City Council

Agenda

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, November 19, 2025 at 12:06 P.M. President Louijeune in the Chair. Present Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell. Reverend Thomas Kennedy, formerly of Trinity Church of Boston, delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the November 5, 2025 City Council Meeting. Motion prevailed.
2. ROLL CALL
3. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
5. 2025-1971 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Eight Hundred Fifty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-Eight Dollars ($1,852,288.00) in the form of a grant, for the State FY26 Council on Aging formula allocation, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund social and health care services for 115,768 older adults in the City of Boston at $15 per person, according to 2020 Census data from the UMass Boston Donahue Initiative. On motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
   Mayor Order
   Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

6. 2025-1973 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Three Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000.00) in the form of a grant, from the Climate Service Corps Grant, awarded by the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, passed through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund work-based learning, skills training, service opportunities, and career guidance in occupations in energy efficiency and clean heating and cooling for people ages 18-24. On motion of Councilor Weber, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
   Mayor Order
   Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

7. 2025-1974 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Boston Tax Help Coalition Santander Bank Grant, awarded by the Santander Bank, N.A. to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund Boston Tax Help Coalition to provide pathways from poverty to financial empowerment by maximizing the impact of tax credits through free tax preparation, financial education, and economic stability opportunities. On motion of Councilor Weber, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
   Mayor Order
   Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

8. 2025-1975 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Forty-Three Thousand Three Hundred Twelve Dollars and Fifty Cents ($43,312.50) in the form of a grant, for the FYOB MLK Scholars Program grant, awarded by the Boston Foundation to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund summer jobs, financial education, and professional development opportunities for Boston youth. On motion of Councilor Weber, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
   Mayor Order
   Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

9. 2025-1977 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of 1,000 frozen Turkeys, valued at Twenty-Four Thousand One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($24,150.00), donated by Stop and Shop. The purpose of this donation is to provide Turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
   Mayor Order
   Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

10. 2025-1978 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eight Thousand Ninety Dollars ($8,090.00) in the form of a grant, for the FY24 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Justice, passed through the Massachusetts State Police / Crime Laboratory, to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant will fund improvements to forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services, including services provided by forensic science laboratories operated by state and units of local government. On motion of Councilor Santana, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
    Mayor Order
    Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

11. 2025-1979 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of 100 frozen Turkeys, valued at Four Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty Dollars ($4,830.00), donated by Roche Brothers Market. The purpose of this donation is to provide Turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
    Mayor Order
    Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

12. 2025-1980 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of 100 frozen Turkeys, valued at Two Thousand Four Hundred Fifteen Dollars ($2,415.00), donated by TD Garden. The purpose of this donation is to provide Turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
    Mayor Order
    Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

13. PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
14. REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
15. 2025-1981 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City from Sunday November 9, 2025 at 6:40 P.M., returning Wednesday November 12, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Placed on file.

    Placed on file.

16. 2025-1982 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 October 1, 2025.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Placed on file.

    Placed on file.

17. 2025-1983 Communication was received from Council President Louijeune to address the Open Meeting Law complaint and respond accordingly on behalf of the Boston City Council. Referred to the Law Department.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Placed on file.

18. 2025-1984 Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding a request for a City investigation into the Boston Water and Sewer Commission.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Placed on file.

    Placed on file.

19. 2025-1985 Communication was received from the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding “Proposed Minor Modification to the South End Urban Renewal Plan, Project No. Mass. R-56, with respect to Parcel 1A.”
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Placed on file.

    Placed on file.

20. 2025-1986 Communication was received from the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding “Proposed Minor Modification to the Washington Park Urban Renewal Plan, Project No. Mass. R-24, with respect to So-called Parcel R-46.”
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Placed on file.

    Placed on file.

21. 2025-1987 Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding a City Payroll technical issue for Overtime and Detail pay records.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Placed on file.

    Placed on file.

22. 2025-1988 Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding a recent Open Meeting Law Complaint against the Boston City Council.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Placed on file.

    Placed on file.

23. 2025-1989 Communication was received from the City Clerk regarding the 2025-2026 University Accountability - Statistical Report.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Placed on file.

    Placed on file.

24. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
25. MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
26. MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
27. 2025-1991 Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to Waive the Maximum Age Requirement for Police Officers for Matthew Cummings. On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
    Council Home Rule Petition
    Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

28. 2025-1992 Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to One Joslin Place. On motion of Councilor Durkan, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
    Council Home Rule Petition
    Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

29. 2025-1997 Resolution recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, 2025. On motion of Councilors Mejia and Breadon, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Santana as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Mejia, Breadon, and Santana, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
    Council Legislative Resolution
    Action: The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.

30. 2025-1998 Resolution recognizing November 30th as Barbados Independence Day in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilor Worrell, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
    Council Legislative Resolution
    Action: The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.

31. 2025-1999 Resolution in support of S. 1247 An Act criminalizing sexual assault of a passenger by a rideshare operator. On motion of Councilor Flynn, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
    Council Legislative Resolution
    Action: The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.

32. 2025-2000 Resolution recognizing November 27, 2025 as "National Day of Mourning" in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilors Weber and Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Santana as an original co-sponsor. On motion of Councilors Weber, Louijeune, and Santana, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
    Council Legislative Resolution
    Action: The rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.

33. PERSONNEL ORDERS:
34. 2025-2001 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Elsa Flores in City Council effective November 29, 2025.
    Personnel Orders
    Action: Passed under suspension of the rules.

    Passed under suspension of the rules.

35. The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
36. The Chair stated that in absence of objection, four late filed matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matters were added:
37. Councilor Santana, on behalf of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, submitted the following:
38. 2025-2033 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Durkan offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Anthony Baez, Lauren Carmi, Samantha Courage, Denise Mame Gately, Holy Margulius and Lily Sweeterman in City Council, effective November 29, 2025.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Passed under suspension of the rules.

    Passed under suspension of the rules.

39. 2025-2032 Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Durkan offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Anthony Baez, Lauren Carmi, Samantha Courage, Denise Mame Gately, Holy Margulius and Lily Sweeterman in City Council, effective November 22, 2025.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Passed under suspension of the rules.

    Passed under suspension of the rules.

40. 2025-2031 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Emily Polston in City Council effective November 29, 2025.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Passed under suspension of the rules.

    Passed under suspension of the rules.

41. 2025-2030 Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Emily Polston in City Council effective November 22, 2025.
    Report of Public Officer
    Action: Passed under suspension of the rules.

    Passed under suspension of the rules.

42. Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:
43. Adjourned at 3:10 P.M. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Kathleen “Kitty” Whelan, Carol Courage, Alice Wong, Dennis Jackson, Jorge Luis Henao, BPD Detective Bruce Higgins, and Councilor Murphy's step-mother, to meet again on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk
44. Councilor Worrell, on behalf of the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted the following:
45. The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.