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

Councilor Breadon, Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Mejia, Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, and Councilor 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, Reverend Thomas Kennedy, formerly of Trinity Church of Boston, who will be providing our invocation, invited by Councilor Durkan. Immediately following the invocation, we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilor Durkan. You have the floor.

Good afternoon. I'm honored to welcome Reverend Tom Kennedy to provide our invocation today. A few weeks ago, I attended the Iris Honors Luncheon, where he offered a prayer that really moved me. and I'm so glad he agreed to join us today. Tom has devoted his life and his ministry to the people of Boston. He served for 15 years as associate rector at Trinity Church in Copley Square followed by his leadership at Cannon Pastor and later Dean of the Cathedral Church on St. Paul and Tremont Street. His commitment to community has extended beyond parish walls. He spent nearly two decades in the banking sector as Senior Vice President at Bay Bank, Bank Boston, and Sovereign Bank, where he oversaw the implementation of Community Reinvestment Act, work that significantly strengthened our neighborhood investments across the city. Throughout his career, Reverend Kennedy has deeply been involved in Boston's nonprofit and social service landscape, serving on the boards of organizations including the Advent Day School, Freedom House,

Mass Halfway Houses, Low Cost Housing Corporation, the Boston Council on Alcoholism, and the Episcopal City Mission. In retirement, the one Truly never retires from ministry as dictated by him being here today. Thomas said he continues to serve Boston with equal dedication. He is chair of the board of trustees at Cheryl House in Jamaica Plain, 182-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, and is president of the board of the Boston Episcopal Charity Society. the second oldest charitable society in our city, which just celebrated its 300th anniversary. Tom is a lifelong servant and leader, a devoted husband, father of three, and a grandfather of eight, and someone whose ministry has intertwined with the life of the city for more than half a century. As many of you know, his son is also the president of the Boston Red Sox. He has a great legacy ahead, and I just wanted to join him in welcoming and praying over us today.

Thank you very much, City Councilor Durkan. I appreciate that warm welcome. And Madam President, City Councilors, I'm honored to be here today. I will note that this day, the 19th of November, is the anniversary of the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery in 1863. And the famous Bostonian Edward Evert gave a two-hour oration at that gathering. And Abraham Lincoln, who was not expected to attend, did and gave a three-minute speech, which many of us have read and remember. said that those who fought the battle and those who died in vain did not die in vain.

and that he concluded that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth. You all know we live in perilous times. We see the actions of an out-of-control national government attempting to oppose its will on our neighborhoods and our businesses in ways that are discriminating against families, neighbors, and friends. We know we can do better. If we live into the vision of a more perfect union, which our God has called us. Regardless of our station in life, we are to be a kind and loving people.

These values must be the hallmarks of our actions as citizens of this great city and commonwealth. So too, you as city councilors must act in all your governing. I offer a prayer now for the deliberations of this city council based upon the words of the great Hebrew prophet Micah, found in chapter six, verse eight. Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Let us pray. O God, we ask your guidance upon those who labor as city councilors elected and thus called to do their work in this deliberative body to bring justice and peace to our neighborhoods.

Young, old, white, black, brown, married, partnered, single, housed, unhoused. May the counselors come to see their work in government as a vocation and ministry. In all their discussion and debate, may those deliberations reflect the good purpose to which they were elected. We pray, O God, that you will give them Not tasks equal to their powers, but powers equal to their tasks. For strength, courage, and faith to lift up others less fortunate than themselves. May those who hold this high responsibility to govern find that selfless service guides the counselors in ways that promote good government of the people, by the people, for the people.

Within this great responsibility, they are called to serve as witnesses to hope that their deliberations may reflect justice and mercy on the citizens of this city and that their decisions become beacons of optimism for all who live here. As we approach the celebration of our national holiday of Thanksgiving, May our hearts be grateful for all the blessings bestowed upon us. May our thanks be grounded upon those who have gone before. who have assured us of the freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. May this council and all others accorded the responsibility for these gifts remain vigilant Pursuing these purposes.

In God's holy name we pray and say Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councillor Durkan, and thank you so much, Reverend Kennedy, for that reminder to think about our work as a ministry. Thank you. Okay, today we have two presentations, one from Councilor Mejia for Trans Day of Remembrance and one from Councilor Flynn for Bridge Over Troubled Water. I don't see Councilor Mejia at the moment, so let's start with you, Councilor Flynn. You have the floor and five minutes.

Thank you Madam President for giving me the opportunity to recognize a wonderful group that is with us. I hosted a coffee reception this morning. for the Bridge Over Troubled Waters. It's an exceptional organization, nonprofit, that provides tremendous support for many young people that are struggling in life with access to housing, social services, and treating them with respect and dignity as well. I have a city council resolution, but I also want to recognize Executive Director was with us as well, Elizabeth Jackson, the CEO, and many from the team from Bridge Over Troubled Waters. And this is on behalf of the Boston City Council.

to the Bridge Over Troubled Waters, your tireless work in supporting our homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth, as well as your mission to provide invaluable resources in education, career development, Counseling, Transitional Living, and much more for our community. Thank you for your continued commitment to raising awareness for National Homeless Awareness Month, your leadership and advocacy including and supporting of persons from the LGBTQ plus community have made a lasting impact on young people throughout Boston and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We extend our deepest gratitude and respect for the difference you continue to make in our city. And I know Elizabeth is not here. She was here, but she's not able to speak at this time. But I would ask a member of the Bridge Over Troubled Waters team if you'd like to speak.

I know Peter, you're taking the photo, so whoever... No, I can't.

Brian's taking the photo. I'm Peter Ducharme. I'm the program director at Bridge, and I really want to thank Councilman Flynn and and the entire Council for this proclamation recognizing Youth Homelessness Awareness Month in November. Bridge, which is right down the road, we work with young adults 14 to 24, we provide and array of housing supports, behavioral health, and education and career services. I get to speak a lot about Bridge, and the one takeaway I want everybody to know is that youth homelessness is much more common than people think. So having opportunities where the City Council is recognizing the great work that we do and the cause that we're trying to help is much appreciated. Thank you very much.

And at this time, could I ask my City Council colleagues to join us for a photo as we present Peter and the team with a City Council resolution?

You can hold this. Why don't you hold the gavel? There you go. I don't want to block anybody. Everyone have a window? Thank you. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Flynn, and thank you to Bridge Over Troubled Waters for all you've done over so many years for our vulnerable communities. Our next presentation is from Councilor Mejia and Councilor Breadon. recognizing Trans Day of Remembrance. Counselors, you have the floor and five minutes.

Good afternoon, everyone. I will be joined by Cantor Mejia. I'd like to invite Giselle Bird and Chastity Bowick to join us up here.

They come.

And Councilor Santana.

Okay, we're all here. Good afternoon. I'm very honored to be up here today starting our council meeting with a reflection and remembrance of our transgender siblings who were no longer with us. As many of you know, Transgender Day of Remembrance is a history deeply rooted in Boston and in Alston Brighton. It honours the life and legacy of Rita Hester and also the life of Chantelle Pickett, who was in Watertown. Both of these transgender women, Hester, Rita Hester, lived in Alston, Brighton, and was tragically killed in November of 1998. And Chanel Pickett was also killed in Watertown in 1998.

The Remembering Our Dead project established by friends of Rita's and transgender activists in the wake of her death led to the seeds for the Transgender Day of Remembrance we commemorate on November 20th. As the first out lesbian elected to the City Council, I love the LGBTQ plus community and the celebrations of Pride that we have every year. I love all the Pride parades and the festivals, but Transgender Day of Remembrance is just as important. as the fun events we celebrate in June. To me, it's more important because it serves as a stark reminder of how much fighting there is still to do. We know that violence against transgender people is rising specifically violence targeted at transgender women of color. And we know that the federal administration in Washington is openly hostile to the mere existence of transgender Americans.

Now more than ever it's important to hallow the memory of Rita Hester and all of those who have died far too young into anti-transgender violence. I'm honoured today to be joined by two incredible women, two incredible transgender activists, Giselle Bird, the Executive Director of Theatre Offensive, and Chasity Bowick, The Executive Director of Marsha P. Johnston Institute. And I'm going to hand it over to my colleague, Councillor Julia Mejia, and take it from there.

So I'm going to ask Councillor Santana real quick to come through. And before we kick it over to the two activists who really led us in this effort, I want to give you an opportunity to say some remarks, because your leadership in this space deserves the mic.

Thank you, Councilor Mejia and Councilor Breadon, and so honored to just be up here. You know, I, today, you know, Councilor Breadon just mentioned some of the history that goes behind today. and I know here on the City Council alongside with my colleagues here we will continue to fight you know for our LGBTQ plus community but in particular for our trans community you know we've declared us being a Thank you for joining us. I'm going to continue to fight and lead alongside with my colleagues and this coalition that Councilor Mejia has been able to build over the last several months.

It's one that is mighty, one that holds us accountable, and one that we all need to continue to listen to, especially in these times, as Councilor Breadon mentioned, with all the stuff going on in the federal government. But here locally, we need to do as much possible to make sure that we're protecting all of our residents and that includes our trans community. So it's really honored to be here and looking forward to the work ahead that is to come. Thank you.

And I'm going to do what I know how to do best, is step to the side and let the real leaders lead. So Giselle and Chasity, you now have the floor.

Thank you. Good afternoon, everybody. I don't hear y'all. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Thank you so much, Councilor Breadon, Councilor Santana, and our dear sister, Councilor Mejia, for giving us this time today. I'm a bit raw and fragile at the moment, so I will just be very transparent. And just let me preface. My words to this council are not advice. They are instructions. And follow them carefully. Over the past several months,

I have had the honor and the deep privilege to work alongside my community on this historic ordinance, which will allow we, the people, to have the just and right input and how we invoke change. Now, I'll be clear, this did not come easily. Change to some is a threat to complacency. It is a threat to their comfort It is a threat to their ability to compromise humanity. And let me be absolutely clear. Our humanity is not up for debate. It is not up for debate. Councilor Mejia, JD Moore,

Chastity Bowick, the original co-chair of this ordinance before Mickey Jones and I assumed the role as she went on to become part of Mejia's team. along with our extraordinary committee made of our siblings and niblings who call this place home, fought to the ends of the earth to ensure that no one was left behind. For months, we went back and forth for progress. That we were heard, and I will admit that there were moments that I thought our demands would go unmet solely based on ego. But this afternoon, we stand as a force. Look around this chamber. We are a force to ensure that this resolution is passed without hesitation, quickly and swiftly.

And here's why. When queer and trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back. So I'll repeat that when queer and trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back. One more time, when queer and trans rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back. And that work starts here, in our own backyard. And it starts now and it must continue and not cease until victory is won. And I'm not talking about that performative victory that the city loves to parade. The passing of this ordinance is just the beginning.

We have to look at creating and codifying legislation that gives us the access we so rightfully deserve and always have been denied. We demand access to employment, housing, food, education, healthcare, all the essentials to live. And on that healthcare point, We should not have our major institutions backing down from trans youth, the most fragile in a time when they are of need. So Fenway Health, that was for you. And to this council that may support their decision, think again if you could not access your care as a young person, or if your parents could not go to the doctor and get you the help that you needed. But this is not the first time this has happened.

The queer and trans community and the many intersections that we embrace have been the heartbeat of the civil rights movement in this country. losing crown jewels in our fight for liberation along the way. Rita Hester is gone. Chanel Pickett is gone. Marsha P. Johnson is gone. And Miss Major is gone. But their spirit is still here. And it is why we have no tolerance for this epidemic of violence and hatred that plagues us and has been normalized. Normalized so much that now every year for the past 26 years, We have to gather and read name upon name of a trans, non-binary, or gender expansive person lost to violence.

And let us not forget that there are allies who worked to defend them who also lost their lives. Let's be real. There is a violence and harmful rhetoric that has been propelled even by legislators in this very Commonwealth, which claims to be a sanctuary. And I'm going to tell y'all this. Sanctuaries cannot be glass houses. They must have a strong, impenetrable foundation. For if they do not, they will forever be broken. The way that I feel now, as there are escalated threats to my life as I was appointed to the Mass Commission on the Status of Women.

Nothing a rope and a tree can't fix was one of the comments in response, and it remains fixated in my mind. And as a commissioner, I have dedicated Many volunteer hours to ensure that all women and girls across this Commonwealth have access to the tools and resources they need to live abundant, thriving lives. the same way that you all have been elected to help all of us in this city lead thriving and abundant lives. Again, our humanity is not up for debate here. There is no compromise on who lives or who dies. Because in this moment, this administration wants all of us to suffer a form of harm.

Let us not be distracted from how we must rally behind one another, support one another, and recognize that the enemy cannot be the person sitting next to you. Stop it! The committee that has put together Trans Day of Remembrance has worked so tirelessly to ensure that we honor and recognize those we've lost. And when we come to this ordinance, this is the beginning of a step so that way one day we will no longer have to commemorate it. We can actually celebrate that we have lived. And so I just have to thank all of you behind me who reached out.

Councilor Louijeune, Council President Mejia, Coletta Zapata, Councilor Durkan, who reached out in this moment. But I must say, it is a privileged space to be in because there are black trans women around this world who did not get phone calls when someone threatened their lives. They simply were unheard and then they were gone. So stop it. Act to stop it. You have every ability to do so. And if you can't pay attention to it, I hope that when the harm heads your way, you get some support.

This is not to be taken lightly. Lives are on executive order and the time for action is now. Thank you.

Good afternoon. I'll do that again. Good afternoon. Well, I think it's me, Giselle. because something similar happened to me at the Statehouse a few years ago. I ain't getting no support. So I guess something is changing. Things are changing. For over 10 years, I stood on the front lines fighting for transgender rights in this city. Today I stand before you not just as an activist, but as a black transgender woman whose very existence is under federal attack. While politicians in Washington strip away our protections, And while children phrase unprecedented hostility, Boston has a choice to make. Will we be a city that stands up when matters most, or will we be the city that stays silent when our neighbors needed us?

While other cities debate and delay, while some choose silence in the face of hatred, Boston can choose something different today. We can choose to be the city that doesn't just talk about inclusion, We can be the city that codifies it, protects it, and fights for it. When transgender residents in other cities wonder if their local government has their back, Boston's transgender community will know without question that this city stands with us. This ordinance means that a transgender teenager can walk to school knowing that their city protects them. It means that a transgender worker can report discrimination knowing that there will be consequences. It means that transgender families can build their lives here in Boston knowing that the city won't abandon them. That's not just good policy, that's what moral

leadership in action looks like. So when you vote yes today, you're not just protecting Boston transgender communities. You're sending a message that will echo across the nation. Other cities will look to Boston and say, if they can do it, so can we. You have the power to make Boston not just a sanctuary, but a model. Not just a safe harbor, but a lighthouse showing other cities the way forward. So, counselors. I've seen the fear in teenagers' eyes. And I've seen the hope when communities stand up. Today, you hold that hope in your hands. Vote yes on this ordinance. Show the nation that Boston doesn't just remember its revolutionary past.

We're still writing it. Show transgender Americans that in Boston, we don't just survive, we thrive. The time for courage is now. Boston's moment to lead is now. And so we turn it back over to you. And imagine if myself or Giselle wore your blood. Thank you.

I know Council President is probably really mad at me that I'm taking so much more time. I'm so sorry, y'all. I will try to be quicker. But I also think it's important for us to just sit in this moment and while we're all here today gathered in remembrance. And I just think it's, you can't rush things that are so sacred. So I just want to thank everybody for their patience. And so, good afternoon. Thank you for being here with us as we honor Transgender Day of Remembrance and uplift the life of Rita Hester, whose story began right here in Boston and sparked a global movement. Rita was brilliant, loved, and unapologetically herself. Her murder in 1998 shook this city and exposed the deep violence that trans people, especially black and brown trans women, continue to face today. We say her name with love and purpose.

We are joined by Rita Hester's sister, Kim Hester. Come on down to accept the citation on her behalf. Remembering Rita means more than reflecting on her loss. It means committing to building the world she deserved, a world where every trans person is safe, supported, and celebrated. That requires action from all of us. In our policies, in our institutions, and in our daily lives, here in Boston, that work continues. And we're looking forward to signing today and to passing today the ordinance establishing the office of LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council and Steering Committee here later today. This step is about ensuring that the community is represented heard and centered in the decisions that shape their lives. To our trans siblings, we see you.

We honor you and we are committed to making sure Boston is a place where you can live, thrive, not fear, but be in dignity and in joy. We remember Rita and all of those that we have lost, and we recommit ourselves to building a safer, a more loving city in their honor. Thank you. Kim, an opportunity to say a few words. This is an official citation that the council is presenting to Rita, to your sister. And you have the opportunity to speak.

Thank you. Hello, everybody. Thank you. I want to thank everybody. Sorry. I want to thank everybody for this right here, for Rita, especially Chastity. I love you. I don't really speak that much. Rita's real special to me. As I can see, she's really special to you guys all too. I just appreciate everything that I do for Rita every year. It means a lot to me and my family.

So thank you, everyone. We're going to call our colleagues to come up and take a photo. And I want to just thank everybody for showing up and showing out as we should in all spaces and places that we occupy. Okay, so I'm going to ask you all to come and I'm going to ask Jack to come and join this picture. And Julianne, please don't be sitting in the sidelines. We don't do that with Councilor Mejia. Everybody stands in their power here. And Jackie, you were such an instrumental part of this process, and I want you to be here as well. Mickey, where you at? And everybody who's here, come on down. We're here because of you. So if you want to come to the picture, we invite you to be part of this family portrait. Don't be shy. If you feel comfortable, we want you to join us here. Yes, that's right.

Come on down. Yeah, that's right. You too. Come on down. President, Louijeune is allowing me to take up more time. So she is encouraging this behavior, just for the record.

I'm not encouraging the behavior.

She wants everybody to be included, so if you want to come and be a part of the photo, you have permission. And I also just want to acknowledge Ellie from Councilor Coletta Zapata's office who also worked incredibly hard at making sure that we can get this ordinance to the place that it was today. So Ellie, thank you for your leadership as well. All right, y'all. And J.D. from my team. We are here because of you. Thank you, J.D. You get in the picture, too. Now, Dusica take it. That's right, J.D. You better own it. That's right. There should be a little bit of music in the background, too. Okay, okay.

We're ready?

Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Thank you.

Thank you to Councilors Mejia, Breadon, Santana for honoring and recognizing Trans Remembrance Day. Thank you to Kim. Rita Hester's sister. If you haven't seen the beautiful mural that pays tribute to the life and legacy of Rita Hester in Alston on the side of Jackson Mann, it's breathtaking. So thank you. Yes, that did go over, but I know how important it is for people to be seen and feel included here in the city. Okay, Mr. Clerk, could you please update the attendance record to reflect that Councilors Coletta Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Mejia, and Pepén are present and with us. Did I get everyone? Yep. OK, thank you. OK, we are done with presentations. We are now on to the first order of business, which is the approval of the minutes from the meeting of November 5th, 2025.

All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. The minutes of the meeting of November 5th are approved. We are now on to communications from her honor, the mayor. Mr. Clerk, can you please read dockets number 1967 through 1970?

Docket number 1967, message in order for your approval in order to reduce fiscal year 26 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $6,733,196 to provide funding for the police department for fiscal year 26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association. Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on November 17, 2025. Document number 1968. Message in order for a supplemental appropriation order for The Boston Police Department for fiscal year 26 in the amount of $6,733,196 to cover the fiscal year 26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association.

The terms of the contract are July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. The major provisions of the contract include a base wage increase of 2% and a 1% increase to hazardous duty differential. The contract also contains reforms relating to police performance evaluations, and we require officers to wear name tags. Docket number 1969. Message in order for your approval in order to reduce fiscal year 26 Appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $506,452 to provide funding for the Boston Public Health Commission for fiscal year 26 increases contained. within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston Public Health Commission and SEIU Local 888 Program Collective Bargaining Unit filed in the Office of the City Clerk on November 17, 2025.

I'm talking number 1970. Message in order for a supplemental appropriation for the Boston Public Health Commission for fiscal year 26 in the amount of $506,452 to cover the Fiscal Year 26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the Public Health Commission and SEIU Local 888 Programs Collective Bargaining Unit. The term of the contract covers October 1st, 2023 through September 30th, 2027. The major provisions of the contract include base wage increases of 2% along with flat $500 weekly increases totaling to an annual increase of $500, $200, $550, and then $500 will be given in January of each year of the contract.

The agreement also includes amendments to the longevity, career awards, and reclassifications on lowest paid employees.

Thank you. Dockets number 1967 to 1970 will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket number 1971?

Docket number 1971. Message in order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $1,852,288 in the form of a grant for the State Fiscal Year 26 Council on Aging Formula Allocation, awarded by the Mass Executive Office of Elder Affairs to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund social and health care services for 115,768 Older Adults in the City of Boston at $15 per person according to 2020 Census data from the UMass Boston Donohue Initiative.

Thank you, the Chair recognizes Councilor Murphy, Chair of the Committee on Strong Women, Families, and Communities.

Thank you, Madam President. I rise today in strong support of Order Number 1971, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend $1,852,288 to the Commonwealth's FY26 Council on Aging Formula Grant. which is administered by our Aid Strong Commission and I respectfully move to suspend and pass this order. This funding is one of the most impactful and efficient investments we can make in the well-being of Boston's older adults. The formula is based on our 115,768 seniors living in the city, a number grounded in the 2020 census and the UMass Boston Donahue Institute demographic analysis. At $15 per older adult, this grant will allow our age-strong commission to continue providing the essential social and health services that help our seniors remain healthy, connected, and independent.

And for many families across our neighborhoods, This support is not optional it is their lifeline. Our older residents rely on these dollars for transportation to medical appointments and grocery stores, health and wellness programming, including screening and fitness classes, Nutrition support and mail programs, case management, advocacy and resource navigation, social connection and engagement that reduces isolation, and assistance tailored to the needs of adults aging with disabilities Caregivers and those living alone. Boston is a home to a diverse and rapidly growing senior population and we know the cost of health care, food and housing continues to rise. This grant will help ensure that every senior from West Roxbury to East Boston, from Mattapan to Charlestown can access meaningful support regardless of income or neighborhood. So I want to thank the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs for their continued partnership.

And I especially want to recognize Emily and the whole staff at our Aid Strong Commission who deliver these services with compassion and care every day. This is a responsible use of state dollars. It directly supports residents who built our city, and it strengthens our commitment to making Boston an age-friendly, inclusive, and equitable city. For all those reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this grant and suspend and pass today. Thank you.

Thank you. Is anyone looking to speak on this matter? Murphy, see suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 1971. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket has passed. Mr. Clerk, could you please conduct a roll call vote?

Roll call vote on docket number 1971. Councilor Breadon? Yes. Councilor Breadon, yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata? Yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. 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, yes. Santana, yes. Councilor Weber? Yes. Councilor Weber, yes. And Councilor Worrell? Yes. Councilor Worrell, yes. Docket number 1971 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, docket number 1971 has passed. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket number 1972? Oh, are we reading? No, the 1-9-7-2 is not. 1-9-7-2.

Doctrine number 1-9-7-2, message not authorized in the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $400,000 in the form of a grant. for the Boston MVP Action Grant awarded by the Mass Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to be administered by the Public Works Department. The grant will fund the Massachusetts Audit Board Boston Nature Center, a 67 acre urban wildlife sanctuary in the low income neighborhood of Boston.

Thank you. Docket number 1972 will be referred to the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks. Mr. Clerk, can you please read dockets number 1973 to 1975?

Docket number 1973, message in order. Authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $375,000 in the form of a grant for the Climate Service Core Grant awarded by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. pass through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund work-based learning, skills training, service opportunities, and career guidance. in occupations and energy efficiency and clean heating and cooling for people ages 18 to 24. Docket number 1974. Message in order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount. of $75,000 in the form of a grant for the Boston Tax Help Coalition Santander Bank Grant awarded by Santander Bank N.A. to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development.

The grant will fund Boston Tax Help Coalition to provide pathways from poverty to financial empowerment by maximizing the impact of tax credits through free tax preparation, financial education, and Economic Stability Opportunities. And document number 1975, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $43,312.50 in the form of a grant. for the FOYBMLK Scholars Program Grant awarded by the Boston Foundation to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund summer jobs, financial education, and Professional Development Opportunities for Boston Youth.

Thank you, the Chair recognizes Councilor Weber, the Chair of the Committee on Labor, Workforce and Economic Development. Councilor Weber, you have the floor.

Have these docket numbers been assigned to my committee?

No, they have not.

Okay. Well, if they are, I would like to speak.

Are you looking to suspend and pass them? You may speak on the dockets.

OK, thank you very much. I just, as the chair of the Committee on Labor Workforce and Economic Development, I'd like to suspend and pass These three dockets, they're, you know, two of them are relatively low dollar figures on, you know, for tax help coalition and for summer employment. and we've already had hearings on that and we've had several hearings now on these grants going to workforce development. So I think all three of them should be, I would hope we could pass them and accept them today.

Thank you. Is anyone else looking to speak on these dockets? Councilor Warbur, the Chair of the Committee on Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development, suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 1973. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket is passed. Councilor Weber, Chair of the Committee on Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development, suspension of the rules, and passage of docket number 1974. All those in favor say aye. Weber, I, all those opposed say nay, the ayes have it, this docket is passed. Councilor Weber, the Chair of the Committee on Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development, seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 1975. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay, the ayes have it, this docket is passed. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1976?

Docket number 1976, message in order, authorizing the City of Boston, acting by and through the Mayor's Office of Housing, to accept and expend $32,251 in supplemental funds awarded under Home Investment Partnership Program, American Rescue Plan, Home ARPA Act of 2021 for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The purpose of the Hallmark funds is to provide housing, shelter, and services to individuals or households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations in the City of Boston. This award will support the development of affordable rental housing.

Thank you. This docket, docket number 1976, will be referred to the Committee on Housing and Community Development. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1-9-7-7? Docket number 1-9-7-7.

Message you know to authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend and in-kind donation of 1,000 frozen turkeys valued at $24,150 donated by Stop and Shop. The purpose of this donation is to provide turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the city of Boston.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Looking to suspend and pass this docket so that families in need can get turkeys. All those in favor of suspension and pass and say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. If ayes have it, this docket is passed. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1978?

Docket number 1978. Message in order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $8,090 in the form of a grant for the fiscal year 24, Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant awarded by the United States Department of Justice passed through the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant will fund improvements to forensic science, and Medical Examiner Coroner Services, including services provided by forensic science laboratories operated by state and units of local government.

Thank you. Docket number 1978 will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety. The chair recognizes Councilor Santana, the chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to suspend and pass this law. A number of grant and looking for support from my colleagues. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone looking to speak on this matter? Santana seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 1978. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket is passed. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1979 and 1980 together?

Docket number 1979, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of 100 frozen turkeys valued at $4,830 donated by Roach Brothers Market. The purpose of this donation is to provide turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the city of Boston. And docket number 1980. Message in not authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of 100 frozen turkeys valued at $2,415 donated by TD Gardens. The purpose of this donation is to provide turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the city of Boston.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. These are also in kind donations. Thank you to Roach Brothers, TD Garden, and also to Stop and Shop for these turkeys so that our families can have them, families in need can have them for Thanksgiving. Seek suspension and passage of docket number 1979. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket is passed. I seek suspension and passage of docket number 1980. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket is passed. We are now on to reports of public officers and others. Mr. Clerk, could you please Read dockets number 1981 to 1998 to 1990.

Doctrine of a 1981 notice will receive from the mayor of her absence from the city from Sunday November 9th 2025 at 640 p.m. Returning Wednesday, November 12 2025 at 6 p.m. Doctrine of a 1982 Notice received from the City Clerk in accordance of Chapter 6 of the Ordinances of 1979 regarding action taken by the Mayor on papers acted upon by the City Council at its meeting of October 1st, 2025. Dock number 1983. Communication was received from Council President Louijeune to address the open meeting law complaint and respond accordingly on behalf of the Boston City Council. Dock number 1984. Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding a request for a city investigation into the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Document number 1985. Communication was received from the city clerk of the filing.

by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding proposed minor modification to the South End Urban Renewal Plan, project number MAS R-56 with respect to parcel 1A, docket number 1986. Communication was received from the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding proposed minor modification to the Washington Park Urban Renewal Plan, Project Number Mass. R-24 with respect to so-called parcel R-46. Document number 1987, communication received from Councilor Flynn regarding a city payroll technical issue. for overtime and detailed pay records. Document number 1988, communication received from Councilor Flynn regarding a recent open meeting law complaint against the Boston City Council. Document number 1989.

Communication was received from the City Clerk regarding the 2025-2026 University Accountability Statistical Report and docket number 1990. Communication was received from the City Clerk transmitting A communication from the Boston Landmarks Commission for a City Council action on the designation of the petition number 152.89, Ferdinand's Blue Store, Bruce C. Bowling Building, 2260 through 2270 Washington Street, Roxbury, Mass. as a landmark. In effect, after December 17th, 2025, if not acted upon.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, could we please place on file dockets number 1981 to 1982? and can we place on file dockets 1984 to 1989. And docket number 1990 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. For docket number 1983, this is a matter referred to the city council, an open meeting law allegation on Monday, November 10th, 2025. The City Council received a complaint alleging a violation of the Open Meeting Law. Pursuant to the provisions of the Open Meeting Law and the Attorney General's regulations, the City Council is required to review the Open Meeting Law complaint and respond to the complainant Within 14 business days pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 30A, Section 23B and 94

940, CMR 29.05, subsection five, to comply with the open meeting law and the attorney general's regulations. This docket requests that the law department address the open meeting law complaint and respond accordingly on behalf of the Boston City Council. Mr. Clerk, this matter will be referred to the Law Department. Docket number 1983. Thank you. We are now on to reports of committees. The Committee on Government, Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 0969?

Docket number 0969, the Committee on Government Operations. to which was referred on April 30th, 2025, docket number 0969, ordinance establishing a transgender, gender diverse, intersex, and LGBTQIA2S Plus Oversight Commission submits a report recommending that this matter ought to pass in a new draft.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Coletta Zapata, the chair of the Committee on Government Operations. Councilor Coletta Zapata, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. The committee held originally a hearing on, excuse me, before I begin, I do just want to call out the fact that this matter was sponsored by Councillors Julia Mejia, Liz, Brayden, and Henry Santana and was referred to the committee on April 30th, 2025. Thank you. Thank you, thank you really and truly for your partnership and your collaboration on this. The committee originally held a hearing on Thursday, June 26, 2025, and a working session on Thursday, November 13, 2025, to discuss this docket. The committee heard testimony from representatives of the administration and the community, including Mariangeli Solis Cervera, Chief of Equity and Inclusion, Julianne Lee, Director of Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement, otherwise known as MOLA, Kimberly Roten, who's

also the Director of Policy at MOLA, Maya Getter, Senior Policy Advisor of the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet, as well as Mickey Jones, Milan Casimir, Shasti Bowick, Anne Chantel, Alex Fernandez, as well as Giselle Byrd. At this June 26th hearing, the administration's testimony emphasized that the City's commitment to equity and collaboration while expressing concern that establishing a new oversight commission as proposed could overlap with existing work or strain limited resources. The administration explained that the office working within the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet had shifted from primarily focusing on program-based model on a program-based model toward one centered on delivery of essential services informed by community feedback gathered through recent citywide surveys and noting that more than 40% of MOLA's budget now funds housing assistance, emergency relief, and legal support

and that new resources such as an online directory and discrimination response guide have been launched to help residents navigate barriers to safety and inclusion. Community advocates testified that the proposed commission would strengthen representation, transparency, and partnership between the City and LGBTQIA2S plus residents. Councilors acknowledged the administration's resource concerns but emphasized that the proposal was community driven and intended to complement rather than compete with the city's existing work. During the November 13th working session, the committee revisited outstanding areas of negotiation between the committee and the administration, focusing in particular on reporting requirements, appointment timelines, a yearly review structure, and the inclusion of a quality of life study. The committee discussed how the Commission's annual reporting obligations would function in practice, with Councillors emphasizing that a yearly hearing is essential for ensuring accountability, informing budget decisions, and providing consistent opportunities for community engagement.

The committee also reviewed the nomination and onboarding timeline, ultimately finding consensus that a six-month implementation period would be necessary to ensure safety, privacy, and capacity appropriate review of applicants. The administration expressed concern about incorporating a one-time study into a long-time advisory framework. However, Councillors emphasized the community's expectation that the study serve as a baseline for the commission's work and I'm proud that that study ended up making the final draft. In reviewing the original proposal for an independent oversight commission, we identified several significant conflicts with sections 35 through 40 of the city charter, which best executive authority, budget execution, and departmental supervision exclusively in the mayor and department These legal issues are fully avoided, though, through the Community Advisory Council model with the steering committee within it, which preserves executive authority, maintains flexibility,

but still ensures robust community input and accountability. So colleagues, you do have your committee report that has a summary of amendments, but I'll go through briefly. and before us it reflects a significant restructuring however keeps the original spirit and intent of keeping our siblings in the LGBTQ community In short, we shift from creating a citywide oversight commission to establishing an advisory council housed within the LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement Office, otherwise known as MOLA. The Community Advisory Council is the codification of the existing 136 partner organization networks of individuals and organizations that represent broad perspectives and lived experiences within this community. So first, the new draft replaces the formerly proposed oversight commission with a community advisory council, better word is reforms, and an 11-member steering committee. These bodies are designed to elevate community voices, supports MOLA's work,

and Strength and Engagement. Second, the revised purpose and function section removes broad investigatory and cross-demental departmental oversight duties due to the executive authority limitations presented by the city charter. Instead, the Council and Steering Committee will meet monthly to offer community-informed feedback, identify service gaps, and support collaboration across the City's LGBTQIA2S Plus ecosystem. Third, the membership structure is updated. Instead of a fixed 15-member commission, the Council is now open to any Boston resident or service provider supporting the LGBTQIA2S plus community. The steering committee, appointed by the mayor with city council nominations, will guide priorities, coordinate with city departments, issue annual reports, and help shape a citywide quality of life study. Members are classified as special municipal employees under state ethics law. Fourth, we have operational responsibilities that are clearly assigned.

MOLA will convene meetings, support logistics, manage a webpage, and ensure that monthly and quarterly council gatherings and steering committee gatherings are convened. Fifth, implementation timelines are added. Nominations must open within 60 days of enactment and the first cohort must convene within 90 days. and finally the effective date is revised so that the ordinance takes effect six months after passage given the city's sufficient time to prepare for a smooth launch. And so together these amendments ensure a strong community participation, clear structure, and a collaborative framework that supports MOLA's mission and advances the well-being of Boston's LGBTQIA2S plus residents. So I want to thank everybody who was a part of the conversation. Of course, I want to thank Councilor Mejia for her leadership, her staff, JD, Dulce, Beatrix. I apologize if I missed anybody.

I want to thank central staff, both of the Meghans, my chief of staff, Ellie Sanchez, for your work. I love you. Thank you for everything. Everyone kept on focus for the bigger picture, the safety, again, the well-being, and the thriving of our beloved LGBTQIA2S plus community. Everyone had the same intent through this process to strengthen support and representation at a time when the federal government is actively targeting and trying to dismantle resources and protections, and it made this work even more urgent. And so as Chair of Government Operations, I am proud to recommend to the Council that this matter ought to pass in a new draft. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Coletta Zapata. The Chair recognizes Councilor Mejia. Councilor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And I just want to thank Madam Chair, Councilor Coletta Zapata for her partnership and leadership as we did the dance, the tug and pull of getting into a place of consensus building, but never losing sight of what the mission was and the assignment was to do everything in our legislative power to give people the power. And I would have to say that when our office declared Boston a sanctuary city for the LGBTQ plus residents, it was because the community asked for more than just statements. They asked for safety. and a real seat at the table.

Acknowledge that the way our office leads is a co-governance model, which really stands on what it looks like when we really create space for those who are living the realities and or doing the work It requires us to affirm and take our marching orders from those who are on the front lines. And so I want to thank the 40-plus members of the coalition that stood up and said, we want more and held our feet to the fire to make sure we delivered. And so I want to thank you all for your consistency and the way that you continue to show up and holding us all accountable to that work. As one of the original co-sponsors, I'm proud of this ordinance that it recreates a structure where the LGBTQIA2S plus residents can help

guide the city's work through a community advisory council and a steering committee. This is how we move and build long-term infrastructure for accountability and representation. I also want to take a moment to thank the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet at MOLA, the Chair of Government Ops, for working closely with us. And I also want to acknowledge our very own Chasity Bowick, who was the head of our coalition but then went from the outside in to get it to the finish line and joined our team during this process and brought her lived experience, clarity, and grounding. and supporting JD for consistently fostering and centering community and leading us through this process. And I also want to uplift Giselle Bird and Mickey

who with their leadership and persistence and the countless residents and advocates who pushed alongside them who testified and held us accountable as this ordinance evolves the ebbs and flows of policy making. You still prevailed. This has always been a community-driven process. Even as the drafts shifted and sections were amended, the core purpose remained the same, building a stronger, more inclusive relationship between the City of Boston and the LGBTQIA 2S Plus Community. This ordinance strengthens our commitment to equity and demonstrates that when community asks for more, we will respond. It honors the sanctuary declaration we made

and reinforces the belief that our LGBTQIA2S plus residents deserve not just safety, but real power. Real power, not performative power. and shaping the policies that impact their lives. I look forward to moving this forward and to signing this ordinance so that we can continue building a Boston where all In all means, all people are represented, protected, and fully included in the work in this city. And I could not be more in awe that we get to pass this today during T-Door. and Rita Hester, and uplifting and invoking the names of everyone who has lost their life to hate. So to the federal administration, if you are listening,

We are standing proud, we're standing loud, and we're standing unapologetically to let everybody know, right, that trans rights are civil rights and we're here to fight alongside you. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Mejia. Is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? The chair recognizes Councilor Breadon. Councilor Breadon, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I've already spoken on this. This incredible day that we've arrived at, I just do want to stand up and thank Councillor Julia Mejia for her leadership as a fierce and persistent ally for the LGBTQ community. QIA2S+. I can't ever get my head around the whole alphabet, my dyslexia. Yes, your fierce advocacy, your fierce allyship. For all of the LGBTQ plus community in Boston and beyond, we do appreciate that fierceness. In this moment when folks feel so threatened,

In terms of healthcare, access to housing, when the very height of our government and our country is spewing trans hate and homophobic, misogynic, I also want to thank Coletta Zapata for your leadership in guiding this through and all of the advocates who've worked all summer. We had a hearing and then we had a working session. You've been working on this all summer and you've got it across the board. The Finishing Line. So thank you very much for your leadership also. I think we're producing an ordinance that we can be proud of.

So thank you all.

Thank you, Madam President. Definitely, I already spoke a little bit earlier, but I want to thank the Chair, Councilor Coletta Zapata, for spearheading us through this. Definitely want to thank Councilor Mejia, You know, back when, I think it was in April, I forget the date, but, you know, we put forward that resolution to declare this a sanctuary city. I was one of those that, you know, had conversations with you and, for lack of a better term, pushed back on You know, declaring Boston a sanctuary city because in order for that to happen, there needs to be policies in place that make sure that ensure that, you know, our LGBTQ plus community is safe. And, you know, you told me that, you know, you were committed and that we would pass this ordinance. And several months later, I know there was weekly meetings, and you were able to build such an amazing coalition that stayed true to the mission.

and that definitely will continue to hold us accountable. So I just really want to thank you, Councilor Mejia, for your leadership and for the coalition that you've been able to build and to get us to this place. I think it's really amazing. I think there's a lot more work that needs to happen. I think one of the speakers said this earlier today, it's just the start of the work. So please count on me and my office to continue being supporters and pushing and fighting to ensure that all of our residents, particularly our LGBTQ plus residents, not just are safe, but feel safe here in the city of Boston. and I know that me and my office won't stop until that's the case. So I really want to thank you all and I look forward to supporting this today and I really encourage all my colleagues here to vote in support of this ordinance. Thank you.

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

Thank you so much. I just wanted to thank my colleagues for their leadership. I want to thank the advocates. And I'm proud to vote yes today. Unfortunately, some of the hearings that took place, I had scheduling conflicts, so I just want to say that my absence was definitely not a lack of support for this work. I'm proud to vote yes. I know that change is never easy and that often takes time and work and elbow grease so I just want to thank everyone who put in that work and I am proud to vote yes today.

Thank you. Is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? I just want to thank my colleagues for working collaboratively. I want to thank the sponsors for Thank you for shepherding this work and for working together to get everyone to a place where we can move this forward. And I of course want to thank all the advocacy and all the people who are helping to lead the way. So thank you for being here. for pushing us and for rowing with us in the right direction. Councilor Coletta Zapata, Chair of the Committee on Government Operations seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket number 0969 in a new draft. Mr. Clerk, could you please conduct a roll call vote?

Roll call vote on document number 0969. Councilor Breadon. Yes. Councilor Breadon, yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata. Yes. Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes. Councilor Durkan. Yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Fitzgerald, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Louisienne, yes, Councilor Louisienne, yes, Councilor Mejia, yes, Councilor Mejia, yes, Councilor Murphy, yes, Councilor Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, yes, Pepén, yes. Councilor Santana? Yes. Councilor Santana, yes. Councilor Weber?

Yes.

Councilor Weber, yes. And Councilor Worrell? Yes. Councilor Worrell, yes. Docking number 0969. has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you. Docket number 0969 has been accepted and has passed in a new draft. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1926?

Docket number 1926, the Committee on Ways and Means to which was referred on October 29, 2025. Docket number 1926. Message in order for your approval in order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate an amount of $11,100,000 for the purpose of paying costs for the window and door replacement projects at the following schools. The Gardner Pilot Academy School, the Linden 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 submits a report recommending that the order ought to be read for the first time and assigned for further action.

Thank you, the Chair recognizes Councilor Arreola, the Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means. Councilor Arreola, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President.

The Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing on Thursday, November 6, 2025, to discuss Docket Number 1926. From the administration, we were joined by Senior Project Manager Brian McLaughlin, and Executive Director of the Public Facilities Department, Carlton Jones. From City Council, we had Councilor Flynn in attendance and received a letter of absence from Council President Louijeune. In recent years, the City has strengthened its partnership with the MSBA, completing Six core projects and 50 accelerated repair projects to date. The two schools in this docket, Gardner-Plymouth Academy and the Lyndon K. Tate School were part of the city's 2024 accelerated repair submission. The Council voted to support these submissions on February 14, 2024 and later voted on November 20, 2024 to accept and expend $1.5 million for design work. This docket authorizes the city to appropriate $11.1 million to support window and door replacement projects at the Gardner and Linden.

This funding will allow design work to continue through winter and the spring of 2026 with construction beginning in summer of 2027. The remaining AARP schools from the 2024 submission are also expected to begin construction in summer of 2027. with their related appropriation orders anticipated between January and March, 2026. Mr. McGuffin concluded with an update on the other six projects in the ARP, which can be found in the committee report. We also learned that the construction pricing For the projects such as these has almost quadrupled since before COVID. But the city is tentatively hopeful that this increase is now plateauing. As Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, I recommend that this docket be read. for the first time and is signed for further action. Thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Clerk, will you please take a roll call vote on docket number 1926 for the first reading?

Councilor Breadon.

Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like to speak on this docket? I didn't see your light. Okay, Councilor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to say thank you to Chair Worrell for an informative hearing. and I also especially want to say thank you to Brian McLaughlin and Collin Jones, two outstanding city employees that I've had the opportunity to work with for almost eight years now, very professional. and understand this process very well. So I just want to highlight the dedicated city employees that have helped us during this process for so many years. I also wanted to acknowledge under the Mass School Building Authority, I want to say thank you to our state partners as well for the important Work in relationship they have with the City of Boston. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Okay, apologies about that. Okay, Mr. Clerk, could you please conduct a roll call vote on document number 1926 for the first reading?

Council agreed. Breadon, Brayden, Brayden, Brayden, Brayden, Brayden, Brayden, Brayden, Brayden, Brayden, Brayden, Flynn, yes, Councilor Lujan, yes, Councilor Lujan, yes, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Mejia, yes, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, yes, Councilor Pepén, yes, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Weber. Councilor Weber, yes, and Councilor Worrell. Yes. Councilor Worrell, yes. Document number 1926 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you. Docket number 1926 has been read for the first time and is assigned for further action. We are now on to matters recently heard. Mr. Clerk, would you please read docket number 1669?

Doc number 1669. Order for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools fiscal year 27 budget.

Thank you. The chair recognizes the chair of the Committee on Ways and Means. Councilor O'Reilly, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing on docket number 1669 on Monday, November 17th at 10 a.m. to continue our practice of engaging early with Boston Public Schools ahead of the FY27 budget cycle. From the administration, we heard from the Chief Financial Officer, Bloom, and Senior Advisory for Strategy and Opportunity Gaps, Dr. Rose, from the Council. From the Council we had Councilors Flynn, Breadon, Pepén, Murphy, Santana, Weber, Mejia, Fitzgerald, and Coletta Zapata in attendance. Over the past two years, these early hearings have shown us why it matters to start talking to BPS before the school committee finalizes its budget in February. Because BPS begins budgeting in October and presents its plan to the school committee by the first Wednesday of February. This is the window where we can elevate concerns and influence priorities.

The administration walked us through the fiscal landscape for FY27, including pressures tied to decline in enrollment, special education, and transportation costs, and uncertainty in federal funding streams. Counselors raised questions about literacy outcomes, mental health supports, bilingual pathways, homelessness, transportation expense, and significant facilities issues across the district. We also discussed the cost of out-of-district placements, the need to build more in district capacity, and the growing transportation burdens tied to IEP requirements and rising student homelessness. The administration committed to follow up with data on homeless, homeless student transportation, adult education participation, central office reviews, and immediate capital needs in buildings like Madison Park, the Edison, and Josiah Quincy Lower School. They also committed to submitting

This is a reminder that our advocacy just can't be year to year. The needs around bilingual education inclusion in school facilities are multi-year issues, and the operating budget should reflect that longer-term planning. And as we look at bilingual programs, we need clear information about actual demand, seat availability, and where the gaps are so we can grow these pathways responsibly. I also want to highlight the excellence for all initiatives. which started about a decade ago as an elementary model and has since expanded across the district. Dr. Rose noted that our hub schools model may offer opportunities to build on that work by connecting class work and enrichment to students, all neighborhoods and the administration shared that they are exploring how to strengthen that approach.

During public testimony, we heard strong support for bilingual education and the parent mentor program and deep concerns about the White Stadium redevelopment and its impact on capital equity. Parents and educators shared how bilingual supports and parent mentor groups help English language learners feel safe and connected while advocates urged the city to prioritize school facility investments over subsidizing private redevelopment projects. This hearing helped set the tone for the months ahead, giving us a chance to raise issues early and concerns directly from families before the FY27 budget is finalized by the school committee. My hope is that continued early oversight, clear communication, and council present at school committee hearings will ensure that the needs of the Boston families and neighborhood neighborhoods are reflected in the school budget before it reaches this council, where our sole power is to appropriate funds. As chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, I recommend that this docket remain in committee. Thank you.

Thank you. This docket will remain in committee. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1446?

Docket number 1446, order for a hearing to review past expenditures through quarterly updates on the fiscal year 2026 operating budget.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Mejia, the chair of the Committee on Post Audit, Government Accountability, and Transparency. Councilor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. On November the 19th, the Committee on Post Audit, Government Accountability, Transparency, and Accessibility held a virtual hearing to review first quarter FY26 operating expenditures. We were joined by Chief Financial Officer Ashley Groffenberger, and Budget Director Jim Williamson, and City Auditor Scott Finn, as well as District Three, Councilor Fitzgerald, and District Four, Councilor Rural. Budget Director Williamson reported that as of September the 30th, FY26 operating expenditures stood at about 28% of the city's $4.84 billion annual budget. He noted that several large early year obligations, most notably an approximately $468 million payment to the Boston retirement system, front load spending and complicated A simple 25% quarterly benchmark.

This context explains why several departments appeared underspent with areas such as human rights, fair housing, arts and culture, and the supplier diversity showing lower spending largely due to vacancies and the timing of program activities. The committee also reviewed higher than expected spending in public safety, police overtime and reached approximately 44% and fire department spending over 50%. According to Williamson, these pressures stem from events, protests, elections, training requirements, injuries, and staffing interruptions. He stated that the administration is pursuing staffing and occupational safety measures aimed at reducing overtime and backfill costs. We also examined roughly 12 million in the first quarter spending under the execution of courts account. The committee noted that this line was not clearly visible and the materials provided.

Williamson explained that a majority of settlement drove this early spending and deferred further legal detail to the law department. Officials emphasized that the hearing materials focused on operating budgets and did not include detailed capital project spending, including White Stadium. Grafenberger committed to returning with a capital spending deep dive. She also reported that the first quarter revenues remain on target, though yet not predictive and agreed to provide quarterly revenue reports moving forward. Regarding debit management, she noted that the city did not pursue a spring refunding due to unfavorable market conditions, but did proceed with a standard of general obligation bond sale and retains the capacity to act when conditions approved. The committee will continue holding quarterly hearings to review and audit the FY26 expenditures.

This matter will remain in committee. Thank you.

Thank you. Docket number 1446 will remain in committee. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1632.

Dr. Number 1632, order for a hearing regarding legalizing triple-deckers and other two- to four-unit housing in the City of Boston.

Thank you. I'm sorry, we're missing it from here, but could you also read docket number 1718? Do you have that before you, Mr. Clerk? Yep. Okay.

Talk number 1718, order for a hearing regarding legalizing accessory dwelling units in every neighborhood of the City of Boston.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilor Durkan, the Chair of the Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation. You have the floor.

Thank you, Council President. The Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation held a hearing on dockets 1632 and 1718 yesterday, November 18th, to discuss legalizing triple-deckers and other 2-4 unit buildings and accessory dwelling units in the City of Boston. These matters were sponsored by Councilors Henry Santana, myself, and Enrique Pepén. We were also joined by my colleagues, Council President Louie Jeanne, Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mejia, and Worrell. The committee heard testimony from the administration panel composed of the planning department officials Devin Quirk, Kathleen Onifer, and Will Cohen about the potential of these reforms to modernize zoning regulations to better reflect what our neighborhoods are like today. The panel provided a presentation that went through the history of triple-deckers and ADUs and really through the history of zoning, through the establishment of the zoning code. And they shared that 99% of Boston homes could not be built without a variance in the zoning code.

The panel answered questions from my colleagues about the many intricacies of building ADUs in Boston and their associated costs and challenges. We also heard from a panel of a diverse group of community advocates and experts in land use, real estate, housing policy, and Development, Construction, and had a robust conversation about how zoning restrictions serve as barriers to new housing construction and how triple-deckers and ADUs are proven and compelling designs to provide more affordable We also received ample testimony from residents about their support for zoning reform that would allow them to continue to afford to live in Boston and some testimony urging reconsideration. We all know the urgency of the housing crisis and the pressing need to take action. The information we heard at yesterday's hearing was clear. Zoning reform needs to be one of our top priorities moving into the next year, and I look forward to future collaboration with my colleagues and the administration on this issue.

I do want to give the opportunity for the lead sponsor of both of these dockets to speak, Councillor Henry Santana.

Thank you, the chair. Can I ask Councilor Santana, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and I want to thank Councilor Durking for chairing and being co-sponsors of these two important dockets. As you just mentioned, I think zoning reform absolutely needs to be part of our priorities as a council over the next few years just to make sure that we're in the midst of a housing crisis. Currently, Boston has over 15,000 triple-decker homes, which houses tens of hundreds of thousands of residents and families. These homes are integral parts of our city's fabric, but unfortunately, current zoning codes are pushing them towards becoming a thing in the past. Yesterday's hearing was a vibrant discussion on the importance of triple deckers to Boston City's fabric. But despite the popularity, the current production of triple deckers is one-fifth of the production rate of single-family homes and one-tenth of larger housing developments. That's not because of the lack of interest. It's due to the barriers and restrictions within our zoning code.

Boston needs triple-deckers and other forms of affordable housing more than ever. Countless communities rely on these homes to achieve affordable home ownership. Immigrant communities, multi-generational families, and working class families and low income families to name a few. Supporting the creation of multi-family homes and supporting the long term economic independence of these communities and many more. I want to once again express my gratitude Durkan, and your team for convening us and to the administration and community panels whose insights at yesterday's hearing were deeply valued. I look forward to continuing the work towards I'm expanding access to Dipper-Decker's medium density housing and home ownership for low income and minority community members and affordable housing for everyone. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you.

These dockets, dockets number one. Oh, Councilor Durkan.

Oh, sorry. As the chair of the Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation, I recommend that 1632 and 1718 remain in committee. Sorry, I know you could have said that, but I just wanted to make sure I said it out loud.

Yep, yep. I think the chairs usually say it, so. Okay. Docs number 1632 and 1718 shall remain in committee. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1346?

Docket number 1346, message in order. Authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $200,000. and $62,809.86 in the form of a grant for the fiscal year 26 DMHCIT TTAC grant awarded by the Mass Department of Mental Health to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund the implementation of 40-hour crisis intervention team training for offices under the umbrella of BBD Street Outreach Unit.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Fitzgerald, the chair of the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. The Committee of Public Health, Wellness, and Recovery was referred the following docket for consideration. Docket 1346, message not authorized in the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $262,809.86. in the form of a grant for the FY26 DMH CIT TTAC grant awarded by the Mass Department of Mental Health to be administered by the Police Department The grant will fund the implementation of a 40-hour crisis intervention team. Just want to say that when we had the hearing, it said four-hour intervention. That's either a really nice lunch or for a short training, but it is now corrected to reflect a 40-hour crisis intervention team training for officers under the umbrella of the BPD Street Outreach Unit. The matter was sponsored by Mayor Michelle Wool and was referred to the committee on July 9, 2025. Docket 1346 is a grant awarded by the Mass Department of Mental Health for FY26 to be administered by the Boston Police Department to fund costs relevant to the Crisis Intervention Team, CIT.

Specifically, the grant will fund the implementation of the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team training for offices under the umbrella of the BPD Streets Hour Unit The committee held a joint hearing with the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 on dockets 1346 and 1661 to 1662. I was joined by my colleagues, Councilor Santana, Coletta Zapata, Weber, Pepén, and Flynn. The committee's heard testimony from representatives of the Boston Police Department, Jenna Savage, Deputy Director of the Office of Research and Development, and Lieutenant Peter Messina of the Street Outreach Unit testifying on behalf of the administration. The administration testified that target 1346 will support the city's CIT program by funding core components necessary to deliver the 40-hour training curriculum used to prepare officers for the mental health related encounters. It was explained that specifically the grant will cover the full-time civilian training coordinator, supplies, equipment, instructional support, and logistical needs required to run each training session.

The administration described how the 40-hour training incorporates de-escalation skills, mental health recognition, Substance Abuse Awareness, specialized modules such as veterans and older adults, and scenario-based exercises facilitated by professional actors. Council has expressed interest in how many officers have completed the training, what portion of the department remains untrained and how dispatch identifies officers with CIT certification. The administration responded that nearly 300 officers have completed the program and that have a voluntary identification system in dispatch allows CIT trained officers to be assigned to mental health related calls. Councilors also asked how the department measures the effectiveness of the training. The administration stated that while the impact of the training is not easily measured through data, officer feedback consistently reflects improved field interactions and applications of the skills learned. As Chair of the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery, I recommend moving the listed docket from the Committee to the full Council for discussion and formal action.

At this time, my recommendation to the full Council will be that this matter ought to pass.

Thank you.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Flanney on the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to say thank you to Councilor Fitzgerald for an informative hearing. It was important to have it, to listen to Lieutenant Messina and the other administration officials that were here. They provided excellent background. Just want to highlight one issue is want to acknowledge the Boston Police Department in their response to veterans that are in crisis. And outside of the downtown area, most of the largest percentage of of Calls, the Boston Police Department receives is in my neighborhood in South Boston. We do have a large community of veterans in South Boston, but this type of training Thank you.

Thank you. Not just the Boston Police Department, who I think are doing an exceptional job, but also to support veterans in crisis, especially in times of crisis. Also want to highlight that I I am chairing a city council hearing on Friday, this coming Friday at 10 o'clock in the chamber on some of these issues and would like to invite everybody, but it's important that we continue to support veterans Veterans in Crisis, as we know, there's 22 or 23 veterans a day that are losing their life through suicide, PTSD, and we have to

do everything we possibly can to get them the support and services that they've earned. Thank you, Madam Chair. And again, I want to say thank you to John Fitzgerald.

Thank you, Councillor Flanagan. Thank you for chairing that hearing on Friday. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Fitzgerald, suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 1346. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket is passed. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1661 and 1662.

Docket number 1661, message in order, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $80,000 in the form of a grant for the DMH Fiscal Year 26 Coal Response Grant awarded by the Mass Department of Mental Health. to be administered by the police department. The grant will fund one full-time recovery coach through PEST. And document number 1662, message not authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $20,000 in the form of a grant for the fiscal year 26 TMH training grant awarded by the Mass Department of Mental Health to be administered by the police department. The grant will fund overtime costs to backfill the Crisis Intervention Team training and other mental health training for officers.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Santana. Councilor Santana, you have the floor. Oh, it's Councilor Santana, the chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Public Safety held a joint public hearing on dockets number 1661 and 1662 with the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery on Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 to review public safety grants from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health that would fund mental health training and response. These grants are Petition to be administered to the Boston Police Department. The matter was sponsored by Mayor Michelle Wu. We were joined by my colleagues, Councilor Coletta Zapata, Weber, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Flynn, and the chair, the full chair, Councilor Fitzgerald. The committee, her testimony on behalf of the administration from Jenna Savage, who is the Deputy Director with the Boston Police Department of the Office of Research and Development. And the committee also hosted a community panel, including Peter Messina, who is the lieutenant with the Boston Police Department Street Outreach Team.

It was very informative. I think Councilor Fitzgerald explained it a little bit earlier. I want to thank the panelists, members of the public and my colleagues for their participation in yesterday's hearing. I further want to thank the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health for their generosity and commitment to ensuring that continued provision of mental health training for our officers. Lastly, I want to thank Councilor Fitzgerald for his leadership throughout the hearing. As chair of the committee on public safety, I recommend moving both of these dockets from the committee to the full council for discussion and formal action. At that time, my recommendation to the full council will be that both dockets number 1661 and docket number 1662 ought to pass. Thank you.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councillor Flanney of the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. I also want to say thank you to Councilor Santana for his important work as well. One issue I highlighted during this discussion was An issue that I've focused on for a long period of time, but it's still important to discuss today. It's the Boston police officers are still consistently working 16 hours a day. And I believe that does have an impact on their physical and mental health. It has an impact on their family situation as well. It has an impact on their spouse and children. If we are serious about providing the best support system to police officers and their families, which I support, we also have to address the Long time staffing issues at the Boston Police.

That is also part of our overall strategy to provide a healthy environment for police officers, their families, but also the public. This is an issue I'm going to continue to focus on over the next two years. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Anyone else? The Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket number 1661. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket is passed. The Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice seek acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket number 1662. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Docket number 1662 has passed. We are now on to motions, orders, and resolutions. Reminder that pursuant to Rule 39, remarks by counselors at the time a petition, order, or resolution has been admitted and assigned to a committee for review shall be limited to three minutes for the sponsor and two minutes for any other counselor as their appropriate time for questioning and debate is at public hearings and working sessions. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket number 1991?

Docket number 1991, Councilor Fitzgerald, after the following. Petition for a special law. regarding an act relative to waive to waive the maximum age requirement for police officers from Matthew Cummings.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Fitzgerald. Do you have the floor?

Thank you, Madam President. Matthew Cummings is 40 years old, is a resident of Dorchester. Mr. Cummings has passed the civil service exam and is looking to gain acceptance into the next Boston Police Academy class. Matthew Cummings has extensive experience in the building trades and the recovery community where he has demonstrated both dedication to his community and an ability to quickly learn a variety of skills. Additionally, Mr. Cummings has shown leadership and communication skills through his current role as an acting foreman union painter for IUPAT District Council 35. I'm seeking to suspend and pass this home rule petition so Mr. Cummings can continue the process to become a Boston police officer. Thank you.

Thank you, is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell, oh, Worrell, Yeah, and please add the chair. Councilor Fitzgerald seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 1991. Mr. Clerk, will you please conduct a roll call vote?

Roll call vote on docket number 1991. Councilor Breadon. Brayden, yes, Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes, Councilor Durkan, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, 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, yes, Councilor Pepén, yes, Councilor Santana. Santana, yes. Councilor Weber, yes. Councilor Weber, yes. And Councilor Worrell, yes. Councilor Worrell, yes. Talking number 1991 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, docket number 1-9-9-1 has passed. Great, okay. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1-9-9-2?

Docket number 1-9-9-2, Councilor Durkan, I offer the following. Petition for a special law, an act relative to 1 Jocelyn Place. The chair recognizes Councilor Durkan, you have the floor.

Thank you, Council President. Colleagues, today I'm asking you for support on a home rule petition that is essential to improving safety in the Longwood Medical Area, expanding and enhancing one of the only public parks in the neighborhood and enabling the construction of New England's first dedicated inpatient cancer hospital. I've been closely engaged in the planning process since Dana Farber and Beth Israel first approached the city in 2023. Last year, I also invited the former president of Dana-Farber, Dr. Laurie Glimcher, and her team to meet with the Boston City Council over lunch to discuss this project and Dana-Farber's groundbreaking work. That conversation allowed us to explore the future of cancer care in Boston. The proposed 14-story cancer hospital will enable Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to expand its life-saving care and pioneering research. However, the project cannot move forward until we advance this vote to the State House. Jocelyn Park is just over 13,000 square feet. It is surrounded on all sides by narrow, misaligned streets

That serves some of the busiest ambulance and pedestrian routes in the city. For decades this park has functioned less like a public space it was intended to be and more like a traffic median. The proposed improvements will transform the area. The reconfiguration will expand Jocelyn Park to approximately 14,600 square feet and redesign it to an accessible public space. The surrounding roadways will be realigned to eliminate unsafe and confusing intersections, resulting in necessary safety improvements for pedestrians, emergency vehicles, and hospital staff and visitors. Together, these changes will create a more functional, welcoming park and make this safer for everyone. Because Joslin Park is protected by Article 97, a state law requiring legislative approval for any changes to park land, This petition is needed to authorize both the reconfiguration and temporary use of a portion of the park for construction staging. This home rule petition enables the state legislature

to review a change already unanimously approved by the Parks Commission while ensuring no net loss of Article 97 open space. In fact, the configuration results in a net increase in parkland. Since the Parks Commission has already voted unanimously, the Council cannot change the proposal. The HRP is the only procedure we have available to us. The City sees this as a rare and unique opportunity to improve the underutilized condition of Jocelyn Park and the public realm for it, while enabling a project that fills a critical need in the Longwood Medical Area and across the Commonwealth. This vote will support the construction of a 300-bed dedicated cancer hospital, providing life-saving infrastructure for our city and region. The state has documented the need for an additional 384 additional cancer beds and this project will directly help us meet that need. Longwood is heart to our medical ecosystem.

This petition improves safety, expands open space, while preserving public control and delivering world-class cancer care for residents. It has been vetted by the BPDA, the Parks Commission, BCDC, Transportation, and Public Works. It is logical, balanced, and urgently needed. Today might be the first day some on this council thought about the reconfiguration of a tiny park in my district. But lawyers for the planning department, staff from my office, executives from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Dana Farber, the task force around the development, BCDC, urban planners, and union leaders know that the passage of this today is incredibly important. We have to move this forward today so that this legislative session, this gets done. and the reason that I'm pushing so hard is because there are hundreds of union jobs on the line there are The future of cancer is on the line.

And most importantly, I know that the current condition of this park is not suitable for the district that I represent. and through this task force and conversation around this Article 80 project, this is what constituents and folks in the community are asking for. So I have a letter. and I know I'm over, but I just want to read one small part of it just to make sure that folks understand how important this is. The proposed roadway reconfiguration is an opportunity for comprehensive reimagining of this section of the LMA. including a redesign of the park. The redesign of the park significantly improves these conditions and delivers what BCD has characterized as much needed improvements. to the only publicly owned space in Longwood Medical Area, which functions today as an expanded median rather than a truly meaningful public space.

Colleagues, today I'm asking for your support. This is incredibly important to both my district, the future of cancer care, and to make sure that we are delivering what is both approved by the planning department, approved by BCDC and the Parks Commission. Thank you.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Flynn. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I want to say thank you to Councilor Durkan for the important work and leadership she has provided on this issue and in support of her constituents and district, especially in the important Longwood area with so many medical facilities there that play an incredible role in Boston but across the world. positive conversation with Councilor Durkan today about this issue. I had a few calls from Dana Farber but also from Jocelyn Diabetes Center that I've worked with for many years and I rise to support this and just want to acknowledge the leadership of Councilor Durkan and how important it is not just to her district and to the city but really really across the country. The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an incredible medical facility helping so many people fighting cancer. And it's an important neighbor we have in the city of Boston.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Santana. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I want to just rise to go on the record of supporting this. I really want to thank Councilor Durkan for your important leadership on this matter. I've come out about my mother being able to battle battling cancer over the last two years. This is where she receives her amazing care. And I've grown to be passionate more about just taking care of taking care of our residents, especially those who are going through hardships and going through fighting cancer. As Councilor Durkan mentioned, this is going to be providing more beds. And as Councilor Flynn just mentioned, This is not just important for this particular district or our city, but for the nation itself as we here in the city of Boston are leaders in here. So I just want to go on the record of absolutely supporting this, and I hope my colleagues can join in doing so. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Santana. I just have one question to the chair. The language in the HRP states that the mayor is allowed to unilaterally make changes to the HRP if the legislature so chooses. is that language that we've put in HRPs before? And if not, why are we including it in this one? Which is why generally, you know, it's a question I would have had if we had a hearing on this, but I wanted to ask that to you.

So that is an example language from the last Article 97 that this council passed when Mayor Menino was mayor. Okay. So I know that I just want to be clear that multiple lawyers from both the planning department and from BDICMC have reviewed our article 97. and also that the exact language of what the Parks Commission passed is really the only language that we can that essentially that there is so much that is uneditable about this given that it's already passed the Parks Commission and there's very specific language in Article 97 surrounding how this needs to go through.

Yeah, I'm not taking issue with the fact that we aren't able to do anything different from what the Parks Commission is able to do. I've never seen that language before, so it makes sense. I was not on the city council. Just wondering why that language is included for Article 97. What is there different about Article 97 that we include that language that allows the mayor to add it?

Yeah, I think that we wanted to make sure that both it was amendable from, obviously this is going to be an active construction zone and that is both governed by It's obviously governed by the BPA board memo that's already passed for this project and the planning department and specifically we wanted to make it amendable for the The legislature as well, if there were any edits that they needed to make.

Yeah. We pass HRPs. We send HRPs up. That allows the legislature to edit. That's not the issue. It's just that I haven't seen the language. and when we were reviewing it we have not seen the language that allows the mayor to unilaterally make the edit but and obviously this park is that one of the smallest parks in Boston so if there do need to be made

If there do need to be edits made to the construction staging zone, that is something that I am supportive of given that. But what I'm proud of as well is that we have made plans within this project to make sure that a portion of the park will stay open the entire time during construction. Okay.

Thank you. Does anyone else have any questions? Okay. Councilor Durkan, Or would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Councilor Durkan seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket number... Oh, okay. Would anyone like to add their name to this docket? Mr. Clerk, please let Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell please add the chair. Durkan, suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 1992. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Mr. Clerk, could you please conduct a roll call vote?

Roll call vote on docket number 1992. Councilor Brayton. Breadon, yes, Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councilor Coletta Zapata, yes, Councilor Durkan, yes, Councilor Durkan, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Yes. Councilor Lujan, yes. Councilor Mejia. Councilor Mejia, yes. Councilor Murphy. Councilor Murphy, yes. Councilor Pepén. Councilor Pepén, yes. Councilor Santana. Councilor Santana, yes. Councilor Weber. Councilor Weber, yes. And Councilor Worrell? Yes. Councilor Worrell, yes. Docket number 1992 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you. Docket number 1992 has passed. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1993?

Doc, in number 1993, Councilor Fitzgerald offered the following. Order for a hearing to discuss maintaining pharmacy access in the city of Boston.

Thank you, the chair recognizes Councilor Fitzgerald. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to add Councilor Pepén as the second co-sponsor.

Councilor Pepén is so added.

Councilor Fitzgerald, you have the floor. Thank you. I suspend the rules and add Councilor Mejia as the third. Please and thank you.

Fitzgerald seeks to suspend the rules and add Councilor Mejia as the third original co-sponsor, seeing and hearing no objections. Councilor Mejia is so added. Councilor Fitzgerald, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Last week, CVS announced it'll be closing the pharmacy in Upham's Corner on December 18th, 2025. This closure is part of a series of large corporate pharmacy closures that have continued to jeopardize medical access for residents across our city, as many of us have spoken about in the past. In the past few years, Walgreens has closed locations in Roxbury, Codman Square, Mattapan, Neponset, West Roxbury, CVS has closed locations in downtown Boston, the South End, and we've also lost the pharmacy at the County Hospital with the closure of that one. These closures will make essential medication less accessible for many as research shows that older patients with chronic illnesses are likely to stop their medications within three months of a pharmacy's closure. The closures have occurred disproportionately within low-income neighborhoods, threatening to further exacerbate existing disparities to accessing essential medical care. And as discussed in CVS's own study from 2024, where they championed a commitment to health equity These closures are going to disproportionately harm our city's communities of color.

As noted in that study, black and Latino Americans visit pharmacies more frequently for basic health services than white Americans. These basic health services that will be lost include immunizations, testing and educational resources, all essential for our city's residents to maintain good health. The health of our city's residents should not suffer because of the selfish greed and unsustainable business practices of large medical companies. And in order to protect our city's population's long-term medical health, We must invest in sustainable and local pharmacy options that invest in the health of our community. What I see here happening is I'd love to get CVS and Walgreens in a hearing to understand their path going forward If they are closing, what are they doing to provide the services that they once had to remain equitable in our communities rather than just take up leave and leave us holding the bag? And so with that, thank you very much, Madam President.

Thank you Madam President and thank you Councillor Fitzgerald for adding me as a co-sponsor on this docket. I have seen few closures of pharmacies over the years in Hyde Park and Mattapan. And it would not be an exaggeration to say that residents live with a looming anxiety that another pharmacy will leave their neighborhood. Citing changes in consumer behavior corporations like Walgreens and CVS, are too comfortable pulling the rug on their at-risk communities and weakening access to critical medication. Communities like Hyde Park and Mattapan struggle with unique and acute medical concerns. Just a few to mention here. The area in much of Hyde Park and Mattapan is polluted by miles of traffic, oil diesel trains, and a lack of tree canopy, leading to higher than average rates of asthma. Our communities face higher rates of heart diseases, is driven in part to the reduced access to affordable and nutritious food. Matt Append just lost his daily table location. Our communities are also far from medical specialists, with the nearest hospitals being Faulkner Hospital,

and Milton Hospital, which are long distances for those without cars who may be reliant on public transportation. Corporations who fed us junk and polluted our air with gas have done incredible damage to our communities and so corporations like Walgreens and CVS out to use their resources in a way that best serves The communities they wish to do business in. Bostonians cannot afford more pharmacy closures and the expansion of our pharmacy deserts. We've already seen the closure on September 8th of the Walgreens on American Legion in Rossendale. And then we also saw a couple of years ago the closure of Rite Aid on High Park Avenue in High Park. What's so sad is that for someone that is trying to get their medicine is becoming very difficult to pick up their prescription. And that is an attack on their well-being. So I think that we really

Thank you, Madam President, and I want to thank

Fitzgerald. The co-sponsors, particularly starting off with Councilor Fitzgerald, you have been such a loud voice in this space. was in awe of your advocacy during the Kearney Hospital debacle, if you will. And so just really excited to see you continue to step into your power in this way and utilizing your microphone to do just that, is advocate. for the social, emotional, and physical well-being of our residents. So I just want to give you a shout out. The same with Councilor Pepén. You hosted a hearing in Hyde Park. regarding the Community Health Center. And so this is at the center of both of these issues. When we're thinking about the composition of our residents and thinking about all of the health needs, this is an opportunity for us to stand up and fight back. So I rise today as a co-sponsor of this hearing, ordered as someone who has stood within community through multiple fights to protect access to care. When then the Walgreens closed in Roxbury the first time we were

experiencing this, we stood up and fought back. The same with Codman Square, Mattapan, Neponset, and West Roxbury. So no one is being spared as it relates to access to this vital We stood together when Kearney Hospital shut down and the neighborhood lost its pharmacy. And now with the CBS announcing its closure of its Upham's Corner Pharmacy on December the 18th, residents will once again be left behind. These closures are not random. They follow a pattern of large corporate pharmacies withdrawing from low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. Research shows that older adults often stop taking their medication after a pharmacy closes. And CVS's own 2020 for health equity study confirmed that black and Latino residents rely heavily on pharmacies for basic health services.

and many more. This is not just an inconvenience, it is a public health risk. allow corporate profit margins to dictate whether or not residents can access essential medication and care. We need to evaluate the impact of these closures and explore sustainable pharmacy options that are accountable to the communities that they serve. I want to thank again my colleagues for bringing this forward and I look forward to the hearing from the administration, advocates, residents and those who are in positions to make a difference as we work towards the solutions that protect access to care in every neighborhood. Thank you.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Arrau. You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you to my colleagues for bringing this forward. They outlined the negative impacts that these closures have in our communities. But I also want to just take the time to uplift the work of our neighborhood health centers. who fill in the gap and have pharmacy services and provide health services and support in our communities. I also want to uplift the work President Louijeune, and my brother, State Representative Worrell, who have been pushing the state on this issue to increase the requirements on notice requirements for pharmacy closures. Also, just looking forward to this hearing to get a bird's eye view of the pharmacy landscape, where the gaps are, where the access is shrinking, and what tools we have to protect our communities. So again, thank you, Councilor Fitzgerald, and when you're having this hearing, I just want to I encourage you to invite Common Health, Bowdoin, and Harvard Neighborhood Health Center. Thank you. Thank you, Chair.

I recognize that Councillor Brayden, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Councillor Worrell, for bringing this very important conversation forward. We've just lost a Walgreens in Alston in recent months. And we have, I think I just did a little ready record here, we have four CVSs in the neighbourhood. and frankly we do have issues with service and and lack of sort of linguistic skills to help our neighbours. But we also do have a gem, a community pharmacy in the neighbourhood called The Melville Rx Pharmacy. It's on Commonwealth Ave near Washington Street. It is one of our 2025 legacy businesses. They not only provide experienced pharmacists, professional consultation, vaccines, free delivery,

To certain locations, certified diabetes care and education, and they speak a range of languages, English, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Albanian, Portuguese, Vietnamese and French. That is what I call good service and I think it's really important in this moment to focus on those community businesses, those small Long-established businesses. Melville has been in the neighbourhood for 50 years. Many of our family-owned and run pharmacies and small local chains have disappeared because they've faced the competition from the big Behemoths like CVS. It's a bit like the fight that we had with community bookstores about 20 years ago. They came in and they tried to put our community bookstores out of business. But our community bookstores are still here because they provide that extra service. And that's the model that we need to see across our neighbourhoods. Support and encourage and invest in our locally owned pharmacies

I also want to give a shout out to the Charles River Community Health Centre on Western Ave They have a community pharmacy there as well. So our health centres and our small community family-owned pharmacies are a lifeline for our neighbourhoods at a time when the big corporations are pulling away from and cherry picking the most lucrative locations for their businesses. Thank you.

Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? I want to thank the filers for putting this forward. I also want to uplift the work that's been done. I believe last year, Councilor Fernandez-Anderson We were in Roxbury in front of the Walgreens on Warren Street. talking about this issue. And I want to thank the Roxbury Coalition that has been working with my office on the petition that we have before the Mass State Board of Pharmacy A hearing that we will have on December 8th here in this body, and hopefully we will be able to pass that on December 10th so that we can put that we can put that petition before the pharmacy board. Because one of the things that we've heard from a number of people, the biggest thing is we barely knew about it.

So increasing the notice requirements is one. The important ways of making sure that residents are aware of what's happening so that they have sufficient time to put their prescriptions in at a different pharmacy. And I think that the pharmacies know well in advance, although they will try to skirt and not tell you, when their plans about closure. It's just about when they tell it to the public Different from their own financial models, they know well in advance what they plan to do in our cities and just don't want to fork over the data and the information to us. I look forward to this hearing to see what more we'll be able to glean from people who are too often putting profit before the needs of our individual people. And I look forward to my colleagues hopefully being at that hearing so that we can pass This order to send it to the state on December 10th. But yeah, residents are really suffering by the closure of these pharmacies. I think Councilor Breadon talked to the importance of independent pharmacies.

few of which that we're trying to save in Roxbury as these issues continue to persist. And so I really want to thank the coalition, Prophetic Justice, all of them for the work that they've done in partnership with our office to really help work and spearhead this effort. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please let Councillors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Flynn, Aren't you? Yeah. Santana, Weber, Worrell, please have the chair. Docket number 1-9-9-3 will be referred to the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1-9-9-4?

Doc number 1994, Councilor Flynn offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the status of the City of Boston's application to certify with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the National Flood Insurance Program Community Ranking System.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. As you know, last week, the Boston City Council unanimously supported a resolution urging the City of Boston to certify with FEMA for the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, a program that can save residents and businesses thousands of dollars in flood insurance costs. In order to qualify and get a discount on flood insurance, cities must receive a certification known as Community Rating System from FEMA. The City of Boston has not applied to receive this certification yet. Leaving residents to pay thousands of dollars every year. When a city has been certified to join community rating system, The community is assigned a class number between 1 and 9. Each class merits a 5% discount for all residents who obtain flood insurance through NFIP.

Some residents and businesses in Massachusetts with policies through NFIP have already received discounts up to 20%. However, since Boston Missed its original goal to certify in 2021, policyholders have paid approximately $15 million in premiums. And had Boston been assigned even the lowest rating of class nine, In 2021, at a 5% discount, neighbors could have saved roughly $785,000. Sea level rise is a significant issue in many neighborhoods throughout Boston, including in my district. including the District 2, I should say. I talked with constituents in South Boston, Fort Point, the Wharf District, South Boston Waterfront, the Seaport. And like other coastal communities, they have asked me to pursue this.

It was critical that the City Council recently spoke in one voice to say that Boston needs to make this a top priority and potentially save millions of dollars for policyholders. A difficult application process should not be a reason that we don't participate. I do understand that the City of Boston is going through the steps now to apply. It's important that the public obtain an opportunity to hear from the city's climate resilience team on the status of this application, the certification for CRS, and the City of Boston make this a top priority. to potentially save millions of dollars for residents and policyholders. I look forward to this hearing and to discuss the status of Boston's application. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. Is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, Poussette, Councilors, Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Santana, Weber, Worrell, please add the chair. This docket, docket number 1994, will be referred to the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency, and Parks. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket number 1995?

Doc number 1995, Councilor Fitzgerald, offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools sports footage platform access.

Thank you, the Chair recognizes Councilor Fitzgerald.

The other floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Over the past three years, BPS has had a contract with a platform called Hudl, H-U-D-L. That provides athletic teams and students access to the online sports footage that they can share. This product records the game footage for coaches, for student athletes, As well as for family and folks who cannot attend the game. This was provided over the three-year contract at $80,000 a year and it was subsidized through ESSER funds. Obviously that has run out and so the contract is not being renewed. It just ended this past weekend. What I'm concerned about, what I've heard about from athletic directors in BPS, from student athletes as well, is that this was a coveted tool by both the students and the faculty and staff in BPS.

Coaches would use it to teach their kids, review games, and try and go over highlights. Students would love to look at it. They put together packages for recruiting trips to send out for those student athletes. that may have a chance to play at a higher level and gain them some sort of even scholarships even to other higher education and so with this being gone what we've learned is $80,000 a year in our $4.6 billion budget does not seem like a lot. I understand that upcoming we do need to be considering the bells and whistles that we have as the budget sort of comes up over the next couple of years. If we are truly thinking about our schools, this huddle is used by 378 of the 382 high schools under the MIAA in Massachusetts. There are only four high schools that do not have Huddle. So now we're going to say all of BPS will no longer have this.

That's a disadvantage to our students. Some schools are even now taking it as a case-by-case basis. I just learned Tech Boston is paying an extra $900 to continue because the football season is not over. And they're using this to sort of continue to, again, Help our student athletes put together recruiting videos to help the coaches in their understanding and reviewing game tape with players. and to also allow again if we think about the people that are not able to access watching sports whether you have you know grandmother and grandfather that are physically disabled that can't make it or they live in another state they're still able to watch Thank you. There is also a way that all of the technology that was implemented at the beginning of three years ago is now going to be taken down.

There is added cost to putting that back in. What I'd like to do is try and save the city some money, allow that technology to remain, and somehow work out a deal with Huddle and with BPS to find a way to fund this. Because if we're really looking to support our BPS student athletes, and if you talk to them, They will tell you that this tool is a coveted tool by them, by both, you know, our student athletes, our families, and most importantly, our BPS student athletes. Thank you.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Flynn on the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I want to say thank you to Councilor Fitzgerald for bringing this forward. Madam Chair, may I ask Councilor Fitzgerald a question? To the Chair, Your Mayor. Thank you, Madam Chair. So to Council Fitzgerald, because this technology is probably going to be unavailable very soon, Is there an opportunity for us to meet almost immediately with BPS or the budget team when we have this meeting to get everybody here at the same time? We can maybe get an opportunity to ask the right questions at the right time, but maybe take action right after that meeting. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Do the chair, Councilor Fitzgerald, if you'd like to respond, you may.

Thank you, and thank you, Councilor Flynn, for that question. The purpose of bringing forth this hearing order is because time is of the essence. The contract has expired of just this past weekend. And so from my understanding is everything could be taken down pretty quick. The reason for this was to signal to Huddle that we are working on a way to keep this going. So before you go in, dismantle the technology and if we can talk about how Let's make sure we find this money. And again, at $80,000 a year, I know that is a lot of money, and it is a particular bell and whistle, but in today's age, In the technology that it provides for the games and for the families and for our faculty, staff, and students, I think this isn't a bell and whistle anymore. This is a necessity. I would love to get together with BPS Budget and find a way to at least make sure we can try and renew this for another year while we talk about how we do a better long-term contract years from now. But thank you.

Thank you. Is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please give Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Flynn, Mejia, Pepén, Weber, Worrell, please add the chair. Did I miss someone? Did I miss anyone, Mr. Clerk? No? Okay. This docket, docket number 1995, will be referred to the Committee on Education. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1996?

Docket number 1996, Councilors Weber and Coletta Zapata offer the following. Order for a hearing on clean energy transition through a labor justice lens. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Weber. You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Madam President. I'd like to seek to suspend the rules and add yourself as the third co-sponsor.

Weber seeks to suspend the rules to add myself as a third original co-sponsor, seeing and hearing no objections. I'm so added. Councilor Weber, you have the floor.

OK. About 10 years ago in the Paris Agreement, The world came together to set a goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over what the temperature was during the Industrial Revolution because anything over that would have severe catastrophic consequences for the planet. Ten years later, we're at 1.3 degrees Celsius of warming and the projection is that we'll exceed 2.5 degrees Celsius in the years to come. We should be taking steps to reduce our emissions because even if we go over 1.5 degrees Celsius, we can get back to that as long as we reduce emissions. And the projection is we reduce emissions by 50%, by 2035. That'll go a long way to helping us get up to 1.5 degrees. But if we put all the policies around the world

and many more. and something you can see that we're doing that right now is in our gas bills you know we right now Our gas bills are going up even though we use less gas. A lot of those costs go to more than 70% of our gas bills. and many more. Thank you. of Clean Energy and things that are going to make a difference for our future generations. This hearing order is so we can discuss how this city can set an example by creating the workforce that's going to and many more.

Thank you. Our partnerships with Mothers Out Front, chapters in JP, West Roxbury, and East Boston, not to be forgotten. And that this is, we've gotten support from MASCOSH, Greater Boston Labor Council, and other labor advocates. The hearing will bring together the administration, labor, environment advocates, utilities, and community members to plan proactively for a transition that reduces emissions, protects ratepayers and supports a strong, skilled workforce. I know this hearing order could go into either My committee, Labor or Environmental Justice. I think we've talked about it. I think this can go in Labor. I'd ask that it be assigned to my committee. Thank you very much.

The chair recognizes Councilor Coletta Zapata. You have the floor.

I'm proud to introduce this order for a hearing alongside Kelsa Weber and all of the groups that we've met with so far. It's been about a year. Mothers Out Front, MASHCOSH. I want to thank Darlene Lombos at the Greater Boston Labor Council for always centering worker justice in these conversations. and really to Mothers Out Front for pushing us to please have this conversation and being open to doing so with always ensuring that there is a just transition and an equitable transition So as we continue to push forward with our climate goals and that means reaching net zero carbon emissions, this is a critical moment to ensure that the path we take is both environmentally sound and firmly rooted in worker justice. We know that Boston's buildings account for nearly 70% of our emissions and that the transition away from fossil fuel infrastructure must be done in a way that is efficient Cost-effective for ratepayers and aligned with the lived realities of workers who keep our systems running.

The recent adoption of the state's climate bill in new direction from DPU opened the door for more flexibility. shifting away from costly and ineffective pipe replacement towards repair, retirement, and non-pipe alternatives. However, we need to make sure that we have a well-trained, well-supported workforce, representative of all neighborhoods in Boston, Ready for this transition. That means prioritizing retraining opportunities, protecting seniority and prevailing wages, and ensuring that workers who have built and maintained our energy systems can build the next generation of clean heat infrastructure. This transition must uplift existing workers and envision them as part of the future of Boston's both blue and green economy workforce. And there's already an incredible demonstration of this work happening. that has already happened in East Boston, Easty Farm, now has a modernized state-of-the-art greenhouse that is carbon neutral. Actually, no, it's net...

and many more. A just transition is possible here, and I again want to extend gratitude to all of the environmental and labor advocates who have partnered closely with our office to help shape this conversation, and I look forward to the hearing and the discussion ahead. Thank you.

Thank you, and I'll just... I want to add that thanks for putting this forward. I think it's incredibly important beyond I've had this conversation one-offs with a number of unions and it's important that we really do center labor in these conversations as we transition to a more just and a more clean and a more green future. I think the groundwork has been laid for it. I was just listening to public radio yesterday about the changes around the country to investments and what the potential for really diversifying Thank you. Thank you. Ever-Present. And so I think this is a very, this is an overdue conversation for us to have and I look forward to having it.

Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add Councilors Breadon, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mejia, Santana, Worrell. This docket, docket number 1996 will be referred to the Committee on Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 19, and can you please add Councilor Pepén's name to that docket? Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1997?

Doctrine number 1997, Councilor Mejia for the following. Resolution recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20th, 2025.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Mejia.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And I just also want to add Councilor Breadon as an original co-sponsor and Councilor Santana as a third original co-sponsor. Suspend and pass to add Councilor Henry Santana as an original co-sponsor.

Thank you. Councilor Breadon is so added. Councilor Mejia seeks to suspend the rules to add Councilor Santana as a third original co-sponsor. Seeing and hearing no objections, Councilor Santana is so added. Councilor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you. So today we pause to honor the lives of transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary people whose light and life was taken too soon. Transgender Day of Remembrance is a solemn reminder of the violence this community continues to face and a call for all of us to do more than remember. This morning we organized a Mix and Mingle gathering and to honor and presenting awards to Giselle Byrd, Gabriel Rivas-Orinaga, and Mickey Jones for their leadership and contributions to the LGBTQ plus community. Boston. declared itself a sanctuary city for our LGBTQ plus family, and this resolution builds on that commitment. We honor the resilience, brilliance, and humanity of our trans community. and we recommit ourselves to policies that protect, uplift and affirm them.

To everyone who's doing this work every day, advocates, families, community organizations and especially those fighting on the front lines for safety and dignity, We see you, we appreciate you, and we will always uplift you. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Mejia. Co-sponsor, I'd like to speak to the Chair. Can I ask Councillor Breadon?

Very briefly, I think it is really important that Transgender Day of Remembrance is particularly Remembered in Alston where Rita Hester lived and we dedicated a park tour in her memory recently and it's just an ongoing work that we have to do. in this moment, and just to really let our trans community know that we see them, that we are there for them, and that we want a community, a city, and a world in which transgender, Black transgender women are not afraid to be out and in the world, that they could live in safety without fear.

Thank you. Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? I just want to thank you, Councillor Mehear, for hosting, and thank you to my colleagues for Always uplifting. This body is a body that I'm proud of the ways in which we try to make sure everyone who lives in the city feels included and feels seen. And I believe that happened today. So thank you. Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, could you please add Councilors Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Pepén, Weber, Worrell. Please add the Chair. Councilors Mejia, Breadon, and Santana. Seek suspension of the rules. and adoption of docket number 1997. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket has been adopted. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1998.

Document number 1998, Councilor Worrell, offer the following. Resolution recognizing November 30th. as Barbados Independence Day in the City of Boston.

The Chair recognizes Councilor Worrell. You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. This resolution is in celebration of Barbados. 59th year of independence. On November 30th, 1966, Barbados moved from colonial rule to self-governance. and in 2021 became a republic, closing the formal colonial chapter. Those 59 years have been marked by resilience, democratic leadership, and a deep commitment to education, culture, and social progress. I also just want to take the time to just applaud the leadership of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley, who's been a voice for the region. For me, this history is personal. My dad is a proud Barbadian, but the slang word is Bajan. So I had the opportunity and To grow up inside the culture, whether it was soca music, calypso, the great food of the culture, flying fish, cuckoo, all at home. And I also got the other side from the Jamaica side, so I ate pretty well.

But here in Boston, our Barbadian and broader Caribbean community continues that legacy every day. And I want to especially shout out the Barbadian organizations here in Boston who continue to uplift and provide support for the community who have planned events around Independence Day. including Barbados Tourism, Barbados in Motion, and United Barbadian in Massachusetts. You keep the culture alive, you mentor our young people, you make our city stronger. Also just want to shout out our Consul General, Jones, Tim Downs, and also a Consul General from New York who have been playing a very instrumental role in bringing the community together. The flag raising for Barbados Independence is this Friday. at 11 a.m. right here on City Hall Plaza. And there's also a service of Thanksgiving on November 23rd at the Concord Baptist Church. And then the annual Barbados Gala on November 29th

So anyone who likes Soka music and wants to go and walk up, that's Edwin Yearwood, a legendary Soka artist that will be here in Boston. So happy Independence Day, Barbados. and I seek suspensions of the rules and passage of this resolution.

Thank you. Is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? Happy Independence Day to the Bayesians. Hope that it is a wonderful celebration and flag raising, which is on, did you mention the? Friday. The Friday, the flag raising, okay. Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please let Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mejia, Durkan, Pepén, Santana, Weber, please have the chair. Councilor Worrell seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket number 1998. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Ayes have it. This document is passed. Mr. Clerk. Could you please read docket number 1999?

Docket number 1999. Councilor Flynn, offer the following. Resolution in support of Senate 1247, an act criminalizing sexual assault of a Passenger by a Right Chair Operator.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn. Councillor Flynn, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. Transportation network companies such as Uber and Lyft provide ride-sharing services that are convenient and used by many in Boston and Massachusetts. We recognize TNCs have become a part of our overall transportation system, but we have to acknowledge this evolving industry continues to present serious concerns on public safety. In February, a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by her ride-share driver when traveling from an establishment in South Boston to her home. In 2018, a driver was charged with exposing himself to two women near downtown crossing. In 2015, another driver was convicted of aggravated rape, kidnapping, assault, and battery. According to reports by WCVB, A woman was allegedly raped by her Uber driver after she left a bar alone.

The next day, her friends encouraged her to contact the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, who guided her through her next steps. After obtaining a sexual assault kit, she was told that there was not enough evidence to move the case to trial. Prosecutors at the Suffolk County District Attorney's Domestic and Sexual Violence Unit indicated that in order to move forward with the trial, they would have to prove that the ride-share driver knew that the victim was too intoxicated to give consent. At the Statehouse, S-1247, enact criminalizing sexual assault of a passenger by a rideshare operator. This bill would effectively eliminate consent as a defense for a rideshare driver and make it illegal for a driver to have relations with a passenger. The bill treats rideshare drivers as people in a position of trust, similar to a police officer with a person in custody.

Incidents of sexual assault and rideshares are deeply disturbing and unsettling to all of us. Ensuring the safety of all residents, especially This bill would effectively provide an extra layer of protection for residents that use rideshears, especially those that are in vulnerable positions. I look forward to passing this resolution today and letting the State Senate know that we support it. I believe this bill is authored by Senator Rausch. In the final analysis, I'm asking my colleagues for us to come together when it comes to this critical issue, violence against women. We all have family, friends, and constituents that we care about. We do not want anyone to have to go through similar experiences as these survivors and then having to prove that they did not give consent.

That has nothing to do with big tech or anti-innovation. Doing all we can to prevent this from happening again, supporting women in our communities, providing a safe opportunity for them to get from A restaurant or bar home safely. That's what we're asking to provide respect and dignity for passengers. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you so much. I just wanted to stand in support of this resolution. I know I have always followed any reports especially Uber has done a lot of reporting on their own numbers and then I've also read after reports have come out that New York Times and others have done Do diligence on those reports and shown that the numbers provided by these companies do not match the actual occurrences of these things happening. So When the New York Times did an investigative report, they showed that there was some incident happening every eight minutes in the United States. which is far higher than they publicly disclosed. Also, they've totally taken out less serious things like flirting, asking for your

I just want to say as someone who uses rideshare to get across my district, you know, five neighborhoods, it's really hard to get around. I've definitely had things happen to me that I felt like were really inappropriate from drivers luckily never escalating to the point of assault but I stand with the women who have had these experiences and I want to thank Councillor Flynn for bringing this forward I think it's incredibly important that we have this conversation. I'm not sure exactly where this is at the State House, but I think a vote today would ensure that at least we're standing up for something that matters to so many women And that would give a little bit of pause to someone acting inappropriately in a position of power.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please let Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell please have the chair. Flynn, 6th suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 1999. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket is passed. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket number 2000? I love how these docket numbers have been for the 90s babies all our years.

Docket number 2000. Councilors Weber and Louijeune offer the following. Resolution recognizing November 27, 2025. as National Day of Mourning in the City of Boston.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Weber. Councilor Weber, you're on the floor.

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

Councilor Weber seeks to suspend the rules to add Councilor Santana as a third original co-sponsor, seeing and hearing no objections. Councilor Santana is so added. Councilor Weber, you have the floor.

Okay, thank you. I'm honored to bring this resolution recognizing the National Day of Mourning for a second year in a row. We adopted this resolution unanimously last year. For thousands of years, Native peoples lived, worked, and cared for and stewarded the land that we know as Boston. As Thanksgiving approaches, it is important for our community to acknowledge the history that forms the foundations of our celebrations. The story we tell of that first Thanksgiving between the Wampanoag tribe and Pilgrim colonists covers up inconvenient truths revealed by a history where the first colonists were helped to survive in the early years but Native Americans were repaid by gradually being pushed out of their ancestral homes. To the Native population in our community, Thanksgiving doesn't represent a celebration

It is a yearly haunting reminder of the devastation that was brought upon them. Too often, attempts to highlight difficult chapters in our joint history are silenced The National Day of Mourning was founded in 1970 by Wamsuta Frank James of the Aquinnah Wampanoag, and it challenges us to confront the real history behind Thanksgiving and to honor the resilience of indigenous peoples who continue to lead, organize and build community here in Boston. I've had the privilege of collaborating with the New England Indian Center of Boston or NICAB which is in Jamaica Plain on a lot of different things, including on this resolution last year and filing this resolution again. I'm honored to work with them. to bring this before the Council in our joint pursuit of justice and equity for our Native communities.

I hope my fellow Councillors will join me again in recognizing the National Day of Mourning. At this time of year. So I seek suspension and adoption of this resolution. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you, Council Weber, and thank you again for filing this. This is about truth telling, telling the truth about the origins of this country and the origins of what many celebrate and what we'll celebrate joyously next week. Thanksgiving, a day that I love observing with my family and not being able to divorce it from the myths that we often talk about when we talk about harmony and Coming together, the devastation that was wreaked upon our native communities, mainly when we talk about this tradition, the Wampanoag, but there are so many other indigenous communities that are worth uplifting, especially here. When we talk about whose lands we are on, I was on a panel yesterday about what it means to be American.

You know, again reiterated how no one has a more superior claim to this land than our indigenous residents of whom there are not that many left because of the decimation of our indigenous population. And there are many stories to tell here when it comes to Long Island and when it comes to so many parts of our city when we forced indigenous people out. But I want to make sure that we stand in solidarity with our native community today. I know Reggie is here from the North American Indian Center of Boston. I want to thank them for the work that they do to uplift and teach us and to hold on to The aspects of indigenous culture that has been erased over the years. And so I think it's important for us to recognize the truths of this holiday. and hold space for our indigenous community who will not be celebrating in the way that many families will be next week.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Santana, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to Councilor Weber. and to Council President for your leadership on this resolution and including me as an original co-sponsor. As we recognize National Day of Mourning, I'm proud to stand in solidarity with our Native American and indigenous communities. This day is a reminder of the profound injustices and many more. We stand in solidarity with their fight for justice and Resistance to Colonization and Systematic Oppression. Today is a renewal of our commitment to join and support their fight for their rights, dignity, and justice. And I just want to give another special shout out to Reggie for all the amazing work That you do on behalf of the community. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add councilors. Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mejia, Pepén, Worrell, Okay. Councilors Weber, Louijeune, and Santana, suspension of the rules and adoption of docket number 2000. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. This docket is passed. Before we move on to personnel orders, would anyone like to add their name or offer a motion to reconsider on a vote when they were out of chambers? No, okay. We're now moving on to personnel orders. Mr. Clerk, can you please read the personnel orders?

Personnel Orders, Doctrine Number 2001, Councilor Lujan for Councilor Mejia, Doctrine Number 2002, Councilor Lujan for Councilor Weber, and Doctrine Number 2003, Councilor Lujan for Councilor Coletta Zapata.

Thank you. The chair moves for passage of DACA's number 2001 to 2003. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Thank you. The personnel orders have passed. We are now moving on to green sheets. Would anyone like to pull anything from the green sheets? Just a reminder to my colleagues that we have two meetings left in the calendar year in December, and so folks need to make sure that things are moving before the end of the year. Thank you, Madam President.

Mr. Clerk, as notified ahead of today's hearing, I would like to pull docket number 0978. from the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. That is on page 21 of the green sheet.

Mr. Clerk, do you have that docket before you? Yes. Could you please read it into the record?

From the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, document number 0978, order to adopt Chapter 270 of the Acts of 2024 regarding local law enforcement continuity between the City of Boston and the Town of Dedham. Thank you.

Absent objection, the motion of the committee chair is accepted and the matter is properly before the body. Councilor Santana, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice held a public hearing on an order to adopt Chapter 270 of the Act of 2024 regarding local law enforcement continuity between the City of Boston and the Town of Dedham. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, we were joined by my colleagues, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Flynn, and Councilor Weber. We also received a letter of absence from Councilor Worrell. The committee heard testimony from a panel including Robert Sicolo, Superintendent and Chief of the Bureau of Field Services, for the Boston Police Department, Chief of Police for the Dedham Police Department, Michael Androman, and then we also heard from State Representative himself, Rob Consalvo, who sponsored and advanced the bill,

As we heard in the hearing, boundary complications can delay response times and compromise public safety, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration is often necessary to promote public safety These boundaries make determining jurisdiction difficult in real time because they can split backyards, streets, and commercial buildings. This is a common sense measure to address a longstanding problem our officers have been experiencing increase the effectiveness of law enforcement and provide more seamless coordination from first responders. As the chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, it is my priority that Boston's law enforcement is able to provide services effectively for all of our residents. This kind of interagency collaboration keeps our residents safe and supported as made clear by the insights shared during the hearing. Having held a productive hearing on this order as chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice,

I recommend moving this docket from the committee to the full council for discussion and informal action. At the time, my recommendation to the full council will be at docket number 0978, all to pass. And I'm sure that the lead sponsor, Councilor Pepén, I would also like to say a few words. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilor Pepén. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, Mr. Chair, for holding this hearing. I'm thankful also to my State colleagues, State Representative Ralph Goncalvo, who flagged this for us because this was supposed to be done over 40 years ago. There's been collaboration with the towns of Milton and the towns of Brookline. This one specifically impacts my district because There's actually certain intersections one stands out, which is River Street and Milton Street in the Readville area where it becomes Dedham. If a resident were to have In accident there, God forbid, they wouldn't, right now as it stands, nor the Boston Police nor the Dunham Police could report to it. So this would actually make the agreement between the two Municipalities for there to be proper response in case of an accident were to happen of the intersection of the lines between the towns of Dedham and the City of Boston. Also, I know there were questions about the Trust Act from some of my colleagues.

So in these situations, under the bill, a duly sworn officer of the town of Datum who is authorized to exercise police powers within the town may exercise all such police power within 500 yards into the corporate limits of the city of Boston as if such officer were a duly sworn officer of the City of Boston. So they would have to adhere also to the Boston Trust Act. But that's really it. This is a very unique situation to my district of the Board of Redevelopment Data So thank you so much to the chair and for all my colleagues for attending.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Flynn on the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to say thank you to Councilor Santana and Councilor Pepén and Representative Consalvo as well. There was an informative hearing. I learned a lot. And I just wanted to highlight the important relationship Boston Police has with Dedham and with other cities and towns. It's critical to have that positive I know that area very well. I spent time over at the VA in West Roxbury talking to veterans, but I do know how important it is maintain and develop a positive working relationship between Boston in cities and towns impacting or in the border, I should say, of the city limits. So again, I want to say thank you to Council Santana, and Councilor Pepén for their important work. Thank you.

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

Yeah, just I want to thank the filers and this is also an issue for District 6. Anyone look up Crosstown Street, forms a right angle and the sort of elbow is in Dedham and the rest of it is in West Roxbury. and I will say we did ask about the Trust Act and I cross-checked answers with advocates and I think we're good on that front here, which is why I support the filing. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else looking to speak on this matter? Councilor Santana seeks passage of docket numbers. It's 1-9-7-9. Okay, zero, nine, seven, eight. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it, this document is passed. Is anyone else looking to pull anything from the green sheets? Okay, we're now moving on to late files. I've been informed by the clerk that there are four late file matters, all personnel orders, all personnel orders. I will take a vote to add these late file personnel orders onto the record. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. These matters have been added onto the record. Mr. Clerk, could you please read them onto the record?

First, lay file personnel order, Councilor Louijeune. Second, lay file personnel order, Councilor Louijeune. Third, lay file personnel order, Councilor Louijeune. Durkan, and Fourth Late File Personnel Order, Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Durkan.

We will take a vote on these late file personnel orders. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. These matters have passed. We are now moving on to the consent agenda. I've been informed by the Clerk that there are no additions to the consent agenda. The question now comes on approval of the various matters contained within the consent agenda. All those in favour say aye. Aye. Thank you. The consent agenda has been adopted. We are now on to announcements. Please remember these are for upcoming dates and events. We have some birthdays coming up. Happy birthday to Matthew Martinelli, to Reggie Stewart, to Millie Rivera, and to Sherry Cajuste. Happy birthday to these. We also have the Shattuck Awards. Steve Kloftak is here from the Boston Municipal Research Bureau. I want to thank all of our more than deserving city employees who are going to be honored I have a message from our 14th Councillor, Michael, who wants to say thank you to Councillor Worrell,

and Councilor Mejia for the invitation to the turkey giveaways. And thank you to everyone on this body who has been showing up to make sure that our families have Food and what they need during this Thanksgiving holiday and all the time, but especially now. There are lots of turkey giveaways happening this weekend. food distributions and so if anyone is listening in the city who needs food or he needs to figure out how to provide a meal for their family feel free to reach out to my office and I'm sure any other office here on the council and we would be happy to help step in and Make sure that all of our families in the city of Boston are fed and have food. And I also want to give a big shout out to everyone who attended our Friendsgiving. Big shout out to Emily Poston in my office for organizing for Jesse for throwing down on a turkey. I have no idea when he had time to make that because I was bugging him all night. And to Matt.

in Liz's office who made, I mean, everybody made really good things, but who made some cookout-worthy mac and cheese. So I just wanted to give him a shout out It's pretty good mac and cheese. And I also wanted to give a big shout out to Haiti that qualified for the World Cup the first time in over 50 years last night. As I was falling asleep on my couch getting exuberant text messages from everyone, including Jada here from the mayor's team. And I know Reggie's also very excited, my fellow. Native and also Haitian. Very excited for what this means as the World Cup is next year. And we know that there are so many who are very, very excited. It was also very meaningful that it happened yesterday, which was also a national holiday in Haiti celebrating the 222nd.

and many more. A lot of people are excited about that. Cape Verde is also in the World Cup and a lot of other countries I'm sure that folks are from were really excited about the World Cup next year. So really excited and just wanted to uplift that. Turning it over to Kelsa Mejia. Kelsa Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I just wanted to offer just some spaces and places where people can get turkeys this weekend. Our office partnered up with Shirley's Pantry. I'm doing turkey giveaways there, as well as the Greater Four Corners, I think it's Action Coalition. They're also going to be distributing turkeys, and we also partnered up with Gilda Hood They'll be offering turkeys to folks. So if you are looking for turkeys in Jamaica Plain, go to Heel the Hood. Mattapan, Shirley's Pantry, and in Dorchester, you can go to the Four Corners Action Coalition folks. And we also partnered up with The Urban Heat, they'll be distributing turkeys as well as well as the Family Nurturing Center. So those are all the spaces and places. Get it on the record.

If you want a turkey, roll up to any of those locations on Saturday. and while I still have the mic I just wanted to acknowledge my little girl who is working really hard and getting her math grade up so if anybody knows of any tutoring I and looking for someone who can get her back on track. So this is me publicly putting her on notice that I am looking for some help in the math department. Thank you. Thank you.

And what grade is she in?

She's in the 10th grade.

It's very hard. Thank you. And since you put them out there, Roxbury has no books, no ball. They're having a turkey giveaway on Saturday. The YMCA at the new collaborative food hub, there are giveaways happening there as well on Saturday. The Chair recognizes Councilor Weber, you have the floor.

Okay, thank you. Thanksgiving, 8.30 in the morning, and this is District 7, but Franklin Park, Turkey Trot, urge everyone to come out, and also I don't do a lot of birthdays, but On Tuesday at the Sherrill House, Beatrice Busby is turning 110. So this will be my third birthday there with her and her family. Anyone who's in JP on Tuesday, let me know and come by to the Sherrill House. Thanks. Happy birthday to her.

The chair recognizes Councilor Flynn. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to let my colleagues know once again, but also the public, invite them to the hearing on Friday about veterans across Boston. The hearing is going to be here 10 o'clock on Monday, I mean on Friday, this coming Friday. Again, want to encourage everybody to be here in the public. Certainly can come in and testify, can testify by video, but I think it's going to be one of the most important hearings we have all year. So want to again want to encourage my colleagues to be here. Thank you Madam Chair.

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

Thank you so much. I know I sent an email to everyone, but just broadly, I wanted to invite everyone to my third annual turkey dinner at Fenway Park. It's going to be Monday, November 24th at 6 p.m. And it's becoming quite a tradition that it's the Monday before Thanksgiving. I'm excited Boston Music Project will be providing the music and I know I just got the mayor's attendance confirmed so I'd love for my other colleagues in government Durkan. Thank you so much. Thank you, Councilor Durkan.

Always a great event. Anyone else like to make any announcements? Okay, we are now moving on to memorials. Would anyone like to adjourn today's meeting on behalf of anyone who's passed? I'd like to uplift the passing of Alice Wong, a disability advocate who did a lot of work in the progressive space and with a lot of candidates to really make sure that All policies were inclusive of those who are living with accessibility issues and those who are disabled. Just want to lift up Alice Wong and her family. and Dennis Jackson, who is the father of my beloved friend Nate Jackson and his brother Jeremy Jackson. The chair recognizes Councilor Durkan. You have the floor.

Thank you so much. Though I didn't have the opportunity to meet her, I just wanted to, my constituent services director, Samantha Courage's grandmother passed away, Carol of South Boston, Councilor Flynn's constituent. Just wanted to say her name on the record and send my love to her family.

Thank you. Would anyone else like to adjourn on behalf of anyone who's passed? I'd also be remiss if I didn't say one name, Boston Police Detective. Bruce Higgins, who passed away a few weeks ago, resident of West Roxbury, who's beloved by so many in community, a beloved coach to a number of our young people. and I know his passing hit a lot of people very hard and so just wanted to uplift his family during their time of mourning. The chair recognizes Councilor Pepén, you have the floor.

I also just want to uplift one of our colleagues who I think she posted yesterday or two days ago that she also lost a loved one in her family. So my thoughts and prayers are with Councilor Murphy's office.

Thank you. Our thoughts and prayers are with Councilor Murphy during her time of loss as well. Anyone else? Today we will adjourn our meeting in memory of the following individuals. On behalf of Councilor Coletta Zapata, Kath Lee, Kathleen Kitty Whalen. On behalf of Councilor Durkan, Carol Courage. On behalf of myself, Alice Wong, Dennis Jackson, Jorge Luis Henao of the Oliveros family. Boston Police Detective Bruce Higgins, and on behalf of the entire Boston City Council, Councilor Murphy's stepmom, a moment of silence. 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 Ionella Chamber on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 at 12 noon.

Thank you to my colleagues, central staff, the clerk, and the clerk's office, and the council stenographer. All in favor of adjournment, please say aye. Aye. The council is adjourned.