City Council Meeting
All weekly City Council meetings are held at 12 p.m. (noon) in the Christopher A. Iannella Chamber on the fifth floor of Boston City Hall, unless otherwise noted.
Discussion Topics
- APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 5, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
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COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
0124 Message and order for your approval an order to reduce the FY26
appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Eighteen
Million One Hundred Eighteen Thousand Four Hundred Eighty Eight
Dollars ($18,118,488.00) to provide funding for the Fire Department for
the FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement
between the City of Boston and the Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on January 26, 2026.0125 Message and order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston
Fire Department for FY26 in the amount of Eighteen Million One
Hundred Eighteen Thousand Four Hundred Eighty Eight Dollars
($18,118,488.00) to cover the FY26 cost items contained within the
collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and IAFF
Local 718. The terms of the contracts are July 1, 2024 through June 30,
2025 and July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. The major provisions of
the contracts include a base wage increase of 2.5% to be given in July of
2024, and a base wage increase of 2% in July of each subsequent fiscal
year of the contract term. The agreement also includes salary adjustments
in January of 2025, starting at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service.0126 Message and order for your approval an order to reduce the FY26
appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by One Million
Three Hundred Seven Thousand Nine Hundred One Dollars
($1,307,901.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools for the
FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements
between the School Committee of the City of Boston and the Boston
Association of School Administrators and Supervisors (BASAS).
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on January 26, 2026.0127 Message and order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston
Public Schools Department for FY26 in the amount of One Million Three
Hundred Seven Thousand Nine Hundred One Dollars ($1,307,901.00) to
cover the FY26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining
agreements between the School Committee of the City of Boston and the
Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors (BASAS).
The terms of the contracts are September 1, 2024 through August 31,
2027. The major provisions of the contracts include base wage increases
of 2% to be given in September of each fiscal year of the contract term.
The contract also adds a new step in FY27 and a new degree to the
education differential.0128 Message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the City of
Boston to appropriate the amount of Six Million Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($6,500,000.00) for the purpose of paying costs for the window
and door replacement projects at the following schools: the Edward
Everett Elementary School and the Richard J. Murphy K 8 School. This
includes the payment of all costs 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 the Boston Public Schools.0129 Message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the City of
Boston to appropriate the amount of Three Million Dollars
($3,000,000.00) for the purpose of paying costs for the roof replacement
projects at the following schools: the Thomas J. Kenny Elementary
School and Hugh Roe O’Donnell Elementary School. This includes the
payment of all costs 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 the Boston
Public Schools.0130 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend
the amount of One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars
($1,700,000.00) in the form of a grant, the FY26 Training Academy
Earmark Grant, awarded by Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant would fund the
Boston Fire Department Training Academy to provide training and
instruction for public safety agencies in the city of Boston and municipal
and political subdivisions across the Commonwealth, per line item
8324 0000 of the FY26 General Appropriations Act.0131 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend a
grant in an amount not to exceed One Million One Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($1,150,000.00) from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and
Communities (BRIC) Program. This grant is awarded to the City of
Boston through the Parks and Recreation Department for improvements
to Christopher Columbus Park and Long Wharf located in the Downtown
neighborhood of Boston.0132 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend
technology equipment valued at approximately Four Hundred Thirty
Thousand Three Hundred Forty Dollars ($430,340.00), from the
Connected & Online Program Grant, awarded by United States
Department of the Treasury, passed through the Massachusetts
Technology Collaborative, to be administered by the Department of
Innovation & Technology. The equipment includes laptops, desktop
bundles, and related equipment. The equipment will support public
access to education, workforce development, digital literacy, and
telehealth services across multiple City departments, with deployments
centered at BCYF Centers and sites operated by the Office of Workforce
Development and the Office of Returning Citizens. This award reflects
strong cross departmental collaboration and advances the City’s broader
digital equity goals.0133 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend
the amount of Two Hundred Nineteen Thousand One Hundred
Seventy Eight Dollars And Three Cents ($219,178.03) in the form of a
grant, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Funding, awarded by MA
Executive Office for Administration & Finance to be administered by the
Office of Workforce Development. The grant would fund the Center for
Working Families' Boston Tax Help Coalition in assisting low income
taxpayers with personal income tax filings for the 2026 tax season.0134 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend
the amount of One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($120,000.00) in
the form of a grant, Financial Empowerment Program, awarded by
United Way, passed through the Boston Local Development Corporation,
to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant
would fund financial education, credit/asset building, and employment
services for residents at the Center for Working Families.0135 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, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech),
awarded by United States Department of the Treasury, passed through
the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, to be administered by the
Department of Innovation & Technology. The grant would fund a
multi session digital skills workshop series at multiple locations and
distribute devices to learners.0136 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, the FY26 Delta Unit Earmark Grant, awarded by MA
Executive Office Of Public Safety & Security to be administered by the
Fire Department. The grant would fund the Boston Fire Department to
conduct dedicated emergency services through its delta units, consisting
of 3 delta unit vehicles assigned to Castle Island, Pleasure Bay and
Carson Beach respectively, within the Old Harbor Reservation in the
South Boston section of the city of Boston, seasonally from Memorial
Day to Labor Day, inclusive, per line item 8324 0050 of the FY26
General Appropriations Act.0137 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, Municipal ADA Improvement Grant, awarded by The
Massachusetts Office on Disability to be administered by the Department
of Innovation & Technology. The grant would fund updating the
municipal ADA Self Evaluation and Transition Plan to address barriers
to accessibility in web based services and applications.0138 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend
the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) in the form of a grant,
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 would fund training an
additional ten lifeguards to support the Swim Safe: Autism Swim
program, hold an Autism Awareness Water Safety event, Purchase
Autism Swim equipment to support Sensory Swim programs in BCYF
pools, provide all youth participating in the Same Safe: Lessons Gear
program with goggle and swim caps, host a weeklong All Girls Sports
Festival camp, Launch "Get into the Game" ad campaign as part of the
Women's Coaching Initiative.0139 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend
through the Office of Human Services an in kind donation of athletic
shoes and apparel, valued at Three Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Six
dollars ($3,276.00), donated by Reebok Corporation. The purpose of this
donation is to support the Mayor’s Let’s Play Boston Youth Sports
Initiative.
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REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
0140 Communication was received from City Council President Liz Breadon
detailing the named chairs, vice chairs and voting members of the Boston
City Council's Standing Committees for the 2026 2027 term.0141 Notice was received from the Mayor of the re appointment of Stephen
Alkins as a Member of the Boston School Committee, effective January 5,
2026.0142 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Lydia Torres as
a Member of the Boston School Committee, effective January 5, 2026.0143 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Franklin Peralta
as a Member of the Boston School Committee, effective January 5, 2026.0144 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Michael
Firestone as Corporation Counsel, effective January 12, 2026.0145 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Danielle N.
Choi as a Member of the Boston Civic Design Commission, for a term
expiring October 31, 2029.0146 Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Anthony
Hollenberg, MD as an ex officio member of the Boston Public Health
Commission's Board of Health.0147 Communication was received from Scott Finn, City Auditor, regarding the
City of Boston's Fiscal 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.0148 Communication was received from the Boston Parks and Recreation
Commission regarding a vote to approve Cathy Baker Eclipse to serve on
the Community Preservation Committee, as the representative of the
Boston Parks and Recreation Commission.0149 Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding a recent sexual assault
at Boston Medical Center.0150 Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding Boston Public Health
Commission oversight on security at hospitals in the City of Boston.0151 Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding outgoing ARPA funds
to nonprofits in Boston.0152 Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding the demotion of Boston
Police Deputy Superintendent Marcus Eddings.0153 Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding the community process
for the Parcel P 3 development.0154 Communication from Councilor Mejia regarding proposed amendments
to Boston City Council Rules 2026 2027.0155 Communication was received from Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox in
accordance with Section 3 of the Boston Trust Act regarding civil
immigration detainer results for calendar year 2025.0156 The Constable Bond of Tamika J. Dash having been duly approved by the
Collector Treasurer was received.
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MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
0157 Councilor Breadon offered the following: Order to adopt Rules for the
Boston City Council for Municipal Years 2026 2027.0158 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Ordinance Establishing
Street Food Carts in the City of Boston.0159 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Ordinance to establish a White
Stadium Oversight Committee.0160 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Ordinance creating a municipal
identification card in the City of Boston.0161 Councilors Weber and Mejia offered the following: Ordinance preventing
wage theft in the City of Boston.0162 Councilors Mejia and Worrell offered the following: Petition for a
Special Law re: An Act Relative to Reorganization of the Boston School
Committee.0163 Councilor Santana offered the following: Petition for a Special Law re:
An Act Relative to Real Estate Transfer Fees and Senior Property Tax
Relief.0164 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Petition for a Special Law re: An
Act Relative to Various Tax Classification Definitions, Exemptions, and
Credits.0165 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Order for a hearing
regarding the establishment and implementation of funding mechanisms for
Boston's coastal protection.0166 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Order for a hearing
regarding Boston Public Schools student athlete transfer and eligibility
policies.0167 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Order for a hearing to
discuss progress and opportunities for addressing drink spiking and
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault.0168 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Order for a hearing
regarding reviving the "Red Shirts" program.0169 Councilor Culpepper offered the following: Order for a hearing to
develop a report on the state of civil rights in Boston.0170 Councilor Culpepper offered the following: Resolution in support of more
transparency and community engagement with respect to extending the
temporary designation status of and investments in the Parcel P 3 and
Madison Park Project.0171 Councilor Culpepper offered the following: Order for a hearing to explore
designating economically disenfranchised areas of District 7 as
empowerment zones to spur economic development and improve quality
of life for residents.0172 Councilors Durkan and Breadon offered the following: Order for a
hearing to investigate the use, impact, and potential ban of algorithmic price
setting in the Boston rental market.0173 Councilors Durkan and Santana offered the following: Order for a
hearing to explore amending the Boston Zoning Code to remove parking
minimum requirements for new residential development.0174 Councilor FitzGerald offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss
2026 large event safety resources and infrastructure.0175 Councilor FitzGerald offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss
the regulation of Kratom in the City of Boston.0176 Councilor FitzGerald offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss
increasing access to high quality school options for Boston Public
Schools students in all neighborhoods.0177 Councilors Flynn and FitzGerald offered the following: Order for a
hearing to discuss public safety and quality of life concerns at Mass & Cass
and surrounding neighborhoods.0178 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss
dedicating the new open space at Phillips Square to Tunney Lee Plaza.0179 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss food
insecurity and malnutrition in the City of Boston.0180 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss
resources for the Boston Police Crime Laboratory.0181 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss
public safety and quality of life issues in Downtown Boston and the Boston
Common.0182 Councilors Louijeune and Coletta Zapata offered the following: Order
for a hearing regarding the City of Boston's response to sexual assault,
domestic violence, and related resources for survivors.0183 Councilors Louijeune and Pepén offered the following: Order for a
hearing regarding voter accessibility and election preparedness.0184 Councilors Louijeune and Weber offered the following: Order for a
hearing on building a stronger fair housing future for Boston.0185 Councilors Louijeune and Worrell offered the following: Order for a
hearing on a cross sector collaborative citywide strategy for community
safety and violence prevention.0186 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for a hearing on
equitable contracting and business opportunities for major civic sporting
events in Boston.0187 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to examine
income adjusted parking fines and interest free payment plans.0188 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing on Boston
Public School facilities, public assets and White Stadium.0189 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to audit child
care investments and the financial stability of Family Child Care Providers.0190 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing on workforce
development housing for City of Boston employees.0191 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to address
critical issues in jail based voting and empower incarcerated communities to
strengthen democracy.0192 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to audit
government transparency and accountability towards surveillance
equipment.0193 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to audit the
City of Boston's hiring, firing and promotion policies, practices and
procedures.0194 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to audit the
City of Boston's procurement processes, procedures and progress.0195 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to audit the
distribution of local, state, and federal grants to small businesses.0196 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to review the
City of Boston's use of federal and state funds.0197 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to review past
expenditures through quarterly updates on the FY2026 operating budget.0198 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing to audit the
implementation and effectiveness of the 2014 Boston Trust Act.0199 Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing on government
accountability, transparency, and accessibility of decision making
protocols in city government.0200 Councilor Murphy offered the following: Order for a hearing on BPS
staffing program impacts.0201 Councilors Weber and FitzGerald offered the following: Order for a
hearing to discuss Boston's FY27 operating budget.0202 Councilors Weber and FitzGerald offered the following: Order for a
hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools' FY27 operating budget.0203 Councilors Weber and FitzGerald offered the following: Order for a
hearing to discuss prior operating budget amendments from FY23 to FY25.0204 Councilors Weber and Pepén offered the following: Order for a hearing
to discuss making neighborhood streets safer following the 30 day review
of streets projects in Boston.0205 Councilor Weber offered the following: Order for a hearing to review
construction costs associated with the White Stadium project.0206 Councilors Worrell and Mejia offered the following: Order for a hearing
to explore ways of using municipal buildings to host childcare centers.0207 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to review
and establish a "Business Owner 101" program for grant recipients.0208 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to address
problem properties in Boston.0209 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing on technical
assistance and best practices for civic associations.0210 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss
the creation of cultural districts in Boston.0211 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss
the creation of indoor playgrounds in Boston.0212 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing on a
proposal for a Crispus Attucks Statue.0213 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to allow for
monthly property tax payments for residents.0214 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to review the
distribution of Boston's 225 new liquor licenses and provide ongoing
support to restaurateurs.0215 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to explore
scholarships for Boston students to increase access to all forms of higher
education.0216 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to bring a
Historically Black College or University Satellite Campus to Boston.0217 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing regarding the
homeownership voucher program.0218 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to review the
effectiveness of the Boston Residents Jobs Policy in improving equity
and employment standards on projects throughout the city.0219 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to discuss
long term city job vacancies.0220 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Order for a hearing to bring
more signature sports events to Boston.0221 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Order requesting certain
information under Section 17F: regarding elevator access, life safety, and
disability compliance.0222 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Resolution in support of
Bill SD.3607: An Act Protecting Access to Justice.0223 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Resolution acknowledging Open
Meeting Law violations.0224 Councilor Santana offered the following: Resolution urging support for
the 2026 ballot question on rent stabilization to protect tenants in
Massachusetts.
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PERSONNEL ORDERS:
0225 Councilor Breadon offers the following: Order for the appointment of
temporary employees Moira McCrave Carragee and Matthew D. Costas
in City Council, effective January 24, 2026.0226 Councilor Breadon for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for
the appointment of temporary employee Ericson Hilaire in City Council,
effective January 24, 2026.0227 Councilor Breadon for Councilor Durkan offers the following: Order for
the appointment of temporary employee Jessie Frasier in City Council,
effective February 7, 2026. -
CONSENT AGENDA:
0228 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Resolution recognizing
Jason Aluia.0229 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Resolution in memory of
Judy A. Gray.0230 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Resolution recognizing
Richard McGuinness.0231 Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Resolution in memory of
Barbara Ann Sutera.0232 Councilor Culpepper offered the following: Resolution recognizing
Arthur M. Rose.0233 Councilor Durkan offered the following: Resolution in memory of
Suzanne Comtois.0234 Councilor Durkan offered the following: Resolution recognizing General
"Woody" Woodhouse.0235 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Resolution recognizing the
Historic Twelfth Baptist Church.0236 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Resolution recognizing American
Legion Fogg Roberts Post 78.0237 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Resolution recognizing The
BASE.0238 Councilor Flynn offered the following: Resolution recognizing Diane &
Brian Yanovitch.0239 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Resolution recognizing
Geraud Charles.0240 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Resolution recognizing the
life of Betty Jean Chisolm.0241 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Resolution recognizing the
Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts and their 30th anniversary.0242 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Resolution recognizing the
Haitian American United (H.A.U) 27th Gala.0243 Councilors Pepén and Louijeune offered the following: Resolution
recognizing Hydn and Rossemary Vales.0244 Councilor Pepén offered the following: Resolution congratulating Lucille
Douglas.0245 Councilor Pepén offered the following: Resolution in memory of Smiler
Haynes.0246 Councilor Pepén offered the following: Resolution congratulating JAM
Optical.0247 Councilor Pepén offered the following: Resolution congratulating the Sant
Belvi Center.0248 Councilor Pepén offered the following: Resolution congratulating
Elisabeth Trupei Talbot.0249 Councilors Weber and Louijeune offered the following: Resolution in
memory of Robert Franklin.0250 Councilor Weber offered the following: Resolution recognizing
International Holocaust Remembrance Day.0251 Councilor Weber offered the following: Resolution in memory of Susano
Augusto Polanco.0252 Councilor Worrell offered the following: Resolution recognizing Stella
Tate.