City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 74 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, April 16, 2025 at 12:07 P.M. President Louijeune in the Chair. Absent, Councilor Fernandes Anderson. Reverend Heather Concannon, Theodore Parker Church, delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the April 9, 2025 meeting. Motion Prevailed.
- 2 ROLL CALL
- 3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
- 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
- 5 On the message and order, referred on April 16, 2025, Docket #0885, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eighteen Million Dollars ($18,000,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Federal FY25 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), awarded by the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development to be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Housing. The grant will fund housing, economic development and social services program. The award amount is estimated from prior years, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 6 On the message and order, referred on April 16, 2025, Docket #0886, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Federal FY25 HOME Investment Partnerships Program Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Housing. The grant will fund the production of new affordable rental and homeownership housing, and also provide operating support for community development corporations. The award amount is estimated from prior years, the committed submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 7 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.
- 8 On the message and order, referred on April 16, 2025, Docket #0888, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Federal FY25 Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), awarded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Housing. The grant will fund services for income-eligible individuals and families affected by AIDS. The award amount is estimated from prior years, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 9 On the message and order, referred on April 16, 2025, Docket #0889, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Federal FY25 Emergency Solutions Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Housing. The grant will fund the street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and shelter services. The award amount is estimated from prior years, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 10 On the message and order, referred on April 16, 2025, Docket #0890, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Immigrant Advancement Fund Grant, awarded by the Boston Foundation to be administered by the Office of Immigrant Advancement. The grant will fund programs, initiatives, events and small grants that enable immigrants to play an active role in the economic, civic, social and cultural life of the City of Boston, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 11 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.
- 12 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.
- 13 On the message and order, referred on April 16, 2025, Docket #0893, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($120,000.00) in the form of a grant for the CJP Communal Security Initiative, awarded by the Combined Jewish Philanthropies to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund the installation of CCTV cameras outside the Jewish institutions, to be monitored by the Police Department, in hopes of protecting faith based institutions, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 14 Message transmitting certain information under section 17F re: TNC Rideshare arrests, filed on Docket #0617, passed by the City Council on March 5, 2025.
- 15 Message transmitting certain information under section 17F re: Students with Disabilities, filed on Docket #0775, passed by the City Council on April 2, 2025.
- 16 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 17 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 18 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Jessica Boatright as a chairperson of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Review Board for a term expiring on April 24, 2026.
- 19 Communication was received from Councilor Fernandes Anderson regarding Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation and its leadership.
- 20 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 2, 2025.
- 21 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 22 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.
- 23 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 24 WITHDRAWN
- 25 Ordinance creating a municipal identification card in the City of Boston.
- 26 On the Petition for a Special Law re: An Act Relative to the Office of District Councilor in the City of Boston, the committee submitted a report recommending that the petition ought to pass. The report was accepted; the petition was passed; yeas 9, nays 3 (FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy) not present 1 (Fernandes Anderson).
- 27 WITHDRAWN
- 28 Order for the Boston City Council to hold a policy briefing on the public safety and criminal justice implementation and impacts in the City of Boston of the "Shield Law," known formally as "A Massachusetts Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care."
- 29 Order for a hearing to discuss creating an Oversight Committee on Accountability and Compliance on the Boston City Council.
- 30 Order for a hearing to discuss the impacts of social media on Boston Public School students. On motion of Councilor Weber, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Pepén and Durkan as original co-sponsors.
- 31 Order requesting certain information under 17F re: State Receivership of Boston's Election Commission.
- 32 Resolution in support of House Bill No. 148: an Act establishing a livable home modification grant program. On motion of Councilor Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 12.
- 33 Resolution supporting the Museum of African American History in Boston. Councilor Worrell moved to substitute language. Motion prevailed. On motion of Councilor Worrell, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Durkan and Louijeune as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Worrell, Durkan and Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 12.
- 34 Resolution in Honor of Earth Day. On motion of Councilors Coletta Zapata and Breadon, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 35 Resolution Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Paul Revere's Midnight Ride. On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 36 Resolution calling for the prompt scheduling of a special election to fill the vacancy in District 7.
- 37 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 38 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Pepén offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Sherri R. Cajuste in City Council, effective April 29, 2025.
- 39 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Ron Cobb, Cora Montrond and Lorraine Schettino in City Council, effective April 12, 2025
- 40 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Ron Cobb, Cora Montrond and Lorraine Schettino in City Council, effective April 19, 2025.
- 41 GREEN SHEETS:
- 41 Councilor Flynn called Docket #0687, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Red Sox Arts and Parks Program Grant, awarded by the Boston Red Sox to be administered by the Mayor’s Office. The grant will fund arts programming, community events and parks operations across Boston, from the Committee on Arts Culture, Entertainment, Tourism and Special Events. No objection heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Flynn, the order was passed.
- 42 Legislative Calendar for April 16, 2025.
- 42 The Chair stated in absence of objection, two late file matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following items were added:
- 43 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 43 Communication was received from Councilor Fernandes Anderson regarding her absence from the April 16, 2025 City Council Meeting.
- 44 Resolution in support of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services & President and Chief Executive Eli Glickman.
- 44 Communication was received from Councilors Murphy and Flynn regarding a request to reschedule the Special City Council Meeting.
- 45 Resolution recognizing Diane Modica.
- 46 Resolution recognizing Julia Pistorino.
- 47 Resolution in memory of Damien Donovan.
- 48 Resolution recognizing Brig. General Enoch Woodhouse.
- 48 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following matters:
- 49 Resolution recognizing The Treasury Indian & Greek Kitchen.
- 50 Resolution congratulating David P. Manfredi.
- 51 Resolution congratulating Elizabeth Lowrey.
- 52 Resolution congratulating Shaila Fontes Da Veiga.
- 53 Resolution congratulating Constance English.
- 54 Resolution congratulating Constance Leone.
- 55 Resolution congratulating Lanita Smith.
- 56 Resolution in memory of John Donald McLaughlin.
- 57 Resolution congratulating Jean Ernst Luc & Marie Mireille Paul.
- 58 Resolution congratulating nineteen Honorees of CFOB's MLK Jr. Award Banquet.
- 59 Resolution congratulating Liza Meyer.
- 60 Resolution recognizing Julie's Family Learning Program.
- 61 Resolution recognizing Catholic Memorial School Hockey Team.
- 62 Resolution recognizing Zim Integrated Shipping Services.
- 63 Resolution recognizing Animal Rescue League.
- 64 Resolution recognizing Chinatown Business Association.
- 65 Resolution recognizing Save the Harbor & Save the Bay.
- 71 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:
- 72 Resolution declaring Louis D. Brown Day of Civic Engagement.
- 73 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 74 Adjourned at 3:18 P.M. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Bill DeCroce and John Donald McLaughlin, to meet again on Wednesday, April 26, 2025, at 12:00 P.M. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk