Luis D. Brown Peace Institution.
- 86 Resolution recognizing the Allston Brighton Health Collaborative.
- 87 Resolution recognizing Ethan Torres.
- 88 Resolution recognizing Belencita Rosa.
- 89 Resolution recognizing staff of the Benjamin Healthcare Center and 11 individuals.
- 90 Resolution in memory of Scott MacIsaac.
- 91 Resolution recognizing The Ice Creamsmith.
- 96 The Chair stated in absence of objection, 8 late-filed matters would be added to the Consent Agenda. No objection being heard, the following items were added:
- 97 Resolution in memory of Juan Gabriel Lopez.
- 98 Resolution recognizing Lorraine Schettino.
- 99 Resolution in memory of George Jeas.
- 100 Resolution recognizing Segun Idowu.
- 101 Resolution recognizing Annie Corrine Johnson.
- 102 Resolution recognizing The Black Builders of Boston and 16 award-winners celebrating the 100th anniversary of Black History Month.
- 103 Resolution recognizing The Black Men and Boys Commission.
- 104 Resolution in memory of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
- 105 The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 106 Adjourned at 4:02 p.m. on motion of President Breadon, and in memory of Juan Gabriel Lopez, China Altman, Anna Priscilla Monge, Joseph G. Oakley, Bob Aliano, Boston Firefighter William G. Carey, George Jeas, Sheryl Goler Richards, Marianne McLaughlin, Santos Laboy, and Rev. Jesse Jackson, to meet again on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk