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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 backslash city dash council dash tv At this time, I ask my colleagues and those in the audience to please silence their cell phones and electronic devices. Also pursuant to Rule 42 I remind all in this chamber that no demonstration of approval or disapproval from members of the public will be permitted. Thank you. Madam Clerk, could you please take a roll call to ascertain the presence of a forum?

Breadon, Colletta Zapata, Culpepper, Dulcan, Fitzgerald, Flynn. Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana. Santana here, Councilor Weber? Here. Councilor Webber here, councilor Worrell?

Here A forum is present Thank you Madam Clerk The clerk has informed me that a quorum is present It is my pleasure to now ask Councillor Durkan to come forward and introduce today's clergy. And following the invocation, we will say the Pledge of Allegiance

Thank you so much, Madam President. Dana-Farber is such an important partner in my district and today we're joined here by Sarah Harbaugh who was a multi faith chaplain at Dana- Farber Cancer Institute. She cares for people in some of the hardest times of their lives, and they graduated as a Masters of Divinity at Boston University School of Theology in 2022. completed clinical pastoral education at Jefferson Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and at Havenwood Heritage Heights in Concord, New Hampshire. In their role as multi-faith chaplain Sarah supports the spiritual well-being of patients, their loved ones and staff at Dana Farber. Sarah's work is rooted in approaches in humanist philosophy, religious pluralism, and people centered care. They are endorsed as a chaplain by the Humanist Society and we're so happy that they're here with us.

Thank you, good morning everyone. I'd like to begin by sharing a reading written by Howard Thurman from Meditations of the Heart called Two Areas of Need. There are at least two areas of need in which all people are involved, One is the insistence upon finding something to worship. Everybody has to have something to Worship, it is not optional. It is not merely the result of some particularly significant spiritual bias in personality either. There is something native to the human spirit that insists upon the offering of one's precious gifts, precious possessions. Offering them to something outside of oneself Something that is regarded as supremely worthwhile. What happens when you get a very wonderful piece of good news? What do you do? You want to tell somebody.

Somebody who means enough to you to accept your tidings as a symbol of nearness and devotion. What do you worship? What do bring the most precious increments of your spirit, mind The need is ever-present. Whatever it is that holds so central a place in your reaction to living, that is your all. There is also the need of being a part of the family, the human family. The human race. I'm aware that all the race in some meaningful sense breathes through me that I am a part of the very pulsating rhythm of existence. I am not a thing apart, I'm not a separate unit I am deeply involved in the collective experience of aliveness and human aliveness.

If I am cut off so that only my little life breathes through me, Only my little hopes course through my mind and spirit. Only my thoughts penetrate my brain Then life for me is not worth living I must have a sense of deep corporate vitality. Nothing less than this will satisfy. Therefore, I must manage somehow to keep the lines of communication open between me and the human family. How wonderful it is if I can do this by love, by warmth, by kindling flame of abiding fellowship. Often if it cannot be done that way There is resort to hate, To antagonism, to belligerency. The shouting of defiance Is the call of my heart for kinship.

If one cannot become the center of an increasing affection, in their desperation they become the core of a great rejection. For better or for worse there is but one family under all and I am a member of it. In my work as a chaplain at Dana-Farber, I frequently wonder about what it means to provide care or what is the meaning of care. In her essay titled Who Cares? Political scientist and author Joan Toronto states, needs never end until we die. Care is always present, rarely visible, always requiring something from us. What does it mean to care? I imagine in today's meeting, this council will indeed take care in reviewing the items on today's agenda

and contemplating how best to meet the needs of the City of Boston. Then let us prepare for the task ahead with a moment of quietude, and a blessing May a spirit of wisdom, discernment and compassion guide the contemplations and decisions of this council today. May a Spirit of siblinghood and friendship be in the hearts of all persons in the City of Boston. And may we collectively strive to create a more caring world together. Thank you.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, Sybil, Liberty and Justice Sproul.

Thank you Sarah thank you Councillor Durkan I would like to now invite the MAB contract group to come forward. For a photo, we have a resolution in support of MAB and they're seeking a fair contract. If you'd like to come up, we'll have a photograph with our colleagues. Colleagues, if you'd come up we'll The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Community Services, MAB, was founded in 1903 and has long created opportunities and empowered people with disabilities through programs that promote independence, resilience and community. Today's resolution is that the Boston City Council expresses its support for the MAB community service workers represented by SEIU 5509 and calls upon the MAB Community Services

to promptly and meaningfully respond to all MAB members' contract proposals, and speedily reach a fair contract without delay. So welcome. So this isn't a formal presentation. We're going to have a resolution, so we'll just have a photograph with our colleagues So, are you in Austin? Come forward up to the front. So thank you. I worked at Perkins School for the Blind for 16 years, and I really appreciate the importance of care workers like the folks at MAB who help support our folks with visual impairment as they Thank you very much.

and we'll hold this one. Good?

Thank you.

So next we will have two presentations today. Our colleagues, Councilor Weber is recognizing BPS girls sports coaches and Councilor Santana is recognizing BPS City Basketball Champions. Lots of athletes in the room. And Councilor Worrell, are you... You're Councilor, Santana and Counciler Worrell? Excellent. So we'll start off. Councillor Weber, you have the floor for five minutes if you want to invite your folks down.

Thank you Madam President. If I could get John Connolly and Claudia Prudencio Clarita, sorry, Prudential down here.

Hi.

Sorry, Clarita. Yeah, go stand behind me. Today I have the honor of presenting two resolutions to two incredible individuals that have made a difference in the lives of countless girls involved in youth sports here in Boston. With me today are Parkway girls soccer coach and former at-large city councilor John Connolly, and Clarita Prudencio who is the head volleyball coach at East Boston High School. I'm going to start with Coach Prudencio, who has been hard at work as the head coach of the girls volleyball team at East Boston High. I am presenting this resolution on behalf of District 1 City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, who's currently on maternity leave. We asked BPS to recognize somebody who has made a difference in the lives

of our girl athletes here in Boston, and we were told Coach Prudencio is the person to recognize. An East Boston High alum and former member of the City League Volleyball and Softball All-Star teams. Coach Clarita became a member of East Boston High School staff in 2021, and had a terrific first season as head of the volleyball program with 10 wins and three losses, with her former teammate Jessica Saravia serving as her assistant coach. Under her leadership the volleyball team became an MIAA tournament qualifier in 2022 and 2024. As a leader, Coach Prudencio can be described as an organized and disciplined coach who's well connected to the needs of her team in constant communication with parents and families. And is an active member of the East Boston High community

Coach Prudencio currently teaches Phys Ed at East Boston High School and has really shown excellence in coaching that team. I know, I've been to some volleyball games My daughter goes to BLA, was on the JV team and so we saw how well drilled the East Boston team was. Although I'm not sure who won this year it could have been BLA But we don't have any favorites here, except right now our favorite is East Boston High. So I have a resolution here for Coach Clarita. If you would like to... Come up and hear if you would like to say anything. Recognize whoever's with you. Okay, just stand there.

Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to thank the Boston City Councilor and Boston Public Schools and BPS Athletics for this incredible honor. As a proud East Boston High School graduate and former BPS student athlete, it means so much to come back and coach at the school that helped shape who I am. This recognition belongs to my players, my assistant coaches, families and the entire East Boston community. Thank you for trusting me in making our program what it is today. I'm grateful for the opportunity to give back and look forward to continuing to support and inspire the next generation of student athletes.

Okay, thank you very much. We're also joined today by an esteemed member of this body, John Connolly. He served for three terms as an at-large city councilor I was renowned for his work on education and environmental matters, going on to become the founder and leader advisor of the nonprofit School Facts Boston. and also the Executive Director and Founder of 1647 Families. Do I have that right? Okay, given his interest in public education and the youth in our city it's no surprise that Councilor Connelly is now known as Coach Conley. As president of Parkway Travel Soccer, he's helped grow the West Roxbury-based program to nearly 600 girls participating this season alone His long-standing commitment to youth soccer in West Roxbury.

and I know families come from Hyde Park, Rosindale and Jamaica Plain also has made him a steady partner to the Boston Soccer League since its inaugural pilot seasons. Supporting Girls' Participation Access to Sport Across the City. I know when I played soccer as a kid, none of the parents knew how the sport There was one person in my hometown who's from a long gone country called Yugoslavia because he was not from The United States, he must know something about soccer. And so he was the soccer coach in the town and towns like that all over the country relied on people just to organize something around soccer And so back then it was a few kids here and there who would be playing. Now, it's people like John Connolly

really gathering communities and setting up the infrastructure that can handle providing coaching, jerseys, shin guards, and teams for 600 girls in parkway soccer alone. And it's that kind of Community organizing and organizing around soccer that really benefits all of our neighborhoods, and I'm proud to be able to stand up here. with Coach Conley and recognize him for his work with Parkway Soccer.

Thank you, Councilor Weber for the kind words and thank you President Breadon for all your good work. And thank you counselors it's great to see so many familiar faces See some new ones, and I know how hard you work on behalf of the City of Boston. And I thank you for all your hard work. In the Parkway, we started Parkway Girls Soccer this past year for five to eight-year-olds to have an entry point. For an all-girls soccer league, we had over 100 girls sign up like that, which really showed the demand for it. Primarily girls from West Roxbury, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain. Hyde Park, but also girls from Mattapan, Dorchester and Brighton who play in it as well. It's incredible to see the smiles on their faces as they're learning the game for the first time, but

That they're developing self-confidence and leadership skills at the same time. And I would be remiss if I didn't say that Parkway Girls Soccer was founded by seven parents, five of whom are moms The president of the organization is a mom and a nurse who couldn't be here today because she had to work. And so I'm honored to accept this on behalf of all of them, The lion's share of our coaches are moms. And so this is really an incredible thing, we love having the dads too. It's my favorite part of the week but to know that these little girls see moms in coaching leadership roles and the impact that will have on not hopefully just creating girls who are going to love soccer, love playing it but who will then go on to coach at some point in their lives. Again, thank you for all your great work for everything you do for the city. Believe me I understand how hard you work and thank you Councilor Weber.

I think the excitement around soccer, I think there's a whole new generation of young people going to be wanting to play soccer after the World Cup this year. Excellent. Thank you.

I love to get together with you.

So thank you, Councillor Weber. Next, Councillor Santana and Councillor Worrell are going to recognize BPS City Basketball Champions.

Good afternoon, everyone. Today's theme is student sports but before I dive into my remarks just want to recognize Priscilla Flint and the Marcus Anthony Hall Educational Institute for being here in the chambers with us. Yes, we give them a round of applause. But let's give it up for our elementary and middle school city champions who can make their way down. I know for many counselors that middle school athletics has been an area of focus and it's been something that BPS has been focused on so that all students have access to sports The results of that is competitions like our city championship, which now have elementary and middle school city championships.

I want to thank Avery from BPS Athletic and also Chief McCarthy, and his whole student support team at BPS. And I also want to recognize the championship teams. We have the Condon School led by Brittany Ellis and Nick Williams which won the K-8 Boys City Championship. Let's give them a round of applause. The English High Team led by Anthony Seymour, yes. which won the seven to 12 boys school city championship. Go English! Yes, go English. And then we have the Mildred Ave School led by Tina Anderson which won the girls middle school city championship. Investments in student athletes showcase excellence on the courts and in our classrooms

So let's give these coaches and student athletes a round of applause. And let's bring up Councilor Santana.

Thank you, Councilor Worrell. Today we are proud to recognize our Boston Public Schools Elementary and Middle School City Basketball Champions. We celebrate the hard work, dedication, teamwork, and perseverance those student athletes have shown throughout this season I would like to recognize the coaches, the families, the brothers. I know there's a brother in here supporting his little brother here. The school communities who support made these achievements possible. It is now my pleasure to also introduce Well before, we do have some resolutions. So I'll introduce Coach Randy first and then we have our resolutions for all of our coaches here But it is my pleasure to introduce Coach Randy Samore, a dedicated educator and leader whose commitment to youth development, athletics, and academic success continues A lasting impact on students across Boston. Coach Samore is driven by deep passion for education and sports

and believes that authentic relationships, teamwork, trust and collaboration are essential to developing lifelong learners. Through his commitment to supporting our students and fostering strong community partnerships, he has created meaningful opportunities for young people both inside and outside the classroom. Please join me in welcoming Coach Randy Samore.

Good afternoon everyone. I would like to begin by thanking Boston Public Schools Athletic Department, City Councilor Santana and City Council of Worrell for organizing today's celebration here at city hall We are proud to honor our middle school basketball city champions, the Condon Boys Basketball Team. The Mildred Girls Basketball team. for winning the K through eight bracket and the English high school, middle school boys basketball team for winning a seven to 12 bracket. It's a privilege To speak to you all today, I am Randy Seymour an inclusion math teacher and co-coach alongside Josh Gresham. So clap it up for Coach Greshim. for the English High School Middle School Basketball Championship Team.

As educators and coaches, we strive to support the whole child by fostering teamwork, trust, and tenacity. Our student athletes prove that anything is possible. Echoing Kevin Garnett after the Celtics 2008 championship, I was gonna say anything is POSSIBLE! by showing incredible sportsmanship, teamwork and consistency on their path to winning the 2026 BPS Middle School City Championship Tournament. To all the student athletes with us this afternoon Continue to take pride in sharing joy and dedicating yourselves to important learning opportunities both on and off the court. This level of commitment builds critical thinking, life skills, promotes positivity and consistently enhances your physical and emotional growth. to my fellow coaches and administrators, let's keep investing in our school communities to empower our student athletes right here in Boston.

To our families and colleagues we all share profound gratitude for you for your unconditional love, patience and unwavering support that you showed to our student athletes as we managed in adapted game schedules all season long. Ultimately, raising a child requires a collective community effort. And every one of us play a vital role in that community. So we want to give a huge congratulations to our families our coaches and more importantly, our student athletes. You are all true champions. Thank you.

Thank you coach and congratulations to all our student athletes again. And as the coach mentioned, I think it takes a village So thank you to our coaches, our teachers, our families, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. It takes all right? So right now I just want to be able to... Oh, I think we have a young man who wants to say a few words. Absolutely! Absolutely! The best dressed here!

I was volunteered as tribute for this. I did not want to do this but um... We worked really hard throughout the year on our academics to stay on the team as well as trying to get points to win it all. And we worked really hard to become champions, so yeah.

MVP?

Let's go MVP!

MVP. Thank you.

Good job, everyone. Yeah.

Without further ado, we just want to recognize again the Comden Elementary Basketball Champions. Right here. We want to recognize the Mildred Ave School K-8 Girls City Basketball Champions. We got the Condon K- 8 Boys City Basket Ball Champions. And finally but not least, the English School 7-12 Boys City Basketball Team. All right, can we just invite my colleagues? I also want to thank my colleagues who came for the reception earlier and spoke to our student athletes as well. We're going to invite all of our colleagues for a group picture.

All right.

Thank you.

Congratulations again to all our young athletes and their coaches. Madam Clerk, could you please amend the record to reflect that Councillor Lucy Louijeune has joined us? Now on to the first order of business, which is the approval of the minutes from the meeting of June 24th 2026. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it, the minutes of the June 24th meeting are approved We are now on to communications from our Honourable Mayor. Madam Clerk, can you please read dockets 1311 and 1312 together?

Docket 1311, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of $5 million for the purpose of paying the cost Feasibility Study and Somatic Design associated with a project for the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School located at 75 Malcolm X Boulevard, Roxbury, Mass. 02120 This includes the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto, and for which the City of Boston may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Set amount to be expended under the direction of the Public Facility Department on behalf of the Boston public schools. Docket 1312, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount

$850,000 for the purpose of paying costs for feasibility study and somatic design work associated with window door and roof projects. at the following school, Boston Adult Academy, Joseph J. Hurley School, Ellis Mendel Elementary School, Joyce Kilmer K-8 School and the Leiden Upper 9-12 school. This includes a payment of all costs incidental and related thereto, and for which the City of Boston may be eligible for your grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. said amount to be expended under the direction of the Public Facility Department on behalf of the Boston public schools.

Thank you Madam Clerk, Dockers 1311 and 1312 will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means Madam Clerk, could you please read Docket 1313?

Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend a gift of Perchon Gliding Horse valued at $8,500 from the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit. This gift is awarded to the City of Boston through the Parks and Recreation Department for the use of mounded unit of the Boston Park Rangers.

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

Thank you, Madam President. This is a small dollar amount grant so I ask my colleagues to suspend and pass so we get these resources over to the park rangers. Thank you

Thank you. Councillor Durkan, I see your light on.

Thank you so much. I am a huge friend of the Friends of the Mounted Park Rangers and I'm grateful for their gift of a horse The Friends of the Mounted Park Rangers works to support the Mount Park Ranger Unit and its role in promoting public safety, education, and community engagement across Boston's parks. and has helped grow the unit into a highly recognized and respected agency of the City of Boston. Its fundraising efforts have provided critical care, I'm grateful to the Mounted Unit's needs and operations, including veterinary and farrier care for its equine members, stable needs in transportation. and many more. I recently attended their annual reception where I saw just how much The Boston Park Ranger Mounted Unit patrols all nine parks of the Emerald Necklace and so grateful that they are donating this horse.

I did offer to go to Canada to pick up the horse and they declined, but I'm a huge fan of all their efforts. And thank you to the chair for pushing forward for a vote today.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan. Worrell seeks suspension of the rules and passage of Docket 1313. All in favor say aye, all opposed say nay. Madam Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 1313?

Culpepper, yes. Council Durkan? Yes. Councilor Durkan, yes, Council Fitzgerald? Yes, Councilor Fitzgeral, yes Council Flynn? Yes Council Flynn, yes council Louie Jeanne, Council Mejia Murphy, Councilor Murphy, yes. Councilor Pepén? Yes. Council Pepén, yes, Council Santana? Yes Council Santaner, yes Council Weber? Yes Rowe, Ten and affirmative.

Thank you docket 1313 has passed Madam Clerk can you please read dockets 1314 through 1316

Docket 1314, message and order confirming the appointment of Jessica Collis as a member of the Highland Park Architectural Conservation District Commission for a term expiring June 30th, 2028. Docket 1315, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Seth McCoy as a member of the Highland Park Architectural Conservation District Commission for a term expiring June 30th, 2028 and docket 1316. Message in order for the confirmation of the appointment of Felicia Jakes as a member of the Boston Planning and Development Agency Board for a term expiring August 15, 2029.

Madam Clerk, could you please read Docket 1317?

Docket1317. Message transmitting certain information under Section 17F regarding the City of Boston effort to address Drink spiking and drug-facilitated sex assault in nightlife establishment, including safety training programs, prevention initiatives, communications with licensed venues and the status of records maintained by the city regarding the effort on docket 0595 passed by the council on 3-18-2026, and docket 00874 passed by on 4-29-2026. Thank you.

Docket 1317 will be placed on file. We are now on to reports of public officers and others. Madam Clerk, can you please read Docket 1318 through 1326?

Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Raymond Bowley as Chair of the Board of Review effective immediately for a term expiring January 7, 2030. Docket 1319, notice was received from the mayor of the reappointment of Harleen Caledon as a member of the Board of Review effective immediately for the term expiring January 7th, 2031. Docket 1320, notice was received from the mayor of the reappointment of Helen Wong as a member of the Board of Review effective immediately for term expiring January 7th, 2030.

Dr. 1321, notice was received from the mayor of the reappointment of Helen Wong as the interim commissioner of the assessing department effective July 1st 2026 Target 1322, communication was received from the Boston Parks and Recreation Commissioner regarding a vote to approve Diane Fernandez-Bibu serve as the Community Preservation Committee as a representative of the Boston Parks and Recreation Commission. Docket 1323, notice was received from the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Ordinances of 1979 regarding action by the Mayor on papers acted upon by the City Council at its meetings on June 3rd, 2026. Docket 1324 notice was received from the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Ordinances

of 1979 regarding action taken by the mayor on papers acted upon by the City Council at its meeting on June 10, 2026. Docket 1325. Notice was received from the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Ordinances of 1979 regarding action taken by the Mayor on papers acted upon by the City Council at its meeting on June 24, 2026 and Docket 1326. Communication was received from Council President Liz Breadon regarding city council nominations for Transgender, Gender Diverse, Intersex and LGBTQIA2S Plus Oversights Commission.

Dockets 1318 through 1326 will be placed on file. Madam Clerk, could you please read docket 1327?

Target 1327, communication was received from Council President Liz Breadon to address an open meeting law complaint and respond accordingly on behalf of the Boston City Council.

Docket 1327 will be referred to the Law Department. Madam Clerk, could you please read dockets 1328 through 1331?

Docket 1328, communication was received from Councilor Flynn calling for a public safety summit. Docket 1329, communication was received from Councilor Flynn calling for the Boston Police enforcement on Main Street and commercial corridors for mopeds and e-bikes. and Docket 1330, communication was received from Councillor Flynn regarding the lack of community engagement and public safety consideration for 3 a.m. last call.

Thank you. One more, sorry, go ahead.

Docket 1331, communication was received from Councillor Flynn requesting a supplemental budget to support recently laid off Boston Public Schools BPS employees.

Dockets 1328 through 1331 will be placed on file. We are now on to reports of committees. Madam Clerk, could you please read docket 0970?

Docket 0970, the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice to which was referred on May 13th, 2026. Docket 0 9 7 0 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $1,073,239.34 in the form of a grant to FY26 Senator Charles E. Shannon, Jr., Community Safety Initiative awarded by the Mass Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to be administered by the Police Department The grant would fund regional and multidisciplinary approaches to combat gang violence through coordinated prevention and intervention, law enforcement Prosecution and Retargeting Program submits a report recommended that the order ought to pass.

Thank you, the Chair recognizes Santana, the Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

On Thursday last week, we held a hearing on the FY26 Senator Charles E. Shannon Jr Community Safety Initiative grant or commonly known as the Shannon Grant. I was joined by my colleagues Councilor Ed Flynn, Councilor Aaron Murphy Ben Weber, and Councilor Culpepper. We also received a letter of absence from Councillor Louijeune. During this hearing we heard from Demond Bills the project coordinator for the Shannon Grant Safety Initiative grant as well as representatives from non-profits and community organizations about the impact this funding has had on their work. The Shannon Grant is an investment that supports the City of Boston's comprehensive public safety strategy through regional, multidisciplinary collaboration among the state and local agencies, as well as partnerships with faith-based philanthropic business and community organizations. This year their grant is providing funding to 17 nonprofits and community organization.

The Shannon Grant supports coordinated prevention and intervention, law enforcement, prosecution, and reintegration efforts aimed at reducing gun gang and youth violence across the city. These initiatives fund programs and resources that promote positive youth development, mentorship, education and recreational opportunities for Boston's young people. As chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice I recommend that docket number 0970 all to pass. Very quickly, the 17 organizations that did receive funding. So just so my colleagues are aware in years past this grant was about $3 million. We're now down to $1 million for this grant and it's projected that we will continue to see decrease in this funding. So I think we, in the past have funded over 35 organizations. We're down to 17 right now. And so you'll see some of that impact.

But the BCYF, BMCVIP, the Boston Public Health Commission, the Louis D Brown Institute, Project Right, Youth Connect, the DA's office, U Boston, The Record Company, Veronica Robles Cultural Center, Beantown Slam, Teen Empowerment, Maverick Landing Cultural Center Sportsman Tennis and Enrichment Center, Zoo Mix, We Are Better Together and Mothers for Justice and Equity are the 17 organizations that received grant funding this year. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Santana, Councillor Culpepper you have the floor Madam President I do want to begin by expressing my

My disappointment that the state reduced the Boston and Shannon's grant by $600,000 compared to the previous year at a time when communities across Boston Continue to grapple with gun violence, gang activity. From the tragic events we witnessed this past weekend, this is precisely When we should be expanding investments and improving violence prevention strategies, not scaling them back. Knowing that this reduction was coming, I also believe the city should have anticipated this gap during the fiscal 27 budget process. Violent prevention organizations should not be forced to reduce services Thank you very much.

to help ensure continuity of services for organizations doing this lifesaving work. That said, if ever there was a time for Boston to accept the Shannon Grant funding That time is now. While this award is smaller than in prior years, it still represents more than a million dollars that will support coordinated prevention, intervention, law enforcement prosecution, and reintegration efforts aimed at reducing gang and youth violence. Turning aside these resources would only make it harder to keep our community safe. The Shannon Grant is far more than a law enforcement grant For 20 years, it has supported a comprehensive public safety strategy and has funded approximately 250 nonprofit organizations across Boston. Although funding rejections have

meant that only 17 nonprofit and city organizations as stated by Councilor Santana will receive awards this year. Down from 28 last year, those organizations remain the backbone of this work. While I hope the state restores and expands Shannon funding in future years, today our responsibility is clear. We should accept these funds so that Boston can continue supporting organizations, outreach workers and community partners who are doing the difficult work of preventing violence before it occurs. And I might say, Madam President, when I did the youth gang work and we were in the streets with young folks Fighting, working to help them find jobs and to help understand the significance of being part of the positive environment in the community. It was a Shannon grant

that made a big difference years ago to show that the organizations were doing the work, not only had the funds necessary to expand to do the work but also the Shannon Grant was spread across Some of the organizations that worked with the toughest and the roughest of these young folks. So now we see, we won't have the money to be spread around as much but the work will continue and I will vote in favor of receiving this grant. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank You Councilor Culpepper. Councillor Flynn?

Yes, thank you. Thank-you Madam Chair and I want to say thank you to Councillor Santana for an informative meeting and had an opportunity to listen to the award recipients about the programs that they run and how effective they are in impacting and supporting our youth and families. I do want to acknowledge the importance of these grants, I also will be voting in favor of this. You know we have We have also to acknowledge with the increase in violence, it's about public safety. It's about supporting our police but Equally as important, supporting our young people. Giving them an opportunity to learn about violence prevention, learning about jobs and education, supporting them

in different after-school type of programs. I learned this as a probation officer for eight years at Suffolk Superior Court, it's not just about the law and order aspect of it It's about giving people hope, giving people an opportunity before they even get into the criminal justice system. But I also know that when someone is in a criminal justice To provide them with education, training support social services. 99% of people coming out of jail in prison are coming back to our communities And yes, they have made mistakes but they deserve an opportunity to get back into society. Reintegration is a critical part of it and that's why I support these programs.

It is about helping young people but it has also given them a little bit of encouragement, a little support especially during these challenging times. Thank you Madam Chair.

The Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of docket. 0970. All in favour say aye, all opposed say nay. Madam Clerk could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0970

Roll call vote on docket 0970. Councilor Brayden? Yes. Council Braydon, yes. Council Coletta Zapata? Council Culpepper? Yes Councilor Culpeper, yes Councilor Durkan Durkin, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy. Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. Twelve in the affirmative.

Thank you. The committee report has been accepted and docket 0970 has passed. Madam Clerk, would you please read docket 0968?

Docket 0968, the Committee on Planning Development and Transportation to which was referred to on March 13th, 2026 Message and order authorizing the City of Boston acting through the Mayor's Office of Housing to accept and expend payments in the amount of $30 million given to the city, including every development policy fund. The City of Boston Inclusionary Development Policy Fund was established by executive order in February 2000 to support the production and prevention of affordable housing, a new market rate housing development. The IDP requires all developers of Residential Development projects, which 10 or more units to include affordable units in their project as a condition of receiving relief from the Boston Zoning Code.

The exclusive order provides the option for developers to make contribution to the IDP fund in lieu of providing on-site affordable units. Subject to the approval of Boston Planning and Development Agency submits a report recommending that order ought to pass.

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

Thank you so much chair I think you just gave me a promotion now i'm the head of the planning department Don't tell Kairos. Thank you, Council President. On Thursday, June 25th, the Committee on Planning Development and Transportation convened a hearing on Docket 0968, an order authorizing the Mayor's Office of Housing to accept and expend 30 million from the Inclusionary Development Policy Fund. I was joined by my colleague, Councilor Flynn and the committee heard testimony from the Mayor's Office of Housing officials Rick Wilson, the Director of Administration and Finance, Christine O'Keefe, Director of Neighborhood Development and Andy Feldman, Housing Policy Manager. Inclusionary zoning was established by executive order in February of 2000 to support production and preservation of affordable housing and new market rate housing in Boston. The MOH officials described the evolution of IDP policy and oversight, noting that the administration was transferred it from the BPDA to MOH in 2013. They also discussed the 2023 policy updates which increase IDP percentages.

These funds are IDP revenue generated from payments made in lieu of on-site or off-site units, as well as other one time partial unit payments overseen by the BPDA. The panelists shared more than $200 million of IDP revenue has been collected since the policy's inception and projected that the program will collect $26 million in fiscal year 27-28, consistent with a typical annual range. The $30 million authorized in this order, together with the $6 million that was previously authorized has been allocated to 10 affordable housing projects including both rental and home ownership opportunities across Roxbury, Mattapan, East Boston, Dorchester and Chinatown. Many of these projects are close to completion, and the passage of this today will provide the funding needed to keep moving forward hundreds of affordable rental and homeownership units.

We know how urgently Boston needs affordable housing and I have great confidence in MOH's ability to continue delivering quality, affordable housing across Massachusetts with these funds. For that reason as the Chair of Planning Development and Transportation My recommendation to the full Council is that this matter ought to pass. Thank you.

0968. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. Madam Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0968?

Roll call vote Yes. Councilor Breadon, yes. Council of Coletta Zapata. Council Culpepper?

Yes.

Councillor Culpeper, yes, Councillor Durkan? Yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana. Sam, Towner, yes. Councilor Weber? Yes. Council Weber, yes, Councilor Worrell. Yes. 11 in the affirmative.

Thank you. The committee report has been adopted and docket 0968 has passed. We're now on to motions, orders and resolutions. A reminder that under Rule 39 remarks on new matters not up for a vote today should be limited to three minutes for the lead sponsor and two minutes for co-sponsors. Madam Clerk could you please read docket 1332?

Docket 1332, Councilor Culpepper offered the following petition for a special law regarding an act relative to increasing civil penalties for illegal possession, use and sale of fireworks in the City of Boston.

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

Madam President, every year neighborhoods across Boston experience the consequences of illegal fireworks. Residents lose sleep Veterans and others living with PTSD are affected by repeated explosions. Pets become distressed, Families worry about the risk of fires, injuries and property damage. Our first responders are regularly called upon to respond to complaints and emergencies stemming from illegal fireworks particularly in the summer months, especially during July 4th. This home rule petition increases the civil fine for illegal possession or use of fireworks to between $100 and $1,000 and increases the civil fine for illegal sale or offering of fireworks to between 500 and $5,000.

All existing enforcement provisions including seizure, forfeiture, arrest authority and all applicable criminal penalties remain unchanged. The goal of this petition is simple to provide a stronger deterrent against conduct that continues to threaten public safety and disrupt neighborhoods across our city. Illegal fireworks are not a harmless nuisance, they create real risks for residents, firefighters, emergency personnel, and property owners By updating fines that have not kept pace with the seriousness of these violations, we are strengthening a tool to discourage illegal fireworks while preserving the broader enforcement framework already established under state law. And I might add, one of the reasons that really moved me to file this is sitting up at night getting calls from folks about fireworks.

and the possibility that a home or homes would be set on fire. It's amazing that we have to, every year during July 4th go through the same thing over and over just sit there and nod our heads But I think before something becomes seriously like a home catching fire, that this council needs to act. And I put this forward with all seriousness because Fourth of July night, fireworks were going crazy. I went out and talked to some youth about 20 of them. And one of the persons there stood up and said, I'm the adult here. and I'm the mother of many of these kids. I said, you are the one responsible. And she said, I'll take responsibility. I went in house got a big green bag The next morning they had cleaned up all of the fireworks residue that was left on there.

And so I just think that we need to be able to work as a deterrent Culpepper. Would anyone like to add their name?

Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. And please add the chair. Docket 1332 will be referred to the Committee on Government Operations. Councillor, Madam Clerk could you please read docket 1333.

Docket 133. Councillor Flynn offered the following order for a hearing to discuss the impacts of recent Boston public schools Um, personnel cuts on students with disabilities.

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

Thank you Madam Chair. May I add Councillor Mejia as an original co-sponsor?

Councillor Meji is so added.

May i suspend the rules and add Councillor Murphy

Seeing and hearing of no objections, Councillor Murphy is added as a third.

Thank you Madam Chair with the recent vote by the City Council to approve the BPS budget hundreds of teachers paraprofessionals and other frontline workers, educators are anticipated to lose their jobs. These dedicated and compassionate workers provide critical social services to many of the most vulnerable residents in Boston, students with disabilities. As we reflect on this terrible injustice and the impact this will have on BPS employees, and their families as well. We also must acknowledge the potential effect and consequences it will have directly on students with disabilities. And services and programs they are entitled to by law, by federal law

Individuals with, students and individuals with disabilities play a critical role in our city. In our country. Individuals Disabilities Act governs how states provide early intervention in special education for eligible students with disabilities, including infants, toddlers and children in grade school. In Massachusetts, all students are entitled to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Meaning that all students with disabilities are permitted to services like speech in Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy Physical Therapy Behavioral Therapy Assistive Technology Transportation and other academic accommodations, including deadline extensions.

These BPS personal cuts may result In the absence of paraprofessionals, all students especially those with disabilities may face difficulties with classroom support, accessing resources or combinations and ultimately result in a decline in academic and social programs. With the projected loss of several hundred BPS employees, it's critical that the City Council provides oversight and understands the consequences of our actions for students, families, and neighbors. It was reported that it was likely 400 personnel at BPS would be impacted. I think it's much larger than that, I think might be 500. Those are 500 BPS families

but there are also students with disabilities that won't get the needed critical services that they're entitled to by law. Let me say that again, by federal law. Students with disabilities have a right to the same education as everybody else. That's by federal law, thank you Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam President. I want to thank Councilor Flynn for adding me to this hearing order. You know, I voted against the BPS budget because we knew that the significant staff cuts to students facing positions would negatively impact all students Most especially our students with special educational needs and are multi-lingual learners. The BTU teachers, paras, and other school staff youths and families and community members sounded the alarm for months, yet the school committee and some of our council colleagues approved the BPS budget anyways. Historically, Boston has been a leader in inclusive education but advocates have been warning that programs have been weakening. With personnel cuts and the last BPS budget our students and educators who are now supporting them with fewer colleagues and resources than ever before will suffer.

We need to have a conversation to understand the impacts of these personnel cuts we'll have on students with disabilities, and develop a long term plan to better support our students. I look forward to this hearing and having the conversation, and I also just want to note that as we continue to navigate These conversations now is the time for us to start really thinking about what the BPS budget process needs to look like and making sure that we are engaging all the right stakeholders in the conversation. So I look forward to doing just that. Thank you.

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

Thank you Madam President. Thank You Councillor Flynn for including me, Councilor Mejia in this important conversation and thank you for the way you worded it to discuss the impacts. I know that we've had many conversations Thank you very much. I didn't think should go in ways and means. I'm hoping this goes into education where we can really talk about the direct negative impact this is going to have on our students who need these supports the most, caring and talking about the loss of jobs that our neighbors are going to be losing but looking forward to this conversation and hearing directly.

And hopefully, this hearing, Councilor Flynn happens before the school year starts so before our students come back to our classrooms that we on this council are able to get the information needed To advocate to make sure that our teachers, our principals, our parents, especially our students have the support so they can get the resources they need. Thank you.

Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Louijeune, Pepén, Santana, Weber and please add the chair. Docket number 1333 will be referred to the Committee on Education. Madam Clerk, could you please read Docket 1334?

Docket1334. Councillor Pepén offered a following. Order for hearing to discuss the status of HVAC updates in Boston Public Schools.

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

Thank You Madam President I would like to suspend the rules and add yourself, Councilor Breadon as a co-sponsor. Thank you. And I would like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Fitzgerald as a third co- sponsor.

So Councilor Brayden's added as a second and hearing and seeing no objections. Councilor Worrell?

Fitzgerald. Boston Public Schools has made significant progress in upgrading HVAC systems across school buildings over the past several years. Randy Zero.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We are now back in session. If you'd like to start at the beginning of your comments again, that might be good.

Yeah Thank You council president Sorry I would like to add you as a second co-sponsor.

I'm added, thank you. And then you asked to add Councillor Fitzgerald as a third, so there was no—I didn't see or hear any objection, so Councillor FitzGerald is added as a

Also wishing that our colleague is okay. Thank you. Boston Public Schools has made a significant progress in upgrading HVAC systems across school buildings over the past several years, however Eight buildings remain without full building air conditioning and temperatures reached over 90 degrees in some classrooms during the last month of school. Two of those schools out of eight are in my district, and the Bates. A good amount of parents reached out to my office with concerns of the temperatures that the classrooms reach during some of the warmer days at the end of the school year. My intention with this hearing is to offer the Boston Public Schools officials the opportunity to explain the timeline for HVAC upgrades across the district, as well as temporary solutions leading up before next school year. Thank you.

Councillor Culpepper, would you mind taking the chair for a few minutes? I'm a second sponsor on this. I think they allow me to speak for two minutes. It's this one here.

Councilor Breadon, you now have the floor.

I'd like to thank Councillor Pepén for bringing this important issue forward and for adding me as a co-sponsor. Many BPS facilities are very old, and as the climate continues to grow hotter and more unpredictable, we need to have a plan. The status of HVAC systems remains a major issue for our BPS facilities. The Jackson Mann School building in Alston was declared on inappropriate for its intended use, in large part due to deferred maintenance of the HVAC system. HVIC improvements appeared in the capital budget decades ago but action was never taken and the school was first to close as a result. Addressing HVAC challenges will require coordination among many departments. HVC upgrades must be integrated into broader capital planning Electrical modernization and climate resilience efforts. Additionally, extreme heat affects students' ability to focus, retain information, and perform academically.

Every BPS student deserves a comfortable environment in which to learn. This is particularly important for students with disabilities, as many of them have temporary Temperature regulation issues. I look forward to discussing how to build and maintain a space where every student and educator has access to a safe and temperate learning environment. Thank you.

Fitzgerald.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper. And thank you to Councilor Pepén for adding me as a co-sponsor. This one's personal for me as my kids go to a school that does not have air conditioning and obviously just missed With the late school year, they just missed it by a week of having 100 degree temperatures outside and what that could have done to the learning environment for my children and everyone's children inside. So I appreciate Councilor Pepén bringing up the fact of just asking the administration and folks at BPS what the timeline is and what we can do in the meantime to mitigate these impacts. Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their names? Councilor Flynn, Councilor Durkan, Council Murphy, Council Pope, Council Santana, Council Weber, Council Worrell. And please add the chair. Thank you. Doctrine number 1334 will be referred to the Committee on Education.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper. Madam Clerk, could you please read Docket 1335? Docket1335. Councillor Flynn offered the following.

Order for hearing to discuss the status of the Blackstone Pool and independent engineering study on repairs.

Thank you Madam Chair. Madam Chair, may I add Councillor Fitzgerald as an original co-sponsor? Councillor FitzGerald is added as a second And may I suspend the rules and add Councillor Culpepper please

Seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Culpepper is added as the third.

And just want to note that the Blackstone Hall is in the south end and it's shared by myself, Councilor Fitzgerald, and I'm Councilor Culpeper. I want to thank both of them for their commitment to the residents of the South End. The Blackstone Community Center in Boston Public School has historically served communities of color in the South end and Roxbury including across the street is Villa Victoria and across from that is the BHA Ruth Barclay Apartments. It has been closed indefinitely due to structural issues Drainline failure, groundwater intrusion. Of the 18 pools operated by BCYF and or Boston Public Schools.

Nine will close for the summer of 2025, significantly limiting access to swim lessons in recreational water activities which are vital for health Youth Development Exercise. In the summer of 2026, 16 of the 18 pools have since reopened with the exception of the Blackstone swimming pool and the Marabella swimming pool. The City of Boston FY27-31 Capital Budget includes $500,000 to the Blackstone School Study which will determine the scope of major renovations at the school and pool. A complete renovation will take years. However, this pool closure continues to worsen disparities and exposure to hotter summits and Denies Enrichment Opportunities for Communities of Color in Our Immigrant Neighbors.

We're just talking about 100 degree days in BPS. In June 2026, the City Council held a hearing on the overall condition of BCYF poles, where BPS informed the body that reopening the Blackstone would require a full excavation to understand the full scope of damage in major renovations to BCYF Blackstone. It's critical that the Blackstone pool undergo an independent engineering study on how to fix the pool, In my opinion, failure to invest the appropriate resources in the Blackstone School is an issue of social economic environmental and racial justice. I want to ensure that my constituents Constituents in the South End and Roxbury have equal opportunity as other neighbourhoods.

I want to see how we're able to give the kids from the South end, in Roxbury, the opportunity to go to a swimming pool in their neighborhood and take swimming lessons. I think this is an issue about equal justice, and ensuring that communities of color have the same rights and Opportunities as other neighborhoods. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to thank Councilor Flynn for adding me as a co-sponsor here knowing again with Councilor Culpepper myself and Councilor Flynn representing a large swath of the South End That these are our constituents who use this pool and have every right and ability, should have that ability to have that amenity in their neighborhood. And so we look forward to having the Blackstone Pool reopened and hopefully get these repairs underway. Thank you.

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

Madam President I'd like to associate myself with the remarks from Councilor Flynn and Councilor Fitzgerald. We recently had that hearing where we discussed The significance of the swimming pools in the city of Boston. It's sad that Blackstone will not be part of the good times, the training, the swim meets that they'll have at the different pools. I think they deserve it and I think The sooner they can get it done, the better would be for the students at Blackstone. Hopefully it can be done soon. Again, Councilor Fenn thank you for filing that resolution and to my colleague, Fitzgerald.

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. Please add the Chair. Docket 1335 will be referred to the Committee on Human Services. Madam Clerk, could you please read docket 1336?

Docket 1336, Councilor Flynn offered a following order for hearing to discuss the potential impact on city revenues in the event that Boston received and Unfavorable Court Judgment on Commercial Property Assessments.

The City of Boston is currently involved in a lawsuit with a group of commercial property owners over alleged inflation of commercial properties values. While the lawsuit is ongoing in court, there could be Major impacts to Boston's assessing practices and generated revenues in the City of Boston if Boston does not win the case. In the event that Boston does I think it is important to have a discussion what impact it has on the City of Boston in our finances. In December 2025, a group of commercial property owners entered into a lawsuit with the City alleging that the city had implemented a policy for property owners who have filed for an abatement and appealed to the ATB. They described it as retaliatory

In May 2026, Suffolk Superior Court denied the City of Boston's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. While the litigation is ongoing, the potential negative economic implications on the City of Boston should be discussed. We don't really know what the implications would be, if any. Commercial property assessments have a Major impact on Boston's revenue. It is critical that Boston and property tax assessments are conducted with transparency, and there should be an opportunity for City Councilors to ask questions about this process. I think it's important for the City Council to be more engaged in this practice and learning, especially learning about assessing department

The critical work they play, the impact they have on taxes in the city but it is important for us to learn that if there is a negative ruling by the court that we can have a respectful conversation on what impact it will have in the city finances, neighborhood services, quality of life issues. Thank you Madam Chair

Flynn. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, and please add the Chair. Docket number 1336 will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Doctored 1337, Councilor Pepén and Weber offer the following. Order for hearing to discuss the fulfillment of community benefits funded by their development projects.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Pepén. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Louijeune as a third.

As a third, seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Loujeune is added as a

Thank you. Applicants for certain building projects in the City of Boston are required to identify and create benefits for the surrounding community as part of their review process. These include improvements to open spaces, Jobs and Affordable Housing. However, the production of these community benefits can face unclear timelines or not be completed at all. This hearing will discuss the status of community benefits for current development projects The process for completing them on schedule and seeing what can be done to make sure our communities get what they deserve. Thank you, Madam President.

Chair recognizes Councillor Webber. Councillor, you have the floor.

Yeah, thank you very much. I just want to thank Councillor Pepén for adding me onto this. This has been an issue in District 6 at several projects trying I get the developers to comply with the promised community benefits, so I look forward to being part of the discussion. Thank you.

Thank you. And I just want to thank Councilor Pepén for adding me. My office has been doing work on this issue, and I know that there's issues with databases and so on. I'm just glad to be on it, and look forward to working with you.

Thank you. Santana, Councilor Worrell and please add the Chair. Docket number 1337 will be referred to the Committee on Planning Development and Transportation. I'm going to call on my colleague again.

Madam Clerk, would you please read the docket?

Docket 1338. Councillor Breadon offered a following order for hearing to discuss re-establishing a post office location in Alstom.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Breadon. Councillor Bradon, you have the floor.

Thank You Mr. Chair I rise today in support of this hearing order to discuss the urgent need to re-establish a US Postal Service location in Alston Alston's post office branch was closed in November of 2019 when the building was located in a building that was deemed structurally unsound. For the past seven years, nearly 32,000 residents of Alston have been without a neighbourhood post office forcing families, seniors, students and small business owners to rely on a single location in Brighton Centre. In June 2025, USPS sent a letter to Mayor Wu confirming the final decision to re-establish a post office branch in Alston after a fully negotiated lease with new development currently under construction at the previous post office site.

In April of this year, my office received a letter from USPS stating that they had decided to temporarily pause looking for an alternative facility while it further reviews the operational needs in Alston. This abrupt reversal is an unacceptable broken promise to the Alston Brighton community. I am calling for a hearing today to allow the Council to hear directly from USPS the developer that had previously secured a commitment from USPS, city officials regarding the delay and to identify next steps. Restoring a post office in Alston is about equity, accessibility and ensuring every neighbourhood has access to this essential public service. I hope this hearing helps bring all parties back to the table to see if we can finally deliver on the commitment that was made to the people of Alston. I urge my colleagues to support this hearing and look forward to the discussion. Thank you.

Murphy, Pippen, Santana, Weber, Worrell. And please add the chair. Thank you docket number 1338 will be referred to the committee on pilot agreements Institutional and Intergovernmental Relations.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper.

Colpepper. Order for a hearing regarding housing voucher discrimination and fair housing civil rights enforcement in Boston.

The Chair recognises Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor. Madam President, I would like to add Councilor Worrell as the second original co-sponsor. Thank you, Madam President. Boston continues to face a housing affordability crisis But affordability alone is not enough if residents who lawfully qualify for housing are still denied equal access because of who they are or how they pay their rent. Fair housing is a civil rights issue and every resident should have an equal opportunity to access safe, stable housing regardless of their race or whether they rely on a housing voucher. Research conducted by the Suffolk University Law School Housing Discrimination Testing Program and The Boston Foundation found troubling evidence that discrimination remains widespread in a greater Boston rental market.

The report found evidence of vulture-based discrimination in 86% of tests and race based discrimination in 71% of test. with renters receiving different treatment throughout the housing search process from initial inquiries and apartment showings to applications and follow-up communication. This hearing is an opportunity To better understand the extent of housing discrimination in Boston, evaluate whether our current enforcement tools are sufficient and identify additional steps the city can take to strengthen fair housing education Testing, Enforcement and coordination with state and local partners. We are serious about expanding access to housing in combating segregation

and combating segregation, then we must also ensure the residents who have housing vouchers or other lawful sources of income are not unlawfully denied the opportunity to live in the neighborhoods of that choosing. Thank you, Madam President.

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

Thank-you, Madam president and thank-you Councillor Culpeper for introducing this hearing order and adding me as an original co-sponsor We know residents are still facing housing discrimination in our city. It's our obligation as a City Council to make combating that discrimination a priority in our actions, not just in our value statements. That's exactly why I filed a hearing order earlier this year to discuss the city's implementation of fair housing practices and how the administration is faring in achieving the goals laid out in the original Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment. That assessment was put together in 2016 by a dedicated team of housing experts and advocates called the Community Advisory Committee. to outline how the city must affirmatively further fair housing opportunities for all our residents. That assessment sheds light on discrimination in our city with steps outlined to rectify the problem. In 2020, Boston became the first major city

and the nation to include fair housing requirements in the zoning code that mandate developers to take significant steps to prevent displacement and ensure equitable housing access. As the Council last year, we voted 11-0 in favour of strengthening and protecting our Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing ideals. So let's follow through and I'm looking forward to this hearing. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Worrell. Would anyone like to add their name? Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber. And please add the chair. Docket 1339 will be referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity and Immigrant Advancement. Madam Clerk could you please read docket 1340?

Target 1340, Councilor Culpepper offer the following. Order for a hearing to examine the civil rights implications of rapid transit inequities in the City of Boston.

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

Madam Chair may docket 1341 be read alongside 1340?

Certainly you can read them together but when it comes to adding co-sponsors or whatever we'll We'll figure it out as we go.

Thank you, Madam President.

Docket 1341, Councilor Culpepper offer the following resolution in support of evaluating the Orange Line extension along Blue Hill Avenue.

Chair recognizes Councilor Culpepper.

You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. I would like to add Councilor Worrell as a second original co-sponsor on docket 1340. Okay, thank you. Worrell is so added to docket 1340 and 1341.

Thank you, Madam President.

Access to reliable high-speed, high capacity public transportation is fundamentally a civil rights issue because it determines whether residents have equal access to employment Education, Health Care, Childcare and Economic Opportunity. When some neighbors receive sustained investment in rapid transit While others wait decades for promised improvements, we have a responsibility to ask whether those decisions have produced disparate impacts and whether every community has been afforded Equal Opportunity. Nearly 40 years ago, when the Orange Line was relocated to the Southwest Corridor, residents lost rapid transit service along Washington Street with the understanding that comparable rail service would replace it. That promise, Madam President and my colleagues has never been fully realized.

And today the corridor remains one of the busiest bus corridors in the Commonwealth While continuing to lack the permanent rapid transit infrastructure found elsewhere in the city. During that same period, the Commonwealth continued investing in major rail projects elsewhere including the completion of the Red Line extension to Our Wife in 1985, the relocation of the Orange Line and construction of new Southwest Corridor Stations in 1987. The opening of the Silver Line waterfront in 2004 The opening of Assembly Station on the Orange Line in 2014 and the completion of the Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford beginning in 2022. While each of these projects served important transportation needs,

They also illustrate that transformational rail investments have continued to move forward in other parts of Greater Boston while communities along Blue Hill Avenue have continued waiting for the rapid transit improvements they were promised. This hearing is not about diminishing investments made elsewhere. It is about asking whether the distribution of rapid transit infrastructure over the past four decades has been equitable, It is about asking whether the distribution of rapid transfer infrastructure over the past four decades has been equitable. It is about asking whether the distribution of rapid transit infrastructure over the past four decades has been equitable, whether historic planning decisions have had a disparate impact on protected communities

And what steps are necessary to ensure that future transportation investments advance equal opportunity rather than reinforce longstanding disparities? Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilor Worrell. I'm assuming you want to speak to both these dockets that you're a co-sponsor?

Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Thank You Councilor Culpepper and I just urge everyone especially my colleagues to look up The MBTA map overlaid on top of the city of Boston. What you see is a gap that covers a large portion of Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan cannot help but see this gap in transit and connect it to the gaps in wages, the gaps of educational outcomes, and the gaps health outcomes. Some folks think doubling down on diesel buses in an environmental justice neighborhood will solve all this. But our community is asking what so many other Boston communities have, A one-seat ride downtown on rail, not a center running bus lane to nowhere. We're being asked to give up parking in any new housing.

We're bein' asked to giving up parking at some of our small business districts, and then we're told that our only option is a bus rather than a train. This gap is a painful reminder of decades of racial injustice in Boston. We need to think big and grand to solve it, and we can't put a ceiling on the price for corrective investments. The lack of capital planning and funding is holding back generation after generation. So I thank Councilor Culpepper again for his partnership on this. It's imperative we provide transit equity and fix this transit gap for the future of Black Bostonians.

Thank you, Councillor Worrell. I see Councillor Pepén and Councillor Flynn's light on. The hearing order is if you want to speak to docket number 1341. I'm asking for both of them to be referred to the Committee on Civil Rights. Okay, thank you. No vote then? We'll have no further discussion. Thank you.

But could I still speak on 1341 since it originally came in as a resolution?

I think under the circumstances, we've all had a challenging afternoon. I will give you two minutes Councillor Flynn. And I also give the same privilege to Councillor Pepén. Thank you.

Yeah, thank you. Just because on 1341 as a resolution we do have under the law we do the right to speak on it if a vote does take place with the resolution. But my point is I want to say thank you to Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Worrell for bringing this important subject forward I think as a district councillor, Councillor Culpepper and as a District Councilor they know their communities best. They listen to their residents on a daily basis They understand the transportation challenges in their particular neighborhoods. I think when a district city councilor speaks on a particular issue, I think it has incredible weight because they're the closest people to Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Respect and dignity for their constituents, I also believe this is also a civil rights issue as well. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank You. The chair recognizes Councillor Pepén. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. I also wanted to rise just to thank Councilor Culpepper and Councilor Worrell for, you know, talking about this issue. We all know that the Blue Hoof conversation has not been easy. I represent about 1.4 miles of it from Mattapan Square to Moore Street and I've heard everything from people against it, people in support of it. How is this gonna impact businesses? How's it gonna help some people? How can I hurt others? What I wanted to provide as part of the conversation What's very funny about all of this is that we used to have beautiful streetcars running right down the middle, Blue Hill Ave., all the way to Uglison Square from the 1890s to 1955. and it just shows that decisions that were made over 70 years ago are now negatively impacting us because they decided to get rid of the streetcars, add more lanes for cars

We now see that the neighborhoods that do have streetcars or more like the green line right now, people really love that. And what happened is there was a huge disinvestment into this part of the city and I just think You know, we have to be courageous. I'm not just speaking here about Blue Hill Ave., speaking about public transportation in general. We have to courageous about the investment of it. We continue to advocate for it more I hear residents in Hyde Park asking for Orange Line extension down Hyde Parc Avenue. I hear people in Roslyn wanting it to extend all the way down to West Roxbury. Folks in Lynn want the Blue Line. There's so much potential that we can do and Hope that we can use this specific conversation to realize what a benefit it is to advocate for more public transportation so our residents are not facing the consequences as was made 70 years ago. Thank you, Madam President.

Would anyone like to add their name to docket 1340, the hearing order for—the hearing order to examine civil rights implications of rapid transit inequities? Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber and please add the chair. This docket, number 1340, will be referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity and Immigrant Advancement. Would anyone like to add their... Since docket 1341 is going to go directly to committee, would anyone like Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber and please add the chair.

Since the wording, I'm just, this wasn't going to be a reject. I think this docket will go to Planning Transportation and Development. Docket 1341. Thank you. Madam Chair, Councilor Culpepper.

I respectfully appeal the decision of the chair to assign docket 1341 to the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity and Immigrant Advancement. Transportation infrastructure is not just about moving people, it's about a vehicle for opportunity. Historically, as this hearing order notes, inequitable investments have created a trained desert in the heart of Boston black and immigrant communities that continue failure to provide their services with clear civil rights concerns. that is producing disparate impacts that limit access to healthcare, education and housing. We must examine these design and funding decisions through a civil rights lens to ensure that our public infrastructure reflects the principles of racial equity and equal opportunity, something that's not happening now and has not happened for 40 years.

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

Thank you, Madam President. I just rise in support of Councilor Culpepper's request to reconsider. He also wanted them read together because I do believe he wants to work on him and Councilor Worrell. But it was something that councilor Worrel said, and I'm looking forward to either you sharing with me or I'll find it after this meeting when you said when you overlay a map of the transit in the neighborhoods and it's really showing the desert you speak of and the neighborhoods that are most negatively affected. So I do think it's important that these two are heard, and I think it is more effective for us as a body to hear these together so I hope we keep them in the same committee and agreed that it should be in the Civil Rights Committee. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Murphy. Worrell you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And I know our intent was to have the hearing and then afterwards after they hearing bring this up for a vote after the hearing. I think that is why we as sponsors on this, wanting to keep them together and not take a vote now but have the hearing first and then move forward with a vote after the hearing.

Thank you. Councillor Durkan, you have the floor.

Thank you so much. As the chair of planning, development and transportation there is already a Blue Hill Ave docket in the Planning Development and Transportation Committee I do think as it's written, it is a transportation docket. I have no skin in the game other than the fact that there are And I think it makes sense for all the dockets that are heard to be heard together.

Thank you If you remember the extended conversation that we had over that previous docket Durkan is referring to, it was not written in a civil rights perspective with a civil right disparate impact added to it. So I would say Madam President that this Dockett, 1341 was written as Councilor Worrell said to go along with 1340 and to have the vote after we had the hearing on 1340. Thank you.

I appreciate it. And I think what's confusing is that the two dockets were put together and resolution is a slightly different dynamic than a hearing order. So given your advocacy, Culpepper I will send both dockets to the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity and Immigrant Advancement Thank you. I also appreciate Councillor Durkan's intention to hold a hearing on this issue in the planning, development You're working on it. Very good, thank you. I hope that can be addressed fairly soon. So both these dockets

1340 will go to the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity and Immigrant Advancement. And docket 1341 will also go to the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity and Immigrant Advancement. Thank you.

Pepén, and Worrell offer the following resolution calling on Boston Public Schools to fully partner with the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School Program.

Chair recognizes Councillor Pepén. Councillor Pep in you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. May I add Councillor Fitzgerald as our second co-sponsor?

Councillor FitzGerald is so added.

Thank you. As many of you know The transportation safety around schools in our neighborhood has been my number one priority since getting into the City Council. This specific topic was part of my maiden speech, my very first speech on the City I've been strongly advocating for this forever. I have a lot of elementary and middle schools in my district where parents continuously feel unsafe about just drivers speeding down Flynn, and I We were able to attend a luncheon with them, with the crossing guards not too long ago and thank them personally for what they've done. This program through this state is a free program A federally funded program focused on protecting children on the way to and from classrooms.

Joining the program costs nothing to our school district, yet today fewer than 60 out of 103 eligible BPS schools are enrolled. The reason for this is that the school leaders have to reach out individually to the state program in order to actually sign up and receive the resources, the trainings, and all the available tools that the state provides in order to teach their kids about transportation safety. Every family and every neighborhood across Boston deserves to know that their children have a safe way to get to school, so full enrollment into the Safe Routes to School program supports that goal, and I've already had conversations with our superintendent. She's very open to this. This is one of those conversations where it would benefit every single BPS student to get these resources. So it's time that every single school that is eligible for this is receiving these resources, and that's why I'm calling to support this and get this resolution passed today. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. And thank you again Councilor Pepén for having me as a co-sponsor on this bill. It's important to me not only as a parent who walks my kids to school every morning but also I believe that the bus budget that we have is exorbitantly high And in order to save money, I think we can cut from the bus budget going back to local schools. If you go back to Local Schools then we have to make sure that there is a safe route for people to walk to those schools and so I think getting out and putting this infrastructure in place ahead of time for all schools will help us be better prepared for that.

Seeing and hearing no objection, Councilor Worrell is added as a third. Thank you. Councillor Worrell would you like to speak to this? And then we'll go to the Councillor Flynn.

Thank You Madam President thank you to Councillor Pepén and also Councillor Fitzgerald for including me on this resolution. We've done a lot of work with MassDOT Safe Routes to School to address unsafe bus routes in my district, and they are a phenomenal program. Over the past year, the programs served Over 600,000 students in 1,300 schools across cities in the Commonwealth. And in their most recent report they cited numerous positive outcomes on students and Not just in reduced congestion and traffic fatalities, but also improved academic performance, classroom attendance, physical activity, and strengthened interpersonal skills among students. At the city level, the Boston SRTS project has focused on pedestrian and bike safety education as well. The city program is mostly focused on elementary schools but we know the state-run program offers support for all our schools

My office has worked with them around some of the schools in my district, including The King, Tech Boston and the Conservatory Lab Charter School. I want to give a big shout out to Tina for really working with our school leaders and offering realistic and responsive support around the school community's needs rather than a technocratic approach to pedestrian and cyclist safety. I know many of our schools are partnered with the Boston Safe Routes, the school chapter but there are too many that are not. This means many of our schools are not getting access to free resources and services that could have substantial traffic safety and Health Benefits for our students and communities. In order to create a safe transportation system citywide, I'm urging full partnership with the MassDOTS Safe routes to school to allow every BPS student to benefit from safer and greater access to transportation to school. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank to the sponsors for bringing this forward. It was wonderful to join Councillor Pepén a couple of weeks ago as he mentioned in Roxbury where there was a lunch to recognize the crossing guards throughout the city of Boston. I think the crossing gods play a critical role in our city, I think they're really unsung heroes as far as I'm concerned and really do an exceptional job. They don't receive the recognition or the pay, or the support that I believe they earned but I would like for us to moving forward to do as much as we can for the crossing guards because of the critical role they play in public safety, literally putting their body in front of a car to ensure the safety of a student. We've heard about that, we know that's the case.

The other point I wanted to make Madam Chair is I do believe traffic enforcement is a critical aspect That needs to take place by the Boston Police. especially cars that are speeding, reckless driving in and around schools. We know that the speed limit is 25 miles an hour at schools as 20 miles an hours. I do think that is excessive I think it should be reduced to 15 miles an hour. And making sure that we do more traffic enforcement, requested from the police commissioner that we do more traffic enforcement in and around schools for cars that are speeding. And I know Councilor Pepén worked on this when we see the school bus that has the stop sign coming out of it We often see cars driving right by it.

That's a major violation as far as I'm concerned, but traffic enforcement by Boston Police has to be a critical part of this conversation along with Hopefully, reducing the speed limit once again. Thank you Madam Chair.

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

Thank-you so much Chair and I just want to thank Councillor Pepén for his advocacy We have a number of issues in District 8 Outside of the Tobin and Fenway High School. So making sure that kids can get to school safely is of utmost priority, and I plan on supporting this resolution. Thank you.

Culpepper, Durkan, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Santana, Weber and the Chair. Councilors Pepén, Fitzgerald and Worrell seek suspension of the rules in adoption of docket 1342. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. Madam Clerk could you please take a roll call vote on docket

We will call for vote on Docket 1342. Councilor Breadon? Yes. Council Breadon, yes. Council Coletta Zapata? Council Culpepper? Yes Council Culppepper, yes Council Durkan? Yes, Councilor Fitzgerald? Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn? Yes. Councilors Flynn, yes, Councilor Louijeune, yes Councilor Mejia, Council Murphy, Council Pepén, Council Santana Councilor Santana, yes. Council Weber? Yes. Councilor Weber, yes, Council O'Rell? Yes Councilor O'Rell, 11 in the affirmative

Thank you Madam Clerk. Docket 1342 has been adopted. Murphy, who had a question.

Before we move forward, docket 1341 the resolution Central staff had handed out a substitution for some wording and I don't remember if that was substituted before we voted on it so i just want to make sure that We have the right docket. I know, but I'm just putting it towards the president to let her know. I'm not sure if you got a copy, but i'm just noticing that That wasn't mentioned when we read the dockets together. I know it went to committee, but just making sure that we have the right docket that was formally brought to committee. It's still named a resolution, even though we didn't vote on it.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy, for bringing this to my attention. We'll just hold on one second and have a brief recess.

Thank you.

Thanks for watching!

We're back in session. Thank you, Councillor Murphy for that inquiry. Councillor Culpepper would you like to address this question from Councillor Murphy?

Yes Madam President I'd like to keep it the way it is we can change the language when we vote on your committee

Certainly. Thank you. Next up, Madam Clerk could you please read Docket 1343.

Docket one three four three. Councilor Louis-Jeanne offer the following resolution denouncing the United States Supreme Court decision allowing determination of temporary protected status for Haitian and Syrian nationals, and affirming Boston's support for TPS holders. Chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune. You have the floor.

Thank you, Councillor Breadon. I would like to add Councillor Pepén as a second original co-sponsor. Councillor Pepé is so added. The decision of the Supreme Court to terminate temporary protected status has a devastating impact on our city, a devastating effect on our residents. This reckless decision that where it foregoes its responsibility to do judicial review of Administrative Action, and where it ignores a very clear racial animus and anti-blackness of this administration in their immigration policy and a number of other policies. is a smack in the face of so many here in our city and in our country. My phones, in our office have been ringing off the hook since the decision with people worried scared

and looking for help. And it is at a point of crisis for so many employers who are trying to figure out what to do, and so The effect and the impact on our economy, on families tearing families apart. We are already seeing declining enrollment in our schools that is going to continue with these reckless decisions that scare families and tear them apart here in our city, home to one of the largest Haitian communities and a large Syrian community. Thank you, Mr. President. and they just experienced an earthquake.

All of these decisions are very real to our residents, and so I want to uplift the work that so many have done from the lawyers who argued the case to the Immigrant Family Services Institute here to Association of Haitian Women for Boston. I want to thank Governor Healey, who very quickly organized a press conference condemning We're talking about people who have a lawful immigrant status Citizen children who pay billions of dollars in taxes to our city. So I'm just, my entire office we are devastated by this decision so many of our American communities and national TPS coalition Thank you for joining us.

Congresswoman Presley for the work that she did in Congress to, for a TPS three-year extension. We know that we would need it to pass the Senate as well and we are organizing people around Senate Bill 4814. I wish we didn't have to do this because this decision is again reckless, harmful and ignoring the very real racial animus of this administration. Thank you.

Thank You Councilor Louijeune. Chair recognizes Councilor Pepén. Councilor, you have the floor

Thank you, Madam President. I asked Councilor Louijeune to be a co-sponsor on this resolution because of how devastating this is to the Haitian community and to the Syrian community. I was able to join Councilor At the steps at the State House and to feel the pain and the frustration that this community is facing because of such just inhumane decisions taken by our Supreme Court, by the President of this country. Yes, this is about federal issues and federal legislation. However, this genuinely impacts the people right here in the city of Boston. I can hear Dr. Goubeau repeating the numbers 4814 during her speech and asking the Senate to please support it. But I also hear the outcry from the community I obviously represent a beautiful Haitian community in District 5 and just seeing what a thriving, hardworking, loving community they are. I just don't understand how these decisions can be made.

I wanted to stand here in solidarity to make sure that my council colleague, Councilor Louijeune who worked tirelessly to make this was passed at the congressional level which did so successfully with Congresswoman Presley's support. But there's a lot more work to do, and I just wanted to stand here in support and thank my colleague for all the work that she does. Thank you.

for offering this important resolution. The Supreme Court decision is a moral failure, we cannot allow residents and families to be at risk of deportation back to sites of political instability and humanitarian crisis. TPS holders have become an integral part of Boston through its businesses and community participation, and we would not be the city we are today without them. The loss of this status will damage communities and inflict hardships on families and residents of Boston. The loss of protected status for Haitian and Syrian nationals is something the City of Boston and the Boston City Council must condemn. I stand in full support of this resolution, thank you.

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

Thank you Madam Chair I also want to say thank you to the sponsors for bringing this important resolution forward US Supreme Court decision ending TPS status for Haiti is unconscionable. TPS acknowledges that people should not be forced to return to a country like Haiti that's riddled with war or natural disasters. When I was Stationed in the Navy in 2009, 2010 in Guantanamo. The devastating earthquake wreaked havoc on the people of Haiti which was just maybe 90 miles from where I was at that time I saw the incredible work of so many humanitarian organizations that volunteered to support this devastated country.

But we know that when this happened, it was important for the United States to welcome Haitian people And they've contributed greatly to this city for so many years. I believe we need to show compassion for victims of natural disasters and those in need by extending TPS for the people impacted. I previously stood with the Haitian community in 2018 and 2023, calling for the extension of TPS. Advocated for more assistance for our Haitian neighbors as well. We must continue to stand in solidarity and work with our colleagues in the city, state, and federal government. We are a city and nation of immigrants and must always welcome those in search of a better life for themselves, their families and those who have endured terrible natural disasters as well. Thank you Madam Chair.

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

Thank you Madam President and thank you Councillor Louie-Jen for filing this important resolution and thank Fighting back against the Trump administration? Ending temporary protective status as the Trump Administration is doing will mean thousands. Thousands of Haitian and Syrian families will lose their jobs, their communities in Any and all senses of security for no other reason than deep-seated hatred from our federal officials. For 250 years elected officials in our nation have touted ourselves as a beacon of hope for the weary to find refuge, opportunity and to be accepted and embraced for who they are. Ending something as crucial as TPS is a direct violation of that 250-year old promise So I stand in support of this resolution. And again, thank you for this filing.

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

Thank You Madam President. I just want to thank Councilor Louijeune again for bringing us forward and know that she has the full support of all of us on the council and just want to uplift her advocacy as they know how personal this are and how hard she's been working. And we will be here to do anything we can help. Thank you.

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

Thank you Madam President. I want to associate myself with remarks of Councilor Louijeune and for Commending her for filing this resolution. Just wanted to read a small paragraph from the dissenting opinion by Justice Jackson when she said that This court has vastly undervalued the devastating consequences of allowing the government to upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of people while their legal challenges are still going on. She also raised concerns during oral arguments regarding whether President Trump's efforts to terminate the TPS programs were motivated by racial animus against minority populations, which we know they were.

And I think Madam President when the Supreme Court issued their decision along with that voting rights decision Colpepper, Revoking Section 2 that I think it was a sad day in the United States of America. Thank you Madam President.

Thank You Councilor Culpepper. Councilor Durkan you have you have the floor?

Thank you so much chair I just want to say How much it means that we have a Haitian member of the City Council, the first Haitian to ever be elected to the city council serving alongside us. The first Haitians council president I remember what it was like when Councillor Louijeune got elected and how much pride was beaming from her community. And now to have her advocacy on the city council is extremely meaningful It doesn't mean that we can move mountains, but I know that the Haitian community feels well represented in Council Louijeune. and I'm just really proud to serve alongside her as she advocates for her community and our Boston neighbors who deserve better. And, I know there's a lot of fear right now. I can't imagine feeling that type of fear I'm just grateful that we have a colleague who serves alongside us, who represents our community with such honor and grace. We stand with the Haitian community right now during these tough times.

Thank you Councillor Durkan I'd also like to thank Councillor Louijeune for her incredible leadership and I know she's working, her staff. She and her staff are working incredibly hard to try and address this really challenging and difficult situation The injustice in revoking the TPS is horrific. It shows an incredible lack of understanding and lack communities, the Syrian community, the Haitian community and all the other communities that have temporary protected status in our country. I have Haitian family members. I know that this is heading home to them really strongly as well, because they have families and friends in the United States that are in TPS. Thank you, Councillor Louijeune. I think we all stand united behind your leadership on this one.

Would anyone like to add their name? Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. Please add the chair. Louijeune and Councilor Pepén seek suspension of the rules adoption of docket 1343. All in favour say aye, all opposed say nay. Madam Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on 1343? Roll call vote undocked.

1343. Councillor Breadon. Yes. Councillor Breadon, yes. Councillor Coletta Zapata. Councillor Culpepper. Culpepper, Council Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy. Murphy, Papen, Santana, Weber, Worrell. 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you Madam Clerk. Docket 1343 has been adopted I'll ask my colleague Councillor Culpepper to take the chair for the next two dockets

Madam Clerk, would you please read the docket?

Docket 1344. Councilor Breadon offer the following resolution in support of Senate Bill 3112 and authorizing municipalities to opt into a temporary pilot, to extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow public consumption in designated districts in summer 2026.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councillor Breadon. Councillor Bradon, you have the floor.

Thank you Mr. Chair and I would like to add Councillor Worrell as a second original co-sponsor.

Thank You Madam Chair. Councillor Worrel has been added.

This is a resolution to support Senate Bill 3112, which would extend the pilot program for municipalities to opt in to extending last call and establishing social districts through the rest of the summer. Mayor Wu opted Boston into the initial pilot early on. More than 200 establishments now participate, and two social districts operate downtown. There has been a positive reception. Residents and visitors have embraced the extended hours in social districts. We've hosted the Tartan Army and other World Cup visitors with great success. The summer is just getting started, but the pilot program is set to expire at the end of this month. I'm thankful to Senators Suhr and Feingold for filing this legislation on Beacon Hill to keep the fun going and allow cities and towns to continue the programme through August.

August is one of the busiest months for tourism in Boston, given the struggles of the hospitality industry that faced post-Covid With inflation and labour shortages, allowing Boston to continue with this pilot programme and create more opportunities for our small businesses is a no-brainer. This resolution calls on the council to express its support for this bill and to encourage Boston to continue opting in to this pilot program should the bill ultimately pass. I'm asking my colleagues to support this resolution and thank you. It also is an opportunity since it's a pilot program to capture some vital data to inform future policy making regarding Boston's hospitality and tourist economy, thank you

Chair recognized. Thank you, Chair.

And thank you to Council President Breadon for introducing this and including me on this. And just want to give a shout out to also Senator Feingold for putting this bill forward. Also, just wanna just also shout out the Licensing Department who has been working and being very flexible on getting this license implemented. I think this is a great opportunity for our small businesses and for us to get more data on if we want to consider making this a permanent program here in the city of Boston so that the more information The more people we are bringing into the table to understand what are the pros and cons on Establishing something like this permanently in the City of Boston, I believe is beneficial not only to our city but our small businesses.

So the more information we get, the better understanding we have of the program so we can see what the program should look like in the future. And again this doesn't mean that The program needs to have every bar or every restaurant open until 3 AM Every day of the week, but we could be flexible in the program. So the more information the better and I think this is a great opportunity for small businesses to reap the benefits on the tourism that has come back to the city of Boston Thank you.

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

Thank you Mr. Chair. Mr.Chair I'm not going to object to a vote on this. The resolution should have a vote either up or down, but I am going to vote against this for several reasons. and one of the reasons is I don't believe that there is a community engagement process in terms of keeping these bars or restaurants open till 3am. Some of the Thank you very much. Any opportunity to weigh in with the licensing board, with the city council, with mayor's office. It was just kind of rubber stamped and approved

I do believe in a community engagement process. I do think residents in a particular neighborhood should have the opportunity to voice their opinion If you're keeping a restaurant or bar open in a particular neighborhood, say on Broadway in South Boston where I live, would I want my neighbors to have the opportunity vote for it or against it? I think I would. I think residents most impacted by this type of decision should be heard, they should be respected. The decision in my opinion should not come from City Hall Residents deserve an opportunity to be heard, to be respected. I also think there are other issues that we have to factor in in terms of keeping bars or restaurants open till 3 o'clock

What impact does that have on other city services that may need to be part of the solution as it relates to public safety or inspections, as well. So I'm gonna vote no although I do think it should go to a committee for a hearing But I'm not going to do that because I want to be respectful to my colleagues. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy. Councillor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you. Thank you, Chair. To the maker through the chair if it's fine, if you have answers just to a couple questions. Where are the current designated consumption areas in the City of Boston? I know you're saying that we want to opt into this temporary pilot. and how many establishments, how do we choose which ones? And will all of them if this became permanent be given a 3 AM liquor license?

Councilor Breadon you have the floor.

I think really it's a pilot to extend it through August, so I don't have the data on the precise establishments currently. But I do know it's really a resolution in support of the Senate bill that is pending at the moment.

And is it something that this body with this resolution is saying that we are in support of all of our liquor licenses without neighborhood input or business input? or police and public safety input having a say. Is that tied to, do you know? I'm trying to put words in my mouth but wondering if that is

I think the parameters of the summer program are established, so I think it will be continuing whatever. And it's entirely voluntary, so you know, it doesn't force businesses to stay open to three but if there is Not even every day. It might be just one night a week or whatever, but yeah.

Thank you. So I also will not Blocking this as a vote, I think a vote is a good idea today. But I will be filing just it as a hearing order also just to get answers especially if this pilot then becomes a permanent thing. I think it's important that we have that information but that's something you can do down the road. Thank you.

Mr. Chair, before we proceed, may I? Yes. I would like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Louijeune as a third co-sponsor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

of Public Consumption Sites, that the Downtown Boston Alliance is running. And I just saw the vitality that it's bringing to both The Common and the whole area, and I was really, really grateful for their leadership and Mike Nichols' leadership. He was my constituent until about six months ago, so I'm really proud of him and the work that the Downtown Boston Alliance is doing to revitalize the downtown area Generally, I am in support of the City of Boston having more power when it comes to licensing and then giving us the opportunity to weigh-in our individual districts. So I am excited to support this Again, there are a number of areas that I do not think a 3AM would work in District 8. But having the ability for the City of Boston to have those conversations at the licensing

I'm both in support of this and the other bill at the State House because I believe that giving the city of Boston more optionality when it comes to what works for our businesses and our neighborhoods Breadon, I know you have the youngest district around and so I know that a lot of your constituents are benefiting this from this as well as mine. But it's been really exciting to see the vitality that's been brought from the World Cup and I really with SAIL Boston coming It's exciting to and the City of Boston can do to continue that for local businesses. We have very few opportunities to really help our businesses. And so while a lot of people chose not to go for the 3 AM,

I'll just be very clear that this is a one-hour extension of your license. So if you are 12, you can go to 1. If you're a 1, you could go to 2 and if you're two, you go to 3. So I think that's helpful to clarify. Thank you chair.

The chair recognizes Councilor Murphy.

I just haven't turned the light off from earlier, thank you.

You've never turned your light off?

No.

Thank you.

Always ready.

Would anyone like to add their name? Pepén, Councilor Santana, Council Weber, Council Durkan and Council Fitzgerald. Thank you. Council Breadon seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of DACA at 1344. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Madam Clerk, please count the vote.

Roll call vote on 1344, Councilor Breadon? Breadon, yes. Councilor Caleta Zapata? Councilor Culpepper?

Present.

Council Culpeper present. Council Durkan? Yes. Councilur Fitzgerald? Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn? No. Council Louijeune? Lujan, yes. Councilor Mejia? Yes. Council Murphy? No. Council Pappin? Yes Council Santana? Santana, yes. Councilor Weber? Yes. Council Weber, yes, Councilor Worrell? Yes, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 vote yes One present and two no.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Madam Clerk, can you please read docket number 1345?

Docket 1345, Councilor Breadon offer the following. Resolution in support of fair contract for MAP community services group home direct support staff.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councillor Breadon. Councillor Bradon, you have the floor.

Thank you Mr. Chair. I rise today in support of this resolution supporting a fair contract for the direct professional and Assistant Residential Coordinators at MAB Community Services. For more than 100 years, MAB community services empowered individuals with disabilities by providing programs that promote independence, dignity and Community Inclusion throughout Boston and the Commonwealth. The staff at MAB perform essential work every day, and help individuals live as independently as possible. These are demanding responsibilities that require patience, compassion, professionalism and dedication. Yet many of these workers remain underpaid with few benefits. After choosing to unionize with SEIU 509 These employees have been working towards a first contract that provides fair wages, reasonable benefits and workplace protections and respect on the job.

Supporting workers who provide this level of care is supporting the individuals and families who rely on them every single day. A fair contract will help improve employee retention, strengthen the workforce and ensure continuity of care for some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable residents. Because this program is largely publicly funded, negotiations must continue in good faith and move toward a fair agreement that recognizes the value of these essential workers. And this resolution calls for that. I respectfully ask my colleagues to support me and join me in supporting this resolution.

Thank you Madam Chair. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Murphy. And please add the chair. Councilor Can't forget you. Councilor Breadon 6, suspension of the rules and adoption of docket number 1345. All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Are those opposed? Madam Clerk, please count the vote.

We'll call vote on docket 1-345. Councillor Breadon? Yes. Councillor Briden, yes. Councillor Coletta Zapata. Councillor Culpepper?

Yes

Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy. Murphy, Papen, Santana, Weber, Worrell

Thank you. Docket 1345 has been adopted.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper. Madam Clerk, could you please read Docket 1346? Docket1346.

Councillors Murphy and Flynn offer the following. Resolution calling for immediate briefing on Boston's summer safety plan and a collaborative review to strengthen public safety.

Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy. Councillor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. Protecting the safety of Boston residents, the visitors, businesses, all of our neighborhoods and first responders is the most fundamental responsibility of municipal government. As we all know, Boston has experienced repeated incidents of violent crime throughout this current year including shootings, assaults on Boston police offices and other serious public safety incidences that have heightened concern among residents across the city. Not just residents, but all of us I believe. Over the 4th of July holiday weekend, multiple shootings occurred across the city of Boston resulting in 13 individuals being shot and two people being killed. While offices also face dangerous conditions, including fireworks being thrown and shot at them during public safety responses.

These incidents are not isolated, but part of a larger and deeply concerning pattern that demands a clear coordinated and accountable response from city leadership. Effective public safety requires prevention, intervention, enforcement, community partnership, adequate staffing of the Boston Police Department in continued support for Boston Fire, Boston EMS and violence prevention organizations. The City Council has both the legislative and oversight responsibility to ensure that the city's public safety strategies are transparent, accountable, responsive to changing conditions, and reflective of the needs of residents in every neighborhood. The people of Boston want us to work together to keep every neighbourhood safe and they want to see us that we're committed to taking proactive steps to preventing violence before tragedy strikes. that the Boston City Council, so this resolution I'm filing.

It's hard especially in our leadership roles when we're hearing Information on the news or we're seeing it on social media and not getting the information directly to us, oftentimes then that means we're not getting accurate information needed to make the decisions we have to advocate for. So I'm hoping that this resolution sends a message that we are going to work together. We, I want to see and Councilor Flynn, we talked about this when we were getting calls and seeing the violence happening over last weekend that we get a briefing, we get the information we need and with that information which that knowledge is power to make the right decisions. To not be reactive but to have The tools we need to help make the decisions needed going forward. So I also think it's important that we reconvene and really see if the summer safety plan, that I guess is in place. I know I've never received a formal copy of

that we see what it is and what needs to change so we can advocate for those changes. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Murphy for adding me. It's clear we need a new comprehensive public safety plan. Staffing levels are dangerously low. Shifts are not filled We have also witnessed frequent assaults against police officers. on many of these issues, but especially the low number of police officers we have. We know police officers are frequently working 16 hours a day mandatory overtime. We also know morale is low on the Boston Police Department. Police officers know they're not supported or appreciated here at City Hall,

When you're working a 15-hour day shift and something terrible happens, will City Hall support the police officer that was forced to work 15 straight hours? You're not on top of your game after working 15, 16 straight hours and then being in tense situations throughout many neighborhoods of the city. I think having a public safety Meeting, Discussion, Briefing, Summit. I do think City Councilors want to be part of the strategy and be engaged in offering their opinion but I also think the public wants Be heard as well. We have to respect our police officers, we have to the people in our neighborhoods but we're not providing the level of police officers that are needed across the city of Boston

Public Safety is negatively impacted because of that. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank-you so much and I just want to say to some of Councillor Flynn's remarks I absolutely support the police department. My sister served in her local police department, my grandmother was a police officer. I know how hard it is to I just want to say on behalf of my office, we care deeply about what our public safety professionals are going through every single day. Flynn, and I know that Councilor Flynn also called along the City Council to do a ride-along. I've done two since I've been in office and excited to join for another. I think it's really important today that I absolutely support Culpepper. I did notice that there is a late file matter from Councilor Culpeper which I have decided

It's really regarding a docket that is properly before the committee and it's regarding the same subject. So I think his hearing order gives an opportunity for this safety summit and hearing order to happen and so I will not be objecting to this late file, and I absolutely support our public safety professionals and the work that they go through. And I know there is a docket later in this To support our public safety officers and our Boston police. It is So important that they know that the City Council does stand with them and knows the work that they go through day in and day out to support to support the public. And I want to also shout out Operation Brain Freeze and The Boston Common, and our A1 captain, Captain Driscoll who is making sure that community policing Durkan. Thank you, Madam President.

The recent acts of violence across our city, most of which occurred in my district are heartbreaking and every resident deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood. and we cannot, and will not normalize what has happened. I know this firsthand. I've worked directly on efforts to address gang-related violence So it's heartbreaking to see violence resurface in communities that have fought hard to move forward. The Boston Police Department's 2025 gun trafficking report made this clear. The highest concentration of gun trafficking investigations remain clustered in Districts B2 and B3, predominantly Roxbury and parts of Dorchester. I support developing a summer safety plan But as we develop this plan, we must recognize the work already being done despite limited resources.

For decades organizations like The Greatest Minds, Torchlight Master Levin, along with leaders like Randy Muhammad, Bishop Dickerson, Reverend Wall, Chip Greenwich have built relationships, trusted relationships, mediated conflicts. Mentored young people and invested in neighborhoods carrying a disproportionate share of gun violence. Their work has saved lives, yet it too often goes unrecognized and underfunded. Elected officials and law enforcement have a responsibility to develop a strategy that protects every neighborhood, but we don't need to reinvent the wheel to get there. The people who have spent years earning residents' trust and preventing violence on the ground must have a seat at the table from the very beginning. Their roles shouldn't be limited to recommendations after a plan is written It should be reflected in the plan itself.

Now is a time to come together as one city, incorporate community organizations' expertise and to the city's summer safety strategy, and ensure they no longer have to bear the responsibility of protecting, supporting and engaging our communities alone. I support this resolution, and look forward to working alongside my council colleagues, the administration, law enforcement and our community partners to build a summer safety plan that reflects both the experience of those on the ground and the urgency of this moment. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank You, Councilor Culpepper. Chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And I want to thank my colleagues for their work and I also just wanted to express sort of the deep sadness as a result of what happened this past weekend in our city in the deep sense On safety, the sense of loss and community grieving. I think it's important for us to always bring people and stakeholders together to think about what we can be doing better, how we improve to get to no violence, no gun violence, domestic violence. No forms of violence at all in our city and so I welcome these conversations. that these are focusing on summer. But I do want to state that, you know, I think there's specific things we need and some of those can be for also lent year-round solutions.

So I do have a hearing order that I filed earlier this year, for a collaborative citywide strategy for Community Safety and Violence Prevention. And this was really filed upon the dismantling of SOAR in our street worker program that really allowed for direct intervention I mean, I think it's worth exploring sort of what worked, what didn't work and how that can be retooled. So Councilor Culpepper look forward to working with you on the summer plan and community strategies I also hope that we can have the larger conversation about what are the interventions at work, what we've done in the past that we should look at again and we should retweak. And to also hear suggestions from communities so hoping that we could Would anyone like to add their name?

Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Louijeune, Pepén, Santana, Weber. Worrell, and please add the chair. Councillors Murphy and Flynn seek suspension of the rules adoption of docket 1346. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. Madam Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 1346?

Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes. Council Durkan, yes Counselor Fitzgerald? Yes Councilor FitzGerald, yes Councilor Flynn?

Yes

Lewis, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell O'Reilly, 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you Madam Clerk. Docket 1346 has been adopted. I understand that docket 1347 has been withdrawn? Culpepper. And Madam Clerk, could you please read Docket 1348?

Docket1348. Councillor Flynn offered the following resolution to use this supplemental budget to restore funding for Boston Public Schools employees.

Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn. You have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair, may I add Councillor Murphy as an original co-sponsor?

Councillor Murphy is added as a second thank you.

I was obviously going to add Councillor Mejia but But I do want to acknowledge Councilor Mejia's longtime advocacy for BPS families. So this resolution, Madam Chair is a is an opportunity for us to acknowledge that the City Council got it wrong. Because there's likely going to be 500 potential job loss this year, of teachers, of paraprofessionals, of bus monitors. This resolution would encourage the City of Boston to do a supplemental. To let those dedicated workers, most of them are women of color but letting them know that they're important They're part of the city.

They do exceptional work helping students with disabilities. Is it right for us to advocate for them? During this period, I think it is. I think its worth it. We visit schools all the time. We see paraprofessionals, we see bus monitors, we teachers, we paraprofessional Taking special education kids to the bathroom. They're cleaning them after they go in the bathroom, washing their hands, bringing them back to the classroom Managing and helping the teacher with order, and with educational assistance. They're a critical part of our city They were a critical part of our education.

They're unsung heroes as far as I'm concerned, along with the crossing gods, as I mentioned earlier. But is there room in this city For low-wage workers that do an exceptional job, no one's even questioning their professionalism or their dedication. Then why are we giving them a pink slip? Do they deserve the opportunity to go back to school, to do the job that they love, that they were trained to do? They're not making a lot of money but their service is invaluable. They're helping students with disabilities. They're supporting their families, they're paying taxes, they are doing everything government asked them to do and more! And what do we say to them? We're sorry, there's no more money for you.

But there is money if we vote for a supplemental budget We can encourage the city government, the mayor's office to recognize these mostly women of color. Give them an opportunity to get back to the classroom So that they can pay their bills, educate our children. They deserve dignity, they deserve respect. They're not getting it right now. In the Boston City Council voting for the BPS budget, we basically cut their job. It was 400 jobs. Now it could be 500 jobs that were learning. Is that racial justice? Is that social and economic justice? Is that helping our teachers? Is it helping our students with disabilities? Is there an opportunity

for low-wage workers in this city to continue to do the job that they love, to help students with disabilities. I think there is, I think they're worth fighting for and I'm not going to give up on them Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you Councillor Flynn. The chair recognizes Councillor Murphy of the floor.

Thank You Madam Chair, thank you Councilor Flynn for adding me and continuing to advocate with myself and you mentioned Councilor Mejia colleagues here. If there was ever a rainy day, I do believe this is it and I think it's always a good day to fight and advocate for our City Workers. I know I've stood up every time over the last couple months when we've been talking about the budget and when this body passed The BPS budget, which we knew was going to cut jobs that our teachers are paraprofessionals. They are city workers even though it's a separate budget they are worth advocating just like We changed our amendment poll. We really advocated and made changes to make sure that the transportation department didn't have any cut at all, even though it was underspent for years and not one job would've been touched.

intentionally worked to make that pull come from somewhere else so there was no even appearance of taking away anyone's job here in the city of Boston. But for some reason, and I will never understand why when it comes to our paraprofessionals which many of these over 500 positions are going to be and classroom teachers We don't seem to have the same advocacy. But I voted against the Boston public school budget again this year because I could not support a plan that cuts hundreds of jobs from our schools. We are now learning that more than 560 positions will be eliminated even more than originally projected. These aren't just jobs, They are our neighbors. They are the teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors and school staff who make a difference in the lives of Boston children every single day. Boston has more than $500 million in available reserves. If there was ever a rainy day, This would be it.

I believe protecting the people who educate, mentor and support our students is exactly what those funds should be used for. I support this resolution to send a message that we, the Council as a body is saying to the administration, saying to school committees, saying the superintendent but more importantly saying to the educators whose last day was over a week ago, who were out of a job that we're gonna fight. We're not going to give up and hopefully come September they're back in classrooms and also we're fighting for our students because every time a staff member is eliminated from the school, it's a child. It's a family. It'a classroom that's negatively affected. Thank you

Thank you, Councillor Murphy. The Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Thank you, Madam President. Just like Councillor Flynn and Councillor Murphy have stood over and over to voice their Dissatisfaction with the approval of the Boston Public School budget, I too stand. And it's amazing how With a $1.73 billion budget, we found it possible to from what we've learned this week to fire And that's what we're doing. We're actually firing over 500 employees from the Boston public school system. And here is what's sad about it, none of us will feel the pain

that those families will fill. None of us will go without food in their refrigerator, none of us struggle to find ways to pay the rent None of us will struggle when September comes to make sure that our children have shoes on their feet. But yet we were able to approve that budget Knowing that there were those that would be fired, I do hope that there's some way that we can find and I understand that the Boston public school system It's continuing to hire employees that receive that letter. But I do hope there is some way that we can find some mechanism, whether it's a supplemental budget

whether it's from that state fair share fund, some way to make sure that these families have food on the table and that their rent is paid. Thank you Madam President.

Thank You Councilor Culpepper Weber, you have the floor.

Thank you very much, and I know we talked a lot about using supplementals to do things in the budget for one-time expenses. As the filers have mentioned in previous hearings that we're not sure about what the numbers are actually going to be until September, October. I think that would be a better time to advocate for a supplemental. You know, I'm fine with letting this go forward and supporting our teachers. But until we address the sharp drop in enrollment in our school system, and how are going to deal with that? We're gonna be having this conversation for a long time. Thank you.

Flynn. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The timing of this is important because it's July and families need to these workers need to begin to Understand that they're not going back to a job in September. They're not gonna go back to the job that they love, helping kids. Educating kids, students with disabilities. Do we have money in the budget for those programs? 400, 500 jobs. Union jobs. I hear a lot of city councilors talking about how they support Working men and women in support organized labor. There is no more important issue than supporting this.

Low-wage workers, the unionized, the woman of color Are we going to turn our back on them? Now is the time. Now's the time to say yes, we support them. They've been here for us. Culpepper mentioned it. Who else is going to do that work? These dedicated workers are doing the work, they're doing an exceptional job. They're working hard. They're compassionate. They treat their students with respect, they provide services to them. I talked to the parents, the parents are thankful for our paraprofessionals after the day is over because the paraproessional and the teacher help the student. That makes the parent's job easier. We have to be a compassionate city,

There's money in the budget. There's many in the coffers for workers that do this type of work We can't turn our backs on them during this time of need Now is the time for us to stand with them Why? They've always stood with the residents of Boston. They've ALWAYS stood with students with disabilities. They never gave up on them, they never turned their backs on them. They might be making $35,000 a year Is there an opportunity for them in the city of Boston? That's the question we have to ask. And if we say yes, then vote for it and if we said no, there is no place for them, then you vote no I guess. Thank you Madam Chair.

Culpepper, would you mind taking the podium for a few minutes? Thank you for the advocacy, Mr. Chair.

The chair recognizes Councillor Breadon. Councillor Bradon, you have the floor.

Thank you I really feel that this is an incredibly difficult issue as we discuss it back and forward I appreciate Councillor Flynn and Councillor Murphy's incredible advocacy, and all of us really appreciate the incredible value in the work of our paraprofessionals. I've talked to the chair of a school committee, I've talk to superintendent, I have talked Right at this moment I don't feel that we're dealing with accurate numbers, accurate information. We know that our school population is dropping by 3,000 students Our enrolment is dropping, we are closing schools and it remains to be seen also the incredible pressure on the uncertainty about families being displaced and deported basically.

In our neighbourhood, a young kid from one of her elementary schools, her mother voluntarily returned to Honduras and took her school-age Elementary school age US citizen with her back to Honduras. It's a very volatile and unstable situation with regard to our enrolment in the schools at the moment I have I've been assured that folks who are permanent paraprofessionals have been rehired and reassigned to the schools in places where they're needed. I also heard that teachers Their school is closed, that they're being reassigned. So I think it's a work in progress and right now I don't feel that I can in all honesty vote in support of this resolution because I don' t feel that i'm working with the full data set I appreciate the advocacy.

I also appreciate the stress and trauma of paraprofessionals getting a pink slip at saying that they are not going to be rehired, But I think the BPS is in the process of rehiring as many people as they can at this moment. This is a difficult one for me, but I think I'm going to probably vote present on this because I feel we need more information before we can make this vote on this resolution. Thank you

Murphy, the Chair recognizes Councilor Murphy. Councilor

Councillor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you, Chair. Just wanted to follow up and I often feel like I'm a broken record but many of these issues I stand up and reiterate that these questions That you're right, Councilor Breadon. We need these answers but there are questions that have been being asked time and time again not just weeks ago months ago and we still went forward in voting voted on a budget with these questions that were on the record either in a 17F form or RFIs that remained unanswered. The data is there and it is true if you're a permanent teacher, and if your position is cut, you still do have a job. You absolutely have a District does have to find someplace for you. It's not where you were and that's hard, but you will have a job. We're talking about over 500 positions of people who aren't guaranteed jobs

In just a few months, a few weeks ago we had Colleen who was the representative of the union of our paraprofessionals come in and encouraged us to vote down this budget knowing that many of those paraproffessionals She supports every day we're going to lose their jobs. The school department and the city of Boston, we deserve these answers. Just like we deserve answers about public safety and summer safety plan, we do deserve these answer but this resolution I mean obviously people can vote any way they want but the reason why i put it forward and the reason, why i'm voting in favor of it is because when we advocate for all of the other city jobs which I do and will continue to do or many of us this morning at 5 30 this morning i was in front of brigham and women's hospital advocating for the nurses who have just been locked out for the next five days so

It's important that we support our lowest paid, and in many cases I know Councilor Flynn and Councilor Culpepper eloquently stand up and say it. is that they're working with our most vulnerable students. And in a district where we're forcing, and many ways not effectively inclusion across the entire district, and we're taking away the supports needed, it's just unfair. I hope that many of our colleagues will vote in support. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Murphy. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald Pippen, Weber, Worrell. Thank you. Councillors Flynn and Murphy seek suspension of the rules adoption of docket 1348. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. Madam Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on 1348?

A roll-call vote on docket 1348. Councillor Braidon. Present. Clarissa Parra, Councilor Culpepper? Yes. Councilor Durkan? No. Council Fitzgerald? Yes, yes. Flynn, yes. Councilor Louijeune? Present. Council Louis- Jean present. Council Mejia? Council Murphy? Yes. Council Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén? No. Council Pepén no. Council Santana? Santana, no. Council Weber? Yes. Councilor Weber yes. Council O'Rell? Yes Council O'rell yes. One two three four five six yes 1 present and 3 no. 2 present. So let me go over it again.

6 yes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 yes. 2 Present and 3 No

Thank you. Docket 1348 has been adopted. Docket 1348 has not been adopted.

1-350, Councilor Flynn offer the following resolution to support maintaining and adhering the proposition two and a half in the City of Boston.

Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn. Councillor you have the floor.

Proposition 2 1⁄2 is a law passed by voters in 1980. It limits how much cities and towns can raise property taxes. The law has two limits within it. The levy ceiling and the levy limit. The Levee Limit determines how much a city municipality can increase property tax collection for one year to the next. It's determined by taxes generated from new growth such as New residential, commercial development or renovations to existing properties that increase assessed value. The levy ceiling is the absolute maximum amount of property taxes that can be collected by a city municipality. A city or town can't collect more than 2.5% of the total value of all taxable property within its borders

Because Massachusetts municipalities rely heavily on property taxes to fund local government, Proposition 2 1⁄2 has a significant impact on public schools, police, fire departments, public works Libraries, Parks, Recreation, Municipal Employees Salary benefits that we were just discussing. We also know that there's been ongoing discussion here at the city and throughout many cities and towns and at the State House about potentially lifting Proposition 2 1⁄2. In October 2025, when there were calls to the Massachusetts legislature to repeal Proposition Many city officials said it should be repealed. Limiting property tax revenue growth means the local government must exercise fiscal responsibility, accountability. Transparency.

This proposition makes taxes more predictable for residents who have endured challenging economic times in Boston due to several years of steep increases in the property taxes. For many residents over the last two years, they've seen a double-digit property tax increase. Resolution, I believe is important because it provides Boston. It provides cities and towns with structure of how much they can raise taxes but also live within their means to be fiscally disciplined, fiscaly responsible, transparent and accountable. I believe we need to reaffirm our commitment to these principles and ensure that

We practice fiscal discipline and responsibility as much as we can knowing that residents are seeing steep property taxes consistently. Is there an opportunity for us to have Important discussion down the road about Proposition 2 1⁄2 and taxes generally. I think that's also an important factor that we should consider as we cut services like jobs for public school teachers. I think that's an important part of this discussion as well. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you very much. I agree with the filer that this does set the table for an important discussion. We just spent two months or three months fighting to restore vital programs. We also talked a lot about The fact that revenues are not increasing enough to keep pace with increased expenses. The Massachusetts Municipal Association has issued a report called the Perfect Storm about how this is causing havoc with city budgets all across the Commonwealth The report points out, number one, that since 2005 state aid has gone down from 23% of city budgets to now it's closer to 11%. It's also pointed out that Prop 2 1⁄2 does not keep pace with increased costs for healthcare, energy, inflation, construction costs and climate resiliency investments. The MMA recommended that we rework Prop 2 1⁄2

to allow for flexibility in the cap and flexibility in how we allocate taxes between residential commercial properties. We just spent weeks looking through the minutiae of our city budget, including things like revenue generating aspects like the parking meter fund. At a time when we're talking about spending increases Adding 300 to 600 more police officers, creating funds to make sure we hire 400 more BPS employees. It makes sense to have an informed discussion about The number one source of this city's revenue. To do that, we should have a hearing. I am going to object to this, ask that it be sent for a hearing, I hope that it goes to the Ways and Means Committee where I will make sure we have a informed discussion about this issue, which I agree is important.

Thank you, Councillor Weber. I think there's been an objection to this docket 1350 will be sent to the Committee on Ways and Means. Thank you. Merritt. Thank you so much. I know when it's gone to committee.

No, thank you. This is actually in regards to a previous matter?

Thank you.

Is it appropriate to motion to reconsider a vote?

We're going to do that at the end. When we get down to past green sheets, before we do... Yes, I'll do that for everyone later. Thank you. I'll 1-3-5-1.

JANET YELLENDALE- Docket 1-351, Councillor Flynn offered the following resolution of unequivocal denouncement against any violent assault and harassment towards Boston police officers our dedicated first responders and city officials.

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

Thank you Madam Chair. Madam Chair may I add Councillor Fitzgerald as an original co-sponsor? Councillor FitzGerald is so added. May I suspend the rules and add Councillor Murphy

Seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Murphy is added as a third co-sponsor.

Thank you. And as the resolution noted it's also about respecting other city workers that provide First Responder type services or some type of public safety support are interacting with the residents as well, such as code enforcement officers play a critical role in the city of Boston. Boston Transportation Traffic Enforcement Officers as well. I see them frequently, they do an exceptional job but sometimes they're harassed and even We know and I mentioned Boston Police has long-standing issues of understaffing, overstretched resources forced overtime looming retirements Boston police officers work 16 hours a day.

The Boston Police Patrolman Association recently noted that the department is down roughly 600 offices operating at roughly one-third of the workforce This and similar incidents contribute to low morale retention recruitment. The lack of support or indifference when it comes to supporting the police, the fire, EMS has a negative impact. And ultimately, our city is less safe because of that. Public safety begins with supporting the families of men and women who put themselves in harm's way every day to serve and protect our communities. It's critical that we, especially the City Council denounce any violence assaults harassment against the police code enforcement officers officials in transportation Our dedicated first responders and we support their families as well.

We also make it clear that those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities deserve our support, respect, resources to effectively serve the residents of Boston. To paraphrase my good friend Councilor Michael Flaherty, he used to say that yes we have the best hospitals, colleges, universities in the country right here in Boston. We know that they are the crown jewels of the city of Boston, but make no mistake people who want to come here and experience them because they believe it is safe to be here. And that is due to the work of our dedicated first responders They don't get the appreciation or respect, in my opinion from elected officials. But they certainly have earned it. I think this is a small step to acknowledge their professionalism

to acknowledge the dangerous position that they're often placed in and to let them know that the City Council has their back. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. The Chair recognizes Councillor Fitzgerald. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And thank you to Council Flynn for adding me as a co-sponsor. You know we saw some of what our Public safety officers have gone through over this past weekend in a very difficult time, and we know some of that was due to understaffing. And so we just really want to support them in this time of need. They're trying to do their job. They are trying to get back to their families safely as well. and we just want to make sure that the folks out there know that they're not just, they are people too. And we support them and we want them to get back to their family and we please ask everyone Maintain common courtesy out there while having fun, be respectful and understand that folks are just trying to do their job and please don't treat them as an object. We always ask our police to do the same for those people that are out there causing trouble. I really just hope we can do it and thank Councilor Flynn for adding me as a co-sponsor here

As always, we stand up with our Boston police officers and all public safety that have to take the heat out there. Thank you.

The recent attacks on Boston police officers must be condemned clearly and without hesitation by every elected official in our city. Our offices put themselves in harm's way everyday to protect not just Our neighborhoods, but all of our residents and visitors to the City of Boston. They deserve respect support in the confidence that city leaders will stand with them when they are attacked Many of our offices who were working over the holiday weekend in extreme heat, there was a heat wave going on had fire work or firecrackers fireworks shot at them while they were out just trying to keep our City are neighborhood safe. That's completely unacceptable. Boston needs more police officers, the department has been understaffed for too long leaving offices stretched thin Working forced overtime and responding to dangerous situations without enough support.

We need to condemn attacks on police officers every time they happen. And like Councilor Fitzgerald said and Flynn, unfortunately in the last few weeks there have been attacks that are just unacceptable And I know that our offices fail it often, so I think it's important that we stand with them knowing that we support the work they do and their families that we know. When an officer or when any first responder serves, their family serves alongside them. Thank you

Murphy. Would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Pepén, Councilor Weber. And please have the chair. Flynn, Murphy and Fitzgerald seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 1351. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. Madam Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 1-3-5-1? Roll Call Vote on Docket 1 3 5 1.

Councillor Breedon? Yes. Councillor Colletta Zapata? Yes Councillor Culpepper? Yes Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén Pepén, Council Santana, Councilor Weber, Council O'Reilly. 10 in the affirmative.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Docket 1351 has been adopted. Madam Clerk could you please read docket 1352?

Docket 135 to Councilor Culpepper offer the following Resolution in support of declaring July 11th as Mad Mom's Day in the City of Boston.

Chair recognizes Councilor Culpepper, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. Madam President I would like to request suspension of the rules on the passage of this docket. Behind every statistic about substance abuse, use overdose or community violence is a family whose life has been permanently changed. Organizations like Mad Moms remind us that recovery and healing are not only individual journeys, for their community responsibilities. Through advocacy, peer support, education and creating spaces where families can grieve, heal and support one another Mad Moms has become an important resource for individuals and families navigating some of life's most difficult challenges. This resolution also recognizes

The extraordinary leadership of Janice V. Johnson, whose decades of service to Boston have touched countless lives. Rather than allowing personal tragedy to define her she transformed it into a mission of compassion Ensuring that other families have access to the support and sense of community that every person deserves. The opening of the Five Star Studio Cafe is another example of that commitment Creating a space where healing, creativity and recovery can come together. I am proud to support this resolution recognizing July 11 as Mad Moms Day And thanking Janice Johnson and everyone at Mad Moms for the work they continue to do to strengthen our communities, and to bring hope to families across the city of Boston. Thank you Madam President

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

Thank you Madam President. Thank You Councilor Culpepper I just want to stand up and just express my deep gratitude for Janice Johnson and her team For such selfishness and undeniable impact on the well-being of our communities and all that they work, that they have done in turning pain into power. So shout out to Janice The whole team over there and Jess, thank you for your service to the City of Boston.

Thank You Councillor Worrell would anyone like to add their name? Flynn, Fitzgerald, Louijeune, Weber, Worrell. Please add the chair. Culpepper seeks suspension of the rules for adoption of Docket 1352. All in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. Madam Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 1352? Roll call vote to docket 1352. Councilor Breadon.

Yes. Coletta Zapata. Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes. Council Fitzgerald? Yes Councilor Fitzgeral, yes Councilor Flynn? Yes Yes Council Louijeune? Yes Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. 9 in the affirmative.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Docket 1352 has been adopted. We are now on to personnel orders. Madam Clerk, could you please read the personnel orders? Dockets 1353 through 1357.

Personal Order, Doctored 1-3-5-3, Councilor Breadon for Councilor Mejia. Doctord 1- 3- 5-4, Council Braydon for Council Murphy. Doactored 1 3-5 5, Council Breadon for Council Santana Doctored 1-3-5-6, Councilor Breadon for Council Weber. Doctord 1- 3- 5-7, Council Brayden for Council Durkan

The chair moves for passage of the personnel orders. All those in favour say aye. The ayes have it. Personnel orders have passed. Before we move on to green sheets, is there anyone who would like to add their name to a docket that they may have missed? Worrell, and then we'll go to Councilor Pepén over there. Councilor Worrell?

I'd like to add my name to docket number 1351.

Is that it?

That's all.

Okay, Councilor Pepén you have the floor.

Thank you Madam President.

You're all set.

Councilor Durkan I just wanted to add my name to 1339

Anyone else want to amend the record of their votes? Thank you. We're now on to green sheets. Is anyone looking to pull anything from the green sheets? The Chair recognises Councillor Santana, the chair of the Committee on Public Safety. Madam Clerk, could you... 1035 and what was the...

There's two. Okay. They're probably separate, right?

What's your second one? We'll do that. 1-3, 1-0-3-5. Okay.

Go ahead, Madam Clerk. Docket 1-2-3. Message an order authorising the City of Boston to accept and expend amount of $24,000 $95 in the form of a grant, FY24 Paul Cavell for Zentych Science Improvement awarded by the United States Department of Justice passed through the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory. to be administered by the police department. The grant would fund training and continued education for forensic examiner, criminalists, and laboratory personnel.

So did you have a second docket? Second. I don't need a second. Just one.

I have a 2nd docket, but there's...

Okay. 1-035, okay. Absent objection the motion of the committee chair Chair is accepted and Docket 1035 is properly before the body. Councillor, the floor is yours.

Thank you Madam President. The Paul Corbell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program awards funding states and units of local government to help improve The quality of timeliness and forensic science and medical examiner services provided. The Boston Police Department will utilize the funds requested through the FY24 Coverdell to offset training costs associated with the development Thank you for joining us. Members of the forensics groups, firearms analysis unit, latent print unit and crime scene response unit will attend various trainings throughout the year to improve their abilities and experiences.

This program is needed to maintain and keep personnel up-to-date on the latest forensic laboratory techniques and research. It is critical due to the evolving science and new technology used who process evidence and contribute to investigations of crimes. As the Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, I recommend that this docket ought to pass

Thank you, Councillor Santana, the Chair of the Committee on Public Safety. Moves for passage of Docket 1035. Am I able to speak on it? Certainly, Councillor Flynn. You have got two minutes.

Thank you. I want to say thank you to Councillor Santana for bringing this forward. It's an important grant. This gives the Boston Police and first responders An opportunity to get the training and experience they need in work with colleagues throughout the country on forensic related issues. This is an issue I've worked on for It is my goal to have the best crime lab in the country. We have significant challenges with the Boston Police Crime Lab as it relates to how we test sexual assault kits. We need to be using the most advanced equipment and technology which is why screening, but also the people that work at these labs, technicians, crime lab specialists.

They also need the training as Councilor Santana highlighted, the training to understand and learn from their colleagues across the country about how important It is to continue to study and learn about new technology, new ways to test firearms. New way to test Sexual Assault Kits, and that's through Y-screening. But we need to have the best crime lab in the country New York City Police Department has an exceptional crime lab. Boston needs to be on pace with New York. We're a first class city, we need a first-class crime lab I've visited there many times. It's small, it's not doing the work that it should be doing. We need to ensure we have the right leadership

The right personnel, the right training, the experience and right now the crime lab is struggling. I'm going to continue to focus on this issue as long as I am a city councillor. Survivors of justice demanded.

Flynn. Thank you for your continued advocacy for the crime lab. Madam Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1035?

Roll Call Vote on Docket 135. Councilor Breadon? Yes. Council Breadon, yes. Council Coletta Zapata. Council Culpepper? Culpepper, Council Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy. Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Council Santana, Council Weber, Council Worrell, 11 in the affirmative.

Thank you. Docket 1035 has passed. Madam Clerk, could you please read docket 1225? Thank you, Madam President. I would like to pull docket 1-225 for further action. Madam Clerk, could you please read docket 1225 into the record?

Docket 1226. Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expand $100,000 of credit from the antitropic to the strengthening of the city's cyber defense. These credits are granted to antitropics through the state, local tribal and territorial Cyber Defense Program. The credit will utilize to automate the scanning and triggering the patching of our city technology infrastructure using Cloud Oplus 4.8 The latest model of antitropic generative AI tool. The initiative would help to significantly evaluate our cybersecurity posture against increasingly

Thank you, Madam Clerk. Absent objection, the motion of the Committee Chair is accepted and Docket 1225 is properly before the body. Councillor, the floor is yours.

Thank you Madam President. The evolving threat landscape and adversarial AI, the cyber-threat landscape facing local governments has fundamentally shifted. Municipalities are no longer just dealing with coordinated human hackers. We are now defending against adversarial Artificial Intelligence. Threats actors are actively leveraging AI to exploit government entities in several unprecedented ways. Automated Vulnerability Probing. Cyber criminals use automated AI bots to scam municipal networks 24-7, identifying and exploiting Software vulnerabilities within minutes of them being discovered. The AI-enhanced sophisticated malware Muted by the AI can bypass traditional firewalls defenses by adapting its code in real time to avoid detection.

And then finally, the hyper-realistic phishing Threats actors use generative AI to draft highly convincing localized phishing emails targeting city employees, making human detection incredibly difficult. To defend a city in this new landscape Human intervention alone is no longer fast enough. We must fight AI with AI. Sorry. The credits will utilize to automate the scanning and patching of our city's technology infrastructure using Claude Opus 4.8, the latest model of anthropothetics generative AI tool This initiative will help to significantly elevate the city's cybersecurity posture against increasingly sophisticated AI-driven results. Thank you.

CHRISTIE WOODARD- Thank you, Councillor Santana. Councillor Flynn? You have the floor.

Madam Chair, for the chair may I ask a question to Council Santana? Certainly. Yeah. Did we have a hearing on this, Councilor Santana ?

We did have a Hearing that was covered with multiple of these grants, and this grant was one of them that was covered. I don't remember any of the counselors going into detail specifically about this one but I did receive communication from the police department about being able to pass this because of the threat that we're dealing with right now.

Okay, Madam Chair may I just ask one more question? Could I just I'm going to vote yes on this, but could the chair tell me about the communication between Boston Police and other first responders? Ian Dewitt. Is Dewitt part of this conversation as well?

Yep, DO-IT is always part of all these conversations. I haven't had direct conversations with DO-It myself but they are the ones that are overseers of all this.

Thank you, Councillor Santana for answering my questions.

Councillor Santana moves for passage of docket 1225. All in favour say aye, all opposed say nay. Madam Clerk could you please take a roll call vote on docket one two two five

who will call vote on docket one, two, two five. Councilor Breadon? Yes. Council Brayden yes. Council Coletta Zapata? Council Culpepper? Yes Council Culkeper yes. Councillor Durkan? Yes Councillor Durpan yes. Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana. Santana, yes. Councilor Weber? Yes. Council Weber, yes, Councilor Worrell? Yes, 11 in the affirmative.

Thank you docket 1225 has passed We are now moving on to late files. Madam Clerk, I've just been informed we have one One late file which is a hearing order. Absent objection, these late file matters will be added. Madam Clerk, could you please read the late file matter into the record?

Offered by Councillor Culpepper. Order for hearing regarding a community-based summer public safety plan for the City of Boston.

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

Thank you Madam President. I'd like to request suspension of the rules, introduce a latent file and I would like to add Councilor Worrell as the second original co-sponsor and request suspension of the rules to add Councilor Santana as a third co-sponsor. And if I could, I would request suspension on the rule that Councilor Louijeune has a fourth cosponsor But since I can't.

So, Councilor Worrell as the second original co-sponsor.

and request suspension of the rules to add Councillor Santana as a third original co-sponsor.

The Chair moves for passage of these late file matters. All in favour? This is to have them before the bodies. I beg your pardon, I'm slightly out of order here. The Chair moves for passage of all these. All in favour say aye, all opposed say nay. The ayes have it.

Acts of violence across our city over the Fourth of July weekend have been heartbreaking and demand immediate action. After speaking with Community Leaders Monday, it was clear their voices must be at the table now which is why I'm putting forward this late file. This is an emergency situation that requires immediate response from the council as we discuss what a community-based summer safety plan should look like, need to recognize that we do not have to start from scratch. Organizations like The Greatest Minds, Torchlight, Miles 11 have mentored young people and invested in neighborhoods that too often carried a disproportionate share Chair of the Burden of Gun Violence. Their work has saved lives and any comprehensive public safety strategy should build upon, not duplicate or overlook They've already done and are still doing.

When the city cuts funding for community-facing programming, their community work continues. When a city does not adequately plan for summer safety across all neighborhoods The community steps in. This is the work that the city should be leading and resourcing all along. The community will always be there for one another, but they shouldn't have to do it alone. This is why I'm ready to form another coalition, Coalition for a Peaceful Boston. The organization and residents have spent years doing this work on the ground, and they should not simply be consulted after a plan is drafted They should be active partners in developing it from the very beginning. This is how we build a strategy that is both effective and rooted in communities it is meant to serve. Thank you Madam President

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper. The Chair recognises Councillor Worrell.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you to Councilor Culpepper for bringing this forward and I also want to extend my prayers and my thoughts All the families impacted by the recent gun violence over the weekend. I also want to acknowledge the efforts That so many community members have stepped up wanting to assist the city and all city departments on creating a summer of peace in a more Thank you. Looking forward to this conversation, working with all stakeholders involved and seeing if we can bring community members, city departments, state agencies to the table

reinstate or restart some past programs, but also to make sure that everyone has a voice in making sure that we have a summer and where we continue to decrease the violence in our neighborhood.

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

Thank you Madam President and I want to thank Councilor Culpepper and Councilor Worrell for your leadership on this This past weekend, the epidemic of violence hit devastatingly close to home right on our own doorsteps where 13 people shot and two lives tragically cut short. You know my heart goes to The families of those who were affected, one of the people who did tragically pass away was someone that I used to play baseball with in Little League. and just want to read his name into the record of Chris Conway, someone who was very loved in our communities. I'm carrying a heavy heart, a grief that I know is shared by families and neighbors all across Boston. And I refuse as we as the city must refuse

To even normalize a reality where our streets and neighborhood celebrations turn into scenes of chaos and heartbreak. Violence is never acceptable, but we can look across the state and country and see similar struggles My focus today is entirely on our home. To truly protect our community, we have to confront a difficult truth. We cannot simply police or react our way out of this cycle I believe it is a failure of leadership if we only throw resources into a neighborhood after a tragedy has already occurred. We need to brace ourselves for the marathon of work ahead. There are no shortcuts here. I am urging an immediate equitable distribution of city resources, shifting our strategy entirely from reactive damage control to root causes solutions. To prevent this from happening again We must ensure that every single person in Boston has immediate access to meaningful economic opportunities, robust mentorship and localized support systems.

This means creating year-round Youth Employment Pipelines, securing sustainable funding for our community centers and building localized networks where youths and adults alike can easily find career guidance or a mental health consultant right in their block. True safety is built when we empower our communities from within, given our neighborhoods and structural support and resources that they need to uplift themselves. Our neighborhoods deserve nothing less than our total commitment I am ready to begin that structural work with you today, ensuring safety and opportunity belong to every single resident. And really want to again thank Councilor Culpepper for this filing, and we must get to work. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Weber and please add the chair. This docket will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. I have 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 in favour say aye. Thank you, the Consent Agenda has been adopted We're now on to announcements. Please remember that these are for upcoming dates and events. Does anyone have an announcement? If you want to put your light on, I'll call on you.

We are wishing a happy birthday to Deanna Bronchuk, a councillor in Councillor Pepén's office. Happy birthday, Diana. Anyone else? Your birthday's coming up. We're now moving on to memorials. Oh, are you... Councilor Louijeune, you have the floor.

Thank you. He would absolutely hate To know that I'm doing this because he does not like acknowledgement of his birthday, but I just love my dad so much and his birthday is next week. So I'm just so lucky to have him in my life and I want to acknowledge his birthday and say happy birthday to my dad.

Rightly so. Your dad is a remarkable man, and he's a great dad to you girls. Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I wanted to make an announcement about the nurses' strike that is taking place right now at Brigham and Women Hospital. I was over there this morning, but I do know that there's still an opportunity for others to join that may want to go I would like to acknowledge Councillor Durkan and myself sponsored a City Council resolution in support of the nurses a couple of months ago. But, I think it is important For us to continue to support our, support nurses at Brigham and Women Hospital like we have at many other hospitals across Boston and Greater Boston. They play a critical role in our healthcare system but they provide exceptional care and deserve dignity and respect.

But I do want to say thank you also to my colleagues for their long time support of nurses throughout greater Boston, throughout Massachusetts but also to let people know that there's still time if they do want to get over to the strike this afternoon. Thank you Madam Chair

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

Thank you so much, Chair and thank you to Councillor Flynn for his leadership on that issue. I will be headed there shortly Louijeune reminded me my mom's birthday is July 19th Juanita Ruiz she is coming to town to celebrate with us and I know she's ready for Tall Ships and everything that's going on in Boston right now so I didn't realize we didn't have a meeting, so thank you Councillor Louijeune and happy birthday to your dad.

Thank you. We're now moving on to memorials. Would anyone like to lift up a name? Culpepper, you have the floor.

Madam President I would like to lift up the name of Richard Weston of a South End 40-year partner of Bob Barney. We ask to keep Bob Barne and his family, and the family of Richard Weston in prayer. Thank you Madam President.

I'm just going to go around the room. So Councillor Durkan, you're next.

Thank you so much. I wanted to read into the record Manuel de Jesus Castillo Flores who passed away. He was a Green Line worker, a train driver and was known for his dedication and kindness. I know the union is really... The Carman's Union is really Really sad about his passing. I know that his body will travel to El Salvador, where his mother waits for him to lay him to rest and this journey is really important to his family But just wanted to wrap my arms around the Carman's Union and everyone who works for the T. As I know, they lost him early so thank you.

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

Thank You Madam chair Reverend Culpepper mentioned Bob Barney's partner, Mr. Weston so I also want to offer my condolences as well and to let them Let Bob and the family know that we are thinking about them during this challenging time. Our prayers are with them. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune. You have the floor.

Thank you, I similarly wanted to uplift the passing of Chris Conway as Councillor Santana mentioned and just his entire family is just mourning so just wanted Uplift the memory of Chris Conway. Also wanted to uplift the memory at Morning Star Baptist Church, there is a bunch of nurses and Rosemarie Nicholas is someone who passed away, who was a beloved member of the Morningstar community. So just wanted to lift her up. And last but not least, someone who had an outsized impact in Roxbury and in the entire city of Boston Pastor Chris Sumner. I just wanted to make sure that we recognize him and all he has meant to so many, whether it be in the Jubilee community or in the city of Boston, all that he has done. Just wanted to acknowledge him and give my condolences to his family as well. Thank you.

Louijeune, would you mind repeating your first one? It's Chris Conway. and Rosemary Nicholas. Thank you for your patience. Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you. I wanted to uplift along with Councilor Flynn Paula Ryan from South Boston, the West 9th friends are mourning her. We were at one of the Unity Days just yesterday and it was sad to not see her there. She always had such a big presence and was at all the events around The Neighbourhood and also enjoyed always going to the special kids, South Boston special kids event. So you would see her smiling face and the neighbourhood is missing her so I just wanted to uplift her name. Thank you.

Pepén.

Thank you, I would like to uplift the memory of John Raymond he is was a resident of Hyde Park specifically The Pride one of the first residents to move into The Pride We were just with him a couple months ago for coffee hour. And he was also once the head of the High Park Enabled Association, very prominent leader in the community. So I just wanted to uplift his spirits and send my loving prayers to also the residents of The Pride that Technic Community.

It's John Raymond, thank you. Country Santana.

Thank you Madam President I just want to again uplift the name of Chris Conway who he has lost over the weekend, and Uplift. Send the thoughts and prayers to his entire family. I know so many residents are mourning. His mourning is lost, and for anyone who knew Chris He was just a beacon of light, someone who was very positive. Such a great young man and someone that we definitely lost too quickly so I just want to be able to uplift his name.

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

Yeah I'd like to speak in honor of Jim Galvin who is a resident of Roslindale was a staple of Parkway Little League. He coached Little League for 33 years and driving teams to make the Little League World Series, he compiled two state championships in multiple district and sectional titles. His funerals tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. at the Gormley Funeral Home in West Roxbury with a mass at St. Teresa at 10 a. m. Thank you.

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

I'd like to remember the name of Chris Conway also passed this summer and then our church family lost our lead deacon, our head deacon Michael Young. So please keep all these families in these names in your prayers.

Michael Young?

Michael Young

On behalf of Councillors Worrell and Louijeune, Pastor Chris Sumner. On behalf of Councillor Durkan, Manuel Manny de Jesus Castelo Flores. On the behalf of councillor Weber Jim Galvin On behalf of Councillor Coletta Zapata, Jean A. Tochterman, on behalf of councillor Louijeune Rosemarie Nicholas On behalf of Councilor Louijeune, Councillor Santana and Councillor Worrell, Chris Conway. On behalf Of councillors Culpepper and Flynn, Richard Weston. On Behalf of Councillor Murphy, Paula Ryan Pepper, John Raymond and Michael Young. A moment of silence please.

The Chair moves that when the Council adjourns today, we do so in memory of the aforementioned individuals. Thank you to my colleagues, central staff, the Clerk, the clerk's office and the council stenographer as always Ellen. All in favour of adjournment please say aye. This council is adjourned thank you