City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 84 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, July 10, 2024 at 12:13 PM. President Louijeune in the Chair. Absent, Councilor Durkan. Father John Currie—St. Patrick's Church, St. Peter Parish, and Holy Family Parish—delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. President Louijeune moved to adopt the minutes from the June 26, 2024 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 July 10, 2024, Docket #1105, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00) and any interest accrued thereon-received in the form of annual Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) payments and held in an interest-bearing escrow fund until designated for use by the City-for the Sullivan Square Infrastructure Project, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 6 On the message and order, referred on July 10, 2024, Docket #1106, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($165,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Mayor’s Office of Human Services’ Connect, Learn and Explore Initiative, awarded by Boston Children’s Hospital to be administered by the Office of Human Services. The grant will fund youth sports and swim activities in partnership with Boston Public Schools, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 7 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the development of urban space at 581 Dudley Street in the Roxbury section of the City of Boston to improve climate resiliency and provide outdoor recreation space, awarded by the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation to be administered by the Department of Neighborhood Development. The grant will fund Dudley Street (State ARPA Earmark).
- 8 On the message and order, referred on July 10, 2024, Docket #1108, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirty-Eight Thousand ($38,000.00) in the form of a grant for the MHC FY24 Survey and Planning Grant Phase II, awarded by the United States Department of the Interior, passed through the Massachusetts Historical Commission, to be administered by the Office of Historic Preservation. The grant will fund Phase II of the East Boston Survey Update. The aim of Phase II is to produce new and updated inventory forms for properties in East Boston's Orient Heights area, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
- 9 On the message and order, referred on July 10, 2024, Docket #1109, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty-Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($22,500.00) in the form of a grant, for the Child Care Licensing Support grant, awarded by the United Way to be administered by the Office of Early Childhood. The grant will fund stipends for individuals who have completed the Family Childcare Licensing Support Training and have opened their businesses, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 10 Message and order for your approval an Order to reduce the FY25 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Seven Hundred Eighty-Six Thousand Five Hundred and Three Dollars ($786,503.00) to provide funding for a City Department for the FY25 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association. Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on July 8, 2024.
- 11 Message and order for a supplemental appropriation Order for a City Department for FY25 in the amount of Seven Hundred Eighty-Six Thousand Five Hundred and Three Dollars ($786,503.00) to cover the FY25 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the Boston Public Library Professional Staff Association. The terms of the contract are July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027. The major provisions of the contract include a base wage increase of 2% to be given in October 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. Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on July 8, 2024.
- 12 Message and order for your approval an Order to reduce the FY25 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Thirty-Four Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-One Dollars ($34,331.00) to provide funding for a City Department for the FY25 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and Teamsters Local 25. Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on July 8, 2024.
- 13 Message and order for a supplemental appropriation Order for a City Department for FY25 in the amount of Thirty-Four Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-One Dollars ($34,331.00) to cover the FY25 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the Teamsters Local 25. The terms of the contract are July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027. The major provisions of the contract include a base wage increase 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. Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on July 8, 2024.
- 14 I hereby transmit for your review the City of Boston’s 2023 Annual Surveillance Report, pursuant to the Ordinance on Surveillance Oversight and Information Sharing, Boston City Code Section 16-63 (the “Ordinance”).
- 15 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 16 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 17 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Jerica Bradley as Temporary First Assistant Collector-Treasurer for a period of 60 days, effective June 29, 2024.
- 18 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Tim McKenzie as Temporary Second Assistant Collector-Treasurer for a period of 60 days, effective June 29, 2024.
- 19 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City on Monday July 1, 2024 from 9:00 a.m., returning Monday July 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
- 20 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 May 8, 2024.
- 21 Communication was received from Timothy J. Smyth, Executive Officer of the Boston Retirement Board re: the FY25 Retiree Cost of Living Adjustment ("COLA") vote.
- 22 Notice was received from Governor Healey of the appointment of Mayor Wu as a member of the Advisory Commission of Local Government, for a term expiring January 15, 2025.
- 23 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 June 26, 2024.
- 24 Communication was received from Keegan Werlin LLP, re: NSTAR Electric Company d/b/a Eversource Energy, EFSB 22-03 D.P.U. 22-21, of the final decision issued by the Energy Facilities Sitting Board dated July 2, 2024.
- 25 The Constable Bonds of Sleamms Petit-Maitre and Francisco Mejia having been duly approved by the Collector-Treasurer were received and approved under the usual terms and conditions.
- 26 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
- 27 On the message and order referred on June 5, 2024, Docket #0904, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Ninety-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($297,200.00) in the form of a grant for the FY24 Local Cultural Council Program, awarded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture. The grant will fund innovative arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences programming that enhances the quality of life in the City of Boston, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 27 Councilor Fernandes Anderson, on behalf of the Committee on Arts, Culture, Tourism and Special Events, submitted the following:
- 28 On the message and order referred on June 5, 2024, Docket #0903, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Culture Access Fund, awarded by the Boston Foundation to be administered by the Office of Arts & Culture. The grant will fund the support of the Cultural Access Pilot Program, BPS Sundays, from the Boston Foundation, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 29 On the message and order referred on June 5, 2024, Docket #0905 authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Cultural Access Fund, awarded by the Barr Foundation to be administered by the Office of Arts & Culture. The grant will fund support for the Cultural Access Fund Pilot Program, helping to support the BPS Sundays initiative across several arts and cultural institutions, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 30 On the message and order referred on June 5, 2024, Docket #0906, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) in the form of a grant, BPS Sundays pilot program support, awarded by Pilot House Philanthropy to be administered by the Office of Arts and Culture. The grant will fund the learning and evaluation component of the BPS Sunday Pilot Program, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.
- 31 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 32 Order for a hearing to review the rules and regulation of vehicles in relation to expansion of micro mobility access.
- 33 Order for a hearing to discuss the possibility of congestion pricing in Boston.
- 34 An Ordinance to Adopt the Small Commercial Tax Exemption as a Local Option in the City of Boston.
- 35 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 36 WITHDRAWN
- 37 On the Home Rule Petition, referred on July 10, 2024, Docket #1125, Petition For A Special Law Re: An Act Providing Certain Death Benefits for the widow of a former Firefighter of the City of Boston, the committee submitted a report recommending that the petition ought to pass. The report was accepted; the petition was passed.
- 38 Order for a hearing to discuss resources for early childhood education and ways to ensure access to early childhood education for Boston families.
- 39 Order for a hearing to discuss alternative sidewalk options than concrete.
- 40 Order for a hearing to discuss a fundamental overhaul of the Massachusetts Cannabis System.
- 41 Order for a hearing to improve recruitment of civilian crossing guards to serve Boston families. On motion of Councilor Pepén, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Santana and Weber as original co-sponsors.
- 42 Order for a hearing to implement community-safe rodent birth control to protect Boston families, companion animals, and wildlife.
- 43 Order for a hearing to review capital planning, budgeting, and project management practices in the capital program of the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Breadon, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Mejia and Worrell as original co-sponsors.
- 44 Resolution calling for the reinstatement of the Community Syringe Redemption Program in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors FitzGerald and Murphy as original co-sponsors. On motion of Councilors Flynn, FitzGerald and Murphy, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 45 Resolution in support of H.115 and S.49, "An Act to facilitate labor peace among the cannabis workforce." On motion of Councilor Weber, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 46 Resolution congratulating John McGahan and recognizing July 10th as John McGahan Day in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilors Murphy and Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor FitzGerald as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Murphy, Flynn and FitzGerald, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 47 Resolution in support of MCAS. On motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the resolution was not adopted; yeas 1, nays 7 (Fernandes Anderson, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber and Worrell), present 3 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, FitzGerald), absent 2 (Durkan, Flynn).
- 48 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 49 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Fernandes Anderson offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Logan M. O'Neill is City Council, effective July 15, 2024.
- 50 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Weber offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Bonnie Delaune in City Council, effective July 1, 2024.
- 51 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Fernandes Anderson offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Ewura Yankah in City Council, effective July 6, 2024.
- 52 GREEN SHEETS:
- 53 Legislative Calendar July 10, 2024.
- 54 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 54 The Chair stated that in absence of objection, six late file matters would be added to the agenda. No objection being heard, the following items were added:
- 55 Resolution recognizing US Navy Week.
- 55 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Fernandes Anderson offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Bayle Vines in City Council, effective July 22, 2024.
- 56 Resolution recognizing Boston Harborfest.
- 56 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Fernandes Anderson offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Carly Johnson in City Council, effective July 24, 2024.
- 57 Resolution recognizing St. Theresa Society.
- 57 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees in City Council, effective June 15, 2024.
- 58 Resolution recognizing Cheers Bar and Hampshire House.
- 58 Communication was received from Councilor Durkan regarding her absence from the July 10, 2024 City Council Meeting.
- 59 Resolution recognizing Boston Police Officer Dudley Hill.
- 59 Communication was received from Councilor Ed Flynn regarding his early departure from the July 10, 2024 City Council Meeting.
- 60 Resolution recognizing Whittier Street Health Center.
- 60 An ordinance amending City of Boston Code, Ordinances, 2-8.3. On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the ordinance was passed.
- 61 Resolution in memory of Alba Zacaj.
- 61 Councilor Santana called Docket #1043, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Youth Sports Fund, awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to be administered by Neighborhood Services. The grant will fund referee training, payments for travel expenses related to sports and purchase of sport equipment for Boston School students, from the Committee on Education. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor Santana, the order was passed.
- 62 Resolution in memory of Doña Betsaida Gutiérrez.
- 62 Legislative Calendar July 10, 2024.
- 63 Resolution recognizing Jeanne DuBois.
- 64 Resolution recognizing Alta McDonald.
- 64 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following matters:
- 65 Resolution recognizing DJ T. Clark.
- 66 Resolution in memory of Russell Flynne Sr.
- 67 Resolution in memory of Amilcar Cabral.
- 68 Resolution recognizing Nha Balila.
- 69 Resolution recognizing the Cabo Verdean Community of Boston.
- 70 Resolution recognizing Cabo Verdean Heritage Month.
- 71 Resolution recognizing Bikes Not Bombs.
- 82 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 83 Adjourned at 3:22 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of William “Crash” President, Alba Zacaj, Doña Betsaida Gutiérrez, Christian Cousins, Robert King, John Todd, and Vincenzo “Jimmy” Grasso, to meet again on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk