City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 67 items
- 1 ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR MATTERS PRESENTED TO THE CITY CLERK PRIOR TO 10:00 A.M. ON MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2024 FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT A REGULAR MEETING IN THE CHRISTOPHER IANNELLA CHAMBER ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024 AT 12:00 P.M.
- 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, March 6, 2024 at 12:05 P.M. President Louijeune in the Chair. All Councilors Present. Rabbi Y.A. Korff, Pastor Mariama White Hammond, and Imam Vincent Ware 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 28, 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 March 6, 2024, Docket #0459, an Order to reduce the FY24 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Two Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-Five Dollars ($2,945.00) to provide funding for the Boston Police Department for the FY24 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the New York Typographical Union CWA Local 14156, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 6 On the message and order, referred on March 6, 2024, Docket #0460, a supplemental appropriation Order for the FY24 in the amount of Two Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-Five Dollars ($2,945.00) to cover the FY24 cost items contained with the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the New York Typographical Union CWA Local 14156. The terms of the contract are July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027. The major provisions of 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 $800 to be added to annual salaries in January of each fiscal year, after the 2% increase, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 7 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Million Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Six Hundred Thirty-Three Dollars and Twenty Cents ($2,650,633.20) in the form of a grant, for the FY24 State Elder Lunch Program, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund nutrition services for older adults in the City of Boston, at a rate of $7.39 per meal for up to 358,679 meals.
- 8 Message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the City of Boston (the “City”) to modify the expenditure in the amount of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00), previously accepted by City Council on July 13, 2022 to support municipal infrastructure for food waste disposal. Such Grant Payment was 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 of 2021.
- 9 Councilor Murphy called Docket #0463, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Dollars and Seventy-Seven Cents ($1,525,380.77) in the form of a grant, for the Federal FY24 Nutrition Services Incentive Program, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, passed through the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs, to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund the Age Strong Commission’s nutrition program that delivers meals to homes of older adults and at congregate sites in the City of Boston, from the Committee on Strong Women, Families and Communities. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. On the motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
- 10 Councilor Murphy called Docket #0464, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Eighty-Seven Thousand Dollars ($187,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the East Boston Foundation Fund II, awarded by the Massachusetts Port Authority to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund Age Strong Commission’s operations and management of the East Boston Senior Center, from the Committee on Strong Women, Families and Communities. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. On the motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
- 11 Councilor Murphy called Docket #0465, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($180,000.00) in the form of a grant for the Creative Aging Program, awarded by Goddard House Assisted Living to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund bringing arts programming to older adults in Boston, from the Committee on Strong Women, Families and Communities. No objection being heard, the matter was before the body. On the motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
- 12 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Thirty-Six Thousand Six Hundred Fifteen Dollars ($36,615.00) in the form of a grant, for the FY23 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement State formula allocation, awarded by the United States Department of Justice, passed through the Massachusetts State Police / Crime Laboratory, to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund training and continuing education for forensic examiners, criminalists and laboratory personnel.
- 13 On the message and order, referred on March 6, 2026, Docket #0467, authorizing the City of Boston to submit a Statement of Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Core Program for The Boston Community Leadership Academy 7-12 School (BCLA) pursuant to M.G.L. c. 70B, § 5. The Statement of Interest describes and explains the deficiencies within the school facility that prevents Boston Public Schools (BPS) from delivering their desired educational program.
- 14 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 15 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 16 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Richard Claytor, as a member of the Commission on Black Men and Boys, expiring on December 31, 2024.
- 17 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Corey Thompson, as a member of the Commission on Black Men and Boys, expiring on December 31, 2024.
- 18 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Tevez Schail, as a member of the Commission on Black Men and Boys, expiring on December 31, 2024.
- 19 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
- 20 On the message and ordinance, referred on January 24, 2024, Docket #0168, with respect to Honey Bees, the Committee submitted a report recommending that the Ordinance ought to pass in a new draft.
- 20 Councilor Coletta, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:
- 21 On the message and ordinance, referred on January 24, 2024, Docket #0169, Text Amendment to the Boston Zoning Code with respect to Honey Bees, the Committee submitted a report recommending that the docket ought to pass.
- 22 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 23 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 24 Ordinance and amendment to the Boston Municipal Code in regard to measuring racial equity in affordable housing.
- 25 Order for a flag raising to celebrate Montserrat.
- 25 On the motion of Council President Louijeune, Dockets 0476 and 0477 were taken out of order.
- 26 Order for a hearing regarding a review of COVID-19 Recovery Funds.
- 27 Order for a hearing on a proposal for a Crispus Attucks statue.
- 28 Order for a hearing regarding biannual review of the Boston Employment Commission and Boston Residents Jobs Policy.
- 29 Order for a hearing on technological improvements in Boston School Bus transportation.
- 30 Order for a hearing to explore the creation of Safe School Zones to improve pedestrian safety around all schools in the City of Boston.
- 31 Order for a hearing on provisions of temporary mental health treatment or interventions and preventions for children and youth before formal diagnosis.
- 32 Order for a hearing to discuss projected commercial property tax values in Boston.
- 32 On the motion of Council President Louijeune, Docket 0480 was taken out of order.
- 33 Resolution recognizing March 5th as Crispus Attucks Day in the City of Boston.
- 34 Resolution recognizing March as Women's History Month.
- 35 Resolution to ensure that Boston Public Schools effectively address the needs of its Muslim students.
- 36 Resolution to establish a digital marketplace pilot program.
- 36 On the motion of Council President Louijeune, Docket 0481 was taken out of order.
- 37 Resolution recognizing the Independence of the West African nation of Ghana and their liberation from British Colonialism on March 6th, 1957.
- 38 Resolution in support of establishing a Blue Ribbon Commission to study strategies in filling Downtown office vacancies.
- 39 Resolution to extend heartfelt wishes to the Muslim community during Ramadan.
- 40 Resolution to improve bus monitor pay rates and working conditions in the City of Boston.
- 41 Councilor Breadon called Docket #0488, resolution calling for further measures to supplement inclusionary zoning and advance affordable housing in the City of Boston, from the Committee on Housing & Community Development. On motion of Councilor Breadon, the resolution was adopted; yeas 10, nays 3 (FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy).
- 42 Order requesting certain information under section 17F relative to the "Sundays for All" Hearing Order.
- 43 Order requesting certain information under section 17F relative to the operations of and assets held by the BRA(d/b/a BPDA/EDIC).
- 44 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 45 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Manuela Carvajal Suarez in City Council, effective March 11, 2024.
- 46 GREEN SHEETS:
- 47 Legislative Calendar for March 6, 2024.
- 48 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 49 Resolution recognizing Amy Camil Mariano Bello.
- 50 Resolution recognizing Wandel Tropman Tejeda.
- 50 The Chair stated that in absence of objection, three late file matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matters were added:
- 51 Resolutions recognizing five people as recipients of the Henry Knox Award.
- 51 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Kiara D. Montes De Oca and Bolivar Sthael Hiciano in City Council, effective March 18, 2024.
- 52 Resolution in memory of Arthur D'Angelo.
- 52 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Breadon offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Deborah Glennon, Moira McCrave-Carragee and Wayne D. Yeh in City Council, effective March 16, 2024.
- 53 Resolution recognizing Mayra Correa.
- 53 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Breadon offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Matthew D. Costas in City Council, effective March 25, 2024.
- 54 Resolution congratulating Richie Paris.
- 55 Resolution congratulating April Ricci.
- 56 Resolution in memory of Richard Patrick Lawlor.
- 57 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following matters:
- 66 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted. Adjourned at 4:29 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Walda Moschella, Phyllis Pizzi, Edward “Eddie” White, Altès Homicil, Hydeia Broadbent, Don McGillicuddy, Lucy Crawford, Evelyn Miles, Marie Pontavez, Richard Patrick Lawlor, Steve Rando, Andrew O’Connor and Arthur D’Angelo, to meet again on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk