City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 52 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, October 30, 2024 at 12:06 P.M. President Louijeune in the Chair. All Councilors Present. Father John Sheridan, Charlestown Catholic Collaborative, delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. President Louijeune moved to adopt the minutes from the October 23, 2024 meeting. Motion Prevailed; yeas 12, nays 1 (Flynn). President Louijeune moved to adopt the minutes from the October 25, 2024 special 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 October 30, 2024, Docket #1613, for your approval an Order to reduce the FY25 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Eight Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Nine Dollars ($881,479.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) for the FY25 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston Public School Committee and AFSCME, Council 93 and Affiliate Local 230 (Cafeteria Workers), 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 October 30, 2024, Docket #1614, for a supplemental appropriation Order for the Boston Public Schools for FY25 in the amount of Eight Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Nine Dollars ($881,479.00) to cover the FY25 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the AFSCME, Council 93 and Affiliate Local 230 (Cafeteria Workers). The term of the contract is September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2027. The major provisions of the contract include base wage increases of 2% in September of 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026; with additional annual wage increases of $500, $250, $900, and $800 per employee in September of 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 7 On the message and order, referred on October 30, 2024, Docket #1615, for your approval an Order to reduce the FY25 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Four Hundred Fifty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Six Dollars ($457,886.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools (BPS) for the FY25 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Lunch Monitors, AFSCME, Council 93, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 8 On the message and order, referred on October 30, 2024, Docket #1616, for a supplemental appropriation Order for the Boston Public Schools for FY25 in the amount of Four Hundred Fifty-Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Six Dollars ($457,886.00) to cover the FY25 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Lunch Monitors, AFSCME, Council 93. The term of the contract is September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2027. The major provisions of the contract include step changes in September 2023; base wage increases of 2% in September of 2024, 2025, and 2026; and increases of $0.15, $0.60, and $0.56 to be added to hourly wages in September 2024, 2025, and 2026, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 9 On the message and order, referred on October 30, 2024, Docket #1617, for your approval an Order to reduce the FY25 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Forty Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Eight Dollars ($40,838.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) for the FY25 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between Boston Public Health Commission and SEIU Local 888, Coordinators Unit, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 10 On the message and order, referred on October 30, 2024, Docket #1618, a supplemental appropriation Order for the Boston Public Health Commission for FY25 in the amount of Forty Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty-Eight Dollars ($40,838.00) to cover the FY25 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston Public Health Commission and the SEIU Local 888, Coordinators Unit. The terms of the contracts are July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 and July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027. The major provisions of the contracts including base wage increases of 2% in October 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026; and flat amount additions of $500.00, $250.00, $900.00, and $800.00 to be added in January of 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 11 Councilor Worrell called Docket #1619, for your approval an Order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of One Million Five Hundred Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($1,515,000.00) for the purpose of paying the costs of a feasibility study through schematic design for the roof, window, and door replacement projects for the following schools: Kenny Elementary School, O’Donnell Elementary School, Adams Elementary School, Chittick Elementary School, Everett Elementary School, Gardner Pilot Academy, Lyndon Elementary School, and Murphy K-8 School, from the Committee on Ways and Means. On motion of Councilor Worrell, the order was read a second time and passed in a new draft; yeas 13.
- 12 Councilor Pepén called Docket #1620, message and order for your approval an Order appropriating from the Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund in the sum of Four Hundred Twenty-Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($423,500.00) for projects described in the attached order. The Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund Commissioners met on October 15, 2024 and voted to approve these projects, from the Committee on City Services & Innovation Technology. On motion of Councilor Pepén, the order was passed; yeas 12, not present 1 (Mejia).
- 13 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of 1,500 turkeys, valued at Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00), donated by Stop and Shop. The purpose of this donation is to provide turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the City of Boston.
- 14 On the message and order, referred on October 30, 2024, Docket #1622, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Fifty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Hundred Dollars and Four Cents ($56,890.04) in the form of a grant, for the FY25 Municipal Road Safety grant, awarded by the United States Department of Transportation, passed through the MA Executive Office of Safety and Security, to be administered by the Police Department. The grant would fund high-visibility traffic enforcement of motor vehicles laws, including but limiting to, speeding and aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, and occupant protection, as well as traffic safety equipment, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Fernandes Anderson, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepen, Santana, Webber and Worrell), present 1 (Mejia).
- 15 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept various donated furniture with the fair market value of Thirty-Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars ($39,825.00), donated by Furniture Trust Organization Inc., to be administered by the Property Management Department. The donation will support the Property Management Department’s mission to enhance management properties, making them more welcoming and vibrant while aligning with the City’s sustainability and climate goals.
- 16 Message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Jessica Boatright, as a Member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure (BERDO) Review Board for a term expiring April 24, 2026.
- 17 Message transmitting certain information under section 17F pertaining to re: Information on Residential Tax Relief Proposal, filed on Docket 1514, presented at the October 10, 2024 meeting.
- 18 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 19 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 20 Communication was received from the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding "Report and Decision Application of Faneuil Gardens Redevelopment - Chapter 121A Project.”
- 21 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 22 Order for a hearing to discuss the extension of free museum passes exclusively for Boston Public School families.
- 23 On the message and ordinance, referred on August 7, 2024, Docket #1197, Amending the City of Boston Code, Ordinances Chapter VII Section 7 Regulating Restrictions on Park Frontages, the committee submitted a report recommending that the Ordinance ought to pass. The report was accepted; the ordinance was passed; yeas 10, nays 1 (Flynn), present 2 (Fernandes Anderson, Mejia).
- 24 On the message and order, for your approval a home rule petition to the General Court entitled "Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to Property Tax Classification 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 12, nays 1 (Flynn)
- 24 Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:
- 25 Order for a hearing to discuss BCYF services in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood of the City of Boston.
- 26 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 27 Order for a hearing to address critical issues in jail-based voting and empower incarcerated communities to strengthen democracy. On motion of Councilor Mejia, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Louijeune and Fernandes Anderson as original co-sponsors.
- 28 Order for a hearing to address the final repairs needed for the pool at the Condon Community Center and School to reopen.
- 29 Order for a hearing on health access in Hyde Park.
- 30 Resolution recognizing the week of November 3 through 9, 2024 as Election Worker Appreciation Week and November 4, 2024 as Election Hero Day in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilors Weber and Santana, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Louijeune as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Weber, Santana, and Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 31 Resolution in support of S. 5210, Building Resources and Access for Veterans' Mental Health Engagement Act of 2024 or the “BRAVE Act of 2024."
- 32 Resolution in support of H.R. 8560, the "End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2024."
- 33 GREEN SHEETS:
- 34 Legislative Calendar for October 30, 2024.
- 35 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 35 Councilor Santana called Docket #1543, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Two Hundred Two Thousand Five Hundred Sixty Dollars and Ninety Cents ($1,202,560.90) in the form of a grant for the FY2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant will fund critically needed resources that equip and train emergency personnel to recognized standards, enhance operational efficiencies, foster interoperability, and support community resilience, from the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice. On motion of Councilor Santana, the order was passed.
- 36 Resolution recognizing Michael “DJ Smokey” Cain.
- 36 Councilor Fernandes Anderson called Docket #0289, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Nigel Jacobs to the Boston Art Commission for a term expiring on December 20, 2028, from the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Tourism & Special Events. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the appointment was confirmed.
- 37 Resolution recognizing Marisa DiPietro.
- 37 Councilor Fernandes Anderson called Docket #0290, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of James Mason to the Boston Art Commission for a term expiring on December 20, 2028, from the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Tourism & Special Events. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the appointment was confirmed.
- 38 Resolution recognizing Gary Marino.
- 38 Councilor Fernandes Anderson called Docket #0291, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Abigail Norman to the Boston Art Commission for a term expiring on December 20, 2028, from the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Tourism & Special Events. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the appointment was confirmed.
- 39 Resolution recognizing Lorraine Schettino.
- 39 Councilor FitzGerald called Docket #1549, 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 LGBTQ Mental Health Plan, awarded by United Healthcare Community Plan of Massachusetts to be administered by the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement. The grant will fund community efforts to combat substance abuse and mental illness disparities among the LGBTQ+ community, from the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness & Recovery. On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, the order was passed.
- 40 Resolution recognizing thirteen WORK Inc. Employees.
- 40 Legislative Calendar for October 30, 2024.
- 41 Resolution recognizing The Treasury.
- 42 Resolution recognizing Arthur Nin.
- 42 Councilor Louijeune moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 50 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 51 Adjourned at 2:26 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Glenn Durkee, Ron Perry, Sr., Marie Charite Orelien, and Jean Edues Paul, to meet again at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk