City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 78 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, December 3, 2025 at 12:05 PM. President Louijeune in the Chair. Present Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell. Rev. Dr. Soliny Védrine, Boston Missionary Baptist Church, delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the November 19, 2025 City Council Meeting. Motion prevailed.
- 2 ROLL CALL
- 3 APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 19, 2025 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 in an amount not to exceed Four Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($425,000.00) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA), Division of Conservation Services’ Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Program. This grant is awarded to the City of Boston through the Parks and Recreation Department for renovations to Ronan Park located in the neighborhood of Dorchester.
- 6 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Three Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Eight Dollars ($339,888.00) in the form of a grant, Neighborhood Jobs Trust Grant, awarded by City Foundation to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant would fund both administrative and programmatic activities to ensure that funding allocated by the Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT) is used by training providers that prepare individuals with job readiness skills needed to secure permanent employment at the developers' project sites.
- 7 Councilor Santana called Docket #2036, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty-Four Dollars ($148,824.00) in the form of a grant, for the Federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Reallocation, awarded by the United States Department of Justice, passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund the Annual Boston Address Verification procedure mandated by the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board, from the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Santana, the order was passed.
- 8 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) in the form of a grant, Blue Cross Blue Shield/BlueRoots Collaboration Grant, awarded by Donor Group to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant would fund transforming underused land into sustainable assets that provide climate, wellness, and workforce benefits, with a focus on removing invasive plants and establishing a walking path.
- 9 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 10 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 11 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Nicholas Gove as Interim Commissioner of Public Works, effective November 24, 2025.
- 12 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Nicholas Gove as Interim Chief of Streets, Transportation, and Sanitation, effective November 24, 2025.
- 13 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Johnny Hernandez as Second Assistant Collector-Treasurer, effective November 20, 2025.
- 14 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City from Thursday November 27, 2025 at 12:00 P.M., returning Friday November 28, 2025 at 5:00 P.M.
- 15 Communication was received by the City Clerk from the Board of Election Commissioners certifying the results of the election held for Mayor and City Council.
- 16 Communication was received from Timothy J. Smyth, Executive Officer of the Boston Retirement Board re: Boston Retirement System CY26 Operating Budget.
- 17 Communication from Councilor Flynn to the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board to investigate frequent breakdown of elevators at BHA Ruth Barkley Apartments.
- 18 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
- 19 On the ordinance, referred on January 8, 2025, Docket #0138, codifying the Office of Returning Citizens, the committee submitted a report recommending that the ordinance ought to pass in a new draft. Councilor Worrell in the chair. The report was accepted; the ordinance was passed in a new draft; yeas 11 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Murphy).
- 19 Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:
- 20 On the message and order, referred on April 2, 2025, Docket #0722, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twelve Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-One Dollars ($12,881.00) in the form of a grant, for the Jobs for Veterans’ State Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Labor, passed through the United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund enhanced employment services for eligible veterans, prioritizing disabled veterans, and those facing significant barriers to employment, with the goal of improving their job search outcomes and economic self-sufficiency, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. Councilor Louijeune in the chair. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 11 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Murphy).
- 21 On the ordinance, referred on March 31, 2025, Docket #0766, extending and enhancing protections for tenants facing displacement due to condominium or cooperative conversion in the City of Boston, the committee submitted a report recommending that the ordinance ought to pass in a new draft. Councilor Coletta Zapata moved to substitute language. Motion prevailed. The report was accepted; the ordinance was passed in a new draft; yeas 11 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Murphy).
- 21 Councilor Flynn, on behalf of the Committee on Veterans, Military Families, and Military Affairs, submitted the following:
- 22 On the message and order, referred on October 29, 2025, Docket #1927, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Million Six Hundred Seven Thousand Dollars ($2,607,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Community Mitigation Grant, awarded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to be administered by the Office of Budget Management. The grant will fund offset costs related to the construction and operation of a gaming establishment, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 23 On the message and order, referred on November 19, 2025, Docket #1967, for your approval an order to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Six Million Seven Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand One Hundred Ninety-Six Dollars ($6,733,196.00) to provide funding for the Police Department for FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association (BPPA), the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 23 Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:
- 24 On the message and order, referred on November 19, 2025, Docket #1968, for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Police Department for FY26 in the amount Six Million Seven Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand One Hundred Ninety-Six Dollars ($6,733,196.00) to cover the FY26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPPA). The terms of the contract are July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The major provisions of the contract include a base wage increase of 2% and a 1% increase to hazardous duty differential. The contract also contains reforms relating to police performance evaluations and will require officers to wear nametags, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 25 On the message and order, referred on November 19, 2025, Docket #1969, for your approval an order to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Five Hundred Six Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Two Dollars ($506,452.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Health Commission for the FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston Public Health Commission and SEIU Local 888, Program collective bargaining unit, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 25 Councilor Worrell, on behalf of the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted the following:
- 26 On the message and order, referred on November 19, 2025, Docket #1970, for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Health Commission for the FY26 in the amount of Five Hundred Six Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Two Dollars ($506,452.00) to cover the FY26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the Public Health Commission and SEIU, Local 888, Programs collective bargaining unit. The term of the contract covers October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2027. The major provisions contract include base wage increases of 2% along with flat dollar weekly increases totaling to an annual increase of $500, $200, $550, then $500 to be given in January of each year of the contract term. The agreement also includes amendments to the longevity/career awards and reclassifications on lowest paid employees, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 27 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 28 Order for a hearing to learn how the City Council can support the Mayor's Youth Sports Initiative to increase youth sports participation across Boston.
- 29 Order for a hearing to discuss electrical equipment maintenance and utility safety.
- 30 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 31 On the order, referred on December 3, 2025, Docket #2045, relative to the adoption of tax classification in the City of Boston in FY 2026, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 32 Order for a hearing on building a stronger fair housing future for Boston.
- 33 Resolution in support of expanding prevention and public awareness campaigns related to drink spiking in the City of Boston.
- 34 Resolution in support of establishing a Chinese American Veterans Memorial on the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
- 35 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 36 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Flynn offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Jesse Weiskop Blank in City Council, effective November 29, 2025.
- 37 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Melissa Morgan in City Council, effective January 10, 2026.
- 38 GREEN SHEETS:
- 39 Legislative Calendar for December 3, 2025.
- 40 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 41 Resolution recognizing La Bél Luxury Studio.
- 42 Resolution recognizing Irene McSweeney.
- 43 Resolution recognizing Shattuck Award Recipients.
- 44 Resolution recognizing Anthony Lewis.
- 44 Councilor Worrell called Docket #1926, message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of Eleven Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($11,100,000.00) for the purpose of paying costs for the window and door replacement projects at the following schools: the Gardner Pilot Academy School and the Lyndon 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 Worrell, the order was read a second time and again passed; yeas 10 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Weber, Worrell), not present 2 (Murphy, Santana).
- 45 Resolution recognizing four individuals upon the 59th anniversary of Barbados’ Independence.
- 45 Councilor Durkan called Docket #1990, Communication was received from the City Clerk transmitting a communication from the Boston Landmarks Commission for City Council action on the designation of the petition #152.89, Ferdinand's Blue Store Bruce C. Bolling Building) 2260 - 2270 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA, as a Landmark (In effect after December 17, 2025 if not acted upon), from the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the designation was passed.
- 46 Resolution recognizing Jenny Hall.
- 46 The Chair stated that in absence of objection, nine late filed matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matters were added:
- 47 Resolution in memory of Kathleen “Kitty” Whelan.
- 47 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor FitzGerald offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Jessica Correia, Amanda Curley, Liam Rimas, and Julie Ryan in City Council, effective November 29, 2025.
- 48 Resolution recognizing Mari McCullough.
- 48 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor FitzGerald offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Jessica Correia, Amanda Curley, Liam Rimas, and Julie Ryan in City Council, effective December 6, 2025.
- 49 Resolution recognizing Joe Zuffante.
- 49 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Pepén offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Dianna Bronchuk-Jacob, Sherri R. Cajuste, Edward Conley, and Gabriel Cruz in City Council, effective November 29, 2025.
- 50 Resolution recognizing Stan Leonard.
- 50 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Pepén offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Dianna Bronchuk-Jacob, Sherri R. Cajuste, Edward Conley, and Gabriel Cruz in City Council, effective December 6, 2025.
- 51 Resolution recognizing Larry Stevens.
- 51 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Weber offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Melissa Beltran, Clare Brooks, Mark A. Cohen, Korri Crowley, Bonnie Delaune, and Jordan Frias in City Council, effective November 29, 2025.
- 52 Resolution recognizing Wally Southern.
- 52 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Weber offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Melissa Beltran, Clare Brooks, Mark A. Cohen, Korri Crowley, Bonnie Delaune, and Jordan Frias in City Council, effective December 6, 2025.
- 53 Resolution recognizing Erin Tombari, NP.
- 53 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Santana offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Matthew W. Broude, Ana E. Calderon, Carla Indus Johnson, Joaquim Lombos, Julia E. Manolios, Wilmer Quinones, Ameera Suttles, and Gabrielle Waiter in City Council, effective November 29, 2025.
- 54 Resolution recognizing Alexyss Femino, RN.
- 54 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Santana offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Matthew W. Broude, Ana E. Calderon, Carla Indus Johnson, Joaquim Lombos, Julia E. Manolios, Wilmer Quinones, Ameera Suttles, and Gabrielle Waiter in City Council, effective December 6, 2025.
- 55 Resolution recognizing Ashley Finerty, RN.
- 55 Communication from Councilor Flynn to Nicholas Ariniello, Commissioner of the Boston Assessing Department, requesting data for a hearing to discuss tax rates for residential and commercial property owners in Boston.
- 56 Resolution recognizing Elizabeth DiTavi, RN.
- 57 Resolution recognizing VROCC Cocina.
- 57 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 58 Resolution recognizing Best of the Back Bay.
- 59 Resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of Garlands & Greens.
- 77 The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 78 Adjourned at 2:35 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Newman A. Flanagan, Susan M. (Anderson) Flynn, Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, Oscar Castillo, Mary “Jamila” Elizabeth Philips, State Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante, Boston EMT Regina Suprin, Matilde Del Pilar Mata Polance Viuda De Garcia, and Alison Marie Wilson, to meet again on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Dassie Bheecham Assistant City Clerk