City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 71 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, September 24, 2025, at 12:03 P.M. President Louijeune in the Chair. Present Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, and Weber. Absent Councilor Worrell. Reverend Father Alexandros Pretorian of St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church, delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the September 17, 2025 City Council Meeting. Motion prevailed.
- 2 ROLL CALL
- 3 APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
- 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
- 5 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).
- 6 On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1691, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Nine Hundred Ninety-Eight Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Dollars and Eighty Cents (1,998,370.80) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Youth Program 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 a comprehensive youth employment program to serve eligible youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers to education, training and employment, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.
- 7 On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1692, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Five Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand Sixty-Five Dollars and Fifty Cents ($1,559,065.50) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Adult Activities, 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 services to help job seekers access employment, education, skills training, apprenticeships and support services, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.
- 8 On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1693, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Forty Thousand Four Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars and Sixty-Seven Cents ($1,040,435.67) in the form of a grant, for the Wagner Peyser Program, awarded by 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 the 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.
- 9 On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1694, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Nine Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand Six Dollars ($966,006.00) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Dislocated Workers Grant, awarded by 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 a program to help dislocated workers get back to work as quickly as possible and overcome barriers to employment, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.
- 10 On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1695, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eight Hundred Eighty-Four Thousand One Hundred Eleven Dollars ($884,111.00) in the form of a grant, for the One Stop Career Center Grant, awarded by MassHire Department of Career Services to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund comprehensive career services and resources to unemployed job seekers such as reviewing job postings, career counseling and job coaching, education/skills training, and job placement assistance, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.
- 11 WITHDRAWN.
- 12 On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1697, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Seven Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Four Dollars ($107,334.00) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Dislocation Workers Administration Grant, awarded by 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 individualized career services and training services, for dislocated workers to rejoin the workforce as early as possible and overcome barriers to employment, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.
- 13 Message transmitting certain information under Section 17F relative to the Boston Public Schools, Docket #1636 passed by the City Council on September 8, 2025.
- 14 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 15 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 16 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Andrea Hennelly as acting Executive Director of People and Culture, effective September 15, 2025.
- 17 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Antoine Salvador, Psy.D as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 18 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Hasan Muhammed as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 19 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Ailson Carvalho as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 20 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Laurence Justice as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 21 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Malik Aziz as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 22 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Shareef Smith as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 23 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Richard Kelly Cameron as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 24 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Jerel Ferguson as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 25 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Maddrey Goode as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 26 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Dr. Rufus J. Faulk as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 27 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Rudy Luders as a Member of the Black Men and Boys Commission for a term expiring July 1, 2028.
- 28 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 April 9, 2025.
- 29 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 August 27, 2025.
- 30 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 September 10, 2025.
- 31 Communication from Councilor Flynn in opposition to Bill S1393 “An Act Relative to Preventing Overdose Deaths and Increasing Access to Treatment”.
- 32 Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding community opposition to PLAN: Downtown.
- 33 Communication from Councilor Durkan regarding the Federal Government's decision to cancel the $20 million Roxbury Resilient Corridors Grant.
- 34 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 35 Order for a hearing to discuss the impact of CORI on access to employment and other opportunities.
- 36 Hearing Order regarding Immediate Reforms to Background Checks, Sex-Offender Screening, and Ongoing Stability Reviews for City of Boston Hiring and Employment.
- 37 Message and order for your approval an Order To Adopt The Liquor License Conversion as a Local Option in the City of Boston. The rules were suspended, the order was passed: yeas 9 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber), nays 1 (Flynn), not present 1 (Mejia), absent 1 (Worrell).
- 37 Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations:
- 38 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).
- 39 Order for a hearing to discuss ways to ensure operations of the 911 system and contingency plans in case of a 911 system outage.
- 40 On the motion and order, referred on August 21, 2025, Docket #1570, an order to hold a meeting to interview applicants for the Community Preservation Committee, the committee submitted a report recommending that the appointment of Michelle Holmes Foster, ought to be confirmed.
- 41 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 42 Home Rule Petition for a Special Law Re: an Act Relative to Waive the Maximum Age Requirement for Police Officers for Luisa Fernandes. On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 10 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber); not present 1 (Mejia); absent 1 (Worrell).
- 43 Order for a hearing regarding legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in every neighborhood in the City of Boston.
- 44 Order for a hearing to audit and review capital budget allocations and expenditures.
- 45 Resolution in opposition to safe injection sites in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Murphy and FitzGerald as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Flynn, Murphy, and FitzGerald, the rules were suspended; the resolution was not adopted; yeas 3 (FitzGerald, Flynn, and Murphy), nays 8 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, and Weber), absent 1 (Worrell).
- 46 Resolution recognizing October 1, 2025 as Nigerian Independence Day. Councilor Breadon in the chair. On motion of Councilors Louijeune and Pepén, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 47 GREEN SHEETS:
- 48 Legislative Calendar for September 24, 2025.
- 49 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 50 Resolution recognizing Lisa Zinck.
- 50 Councilor Murphy called Docket #0892, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-Three Dollars ($137,753.00) in the form of a grant, for the FY25/FY26 Retired Senior Volunteer Program grant, awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund administration for senior community service volunteers, including reimbursement for meals and travel expenses, from the Committee on Strong Women, Families, and Communities. President Louijeune in the chair. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Murphy, the order was passed.
- 51 Resolution recognizing John Audi of John’s Gas.
- 51 The Chair stated that in absence of objection, four late filed matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matters were added:
- 52 Resolution memorializing the life and legacy of Jeff Rogers.
- 52 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Olivia Huynh in City Council, effective September 30, 2025.
- 53 Resolution recognizing btone Fitness.
- 53 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Breadon offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Juliet Hassenberg in City Council, effective October 1, 2025.
- 54 Resolution recognizing The Renfrew Center.
- 54 Notice was received from Councilor Worrell regarding his absence from the September 24, 2025 City Council Meeting.
- 55 Resolution recognizing the 45th anniversary of the Allston-Brighton CDC.
- 55 Resolution recognizing October as Italian American Heritage Month. On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 56 Resolution recognizing the rehabilitation of Hastings House.
- 56 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 57 Resolution recognizing Ed Cook.
- 58 Resolution recognizing Marvin E. Gilmore.
- 59 Resolution recognizing Sergeant Jack Hynes.
- 60 Resolution recognizing Gil and Maria Miranda.
- 61 Resolution recognizing two youths, two businesses, and four community leaders as award winners at the 11th Annual Bowdoin Geneva Community Day.
- 70 The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 71 Adjourned at 1:46 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Darryl Logan Alexander, Victor Martinez and Dr. Shirley Alexandra Tozzi Martinez (Cisnell) to meet again on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Dassie Bheecham Assistant City Clerk