City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 113 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, October 22, 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. Pastor DeShay Freemyer-Jackson, Brighton-Allston Congregational Church, delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the October 8, 2025 City Council Meeting. Motion prevailed.
- 2 ROLL CALL
- 3 APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 8, 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 of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) from the United States Department of the Interior under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act of 1965 (Pub. L. 88-578, 78 Stat 897), to be administered by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, for purposes of making capital improvements to Ceylon Park in Dorchester. The Order also confirms that Ceylon Park is permanently dedicated for park and playground purposes, as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA), the grantor’s agent.
- 6 On the message and order, referred on October 22, Docket #1832, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eight Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand Six Hundred Fifty-Seven Dollars and Eighty-Seven Cents ($895,657.87) in the form of a grant, for the RESEA Program for Field CY25 Grant, awarded by 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 individual reemployment needs of Unemployment Insurance claimants, as well as prevent and detect improper benefit payments, and application assistance for training and education resources and programs, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.
- 7 On the message and order, referred on October 22, 2025, Docket #1833, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Ninety-Nine Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Six Dollars ($99,476.00) in the form of a grant from the Pipeline Emergency Response Grant (PERG), awarded by the United States Department of Transportation to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant will fund training for emergency responders in high-consequence areas to protect people, property, and the environment from accidents involving gas or hazardous liquid pipelines, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 8 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Forty-Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Dollars ($48,900.00) in the form of a grant for the 2025 Mayors Challenge Project Grant, awarded by the United Nations Development Programme to be administered by Operations. The grant will fund a study to address chronic school bus delays through AI-enabled traffic signal priority at key intersections and piloting innovative pick-up and drop-off scenarios to address congestion on neighborhood streets close to a school.
- 9 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Forty-Four Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Dollars ($44,780.00) in the form of a grant, for the Water Quality Assessment of Chandler Pond Grant, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to be administered by the Parks and Recreation Department. The grant will fund water quality monitoring in Chandler Pond for 12 months, develop a watershed-based plan to identify sources of pollution, engage the community to build continued support for the restoration of Chandler Pond and to educate abutters about what they can do to minimize urban impacts to the pond.
- 10 Message and order authorizing the Procurement Department to extend the term of an existing three (3) year contract for the purchase of ladder trucks for the Boston Fire Department (“BFD”). Two trucks contemplated under the contract were delivered in December 2024, but the remaining four trucks are currently scheduled to be delivered, two trucks at a time, in October 2026 and March 2027.
- 11 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 12 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 13 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Steven Farrell, as a Trustee of the Boston Groundwater Trust, for a term expiring November 2, 2025.
- 14 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of David O'Donahoe, as a Trustee of the Boston Groundwater Trust, for a term expiring October 6, 2029.
- 15 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Bethany Patten, as a Trustee of the Boston Groundwater Trust, for a term expiring October 6, 2029.
- 16 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Robert Qua, as a Trustee of the Boston Groundwater Trust, for a term expiring October 6, 2029.
- 17 Notice was received from the Mayor hereby delegating the authority vested in me pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87, section 4 to Brian Swett as Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space for the City of Boston. This delegation is effective October 20, 2025.
- 18 Communication was received from the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) regarding Boston Logan International Airport 2023/2024 Environmental Data Report - EEA #3247.
- 19 Communication was received from Evandro C. Carvalho, Executive Director, regarding the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency's Annual Report FY25.
- 20 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Matthew Dickey as a Member of the Boston Commemoration Commission effective immediately.
- 21 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Ester Farah as a Member of the Boston Commemoration Commission effective immediately.
- 22 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Claire Teylouni, as a Member of the Participatory Budget External Oversight Board, for a term expiring November 15, 2025.
- 23 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
- 24 On the home rule petition, referred on June 25, 2025, Docket #1277, for a Special Law re: An Act Relative to City of Boston Certified Emergency Telecommunicators, the committee submitted a report recommending that this matter ought to pass in a new draft. Councilor Worrell in the chair. The report was accepted; the petition was passed in a new draft; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 24 Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:
- 25 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 26 Order for a hearing regarding biannual review of the Boston Employment Commission and the Boston Residents Jobs Policy. Councilor Louijeune in the chair.
- 27 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 28 Petition for a Special Law re: An Act Directing the City of Boston Police Department to Waive the Maximum Age Requirement for Ryan Cazeau. On motion of Councilor Weber, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 29 Petition for a Special Law re: An Act Directing the City of Boston Police Department to Waive the Maximum Age Requirement for Police Officers for Jose Reyes. On motion of Councilor Worrell, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 11 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Murphy).
- 30 Order for a hearing to discuss H.3754 and automated road safety enforcement in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilors Pepén and Weber, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Worrell as an original co-sponsor.
- 31 Order for a hearing to discuss the City of Boston's 2030 Climate Action Plan.
- 32 Order for a hearing to facilitate the creation of Single Room Occupancy Units (SROs) in the City of Boston.
- 33 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.
- 34 Order regarding a text amendment to the Boston Zoning Code relative to Chinatown adult entertainment.
- 35 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding Boston Housing Authority (BHA) operations and standard practices.
- 36 Resolution recognizing October 26, 2025 as Intersex Awareness Day.
- 37 Resolution recognizing the "Hope Out of Darkness" art installation commemorating 170 years since Solomon Northup's visit to Boston.
- 38 Resolution in support of access to gender-affirming care in the City of Boston.
- 39 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 40 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Santana offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Ameera Suttles in City Council.
- 41 GREEN SHEETS:
- 42 Legislative Calendar for October 22, 2025.
- 43 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 44 Resolution in memory of Luis A. Velez-Cortes.
- 44 Councilor Worrell called Docket #1690, an order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) for the purpose of paying the cost of a feasibility study and schematic design associated with a project for the Ruth Batson Academy, formerly known as the John W. McCormick School, located at 315 Mount Vernon Street, Dorchester, MA 02125. 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. Hearing no objection, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor Worrell, the order was read a second time and again passed; yeas 11 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell); not present 1 (Murphy).
- 45 Resolution recognizing Gladtidings House of Prayer for All Nations.
- 46 Resolution recognizing Cub Scouts Pack 3.
- 46 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 47 Resolution recognizing Ismael Diaz Rodriguez.
- 48 Resolution recognizing Mission Hill NHS.
- 49 Resolution recognizing Veronika Testa.
- 50 Resolution recognizing five graduating students at Bioversity.
- 51 Resolution recognizing three students for their nomination for the Student Alumni Award at 3point Gala.
- 52 Resolution recognizing Patricia Sheffield.
- 53 Resolution recognizing All Dorchester Sport & Leadership and 10 other recipients of the 2025 Hidden Heroes Sheroes event.
- 54 Resolution in memory of Peter Joseph Meade.
- 55 Resolution recognizing John Nucci.
- 56 Resolution recognizing Animal Rescue League of Boston.
- 57 Resolution recognizing Kamankola.
- 58 Resolution recognizing The Turkish American Cultural Society.
- 59 Resolution recognizing Napoleon Jones-Henderson.
- 60 Resolution recognizing Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the City of Boston.
- 61 Resolution recognizing Dr. Orlando Gutierrez Boronat.
- 62 Resolution recognizing 30 individuals who received a 2025 Cedar Grove Civic Association Scholarship.
- 63 Resolution recognizing the Greater Boston Plumbing Contractors Association.
- 64 Resolution recognizing David Jacobs and Gen Tracy.
- 65 Resolution in memory of Gregory Timilty.
- 66 Resolution recognizing the Art Resource Collaborative for Kids (ARCK).
- 67 Resolution recognizing the South Boston Sports Hall of Fame.
- 68 Resolution recognizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
- 69 Resolution recognizing Waiman Lee.
- 70 Resolution recognizing Brigadier General Enoch O'Dell "Woody" Woodhouse II.
- 71 Resolution recognizing the Greater Boston Global Age Center.
- 72 Resolution recognizing the Chinese American Heritage Foundation.
- 73 Resolution recognizing the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Boston.
- 74 Resolution recognizing Boston Police Officer Javier Pagan.
- 75 Resolution recognizing Marilú Alvarado-Hernández.
- 76 Resolution recognizing the Massachusetts Affordable Homeownership Alliance.
- 77 Resolution recognizing Grealish Boxing Gym.
- 78 Resolution recognizing Zakiya Alake and 6 other community leaders.
- 79 Resolution recognizing Mary Stampley.
- 80 Resolution in memory of Paula Alexander.
- 81 Resolution recognizing Margarita Montero.
- 82 Resolution recognizing Ricardo Sanchez.
- 83 Resolution recognizing Ana Calderon.
- 84 Resolution recognizing William J. Martin.
- 85 Resolution recognizing Nicolas J. Perez.
- 86 Resolution recognizing MRKH Intersex Organization and three other groups.
- 87 Resolution recognizing New Mission High School.
- 88 Resolution recognizing Mattie Washington.
- 89 Resolution recognizing Maria Maria.
- 90 Resolution recognizing the Honorable Carlos Del Toro.
- 91 Resolution recognizing Anne Grimes Rand.
- 92 Resolution recognizing Bruce Blessington.
- 93 Resolution recognizing Carlos Zepeda.
- 94 Resolution recognizing Mariana Zapata.
- 95 Resolution recognizing Alejandro Preciado.
- 96 Resolution recognizing Marta Helena Patiño Henao.
- 97 Resolution recognizing Tommy Howard.
- 98 Resolution recognizing Kevin Smith.
- 99 Resolution recognizing the Greater Boston Association of Black Social Workers and four individuals.
- 100 Resolution in memory of Philip Castor.
- 101 Resolution in memory of Sinclair Osner Bernadeau.
- 102 Resolution recognizing Detective Juan Seoane.
- 103 Resolution in memory of David Milhomme.
- 104 Resolution recognizing Haitian Community leaders.
- 105 Resolution recognizing The Dot Pot.
- 106 Resolution recognizing The Ellie Fund.
- 107 Resolution in memory of Judge Leslie E. Harris.
- 108 Resolution recognizing Shane Pac.
- 112 The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 113 Adjourned at 2:29 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Philip Castor, Paula Alexander, Peachie Bodden, Richard Mitchell, Sr., Mary Williams, Lisa Dix, Sinclair Osner Bernadeau, David Milhomme, the Honorable Judge Leslie E. Harris, Jean Borgard, Billy Richtberg, and Michael Eugene “D’Angelo” Archer, to meet again on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk