City Council

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. So no clapping. Clerk, will you please call the roll to ascertain the presence of a quorum.

Councillor Breadon.

Here.

Councillor Coletta Zapata. Here. Councillor Culpepper. Here. Councillor Durkan. Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. A Quorum is present.

Thank you. I've been informed by the clerk that a quorum is present. Now it is my pleasure to introduce this week's clergy, the Reverend Miriama White-Hammond from New Roots AME Church, who will be providing our invocation. I don't feel that Reverend White-Hammond needs much introduction. She's been our chief of environment here at the city a few years ago, and we welcome you back, and please join us.

Invite us to take a posture of prayer. Oh God, creator of all things and all people, The Great I Am Spirit of Life. We call you by many names because no one name is big enough to hold your greatness. And we thank you for this first gathering of this Council in the new year. We thank you for bringing us into the new year. Because often we imagine that that is just a foregone conclusion, but there are those who did not make it to this year, so we thank you. We thank you for the makeup of this council.

for both new and returning faces. We thank you for all the staff. And most importantly, we thank you for the people that they represent. Our children and our teachers. The residents of downtown and towering high rises and those unsheltered right on these streets. those who have been rooted in our Commonwealth for centuries and those who are recent arrivals, our elders and our college students. Those who worship you by different names and those who question your existence, may this room be a hallowed space where all of the residents of this city are represented. On this first gathering, we ask that you help each Councilor to transition from a campaigning mentality to a governing mindset.

We ask that their focus will be on the needs of our people in these perilous times. Fill them with wisdom to know how to navigate this moment. and courage to be bold in the face of those whom I ask them to just simply maintain the status quo. Because even as this is a new year, we are facing some very old demons. We have begun a new year with terror reigning in too many The cities in this nation. And so we offer prayers for the city of Minneapolis, where the battle for the soul of our nation is on full display. We pray for them.

Even as we know we may need to be praying for ourselves in the days and weeks to come. 250 years ago, we led the nation in standing up to tyranny and injustice. And we thank you for the opportunity to celebrate that time. But we also thank you for the opportunity to go deeper in our exploration of who we the people is. We ask That you give us the wisdom and the courage, us all the wisdom and the courage, to lean into this moment. And God, we thank you because

Even as we recognize a storm may be coming in this year, you gave us a practice run for that storm earlier this week. And even as that storm sought to cover us, and Snowis, and in that storm you reminded us that the only thing that melts thick ice is the light of the sun and the salt of the earth. So teach us to be light and salt. Teach us to shine your light in places where we have not wanted to be honest. and teach us to melt ice through the deep love that we show to our neighbors. We pray that you will make us salt

From Minnesota to Maine to Massachusetts, and we pray that you will make us light from Grove Hall to Gaza. Help us to recognize that what we do here sets the tone not just for our city, but for our nation and our world. We pray that you would be with each and every counselor. They would speak forth the unique gift that you have placed inside of them and that together they will weave a tapestry not of independence but of interdependence. That way that we show that we the people can take responsibility for our neighbor. We can love each other. We do believe there is enough for us all to be whole.

We pray that you will help them in this work. We ask all this in whatever name by which we know you. For me, it is Jesus the Christ.

Amen.

Thank you, Reverend Miriam White-Hammond, for your words of wisdom. We'll now say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Mr Clerk, could you record that Councillor Fitzgerald and Councillor Mejia have joined us? Thank you. and Councillor Coletta. Thank you. We ordinarily have presentations at this time, but this week we have no presentations. Councillor Webber had invited the cross-country The BPS cross-country state champions here today, but they had to reschedule this week because of snow days. So we look forward to meeting them at another time. Today, our stenographer is under the weather, but will be working remotely to ensure that we have a stenographic record of this meeting, and we all send our best wishes for a speedy recovery. Now on to the minutes.

The first order of business, which is to approve the minutes from the meeting of January 5th, 2026. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. The minutes of the January 5th meeting are approved. Mr. Clerk, would you please take docket 0157 out of order?

Docket number 0157, Councilor Breadon, offer the following. Order to adopt rules for the Boston City Council for municipal years 2026 and 2027.

As is done at the start of every council presidency, updated council rules are filed as part of this week's regular council meeting agenda. This docket was available for review by all council members. Additionally, Central staff sent out a memo outlining the changes including in these rules. Provision of such a memo by general staff is not typical, but this was done to increase transparency surrounding the process and ensure that all Councillors were as informed as possible. Although all Members have had the opportunity to review proposed changes, I would like to summarise these changes briefly for my colleagues. First and foremost, I would like to emphasise that the majority of suggested edits to the rules were minor and were made to correct inconsistencies, remove outdated language and to fix typos. For example, the current rules refer to city departments that no longer exist.

This language needs to be updated. These minor changes were made at the suggestion of central staff to ensure that our rules are in alignment with current council practices. Beyond these minor edits, there were four substantive changes to the rules. The first was to change Rule 34. This change would ensure that WES and MEANS and the Committee of the Whole cannot have hearings at the same date and time as other hearings. This change will ensure that all councillors are able to attend hearings for these important committees. The second is to change the rules 34 and 35. This change will add a specific committee event type for public testimony sessions. This is already done in practice by the Council, for example, Councilors have held off-site hearings where the primary focus is on public testimony.

This change is intended to formalise this practice and ensure that the Council has a way to highlight Public Testimony, and the voices of community members. The third change is to clarify Rule 15. Rule 15 has been rephrased to specify that the Clerk, not the Chair, is the decision maker when it comes to Rule 15. It also attempts to clarify what should and should not be considered duplicative to remove confusion. The fourth is a change to rule 39. This amendment will allow only the lead and co-sponsors to speak on new matters to be referred to a committee. When the matter is first introduced, The matter leading to a vote, including when sponsors request suspension and passage, will still allow for 10 minutes of speaking time for all Councillors.

This amendment also clarifies that communications, petitions, memorials and remonstrances, reports of public officers and others, and personnel orders are not open for discussion or debate except at the discretion of the Chair. The existing rule states that the appropriate time for questioning and debate is at public hearings and working sessions. These changes aim to ensure that council practice reflects this. The intent of these changes is to help ensure that the council meetings run in a timely manner. I understand that my colleagues likely have questions about these rules. I welcome the opportunity to discuss these questions and any amendments proposed by my colleagues. I believe that the time for a discussion on the rules is here and now, on the floor of the Council, to allow for greater transparency of debate in full view of the public.

Throughout this process It has been my intention to be as transparent and as collaborative as possible and I look forward to continuing this collaboration here and now. However, following the discussion, I do intend to ask for suspension and passage of the rules. The rules often have substantial changes and amendments. The rules, often with substantial changes and amendments, have been suspended and passed at the start of every Council term going back over two decades. There is a clear precedent for this action. and it is the standard procedure used to advance the council rules. With over 70 dockets filed this week, I believe the focus should be on the work before us as a body. We must ensure that dockets can be sent to committees and hearings held in a timely manner. Our city and our country are facing unprecedented challenges. The Council's work has more gravity now than ever.

And for that reason, I'm asking my colleagues to suspend and pass the rules today. Thank you. Is anyone looking to speak on this matter? The chair recognizes Councillor Fitzgerald.

Thank you, Mr. President, and welcome and congratulations on your first meeting. So when we spoke about the rules, I think you had made calls to individuals about what the changes are. And I know when you called me, I can only speak personally. For any other reason than my personal initiative in this is that I asked if we would see anything in writing so that we could review the rule changes when we spoke last week. That email that went out by central staff was at I think 4.42 p.m. yesterday. I have not had a chance to personally review the rules, having three children, snow day, and mind you, for this being the first day of school of the week. I do not feel comfortable knowing, and I understand, I want to make clear, probably 95% of the proposals, nobody here has an issue with. But there are some differences in committees that things are being changed. It is the first time in about four years, as you said to me, that the rules are going to be sort of amended and changed.

I just think it's worth, if it is full transparency, there are folks on this body that have questions I do want to make sure we start off on the right foot. Everyone understands what the roles are, what their committees are, what the oversight of those committees do. I just don't feel that this moment now is the time to discuss that, given we have a 15-page agenda. I think it's probably an hour meeting together. We can probably run through all of it line by line. and literally agree on 95% and the other 5% I think some folks have questions on. I would also like to understand, knowing that that might change Where things go from today's agenda and two committees, if committees are not voted on. There are some contracts I know, the fire contract specifically, that is looking to be passed next week. and I think we have some time scheduled at 10 o'clock Monday morning for that hearing. Can the Committee of the Whole hold a hearing on that contract and let it be voted on next week?

It's my understanding, yes, that we can. It can. With that knowledge, I would like to formally object to these rules at here today.

Does anyone else like to speak to the... Mejia. You have the floor. Oh, sorry, is that a motion? Okay, thank you. So, Mr Clerk. It's an objection, so we should move to Committee of the Whole. Okay. Thank you, Councillor Fitzgerald, for your words and the request that this go to the Committee of the Whole. We will schedule a committee of the whole at the earliest possible time. Weber. You had a question?

Yeah, I'm just, in light of that, I just ask that I think we held the 2 o'clock Monday for what we anticipated was a Ways and Means hearing on the fire contract. of the Boston School Administrator Contract that we had scheduled, I think, a hearing for maybe 10 a.m. on Tuesday, and we wanted to bring those up for a vote. So I would just ask that, I think, because you're the chair of the Committee of the Whole, I believe, that just highlighting for you, hopefully you can have those hearings so we can vote on those contracts.

That is my commitment. Thank you, Councillor Weber. Okay, thank you. and thank you as Councilor, Chair of Ways and Means. We certainly intend to have the hearing on the fire department. Collective Bargaining Agreement as scheduled for Monday. So we will continue with that plan. So no further discussion. We'll move on to the next item. Contra Mejia. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I just would like to offer Just a suggestion as we prepare for a working session is that I think that you should collect like I did. I wrote a memo and your team and my team met and I just want to thank you for acknowledging the recommendations that I made. In modeling that type of behavior, I think that all colleagues who have any concerns should put all their concerns and or recommendations in a written format so that when we meet, we're moving things along and we're not, you know, we're expediting the process. So I would just offer that as a as something that we should be doing and I look forward to the discussion.

Thank you. Thank you for that constructive suggestion. Okay, Councillor Durkan, you have the floor.

Since some of my colleagues decided to not show up for work ready for work, I would like to make a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Meeting adjourned. Oh, beg your pardon, sorry, is there a second for that? Okay, beg your pardon. Councillor Durkan has a motion on the floor to... Adjourn the meeting.

and just a point of clarification. So for the rules presiding over this meeting, then revert back to the rules that we adopted 2024-2025. Is that correct? Okay, thank you.

So... Yes, Councillor Durkan.

Does that mean that you can place dockets in the... In the prior committees?

No. Everything will have to go, sorry, let the parliamentarians.

I guess my question is if essentially we've already adopted the 2024-2025 meeting rules, did that include the committees?

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. My recommendation is we have a long meeting coming up. I think it's important that we Conduct the meeting and treat each other especially with respect. It's gonna be a controversial meeting but residents are watching us and I think it's important for us to be courteous to each other and to be respectful to each other. This meeting hasn't started off on the right foot, but we still have a couple more hours to go. Let's ensure that we respect each other and listen to each other, and even if we disagree, be respectful to each other.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Okay, so we move on to communications from Her Honourable Mayor. Mr. Clerk, could you please read dockets 0124 and 0127?

Dock number 0124 message in order for your approval. In order to reduce fiscal year 26 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $18,118,000, $488 to provide funding for the fire department for fiscal year 26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718 filed in the Office of the City Clerk on January 26, 2026. Dock number 0125, message and order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Fire Department for fiscal year 26 in the amount of $18,118,000. $488 to cover the fiscal year 26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and IAFF Local 718.

The terms of the contracts are July 1st, 2024 through June 30th, 2025 and July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2028. The major provisions of the contracts include a base wage increase of 2.5% to be given in July of 2024 and a base wage increase of 22% in July of each subsequent fiscal year on the contract term. The agreement also includes salary adjustments in January of 2025, starting at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service. Dock number 0126. Message in order for your approval in order to reduce fiscal year 26 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $1,307,901 to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools.

for the fiscal year 26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the school committee of the City of Boston and the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors, filed in the Office of the City Clerk January 26, 2026, document number 0127. message in order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 26 in the amount of $1,307,901 to cover the fiscal year 26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the School Committee of the City of Boston and the Boston Association of School Administrators and Supervisors. The terms of the contracts are September 1st, 2024, through August 31st, 2027. The major provisions of the contracts include base wage increases of 2% to be given in September of each fiscal year of the contract term.

The contract also adds a new step in fiscal year 27 and a new degree to the education differential.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0124 through Docket 0127 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. And then dockets 0128 and 0129 will be referred to the committee. Oh, you haven't read those yet? I beg your pardon. Mr. Clerk, could you please read dockets 0128 and 0129?

Dr. Number 0128, message in order for your approval in order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate $6,500,000 for the purpose of paying costs for the window and door replacement projects at the following schools, the Edward Everett Elementary School and the Richard J. Murphy K-8 School. This includes a payment of all costs incidental related thereto and for which the City of Boston may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Said amount to be expended under the direction of the Public Facilities Department on behalf of the Boston Public Schools. Docket number 0129. Message in order for your approval in order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of $3 million for the purpose of paying costs for the roof replacement projects at the following schools. the Thomas J. Kenney Elementary School, the Hugh Rowe O'Donnell Elementary School.

This includes the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto and for which the City of Boston may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Said amount to be expended under the direction of the Public Facilities Department on behalf of the Boston Public Schools.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0128 and 0129 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Murphy, you have the floor.

Yes, I would like to read rule 38 because I would like to invoke rule 38. Every member about to speak shall signal the chair by electronic means provided that when and then wait until recognized by the chair. No member shall be recognized when away from his or her desk. In speaking, members shall address other members in one of the manners as follows. By title, Councilor, and the member surname, as the Councilor from the District of? or as the chair of a particular committee and shall confine themselves to the question shall not be unbecoming, abusive or non-parliamentary language and shall avoid personalities. Any member who, in debate or otherwise, indulges in personalities or makes charges reflecting upon the character of another member shall make an apology in open session at the meeting at which the offense was committed or at the next succeeding regular meeting.

If the member fails to apologize the president shall hold the member in contempt and suspend the member from further participation in debate and the statement until an apology is made. I came to work prepared. This is my fifth year. I have never missed a council meeting. I feel fortunate because I've never needed a reason. So those who have to, I apologize for saying that if you've had good reasons. I come on time. I come early. I was up till 2 a.m. working on and preparing questions I never got A call from you to sit down with you and talk through this. There have been many tries to talk about the changes to my committee and I appreciate that you did try and we had conflicts but I think that a member saying that none of us came to work prepared deserves an apology because that, to me, is an insult in reflecting upon my character. I can only speak for myself.

Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0130?

Stocking number 0130, message in order, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $1,700,000 in the form of a grant for fiscal year 26, Training Academy, Hear My Grant. Awarded by Massachusetts Department of Fire Services to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant would fund the Boston Fire Department Training Academy to provide training and instruction for public safety agencies in the City of Boston. and municipal and political subdivisions across the Commonwealth. Per line item 8324-0000 of the Fiscal Year 26 General Appropriations Act.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Ordinarily, this would be sent to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, but it will be sent to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0131?

Docket number 0131, message not authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $1,500,000. $1,150,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program. This grant is awarded to the City of Boston, to the Parks and Recreation Department, for improvements to Christopher Columbus Park in Long Wharf, located in the downtown neighborhood of Boston.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The Chair recognizes Councillor Coletta Zapata, the Councillor for District 1.

Thank you, Madam President, and congratulations again. Really looking forward to these next couple years. I'm rising to urge my colleagues to move with urgency and pass this order so these federal dollars are accepted into our city coffers before they're at risk of being clawed back. We've seen this happen before with this very grant. The city of Boston lost $35 million, I think it was last year or maybe two years ago, in federal resilience funding for Moakley Park. These brick, and this is not to be confused with the brick that we think on the public safety side, this is the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program. and it is supposed to provide climate resilience for some of our most vulnerable pathways. In my district, Christopher Columbus Park and Long Wharf are literally ground zero for major flooding in the entire city. And so what this grant will do will help to build a resilient infrastructure. If you go to Christopher Columbus Park, you can literally see that it dips like this. and there is urgency behind this. We've already seen two once-in-a-generation storms since 2018.

We will see another bombogenesis potentially this Saturday. And so the urgency is here. I understand that this is $1.1 million, but this is something that we desperately need and we need to allow for our Office of Climate Resilience to do their job and protect our waterfront, our economy, and our residents from urgent passage. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Coletta Zapata. The Councillor from District 1 seeks suspension of the rules in passage of Docket 0131. All those in favour say aye. All those against? This docket has passed. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0132?

Dock number 0132, message not authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend technology equipment valued at approximately $430,340 from the Connected and Online Program Grant. Awarded by the United States Department of the Treasury passed through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to be administered by the Department of Innovation and Technology. The equipment includes laptops, desktop bundles, and related equipment. The equipment will support public access to education, workforce development, digital literacy, and telehealth services across multiple city departments with deployment centered at PCYF centers and sites operated by the Office of Workforce Development and the Office of Returning Citizens. This award reflects strong cross-departmental collaboration and advances the city's broader digital equity goals.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. This docket will be sent to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0133 and 0134. Murphy.

There has been a colleague whose light's been on.

Councilor Flynn, you have a floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I had my light on as it related to 0131. I also wanted to inform the chair that I also represent the Wharf District Council. I've represented part of the Wharf District Council for eight years. I have a wonderful working relationship with the community. I also support this docket to get the critical funding that is needed for climate resiliency and infrastructure. I've been working with the Wolf District Council and the neighborhood association for many years on this, but I just wanted to highlight that This is also part of District 2. It's a critical part of District 2. I'm proud to represent these constituents. I attend the Wharf District Council meeting frequently. and again have worked with them for eight years now.

So I just wanted to go on record that part of Wolfe District is in District 2. Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Let's see, what are we at now? Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0133 and 0134?

Docket number 0133, message in order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend The amount of $219,178.03 in the form of a grant. Volunteer income tax assistance funding awarded by the Mass Executive Office of Administration and Finance. to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund the Center for Working Families Boston Tax Help Coalition in assisting low-income taxpayers with personal, Income tax filings for the 2026 tax season. Document number 0134, messaging on authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $120,000 in the form of a grant Financial Empowerment Program awarded by the United Way passed through the Boston Local Development Corporation to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund financial education, credit asset building,

and Employment Services for Residents at the Center for Working Families.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0133 and 0134 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Ordinarily, they would have gone to Labor and Economic Development. Moving on, Mr.

Clerk, could you please read docket 0135? Docket number 0135, message in order, authorizing the City of Austin to accept and expend the amount of $100,000 in the form of a grant. Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Mass Tech, awarded by the United States Department of the Treasury, passed through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to be administered by the Department of Innovation and Technology. The grant will fund a multi-session digital skills workshop series at multiple locations and distribute devices to learners.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0135 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0136? Docket number 0136, message in order. Authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $100,000 in the form of a grant for Fiscal Year 26 Delta Unit Earmark Grant awarded by the Mass. Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. to be administered by the fire department. The grant will fund the Boston Fire Department to conduct dedicated emergency services through its Delta units consisting of three Delta unit vehicles assigned to Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, and Carson Beach, respectfully. Within the Old Harbor Reservation in the South Boston section of the City of Boston, seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, inclusive per line item, 8324-0050 of the Fiscal Year 26 General Appropriations Act.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0136 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0137?

Docket number 0137, messaging on authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $100,000 in the form of a grant. Municipal ADA Improvement Grant awarded by the Massachusetts Office on Disability to be administered by the Department of Innovation and Technology. The grant will fund updating the Municipal ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan to address barriers to accessibility in web-based services and applications.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0137 will be referred to the committee on the whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0138 through 0139?

Docket number 0138, messaging on authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $50,000 in the form of a grant. Mayor's Office of Human Services Connect, Learn, and Explore Initiative awarded by Boston Children's Hospital to be administered by the Office of Human Services. The grant would fund training, and additional 10 lifeguards to support the Swim Safe Autism Swim Program, Holden Autism Awareness Water Safety Event, purchase autism swim equipment to support sensory swim programs, and BCYF Pools. Provide all youth participating in the same safe lessons gear program with goggles and swim caps. Host a week-long all-girls sports festival camp. Launch Get Into the Game. Add Campaign as part of the Women's Coaching Initiative.

And Dock number 0139, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend. Through the Office of Human Services, an in-kind donation of athletic shoes and apparel valued at $3,276 donated by Reebok Corporation. The purpose of this donation is to support the Mayor's Let's Play Boston Youth Sports Initiative.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0138 through Docket 0139 will be referred to the Committee on the Whole. Murphy you have the floor.

I've had my light on to rise and ask my colleagues to suspend and pass both of these grants. You read both of them. I had my light on to speak on the swim one first. But as someone who learned how to swim over 50 years ago out of BCYF, and have attended the All-Girls Sports Festival which is a great week for girls during the summer. I would like our colleagues to suspend and pass this low dollar grant and also the one for the Murphy.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy. Councillor Murphy wishes to... Durkan. Thank you. Keep aligning the lights. Councillor Durkan, you have the floor.

Since there are no committee chairs, I'd like to join my colleague in asking for a suspended pass on those two dockets. Thank you. Thank you for seconding that.

Murphy, which is to suspend the rules and pass docket 0138 through the individual. Hang on, which two? Doc of 0137 and 0138. All those in favour? of, hang on, 138, hang on, I'm just getting in front of me here. Murphy asked to suspend and pass the docket 0138. All those in favour say aye. All those against? Murphy, 6, suspension of the rules and passage of docket 0139. All those in favour? Aye.

Docket 0139 has passed. We move on to reports of officers and others. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0140 through 0155.

Document 0140, communication was received from City Council President Liz Breadon, detailing the named chairs, vice chairs, and voting members of the Boston City Council standing committees for the 2026-2027 term. Docket number 0141, notice received from the mayor of the reappointment of Stephen Elkins as a member of the Boston School Committee, effective January 5th, 2026. Docket number 0142. Notice received from the Mayor of the appointment of Lydia Torres as a member of the Boston School Committee effective January 5th, 2026. Docket number 0143. Notice received from the Mayor of the appointment of Franklin Peralta, as a member of the Boston School Committee, effective January 5th, 2026. Docket number 0144. Notice was received from the mayor, the appointment of Michael Firestone.

as Corporation Council effective January 12th, 2026, document number 0145. Notice was received from the Mayor the appointment of Danielle Choi as a member of the Boston Civic Design Commission for a term expiring October 31st, 2029. Docket number 0146, notice was received from the mayor of the appointment of Anthony Hollenberg, MD, as an ex-official member of the Boston Public Health Commission's Board of Health. 0147. Communication was received from Scott Finn, City Auditor regarding the City of Boston's Fiscal 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. Communication received from the Boston Parks and Recreation Commission regarding a vote to approve Kathy Baker Eclipse to serve on the Community Preservation Committee as the representative of the Boston Parks and Recreation Commission.

Doc number 0149, communication from Councilor Flynn regarding recent sexual assault at Boston Medical Center. Doc number 0150, communication from Councilor Flynn regarding Boston Public Health Commission oversight on security at hospitals in the city of Boston. Document number 0151, communication from Councilor Flynn regarding outgoing ARPA funds to nonprofits in Boston. Document Number 0152 Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding the demotion of Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Marcus Eddings Document Number 0153 communication from Councilor Flynn regarding the community process for the parcel P3 development. Document number 0154, communication from Councilor Mejia regarding proposed amendments to Boston City Council Rules 2026-2027.

And docket number 0155, communication received from Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox in accordance with Section 3 of the Boston Trust Act. regarding civil immigration detainee results for calendar year 2025.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0140. Before we put them on file, I request Councillor Flynn to speak to your correspondence. Two minutes for each. Thank you.

Yeah, thank you Madam Chair. I'm only going to speak on docket 0152. That was the communication regarding the motion of Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Marcus Eddings. Thank you, Madam Chair. I sent a letter to Boston Police Commissioner Cox regarding the demotion of Boston Police Deputy Superintendent Marcus Eddings. This followed the troubling demotion of another well-respected member of the command staff Eddie Crispin. When Eddings was demoted many expressed confusion and disappointment about the decision. In my opinion, Deputy Superintendent Eddings is a seasoned and knowledgeable leader who has demonstrated a deep dedication to serving the Boston Police Department in our community. In my opinion, his demotion is a huge loss to the important work of the department and the communities we serve.

I also talked with the organization representing the Law enforcement officials in the minority community, Mamlio, they are also disappointed in this development. It is discouraging and it's disappointing When we see well-qualified men of color on the Boston Police Department getting demoted without an explanation, I'm here to stand up For those police officers who I think have contributed greatly to our city, many of them are role models and encourage young people, they may want to join the police force, but they've also been around for a long period of time and contributed greatly to community policing in our city. Deputy Superintendent Crispin or Deputy Eddings, our outstanding police officers.

And I do think this hurts our department. and I do think this hurts our city and I'm here to stand up for them because I don't like when people of color on the Boston Police Department get demoted for no reason. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Councillor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And this is more so for a point of clarification. I know I did file a written communication regarding the rules. And in my I also talked about some changes that I'd like to see to the Education Committee. And I'm not sure if this would be the appropriate time to address that or if you're going to be exploring those during the working session. Just so that I'm clear.

Thank you for your correspondence on this matter.

Culpepper. You have the floor. I'd like to associate myself with the remarks and the communication from Council Member Flynn regarding market settings.

I'm sorry to interrupt, but we don't usually have a commentary once the Thank you Madam President, I stand corrected. Thank you very much. Thank you. Docket 0140 through Docket 0155 will be placed on file. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0139? Docket 0156.

Docket number 0156, a Constable Bond of Tamika J. Dash, having been duly approved by the Collective Treasurer, was received.

What have we got? 156, however. Docket 0156 is approved under the usual terms and conditions. Thank you Mr. Clerk. We're going to move on to motions, orders and resolutions. Just as a reminder, pursuant to Rule 39, remarks by Councillors at this time shall be limited to three minutes for the lead sponsor and two minutes for the co-sponsors. For resolutions, remarks will be limited to three minutes for the docket sponsors and two minutes for any other councillor as the appropriate time for questions and debate. is at a public hearing or working session.

Given the extensive number of filings and as a matter of efficiency for refiled matters, I kindly ask Councillors to limit their remarks to no more than one minute and co-sponsors to defer to the lead sponsors for remarks. These are refiled dockets from last year. We are now on to motions. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0158? This is a refile.

Dr. Number 0158, Councilor Coletta Zapata, offer the following. Ordinance establishing street food carts in the city of Boston. Refiled from 2025.

Councilor Coletta Zapata, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I'm proud to refile this ordinance and even prouder of the successful pilot program that we launched in partnership with OEOI last year that demonstrated a real proof of concept. Now it is time to put it from action into words and get it into the code. That pilot showed us what we already knew to be true. When we lower barriers and simplify systems, people participate and small businesses can thrive. This ordinance is about formalizing what already exists and turning an informal economy into a legitimate, accessible pathway to economic mobility. It creates a streamlined, multilingual process, lowers permit costs, and establishes clear rules and designated zones with proper oversight so vendors, largely those from the immigrant communities and those who speak another language aren't navigating a maze of bureaucracy just to earn a living. At a time when brick and mortar costs remain out of reach for many, non-motorized vending offers a low-cost on-ramp to entrepreneurship.

This is a legislative and regulatory reform working hand in hand, taking a tested pilot and putting a real vision into action. I look forward to working with my colleagues, department, and the community to get this right and expand opportunities in Boston.

Thank you. Got it. Thank you, Councillor Coletta Zapata. Would anyone else like to add their name to this docket? Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, Culpepper. of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket 0159? I understand this docket has been withdrawn.

Docket number 059 has been withdrawn.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, can you please read Docket 0160? This is another refile.

Docket number 0160. Councilor Mejia offered the following. Ordinance creating a municipal identification card in the City of Boston. A refile from 2025. Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Mejia.

You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. And I know this is just a refile. So I'm not going to take up too much space and looking forward to having the conversation. Thank you.

Thank you. Docket 0160 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Oh yes, beg your pardon. Would anyone like to add their name to docket 0160? Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, Councillor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0160 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0161?

Documento 0161, Councilors Weber and Mejia offer the following. Coordinates preventing wage theft in the City of Boston, refiled from 2025.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The Chair recognizes Councilor Weber. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. This is a refile. Just as a reminder, this ordinance would stop the City of Boston from issuing contracts. and Licenses to businesses that habitually fail to pay their workers according to state and federal wage law. We have, Councillor Mejia and I have worked with advocates over the last Two years and we thought this ordinance is basically ready for passage. I look forward to working with the Chair of the Government Ops Committee to get this before the Council soon so we can protect workers here in the City of Boston. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Weber. Would anyone like to add their name? Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. You're the lead school son, you're good. Oh, Councillor Weber, you had a question.

Sorry, Madam President, I neglected to add Councillor Pepén, or could we add? Pepén is a third on this now, or do we do it later? Can we suspend and add?

Yes, you can. Thank you. Councillor Webber seeks suspension of the rule to add Councillor Pepén. All those in favour, say aye. Seeing no objection, Councillor Pepén is so added. Docket 0161 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0162?

It's another refile. Docket number 0162. Councilors Mejia and Worrell offer the following. Petition for a special law, an act relative to reorganization of the Boston School Committee. We file 2025.

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

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to thank Councilor Worrell for joining me on this quest. This is not a new venture. In 2023, a different iteration of this body passed a home rule petition that was sent over to then, well, still, City Council, no, Mayor Wu, to move forward an opportunity for us to finally have an elected school committee. We know, given the state of affairs here, on the national landscape and also here locally that more than ever people want to be active participants in the decisions that get made about The quality of education for their children. Boston is the only municipality in the entire state of Massachusetts that has an appointed school committee structure.

If we're serious about democracy and if we're serious about giving people an opportunity to elect their representatives, this is an opportunity for us to Take the call on the mandate that voters had in 2022 when we first passed that non-binding rule. I thought I had three minutes. What's going on here?

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name? Culpepper, Durkan, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber. Please have the chair. Flynn. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, may I speak on that docket? This is a refile so we're going to really hold the Flynn. Thank you. We did the adding the names. Docket 0162 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0163? This is a new docket.

Docket number 0163. Councilor Santana offered the following. Petition for a special law, an act relative to real estate,

Transfer Fees and Senior Property Tax Relief.

Thank you, Madam President, and congratulations on your first meeting. I have a substitution for this docket that I believe has been placed on all of our councilors' desks.

Has everyone got the substitute document? Go ahead.

There's a typo, and then there was a whereas that was added to affect actions taken by the state legislature. A substitution.

Just beg your pardon, Councillor Santana. Is there a seconder for the substitution of the language? Councillor Durkan is the second. Thank you. Go ahead, Councillor Santana. All in favour? Aye. Thank you.

Go ahead. Thank you, Madam President. Boston is in the middle of a housing crisis, but we have a number of tools within our toolbox that we could use to address it. One of these tools is a real estate transfer fee which will allow for the city to fund affordable housing solutions following the transfer of high value properties. When properties are transferred instead of sold, the city loses out on valuable source of revenue. A real estate transfers fee will allow for the city to collect a fee up to 2% of the purchase price of a transferred property. This fee specifically targets high-value transfers. It would exempt the first $2 million of the purchase price, making all property transfers less than That amount entirely exempt. This would ensure that this fee wouldn't impact middle and lower income families. The fund will be diverted to programs which will help our neighbors find affordable, long-term, and stable housing. These programs are tailored to address the impacts of our housing crisis

has on our most vulnerable populations, especially low income families and seniors. They would help with senior property tax relief, housing acquisition, Housing Creation Projects, Low Income Venture Stability, and Senior Homeowner Stability. This way, those benefiting from the most high-value property transfers will contribute to housing justice for our most vulnerable residents. Through this fee, we can better address the housing crisis that impacts most Boston A city in which over 50% of renters are cost burdened by imposing a modest tax on the most lucrative, high-value real estate transfers. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this measure.

Thank you Madam President. Would anyone else like to speak on this issue? Councillor Durkan, you have the floor.

I just want to thank my colleague, Councillor Santana, for his leadership on this issue. I think this is really important, and I would like to add my name.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, may I ask Councillor Santana a question? Through the Chair, yes, certainly. Thank you, Madam Chair. Councillor Santana, could you tell me again the minimum number it would be for that residents would be exempt in terms of the cost? I didn't catch that figure.

Santana, you have the floor, you may answer.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Councillor Flynn. It's $2 million, so everything below $2 million will be exempt. So anything higher than $2 million will qualify for this tax.

Thank you. So further questions, I think that's the purpose of having a hearing and a working session going forward.

Madam President, can I also say something else? Yes. Not to your right, but were you done, Councilor Flynn? I'm sorry, I didn't.

Yes, Madam Chair, Council Santana answered my question. I want to say thank you to Council Santana. Although I will not be supporting it, I do think this is another tax enduring economic challenging times. I don't think taxing residents that want to sell a condo or a house above $2 million is the right move. Many people have homes. that are million dollar homes and they're not wealthy and they have to sell their home for various reasons. But I do think this is also another tax and it will not be welcomed by the Development, Community, or Investors in our city. But I respect Councilor Santana. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Do I have the floor, Madam President?

Councilor Santana, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Although I disagree with your comments, I appreciate that, Councilor Flynn. I do want to clarify, it's over $2 million. You mentioned the $1 million, so they wouldn't qualify. Madam President, can I add, Councilor Eugenia has a second. and can I also add Councilor Durkan as a third original co-sponsor of this? I would like to suspend the rules to add Councilor Durkan.

Seeing or hearing no objection, Councilor Durkan is so added.

Thank you.

and then Councilor. Thank you. Anyone else like to add their name? Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Louie Jeans, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket number 0137. 163 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr Clerk, could you please read socket 0164?

Docket number 0164, Councilor Worrell, offer the following. Petition for a special law, an act relative to various tax classification definitions, exemptions, and credits.

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

Thank you, Madam President, and congratulations on your first meeting. This is just a refile, just looking to continue the conversation around taxes. Thank you. Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Lucy Louijeune, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, and please add the Chair. Oh, and Councilor Murphy. Thank you. Docket 0164, it will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0165?

Docket number 0165. Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following. Order for a hearing regarding the establishment and implementation of funding mechanisms for Boston's Coastal Protection.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilor

Coletta Zapata. Thank you, Madam President. This is a refile so I will be brief. This is a different version of what I have filed in past years, understanding that what is currently missing is a clear, scalable financing strategy for some of our climate resilience work. I do want to call upon and give kudos to the Green Ribbon Commission who has commissioned a study through philanthropic dollars to get this work done and so their work is so critical and so finding a green Resilience Financing Blueprint is essential to our long-term protection of our coastline. And so I look forward to continuing this conversation in the council and look forward to working with my colleagues in the administration on this. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Coletta Zapata. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councilor Durkan, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Mejia, Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Weber, and Councilor Worrell. And please add the Chair. Docket 0165 will be referred to the Committee on the Whole. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket 0166?

Docket number 0166, Councillor Coletta Zapata, for the following. Order for a hearing regarding Boston Public Schools Student Athlete Transfer and Eligibility Policies.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Chair recognizes Councillor Coletta Zapata. Councillor Coletta Zapata, you have the floor.

Thank you. This is not a refile. This is a new hearing order. In order for us to take a hard, thoughtful look at BPS's student athlete transfer and eligibility policies, and more importantly, how they are applied in practice, Student athletes transfer schools for many valid non-athletic reasons, academic needs, special education support, health concerns, or family circumstances. Yet too often, those transfers trigger eligibility reviews that are confusing, opaque, and unforgiving, where missed deadlines, miscommunication, or adult decision-making can cost a child an entire season. We've heard concerns from one of my neighborhoods about inconsistent standards, limited notice, unclear appeals and review processes that don't always guarantee students a meaningful opportunity to be heard. When systems lack transparency and due process, students, not institutions, end up paying the price. This hearing is about fairness, clarity, and accountability. It's about ensuring policies are clearly communicated, consistently applied, and centered on student wellbeing

While remaining compliant with governing rules, our students deserve nothing less.

Thank you. You have the floor.

Thank you. Thank you, Councilor Coletta Zapata. I know I have heard from many staff, family members, and students, and there's a big concern that policies that are in place and we have to follow state Rules also are not fairly or applied all the time. So when individual students who just want to play a sport, something that they love, and we know and I believe that most if not all of the colleagues here want to always advocate and make sure our students have access to arts and extracurricular and for many A sport is what gets our kids to school. So I think this hearing is important. We're going to have to ask some tough questions. I am prepared to file a 17-app to get some information on student transfers,

and policies that coaches have been doing over these past few years but I'm looking forward and unfortunately in this case the student that I am aware of not sure if it's the same one but probably will not be able to play basketball this term, but hoping that our advocacy can make sure this never happens again.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy. Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair and please add my name as well. I think this is a critical issue. I think if there is a rule in place, it has to be followed and the standard has to be set and applied to all equally. I have received calls as well from this. I was a former substitute school teacher at Charlestown High School. And I know I have received calls and emails about particular issues impacting Student Athletes in High School. I join my colleagues in acknowledging that this is a serious issue.

Thank you so much, Councilor President Breadon. Thank you so much to Councilor Coletta Zapata. Obviously, when we're talking about kids, we're always talking about also wanting to Sort of mask identities because it is so important that kids get the anonymity that they deserve when conversations are happening at the City Council. But I think this issue is really important and I know a lot of you, I've told a lot of you about getting into my own high school's athletic hall of fame. Thank you. Thank you. you know these are children they deserve like anonymity as much as possible sometimes like grades you know come into these reviews and other things so just want to make sure that individual incidences aren't

Would anyone else like to add their name?

Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber. Thank you. Docket 0, 166 will be referred to the Committee on the Whole. 167. The numbers are not quite right. Will be referred to the Committee on the Whole. 166.

I was looking at the wrong one.

I'm getting my digits mixed up today. Docket 0166 will be referred to the committee on the whole. Thank you. We will take a brief recess. Thank you.

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Mr.

Clerk, can we establish the quorums present again? Nine?

Yes.

We have a quorum.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. We have a quorum. We're back in session. Thank you everyone. I want to acknowledge the invocation of Rule 38 by a colleague, and it's my intention to address this issue. Pursuant to the rule, I will address this before the next meeting and move on with the agenda. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 0167?

Docket number 0167. Councillor Coletta Zapata for the following. Order for a hearing to discuss progress. and opportunities for addressing drink spiking and drug facilitated sexual assault.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Councillor Coletta Zapata, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to suspend Rule 12 and add Councillor Durkan as second co-sponsor.

Seeing or hearing no objection, Councillor Durkan is still at it.

Thank you. This is a refile, so I won't take too much time. But we do have a real opportunity to align our municipal efforts with Senator Feeney's bill up at the Statehouse, which would establish standardized toxicology I'm very happy about the work that BPD has been doing in assigning a lieutenant Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name?

Oh, is this a refile? So it's just the primary sponsor will be, yeah. Anyone like to add their name? Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, Chair. Docket 0167 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Thank you. Order for a hearing regarding reviving the red shirts program, refiled from 2025.

Councillor Colletta Zapata, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. This is a refile. I'm trying to get this conversation going before budget season. This will be a priority of mine as we start these conversations. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone else like to add their name to this docket? Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Durkan, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. Docket 0168 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0169? Docket 0169 through 0171.

Councilor, document number 0169. Councilor Culpepper, offer the following. Order for a hearing to develop a report on the state of civil rights in Boston. Document number 0170. Councilor Culpepper offer the following. Resolution in support of more transparency and community engagement with respect to extending the temporary designation status of and investments in the parcel P3 and Madison Park project and document number 0171. Councilor Culpepper for the following. Order for a hearing to explore designating economically disenfranchised areas of District 7 as empowerment zones to spur economic development and improve quality of life for residents.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. It is with great pleasure that we welcome our new member, Councillor Reverend Culpepper for his maiden speech. Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Congratulations on your first meeting. Congratulations. I am honored to stand before All of my colleagues. And I stand today as the City Council for District 7. I'm deeply grateful.

I turned off the wrong mic, sorry. Councillor, beg your pardon, Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor. Please start over.

Want me to start over?

Please do.

Can you give me my time back?

You've got your time back.

Thank you. Thank you, Madam President, and congratulations on your first meeting. Thank you to my colleagues. I am honored to stand before you today as the City Council for Boston District 7. I am deeply grateful to the constituents of Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End, and the Fenway for placing their trust in me at this defining moment for District 7 and for the City of Boston. Across our communities, people feel the weight of this moment. Residents feel scared, uncertain, and unseen. Too many neighbors are asking, will the system meant to support them show up when they need them the most? Over the past three weeks, my office has been inundated, not with politics,

but with questions from constituents trying to understand their place in a city that feels like it's changing around them every single day. And for the people of District 7, those questions come down to something simple but not profound. Do we have a seat at the table? Do you hear me? Do you see me? Will anything really change? Are we partners in governance? Or are decisions being made for us without us? My constituents want to know whether the city cares about them and their ability to age in place with dignity, whether policy will be co-created with them, Rather than directed at them, whether growth will include them or pass them by, and yet despite these real concerns, We have a good problem on our hands.

People still believe in government. They still believe this body. They still believe that their elected officials can do meaningful, substantial work on their behalf. They believe that this independent council can partner with the mayor's administration to improve the quality of life from short-term frustrations like potholes, Snow removal and strengths to long-term challenges like economic mobility, ownership, Access to quality education, safe and reliable transportation, and the right to live and thrive in healthy communities. Most importantly, they believe that their rights, no matter who they are or where they live, that their rights matter and deserve this council to protect their rights.

And in moments like this, we have opportunities to show people what equity in action really looks like. Like having the chance to appoint in several months a first black fire chief in the history of the city of Boston. Over the last several weeks District 7 in particular has been watching closely. They have questions that deserve real answers. They watched as a neighboring city worked out a deal for a professional soccer stadium, one that addressed infrastructure impacts, financial contributions, community benefits. And they asked, will Boston do the same for us? They want to know that when their developments happen in and near their neighborhoods, that their concerns about traffic, noise, and the quality of life will be taken seriously.

And they want to know that they too will share in the economic upside through contracts, jobs, ownership, and not just bear the burden. They watched the administration announce a decision to build a new Madison Park on Parcel 3 on the eve of Martin Luther King weekend just days before A designation was set to expire without what felt like meaningful community engagement. And let me be clear. We must build Madison Park, a new Madison Park, a state of the art Madison Park. Our students, our educators, our families deserve a state of the art school for a state of the art future. But how we build it, where we build it, must be a collaborative process, a process that honors decades of community planning,

Respect the voices of Roxbury residents and align educational excellence with long-term economic opportunity. They also watched as the Chief of Economic Inclusion announced that he would step down from his role. And they asked a fair and urgent question. Who will now? Who will now ensure that small businesses, especially businesses of color, have a real shot at sharing in Boston's prosperity? This question is especially pressing in District 7. where nonprofit service providers seem to outnumber small businesses, where the median household income of a Roxbury Family is roughly half of the city as a whole. Who will ensure that families cannot just survive, but families in Roxbury will also thrive and survive?

Let me say that again. Who will ensure that families who may not be all rich and mean, but are rich in promise, are set up to achieve all that they imagine for themselves and their children. We all have a role to play, including each one of us on this council. I vow to be a relentless advocate. I vow to seek strategic partnerships. And I vow to have an unwavering commitment to secure what District 7 deserves from the city, from the state and from the federal government. And so in my first set of filings as the newest member of this body, proudly representing District 7, I rise today with a simple intention, to deliver answers, to push this council to be independent in judgment,

and to be bold in policy practice to ensure that we serve as a bridge between the administration and people, not a barrier. Not just for the loudest voices or the most connected constituents, but for those who are harder to reach, our seniors, or Shutters, the poor, the vulnerable, the overworked, and in some cases, the forgotten. Today I rise to speak about what we are passing, but about what kind of council we intend to be. And so, Madam President and Mr. Clerk, my first set of filings reflect three core commitments, transparency, Accountability and a vision towards shared prosperity.

First, I have filed a resolution in support of greater transparency and meaningful consultation about the future of parcel P3 and the Madison project. This resolution affirms our strong support for rebuilding Madison Park while insisting that this investment be aligned with long-standing community plans. Clear information about cost and phasing and a process grounded in trust and partnership, not surprise or exclusion. My second filing is an order for a hearing to commission, Madam President, a comprehensive study and report on the state of civil rights in Boston and Massachusetts.

At a time when many residents question whether equal protection under the law is truly equal, a time when neighbors step Out of their homes unsure if they will return, this body has a responsibility to examine where civil rights are being upheld and where they are being infringed and to act accordingly. My third, filing a resolution to designate empowerment zones within District 3, place-based, coordinated areas of investment designed to spur small business and growth Support local ownership and align housing, transportation, education, health, and public safety strategies around measurable Outcomes. This is about turning Madam President my fellow counselors about turning planning into progress and promises into accountability.

Together, the filings send a clear message Growth must be equitable, government must be transparent, and opportunity must be shared. Colleagues, I may be new to this body, but I am not new to the communities we serve. And I believe deeply that our credibility is not built in moments of comfort, But our credibility is built in moments when we choose inclusion over expediency, partnership over silence, It's not about me. And I said throughout this campaign, it's not about me, it's about It's not about me, it's about... It's not about me, it's about we.

And all of us considering, all of us together, building a Boston that shows what's possible when transparency, equity, and opportunity guide policymaking. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Madam President, I'm asking for suspension of the rules and adoption. of docket number 0-1-7-0. 0-1-7-0? 0-1-7-0. 7-0.

here. Yes, so Mr. Clerk, we'll go through the dockets in order. Could you Could you read, have you read the docket? Yeah, I'd like to ask my colleagues, would anyone docket 0169? That's the docket on the hearing to develop a report on the state of civil rights in Boston and Massachusetts. Would any of my colleagues like to add their names? Zapata, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, and please add the chair. Thank you.

So, next, this docket will be sent to the Committee of the Whole. That's docket zero. 69. Thank you. Docket 0170. That is the resolution. Councillor Culpepper. Seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0170. We'll ask our colleagues, anyone like to add their name? That's the resolution on support for more transparency and community engagement with respect to extending temporary designate, et cetera. Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Flynn, Mejia, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. So Councilor Culpepper seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0170. All those in favor say aye. Mr. Clerk, could you please call a roll call vote on docket 0170?

Roll call vote on docket number 0170. Councilor Breadon?

Yes.

Councilor Breadon, yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata?

Yes.

Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes. Culpepper. Yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan. Present. Councilor Durkan, present. Councilor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Fischel, yes. Councilor Flynn?

Yes.

Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Louijeune? Yes. Councilor Louijeune, yes. Councilor Mejia? Yes. Councilor Mejia, yes. Councilor Murphy? Yes. Councilor Murphy, yes. Councilor Pepén? Councilor Pepén, yes. Councilor Santana? Yes. Councilor Santana, yes. Councilor Weber? Weber. Yes. And Councilor Worrell. Yes. Councilor Worrell. Yes. Docket number 0170 has received 12 votes in the affirmative and one present.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0170 has been adopted. Thank you. Now we move on to docket 0171. Do you want to speak to this docket again? You did already.

Madam President, I have already, but I'll talk now.

I know that. I know that. We haven't had a preacher in the House for a while. Thank you. and which number 16171? Yes, so regarding docket 0171, would anyone like to add their name to this docket? Coletta Zapata, Collins, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. Thank you. Docket 0171 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0172?

Dr. Number 0172, Councilors Durkan and Breadon offer the following. Order for a hearing to investigate the use, impact, and potential ban of algorithmic price settings in the Boston rental market.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan, you have the floor.

Madam President, I would like to request that both of my dockets be read into the record so I can speak to them both at the same time.

Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you also read docket 0172 into the record?

I read that already, so 7-3.

Ops. Over the page. Yes.

0173. Talking number 0173. Councillors Durkan and Santana offer the following. Order for a hearing to explore amending the Boston Zoning Code to remove parking minimum requirements for new residential development. Refile from 2025.

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

Thank you, Council President Breadon. While it's great to be back with my colleagues, this is a difficult moment for us to be having this first meeting. The work of this body matters deeply, but it's challenging to proceed with business as usual given what's happening in our country. The Trump administration is terrorizing cities and people are afraid for their safety. At the same time, housing, food, healthcare, you name it, costs are higher than ever and people are losing hope in government and our democratic systems. So far this year, much of our attention in this body has felt consumed by politics. In this moment, it's more important than ever that we stay grounded in what our residents need from us. We must use our power to respond to crisis and do everything we can to tangibly improve residents' everyday lives. It is our responsibility to make government work for the people of Boston and to make this city a place where people want to live now and in the future. From the Governor's State of the Commonwealth Address, which I was proud to be in the room for, it's clear that lowering the cost of living is the number one priority for elected officials right now.

Residents are being forced To make an impossible choice between struggling to afford basic needs and leaving the city altogether Looking back at my filings over the past year I asked whether they fully reflected this moment and I came to the conclusion that that this term needs to be about focus. Affordability is my top priority and it should be the priority of everyone in this body. With so much chaos and uncertainty at the federal level, this is an area where we do have power and an area where we can provide stability and security for Bostonians. The two hearing orders I filed for this meeting Eliminating parking minimums and investigating a ban on Alderman price setting in the City of Boston are our first steps. As housing costs continue to rise, we all know the single The real question is whether we will come together as a body and use our political capital to actually move the needle. Are we willing to eliminate parking minimums, something that Through our last hearing, show lower housing costs and enable housing typologies that residents can actually afford.

Are we willing to protect tenants from algorithmic price setting? We're seeing algorithmic price setting in a lot of different markets, but including the rental market. And as the Boston City Council Chair of Planning, Development, and Transportation, if it's ever confirmed, I intend to prioritize zoning and planning reforms that will remove unnecessary barriers to housing and help Boston grow. Recently, a local paper questioned my authority to lead this work because I'm a renter. It's true. I've never owned a home, but I see that The struggle of living here as a qualification to doing this work, not a hindrance. I live with the consequence of our housing policies firsthand, and I can relate to the urgency of this moment. Our residents need a city council that is ready to exercise political leadership, collaborate, and get things done. Let's do that. I know earlier in this meeting we had a moment of me being upset with some things that transpired. But that's what residents want. They want us working together. They don't want hindrances to the work.

If there was ever a frustration that I have with this body, we need to put the body first. And I'm grateful to Councillor Brayden. Sorry I went over. These are my only filings for the day. And I appreciate my colleagues.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan. Would anyone like to add their name to docket 0172? Councillor Coletta Zapata. Louijeune, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber.

Sorry, I just forgot to add Councillor Santana as a third on 0172, and then I forgot to add you as a third on 0173.

Seeing there are no objections, Councillor Santana has added, and the Chair has added to Councillor 0173. So, did we do the names? 172. Thank you. Docket 0172 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Councillor Flynn, you had a question? Madam Chair, am I able to speak on 0173?

No, these are going to committee. The time and place for discussion is in committee, so I apologize, but we'll hold that for later.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Mr. Clerk, oh yes, Councillor Durkan asks Docket 0173 will be, hang on, start over again. Docket 0173, would anyone like to add their name? Louijeune, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, and please add the Chair. Docket 0173 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0174?

Docket number 0174. Councilor Fitzgerald will offer the following order for a hearing to discuss 2026 large event safety resources and infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr Clerk. Councillor Fitzgerald, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. As we all know there's a lot of big events coming up this summer. Tall Ships, 250, FIFA and others. This is simply to get folks in front of us from Public Safety and Emergency Management to talk about what infrastructure Thank you. Thank you.

Anyone like to add their name? Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell. Please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 0174 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0175?

Docket number 0175. Councilor Fitzgerald will offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the regulation of Breton in the City of Boston.

Councillor Fitzgerald, you have the floor. Thank you. Could we please add Councillor Flynn as the second co-sponsor?

Seeing or hearing no objections, Councillor Flynn is so added.

Thank you. So if you guys remember several years ago, sold in gas stations, there was synthetic marijuana, K2 Spice, had a lot of names like that. Kratom is now what is sort of taking that place as a synthetic opioid, but it's actually much more danger than the synthetic marijuana. and is sold in the same type of places so this is to bring attention to that matter and actually kind of in a larger level if you've noticed where these places are where this is sold there are other things that are sold that Promote drug use but might be legal things to sell and do not need an ordinance or permits from either our Boston Public Health Commission or the city. and so I actually would like to in the hearing widen this out to talk about the other things a lot of places you'll find clean urine sold for people to pass drug tests whippets if you will for kids to put in

A tube to get high off of and all these things are not regulated and so along with Kratom and expanding it to those other options as well We should really look at what is allowed to be sold at these corner stores and gas stations that promote this type of stuff and do not help the public health of our city.

Thank you and thank you, Council Fitzgerald, for adding me. I want to say thank you. Thank you, Council Fitzgerald. We had an important discussion This week with some South End residents concerned about this subject, concerned that there is an establishment already selling these types of drugs and including urine. For likely for drug testing. I was a probation officer for eight years and I know that this is common This is a common practice to try to Smuggle in, I guess, dirty urine for a drug screen. But a lot of these drugs I also have seen, especially in the Boston Common when I was a probation officer, synthetic marijuana. and many more. provide oversight regulation on them.

I already notified Police Commissioner Cox about it as well as Dr. Ojukutu about how serious this is in terms of public health. and Public Safety. We want to ensure we provide especially young people with positive things to do and not make it easy for them to use We need to provide the best opportunity we can to support our young people. But I am also concerned about the oversight, as I mentioned, but also how companies or organizations are able to sell these products like we have in the South End legally. without any oversight from the City of Boston or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. So I want to say thank you to Councilor Fitzgerald for his leadership on this important subject. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. I see the lights of colleagues on. Councillor Murphy, you had a question?

I would just like to speak quickly on this hearing order.

To only sponsors? Yes, to only sponsors, yes. It'll go to committee and then there'll be a time for a great lot further.

Even, this isn't a refile, this is an original.

It's a new one?

Yep, this is new. Because this just came up. Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. I'll be quick.

Beg your pardon, two minutes.

I wanted to thank Culpepper, because I attended your listening session in the south end and got to meet the father of a young boy and mother who are very concerned about these issues. So thank you, Council Fitzgerald and Councilor Flynn for bringing it here. I do believe our job is to hear the concerns of the constituents the residents and bring it forward and advocate and all of the things that were already said by my former colleagues I'm just looking forward to this hearing making sure that we can Make sure the quality of life for all our residents. We talk often about veterans and seniors, We have to also remember about young kids. He talked about how his son's bedroom is right above this smoke shop that now is selling things that never were allowed before and it's changing the quality of life for his family and the entire Community. So standing in solidarity for the entire Southend community which continues to need our support every day. Thank you.

Thank you Councillor Murphy. Councillor Durkan.

Thank you so much. I just want to thank Councilor Fitzgerald. I went on a walkthrough with Mary Ann Ponte of the Boston Common and horribly met a veteran who actually I really thought that cannabis was the same as K2 and it was heartbreaking because what I learned from Marianne Ponte is that Essentially, there's no good detox for K2. Unfortunately, it's just suffering. So I hope that we have that as part of this conversation. It's so incredibly important that we have a really nuanced conversation but I have seen this in my own district and I'm really grateful for this conversation being kicked off and I'd like to add my name.

Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Durkan. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana. Weber, Worrell, and please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 0175 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Then, Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0176?

Docket number 0176, Councillor Fitzgerald, for the following. for a hearing to discuss increasing access to high-quality school options for Boston public school students in all neighbourhoods. Refile from 2025.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Councillor Fitzgerald, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. This is a refile. In summary, I would just love to cut the bus budget, have folks go to more neighborhood schools and reinvest that money back into the needs such as AIDS, paras, equipment, and things to support our children in schools. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell. Please add the chair. Docket 0176 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0177?

Doc number 0177, Councilors Flynn and Fitzgerald offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss public safety and quality of life concerns of masks and casts in surrounding neighborhoods.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. The Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. Thank you Madam Chair. Madam Chair, may I add City Councilor Culpepper as an original sponsor on this, please?

Seeing hearing no objections, Councilor Culpepper is so added.

Thank you, Madam Chair. This is a refile from last year. It's about addressing quality of life issues, public safety challenges in and around the mass and cast impacted neighborhoods. And of course, they are the South End, Roxbury, parts of Dorchester, South Boston. It's about working together, coordinating services. We had an informative meeting last night with Worcester Square and several other meetings over the last couple days in the south end. And residents want us to really coordinate services, public health services, with with public safety support. So that's what I'm continuing to focus on, providing the best positive leadership I can to my constituents, improving their quality of life.

But going forward, we need to ensure that these impacted neighborhoods I also want to acknowledge Kelly Young that has done a very good job working for the Flynn. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Just want to add, thank you, Madam President, that we have seen a great improvement since September when Kelly Young, the CRT team, and Nest began taking part in sort of a different tactic towards cleaning up, and so we are seeing improvement. Of course the real test will be when things warm up. It's hard to think about that right now in this weather, but hopefully when the warm weather comes we will continue that same sustained suppression of folks out in the streets. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Fitzgerald. The Clerk has alerted to me that this is a refile. So, docket 0177 will be referred to the Committee on the... Oh, anyone else like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata... Culpepper, Julie Mejia, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, Chair. Docket 0177 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0178?

Docket number 0178. Councillor Flynn offered the following. Order for a hearing. to discuss dedicating the new open space at Phillips Square to Tooney Lee Plaza.

Over the last eight years, I have called attention to Chinatown's urban tree canopy only at 7%, the least open space per capita among Boston neighborhoods. A project has been initiated by the Boston Transportation Department to redesign the barricaded area of Harrison Avenue, known as Phillips Square, into a more welcoming and cooling open space in a neighborhood impacted by the heat island The project will include a plaza that intersects with Oxford Place, the childhood home of Toonie Lee. Toonie Lee was a widely respected and well-loved community leader raised in Oxford Place in Boston's Chinatown. Tony Lee had a long and influential career as an architect, urban planner, both as the Chief of Planning and Design for the Boston Redevelopment Authority and at MIT in their Department of Urban Studies.

Tooney Lee worked tirelessly to save working class neighborhoods and communities of color from destruction, demolition, as memorialized in the book People Before Highways. Tooney Lee mentored multiple generations of urban planners and community activists across the globe. Tony Lee was an avid historian of Boston Chinatown who led projects to explore the community's history and historic streetscapes. This hearing will be an opportunity to discuss dedicating this new open space at Phillips Square to Tony Lee. is an opportunity for the residents of Chinatown. They asked me to host this hearing because they wanted to talk about the major contributions, Tuni Lee, I want to say thank you to the Chinatown community for bringing this forward to me in honor to represent the people of Chinatown and

Right across from it, obviously, is the Leather District that also has a high concentration of Chinese, but also on the south end, which is just over the border from Chinatown obviously. That was always historically a large Chinese community, still has a large Chinese community there. But Tooney Lee's contributions in these three areas, including the Bay Village, are well known, and we want to honor Tooney Lee. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Councillor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Councilor Flynn. Over the summer, we both attended an event in this area, and the Chinatown leaders, Main Street and other organizations, Tufts Medical were there to address the real concerns about the heat wave and the Chinatown residents making sure that they have the quality of life issues addressed. and the Leather District, which is right next door. So just looking forward to supporting this with Councilor Flynn and the hearing that's coming up. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy. Would anyone else like to, would anyone like to add their name? Coletta Zapata, Collins, Culpepper, Collins, Durkan, Collins, Fitzgerald, Collins, Louijeune, Collins, Mejia, Collins, Murphy, Collins, Pepén, Collins, Santana, Collins, Weber, Collins, Worrell and please add the chair. Docket 0178 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0179?

Docket number 0178. Councillor Flynn offered the following order for a hearing. to discuss food insecurity and malnutrition in the City of Boston.

In 2019, the City of Boston released the State of Food Security in the City, with data presented from the Boston Office of Food Access and conducted by the Mayor's Office of Food Access. The report found that The estimated food insecurity rate for the City of Boston was at 18% as of 2016, and many neighborhoods had as high as 27%. At the same time, it was found that one in five people in Boston experience food insecurity compared to one in 10 in Massachusetts. The effects of COVID-19 pandemic were felt around the world. but especially for low-income families and our seniors who are living on fixed incomes. This was evident when we witnessed high levels of food insecurity among our immigrant neighbors in the Latino, Black and Asian communities.

We must recognize how food access continues to be a critical issue for so many families and neighbors in need, commit ourselves to supporting these families and people struggling with hunger and food security. We need to ensure our children, families, seniors, persons with disabilities, others in need have access to nutritious food. It is critical that we discuss the state of malnutrition, especially for our seniors and working families, to better inform policy related to food access and moving forward. I represent one of the most diverse NAEP districts in the city of Boston, and I also represent the most residents living in public housing and I see the food insecurity throughout BHA developments and other areas throughout District 2. Hit hard is the Chinatown neighborhood.

Many of our seniors in the community rely on so many nonprofits that provide exceptional support and services to them, including the Women's Lunch Place that I do have an opportunity to go several times. A year with my wife and to support the wonderful work they do. But that organization and many other organizations, including the South Boston neighborhood as well, South Boston neighborhood house as well, It's about ensuring everybody is treated with respect and dignity and food access is a critical part of that. I think food access is a civil rights issue. 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, Councillor Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0179 will be referred to the Committee on the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0180?

Talking number 0180. Councilor Flynn offered the following. Order for a hearing to discuss resources for the Boston Police Crime Laboratory. Refiled from 2025.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. I refiled this hearing order to receive an update from last year's hearing. According to a report by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, The lab received 186 sexual assault kits in FY23 between June 2022 and June 2023, in 93 of which did not manage to test within 30 days. This has been an ongoing issue. By comparison, the state police crime lab tested 96% of their 700 plus kits it received within 30 days. That's the state law. They have to be tested within 30 days. At the hearing in 2024, police explained that there were staffing shortages at the crime lab and that while there were only 22 employees in the lab, there were open positions that needed to be filled. This is an issue I have repeatedly focused on over the last several years

There's a lot of Kits that we need to test with the most advanced testing possible and that's why screening and I'm going to ensure I do everything to ensure that survivors of sexual assault are treated with respect and dignity. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Pepén, Weber, and Councilor Worrell, and please add the Chair, and Councilor Culpepper. Docket 0180 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0181?

Doc number 0181, Councilor Flynn, offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss public safety and quality of life issues in downtown Boston and the Boston Common.

Councilor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. This is an issue that I've worked on for eight years, ensuring that downtown Boston is as safe as possible. Years ago, maybe four years ago, I highlighted this issue about the ongoing drug trafficking in downtown Boston and throughout Boston Common as well. I did receive some pushback at that time from city officials, kind of discouraging me from focusing on this issue. But I have an obligation to the businesses and to my constituents in the downtown area to provide a safe environment for them. And that's about addressing public safety challenges. It's also about addressing quality of life issues. When visitors come to Boston and spend time in our city, I want to make sure that they are safe

I talked about zero tolerance policy for drug dealing activity in Boston Common and on Tremont Street throughout downtown Boston. The Boston Police did finally agree with me and we are working now on ensuring that anyone that is selling drugs or involved in any type of criminal activity are arrested. That's important. I do want to thank the Downtown Residents Association for their incredible work in organizing this. Rishi did a wonderful job and Aaron Michalowicz and many other people. As well, but we need to ensure that the police resources in the city are also We have to coordinate with the MBTA police. They play a critical role in downtown Boston, but we've had a lot of drug trafficking that was taking place in and around the

Boston Common Area, including across the street from the school that I visited. and residents especially from Beacon Hill, Back Bay and downtown Boston wanted a safer environment for their children going to school. I made that a priority. to address these public safety issues. We have made progress, but I'm not going to rest on progress. I'm going to continue to focus on this issue as we go into The budget process and fight for my constituents whether they're in Beacon Hill, Back Bay or downtown Boston. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you Councillor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Weber, Worrell. 8-1 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Dock number 0182. Councilors Louijeune and Coletta Zapata offer the following. Order for a hearing regarding the City of Boston's response to sexual assault Domestic Violence and Related Resources for Survivors. Refiled from 2025.

Thank you. Louijeune, you have the floor. Thank you. Congratulations on your first meeting, Madam Chair, and congratulations, Councillor Culpepper, on your maiden speech. A job well done for you and for your residents. This is a refile. I want to thank Kimberly at the Boston Public Health Commission for all the work that she's doing. The advocates for the work that they do are looking forward to continuing the work.

Thank you. Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, and Councilor Worrell. And please add the Chair. Docket 0182 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0183?

Docket number 0183. Councilors Louijeune and Pepén offer the following. Voter for a hearing regarding voter accessibility and election preparedness. Louijeune, you have the floor.

Thank you. This is an important refile on preparedness of elections. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone like to add their name? Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mejia, Weber, Worrell, Culpepper. Docket 0183 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0184?

Dock number 0184, Councilor Louijeune and Weber offer the following. Order for a hearing on building a stronger fair housing future for Boston. A refile from 2025.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Councillor Louijeune, you have the floor.

Thank you. This is a refile and a more important refile given the federal government's attack on what we're trying to do here in the City of Boston in their recent letter.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Anyone like to add their name? Durkan, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mejia, Pepén, Worrell, Chair. Thank you. Docket 0184 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor.

May I go back to number 173? I wasn't added as a co-sponsor at the time. I'd like to be added as a co-sponsor. 173. Regarding parking minimum requirements.

By Councillor Durkan and Santana. Mr. Clerk, could you add that, Councillor Culpepper? You're so added. Thank you. We'll do any motions to reconsider it. Do you want to add?

Sorry, I wanted to remove my name from 0162. I got confused on what filing that was.

0162. Yes, Docket 0162, Councillor Durkan would like to be removed from that as a co-sponsor. Thank you. Let's move along. Mr. Clerk, could you please read the right page? Could you please read docket 0185?

Docket number 0185. Councilor Louijeune and Worrell offer the following. Order for a hearing on cross-sector collaborative citywide strategy. for Community Safety and Violence Prevention. Refile from 2025.

Councillor Roussy-Louisien, you have the floor. This is a refile. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Flynn, I see your light was on.

Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I neglected to add Councillor Murphy as an original co-sponsor on docket 1790179. May I add her, please?

Hearing no You second it. Thank you. Hearing no objections, Councillor Murphy so added. Thank you. Thank you much. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0186? Would anyone like to add their name to docket 0185? It's a refile. Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, and please add the chair. Mr. Clerk. We are on to, thank you, docket 0186 will be sent to the committee on the whole. 185, thank you, pardon, 185. Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0186?

Docket number 0186, Councilor Louisiana, for the following. Order for a hearing on equitable contracting and business opportunities for major civic sporting events in Boston. A refile from 2025.

Councilor Louijeune, you have the floor. Thank you. This is a refile. We had a hearing on this at the end of last year and we'll be doing more work on this. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name to docket 0186? Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, Councillor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0186 will be referred to the committee on the whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0187?

Docket number 0187. Councilor Mejia, I offer the following order for a hearing. to examine income-adjusted parking fines and interest-free payment plans.

Councilor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And look, it's 3 o'clock and we're still standing. We're still standing. Good job. All right, so I want to do a point of clarification here for the clerk. This is technically a refile in 2020, but it was like a decade ago and COVID happened, so... Could I get like a full, could I get a little extra time?

Yeah, it's a new filing.

All right, just wanna make sure I don't get zapped like I did earlier today, okay? All right, so good afternoon. I'm filing this hearing order to examine income-adjusted parking fines and the option for interest-free payment plans. This is a conversation that our office first raised in 2020 at the height of COVID. and at the time there were concerns about fairness and enforcement and that feedback is exactly why this issue merits a hearing and not a relegated positions. to look carefully at how systems are working today. Boston currently uses a flat rate parking fines that apply the same dollar amount to everyone. For some residents, a ticket is a minor inconvenience. For others, particularly elders on fixed incomes, workers who rely on their cars, who are visiting other folks who are under care,

It could create a real financial hardship. When tickets go unpaid, late fees and penalties can quickly add up and make it harder for people to resolve the issue. This hearing is about examining whether there are practical tools that improve compliance without changing the rules themselves. Interest repayment plans are one example. Other cities have looked at similar approaches to reduce unpaid fines while maintaining enforcement. And I think it's just important as we continue to have conversations around meeting the moment and how important it is for us to think about all of the inequities and the housing crunch and all of this. These are the little things that potentially that we can do to help support those folks who are living who are in extreme poverty who happen to have a vehicle but need to get from point A to point B to take care of elders or folks who are sick as part of their jobs or just elders who are in fixed incomes and sometimes they forget that

I got a lot of resistance the first time I filed it, but you know, I have thick skin and I am used to I'm going at it one more time. Given everything that's happening on the federal level and the financial hardships that so many of our constituents face, I believe we are well positioned in this body to really take a deep look at how we can

Mejia. Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Docket 0187 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0188?

Docket number 0188. Councillor Mejia offered the following order for a hearing on Boston public school facilities, public assets, and White Stadium.

Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank Councillor Culpepper for his speech. You hit it on the mark. when it comes to things being done to us without us. And so I just really appreciate the sense of urgency that you brought. And as I file this hearing order, I think of you. Across BPS, we're dealing with aging school buildings, years of deferred maintenance, accessibility issues that haven't been fully addressed, and unequal access to athletic and extracurricular spaces depending on what neighborhood a student lives in. At the same time, the district is facing declining enrollments, staffing challenges, and a significant projected budget shortfall. All of that makes facility decisions even more consequential. This hearing is about stepping back and asking whether our facilities plan is truly aligned with student needs.

White Stadium comes into this conversation as one example It is a Boston Public Schools athletic facility that has long been used for student athletes and school programming. Any change to how that space is governed, scheduled, or accessed has a direct impact on the student athletes and the schools that rely on it. When public dollars are being committed, especially dollars that could otherwise be used to address the unmet needs in school buildings across the district, there has to be clarity and accountability. But this hearing is about access and Presidents. And when we invest tens of millions of dollars into a single athletic site with many schools who are still struggling with basic facility needs, we owe it to the families and educators to explain how those decisions fit into the broader facility strategy.

This hearing is about making sure White Stadium doesn't crowd out the larger conversation. There are many other BPS facilities, classrooms, gyms, Field and school buildings that don't get this level of attention but matter just as much as to the students daily experience. This order creates space to look at White Stadium in the context along the with the full landscape of BPS facilities with student access, educational equity, and public accountability at the center. I look forward to this conversation and I also am going to be participating and being all in on the Culpepper has raised regarding Madison Park, which is also another building that has been put on the sidelines.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia. Would anyone else like to add their name? Culpepper, Flynn, Fitzgerald, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0188 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0189?

Docket number 0189. Councilor Mejia will offer the following. Order for a hearing to audit child care investments and the financial stability of family child care providers. Refile from 2025.

Councillor Mejia, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. It's a refile. I look forward to having the conversation. Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, Culpepper. Docket 0189 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0190?

Docket number 0190. Councilor Mejia, I offer the following. Order for a hearing on workforce development housing for City of Boston employees. Refiled from 2025.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Councilor Mejia, you have the floor.

I just would like to add Councilor Weber as an original co-sponsor, and this is a refile hearing order that examines workforce development housing for our city Boston employees. In 2023, our office advocated and secured over $750,000 in emergency housing relief for city employees experiencing housing instability. Every dollar of that funding was used. that told us two things. First, the need is real. And second, one-time emergency assistance is not enough. Today, the pressure is even greater as housing costs continues to rise. And if we want to retain a strong and stable municipal workforce, We need to think beyond short-term relief and begin examining sustainable long-term housing solutions. Other cities and counties across the country are doing exactly that, developing workforce development housing, partnering with unions, and using public land and or pension funds to create housing options that specifically serve public employees.

This hearing is about learning from those models and asking what might be feasible right here in Boston. It's about coordination across housing, workforce development, and labor, and about ensuring that the people who serve the city can actually afford to live here. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Mejia. Would anyone like to add their name? Flynn, Councillor Louisiane, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Culpepper, Pepén, Councilor Worrell and please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 0191 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. A190. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0191?

Dr. Number 0191, Councilor Mejia, offer the following. Order for a hearing to address critical issues in jail-based voting and empower incarcerated communities to strengthen democracy. Refile from 2025.

Country Mejia, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. This is a refile. Our office has been in deep partnership with folks who have been doing this work and supporting our incarcerated loved ones who are behind the wall and making sure that they have access to the ballot box. I look forward to continuing this conversation. on behalf of those we serve. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0191 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0192?

Docket number 0192, Councillor Mejia, for the following. Order for a hearing to audit government transparency. and Accountability Towards Surveillance Equipment, a refile from 2025.

Councilor McHugh, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. It's a refile. I think now more than ever, given everything that's happening on the national landscape, We have to be here doing our part in making sure that we're not utilizing tools that further profile folks and continue to put folks of color in particular at harm. This includes technology like ShotSpotter as well as the newer systems such as Flock, Tangels, and Chorus, which collect and analyze and share large amounts of data, often in ways that are not immediately visible to the public or to this body. What concerns me is not just the technology itself, but the process in which these tools are introduced. in the past to the Boston Police Department has used and or piloted surveillance technology before the city council has fully been informed and before communities have had a chance to understand how these tools will affect them.

I think given the fact that everything that is happening, we have to do our due diligence and serve as an oversight. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia. Would anyone like to add their name? Fitzgerald, Culpepper, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, Chair. Docket 0192 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0193?

Talking number 0193, Councilor Mejia, I offer the following. Order for a hearing to audit the City of Boston's hiring, firing, and promotion policies, practices, and procedures. Refile from 2025.

Pancho Mejia, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. This is a refile. I think as we continue to have conversations, I think at the center of this is a lot of the retaliation. that happens when oftentimes folks, we pick and choose. And I think that we have an opportunity here to really dive deeper and have a better understanding of our protocols, policies, and procedures and making sure that they're fair across the board and that when we're looking at this issue of accountability that we're enforcing it with the same rules that's applied to everyone. and we've also heard from city workers who are afraid to come forward. Retaliation is real, afraid that raising their concerns about misconduct, favoritism or broken processes will harm their careers and that alone should give us pause and so as we continue So I have these conversations. I hope those who are afraid have the courage to speak up. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Murphy, Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add my name, and Councilor Flynn, I think I got you. Oh, do you wish to speak to this? We're trying to just, this is a refile, so... Do you want to make brief remarks?

No, that's okay.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Very good. Thank you. Docket 0193 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0194?

Stocking number 0194, Councilor Mejia, for the following. Voter for a hearing to audit the City of Boston's procurement processes, procedures, and progress. Refile from 2025.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Councilor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I may file in this order because we continue to see high-impact decisions move forward without a clear vision and understanding of how information gets trickled down, so oftentimes processes, standards, and lack of oversight are the things that most folks are screaming about. Particularly the most recent case is parcel three is one example with a designation set to expire. at the end of January following a process that has raised questions about notice, clarity, and council involvement. White Stadium is another. We've been told that the City of Boston and the Boston Legacy Football Club have committed to awarding 50% of all contracting dollars across all three phases of the White Stadium projected to certify minority and women-owned business enterprises. That commitment matters, but what's still missing is basic clarity.

We do not know which dollars are included, whether these dollars apply to the full build, how priority is defined, and whether or not this commitment applies equally to the portions of the project that the city is responsible for. and or the portions controlled by the private partner. Without that information, it is impossible to evaluate whether or not procurement goals are being met and or simply stated.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia. Would anyone like to add their name? Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, Culpepper, Fitzgerald. Please add my name, the Clerk, the Chair. Thank you. Docket 0194 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0195?

Talking about 0195, Councilor Mejia offered the following. Order for a hearing to audit the distribution of local, state, and federal grants to small businesses. Refiled from 2025.

Concha Mejia, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. This is a refile. I think given everything that's happening across the world, This hearing will allow us to better understand how we here on the local level, how our funds are being allocated, who is being reached, and where the gaps exist, particularly for businesses that have historically been faced with barriers to access. The goal is transparency, equity and effective use of public resources.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louisiane, Councillor Murphy, Councilor Santana, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket number 0195 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0196?

Docket number 0196. Councilor Mejia offered the following. Order for a hearing to review the City of Boston's use of federal and state funds. Refile from 2025.

Mejia. You have the floor. Thank you Madam President. This is a refile. Looking forward to continuing the conversation. Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Flint, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, and please add the chair. Docket number 0196 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0197?

Docket number 0197, Councilor Mejia, for the following. Order for a hearing to review past expenditures through quarterly updates on the fiscal year 2026 operating budget. Refile from 2025.

Concha Mejia, you have the floor. Thank you Madam President. This is a refile. Looking forward to diving deeper.

Would anyone like to add their name? Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Weber, Worrell, Culpepper, Chair. Docket 0197 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0198?

Docket number 0198. Councillor Mejia offered the following. Order for a hearing to audit the implementation and effectiveness of the 2014 Boston Trust Act, refiled from 2025.

Councillor Mejia, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. As you all know, The Trust Act was passed to protect immigrants and communities to ensure that local law enforcement is not acting as an arm of federal immigration enforcement. And to be clear, Boston Police have compiled with the law. In 2025, we now know that the BPD did not honor any of the 57 ICE detainer requests. But compliance alone is not the same as confidence. We've heard growing concerns from residents and advocates about how information can still flow in practice, particularly when officers are operating in different roles. sometimes described as wearing a brick cat, quote unquote, and sometimes not. The concern is that even without formal cooperation, information can be shared unintentionally, informally, or without clear guardrails creating fear and confusion in communities the Trust Act is meant to protect.

At the same time, we're seeing aggressive federal immigration enforcement across the country, including actions that have led to tragic deaths like we've seen in Minneapolis. These realities make it even more important for Boston to take a hard look at whether or not our local protections are strong enough in today's environment. Our office has been clear since we've stepped foot into this chamber. that we will continue to vote no on BRIC funding when it raises concerns about surveillance, data sharing, or eroding our trust. This hearing is part of that same commitment to evaluate how federal actions intersect with local policies and whether safeguards are keeping pace.

Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Mejia. Would anyone like to add their name? Culpepper, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell. Please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 0198 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0199?

Docket number 0199, Councilor Mejia, for the following. Order for a hearing on Government Accountability, Transparency, and Accessibility of Decision-Making Protocols in City Government, refiled from 2025.

Councillor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you madam president and I'm refiling this order because too many major decisions continue to be made by the city with many folks feeling closed off inconsistent and disconnected from what people are Feeling and experiencing, and most of them are always saying that they're doing things to us without us. and Boston makes high stake decisions every day about housing, schools, public lands, zoning, infrastructure, but too often residents experience these decisions as something that happens to them, not with them. Information is hard to access Times line shift without explanation and community comes in late if at all. I mean we've seen this tension play out repeatedly. That White Stadium cost nearly doubled from $50 million to $91 million, raising questions not just about money, but how decisions were made and how communities in Roxbury, in Mattapan, and across the city were meaningfully

Now at Parcel 3 in Roxbury, residents spent years engaging around a life sciences and affordable housing plan only to learn after the fact that the city intended to abandon the destination in favor of a different use without A clearly defined decision making process. We're seeing similar concerns with squares and streets rezoning where participation data shows underrepresentation of key demographic groups. Listen. We have a lot of work to do. This hearing is about stepping back and examining the rules, the norms, the protocols that guide city decision-making processes across departments and agencies, whether they actually align with our stated commitments to equity and accountability and public trust. If we want residents to believe in government, then we have to start showing them that decisions are made and invite them early and be honest with the trade-offs when they exist.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Weber, Docket 0199 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. 2-0-0.

Document number 0-2-0-0. Councillor Murphy offered the following. Order for a hearing on BPS staffing programme impacts.

Thank you. The Chair recognises Councillor Murphy. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to add Councillor Flynn. And I would like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Fitzgerald as the third original co-sponsor.

Hearing and seeing no objections, Councillor Fitzgerald is so added.

I have filed three hearing orders this term so far to hold Boston Public Schools accountable and to ensure transparency in decisions that directly impact students, families, and educators. and also communities. These hearings focus on school closures and mergers, parking access for traveling BPS employees. And today I'm filing this hearing order to get to the bottom of the real impacts of the BPS budget shortfall on our school communities. Many of us have already fielded frantic calls from parents, teachers, families who are hearing directly as school site councils and principals are making decisions on next year's budget. BPS have publicly identified a projected budget shortfall for next school year to be approximately $50 million, and many of us have heard rumors that it's even higher.

Communications to school principals and leaders indicate that this freeze applies to hiring for vacant positions, discretionary purchases, stipends, contracts, travel, and other expenditures. And one of the things that worries me the most besides obviously laying off teachers is the stipends. Many of our schools provide tutoring after school, before school programming, and they pay our teachers who all need to be paid. There's a freeze on that. Many of our school's extra activities that many students and families depend on will be gone. Educators, families, and school communities have expressed serious concern about how these staffing measures will affect their stability, their student support services, and enrichment opportunities.

I'm looking forward to continuing advocating that we get to the bottom of this so that we have real answers and that we can clearly communicate these concerns to our school communities and to our parents and families. I believe that the Education Committee of the Boston City Council should hold this hearing to talk about the impacts because this to me is not just a conversation about money. We will have many conversations during ways and means and budget hearings when we're addressing The budget for BPS, to me this is staffing issues, this is after school, before school programming, concerns that I know that the Education Committee should be bringing up. And I look forward to hearing from my other colleagues who are original sponsors, one who is a parent of students in BPS who I know can share a very personal story or side to this.

Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Murphy. Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I agree with Councillor Murphy as well. This should go into the Education Committee. We had several schools that either closed or merged. Last year, concerned parents and teachers were calling us at the City Council about what happened, why it happened, what the plan is. but we didn't have any answers because the city council did not want to hold a hearing on it. But I do think these issues are important for us to discuss. They might be controversial, yes, but they're important to parents, they're important to BPS families, to students, to teachers, and they want to have an honest conversation about what is happening in our Boston public school system. But the school communities want to be engaged. They want to come. and testify.

They want us to hear their concerns about how closing a school might impact their child or about a merger of a school. What impact would that have on a child's after-school programs or the mental health counseling that they're receiving or the sports program? It's important for the Boston City Council to have an active role, in my opinion, in the Boston public school system. We have to advocate on behalf of BPS parents and for teachers as well. I don't think we're just able to be a rubber stamp and accept things the way They are, without asking questions, having discussions, holding BPS accountable. More importantly, fighting for teachers, fighting for parents, and fighting for students. That's what our job is about. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Councillor Fitzgerald, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Yeah, very simply, a couple weeks ago, my wife and I sat on a school site council meeting where we listened to our children's principal talk to us about some of the cuts you'd need to make. And without getting into specifics, it certainly makes you question whether you are providing your child and many more. I'm sure it's happening at schools throughout the city, and so I look forward to this hearing. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Fitzgerald. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Culpepper? Louijeune, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 0200 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0201? Oh, two together. Okay, excellent. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 201 and 202 together?

Doc. Number 0201, Councilors Weber and Fitzgerald offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss Boston's fiscal year 27 operating budget. And Doc. Number 0202, Councilors Weber and Fitzgerald offer the following. for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools fiscal year 27 operating budget.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Councilor Weber, you have the floor.

Thank you very much. These two dockets will allow us to start our oversight of the city's FY27 operating budget with a separate docket focused on the BPS budget. Since we've had little turnover from last year, welcome again. Culpepper. We have had two budget cycles working together, improving how we deliberate, debate and decide. The better we do in this process, the more impact we can have on what will become the city's final budget. and what we can do for the residents that we all represent. The budget is the most important policy document we help produce. It shows where we want to invest our resources and what we think will be the best way to serve Boston residents. Over the last two years, this has involved supporting substantial investments in affordable housing, our public schools, our seniors, our youth, our veterans, and in public safety. We all have issues we want to address now.

How can the city budget lessen the impacts of a federal government intent to go to war with communities like Boston that welcomes immigrants so they can murder detainees and anyone who stands in their way? It's been reported that 5,000 BPS students experience homelessness each year. That even this is most likely an understatement. What are we gonna do to address that issue? To tackle urgent issues like these and to continue to build on the good work we have done over the last two years under Ways and Means Chair Brian Worrell and our amazing budget analyst Karishma Chauhan, and her new sidekick, Ryan Pratt, we are all going to have to work together. Gone are all the federal funds we used to launch initiatives like the space program and the housing accelerator. We need to be thoughtful and innovative to deliver what our residents need on a tighter budget.

And to do that, to help our residents meet their needs, we are going to have to stand by each other. They say a good budget is a storybook that translates a city's values into numbers. My goal as chair would be to make sure everyone here has an opportunity to write a chapter of the story and support the needs of Boston residents at a time when the city is going to need us more than ever.

Thank you.

Thank you. Yes, Madam President, we have a long road and some tough decisions ahead of us. I look forward to supporting the Chair in all his needs to act as a sounding board in any other way he might need my support. and look forward to working with all of you and successfully delivering a budget.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and please add my name. I want to be part of this discussion. I also know, as Councilor Weber mentioned, the outstanding work that Councilor Worrell did over the last two years as budget chair. of this important committee, but I think it's important that Councilor Worrell remain involved, engaged, because he provided exceptional leadership during critical times. And as we focus on the budget, In my opinion, we need that strong leadership with Councilor Worrell, Councilor Weber, but it is important for a person of color to play a key role on the Ways and Means Committee, even though he may not be necessarily the Chair, it is important for Councilor Worrell, in my opinion, to have a key role on that committee as well. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam President. And I just want to rise to thank and congratulate Councilor Weber and his new role shepherding us through what I know will be a very exciting process. So good luck with that. But while I'm up, I just want to also acknowledge Councilor Worrell's leadership. I mean, you really centered racial equity. And even at a time when so many of us were Going in opposite directions in terms of what we were fighting for, your ability to really bring us in and really centering fairness and not favoritism was really one of the reasons why I always showed up and actively participated because you demonstrated what it looks like to really put the body first and our priorities. So I just want to thank you for your leadership as you step away from that role and looking forward

So hearing your voice in this space, and just because you may not have the formal role doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have a voice. So we look to you to continue to keep us on track. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia. We'll take Docket 0201 first. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louijeune, Murphy, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Docket 0201 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. And then Docket 0202, would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Worrell. Docket 0202 will be sent to the committee on the whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0203?

Document number 0203, Councilors Weber and Fitzgerald offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss prior operating budget amendments from fiscal year 23 to fiscal year 25.

Councilor Weber, you have the floor.

Thank you. I know we all worked really hard on the budget amendments the last two years, and thanks to Councillor Brian Worrell, the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, we managed to get through, I believe, and many more. I think to inform how we approach that issue this year, it's important that we understand what happened to our budget amendments, whether the money was allocated in the way we amended the budget to have allocated, and many more. were instituted whether they delivered on the promise that we had hoped they would help our constituents. So that's why I'd like to have a separate hearing on what has

I know some of us had issues about getting the money to where we wanted it to be maybe two years ago, maybe not so much last year. I look forward to figuring that out so we can make sure our amendments are as effective as they can be. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor. Fitzgerald, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. Can't know where you're going. If you don't know where you've been, look forward to the work.

Thank you. Keep going. Thank you, Councillor Fitzgerald. Would anyone like to add their name? Coletta Zapata, Collins, Culpepper, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Worrell. Docket number 0203 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0204?

Councilor Weber and, excuse me, docket number 0204, Councilors Weber and Pepén offered the following. Order for a hearing to discuss making neighborhood streets safer following the 30-day review of street projects in Boston. Every file from 2025.

Councillor Weber, you have the floor.

Thank you very much. This is a refile, just I think for Councilor Culpepper's information. This deals with street improvements, safety improvements, speed bumps, stop signs, bike lanes, and there was a 30-day review instituted by the mayor's office, which at least in my district resulted in a stop to most of those things going in place. We'd like to figure out how to get beyond the 30-day review and to allow us to deliver those much needed safety improvements to our streets to our constituents. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Santana, Councillor Worrell. and please add the chair. Docket 0204 will go to the committee on the whole. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0205?

Docket number 0205. Councilor Webber, I offer the following. Order for a hearing to review construction costs associated with the White Stadium project.

Constable Weber, you have the floor.

Okay, thank you very much. I think we talked about this as a council last year. I think we passed a resolution asking for the updated numbers on construction for White Stadium. This is just to ensure that we get those numbers and we can discuss it as a body. I think regardless of where you stand on whether the stadium should be renovated in the way it's planned or not, We all have an interest in oversight of that project and making sure that we're providing the accurate information to our constituents about the project. So thank you.

Thank you. Councillor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I would just like to ask for clarification on if this is similar to Mejia's hearing order that includes an order for a hearing to discuss White Stadium. That would be docket 0188. Let's take a look. Councilor Webers is more direct just addressing White Stadium, but hers did include Boston Public School facilities, assets, and White Stadium.

I have to look it up. Yeah. 188.

Because I also have to find it.

No, that's fine.

We can help. And although a colleague stated that many of us maybe didn't read your rules at all, but I did see, Council President, that you do want to work on Rule 15, making sure that we tighten, making sure there aren't duplicative hearing orders or resolutions. So that's why. This, I wanted to flag this. It can go in the Committee of the Whole. And then it will be placed in those before it happens.

Sparks.

The Council of Mejia's is on the redevelopment proposal of White Stadium, including its implications to Boston public school students. And this Council of Weber's is primarily focused on The construction costs.

Specific to the cost.

Yes.

Okay. Could I... Reassured that we're only going to focus on the cost of in the other hearing order because we had the last term filed many hearing orders that went into government ops and other hearings committees This issue comes up a lot. It should. I think it's a big concern.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy. Councillor Webber, would you like to speak to this issue?

I think, as the Clerk said, it's a different hearing order. Mejia.

Yes.

You have the floor.

And so it begins. All right, so I want to be really clear. I don't want to start off the year with However, there have been many incidences here on this council that rules have been used to Block and prevent conversations from happening. And my question is, my hearing order was filed before Councilor Webers, and my hearing order, I'll take my exhibit back.

This is how I end up in situations that I do not want to be in. But I am asking specifically around cost as it relates to White Stadium. And so I need a better answer to satisfy the ruling of the clerk. in order for me to understand it. Or I need a translator. Or I need something. Because Alex, I still am a little bit unclear as to if my hearing order looks at The facilities, the challenges, the budget, the money, the redevelopment, the private-public partnership,

The cost, $91 million of municipal capital funding towards White Stadium. All of that is in my hearing order.

It's my understanding, Councillor Mejia, that you are Also looking more broadly at public school facilities generally and public assets. One hearing seems to be a little more focused on White Stadium and then I know White Stadium is in the basket with the other.

I just want to know for the record that this is a new era.

Okay.

A new dawn. A new council.

Flynn. You have the floor.

Carwyn Jones AMB. Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to make two points, or one point. May I ask a question to Councillor Webber?

Yes, you may ask a question to Councillor Webber.

Councillor Webber, do you know when we're going to get the most updated numbers on the cost of White Stadium?

I've been asking, I'm sure many of you have been asking, I simply don't know.

I'm hoping soon. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to acknowledge the comments Councillor Mejia made. I do agree with Councillor Mejia, but I think Councillor Mejia effectively made her point. I'm not going to. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you. Councillor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you. I was going to ask this as a point of order later, but Councilor Mejia brought it up in this discussion. I noticed that this agenda, if I could address the Clerk. is alphabetical not in order of when we filed and that's different from when because rule 15 is invoked If someone filed it beforehand, is that because there were just so many items and we were asked because of the snow day on Friday to make sure we filed before Monday at 10?

Well, it's difficult to... To read all these orders, especially it's the beginning of the year, so there aren't technically any green sheets. to compare filings and look at our packet from today. This is today. So there's a lot.

But going forward, we will do them when they're filed?

I usually review them before they get on the agenda.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy. Councillor Webber, will you?

No, I just... My guess is that Councilor Murphy's statement is not accurate, that we've listed alphabetical. I think as offices, We often prepare all of our things and file them at once. Jordan from my office filed five things. That's why you see Weber, Weber, Weber, Weber. and I don't think that is even an issue. Maybe we did, who knows, but I know that's why my things are together. Thank you. I will say if we adopt the rules, I believe this hearing would be in the post-audit committee.

Would anyone, so have we, had folks added their name to docket 0205? Have we asked that? Would anyone like to add their name to docket 0205? Coletta Zapata, Collins, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Pepén, Santana, Worrell. Please add the chair. Doc at 02.05 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole and I think at that stage we will adjudicate whether this will be a Combined Hearing or whatever, but we'll deal with this at a later time. Thank you for drawing that to our attention. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0206?

Document 0206, Councilor Worrell and Mejia offer the following. Order for a hearing to explore ways of using municipal buildings to host child care centers.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Worrell.

Thank you, Madam President. Can I request that we read docket number 026 to 0220 all together, please? 06 to 0220. 0-2-2-0.

These are all your referrals. Okay. Mr. Clerk, could you read dockets 0206 through 0207? 2-0.

So the first one and the last one are not . Yeah. All right, docket number 0206, Councilor. Worrell, Mejia offer the following. Order for a hearing to explore ways of using municipal buildings to host child care centers. Document number 0207. Councilor Worrell offer the following. Order for a hearing to review and establish a business owner 101 program for grant recipients. Talking number 0208, Councilor Worrell, I'll offer the following. Order for a hearing to address problem properties in Boston. Dr. Number 0209, Councilor Worrell, offer the following. Order for a hearing on technical assistance and best practices for civic associations. Dr.

Number 0210, Councilor Worrell, offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the creation of cultural districts in Boston. Document number 0211. Councilor Worrell, offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the creation of Indoor Playgrounds in Boston. Docket number 0212. Councilor Worrell, I'll offer the following. Order for a hearing on the proposal for a Christmas attic statue. Dock number 0213, Councilor Worrell, offer the following. Order for a hearing to allow for monthly property tax payments for residents. Dock number 0214, Councilor Worrell, offer the following. Order for a hearing to review the distribution of Boston's 225 new liquor licenses and providing ongoing support to restauranteurs. Document number 0215. Councilor Worrell offered the following.

Order for a hearing to explore scholarships for Boston students to increase access to all forms of higher education. Docket number 0216. Councilor Worrell, I'll offer the following. Order for a hearing to bring historically Black College or University Satellite Campus to Boston. Docket number 0217, Councilor Worrella for the following. Order for a hearing regarding the home ownership voucher program. Dr. Number 0218, Councilor Worrell offer the following order for a hearing to review the effectiveness of the Boston residents job policy in improving equity and employment standards on projects throughout the city. Talking number 0219. Councilor Worrell, I'll offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss long-term city job vacancies. Wuerl offer the following.

Order for a hearing to bring more signature sports events to Boston. Docket number 02211. 0221. Councilor Wuerl offer the following. Order for a hearing to bring more signature sports events to Boston. I will come to the end. That was the end, 2-2-0.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. We start with docket 0-2-0-6. Councilor Worrell, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to first add Councilor Flynn to docket number 0212 as an original co-sponsor. Okay. 02. 0212. Anyone else? Oh, and then I'd like to, sorry, like to add Councilor Mejia to docket number 0211. 0211, Mejia.

Okay, hearing no objections.

And then also Councilor Mejia to docket number 0216. 2216. And then... Mejia to 0210. 0210. Okay. And I'd like to add Councilor Weber to 0219.

217, 219, Weber.

Okay. All right. And I added Castle Flint to docket 0212 already, right?

Yes.

All right. Yes. Twice. All right. 210. Oh, and I'd like to add Councilor Mejia to docket number 0210.

I have that, yes.

All right, awesome. These are all refiles from Crispus Attic statues to investing into our littlest residents, our little babies and toddlers. and also to trying to find ways on making or streamlining our business to get up and running here in the city of Boston. So just looking to continue the work that we have done on the last two terms this term. Thank you.

Thank you. With docket 0206, anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Mejia. Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and please add the Chair. Docket 0206 will be referred to the Committee on the Whole. We move on to docket 0207. Would anyone else like to add their name? Coletta Zapata, Collins, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Murphy, Weber. Docket 0207 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole.

Thank you. Move on to Docket 0208. Would anyone like to add their name? Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Chair. Docket 208 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. We'll move on to Docket 0209. Would anyone like to add their name? I keep calling you doctor. Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councilor Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Culpepper, Chair. Docket 0208 will go to the committee on the whole. Thank you.

Docket 0210, would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Louijeune, no? Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Councillor Webber, and please add the Chair. Docket 0210 will be referred to the Committee on the Whole. Docket 0211 would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Mejia, Pepén, Murphy, Santana, Weber. Please add the chair. Docket 0211 will go to the Committee on the Whole. Anyone like to add their name?

Councillors, Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Murphy, and please add the Chair. 12 will go to the committee on the whole. Docket 0213, anyone like to add their name? Zapata, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Chair. Docket 0213, will we go to the Committee of the Whole? Still going. Docket 0214, anyone like to add their name?

Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and please add the chair. Docket 0214 will be referred to the Committee on the Whole. Docket 0215, anyone wish to add their name? Coletta Zapata, Collins, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and the Chair. Docket 0215 will go to the committee on the whole. Docket 0216, would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and please add the chair.

Docket 016 will go to the Committee on the Whole. Docket 0217. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, And please add the chair. Docket 017 will go to the Committee on the Whole. Where are we getting on? Docket 0218. Anyone like to add their name? Coletta Zapata, Fitzgerald, Culpepper, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Murphy, Weber, Chair. Docket 0218 will go to the committee on the whole. And then Docket 0219. Anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, and please add the chair. That's docket 0219 and will be referred to the committee on the whole. Docket 0220, would anyone like to add their name? Zapata, Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Murphy, and please add the chair. Docket number 0220 will be referred to the Committee of the Whole. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0221?

Dr. Number 0221, Councilor Flynn, offer the following order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding elevator access, life safety, and disability compliance.

Thank you. I've given you a promotion, President Flynn. Okay? Councillor Flynn seeks suspension of the rules Oh, sorry, he speaks to the matter. Sorry, I'll get this. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

You have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, this is about a 17F request that I'm making again. to the Boston Housing Authority. I represent the largest amount of residents living in public housing. I take that responsibility very seriously. Under no circumstances am I going to Not advocate for my constituents, most of them at Ruth Barclay in the South End are people of color. They deserve dignity. They deserve respect. They deserve answers. They deserve equal accommodations. And when an elevator is broken, I will not accept that. I want someone fixing that elevator immediately, because that's what my constituents deserve. I think everyone else's constituents deserve that as well. But I'm not turning my back on my constituents. I'm going to do everything I possibly can for my constituents in the Ruth Barclay development apartments in the South End.

They deserve dignity and they are not getting it. They are not getting it at the BHA. We're looking for answers and I need to do my due diligence to ensure that BHA provides me with clear answers. because this issue of broken elevators has been ongoing and it's taking place far too long. During Thanksgiving, People were stuck in the elevators for several days. Not stuck in the elevators, they were stuck in their apartments for several days and they couldn't get down the elevator to see their family. One person over the last several years couldn't get to her doctor's appointment because the elevator was broken. She was going through chemotherapy. Chemotherapy. The elevator wasn't working. She couldn't get to her medical appointment. I can't accept that.

One other person was waiting for the elevator on the ground level to go to her apartment, waiting for the elevator for hours, and she needed to go to the bathroom. It's about respect. It's about dignity for people in public housing. Many of them are persons with disabilities as well. But the day we don't advocate for people in public housing is the day we should get out of politics. Because I'm going to continue to advocate for my constituents and public housing. I know it makes people in the city administration uncomfortable, but they are my constituents. and I'm going to do everything I possibly can to advocate and fight for them because that's my job. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you Councillor Flynn. Councillor Flynn seeks suspension of the rules and passage of Docket 0221. 17F. All those in favour say aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Docket 0221 has passed. Mejia. You have the floor.

Yes, Madam President. Go ahead. I realize that I didn't hear the Clerk mention that Councilor Worrell was added to my daycare hearing order. So I just want to make sure that he was added. It's 0189. I said it was a refile and he was one of the original co-sponsors. The first time around, so I don't want to make any assumptions. So I want to make sure that he's added to 0189, and I also want to make sure that we add Councilor Worrell to 0190, the workforce development housing for city employees.

He was at it. He was. So much that I said today, I just forgot. Thank you. Hearing no objections, Councillor Worrell is added to Docket 0189 and Docket 0190. Okay, on to the next. Mr. Clerk, please read docket 0222.

Docket number 0222. Councilor Coletta Zapata for the following. Resolution in support of Bill S.D. 3607, an act protecting access to justice.

Councillor, Councillor Coletta Zapata, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to suspend Rule 12 and add Councillor Louijeune.

Seeing or hearing no objections, Councillor Louijeune is so added.

Thank you very much. What we are seeing today at courthouses across Boston, and in particular at the East Boston District Court, is deeply troubling. There has been an uptick in abhorrent behavior where residents are being detained while simply trying to access the courts. Everyone's public safety suffers when people are afraid to show up to seek justice, seek a restraining order, testify as a witness, or resolve a family matter. When people fear arrest just for walking into a courthouse, justice is no longer accessible and public safety suffers as a result. Senate Docket 3607, sponsored by Senator Edwards and Jalen, is about restoring basic fairness and transparency. It does not prevent lawful enforcement. It simply requires identification, judicial warrants, and clear rules so our courts remain places of due process and not intimidation. Access to justice is a cornerstone of democracy.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and call on the legislature to act swiftly to protect the integrity of our courts and the safety of our communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Coletta Zapata. Councillor Louijeune, you have the floor.

Thank you. And thank you to Councillor Coletta Zapata for adding me. I think it is abhorrent what is happening at our courthouses across The country, and especially here in Boston, in East Boston, like Councilor Coletta Zapata said, people go to courts seeking restraining orders and many more. regardless of their immigration status, that people are now living in fear, decreases accountability, it decreases access to justice. And so I want to thank the senators, Senator Jalen and Senator Edwards for putting this forward. because our courthouses should be what they are, places where people can go and adjudicate disputes, where they can go and figure out how they can get Child Care Payments.

There's so much that our judges are responsible for, and you have judges speaking up and speaking out against how their job is made more difficult because of federal interference. And so it's critically important that we make our courthouses spaces where people can go regardless of immigration status and feel safe. I know that if I, you know, as an attorney, as someone who's practiced in court. If I had clients who were fearful of their immigrant status, I would not know what to do in this moment. And that is terrifying. It is terrifying for communities of color, and it is terrifying for lawyers who are presenting them. And it's terrifying for judges who are trying to do the right thing. And so I ask my colleagues to stand in support of this legislation because I know people, whether from East Boston to Roxbury District Court,

have been really in a lot of fear and we have to do what we can and it's nice to see the legislature acting here. Thank you.

Thank you. Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, may I ask a question to the sponsor, please?

Councillor Flynn, you may ask Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Thank you. I would like to learn more about the Senate Bill. and maybe if there's a House bill that's also part of it. But has this been taken up yet at the Senate? Have they had a formal hearing yet? because I would like to know what impact it would have specifically on court operations, but also I would like to know if there was a hearing, what was the opinion of court personnel on this bill and if there are any pros and or cons that would impact justice. So I want to know if the Senate has had a formal hearing on it because I would like to learn more about this.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Councillor Coletta Zapata, would you like to address Councillor Flynn's question?

Yes, Madam President. The Senate has not had a formal hearing on this.

I would like to learn more about this proposal. I would like to learn more from the court personnel on how this would be implemented, how it would impact official business. I spent eight years working in the court system. I'd like to hear the testimony I'd like to object to this at this time.

Thank you. It will be directed to the Committee of the Whole. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you read docket 0223?

Docket number 0223. Councillor Flynn offered the following. Resolution acknowledging open meeting law violations.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to, at this time, not discuss what I'm prepared to do because out of respect for my colleagues, my colleagues, many of them asked me to Withdrawer for various reasons. So out of respect for my colleagues at this time, I am going to withdraw this resolution, but I am concerned about the City Council presidency election in vote. But Madam Chair, I did have conversations with you when you mentioned to me, you are willing to work with me as we go forward on how we can conduct a proper election per se for city council president without violating the open meeting law.

I do want to say thank you for that commitment, but at this time I am going to withdraw this out of respect for my City Council colleagues.

Move on to docket 0224.

Docket number 0224. Councilor Santana for the following. Resolution urging support for the 20... 26, ballot question on rent stabilization to protect tenants in Massachusetts.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Santana. Councillor Santana, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Our communities have made it clear that Boston needs affordable housing. Excuse me. Our communities have made it clear that Boston needs affordable housing we can depend on to stay affordable. When rent control was banned in a statewide statewide in 1994, Boston residents voted overwhelmingly against the measure. With the issue returning, To the ballot later this year, thanks to the leadership of Keep Massachusetts Home Coalition, we have the opportunity to revisit this question of affordability and stand with our residents in fight for housing justice. Over 30 years later, our city still sees the need for rent control and feels the need now more than ever. Over 50% of Boston renters are cost burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities and more than 27% are severely burdened, paying over 50%.

As an at-large city councilor, I hear from constituents across Boston whose landlords have increased their rents, pushing them to financial strain or forcing them out of their homes. Our residents deserve better. They deserve to know that after signing the lease of an apartment within their budget, their landlord won't decide the next year to demand more than they can afford. Boston should be a city where everyone is welcome and where no one is displaced by uncapped rent increases. We must take action to ensure that our residents can continue living in a place they call home. Their vibrancy and the inclusivity of our city depends on these measures. I'm proud to support this measure and to stand with our community to respect housing as a human right that we all know it is. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

I am looking for suspension and passage of this resolution.

Santana seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0224. Mr. Clerk, could you do a roll call vote on docket 0224, please? Councillor Flynn.

Madam Chair, are we able to...

Sorry, I think I've skipped forward a vital step. Would anyone else like to speak to this matter? I'm assuming, Councillor Flynn, that you have some comments. You have the floor? Yes. I'm sorry. Get this light on.

There you go. Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to highlight to my colleagues that I believe this ballot initiative is not being supported by Governor Haley. I also believe it's not being supported right at this time by Mayor Wu. I do think supporting this ballot initiative will negatively impact the business climate in the economy of Boston. during this difficult period of time. We want investors coming into Boston to invest their money to build housing. I think this type of proposal, although we support Everyone having equal access to housing in Boston, I do think it will have a negative impact on the building of housing that we desperately need in this city.

I'm going to vote against it. I'm not gonna ask for a hearing, but I would like to learn more about the ballot initiative, but out of respect for my colleagues, I'm just gonna vote no. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Yes. Would anyone like to add their names? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Lejeune, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please have the chair. Santana seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 0224. All those in favour say aye. All those opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk, could you please call the roll on for docket 0224?

Roll call on docket number 0224. Councilor Breadon?

Yes.

Councilor Breadon, yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata?

Yes.

Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes. Councilor Culpepper? Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan? Councilor Fitzgerald? No. Councilor Fitzgerald, no. Councilor Flynn? No. Councilor Flynn, no. Councilor Louijeune? Yes. Councilor Louijeune, yes. Councilor Mejia? Yes. Councilor Mejia, yes. Councilor Murphy? Murphy, no. Councilor Pepén, yes. Councilor Pepén, yes. Councilor Santana, yes. Councilor Santana, yes. Councilor Weber, yes. Councilor Weber, yes. And Councilor Worrell, yes. Councilor Worrell, yes. Doctor number 0224 has received nine votes in the affirmative and three votes in the negative.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Congratulations everyone we've gotten through all the The refiles and new dockets. Personnel orders. We're now on to personnel orders. Mr. Clerk, could you please read the personnel orders? Dockets 0225 through 0227.

Personnel orders, document number 0225, Councilor Breadon, document number 0226, Councilor Breadon for Councilor Mejia, and document number 0227, Councilor Breadon for Councilor Durkan.

The Chair seeks passage of docket 0225 through 0227. All those in favour say aye. All those opposed say nay. Thank you. The personnel orders have been passed. Green Sheets. We are moving on to green sheets since this is the first meeting of a new year. We don't have any green sheet dockets to deal with. Do we speak to the issue about reassignment, Mr. Clerk? We've already reassigned them. Everything's at the committee level, that's good. Next, late files. Mr. Clerk, do we have any late files? We have four late files.

What have we got?

Very good. Absent objection. I'm informed by the Clerk that there are four late files. Remind me again.

Two absence letters, a resolution and a communication.

Absent objection, these late file matters will be added. To the agenda. Mr. Clerk, could you please read the first late file matter?

First late file matter letter from the Mayor. Dear Clerk, Churches, please note that I will be out of town on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. at 7.55 p.m. returning Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 10.30 p.m. Sincerely, Mayor Vu.

Thank you. This matter will be placed on file. Mr. Clerk, could you please read the second late-file matter?

The second late-file matter offered by Councillors Gabriella Coletta-Zapata and Councillor Ruthie Louijeune. Resolution condemning the unlawful killing of Renée Nicole Goode and Alex Preddy by Federal Ice Agents.

Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to file this emergency resolution. We tried to get it in on time, but I'm grateful for the clerk's grace on this and grateful for your grace too, Madam President, to make sure that we talked about this. We are an inflection point in our nation's history and it is so important that we stand up and condemn this when it is happening. What we are confronting here is not abstract and it is not distant. It is a question of who we are as a city and whether we are willing to speak plainly when constitutional lines are crossed. Renee Nicole Good and Alex Preddy were killed by federal immigration enforcement agents, not after a trial, not after due process, but in the street. During operations that were supposed to uphold the law, not replace it.

This resolution explicitly names just these two but folks have rightly asked me to name and remember Keith Porter who was also killed on New Year's Eve and countless others who have lost their lives in detention centers. Alex Preddy was an ICU nurse, a lawful gun owner, a person documenting federal activity in a public space, an act protected by the First Amendment. Public reporting and video evidence show he was restrained, disarmed, and still shot multiple times. And before any investigation could take place, senior federal officials labeled him as a domestic terrorist. That is not justice. That is a smear meant to justify lethal force after the fact. No government agency, none, has the authority to act as the judge, jury, and executioner.

Extrajudicial killings violate the Constitution, they violate human rights, and violate the most basic standards of democracy. Boston has a responsibility to say that out loud and it is a declaration that Boston will not be silent when federal power is abused. We are a city built on resistance to unchecked power. We are a city that knows when people are dehumanized in the name of order, it is wrong. A city that understands when militarized, unaccountable agents are deployed into civilian neighborhoods Everyone's rights are at risk, not just immigrants. If we cannot condemn unlawful killings, if we cannot stand up for due process and the rule of law, then we fail the people we are elected to represent. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Thank you. Coletta Zapata, Councilor Louijeune, you have the floor.

Thank you, and thank you to Councilor Coletta Zapata for this filing and for the previous filing. We are living in wicked times, and it is important for us to just mark how much of a departure from democratic norms that we understand to be true that we're experiencing right now. And so to the families of Renee Good and to Alex Preddy and to all of the people who have died A number of people who could have had access to health care or a hospital that would have changed the trajectory. We're sorry. I'm sorry that our country is where it is. and that it's people's First Amendment rights are being violated, people's rights to due process. And so it's important that we speak up. I was this morning reading comments from

people who received care from Alex Preti at the VA. And he talked about how much he cared deeply about this country and how much he cared deeply and was so much in service to others. And so I'm I'm very rarely at a loss for words and I'm really fearful right now of what could and what is happening and why it's all the more important for us to speak up and to speak out. And I want to thank the Greater Boston Labor Council for putting on a rally in solidarity with Minneapolis last week. It's important for people in Minneapolis, in Maine, around the country, that what's happening by masked agents, it's not happening in our name, and that we push back against it. And may we, not only to the people in this country, but to the world, know that this is not who we are.

and even if this is who people want us to be, we are going to resist at every level. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Louijeune. Councillor Pepén, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to rise and thank Councilor Coletta Zapata and Councilor Louijeune for bringing forward this resolution I've been I think we've all been really paying attention to the news lately about what's been happening across the country and obviously these two examples I'm representative of what's going wrong in our country at the moment. I've been going down the rabbit hole ever since we got into 2026 because it is the 250th anniversary of our country. 250 years ago we were fighting for our freedom, we were fighting for our rights and what we believe in, and yet here we are doing the same exact thing. It's very just distraughting to see a lot of residents terrified for their lives. Our office has received quite a few emails from residents that either want to help or they want to seek resources to see what they can do for neighbors. I know folks that are going through the process

Thank you for joining us. I want to thank my colleagues because I think that this is something that we are just going to have to attack at all levels of government, communities, anyone honestly that cares about this topic. So just thank you to my colleagues for bringing it forward and I would like to support it. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Pepén. Councillor Coletta Zapata, I see you're right on. Are you wishing to speak? You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I'd also like to add Councillor Culpepper as an original third co-sponsor.

Thank you. Hearing and seeing no objection, Councillor Culpepper is so added. Would anyone else like to speak to this issue? Would anyone else like to add their name? Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, your lead sponsor, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, and please add the Chair. Coletta Zapata seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of this resolution. All those in favour say aye. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on this resolution.

Councilor Breadon.

Yes.

Councilor Breadon, yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata. Yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes. Councilor Culpepper. Yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan. Councilor Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Louijeune, yes. Councilor Louijeune, yes. Councilor Mejia, yes. Councilor Murphy, yes. Councilor Murphy, yes. Councilor Pepén, yes. Councilor Pepén, yes. Councilor Santana, Councilor Santana, yes. Councilor Weber, yes. Councilor Weber, yes. And Councilor Worrell. Resolution has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you. This resolution has been adopted.

Dear Clerk, please accept this letter as a notice of my partial absence from today's City Council meeting. I'll be representing the City of Boston and Boston University's presidential address. BU is an essential part of the city. And as a councilor representing the Charles Street campus, thank you. And please let me know if there's anything further. Councilor Durkan.

And that Councilor Durkan's letter will be placed on file. We have another late file matter. Can you please read that?

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. A final late file matter from Councillor Murphy. Communication regarding inappropriate pressure related to council governance and pending legislation.

Murphy, you're allowed two minutes to speak to your communication.

Sure, there's lots of I'm rolling, but I will continue to speak. We talk a lot about sticking up for others. And as a mom, a teacher for all those years, and someone I believe I stick up for my colleagues, we don't have to always agree on outcome. I think it's important because if today it's me, tomorrow it will be you. So I'm raising this issue not to escalate conflict but to make clear that council deliberation must remain free. from coercion, misrepresentation, or improper influence. The integrity of this body depends on Councillors being able to exercise independent judgment without pressure tied to unrelated legislative items. So I am filing this to place it on record.

Thank you. That concludes all the late file matters. We move on to the consent agenda. No additions to the consent agenda. The question now comes on the approval of various matters contained within the consent agenda. All those in favour say aye. Thank you. The consent agenda has been adopted. We also move on for announcements. Councillor Fitzgerald, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Other folks added their name, but I just wanted a chance if anyone... Oh, that's right.

We'll give that opportunity. I wouldn't have missed adding anything. So go ahead.

Would now be the right time? You have the floor. 0172.

Moving on to announcements. Please remember that these are for upcoming events and dates. We'd also like to acknowledge all the January babies, the January birthdays, myself included. Councillor Julia Mejia, January 1st. She won by one vote, so it's very important. One, one, one, one, one. Emily Paulson, January 4th, Maura Carraghy, January 14th, Arnita Flint, Lauren Carmy, Bailey Vines, and I also want to give a special shout out to a little one that arrived. Pepén. Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl. Another Capricorn. Wonderful.

So we'll move on to memorials. Oh, any announcements? Councillor Webber, no? All right. Moving on to memorials. Would anyone like to lift up a name of someone who's passed recently? Today we will adjourn our meeting in memory of the following individuals. On behalf of Councillor Santana, John Paul Frieda, on behalf of Councilor Louijeune, John Sullivan, Gabriel Gobi, Elmer Ray Freeman, Velda Lewis-Jones, June, Betty Jean Chisholm, and Robert Franklin. On behalf of Councillor Coletta Zapata, Judy A.

Gray, Barbara Ann Sutra, Josephine Josie Salvati, Spangool, Spangolo, Maria Contrado. On behalf of Councillor Flynn, Maria E. Giuliano, Kathleen K. Ryan, Kimberly Parker, Joseph Eubanks Jr., On behalf of Councillor Pepén, John R. Sullivan. On behalf of Councillor Durkan, Suzanne Comtos, and Gabriel Gobi. and on behalf of the Chair, Anthony Ruffo, Jr. and Sister Mary Duke, SND. The Chair moves that when the Council adjourns today, it does so in memory of the aforementioned individuals.

The Council is scheduled to meet again in the I&L... I beg your pardon. Louis-Jeanne, you have the floor.

Thank you very much. I want to adjourn on behalf of my great aunt, Belita Louijeune, who was the oldest We reached the oldest age in my family at the age of 99, three weeks shy of her 100th birthday. And she meant a lot to me and I'm really sad that I wasn't able to see her either this year or last year. My family will be gathering soon to pay our respects to her. And I just wanted to lift up her name and also my neighbor, my next-door neighbor, and Cheryl Wall, Betty Jean Chisholm, who died. Last week and whose family, two weeks ago, and whose family is in deep mourning. And so I just want to lift those up. I also want to lift up Robert Franklin, Boston Firefighter. They gathered yesterday at 12th Baptist Church to pay their respects and to make sure that they knew how much he was valued here in this city.

So I'd just like to uplift those names and the names that I've given you, and may they all rest in peace and in power. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Louijeune. Councillor Weber, you have the floor.

Yeah, thank you. I'd just like to reiterate how sad it is about the passing of firefighter Robert Franklin. He's a member of Tower Ladder 10. He was appointed in 1995. His sister, Jennifer Franklin, asked that I read a short poem. I'm just gonna go ahead and do it. Go ahead. When you left us, you left with a lot of names. Son, the name Mom gave you at birth. Big Brother, your little sister screamed at you at first sight. grandson, the name grandma graced you with, Robert, uncle, your niece, nephew, made up their own, dad, with all the joy and love, nephew, our aunties, uncles called you with pride, stepson, colleague, friend, but most of all, hero, a stranger who you never met gave that name to you.

Rest in peace from your little sister. Thank you to Jennifer.

Thank you. Councilor Worrell, you have the floor.

Yes, I'd like to adjourn in the memory of Ms. Frances Lawson, Chief Iduwu's grandmother who has just recently passed, so I just want to uplift Chief Edawu, the Edawu and Gray family as they mourn and remember the life of Miss Frances Anita Lawson.

Thank you. I think we, all of us, extend our condolences to Chief Edewo. Councilor, okay, anyone else? The Chair moves that the Council adjourn today as it does in memory of the aforementioned individuals. The Council is scheduled to meet again in the Ionella Chamber on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 12pm. Thank you to my colleagues, central staff, the clerk and the clerk's office, and the council stenographer. I hope you're feeling better at home and we look forward to seeing you back here soon. All in favour of adjournment please say aye. Thank you. The council is adjourned.