City Council

Monday, January 5, 2026 · 12:00 PM PM · Council Chambers

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Agenda PDF Minutes PDF

Agenda

The Honorable Michelle Wu, Mayor of Boston and the members-elect of the City Council of the City of Boston assembled at Boston Symphony Hall at 10:09 A.M. City Clerk Alex Geourntas introduced the Boston Fire Department, Boston Police Department, and the Boston EMS Honor Guards for the presentation of colors. City Clerk Alex Geourntas then introduced Boston Public Schools student athletes: Jack Shapiro (Boston Latin Academy), Michael Ekweanya (New Mission High School), Emily Ramirez (Madison Park Technical Vocational High School), Heinrich Saint Paulin (Boston International Newcomers Academy), Amera Mohamed, (John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science), and Sarah Blanco (John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science) to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem was sung by Baird Lashley, Boston EMS. City Clerk Alex Geourntas then introduced Father John Unni of Saint Cecilia Parish, Bishop William E. Dickerson II of Greater Love Tabernacle, Pastor Mirna Concepción de Rodriguez of Nueva Vida En Jesus, Imam Abdulqadir Farah of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, and Rabbi Elaine Zecher of Temple Israel of Boston for an opening prayer and blessing. City Clerk Alex Geourntas then introduced Emmanuel Oppong-Yeboah, Boston Poet Laureate to recite his poem “Boston’s Sonnet.” City Clerk Alex Geourntas introduced a video reflection on Mayor Michelle Wu’s first term. City Clerk Alex Geourntas read a communication from the Board of Election Commissioners certifying the election of Michelle Wu as Mayor of Boston. The oath of office was administered to Mayor Michelle Wu by Associate Superior Court Justice, Sarah G. Kim. City Clerk Alex Geourntas read a communication from the Board of Election Commissioners certifying the election of the members of the City Council. The oath of office was administered to the members-elect of the Boston City Council by Her Honor, Mayor Michelle Wu. Mayor Michelle Wu delivered her inaugural address. The exercises were closed with the playing of the recessional music. The first meeting of the City Council for the year 2026 was held in the Christopher A. Iannella Council Chamber, City Hall, on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 12:29 P.M. Present - Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell - Senior Member Councilor Culpepper presiding. Bishop Thomas L. Williams, Pastor of the Holy Temple Church delivered the invocation and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Councilor Culpepper moved to adopt the minutes from the December 10, 2025 meeting. Motion prevailed.
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 10, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
2026-0101 Order to adopt the Rules of the Boston City Council for Municipal Years 2024-2025, except Rule 36 (Committees of the Council), as temporary rules until permanent rules are adopted for Municipal Years 2026-2027.
Report of Public Officer
Action: The rules were suspended; the order was passed.

On motion of Councilor Culpepper, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
2026-0102 Communication of intent for the presiding officer to move for election of City Council President.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
2026-0103 Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City from Wednesday December 24, 2025 at 2:55 P.M., returning Saturday December 27, 2025 at 5:00 P.M.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
2026-0104 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 April 9, 2025.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
2026-0105 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 29, 2025.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
2026-0106 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 5, 2025.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
2026-0107 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 December 3, 2025.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
2026-0108 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 December 10, 2025.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
2026-0109 Notice was received from Nicholas Ariniello, Assessing Commissioner, of the appointment of Benjamin Stratter as an Assistant Assessor, effective December 6, 2025.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
2026-0110 Notice was received from Nicholas Ariniello, Assessing Commissioner, of the appointment of Jeffrey Moreta as an Assistant Assessor, effective December 29, 2025.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
2026-0111 Communication was received from Evandro C. Carvalho, Executive Director of the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency, regarding an update on the cases reviewed and adjudicated by the Boston Police Department's Internal Affairs Division.
Report of Public Officer
Action: Placed on file.

Placed on file.
MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
2026-0112 Order for a hearing regarding parking access for traveling Boston Public Schools employees.
Council Hearing Order
Action: Referred to

Referred to the Committee of the Whole.
2026-0113 Order for a hearing to examine Boston Public Schools closure and merger actions related to the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years and transparency in the Long-Term Facilities Plan.
Council Hearing Order
Action: Referred to

On motion of Councilors Murphy and Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Mejia as an original co-sponsor. Referred to the Committee of the Whole.
CONSENT AGENDA:
2026-0114 Resolution recognizing Mike Keaney.
Consent Agenda Resolution
2026-0115 Resolution recognizing Melissa Queenie Sapini.
Consent Agenda Resolution
2026-0116 Resolutions recognizing Boston Police Department Officers.
Consent Agenda Resolution
2026-0117 Resolution in memory of Mary McGrue.
Consent Agenda Resolution
2026-0118 Resolution recognizing Mary Frances Blake.
Consent Agenda Resolution
2026-0119 Resolution recognizing the Sant Belvi Haitian Adult Day Health Center.
Consent Agenda Resolution
The Chair stated that in absence of objection, 4 late-filed matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matters were added:
The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
Councilor Culpepper moved that the Council proceed to the election of a President. Motion prevailed. Recess. Councilor Flynn moved to nominate Councilor Brian Worrell for President. Seconded by Councilor Murphy. Councilor Weber moved to nominate Councilor Liz Breadon for President. Seconded by Councilor Durkan. Councilor Worrell accepted the nomination. Councilor Breadon accepted the nomination. For Councilor Worrell – Councilors Culpepper, FitzGerald, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, and Worrell – 6. For Councilor Breadon – Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Louijeune, Pepén, Santana, and Weber – 7. Councilor Breadon, having received 7 votes, was declared elected President for the Municipal Year 2026 through 2027. Councilor Breadon made her inaugural address as President of the City Council. President Breadon in the Chair.
2026-0122 Councilor Culpepper offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Ewura Yankah in City Council, effective January 17, 2026.
Personnel Orders
Action: Passed under suspension of the rules.

Passed under suspension of the rules.
2026-0120 Councilor Culpepper offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Tariq Meyers, Akesha John Quashie, and Bayle Vines in City Council, effective January 3, 2026.
Personnel Orders
Action: Passed under suspension of the rules.

Passed under suspension of the rules.
Adjourned at 2:09 p.m. on motion of President Breadon, and in memory of Judge Michael Flaherty, Joseph Eubanks, Jr., Judge Leslie Harris, and John Axelrod, until this body is called to meet again. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk
The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
2026-0123 Councilor Culpepper for Councilor Pepén offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Dianna Bronchuk-Jacob, Edward Conley, and Gabriel Cruz in City Council, effective January 3, 2026.
Personnel Orders
Action: Passed under suspension of the rules.

Passed under suspension of the rules.
2026-0121 Councilor Culpepper offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Bradford I. Knowlton in City Council, effective January 12, 2026.
Personnel Orders
Action: Passed under suspension of the rules.

Passed under suspension of the rules.

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