City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 105 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, February 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM. President Louijeune in the Chair. All Councilors Present. Reverend David Wright, BMA TenPoint, delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the February 5, 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 February 12, 2025, Docket #0448, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Fourteen Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($14,400,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Safe Street and Roads for All, 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 committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 6 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.
- 7 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.
- 8 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.
- 9 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.
- 10 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($65,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Childcare Entrepreneur Fund Grant, awarded by the Donor Group to be administered by the Office of Early Childhood. The grant will fund charitable and educational activities related to Childcare.
- 11 On the message and order, referred on February 12, 2025, Docket #0454, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Forty-Three Thousand Three Hundred Twelve Dollars and Fifty Cents ($43,312.50) in the form of a grant for the FYOB MLK Scholars Program Grant, awarded by the Boston Foundation, passed through the Philanthropic Initiative, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund summer jobs, financial education, and professional development opportunities for Boston youth, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 12 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.
- 13 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the VBS-Horrigan Stock Donations, awarded by John Horrigan, passed through the City of Boston Trust Funds, to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund various expenses at the Veronica B. Smith Senior Center in Brighton.
- 14 WITHDRAWN
- 15 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.
- 16 On the message and order authorizing for your approval an Order authorizing the City of Boston to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Statements of Interest for their Accelerated Repair Program for the following schools: Boston Adult Technical Academy, Hurley K-8 School, Mildred Avenue K-8 School, Mendell Elementary School, Mary Lyon Pilot High School, Joyce Kilmer Lower School, Margarita Muñiz Academy, Orchard Gardens K-8 School, Trotter K-6 Elementary School. The Statements of Interest describe and explain the deficiencies and the priority category for which the City of Boston may be invited to apply to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future: Priority 5 - Replacement, renovation or modernization of the school facility systems, such as roofs, windows, boilers, heating and ventilation systems, to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in a school facility, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12, absent 1 (Durkan).
- 17 Councilor FitzGerald called Docket #0460, message and order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Dr. Guale Valdez as a member of the Boston Public Health Commission's Board of Health, for a term expiring January 15, 2028, from the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness & Recovery. No objection heard, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, the reappointment was confirmed.
- 18 Councilor Coletta Zapata called Docket #0461, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Jessica Boatright as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Review Board, for a term expiring April 24, 2026, from the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency & Parks. Objection by Councilor Flynn Committee members polled; yeas 7. The matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the appointment was confirmed.
- 19 On the message and order, referred on February 12, 2025, Docket #0462, for the confirmation of the reappointment of Lawrence DiCara as a member of the Audit Committee, for a term expiring November 9, 2026, the committee submitted a report recommending that the appointment ought to be confirmed.
- 20 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 21 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 22 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Jerica Bradley as First Assistant Collector-Treasurer, effective November 30, 2024.
- 23 Communication was received from Councilor Murphy and Councilor Flynn regarding a "Request to Implement a Citywide Ban on Nondisclosure Agreements in Employment Matters."
- 24 Communication was received from Council President Ruthzee Louijeune calling for the election of City Clerk for the City of Boston on February 12, 2025, and ending on February 3, 2028. President Louijeune nominates Alex Geourntas. Seconded by Councilor Pepén. On motion of Councilor Louijeune, a roll call vote was called with the following result: Alex Geourntas- Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Fernandes Anderson, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell- 12. Not Present 1(Mejia). Alex Geourntas, having received 12 votes, was declared City Clerk for a term ending February 3, 2028.
- 25 Communication was received from Council President Ruthzee Louijeune calling for the election of Assistant City Clerk for the City of Boston on February 12, 2025, and ending on February 3, 2028. President Louijeune nominates Dassie Bheecham. Councilor Louijeune nominates Dassie Bheecham. Seconded by Councilor Murphy. On motion of Councilor Louijeune, a roll call vote was called with the following result: Dassie Bheecham- Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Fernandes Anderson, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell- 12. Not Present 1, (Mejia). Dassie Bheecham, having received 12 votes, was declared Assistant City Clerk for a term ending February 3, 2028.
- 26 Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding Eve Griffin of the Boston Public Library.
- 27 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
- 28 On the message and order, Docket #0236, for your approval a new home rule petition to the General Court, “Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to Residential Tax Relief in the City of Boston,” the committee submitted a report recommending that the docket ought to pass in a new draft. Councilor Flynn offered an amendment. Seconded by Councilor Murphy. The amendment was properly before the body; yeas 12, present 1 (Mejia). Councilor Mejia moved to close debate. Motion prevailed; yeas 10, nays 3 (FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy). A roll call vote was taken; the amendment did not pass; yeas 3 (FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy), nays 7, present 3 (Breadon, Fernandes Anderson, Mejia). Councilor Flynn offered a second amendment. Seconded by Councilor Murphy. The amendment was properly before the body. Councilor Flynn moved to substitute language. Motion prevailed. Councilor Mejia moved to close debate. Motion prevailed; yeas 10, nays 3 (FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy). A roll call vote was taken; the amendment did not pass; yeas 2 (Flynn, Murphy), nays 9, present 2 (Fernandes Anderson, Mejia). Councilor Mejia offered an amendment. Seconded by Councilor Flynn. The amendment was properly before the body. A roll call vote was taken; the amendment did not pass; yeas 4 (Breadon, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy), nays 8, present 1 (Fernandes Anderson). Councilor Murphy offered an amendment. Seconded by Councilor Flynn. The amendment was properly before the body; yeas 9, nays 1 (Durkan), not present 2 (Fernandes Anderson, Mejia). A roll call vote was taken; the amendment did not pass; yeas 4 (FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy, Worrell), nays 5, present 4 (Breadon, Fernandes Anderson, Mejia, Santana). On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the report was accepted; the petition was passed in a new draft; yeas 12, nays 1 (Flynn).
- 28 Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:
- 29 The Committee on Strong Women and Families and Communities, to which was referred on January 29, 2025, Docket #0293, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Forty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Seven Dollars and Seventy-Two Cents ($145,687.72) in the form of a grant, for the FY24 Violence Against Women’s Act, a STOP Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Justice, passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund a Civilian Domestic Violence Advocate who provide services for victims in Jamaica Plain, as well as for Spanish-speaking victims citywide and also supporting overtime for all Civilian Domestic Violence Advocates citywide, submits a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 30 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 30 Councilor Murphy, on behalf of the Committee on Strong Women, Families & Communities, submitted the following:
- 31 On the message and ordinance, referred on January 8, 2025, Docket #0135, to protect workers from heat-related illness and injuries in the City of Boston, the committee submitted a report recommending the ordinance ought to pass in a new draft. The report was accepted, the ordinance was passed in a new draft; yeas 11 (Breadon, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), absent 1 (Coletta Zapata).
- 32 Order for a hearing to discuss Boston's FY26 budget.
- 33 On the message and order, referred on January 15, 2025, Docket #0241, an order temporarily extending Urban Renewal Plans in the City of Boston until March 31, 2027 or passage of a proposed relevant Home Rule Petition, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 11, not present 2 (Fernandes Anderson, Mejia).
- 34 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 35 Ordinance to Establish RISE: Reshaping Inequities through Systematic Empowerment. Councilor Louijeune in the Chair.
- 35 Councilor Durkan, on behalf of the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation:
- 36 Petition for a Special Law Re: The Use of Nondisclosure, Confidentiality, and Other Employment Agreements in the City of Boston.
- 37 Petition for a Special Law re: An Act requiring that broker fees in the City of Boston be paid by the party who solicits a licensed broker. On motion of Councilors Breadon and Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Pepén as an original co-sponsor. Referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
- 38 Order for a hearing to discuss requiring all micro-mobility devices to be licensed, registered and insured.
- 38 On motion of Council President Louijeune, Docket #0484 was taken out of order:
- 39 Order for a hearing to review the PILOT program in the City of Boston.
- 40 Order for a hearing regarding biannual review of the Boston Employment Commission and the Boston Residents Jobs Policy. Councilor Louijeune in the chair.
- 41 Order for a hearing to assess the efficacy of the City of Boston Municipal Code's University Accountability Ordinance.
- 42 Order for a hearing to review and evaluate the Boston City Council's legislative impact on District 7 residents and its collaboration with the administration on projects in District 7 to identify areas for improvement.
- 43 Order for a hearing on Boston's distribution and implementation of COVID-19 relief funding and programs. On motion of Councilors Durkan and Worrell, Rule 12 was invoked to add Councilor Louijeune as an original co-sponsor. Referred to the Committee on Boston's COVID-19 Recovery.
- 44 Order for a hearing to discuss contractor parking regulations, permitting, and enforcement in Boston. On motion of Councilors Durkan and FitzGerald, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Louijeune as an original co-sponsor. Referred to the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation.
- 45 Order for a hearing to evaluate alterative options for the center running bus lane on Blue Hill Avenue and Columbus Avenue.
- 46 Order for a hearing to update and replace Black Heritage Trail signage.
- 47 Order for a hearing to evaluate the year-to-date financial performance of the FY2025 operating budget.
- 48 Order for a hearing to audit the financial impact of the Boston Police Department's compliance with City of Boston Code Section 11-1.1.
- 49 Order for a hearing to examine the impact of expiring COVID-related grant funding and other expenditures on City programs and staffing.
- 50 Resolution to support a study to evaluate feasibility of establishing an electric shuttle bus program to connect business districts across Boston. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 51 Resolution in support of the Mass General Brigham primary care physicians. Councilor Worrell in the Chair. On motion of Councilors Louijeune and Durkan, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Weber as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Louijeune, Durkan and Weber, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 13.
- 52 Resolution to support and create a small business Trust Cooperative in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 53 Resolution calling on the Administration to provide constituent service software to improve City Council constituent services advocacy and follow-up. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 54 Resolution recognizing Black History Month in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilors Worrell and Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Fernandes Anderson as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Worrell, Louijuene and Fernandes Anderson, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 54 On motion of Council President Louijeune, Docket #0490 was taken out of order:
- 55 Resolution in support of establishing a community preference policy for affordable housing development to mitigate displacement in Boston neighborhoods.
- 56 Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding Boston Public Schools (BPS) Code of Conduct Violations.
- 57 Order requesting certain information under section 17F re: vehicles owned, leased, or otherwise utilized by the City of Boston.
- 58 GREEN SHEETS:
- 59 Legislative Calendar for February 12, 2025.
- 60 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 61 Resolution recognizing VietAid.
- 62 Resolution congratulating Tree of Life Behavioral Health Services & Parents Universal Institute.
- 63 Resolution recognizing First Class Beauty Bar.
- 64 Resolution recognizing Josh Schmidt.
- 64 Councilor Worrell called Docket #0270, an order to adopt the Good Landlord Tax Abatement as a local option in the City of Boston from the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency and Parks. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor Worrell, Docket 0270 was passed; yeas 10, not present 3 (Breadon, Durken, Mejia).
- 65 Resolution in memory of Elba Portillo.
- 65 The Chair stated in absence of objection, eight late file matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following items were added:
- 66 Resolution recognizing The JP Recovery Center.
- 66 Councilor Coletta Zapata called Docket #0518, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Reginald Stovell as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Review Board, for a term expiring May 26, 2026, from the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency & Parks. Objection by Councilor Flynn Committee members polled; yeas 7. The matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the appointment was confirmed.
- 67 Resolution recognizing Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale.
- 67 Councilor Coletta Zapata called Docket #0519, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Lori Ferriss as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) Review Board, for a term expiring July 13, 2026, from the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency & Parks. Objection by Councilor Flynn Committee members polled; yeas 7. The matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the appointment was confirmed.
- 68 Resolution recognizing four individuals upon Grenada Independence Day.
- 68 Message transmitting certain information under section 17F pertaining to re: Information on White Stadium and Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, filed on Docket #0342, presented at the January 29, 2025 meeting.
- 69 Resolution recognizing Ms. Shirley Jones.
- 69 Communication was received from Councilor Erin Murphy regarding a Request for Clarification on Homeowner Rebate and Property Tax Relief Proposals.
- 70 Resolution recognizing Josiah Quincy Elementary School.
- 70 Communication was received from Councilor Erin Murphy regarding a Request for Clarification on Homeowner Rebate and Property Tax Relief Proposals addressed to Councilor Coletta Zapata.
- 71 Resolution recognizing Peter O'Malley.
- 71 Communication was received from Councilor Erin Murphy regarding Proposed Concerns and a Need for Equal Consideration.
- 72 Resolution congratulating Dr. Esther St Louis.
- 72 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Weber offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Korri Crowley in City Council, effective February 22, 2025.
- 73 Resolution congratulating Dr. Thomas St Louis.
- 73 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Pepen offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Edward Conley in City Council, effective February 8, 2025.
- 74 Resolution congratulating Bishop Gregory Toussaint.
- 75 Resolution congratulating Stephen Pina.
- 76 Resolution congratulating ChamSuze & Yves St Pierre.
- 76 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 77 Resolution congratulating Professor Théophile Pierre.
- 78 Resolution recognizing the Eliot School.
- 79 Resolution recognizing Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England.
- 80 Resolution recognizing Chinese Merchants Association.
- 81 Resolution recognizing Ni Lun Welfare Association.
- 82 Resolution recognizing Gee How Oak Tin.
- 83 Resolution recognizing Tufts Medical Center.
- 84 Resolution recognizing Leung Family Association.
- 85 Resolution recognizing Ukraine Forward.
- 86 Resolution recognizing Ukrainian American Educational Center of Boston.
- 87 Resolution recognizing Wang YMCA of Chinatown.
- 104 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 105 Adjourned at 7:33 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of William J. “Bill” Chisholm, James A. “Jim” Kearney, Stephen J. Powers, Lauren DeMato, Gale Scott, Fletcher “Flash” Wiley and Danielle Legros Georges, to meet again on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk