City Council

Council Chambers

Agenda — 61 items

1. 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 14, 2024 at 12:05 P.M. President Louijeune in the Chair. All Councilors Present. Pastor Franklin Hobbs, Healing Our Land Ministries, delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance to the flag. President Louijeune moved to adopt the minutes from the February 7, 2024 meeting. Motion Prevailed.
2. 2 ROLL CALL
3. 3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
4. 4 COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
5. 5 On the message and order, referred on February 14, 2024, Docket #0338, an Order to reduce the FY24 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by One Million Two Hundred and Three Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-One Dollars ($1,203,751.00) to provide funding for various City Departments for the FY24 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Council 93, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. 2024-0338 Referred to
6. 6 On the message and order, referred on February 14, 2024, Docket #0339, a supplemental appropriation Order for various departments for the FY24 in the amount of One Million Two Hundred and Three Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-One Dollars ($1,203,751.00) to cover the FY24 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Council 93. The terms of the contract are July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027. The major provisions for the contract include base wage increases of 2% to be given in July of each fiscal year of the contract term and flat amounts of $500, $250, $900, and $800 to be added to annual salaries in January of each fiscal year. The agreement also includes changes to personal days, an increase in the clothing allowance and training funds, and increases to certain differentials, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. 2024-0339 Referred to
7. 7 On the message and order, referred on February 14, 2024, Docket #0340, an Order to reduce the FY24 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Six Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Four Dollars ($647,254.00) to provide funding for various City Departments for the FY24 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the Service Employees International Union, Local 888, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. 2024-0340 Referred to
8. 8 On the message and order, referred on February 14, 2024, Docket #0341, a supplemental appropriation Order for various departments for the FY24 in the amount of Six Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Four Dollars ($647,254.00) to cover the FY24 cost items contained with the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the Service Employees International Union. The terms of the contract are July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027. The major provisions for the contract include base wage increases of 2% to be given in January of each fiscal year of the contract term and flat amounts of $500, $250, $900, and $750 to be added to annual salaries in January of each fiscal year after the percentage increase. The agreement also includes an expansion of the clothing allowance, an increase to the weekend differential, and compensation reviews of certain position groups, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. 2024-0341 Referred to
9. 9 On the message and order, referred on February 12, 2024, Docket #0342, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expand the amount of One Million Seven Hundred Five Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars and Twelve Cents ($1,705,475.12) in the form of a grant, for the FY24 Senator Charles E. Shannon Jr. Community Safety Initiative, awarded by MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security to be Administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang violence through coordinated prevention and intervention, law enforcement, prosecution and reintegration programs, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. 2024-0342 Referred to
10. 10 Councilor Fernandes Anderson called Docket #0343, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Three Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($325,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Red Sox Arts and Parks Program, awarded by the Boston Red Sox to be administered by the Mayor’s Office. The grant will support arts programming, community events and parks operations across Boston, from the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Tourism & Special Events. Hearing no objection, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the order was passed. 2024-0343 Referred to
11. 11 On the message and order, referred on February 14, 2024, Docket #0344, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty-Three Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($23,400.00) in the form of a grant for the FY24 Municipal Road Safety, awarded by the United States Department of Transportation, passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund high-visibility enforcement of motor vehicle laws, including but not limited to, speeding and aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving and occupant protection, 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 (Breadon, Mejia). 2024-0344 Referred to
12. 12 Message transmitting certain information under section 17F relative to the Boston Emergency Medical Services response times pertaining to Docket #0205, passed by the Council on January 22, 2024. 2024-0345 Placed on file.
13. 13 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
14. 14 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
15. 15 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 January 31, 2024. 2024-0346 Placed on file.
16. 16 Communication was received from the Office of Black Male Advancement of the report entitled "Black Male Advancement Quarterly Report" October 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023. 2024-0347 Placed on file.
17. 17 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
18. 18 A petition for a special law re: An age waiver for the maximum age requirement for Paul O'Brien to join the Boston Police Department. 2024-0302 The rules were suspended; the order was passed.
19. 19 Councilor Murphy called Docket #0284, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) in the form of a grant, for Youth Engagement and Advancement, awarded by Boston Children’s Hospital, to be administered by the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement. The grant will fund a development series with ongoing workshops for youth workers to learn skills and strategies to become more effective in their positions. The funds will be used towards the Mayor’s Youth Summit, from the Committee on Strong Women, Families, and Communities. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. Committee members polled; yeas 5. On motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. 2024-0284 Remains in
20. 19 Docket #0284 was read into the record:
21. 20 Message and order 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: 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. 2024-0258 The rules were suspended; the order was passed.
22. 20 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) in the form of a grant, for Youth Engagement and Advancement, awarded by Boston Children’s Hospital, to be administered by the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement. The grant will fund a development series with ongoing workshops for youth workers to learn skills and strategies to become more effective in their positions. The funds will be used towards the Mayor’s Youth Summit. Remains in the Committee on Strong Women, Families and Communities. Later in session, Councilor Murphy called Docket #0284 from the Green Sheets.
23. 21 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
24. 22 Order for a hearing to discuss a comprehensive review and update of the Boston EMS Service Zone Plan. 2024-0348 Referred to
25. 23 Order for a hearing to discuss the goals and priorities of the City of Boston’s Office of Veterans Services. 2024-0349 Referred to
26. 24 Order for a hearing to discuss the community process for transportation planning in the City of Boston. 2024-0350 Referred to
27. 25 Order for a meeting to review the Boston City Council Rules. 2024-0351 Referred to
28. 26 Order for a hearing to explore the creation of a citywide merchandise licensing program. 2024-0352 Referred to
29. 27 Order for a hearing to discuss the feasibility of BPS providing ESOL classes for parents. 2024-0353 Referred to
30. 28 Order for a hearing regarding current bail policies in local jails. 2024-0354 Referred to
31. 29 Order for a hearing to discuss ways to equitably fight climate displacement in District Seven. 2024-0355 Referred to
32. 30 Order for a hearing to discuss prioritizing equitable development by exploring financial solutions to clean parcels prior to acquisition in Boston. 2024-0356 Referred to
33. 31 Order for a hearing to discuss the possibility of congestion pricing in Boston. 2024-0357 Referred to
34. 32 Resolution in support of the name change of the Roxbury Library to the Nubian Library. 2024-0358 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
35. 33 Resolution to Combat and Prevent Human Trafficking. 2024-0359 The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
36. 34 Resolution recognizing Children of Addiction Week. 2024-0360 The rules were suspended; the ordinance was adopted.
37. 35 WITHDRAWN 2024-0361 Withdrawn.
38. 36 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
39. 37 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Fernandes Anderson offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Joshua Champagne in City Council, effective February 19, 2024. 2024-0362 Passed under suspension of the rules.
40. 38 GREEN SHEETS:
41. 39 Legislative Calendar for February 14, 2024. GS-2/14/24
42. 39 Councilor Worrell called Docket #0285, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend a donation of three Certified Comfort Dogs valued at Eight Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($8,400.00) donated by the Dame Dogs Labradors, LLC to be administered by the Boston Police Department. The purpose of the donation is to support the Bureau of Field Services of the Boston Police Department by adding three comfort dogs to their department, from the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. Committee members polled; yeas 5. On motion of Councilor Worrell, the rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. 2024-0285 The rules were suspended; the order was passed.
43. 40 CONSENT AGENDA:
44. 40 Councilor Murphy called Docket #0284, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) in the form of a grant, for Youth Engagement and Advancement, awarded by Boston Children’s Hospital, to be administered by the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement. The grant will fund a development series with ongoing workshops for youth workers to learn skills and strategies to become more effective in their positions. The funds will be used towards the Mayor’s Youth Summit, from the Committee on Strong Women, Families, and Communities. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. Committee members polled; yeas 5. On motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. 2024-0284 The rules were suspended; the order was passed.
45. 41 Resolution recognizing Samuel “Metro” Mullin. 2024-0363
46. 41 Councilor Durkan called Docket #0105, message and order 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 MGH Clinical Building Project Grant, awarded by the Boston Planning & Development Agency to be administered by the Public Works Department. The grant will fund studies to examine design changes and implement the reconstruction of Blossom Street from Cambridge Street to Charles Street, from the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. Committee members polled; yeas 5. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. The rules were suspended; the order was passed.
47. 42 Resolution recognizing Col. Christopher B. Shaw. 2024-0364
48. 42 Councilor Durkan called Docket #0106, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000.00) in the form of a grant for the MGH-BTD Clinical Building Project Grant, awarded by the Boston Planning & Development Agency to be administered by the Policy and Planning in the Transportation Department. The grant will fund transportation studies to examine the design changes and improvements that can be made to Cambridge Street, Blossom, and North Grove/Cambridge Street intersection, from the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. Committee members polled; yeas 5. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13. The rules were suspended; the order was passed.
49. 43 Resolution recognizing Hon. Justin A. Petty. 2024-0365
50. 44 Resolution recognizing Shary Browne. 2024-0366
51. 45 Resolution recognizing Michael Matthews. 2024-0367
52. 46 Resolution congratulating Parker-Vincent Alva. 2024-0368
53. 46 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following matters:
54. 47 Resolution congratulating Little Crafters Child Care Center. 2024-0369
55. 48 Resolution recognizing Rev. Kevin Peterson. 2024-0370
56. 49 Resolution recognizing CCBA. 2024-0371
57. 50 Resolution recognizing Filippo Frattaroli. 2024-0372
58. 51 Resolution in memory of John "Sonny" Mirabella. 2024-0373
59. 52 Resolution in memory of Roberta Frances Madden. 2024-0374
60. 59 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
61. 60 Adjourned at 2:45 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Vincenzo Perrone, Robert Edward Curran, Seiji Ozawa, Marie Therese Polvnice, Mike Halley, Lawrence Cedrone and Fred Driscoll, to meet again on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk

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