City Council

City Council
January 28, 2026
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Executive Summary

The Boston City Council held its first meeting of the 2026-2027 municipal term on January 28, 2026. Key agenda items included a contentious debate over the adoption of new Council rules, the referral of significant collective bargaining agreements for the Boston Fire Department and school administrators, and the maiden speech of newly elected Councilor Miniard Culpepper. The Council took official action on several grants for climate resiliency and youth sports, and passed resolutions regarding rent stabilization and transparency for the Parcel P3/Madison Park project. Additionally, the Council passed an emergency resolution condemning recent federal enforcement actions resulting in the deaths of individuals in other jurisdictions.

Call to Order and Attendance

  • Meeting Type: Regular City Council Meeting
  • Date: January 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM
  • Presiding Officer: Council President Liz Breadon
  • Members Present: Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, PepĂ©n, Santana, Weber, and Worrell.
  • Invocation: Provided by Reverend Miriama White-Hammond of New Roots AME Church.

Approval of Minutes

  • The Council voted to approve the minutes from the meeting held on January 5, 2026.
  • Outcome: Approved via voice vote.

Docket 0157: Order to Adopt Rules for the Boston City Council for Municipal Years 2026 and 2027

  • Sponsor: Councilor Breadon
  • Key Proposed Changes:
    1. Rule 34: Ensures the Ways and Means Committee and Committee of the Whole cannot hold hearings simultaneously with other committees.
    2. Rules 34 and 35: Formalizes a specific committee event type for public testimony sessions.
    3. Rule 15: Clarifies that the City Clerk, not the Chair, is the decision-maker regarding duplicative filings.
    4. Rule 39: Limits speaking time on new matters to lead and co-sponsors only, while maintaining 10-minute limits for all members during votes.
  • Discussion: Councilor Fitzgerald objected to the immediate suspension and passage, citing a lack of time to review the 15-page agenda and the specific rule changes sent by staff the previous evening.
  • Action: The matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Collective Bargaining and Financial Appropriations

  • Docket 0124 & 0125: Supplemental appropriation of $18,118,488 for the Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718. The contract includes a 2.5% base wage increase for July 2024 and 22% increases in subsequent years.
  • Docket 0126 & 0127: Supplemental appropriation of $1,307,901 for the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors (BASAS). The contract includes 2% annual base wage increases through August 2027.
  • Docket 0128: Appropriation of $6,500,000 for window and door replacements at Edward Everett Elementary and Richard J. Murphy K-8 schools.
  • Docket 0129: Appropriation of $3,000,000 for roof replacements at Thomas J. Kenney and Hugh Rowe O'Donnell elementary schools.
  • Action: All dockets referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Grants and Donations

  • Docket 0131: Grant of $1,150,000 from FEMA for climate resilience improvements at Christopher Columbus Park and Long Wharf. Passed via suspension of rules.
  • Docket 0138: Grant of $50,000 from Boston Children's Hospital for the 'Swim Safe' autism program and youth sports. Passed via suspension of rules.
  • Docket 0139: In-kind donation of athletic gear valued at $3,276 from Reebok Corporation. Passed via suspension of rules.
  • Docket 0130: Grant of $1,700,000 for the Fire Department Training Academy. Referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Maiden Speech and District 7 Initiatives

  • Councilor Miniard Culpepper delivered his maiden speech, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and 'equity in action.'
  • Docket 0170: Resolution in support of more transparency and community engagement regarding the Parcel P3 and Madison Park project.
    • Vote Outcome: Passed via roll call (12-0-1). Councilor Durkan voted 'Present.'
  • Docket 0169: Order for a hearing to develop a report on the state of civil rights in Boston. Referred to the Committee of the Whole.
  • Docket 0171: Order for a hearing to explore designating areas of District 7 as 'Empowerment Zones.' Referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Housing and Economic Development

  • Docket 0163: Petition for a special law regarding a Real Estate Transfer Fee (up to 2%) on property transfers exceeding $2 million to fund affordable housing. Referred to the Committee of the Whole.
  • Docket 0224: Resolution urging support for the 2026 ballot question on rent stabilization.
    • Discussion: Councilor Flynn opposed the measure, stating it would negatively impact the business climate and housing investment.
    • Vote Outcome: Passed via roll call (9-3). Councilors Fitzgerald, Flynn, and Murphy voted 'No.'
  • Docket 0158: Ordinance establishing street food carts in Boston (Refile). Referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Public Safety and Health

  • Docket 0175: Order for a hearing to discuss the regulation of Kratom and other unregulated substances sold in corner stores. Councilor Fitzgerald noted concerns regarding 'clean urine' and 'whippets' being sold to minors.
  • Docket 0177: Order for a hearing regarding public safety and quality of life at 'Mass and Cast.'
  • Docket 0181: Order for a hearing regarding drug trafficking and safety in Downtown Boston and the Boston Common.

Education and BPS Oversight

  • Docket 0200: Order for a hearing on BPS staffing and program impacts related to a projected $50 million budget shortfall.
  • Docket 0166: Order for a hearing regarding BPS student-athlete transfer and eligibility policies.
  • Docket 0188: Order for a hearing on BPS facilities and the White Stadium redevelopment project.

Late Files and Emergency Resolutions

  • Resolution Condemning Unlawful Killings: An emergency resolution was introduced condemning the killing of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Preddy by federal ICE agents in other jurisdictions.
    • Quote: Councilor Coletta Zapata stated, "No government agency has the authority to act as the judge, jury, and executioner."
    • Vote Outcome: Passed via roll call (11-0).
  • Docket 0221: A 17F request for information from the Boston Housing Authority regarding elevator failures and ADA compliance at the Ruth Barkley development. Passed.

Last updated: Feb 14, 2026

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