City Council
Council Chambers
Agenda — 75 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, February 7, 2024 at 12:08 P.M. President Louijeune in the Chair. Absent, Councilors Fernandes Anderson, Mejia, Pepén and Santana. Pastor Edsel Cadet, Berea Seventh-Day Adventist 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 January 31, 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 February 7, 2024, Docket #0280, for your approval an appropriation order in the amount of One Million Two Hundred and Sixty Thousand Dollars ($1,260,000.00) for the Cemetery Division of the Parks and Recreation Department and the Trust Office of the Treasury Department to be funded from the Cemetery Trust Fund established under Chapter 13 of the Acts of 1961, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 13.
- 6 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.
- 7 On the message and order, referred on February 7, 2024, Docket #0282, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Ninety-Two Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars and Fifty Cents ($92,735.50) in the form of a grant, for the Federal FY23 Emergency Management Performance Grant, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, passed through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, to be administered by the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The grant will fund the enhancement of operational capacity at the Boston Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and promote the professional development of OEM staff, 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).
- 8 On the message and order, referred on February 7, 2024, Docket #0283, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($65,000.00) in the form of a grant for the FY23 Community Mitigation, awarded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund investigations that are coordinated between the Boston Police Department Human Trafficking Unit and other law enforcement entities, 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).
- 9 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.
- 10 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.
- 11 Message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Sandro Galea, as a member of the Boston Public Health Commission's Board of Health for a term expiring on January 26, 2026.
- 12 Councilor FitzGerald called Docket #0101, message and order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Dr. Elsie Taveras, as a member of the Boston Public Health Commission's Board of Health for a term expiring on January 26, 2026, from the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness & Recovery. No objection heard, the matter was before the body. On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, the reappointment was confirmed in a new draft.
- 13 Message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Senam Kumahia, as a member of the Boston Landmarks Commission for a term expiring on December 30, 2027.
- 14 Councilor Fernandes Anderson called Docket #0289, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Nigel Jacobs to the Boston Art Commission for a term expiring on December 20, 2028, from the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Tourism & Special Events. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the appointment was confirmed.
- 15 Councilor Fernandes Anderson called Docket #0290, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of James Mason to the Boston Art Commission for a term expiring on December 20, 2028, from the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Tourism & Special Events. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the appointment was confirmed.
- 16 Councilor Fernandes Anderson called Docket #0291, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Abigail Norman to the Boston Art Commission for a term expiring on December 20, 2028, from the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Tourism & Special Events. On motion of Councilor Fernandes Anderson, the appointment was confirmed.
- 17 Councilor Durkan called Docket #0292, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Craig Douglas as a member of the Bay Village Historic District Commission, for a term expiring April 1, 2026, from the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the appointment was confirmed.
- 18 On the message and order, referred on February 7, 2024, Docket #0293, for the confirmation of the appointment of Lora Shea as a member of the Bay Village Historic District Commission, for a term expiring April 1, 2026, the committee submitted a report recommending the appointment ought to be confirmed.
- 19 On the message and order, referred on February 7, 2024, Docket #0294, for the confirmation of the appointment of Katherine Sikora Nelson as a member of the Bay Village Historic District Commission, for a term expiring June 30, 2026, the committee submitted a report recommending the appointment ought to be confirmed.
- 20 On the message and order, referred on February 7, 2024, Docket #0295, for the confirmation of the appointment of Steven Dunwell as a member of the Bay Village Historic District Commission, for a term expiring April 1, 2026, the committee submitted a report recommending the appointment ought to be confirmed.
- 21 PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
- 22 REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
- 23 Communication was received by the City Clerk from the Boston Landmarks Commission for City Council action on the designation of The Ropewalk, Charlestown. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the rules were suspended; the designation was passed.
- 24 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 September 27, 2023.
- 25 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 November 29, 2023.
- 26 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 24, 2024.
- 27 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 8:00 a.m., returning the same day at 6:10 p.m.
- 28 Notice was received from Councilor Mejia of her absence from the Boston City Council Meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
- 29 MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
- 30 On the message and order, referred on January 24, 2024, Docket #0138, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Forty-Six Thousand Eighty-Nine Dollars and Seventy-Seven Cents ($146,089.77) in the form of a grant for the FY23 Violence Against Women Act, a STOP Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Justice, passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund a Civilian Domestic Violence Advocate who provides services for victims in Jamaica Plain, East Boston, and Charlestown, as well as overtime for all civilian domestic violence advocates citywide. The committee submitted a report recommending the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 9, nays 0, absent 4 (Fernandes Anderson, Mejia, Pepén, Santana).
- 31 MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
- 32 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.
- 33 Order for a hearing to review the rules and regulation of vehicles in relation to expansion of micro mobility access.
- 34 Resolution celebrating Lunar New Year.
- 35 Resolution in support of S. 3526, Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act.
- 36 Resolution in support of the Creative Space Preservation Act (S.530/H.3241).
- 37 Resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of Grenada's Independence.
- 38 PERSONNEL ORDERS:
- 39 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Ariel Burey in City Council, effective February 12, 2024.
- 40 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Irene Nakabonge-Lugude in City Council, effective February 19, 2024.
- 41 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Durkan offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Lily Sweeterman in City Council, effective February 20, 2024.
- 42 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Santana offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Matthew W. Broude in City Council, effective February 12, 2024.
- 43 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Santana offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Ana Calderon in City Council, effective February 3, 2024.
- 44 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Flynn offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Charles Levin, Melissa Lo, Laura Toledano, Sophia Wang and Vanessa Woo in City Council.
- 45 GREEN SHEETS:
- 45 The Chair stated that in absence of objection, six late filed matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matters were added:
- 46 Legislative Calendar for February 7, 2024.
- 46 Order for hearing to discuss the safety of city workers.
- 47 CONSENT AGENDA:
- 47 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Breadon offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Patricia Mullaney in City Council, effective February 10, 2024.
- 48 Resolution recognizing Stasia Kacprzak.
- 48 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Breadon offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Patricia Mullaney in City Council, effective February 17, 2024.
- 49 Resolution recognizing Eric Basile.
- 49 Notice was received from Councilors Mejia and Pepén of their absence from the February 7, 2024 City Council Meeting.
- 50 Resolution recognizing Erica Manczuk Stocks.
- 50 Notice was received from Councilor Fernandes Anderson of her absence from the February 7, 2024 City Council Meeting.
- 51 Resolution recognizing Peter Dziedzic.
- 51 Notice was received from Councilor Santana of his absence from the February 7, 2024 City Council Meeting.
- 52 Resolution recognizing Joanna Curry.
- 53 Resolution recognizing Dawn Morris.
- 54 Resolution recognizing Jay Judas.
- 55 Resolution recognizing Keith Stocks.
- 55 The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following matters:
- 56 Resolution recognizing Steven Poftak.
- 57 Resolution recognizing Arthur Rose.
- 58 Resolution recognizing seven people for dedicated support to Propa City Community Outreach.
- 59 Resolution recognizing South Boston Catholic Academy.
- 60 Resolution recognizing Police Commissioner William Gross.
- 61 Resolution recognizing Massachusetts Restaurant Association.
- 62 Resolution recognizing Ukraine Forward and the Ukrainian American Educational Center of Boston.
- 63 Resolution in memory of Judith M. Duffy.
- 64 Resolution recognizing Lillian O'Neal.
- 65 Resolution in memory of Robert Mann.
- 74 The matters contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
- 75 Adjourned at 2:06 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, in memory of Frank Schettino, Leona M. “Leigh” Orlando, Francis Doran, John "Sonny" Mirabella, Jana Peretz, Ron Hafer, Samuel “Metro” Mullin and Larry Kessler, to meet again on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk