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April 30, 2025 ·12:00 PM Final

Council Chambers

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Agenda — 97 items

  1. 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, April 30, 2025 at 12:10 PM. President Louijeune in the Chair. All councilors present. Cantor Vera Broekhuysen, Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley, delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the April 16, 2025 meeting. Motion prevailed.
  2. 2 ROLL CALL
  3. 3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES ▶ jump to 38:07
  4. 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
  5. 5 On the message and order, referred on April 30, 2025, Docket #0940, for your approval an order to reduce the FY25 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Thirty-Three Million Two Hundred Sixty-Two Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars ($33,262,466.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) for the FY25 impact of increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Teachers Union, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12, absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson). 2025-0940 Referred to ▶ jump to 38:36
  6. 6 On the message and order, referred on April 30, 2025, Docket #0941, for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Schools for FY25 in the amount of Thirty-Three Million Two Hundred Sixty-Two Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-Six Dollars ($33,262,466.00) to cover the impact of FY25 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Teachers Union. The term of the contract is September 1, 2024 - August 30, 2027. The major provisions of the contract include general wage increases of 2.5%, 2%, and 2% in September of 2024, 2025, and 2026. The Paraprofessionals and ABAs will also receive market rate adjustments, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12, absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson). 2025-0941 Referred to ▶ jump to 39:09
  7. 7 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Nine Hundred Eighty-Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,987,500.00) in the form of a grant, for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, passed through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, to be administered by the Planning Department. The grant will fund the East Boston Waterfront-Carlton Wharf and Lewis Mall Resiliency Project. 2025-0942 The rules were suspended; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 40:08
  8. 8 Councilor Weber called Docket #0943, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Sixteen Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Seven Dollars and Three Cents ($16,937.03) in the form of a grant, for the Carry-In Wagner Peyser 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 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, from the Committee on Labor, Workforce & Economic Development. No objection heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Weber, the order was passed. 2025-0943 Referred to ▶ jump to 42:15
  9. 9 Councilor Weber called Docket #0944, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirteen Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars ($13,735.00) in the form of a grant for the Mass Commission for the Blind Grant, awarded by MassHire Department of Career Services to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund employment and training assistance, career counseling, and job search assistance for legally blind individuals who are clients at Boston MassHire Career Centers, from the Committee on Labor, Workforce & Economic Development. No objection heard, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor Weber, the order was passed. 2025-0944 Referred to ▶ jump to 42:54
  10. 10 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of bike helmets valued at Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($2,300.00), donated by Breakstone, White & Gluck, located at 2 Center Plaza, #530, Boston, MA 02108. The purpose of the donation is to increase child participation in outdoor activities in the City of Boston. 2025-0945 The rules were suspended; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 43:41
  11. 11 Message and order for confirmation of the appointment of renewal constables authorized to serve civil process upon the filing of their bonds for the period commencing May 1, 2025 and ending April 30, 2028. 2025-0946 The rules were suspended; the appointments were confirmed. ▶ jump to 44:40
  12. 12 Message and order for confirmation of the appointment of renewal Inspectional Services constables authorized to serve civil process upon the filing of their bonds for the period commencing May 1, 2025 and ending April 30, 2028. 2025-0947 The rules were suspended; the appointments were confirmed. ▶ jump to 44:57
  13. 13 Message and order for confirmation of the appointment of new Inspectional Services constables authorized to serve civil process upon the filing of their bonds for the period commencing May 1, 2025 and ending April 30, 2028. 2025-0948 The rules were suspended; the appointments were confirmed. ▶ jump to 45:15
  14. 14 Message transmitting certain information under section 17F re: down payment assistance grants disbursed since 2021, filed on Docket #0774, passed by the City Council on April 2, 2025. 2025-0949 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 46:49
  15. 15 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
  16. 16 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
  17. 17 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Trinh Nguyen as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on May 1, 2026. 2025-0950 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 52:03
  18. 18 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Alexandra Valdez as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on May 1, 2026. 2025-0951 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 52:16
  19. 19 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Ashley Groffenberger as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on May 1, 2026. 2025-0952 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 52:30
  20. 20 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Brianna Millor as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on April 14, 2028. 2025-0953 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 52:45
  21. 21 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Mariangely Solia Cervera as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on April 14, 2028. 2025-0954 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 53:01
  22. 22 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Dr. Bisola Ojikutu as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on April 14, 2028. 2025-0955 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 53:18
  23. 23 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Jose C. Masso III as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on April 14, 2028. 2025-0956 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 53:33
  24. 24 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Aliza R. Wasserman as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on April 14, 2028. 2025-0957 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 53:49
  25. 25 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Sheila Dillon as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on April 14, 2028. 2025-0958 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 54:05
  26. 26 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Nathalia Benitez-Perez as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on April 14, 2028. 2025-0959 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 54:19
  27. 27 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Segun Idowa as a Member of the Trustees of the Charitable Donations for Inhabitants of Boston for a term expiring on April 14, 2028. 2025-0960 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 54:34
  28. 28 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Kharlita Chambers-Walker as a Member of the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel for a term expiring on October 28, 2026. 2025-0961 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 54:49
  29. 29 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City on Wednesday April 23, 2025 at 9:00 a.m., returning Thursday April 24, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. 2025-0962 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 55:02
  30. 30 Communication was received from Timothy J. Smyth, Executive Officer of the Boston Retirement Board re: result of the election for a vacant elected board seat; Sean F. Kelly was elected to serve as Trustee of the Boston Retirement Board for the remainder of a term ending September 30, 2026. 2025-0963 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 55:17
  31. 31 Communication was received from Timothy J. Smyth, Executive Officer of the Boston Retirement Board re: the FY26 Retiree Cost of Living Adjustment ("COLA") Base Vote. 2025-0964 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 55:40
  32. 32 Communication was received from the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding “Proposed Minor Modification to The West End Land Assembly and Redevelopment Plan. Project No. Mass. 2-3, with respect to Parcel 1A.” 2025-0965 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 55:53
  33. 33 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 special meeting of April 18, 2025. 2025-0966 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 56:14
  34. 34 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 16, 2025. 2025-0967 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 56:32
  35. 35 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
  36. 36 On the message and order, referred on February 26, 2025, Docket #0530, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Fifty-Eight Thousand Dollars ($58,000.00) in the form of a grant for the FY19 Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant will fund fire prevention education and training, fire code enforcement, fire/arson investigation, firefighter safety and health programming, prevention efforts, and research and development, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. 2025-0530 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 56:57
  37. 36 Councilor Santana, on behalf of the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice, submitted the following:
  38. 37 On the message and order, referred on April 16, 2025, Docket #0887, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Four Million One Hundred Forty-Nine Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($4,149,200.00) in the form of a grant for the YouthWorks Grant, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development for be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund a Summer and School Year jobs program that will provide leadership development, skills training, and career exploration for low-income at-risk youth ages 14-25, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. 2025-0887 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 60:46
  39. 38 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
  40. 38 Councilor Murphy, on behalf of the Committee on Strong Women, Families & Communities, submitted the following:
  41. 39 Dockets #0822 - 0824, Orders for the FY26 Operating Budget, including annual appropriations for departmental operations, for the School Department, and for other post employment benefits (OPEB). Remain in the Committee of Ways and Means. Dockets #0825 - 0827, Orders for capital fund credited appropriations. Remain in the Committee of Ways and Means. Dockets #0828 - 0830, Orders for the Capital Budget, including loan orders and lease purchase agreements. Remain in the Committee of Ways and Means. Dockets #0831 - 0845, Orders authorizing limits for departmental revolving funds, including Law, Tourism, Arts & Culture, Environment, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, Schools, and Police, and other budget related dockets. Remain in the Committee of Ways and Means. ▶ jump to 65:15
  42. 40 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
  43. 41 On the message and ordinance, referred on April 30, 2025, Docket #0968, establishing the Office of LGBTQIA2S+ Advancement, the committee submitted a report recommending that this matter ought to pass. On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the report was accepted; the ordinance was passed; yeas 11, not present 2 (Mejia, Worrell). 2025-0968 Referred to ▶ jump to 92:52
  44. 42 On the message and ordinance, referred on April 30, 2025, Docket #0969, establishing a Transgender, Gender-diverse, Intersex, and LGBTQIA2S+ Oversight Commission, the committee submitted a report recommending that the ordinance ought to pass in a new draft. 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). 2025-0969 Referred to ▶ jump to 105:58
  45. 43 Petition for a Special Law re: An Age Waiver for Jason Deleon to join the Boston Police Department. Councilor Worrell in the Chair. The rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 13. 2025-0970 The rules were suspended; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 115:23
  46. 44 Order for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools' New Bus Ridership Policy. Councilor Louijeune in the Chair. 2025-0971 Referred to ▶ jump to 117:53
  47. 45 Order for a hearing to discuss making neighborhood streets safer following the 30-day review of streets projects in Boston. On motion of Councilors Weber and Pepén, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Murphy as an original co-sponsor. 2025-0972 Referred to ▶ jump to 126:01
  48. 46 Order for a hearing to discuss implementation of the seven nights per week Residential Parking Only Policy in South Boston. 2025-0973 Referred to ▶ jump to 143:34
  49. 47 Order for a hearing on fiscal transparency, equitable access, and Council oversight in the expansion of the Museum Access program. 2025-0974 Referred to ▶ jump to 154:36
  50. 48 Order for a hearing to discuss the availability of cooling centers in the City of Boston during extreme heat emergencies. 2025-0975 Referred to ▶ jump to 173:14
  51. 49 Order for a hearing to discuss adding State Oversight on Statement of Financial Interests (SFIs). 2025-0976 Referred to ▶ jump to 179:09
  52. 50 Order for a hearing regarding procedures following a vacancy in the office of District City Councilor. 2025-0977 Referred to ▶ jump to 182:47
  53. 51 Councilor Santana called Docket #0978, order to adopt Chapter 270 of the Acts of 2024 regarding local law enforcement continuity between the City of Boston and the Town of Dedham, 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. 2025-0978 Referred to ▶ jump to 189:44
  54. 52 Resolution for a flag raising to celebrate Montserrat. Councilor Worrell in the Chair. On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. 2025-0979 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. ▶ jump to 191:42
  55. 53 Resolution in recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and in support of legislation to reclassify and protect 9-1-1 dispatchers. Councilor Louijeune in the Chair. On motion of Councilors Murphy and Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor FitzGerald as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Murphy, Flynn and FitzGerald, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. 2025-0980 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. ▶ jump to 194:26
  56. 54 Resolution in support of H.1347 "An Act to Improve Sickle Cell Care." On motion of Councilors Flynn and Worrell, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. 2025-0981 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. ▶ jump to 211:23
  57. 55 Resolution recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. On motion of Councilor Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Mejia and Murphy as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Flynn, Mejia and Murphy, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. 2025-0982 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. ▶ jump to 220:33
  58. 56 Resolution in support of Bill SD.2808: an Act strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth. On motion of Councilor Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. 2025-0983 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. ▶ jump to 232:07
  59. 57 Resolution declaring "Polish Constitution Day." On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. 2025-0984 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. ▶ jump to 234:22
  60. 58 WITHDRAWN 2025-0985 ▶ jump to 237:29
  61. 59 Resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. On motion of Councilors Weber and Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Louijeune as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Weber, Flynn and Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. 2025-0986 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. ▶ jump to 238:26
  62. 60 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
  63. 61 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Murphy offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Regan Hegarty in City Council, effective May 31, 2025. 2025-0987 Passed under suspension of the rules. ▶ jump to 253:39
  64. 62 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Murphy offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Carly Moran in City Council, effective May 7, 2025. 2025-0988 Passed under suspension of the rules. ▶ jump to 253:45
  65. 63 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Cisnell Baez in City Council, effective May 1, 2025. 2025-0989 Passed under suspension of the rules. ▶ jump to 253:51
  66. 64 GREEN SHEETS:
  67. 65 Legislative Calendar for April 30, 2025. GS-4/30/25 ▶ jump to 254:05
  68. 66 CONSENT AGENDA:
  69. 66 Councilor Santana called Docket #0891, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($180,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2026 (BRIC Grant), awarded by the Federal Management Agency, passed through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, to be administered by Emergency Preparedness. The grant will fund a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program to reduce overall risk to the population and structures, while also reducing reliance on funding from actual disaster declarations, from the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice. On motion of Councilor Santana, the order was passed; yeas 13. 2025-0891 Passed
  70. 67 Resolution recognizing West Ward. 2025-0990
  71. 67 Councilor Weber called Docket #0848, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($210,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Financial Empowerment Program, awarded by the Donor Group to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund financial education, credit/asset building and employment services for residents at the Center for Working Families, from the Committee on Labor, Workforce & Economic Development. On motion of Councilor Weber, the order was passed. 2025-0848 Passed
  72. 68 Resolution recognizing April 22, 2025 as School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. 2025-0991
  73. 68 The Chair stated in absence of objection, one late file matter would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following item was added:
  74. 69 Resolution in memory of Curtis Baptiste. 2025-0992
  75. 69 Communication was received from Councilor Pepén regarding the school bus incident in Hyde Park. 2025-1010 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 263:12
  76. 70 Resolution recognizing Empress Creation. 2025-0993
  77. 71 Resolution recognizing Black Unicorn Marathoners. 2025-0994
  78. 72 Resolution recognizing Marilyn Bevans. 2025-0995
  79. 72 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
  80. 73 Resolution recognizing Laura Dickerson. 2025-0996
  81. 74 Resolution congratulating Beatrice Nessen. 2025-0997
  82. 75 Resolution recognizing The Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England. 2025-0998
  83. 76 Resolution recognizing Cafe Porto Bello. 2025-0999
  84. 77 Resolution recognizing the Wang YMCA of Chinatown. 2025-1000
  85. 78 Resolution recognizing the American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative. 2025-1001
  86. 79 Resolution in memory of Joseph E. Coppola. 2025-1002
  87. 80 Resolution recognizing Coach Scott Neal. 2025-1003
  88. 81 Resolution in memory of Susan Mahoney. 2025-1004
  89. 82 Resolution in memory of Constintine P. Calliontzis. 2025-1005
  90. 83 Resolution recognizing April 30th, 2025, as International Jazz Day. 2025-1006
  91. 84 Resolution recognizing Nancy Williams-Gross. 2025-1007
  92. 85 Resolution recognizing Greater Boston Legal Services. 2025-1008
  93. 86 Resolution recognizing Tight Knit in Roslindale. 2025-1009
  94. 94 The Chair stated in absence of objection, one late file matter would be added to the Consent Agenda. No objection heard, the following item was added:
  95. 95 Resolution recognizing Alena Borisenko. 2025-1013
  96. 96 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
  97. 97 Adjourned at 4:22 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Anna Maria DeCenso, Dr. Paul S. Greenfield, Alexander A. Betti, Molly McGovern, Idalia Jean Baptiste, Felicia Nelson-Jerome, Pope Francis, Rob Stull, Constintine P. Calliontzis, Kim O’Connell, Susan Mahoney and Lens Arthur Joseph, to meet again on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk