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Good afternoon, everyone. I call to order today's meeting of the Boston City Council. Viewers can watch the council meeting live on YouTube at boston.gov backslash city dash council dash TV. At this time I ask my colleagues and those in the audience to please silence their cell phones and electronic devices. Also pursuant To Rule 42, I remind all in the Chamber that no demonstration of approval or disapproval from members of the public will be permitted. Thank you. Mr Clerk could you please take a roll call vote to ascertain the presence of a quorum?

Breadon, Colletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén. Santana, Weber, Worrell.

Thank you Mr Clerk I've been informed by the clerk that a quorum is present now it is my pleasure to ask Councillor Coletta Zapata to come forward and introduce her Today's clergy.

Thank you, Madam President. Good afternoon everybody. It's an honor to welcome Father Paolo Cumin here. Did I get that right? Excellent, okay. From East Boston from Sacred Heart Church which is my home parish in East Boston He was born in Trieste, Italy. And after schooling he joined the seminary of the fraternity of St. Charles Borromeo in Rome. In 2001 he was ordained deacon and assigned to the mission of the Fraternity in Taiwan. And after 10 years in Taiwan and a short visit back to Italy, he arrived in Boston at the beginning of 2012 and taught math at Crystal Ray High School in Dorchester. In June 2013, Cardinal Sean O'Malley entrusted the pastoral care of St. Clement Parish in Medford and Somerville where he taught math and religion at Saint Clement High School for four years After the parish school closed in 2017, he arrived as vicar at the Beverly at a Beverly Church and later appointed chaplain at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage in the Seaport District in Boston.

On August 1st, 2020 East Boston welcomed Father to Sacred Heart Parish in East Boston And as I mentioned, Sacred Heart is my family parish. I was baptized there. I got communion there. It's been really a pleasure and I'm thrilled to see how much the church has thrived since its arrival He's opened up the space in the basement for a soup kitchen which meets every first Wednesday, second Wednesday of the month. I'm happy that you corrected me. It's just wonderful to see this church come alive and welcome folks from East Boston, no matter who they are or where they come from. Time to be with everybody and people have really great conversations. I've had some of the best conversations at that soup kitchen so I welcome everybody to be there and get a chance to have a great conversation with someone who I call a friend and really grateful to have him here, Father Paulo Cuban.

So without further ado please provide a warm welcome for Father Paulo

Thank you, Councillor Coletta Zapata, my friend. Thank you Madam President. This is actually my fourth time here. The first time was virtually in 2020 with Councillor Edwards My last name is not very Italian, Kumin. Actually I spent 10 years in Taiwan and my last name in Chinese sounds like harsh life, that's the meaning. Kumin means harsh life. Well, I'm saying this because actually we like to start off with something a bit harsh. Like well, we hear constantly about AI apocalypse, wars and international turmoil Political divisions and tensions in our country. Uncertainty for the future of planet, our country, our children and grandchildren. These are some worries that I'm sure keep you awake at night

and the Wrath of My Brain and Cheat My Heart as your brain in your heart as well. Where can we find some stable ground? Are there any hope and certainties on which we can rely to build the future of our families, our city, our society? Speaking at headquarters of UNESCO, United Nations International Educational and Scientific Cultural Organization in Paris last week, Pope Leo said With regards to finding hope and a stable ground for the future, I would like to appeal to two images from the Bible. The great cultural treasure of humanity. They are the Tower of Babel and the public square at Pentecost. The Tower of Babel represents unity imposed through domination. At the same time, this edifice reveals that the more power seeks to oppress, the more it weakens itself exposing its inhuman face

Then Paul continues, the corruption culture which we are considering finds a redemption in the public square of Pentecost 50 days after Easter. They're a message of peace received as good news by people every nation. This message proclaims the resurrection of Jesus, the victory of life over death and salvation that gives hope to the world. On the day of Pentecost, the public square becomes a place where peace that heals every offense against human persons is celebrated. Pope Leo's words. I would like to invite everyone who is going to rise, sit in prayer and follow me in prayer. You can do prayer or just follow silently and quietly. Dear Father in Heaven, May the men and women of this esteemed Council have the courage to take up with responsibility the task of promoting peace. Peace in their hearts, in their relationships, within their families and our city. May they not give in to the mentality of violence and oppression.

May they love life at every moment, from its beginning to its end, and not be afraid of the future. May we not grow weary but work tirelessly for good of our communities so that with them, our beloved city of Boston firmly rooted in its heritage will continue to flourish as a true home for everyone. May God sustain you esteemed officials in these commitments, and may he bless and protect all the many women of our city. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you Father. We are now moving on, we have two presentations this afternoon. Councillor Culpepper is recognising the National Forum for Black Public Administrators And I also have a presentation for Maura Toomey and the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association. Councillor Culpepper, would you like to come forward with your guests?

Thank you, Madam President. I want to recognize and thank the Boston chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators for joining us today, for their presentation to the city council during our lunch and learn. NFBPA plays an important role in strengthening public service by developing and supporting black leaders in local and state government. Here in Greater Boston, The Boston chapter continues that mission through professional development, mentorship, networking, civic engagement and helping prepare the next generation of public servants in cultivating leaders who strengthen our communities and improve our government.

We want to thank the members of the Boston chapter, not only for spending time with us today for the work you do every day here in Boston, throughout Massachusetts and as a part of a national organization committed to excellence and opportunity in public administration. It was a pleasure to welcome you to City Hall I look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen public service and develop the next generation of leaders. And I would also like to give a special shout out to longtime friend when we were youth, I'm not telling How far back we go, but we've been friends for a really long time. And I'd like to bring up former past president Arnold

Thank you very much Councillor Culpepper and I also want to thank all of the members of the Boston City Council for attending the presentation this morning, I want to thank all of the staff members, and in particular the staff that work with Councilor Culpepper for their assistance in organizing the meeting that we held this morning. to share information related to the National Forum for black public administrators and the important work that we do, not only locally but also nationally. So again I appreciate all of your gracious I'm happy to say that as a long-term resident transplant to Boston, I'm very pleased to see that we continue to make

Progress, build bridges and also address many problems with new solutions and new strategies to move forward in a very A very positive manner for the future. Thank you again, Councilor Culpepper and thank you to all the members of the City Council and friends who are here today.

President of the of the National Forum of Black Public Administrators.

Thank you, Councilor Culpepper and thank you to City Council for your very warm and generous welcome to our chapter representatives This morning, it's a real pleasure to meet all of you. As a longtime Dorchester resident though born in Chicago and a professor in public policy Public Administration, University of Massachusetts Boston. I see firsthand the power of good government to change people's lives and I hope that The Boston Chapter of National Forum for Black Public Administrators can work with City Council, It's staff and all of your constituents to enhance pathways to public service for our young people, and productive careers for those who are in or considering public service. Thank you.

I'd also like to give a shout out to Chanel and Marie, the backbone of this organization. Oh, come on.

OK. I'm reserved so I type my speech. Thank you so much, Council President for having us here today and thank you all too as well. We are very grateful to be here. Our chapter remains committed to strengthening public administration through leadership, development, mentorship, professional networking and creating pathways for the next generation of public servants We believe public service is more than a profession. It is our responsibility to lead with integrity, uplift our communities and create opportunities for others so we are grateful for this recognition and we look forward to continuing building meaningful partnerships and relationships with you here, um, and beyond. Um, here and outside of these offices deserve the greater Boston community. Thank you.

Thank You Chanel. And let me just Quickly read this resolution. City of Boston and city council, official resolution presented by Councilor Minyard Culpepper be resolved that the Boston City Council offers its congratulations to The Boston Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators in recognition of your outstanding commitment to advancing excellence, diversity and leadership in public service throughout greater Boston. You have strengthened the pipeline of black public sector leaders by fostering professional development, mentorship, networking, civic engagement for current and aspiring public administrators. Through partnerships across Greater Boston You continue to prepare the next generation of public servants. The Boston Chapter continues the National Forum for Black Public Administrators' mission by cultivating talented public leaders

who strengthen communities, improve government and expand opportunity across Greater Boston. Be it further resolved that the Boston City Council extends its Best wishes for your continued success. That this resolution be duly signed by the President of the City Council and attested to copy they have transmitted by the Clerk of the city of Boston, signed by The President of The City Council Elizabeth Breadon, attested to by the City Clerk of Boston Alex Ruentes and offered by City Councilor District 7 The Heart of Boston Minyard Culpepper. I'm inviting all of my colleagues to please come and have a photo with the NFBPA.

Michael, come here

Let me just say this, I've been referring to the men as past presidents. This is the current president

of the CNSBTA, thank you. Thank you. Yeah, thank y'all.

Thank-you so much.

Thank you, we appreciate you.

Nice to see you as well.

This is mine. I think this, oh. That's yours. I want it. Congratulations once again to Councillor Culpepper's honorees, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. It is wonderful to have you all here this morning. We're now on to my presentation. I'd like to invite Maura Toomey and her support team, her friends, all of you come up from the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association and I think Tamara and Kate and come on all of you, come on up. You're the home team that support the home teams so come on

I don't know how this is going to work exactly. So I'd like to introduce a heroic member of the city of Boston, resident, long-term resident, an Irish native from Dublin and a Jamaica Plain resident, Maura Toomey, and also a very dear friend of mine. I've known her for 30 years since I first arrived in the city of Boston. I'm honored to recognize Maura Toomey today, originally as I said from Dublin currently living in Jamaica Plain. A legendary open water swimmer representing the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association Mora began by volunteering for the Provincetown Swim For Life. Now, what began as a volunteer effort sparked into a journey that led to completing the triple crown for open water swimming. And let me just give you some details.

That's swimming the English Channel 21 miles, the 20 bridges swim around Manhattan 30 miles and the Catalina channel which is 20.2 miles She completed her first open water challenge on her 50th birthday, swimming across San Francisco Bay from Alcatraz to the Presidio. and then she went on to swim the English Channel in 2015, raising money for the Irish Cystic Fibrosis Charity. And then completed the 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan. This August, she achieved her last Swim and the Triple Crown. At 70 years old, she became the oldest person to ever complete the Catalina Channel crossing. She swam over 20 miles across California's Catalina Channel, battling cold waters, heavy swells and fierce winds where she finished in 15 hours and 45 minutes.

And I'm in awe because I can't swim the length of a swimming pool. I can't even imagine what that's like. But as any channel swimmer will tell you, nobody swims the Channel alone. Behind every crossing is a network of people by your side keeping you afloat. In Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association sanctions and safeguards marathon swims across Massachusetts and trains observers and safety crews that follow swimmers mile after mile. to keep everyone safe. It is because of organizations like MOSA that local athletes have the safety and backing to undertake these courageous swims and to take the dip into marathon swimming just like Maura did. I'm honoured to recognise Maura today who shows us that age is no barrier to greatness, and it's never too late to decide you aren't content to stand on the shore.

I invite Maura and the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association to say a few words, and then I'll have a citation for you. Maura? You have the floor.

Thank you, Councillor Brayden and all the councillors, especially my local councillor Dan Webber. It feels a little weird to me to be here today being honoured for doing something that I love. I just want to say out loud, it was kind of accidental. I'm from a very working class family in Dublin that I learned to swim just because my father's work had a pool and we could go play there. and I'll just say that out loud, I hope every kid in Boston gets an opportunity. I want to especially thank my wife Tamara Pitts. I'm starting with her because I usually forget her. She's not a swimmer, she doesn't love cold water but she supports me In everything I do and some of that involves a lot of anxiety, is she there? Is she safe? And trusting in my pals.

I want to thank my companions. One of the things about open water swimming is you could be with the state or the congressman for Massachusetts, The Carpenter from Dorchester or the Nanny from East Boston. Once you go down there to the open water, your width and your focus is enjoying your swim and keeping each other safe. I had a joke with Mina from the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association this morning, that the reason the councillors Don't Know You, or that sounds like a weird name is because you do your job so well. Everybody swims safely, they run great races from half a mile to one mile. They keep the name of Jim Doty alive who helped us clean the harbour and also run longer swims in from the Boston Light.

And mostly people don't hear about us because they keep it safe, they run a very professional So thanks so much, share the floor with me.

My name is Mina El-Nakash and I'm the current president of the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association. by Elaine Howley, who is the former president and the founder of our organization. We are a small but mighty board of four on an all-women run volunteer organization of a nonprofit of swimmers and people who love swimmers supporting other swimmers. So I think we'd all agree that in Massachusetts, we take our sports pretty seriously from Our professional teams to the Boston Marathon and beyond, but open water swimming has its own marathon. A marathon is any open-water swim 10 kilometers or roughly six miles or longer Our marathon is the Boston Light Swim.

This swim began in 1907, just 10 years after the older sibling of the Boston Marathon and remains America's oldest open water swim. Morris Wammet's eight miles as training toward what she had been moving toward. She swam that with Mousa and then swam it again with us both ways. She did a 16-mile double at the sprightly young age of 69. In October when it was chilly. Elaine and I aren't always on all of these swims, but we were privileged to support her on this one. Elaine on a motorized boat and me alongside her in a kayak. And we were able to witness her determination firsthand So Maura, congratulations again on your Catalina Crossing and your well-earned Triple Crown. At 70 you inspire us and all swimmers to get in the water and dream bigger no matter what

What that dream is and when that dream begins. On our Massachusetts coast, a bathing suit and access to clean water can open a world of possibility. An amazing supportive community as well. To swimmers of all shapes, sizes, colors, genders, ages and abilities. This season Mousa supported over 100 swimmers covering nearly 500 miles and we look forward to what more we can do and who we can help toward their swimming dreams. So we wanted to thank the Council for your waterways resolution opposing the inadequate draft combined sewer overflow plan and for pursuing answers on Blackstone pool repairs. To Mousa, clean water and access is something that is near and dear to us. And we welcome the opportunity to partner on any support of that work. So we're proud to have played a very small part in Maura's journey.

So thank you, Maura for showing us what's possible and being an inspiration and a friend in and out of the water. And I wanted to leave you with a couple of photos that we use for Mousa, that we share with our swimmers. These are photos of Eva Morrison in 1935 A little bit different than Boston coastline today in a different swimming outfit. But 1935 and then 1927, the Boston Light Swim where swimmers are outside of Boston. Happy to continue to be the stewards for the Boston Light Swim and other historic swims in Massachusetts because Massachusetts open water swimming is a Massachusetts tradition. Thank you all.

Before I invite my colleagues up, I'd just like to present Maura with this official resolution Be it resolved that the Boston City Council extends its congratulations tomorrow to me. in recognition of a remarkable accomplishment of swimming the Catalina Channel at 70 years old and on the same day completing the triple crown of open water swimming comprising the English Channel, The 20 Bridges Around Manhattan and the Catalina Channel. And be it further resolved that the Boston City Council extends its best wishes for continued success, and that this resolution be duly signed by the President of the City Council and attested to and a copy thereof transmitted by the Clerk of the City of Boston. Maura, many congratulations. Thank you so much to Mousa. You have a wonderful heritage

And may you keep going, more success and keep putting Boston on the map as a destination for open water swimming. Thank you. I invite my colleagues up for a photograph. That would be wonderful. Thank you. We'll put you in here in the middle. Put Tamara on that side.

I need you to come with me to the West Raspberry Wire, the Pentagon. Actually, our local is nice and warm for learning. Thank you very much.

The one down is on the East Street.

Yeah, yeah. Okay, there you go. All right? Thank you!

Yeah, we're very, very proud of that.

Thank you everyone. Mr Clerk, could you please amend the attendance to reflect that Councillors Pepén and Worrell have joined us? We are now on to the first order of business, which is the approval of the minutes from the meeting of September 23rd, 2026. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. The minutes of the September 23rd meeting are approved. 1829-1838.

for the reserve for collective bargaining by $268,887 to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association. Docket number 1830, message in order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Schools Department for fiscal year 27 in the amount of $268,887 to cover the fiscal year 27 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston School Police Patrolmen's Association. The terms of the contract are September 1st, 2026 through August 31st,2027. The major provisions of the contracting include a badge A base wage increase of 2% in October 2024, 2025 and 2026. And a flat dollar

amount increase of $250, $900 and $800 to be added to annual salaries in January of 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively. DOCUMENT NUMBER 1831 MESSAGE IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE FISCAL YEAR 27 APPROPRIATION FOR RESERVE FOR COLLECTOR BARGAINING BY $111,802 TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS for fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Police Superior Officers Federation. Doctrine of the 1832 message in order for a supplemental appropriation honor for the Boston Public Schools For fiscal year 27 in the amount of one hundred eleven thousand eight hundred and two dollars to cover the fiscal year twenty seven

Cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Police Superior Officers Federation. The terms of the contract are July 1st, 2024 through June 30th, 2027. The major provisions of the contract include a base wage increase at 2% in October of 2024, 2025 and 2026 and a flat dollar amount increase $250, $900 and $800 to be added annually. To be added to annual salaries in January of 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively. Document number 1833. Message in order to reduce the fiscal year 27 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $85,879 to provide funding

of the Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and SEIU Local 888 Professional Employees Chapter, Department of Planning and Engineering. Dock number 1834. Message in order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Schools Department for fiscal year 27, in the amount of $85,879 to cover the fiscal year 27 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and SEIU Local 888 Professional Employees Chapter, Department of Planning & Engineering. The terms of the contract are September 1, 2026 through April 31, 2027. The major provisions of the Contract include a base wage increase of 2% in September of 2026

and a flat dollar amount of $800 added to annual salaries in January of 2027. Docket number 1835, message in order to reduce fiscal year 27 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $40,365 to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools. For fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining grain between the Boston School Committee and Boston School Department Plant Administrators Association. Document number 1836, message in order for supplemental appropriation of the Boston Public Schools Department for fiscal year 27 in the amount $365 to cover the fiscal year cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Department Plant Administrators Association.

The terms of the contract is September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. The major provisions of the Contract include a base wage increase of 2% in September of 2026 and a flat dollar amount of $800 to be added to annual salaries in January of 2027. Document number 1837, message in order to reduce the fiscal year 27 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $10,320 to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and AFL-CIO, Council 39, Local 2814, Storekeepers and Stores Deliverymen Union. Dock number 1838. Message in order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Schools Department.

For fiscal year 27, the amount of $10,320 to cover the fiscal year 27 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and AFL-CIO, Council 93, Local 2814, Storekeepers and Stores Delivery Men's Union. The terms of the contract are September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. The major provisions of the Contract include a base wage increase of 2% in September of 2026 and a flat dollar amount of $800 to be added to annual salaries in January

1838 will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr Clerk, could you please read docket 1839?

Docket number 1839, message in order, authorised by the City of Boston. to accept and expend the amount of $34,350 in the form of a grant. The National Alliance of Preservation Commission Scholarship awarded by the Massachusetts Historical Commission would be administered by the Office of Historic Preservation. The grant would fund the cost of historical and historic district commission members, and municipal staff attending the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Forum Conference.

Thank you, Mr. Dirk. Chair recognizes Councillor Durkan. Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you so much, Council President. This is a little bit over $4000 scholarship from the Massachusetts Historical Commission to send the Historic District Commission and city staff to the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions Conference. Our historic district commission and Office of Historic Preservation do incredible work, and I admire their dedication to continuing their craft and their education so that they can better serve our city. I want to thank the Massachusetts Historical Commission for providing this opportunity, and would like to ask my colleagues to suspend and pass this grant today. Thank you.

Thank you. Councillor Durkan seeks suspension of the rules and passage of Docket 1839. All in favour say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Mr Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket

Council of Breadon. Yes. Council of Brayden, yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata. Yes Councilor Culpepper, yes Councilor Durkan, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald Fischel, yes. Councilor Flynn? Yes. Councilors Flynn, yes, Councilor Louijeune? Councilor Lujan, yes Councilor Mejia? Council Mejía, yes Counselor Murphy? Yes Councilor Murphy, yes Councilor Pepén, yes. Council Santana? Yes. Councilor Santana, yes Councilor Weber? Yes Councilor Webber, yes and councilor Worrell? Councilor Worrell, yes Docket number 1839 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative

Thank you Mr. Clerk, docket 1839 has passed. We are now on to reports of public officers and others. Can you please read dockets 1840 through 1842?

Docket number 1840, communication was received from Councilor Murphy regarding outstanding requests for information section 17F orders. and Public Records Requests. Document number 1841, communication was received from Councilor Coletta Zapata regarding comments on the Boston Coastal Storm Risk Management Draft integrated Feasibility Report and Programmatic Environmental Assessment. And document number 1842, communication was received from Councilor Culpepper regarding Frugal Bookstore.

Thank you. These dockets 1840 through 1842 will be placed on file. We're now onto matters recently heard. Mr Clerk, could you please read dockets 1671 through 1674?

Dock number 1671, message in order to reduce fiscal year 27 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $1,951,894 to provide funding. with the Boston Police Department for fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the Boston police Detectives Benevolent Society. Document number 1672. message and order for the Boston Police Department for fiscal year 27 in the amount of $1,951,894 to cover the fiscal year Cost items contained within the collective bargaining ring between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society. The terms of the contract are July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026

The major provisions of the contract include a base wage increase of 2% in July of 2025. The contract also contains an update to hazardous duty pay and amended language around sick time buyback at retirement. As originally presented to you, the fiscal year 27 budget request included a reserve for collective bargaining, a separate appropriation to fund projected collective bargaining increases. A separate order has been filed to reduce that appropriation by $1,951,894. Docket number 1673, message in honor to reduce fiscal year 27 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining $366,093 to provide funding for the Boston Police Department. For the fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston

and the Boston Police Detective Benevolent Society Superior Officers Unit. Docket number 1674, message in order for the police department for fiscal year 27 in the amount of $1,366,000 and $93 to cover the fiscal year 27 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society, Superior Officers Unit. The terms of the contract are July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. The major provisions of the contracts include a base wage increase of 2% in July of 2025 The contract also contains an update to hazardous duty pay, and amended language around paid details and summer vacation schedules. As originally presented to you the fiscal year 27 budget request included a reserve for collective bargaining

A separate appropriation to fund projected collective bargaining increases. A separate order has been filed to reduce that appropriation by $1,366,093.

Thank you Mr.

Clerk, the Chair recognizes Councillor Webber, the chair of the Committee on Ways and Means. Thank you very much Madam President. On Monday September 28th the Committee of Ways & Means held a hearing on docket numbers 1671 to 1674 regarding collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society, and a collective bargaining agreement between the Boston police detectives benevolence society superior officers unit and the City of Boston. The hearing was attended by my colleagues, Councillors Ed Flynn, Erin Murphy and John Fitzgerald We're also joined by panelists Jim Williamson, the Director of the Office of Budget Management as well as Detective Bob Griffin, President of the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society. At the hearing, the focus was on Fiscal Year 27 funding associated with those two collective bargaining agreements.

The summary is that we're seeking to transfer just over $3.3 million from the city's reserve for collective bargaining to the police department to cover the fiscal year 27 costs associated with these agreements. We did hold a hearing on approving these agreements in May of this calendar year, just as a reminder The new contracts had several new provisions that were highlighted. They allowed civilian personnel to perform all tasks and responsibilities of the area detail clerks, and sworn officers in the paid details unit. And for both the distribution of paid details, and for the clerical overtime distribution functions, details were then aligned to conform with contractual shifts Details, according to the new CBA were allowed to overlap with regular shift pay for a maximum of two hours

The summer vacation period was extended to allow for officers not to overlap for vacation. The city provided funding for departmental gyms and to provide maintenance and free membership and access to detectives. Covered by the agreement, hazardous duty pay was calculated as 5.65% of the base pay for all detectives. There was an inclusion of four half-hour Fully compensated blocks of workout slash meditation time per week for the members and name tags would be worn by detectives. We approved that contract in May. Here, that contract expired at the end of the fiscal year at the June 2026 under I think it's the labor law doctrine of status quo. The contract continues Once you're out of contract, you don't just not have a contract. So the terms of the old contract are still in place. There's a 2% pay raise

These reserves would pay for that pay raise for the detectives and the detective superior officers. With all of that said, as the Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means I'm recommending acceptance of the committee report and passage of these dockets today.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you to the Chair for holding this hearing and like Council Weber said we are just renewing the contract that we spoke about in May It expired and we want to extend it. I do just wanna thank the chair for allowing President Griffin, the president of The Detectives Union who was not originally invited but we did have some Questions about the work that's expected and just some outstanding questions and concerns that that union had. So thank you for allowing him to be a panelist and put some things on the record. So looking forward to voting in support of this and supporting our colleagues. One thing we did learn at this hearing is that the police are fundraising themselves for their wellness and some of their screenings, something that I know this body didn't pass in an amendment process.

We have found outside sources for our fire cancer screenings, which I think is wonderful and we need to continue that but we have to, I believe Put it into our city budget to make sure that all of our first responders are getting the wellness and any cancer screenings that they need, and they're not expected to fundraise on their own. So looking forward to this body advocating in the next round of the budget to make sure that happens. Thank you.

The President of the Detectives Union, although he wasn't invited, did participate in the discussion. It was an informative discussion He also, Bobby Griffin also talked about as Councilor Murphy mentioned that there are several aspects of the health and wellness program in screenings particularly, where police officers are paying their own screening or medical cost through the union or through fundraising. But that... but the city of Boston is not paying for that I did highlight that during the discussion with the Ways and Means Chair. I do think the City of Boston has a responsibility to support the health and wellness of our police officers

I think that's a critical aspect of the job when they're in harm's way and they're working 16 hours a day. Is it appropriate for us to pay for health and wellness? I think it is. I was somewhat embarrassed that they are paying almost all of 100% of health and wellness in screenings. And during the budget process, I specifically proposed funding for the Boston Police Health and Wellness Program so that it would address those particular issues. Unfortunately, it was blocked or it wasn't accepted by the City Council, my proposal. But I do believe as we go into the budget, we have a responsibility to fight for our city employees their health and wellness in various screenings.

For the police, for the fire, for EMS as well. Thank you Madam Chair

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. We're going to take these dockets, vote on these docket separately. The Chair of Wes and Mains seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of Docket 1671. Mr. Clerk could you please take a roll call vote on Docket

Brayden, yes. Councilor Braydon, yes, Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes Councilor Culpepper, yes Counselor Durkan, yes Consul Fitzgerald, yes Flynn, yes. Councilor Louijeune? Yes. Councilors Mejia? Yes, Councilor Murphy? Yes Councilor Pepén? Yes Webber, and Councilor Worrell. Docket number 1671 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you. The committee report has been accepted and docket 1671 is passed The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of Docket 1672.

Coletta Zapata, yes. Councilor Culpepper? Yes. Councilal Culpeper, yes, Councilor Durkan? Yes, Council Fischerl? Yes Councilor Fischerle, yes Council Flynn? Yes Luzon, yes. Councilor Mejia? Yes. Council Murphy? Yes, Councilor Pepén? Yes Council Santana? Yes and Council Weber? Yes O'Reilly, yes. Docket number 1672 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you. The committee report has been adopted accepted and docket 1672 is passed The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of Docket 1673.

Councilor Zapata, yes. Councilor Culpepper? Councilor Calpepper, yes, Councilor Durkan? Yes. Council Dorican, yes? Council Fitzgerald? Yes Council FitzGerald, yes Council Flynn? Yes Counselor Flynn, yes Counselor Lujan? Yes Mejia, yes. Councilor Murphy? Yes. Council Murphy, yes, Council Pepén? Yes Council Pepen, yes Council Santana? Yes Counsel Santana, yes Counsel Weber? Yes and Council Worrell? Yes Docket number 1673 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The committee report is being accepted and docket 1673 The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of Docket 1674.

Coletta Zapata, yes. Councilor Culpepper? Yes. Council Culpeper, yes, Council Durkan? Yes Councilor Durkan, yes Councilor Fitzgerald? Yes Counselor FitzGerald, yes Counselor Flynn? Yes Lujan, yes. Councilor Mejia? Yes. Council Mejía, yes Counselor Murphy? Yes Councilor Murphy, yes Councilor Pepén? Yes Counselor Pepín, yes, Council Santana? Yes, Councilor Santana, yes Councillor Weber? Yes Councillor Weber, yes and councilor Worrell Yes. Councilor Worrell, yes. Docket number 1674 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you. The committee report is being accepted and docket 1674 Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 1695?

Docket number 0695, order for a hearing on the status of the implementation of the City of Boston's assessment of fair housing.

The chair recognizes the Chair of Housing and Community Development, Councillor Pepén. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. Yesterday, the Committee on Housing and Community Development held a hearing on docket number 0695 in order for a hearing of status of implementation of the City of Boston assessment on fair housing. The docket was sponsored by Councilors Worrell, Culpepper and Mejia. In attendance were Councilor Worrell Culpeper, Mejía, Flynn, Murphy, Worrell Breadon, Weber Fitzgerald, Louijeune and Coletta Zapata We were joined by the members of the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet, as well as a robust panel of advocates for discussion on the city's assessment of fair housing. The changes that have occurred both in Boston and the larger economy since the assessment was released in 2022 and what work the city has done in the wake of the assessment. The discussion focused on what the city can do better to meet its obligation to affirmatively further fair housing given the current political climate

Options include filling vacancies in the Office of Fair Housing and working to achieve the goals laid out in the assessment. Advocates emphasize the importance of affirmatively I also want to take a moment to thank all my colleagues because i was very just pleased to see how many of you showed up yesterday it was a very Strong hearing. I just thank you so much for your attendance. But at this time, I would love to offer the main sponsor of this hearing, Councilor Brian Moreau an opportunity to provide any remarks if he pleases to do so.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The chair recognizes Councillor Worrell. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam President and thank you to Councilor Pepén for chairing this hearing and thank-you to all my colleagues that showed up. I want to start by remembering the late great Bob Tyrell Many of us spent hours with Bob, listening and learning. He made sure we understood what fair housing means and what we needed to do about it. I also want to thank our Community Panel. These are people who have been doing this work for years and helped put fair housing into our zoning code, and thank you to our former colleagues especially Senator Edwards for helping get that across the finish line. There's been a lot of work done, but we know there's more to do. Policy is only as good as its implementation and I'm looking forward to bringing the Office of Fair Housing and the relevant departments back for a working session. Let's get the outstanding questions answered, get an update on the quarterly report and be clear on the next steps and what this office needs to get it done.

I also want to thank the AFFH Community Advisory Committee, An Li from the Equity Department, Dwayne Watson, Julio Macroon from Fair Housing I also want to remember Joyce Rivera, who put so much into this work and helped carry Bob's legacy forward. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Worrell Docket 1695 will remain in committee We now go on to motions, orders and resolutions. A reminder that under Rule 39 remarks on new matters not up for a vote today shall be limited to three minutes for the lead sponsor and two minutes for co-sponsors. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 1843?

Docket number 1843, Councilors Worrell and Mejia offer the following. Ordinance amending and formalizing the Neighborhood Impact Commission.

Chair recognizes Councilor Worrell. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I want to also thank Councilor Mejia for her co-sponsorship. This ordinance comes from years of efforts that started before my time here on the City Council has continued throughout my time in office and hopefully will continue in our city long into the future so we can show all of Boston residents sharing the Boston's growth, and none of them have to accept displacement as a norm. This ordinance is meant as a companion piece to the zoning petition I filed earlier this year to create special protection zones as a tool to strengthen neighborhood stability, affordability and anti-displacement efforts in the neighborhoods where the risk of displacement is highest. That petition would create district improvement financing zones, which will allow a neighborhood that is at-risk of displacement to reinvest in new property taxes From growth into measures that we know can fight displacement.

It includes workforce development, especially job upskilling because we know a bigger paycheck can help make your life more stable and also can include investments in environmental and transportation equity. The ordinance I'm introducing today builds off a commission that was established in the 80s, the Neighborhood Impact Commission. This ordinance will reform that commission and breathe new life into it in a way that will allow for development and the neighborhood to be more predictable for developers and for residents. They will also allow for this commission at the district level to administer those funds from the DIF directly into anti-displacement measures. The Neighborhood Impact Commission on a citywide level and for each at-risk neighborhood will be made up of City officials, housing experts, community leaders Business owners and residents to act as a representative body. This body will be tasked with making policy recommendations that encourage the pursuit of housing and development practices,

that promote equitable pathways to neighborhood-based affordable and deeply affordable housing, homeownership, sustainable jobs, wages, economic mobility for all, creating spaces where industry experts City officials and residents can weigh in together in a way that makes development review processes cohesive, productive for all stakeholders, decreases time and cost to builders, incentives equity and development by better integrating residence collaboration. I want to shout out Action for Equity, who's here today, for all their work and the collaboration in this for the past couple of years. They've been working on anti-displacement measures and housing and workforce issues for years. And I'm so honored to be able to file this on their behalf. I want to also highlight that we have also worked with developers on this and we intend to continue those collaborative efforts. We really want to get this right, and that means incorporating feedback from all ends of expertise who have a hand in creating the diverse housing stock that Boston neighborhoods need.

I wanna thank again the team for Action For Equity once more as well as developers and housing experts. I also want to shout out Stasi from my team who has convened all stakeholders to bring this ordinance here today to the floor, thank you.

Thank you Councilor Worrell. Chair recognizes Councilor Mejia. Councilor you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And I want to thank Councilor Worrell for adding me to this ordinance and all of his leadership in the space. In the face of rising housing costs, displacement and gentrification and limit access to transportation and green spaces, and housing instability. This ordinance offers a solution that helps protect communities and their voices. I grew up in the city of Boston so I know firsthand what it feels like to navigate systems and decisions that have made a real impact on where you live, how you live and whether you can even afford to live here any longer. I also know what it feels like when the people who know their neighborhoods best are the last ones that are brought into the conversation. This lived experience is why our office is dedicated to accountability, transparency and accessibility in our city's protocols policies and procedures ensuring meaningful community input early

I also want to uplift that the whereas clauses and the text of the ordinance mentions true affordability With citywide AMI because it varies greatly across neighborhoods. What is considered affordable in Boston does not reflect the realities on the ground. Our office continues to advocate for neighborhood-based AMIs I look forward to collaborating and moving this work forward. And I also want to thank the advocates. Our office has a co-governance model, and so this is what it looks like when we literally step to the side and that's what we need to do more of because those who are living the realities and or doing the work have a better understanding of the solutions that we need. So, really excited to work alongside Councilor Worrell and his team and community to make it happen. Thank you.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilor Worrell. Councilor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to suspend the rules and add Councilor Culpepper as a third original co-sponsor.

Seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Culpeper is added as a 3rd. Are you objecting? Sorry. Councilor Culpepper, you have the floor.

Sometimes joking is not appropriate. Madam Chair, I'd like to commend Councilor Worrell and Wahia for moving to amend this ordinance. I look forward to working with them closely, Councilor Mejia and amending this ordinance and with the community. Thank you.

Thank You. Would anyone like to add their name? Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber. Docket 1843 will be referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 1844? Docket number 1844. Councillor Flynn offered the following order for a hearing to discuss the Boston Water and Soil Commission's lead replacement incentive program.

Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair Established in 1977, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission provides residents and businesses in the City of Boston with the best quality water and sewer services. It works together with the Massachusetts Water and Resource Authority, MWRA to ensure that Boston's water meets the federal and state drinking water quality requirements. It also monitors the quality of Boston's drinking water to make sure that it is safe to consume. In addition, the commission also provides educational materials regarding our water and environment including stormwater management, climate resilience In lead in our water. Lead can enter our drinking water as a result of corrosion of lead pipes, as well as from the wearing away of materials containing lead in the water distribution system. Excessive lead

and the environment in our water can pose increased health risks, especially for young children and pregnant women. The lead replacement incentive program encourages property owners to replace private water services According to the commission, a private water service is the portion of the water service pipe running from the property line into the building and the pipe may be made of lead. The Boston Water and Soil Commission develop the lead replacement incentive program to remove and replace the lead pipe at no cost to the owner. The program serves Boston property owners who are eligible to participate as long as the property is served by a two-inch or smaller water service lead pipe. That the water and sewer account of the property is active, and the property owner agrees to have the work done by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission.

It's important that our residents are aware of the lead replacement incentive program so that they can take advantage of the Boston Water and Soil Commission service to replace their lead pipes, to protect their health and their family's health. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Santana, Weber, Worrell and please add the Chair. Docket 1844 will be referred to the Committee on City Services. Mr Clerk could you please read docket 1845?

Dock number 1845, Councilors Durkan and Louijeune offer the following. Order for a hearing on busking and opportunities to support local musicians and performers.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Councillor Durkan. Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you so much, Council President. I'd like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Brian Worrell as a third co-sponsor.

Seeing and hearing no objection, Councillor Worrell is added as a 3rd.

Thank you so much. And thank you to Councilor Louijeune and Councilor Worrell for partnering with me on this. Boston is an incredible city, and there are many things that we are good at. We have world-class hospitals and educational institutions We have leading tech companies and of course our Boston sports teams, which I know are rooting for the Red Sox tonight. But what makes our neighborhoods vibrant brings people together and helps residents feel more rooted in our communities is our arts and culture. I represent so many artists, institutions and Fenway organizations from local musicians at performing venues to the Fenway Cultural District Community, which includes Berklee College of Music. The arts are an important part of our economy and bring billions of dollars each year. And in part because of our incredible musical institutions Boston is home to a lot of rising talent The challenge is that, with funding challenges both locally and federally as many performing venues and studios have closed and consolidated Local performers and artists are struggling to build careers here in Boston.

We need to find ways to create more space for artists, and we need to think differently about how we can support them. Recently I met Dermot Kennedy and his story got me thinking about busking. Dermot was born in Ireland and started his career by coming to Boston on a J-1 visa, and he bussed on the streets of Newbury Street, Faneuil Hall, The Boston Common and to get to meet with him was to realize that we have a real opportunity here to make his story from being on a J-1 visa, busking outside to selling out MGM Music Hall. That story should be possible in Boston and as far as cities go, Boston has a pretty open policy for buskers From the past 20 years, local performers have been free to perform almost anywhere with few exceptions without a permit as long as they comply with noise and safety regulations. Live music performances bring people together and add vibrancy to our streets. Other US cities have used busking programs as a way to activate local areas.

and support local musicians and artists in San Francisco and Austin. They've actually partnered with businesses to compensate performers while doing so. Boston is a leader in the arts, but we need to find ways to support our arts community. I believe that we can be the best art city in America We can be a place where opportunity is more intentional, where we open up the doors for artists big and small. where we give access to electricity, signage and other basic infrastructure that would make this possible. And we need to explore a model that goes beyond traditional busking by creating paid Performer Program. And I've already been talking to some of our institutions about how we could just do that. I'd like to add vibrancy to our neighborhoods and give local artists an opportunity, The Newbury Street, the Faneuil Hall. This is about everywhere in Boston and this is about our main streets and about encouraging local performances and encouraging Encouraging people to perform the arts.

You shouldn't have to be a nepo baby to be famous in Boston, and this is what this is all about. So thank you to Councilors Louijeune and Worrell for partnering with me on this.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilor Louijeun.

Thank you and I just want to say thank you to Councilor Durkan for filing, and I look forward to holding this hearing on this important topic. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. And thank you to Councilor Durkan and Councilor Louijeune for bringing me onto this hearing order. This is not simply about making our streets livelier in certain districts. It's about creating a vibe, an attraction that will bring people in and help the businesses in the area. Creating attractions a bit more intentionally I look forward to this hearing. Thank you.

Docket 1845 will be referred to the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment, Tourism and Special Events. I'm going to ask my colleague Councillor Culpepper, do you mind taking the chair?

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Breadon. Mr. Clerk, will you please read Doctrine No. 1846.

Doctrin No.1846, Councilor Breadon offered the following. Order for a hearing regarding the status of combined sewer overflow long-term control planning.

Thank you. The Chair recognises Councillor PRESIDENT Breadon. Madam President, you have the floor.

And may I add Councillor Coletta Zapata as a second?

It being no objecting, Councillor Colette Zapata is added as the second.

Thank you Mr. Chair, I'm introducing this hearing order to complement a resolution the council passed last month we need answers to the status of the updated combined sewer out overflow long-term control plan Sewer overflows and water pollution continue to be among the most pressing environmental and public health concerns facing our communities. Boston's infrastructure lacks modern systems that transport rainwater and sewage and transport rainwater and sewage through separate pipes. Instead, Boston uses combined sewers that carry both flows together. During heavy rain, much like we had this past weekend These systems overflow into our nearest waterways, releasing untreated wastewater directly into the nearest body of water like the Charles or the Mystic River. In August of 2026, our Council took a firm stand

Protect public health and local waterways by passing a resolution calling for strong infrastructure solutions from the combined sewer overflows, and opposing ongoing sewage discharges. The Boston Conservation Commission has left the environmental advocates, watershed groups and conservation commissioners without a single response for more than nine months despite ongoing requests for information. This is unacceptable. Our residents deserve full transparency, public participation and timely communication. This is essential when evaluating decisions that directly impact public health from water quality and the environment of our communities. Residents should know the status of the LTPC CP and the city's official position on future sewage discharges, regional agency coordination and active steps taken to protect the waterways that are essential parts of the City of Boston.

I'm calling for this order for a hearing where city departments, state agencies, environmental organizations and the public can address concerns directly. because the Charles River is an important waterway within Boston and that runs through our city. It should be clean, safe and protected for every community. As we heard from our guest this morning the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association, the quality of water is very important for recreational swimming in the harbour. and on the Charles River in the Mystic. If you can swim around Manhattan Island and the Hudson, why can we not swim in the Charles? It's a good question. So this is an important issue for the quality of life Thank you I look forward to a hearing on this.

Thank you, Councilor Culpepper. And I want to thank Madam President for inviting me onto this hearing order. I appreciate it was proactive and There's a lot of work happening across the city, so I really appreciate that you gave me a second and I appreciate your leadership. For those of us representing waterfront communities combined sewer overflows and the infrastructure necessary to prevent them are not abstract policy discussions We are watching the work happen beneath our streets right now. In East Boston, Boston Water and Sewer is currently undertaking the fourth phase of a massive multi-year sewer separation project Designed specifically to reduce the number and volume of combined sewer overflows into the Chelsea Creek and Boston Harbor. This phase alone involves five separate construction contracts beginning in 2025 and extending through 2031. Joaquin will be six years old. The geographic scope is significant, stretching across portions of Eagle Hill and Maverick Square all the way up to Orient Heights.

Anyone who lives in East Boston knows just how extensive this work We're talking about opening up streets, installing entirely new storm drains, replacing and rehabilitating sewer infrastructure, replacing aging water mains, and physically separating stormwater from sanitary sewage so that during heavy rain events our system isn't overwhelmed and sewage isn't discharged into our waterways. District 1 both understands the enormous disruption and the enormous investment required to modernize an infrastructure that people never see but keeps the city running. We also understand the payoff. Cleaner waterways, reduced flooding, stronger infrastructure and fewer combined sewer overflows. So I do look forward to the conversation and look forward the hearing. Thank you very much.

Thank You. Would anyone like to add their name? Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber. And please add the chair. Thank you. Docket number 1846. will be referred to the Committee on City Services. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket number 1847?

Doc number 1847, Councilor Flynn offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the declining Massachusetts comprehensive assessment system MCAS scores.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councillor Flynn. Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. Madam Chair may I add Councillor Murphy?

Councillor Murphy so added.

Thank you, Madam Chair. In October 2024 the Boston City Council held a hearing to discuss standardized testing as a graduation requirement. In November 2024, voters determined that MCAS results would no longer need to reach a certain score in order to graduate. Last week, the Boston Globe published an article analyzing Massachusetts MCAS scores. The results conclude that test scores failed to rebound to levels achieved prior to COVID-19 pandemic. Statewide ELA performance in grade three to eight continues to struggle with just 40% of students meeting or exceeding expectations, a 12 point drop since 2019. The decline is sharper among 10th graders, whose passing rate fell to 45%, putting performance 16 points lower in 2019 levels.

While BPS are an increase in grade 6 and 8 math scores, the eighth-grade science exam there were also reportedly sharp declines in English scores and little progress otherwise. With these test scores, the Massachusetts Business Alliance called again for the reinstatement of MCAS graduation requirements. It is critical to discuss these findings, why MCAS scores are not improving and what support BPS needs to improve students' scores. The Boston City Council can't accept these scores and lower results or we can make a policy change to ensure that every BPS student has the opportunity to succeed. In Boston, it is critical that we also account for challenges in their digital age. The report also stated and I quote, international test scores have shown similar declines across much of the world.

reinforcing concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence, school-based laptops, cell phones on student learning. The new MCAS score mirror the latest international Test results, which demonstrated declines for 15-year-olds across the world. Students scored worse on a test if they used AI regularly, used computers for fun at school or reported elevated levels of digital distraction. Thank you. I leave you with a warning from Thomas Kane, who's a professor at the education school at Harvard. Our leaders must have been asleep at the wheel and I hope they wake up before Massachusetts loses its lead in K through 12 education. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. The chair recognizes Councillor Murphy. Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair and thank you Councillor Flynn for including me on this important conversation I think we need to continue to have this Conversation, we are going in the wrong direction. As an educator as a mom I am well aware and a true believer that one test never tells the full story of a child and their ability but at the same time it does give us a pulse and A true idea of what's happening at each school level. We have schools here in our system that had a zero to 10% proficiency rate, we have some schools where 0% of our students are even reaching a proficiency rate on the MCAS. And to be proficient is D level, so we already have a low mark in my opinion. So we have to make sure that we're doing all we can provide our students with the best education.

And we know that if they don't have a good education, their outcomes when they graduate are the reason why many of us are advocating for all the other resources we need to provide our residents. So it's important education is the way out for everyone, and we need make sure that no matter what school your child attends that they have The opportunity to the best education and right now we're not offering that to all of our students and families.

Thank you Councillor Murphy, would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber and Worrell. 47 will be referred to the Committee on Education.

of the seven nights per week resident parking only policy in South Boston.

Thank you, Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn. Councillor, you have the floor.

Yes, thank you Madam Chair. Almost three years ago the city announced at a public meeting that South Boston would receive seven nights per week resident parking Only in South Boston, in all areas that did not currently have overnight restrictions. BTD committed to me over two years ago that this would occur and I am seeking an update. This change aligns with the City's goals. If the city wants less people using cars, South Boston has become as much a destination for young people to visit on the weekends as downtown Boston or Faneuil Hall. We should not want more people bringing cars and negatively impacting the community. It is inconsistent to say the city wants people to take public transportation, ride shares or bike shares or Bikes during the week, but Friday, Saturday and Sunday night is okay to park your car in Southie.

This change is critical for many reasons. South Boston's existing parking crisis and the number of parking spots we have. There's a question of fairness when most of the neighborhood currently maintains resident parking four nights per week, which is Monday through Thursday in some areas have 7 nights per week resident parking. There's also continued pressure when the city approves Article 80 development with 0.5 parking spaces. The parking crisis in South Boston has become increasingly unsustainable A 2023 BTD report indicated that there were almost 29,000 active resident parking permits in only about 11,000 on-street parking spaces. At that time I requested an audit and nearly 8,000 incorrect permits were revoked. Meanwhile South Boston continues to absorb

A significant number of Article 80 developments. While many have gained support of the community, in the midst of our housing crisis developers reported being stalled with requests to cut already agreed upon parking ratios and adhere to BTD's recommendation parking guidelines of 0.5 spots per unit, and disregard local zoning regulations. Sometimes it feels like we have to decide if this is a housing crisis we're in a rush to address or it's a parking litmus test. Residents consistently report a large number of out-of-state plates and cars without a parking permit They say many visitors will park here for several days beginning Friday morning at 10 a.m. through Monday evening at 6 p.m., When other neighborhoods in similar proximity to downtown that have stricter residential parking regulations

It is no longer tenable for the absence of seven nights per week resident parking only policy. This is a compromise in my view with other neighborhoods having 24-7 resident parking. This change is long overdue and I want to advocate for my constituents in South Boston, Madam Chair. It's about respect, it's about providing quality of life, improving their quality of live and its long overdue Flynn, would anyone like to add their name?

Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber. Docket 1848 will be referred to the Committee on City Services.

Order for a hearing to discuss building a parking garage at the City of Boston Municipal Lot on West Broadway in South Boston.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Over the last several decades, South Boston has experienced unprecedented growth with many large-scale projects having been completed and others currently in the pipeline. In addition, the neighborhood has developed into a destination for young people to frequent our restaurants and establishments on the weekends. Social media will often point out two lines on East Broadway and West Broadway, at the very same time there are both no resident parking as I mentioned in places where this influx of cars arrive on the weekends. With this, neighbors continue to call attention to South Boston's existing parking crisis Resident parking only being in place four nights per week, as well as sufficient parking at new housing developments and restricting resident parking permits for these buildings to prevent an overflow of cars that would worsen the quality of life for current residents.

For years during budget season, residents and I have advocated for a parking garage to be erected on the West Broadway Municipal Hall in South Boston. And now an approved project at the vacant former bank Building next door will include a courtroom, a courthouse office and support space for use by the trial court of the Commonwealth. A place for our trial court and criminal justice system is critical in South Boston. I support that, and I also have been active engaged as a probation officer night reporting and recovery services for people are working during the day, but still have to meet their probation officer at night. But neighbors and I remain concerned that the demands for the existing parking lot may no longer be sufficient and require additional infrastructure. To help address the demand for visitors

in vehicle traffic to West Broadway restaurants and establishment, the potential new construction nearby that may impact the existing municipal lot. And South Boston's public parking crisis as I mentioned It is appropriate to begin discussion on constructing a parking garage at the City of Boston Municipal Parking Lot on West Broadway in South Boston. And there are nearby examples for us to look at, including the South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center at Massport. They have a garage which currently offers community benefits including residential parking during snowstorms. I believe there are parking lots near Quincy Center as well that may provide discounted rates for residents and something we should certainly look at in research with our existing parking issues

I do think residents want us to refocus on how we're able to support them instead of having cars drive around 45 minutes a night. It's not just my neighborhood, it's other neighborhoods across the city The residents report driving around the neighborhood looking for a parking spot. This is a possibility I'm advocating for, and I hope this city will support my recommendation. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank You Councillor Flynn Would anyone like to add their name? Murphy, Pepén, Worrell, Louijeune, Mejia, Fitzgerald, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper. And please add the chair. Oh, and Councillor Santana and Councillor Weber. Thank you. Docket 1849 will be referred to the Committee on City Services. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 1-850?

Docket number 1- 850. Councillor Culpepper offered the following order for a hearing to examine the economic impacts of immigrant Fair Flight, and Federal Immigration Enforcement in Boston.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper. You have the floor.

Thank You Madam President. Madam President I would like to add Councillor Santana As a second original co-sponsor, I'd like to request suspension of the rules to add Councillor Louijeune as the third original co–sponsors.

Councillor Santana is added as a second and seeing and hearing no objection, Councillor

Thank you, Madam President. An issue that became increasingly clear during last Friday's Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity and Immigrant Advancement hearing regarding the termination of Temporary Protective Status for Haitian Immigrants is that the consequences of federal immigration policy extended far beyond immigration status. They are increasingly affecting Boston's economy, Boston Workforce and the Demographics. Immigrants are essential to Boston's workforce, small businesses, neighborhoods, and tax base. Without immigration, Massachusetts would have experienced population decline over the last century and Greater Boston would have lost approximately 100,000 residents in the past decade alone.

What concerns me is that increased federal enforcement and fear of detention or deportation may be causing immigrant residents to leave Massachusetts, stay home from work, avoid businesses and public spaces or otherwise withdraw from economic life. A recent Wharton study examining more than 5,000 immigrant enforcement actions found that enforcement reduced weekly foot traffic We need to examine how these trends are affecting Boston's residents. businesses, workforce, neighborhoods and tax base and what the city can do to measure and mitigate these harms. If fear is driving residents away or causing them to withdraw from our economy

That is not only an immigrant issue, but an issue for Boston's long-term economic stability. Thank you Madam President.

Thank You Councillor Culpepper. The Chair recognizes Councillor Santana. Councillor you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I want to thank Councilor Culpepper for including me on this and filing this hearing order. As an immigrant, I know firsthand that our immigrant neighbors are the backbone of Boston's success from East Boston in Dorchester to Mattapan in Austin Right now, fear is paralyzing our communities. Neighbors have been abducted while simply doing their jobs, a calculated effort to instill terror and make families afraid to step outside. With the ongoing ice surge in New Bedford This hostility is in our doorstep and driving away a fear flight. Residents are leaving Boston, avoiding local storefronts and skipping essential doctor's appointments for themselves and their children out of fear. The economic and human damage is immediate. A study by the UCLA's Latino Policy and Politics Institute found that an ice surge in LA County caused nearby businesses to lose 46,000 visits

and about $3.16 million in just two weeks. Here in Boston, Fair Flight Directly threatens our small businesses, public health, housing stability, tax revenue, and critical industries. So far, we only have a small picture of what that level of enforcement is doing to our city. We must learn the full extent of this impact here directly from Boston's immigrant communities and take concrete steps to protect our neighbors. We must remain committed to creating a Boston where every resident, regardless of status can live work and thrive without fear. Thank you.

Thank you. I just want to thank the maker for adding me and look forward to the continued work on this important topic, unfortunately because of the anti-immigrant nature of this administration.

Thank you Would anyone like to add their name? Coletta Zapata, Collins, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Murphy, Pepén, Weber, Worrell. Please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 1850 will be referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity and Immigrant Advancement. Mr. Clerk could you please read docket 1851?

Docket number 1851 has been withdrawn.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Mr. clerk could you please read docket 1852?

Docket number 1852, Councillor Murphy offered the following order requesting certain information under section 17f regarding BPS residency requirements remote work, contractor classification and payments to a former senior environmental engineer.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. We just usually suspend the rules and accept this if that's okay. Suspension of the Rules in Passage of Docket 1852. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Docket 1852 has passed. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 1853?

Docket number 1853. Councilor Murphy offered the following order requesting certain information under section 17F regarding Boston Public Schools procurement, contracting payment controls and implementation of the State Inspector General's recommendations.

Thank you. Councillor Murphy seeks suspension of the rules in passage of Docket 1853. All in favor say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Docket 1853 has passed. Mr.

Clerk, could you please read docket 1854? Docket number 1854. Councillor Murphy offered the following. requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding roadway alterations and the city's response at Tremont Street and Parker Street.

Thank you. Councillor Murphy seeks suspension of the rules in passage of Docket 1854. All in favour say aye. Mr Clerk, could you please take a roll call and vote on Docket

Brayden, yes. Councilor Braydon, yes, Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes Councilor Culpepper, yes Counselor Durkan, yes Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn?

Yes.

Council of Flynn, yes, Council Louijeune, Council Mejia, Councilor Murphy? Yes, Council Murphy, yes Council Pepén? Yes Council Pepen, yes council Santana? Yes council Santina, yes councillor Weber Councilor Weber, yes. And Councilor Worrell? Yes. Councilor Yes. Docket number 1854 has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you. Dock at 1-8-5-4 has passed. Mr. Clerk could you please read docket one eight five five

Dr. Number 1855, Councilor Culpepper offer the following. Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding the status of the Boston Preparations Task Force research reports and future work.

Culpepper, we don't usually speak on these. We just suspend and pass if that's okay with us. Councilor Culpeper seeks suspension of the rules in passage of Docket 1855. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Docket 1855 is passed. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 1856?

Docket number 1856. Councillors Durkan and Worrell offer the following resolution in support of question 6. to create a natural resource conservation fund.

Thank you, the chair recognizes Councilor Durkan. Councilor, you have the floor.

Thank so much and thank you so much to Councilor Worrell for joining with me on this. I rise today to introduce resolution in support of question six which would create a national resource conservation fund. Our natural resources are precious and supporting continued public use and conservation of these spaces are important priorities Question 6 on the November 3rd statewide ballot would create a fund known as the Nature for All Fund of up to $100 million annually from existing sales of outdoor, This would provide a stable, long-term funding to protect and maintain our parks and recreational spaces, plan for climate resilience, and conserve natural resources while expanding access to outdoor recreation opportunities without raising taxes. Reliable funding is especially important when conservation and climate programs are jeopardized by tight state budgets and limited federal resources. It would allow communities to plan projects in advance that would otherwise not be possible.

The state manages more parkland in Boston than we do, so this funding could help maintain treasured outdoor spaces in our communities, including the Esplanade, Stony Brook Reservation and the Southwest Corridor Park. As a District 8 City Councilor, we have a lot of DCR land in our district so I feel like this is Massachusetts has strong outdoor recreation industry and other similar models of directing sales revenue from sporting equipment to conservation and recreation. It has long been one of our priorities to conserve natural resources and expand access to green space and outdoor recreation for Boston residents, especially from our low-income residents in communities of color. I urge our communities to join me in voting yes, and I also urge my colleagues to vote yes. And I am pushing for a suspended pass today. If you see from a lot of the endorsements that have been made A lot of people have left this question blank, and I think it would mean a lot for the Boston City Council to stand up in support of this question.

Vote yes on Question 6.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan. Chair recognizes Councillor Worrell. Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you Councillor Durkan for adding me as a original co-sponsor. I'm excited to be supporting this resolution and I'm looking forward to voting yes in November on this I believe such a dedicated funding source would grow quickly and effectively for these purposes. And also want to connect us to our hearing order I filed recently to explore increasing the percentage of CPA funds that are dedicated to affordable housing. If we had a dedicated fund source for conservation and green space, It could create a way forward for us to direct more CPA funding to our affordable housing needs while ensuring we can maintain the same level of funding for open space and preservation efforts. So I look forward to voting an easy yes on question six in November and working with Councilor Durkan and our colleagues on this further in the future, into making sure that all of our residents are also voting yes on six. Thank you.

Thank You Councilor Worrell. And anyone like to add their name? Coletta Zapata, Collins, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber and please add the chair. Councillors Durkan and Worrell seek suspension of the rules on adoption of Docket 1856. All in favor say aye. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 1856?

Councillor Brayden. Yes. Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes. Council Durkan, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald? Yes Councilor Fischel, yes Councilor Flynn? Yes Counselor Flynn, yes Counselor Louijeune? Yes, Counselor Mejia, Council Murphy? Murphy, Pippen, Santana, Weber, Worrell, 1856. has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr Clerk. Docket 1856 has been adopted. Mr Clerk could you please read docket 1857?

Document number 1857, Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following. Resolution in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Boston Harbor Coastal Storm Risk Management Comprehensive System Plan and the City of Boston's application for federal authorization.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to add Councillor Fitzgerald as original co-sponsor and suspend the Rules 12 and add Councillor Santana

Fitzgerald is added as a second. And seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Fitzgeral's added as the second, Councillor Santana has added as third.

Thank you. And I'd like to just call out Councillor Flynn as an honorary fourth. I rise today to ask my colleagues to support this resolution in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Boston Harbor Coastal Storm Risk Management Comprehensive System Plan and, importantly, the City of Boston's pursuit of federal authorization. For years, I've been sounding the alarm that planning for climate resilience is not enough. We have done the studies. We know where we know the water's coming. We which neighborhoods homes businesses transportation systems and Critical Infrastructure are vulnerable. The question now is how do we actually pay to protect them? This has been central to my advocacy and have consistently pushed to move beyond planning and toward implementation, particularly toward creating a real financing strategy for the billions of dollars in resilience infrastructure Boston will need. I've said in the past that this is Boston's next big dig and the price tag is upwards of 10 billion dollars But this is exactly why the Army Corps process is such an extraordinary opportunity.

Federal authorization could make eligible projects within this plan available for up to a 65% federal construction cost share. That fundamentally changes what is financially possible for Boston. Separately, I'm excited about the work underway with the Green Ribbon Commission on a coastal resilience financial blueprint for the remaining 35%. They are examining public and private funding sources, the financing gap, governance, and how costs can be shared equitably. I look forward to bringing the Green Ribbon Commission before us for a city council briefing which is on the calendar so that we can dig into that work and understand what a sustainable financing model for Boston could actually look like. And while I represent some of the neighborhoods on the front lines, East Boston, Charlestown, The North End in our downtown waterfront this is not a waterfront issue simply a waterfront issue. When a major storm floods our tunnels, transportation systems, our airports, hospitals, police stations fire Stations, Electric Infrastructure, Homes. The consequences do not stop at a neighborhood boundary.

Climate change doesn't care about district lines water does not care about political differences and the scale of this threat demands that we come together around a generational solution to a generational problem. We can and should continue debating the details, where protections go, how they are designed, and how we preserve public access and natural systems and critically, who pays for it. But on the fundamental question of whether Boston should position itself to receive the largest possible federal partnership to protect our city I believe the path forward is clear. This is infrastructure that will protect generations of Bostonians we will never meet. I ask my colleagues to support this resolution and stand together in pursuing the federal partnership necessary to protect all of Boston for future generations. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Coletta Zapata. The chair recognizes Councillor Fitzgerald. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. I first just want to thank Councillor Coleta Zapata for her steadfast advocacy around environmental issues from coastal flooding to resilience and she's always been a leader in that. And so I look forward to following her footsteps in helping her do that. I believe many of us probably wrote a letter already that was due last week for this, and I know folks up at the State House did as well I had a chance to talk with Chief Sweat yesterday and he said something that sort of made me think a little bit differently about this because I asked him a question. Hey look, we don't want to leave money on the table. This is important stuff but was saying, we're not sure what exactly is going to be built where. And obviously that causes a little bit of trepidation for some folks and how they could be impacted from this. He said, John I think the most important thing is that we have to understand that Boston's been sort of pointed out to protect.

and I think that's a signal that they know what we have here in this city, what we produce from a medical standpoint, from an educational standpoint. And really just the people that are here so that forces greater than city council or the mayor are looking at Boston and saying this is a city we should protect. And that made me, I was proud right? Like you know what they're right and I should be looking at it that way so I look forward to working with Councilor Coletta Zapata, Chief Sweat in understanding how these impacts are going to not only help us but also what we can do to make sure it's not a burdensome on the community as well. So thank you very much Madam President

Thank you, Councillor Fitzgerald. The chair recognizes Councillor Santana. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. I want to thank Councillor Coletta Zapata for including me on this and as Councillor FitzGerald mentioned Someone who's just been a great leader from this, since day one. So we really appreciate your leadership on this and all environmental issues here in the city of Boston. I think I'd like to echo also Councilor Coletta Zapata statement that we owe it to today's youth and future Bostonians to do everything that we can to build a climate resilient Boston. And I think, as she stated as well, we need these federal partnerships. This is critical, and I'm looking forward to the conversation and partnering with both Fitzgerald to move this forward. Thank you.

Thank You, Councillor Santana. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councillor Worrell and please add the chair. Councillors Zapata Fitzgerald and Santana seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 1857 All in favor say aye. All opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 1857?

Council of Breadon. Yes. Council of Brayden, yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes Councilor Calpepper Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes. Yes. Council Fitzgerald? Yes, Council Flynn? Yes Council Mejia? Yes Murphy, yes. Councilor Pepén? Yes. Council Santana? Yes, Council Weber? Yes and Council Worrell? Yes Louisian, would you like to vote on the Coastal?

Yes.

Councilor Louisian yes. Docket number 81857 has received a unanimous vote on the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 1857 has been adopted. Councillor Coletta Zapata? Culpepper, if you would mind.

Mr. Clerk, will you? Can you please read docket number 1-8-5-8?

Docket number 1858, Councilor Breadon for the following. Resolution in support of House 1544, Senate 998. An act to guarantee a tenant's first right of refusal.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Council President Breadon. Madam President, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. May I add Councillor Santana as a second original co-sponsor? And I'd like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Mejia as a third original co sponsor.

Seeing no objecting, Councillor Mehia is asked Their original co-sponsor.

I'd also like to acknowledge that we had Councillor Lucille Louijeune, who was asked to be a co- sponsor on this Massachusetts faces a severe affordable housing shortage leaving existing rental units vulnerable to conversion, redevelopment and steep rent increases that displace residents. H1544 and S998, an act to guarantee a tenant's right of refusal gives tenants the first chance to buy their residential building through a tenant association when the property goes up Commonly referred to as a tenant opportunity to purchase act, TOPA. This legislation safeguards naturally occurring affordable housing which consists of unsubsidized rental homes that remain naturally affordable due to age, and so on.

Tenants can organise to independently or collaborate with non-profit community development corporations an affordable Housing Developers or Community Land Trust to secure financing and complete the purchase. The bill does not force owners to sell at a discounted price. Tenants must match third-party market offers within defined timelines with exemptions for small property owners, family transfer and new construction. Giving tenants a meaningful opportunity to purchase their homes serves affordability, prevents displacement and maintains neighborhood continuity across Boston. This is essential to protecting our residents, stabilizing our neighborhoods under ensuring that longtime Bostonians are not priced out of the communities that they help build and call home.

The Boston City Council urges and supports the Massachusetts legislature to pass H1544 and S998 to protect our residents and expand affordable housing options statewide. And I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

I would like to thank Council President Breadon for sponsoring this document and adding me as a co-sponsor. to combat the unprecedented housing crisis that threatens the fabric of our neighborhoods. We must use all the tools in our toolbox. House Bill 1544 and Senate Bill 998 empowers tenants with a first opportunity to purchase their residential buildings when the owner decides to sell, safeguarding the naturally occurring affordable housing that keeps our communities intact. Rather than forcing long-term residents and working families out whenever a property changes hands, this legislation allows parents to raise their children in stability and ensures neighbors can remain rooted in the communities. By giving tenants a fair chance to stay, we protect both a human connection that binds our city together and Boston's rapidly shrinking supply of unsubsidized affordable housing.

I'm calling upon my counterparts in the State House to also support this bill, to provide tenants increased access to affordable housing. Thank you.

Thank You. Councilor Mejia, the Chair recognizes Councilor Mahia. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. President and I want to thank Council President Breadon for adding me as well as Councillor Santana for his leadership in this space. And I also want to acknowledge my colleague, Councilor Ruthie Louijeune who has been a big advocate on all things that deal with housing so sorry that I got to her before you did but I got you. In general, tenant opportunities to purchase acts are important because they support housing stability by seeking to reduce displacement. This bill at the Statehouse specifically gives each city or town the choice to adopt this policy that allows for tenants of multi-unit buildings slash properties to have the opportunity to buy the property if the owner is selling first before an outside party can buy it. Tenants can create tenant Associations or partner with nonprofits, CDCs, land trusts and more to support their purchase of the property at market rate.

The several paths to purchasing gives tenants the flexibility they need As we know, there's not one size fits all approach to these efforts. Creating pathways for home ownership means creating pathways for financial stability and generational wealth. As the first person in my family to achieve homeownership here In Boston, I understand this well. I know firsthand what it's like having the opportunity and what it means for a family. It means finally feeling stable, building wealth, and having greater control over your own future We should be creating more opportunities for working families to experience that same sense of security. I support this bill and I support adopting it in Boston once it passes. Tenant opportunity to purchase should be a part of the asset building program that the city should be implementing with community partners as well as financial and academic institutions. It also must be carried out in a way that centers culturally competency. This policy must be supported with additional

initiatives that strengthen tenant rights including legal representation, tenant organizing and alternative home ownership models like co-ops. Empowering tenants is a key to building stability equity and community control in our housing system thank you

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Zapata, Councilor Durkan, Council Fitzgerald, Council Flynn, Council... She wants to talk. Excuse me. The chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune Louijeune, you have the floor.

Thank you Mr. Chair I want to thank the sponsors for filing this TOPA is so incredibly important to trying to pull the lever closer to the needs of tenants in our city. This bill has been floated about and talked about for quite some time, I know that this is not the first time It's my time on this body that we filed a resolution in support of TOPA. But, in the real estate market, tenants have very little power And it is important that we do what we can to prevent displacement. We often know that when there's a new owner of a lived-in building, like we've seen around the city, they're driven by profit. Oftentimes, the tenants who live there are forced out

where I was actually at a rally, at a vigil on Sunday evening in Jamaica Plain for a community organizer who there's a new owner of his building and the owner is doubling the rent. And there was no real opportunity for the people who lived in the building to organize and work together on finding a solution. If something like TOPA was in effect that allows tenants to organize and to work with outside entities, and to and to work with whoever it may be, nonprofit developers. To work with the city and Acquisition Opportunity Program It would help to prevent displacement. It would give our tenants more power in a market that is really, really rigged towards those who actually own the land and own property And so I think this TOPA and the right of first refusal is so important. There are other areas in which

We need to be looking at this, in which my office is looking at. But I really want to urge how important it is in a market that cares mostly about and primarily about profit that we need to do everything we can to support and protect tenants to prevent displacement and to disrupt what is an extractive real estate market. Thank you.

Thank You. Would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Zapata Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Weber, and Wilwell. Please add the chair. Council President Breadon seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 1858. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Mr. Clerk, would you please count the vote?

Councillor Breadon. Yes. Councillor Bradon, yes. Councillor Coletta Zapata. Yes Councillor Coleta-Zapata, yes Councillor Culpepper Yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Council Durkan? Councilor Durkan, yes Councilor Fitzgerald?

Yes.

Counselor FitzGerald, yes Counselor Flynn? Yes Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Louijeune? Yes Counselor Loujeune, yes councilor Mejia? Council Mejía, yes Murphy, yes. Councilor Pepén? Yes. Council of Pepén, yes, Council Santiana? Yes Council Santana, yes Council Weber? Yes and Council Worrell? Yes Doctor number 1858 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you, doctor. Doctor number one eight five eight has been adopted. Mr. Clerk can please call Please read docket 1859.

Docket number 1859, Councilor Breadon offer the following resolution recognizing two Hispanic flag day.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Council President Breadon. Madam president, you have the floor.

Thank you Mr. Chair. I submitted this resolution on behalf of the entire City Council ahead of October 14th in recognition of Hispanidad Flag Day. And in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I look forward to joining my colleagues and community members in honoring the rich cultural contributions and heritage of Hispanic and Latinx communities across the city. Would anyone like to add their name?

Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. And please add the chair. Councilor Breadon seeks the suspension of the rules and adoption of docket number 1859. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. All those opposed, say nay. Mr. Clerk, please count the vote.

Councilor Brayden, yes. Councilor Breadon, yes, Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper? Yes. Council Culpeper, yes Councilor Durkan, Council Fitzgerald? Yes Councilor Fitzgeral, yes Councillor Flynn? Yes Councillor Flynn, yes Lujan, Councilor Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell. Councilor Orrell, yes. Docket number 1859 has received 11 votes in the affirmative Thank you docket number one eight five nine has been adopted Mr.

Clerk can you please read docket at number 1 8 6 0

Dr. Number 1860, Councilor Breadon offer the following resolution celebrating the 103rd anniversary of the Declaration of the Republic of Turkey and the 31st annual Boston Turkish Arts and Cultural Festival.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Council President Breadon. Madam President, you have the floor.

Thank You Mr. Chair I submitted this resolution on behalf of the entire City Council in recognition of the 31st annual Boston Turkish Arts and Cultural Festival and the Turkish flag raising ceremony on October 29th. This resolution celebrates the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Turkish-American community, and recognises the enduring friendship between the United States and Turkey. I look forward to joining my colleagues and community members in honoring these important traditions and celebrating the vibrant Turkish-American presence in Boston. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Flynn, Louis Young, Fitzgerald, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Wilwell. Please add the chair. Council President Breadon, suspension of the rules and adoption of docket number 1860. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All of those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Thank you. Docket number 1860 has been adopted. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket number one eight six one?

Doctrine No. 1861, Councilors Louijeune and Worrell offer the following resolution recognizing October 1st, 2026 as Nigerian Independence Day.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. Can I please, may I please suspend the rules and add Councilor Culpepper as a third original co-sponsor?

Councilor Seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Culpepper will add it.

Thank you. And I seek suspension in passage of this docket. Tomorrow October 1st is the 66th celebration of Independence Day of Nigeria here in Boston And in the state of Massachusetts, we have a large Nigerian population. Since I was young me and my sisters would attend NYO community events and so enjoy celebrating and uplifting our Nigerian community is one of the largest sources of African immigration to the United States. and it's an immigrant community where families are entrepreneurs, are leaders here in our city especially in Hyde Park where there are Nigerian-owned businesses and there are a lot of leaders. And so I just wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate with our Nigerian community here. Nigeria is made up of a number of different tribes and peoples, and has had the number of struggles in becoming one country

and so they celebrate by celebrating their flag, a symbol of unity that is still in progress but one where the community comes together and celebrates a flag that is green white green I look forward to being with our Nigerian community and to be in continued celebration with them at their number of events as they celebrate Nigerian Independence Day.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you to Councilor Louijeune for adding me as a original co-sponsor. Also thank you to councilor Culpepper as well. Looking forward to celebrating Nigeria's Independence Day tomorrow. I also just want to shout out Two local organizations and businesses involved with tomorrow's flag raising. We have Suya Joint, and also the NYO, Nigerian Youth Organization of Boston That organization has been around for 30 years that provided important guidance and support as well as fun events for our Nigerian youth here in Boston. I also want to shout out Joseph for helping coordinating the flag raising, all the events that's going to be taking place around Nigerian Independence Day. And just looking forward to the celebration. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Worrell. The Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper. You have the floor.

Madam President, I thank Councillor Louis-Jones for adding me as a regional co-sponsor and to join with Councilor Worrell in celebrating I also like to add that my brother-in-law have Nigerian family members that I'll be celebrating with tomorrow and to the entire Nigerian community. We celebrate this great day, thank you Madam President. Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name? Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber. Please add the chair. Countries Louisiane, Worrell and Culpepper seek suspension of the rules adoption of docket 1861. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Docket 1861 has been adopted. Mr.

Clerk, could you please read docket 1862? Docket number 1862, Councilors Pepén and Durkan offer the following resolution recognizing October as Pedestrian Safety Month in the City of Boston.

Chair recognizes Councilor Pepén. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Tomorrow is the beginning of Pedestarian Safety Month. But in reality, that for me is every single day. This is when we get to acknowledge the safety of our pedestrians, those who walk or use our streets every single throughout our community. It's an opportunity to raise awareness and promote safer streets and remind everyone that pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility. Pedestrian safety is the reason why you guys consistently hear me speak about safer crosswalks, safer school zones, supporting our crossing guards Making sure that there's better visibilities for those trying to cross the street. It's literally one of Top two topics that my office hears about every single day is that people don't feel safe crossing the street or they're concerned about someone speeding down the street, whether it's a main thoroughfare or if it's side street in a neighborhood.

It's something that my office takes very seriously also because we've unfortunately seen a lot of casualties as a result of it. People have lost their lives and families are impacted by this every single day Which is why you do hear me support projects that are for safer streets when people simply are requesting for more speed homes, for crosswalks, for the curb redesign etc. It's not just because I'm a geek of transportation, but there's a bigger meaning behind it that is going to make our streets safer. And throughout this month you'll see me file other things and i hope that also continue to get the support for The order that Council President and I put forward for just advancing safer street projects, and other initiatives that other Councillors have put forward. I think we all want our streets to be safer in the City of Boston, October is a good month for us to review what we're doing correctly and what we need to work on moving forward. So thank you all so much.

Thank you, Councillor Pepén. Chair recognizes Councillor Durkan. You have the floor.

Thank you so much, Council President. And thank you to Councillor Pepén for including me on recognizing October as Pedestrian Safety Month. Just yesterday there is Someone in critical condition, a pedestrian that was hit in my district. Our residents deserve safety and it must be a top priority. Boston is committed to Vision Zero and we committed in 2015. And while overall fatalities and crashes may have decreased, we still have a long way to go. One fatality is too many. We must reaffirm our commitment to safer streets by implementing traffic calming measures and robust pedestrian infrastructure, and using data to inform where we can implement these proven strategies. We need to continue dedicating resources to installing more speed humps, raised crosswalks and bike infrastructure. and dedicating our streets and traffic patterns to serve the needs of our communities. On October 22nd, I'm holding a hearing on how we can improve enforcement of blocked bike lanes and crosswalks

Because enforcement and addressing dangerous driving behavior is an important part of this challenge. I frequently hear from civic and community groups, residents, and advocates about how we can make our streets safer. Thank you to all of the residents who have reached out and for drawing attention to the issues in the streets, and for advocating for yourself your neighbors and your community. Everyone in Boston, regardless of what mode of transportation you are or regardless of a council district you're in. What neighborhood do you live in? What age you are should be able to leave their house and travel through the city and feel safe getting to and where they need to go. That includes residents that come in from Cambridge and Somerville. I often hear elected officials say, well, where's that person from? Somervill? Someone from Somerville died in my district since I've been a city councilor. I don't care if you live in the City of Boston, you deserve to get around Boston safely, period. It's not a question about the direct abutters of safety infrastructure.

We have to move beyond that, we have to do so with residents in mind. Because every single person has been touched by speeding cars. I know in my district there have been multiple times where People have reached out and said, I feel like this is unsafe. And then months later someone has hit at that exact location. So we have to keep our eyes open, our ears open continue to receive feedback and continue to move as quickly as possible on these initiatives.

Thank you. Thank You Councillor Durkan Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy and then we'll go to Councillor Flynn, Councillor Murphy you have the floor

Yes, I'd like to let Councillor Pepén add a third original co-sponsor first if that's okay Madam President.

Seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Pepen you have the floor. Good to give you the mic. There you go.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy for the kindness. I just failed to add Councillor Ben Webber as the third original sponsor. I would like to request a suspend of rules and

Seeing and hearing of no objections, Councilor Weber is added as a third co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Councilor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank Just wanted to rise and thank you, Councilor Pepén for all the work you're doing. And I know this body trying to make sure our streets are safe for everyone if you're riding a bike walking getting on and off of bus in a car and uplift the young woman, 19 years old who's critically injured. We all see too many times in our neighborhoods across this city People who are injured on our streets, so whatever we can do to make our streets safer. So looking forward to always championing and working alongside with this body Our streets, our sidewalks and our infrastructure is safe for everyone.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you very much. I just want to thank Councilors Pepén and Durkan for filing this just this morning. I went out to volunteer as a crossing guard at the corner of West Mound and LaGrange in West Roxbury. I feel like that is, it's just a very dangerous intersection where kids are crossing LaGange Street to go to school at The Linden and I think it's vital that we have a crossing guard there. Just to highlight, we have shortage of crossing guards so it's been difficult to assign a crossing every day there Today there was a crossing guard and an officer from E5, but I feel like they think there was an issue with the crossing guard QR code application. That has been fixed. People can apply to be crossing guards. I think we need more and make sure all of our dangerous intersections have somebody there who can help these kids cross the street

Again, thank you to the filers and I support this resolution.

Thank you, Councilor Weber. The Chair recognizes Councilor Flynn. Councilor, you have the floor.

Thank You Madam Chair and just want to acknowledge Councilor Webber for acknowledging Crossing Guards, and I do want to acknowledge Councilor Pepén for his work in supporting crossing guards across the city as well. For over nine years I've filed and worked on this issue, pedestrian safety, including recommending actually a 12-point pedestrian plan. Rays Traffic Calming Infrastructure such as raised crosswalks, speed humps, pedestrian crossing islands with rapid flash beacons, curb extensions and more. I think a critical part of this is reducing the speed limit for vehicles 25 miles an hour, certainly it's 20 miles an hours near schools. I do think that's excessive, 25 miles and hour driving down

A narrow city street. There's barely enough room to pass, never mind going in an excessive speed like 25 miles per hour. It should be reduced. We need more support from Boston Police as well for traffic enforcement That's a critical aspect of it. I do want to support and highlight The importance of this, but Boston can't continue to be like the wild Wild West out there. We have to be aggressive with traffic enforcement, but also providing a safe and healthy City and neighborhood, streets and sidewalks. And be respectful to persons with disabilities. Be respectful to our seniors when we see people in crosswalks. Don't try to Go around them.

Be respectful and give them their opportunity to cross the street. Almost every day when my parents go up to the South Boston Library, they come back and tell me that they're crossing the street and as they're in the crosswalk someone will drive recklessly right by them. It's not just them, it's so many other elderly people throughout our city. We also see young families. It's about public awareness also and being respectful to all neighbors. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. I also want to thank the sponsors for this really important resolution. Pedestrian safety is a huge issue in our neighbourhood in Alston Brighton. We've had Severe injuries. We have had fatalities on cross-works and untold number of near misses. To your point, Councillor Flynn, about An elder crossing a crosswalk and a truck goes by and clips them with the wing mirror, they break an arm. Or they clip them and toss them over and they break a leg. It has got long-term consequences. In one case recently, an elder was hit on a crosswalk. She survived thankfully but she was in non-weight bearing for three months and ended up having to spend months in assisted living facility and unable to go back to her own home These things have great impact on our families and our communities.

Elders, children... We had a nurse killed crossing on her way to work at St Elizabeth's a few years ago so all of the infrastructure that we can Would anyone like to add their name Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Santana and Worrell. O'Conchars, Pepén, Durkan and Weber seek suspension of the rules on adoption of Docket 1862. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Docket has been adopted. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 1863?

Docket number 1863. Councilors Louijeune and Coletta Zapata offer the following resolution recognizing October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune.

Councilor, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. May I ask to suspend the rules at Council Mejia as a third original co-sponsor? Seeing and hearing no objections, Councilor Mejía is added as a Thank you and I'm seeking a suspension in passage of this resolution. Tomorrow is October 1, and October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If we care about routing out All forms of violence in our city and in our country, in society. We really do have to start where violence really starts and it is too often at the home in different kinds of domestic violence So I'm proud to yet again offer this resolution as an opportunity to stand with survivors, remember those whose lives have been taken away from us due to domestic violence and reaffirm our responsibility to prevent abuse Domestic violence affects families across our city.

It affects people beyond physical injury to a person's mental health, and we're just coming off of September which was Suicide Awareness Month Housing stability, financial security and the well-being of children in a home who too can be the victims of domestic violence. Survivors deserve safety dignity and support without judgment It's important that we recognize and acknowledge the barriers of why it is often difficult for people to leave situations of domestic violence, intimate partner abuse. There's a number of barriers that people face when it comes to accessing resources, whether it be language barriers, racism, financial dependency, disability and fear related to immigration status that can make seeking help more difficult. I see that I saw this so often in sensitive immigration cases where people are afraid to seek help. Our response for each person must be to reach out when those circumstances

Thank you very much. sexual and gender-based violence prevention initiative led by Kim Mendoza Arata. And right now they're holding trainings, trainings for those providers who interact with families and children and people could be victims of domestic violence. They have three trainings and Roxbury starting in this month. And so we encourage people to seek out that information. I just want to make sure that the survivors, that they know that we see them, that you deserve to be believed, to be loved, to cherish and feel safe I want to thank all the advocates and service providers who stand alongside in this work. If you know anyone experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 88788 for free confidential support 24 hours a day.

And I also want to thank the number of organizations involved in helping to stem the tide of domestic violence that includes the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence, Safelink, Elizabeth Stonehouse for Support Groups, Shakira Story, Casa Mena and Jane Doe Incorporated many of whom that we've had here for city council hearings on domestic violence and we will do continue to have them here as the work continues, especially as we look to stem an increase that we are seeing in certain areas. So thank you very much Hope that my colleagues join me in passing this resolution. Thank you.

Thank You, Councillor Louie Jeanne. Chair recognizes Councillor Coletta Zapata. Do you have the floor?

Thank you Madam President and I want to thank Council Louie Jean and her leadership in adding me as an original co-sponsor and just thank you for Outlining all of those resources. You never know who is listening and what they're going through, so thank you so much for that comprehensive list. Domestic violence touches every community regardless of race, gender, income or neighborhood This month is about centering survivors, believing in supporting them and making sure they have the resources and safety they need to rebuild their lives. Awareness also means prevention, and that means recognizing warning signs, intervention, and adequately funding organizations doing This important work every day. I want to shout out BPHC and Kim, we had her in here to talk about drink spiking but in that hearing she had talked about her work with survivors of domestic violence. And she's really doing an incredible job, so I just want to give her flowers and kudos for it. No survivor should ever feel like they have to navigate abuse alone

Again, I'm grateful to Councilor Louijeune for her partnership and every advocate and survivor who continues to push us forward for a safer Boston. You are not alone. We're here to help you. Thank you.

CHAIRPERSON WONG THROUGH INTERPRETER ROBERTSON Thank you, Councillor Coletta Zapata. The Chair recognizes the third co-sponsor, Councillor Mejia. Councillor, you have the floor. Contra Mejia. You're a third co-sponsor. I am. You have the floor.

That's right, I do. Thank you Madam President. Thank you, Madam President. And thank you to my council colleagues, Councilor Louijeune and Councilor Coletta Zapata for adding me to this resolution as a survivor. This issue is close to my heart. We say not one more but unfortunately DV is far too common. Domestic violence impacts individuals regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, class, sexual orientation and more but certain groups such as black Indigenous women experience higher rates of domestic violence. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we raise awareness, support survivors, uplift resources, invest in prevention and intervention and education. We also must ensure that domestic violence resources are equitable, accessible and culturally responsive. This work is not just in the month of October but throughout the year. Our office is proud to be in partnership with organizations like Shakira's Story

that are led by those who are living the realities and or doing the work, and who are on the front lines always advocating on behalf of those who still struggling. Thank you to all of the community organizations, hotlines, social workers, healthcare professionals Support survivors who are experiencing DV. By raising awareness, survivors and those experiencing DV are affirmed that they are not alone and hopefully are more likely to reach out for help. Please know that we're here if you need any. With this resolution, the Boston City Council recognizes October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and supports federal state and local initiatives that allocate more resources funding and aid for programs and strategies that address domestic violence. And I also just want to acknowledge that there's teen dating violence as well. When we think about domestic violence, it usually has a layer of just something that's happening at home

but there's relationship violence happening in a lot of different spaces and places. And verbal, emotional, mental all those are forms of abuse

Thank you, Councillor Mejia. The chair recognizes Councillor Flynn. Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair and just for the record I requested to be an original co-sponsor on this. I know that there was other city councils that were already I understand that. In over eight years on the City Council, I have been deeply involved with this issue of domestic violence and sexual assault holding a number of city council hearings on this for many years especially working with now Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, as well as other colleagues. I work closely with a number of organizations including the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence Casa Myrna, to try to continue the work of my mother when she was the First Lady. That was her top issue was domestic violence supporting survivors of domestic violence in the city of Boston.

This issue relating to domestic violence and sexual assaults are often underreported by immigrant neighbors, members of the LGBTQ plus community. In the month of October and throughout the year it is critical We continue to work to break the stigma and remind survivors that they are not alone. I also believe we have to in the Boston public school system to help support our students that maybe their parent or guardian might be a survivor of domestic assault. But we want to break that cycle when a child sees their mother or father, or guardian as a victim or survivor of domestic assault.

We want to ensure that the young person does not become a follower of that practice, but that child does need critical support and services from us. The crime of domestic violence and sexual assaults is up in the city of Boston. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you Councillor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Fitzgerald Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, Louijeune, Coletta Zapata and Mejia. Seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 1863. All in favour say aye, all opposed say nay. Mr Clerk could you please take a roll call vote on docket 186

Councilor Brayden. Yes. Councilor Breadon, yes. Councilors Coletta Zapata, yes, Councilor Culpepper, yes Councilor Durkan, yes Councillor Fitzgerald, yes Flynn, yes. Councilor Lujan? Yes. Council Luján, yes, Councilor Mejia? Yes Councilor Mehia, yes Councilor Murphy? Yes councilor Murphy, yes councilor Pepén? Yes Councillor Pepén, yes councillor Santana? Yes councillors Santana, yes Councillor Weber Webber, Councilor Worrell. Docket number 1863 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Before we move on to green sheets, is there anyone who would like to add their name to a docket? They may have missed. I will start with Councillor Murphy. Please put your lights on and we'll call on you. Councillor Murphy?

Yes, could you please add my name to Councillor Flynn's order about resident parking dock at 1848? Okay? Thank you.

Consul Mejia, you have the floor.

Yes, Madam President. Can you please add me to Docket 1846 and 1850? And I want a vote. on the affirmative. And I also would like to be added and recorded as a yes vote for 1856.

OK, thank you.

One second.

I beg your pardon. I'll wait for you, Mr. Clerk.

Can I say it again? 1856, yes vote.

Yes please.

Okay, good.

Chair recognizes Councillor Louijeune and you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. Can you add my name to dockets 1857 and 1847? Thank you Mr Clerk. Anyone else? 1857. Yep, and 1847.

Good?

Yep.

So we're now on to green sheets. Is anyone looking to pull a docket from the green sheets today? We're now moving on to late files. Mr. Clerk, how many? Thank you. I'm informed by the Clerk that we have two late files, one emergency resolution and one late file hearing order. Absent objection, these late file matters will be added. Mr. Clerk, could you please read the first late file matter?

First late file manner offered by Councillors Culpepper and Santana. Emergency resolution calling for immediate relief for businesses devastated by the Six Alarm Fire at the historic Edison Building in Nubian Square.

Thank you, the Chair recognizes This late file matter is properly before the body. The Chair recognizes the lead sponsor, Councillor Culpepper. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Boston Fire Department, Commissioner Marshall and every firefighter first responder who spent hours and days battling this fire under extremely dangerous condition. Several firefighters sustained minor injuries, but thankfully no occupants were reported to have been inside the building when the fire was discovered. But the devastation to the businesses inside this building is catastrophic. These businesses lost their workplace, equipment, inventory records and their ability to operate. These businesses will essentially have to start over from scratch. Many of these are black and brown owned or operated businesses that have invested in Roxbury, employed our residents, provided essential services

and contributed to the economic and cultural viability of Nubian Square. We cannot allow them to face this recovery alone. That is why this resolution called on the administration to provide the fullest possible assistance, including emergency financial assistance, temporary relocation support, recovery planning, technical assistance in coordination with every city, state, federal nonprofit, philanthropic and private resource. It also calls for a coordinated effort to determine the future of this historic building and to give displaced businesses a meaningful opportunity to return to New Bend Square. These businesses, Madam President and my colleagues need help now not months from now

I ask my colleagues to support passage under suspension of the rules so we can make clear that the city stands with the businesses, the workers community affected by this devastating fire in Nubian Square Thank you Madam President.

Thank you Councillor Culpepper, the Chair recognizes Councillor Santana, you have the floor.

Thank You Madam President and I want to thank my District Councillor, Councillor Culipepper for your partnership and continued work on this issue I would also like to thank Commissioner Rodney Marshall and all of our first responders who have been on the scene at the Edison Building. My heart goes out to everyone who was affected by the fire at the edison building where so many small businesses were anchored The Handyman Team, UG Subs, Brand Nubian, Atlantis Physical Therapy and many more. Losing a small business can be devastating as often both someone's dream and their livelihood Nubian Square is the heart of Roxbury and the heart Black Boston, and the Edison Building was and will remain a cornerstone of the community. It's crucial that we work in partnership with the City to assist the Nubiaan Square Community and recovering from the strategy, and continuing the Edison Building's historic legacy.

This morning we had a great meeting with key stakeholders including the Boston Fire Department to discuss how to work together on the impacts this incident has caused to our community and now I'm continuing to monitor the situation. The fire is still an active incident, and an investigation will begin once emergency responders are able to secure the scene Next week, in partnership with other elected officials we will convene a meeting with those most affected to assess the impact and how we can best support small businesses owners employees and community members. Further details on this meeting will be shared soon I echo the resolution's call to provide the fullest possible assistance to every displaced or damaged business and provide them with a meaningful opportunity to return to Mnubian Square. We can now replace what we lost in Edison Building But we should do everything we can to make sure that what rises is even stronger. And again, I really want to thank Councilor Culpepper for your leadership on this.

He gave me a call very soon after we heard the news and him in our teams have been working together. I also want to give a shout out to both Representative Chyna Tyler and Senator Liz Miranda who will open on top of this on the state side, thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Santana. Chair recognizes Councilor Murphy. Councilor, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam President, thank you to the filers and Councilor Santa Anna. You spoke to what I was going to say Many times our resolutions are just ceremonial, which are important also. But you already spoke to the work you're doing so I was gonna rise to say please put me and my team and us when we vote in favor of this with you to work alongside the businesses. You already mentioned, but thank you to Commissioner Marshall, the firefighters who were there, the first responders and we know so many city departments that ONS often organizes Show up when this happens, but this is devastating to our business owners and whatever we can do to make sure we give them what they need which will be more than money. But it's important that we show up along the way roll up our sleeves so thank you

Murphy, Chair recognizes Councilor Flynn you have the floor.

Thank You Madam chair I do want to say thank you to Councillor Culpepper and Councillor Santana and Senator Miranda and Representative Tyler, outstanding leaders in the city. And I do want to echo what one of my colleagues mentioned. I don't think we all in the City have an obligation as it relates to Nubian Square and to the residents there, the workers there, small businesses there. Yes it might not necessarily be in our district but I think we all have a responsibility to ensure that The workers, the building, the neighborhood get the resources and support from the city. I do think it should be a priority as a District City Councilor

I strongly support my fellow district councilor and know the important leadership he is providing on it. But, I also want to highlight the incredible role as already mentioned but from our first responders, but especially the men and women of the Boston Fire Department. They responded, they did everything in a professional manner, but we also want to ensure that we support First Responders as well, especially during challenging times. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam President. I also rise to support my council colleagues with supporting this resolution and anything that my office can do to support the businesses and the overall community just let me know. I'm happy to do that. I do have a point of order question to ask. Do you want to do the vote? Happy to entertain me now? Do you want to do the vote first? Thank you. I'm just curious because I've received two late files today and they both say emergency And then one says in pursuant to rule 46, I would say that this particular resolution on Nubian Square feels like an emergency. It just happened. There was some issues.

that I think the council can not only affirm and support, but also just be really mindful of the role that we can all play in supporting Nubian Square at this moment. And then I received another one regarding Funding for Health Screenings and Wellness Support for Boston First Responders. And I'm just curious, and I did ask the maker what the emergency was as it relates to this particular one So then my point of order question to you, Councilor President Breadon is that You know, the use of late files have become a norm here on the council and it's very confusing as to what constitutes an emergency and what is not an emergency. And then what is happening is that these emergencies become headlines and then it creates an environment in which people believe we're not supporting certain things because we are allegedly blocking them.

So out of the Out of my heart, I am asking for some clarity because it is becoming to feel like a norm. And I think you as the president of this body and the clerk. And if you can also help me, the clerk too please Alex I'm going to ask you to give me some help here because I don't think it's appropriate for us to continue to utilize late files Especially when they're not an emergency. So thank you countryman My point, I'm not done my point or I need to know how we're going to be moving forward because these late files are occupy a lot of oxygen and space, and time, and political theater. And I think that we need to get real about what the business of our council is. And what we're here to do is the people's business.

I'm not questioning the topic, what I'm questioning is the tactic and so what i need to know from you right is how we're going to handle late files moving forward in this moment

I inquired from Mr. Clerk and he said we had two late files. He told me that we had an emergency hearing order and we had a resolution, both of which are on everybody's desk And when I asked absent objection, no one objected to them being placed before the body. So... Wait, is that what you mean? We have both these dockets are available. And when we come to the, when we

There have been times when you guys have said, you have to read the order into the record before you can object to it. So I'm confused. We've started off with one. We haven't gone to the second one. So, you know they're both... But you're saying both of them are properly in front of the body which they're not.

One at a time we're dealing with the emergency resolution.

Okay so then let's be clear with that. This is what I'm trying to understand and I'm I'm trying to do the best that I can to understand how we end up in this place all the time.

Yeah, I think what constitutes emergency is not clearly defined in the rules. So, you know right now we've got two dockets before us. We are in the midst of discussing the emergency resolution in support The devastation that was caused to businesses in Nubian Square, that is an emergency. And I'm not here to define emergencies but this is the one that's properly before the body right now and no one objected to the second one, but we'll start with starting with the first one. We're halfway through this so and then when we will address the second when we come to it.

So when we just the second can then I would like It would be helpful to me to understand what constitutes as an emergency. In regards to this particular second one, just because this is the one that I'm presenting spot.

When we get to it and the way when the rules do not define an emergency but if folks object to it being brought before the body we can We can close it down. You can object.

I'm going to take a brief recess.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you everyone. We're back in session. We have one late file hearing, emergency resolution from Councillor Culpepper and Santana I misspoke. I bunched the two together. The first late file matter is an emergency resolution from Councillor Culpepper, and Councillor Henry Santana. It is properly before the body we've had some discussion on this matter um and then we will deal with the second date file matter

Culpepper, you have the floor.

I may suspend the rules and add Councillor Lejeune as an original third co-sponsor

Seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Louijeune is added as a third co-sponsor to your emergency resolution. Thank you. Louis-Jeanne, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, and thank you to Councillor Culpepper for adding me on this emergency resolution given the fire recently occurred. And I want to thank Councillors Santana, and Councilor Culpepper for the immediate response that is both required by this council which is under the rules for an emergency. filing and also making sure that the Roxbury community in this historic building get the attention that they need. I want to thank all of our fire department and everyone who responded to this fire and I know that there are a lot of, the businesses there are ones that are held very closely in the hearts of those who live in Roxbury. Let my colleagues know, alongside Senator Miranda and Rep. Chyna Tyler that they have the full support of this body in making sure that the businesses and the community in Roxbury gets what they need in response to this fire

Previously, there's been work on this council. I know Councilor Coletta Zapata, myself involved in making sure that we were having... We could respond materially when people have fires both people and entities and how we're able to make sure that they have support during this time. So just thank you to the filers and to the makers for their response here, thank you.

Thank you and go to Councillor Durkan. Councillor, you have the floor?

Thank you so much as someone who cares deeply about preservation I know this is a landmark building And I just want to support my colleague, Councilor Culpepper, understanding that really the definition of open meeting law and the way we should think about emergencies is something unexpected. I'm grateful to my colleague for filing this and for his ongoing support of preservation throughout the city. And I just wanted to say there, I do think there has been a politicization of late files. I have been used as clickbait. Um, I have some threats that are actually in my DMs right now from something that happened last week I think it's really, really important that we actually prioritize the work and stop trying to make villains of certain people. It's really important. And I want to thank Councilor Mejia for

Standing up because I do think there has been a politicization of late file matters and it is so important to me that everyone know that anytime I have blocked a late file matter, it has not been about the person. who is putting it forward, it has been about the contents and not feeling like it was an emergency. So I can say that I'm sure that's not the quote that will be taken but that is what I believe As a body that relies on transparency and accessibility, our late file matters should have the utmost. We should be making sure that we are doing everything to be accessible to the public and I think you know things that are late filed today are of consequence to the public, and they would probably like to know that we're discussing them. And that is what open meeting law is all about. And I think if one colleague of ours is filing 50% of the emergency hearing orders and emergency filings.

One person has filed 50% over the past year. I will not be silenced on this because I think that transparency and accessibility should be of top concern to everyone in this body. Thank you.

So the matter before us is this emergency resolution from Councilors Culpepper, Santana and Roussy-Louijeune. The chair moves. Oh, yes. Does anyone want to add their name? Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Weber, Councillor Worrell, and please add the chair. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on this emergency resolution?

Councilor Breadon.

Yes.

Councilor Brayden, yes. Council Coletta Zapata, yes, Councilor Culpepper. Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes. Council Durkan, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald? Yes Councilor Fischel, yes Councilor Flynn? Yes Counselor Flynn, yes Counselor Louijeune? Yes, Counselor Mejia? Yes Murphy, Pippen, Santana, Weber, and Worrell. The Emergency Resolution on The historic Edison building fire in Nubian Square has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you, this emergency resolution is passed. Councillor Murphy?

Thank you. I would like to reference Rule 46 and in a moment ask the Clerk to read it, but it does say that The emergency needs to be written into anything filed late per open meeting law under circumstances where such filing was unable to be anticipated prior to the filing deadline. So that is the reason. It's not always the content, but it's that you could not anticipate it This hearing order is clearly stated That's coming up and others in the past for information you find out after I know that i'll be speaking on the hearing order once it's Read into the record, but before you read that rule please clerk I did just also want to say that it takes two minutes. That's it Two minutes. If a late file is accepted, the person who filed it gets only two minutes to speak on it and then it's placed into a committee and we move on That's all.

There is no reason for it to drag out, there's no reason to think that it's dragging us down. My first term on this body sometimes we had 15 late files which I think is excessive but a week never went by either from central staff or With colleagues filing late files. In last term, I know that it was A conscious effort of the Council President to ring that in, use the word emergency, really be thoughtful of it. I will explain if needed when my hearing order is read into the record why I believe it's Lafile, but if the Clerk could just read Rule 46 into the record please I'd appreciate that. Thank you.

Yes, I do appreciate my colleagues' comments regarding what Rule 46 states and adding emergency. to a hearing order or resolution when immediate, because the council's not going to take immediate action on the second docket that we're about to hear about. So between now and next council meeting, I'm just trying to understand how and what is going to happen that constitutes as an emergency. And I think that this is an opportunity For us to define for ourselves moving forward, if we're going to have an emergency hearing then there has to be some expectation that a hearing will be held between now and next Wednesday's council meeting because we're going to be taking some action.

So this is why I need some clarity regarding resolutions and hearings, because if we're not gonna take a vote on this Thank you very much. If this hearing is because we're going to decide on millions of dollars next week's council meeting, then I understand it being an emergency. But if there's not gonna be any council action as a result of this hearing Then I need to understand how it is an emergency. And that is the question that I feel like we need to get a better understanding in this body so that we can Control regarding the way we've been functioning. Thank you.

Point of order?

Councillor Murphy.

I'm just going to ask again if the Clerk is going to read Rule 46.

Yes, please read that relevant rule. Thank

Suspension of the rules. Rule 46, all portions of the Rules of the City Council that require compliance with the Open Meeting Law, portions of The Rules mandated by city charter and the portions of Rules Enumerating or designating the authority of the Council President shall not be suspended. Rule 12, 33 and 35 may be suspended only by unanimous consent. All other rules shall not be altered, amended, suspended or repealed at any time except by a vote of two-thirds of all members of the council provided however that rule 12 may be suspended to introduce a matter submitted by a councillor Calling for action by the council on the day of a meeting only in the case of an emergency. And the filing includes a declaration explaining such emergency, which per the open meeting law would be under circumstances Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

Flynn, you have the floor.

I believe the reason that this is an emergency hearing order, and it's certainly spelled out in the first paragraph.

This is not a point of order.

We haven't even read this into the document. Madam Chair, everyone had an opportunity to discuss why it shouldn't be an emergency and I'm just trying Thank you very much. It's an emergency. On Monday, after the deadline to submit something in for the agenda, the City Council Ways and Means Chair held a hearing on Issue relating to the Boston Police Contra. Madam Chair, someone was interrupting me. No, please, no crosstalk. I'm sorry, Madam Chair. Someone was interrupting you.

Flynn, you have the floor.

Madam Chair, on Monday there was a hearing to discuss a contract for the Boston Police and it was conducted by the Ways and Means chair. At that time it was determined that the Boston police, many Boston police officers are paying their own health and wellness in screening. And or the union that represents them is paying their health and wellness screening. Is that an emergency, that the city of Boston is not supporting police officers with health and and Medical Care is that, I do believe that is it. Madam Chair if someone keeps interrupting me O'Neill, and so on.

The Boston police officers are paying much of their health and wellness in screenings, and it was determined that the city of Boston is not paying anything. Now the question is, is that an emergency? Should the Boston police officers be paying their own health and wellness and screenings or should the city of Boston Be supporting our police officers and their families with health and wellness and screenings. I do think it is critical that we acknowledge that we are not paying for the health and As we all know, I filed an amendment during the amendment process for health and wellness screening during the budget debate, and it was blocked by city councilors. Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Weber is next and then I really want to move. We'd like to bring this before the body and deal with it in whichever way we choose

I guess Madam President and the Clerk, I think the rule says that the emergency filing has to have a statement of why it's an emergency I don't see that. I'm wondering if that gets enforced by the clerk, by the president. I do think there is a sort of temporal There's an issue here where we have victims of a fire who need our help. That's why we supported the resolution for Nubian Square and there has been a politicization or weaponization of the emergency filing process that we've seen over the last few weeks and months. And so just to require people to say in their emergency what the emergency is And if they can't explain it in a sentence, then it's not an emergency. But I think the rule says it has to be in the filing. I don't know how the clerk and Madam President interpret that section of the rule. Thank you.

Thank you everyone. Councilor Mejia, and you have the floor.

Thank you. This is actually just related. Point of inquiry is towards central staff and Megan Cavanaugh. We've had multiple times where people—and this happened last term as well—where people just say point-of-order and it's not a point of order, and it is not a Point of Inquiry. And I know that we worked on sending out to City Council what never happened, what is a point and a point of inquiry. And I just think that would be information that would best shared with my colleagues, thank you.

Thank you for that recommendation. So right now we have an order for an emergency hearing offered by Councillors Aaron Murphy and Ed Flynn. We dealt with the other matters separately, we're now on to the second late matter Dirkken. This docket will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety. Oh, objective. We need a second. It's not going anywhere. Okay, thank you. We're now moving on to the consent agenda. I've been informed by the Clerk that there are no additions to the Consent Agenda

This question now comes on approval of various matters contained within the consent agenda. All those in favour say aye. Thank you. The consent agenda is adopted. We are now on to announcements. Please remember that these are for upcoming dates and events. Does anyone have any announcements? I see Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. This Sunday, October 4th is the 87th anniversary of the church that my grandfather built in 1941. We will have services at 11 a.m. and 4PM. All the counselors are invited to come and participate in the worship service. At 11 AM, yours truly will be speaking at 11 AM and 4 PM Reverend David Bullock from Metropolitan Baptist Church of West Virginia will be our featured speaker. I invite all of my colleagues to come and partake, and do some shouting Sunday morning after what we just went through. Thank you Madam President.

Thank You Councilor Culpepper Murphy. Thank you, Councillor Murphy.

Tomorrow is October so I rise to wish my three sons and my grandson Brian, Colin, Michael, my sons and grandson Caden his first birthday. Looking forward to lots of celebrations in the next week. And just want the body to know that 27 minutes ago we would have just placed that hearing order into the Ways and Means Committee, and we would've moved on and I do believe anytime any city employee has to put their hand in their own pocket to get cancer screening or wellness, our EMS workers are being attacked and I care about that. And it would have been done 27 minutes ago. Thank you, Councillor Murphy. That's not an announcement.

It is though to me, thank you. I'm going on to Councillor Pepén. Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. This is an announcement that this Sunday, it is the 50th anniversary of the Roslindale Parade and it's a beautiful parade honoring my neighborhood. It's going to be a beautiful event. The route is changing this year and I just encourage all my At-Large Counselors, no other district counselors are invited. That's for you Ben Weber. I'm kidding everyone is invited but it's going to be a beautiful day hopefully the rain holds off And then I also just want to wish my beautiful wife a very happy birthday. Today is her birthday. She's my best friend, she's the mother of my three kids and just I can't wait to get home to celebrate so thank you.

Thank you Councillor Pepén Weber. You have the floor.

Yes, the new route for the parade is through New District 6. So I look forward to seeing it. So just Saturday night, JP fights back as having a fundraiser of spontaneous celebrations 6 p.m., they'll be raising funds for youth programs at the South Street Youth Center and Heal the Hood as well as organizations supporting those impacted by the and of the temporary protected status. I will be participating in the fundraiser, it would be a surprise but show up and I think it'd be a good time so thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Weber. The chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune. You have the floor.

Thank you. This Sunday would've been the 40th birthday of John Amiasayan. He was my locker mate and he passed away in the ninth grade. And it was a very tragic incident for passing and death for so many of us, including his family, A big year for them to remember, so just wanted to pay my respects to the Yesayan family of West Roxbury and let them know that I think of them and their son on every October 4th but especially this year. I know we're doing memorials, but maybe this should have been a memorial because the date is on Sunday. So I apologize if it should've been in the next section. And I also wanted to say congratulations Candice and her now fiancé, Cesar. I want to wish them the best.

Yes, congratulations to Candice. Thank you, Councillor Louijeune. We want to wish a very happy birthday to Councillor Santana this week. Happy birthday. Many happy returns of the day. We also, from Alston Brighton, we have Alston Open Streets. I think we might have to make up for the celebrations at Alston Open Streets this weekend. This weekend, Sunday from 10 to 2. And I hope my colleagues and also very busy weekend other priorities, other needs but we'd love to see you in Alston Brighton. We're now moving on to memorials. We'll start with Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Thank you so much Madam President, I rise to memorialize Michael Smoky Kane from Charlestown We lost a beloved and deeply admired light in Charlestown. He spent his life as a lighthouse for others, guiding people through some of the rockiest waters of their lives, particularly those struggling with addiction grief and loss. He had an extraordinary gift for seeing people making them I feel like they mattered in reminding them that there was always hope. I first met Smokey in 2017 while working on Lydia's campaign and I quickly realized Why Taiwanese loved him and what they already knew. He was funny, he was loyal, reliable, and a strong anchor in people's lives. If you said he would be there, he usually brought music, laughter, and helping hand with him. He was a staple at our race and equity dialogues in Charlestown, disclosing his life story which was remarkable. And vulnerable moments in his life all to provide an important perspective and life lessons to the youth in attendance and eventually all of them grew to respect him and love him as we all did. Charlestown,

will sound a little quieter without Smokey behind the DJ booth, but I'm comforted he's reunited with his son Michael, his brothers and his parents. He was the dearest friend of my staff member Elaine Donovan so my heart is especially with her Lisa, Melanie, Sheena, Jacob, Jacqueline and his grandchildren and everyone that loved him. His legacy will live loudly in every person he helped. Rest easy Smokey we all love you.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilor Culpepper, you have the floor.

Madam President I was informed early Sunday morning that Brooke Woodson had passed a trusted advisor of Mayor Menino and his role of advisor for Mayor Menino in the CLC. He was an advisor on every major political campaign from 1993 to 2013, US President, Senator, Congress Every person, every local campaign, governor, district attorney, state senate, state rep and city councilor, especially mine. Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Minority Women in Business Enterprise. He fought for jobs and contracts, he ensured that the city met or exceeded their goal on hiring people of color on City projects Not just on city projects, but on all projects in the City of Boston. Brooke was one of those special people you would ever meet, work or associate with.

Through his work he quietly helped change a landscape and the culture of Boston, especially the communities of colors in Boston. We couldn't have asked for a better person who went into the lion's den of City Hall every single day I fought for the people of Boston. My condolences to his family and to all those that knew and loved Brooke. May he rest in peace.

Amen. Thank you, Councilor Culpepper. Chair Regan?

His home going will be Monday, October 5th at 10 a.m., the viewing, the 11 a. m. service at Charles Street AME. 551 Warren Street, and Roxbury. Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune. You have the floor. Thank you, I want to join Councilor Culpepper in uplifting the memory of Brooke Woodson who was a City Hall employee political and who's often Actually before this body, I know I had him here twice to talk about the Boston residence job policy. And so my condolences to Brooke, his brother, his mother and the entire Woodson family on the loss of Brooke I also wanted to uplift the memory of Janet Jones, Dorchester resident advocate. I don't know how many times she's held court in one family diner on Bowdoin Street and held me and my staff to task So just want to uplift her memory and my condolences to her wife, Davida, who is mourning now. There will also be a celebration of life at One Family Diner to remember Janet. And then lastly I wanna

Remember Mighty Sparrow, a famous calypso artist from Trinidad who one of my favorite songs is a Mighty Sparrows song and he was a legend to so many it was sad news to hear his passing this week.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilor Weber, you have the floor.

Thank you very much. I just want to recognize Piney Kesting, longtime Jamaica Plain resident who had, did a lot in her life for the Palestinian people. She came as beginning as a college student in 1970s visiting Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. She spent a lifetime writing about and organizing aid for Palestinians throughout the Middle East, and I know she'll be sorely missed.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilor Worrell, you have the floor.

I'd like to join my colleagues in recognizing the life and the work of Brooke Woodson, someone that I would reach out to regarding Diversity in City Contracts or Boston Residence Job Policy. So my heart and my condolences go out to the family, also Janet Jones and Devita Elderman, civic leaders inside of the district They have always been fierce advocates for quality of life issues, better city services in the area. So my heart and praise also goes out to Devita Alderman and I also want to remember the life of Janet Jones Also, Slinger Francisco who is known to the world as Mighty Sparrow gave generations of Caribbean people a voice through Calypso. He told our stories, challenged injustice and gave us a reason to laugh, dance and hold our heads high. I just want to take a moment to remember my sister Heather.

Her birthday is October 2nd. She passed away way too young at 55 years old in September eight years ago, so this is a bittersweet time. The Chair moves that when the Council adjourns today it does so in memory of the aforementioned individuals. A moment of silence please. The Council is scheduled to meet again in the Ionella Chamber on Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 at 12pm. Thank you to my colleagues, central staff, the clerk's office and our guest stenographer today. Thank you for being here. All in favour of adjournment please say aye. The council is adjourned.