City Council

Council President Liz Breadon called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM.

• Present: Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell.
• Invocation: Delivered by Reverend Caitlin Ho Givens of Resurrection Church in East Boston, who emphasized community solidarity and the dignity of all residents.
• Pledge of Allegiance: Led by the Council.

Boston Debate League 20th Anniversary

Councilor Flynn recognized the Boston Debate League (BDL) for two decades of empowering students through critical thinking and civil discourse.

• Key Speaker: Alana Laforest, a senior at Boston Latin Academy and recipient of a full debate scholarship to Wake Forest University, stated: "I think that part of the reason why debate has been something that's been so influential to me is because of this emphasis on persuasion and respectful discourse."

Appointment of Fire Commissioner Rodney Marshall

Councilor Culpepper presented a resolution honoring Rodney Marshall on his historic appointment as the 45th Fire Commissioner of Boston.

• Official Language: "Be it resolved that this Boston City Councilor offers its congratulations to Fire Commissioner and Chief Rodney Marshall... who became the first black fire commissioner to lead the department in its nearly 350 year history."
• Commissioner Remarks: Marshall encouraged youth to "keep all your options open" and noted that while he didn't see people who looked like him in the department growing up, he is honored to lead "the bravest of all."

The following dockets were introduced and acted upon:

1. Docket 1030: Message and order authorizing an appropriation of $47,120,292 for snow and winter management for the period ending June 30, 2026. Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
2. Docket 1031: Message and order authorizing an appropriation of $22,845,672 for Boston Public Schools to cover health insurance ($18,087,750) and utility spending ($4,757,922). Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
3. Docket 1032: Grant of $2,520,000 from the Mass Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development for the Youth Works summer and school year jobs program.
   • Outcome: Passed via roll call (12-0).
   • Votes in Affirmative: Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell.
4. Docket 1033: Grant of $178,000 from the Barr Foundation for the Ray Fellowship to support underrepresented college graduates in environmental careers. Passed.
5. Docket 1034: Grant of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism for World Cup watch parties.
   • Outcome: Passed via roll call (12-0).
6. Docket 1036: In-kind donation of $428.67 from Boston Pride for the People for the city's participation in the 2026 Pride Festival.
   • Outcome: Passed via roll call (12-0).

The Council engaged in a lengthy debate regarding Dockets 0733-0747, the FY27 Operating and Capital Budgets.

• Committee Report: Ways and Means Chair Weber recommended the dockets remain in committee, arguing against rejecting the budget to protect the city's AAA bond rating. He stated: "Dipping into reserves to pay for recurring programs or artificially inflating revenue projections would possibly erode our AAA bond rating."
• Motion to Reject: Councilor Worrell moved to suspend Rule 24 to allow a vote to reject the budget, arguing that the current proposal includes unacceptable cuts to youth jobs and senior services. He noted: "Rejecting this budget today does not mean we are rejecting government... it gives us leverage before we get there."
• Procedural Vote (Suspension of Rule 24):
  • Yeas (6): Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Worrell.
  • Nays (6): Breadon, Durkan, Louijeune, Pepén, Santana, Weber.
  • Outcome: The motion failed (two-thirds majority required). The budget remains in the Committee on Ways and Means.

Official Actions and Votes

• Docket 1053: Petition for a special law regarding an age waiver for Jorge Enriquez to join the Boston Police Department.
  • Outcome: Passed (10-0).
• Docket 1059: Order requesting information under Section 17F regarding new city positions created since January 15, 2025. Passed.
• Docket 1060: Resolution recognizing National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week 2026. Adopted.
• Docket 1061: Resolution recognizing May as Bike Month. Adopted (11-0).
• Docket 1062: Resolution recognizing June 2026 as Immigrant Heritage Month. Adopted.
• Docket 1063: Resolution commemorating Memorial Day and honoring Gold Star families. Adopted (11-0).
• Docket 1064: Resolution calling for the rescission of elected official salary increases to redirect savings to city services.
  • Outcome: Failed (3-9).
  • Yeas: Culpepper, Flynn, Murphy.
  • Nays: Breadon, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell.
• Docket 1066: Resolution in support of a 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and increasing the COLA base for retirees in the Boston Retirement System from $15,000 to $18,000.
  • Outcome: Adopted (10-0).

The Council approved the following committee-recommended items:

• Dockets 0919 & 0920: Five-year contracts for citywide fuel and harbor boat fuel to lock in favorable pricing. Passed (11-0).
• Docket 0762: $250,000 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant for free tax preparation for low-income residents. Passed (11-0).
• Docket 0979: $49,476 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant for elevator rescue kits and carbon monoxide detectors. Passed (11-0).

The Council adjourned in memory of the following individuals:

• John Bernard Arnold III (WWII Veteran)
• Nerva Desir
• Roscoe Baker
• Congressman Barney Frank

Next Meeting: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM.