City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 58 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, May 22, 2024 at 12:03 P.M. President Louijeune in the Chair. All Councilors Present. Reverend Liz Walker, Roxbury Presbyterian Church, 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 May 15, 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 May 2, 2024, Docket #0864, for the confirmation of the reappointment of Alaa Mukahhal, as an Alternate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeal for a term expiring on May 1, 2027, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to be placed on file.
- 6 On the message and order, referred on May 2, 2024, Docket #0865, for the confirmation of the reappointment of Kerry Walsh Logue, as an Alternate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeal for a term expiring on November 1, 2025, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to be placed on file.
- 7 On the message and order, referred on May 22, 2024, Docket #0866, for the confirmation of the reappointment of Hansy Better Barraza, as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeal for a term expiring on May 1, 2027, the committee submitted a report recommending the reappointment ought to be confirmed. The report was accepted; the reappointment was confirmed.
- 8 On the message and order, referred on May 22, 2024, Docket #0867, for the confirmation of the reappointment of Sherry Dong, as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeal for a term expiring on May 1, 2026, the committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the appointment was confirmed; yeas 11, present 2 (Coletta Zapata, Mejia).
- 9 Councilor Coletta Zapata called Docket #0867, message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the Parks and Recreation Commission, on behalf of the City of Boston, to acquire by an eminent domain taking a parcel at 0 Dale Street in Hyde Park adjacent to the Sherrin Woods urban wild, as permanently protected parkland to be managed in coordination with Sherrin Woods, and to use Community Preservation Fund monies appropriated to the Parks and Recreation Department to award damages as determined by the Commission from the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency and Parks. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor Coletta Zapata, the order was passed.
- 10 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 11 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 12 Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Jeffrey Hawkins as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2029.
- 13 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Jonathan Lavine as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2029.
- 14 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 15 Dockets #0670-0672, Orders for the FY25 Operating Budget, including annual appropriations for departmental operations, for the School Department, and for other post-employment benefits (OPEB). Remain in the Committee on Ways and Means. Dockets #0673-0675, Orders for Capital Grant Fund credited appropriations. Remain in the Committee on Ways and Means. Dockets #0676-0678, Orders for the Capital Budget, including loan orders and lease purchase agreements. Remain in the Committee on Ways and Means.
- 16 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 17 Order for a hearing to discuss the proposed zoning amendment to remove the half-mile buffer zone between cannabis establishments.
- 18 Order for a hearing to discuss the creation of cultural districts in Boston. On motion of Councilors Worrell and Pepén, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Louijeune as an original co-sponsor. Referred to the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Tourism & Special Events.
- 19 Order for a hearing to discuss the creation of a Parks Administrator for downtown parks including the Boston Common, Public Garden, Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Copley Square and Christopher Columbus Park. On motion of Councilors Durkan and Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Coletta Zapata as an original co-sponsor. Referred to the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks.
- 20 Resolution commemorating Memorial Day and honoring those who made the supreme sacrifice for our country and our Gold Star families.
- 21 Resolution in support of H.R. 6452, “Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act."
- 22 Resolution recognizing and celebrating Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. On motion of Councilors Murphy and FitzGerald, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Flynn as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Murphy, FitzGerald, and Flynn, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
- 23 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 24 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Pepén offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee James Davis in City Council, effective June 29, 2024.
- 25 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Durkan offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Kennedy Avery and Anthony Baez in City Council, effective June 29, 2024.
- 26 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Murphy offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Kasey Barrett and Caroline O'Neill in City Council, effective June 29, 2024.
- 27 GREEN SHEETS:
- 27 The Chair stated in absence of objection, ten late file matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following items were added:
- 28 Legislative Calendar for May 20,2024.
- 28 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Ron Cobb, Karishma Chouhan, Arnita Flint, Michelle A.L. Goldberg, Meghan Kavanagh, Cora F. Montrond, Candace Morales, Shane Pac, Lorraine Schettino, and Ethan Vara in City Council, effective June 1, 2024.
- 29 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 29 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Ron Cobb, Karishma Chouhan, Arnita Flint, Michelle A.L. Goldberg, Meghan Kavanagh, Cora F. Montrond, Candace Morales, Shane Pac, Lorraine Schettino, and Ethan Vara in City Council, effective June 8, 2024.
- 30 Resolution recognizing Captain Steven Sweeney.
- 30 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Pepén offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Dezire Ambroise and Angelique Ferguson in City Council, effective June 1, 2024.
- 31 Resolution recognizing Neighborhood Leaders for Red Sox Neighborhood Night.
- 31 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Fernandes Anderson offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Janina Ribeiro in City Council, effective June 1, 2024.
- 32 Resolution recognizing Louis Elisa.
- 32 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Elaine Donovan, Judith E. Evers, Jack Imbergamo, Sebastian Parra, Gabriela Ramirez and Elizabeth Sanchez in City Council, effective May 25, 2024.
- 33 Resolution recognizing Beacon Hill Garden Club.
- 33 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Elaine Donovan, Judith E. Evers, Jack Imbergamo, Sebastian Parra, Gabriela Ramirez and Elizabeth Sanchez in City Council, effective June 1, 2024.
- 34 Resolution recognizing and congratulating 30 Charlestown High School students
- 34 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor FitzGerald offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Amanda Curley, Jessica Correia, Liam Rimas, and Julie Ryan in City Council, effective May 25, 2024.
- 35 Resolution recognizing May 18th as Armed Forces Day.
- 35 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor FitzGerald offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Amanda Curley, Jessica Correia, Liam Rimas, and Julie Ryan in City Council, effective June 1, 2024.
- 36 Resolution in memory of Katherine F. “Kate” (Hetherington) Walker.
- 36 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Pepén offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Dianna Bronchuck, Gabriel Cruz and James Davis in City Council, effective June 1, 2024.
- 37 Resolution celebrating the life of George Deeble.
- 37 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Pepén offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Dianna Bronchuck, Gabriel Cruz and James Davis in City Council, effective June 8, 2024.
- 38 Resolution congratulating V!Healthy on their 1 year anniversary.
- 38 Councilor Durkan called Docket #0755, communication was received by the City Clerk from the Boston Landmarks Commission for City Council action on the designation of The Putnam Nail Factory / George Lawley & Son Shipyard, 12-12R Ericsson Street, Boston, MA, as a Landmark (in effect after June 1, 2024 if not acted upon), from the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the designation did not pass; yeas 0, nays 10, present 3 (Fernandes Anderson, Mejia, Worrell).
- 39 Resolution recognizing Brenda Rodriguez-Andújar.
- 39 Councilor FitzGerald called Docket #0281, 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 EEC Mental Health Earmark, awarded by the MA Early Education and Child Care Department to be administered by the Office of Early Childhood. The grant will fund and support mental health training for early childhood educators, from the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness & Recovery. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, the order was passed.
- 43 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following matters:
- 54 The Chair stated in absence of objection, three late file matters would be added to the Consent Agenda. No objection being heard, the following items were added:
- 55 Resolution recognizing Liz Walker.
- 56 Resolution recognizing the Cory Johnson Program.
- 57 Resolution recognizing Ana Calderon.
- 58 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted. Adjourned at 1:58 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, in memory of Lisa Saverate, Michael Renaccio, Billie Jane Ashley Wiest, and a Day of Remembrance for Robert Santana and Barbara Rhodes, to meet again on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk