City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 129 items
- 1 A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Boston was held in the Christopher J. Iannella Chamber, City Hall on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 12:07 P.M. President Louijeune in the chair. All Councilors present. Pastor Bruce Wall, Global Ministries Christian Church, delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the March 19, 2025 meeting. Motion prevailed.
- 2 ROLL CALL
- 3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
- 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
- 5 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) in the form of a Grant, for the RAISE: Roxbury Resilient grant, awarded by the United States Department of Transportation-National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, passed through the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, to be administered by the Transportation Department. The grant will fund a project to reconstruct and upgrade three corridors in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. Referred to the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation, Later in session, Councilor Fernandes Anderson moved to reconsider Docket #0719. Seconded by Councilor Pepén. Motion prevailed. The rules were suspended, the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 6 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.
- 7 Message and order for your approval an Order that will authorize the reassignment of the Community Preservation Act funding for the Charlestown Peace Park to the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA). Referred to the Committee on Community Preservation Act. Later in session, Councilor Pepén moved to reconsider Docket #0721. Seconded by Councilor Santana. Reconsideration prevailed. The rules were suspended, the order was passed.
- 8 On the message and order, referred on April 2, 2025, Docket #0722, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twelve Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-One Dollars ($12,881.00) in the form of a grant, for the Jobs for Veterans’ State Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Labor, passed through 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 enhanced employment services for eligible veterans, prioritizing disabled veterans, and those facing significant barriers to employment, with the goal of improving their job search outcomes and economic self-sufficiency, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. Councilor Louijeune in the chair. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 11 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Murphy).
- 9 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind contribution of 1200 Snack Packs valued at Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) donated by Visit.org. The purpose of this donation is to provide shelf-stable snack packs to be distributed across Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) sites during the school year programming and/or to start the summer.
- 10 On the message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the Collector-Treasurer to enter into a contract under the provisions of General Law Chapter 44, Section 53F, by and between the City of Boston and Citizens, for the provision of Banking Services as more fully described in the attached form of compensating balance agreement, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 11 On the message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the Collector-Treasurer to enter into a contract under the provisions of General Law Chapter 44, Section 53F, by and between the City of Boston and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., for the provision of Banking Services, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 12 Message and order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Thomas High as a Primary Member of the Back Bay Architectural District Commission for a term expiring on December 31, 2028.
- 13 Message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Lisa Tharp as a Primary Member of the Back Bay Architectural District Commission for a term expiring on December 31, 2028. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the appointment was confirmed.
- 14 Message and order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Ellen Moore as an alternate member of the Mission Hill Triangle Architectural Conservation District Commission for a term expiring on June 30, 2026.
- 15 Message and order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Katie Genovese as a member of the Mission Hill Triangle Architectural Conservation District Commission for a term expiring on June 30, 2026.
- 16 Message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Garry Walling as a member of the Mission Hill Triangle Architectural Conservation District Commission for a term expiring on June 30, 2025.
- 17 Message and order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Patricia Tongue Edraos as an alternate member of the Mission Hill Triangle Architectural Conservation District Commission for a term expiring on June 30, 2025.
- 18 Councilor Durkan called Docket #0732, message and order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Hessann Farooqi as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Review Board for a term expiring on March 19, 2026, from the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the appointment was confirmed in a new draft.
- 19 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 20 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 21 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Bernard FitzGerald as a member of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 1, 2027.
- 22 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Reginald Smalls as a member of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 2, 2026.
- 23 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Amaury Perez as a member of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 2, 2026.
- 24 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Dieufort J. Fleurissaint (Pastor Keke) as a member of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 1, 2028.
- 25 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Tanisha DeLeon as a member of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 6, 2028.
- 26 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Joshua Dankoff as a member of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 1, 2027.
- 27 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of E. Peter Alvarez as a member of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 6, 2028.
- 28 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Natalie Carithers Utley as a member of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 2, 2026.
- 29 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Samuel Harold as a member of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 1, 2027.
- 30 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Samuel Harold as Chairperson of the Civilian Review Board, for a term expiring January 1, 2027.
- 31 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Jamika Hobbs as a member of the Internal Affairs Oversight Panel, for a term expiring March 14, 2026.
- 32 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Anthony Fugate as a member of the Internal Affairs Oversight Panel, for a term expiring March 14, 2026.
- 33 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Michael Parker as a member of the Boston Conservation Commission, for a term expiring November 1, 2025.
- 34 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Stephen Estes-Smargiassi as a member of the Boston Conservation Commission, for a term expiring November 1, 2028.
- 35 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Anne Herbst as a member of the Boston Conservation Commission, for a term expiring November 1, 2025.
- 36 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Michael Wilson as a member of the Boston Conservation Commission, for a term expiring November 1, 2025.
- 37 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Kannan Thiruvengadam as a member of the Boston Conservation Commission, for a term expiring November 1, 2025.
- 38 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Irmak Turan as a member of the Air Pollution Control Commission, for a term expiring January 6, 2028.
- 39 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Eric Burkman as a member of the Air Pollution Control Commission, for a term expiring January 6, 2028.
- 40 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Russell Preston as a member of the Air Pollution Control Commission, for a term expiring January 6, 2028.
- 41 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Representative Daniel J. Ryan as a member of the Boston Commemoration Commission effective immediately.
- 42 Notice was received from Nick Pittman regarding his resignation from the Boston Groundwater Trust.
- 43 Notice was received from Nicholas Ariniello, Assessing Commissioner, of the appointment of Liam Brearley as an Assistant Assessor.
- 44 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City on Tuesday March 25, 2025 at 12:00 p.m., returning at 10:33 p.m.
- 45 Communication was received from Councilor Erin Murphy and Councilor Ed Flynn regarding a Request for Information to the Election Department and Elections Commission dated March 26, 2025.
- 46 Communication was received from Councilor Erin Murphy and Councilor Ed Flynn regarding a letter sent to Secretary of State William F. Galvin dated March 24, 2025.
- 47 Communication was received from Councilor Murphy regarding a "Statement on the Youth Jobs & Resource Fair Incident and Call for Rescheduling".
- 48 Communications from Councilor Flynn regarding Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General Audit of the Boston Housing Authority.
- 49 Communications from Councilor Flynn regarding Architectural Access Board's Decision on the Ruth Barkley Apartments.
- 50 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 December 11, 2024.
- 51 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 March 5, 2025.
- 52 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 March 19, 2025.
- 53 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
- 54 On the message and order, referred on February 5, 2025, Docket #0407, for your approval an Ordinance for Road Safety and Accountability for Delivery Providers, 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, nays 2 (FitzGerald, Murphy).
- 54 Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:
- 55 On the message and order, referred on February 12, 2025, Docket #0458, authorizing the City of Boston to submit a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Core Program for Madison Park Technical Vocational High School pursuant to M.G.L. c. 70B, § 5. The Statement of Interest describes and explains the deficiencies within the school facility that prevents Boston Public Schools (BPS) from delivering their desired educational program, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 56 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 56 Councilor Worrell, on behalf of the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted the following:
- 57 Order for a hearing regarding the implementation and funding of coastal resilience strategies and the establishment of a climate bank.
- 58 Order for a hearing to address the displacement of Bostonians as a result of new and future development.
- 59 Order for a hearing to discuss the immediate reinstatement of and sustainable funding for the Community Syringe Redemption Program.
- 60 On the message and order for your approval an appropriation order in the total amount of Thirty-Eight Million One Hundred Forty-Eight Thousand Fifty-Two Dollars ($38,148,052.00) from Fiscal Year 2025 Community Preservation Fund revenues for community preservation projects at the recommendation of the City of Boston Community Preservation Committee (“CPC”), the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 61 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 62 Ordinance establishing a "Scofflaw Property Owner List." On motion of Councilors Breadon and Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Mejia as an original co-sponsor.
- 62 Councilor Pepén, on behalf of the Committee on Community Preservation Act, submitted the following:
- 63 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).
- 64 Order for a hearing to discuss transportation planning within the Article 80 Development Review Process. On motion of Councilors Flynn and Murphy, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor FitzGerald as an original co-sponsor.
- 65 Order for a hearing to discuss water and sewer infrastructure in Chinatown and the Leather District.
- 66 Order for a hearing to discuss the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's report on Boston Housing Authority.
- 67 Order for a hearing regarding support for Boston’s Main Streets organizations. Councilor Worrell in the Chair. On motion of Councilor Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Pepén and Weber as original co-sponsors.
- 68 Order for a hearing regarding the expansion of Boston Pre-K seats and the equitable distribution of City-funded seats across all neighborhoods. Councilor Louijeune in the Chair.
- 69 Order for a hearing to assess and enhance the accessibility and safety of Boston's sidewalks for all residents. Councilor Louijeune in the Chair. On motion of Councilors Murphy and Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Pepen as an original co-sponsor.
- 70 Order for a hearing to discuss legalizing mid-rise single-stair housing in the Massachusetts State Building Code. On motion of Councilor Breadon, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Durkan and Worrell as original co-sponsors.
- 71 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding down payment assistance grants disbursed since 2021.
- 72 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding Youth Summer Employment Opportunities for Students of All Abilities.
- 73 Resolution recognizing April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Worrell, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Louijeune and Breadon as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Worrell, Louijeune and Breadon, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 74 Resolution in support of Bill S.403, An Act Establishing a Special Commission to Review the Adequacy and Equity of the Massachusetts School Building Program. Councilor Worrell moved to substitute language. Motion prevailed. 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.
- 75 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 76 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Weber offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Jacqueline Martinez in City Council, effective March 29, 2025.
- 77 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Timothy J. Guimond in City Council effective April 5, 2025.
- 78 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Matthew Martinelli and Anushree Sahay in City Council effective March 29, 2025.
- 79 GREEN SHEETS:
- 80 Legislative Calendar for April 2, 2025.
- 81 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 82 Resolution celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Perfect 10 Unisex Salon and Recognizing April 4th, 2025, as “Perfect 10 Day” in the City of Boston.
- 82 The Chair stated in absence of objection, five late file matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following items were added:
- 83 Resolution recognizing Alexis Steel.
- 83 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Emily Polston in City Council effective March 29, 2025.
- 84 Resolution congratulating Massachusetts Community Engagement Alliance.
- 84 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Emily Polston in City Council effective April 5, 2025.
- 85 Resolution in memory of Viola Black McCuller.
- 85 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Elaine Donovan, Sebastian Para, Gabriela Ramirez and Elizabeth Sanchez effective March 29, 2025.
- 86 Resolution recognizing Carol Miranda.
- 86 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Charles Yancey in City Council effective April 5, 2025.
- 87 Resolution recognizing Catholic Memorial High School's Boys Hockey Team.
- 87 Order for an emergency hearing to address incidents at The Future BOS Youth Jobs & Resource Fair and to reschedule the event promptly.
- 88 Resolution recognizing Jonathan Latino.
- 89 Resolution recognizing Amaury Perez.
- 90 Resolution declaring "Sister Joyce McMullen Day".
- 91 Resolution recognizing 30 individuals and organizations for Transgender Day of Visibility on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
- 91 The Chair moved for adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 92 Resolution recognizing Sandra Lorena Aleman Nijjar.
- 93 Resolution recognizing Cesar A. Deossa M.
- 94 Resolution recognizing Dorothy Burnham.
- 95 Resolution recognizing JP@Home.
- 96 Resolution recognizing March 25, 2025 as David Passafaro Day in the City of Boston.
- 97 Resolution recognizing George's Shoes.
- 98 Resolution congratulating Haylee Chen.
- 99 Resolution congratulating ten Allston Village Award recipients.
- 100 Resolution congratulating Alex Santana.
- 101 Resolution congratulating Marise Chery Fleurissaint.
- 102 Resolution congratulating Abeo Powder.
- 103 Resolution in memory of Cecily Williams.
- 104 Resolution congratulating Cesar Deossa.
- 105 Resolution honoring Father George Evans.
- 106 Resolution recognizing the County Roscommon Association of Boston.
- 107 Resolution recognizing Kathryn A. Willmore.
- 108 Resolution recognizing Que Shing Chinese Musica and Opera.
- 109 Resolution recognizing Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in the City of Boston.
- 110 Resolution recognizing Principal Richard Chang.
- 111 Resolution recognizing Maureen Dahill.
- 112 Resolution recognizing John McGahan.
- 113 Resolution recognizing IBEW 103 Asian Trade Union.
- 114 Resolution recognizing Soo Yuen Association of New England.
- 115 Resolution recognizing Nikaury Contreras.
- 116 Resolution recognizing and honoring, celebrating and congratulating the 41 recipients of the 2025 EXTRAordinary Women Award.
- 117 Resolution recognizing and honoring, celebrating and congratulating 5 Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers (MAMLEO) Boston Police Department Retirees.
- 128 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 129 Adjourned at 4:24 P.M. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Eve Goldberg, Myra Ortega Camino, Mario Joseph and Thomas S. Doherty to meet again on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 12:00 P.M. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk