City Council meeting

0588    Message and order for Annual Appropriation and Tax Order for FY2021.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0589    Message and order for Annual Appropriation for the School Department for FY2021.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0590    Message and order approving an appropriation of Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00) to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability Trust Fund established under Section 20 of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32B.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0591    Message and order approving an appropriation of Twenty-Seven Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($27,200,000.00) from the City's Capital Grant Fund in order to provide funding for various transportation and public realm improvements. These projects are aligned with the goals of Go Boston 2030, the City's transportation master plan. The funds shall be credited to the Capital Grant Fund from the Parking Meter Fund. 

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0592    Message and order approving an appropriation of Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000.00) from the City’s Capital Grant Fund to address the impact of transportation network services on municipal roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure or any other public purpose substantially related to the operation of transportation network services in the city. Such funds will be transferred and credited to the Capital Grant Fund from revenue received from the Commonwealth Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Trust Fund. 

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0593    Message and order approving an appropriation of Three Hundred Twenty-Eight Million Eight Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand Dollars ($328,895,000.00) for the acquisition of interests in land or the acquisition of assets, or the landscaping, alteration, remediation, rehabilitation, improvement of public land, the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, alteration, remodeling, enlargement, demolition, removal or extraordinary repairs of public buildings, facilities, assets, works or infrastructure; for the cost of feasibility studies or engineering or architectural services for plans and specifications; for the development, design, purchase and installation of computer hardware or software and computer-assisted integrated financial management and accounting systems; and any and all cost incidental or related to the above described projects; for the purposes of various city departments included Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Department of Innovation and Technology, Environment, Fire, Neighborhood Development, Office of Arts and Culture, Parks and Recreation, Police, Property Management, Public Works, and Transportation Departments, Boston Public Library, and Public Health Commission.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0594    Message and order approving an appropriation of Seventy Three Million Nine Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($73,990,000.00) for the acquisition of interests in land or the acquisition of assets, or the landscaping, alteration, remediation, rehabilitation, or improvement of public land, the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, alteration, remodeling, enlargement, demolition, removal or extraordinary repairs of public buildings, facilities, assets, works or infrastructure; for the cost of feasibility studies or engineering or architectural services for plans and specifications; for the development, design, purchase and installation of computer hardware or software and computer-assisted integrated financial management and accounting systems; and any and all cost incidental or related to the above described projects; for the purposes of the Boston Public Schools.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0595    Message and order approving an appropriation of Twelve Million Six Hundred Fifteen Thousand Five Hundred Four Dollars ($12,615,504.00) for the purpose of paying cost of the Boston Arts Academy located at 174 Ipswich Street in the City of Boston, including the payment of all cost incidental or related thereto, and for which the City of Boston may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of the Public Facilities Department on behalf of Boston Public Schools. 

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0596    Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to enter into one or more leases, lease-purchase or installment sales agreements in Fiscal Year 2021 in an amount not to exceed Thirty-Six Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($36,400,000.00). These funds are to be used by various City departments for the acquisition of equipment in furtherance of their respective governmental functions. The list of equipment includes: computer equipment (hardware and software), motor vehicles and trailers, ambulances, firefighting equipment, office equipment, telecommunications equipment, photocopying equipment, medical equipment, school and educational equipment, school buses, parking meters, street lighting installation, traffic signal equipment and equipment functionally related to, and components of the foregoing.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

    

0597    Message and order authorizing the appropriation of One Million Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,300,000.00) from the income of the George Francis Parkman Fund. The funds are to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the maintenance and improvement of Boston Common and Parks in existence since January 12, 1887. 

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0598    Message and order approving an appropriation of Four Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,400,000.00) from the 21st Century Fund, also known as the Public Educational, or Governmental (PEG) Access and Cable Related Fund, pursuant to Section 53F 3/4 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, to the PEG Access and Cable Related Grant for cable related purposes consistent with the franchise agreement between the cable operator and the city including but not limited to: (i) supporting public, educational or governmental access cable television services; (ii) monitoring compliance of cable operator with the franchise agreement; or (iii) preparation of renewal of the franchise license.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 6, 2020.

0599    Message and order authorizing the Law Department revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to purchase goods and services for repairs to city property. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from recoveries for damages to city property caused by third parties. The Law Department will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

0600    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Mayor's Office of Tourism revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to purchase goods and services to support events and programming on and around City Hall Plaza to advance tourism and promote participation in public celebrations, civic, and cultural events. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from payments for the use of City Hall Plaza pursuant to City of Boston Code, Ordinance, 11-7.14. The Mayor's Office of Tourism will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00).

0601    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to purchase goods and services to support the operation of the Strand Theatre. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from rental fees for the use of the Strand Theatre. The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00).

0602    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to purchase goods and services to support public art to enhance the public realm throughout the City of Boston. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from easements within the public way granted by the Public Improvement Commission. The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00).

0603    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Distributed Energy Resources Revolving Fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to facilitate the purchase of offsets of greenhouse gas emissions which shall be associated with a portion of the electricity consumed by the City annually; and to operate, maintain, monitor, and expand the City’s existing solar arrays and Boston Public Schools’ combined heat and power facilities. The revolving fund shall be credited with any and all receipts from the sale of renewable and alternative energy certificates and demand response program revenues produced by combined heat and power units located at Boston Public School sites, and solar renewable energy certificates produced by the City’s photovoltaic arrays. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00).

0604    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Parks Department revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to reimburse for the administrative cost to those City agencies which enforce CBC Chapter 16, sections 1.9 and 1.9B, and for cost associated with licensing and registration. This revolving fund shall be credited with any and all receipts from all dog registration fees collected pursuant to CBC Chapter 18, section 1.4 and fines pursuant to CBC Chapter 16, section 1.9 and 1.9B. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed Two Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($220,000.00).

0605    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to pay salaries and benefits of employees and to purchase supplies and equipment necessary to operate the City Hall Child Care. This revolving fund shall be credited with any and all receipts from tuition paid by parents or guardians for children enrolled at the center. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000.00).

0606    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Boston Public Schools revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to support the maintenance and repair for BPS facilities, including custodial and utility costs for extended building time, school police cost associated with events, floor refinishing, landscaping and building repairs. Receipts from Lease, Permit for Use and Parking Fees for BPS facilities will be deposited in the fund. BPS will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall not exceed Two Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,600,000.00).

0607    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Boston Public Schools revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to repair and purchase Boston Public Schools computer technology, including computers, mobile devices, and instructional software. This revolving fund shall be credited with any and all receipts from equipment sales and repair fees for Boston Public School technology. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).

0608    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Boston Public Schools revolving fund for the Fiscal Year 2021 for Boston Public School Transportation cost, including bus and public transportation costs. This revolving fund shall be credited with revenue received by Boston Public School Department for the provision of transportation to groups and entities for field trips and activities other than transportation to and from school. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($120,000.00).

0609    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Boston Police Department revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to support training programs for officers from non-City of Boston law enforcement agencies. The Academy will charge participating outside law enforcement agencies tuition for each recruit, police officer or special police officer they send to the Academy.  The tuition paid by outside agencies will be used to purchase training equipment, certify instructors, update facilities, and to provide funds for training needs not otherwise budgeted. The Police Academy will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00).

0610    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Boston Police Department revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to support the Canine Unit's training program for officers and police dogs from non-City of Boston law enforcement agencies. The Special Operating Division will charge tuition and other fees to outside law enforcement agencies for the Canine Unit. The tuition and other fees by outside agencies will be used to purchase training equipment, certify instructors, update facilities and provide funds for other training needs not otherwise budgeted. The Special Operations Division will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).

0611    Message and order authorizing a limit for the Boston Police Department revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2021 to pay salaries and benefits of employees and to purchase supplies and equipment necessary to operate the Police Department Fitness Center. Revenue for this fund is derived from monthly membership fees. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).

0612    Message and order approving an appropriation authorizing the Boston School Department on behalf of the City, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Children and Families, for the purpose of reporting cost and receiving Title IV-E ( Every Student Succeeds Act) allowable federal reimbursement for said cost as they relate to transporting children eligible under Title IV-E foster care to and from their foster placement and their School of origin, effective for dates of service on or after April 1, 2019.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 3, 2020.

0613    Message and order authorizing the appropriation of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) from the City’s Boston Equity Fund to create a special revenue project grant in order to support equity applicants and licensees, as defined by the Equity Program, and to establish and operate a cannabis business in the City of Boston. The fund shall be credited to the Special Revenue Grant Fund from the Boston Equity Fund established pursuant City of Boston Ordinances Chapter 8 Section 13: Establishing the Equitable Regulation of the Cannabis Industry in the City of Boston.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 3, 2020.

0614    Message and order authorizing the appropriations of Seven Hundred Eighty-Two Million Three Hundred Ninety-Two Thousand Dollars ($782,392.00) for the administrative and operating expenses of the City of Boston Preservation Committee (“CPC”) for Fiscal Year 2021, and a further appropriation order in the amount of Twenty-Five Million Five Hundred Seventeen Thousand Six Hundred Eight Dollars ($25,517,608.00) from the Community Preservation Fund’s (“the Fund”) estimated annual revenues for Fiscal Year 2021, to be appropriated and reserved for future appropriation. The Fund was created upon the adoption of the community Preservation Act (the “Act”) in November 2016 and is funded in part by the 1% property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills that took effect in July 2017 and an annual state distribution from the Massachusetts community preservation trust fund.

Filed in the Office of the Clerk on April 3, 2020.

0100    Message and order approving a Home Rule Petition to the General Court entitled “Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Authorizing Additional Licenses for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages to be Drunk on the Premises in Boston.”

0281    Petition for a Special Law Re:  An Act Authorizing Additional Licenses for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages to be Drunk on the Premises in Boston.

 

0615    Councilor Mejia offered the following: Resolution on Shifting the Narrative of Bostonians away from Deficit-Based Descriptors and Affirming our Resilient yet Under-Represented Communities.

0616    Councilors Mejia and Breadon offered the following: Order for a hearing Addressing Food Insecurity as a Result of the COVID-19 Outbreak.

0617    Councilor Wu offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss rent relief for commercial and residential tenants in City- and BPDA- owned properties.

0618    Councilors Wu and Bok offered the following: Order for a hearing regarding City of Boston property tax deferral due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

0619    Councilor Bok offered the following: Resolution calling on property owners with vacancies to immediately rent to families with housing choice vouchers.

0620    Councilors Essaibi-George and Bok offered the following: Resolution in support of H.R. 312, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act.

0621    Councilor Flaherty offered the following: Order for a hearing regarding all City department FY20 budget surpluses.

0622    Councilor Campbell offered the following: Resolution urging the City of Boston to prioritize mental health in the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic by creating a mental health support fund.

0623    Councilors Essaibi-George and O'Malley offered the following: Resolution in support of S.2602 and H.4611, acts relative to emergency hazard health duty.

0624    Councilors Essaibi-George and Janey offered the following: Resolution in support of staff at Boston colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

0625    Councilor Janey for Councilor Campbell offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Caroline Kimball-Katz in City Council.

0626    Councilor Janey for Councilor Wu offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Grace May in City Council.

Legislative Calendar for April 8, 2020.