City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 71 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 9, 2024 at 12:06 PM. President Louijeune in the Chair. Absent, Councilor Fernandes Anderson. Reverend Irene Monroe, Public Theologian, delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. President Louijeune moved to adopt the minutes from the October 2, 2024 meeting. Motion Prevailed; yeas 11, nays 1 (Flynn).
- 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 One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) from the United States Department of the Interior under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to be administered by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for the purpose of making capital improvements to the Mary Ellen Welch Greenway in East Boston. The grant will fund improvements to the Greenway, including newly paved pathways, enhanced entrances, new site furnishings, and drainage improvements to address chronic site flooding.
- 6 On the message and order, referred on October 9, 2024, Docket #1507, requesting and recommending that the city hold in-person early voting for both the September 9, 2025, Preliminary Municipal Election (presuming this body acts favorably on my separate submission related to the date of the Preliminary) and the November 4, 2025, Municipal Election. I make this request in accordance with the provisions of G.L. c.54, § 25B (c)(1) upon the request of the registrars of the City of Boston. That statute provides a local option to allow for in-person early voting for any Preliminary or Municipal Election, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass in a new draft. Councilor Worrell in the Chair. The report was accepted; the order was passed in a new draft.
- 7 On the message and order, referred on October 9, 2024, Docket #1508, at the recommendation of the Chair of the Board of Election Commissioners, I hereby transmit for the approval of your Honorable Body an Order fixing the date of the 2025 Preliminary Municipal Election as September 9, 2025, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 8 Message transmitting certain information under section 17F pertaining to White Stadium documents, Docket #1447 passed by the Council on September 25, 2024 and Docket #1358 passed by the Council on September 11, 2024.
- 9 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 10 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 11 Communication was received from Councilor Ed Flynn regarding certain information under section 17F pertaining to Boston Housing Authority Elevators, Docket #1357 passed by the Council on September 11, 2024.
- 12 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 13 Order for a hearing to implement community-safe rodent birth control to protect Boston families, companion animals, and wildlife.
- 13 Councilor Pepén, on behalf of the Committee on City Services & Innovation Technology, submitted the following:
- 14 On the message and order, referred on September 18, 2024, Docket #1385, authorizing the City of Boston (the "City") to accept and expend the amount of Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000.00) in the form of a grant (the "Grant Payment"), awarded by the United States Department of the Treasury, to be administered by the City's Chief Financial Officer/Collector-Treasurer. This Grant Payment is made from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund in the Treasury of the United States established by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 10, nays 2 (Flynn, Murphy), absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson).
- 15 On the message and order, referred on June 5, 2024, Docket #0911, 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 FY24 Earmark for Fairmount Housing Development, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund the support of Police overtime for visible patrols in the Fairmount Development, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 15 Councilor Durkan, on behalf of the Committee on Boston's COVID-19 Recovery, submitted the following:
- 16 On the message and order, referred on August 7, 2024, Docket #1166, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Four Million One Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($4,125,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the FY25 Public Safety Answering Point Support and Incentive Grant, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund costs associated with providing Enhanced 911 services, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 17 On the message and order, referred on August 7, 2024, Docket #1168, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eight Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($850,000.00) in the form of a grant for the FY24 Boston Regional Intelligence Center Earmark, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund upgrading, expanding, and integrating technology and protocols related to anti-terrorism, anti-crime, anti-gang and emergency response, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 9, nays 3 (Louijeune, Mejia, Worrell), absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson).
- 17 Councilor Santana, on behalf of the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice, submitted the following:
- 18 On the message and order, referred on August 7, 2024, Docket #1170, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Four Hundred Forty-Five Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-Five Dollars and Seventy-Seven Cents ($445,865.77) in the form of the grant for the FY25 State 911 Training Grant, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund the training and certification of Enhanced 911 telecommunications staff, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12, absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson).
- 19 On the message and order, referred on August 7, 2024, Docket #1175, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eighty-Seven Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-Seven Dollars ($87,427.00) in the form of a grant, for the United States Attorney’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) Initiative grant, awarded by the United States Attorney’s Office passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, to be administered by the Boston Police Department. The grant will fund the purchase of needed equipment, software, and other technology items considered vital for preventing or reducing violent crime, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 20 On the message and order, referred on August 7, 2024, Docket #1177, 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 FY23 National Violent Death Reporting System, awarded by the MA Department of Public Health to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund data collection by the Bureau of Investigative Services and the Drug Control Unit, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 21 On the message and order, referred on August 28, 2024, Docket #1286, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eleven Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($11,200.00) in the form of a grant, for the FY23 Safe and Successful Youth Initiative, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Health and Human Services to be administered by the Boston Police Department. The grant will fund to support enrollment in the Certificate of Intensive Training in Motivational Interviewing for the SSYI Boston Case Management Team, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 22 On the message and order, referred on September 25, 2024, Docket #1432, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($175,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the FY24 Police Reform and Equitable Justice Grant Program, awarded by the Target Corporation to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund the Youth and Police Initiative (YPI), which provides police with the skills and tools necessary to understand and deal with troubled youth and gives troubled youth new ways to understand, perceive and deal with police authority, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12, absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson).
- 23 Order for a hearing to discuss inadequate delivery services by the United States Postal Service within Mission Hill and other Boston neighborhoods.
- 24 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 25 Petition for a Special Law re: An Act Directing the City of Boston Police Department to Waive the Maximum Age Requirement for Doumy Pamera of Jamaica Plain. On motion of Councilor Weber, the rules were suspended; the petition of passed; yeas 12, absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson).
- 26 Order for a hearing to explore utilizing surcharges to provide residential tax relief.
- 26 Councilor Breadon, on behalf of the Committee on PILOT Agreements, Institutional & Intergovernmental Relations, submitted the following:
- 27 Order for a hearing to discuss the use of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilors Breadon and Pepén, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Worrell as an original co-sponsor. Referred to the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency & Parks.
- 28 Order requesting certain information under section 17F: re: Information on Residential Tax Relief Proposal.
- 29 Order requesting certain information under section 17F: re Information on Boston Landmarks Commission.
- 29 On motion of Council President Louijeune, Docket #1518 was taken out of order:
- 30 Resolution recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Councilor Worrell in the Chair. On motion of Councilors Louijeune and Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 12, absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson).
- 31 Resolution declaring October 18, 2024 as Ryan Woods Day in the City of Boston. Councilor Louijeune in the Chair. On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Coletta Zapata and Santana as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors FitzGerald, Coletta Zapata and Santana, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 32 Resolution in support of holders of Temporary Protective Status (TPS). On motion of Councilors Mejia and Coletta Zapata, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Louijeune as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Mejia, Coletta Zapata, and Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted; yeas 11, not present 1 (Murphy), absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson).
- 33 Resolution in support of the International Longshoremen's Association. On motion of Councilors Flynn and Murphy, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 34 Resolution recognizing the contributions and legacy of Alberto Vasallo, Jr. On motion of Councilor Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 35 Resolution in support of a domestic violence and sexual assault committee at the Boston City Council.
- 36 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 37 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Anastasia Owen in City Council, effective October 12, 2024.
- 38 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Durkan offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Laurie Shorrosh in City Council, effective October 21, 2024.
- 39 GREEN SHEETS:
- 40 Legislative Calendar for October 9, 2024.
- 41 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 42 Resolution recognizing Janet Maude Spence.
- 43 Resolution recognizing Steve Smith.
- 44 Resolution recognizing Ann Cushing.
- 44 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:
- 45 Resolution recognizing John Cushing.
- 45 Notice was received from Councilor Fernandes Anderson of her absence from the October 9, 2024 Council Meeting.
- 46 Resolution recognizing Cathleen Fiumara.
- 46 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Santana offered the following: Order the appointment of temporary employee Joaquim Lombos in City Council, effective October 15, 2024.
- 47 Resolution recognizing Asian Community Fund.
- 47 Notice was received from the Mayor of the delegation of Dion Irish, Chief of Operations for the City of Boston, the authority vested pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87, Section 4.
- 48 Resolution in memory of Lina Capogreco.
- 48 Order for a Summons for Joshua Balcunas, USPS Postmaster, to appear before the Committee on PILOT Agreements, Institutional & Governmental Relations. On motion of Councilors Breadon and Durkan, the rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 11, nays 1 (Flynn), absent 1 (Fernandes Anderson).
- 49 Resolution recognizing Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
- 50 Resolution recognizing Charlotte M. Nelson.
- 50 Councilor Coletta Zapata called Docket #1167, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Stove Replacement Program (EJG2G), awarded by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, to be administered by the Environment Department. The grant will fund to educate residents on electric cooking and its environmental/health benefits, from the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency & Parks. On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the order was passed.
- 51 Resolution recognizing Susan Curry.
- 51 Councilor Santana called Docket #1476, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Sixty-Two Thousand One Hundred Forty-Nine Dollars ($62,149.00) in the form of a grant, for the FY24 Port Security Grant, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant will fund strengthened port-wide risk management and protection of critical surface transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies, from the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice. On motion of Councilor Santana, the order was passed.
- 52 Resolution in memory of Michele Morgan.
- 52 Legislative Calendar for October 9, 2024.
- 53 Resolution in memory of Robert Alan O'Connell.
- 54 Resolution recognizing four winners of the 2024 Allston-Brighton Renter's Garden Contest.
- 54 Councilor Louijeune moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
- 55 Resolution recognizing Tu Hispanidad Flag Day.
- 69 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 70 Adjourned at 3:47 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Maceo Martin, Robert "Bob" O'Connell, and Red Sox Legend Luis Tiant, to meet again at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 23, 2024. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk