City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 115 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, June 25, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. President Louijeune in the Chair. All Councilors Present. Father John A. Currie, Boston Fire Department, delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. President Louijeune moved to adopt the minutes from the June 11, 2025 meeting. Motion Prevailed.
- 2 ROLL CALL
- 3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
- 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
- 5 Message and order for your approval an order to reduce the FY25 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Seven Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Forty-Two Dollars ($747,842.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Library Department for the FY25 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the AFSCME, Local 1526. On motion of Councilor Worrell, the order was passed; yeas 12.
- 6 Message and order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Library Department for FY25 in the amount of Seven Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Forty-Two Dollars ($747,842) to cover the FY25 cost items continued within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and AFSCME, Local 1526. The terms of the contracts are October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026 and October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The major provisions of the contracts include base wage increases of 2% to be given in October of each fiscal year of the contract term and flat amounts of $500, $250, $800, and $175 to be added to annual salaries in January of each fiscal year. The agreement also includes the addition of prepaid legal benefits as well as changes to Sunday overtime for certain positions. On motion of Councilor Worrell, the order was passed; yeas 12.
- 7 On the message and order, referred on June 25, 2025, Docket #1258, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend a grant not to exceed One Million One Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($1,170,000.00) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program. The grant is awarded to the City of Boston through the Parks and Recreation Department for renovations to Moakley Park located in the neighborhood of South Boston, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted, the order was passed: yeas 10 (Breadon, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Mejia), absent 1 (Coletta Zapata).
- 8 Councilor Santana called Docket #1259, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($450,000.000) in the form of a grant from the Cummings Foundation, to be administered by the Office of Human Services. The grant will support violence prevention, including events, community outreach and engagement, and efforts to support the City’s summer safety plan and Plan to End Violence, from the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Santana, the order was passed.
- 9 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Three Hundred Forty-Four Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars ($344,335.00) in the form of a grant, for the Federal FY26 Senior Companion Program, awarded by AmeriCorps to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund administration of the Senior Companion Program, including reimbursement for travel and meals plus stipend for volunteers who provide companionship to homebound and frail seniors.
- 10 On the message and order, referred on June 25, 2025, Docket #1261, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Fifty-One Thousand One Hundred Forty-Five Dollars ($251,145.00) in the form of a grant, for the MA Innocence and Conviction Integrity Collaboration Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Justice, passed through the Committee for Public Counsel Services, to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund the BPD Crime Lab staff time for the Massachusetts Innocence and Conviction Integrity Collaboration Project, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 11 On the message and order, referred on June 25, 2025, Docket #1262, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Boston Family Day Grant, awarded by the Boston Foundation to be administered by the Office of Arts and Culture. The grant will fund the Boston Family Day program from 2025-2026, provided by the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass. The report was accepted, the order was passed: yeas 11 (Breadon, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), absent 1 (Coletta Zapata).
- 12 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirty-Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($36,500.00) in the form of a grant for the Chronicle Heritage Donation, awarded by the Chronicle Heritage to be administered by the Office of Historic Preservation. The grant will fund payroll expenses.
- 13 On the message and order, referred on June 25, 2025, Docket #1264, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirty-Four Thousand Three Hundred Forty-Nine Dollars and Thirty-Six Cents ($34,349.36) in the form of a grant, for the Carry-In Regional Planning Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund regional planning efforts to address the creation of regional pipeline programming for high demand industries and occupations in alignment with regional planning priorities, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 14 On the message and order, referred on June 25, 2025, Docket #1265, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twelve Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-Nine Dollars and Eighty-One Cents ($12,869.81) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Youth Administration 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 administrative cost associated with providing a comprehensive youth employment program that serves eligible youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers to education, training, and employment, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 15 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 16 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 17 Communication was received from Council President Ruthzee Louijeune regarding City Council Rule 5.
- 18 Notice was received from Councilor Fernandes Anderson regarding her resignation from the Boston City Council effective Friday, July 4, 2025.
- 19 Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding Boston Policy Institute's latest report on Downtown Office Vacancies.
- 20 Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding Boston Fish Pier.
- 21 Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding establishing a Blue Ribbon Commission.
- 22 Communication was received from Councilor Flynn to Chief of Planning Kairos Shen regarding PLAN: Downtown.
- 23 Communication was received from Councilor Fernandes Anderson regarding the development of centralized and accountable equity-driven dashboards across key City Departments.
- 24 Communication was received from Councilors Murphy and Flynn regarding Docket #1101, order for a hearing to review the hiring, training and compliance certification of BPS Bus Drivers.
- 25 On the message and order, referred on June 25, 2025, Docket #1274, communication was received from Eneida Tavares, Chair of the Board of Election, regarding the Citizen Petition to establish an Independent Municipal Inspector General, the committee submitted a report recommending that this matter ought to pass. Councilor Coletta Zapata moved to substitute language. Motion prevailed. The communication did not pass; yeas 3 (Mejia, Murphy, Worrell), nays 9.
- 26 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 #268.20, The Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington Street, Boston, MA, as a Landmark (In effect after July 23, 2025 if not acted upon).
- 27 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
- 28 On the message and order, referred on March 12, 2025, Docket #0648, for your approval an Order authorizing the City of Boston Streets Cabinet to enter into a contract for a period of up to ten years for the services of an operator for the City’s public bike share program, Bluebikes. The contract term would begin in 2026. The City Council’s permission to enter into a contract of this type for a period of more than three years is required by section 12 of Chapter 30B of the General Laws, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 28 Councilor Durkan, on behalf of the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation, submitted the following:
- 29 On the message and order, referred on April 2, 2025, Docket #0720, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program, awarded by the United States Department of Transportation to be administered by the Transportation Department. The grant will fund safety design and construction in intersections to employ low-cost, high impact strategies through a safety and equity lens for Complete Street. The principal safety issues addressed are speeding, pedestrian crashes, as well as visibility issues, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 30 On the message and order, referred on June 4, 2025, Docket #1133, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Five Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($550,000.00) in the form of a grant awarded by the Cummings Foundation. The grant will fund the City of Boston’s violence prevention work including activations and events, community outreach, block parties and the Youth Options Unlimited program, and other efforts consistent with the City’s summer safety plan and Plan to End Violence, submits a report recommending the order ought to pass.
- 31 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 31 Councilor Santana, on behalf of the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice, submitted the following:
- 32 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 33 On the message and Ordinance to prioritize surplus municipal property as affordable housing, the committee submitted a report recommending 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 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
- 34 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).
- 35 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 Alex J. Rodriguez. Councilor Louijeune in the Chair. On motion of Councilor Mejia, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 11, not present 2 (Durkan, Santana). Later in session, Councilor Santana moved to reconsider the vote. Motion prevailed. The petition was passed; yeas 12, not present 1 (Durkan).
- 36 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 Luis Cabral. On motion of Councilor Pepén, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 10, not present 3 (Durkan, Murphy, Santana). Later in session, Councilor Santana moved to reconsider the vote. Motion prevailed. The petition was passed; yeas 11, not present 2 (Durkan, Murphy).
- 37 Petition for a Special Law re: An Act Directing the City of Boston Police Department to Waive the Maximum Age Requirement for Angel G. Rivera. On motion of Councilor Flynn, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 10, not present 3 (Durkan, Murphy, Santana). Later in session, Councilor Santana moved to reconsider the vote. Motion prevailed. The petition was passed; yeas 11, not present 2 (Durkan, Murphy).
- 38 Order for a hearing to discuss the community process to designate the Boston Fish Pier as a landmark.
- 39 Order for a hearing regarding the Boston Public Schools Exam Schools admissions policy and proposed changes.
- 40 Order for a hearing to bring a Historically Black College or University Satellite Campus to Boston.
- 41 Order for a hearing to discuss the Boston Fire Department hiring process and practices.
- 42 Order for a hearing regarding reviving the "Red Shirts" program.
- 43 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F re: Assessment of Commercial Properties in the City of Boston.
- 44 WITHDRAWN
- 45 Resolution to support the right of parents to bring their infants to work. On motion of Councilors Fernandes Anderson and Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 9, nays 4 (Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Pepén).
- 46 Resolution recognizing The First Edition of The District 7 Workbook. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was not adopted; yeas 4 (Fernandes Anderson, Mejia, Santana, Louijeune), nays 2 (FitzGerald, Flynn), present 1 (Weber), not present 6.
- 47 Resolution urging a State and City partnership to build housing for young adults, including those aging out of DCF on community college campuses in Boston. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 47 On motion of Council President Louijeune, Docket #1296 was taken out of order:
- 48 Resolution calling for a comprehensive transportation study to evaluate Boston's multimodal system, including parking, access, equity, and infrastructure outcomes. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 49 Resolution calling for urgent structural reforms to strengthen Boston's housing pipeline, anti-displacement strategies, and affordability framework. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 50 Resolution designating the Downtown RFI Area as a Boston Cultural District led by Indigenous and Black communities as a step towards reparations. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 7, nays 3 (FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy), present 1 (Durkan), not present 2 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata).
- 51 Resolution calling for a Black Economic Development Plan and Equity-backed Budget Framework to close Boston's racial wealth gap. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 10, nays 1 (Flynn), not present 2 (Coletta Zapata, Weber). Later in session, Councilor Flynn moved to reconsider the vote. Motion prevailed. The resolution was adopted, yeas 11, not present 2 (Coletta Zapata, Weber).
- 52 Resolution to support public understanding of the role and responsibilities of Boston City Councilors. On motion of Councilors Fernandes Anderson and Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 53 Resolution to call for an independent investigation into City Hall terminations, retaliation claims, and supervisory conduct.
- 54 Resolution declaring the Boston City Council's support of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Shadow Regulations as affirmed by session law.
- 55 Resolution to recognize and to celebrate the independence of Cabo Verde and to declare July as Cabo Verdean Heritage Month. On motion of Councilors Fernandes Anderson and Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 12, not present 1 (Durkan).
- 56 Resolution recognizing June as Homeownership Month in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Worrell, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Louijeune and Mejia as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Worrell, Louijeune and Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 12, not present 1 (Durkan).
- 57 Resolution in honor and gratitude to the District 7 constituents for their courage, diversity, and collective commitment to justice and civic engagement. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 58 GREEN SHEETS:
- 59 Legislative Calendar for June 25, 2025.
- 60 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 61 Resolution honoring and recognizing the staff of the District 7 Office.
- 62 Resolution recognizing Bernadette Pignone.
- 62 The Chair stated that in absence of objection, seven late file matters would be added to the agenda. No objection being heard, the following items were added:
- 63 Resolution recognizing Olivia Cichon.
- 63 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Santana offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Carla Indus Johnson and Gabrielle Waiter in City Council, effective June 21, 2025.
- 64 Resolution recognizing Dat Fitzgerald.
- 64 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Santana offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Carla Indus Johnson and Gabrielle Waiter in City Council, effective June 28, 2025.
- 65 Resolution recognizing Colin O'Dwyer.
- 65 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Dorah Pierre Louis in City Council, effective June 28, 2025.
- 66 Resolution recognizing Rosa Sobradelo.
- 66 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Bolivar Hiciano in City Council, effective June 28, 2025.
- 67 Resolution recognizing 6 businesses in District One for being awarded the Legacy Business award 2025.
- 67 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Sydney Weekes in City Council, effective June 28, 2025.
- 68 Resolution recognizing Caffe Dello Sport.
- 68 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Flynn offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Charles Levin, Melissa Lo, Sydney Scanlan and Vanessa Woo in City Council, effective June 28, 2025.
- 69 Resolution recognizing Rocco Telese.
- 69 An ordinance amending City of Boston Code, Ordinances, 2-8.3.
- 70 Resolution recognizing The North End Branch Library.
- 70 Councilor Worrell called Docket #0828, approving an appropriation order in the amount of Two Hundred Sixty-Six Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($266,100,000.00) for various capital improvement purposes for city departments including the Boston Center for Youth and Families, Boston Housing Authority, Boston Planning and Development Agency, Boston Public Library, Innovation and Technology, Environment, Fire, Mayor’s Office of Housing, Office of Arts and Culture, Parks and Recreation, Police, Property Management, Public Health Commission, Public Works, and the Transportation Department, 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, nays 2 (Breadon, Mejia).
- 71 Resolution recognizing Memorial Hall.
- 71 Councilor Worrell called Docket #0829, appropriation order in the amount of One Hundred Ninety-Six Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($196,900,000.00) for various capital improvements purposes for 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; nays 2 (Breadon, Mejia).
- 72 Resolution in memory of William Tanner.
- 72 Councilor Worrell called Docket #0830, authorizing the City of Boston to enter into one or more leases, lease-purchase or installment sales agreements in Fiscal Year 2026 in an amount not to exceed Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00). These funds are to be used by various City departments for the acquisition of equipment in furtherance of their respective governmental functions. The list of equipment includes: computer equipment (hardware and software), motor vehicles and trailers, ambulances, firefighting equipment, office equipment, telecommunications equipment, photocopying equipment, medical equipment, school and educational equipment, school buses, parking meters, street lighting installation, traffic signal equipment and equipment functionally related to, and components of the foregoing, 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; nays 2 (Breadon, Mejia).
- 73 Resolution recognizing Ann Lydon.
- 73 Legislative Calendar for June 25, 2025.
- 74 Resolution congratulating Nucarta.
- 74 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following matters:
- 75 Resolution recognizing Cora Marie Tinsley.
- 76 Resolutions congratulating Juneteenth Honorees.
- 77 Resolution recognizing Richard Claytor.
- 78 Resolution recognizing Private First Class Catalina Ortiz-Sierra.
- 79 Resolution recognizing Specialist Luis Tejada Cuello.
- 80 Resolution recognizing Kate Brown.
- 81 Resolution recognizing Jim Cassetta.
- 82 Resolution recognizing Ruth St. Louis.
- 83 Resolution recognizing Neil Sharma.
- 84 Resolution recognizing David T. Donnelly.
- 85 Resolution recognizing Casserly House.
- 86 Resolution recognizing Sisters of Saint Joseph.
- 87 Resolution in memory of Roxana Bentes de Moura.
- 88 Resolution congratulating Center Salon.
- 89 Resolution recognizing Batya Ferrenz-Siegel.
- 90 Resolution recognizing four young scholars for their leadership in loving memory of Shelbia Irene Dickerson.
- 91 Resolution recognizing Darren T. Wells.
- 92 Resolution recognizing Christopher Bailey.
- 93 Resolution recognizing Latisha "Tisha" Scott and the entire team behind Alluring Beauty.
- 94 Resolution recognizing Albert Clifton Rue Sr.
- 95 Resolution recognizing Ramon Orlando Valoy.
- 96 Resolution recognizing Michael Skillin.
- 97 Resolution recognizing Andrew Beck Lew.
- 113 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 114 Adjourned at 5:18 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Charles Edward Kinzie, Nancy Lee Kelleher, Roxana Bentes de Moura, Rose Lamour, Claudia Smith Reed, Kirk Freed Ghany, Broovelet Leon Lacet, Rita D. (Finn) Fritch, Christian Scott and Dr. Ngolela Wa Kabongo, to meet again on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Dassie Bheecham Assistant City Clerk