docketcity.com
Home › Boston › Meetings

City Council

March 12, 2025 ·12:00 PM Final

Council Chambers

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 81 items

  1. 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, March 12, 2025, at 12:04 PM. President Louijeune in the chair. All Councilors present. Sister Pat Andrews, Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the March 5, 2025 meeting. Motion prevailed. ▶ jump to 3:59
  2. 2 ROLL CALL ▶ jump to 4:26
  3. 3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES ▶ jump to 44:52
  4. 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
  5. 5 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. 2025-0641 Referred to ▶ jump to 45:09
  6. 6 On the message and order, referred on March 12, 2025, Docket #0642, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Three Hundred Eighty-Two Thousand One Hundred Sixty-Three Dollars and Fifty-Nine Cents ($382,163.59) in form of a grant, for the Carry-In Wagner Peyser 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 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 the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed. 2025-0642 Referred to ▶ jump to 45:40
  7. 7 On the message and order, referred on March 12, 2025, Docket #0643, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($140,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Uncornered Grant, awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, passed through the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation of Boston to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund coaching, mentorship, and other workforce development training opportunities for at-risk, violence-involved youth and reentering citizens, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed. 2025-0643 Referred to ▶ jump to 46:19
  8. 8 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Lending Library for Almont Playground/Mattapan, awarded by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation to be administered by the Office of Early Childhood. The grant will fund the implementation, operation and replenishment of a community recreation lending library in the Hunt Almont playground in the Mattapan section of the City of Boston. 2025-0644 The rules were suspended; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 47:05
  9. 9 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Lending Library for the Moakley Park/South Boston, awarded by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation to be administered by the Office of Early Childhood. The grant will fund the implementation, operation and replenishment of a community recreation lending library in the Moakley Park in the South Boston section of the City of Boston. 2025-0645 The rules were suspended; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 47:40
  10. 10 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Lending Library for Ringer Park/Allston, awarded by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation to be administered by the Office of Early Childhood. The grant will fund the implementation, operation and replenishment of a community recreation lending library in Ringer Park in the Allston section of the City of Boston. 2025-0646 The rules were suspended; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 48:10
  11. 11 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Lending Library for, the East Boston Greenway/East Boston awarded by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation to be administered by the Office of Early Childhood. The grant will fund the implementation, operation and replenishment of a community recreation lending library at the East Boston Greenway in the East Boston section of the City of Boston. 2025-0647 The rules were suspended; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 48:40
  12. 12 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. 2025-0648 Referred to ▶ jump to 50:20
  13. 13 Councilor FitzGerald called Docket #0649, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Stanley McLaren as a member of the Boston Public Health Commission's Board of Health, for a term expiring January 15, 2028. No objection heard, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, the appointment was confirmed in a new draft. 2025-0649 Referred to ▶ jump to 50:58
  14. 14 Councilor Durkan called Docket #0650, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Kirsten Hoffman as a Member of the Monument Square Landmark District Study Committee, from the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation. No objection heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the appointment was confirmed. 2025-0650 Referred to ▶ jump to 51:19
  15. 15 Message transmitting certain information under section 17F re: vehicles owned, leased, or otherwise utilized by the City of Boston, filed on Docket #0490, passed by the City Council on February 12, 2025. 2025-0651 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 51:38
  16. 16 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
  17. 17 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
  18. 18 Communication was received from Clare Kelly, Director of Intergovernmental Relations regarding a written statement for reference of the Mayor's testimony at the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in Washington D.C. 2025-0652 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 52:09
  19. 19 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 February 26, 2025. 2025-0653 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 52:25
  20. 20 Communication was received from Councilor Santana regarding second call for urgent action to sustain the BPS Parent Mentor Program operated by St. Stephen's Youth Programs. 2025-0654 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 52:42
  21. 21 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
  22. 22 Ordinance regarding employee safety within Boston's oil terminals. 2025-0137 Remains in ▶ jump to 53:08
  23. 23 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
  24. 24 On the message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Million Five Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Six Dollars and Twenty-Eight Cents ($2,563,236.28) in the form of a grant, for the FY25 State Elder Lunch Program Grant, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund nutrition services for older adults in the City of Boston, at a rate of $7.39 per meal for up to 358,679 meals, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed. 2025-0393 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 53:38
  25. 24 Councilor Murphy, on behalf of the Committee on Strong Women, Families & Communities, submitted the following:
  26. 25 Order for a hearing to audit the implementation and effectiveness of the 2014 Boston Trust Act. 2025-0414 Remains in ▶ jump to 58:25
  27. 26 Communication was received from Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox in accordance with Section 3 of the Boston Trust Act regarding civil immigration detainer results for calendar year 2024. 2025-0128 Remains in ▶ jump to 58:34
  28. 27 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). 2025-0407 Remains in ▶ jump to 62:58
  29. 28 On the message and order, referred on February 5, 2025, Docket #0397, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Seven Hundred Two Thousand Two Hundred Forty-Four Dollars and Twenty-Two Cents ($702,244.22) in the form of a grant, for the REDEA Program for Field CY24 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, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed. 2025-0397 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 65:50
  30. 29 On the message and order, referred on February 5, 2025, Docket #0398, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Six Hundred Twenty-Six Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Six Dollars and Fifty-Seven Cents ($626,466.57) in the form of a grant, for the Carry-in WIOA Dislocated Workers 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 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 the order ought to pass. 2025-0398 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 66:31
  31. 29 Councilor Weber, on behalf of the Committee on Labor, Workforce and Economic Development submitted the following:
  32. 30 On the message and order, referred on February 5, 2025, Docket #0401, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Fifty-Four Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-One Dollars ($254,921.00) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Youth Activities Admin 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 program that focuses primarily on out-of-school youth, between ages 14-24, who face barriers to education, training, and employment, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. 2025-0401 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 67:08
  33. 31 On the message and order, referred on February 5, 2025, Docket #0403, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Nine Thousand Two Hundred Seventy-One Dollars and Seventy Cents ($109,271.70) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Dislocated Worker Admin 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 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 the order ought to pass. 2025-0403 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 67:44
  34. 32 On the message and order, referred on February 5, 2025, Docket #0404, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Ninety-Four Thousand Eighty-Nine Dollars ($94,089.00) in the form of a grant, for the Wagner Peyser Admin Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office 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, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. 2025-0404 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 68:22
  35. 33 On the message and order, referred on February 12, 2025, Docket #0449, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Million Two Hundred Ninety-Four Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-Nine Dollars ($2,294,289.00) 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 the order ought to pass. 2025-0449 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 69:00
  36. 34 On the message and order, referred on February 12, 2025, Docket #0450, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Seven Hundred Sixty-One Thousand Two Hundred Twelve Dollars and Seventy Cents ($1,761,212.70) 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 the order ought to pass. 2025-0450 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 69:38
  37. 35 On the message and order, referred on February 12, 2025, Docket #0451, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Seventy-Six Thousand One Hundred Seventy-Seven Dollars ($1,076,177.00) in the form of a grant, for the Wagner Peyser Program, 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 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 the order ought to pass. 2025-0451 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 70:15
  38. 36 On the message and order, referred on February 12, 2025, Docket #0452, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Nine Hundred Eighty-Three Thousand Four Hundred Forty-Five Dollars and Thirty Cents ($983,445.30) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Dislocated Workers 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 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 the order ought to pass. 2025-0452 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 70:53
  39. 37 On the message and order, referred on February 12, 2025, Docket #0455, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) 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 be 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. 2025-0455 The report was accepted; the order was passed. ▶ jump to 71:27
  40. 38 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
  41. 39 Resolution declaring Boston a sanctuary city for transgender persons and all members of the LGBTQIA2s+ community. On motion of Councilors Mejia and Breadon, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 12, nays 1 (Flynn). 2025-0655 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. ▶ jump to 80:58
  42. 40 Resolution declaring March 12, 2025 as "School Social Worker Appreciation Day" in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Mejia, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Louijeune and Fernandes Anderson as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Mejia, Louijeune and Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. 2025-0656 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted. ▶ jump to 118:46
  43. 41 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
  44. 42 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Durkan offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Denise Mame Gately in City Council, effective March 18, 2024. 2025-0657 Passed under suspension of the rules. ▶ jump to 123:26
  45. 43 GREEN SHEETS:
  46. 44 Legislative Calendar for March 12, 2025. GS-3/12/25 ▶ jump to 123:40
  47. 45 CONSENT AGENDA:
  48. 45 Councilor Coletta Zapata called Docket #0589, message and order for your approval a revised home rule petition to the General Court entitled "Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to Creation of a Branch of the Boston Public Library (BPL) within an Affordable Housing Development in the Dorchester Section of the City of Boston," from the Committee on Government Operations. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the petition was passed. 2025-0589 Passed
  49. 46 Resolution in memory of Yvon "Tiboule" Tersilas. 2025-0658
  50. 46 The Chair stated in absence of objection, four late file matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following items were added:
  51. 47 Resolution in memory of Elaine M. Cloherty. 2025-0659
  52. 47 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees in City Council, effective March 15, 2025. 2025-0683 Passed under suspension of the rules. ▶ jump to 127:10
  53. 48 Resolution recognizing the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. 2025-0660
  54. 48 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Julian Viviescas Mejia in City Council, effective March 15, 2025. 2025-0684 Passed under suspension of the rules. ▶ jump to 127:16
  55. 49 Resolution recognizing Tufts University. 2025-0661
  56. 49 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Julian Viviescas Mejia in City Council, effective March 22, 2025. 2025-0685 Passed under suspension of the rules. ▶ jump to 127:21
  57. 50 Resolution recognizing Maria Giazi Blasi. 2025-0662
  58. 50 Communication was received from Councilor Durkan re: Boston Zoning Code Text Amendment Application No. 530. 2025-0686 Placed on file. ▶ jump to 127:41
  59. 51 Resolution recognizing Kyle Holmes. 2025-0663
  60. 52 Resolution recognizing Jimmy Allen. 2025-0664
  61. 53 Resolution recognizing David Pogorelc. 2025-0665
  62. 54 Resolution recognizing Chee Kong Tong. 2025-0666
  63. 54 The Chair moved adoption of the Consent Agenda containing the following items:
  64. 55 Resolution recognizing Zina Izejiobi. 2025-0667
  65. 56 Resolution recognizing Jomairy Peña. 2025-0668
  66. 57 Resolution recognizing Castle Square Tenants Association. 2025-0669
  67. 58 Resolution recognizing Alanna Devlin Ball. 2025-0670
  68. 59 Resolution recognizing Randy J. Greeley. 2025-0671
  69. 60 Resolution recognizing Prince Hall Freemasonry. 2025-0672
  70. 61 Resolution in memory of Fletcher "Flash" Wiley. 2025-0673
  71. 62 Resolution recognizing the Taishan Communtiy Association. 2025-0674
  72. 63 Resolution recognizing the South Boston Citizens' Association. 2025-0675
  73. 64 Resolution recognizing the Save Chinatown No Arena Coalition. 2025-0676
  74. 65 Resolution recognizing Brian Ahern. 2025-0677
  75. 66 Resolution recognizing South Boston Allied War Veterans Council. 2025-0678
  76. 67 Resolution recognizing Michael Aldred. 2025-0679
  77. 68 Resolution recognizing Brian Yanovitch. 2025-0680
  78. 69 Resolution recognizing the Chinese Progressive Association. 2025-0681
  79. 70 Resolution recognizing Asian Americans United. 2025-0682
  80. 80 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
  81. 81 Adjourned at 2:15 P.M. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Mark Feeney, Hazel Nell Dukes, Astrid Joseph, Shane Slayman, Dean Conway and Hillary Fahey, to meet again on Wednesday, March 19, 2024, at 12:00 P.M. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk