City Council

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Good afternoon everyone. 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 attendance to please silence your cell phones and electronic devices. Also pursuant to rule 42, I remind all in this chamber that no demonstration of approval or disapproval from members of the public will be permitted. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, would you please call the roll to ascertain the presence of a quorum?

Councillor Breadon. Here. Councillor Colletta Zapata. Here. Councillor Culpepper. Here. Durkin, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Lujan, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, and Councilor Worrell.

It is now my pleasure to call on Councillor Reverend Culpepper to introduce today's clergy. After we have the invocation, we will also recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. It's my pleasure to introduce you and to present to others The Reverend Reggie Smalls, pastor of the Bethel Pentecostal Church in Dorchester on Humboldt Avenue. Reggie Smalls has been active in the community for many years as pastor, working, especially when I now bring to the platform Reverend Reggie Smalls. Hear ye him. He's a grown man. Let him speak for himself.

May we all prepare to pray. Bow your heads, close your eyes. Heavenly Father, we thank you Lord for this day. We thank you Lord for all that and all that you have done. Lord, during a time where there's so much going on in our city, in our state and in our world, we need to turn to you more. So we turn to you now asking for your guidance, asking for your protection, asking, Lord, that you show us what it is you would have for us to do. I pray, Lord, that you look upon each counselor, everyone in leadership, Lord, that you would just be with them. Help them to lead with integrity, with truth, with grace, and with knowledge. I pray, Lord, that you will help this city to be united and not divided as you go forth in this new year. We thank you and we acknowledge you as the leader of all of us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Scott, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

We are now on to presentations. We have two presentations invited by Councillor Flynn and myself. First, I want to recognize Boston University students joining us today from Solon. Thank you all for coming into council. Flynn. So the two presentations. Councillor Flynn, would you like to come up and make your presentation?

Thank you, Madam President. And Madam President, with your permission, may I ask Councilor Colletta-Zavata to join me, please? At this time, I would like to ask Dr. Michelle Eisen-Smith, the principal of the Horace Mann School, and Jody, if you'd like to please come forward as well. Thank you. It is my honor to introduce Dr. Michelle Eisen-Smith who is the principal of the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Also with us is Jody who is helping facilitate communications with us today. Dr. Eisen-Smith is a dedicated, experienced educational leader and teacher who is deeply committed to ensuring the deaf and hard of hearing students receive a high quality education that's language rich and inclusive education. Under her dynamic leadership, the Horace School men School continues to foster academic excellence, accessibility, and a strong supportive community for students and families alike. I have visited several times The location in Charlestown, the school in Charlestown. But what I really noticed is how compassionate the teachers are in working with the students and that compassion

In love of learning, I know the teachers take and learn from their exceptional principle. I also want to highlight the role of City Councilor Coletta Zapata, whose District, this school is located. And I do want to ask Councilor Cleta Zapata if she would like to offer opening remarks or opening comments before the principal. But I do want to highlight one One issue is the Boston Public Library is offering lessons right now. In sign language for emergency situations, helping to ensure that the most that members of our community are prepared and able to communicate when it matters most. Please feel free to reach out to my office if you'd like more information about these resources.

This is about ensuring that everybody is included and everybody is treated with respect and dignity. At this time, Councilor Coletta Zapata.

Thank you so much, Councilor Flynn, for always ensuring that we are creating spaces to honor the best of us here in Boston. And it's always a great day when we're here to celebrate our school leaders who are shaping and molding young minds, folks who are going to think critically about the world Be successful with the tools that we give them here in BPS. And I can't think of anybody better than doctor, I had miss here, but doctor, we're gonna put some respect on her name, Dr. Michelle Eisen-Smith, who has done incredible work In Charlestown, I think after five locations, five or six locations, I'm not sure, maybe you can correct me on that, of the Horace Mann being in Boston, they found a home in Charlestown at the old Edwards building a couple years ago. and it has been such an honor and a privilege to have these programs in 02129, our beloved one square mile in Charlestown. If you haven't gotten a chance to go over, and visit them please do.

I had the privilege of getting a tour from Dr. Eisen Smith and seeing up close the exceptional and dedicated staff that are providing everything that a child needs again to be successful to I think last year it was leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill. and there was a teacher who was talking about a photo that depicted the battle and that prompted questions. I mean, a stranger comes into the classroom and they asked, Who is this? What do you do? And I said that I'm their elected official. I work for you. And it prompted such poignant questions, better than Boston Globe sometimes and other media outlets, about what I do, what my job is, about government and representation.

and it was just such a beautiful moment so I'm so happy to be here thank you again the Council of Flint for inviting me to come up and honor you in this way but just thank you for everything that you've done doctor and thank you to your staff and to the entire school community at the Horseman And now we can honor and have Dr. Eisen-Smith come up and say a few words.

Thank you so much for the opportunity and this recognition. I'm humbled to be here in front of all of you. Accepting this recognition without my school community, this would not be possible. So thank you for our continued partnership to do what's best for our deaf and hard of hearing children in Boston. Boston, best city. Without your support, none of this would be possible to educate our students. So I want to thank you all for the partnership and continuing to work together. Thank you so much. Thank you.

This is an official resolution offered by Councillor Flynn. Be it resolved that the Boston City Council extends its recognition to Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Principal Dr. Michelle Eisen-Smith. In recognition, as the first deaf leader in the school's history, you have set a powerful example of excellence, representation and possibility. Through your visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to bilingual Education in Sign Language and English, you've created an inclusive and empowering environment where students are encouraged to thrive, lead, and believe in their own potential. Your dedication to language access, community, and Student Success continues to inspire lasting impact within the school and throughout the deaf and hard of hearing community. So thank you.

Could I ask my colleagues to please join us for a photo?

We're gonna wait for staff. Oh, for staff, yeah.

Come on in.

Thank you everyone. Now we have a second presentation. At this point, I'd like to invite Vineet Gupta to come up.

and Councillor Durkan is also here. Welcome Vineet. Today, I'd like to present this citation to Vineet Gupta in honor of the great work that he's done for the city of Boston over the last 37 years. I'm honoured to celebrate with him as he prepares for his retirement at the end of February. Vineet began his career with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department. Working on such meaningful planning initiatives as the Back to the Beaches program, which helped to reconnect residents to South Boston beaches. Following his time with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Vinit has worked with the Boston Transportation Department for 30 years. He currently serves as the Director of Policy and Planning for the Streets Cabinet, serving under multiple mayors and commissioners.

He has worked tirelessly to improve street safety and access for all community members in Boston. Vineet has led efforts that include the development of Access Boston 2010, the city's first comprehensive multimodal transportation plan, The creation of the Surface Transportation Action Forum Working Group, a body that directly shaped the Big Dig and the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The development of the city's complete streets guidelines and the Go Boston 2030 transportation plan. Visionary documents that have set the city on the path to a sustainable transportation future. Under Vineet's leadership, we have seen Boston's first center running bus lanes, its first bike lanes and protected bike lanes, and a major expansion of outdoor dining and open streets. And through it all, he has walked the walk

taking the tea and walking to City Hall nearly every day. I am deeply appreciative of Vineet's dedicated work for the city, his efforts to make our streets safer, and his continuous work towards creating a more livable and connected city for all. His focus on collaboration and relationship building will leave a long-lasting legacy for transportation planning in Boston. I also want to personally thank him for his partnership over my time in the City Council and addressing transportation and mobility issues in Alston, Brighton, District 9. So thank you Vineet. I just want to allow Councillor Durkan a few

Thank you so much, Council President Breadon. Vineet is more than qualified to have done this work, having done it for 37 years. I cannot stress enough how much we are losing in his institutional expertise, his planning savvy, and his dedication to Boston residents. Throughout his career, he has pioneered new policies and designs to make our streets safer, more walkable, and more livable in our neighborhoods. Fairfree Buses, EV Charging. If you name almost any transportation policy in the city over the last two decades, he's been behind it. and he has been not only crucial to the streets cabinet but has been the energy and force driving our new ideas in the city. To be fully honest, I actually snuck up here so that I could try to convince you to stay, but we know that's not going to work. You'd like to retire, and you've given your life, 37 years, to the city of Boston, so you deserve All the vacation, every single bit of calm.

And I want to thank you for all of your work. I want to say that I'll personally miss you. And I wish you the best in all of your retirement. And I just want to say on behalf of the committee planning, development, and transportation that I chair, there has been no better partner. And I'm so grateful. I've only gotten to watch you for 2 and 1 half years. But when the news hit the people of Boston, A lot of people texted me with sorrow and I hope you know how much you're loved, how much of an impact you've made, and how much the City of Boston loves you.

Thank you. This is an official resolution from the Boston City Council. Be it resolved that the Boston City Council extends its congratulations to Vineet Gupta, His retirement and 37 years of dedicated service to the people of Boston. His efforts to make our streets safer. His deep commitment to the residents of our neighborhoods and his continuous work towards a more liveable and connected city for all. We just want to pause and recognise the incredible contribution you have made and wish you all the best in your retirement.

I'm deeply honored and extremely privileged to be recognized by the city council. As has been mentioned, I've been working for the city for quite some time and have had the privilege of coming and talking with this august body many a times, especially during budget hearings. I particularly recognize the work that the city council does because all of you have to cater to and respond to constituent requests that have to do with the day-to-day. I was very lucky that I joined the city at the Parks Department because within a month I had learned that mowing grass and keeping the fountains running was as important as anything else that the Parks Department did. and that you need to do those basic things that all of you do, city councillors, before you think about more aspirational ideas, before you think about the long-term issues.

And I think that everybody in this hall including all my colleagues. Thank you so much for coming. Understand that you have to do both those things if you want the city to move ahead. So I really appreciate it. One more thing that the City Council, in my opinion, has really helped me understand the importance of checks and balances. and that has informed my work, that has informed the work that all city officials do because on the one hand, We don't want one value system informing everything that we do. We want to have a discussion. We want it to be iterative. because every time we get a better solution. So the city council has played a huge role in that. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much.

I'd like to ask my colleagues to come up for a photograph. Thank you.

Thank you.

Say streets. Thank you everyone.

That's okay. I recorded the entire thing. There should be a... Good, how are you?

Good to see you too.

Thank you.

Thank you everyone.

Thank you so much.

Thank you everyone. Culpepper. In today's agenda, we have a resolution at the bottom of the agenda recognizing Ramadan. As a courtesy, we usually don't take things out of order. We're not taking it out of order. We will be voting on this resolution later, but I know that there's folks from the Muslim community here and I'm going to offer our colleague Culpepper the opportunity to really speak to his resolution that we will vote on later. Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Islam is one of the world's major religions, practiced by an estimated two billion people globally, and the Muslim presence in this country stretches back more than four centuries. Muslims have long been woven into the fabric of American history and today their contributions continue to enrich our shared civic, cultural, and economic life. Here in Boston, the Muslim community plays a vibrant and essential role in our city. Muslim residents contribute across every sector, from small businesses and union labor, healthcare, education, public service, the arts, media, nonprofit, and community advocacy.

Mosque and community organizations across Boston serve not only as places of worship, but as centers of care, service, and belonging. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, commemorates the revelation of the Holy Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. It is observed through daily fasting, through daily prayer, charity and deep reflection. It is a time of spiritual renewal, discipline, generosity, in a period that emphasizes compassion, gratitude, and care for those facing hardship. The practice of fasting during Ramadan is not only an act of personal devotion but a reminder of the realities of poverty and hunger and a call to greater empathy and service.

It is a month that strengthens community bonds and encourages generosity towards others. Through this resolution, the Boston City Council recognizes the significance of Ramadan and affirms our respect, solidarity, and appreciation for the Muslim community. We extend our heartfelt wishes for a blessed, peaceful and meaningful Ramadan to all who observe. Madam President, I would like to add Councilor Zapata as an original co-sponsor of this resolution. Thank you, Madam President.

Councilor Zapata is still at it. Collada Zapata. I'm going to try and limit it. Yeah, go ahead. Oh, sorry, wrong button.

Thank you so much, Madam President, and I want to thank my council colleague for adding me on. I'm very proud to rise in support of this resolution embracing our Muslim community as they begin the sacred month of Ramadan. In East Boston we have, and many folks don't know this, we have a huge community of folks from Morocco and folks from Algeria who are small business owners, they're public servants, and I'm very grateful to have been brought in to this process by my former intern, who's now working for MOH, John Aramadon, who is here. and I love very much I love her family and she's an incredible light and public servant here in the community but their parents students and faith leaders and Similar to what Councilor Culpepper has said, Ramadan is more than just fasting. And I have learned so much of this holiday from my two cousins who converted from Christianity to be Muslim. And they have taught me that it is about generosity It's about empathy.

It calls us to service and reminds us to support and uplift our community through shared sacrifice and shared hope. So to everyone who is preparing to observe Ramadan, Ramadan Mubarak, and again, just grateful for all the contributions of our folks in the Muslim community, and thank you to Councilor Culpepper for inviting me on to this resolution. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Colletta. Pepén, you're also a co-sponsor on this. Would you like to take a few minutes?

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Councillor Culpepper and Councillor Colletta-Sapato-Fratemi as a co-sponsor. As Ramadan begins next week, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge our District 5 neighbors who observe this sacred holiday. Muslim Bostonians are a part of a vibrant community that honors a month of prayer, fasting, charity, and reflection. We extend our heartfelt wishes to the Muslim community in Boston, across the United States and around the world for a blessed and meaningful Ramadan.

Thank you. Season of Ramadan. And thank you, Councillor Culpepper. Thank you, Councillor Colletta. Thank you, Councillor Pepén. We will be formally taking a vote on this resolution later in the agenda.

Thank you Madam President.

Thank you. Now on to the first order of business, which is the approval of the minutes from the meeting of February 4th, 2026. All in favour say aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. The minutes of the February 4th meeting are approved. We are now on to communications from our Honourable Mayor. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0320 through 0321.

DOCUMENT NUMBER 0320 MESSAGE IN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BOSTON TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND THE AMOUNT OF $577,500 IN FORM OF A GRANT FOR FISCAL YEAR 25 That's a good one. Fiscal Year 25 Port Security Grant Program awarded by the United States Department of Homeland Security to be administered by the Police Department. The grant would fund the purchase of a new 31-foot life-proof boat.

and the replacement of engines on the 31-foot safe boat and 38-foot safe boat. And finally, the recoloring of the Vic Check patrol boat and ice rescue training. Docket number 0321, messaging on authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $140,426 in the form of a grant for the fiscal year 25 port security grant. awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant would fund strengthened port-wide risk management and protection of critical service surface transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Docket 0320 through 0321 will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. On to reports of public officers and others. Per Rule 39 of the City Council Rules, no speaking is allowed on communications. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0322 through 0323?

Councillor Flynn? Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to clarify. So reports of public officers and other counselors will not be speaking on those. So they would basically have to turn their communication into a hearing order. or a resolution if they did want to speak on it. Is that accurate to say, Madam Chair? That's correct. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0322 through 0323?

Docket number 0322, communication from Councillor Colletta Zapata regarding the Boston Logan Airport 2023-2024 Environmental Data Report. EEA number 3247 and docket number 0323. Communication from Councilor Murphy regarding public access Thank you.

Docket 0322 through 00323 will be placed on file. We're on to matters recently heard for possible action. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0128 through 0129?

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

The Thomas J. Kenney Elementary School and the Hugh Rowe O'Donnell Elementary School. This includes the payment of all costs incidentally related thereto for which the City of Boston may be eligible for a grant. from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Said amount to be expended under the direction of the Public Facilities Department on behalf of the Boston Public Schools.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The chair recognizes Councillor Weber.

On Monday, February 9th, the Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing on docket numbers 0128 and 0129. Orders authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of $9.5 million for the purpose of paying costs for window door and roof replacement projects at four BPS schools. These dockets were sponsored by Mayor Michelle Wu and referred to the committee last Wednesday on February 4th. In attendance, We're Councilors Flynn, Murphy, Breadon, Durkin, Fitzgerald, Pepén, Koleta-Zapata, Lui-Jen, Worrell, and Culpepper. I'd like to thank Public Facilities Executive Director Carlton Jones and Senior Project Manager Brian McLaughlin for attending the hearing. I'd also like to thank Karishma and Ethan from Central Staff for their assistance.

During the hearing, Director Jones and Project Manager McLaughlin gave a presentation with a brief overview of the MSBA which includes two components of the core which deals with large projects like the Boston Arts Academy. and the Accelerated Repair Program, or ARP, which deals with repairs of roofs, windows, doors and boiler systems. In 2024, the city submitted eight projects to the MSBA for consideration in the ARP program, six windows and doors projects, and two roof projects at the following schools, the Gardner Pilot Academy, Linden K-8 School, Murphy K-8 School, Everett Elementary, Kenney Elementary, O'Donnell Elementary, Adams Elementary, and Chittick which has since been removed.

The City Council voted to support these submissions to the MSBA on February 14, 2024. The City Council voted to approve a $1.2 million appropriation for design and of these projects in November of 2024, the MSBA Board approved the total project budgets for the Gardner and Linden projects at their meeting in October 2025. And it voted to approve the total project budgets for the Murphy, Everett, Kenney, and O'Donnell projects at their meeting on December 12th, 2025. The MSBA board gives the city 90 days from their vote of approval to appropriate funds for the completion of design through to completion of the project. After city council approval, the architect should finish design through the winter or spring of 2026 with construction slated for the summer of 2027.

The Adams Elementary submission should be approved by the MSBA Board at their meeting in February with us taking up that for a vote in March. Director Jones and Project Manager McLaughlin answered questions and explained in detail Why the repairs at these schools were needed, particularly in regards to the window replacements at the Everett and Murphy K-8. Replacing these windows would not only modernize them, they would also make them more energy efficient, for the health and safety of everyone in the school. Project Manager McLaughlin explained the criterion for being accepted in the MSBA's art program which requires windows be at least 25 years old. Their 13 to 20 page application needs to be filed and reviewed, followed by an in-person visit to assess the windows and an in-person visit by a third party engineer.

to ensure the building is otherwise structurally sound. This is likely the first of many MSBA hearings that will be held in the Ways and Means Committee. So again, I want to thank all my colleagues for their participation. As chair of the Ways and Means Committee, my recommendation is that these matters ought to be read for the first time and assigned for further action. This requires two votes, so I bring this up for a vote today and again at our next council meeting. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee reports in passage of Docket 0128. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 0128? Okay, thank you. The chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Thank you. I was at this hearing and I just want to highlight a couple of issues that were important to me. I want to communicate to my constituents. and to Boston residents, this program actually administered by the State Treasurer's Office, ultimately Treasurer Goldberg, Mass. School Building Authority, is an exceptional program that Boston is part of it. Boston has done exceptionally well in receiving so much funding for this program. I want to acknowledge the incredible support, the State Treasurer, in state legislators have made to the city of Boston, especially during these difficult and challenging times.

making sure that we have schools that are healthy and safe for our children is a top priority that we're going to continue to address and it's going to take all of us to support especially during these times but we have to ensure that Students and teachers have an environment that they can teach and learn. That includes making sure that our windows are working, our air conditions, HVAC system is working, the building is healthy and safe for everybody. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Finn. Mr.

Clerk, please take a roll call vote on docket 0128. Culpepper, yes, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Louisianne, yes, Councilor Louisianne, yes, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy. Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, yes, Councilor Santana. Santana, yes. Councilor Webber, yes. Councilor Webber, yes. And Councilor Orrell, yes. Councilor Orrell, yes. Dock number 0128 has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of Docket 0129. Does anyone wish to speak on this matter? Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 0129?

Brayden, yes, Councilor Brayden, yes, Councilor Colletta-Zapata, yes, Councilor Colletta-Zapata, yes, Councilor Culpepper, yes, Councilor Culpepper, yes, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Lujan, yes, Councilor Lujan, yes, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, yes, Councilor Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, yes, Councilor Pepén, yes, Councilor Santana, yes, Santana, yes. Councilor Webber, yes. Councilor Webber, yes. And Councilor Orrell, yes. Councilor Orrell, yes. Docket number 0219 has received 11 votes in the affirmative. Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

We are now on to motion. Oh, that's correct, yes. Both these dockets have been read for the first time and assigned for further action. We're now on to motions, orders and resolutions. Councillor Flynn, you have... Councillor Flynn?

I'm waiting for this document.

Is it... As a reminder, under Rule 39, remarks on new matters will New matters not up for a vote today shall be limited to three minutes for the lead sponsor and two minutes for co-sponsors. For resolutions or other matters being voted on, remarks will be limited to three minutes for docket sponsors and two minutes for for any other councillor wishing to speak. For refiling matters, I kindly ask councillors to limit their remarks to no more than one minute and co-sponsors to fare to lead sponsors for remarks. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket

um thank you madam chair um we spoke before the meeting and i thought you made it clear that if it's something we're voting on we each have up to 10 minutes to speak you just said three i believe

If it's a resolution that's been proposed, remarks will be limited to three minutes for docket sponsors. If it's a resolution that's not been voted on,

But when we spoke and we talked about the rules we worked on and voted on last meeting, that any matter that is up for a vote, colleagues have up to 10 minutes to speak on it.

Just check the rules.

And when we spoke before the council meeting, I remember we talked about that.

So many choices.

You don't have the rules here. Mr. Chair, can you find that particular rule in the... It's rule 39. I know what room, but we talked about the changes.

Can you imagine?

I mean, that is a sign to all committee.

It's a generation thing.

Thank you. We'll take a short recess.

Thank you for watching!

Thanks for watching!

Thank you everyone. The question that Councillor Murphy asked was pertaining to whether folks were allowed Rule 39. No Member shall speak more than once on a question when another Member who has not spoken claims the floor. and no member speaking shall without consenting be interrupted by another except by a point of order. A member shall speak upon a matter for no more than 10 minutes except as further limited by the provisions of this rule. The member who is not speaking on a matter shall have priority and recognition by the Chair whenever the said member shall rise. Dockets filed as communications from the Mayor,

Petitions, memorials and remonstrances, reports at public offices and others, and personnel orders shall not be open for remarks and debate at the time they are introduced except at the discretion of the Council President. Remarks by councillors at the time a matter is to be assigned to committee is introduced shall be limited to three minutes for the lead sponsor and two minutes for any additional co-sponsors. The appropriate time for questioning and debate is at public hearings and working sessions. If a docket sponsor requests suspension of Rule 33 and passage of a newly introduced docket, remarks shall be limited to three minutes for the docket sponsors and two minutes for all other members. Does that clarify your question, Councillor Murphy?

Yes, thank you Madam Chair.

I'll give you this back. Thank you. So the chair recognized, Mr. Clerk, could you please read dock at 0324, that's where we were.

Docking number 0324, Councilor Flan offer the following ordinance establishing the office of pest control in the city of Boston. A refile from 2025.

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

Thank you Madam Chair. As Boston ranked as high as 12th in the country on pest control related issues, We had a productive hearing where we heard from the city's expert, a renowned rodent, Professional, Dr. Bobby Corrigan, shortly after the City published the Boston Rodent Action Plan through my recommendations. While the Boston Rodent Action Plan outlined positive steps to address our pest control Crisis. The plan fell short of the recommendations of both Dr. Corrigan and I that the city have and formally create a rat czar. Since appointing a rat czar in New York City, New York City has made great progress. This is a critical issue. It's a quality of life issue. It's a public safety issue. I'm asking my city council colleagues to support me

and having a standalone city department of RATSAW so we can deal with this tremendous problem that is facing every district across the city. This is public health, this is a public safety crisis as far as I'm concerned.

Thank you Madam Chair. Fitzgerald, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Webber, Councilor Worrell, and Councilor Culpepper. Thank you. Docket 0324 will be referred to the Committee on Government Operations. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0325?

Docket 0325. Councillor Flynn offered the following. Ordinance Amending City of Boston Code, Ordinances 17-22, Road Safety and Accountability for Delivery Providers, refiled from 2025.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor. This amendment is intended to remove mopeds and e-bikes from third-party food delivery. It's important to acknowledge that someone lost their life last year after a crash with a moped near Copley Square. I'm afraid if this party does not act, more people will get hurt, including the drivers themselves. Residents report mopeds and e-bikes driving over 25 miles an hour the wrong way, running stop signs, red lights, driving between cars. at red lights, cutting in front of them, driving on the sidewalk. These vehicles have now tripled in Boston. While we highlight enforcement, it's completely unrealistic to expect the Boston Police to consistently enforce all of the hundreds of mopeds every day with staffing levels and overstretched resources. This is a critical public safety issue as far as I'm concerned. We need to

Work together to provide a safe and healthy environment for residents and drivers alike and asking my colleagues to support me on this critical public safety plan.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Dockard, Zero, Docket 0-326 will be referred to the Committee on Government Operations. I think I misnumbered those. Okay, thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0327? 326? Okay, thank you.

Docket number 0326, Councilor Flynn, and for the following ordinance regulating all e-bikes in the City of Boston.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I filed this ordinance to regulate all e-bikes in the city of Boston, including those that go over 28 miles per hour. Recently, there was a tragic death of a 13-year-old. where an e-bike collided with the vehicle in Stoneham. As I said before, a man hit by an e-bike in the crosswalk on Boylston Street tragically passed away after sustaining life-threatening injuries. and November 2025 medical professionals at Mass General Hospital highlighted in a Boston Globe opinion article that state law is limited in its regulation of e-bikes due to the lack of age, restrictions, helmet enforcement, License Requirements. They highlight a recent study by the American Public Health Association that found a 293% increase in e-bikes injuries and an 88% rise in powered Scooter injuries between 2019 and 2023.

In August 2025, it was reported that more than 100 people on bicycles, scooters, and dirt bikes rode recklessly over the Zaken Bridge. One man was arrested after crashing his dirt bike into a Boston police cruiser, charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest. Neighbors and pedestrians throughout Boston, including our seniors, persons with disabilities, young families consistently bring up feeling unsafe on our streets and sidewalks. Due to two-wheeled vehicles speeding, running red lights and stop signs, going the wrong way down the street. Locally, we have seen cycling-related collisions and crashes increase, including many incidents that go undocked. unreported due to a lack of registration requirements for bicycles, electric and motorized bicycles and scooters.

Across the state, local media and police departments have highlighted safety concerns and warned about dangerous driving with children as young as 12 years old on e-bikes. due to the current lack of safety regulations in Massachusetts. According to Mass General Law, Chapter 90, Section 1, an electric bicycle is a bicycle or tricycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less, limited to class one and class two electric bicycles, and distinguishes class one electric bicycles as providing pedal assist only up to 20 miles per hour and Class II. Electric bicycles are capable of motor only propulsion but not exceeding 20 miles per hour while expressly excluding electric bicycles from the definition of Motorized Bicycles, which are separately defined by an engine capacity.

This is about acknowledging what our medical professionals and law enforcement have noted as a growing trend to take action for safer streets, prevent more tragedies. This is about public safety. This is about public health. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0326 will be referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

offered the following. Order for a hearing to explore the creation of safe school zones to improve pedestrian safety around all schools in the City of Boston. I refile from 2025.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk.

Pepe, and you have the floor.

Thank you. Docket 0327 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0328?

Docket number 0328. Councillor Lujan offer the following. Order for a hearing on Scalable Funding Model for an Immigrant Emergency Response Fund.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Louijeune. you have the floor thank you madam chair um and uh i would like to add yourself as a second original co-sponsor um i'm so added i think and i'd like to request to suspend the rules at councilman penn as a third original co-sponsor Seeing here of no objections, Consul Pepén is added. Thank you. filing memorializes work that is already underway at this moment to ensure that we are bringing all of our resources and bringing people together and all of our different organizations in the city together to respond to the current Thank you. Thank you. and we must be prepared, coordinated, and united in our response.

That's why in partnership with organizations across greater Boston, my office has been working to create a centralized, scalable, immigrant emergency response fund. And I want to thank my colleagues Last year during the budget we added money in the budget process unanimously to support legal entities that were supporting our immigrant communities. and the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Advancement continues to do that. This work builds off of that work in partnership with philanthropy, where community-based organizations and families can quickly access resources they need. For example, in the event that temporary protected status is in fact ended. We're going to have people who have problems paying everyday bills, paying their Mortgages, paying for utilities, and this will help address that. Just like we saw in what I've been calling the SNAP gap, when SNAP was under threat, we knew that there was no way that the city alone and philanthropy alone would be able to and so on.

So we were able to fill that entire gap, but we also weren't shying away from the problem. And we were leaning in. And the Boston Foundation came to the table. United Way came to the table. We're ready and doing the same thing. That work is already underway. A number of our foundations already have funds, the United Way with the United Response Fund, the Boston Foundation with the Social Safety Net Fund. This is building off of that so that we have a coordinated response. A public-private immigrant response fund strengthens our preparedness and it makes sure that we're working in partnership with our mutual aid organizations, with our immigrant serving organizations, with our legal entities to make sure that people know that we are supporting them here in the city of Boston. When federal immigration policies shift overnight, it affects our neighbors, it affects our residents, and so we have to be prepared. And I want to thank everyone, all of our entities who have been stepping in the gap, who have been calling, asking what are we doing and what's the plan. This is a plan that will help support all of our immigrant communities. It also helps to create a stronger social infrastructure.

We learned a lot during the COVID pandemic about how we support mutual aid organizations, about how we support community-based organizations, and we need to make sure that we're transferring What we've learned over to this current crisis and this current moment. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Louijeune. The chair recognizes Councilor Breadon. Councilor Breadon, you now have the floor.

As many of you are aware, last November, nine workers were abducted from a car wash located in Alston by ICE. From my perspective as a district councillor, the most disorienting challenge was the speed with which everything occurred. Our neighbours were kidnapped at their place of work by ICE and then immediately whisked away to detention facilities, some located as far away as Texas. ICE seeks to create chaos and attempt to prevent community members from responding effectively to their actions. In the wake of the ICE raid in Alston last November, however, local immigrant rights organisations in Alston Brighton were prepared, organised and ready to support those detained and their loved ones. Grateful for those organisations including Luce and the Brazilian Women's Centre for their dedication to this work. We know ICE isn't done with Boston. Just recently we saw someone kidnapped in our Councillor Pepén's district.

When incidents like this occur, every second counts. The creation of a scalable emergency support fund for incidents will allow us as a city to be better prepared for When Ice Strikes Next. It will allow us as a city and the community to get resources to non-profits, support to the families and legal assistance to those detained as quickly as possible. I thank Councillor Louise Yen for her work on this matter and look forward to a continued discussion on this topic.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you to Councilor Louijeune and Councilor Brandon for working on this and adding me as a third co-sponsor. This is a topic that's very timely, very important for what we're going through, not only as a city, but as a nation. I also just wanted to give a shout out to the Office of Refugee and Immigrants over at the Governor's Office who has been a huge support to me at least as we continue to experience this and I know that a lot of the work that Councillor Louijeune has been doing outside of of the Chamber here doing the phone calls for TPS and working with a lot of the immigrant organizations outside across the city has been a huge support for those that are negatively impacted by this. I'm just looking forward to continuing to work with all of you to make sure that we continue to support our residents. So thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Pippen. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Chair, would you please add Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0328 will be referred to the committee on civil rights, racial equity, and immigrant advancement.

Flynn and Pippin. Thank you Mr Clerk. Going back to docket 0327, the docket on chief sponsor is Councillor Pepén and Flynn. Hearing to Explore the Creation of Safe School Zones. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Colletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Louis Yen, Councillor Murphy. Santana, Councilor Webber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0329?

Docket number 0329, Councilors Worrell and Flynn offer the following. Order for a hearing to review the mission, goals, objectives, and challenges of the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Worrell. You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. I'd like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Webber as original third co-sponsor. Seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Webber is so added. Thank you. The Office of Police Accountability and Transparency was created by this body to strengthen civilian oversight and public trust. As with any office created by the Council or any legislation or ordinance, it's important that we periodically step back and review whether it's fully living up to the mission, goals, and purpose we set. especially as leadership changes and the office grows. This hearing is simply about doing that work. Reviewing the OPAS missions, goals, and challenges and making sure the ordinance is written for it to function as intended. My office has been meeting with community members and advocates who are closely following OPAT's work. And many of us recently attended a public forum on the State of Police Reform in Boston.

Just want to give a big special shout out to Jamal Crawford and the Boston Police Task Force, which was created in 2020. There's a lot to dive into here and I look forward to a constructive conversation and discussion that strengthens accountability and public confidence in the office. Thank you.

Thank you Councillor Worrell. Councillor Flynn you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Councilor Orrell, for adding me as an original co-sponsor. I had the opportunity to join Councilor Orrell several weeks ago at MAMLEO. on Columbia Road, the Massachusetts Association of Law Enforcement, Minorities in Law Enforcement, spirited important discussion they had there. You mentioned Jamal Crawford and others But I want to acknowledge MAMLEO for the incredible role they play in our city. I also want to acknowledge the black and Latino police officers and how important they are to the city as well. One of the issues I do want to focus on when we do talk about OPAD is how we treat and how the city treats black and Latino police officers. I want to make sure that they're treated with respect as well. They certainly earned it.

I recently visited OPAT office and Executive Director Covello last week. We discussed some of the everyday tasks of the office as well as some of the challenges that they face. I look forward to learning more as councilor were all mentioned about the office of OPAT and how we're able to demonstrate compliance, transparency, integrity. developing partnerships, but also supporting our police officers as well, including Superintendent Eddie Crispin, including Superintendent Eddings as well. I still think that they are not treated fairly. They're not treated with respect in the city. and I'm here to advocate for them. I know that's politically incorrect to do that but I don't think these two gentlemen were treated fairly and I'm gonna continue to advocate for them because I know the incredible contributions they have made to our city. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you very much and thank you to Councillor Orrell for adding me. As a co-sponsor, and I think the spirit of these rules are to eliminate the so-called thin blue line where the police department would cover up misconduct. of their own officers out of some sense of loyalty. And so, but what we've heard recently is that there's reluctance to comply and maybe the The letter of these rules needs to be improved to allow the spirit of the rules to come to fruition. So I think this is a really important conversation for us to have. I'd also like to thank Jamal Crawford for convening that meeting that was instructive and I look forward to the conversation. Thanks.

Thank you, Councillor Webber. Would anyone like to add their name? Colletta-Sapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louisianne, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, and please add the chair. Docket 0329 will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0330?

Docket number 0330, Councillor Santana, I offer the following. Order for a hearing regarding Mass Corps graduation requirements and student supports in Boston Public Schools.

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

Thank you, Madam President. For the past five years, the MassCore framework has been used to strengthen our students' educational experiences, strengthen post-secondary outcomes, and ensure that students graduate from high school prepared for college, a career, and civic life. This year, however, BPS data shows a worrying trend. A significant number of students haven't completed their math score requirements, with many of them being low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, and English learners. Many of these students face the risk of not graduating this June. Our school needs to work together towards post-secondary readiness while also ensuring equitable access to graduation. Holding a hearing would allow us to hear from BPS on how these graduation requirements are implemented and what roles improve course offerings and student support resources can pay in improving our mass core completion rates.

I look forward to the discussion with our schools and our community on furthering educational equity within the mass core framework. Thank you.

Thank you Councillor Santana. Councillor Flynn you had a question?

Madam Chair may I speak on this?

Are you a co-sponsor? No. Flynn.

Thank you Madam Chair. I do want to acknowledge Councillor Santana for bringing this important hearing order forward. I think it's probably the most important hearing order I've heard all year. Critical hearing order. We've read the news in the Boston Globe, I believe it was a week ago, how one-third of seniors may not graduate because they don't meet the necessary academic requirements. That was devastating news. I thought it would have been a bigger issue here in the city. But we haven't done enough in the Boston Public Schools and in the city of Boston to support mostly students of color in the public school system, giving them, providing them a good education. And it's not fair.

It's not fair that we're giving people an education where they're not able to compete in this global changing world. trying to get a job. But I think we need to finally acknowledge that We're struggling in our public school system and we're not supporting our students by saying everything is great and there are no issues and there are no problems and we're making progress. The report from the Boston Globe last week was devastating, devastating to families that rely on public education to educate their child. During this budget, We must remember the hearing order Councilor Santana is filing. That should be the basis of how we move forward on the budget is making sure students of color, especially

are able to have the tools to be successful in life and that includes a good education.

Thank you Madam Chair. Flynn, Councilor Louisianne, Councilor Murphy, and keep going. Councilor Santana, you had a question?

Thank you Madam President. I would just like to add Councillor Murphy as an original co-sponsor.

Councillor Murphy is added. Thank you.

Murphy, you have the floor and I'll continue adding names when you're finished. to make sure. Just happy to co-sponsor this and I'm going to add you to mine and we can work together on this. The one thing I'll say that... My biggest concern is that without our students meeting this mass core requirement, I know there's a hearing order about college access. Without that requirement, no matter what we give them, if we give them a certificate and graduation, they're not going to be eligible for many of our tuition reimbursements or free tuition and being able to move on. So I think it's very important that we hold these two hearings and get answers to make sure our students have what they need to be successful. That's why we educate our students here in the city of Austin. Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Murphy. Thank you, Councillor Santana.

Murphy. So, Councillor Murphy is an original co-sponsor. Councillor Pepén, Councillor Webber, Councillor Worrell, and please add the chair.

Do I have to start over again?

Coletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louisiane, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0330 will be referred to the Committee on Education. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0331?

Docket number 0331. Councillors Pepén and Durkin offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss ways to repair and maintain private ways.

A refile from 2025.

Madam President, may I suspend the rules and add Councillor Worrell as a third original co-sponsor?

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

Thank you. This is a refile.

Thank you. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councilor Koleta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louisianne, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, and please add the chair. Docket 0331 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0332?

Docket number 0332, Councilor Flynn, offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the importance of the cruise industry in the city of Boston. A refile from 2025.

Flynn, you have the floor. Flynn, you have the floor.

Andrew RT Davies AMB. Thank you, Madam Chair. The cruise industry plays a huge Economic Impact role in the City of Boston and throughout New England. Boston has always been a city with a rich maritime history. and our ports including the Conley Terminal, the Flynn Cruise Port have been vital to our economy. Massport is a wonderful neighbor to Boston. Boston's cruise industry grew significantly over the last six years. and had a passenger count of over 480,000 passengers in 2024. The cruise industry contributed $256 million to the economy, a 90% increase since 2018. In November 2024, Massport announced plans for $100 million investment in the cruise port. I want to say thank you to State Senator Nick Collins and legislators as well. These investments are critical, will allow our port operations

to continue and be competitive. We must continue to support their work and leverage our role as a port city and continue to grow our economy. I also want to say thank you to the Longshoremen Association as well. Incredible role. The International Longshoremen Association play in the city of Boston. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Colletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louis Yen, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Webber, Councillor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0332 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0333.

Dr. Number 0333, Councilor Flano for the following. Order for a hearing to discuss pedestrian safety, traffic calming, and Vision Zero in the City of Boston.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, may I add Councillor Pepén, please? Councillor Pepén is so added. Thank you. I want to acknowledge the work Councilor Pepén has done on this important issue. Again, as you mentioned, Madam Chair, this is a refile on pedestrian safety. I have called this hearing almost every year since 2018. I'm going to continue to advocate for Safe streets, safe sidewalks, ensuring pedestrians are safe, but especially people with disabilities are always seen as We see a lot of young children going to school. We have to make sure we have a safe and healthy city for them, and that includes pedestrian safety, safe access, but also Traffic Enforcement, enforcing the rules that are on the books.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Oh yes, please, anyone like to add their name? Councilor Caleta-Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louisianne, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket number 333 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0334?

Docket number 0333 0333 Louis-Jeanne offer the following. Order for a hearing on community college access and student success for Boston residents.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Louis-Jeanne. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. This filing is for us to do a deep dive on community college access and student success. We already have success stories that we don't talk enough about. about our BPS students were able to access our community colleges and get community college credit while their students and college credit in general while they're students at BPS. but community colleges are so integral to the workforce development for our students. There's data that comes out, shows that the pay bump of graduates, for example, from Bunker Hill Community College So I think it's important for us to do a deep dive, especially in the aftermath of the governor making access to community college free for Massachusetts residents and the work that this body has done along with the state house. to make sure that that really meant all students regardless of immigration status. And so I think it's important for this body to think about how the BPS pipeline toward community colleges. My office has been working.

with employers to strengthen the pipeline of employment opportunities for our graduates from community colleges. And there's great things happening at Bunker Hill. There's great things happening in Charlestown. There's great things happening at Roxbury Community College and Roxbury, both on this front and on other really innovative fronts. And so I just want us to do a deep dive here. I know that folks here in our Boston Mobile Schools are also working on this. So many of the people that I love and care about and Community Colleges. And I think there's a lot of work that we can do to strengthen support for those students. After college, I worked at the Posse Foundation that was all based on Thank you. Thank you, Councilor Louijeune.

Would anyone like to add their name? Councilor Colletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 0334 will be referred to the Committee on Education. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0335?

Docket number 0335. Councillor Flynn offered the following. for a hearing to discuss accessibility in Boston City Hall.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, may I add Councillor Murphy, please? Councillor Murphy is so added. Thank you. As I have mentioned many times, I believe the Americans with Disability Act is probably the most important piece of federal legislation on the books. I filed this hearing order because it is critical that we make accessibility a top priority for our city, especially our seniors, persons with disabilities. I love this building like a lot of people do and I sometimes wander around the building looking at elevators, looking at steelways. and how would a person with disabilities access basic city services or an office. That's what I enjoy doing. Last year I had a conversation with our 14th city councilor, Mike, and he wasn't able to access a certain door here at City Hall that I had to help him with.

But it's about improving, continuing to prove conditions for people with disabilities. I do want to acknowledge the important work that Chief Irish, Commissioner Shelton and Commissioner McCosh are doing in City Hall to make it more accessible. I'm going to continue to work with them to make more progress. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? This is a re-file, so Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louisianne, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0335 will be referred to the Committee on City Services. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0336? It's another refile.

Docket number 0336, Councilor Flynn, for the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the impact of quarry on access to employment and other opportunities.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Councillor Flynn you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. This is a refile but it's an important hearing so we can discuss how returning citizens are able to come back to the neighborhoods where they were born and raised, but also what impact does their quarry have on them. I want to make sure that people coming out of jail or prison or returning citizens have access to I'm a former probation officer for eight years. This is what I did is helping returning citizens. The most frustrating part of being a probation officer is when A returning citizen on probation or parole would get a job, they were doing well, and then all of a sudden their boss would come back to them and say, we did a quarry on you even though you've worked with us for two weeks, you've done an excellent job, we have to let you go.

We need to be more understanding, more empathetic, more compassionate, welcome our returning citizens back home. They're our neighbors and they're our friends as well. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? Colletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louisianne, Councilor Murphy-Silver, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0336 will be referred to the Committee on Labour and Economic Development. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0337?

Docket number 0337. Councillor Murphy offered the following. Order for a hearing to consider a full independent audit of the Boston Public Schools' finances, operations, and program effectiveness.

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

Thank you. The City Council has a responsibility to exercise oversight of the City's largest public investments to ensure sound financial management, transparency, and alignment between spending decisions and intended outcomes. BPS operates with an annual budget of $1.7 billion, making it the single largest expenditure in the City of Boston's operating budget and accounting for more than one-third of all the city's spending. In addition to its recurring operating budget, BPS received approximately $470 million in federal SR pandemic recovery funding, close to half a billion dollars, over several fiscal years. significantly expanding the scale and complexity of district spending during that period. Despite this level of investment, student academic outcomes remain persistently low in BPS schools

has now identified a 52 million dollar budget shortfall resulting in hiring and spending freezes and raising concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability and we have recently heard that it could be up to 400 layoffs in our for our staff at BPS. The combination of historic funding levels, limited evidence of improved outcomes, and current fiscal instability necessitates a comprehensive examination of how resources are allocated, managed, and evaluated across the school system. While individual program reviews and internal reports may provide partial insight, the scale of Boston Public Schools' budget and operations warrants an independent, system-wide audit to assess financial stewardship Operational efficiency and program effectiveness. Educators, families, advocates, and community members have called for greater transparency regarding

Spending Decisions, Central Administration Cost, Contracting Practices, and whether investments are reaching classrooms and producing the results for students which they should be. A full independent audit would provide the city, the school committee, and the public with objective information needed to make informed decisions, improve accountability, and ensure future investments that will align with our students needs and outcomes. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Colletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louisianne, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Webber, Orell, and please add the Chair. Docket 0337 will be referred to the Committee on Post Audit. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0338?

Document number 0338. Councilor Flynn offered the following. Order for a hearing to discuss property tax relief for long-term residents and essential municipal employees. We're refiled from 2025.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, may I add Councillor Worrell as an original co-sponsor? Councillor Worrell is so added. Thank you. This would be an opportunity for us to learn about what type of programs and tax relief the city can provide to residents that have been here for a long period of time, but also to our essential municipal They play a critical role in our city. They're our neighbors. They're our Little League coaches. They're active in the PTA. They're community leaders, and they've done an incredible job working for the city. They're finding it very difficult to stay here in Boston with property taxes increasing significantly, but this is an opportunity for us to learn what relief we could provide them.

It's critical that these residents continue to stay and contribute to Boston and the city should explore a number of different policies from other cities across the country in Massachusetts to see how we can provide tax relief to these homeowners. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louisianne, Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Webber, and please add the Chair. Docket 0338 will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0339?

Docket number 0339. Councillor Flynn offered the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the goals and priorities of the Office of Arts and Culture. in the Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment in the City of Boston. They refile from 2025.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you. Madam Chair, I was proud to be the Chair. of the Arts and Culture Committee and learned a great deal from many of the artists, musicians, community leaders across Boston that contributed greatly. to our city. Boston is a city that is rich with art, history, culture, world-class museums. We are also a major sports hub and home to famous professional sports teams. Our city draws tourists from all over the world who in turn become an important driver of our local and state economy. Obviously the FIFA World Cup is coming. City Hall is going to be the site for a fan festival. I look forward to hearing from The respective city offices having a discussion about many of these events but also how Residents are able to participate, such as the tall ships.

I want to make sure that the tall ships are accessible to persons with disabilities. That's a top priority for me.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Coletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louis Yen, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0339 will be referred to the Committee on Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Tourism. Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0340? Docket number 0340, Councillor Murphy, after the following. Porter for a hearing to examine student academic outcomes and return on investment in Boston Public Schools.

One of the fundamental responsibilities of the Boston City Council is to ensure that major public investments result in measurable improvements in outcomes, particularly when those investments are intended to address inequities and improve student achievement. BPS operates with an annual budget of 1.7 billion dollars making it the single largest expenditure in the city of Boston In addition to its annual operating budget, it had received former ESSER funding that I spoke of at the hearing I filed last. Despite this historic level, our 2025 MCAS data released by the Mass Department of Elementary and Secondary Education continues to show persistently though academic outcomes across multiple grade levels in BPS. In the third grade, only 19% of black students and 20% of Latino students meet or exceed expectations on MCAS.

and when disaggregated further, only approximately 1% of black students exceed expectations, which translates to only eight, only eight of our black children citywide with only 28 Latinos exceeding citywide. Similarly, low outcomes appear across subsequent grade levels. including in the fourth and fifth grade where only single digit numbers of our black students and only a few dozen Latino students exceed expectations. Despite thousands of students who are tested annually. By the sixth grade, only 17% of black students and 20% of Latino students meet the expectations. While percentages alone can obscure a magnitude of these results, translating the data into actual numbers of students reveals the outcome so stark that many people initially assume the data must be incorrect. and when it is in fact actually reported.

These outcomes raise serious concerns about the return on investment for students and families following years of unprecedented spending, particularly around our black and brown students who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. The City Council has a responsibility to understand whether the scale of public investment in BPS has translated into improved academic outcomes for all of our students. So I'm looking forward to getting some real data and answers and having this hearing. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louis Yen, Councillor Pepén, Santana, Councillor Weber, Councillor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Docket 0340 will be referred to the Committee on Education. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0341?

Docket number 0341. Councillor Flynn offered the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the status of the City of Boston's application to certify With the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the National Flood Insurance Program Community Ranking System. I refile from 2025.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. As you know, last year the Boston City Council unanimously supported a resolution urging Boston to certify with FEMA for the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System. A program that can save residents and businesses thousands of dollars in flood insurance costs. I've recently met with constituents of mine at Fort Point, and this is the topic that we discussed. C-level rise is a significant issue in many neighborhoods across the city, particularly District 1, District 2, District 3, and others. It's important that We work together with city, state and federal officials, but providing this support to residents in these flood zones would be helpful to them. I continue to work with Chief Critic

Chief Osgood, who's been working with me and with the other elected officials and with neighbors across my district to get this done.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Coletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louisianne, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Docket 0341 will be referred to the Committee on Environmental Justice, Resiliency and Parks. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0342?

Docket number 0342, Councillor Murphy, I offer the following. Order for a hearing to examine graduation requirement implementation waivers and equity in Boston Public Schools.

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

Thank you. I'd like to add Councilor Santana.

Santana Suarez.

This hearing is to examine graduation requirement implementation. I didn't support it, but last year we did vote to Get rid of the MCAS requirement and so now we are here with Mass Corps. And BPS adopted it based on graduation requirement following the removal of MCAS as a statewide requirement. with the stated goal of maintaining rigorous and meaningful academic expectations for all of our students. Recent reporting indicates that more than one-third of Boston public school seniors are currently not on track to meet the district's new graduation requirements, raising serious concerns about implementation, equity, and accountability. Because students who are Black, Latino, English learners, low income, and are special ed students are disproportionately not on track to meet the new graduation requirements,

The use of broad waivers without transparent reporting or strategic support risks obscuring inequitable access rather than addressing it. Waivers granted at scale do not address the underlying causes of students not meeting graduation requirements, including inconsistent access to required coursework, late or uneven academic intervention, in the absence of clear enforceable implementation standards. Widespread reliance on waivers risks undermining the integrity of graduation standards by masking longstanding and well-documented systemic failures to consistently deliver high quality instruction and academic preparation to all of our BPS students. despite substantial and sustained financial investment. So I'm looking forward to working alongside Council Santana on this hearing and making sure that we do what's right for our students and families. Thank you.

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

Thank you. Similar hearing orders. Thank you, Councillor Murphy, for adding me. This needs to be a priority for all of us and really looking out for our students, especially those who are currently struggling. So I'm looking forward to the conversation and being able to

Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkin, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louisiane, Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Docket 0342 will be referred to the Committee on Education. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0343?

Docket number 0343, Councilor Santana offered the following. Order for a hearing to continue exploring strategies for developing mixed income social housing. to increase housing access and affordability for all Bostonians. This is a refile from 2025.

Thank you. Councillor Santana, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I would like to add Councillor Pepén as an original co-sponsor. Councillor Pepén is so added. Thank you, Madam President. This is a refile. This was my inaugural speech on the floor and we've come a long way in the last two years from this and I think there's a lot more work to do. So I'm looking forward to the work ahead. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Colletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper.

Sorry, Madam President. Can I also add Councilor Louijeune as an original co-sponsor?

Seeing and hearing no objections, Councilor Louijeune is so added. Where was I? I'll start over again. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 0343 will be referred to the Committee on Housing and Community Development. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0344?

Docket number 0344, Councilor Santana offered the following. Order for a hearing to discuss the educational and workforce development past successes. and Future Opportunities for Youth Jobs offered by the City of Boston.

This is a refile from 2025.

Thank you Madam President. This is a re-file. We need to take care of our youth. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Colletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louisianne, Pepén, Councillor Webber, Councillor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Docket 0344 will be referred to the Committee on Labour and Economic Development. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0345?

Dr. Number 0345, Councilors Durkan and Breadon offer the following. Order for a hearing to explore amending the Boston Zoning Code to shift residential use to allowed where appropriate.

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

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

Hearing and seeing no objection, Council Santana is so added.

Thank you. And thank you for co-sponsoring this hearing with me, Council President Breadon. This hearing order is about examining where our zoning code treats housing as conditional or even forbidden uses and where we should change that to make housing allowed by right where it's appropriate. We know that housing is the most pressing challenge facing our city, and yet in many cases, our zoning code restricts housing from being built in neighborhoods that desperately need and want it, in areas close to transit that are well-suited for development. This hearing order comes directly from the work we began in the Bullfinch Triangle last year. Passing a zoning code amendment in just three months with all of your help on the council, to make residential an allowed use instead of conditional. I defended that zoning amendment to the Zoning Commission. We know that the Bullfinch Triangle has seen a lot of transformation over the years, and it's a perfect example of where we should be encouraging new housing development.

Because residential use was conditional, developers needed to go through extra process to get a variance, bringing cost and uncertainty that created barriers to building, especially for small and medium-sized developers. Most importantly, that was a preservation amendment. Really, we've all heard of the office resi program and its success, but there are a lot of buildings that are underutilized in the Bullfinch Triangle. With the support of both residents and the development community, we were able to amend the zoning code to make more housing in the Bullfinch Triangle. This change was in partnership with the West End Civic Association and had a clear vision which had a clear vision for development at 222 Friend Street. This site was initially proposed as lab, but neighbors believed it should be housing. At the beginning of 2024, the developer did not want to take the risk of seeking a variance to build housing instead. But by updating the code, we removed that barrier. The developer has already come forward with a new proposal to make it housing at 222 Friend Street.

In short, we want to see if this change that we made in the Bullfinch Triangle has other applicabilities throughout the city. We've heard of areas on North Beacon Street in the Council President's District. There are areas, industrial zones, waterfront district, designated port areas, and flood-prone zones that need special consideration. But in many others, these restrictions are outdated and arbitrary and prevent neighborhoods from growing to fit our needs. The urgency of our housing crisis demands that we think innovatively and evaluate every tool in our toolbox to make an impact. Steele, and Steele. Through this hearing I'm excited to investigate whether we'll be able to reclassify housing as allowed use in certain areas, amendments that we could make to our zoning code to make housing easier. And this is just one part of the conversation. So thank you, Chair. And I want to thank both my colleagues, Council President Breadon and Councilor Santana for joining me in this effort.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan. The chair recognizes Councillor Birdman.

Councillor Birdman, you now have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. As we're all aware, Boston is facing a pressing housing crisis that must be addressed urgently using all strategies available to the city. As the Planning Department undertakes its review of the city's zoning code, a strategy that I believe we must consider is the potential to expand as-of-right and conditional residential zoning in appropriate areas of the city. Such zoning amendments can help to reduce barriers to housing production and encourage the creation of vibrant mixed-use neighbourhoods. I look forward to further discussion on this topic. and thank you to Councillor Durkan for including me.

Thank you Councillor Breadon. Councillor Santana you now have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair and I just want to thank Councillor Durkan for including me in this. You know I think Both the two co-sponsors said it all. We need more housing. We need to break down the barriers to our housing supply. And as Councilor Darkin mentioned, we need to continue to add Santana would anyone else like to add their name

Mr. Clerk, please add Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louijeune, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Weber, Councillor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0345. will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation.

Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0346?

Docket number 0346, Councillor Durkan, I offer the following. Order for a hearing to explore the inclusion of pollinator corridors as part of sustainable development. A refile from 2025.

Councillor Durkan.

Thank you so much, Council President. I'm excited to reintroduce this hearing order to explore how Boston can integrate pollinator corridors into our sustainable development practices. Pollinator species are declining at alarming rates, threatening our Global Ecosystems and the Food Supply Train. Not only does encouraging pollinator habitats and pollinator-friendly practices support biodiversity, but it's also important to think uniquely about how we can engage residents and communities in this and many more. Since introducing this last year, I've spoken with Brian Gibbons at the Rose Kennedy Greenway, I've done a tour with Stephen Schneider and others at Northeastern, and have talked to many residents who are interested and excited to participate. I know in Beacon Hill we have the Beacon Hill Garden Club, We have the Charles Gate Alliance. We have a lot of eager, sustainable groups that work in partnership with our office.

I'm excited to really just across District 8 and across the city get people excited. I'm also encouraged to see where this is going. And sorry, last year my co-sponsors were Coletta Zapata and Pepén out of respect to all the work that that Councilor Louijeune has done for Pollinator Corridors, I wanted to add Coletta Zapata and Louis Jeanne, knowing that Pepén cares deeply about this.

Thank you. Councillor Drukken wishes to add. Councillor Louis Jeanne, you're so added. Coletta Zapata, hearing and seeing no objections. Would anyone else like to add their name? Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Thank you. Docket 0346 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. Mr Clerk, could you please read Docket 0347?

Document number 0347, Councilor Santana, I offer the following. Order for a hearing to explore programs the City of Boston Office could establish to prevent illegal discrimination by landlords, and Real Estate Brokers Against Prospective Tenants Utilizing Housing Choice Vouchers, a refile from 2025.

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

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, can I please add Councillor Culpepper to this filing? Councillor Culpepper is added as a second. Great, thank you. This is a refile. We need more housing. We also need to make sure that the people, that our residents who are in place right now, that they're not subject to illegal discrimination. So looking forward to the conversation. Thank you, Madam President.

Santana. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louisiane, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0437 will be referred to the Committee on Housing and Community Development. Mr Clerk, could you please read Docket 0348?

Document number 0348, Councilor Santana, I offer the following. Order for a hearing regarding LGBTQIA plus youth and young adult homelessness in the city of Boston. A refile from 2025.

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

Thank you Madam President. This is a refile. We need to continue to work on protecting our LGBTQIA2S plus community. As well as really addressing the homelessness issue, especially amongst this community. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Weber, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Docket 0348 will be referred to the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness and Recovery. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0349?

Docket number 0349. Councilor Flynn offered the following. Order regarding a text amendment to the Boston Zoning Code relative to adult entertainment. A refire from 2025.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. I filed this tax amendment hoping to move it forward which would essentially change adult entertainment from allowed use to conditional use as written in Article 43. I do believe the residents of Chinatown, the residents of the Bay Village, downtown Boston should have a say in their community about what goes in there. If you had a coffee shop going into a neighborhood, you would often have a hearing at ZBA. But we're having a major impact on the residents of Chinatown I want to do my due diligence and advocate for them. I think in the interest of transparency and ensuring residents

Flynn.

This is a refile. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louisiane, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 0349 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0350?

Docket number 0350. Councillor Culpepper offered the following. Order for a hearing on the status of the South End Branch Library reopening.

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

Madam President. I'd like to offer remarks on both dockets 0350 and 0351. And I'd like to substitute filing for docket 0351 which recognizes the contributions of Marlene Nemhaus who the community room at the South End Library was named after. Please vote.

We second for the substitution. Okay. The clerk needs to read 351. Please. Mr. Clark, could you please read docket 0351?

Docket number 0351. Councilor Culpepper offered the following. Resolution in support of reopening the south end branch of the Boston Public Library.

Thank you. These filings address the continued closure of the south end branch of the Boston Public Library and the very real impact that closure has had on that neighborhood. The South End Branch has been closed since April of 2021 due to repeated flooding and residents are now being told that a permanent reopening is not expected until at least 2027. That means 50,000 residents have been without a neighborhood library for more than four years, with at least another year still ahead of them. Before its closure, this library branch served as a vital educational and Civica. It provided early literacy programs, homework help, access to computers and the internet, workforce development resources, English language learning,

Senior Programming, and free space for community gatherings. The loss of these services has fallen hardest on the children families, seniors, immigrants, and low-income residents who rely most on public library access. So been shaped by tireless advocacy of community leaders like Marlene Nienhaus, a longtime South End resident whose commitment to the library strengthened programs and deepened its role as a true neighborhood Institution. The community room at the South End Library, as I mentioned, is named in her honor. And for this library. Reopening this library as soon as possible is not only about restoring services, Madam President, but it is also about honoring the legacy of Marlene Nemhaus and the generations of residents

who fought to make this branch a cornerstone of the South End. These filings are about transparency, accountability, and basic access to public services. The fiscal year 2026 capital budget includes a $32 million appropriation for the reopening of the South End Library, yet there remains significant uncertainty around the project timeline. Anticipated Milestones and a clear reopening date. These refilings call for a clear accounting of the reopening process and a renewed commitment to providing accessible, reliable library services during the extended closure. The South End should not have to wait nearly a decade to regain access to a core public institution. I urge my colleagues to support these filings and ensure the South End residents receive both the transparency and the services they deserve.

Madam President, I'd like to add Councilor Flynn, Fitzgerald as original co-sponsors to docket number 0350 and the substitute filing for 0351. And I would like to request suspension of the rules to take a vote on the substitute filing for docket Number 0351. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper. So we'll take these issues one at a time. So docket 0350. Culpepper would like to add Councillor Flynn and Fitzgerald. Councillor Flynn is added as a second. You'd also like to add Councillor Fitzgerald, seeing and hearing no objections. Councillor Fitzgerald is added as a second. To docket 0350. Would any...

Yes. Hmm? Flynn. And Councilor Flynn.

And Councilor Flynn. Yeah. Yes, Councilor Yes, Councilor Flynn, you had your light on first, so Councilor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to Reverend Culpepper for adding me, and thank you for your support of the South End Library. The South End Library directly across the street from it is a neighborhood that I love probably more than any other neighborhood is Villa Victoria and I know it's a The South End Library plays a critical role in supporting and helping young people at Villa Victoria, seniors as well. Right up the road a little bit is the Ruth Barclay BHA development, the old Cathedral Castle Square, and certainly down the road is on the other side of the south end into Roxbury, but it's helping families and students in need. It's a critical asset to the South End community and to the Rocksporting community as well. I want to say thank you to Reverend Culpepper, Fitzgerald.

I also want to acknowledge former City Councillor Kim Janey that did a lot of work on this as well, working with me over the years. But it's about ensuring that the residents of the South End and the residents of Roxbury are treated with respect, have access to learning, have access to a library. A library brings us together as a community. It brings out the best in us. And there's nothing better as a city councilor and to see a young child reading and learning and doing their homework.

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Councilor Reverend Culpepper, for adding me as well. Well the location of the library is not necessarily in all of our districts it is the library of the south end in total and so all our constituents have come up to us separately I think and advocated for this. And so it is our honor to go out there and carry on that message for them, whether it's from Villa Victoria all the way down to the Ink Block. This is the library for the South End neighborhood, so we'd really love to see this get going, and thank you for the opportunity to speak.

Thank you, Councillor Fitzgerald. Councillor Murphy had a question. Yeah.

Thank you. Thank you, Councilor Culpepper, for filing this. Councilor Murphy.

Are you going to address the... No, this is the hearing order that's going to the Committee on Human Services. Docket 0351. 0350. So we'll get an opportunity to speak to the resolution when it comes up next. I'm just separating it out for clarity for everyone.

But I was going to speak on this one, not the resolution. Yeah.

Only sponsors speak on new filings.

But the last time that didn't happen. I think we're going to address it, but we haven't yet.

Yes, I'm addressing it now. I made an error in allowing Councillor Flynn to speak at the last time this occurred, but I'm trying to get everybody straight on this. Councilor, rule 39 says only sponsors can speak on new new filings unless it is a resolution being voted on so everyone's going to get an opportunity to speak on the resolution that's also it's a docket zero

Culpepper.

Thank you for your inquiry. The Southend Library reopening. Councilor Durkan, Councilor Louisiane, Councilor Santana, Councilor Webber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0350 will be referred to the Committee on Human Services. Would anyone? Councillor Culpepper has offered a substitution for the resolution in docket 0351. It's seconded by Councillor Durkan. Mr. Clerk, do you need to read that again? All those in favour, say aye. Aye. Thank you.

So the Chair recognises Councillor Culpepper. Would you like to address your resolution?

Thank you.

Would anyone else like to add their name to docket 0351? Durkan, you had a question?

Well, since it's a resolution, may I speak on the docket? Yes. Thank you so much. I just wanted to say I've known Marlene for a very long time. She's an incredible woman, so I just want to thank you for honoring her. I think, you know, the few times I've stepped foot in the South End, you know, folks have come to me about this library as well representing the Prudential Center. and around there for some folks they they they utilize this library as well so I think I just want to thank the chief of operations and Trish Cafferkey and those that work In operations to get this stuff up and running. None of these things are simple. Flooding is not simple. But I think we're all going to be celebrating when this is open. And I know there's a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes. I'm right now fighting for an AC gym in my district. I know how long some of these contracting and other things take, but I'm grateful to my colleagues for stepping up for their local library.

I think libraries are incredibly important And I particularly want to thank Councilor Culpepper for acknowledging the work of Marlene. She's an incredible woman.

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

Thank you, and I want to thank my colleagues for filing this. As Councilor Durkan just said, libraries are important civic spaces. I literally grew up in my library. My office has been on a lot of the meetings about the south end libraries. I just want to join in supporting this to reopen. and also want to echo my colleagues. Marlene has just been so laser focused on this issue and want to thank her and the advocacy of all the residents on making sure that this library, the community can have their library. So thank you and I'm looking forward to voting in support of this resolution.

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

Yeah, thank you. Thank you again to Councillor Culpepper for filing this. I'd just like to point out that there are several libraries under renovation around the city, including One on the border of our districts in Eggleston Square. And I hope Councilor Culpepper will join me in advocating for the speedy renovation of that project and for it to be Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Would anyone else like to add their name? This is to the resolution in support of the reopening of the Southend Library.

Weber. Not that important, but when we vote on something, do we also add our name? Don't you add your name when you vote on it? Add your name and then we vote on it. Well, so we add our name and then, I mean, it seems duplicative. Okay, I just was, but we do do that when we vote.

Yes, that's the way it goes. who would like to add their name? Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, this is a separate docket, Councilor Louisianne, Councilor Santana, Councilor Webber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Mr. Clark, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0351.

Roll call on docket number 0351. Breadon.

Yes.

Councilor Breadon. Yes. Councilor Kaleta-Zapata. Councilor Culpepper. Yes. Councilor Culpepper. Yes. Councilor Durkan. Yes. Councilor Durkan. Yes. Councilor Fitzgerald. Yes. Councilor Fitzgerald. Yes. Councilor Flynn. Flynn, yes, Councilor Lujan, yes, Councilor Lujan, yes, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pippen, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Weber, yes, Councilor Weber, yes, and Councilor Orrell, yes, Councilor Orrell, yes. Nine votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Mr. Clerk, could you please read document 0352?

Talking number 0352, Councilor Santana, offer the following resolution, recognizing June 2026 as Pride Month.

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

Thank you Madam President. Madam President can I add yourself as an original co-sponsor and can I suspend the rules and add Councillor Durkan as an original co-sponsor.

Councillor Brayden is added and is seeing and hearing no objections. Durkin?

Councilor Durkin, correct.

Councilor Durkin is still at it. Thank you.

Great. Thank you, Madam President. I'm not going to put this for a vote today. I will speak about this in June. Thank you.

Okay. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louisianne, Councilor Webber, Councilor Worrell, and please, oh, I'm already out of, thank you. Santana seeks suspension of the rules and adoption. Thank you. So this will go to the Committee of Human Services. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, please read docket 0353.

Docket number 0353. Councilor Kalapetka for the following. Resolution recognizing the avoidable tragic death of Carvel Currie. and urging the City and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to adopt compassionate cold weather emergency shelter policies.

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

Thank you, Madam President. I rise today to offer remarks on this resolution in memory of Carvel Curry. Carvel Curry was 62 years old. He experienced homelessness in Boston for decades. And despite the challenges he faced, he was known by outreach workers, health care providers, community members as a generous and kind person who looked out for others. On December 5th, 2025, he died from exposure to freezing temperatures outside South Station. His death was unavoidable and it demands accountability and action. I want to begin by acknowledging the efforts of Mayor Wu, the City of Boston, and the service providers who worked tirelessly during winter

During extreme cold, including getting unhoused individuals to warming centers, and those efforts matter. But this tragedy makes clear that there's still serious gaps, when it comes to coordination with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The MBTA's current policy of strictly enforcing station closures and removing unhoused individuals from its facilities during extreme cold is inhumane, unethical, and immoral. At some point, we have to ask ourselves, Madam President, when does enforcement of Accessibility and Property Policies Outweigh Human Life. For years there was an understanding between the city, the state, and the MBTA that during declared weather emergencies,

People would not be forced out of transit facilities into life-threatening conditions. That unwritten agreement prioritized safety and humanity over rigid enforcement. This resolution calls on The MBTA to return to that practice. To be clear, this resolution is not asking the MBTA to keep its facilities open 24 hours a day. What we are asking for is basic human decency. During extreme weather events when temperatures are deadly, No one should be forced onto the streets without a safe alternative. This resolution urges the city and the MBTA to adopt clear, compassionate, and coordinated cold weather emergency policies that prioritize human life and dignity. Carville Curry should still be alive today.

Honoring his life means making sure that this never happens again. Madam President, I would like to add Durkin, and Councilor Flynn as original co-sponsors, and I would like to request suspension of the rules to take a vote on docket number 0353. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councilor Culpepper. Durkan is added as a first co-sponsor and hearing and seeing no objections. Councilor Flynn is added as a third co-sponsor. Councilor Durkan you have the floor.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and thank you so much to the original co-sponsor for including me. I totally agree that Carvel Curry should be alive. And I think what's so upsetting to me is that I heard from service providers in my district who were doing everything they possibly could during the latest cold emergency to get folks inside. One of the service providers in my district even bought people bus tickets so that they could be inside. I yesterday or two days ago before even seeing this filing emailed one of the people I work with at the MBTA And I just want to read that email into the record. I have not yet received a response. And having family members that have dealt with this and homelessness and

Being transient and not really having somewhere to go, being housing insecure, it really upsets me that it almost feels like the colder it gets, the more cruel the policy gets. We can't stand for that. We need to say something. Today I received an email from a constituent with upsetting news that someone died outside of South Station during a cold emergency the city is currently going through. I'm hoping to connect with the appropriate person of the MBTA to discuss how we can prevent this from happening again. There is mixed reporting about how flexible this policy is and we need to get to work to accommodate people during extreme circumstances. We heard from a local nonprofit that those in need of shelter could not shelter inside of South Station without a bus ticket. I would like to advocate for a policy that is compassionate on the coldest of days, given the extreme weather we are experiencing. Those South Station is not located in D8. Much of our housing insecure population moves through districts. I want to advocate for their safety and I'd like to discuss. Thank you.

I'm still waiting on a response from the MBTA. I want to hear directly from them why this is happening and I think this resolution gives us an opportunity to raise the alarm here but I want answers. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to Reverend Culpepper for adding me. I went to the funeral for Mr. Currie at St. Anthony Shrine on Arch Street and joined human service providers there praying for him. I knew him because I spent a lot of time just walking around downtown Boston. He's been there 15 or 20 years, so I had the opportunity to know him. And I did talk to a lot of the human service providers after the mouse and before the mouse. I do want to acknowledge, I don't want to criticize the MBTA. What I would add is let the City of Boston and The MBTA work together.

I do want to acknowledge Governor Healey as being a compassionate leader as well. But during these difficult and challenging times in our economy, it's important that we work together. We respect each other. And we know that the homeless community needs our help, especially during these cold winter nights. We know the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Under Dr. Jim does phenomenal work. We also know that there's a lot of outreach happening from human service providers, from St. Anthony's, from from other locations, from Pine Street has a van that goes out every night. I want to acknowledge Mary Ann Ponte as well, the incredible work she does. But during the loss of a life,

We pray for the person, we pray for the person's family, for the community, but it's also about us coming together. and knowing that that person didn't die in vain and we're willing to work together, we're willing to respect each other We're willing to ask difficult questions, but we don't want to be critical of one particular agency over another particular agency. It's about respect, especially during these challenging times. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you Councillor Flynn. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone like to add their name? Fitzgerald, Councilor Louis Yen, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell. Please add the Chair. Culpepper seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 0354. All those in favour say aye. The numbers are wrong. 0353. All those in favour say aye. All those against say nay. The ayes have it. 0353 has been adopted. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0354?

Docket number 0354, Councillor Culpepper, for the following. Resolution in support of establishing a crossing guard course. at Trotter Elementary School.

These are misnumbered. Mr. Clerk, remind me again, which docket is it? 0354. The Chair recognises Councillor Culpepper. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I would like to provide a substitute filing for docket number 0354 that adds language requesting increased support from the Boston Police Department and coordinating crossing guards reflected in both the third whereas clause and be it further resolved clause.

Outer is second. Councillor Webber is second. Thank you. All those in favour say aye. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you read, I understand there's a substitute of docket 0354. Do we have the new version? You do? Could you please read docket 0354? Do you have to read it? Okay. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper. You may continue with your remarks.

Thank you, Madam President. Boston is currently facing a shortage of crossing guards. That shortage has real consequences for families and students across the city. At schools in my district, like the Trotter Elementary School that I pass every morning on my way to the city council office, Where pedestrian traffic is high during arrival and dismissal times, the absence of consistent crossing guard coverage creates unnecessary and preventable safety risks. Crossing guards play an indispensable role in keeping children safe as they travel to and from school. They provide supervision at busy intersections. They help manage traffic during peak hours. and give families confidence that their children can walk or bike to school safely.

When those positions go unfilled, students are placed in situations that could and should be avoided. Addressing this challenge requires Proactive coordination. The Boston Police Department plays a critical role in approving crossing guard locations and supporting pedestrian safety, planning, and strong coordination is needed to ensure that coverage is timely, consistent, and responsive to the specific conditions around Trotter Elementary School. The Roxbury Safe Routes to School Project is an important initiative aimed at improving pedestrian safety and access for students in the neighborhood. However, to fully realize its goal, it must include a clear, and to find strategy for increasing crossing guard staffing and coverage at high intersections, high traffic intersection serving Trotter Elementary.

Calling on the city to establish a crossing guard corps that includes both paid crossing guards and trained, Madam President, and trained community volunteers. A model like this can provide more resilient coverage, strengthen community engagement, and ensure that student safety does not depend on staffing shortages alone. Ultimately, this is about making sure that children traveling to and from Trotter Elementary School and other schools in the city can do so safely with consistent adult supervision at key intersection. And Madam President and my colleagues, I bring this resolution, and I've often volunteered to the police department. Because every morning I pass by, they have no crossing guards there. I told them that I would go out myself and I would serve as a crossing guard. Well, they recommended that I not do that.

So I'm here today, Madam President, and on this resolution, I'd like to add Council Santana as original co-sponsor to this substitute filing for docket number 0354. I respectfully request suspension of the rules to take a vote on this resolution. Thank you, Madam President.

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

Thank you, Madam President. to my city councilor, Councilor Culpepper for filing this, the charter school, Deserves Safety. Students represent one in every ten Boston residents, and as we, as a city, needs to do everything in our power to ensure that they can arrive at school safely. When evidence shows that areas near schools experiences more accidents on school days, we need to take that seriously and provide the resources needed to promote pedestrian safety. The resolution will support the establishment of a crossing guard corps at the Trotter Elementary School. Crossing guards are one of the most effective strategies for protecting pedestrians in our high traffic intersections. They play an essential role by assisting young people and their caretakers across busy intersections during peak traffic hours. And it is essential that our students have access to this key component of pedestrian safety. So thank you, Councilor Culpepper, for including me.

I look forward to supporting this resolution today.

Thank you, Councillor Santana. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Councillor Koleta Zapata, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louis Yen, Councillor Murphy, Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Councilor Culpepper seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0354. All those in favour say aye. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on this one? Docket 0354.

Roll call vote on docket number 0354. Councilor Breadon. Yes. Councilor Breadon, yes. Councilor Colletta-Zapata. Calera-Zapata, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Louisiana, Lujan, yes, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Weber, yes, Councilor Weber, yes, and Councilor Worrell, yes, Councilor Worrell, yes. Docket number 0354 has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0354 has been adopted. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0355?

Talking number 0355. Councilor Louijeune offer the following. Resolution affirming Boston's ranked choice voting home rule petition.

The chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune. Councilor Louijeune, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I offer this resolution to continue the work that this body did last term in advancing Homo petition in support of ranked choice voting that was passed by this council and signed by the mayor and was in committee yesterday. I was at the state house speaking on this piece of legislation. in partnership with a number of cities and a number of advocates to make sure that the people who are elected at the municipal level are those who I have the support of the majority of voters here in the city of Boston. I want to thank Ed Shoemaker, who has been such a great advocate in pushing this forward. I want to thank members of this body, who when we deliberated last year I think we worked very thoughtfully the last two years very thoughtfully on this resolution on this legislation and even it was strengthened even by those who had questions about our rank choice voting I think that we came out with a stronger piece of legislation one that

Not only talks about ranked-choice voting, but also talks about voter education and voter access. I want to thank the really broad coalition of people, again, who are in support from MassVote to NAACP to the Urban League to Jewish Communities Relation Council. to Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, Dunk the Vote, Veterans for All Voters. I think we've seen it work across the country. We are not the first, and I think it is Thank you very much. Thank you. And especially in these times, how we're doing the work of supporting and strengthening our democracy. So I seek support for this resolution and a vote on this today. Thank you, Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to be voting in opposition to this change for many reasons. One of them, Madam Chair, is our City of Boston Election Department is currently under state receivership. As you know, 2024, the elections weren't administrated properly where we ran out of ballots in many precincts across the city. It's under the receivership or supervision of Secretary Bill Galvin at the Secretary of State's office. There are legitimate concerns against ranked choice voting, but I do believe the current system is working. In practice, the added complexity can potentially confuse residents in my opinion.

The process of transferring votes from eliminated candidates is also challenging, which could lead to uncertainty. in lower participation as well. Our current system where the candidate with the most votes wins is simple. It's simple to understand and inclusive to all. We almost have that as district city councilors In the preliminary, it's reduced to have two on election night on the primary, and then the top two vote getters move on to the final, similar to at-large. Another concern is the financial burden that converting our elections to ranked choice voting would impose on the City of Boston. The City of Boston Election Department was here Testifying, they basically said to us that they are unable to administer ranked choice voting. It's too confusing. It's too expensive.

It's not the time, they said. It is not the time. Let us get through with this receivership and maybe have a discussion. I don't believe it's the time. Residents have called for an elected school committee. I don't know what the vote was, 80% maybe. We haven't moved on that. Let's get our election department in order. Give them the support they need during this budget process. That's what we need to do is support them. They have major challenges down there. We don't need to criticize them, but what we do need to do is support them to make sure that they have the funding and the resources to do their job effectively. Thank you Madam Chairman.

Thank you Councillor Flynn. Since you're objecting, this docket will... He's going to vote no. Beg your pardon, I misunderstood. Anyone else like to speak to this matter? Louis-Jeanne, you have the floor.

Thank you. I just wanted to make sure that the record is accurate. We talked a lot to the elections department about it, and they are agnostic, just agnostic on ranked choice voting. It is actually very, when you talk about what's required for the software for ranked choice voting, it actually already currently exists. And there are opportunities for us to improve our equipment. So in terms of like cost and burden, That's not an issue. We sat here with the commissioner, with Sabino. They profess no opinion on ranked choice voting as a policy choice. We are the legislators, and we decided on this body. I just want to make it very clear that if you go back and you review the testimony and the record, this whole petition which was signed by the mayor, They, the elections department, they really came in as sort of executors as to what it would be like to execute it, but they were agnostic on a position.

They did not express a position on rank choice voting. However, I do think it's important, right, this legislation passed this body. and I do want to have additional conversations with my colleagues and so I'm going to this resolution will will You will put it in committee. We'll not be seeking a vote on this today, but I do think it's important for us to realize and for us to state, you know, the chair of the government operations committee with Councilor Koleta Zapata, We had a lot of deliberations on this. We spoke to Sabino on this and then Commissioner DeVars on this on multiple occasions. or agnostic on it as a policy choice and just talked about the administration. I think that's very important to make clear. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Louijeune. Councillor Culpepper.

Oh, thank you.

Got it. And so this docket will be referred to the Committee on Census Redistricting and Elections. Yes, could anyone, would anyone like to add their name to this docket, the docket, the ranked choice voting docket? Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell.

This docket will be sent to the Committee on Census Redistricting and Elections. Mr. Chair.

Mr. Clerk.

Mr. Clerk, sorry, wrong one. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0356?

Dr. Number 0356, Councilor Santana, offer the following. Resolution in support, an executive order to protect Bostonians from unconstitutional and violent federal operations.

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

Thank you Madam President. Across the country our immigrant communities have been subject to violent attacks by federal agents. In response, Mayor Woos had an executive order nearly a week ago today which would protect our residents from these violent federal operations. The executive order prevents the warrantless use of city Property for Civil Immigration Operations instructs the BPD to investigate violence and criminal conduct by federal officials and protects our community spaces, our libraries, Senior Centers, Schools, amongst others. This legislation reaffirms Boston's commitment to diversity, public safety, and community in the face of state violence. In times like these, it's important that we as public officials Show solidarity in the face of division and terror. That's why I'm proud to introduce this resolution, which would reaffirm our body's commitment to the same values that underline the mayor's executive order

and our continued commitment to the protection of our Aberdeen communities.

Thank you Madam President.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I read the mayor's executive order. I believe it was six or seven pages, I think. There were several city departments that were mentioned As Council Santana mentioned, the Boston Police certainly, the Mayor's Office, the Legal Department, and other city departments where undocumented residents could in fact go. But is it appropriate, Madam Chair, for me to ask for a hearing just so we can understand What impact this would have or how the respective city departments would carry out their duties based on this seven-page executive order. Is it appropriate for me to ask Our colleagues, if we can hear directly from these city departments. I would like to learn more about it.

I don't want to be difficult to my council colleague, Councilor Santana, but I would like to know more about it. and I'm respectfully asking him if he would consider having a hearing so I can be more informed before I vote. That's not a lot for me to ask for Madam Chair.

Are you objecting to it?

Are you objecting to it? I do want to give my colleague an opportunity, if he wants to respond, he can, if not. I don't want to object to it, but I want to learn from it. That's the dilemma I have. I want to learn about this seven-page document. I just don't want to vote for something without knowing all the details. That's why I'm respectfully asking for a hearing. If the City Councillor Santana would agree to that.

Councillor Santana, Councillor Flynn is asking if you'd consider having a hearing on this docket. Would you like to answer?

Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Councilor Flynn. I understand the importance of education here. I'm bringing this forward representing many immigrant communities here in the city of Boston. I would like to move forward with a vote today. So if you would like a hearing, I would respectfully ask for him to block the resolution and we can proceed with that. But as of right now, I would like to proceed with a vote to represent the immigrant communities that I'm representing on this body. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Santana.

I'm also representing immigrant communities too. I have an exceptional record in support of immigrants. I don't want to take a backseat to anybody here and support of immigrants. But I still want to do my due diligence and ask appropriate questions to city department heads about what role, if any, They will have, I want to know what role the Boston Police Department will have. I want to know what role the law department will have. I want to know what happens if an undocumented person is in a public library. What will the I think those are appropriate questions for My colleagues as well to know some background information. When the mayor wrote the seven-page memo, I'm sure the mayor worked with several lawyers and the lawyers from the Boston Police Department.

I'm sure they've read it, and they discussed it, and they mocked it up, they edited it, and they made recommendations on how to improve it. That's called doing your due diligence. But on the same page, am I able to have that same courtesy allowing me to learn about this executive order, knowing how it will be enforced, how it will impact immigrant neighbors, how it will impact city officials. How will it impact our first responders? I think that's appropriate for me to ask those questions. I'm trying to do my due diligence. I don't want to be disagreeable. I want to be respectful to my colleague, but I do think we should have a hearing on it. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Anyone else like to speak on this matter? Are you formally objecting, Councillor Flynn? Yes.

Okay.

Docket 0356 would be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. Thank you. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 0357?

DOCUMENT NUMBER 0357. COUNCILOR LOUISIANO OFFERED THE FOLLOWING. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING US DISCHARGE PETITION NUMBER 15 TO ADVANCE FEDERAL LEGISLATION Providing Temporary Protected Status for Haiti. CHAIRMAN BERNANKE.

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

COUNCILMEMBER LOUISIANNE. Thank you, Madam Chair. Councillor Pippen had asked to be added to this, but he is not. Not here, but I just wanted to recognize Councilor Pippen and his ask. We're doing everything we possibly can under the sun to try to protect and preserve temporary protected status. This is a resolution. I'm seeking suspension of the rules for us to support discharge petition number 15 to advance federal legislation forcing a vote on temporary protected status in the House. This is legislation that has been offered by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley that has been signed by the entire Massachusetts delegation. It would force a vote on TPS, and it is hopefully helping to build public pressure We have been working in partnership with Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti with so many others in making sure that we are calling members of Congress that we are

putting pressure on the Trump administration that we are working in partnership with businesses and other communities to make sure that they are elevating the need for us to support temporary protected status. I encourage all of my colleagues to do what they can do as well to help us preserve TPS. There was a judicial order last week. There are motions being filed back and forth by plaintiffs and defendants in the DC Thank you. Thank you. who are Haitian who have temporary protected status that we support this legislation and for the thousands who are in Massachusetts and in this city who are working and living among us who are our neighbors and our residents that we

support this resolution. Just last week, there were three people who were fired from their job even after the judge's ruling, which stated, again, that during the pendency of the case, Everyone's TPS protections are in place, which means that they continue to have work authorization, that they can't be deported. And still, we had three residents in a Massachusetts facility here who were terminated. because of a work of journalism and the efforts of my office and the Attorney General who issued great guidance on this, we were able to get them their jobs back. It's just overwhelming the amount of confusion that is being caused that we are having to try to deal with just right now. getting a text message from a constituent whose job licensure is in jeopardy and it shouldn't be. And so we're trying to throw everything we can to temporary protected status here. And I urge my colleagues to join in support. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Louis-Jeanne. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Oh, Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Murphy, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Louis-Jeanne seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0357. All those in favour say aye. Aye. The ayes have it. Clare, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0357?

Councillor Breadon. Yes. Councillor Breadon, yes. Councillor Colletta-Zapata. Calera-Zapata, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Louijeune, Louisiana, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Webber, Weber, and Councilor Worrell. Docket No.

0357 has received 11 votes in the affirmative. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0358?

Docket number 0358. Councillor Murphy offered the following. Bless you. Resolution recognizing Irish American Heritage Month.

Murphy, who have the floor. Councillor Flynn is added. Oh, beg your pardon, my mic. I've got to get out. Do you want to repeat that, Councillor Murphy?

I would like to add Councillor Flynn, and I'd like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Fitzgerald.

Thank you. Councillor Flynn is added as a second, and seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Fitzgerald is added as a third.

Over the past two centuries, Irish immigrants and their descendants have played a vital role in the growth and development of the City of Boston. The Irish American community has enriched our cultural, social, and economic fabric, making enduring contributions that have helped shape the city into what it is today. As we celebrate Irish Heritage Month next month starting in March, we'll honor not only the national contributions of Irish Americans, but also the profound and lasting impact they have had on Boston's identity. helping to foster the spirit of perseverance, inclusion, and cultural richness. So as we're looking forward, there'll be a flag raising on March 4th and we will have a We'll have the presentation before the council meeting so we'll have Irish step dancers and the singers from the Elliott School and other Murphy.

The chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Council Murphy. Thank you for adding me as an original co-sponsor. Proud to join you. Proud to join Council Fitzgerald and all of my City Council colleagues celebrating the contributions, sacrifices the Irish have made to our city. and Nation.

Thank you Madam Chair.

I always get happy around this time of year. I think when any of us look at our heritage, whether it be our Olympic outfits on opening ceremonies, a Super Bowl halftime show, whatever each of our own individual cultures are, when the time comes up to celebrate it, I get excited for all of us because I know the feeling I get about mine and I get excited for others when they get that about theirs. And so this month that's coming up, it's a slog. It's a tough one. It's a lot of late nights. It certainly again brings me back to the roots and gets me proud of my own heritage in the history of this city and so I look forward to celebrating it this month. Thank you.

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

Thank you so much. I want to thank the sponsors for sponsoring this. As a proud Irish American, my family's from County Mayo and Sligo. I know that the beginnings of my family's time in the U.S. were not easy. They worked really hard to make sure that I could be where I am today and so to my grandfather and to all the Steele, Steele, Steele, Steele, Steele, Black Bay, the residential Black Bay. That was a community that was created to keep the Irish out. And so it's very important in a moment of bringing people together that that we celebrate how far we've come. I'm also very proud to represent the West End with lots of great Irish heritage and mission held.

So excited to celebrate and excited to host things in my district with seniors. So excited.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan. Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor. Thank you. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you Councilor Murphy for filing this resolution. I mean it's interesting I was just I was in the office yesterday playing back some remarks that I gave at the St. Patrick's Breakfast several years ago. And I just got invited again by Nick Collins Come to the St. Patrick's breakfast and have remarks again. But when I thought about those remarks that I made and the fun that we had, Councilmember Flynn, do you remember that? It brings Warmness to my heart to think about how we celebrated. So I'm looking forward to celebrating again at that breakfast. I'll have remarks prepared again. And we just had a great time. So I thank Councillor Murphy for following that. Thank Nick Collins for inviting me to that breakfast. And I look forward to celebrating St. Patrick's Day and during this month. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Durkan, Louis-Jeanne, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Councilor Murphy speaks, seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 0358. All those in favour say aye. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 0358.

Councillor Breadon. Yes. Councillor Breadon, yes. Councillor Colletta-Zapata. Collettis, Potter, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Louisianne, yes. Louisianne, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Weber, Councilor Weber, yes, and Councilor Worrell, yes, Councilor Worrell, yes. Docket number 0358 has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Docket 0358 has been adopted. Mr. Clerk, could you please read Docket 0359?

Dr. Number 0359, Councilors Culpepper, Pepén, and Coletta Zapata offer the following. Resolution to embrace and extend heartfelt wishes to the beloved Muslim community in Boston, Massachusetts, throughout the United States and across the globe, invoking blessings upon them as they embark upon the sacred journey of Ramadan.

A month revered for its rituals of prayers, fasting, charity and deep reflection.

Thank you.

Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Okay. Would anyone else like to add their name? you've already been added, Councilor Durkan, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Louisian, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the chair. Councilors Culpepper, Pepén and Coletta Zapata seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 0359. All those in favour say aye. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0359.

Councillor Breadon. Yes. Councillor Breadon. Yes. Councillor Colletta-Zapata. Yes. Councillor Colletta-Zapata. Yes. Councillor Culpepper. Culpepper, yes, Councilor Durkan, yes, Councilor Durkan, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Lujan, yes, Councilor Lujan, yes, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Weber, yes, Councilor Weber, yes, and Councilor Worrell, yes, Councilor Worrell, yes. Docket number 0359 has received Eleven votes in the affirmative.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Docket 0359 has been adopted. We're moving on to personnel orders. I would... Mr. Clerk, could you please read the personnel orders, docket 036...

and 0-3-6-0 and 3-6-1. Personnel Order Thank you.

The Chair moves for passage of Docket 0360 and 0361. All those in favour say aye. Thank you. Personnel Orders have been passed. Before we move on to green sheets, if anyone would like to add their name to a docket that they have missed or move to reconsider a vote. Councilor Durkan, you have the floor.

I know that on dockets 0128 and 0129 we need two votes, but I'd like to be registered in support of those two grants.

Thank you. Yes.

Does that need, okay. Did we need a seconder to consider reconsideration? Very good. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. We're now on to green sheets. Is anyone looking to pull anything from the green sheets? The Chair recognizes Councillor Santana, the Chair of Public Safety. Councillor Santana, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Clerk has notified ahead of today's hearing. Meeting, I would like to pull dockets 0130 and dockets 0136 for the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. The docket turn on page 9 of the green sheets.

Mr. Clerk, could you read both those dockets into the record? From the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, docket number 0130, messaging on authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $1,700,000 in the form of a grant for fiscal year 26 training academy earmark grant awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services to be administered by the fire department. The grant will fund the Boston Fire Department Training Academy to provide training and instruction for public safety agencies in the City of Boston and municipal and political subdivisions across the Commonwealth. Per line item 8324-000 of the Fiscal Year 26 General Appropriations Act. And document number 0136, message in order.

Authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $100,000 in the form of a grant for Fiscal Year 26 Delta Unit Air Mark Grant awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant would fund the Boston Fire Department to conduct dedicated emergency services through its Delta units consisting of three Delta unit vehicles assigned to Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, and Carson Beach, respectfully. Within the Old Harbor Reservation in the South Boston section of the City of Boston, seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, inclusive per line items 8324-0050 of the Fiscal Year 26 General Appropriations Act.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Absent objection, the motion of the committee chair is accepted and the dockets 0136 and 0130 are properly before the body. Councillor Santani, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam President. I am going to I know it's going to require two separate votes, but I'm going to speak about both of these dockets. The first one, as mentioned, 0130, the FY26 Training Academy Earmark Grant is a reoccurring grant earmarked by the state legislature and was discussed in previous NLBFD grant hearings by the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice in June of 2024 and most recently on April 25th, 2025. As Chair of the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee, will be working to schedule the committee's annual fire grants hearing to go over all BFD fire grants coming to the committee in 2026. The docket 0130 annually funds the fire department's training academy to provide training and instruction for public safety agencies in the city of Boston. BFD provided the committee with a one-pager on this grant, which I have reviewed as chair of the committee

and which echoes the testimony the committee heard in person during the hearing last April. The urgency for this grant is due to the nature of its grant expiration date of June 30th, 2026 With this grant, their budget can only be set up at 50% until they receive the council approval. The second grant, Docket 0136, the FY26 Delta Unit Earmark Grant is in the amount of This is a new allocation for the BFD as of FY26 and has not been discussed in the previous annual hearings. This grant is funded by the Department of Fire Services not the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. This name change in the docket has already been resolved with the Clerk. This grant would fund the Boston Fire Department to conduct dedicated emergency services to its Delta units consisting of three Delta units vehicles assigned to Castle Island

Pleasure Bay, and Carson Beach seasonally from the Memorial Day to Labor Day. This grant would allow for enhanced emergency response and public safety in these popular high traffic areas. Similar to Docket 0130, this grant is subject to a grant expiration date on June 30th, 2026, making the approval of these funds by this body essential in ensuring that our residents have access to life-saving specialized first response care when needed. As chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, I recommend moving these documents from the committee to the full council for discussion and for formal action At that time, my recommendation to the full council will be that docket number 0130 and 0136 all to pass. I'd like to give my colleagues an opportunity to speak if they would like to. Otherwise, I would like to push for a vote. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Santana. We'll start with Docket 0130. Councillor Santana, Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice. Moose for passage of Docket 0130. All those in favour say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0130?

Councillor Brayden. Yes. Councillor Brayden, yes. Councillor Colletta-Zapata. Gillespie, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Lujan, yes. Lujan, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, and Councilor Worrell. Royal, yes. Docket number 0130 has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Councillor Santana, Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, moves for passage of Docket 0136. Mr. Clerk, could all those in favour say aye? All those against say nay. Mr. Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket number 0136. Councillor Breen.

Yes. Councillor Breen, yes. Councillor Colletta-Zapata. Calazapati, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Louisa, yes. Lujan, yes, Councilor Mejia, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, Councilor Santana, Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Weber, yes, Councilor Weber, yes, and Councilor Worrell, yes, Councilor Worrell, yes. Dock number 0136 has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you Mr. Clerk. Docket 0136 has passed. Now we're moving on to late files. I'm informed by the clerk that we have, there are five file matters. Oh, there are eight.

We have...

Okay, so

I am informed by the Clerk that there are four personnel late-file matters, one communication from the Mayor, an emergency hearing order from Councillor Murphy and two Two letters of absent apologies. Mr. Clerk, could we start with the letters of apology and then we'll go to our communication to the Mayor. She goes first. Yes.

First late file from the Office of the Mayor. I transmit herewith with your approval and auto-appropriating from the Edward Ingersoll Brown Fund the sum of $650,000 for projects projected described in the attached letter. The Edward Ingersoll Brown Fund Commission has voted to approve these projects at their last meeting. It is my belief that the Commission that these projects will will for the ornament of its streets, ways, squares, and parks in such a manner as will promote the pleasure, comfort, education, patriotism, and good taste of its citizens as Mr. Brown directed. and his will in the year 1892. The two programs related to Boston historic markers program for 300,000 and the

Office of Historic Preservation and Boston Commemoration Commission management costs for $350,000. Thank you, Mr.

Clerk. I should have asked, absent objection, these late final matters have been added. Thank you. So, we've had the Mayor's communication. That will... Flynn, you have the floor

Yes, thank you Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm a member of the Brown Fund Committee. May I speak on this? Certainly. Thank you Madam Chair. I respectfully request suspension and passage of this docket. to allow the Edward Brown Fund Commission to advance a time-sensitive historic marker program in recognition of the nation's 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026. I have the opportunity recently to meet with the mayor's staff about these grants and I'm in approval obviously. To ensure the program is ready, funding must be available in February. This includes the $300,000 for mini-grants to nonprofit organizations to engage communities, research, and document potential markers. and prepare applications as well.

An additional $350,000 will support the Office of Historic Preservation in partnership with the Commemoration Commission. to design, fabricate, and install the first round of historic markers. This is the first phase of a citywide effort recognizing America's 250th and Boston's upcoming 400th anniversary. I respectfully ask for your support to suspend and pass this grant. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank you Councillor Flynn. The Chair moves for suspension and passage of this grant. I understand that it is an appropriation and requires a roll call vote. So, Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote to suspend and pass this grant?

Councilor Breadon?

Yes.

Councilor Breadon? Yes. Councilor Colletta-Zapata? Yes. Councilor Colletta-Zapata? Yes. Councilor Culpepper? Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Durkan, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Flynn, yes. Councilor Lujan, yes. Councilor Lujan, yes. Councilor Mejia, yes. Councilor Murphy, Murphy, yes. Council Vipin, Council Santana, yes. Council Santana, yes. Council Weber, yes. Council Weber, yes. And Council Worrell, yes. Council Worrell, yes. The mayor's late file has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Next, the four personnel orders. Mr. Clerk, could you read the four personnel

First personnel order from Councilor Breadon regarding central staff. Second personnel order from Councilor Breadon regarding central staff. Third personnel order, Councilor Breadon Her Office Staff, and Fourth Personnel Order, Councillor Breadon for Councillor Santana.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. All those in favour of passage of the personnel orders, please say aye. Thank you. Next, we have emergency hearing order. Mr. Clerk, is there a number on that?

No, no number.

I haven't got a number. Mr. Clerk, could you please read the emergency hearing order?

Offered by Councilors Murphy and Flynn, emergency hearing order regarding chronic school bus delays and special education transportation failures.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy. You have the floor.

I'd like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Fitzgerald please.

Seeing no objection Councillor Fitzgerald will be added as a third co-sponsor.

VPS provides transportation to over 20,000 students across the city each day and concerns regarding chronic and excessive bus delays have been ongoing and are not new to the district. Families, educators and community members continue to report transportation failures affecting schools across multiple neighborhoods. and the volume and repetition of these communications have significantly increased prompting the filing of this emergency hearing order. At One Boston High School, buses have reportedly arrived hours after dismissal, forcing students to remain at school into the evening on a recurring basis. In another neighborhood, a regularly assigned elementary school bus route has reportedly arrived more than an hour late on multiple days per week, including a recent delay of approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes at pickup time.

Another report indicated that a high school with door-to-door transportation for a special education student who was in a wheelchair had not arrived for more than two hours after dismissal leaving this student at school until after 6 p.m at a school that is released at 3 35 in the afternoon Such delays leave students at school well beyond normal hours, force teachers and school staff who are not contractually required to remain to stay on site to ensure student safety. and it leaves many families without safe and practical transportation alternatives when parents and guardians are at work or do not have access to a vehicle. Extended delays after dismissal disrupt family schedules and routinely cause students to miss after school programs Sport Practices, Tutoring, Dance Classes, and for many of our high school students paid work shifts that they rely on.

These examples are illustrative of a broader and ongoing pattern of transportation on reliability across the district. BPS allocates approximately 189 million dollars annually for student transportation representing a significant public investment that must result in safe and dependable service So I'm looking forward to having this hearing sooner than later so we can address these increasing concerns. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I will be brief. I just wanted to highlight one incident I heard among many incidents I heard frequently is the student that was in a wheelchair and picked up late at his school, three hours late. That just can't be accepted here in the city of Boston. I believe that's a civil rights issue. We can't just leave students with disabilities, students in wheelchairs, sitting, waiting for someone to pick them up for three hours. It's unfair. It's embarrassing and I do think it's a civil rights issue. Students with disabilities deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and we can't accept The status quo. Thank you Madam Chair.

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

Thank you Madam President. Thank you to Councillor Murphy for adding me as a co-sponsor. We have seen an uptick in emails and calls to the office around this issue. We're in constant communication with Dan Rosengard, BPS Transportation. and I know he is working with Transdev on trying to solve a lot of these solutions. So whatever we can do to support him and have a hearing and bring some light as to what the issues are and how we can better support those issues to make sure these incidents don't happen, that's what we'll try and do. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Fitzgerald. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Colletta Zapata, Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Louijeune, Councilor Santana, Councilor Weber, Councilor Worrell, and please add the Chair. Yes, we don't have a number. No, there's gonna be, sorry. Thank you. Councillors Murphy and Flynn and Fitzgerald. This hearing order will be sent to the Committee on Education. Thank you. Oh yes, and Mr. Clerk, could you please read the absence letters? Thank you.

First letter is from Councillor Mejia. I am ready to inform you that unfortunately I would be unable to attend today's City Council meeting. Due to my commitment at a conference in Washington, D.C., a representative from my staff will be listening in and following up upon my return. Sincerely, Councilor Julia Mejia. In the second absence letter, Dear Council President Breadon, Mr. Clerk, and colleagues. I regret to inform you that I had to leave the City Council meeting early due to a family matter that requires my attention. Councillor Enrique Pepén.

Thank you, Mr. Clerk. We've covered the late files. Those two letters of absence will be placed on file. Now we're moving on to the consent agenda. I have been informed by the clerk that there are no additions to the consent agenda. This question now comes on approval of the various matters contained within the consent agenda. All those in favour say aye. Thank you. The Consent Agenda has been adopted. A reminder, there will be no council meeting next week because it's President's Day. I'd like to wish a happy Lunar New Year to all who celebrate. Councillor Finn filed a resolution last

Weak, but it's on the 17th, so the happy new year of the horse to everyone. As mentioned earlier, Ramadan is just around the corner and we wish our Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed Ramadan season to those who celebrate. and also happy valentines to everyone thank you i think we got little uh goodies from a colleague councillor Durkan thank you sweetness So, we move on to memorials. Anyone for announcements? Okay, good to speak. We'll move on to memorials.

Announcement, one announcement.

And there's another one there. Councilor Louis-Jeanne, you have the floor.

Thank you. I just wanted to announce to the council and to everyone that next Saturday, In partnership with the Hustle List, my office, in celebration of Black History Month, we're doing a mobbing. The Hustle List has done these mobbings before in support of a thrift store in Dorchester, and we're partnering with them to go to five different locations, black-owned businesses, throughout the city. And I invite all of my colleagues. It's next Saturday from 1 to 7. We're starting at Bogle Split in the Back Bay, going to Just Bookish in Dorchester, Momitch in Dorchester, Boston Flower Company in Mattapan in District 7, Tavern in Roxbury. And so I invite everyone to join us to support Black-owned businesses which deserve our support during Black History Month and every month. Thank you.

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

I would just like to rise to wish my daughter a happy 28th birthday.

Thank you.

I'd like to remind everyone that next Wednesday is our Black History Celebration. We'll be here from 12 to 2. We've sent out memos to everyone asking for your nominee to be I recognize next Wednesday if you haven't sent your nominee and please get that name into my office as soon as possible so we want to make sure that everyone is recognized looking forward to a great celebration next Wednesday thank you

Culpepper. We're looking forward to the celebration. Councillor Durkan, you have the floor.

Thank you so much, Council President. I just wanted to make an announcement that I have a new member of my staff, Jessie Frazier, has just come on. So I just wanted to congratulate her on getting the job. And then we have Someone in my office that's moving to a new great City Hall job working for the Mayor, Sam Courage. So we have comings and goings in the District 8 office and I just want to congratulate them both on their next steps.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan.

Anyone else?

Moving on to memorials. Would anyone like to uplift a name? We'll start with Councillor Murphy.

Thank you. I would like to uplift Mr. Donovan. I went to grammar school with his son, but I'm keeping his wife, Chris, his children, Eric, Kelly, Amy and Andrew, and all of his grandchildren in our prayers. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilor Murphy. Councilor Louisianne, you have the floor.

Thank you. I wanted to uplift the passing of Philip Cohen Merrick, who is the father of my former staffer Cisnel Baez who now works in the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. Phillip has done so much for Our country, a black veteran, I believe his life exemplifies the values of service, courage, and community that we celebrate. He's a decorated Vietnam War veteran who served as a paratrooper and was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery. He was an educator dedicated to empowering young people, a community organizer committed to positive change, a tireless advocate for tenants' rights and housing justice, often found at the State House fighting for those in need, a snowboarding instructor who brought winter sports to our young people through YES Youth Enrichment Services, and a proud member of Veterans for Peace advocating for justice and reconciliation

but most importantly for my former staffer for Cisnell, he was a devoted father and he represents the best of what it means to serve not only this country during wartime but his community throughout his life. He dedicated himself to opening doors for young people who might not otherwise have opportunities standing up for tenants and families facing housing insecurity and building bridges of understanding and peace. So I wanted to just make sure that we ended today's council meeting in memory of Philip Cohen Merrick I also wanted to thank Commissioner Santiago for being supportive and helpful as we think about how we honor Phillip, a veteran who gave so much for this country. and just want to give my extended condolences to Cisnell and to her entire family during this time. I also wanted to continue to lift up my family as we More the loss of one of our matriarchs, Velita Louisiane, as we celebrate her life. I just wanted to continue to uplift her.

And just broke news, I know this matters for A few of us here who grew up in the time of Dawson's Creek, but James Van Der Beek, it was announced that he just passed away from his battle with cancer. I don't know about others, but for me, I grew up on Dawson's Creek and I felt like he was Part of my childhood and my teenage years. I just wanted to give my best to him and his family as they mourn his loss.

Thank you. Constable Louijeune, it's Vidya Louijeune.

Yeah, we already ended up. You don't have to say her name again.

And then the last person we have. Is James Van Der Beek. James Van Der Beek? Yes. Beek. Beek. Culpepper, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. I rise today to honor the life, legacy, and extraordinary service of Judge Leslie Harris, passed away at the age of 84. His passing is a profound loss for Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the many communities he served over the course of a distinguished career in law and public service. Judge Harris devoted his life to justice. Throughout his decades in the legal profession, including his service on the bench. He was known for his integrity, fairness, and deep respect for the rule of law. He approaches work with thoughtfulness and discipline, but also with humanity. Those who appeared before him understood that they would be heard and treated with dignity.

Beyond his judicial service, Judge Harris was a mentor, educator, and advocate for expanding opportunity and many others within the legal profession. He believed deeply in preparing the next generation of lawyers and strengthening institutions that serve the public good. His commitment to legal education Particularly those from unrepresented backgrounds leave a lasting mark on our region. Judge Harris understood that the law is not abstract. It shapes lives, families, and communities. He carried that understanding with him throughout all of his career. His leadership extended beyond the courtroom and to Civic Life where he worked to ensure that justice was not only administered, but accessible and principled. Today, we remember a man who dedicated his life to service,

to fairness, to mentorship, and to strengthening the institutions that anchor our democracy. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, former students, and all who were influenced by his example. His legacy will endure in the countless individuals that he guided and in the legal community that Judge Harris helped shape. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper. Today we adjourn our meeting in memory of the following individuals. On behalf of Councillor Murphy, Edward T. Donovan. On behalf of Councillor Flynn, Francis H. Kelly. On behalf of Councillor Pepén, Monsignor Frank Kelly. On behalf of Councillor Pepén and Louisianne, Philip Cohen-Marick. On behalf of Councillor Louisianne, James Van Der Beet. On behalf of Councillor Culpepper and all of the City Council, Judge Leslie Harris. and also remembering Carvel Curry. May we take a moment of silence please. The Chair moves that the Council adjourns today as it does in memory of the aforementioned individuals.

The Council is scheduled to meet again in the Ionella Chamber on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 12pm.