City Council

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

Thank you. Councillor Breadon Councilor Kaleta Zapata, here. Councilor Culpepper, here, Councilor Durkan, here Councilor Fitzgerald, councilor Flynn, here councilor Louijeune, council Mejia, council Murphy, yes Councilor Pepén, here Santana, Councilor Weber, and Councilor Worrell.

Thank you I have been informed by the clerk that a quorum is present Louijeune, and Councilor Pepén. Now it is my pleasure to call on the Clerk to offer some brief remarks as an invocation.

Good afternoon, everyone. Please stand. Blessed are the just for they have their reward and an indestructible integrity. Blessed blessed are they who labor in the vineyards of the public realm for they shall be remembered. Blessed are they who love their nation enough to praise its strengths and criticize its weaknesses, for they should be made wise. Blessed our public officials who are responsive to the needs of these the least of the people for they shall be deputies of the community blessed are those who serve the public good for their reward is in being used. Blessed are the powerful who acknowledge that power as both gift and responsibility for they know the binding obligations of their bounty. We especially ask for your blessings upon the members of the Boston City Council as they continue their good work on behalf of the people of this city on a hill.

Amen.

Thank you, we'll now recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America

We have two presentations today. First, we'll call up Councillor Durkan recognizing Opening Our Doors Festival and then Councillor Flynn recognizing the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Councillor Durkin you have the floor for five minutes.

Thank you so much. And I'd like to invite everyone who's here from the Opening Our Doors Committee. Good morning, this year marks 25th anniversary of opening our doors and all day festival of free cultural experiences in the Fenway from arts exhibits and musical performances. I've invited many of the organizations who make this incredible event possible, and I know we have the Fen way Alliance here Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, The Christian Science Monitor, Kazuyoshi Studios. I'm going to keep my remarks brief because I know we have a lot of people who are interested in saying a few words but I want to take a moment to recognize how special this is. The Fenway Alliance started, oh and Councilor Louijeune please get up here with me if you can so sorry I recognize what a special tradition this is. The Fenway Alliance started opening our doors in 2001 and they've started beginning, and they offered cultural offerings to the broader public actually last

A few years ago, the mayor actually said this was her inspiration for the Free Sundays program. So this is really the inspiration for a lot of the cultural offerings that our institutions offer It wouldn't have been possible without Kelly and now Genevieve, and just everyone who is a part of the Fenway Alliance. It's an inspiring example of what community partnership can accomplish. And the festival takes place every year on Indigenous Peoples Day, which organizers are intentional about acknowledging. It's also a day when these institutions might otherwise be closed so opening our doors creates a beautiful opportunity for our residents to come together and experience and appreciate the arts and culture that they might not otherwise have access to. I want to thank Councilors Louijeune and Santana for partnering with me on this. And I'm so excited to be part of this year's event, and I encourage all my colleagues to join me. It's 10 a.m., they start right on the dot at Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras this year

on October 12th. But today I have a resolution recognizing the 25th anniversary and naming October 12, 2026 as opening our doors day in the city of Boston and this does need to be voted on so I'm reading it now, but with my colleagues' help. Hoping that we can vote on this today. Whereas Opening Our Doors Festival, Boston's largest day of free cultural experiences was started by the Fenway Alliance in 2001 with a mission of opening our doors of Boston's iconic and historic institutions, growing from 12 locations in 2001 to a festival that spans the Fenway neighborhood and welcomes more than 10,000 and attendees annually. This partnership in this event is only possible thanks to the Fenway Alliance, its member institutions and all participating organizations, corporate sponsors, community partners, local artists and performers Now therefore be it ordered that the Boston City Council extends its gratitude to the Fenway Alliance for offering this all-day festival which and many more.

We celebrate their 25th anniversary and it was interesting Kelly reminded me and so all good ideas come, come all the way back to all the other District 8 Councilors who have done amazing things but it Fenway is a cultural area in a cultural district and that Lejeune. I want to invite my Kelly and Genevieve, and we also have Keith Elder who is the president of the Boston Music Symphony Orchestra here with us.

Thank you, Councilor Durkan. And I just want to say thank you to the Fenway Alliance. It's been great to meet with you and talk to you about ideas. And it was wonderful that there was like a Nor'easter last year The day of the Opening Our Doors, and our office has a tradition on Indigenous Peoples' Day but we couldn't do it because of weather. And so I ended up at the wonderful Opening Our Door Festival listening at the BYSO, listening to some of the young musicians who were incredible Our young talent here in the city is incredible. It made me very embarrassed that my mom paid for piano lessons because I don't know what it netted, but the kids are so talented and the fact that we have all these amazing cultural institutions in Fenway It's great, thank you for coming together to create this collaboration. And if anyone is able to on Monday it's a really great activity to bring your families too on days off. You don't even have to nudge your counselor just go with your families and have a really good time and as all of our institutions open their doors. So thank you to Kelly and Genevieve for your leadership, and thank you everyone who's a part of the alliance.

Thank you. I'm Kelly Brilliant, co-director of the Fenway Alliance. I want to say I'm honored and delighted to be here today. I wanna thank Councilor Durkan, Councilor Louijeune, and Councilor Santana And I'd also like to recognize all the other counselors in the room for giving us this incredible honor. I also want to recognize our chair, Councilor Zapata, for opening up the meeting today. Our chair of the Fenway Alliance is John Tobin. He's a former city councilor, as most of you know. He would have liked to been here. He had to have another meeting today but he sends his regards to everyone We thank John for his incredible leadership and making us smile while he's helping direct the organization. I just want to say a couple of brief words about the Fenway Alliance, as Councilor Durkan said we were started in 1977 even before my time there

and the purpose of the Fenway Alliance was initiated to better our community. That purpose in 2026 still remains, and we do that through a variety of initiatives. We work in public health We work to make our community greener. We worked to steward the Muddy River, the Olmstead Historic Parkway and we also do a free food. We join other organizations in free food distribution, but the initiatives that are the closest to my heart are the ones that involve Access to Culture in the Arts for All Bostonians. I conceived of opening our doors 25 years ago just for that purpose and I persuaded all of these other partners to join me in that dream. The institutions of the Fenway Alliance, including the ones that are here with us today, the First Church of Christ Scientist

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, Mass Arts, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, KJ Aso Studio and apologies if I'm forgetting anyone here but please know there's A whole bunch of others who work in this space to make this day the free, wonderful experience it is for children and family in Boston. So I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart They donate tons of talent. They bring their A-game cultural programming, time, talent and money is put into this day from the Fenway Alliance institutions and from all of our community partners, of which we now work with 20 community partners. So I wanna thank all of you for making this happen This was an idea. You made it work, so thank you. I also want to say that opening our doors is a tribute the name to when

Way back when, when director Malcolm Rogers opened the doors of the MFA on Huntington Avenue and I don't know if many of you here are old enough to remember but that front door had been shuttered for years before he made the figurative and symbolic gesture of opening that door to the public. That's how I thought of the name Opening Our Doors For our event, and that's really what we're all about. Opening these doors to amazing cultural gifts that the Fenway has to everyone in Boston. I want to now just bring up my partner in crime, Genevieve Day who has really brought opening our doors Thank you. This is a high point of our lives. A lot of the work we do is unglamorous.

This is a glamorous moment for us, so thank you all.

Thank you Kelly I'm Genevieve Day. I'm the co-executive director of the Fenway Alliance, and we are the producers of Opening Our Doors on Indigenous Peoples' Day. It's an honor and a privilege to receive this recognition of opening our doors on its 25th anniversary year. And thank you to the entire City Council, and especially Councillor Durkan Louijeune, and Councilor Santana for bringing forth this resolution. I also want to thank the Mayor's Office of Art & Culture and Mayor Wu for their ongoing and continued support of Opening Our Doors. It means a lot to us. Opening our doors welcomes all Bostonians to celebrate art in all its individual and varied forms, practiced by young and old with artists and performers from all backgrounds working in all artistic mediums.

Art, music, performance, dance connects us to each other in both ephemeral and lasting ways especially important in this moment where technology is threatening to commodify and co-opt art and the artistic practice. We know, in our hearts that this can never happen In the words shared recently by Pope Leo on the importance of artistic practice and creativity, Art nurtures the fundamental posture of listening through which we can learn about humanity's aspirations and wounds, our thirst for beauty, justice and peace, and our search for meaning. or simply to borrow from Walter Benjamin, real art has aura. So please come to opening our doors on October 12th in the Fenway and experience the magnificent and transitory yet lasting aura of Art, Music, Performance and Dance throughout the Fenway Cultural District.

Practice an instrument at Symphony Hall, go backstage and tour The Huntington's new production of To Gill a Mockingbird Visit the MFA and Gardner Museum for Indigenous Peoples Day performances and art making. Listen to a concert on one of the largest church organs in the entire United States. Make Art at a Giant Community Art Installation at New Edgerly Plaza and much, much more. We thank all Boston artists, performers, and community groups who have shared their artistry with us over so many years We celebrate this honor with them, with our artistic and cultural institutions in the Fenway, and with the Opening Our Doors Planning Committee some of whom are here with us today. So thank you for this honor it is very much appreciated.

And we are so excited also to have, some people call it BISO, some call it BYSO. Keith Elder thank you for being here and saying a few words on behalf of the committee.

Thank you. Good afternoon, and thank you for the opportunity to congratulate the Fenway Alliance of the 25th anniversary of the Opening Our Doors Festival. Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra and our youth center for music are so proud to be part of this Boston neighborhood and community. BYSO is more than a music program, it's a place where young People learn confidence, discipline, teamwork and the value of listening to one another. Every rehearsal teaches our students that their individual voice matters but something even more powerful happens when they create something together Opening our doors illustrates just that. Coming together and celebrating the impact we have as a creative community. It is what makes Boston spectacular, and on behalf of our nearly 600 young musicians We would like to thank you and congratulate the Fenway Alliance on the 25th anniversary of opening our doors.

And I'd like to invite my colleagues to come and take a photo with us.

There you are, okay.

Do you want me to give this to you again? Is that okay? This is actually not, no.

This is somebody else's notes. Okay, here, I'm going to give this to you then. Yeah, there you go.

Thank you so much to the Fenway Alliance. We appreciate everything you do to uplift creatives here in this city and provide access to arts and culture in our city. To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite novel, so I look forward to going to the Huntington Theater to see that. Thank you for calling that out. I would now like to bring up Councillor Flynn who will be recognizing the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Councillor Flynn, you have five minutes

Thank you, Madam Chair. And may I invite Rich Henlotter who's a 28 year nurse at the Brigham and Women Hospital to come? But I'd also like to ask Councilor Culpepper Murphy, if they'd like to please join me as well. Thank you, Rich and Rich from the Mass Nurses Association and the other nurses that are here and that called and advocated for dignity for workers. I want to thank the nurses and clinicians who are here today for continuing to advocate for their patients, their colleagues in urging Brigham and Women Hospital to immediately return to the table, negotiate in good faith.

Nurses and healthcare workers are essential to the health and safety of Boston, in our nation. In April this body, the Boston City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of nurses at Brigham and Women Hospital Issues included at the bargaining table included patient safety, Safe Workloads, Recruitment and Retention, Affordable Healthcare for Caregivers, but also Decent Wages, Dignity in Retirement. We stand here with the nurses, Mass Nurses Association and encourage the hospital to get back to the negotiating table immediately, provide a fair contract. It's about dignity and respect And this is about social and economic justice as well for nurses and patients.

I do want to give my colleagues an opportunity to offer brief remarks, and then I'm going to ask Rich if he'd like to respond as well with comments.

Thank you, Councilor Flynn. I too want to welcome the Massachusetts Nurses Association to the council and Flynn, I urge Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's to get back to the table, negotiate a fair, contract an affair. Wage for these nurses, this is not new to me. My mother was a licensed practical nurse and in those days it was a big thing I too know what 11 to 7 is all about. I'm not sure if you know what eleven to seven mean, when I say eleven to 7 but I watch my mother every night Put us to bed and then head out to work at 11.

And then to see her come in at 7 a.m. in the morning to get us ready for school. And I never understood how my mother did it. But she did it, and when I think about what the nurses are dealing with today we don't see The actual challenges that they have to go through. We don't see them leaving home at 11 p.m and coming back at 7 a.m to get their young folks and their children ready for school. And so I salute I thank the nurses today for all that they do, for all of us. For what would hospitals be without nurses? What would doctors be without

I lift the nurses up in a way that we realize their value and their significance, and their importance, and the good that they do. Nurses, we fight right along with you and with your 100%. And I hope that the hospital comes to the table in good faith to work out a fair contract. Thank you. Thank you, Councilor Culpepper.

Councilor Murphy?

Thank you. I often realize personally you never think about your health or a loved one's health until you don't have it and Needing Healthcare. So I just want to thank all of the nurses and their families out there, just like our first responders and Councilor Culpepper said it he lived it with his mom working you know 24 hour a day shifts not all Missing family events, but always when I'm on the picket line with the nurses and they're fighting for just dignity all they want is what is best for their patients. It's not selfish at all so We need to make sure. And when big corporations aren't willing to come to the table, that just tells you they know that they do not want to talk to the organizers. So thank you to the MNA and other unions who I know are fighting across this city—so many of our hospitals and the nurses are going out on strike.

That's a scary thing to do, and they do not want to leave their patients without the care they know they provide so thank you for taking that risk know that ourselves and I know this body is behind you, and we'll do whatever we can to make sure you get what you deserve. So thank you.

Thank you. Rich, a 28-year nurse at the Brigham and Woman Hospital.

Hello, everyone. My name's Rich Hanlott. I'm a nurse at the Brigham. I've been in the ER there for 28 years. Thank you for listening to us. Thanks for supporting us. We're basically here To get safe care for our patients. And by that we need the Brigham, Mass General Brighum to come to the table and at least negotiate with us. They're refusing to really talk to us about anything unless we concede all points that were asking for and to me, that's not negotiating. They claim from what I heard they sent out an email to anyone that has Gateway that's a patient there yesterday or today stating their business next week will be the same as it is currently We have 4,000 highly skilled nurses at work there that provide care to all of our patients. And I don't see them getting 4, 000 nurses to replace us and from what I understand the last strike did not go well And I think that when we look

You know, towards next week and going down on Wednesday. None of the nurses really want to do this. We don't wanna be putting this predicament where we have to either choose You know, taking whatever the Brigham is offering us which isn't a lot or going out on strike. And none of us want to go out and strike that's not gonna provide safe care for our patients it's not It's not going to be good for anyone here in the city. And so we're asking that the Brigham at least come to the table and actually try to negotiate with us instead of offering us no, no, and no for their responses. That is probably the biggest thing that we have here today. And we just feel that they need to be able to negotiate in good faith, which no one on my side of the table feels what they're doing when all their responses are no. Thank you for listening to us. I hope that we can get a resolution soon and get back to doing the things that we do, and I love being a nurse.

I love taking care of patients, and all my colleagues feel the same way, and none of I really want to do this, and it's very emotional for a lot of us. So I do appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you, Rich. Could I ask my council colleagues to please join us for a photo? We will be voting on a resolution later in the agenda but i do want to say thank you to the Mass Nurses Association and the nurses that are present Oh, we cannot.

We can't have signs. I'm sorry. Thank you so much to the Massachusetts Nurses Association. I thank you to all nurses who work every day to keep us healthy and safe. Brigham, especially. My mother during COVID was intubated at the height of the pandemic and you all were there by her side when we could not be there so thank you and we stand with you as you call for economic dignity insurance Mr. Clerk, would you please amend the attendance to reflect?

Councillors Fitzgerald and Mejia are present. Now on to the first order of business, which is approval of the minutes from the meeting of September 30th, 2026. All those in favor say aye, all those opposed say nay. The ayes have it. The minutes of September thirtieth meeting are approved. We are now on to communications from Her Honour the Mayor. Mr Clerk, can you please read docket 1883?

Doctrine number 1883, message not authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $3,250,220 in a form of a grant. Boston NPO surplus fiscal year 2016. Community Connections Grant Program awarded by the Mass Metropolitan Area Planning Council to be administered by the Transportation Department. The grant would fund support for new e-bikes and spare batteries for the bike share system.

Thank you. Docket 1883 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. Mr. Clerk can you please read docket 1884 and 1885 together?

Docket number 1884, message in honor authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $103,239.10 in the form of a grant The Fiscal Year 27 Local Consumer Aid Fund Grant awarded by the Mass Attorney General to be administered by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Licensing. The grant will fund staff costs, outreach materials, and operational expenses to conduct the Consumer Affairs Program. Docket number 1885, message in order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $14,272.98 in the form of a grant. Wagner Pizer Program Supplemental awarded by the United States Department of Labor passed through the Mass Hire Department of Career Services to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development.

The grant will fund the individual re-employment needs of unemployment insurance claimants, as well as prevent and detect improper benefit payments and Application Assistance for Training in Education Resources and Programs.

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

Thank you, Chair. The Local Consumer Aid Fund or document number 184 is a local consumer aid fund that's awarded by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. The grant supports the operations of Boston's Consumer Affairs Program, including salaries and personnel costs for consumer affairs, education and outreach on consumer rights, protection and resources and office equipment in operational needs. The Consumer Affairs Program provides direct assistance to Boston residents. Consumer complaints are initially received and managed by the Attorney General's Office, which refers cases to the City's Consumer Affairs program for investigation and resolution when appropriate. At this time I'm recommending that docket number 1-884 ought to pass, and then docket 1885 is a small dollar amount grant. It's a little over $14,000.

It'a grant through Mass Highway Department of Career Services which is also administered by the Office of Workforce Development which would fund the re-employment needs of our residents. These funds are federal formula dollars meant to support employment services at one stop career centers such as our two mass hire centers in Boston, and then also connecting job seekers to open positions, and employers to individuals seeking work. And at this time I also recommend that document number 1885 ought to be suspended and passed. Thank you.

Thank you. We will vote on these one at a time. Councilor Flynn, would you like to provide remarks?

Yeah, Madam Chair, may I speak on Docket 1884?

You may.

Thank you I do want to acknowledge the Massachusetts Attorney General, Andrea Kimball and her team for the work they are doing on consumer affairs throughout the Commonwealth but also here in Boston. Award that Boston is receiving consumer supporting consumers in the public as a critical part of city government, of state government as well. I want to say thank you to our officials here in the city, but also to the Attorney General's office as well. Thank You Madam Chair.

All those in favor say nay. The ayes have it, thank you docket 1884 has passed Mr. Clerk excuse me Councilor Worrell seeks suspension of the rules and passage of Docket 1885 all those in favour say aye All those opposed say nay. Call the vote. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Councillor Breed. Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Yes.

Councillor Caleta-Zapata yes. Councillor Culpepper. Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes. Councilur Durkan, yes, Councilor Fitzgerald? Yes Councilor Fischel, yes Councilor Flynn? Yes Counselor Flynn, yes Counselor Louieune? Yes, Counselor Mejia? Yes Murphy, yes. Councilor Pepén? Yes. Council Santana? Yes, Council Weber? Yes and Council Worrell? Yes Councilor Worrell yes. Doctrine number 1885 has received 12 votes in the affirmative

Thank you, docket 1885 has passed. Mr. Clark can you please read dockets 1-886 through 1-888?

Docket number 1- 886 message not authorizing the City of Boston Property Management Department to enter in a contract for a period of up to 20 years, to manage maintain expand and modernize the city's advertising supported coordinated street furniture program including bus shelters public toilets Information panels, digital displays, benches and related public realm amenities. The newly reimagined program is intended to improve the attractiveness of public transit as a commuting option. along with Comfort, Accessibility, Equity, Real-Time Information and Maintenance across Boston's streetscapes while increasing advertising revenue and strengthening city oversight.

The initial contract term would begin in May 2027 and end on April 30th, 2037 with two five-year extensions possible at the city's sole option. Docket number 1887 Message in Audit Pursuant to General Laws Chapter 40, Section 15A that certain portions of Hitchborn Street, Brighton discontinued by vote of the Public Improvement Commission on May 22nd, 2025. as shown on a set of plans, City of Boston Public Works Department Engineering Division discontinue its plan. Hitchborn Street, Brighton, Boston in the Brighton neighborhood. One sheet dated August 29, 2023 is transferred from discontinued street parcel to sale parcel. Document number 1-888 message in order that pursuant to general laws chapter 40 section 15a

that certain portions of Congress Street and Sleeper Street in South Boston discontinued by vote of the Public Improvement Commission on June 25th, 2026. As shown on a set of plans, City of Boston Public Works Department Engineering Division Vertical Discontinuance Plan, Congress and Sleeper Street 308 through 316 Congress Street, South Boston. Two sheets dated March 23rd, 2026 is transferred from Purpose of discontinued street parcel to sale parcel.

Thank you. Dockets 1-886 through 1-888 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation. We are now onto reports of public officers and others. Mr. Clerk can you please read docket's 1- 889 through 16.

Talking number 1889, notice received from the Mayor on the appointment of Reggie Elkowitz as a member of the LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring September 28th, 2028. Document number 1890, notice received from the mayor. The appointment of Gary Daffin as a member of the LGBTQIS2S+, Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring September 28, 2028. Talking number 891-1891. Notice was received from the Mayor. of the appointment of Alex Eberhardt as a member of the LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring September 28, 2028. Docket number 1892.

Notice received from the Mayor of the appointment of Jack Impergarmo as a member of the LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring. September 28, 2028. Document number 1893. Notice was received from the mayor of the appointment of Mickey Jones as a member of the LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring September 28, 2028. Docket number 1894, notice received from the mayor of the appointment at Mercedes Loving Manley as a member of the LGBTQIA community. 2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring September 28, 2028. Docket number 1895. Notice received from the Mayor. The appointment of Ricardo Martinez as a member of the LGBTQ...

IA2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring September 28, 2028. Talking number 1896, notice received from the Mayor, appointment of Gabriel Rivas Orellana as a member of the LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring September 28, 2028. Docket number 1897. Notice received from Mayor, the appointment of Lily Rose Ballore as a member of the LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring September 28th, 2028. Dock number 1890, notice received from the mayor of the appointment of Gretchen Van Ness as a member of the LGBTQIA2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for term expiring. September 28th, 2028.

Docket number 1899, notice received from the mayor of the appointment of Finn Gardner as a member of the LGBTQ IA 2S Plus Advancement Advisory Council Steering Committee for a term expiring October 1st, 2028. Document number 1900, notice received from the mayor. of the reappointment of Joanne Freeman Fanfan as a member of the Boston School Committee nominating panel for term expiring September 30th, 2028. Document number 1901, notice received from the mayor of the re-appointment as a member of the Boston School Committee nominating panel for term expiring on September 30th, 2028. Document number 1902. Notice received from the mayor the reappointment of Jerry Holland as a member of the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel for a term expiring on September 30th, 2028.

Document number 1903, notice I received from the Mayor of the appointment of Mindori Murakawa as a member of the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel for a term expiring September 30th, 2027. Docket number 1904, notice received from the Mayor at the appointment of Tiffany Benson as a Member to the Boston Committee nominating panel for a term expiring September 30th, 2028. Document number 1905. Notice received from the mayor of the appointment of Isao Bustamante as a member of the Boston School Committee Nominating Panel for a term expiring on September 30th, 2028. Document number 1906 that was received from the mayor of the appointment of Colleen Coffey as a member of the Boston School Committee nominating panel for term expiry on September 2028.

Document number 1907, notice received from the mayor for the appointment of Jason Gallagher as a member of the Boston School Committee nominating panel for term expiring September 30th, 2028 Doctrine number 1908 note was received from the mayor of the appointment of Shamika Moreno as a member of the Boston School Committee nominating panel for a term expiring September 30th, 2028. Doctrine number 1909. Notice received from the mayor, the appointment of William Thomas as a member of the Boston School Committee nominating panel for term expiring September 30th, 2028. Doctrin number 1908. 10. Notice received from Council President Breadon of her absence from the October 7, 2026 Boston City Council meeting. Document number 1911. Notice was received from the city clerk in accordance with Chapter 6.

of the ordinances of 1979 regarding action taken by the mayor and papers acted upon the city council at its meeting of September 16, 2026. Docking number 1912. Notice received from the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Ordinances of 1979, regarding action taken by the Mayor and papers acted upon by the City Council at its meeting on September 23rd, 2026. Docket number 1913, communication was received from Councilor Flynn transmitting the 2026 Downtown Boston Public Safety Survey. Docket Number 1914, communication received from regarding public safety in downtown Boston. Docket number 1915, communication was received from Councilor Murphy citing the record straight regarding her work and the council's late filing practice. And docket number

Communication received from Timothy J. Smith, Executive Officer of the Boston Retirement Board regarding results of the election. and Sean F. Kelly were elected to serve as trustees of the Boston Retirement Board for a three-year term.

Thank you, Doc. It's 1-889 through 1916 will be placed on file. Mr. Clerk, we are now on to reports of committees. Mr. clerk would you please read docket 1805?

Docket number 1805 the committee in census redistricting and elections to which was referred on September 23rd 2026, document number 1805. Resolution in support of question four to establish election day voter registration in Massachusetts submits a report recommending that the resolution ought to be adopted.

Thank you. The chair recognizes the Chair of the Committee on Census, Redistricting and Elections. Councilor Louijeune, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I want to thank central staff to start with for this committee report. We held this hearing on two dockets on a docket about O'Neill. Thank you very much for joining us today. We're going to talk about election preparedness and accessibility, ensuring that our elections department is able ensuring access to democracy for our residents, and also on a resolution on question four. The Committee on Census Redistricting in Elections was referred that this docket, docket number 1805 resolution in support of question four to establish election day voter registration in Massachusetts. The other docket remains in committee so this committee report is just going to be about the resolution This matter was sponsored by Councilors Ruzzi-Louijeune and Liz Breadon, and was referred to the committee on September 23rd, 2026. Summary of legislation, docket number 1805 resolves that the Boston City Council supports ballot question four to establish secure and accessible election day voter registration

throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Question four, as it appears on the November 3rd, 2026 statewide ballot would allow eligible residents to register or update their address at their polling place for the precinct in which they reside on election day by providing proof of residency and signing an oath affirming their citizenship, age, eligibility, and that they have not voted and will not vote elsewhere in the same election. If approved, Question 4 would take effect on January 1, 2028, providing the Commonwealth and its municipalities time to establish procedures, train poll workers, educate the public, and prepare for effective implementation. And it was great to hear from the City Council alum, now head of the Elections Department, Kerry Jordan about his belief in the elections department's ability to execute on election day registration should it become the law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I want again congratulate him on the role and thank him for his leadership in this city I think that was his first hearing in front of us as the new head of the election department.

The committee heard testimony from the administration, which included Kerry Jordan, Executive Director of the Boston Elections Department. Paul Chong, Commissioner City Records and Sabina Pamonti, Head Assistant Registrar of Voters, Boston Election Department. The committee also heard some community advocates including Tracy Griffith, Director of the Racial Justice Program at the ACLU of Massachusetts. Simone, Staff Attorney at Lawyer for Civil Rights. Celia Canavan, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters in Massachusetts and Cheryl Clyburn Crawford Executive Director of MassVote, Chair of Question 4 Ballot Committee and executive committee member of the NAACP Boston branch. We also heard testimony from Rahsaan Hall, Executive Director of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. I want to thank all of them, especially Cheryl who's devoted so much of her time to ensuring that Election Day registration in Massachusetts could happen and is going to do that all the way till election day. I want to thank my colleagues who attended, council

President Breadon, Councilor Flynn, Council Weber, Council Mejia, Council Worrell. And we also received an absentee letter from Councilor Pepén. The community panelists expressed the urgent need for election reforms to remove barriers and make democracy more inclusive. They discussed this report for question four, stating that enabling same-day voter registration would secure increased participation especially among marginalized groups, voters of color renters, transient populations, our residents who are without homes. The evidence of this was shown by the example of the 24 states plus Washington DC that currently have and allow same day registration. The community panelists stated that these measures have also resulted in no increase in fraudulent voting. They added that the proposed implementation delay until 2028 allows for comprehensive training administrative adaptation. The administration stated OK, I already said that when I was congratulating Carrie that they'd be ready. They're ready.

Committee chair recommended action as chair of the committee on census redistricting and elections. I recommend moving the listed docket from the committee to the full council for discussion and formal election. At this time, my recommendation to the full council will be this resolution ought to be adopted I want to thank my colleagues for coming and for adding to a rich conversation, not just about question four but really about what we can do to make elections more and many more. Thank you. and we have more work to do to bring more people into the work of democracy. And so I want to thank everyone. You know, I know that as an elected elections mean one thing but just as a person who cares deeply about democracy and about government working for people. As an attorney who worked on elections, there's so much more that we can be doing as a city, as a commonwealth to make elections

We've talked about making election day a holiday. We talked about examples in other countries that require voting, and so there's so much more we can be doing alongside our advocates in making democracy real for every person in the city. And question four is one step. So I hope the council hopefully unanimously passes this resolution, and I hope that residents vote for it on Election Day.

Thank you. Thank you, Councilor Louijeune. Councilor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. I also want us to factor in as part of the conversation and to acknowledge that The City of Boston Election Department is currently under the receivership of this Secretary of State. Why? During the 2024 presidential election, poll workers reported issues of citywide ballot shortages, ballots in incorrect language and calls to the Election Department that went unanswered. This caused unnecessary and unreasonable wait times for residents, many who left without casting a vote. On February 2025 following an investigation Into these issues, the Secretary of State announced the appointment of a state receiver.

As Election Day voter registration may place additional responsibilities on poll workers, we need to ensure to require additional training, coordination and the resources to ensure the process is implemented accurately I believe that's what our panelists also called for. We need to work hard and bossed to ensure election officials and poll workers have the necessary resources and support they need from us as municipal Officials. Last week I went to a community event sponsored by the Jeremiah Group and I talked with Representative Russell Holmes, mostly woman that were there, and we went and discussed each question in length probably for about two hours. It was a wonderful conversation. I want to acknowledge Russell Holmes in explaining

All the ballot initiatives, including this one which generated a lot of support. I support expanding access to voting but let's also continue to focus our responsibility to ensure that our elections are administered effectively Given the recent challenges in our election department, our top priority must be to continue to make sure every person that is eligible to vote can cast their ballot without unnecessary delays, confusion Barrias. Finally, let us also acknowledge the men and women of the U.S. military that gave us the right to vote. Thank you Madam Chair.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I want to thank my colleague Councilor Louijeune and Councilor Breadon for hosting and sponsoring this hearing as someone who won by one vote I am the poster child for how important it is to give people access to the ballot and sometimes right on the spot. When I ran in 2019, I came across so many people who felt disenfranchised and when they had the opportunity to register and to vote, it felt like their vote mattered. But then I also came across people on election day that were like oh my god! I didn't even register. I don't even know where I live because I've moved so many times, because I'm housing insecure. and we're creating so many barriers for people, particularly low-income people who the decisions that we make impact their lives the most. And so this is an opportunity for us to really demonstrate

What it looks like to support democracy and giving people the opportunity to register to vote right then and there is giving people agency over their lives. And that's what we should be focusing on here on this council. is creating more opportunities for people to feel like their vote matters and that they have many pathways I'm very excited to vote in favor of this resolution. And I also just want to acknowledge that oftentimes we present resolutions here on the floor and then Sometimes we object to them and then they go into committee because there's an opportunity to discuss them further. I think what we need to start getting into the habit of is identifying what is a resolution that is a no-brainer and what is a resolution that requires more discussion.

And I think that, that is something that I'm going to encourage us to really start thinking about as we continue Move in this work. And so, this resolution was a no-brainer when it was presented And we'll continue to be a no-brainer as we move forward with a favorable vote. So thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Councilor Mejia. Councilor Pepén, you have the floor.

Thank You Madam chair Thank you to the makers of this resolution. I am fully in support of it because of what it stands for, it's about voter access It's about making sure that our residents have an opportunity that on election day, if they want to vote and we're not aware, they still have the opportunity to vote. I know very well what it is to speak to a resident On election day, if it's on either the preliminaries or the final general election that you go up to them and they're on the streets and you hand them your card saying hey we'd love for you to go vote. And they're not registered and they mention that to you And they are simply just, you know, they forgot it was election day or they forgot about their registration. Or maybe they thought they were registered and they're not registered and want us to vote. This will make it easier for them. This is why we have to change this across the state, not just here in the city of Boston. I really believe in Question 4 and what it stands for.

And I just want to make sure that here in The City of Boston and the City Council, we stand to make it easier for people to go out to vote on Election Day. And that's why I want to support this resolution, and I thank the makers for bringing it forward. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank You Councillor Pepén, Councillor Durkan you have the floor. Thank you so much chair there have been so many constituents of mine that have been disenfranchised by the current system and it matters deeply to me especially as someone who represents a young population, who represents district that touches 12 colleges and universities. This last election Thank you for joining us. So I think it deeply matters and I know there's been a lot of evolution at the State House on this as well, I'm strongly in support of this and look forward to voting yes.

Thank you, Councilor Durkan. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? The chair of the Committee on Census, Redistricting and Elections seeks acceptance of the committee report in adoption of docket 1805. All those in favor say aye. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Councillor Breadon. Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Yes.

Councillor Culpepper, yes. Councillor Durkan, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn? Yes. Council Flynn, yes, Council Louijeune? Yes Council Loujeune, yes Council Mejia? Council Meijia, yes Counselor Murphy? Yes Counselor Murphey, yes Councillor Pepén? Yes Councillor Pepen, yes Council Santana, yes. Council Weber? Yes. Council Webber, yes and Council Worrell? Yes Council Worrell, yes Token number 1805 has received 12 votes in the affirmative

Thank you. The committee report has been accepted and docket 1805 has been adopted. We're now on to matters recently heard. Mr. Clerk, would you please read dockets 1829 through 1838?

Docket number 1829, message in order to reduce fiscal year 27. Appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $268,887 to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association. Document number 1830. Message in order for a supplemental appropriation on it for the Boston Public Schools Department. For fiscal year 27, the amount of $268,887 to cover the fiscal year-27 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association. The terms of the contract are September 1st, 2026 through August 31st, The major provisions of the contract include a base wage increase of 2% in October 2024, 2025 and 2026.

and a flat dollar amount increase of $250, $900 and $800 to be added to annual salaries in January of 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively. Docket number 1831. Message in order to reduce the fiscal year 27 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $111,802 to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools for the fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Schools Police Superior Officers Federation. Document number 1832, message in order for supplemental Appropriation Order for Boston Public Schools for Fiscal Year 27 in the amount of $111,802 to cover the fiscal year 27 cost items contained within collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee

and the Boston School Police Superior Officers Federation. The terms of the contract are July 1st, 2024 through June 30th, 2027. The major provisions of the contracts include a base wage increase of 2% in October of 2024, 2025 and 2026. And a flat dollar amount increase of $250, $900 and $800 to be added to annual salaries in January of 2025, 2026 and 2027 respectively. Docket number 1833, Messaggiano to reduce Fiscal Year 27 appropriation of the reserve for collective bargaining by $85,879 to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools. For the fiscal year 27 increases contained within the Collective Bargaining Agreement

between the Boston School Committee and SEIU Local 888 Professional Employees Chapter, Department of Planning and Engineering. Docket number 1834, message in order for a supplemental appropriation order for Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 27, the amount of $85,879 to cover the fiscal year-27 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and SEIU Local 888. Professional Employees Chapter, Department of Planning and Engineering. The terms of the contract are September 1st 2026 through August 31st 2027. The major provisions of the country contract includes a base wage increase of 2% in September of 2026 and a flat dollar amount of $800 added to annual salaries in January of 2027. Docket number 1835, message in order to reduce fiscal year at 27

Appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by $40,365 to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 27. Increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston School Department Plant Administrators Association. Document number 1836, message in order for a supplemental appropriation order. for the Boston Public Schools for Fiscal Year 27 in the amount of $40,365 to cover fiscal year 27 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Department Plant Administrators Association. The terms of the contract are September 1st, 2026 through August 31st,

The major provisions of the contract include a base wage increase of 2% in September 2026 and a flat dollar amount of $800 to be added to annual salaries in January of 2027. Docket number 1837, message in order to reduce the fiscal 27 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by $10,320. Revive funding for the Boston Public Schools for the fiscal year 27 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and AFL-CIO, Council 39, Local 2814. Storekeepers and Stores Deliverymen Union Doctrine number 1838, message in order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 27 and the amount of $10,320 to cover the fiscal year

Cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston School Committee and AFL-CIO Council 93, Local 2814. Storekeepers and Stores Delivery Men's Union The terms of the contract are September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. The major provisions of the Contract include a base wage increase of 2% in September and a flat dollar amount of $800 to be added to annual salaries in January of 2027.

Thank you, Clerk. Please get some water. Yes, I need it. The Chair recognizes the Chair of Committee on Ways and Means. Councilor Weber, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. On Tuesday October 6th the Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing on docket numbers 1829 to 1838 which are 10 appropriation orders that will reduce the reserve for collective bargaining in order to appropriate approximately $517,000 to the Boston Public Schools. This appropriation would cover fiscal year 27 increases contained within CBAs between the Boston School Committee and the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association, Boston School Police Superior Officers Federation, the Boston Department Plant Administrators Association the storekeepers and stores delivery union who are part of AFL-CIO Council 39 local 2814. and planning and engineering professionals who are part of SEIU Local 888, the professional employees chapter. The committee on Tuesday was joined by Councillors Murphy, Flynn, Louijeune, Fitzgerald, Culpepper and Worrell

as well as the Office of Budget Management Director Jim Williamson, PPS's Office of Labor Relations Director Jeremiah Hassan Hasson, Office of Safety Services Chief and Executive Director for BPS Izzy Marrero, and BPS Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. The hearing centered around the approval of these 10 appropriation orders tied to five recent BPS union contracts, mostly one-year agreements providing a 2% general wage increase and an additional The panelists included the Labor Relations staff. provided explanations of the cost, the contract terms, operational status helping to clarify issues and support you know the path toward our approval. We heard that this these contracts cover roughly

50 members are covered by the patrolman's contract, about 19 individuals are covered in the Superior Officer's Contract. About 37 individuals are covering in the Planning Engineering Contract and 16 by the plant administrator's contract and another six under the storekeeper's contract. As Director Williamson stated at the hearing, there was approximately $22 million for collective bargaining and the reserves at the start of fiscal year. And since the start-of-the-year, this body's approved around $3.3 million to be taken from the reserves for separate CBAs The collective bargaining agreements discussed on Tuesday requires to take an additional $517,000 out of reserves to satisfy the conditions contained within the collective bargaining agreement.

We did have a request at the hearing from some of my colleagues for a memorandum of understanding between BPS and the Boston Police Department governing their involvement in the schools. As the chair, we reached out for that memorandum of understanding. We were told there is no executed memorandums of understanding to provide us so I don't have that I think we have the right to ask for documents and for as much information as we can get from the administration. I'm not sure it's directly relevant, the MOU to our discussion today about whether to give these increases for that reason is the committee chair I'm going to seek acceptance of the committee report and passage of these dockets before you today. Thank you very much.

Thank You so much Council Weber, I apologize. I know that council Murphy had her light on first and then it was Councillor Mejia and then Flint

Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you to the chair of the committee. I'm looking forward to voting in favor of all of these. Thank you clerk for reading them all. I did just want to stand as someone who worked It is a village. I know we are here and we advocate for our teachers all of the time, but there's so many other individuals that show up every day making sure that the heat turns on That our students are fed, that the school buses have drivers. So there's so much more than just what goes on inside the classroom. So always thank you to our teachers and administrators but all of these contracts show how much It really does take to have a school department run smoothly. So looking forward to supporting them, thank you.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I want to thank Chair Weber for yesterday's hearing and although I was unable to attend myself my team watched and then reviewed with me the hearings And typically, all of these dockets would just pass. But there are a few outstanding questions about some of these contracts that are in offices and departments that are currently being investigated by the Office of Inspector General's report on BPS that came out in late August. And we need to do our due diligence and ensure that BPS offices and departments, in the OIG report are following proper contracting protocols, policies and procedures. And until that is done I am uncomfortable voting in favor of these contracts. However, and I want to be really clear for the record I do support our unions and our workers, and I do not want to vote against their contracts.

They worked really hard to negotiate and so I just want to be really clear that for me this, I am feeling conflicted in regards to the what we're communicating to the public. in regards to some of these things that are still outstanding. And therefore, I will be voting present on dockets 1833 through 1838. just for the record. So folks know why, now you know.

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

Thank You Madam Chair. I rise in support of these dockets, although there's a lot of outstanding issues that we haven't addressed as Councilor Mejia mentioned. As well as the $900,000 misappropriation of city funds at Boston Public School System. There was a devastating report issued by the State Inspector General on misappropriation basically of city funds. And what impact does that have on students, on teachers, on a public education? On these collective bargaining contracts We really don't know. I did ask some of those questions but did not get the right answers, but we're going to be voting on these dockets without

I spent an hour and a half last night with the St. Stephen's Youth Group in the South End listening to Parents and guardians of students with disabilities, English language learners, immigrant students. Asking a lot of issues that we focus on here Well, we should be focusing on the city council. But these parents were asking me questions about what impact does the recent layoff of paraprofessionals have? And they're explaining to me that there's a lot of paraprofessionals now that are not in classrooms, and it's impacting the quality of life in public education for their child. We can go ahead and support these contracts, and we all will.

but we're doing a disservice to students and teachers when we were afraid to ask difficult questions to hold the administration in the department accountable for the poor Dirkney, and the four.

Thank you. I stand with and for collective bargaining, so I will be voting yes.

Thank you Thank You Councillor Durkan the chair of The Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report in We're going to do this individually. In passage of Docket 1829, all those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Roll call vote on Docket 1829. Councilor Breadon, Councilor Coletta Zapata? Yes. Councilo Coletta-Zapata, yes. Council Calpepper? Yes Councilor Culpepper, yes Councilor Durkan? Yes Councillor Durkan, yes, Council Fitzgerald? Yes, sir. Council FitzGerald, yes Counselor Flynn? Flynn, yes. Councilor Louijeune? Yes. Council Mejia? Yes, Councilor Murphy? Yes Councilor Pepén? Council Santana? Yes Councilor Weber, yes. And councilor Worrell? Yes. Councilor Worrell, yes Token number 1829 has received 12 votes in the affirmative

Thank you. The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of Docket 1830. All those in favour say aye. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Councilor Brayton. Councilor Caleta-Zapata? Yes. Councilors Caleta Zapata, yes. Councillor Culpepper? Yes Councilor Culpeper, yes Councilor Durkan? Yes Councillor Durkan, yes Councillor Fitzgerald? Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn? Yes. Councilors Flynn, yes, Councilor Louijeune? Yes Councilor Lujan, yes Councilor Mejia? Yes Counselor Meijia, yes Counselor Murphy? Yeah Councilor Murphy, yes? Councilor Pepén? Yes Santana, yes. Councilor Weber? Yes. Council Weber, yes and councilor Worrell? Yes Councilor Worrell, yes Docket number 1830 has received 12 votes in the affirmative

Thank you. The chair of Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of docket 1831. All those in favor say aye. Mr. Clerk, would you please see Dr. Wolcott vote?

Councilor Breadon. Councilor Coletta Zapata. Yes. Councilors Coletta-Zapata, yes. Councillor Culpepper. Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes. Council Durkan, yes, Council Fitzgerald? Yes Council FitzGerald, yes Council Flynn? Yes Counselor Flynn, yes Counselor Louijeune? Yes, Counselor Mejia? Yes Yes, counselor Murphy? Murphy, yes. Councilor Pepén?

Yes.

Council of Venn, yes .Council Santana? Yes . Council Santana, yes Council Weber? Yes Council Weber, yes and Council Worrell? Yes, Councilor Worrell, yes Docket number 1831 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, the Chair on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the Committee Report and Passes to Docket 1832. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Council will break. Councilor, Coletta Zapata?

Yes.

Councilor Calazapada? Yes Councilor Culpepper? Yes Councillor Culpeper, yes Councilor Durkan? Yes councilor Durkin, yes councilor Fitzgerald? Yes councillor FitzGerald, yes, councilor Flynn? Yes, council Flynn, yes. Council Louisianne? Louijeune, yes. Councilor Mejia? Yes. Council Mejía, yes, Councilor Murphy? Yes Councilor Murphey, yes Councilor Pepén? Yes Councillor Pepén, yes Councillor Santana? Yes councilor Santana, yes councilor Weber? Yes councillor Webber, yes and councilor Worrell Councilor Worrell, yes. Docket number 1832 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket 1833. Mr. Clerk would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Breadon, Colletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn. Flynn, yes. Councilor Louijeune? Yes. Council Lujan, yes, Council Mejia? Yes, Councilor Mejía present. Councillor Murphy? Yes Councillor Murphy, yes Councilor Pepén? Pippen, yes. Councilor Santana? Yes. Council Santana, yes, Council Weber? Yes Councilor Weber, yes and Council Worrell? Yes, Councilor Worrell, yes Dock number 1833 has received 11 votes in the affirmative and one present

Thank you. The Chair of Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of Docket 1834. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Councilor Brayden. Councilor Coletta Zapata.

Yes.

Council Corretta Zapata, yes. Council Culpepper. Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes. Council Durkan, yes, Council Fitzgerald? Yes, Councilor Fitzgeral, yes Council Flynn? Yes Council Flynn, yes Counselor Louijan? Yes Counselor Mejia? Present. Murphy, Councilor Murphy yes. Councilor Pepén? Yes. Council of Pepén, yes. Councillor Santana? Yes Councillor Santina, yes Council Weber? Yes Councilor Weber, yes and Council Worrell? Yes Docket number 1834 has received 11 votes in the affirmative and one present.

Thank you. The chair of Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket 1835. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Brayton, Councilor Coletta Zapata.

Yes.

Councilor Calazapati? Yes. Counselor Culpepper? Yes, Counselor Durkan? Yes Counselor Fitzgerald? Yes Flynn, yes. Councilor Louisiane? Yes. Council Louisiane, yes, Councilor Mejia? Present. Council Mejía present. Council Murphy? Yes Councilor Murphy, yes Councilor Pepén? Yes Councillor Pepén, yes Councillor Santana? Council Santana, yes. Council Weber? Yes. Council Webber, yes and council Worrell? Yes Council Worrell, yes Dock number 1835 has received 11 votes in the affirmative and one present

Thank you, I should have been saying that each committee report has been accepted and this docket 1835 has passed as were 1834 and 1833. I don't know if that matters, Mr. Clerk. The Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of Doctrine 1836.

Councillor LeBray? Councillor Coletta Zapata?

Yes.

Councillor Coleta Zapata yes. Councillor Culpepper? Culpepper, yes. Councilor Durkan?

Yes.

Council Durkan, yes, Council Fitzgerald? Yes, Councilor Fitzgeral, yes Council Flynn? Yes Council Flynn, yes Counselor Louijan? Yes Counselor Mejia? Present. Council Mejía present. Council Murphy? Murphy, yes. Councilor Pepén? Yes. Council Santana? Yes Council Weber? Yes Worrell, yes. Docket number 1836 has received 11 votes in the affirmative and one present.

Thank you. The committee report has been accepted and docket 1836 The chair of Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of Docket 1837. Mr. Clerk, please conduct a roll call vote.

Councilor Breen, Councillor Coletta Zapata?

Yes.

Councillor Colette Zapata, yes. Councillor Culpepper? Yes, Councillor Durkan? Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy. Murphy, yes, Councilor Pepén, yes. Councilor Santana, yes Councilor Weber, yes and Councilor Worrell, yes Doctrine number 1837 has received 11 votes in the affirmative and one present.

Thank you. The committee report has been accepted and docket 1837 has passed. Mr. Clerk, excuse me, the chair of Committee on Ways and Means seeks acceptance of the committee report in passage of Docket 1838. Mr Clerk please conduct a roll call vote.

Councilor Brayton Councilor, Coletta Zapata. Yes. Yes, Councilor Culpepper? Yes. Councilor Durkan? Yes Councilor Fitzgerald? Yes Flynn, yes. Councilor Louisianne? Yes. Council Louisiannne, yes, Councilor Mejia? Present. Council Mejía, present. Council Murphy? Yes Councilor Murphy, yes Councilor Pepén? Yes Councillor Pepén, yes Councillor Santana? Yes Weber, yes. And Councilor Worrell? Yes. Councilor Yes. Docket number 1838 has received 11 votes in the affirmative and one present.

Thank you, the committee report has been accepted and docket 1838 has passed. We are now on to motions orders and resolutions a reminder that under rule 39 remarks our new matters not up for vote today shall be limited to three minutes for the lead sponsor and two minutes for the co-sponsors. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket 1917?

Dr. Number 1917, Councilors Murphy and Flynn offer the following order for a hearing guiding city funding for health screenings and wellness support for Boston's first responders

Thank you, the chair recognizes Councilor Murphy. Councilor, you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. Council of Flynn and I are bringing this hearing order forward because our first responders should not have to organize golf tournaments or spend union funds to obtain essential health screenings. At a recent hearing, President Griffin explained that the detectives' union raises money and uses its own funds to provide these screenings in wellness support. We need to understand why these services depend on fundraising and what the city can do to provide dependable support. I have publicly supported efforts to preserve cancer screenings in wellness support for our firefighters that is important work Our police officers, detectives, superior office and our EMS personnel need access to appropriate screenings in wellness services as well. These employees take care of Boston every day. Taking care of their health should be part of our responsibility to them.

This hearing will examine existing services, gaps in access, costs and options for sustainable city funding. Outside contributions can help, but our first responders should not have to fundraise for essential preventive care. I ask that this order be referred for a hearing so we can identify these needs and work towards permanently funding them. Thank you.

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

Thank-you Madam Chair during last year's budget debate I proposed amendments to support our first responders with health and wellness programs, with screenings. For police, for fire, for EMS. The city council here agreed with me on support for Ems personnel and I'm grateful and thankful for that But I also brought forward amendments to support health and wellness programs and screenings for our police officers and firefighters. The City Council voted against it. Let me say that again.

The Boston City Council went on record voting against health and wellness programs in screenings, funding for police officers and firefighters. We also know that police officers are fundraising to make up that money so they can get the necessary screenings So that they can be healthy, productive on the job and at home. But is that really what this city is about? Not fully funding health and wellness programs in screenings, various screenings for police officers and firefighters. That's not the Boston I know.

We can't balance the budget on the backs of our first responders. on the backs of city employees and we certainly can't balance the budget on the back of veterans and our military families as well.

Thank you Madam Chair. Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add Council Culpepper, Council Durkan, Council Fitzgerald, Council Louijeune, Council Mejia, Council Pepén, Council Santana, Council Weber, Council Worrell and please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 1917 will be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket 1918? Docket number 1918. Councilor Flynn offered the following.

Order for a hearing to discuss the dedication of hero squares and blue squares that honor veterans and military families being placed solely under the purview of Boston Veterans Services.

Thank you, the Chair recognizes Councilor Flynn. You have a floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. Madam Chair may I add Councillor Santana as an original co-sponsor and suspend the rules and add Councillor Murphy as well?

Seeing and hearing no objections they are so added.

Thank You Madam Chair A Hero Square is a designated square or intersection honoring the memory of a service member who celebrate their sacrifice and educate local communities about the history of service and our neighborhoods. Today I want to focus on blue square dedication that honor our veterans, military families. Boston has historically established blue squares to dedicate a city square in honor Neighbors who have left a meaningful impact on their community. Recently in South Boston, my neighborhood, a military family requested to establish a blue square to honor the memory service and sacrifice of the Navy Corpsman, who saved many lives in the Iraq War. For many years a foundation established in his name worked tirelessly to both raise awareness of the hidden wounds of war post-traumatic stress

As well as raising tens of thousands of dollars to provide scholarships to our local youth. Since August, Boston Veterans Commissioner Santiago offered his full support to both coordinate and conduct a ceremony with military honors for this Blue Square Ceremony as traditionally done for blue square dedication to veterans and service members. However, the family was notified that this request was going to be handled by the Office of Neighborhood Services. The family was then asked by ONS to collect 200 signatures Conduct an abutters meeting. Receive support from their local neighborhood civic association. Remember, at the same time Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald and I have an ordinance to codify about his meetings because ONS has also informed district city councilors that the city will now decide which DBA cases need community process and which don't.

Also, a military family is being asked for 200 signatures but residents may begin a petition for Boston Landmarks were 10 signatures. To ensure that military families are no longer being unfairly held to a different standard of community process, it's critical that this process be under the Purview of Boston Veterans Services. As a retired veteran who served 25 years in the Navy, it's beyond shameful to me that with the limited to almost no development in Boston and virtually about as meetings conducted quickly over Zoom, a city department that considers itself too busy to conduct a community meeting on development is now able to hold Dedications for veterans and military families to a more extensive public process. ONS does not understand military families and veterans That needs to be under the City of Boston Veterans Services Department.

They're more respectful, they know how to communicate with veterans and I'm so upset and angry about how ONS is treating this military family in my neighborhood of South Boston. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, Councilor Flynn for adding me as an original co-sponsor and for your continued advocacy on behalf of Boston's veteran communities. Blue squares just like hero squares are a way of honoring our neighbors who have served our country Their families should be treated with dignity and respect, not given the runaround and force to hold in a butters meeting. Consistency is key especially in matters of government and policy. The Office of Neighborhood Services has a lot of concerns and the Office of Veterans Services already has a process and the necessary lived experience to make sure that the blue squares naming process continues to run smoothly. I'm looking forward to getting everyone together to discuss how we can best streamline this process, thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Santana. Councillor Murphy, you have the floor. Thank you Madam Chair, thank you Council Flynn and I'm sorry that you had to bring this forward. That's more signatures than a district councillor needs to get on the ballot to be elected so I think it is extremely disrespectful, but thank you for adding my name to this hearing order. Hero squares and blue squares carry names and stories that Boston has a responsibility to preserve. These dedications mean a great deal to the veterans, military families in the neighborhoods where they are located. And if any of my colleagues have been, I say it often that South Boston does an outstanding job remembering and respecting their veterans. I support examining whether Boston Veterans Services should leave this work.

I believe they should, but I think a conversation is needed to make sure that we're all clear that it should be and should always be in the Veterans Services Department. Families should have a clear point of contact. The process should be respectful, consistent and accurate from the first request through the dedication in the ongoing care of the square. As the mother of a son serving in the Army, I know how much it matters when a city recognizes military service and remembers that families are behind them. So thank you to Councilor Flynn for bringing this forward. Murphy, and I'm looking forward to having a hearing soon so we can get this straight. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Murphy. Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add Councilor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Weber, Councilor Worrell, Council Louisiane and please add the chair Thank you. Docket 1918 will be referred to the Committee on Veterans, Military Families and Military Affairs. Mr. Clerk can you please read docket 1919? Docket number 1919.

Councilor Flynn for the following. Order for a hearing to discuss stalking and relationship violence at colleges and universities in the city of Boston.

Thank you, Mr., Councilor Flynn, you now have the floor.

Thank You Madam Chair Madam Chair, may I add Councillor Santana as an original co-sponsor please?

So added.

Thank you. Relationship violence describes a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviors against the current or former partner to obtain or maintain power in the relationship. Relationship violence can include physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, and digital abuse. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Roughly one in five college students say they have been abused by a partner. Women are at a higher risk rate than any other survey group, according to the Justice Department. Stalking is a widespread problem across colleges and universities in our country. According to the stalking prevention awareness and resource center, up to 40% of college students report being stalked since starting college.

Students at higher risk for experience stalking include women, students of color, students in the LGBTQ plus community and students with disabilities. The Clery Act is a federal consumer protection law that was enacted in 1990 after a college student was sexually assaulted and her college, Dong. The law requires colleges and universities to disclose campus crime stats and security policies. The Campus SAVE Act, Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act further amends the Clery Act by improving transparency, survivor support, prevention education, relationship and sexual violence education as well. It's critical that our colleges and universities here in Boston are accurately reporting every incident of relationship violence and stalking.

There's an opportunity for the Boston Police to support our colleges and universities as well in preventing relationship violence and stalking, and ensure that individuals found to commit a crime against their partner are punished accordingly in the criminal justice system. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank You, Councillor Flynn. Councillor Santana, you now have the floor.

Thank-you, Madam President and thank-you Councillor Flynn for including me as a co-sponsor on this hearing order. Right now, all eyes are on the college campuses because of the horrific situation at Cornell. But let's be entirely clear, this crisis didn't start with the latest headlines. Relationship violence and stalkings aren't new. This has been a quiet, systematic crisis burning on our campuses for years. It happens out in the open every single day. Look at the numbers, look at the reality College-age victims account for nearly one third of all rapes reported to law enforcement. One third! That isn't just a statistic, that is a massive structural alarm bell One in four students say sexual assault and misconduct are deeply problematic at their schools. Students are telling us directly, they do not feel safe where they live and learn. And if we're going to confront the crisis

We have to fight for every single student, especially those who are routinely left out of the room when decisions are made. Data from The Network shows that one in four LGBTQ plus youth will experience abuse from a dating partner, one in four. That is a devastating reality, and we cannot and will not allow our LGBTQIA2S plus students to be sidelined, ignored or left to navigate dangerous environments on their own. I am not going to stand here and pretend that a single hearing order is going to magically eradicate campus sexual violence overnight. It won't, but we have to start moving the needle We need university leadership, city officials and most importantly impacted youth sitting in the exact same table having honest uncomfortable conversations and working together. This is how we drive real, systematic change.

And that's how we take a necessary step towards making our college campuses actually safe. Thank you.

Madam Chair, I feel to mention that Councillor Murphy would be added as an original co-sponsor. May I make that request?

Yes. Seeing and hearing no objections, she is so added. Councillor Murphy you have the floor.

Thank You madam chair And thank you, Councilor Flynn for filing this important hearing order. The disturbing sexual assault allegations at Cornell and the serious questions about how the university responded should make every college community examine whether its students are being protected. Women deserve to be safe. All people deserve to safe on campus, in their homes and throughout our city. When someone reports stalking, threats, relationship violence or sexual assault they deserve to taken seriously and receive timely protection and support. Boston welcomes students from across the country and around the world. They live in our neighborhoods, work in our businesses, and are part of our community. Our responsibility to the people of Boston includes them. It does not stop at the entrance to a college campus. We need to understand what happens after a student asks for help. Who responds? How quickly?

What protection is available? How do colleges coordinate with the Boston Police and organizations that support survivors I know families send their children to college expecting them to be safe. I did when my children went off. Students should never have to choose between continuing their education and protecting themselves. So thank you again to Councillor Flynn and Councillor Santana for partnering, and for bringing this forward. I'm looking forward to a hearing. And I do just want to also shout out the colleges that I know many of us work closely with. We have Suffolk and Emmanuel and all of the colleges here in the city, and I know that they'll welcome this conversation. So looking forward to speaking with them also and being part of the solution. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Murphy would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, would you please add Councilor Culpepper, Councilor Fitzgerald, Council Louijeune, Council Mejia, Council Pepén, Councillor Weber and please add the chair Thank You docket one nine one nine will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice Mr. Clerk, can you please read? I'm sorry, please have the chair. I don't know if I said that. Yes. Thank you. Mr. Clark, can we please read docket 1920?

Doctrine number 1920, Councilor Murphy offered the following. Order for a hearing regarding BPS transportation performance at the opening of the 2026-2027 school year, contractor accountability and corrective action.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to add Councilor Flynn please. So added? Thank you An 80% on-time rate is unacceptable for a school transportation system costing close to $200 million. Ridership continues to drop, but there are still close to 20,000 children and families who depend on our school buses every day. During the first week of school this year, 20% of our buses arrived to school late. That is 4,000 children who were stranded at bus stops for or not getting picked up at all, and many of them at the end of school day also waiting at school to go home. It is unacceptable when students are missing important classroom time and families are scrambling for alternatives so they can get to work. and many of us failed those calls when many families don't even have alternatives.

I continuously hear from families and teachers about these failures At one school, students dismissed at 2.10 are still this week waiting for transportation well past 4.30 more than two hours after dismissal We are now into the second month of school and this is still happening Children are stuck at school, often far across the city from home. Parents cannot simply leave work to pick them up. Teachers and staff stay well past the end of their work day to keep them safe. We already face serious challenges educating our children. Can we at least get them to school on time and get them home safely when their families are expecting them? BPS knows these problems exist. Families have reported them repeatedly. We need corrective action, firm deadlines and consequences when the contractor fails to deliver

This hearing will examine contractor performance, the changes needed now and the contractual options available if services do not improve. Our children and families deserve better. And I do want to apologize to our families, but also uplift staff who I know are staying very late into the evening missing their own family events, trying to get themselves home. So thank you for that. It should not be necessary though. Thank you Councillor Murphy. Councillor Flynn you have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. As I mentioned earlier last night, I was at St. Stephen's Youth Group listening to parents talk about this issue among many many students, mostly students of color, many persons with disabilities continuing to wait. To get picked up, to be dropped off One mother was telling me a story about her child that is constantly late in her after-school program. Sometimes the child gets there halfway through, sometimes the child doesn't get there at all. But is that fair to the child? Is that fair their development, their education, providing a good and healthy life. We want children to be Thank you for joining us.

families with access that have money, have the ability to pick their children up. Well other families don't and they rely on public education transportation. They deserve respect They're not getting it. I believe this is a racial justice issue, we are downplaying the significance of this issue We're not listening to parents, we're not supporting these children. And we're providing a disservice to them and treating them so disrespectfully by constantly having them wait for the bus to take them to school or take them an after-school program. It's unfair, it's unconscionable. Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, would you please add Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Mejia, Councilor Pepén, Council Weber, Council Worrell. Please add the chair. Docket 1920 will be referred to the Committee on Education. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket 1921?

Docket number 1921, Councilor Flynn offer the following. Resolution urging the Mass General Brigham Board of Directors to return to the table and negotiate in good faith in light of historic strikes and lock-ups.

Flynn, you now have the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair. Madam Chair may I add Councilor Culpepper as an original co-sponsor and suspend the rules and add Council Murphy as well?

Seeing and hearing no objections, they are so added.

Thank you Madam Chair. We had the opportunity today to have a member of The hospital and the Mass Nurses Association with us to talk about the upcoming strike and how negotiations aren't going well between the Brigham and Women Hospital and the dedicated and professional nursing staff there. What this resolution would call for is advocating for Brigham and Women Hospital to get back to the negotiating table, to negotiate fairly. Respectfully, to treat the nurses fairly. To treat them respectfully. It's about collective bargaining, it's about working together, ironing out your differences.

But you only can do that when you're sitting across from someone talking not through the media, not by ignoring people Pretending there's not a problem, sitting down and having a meaningful discussion about a contract. Nurses deserve a fair contract. They deserve dignity. They deserved justice. I think they've earned it. I saw during the pandemic when I was here on the city council, I would go to work every day but I would see nurses also. They'd be going to work everyday whether they were taking the train, taking the bus or at the hospital. They didn't mail it in. They were there caring for people and patients in need They also fought for a safe patient ballot initiative that failed several years ago throughout the Commonwealth. Our nurses are overworked and underpaid,

Oftentimes, they're assaulted too by patients It's about respect for the nurses, it's about ensuring that they can retire with dignity, providing a safe environment for them. The ability to earn a decent wage continuing with their education and training. It's about justice, it's a social and economic justice issue and we're here to say and to encourage the The Brigham and Women Hospital, and the Mass Nurses Association to immediately go back to the negotiating table and to iron out a contract That is fair to both sides, but we need to ensure that our nurses are treated with respect and dignity because they're not receiving it from this hospital. Thank you Madam Chair

Thank you, Councillor Flynn. Councillor Culpepper, you now have the floor.

Thank you Madam President. Thank You Councillor Flynn for adding me as an original co-sponsor along with my Flynn, I also am urging the National Brigham Hospital to return to negotiations in a meaningful way and to settle a fair contract that respects nurses and protects patient care. And here's what's interesting, we understand that Mass General Brigham is a non-profit but its board includes directors, it includes billionaires Private Equity Executives, Corporate CEOs including people whose business actually intersect with MGB. So we call on MGB and the board to

Return to the table and to really look at the purpose for which this hospital was established, and the role that the nurses play in the day-to-day operation of the hospital. I said this morning that hospitals couldn't exist without nurses. We couldn't exists without nurses and so, I continue to focus on the value of the nurse's play I mentioned that my mother was a nurse. I saw the work that she put in, and I saw how concerned she was about her patients. I see how painstaking even when she came home Concerned about her patients and the relationships that she formed with them. And my mother was a beautiful woman, and it's really funny. My mother would come home sometime, and she would say you know what happened today?

She said, someone asked me to marry them. But my point is how significant the role they play in the life of their patients. Let's just encourage Boyd to give them a fair contract so that they won't have to go to strike and so that we won't need to go through what we went through several weeks ago when they were on strike. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you. Councilor Murphy, over the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair and thank you to M&A who was here with us earlier when we were able to hear from them directly, but I've publicly supported our nurses and I continue to stand with them. Nurses care for us and our families during some of the most difficult moments of our lives. They deserve safe working conditions, affordable health insurance and a contract that respects their work. That's all they're asking for. Staffing and working conditions directly affect patient care. When nurses raise concerns, hospital leadership needs to listen and work towards an agreement. I urge Mass General Brigham to return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith. Patients need dependable care, and nurses need the support provided.

I also want to uplift the other hospitals that many nurses are under different unions but yesterday BMC told their nurses that they're refusing to go back to the table. We're a city of world-class Colleges, universities, museums and hospitals. People not just us here in this residence in the city but people come here from around the world to get the world's class care so we should give the support that our nurses provide those patients every day So I'm full support and know that this resolution, although is non-binding. I think this message along with our support not just on the picket line but just really urging Murphy.

Mr. Clerk, please add Councillor Culpepper, Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louijeune, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, Councillor Worrell. Please add the chair. Flynn is seeking suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 1921. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Breadon, Colletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune. Louijeune, yes. Councilor Mejia? Yes. Council Mejía, yes, Councilor Murphy? Yes! Councilor Murphey, yes Councilor Pepén? Yes Councilor Papen, yes! Council Santana? Yes, Council Weber? Yes and Council Worrell? O'Reilly, yes. Docket number 1921 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, docket 1921 Has been adopted. Mr. Clark can you please read docket

Talking number 1922, Councilor Louijeune offer the following. Resolution in support of BizGrowth Central and inclusive small business growth in Boston.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to add Councilor Worrell as a second original co-sponsor. So added. Thank you and I'd request to suspend the rules to add Councillor Mejia as a third original co sponsor.

Seeing and hearing no objections she's so added.

Thank you, and I'd like to request for suspension in passage of this docket. This is a resolution that recognizes investment in Boston's small business community. As we all know, small businesses create jobs, bring life to our neighborhoods, and help families build wealth But starting and sustaining a business is really hard, and requires resources that are often difficult or expensive to obtain. I want to commend the lawyers for civil rights whose BizGrow program has provided free legal and technical assistance for 25 years and I've had the pleasure of attending BizGirl events and seeing firsthand how they are really hands-on with entrepreneurs and with business owners, giving them the assistance that they need. That work has supported entrepreneurs of color, immigrants, women, and people with low income who too often face additional barriers to business ownership, often not having the capital necessary get started or to tap into when problems arise, not having the social capital necessary to maneuver the business community.

So BizGrow is a really hands-on Assistance for businesses recognized by the Boston Business Journal, recognized by The Boston Globe. BizGrowth Central is scheduled to open October 19 across from Boston Common and will establish a permanent downtown home where entrepreneurs can find resources and build connections. The Hub will bring together free legal support, business guidance, skill building programs, technology, workspace, and mentorship. Having those resources in one place can help an entrepreneur move an idea to a business with a stronger foundation. They've often done pop-ups on the Greenway and across the city, and having a permanent home will be really helpful here. expanding access to business ownership as part of an expanding economic opportunity. I'm pleased to welcome Business Growth Central and recognize Lawyers for Civil Rights for helping move Boston, more Boston residents participate in and benefit from our city's economy so again

Congratulations to the entire team, to Yvonne, to everyone at BizGrowth, to the small businesses that will now be able to take advantage of it and to them themselves being a new hub and having a new space in our city. Thank you.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Worrell. Councilor, are you at the floor?

Thank you Chair and thank you to Councilor Louijeune for adding me as a co-sponsor and also thank you too Councillor Mejia for all her work around small business throughout the years. As a small business owner, I know how hard it is when you're first trying to get started. Folks will tell you just one form, it's just one filing, you just need to do this but we don't have a lawyer or someone who is knowledgeable about how to navigate the system That could feel like a whole different language. And a lot of times, it is not that people don't have good ideas. It's that they don't access to the same networks, legal help or guidance that other folks may already have. I also want to take this time to shout out the City of Boston and all their work around small business support, providing technical assistance and their most recent program, which I'm a big fan of, which is Biz Unlocked. I want to also applaud Lawyers for Civil Rights for starting this as we cut the ribbon later this month. The next step is always ensuring that our entrepreneurs

and our residents know that this is available to them because in our neighborhoods, we have the ideas. We have the talents. We had the hustle but sometimes all we need is support. Thank you and congratulations to Loyola for Civil Rights and this new organization.

Thank you. Councilor Mejia, you now have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. If you don't mind, I'm going to stay seated. I have a really bad headache. I want to thank Councilor Louijeune for adding me to this docket, and I also want to uplift Councilor Worrell for his steadfast advocacy in supporting all things small businesses. out in these streets. Small businesses are the heart of our neighborhoods, they provide employment, boost our economy, create community and so much more but often there are barriers to small business success and that is why Lawyers for Civil Rights BizGrow program is so important because it fills the gap in legal and technical assistance for our small business owners, including entrepreneurs of color, immigrants, women and people of low income. And we're excited that this program is opening BizGirl Central in its new downtown home this month.

As a child, I grew up as the official translator for my mom and my entire neighborhood So I would be at doctor's appointments, the welfare office and navigating other processes that were very difficult even at the age of nine. And today I continue to serve as a translator for residents across the city who have the vision and work ethic to start a small business, but face complex systems and barriers that can make it incredibly difficult for them to open up their doors. We have so much more to do to make these processes Thank you for joining us. for Small Businesses, and we appreciate lawyers for civil rights. This grows work and dedication to our small businesses, and I also just want to thank this council because a few years ago, I advocated to have a

immigrant liaison in the Office of Workforce They keep changing the name, but it was the Office of Economic Empowerment. And that particular position has helped so many small businesses, particularly immigrant Spanish speakers navigate the system. So I just wanted to Louijeune for their constant support. And Councilor All those pop-ups that you've been doing across the city of Boston to help small entrepreneurs So thank you for allowing me to speak and adding me as a co-sponsor and for your leadership Thank You Council Mejia.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank my colleagues for bringing this forward. I also want to think Ivan from the Lawyers for Civil Rights for inviting me to the BizGrow Central's ribbon-cutting grand opening on Monday October 19th Lawyers for Civil Rights have been doing outstanding, exceptional work for years to help small businesses entrepreneurs navigate the legal practical challenges that come with starting and growing a business. What makes BizGrow central, especially exciting is that it brings many of these resources together in one place. Entrepreneurs will have access to legal business assistance Mentorship, technology workspace training all at no cost. Having a space like this in the heart of Boston makes these resources more accessible to people who may not otherwise have the support or connections they need to grow their business.

Congratulations to lawyers for civil rights on this new space and on the work they're doing to make this possible. I look forward to the upcoming ribbon cutting, but I also look forward continuing to work with lawyers for civil rights. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank You Councillor Flynn. Would anyone else like to add their name? Please add, Mr. Clerk, please add Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Pepén, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber. Please add the chair. Louijeune seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 1922. All those in favor say aye, all those opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk please conduct a roll call vote on docket one nine two two.

Council O'Brien Coletta Zapata? Yes. Councilor Coletta-Zapata, yes. Council Culpepper? Yes Councilor Culpeppe, yes Councilor Durkan? Yes Counselor Durkin, yes Counselor Fitzgerald? Yes Flynn, yes. Councilor Louisiane? Yes. Council Louisiane, yes, Council Mejia? Yes, Councilor Mejía, yes Councilor Murphy, Council Pepén? Yes Councilor Pepén, yes Councillor Santana? Yes Councillor Santanna, yes Councilor Weber, yes. And Councilor Worrell? Yes. Councilor Werrell, yes Docket number 1922 has received 11 votes in the affirmative Thank you docket 1922 Has been adopted Mr.

Clerk can you please read docket one nine two three

Docket number 1923, Councilor Louijeune offer the following. Resolution in support of the Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act Senate 3308 House 6356

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

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to add Councilor Mejia as an original co-sponsor. So added. And I'd request to suspend the rules to add Councillor Santana as a third original co sponsor.

Seeing and hearing no objections, he is also so added.

And I do seek suspension in passage of this resolution. This resolution addresses a civil rights issue that increasingly affects everyday life. My office has been in deep, deep conversation and in partnership with ACLU around legislation Here in the city. And one evening, I ran into Christopher Hope who's been doing this work in Cambridge and Somerville and working alongside Senator Markey's office, he has the Loop Lab to get these resolutions in support of this bill. And so I want to thank Christopher Hope for his work and for stopping me and for us engaging in this conversation about the work that we've been doing. As we know, it's been a topic of conversation but even before then folks have been working on this in artificial intelligence and automated systems they help shape for better or worse decisions about jobs Housing, Education, Health Care, Credit, Public Benefits, Public Safety. Sometimes without the effective person understanding how a decision is made

and often as we are seeing when it comes to a number of decisions, including employment which is what we've been working on in part. It leads to discrimination. When those systems reproduce discrimination their complexity can make The harm difficult to identify and challenge. Residents deserve clear protections, meaningful accountability, and a way to seek review when a consequential decision is unfair racist discriminatory or unjust I want to recognize Senator Ed Markey and Representative Yvette Clark who introduced the Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act, and Representative Ayanna Pressley an original House co-sponsor. Their legislation would establish protections against algorithmic discrimination require evaluations and impact assessments, provide enforcement mechanisms. The proposal also addresses notice transparency in human alternatives in appropriate circumstances

Those safeguards matter because a person's ability to secure housing, receive care or obtain employment should come with an understandable process and meaningful recourse. We also see the toll on effective AI and data centers in our communities are really cognizant of what they mean in real terms for communities that have already been harmed, that were already suffering from the realities of the persistent and pernicious racial wealth gap, AI is only going to harden that if we don't take these safeguards. And it's great to see happening on the federal level, and we need it to happen on all levels. But we do want to see the federal government's leadership here. Boston is a city we've already taken steps through its restrictions on facial surveillance and guidance on generative AI. This resolution urges Congress to act and encourages the state in Boston to advance complementary civil rights safeguards as these technologies continue develop, work that we want to continue to engage in.

And I want to thank again the Senator and all of those who have endorsed this from the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights to the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Was grateful to be on a panel with them yesterday, to the National Council on Negro Women, Color of Change, NAACP, ACLU, Electronic Privacy Information Center, EPIC. You get the point. So really grateful for their leadership and their partnership in the continued work in this space. Thank you. MS.

Thank You, Councilor Louijeune. Councilor Mejia, you now have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. And thank you to Councilor Louijeune for adding me to this docket. This bill at the federal level is about creating safeguards to protect our communities and their civil rights during a time when almost no safeguard exists to regulate AI. AI models are trained on existing data, information and other inputs. We need to confront and however that these biases are baked into the input fed to AI models for their training which has the potential to only worsen existing inequities and cause unprecedented harm if we do not act now. This bill requires disclosures, evaluations before and after implementation and prohibits discrimination by covered algorithms on the basis of protected characteristics. We are all feeling the impacts of AI and autonomous technology with Waymo, increasing use of AI surveillance tools

and concern about AI replacing human jobs. As AI continues to evolve, we need to ensure that it does so responsibly and in a way that benefits all of humanity. We cannot put our communities at risk and let them be steamrolled by AI advancement that will harm them if not regulated. So thank you to our colleagues on the federal level who are leading the charge, and thank you to my council colleague Louijeune for holding it down here locally.

Thank you Councilor Mejia. Councillor Santana, you now have a floor.

Thank You Madam President I am someone who believes in technology I believe in innovation and progress. Emerging AI tools have the power to solve some of our most complex challenges. However, we must not fall for the dangerous myth that technology is always neutral objective or inherently fair. An algorithm has no lived experience, it cannot account for human context nuance or resilience and it has biases just like you and me. Automated systems are only as good as the data we feed it, and unfortunately most AI is trained on decades of historical data that has systematic racism, sexism, inequality backed into its foundation. When you train a system on a biased path, you don't get neutral decisions. You get automated discrimination operating at a scale For just one example, look at housing.

AI-based mortgage lenders are 80% more likely to reject black applicants, 40% more like to reject Latino applicants and 70% more than the nine Native American applicants. Imagine if those statistics were applied nationwide and if the victims of that algorithm Algorithmic discrimination had no recourse. Home ownership is just the start. Automated systems are increasingly making life-altering decisions and many more. In most cases, the person affected has no idea that a decision was reached and has no way to contest it. We cannot allow algorithm and artificial intelligence to quietly dismantle civil rights under the guise of efficiency and technology progress. Thank you to Councilor Louijeune for bringing me as a co-sponsor We are urging Congress to enact strong, enforceable civil rights protections

for any automated systems making consequential decisions. Innovation should open doors for our communities, not close them by programming systematic bias into our future. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Santana. Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add Councillors Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Murphy, Pepén, Weber, Worrell and please add the Chair I'm sorry, we're on docket 1923. Okay. Louijeune, Mejia and Santana seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 1923. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk would you please conduct a roll call vote?

Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Collins, Culpepper, Dong, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune. Louijeune, Council Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber and Worrell. Worrell, yes. Docket number 1923 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you docket 192 3 has been adopted Mr. Clerk can you please read docket 1 9 2 4?

Docket Number one nine two four councillors Louijeune and Mejia offer the following. Resolution congratulating Bishop John M. Borders III on his retirement and honoring 45 years of service to Morning Star Baptist Church in the city of Boston.

Thank you, the chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune. You have a floor.

Thank you Madam Chair and I'd like to seek suspension in passage of this docket. I'm saying that because I always forget to say that so I'm trying to get better. And I'm presenting this resolution. It could have been on the consent agenda, and I thought about a number of resolutions should this be on the main agenda? And I just think that for the extent of the work that Bishop Borders has done in our city I think it's worthy of his work and a testament to his work to have it be before this body and to speak on it, not only because it is my place of worship but mostly primarily because of the work that he has done here for the City of Boston. So I offer this to thank him for his 45 years of service to the city of Boston and to the Morning Star community. His leadership has touched generations of congregants and neighbors, Under his leadership, Morningstar grew from 75 members to several thousands and built its sanctuary on Blue Hill Avenue. He's also mentored and helped prepare more than 50 ministers

I was at a church a month ago outside of Boston for the funeral. It was in Newton, for the Funeral of Denise Washington and to hear the pastor there, I had no idea. Talk about Bishop Borders and how central of a figure he and Denise were To him was just the depths of how much he has mentored others is just so palpable. He's a spiritual father to many, I know to myself, I know the Councilor Mejia. I know it's others here on this body, to the most vulnerable among us, to governors present and past. And he has prayed for national leaders seeking prayers, wisdom and counsel. His services included a chaplaincy at the Suffolk County Jail. Most importantly for me as I'm trying to find my way back to faith more than a decade ago he was going

to Morningstar and sitting in the balcony with my sister trying to go unnoticed way before anything about politics. He made me feel safe, and he made me fell safe at Morningstar. And I'm really grateful for him and for his word It feel like such a welcoming and open community to anybody who needed a place of healing because that's what His response to violence here in the city helped bring clergy together and work that gave rise to the Boston Ten Point Coalition. During the pandemic, it was a central place for Mattapan Community Health Center and Boston Medical Center to serve as vital community vaccination sites for Boston's black and brown community, and to everyone another example of the church meeting its neighbors' needs. So as it prepares to retire at the end this year I extend my gratitude, my family extends our gratitude, My friends extend our gratitude. My goddaughter was just baptized there two weeks ago during the middle of a storm.

The bishop's legacy is one for the history books, and I'm thankful for his family for their willingness to share so much of their father, their husband, and their grandfather with us and with the entire city of Boston. So congratulations to Bishop Waters.

Thank you, Councilor Louijeune. Councillor Mejia, did you want to say a few words?

Oh, before I just also want to invite all of my colleagues this Sunday as we celebrate his 45 years to Morning Star Baptist Church on Sunday at 10 a.m., thank you.

Thank you, I apologize, I accidentally turned off Councilor Flynn's mic that was on purpose. Council Mayor, you now have the floor.

Thank You Madam President and I want to thank Councilor Louijeune for adding me to this docket Bishop Borders has served Boston for over four decades and has been a pillar in our community throughout his service. And for those folks who don't know, he was a rock star before he was Bishop, and I'm not gonna go into his music days but he often talks about the moves that he busted before he was inside the walls of our beloved Morning Star. And that speaks to his investment and involvement in our city. He is a spiritual leader, community advocate and civic partner in advancing the well-being of Boston's families. His ministry has grown, Morning Star congregation developing generations of ministers, advancing peace and building meaningful collaborations. And one of his efforts stands out as Councilor Louijeune pointed out, was the vaccination site during the COVID pandemic.

As well as I just want to also acknowledge that Bishop Borders, myself and VOG hosted Blue Hill Lab, Town Hall conversation in January of 2022. And he opened up his doors and created space for people to be heard regarding this particular issue He also is my spiritual father and when I ran for office in 2019, he literally prophesized. I don't know how to say that word but he said that I was going When and it was going to be baptism under fire. And that year was COVID after I got, you know, Thank you for joining us. Difficult votes.

It is Bishop Borders that I've called upon, and I remember my first vote here on the council that I knew would have a big consequence in my life and how I show up here was the 2020 budget and it was him that provided me the guidance and the spiritual to know that I was following my heart and leading with conviction. And so, I just want to thank the bishop for all his love and congratulate him in this entire family. And I look forward to celebrating him on the 10th, thank you.

Thank you, Council Mejia. Council Flynn, you now have a floor.

Thank You Madam Chair, an honor to join my colleagues and recognizing Bishop John Borders, but recognizing the incredible contribution he has made to not just the Morning Star Baptist Church in Mattapan, but really throughout Massachusetts, throughout the nation as well. I do recall during difficult times in the 1970s and the 1980s especially, but Bishop Borders was always there for the residents of Boston, never gave up on the people always bringing people together, improving race relations in Boston. He's really an unsung hero as far as I'm concerned. Someone I respect and admired and looking forward to the Service on Sunday morning as well on Bull Hill Avenue. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank You Councillor Flynn, Councillor Culpepper you now have the floor.

Thank-you Madam Chair I'd like to associate myself with the remarks previously made by the councillors I'd also like to say that I grew up with Bishop John Borders. And I remember when he was in the group called The Energetics. I've heard John talk about his calling while he was singing. They were in Switzerland from the 70s, and he heard the call while he I've been a good friend for many, many years. But we also have supported each other in the ministry. We've been in the Ministry quite a long time together

Especially when the city's youth were involved in probably one of the most violent times we've seen in Boston, Bishop Borders and I were right in the middle of it. A skier at his church in a funeral where a shooting almost took place. And so we've been in the midst of the fire. We were laughing on the phone this morning about how long we've and he's having a banquet this weekend. And you know, I look at the work that he's done, I looked at the word that his wife, his partner Sandra has done I lift Bishop Borders up as one who held shape

and change the city of Boston into the national, internationally acclaimed city it is. May the Lord bless Bishop Waters and congratulate him on his retirement from the ministry. I'm sure he won't go far from that church, but he will take time. Thank you Madam President.

Thank You Councilor Culpepper. Just want to add to the chorus of congratulations to Bishop Borders. Would anyone else like to add their name? Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell. And please add the chair. I apologize, Councilor Culpepper.

I apologize.

Councilor Louijeune and Mejia seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 1924. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote on docket 1924?

Councilor Breadon. Councilor Coletta Zapata. Yes. Councilors Palazzo yes. Councillor Culpepper. Yes Councilor Culpeper yes. Council Durkan. Yes Councillor Durkan yes. Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn? Yes. Council Flynn, yes, Councilor Louijeune? Yes Councilor Lujan, yes Councilor Mejia? Councilor Mehia, yes Counselor Murphy? Yes Counselor Murphey, yes Councillor Pepén? Yes Councillor Pepen, yes Councilor Santana, yes. Council Weber? Yes. Councilor Weber, yes and Council Worrell? Yes Councilor Worrell, yes Docket number 1924 has received 12 votes in the affirmative Thank you docket 1924 Has been adopted

Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket 1925?

Docket number 1925. Councilor Culpepper offered the following resolution urging the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to provide emergency shelter for displaced former Haitian temporary protected status holders.

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

Madam President, I would like to add Councilor Louis Young, as a second original co-sponsor. I would like to request suspension of the rules to add Councilor Santana as a third original co sponsor.

Seeing and hearing no objection.

Mejia for the work she's done on this issue and her interest in this resolution. And if I could, I would add her as an honorary original co-sponsor. I thank the work that she did. In fact when We had that hearing. It was Councilor Mejia who talked about the city setting aside places like we did at Martin Luther King When the Haitians came here, they were stuck at the airport and we, the governor made the decision that we would put them up at the facility on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Mejia, that hearing raised the same issue. Why can't we put them up in public for facilities? So I want to just lift her up. I would also like to request suspension of the rules to vote on the passage of this docket.

Thank you, Madam President. This resolution follows a hearing the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity and Immigrant Advancement held on September 25th regarding the termination of Haitian TPS. During that hearing we heard that our response cannot stop at legal assistance and employment support. We also have to address the immediate Humanitarian needs of residents who may also lose their housing and have nowhere safe to go. The loss of work authorization, income, and housing stability puts former TPS holders and their families at greater risk of eviction, overcrowding, displacement, and homelessness. With cold weather approaching we need to be proactive rather than wait until families are already sleeping outdoors are facing unsafe living conditions.

This resolution calls on the city and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to identify vacant or underutilized public facilities that can safely and lawfully provide temporary emergency It also calls for an action plan identifying available facilities, capacity funding, responsible agencies and a timeline for making that shelter available. has contributed enormously to our city for many, many generations. At a time when some of our neighbors are facing extraordinary uncertainty through no doing of their own we have a responsibility to ensure that no family is left without a safe place to live. Thank you, Madam President.

Thank You, Councilor Culpepper. Councilor Louijeune or Councilor Mejia? Or excuse me, Councillor Santana would like to provide remarks? Councilor Lujan, do you have the floor? Thank you

Being an at-large counselor, you're always everywhere. Your evenings are always full. I thought yesterday would be a day I was ready to go home, be home at 7 p.m., got a call about a crisis situation

At the airport, and I didn't get home until 1 a.m. last night. People are really suffering, and I try to articulate how much people are suffering. I don't talk about it all the time, but people are really suffering and so whatever we can do help people who are suffering, whether it's shelter that they need, whether its mental health issues. People are in crisis and they need Our help.

Thank you. Thank You, Councilor Louijeune. Council Santana? I'm sorry. Councilor Santana, the other floor.

Thank And thank you to Councilor Culpepper for including me in this. I just want to thank Councilor Louijeune for the ongoing, never-ending work and advocacy that she does every single day. The ending of temporary protected status has already inflicted immense trauma on our Haitian neighbors, and after everything these families have endured to build a life in our city Worrying about losing their housing or having their families displaced should not be another fear force onto their shoulders. We cannot control federal policy, but we can control what we do within our own resources. Right now the City of Boston and the Commonwealth have an abundance of public buildings and facilities sitting vacant and underutilized.

These properties represent an immediate practical opportunity to be safely converted into temporary emergency shelter while meeting Every health, fire building and accessibility standard. Public assets should serve the public good. Facilities that no longer serve their original purpose should be opening their doors to the people who need them most. We are calling on the city and the Commonwealth to deploy these available facilities right now, to provide emergency shelter for our displaced Haitian neighbors and TPS holders. Our neighbors have suffered enough. It is time we step up Keep our neighbors safe and housed. Thank you.

Thank You Councillor Santana. Councillor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank-you Madam President and I want to acknowledge Louijeune's pain and I hope that we all deeply feel it and understand the responsibility that we have to lead with more compassion and humanity. So I think, I've had lots of lessons This past year about what that really looks like inside this chamber. And I'm hoping to model that as I continue on this journey.

And I just want to thank Councilor Culpepper for acknowledging that I was hoping to be a co-sponsor on this docket, and I'm proud to support this resolution in solidarity with our Haitian neighbors. The termination of TPS for Haitian immigrants has created real uncertainty and instability in fear for residents in our city. Families have been placed in harm's way, and our neighborhoods are being destabilized These are our community members who have built their lives in Boston and deserve clarity, security, and protection. At the hearing on September 25th on Docket 0299 I highlighted all of the different city departments and offices that could be part of the conversation about supporting our Haitian residents. Encouraging us to think about all pathways to support, the Boston Public Health Commission, BPS, housing all of this is interconnected workforce development. And I think, and this is what I always say that Boston is resource rich but coordination poor.

And there's an opportunity for us to use Boston resources to help fulfill the potential to address the crisis and fill the gap, and that includes occupying empty spaces to support. As an immigrant who has seen my community suffer and face attacks especially from and at the hands of the federal government I know how heavy this weighs on all of our hearts and minds, and I will continue to stand in solidarity with the Haitian community. And this resolution affirms the city's commitment to protect and support impacted residents. We're urging the council to step up and make sure when it's time for budget season that the rhetoric that we speak reflects the budget votes that we take.

Thank you, Councilor Mejia. Councilor Durkan, you now have the floor.

Thank you so much, Chair. I just want to thank Councilor Culpepper and Councilor Louijeune for bringing this forward I think we can all sense the weight that Councilor Louijeune as the first Asian American Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I just want to thank Councilor Louijeune for her leadership. It's not easy to feel the weight on your shoulders, but we stand with you and are grateful for all that you do.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan. Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Chair please add Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy Pepén, Councilor Weber, Council Worrell. And please add the chair. Councilor Culpepper, Louijeune and Santana seek suspension of the rules on adoption of docket 1925. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote on docket 1925?

Councillor Breadon, Councillor Coletta Zapata, yes, Councillor Culpepper, yes Councillor Durkan, yes. Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn? Yes. Council Flynn, yes, Council Louijeune? Council Loujeune, yes Council Mejia? Yes Council Meijia, yes Counselor Murphy? Yes Counselor Murphey, yes Councillor Pepén? Yes Councillor Pepn, yes Santana, yes. Council Weber? Yes. Council Webber, yes and Council Worrell? Yes Councilor Worrell, yes Docket number 1925 has received 12 votes in the affirmative Thank you docket 1925 Has been adopted

Mr. Clerk, can you please redock it 1926?

Docket number 1926, Councilors Louijeune and Fitzgerald offer the following resolution recognizing October 2026 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

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

Thank you Madam Chair and thank you to my colleagues for their kind words. It's obviously all weighing very heavily on me in my office as we continue to work on this situation.

But for this, this is a resolution. I offer this... Oh and if I could suspend the rules to add Councillor Yerself, Madam Chair, Councilor Coletta Zapata as the third original co-sponsor.

Hearing and seeing no objection, I am so added.

And I'd like to suspend the rules to seek suspension in passage of this docket. and I want to thank Andrea from Work Inc. for her work here, and for our partnership in this work. I remember going to Work Inc., and after going to Working, going to go see the site some of my former employers to see the work that employees with Work, Inc. are doing and it's just incredible. I know that it's in Councilor Fitzgerald's district and so grateful for the work here. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month It began in 1945 and 81 years later. Its call for equal opportunity remains essential. Workers with disabilities contribute to every part of Boston's economy as employees, entrepreneurs, public servants, and community leaders. They bring talent, experience and perspectives that make our workplace and our city stronger.

Too often people still encounter barriers before they even have an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. Those barriers can include inaccessible applications Transportation, Technology and Workplaces alongside discrimination and misconceptions. We must also recognize people with disabilities that have Visible Disabilities and Invisible Disabilities. I want to thank again, I think I mentioned this recently but was recently at the National Borough Center here in the Fenway as they just won voluntary recognition for their union, as they themselves. live with disabilities, blindness and are seeking to serve those nationally who are blind. So want to acknowledge them as well. Accessible recruitment, reasonable accommodations, inclusive training and fair opportunities for Advancement should be part of everyday workplace practice.

Meaningful inclusion means being able to enter a workplace, contribute fully, earn fair wages and build a career. The City of Boston as an employer and as a partner to businesses, educational institutions Labor and Community Organizations has an important role to play. Residents with disabilities must help shape that work, and our commitment must extend beyond October We know here the city partners deeply with those who are disabled and we've got to continue and strengthen that work. I want to thank Commissioner McCosh for all work that she does for those who are living with disabilities and just encourage us as a city and as individuals here, and as leaders to be more thoughtful and more inclusive of those who are living and working, and deserve to have dignified employment as they live with disabilities. Whether it's people in your own family Like Mine, or whether it's people who we meet every day who are worthy of having employment.

May we be more intentional about that work here in the City of Boston? Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you Councilor Lujan. The chair recognizes Councillor Fitzgerald on the floor.

Thank you Madam Chair and thank you to Councilor Louijeune for reaching out and offering to have me as a co-sponsor on this. Each year, Councilor Louisianne and I get to co-host the Work Inc annual fundraiser and there we and so on. and often those with disabilities become the ones with the greatest pride in their work, and typically also probably produce the most. They take a lot of pride and so you know With Work, Inc. and the work they do we're happy to see them expand in the Dorchester community which just means that more and more people with disability will be placed in positions of employment so that they can gain A fair wage and live the life that they see fit. And so really just stand in this disability month here, Disability Employment Month. And again thank you to Councilor Louijeune for offering to me.

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

Thank you Madam Chair. I do want to acknowledge in 2019 then City Councilor Edwards and I We filed a resolution in support of state legislation that called for contracts issued for services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that received appropriated funds from the state to have at least 10% of people hired for the contract be individuals, persons with disabilities. It's probably the issue I've focused on most as a city council over the last nine years is ensuring that persons with disabilities have equal access, are treated with respect and dignity. That also starts as students, students with disabilities

ensuring that they have the right education, the right resources so that they can grow up to be healthy and productive in the workforce if that's what they choose. outstanding programs throughout the city of Boston, including the Horace Mann School that I'm very active with in Charlestown. But I do want to acknowledge as a person with disabilities, I continue to advocate for Veterans as well at the city, state and federal level through the Disabled American Veterans Organization. And they do exceptional work on city legislation, state legislation, federal legislation but ensuring that returning veterans that have disabilities have the resources support and access to employment so that they can work. live a productive life so that they can contribute to society.

I also want to acknowledge Commissioner McCosh, who's an outstanding dedicated professional leader here in the city of Boston but it's about ensuring All people, especially persons with disabilities are treated with respect and dignity. Thank you Madam Chair.

Karen, thank you to the filers for uplifting this important resolution and recognizing not only this month but every month throughout the year. The importance as a mother of a disabled son I do know firsthand Thank you, Mr. Chair. I appreciate how important it is to make It's been said, I want to uplift Work Inc. and all the other organizations who provide these opportunities but also the employers who step up and make sure that they're receiving these individuals who work and do share such amazing stories, and many of us when we're out in the community see them at different organizations working. And we all know that work equals independence but also socialization So I want to also uplift organizations like the South Boston Special Kids.

I know Councilor Flynn and I were just at their bowling event the other day, they offer opportunities in many neighborhoods across the city have opportunities for Disabled, you know our residents with disabilities to have fun and to have relationships as isolation is also something that is important to make sure we combat that so thank you for bringing this resolution forward and looking forward to supporting it.

Thank you, Councilor Murphy. I just want to recognize working as well. I had worked with them as a staff member trying to be very intentional at the direction of my predecessor to provide an environment that is inclusive and welcoming and really appreciate their work that they've been doing since 1965. And they've serviced over 1,500 individuals with disabilities. So I want to thank them and all those who advance disability inclusion and awareness across all of our neighborhoods in Boston. and just echo all the comments that my council colleagues have made on this. Would anyone else like to add their name? Council Culpepper, Councillor Durkan, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Santana, Councilor Weber and Councilor Worrell please add the chair. Councilor Louijeune, Fitzgerald and myself seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 1926 all those in favor say aye All those opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk, would you please see Dr. Royal call vote on docket 1926?

Council of Breadon. Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Yes.

Councillor Calzada yes. Councillor Culpepper yes. Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén. Vipen, yes. Council Santana? Yes. Councilor Santana, yes, Council Weber? Yes Councilor Weber, yes and Council Worrell? Yes, Councilor Worrell, yes Docket number 1926 has received 12 votes in the affirmative

Thank you. Docket 1926 has been adopted. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket 1927?

Docket number 1927. Councilor Louisiana offered the following. Resolution recognizing October 2026 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Thank you, the Chair recognizes Councilor Louijeune. Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank You Madam Chair I'd like to add Councillor Santana as an original co-sponsor And I'd like to suspend the rules to add Councilor Durkan as the third original co-sponsor.

Hearing and seeing no objections, she is so added.

Thank you. And I would like to see suspension in passage of this resolution October It means a lot of months, and there's a lot awareness to be raised in breast cancers. One of them last year we had a presentation I was able to honor the Ellie Fund and just want to continue doing that People living with breast cancer, celebrate survivors. Remember those we have lost and stand with the families, caregivers, and loved ones who support them. My grandmother, who I never got the chance to meet, she died the year that I was born, my father's mother. died of breast cancer and so I want to bring her into the space as well, Immacula. Breast cancer touches families in every Boston neighborhood. Timely screening diagnosis treatment a follow-up care can make a profound difference and residents should be able to access that care regardless of their income or circumstances. We have to also confront the inequities in outcomes, insurance gaps, transportation costs, language barriers, caregiver responsibilities

and Timely from work can make it harder to receive care, and add considerable stress during treatment made worse for black women when we're already looking at the public health disparities that exist. I especially want to recognize and thank Ellie Fund. And that's really the reason why I filed this resolution because I was recently with them in community as they were doing breast cancer awareness and talking to people about breast cancer, and I was telling them about my own family. LA Fund is a real... And we were able right at the time that we were honoring them We happen to have a constituent in High Park who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and LA Fund came through for them wholeheartedly. And so just want to thank LA Fund and also just make people aware that the LA Fund is available for folks, for anyone who's is living with the diagnosis of breast cancer or was recently diagnosed that the LA Fund is there to support them. So I want to also thank Boston's health care workers, hospitals, nurses in this moment, community organizers and organizations and advocates

We encourage people to get your mammograms. Got my first one recently and to discuss individual risk in appropriate screenings with the health care provider, and to offer meaningful support to neighbors facing breast cancer. Thank you

Thank you, Councilor Louijeune. The Chair recognizes Council Santana. You now have the floor.

Thank you Madam President and thank you Councillor Louijeun for putting me on this resolution. Cancer is an issue that affects every person in our city We all know someone who has been impacted by cancer diagnosis and breast cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, one that impacts marginalized groups. As my own family confronts the challenges of cancer diagnosis I understand deeply the impact it can have on a family. My heart goes out to everyone in Boston who is dealing with the same struggle right now. Since the first Breast Cancer Awareness Month more than 40 years ago, Breast cancer death rates in the US have dropped by 44%. It's no coincidence that greater awareness increases in early detection and advancements in treatments have conceded with the rise of BCAM. increased awareness can and does save lives.

As we observe this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we honor survivors, uplift those currently battling breast cancer, and commit ourselves to ensuring that everyone has access to life-saving healthcare. Thank you.

Thank you, Chair. And thank you, Councilor Louijeune and Santana for adding me as a co-sponsor. I think about Carol Matejka in my district who is part of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and also the chair of the West End Civic Association And I think about all the women in their life that have dedicated themselves to advocacy once they've experienced and survived, and been part of this group of survivors from breast cancer. One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and it's so important that we raise awareness. Preventative screenings, timely diagnosis and quality care and treatment save lives. Disparities in outcomes for women of color and Black and Brown women demonstrate the need to keep going and dismantle barriers to cost, insurance gaps, transportation and education and cultural barriers. so that every resident can access screenings and the treatment they deserve. Last night, I actually heard from Michael Curry and some members of the Health Equity Compact which is a really unique setup

basically competitors who have come together to solve some of the health inequities in our city and our state. We have hospitals and medical institutions that are driving forward to solve issues, but without addressing the inequities of care in our city and our state We can't really get at the root of what we're trying to do here, which is drive awareness and conversation I think about Carol Matica, who's about five feet maybe 4'11", standing up against... Standing next to Steven Lynch and other legislators. And there's a picture of her with, I think it was Rep Richie Neal Pointing at him about breast cancer and how important it is. And I just think about all of those advocates who go to Washington and demand more, and demand that this be taken as seriously as it should and I'm grateful to Councilor Louijeune for sharing her personal story.

We all have women in our lives who have experienced, and men in our life that have experienced. And I think it's really important As a city and as a state and as the health care systems that we have in our city, make sure that we're fighting back about the unequal nature of treatment in our I'm excited about the collaboration and the new cancer hospital that BI and Dana-Farber are putting together, but it's not one we need all the competitors to come together and say not one more. and Poor Money into Research. And thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Councilor Durkan. I want to thank my colleagues for bringing this forward and just think the organizers just this weekend of the police department they organized The Pink Ribbon Bowl, which is a powderpuff game. I'm including one of my good friends Joe Petruzziello and they raised money for the Ellie fund so just grateful for Kulpepper, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy. Pepén, Councilor Weber, and Councilor Worrell. I'm pleased to have the chair. Councillor Louijeune is seeking suspension of the rules on adoption of Docket 1927. All those in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Thank you docket 1927 has been adopted. Mr. Clerk, can you please read Docket 1928?

Doctrine number 1928, Councilor Fitzgerald offer the following. Resolution recognizing October 4th through 10th, 2026 as Fire Prevention Week.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Fitzgerald. You now have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to suspend the rules and add—sorry, I'd like to add Councilor Worrell as an original co-sponsor and suspend the

Seeing and hearing no objections, they are so added. Sorry.

Thank you This week we recognize the dedicated members of the Boston Fire Department and all BFD personnel who work every day to protect our residents, neighborhoods, businesses, and visitors. Their work goes far beyond responding when a fire occurs. BFD plays a critical role in prevention, inspections, education code enforcement and community outreach. Simple precautions like a working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, having an escape plan and knowing what to do in an emergency can make the difference between life and death. Fire prevention is especially important as we head into the colder months when heating equipment can increase the risk of fires. We also recognize the courage, professionalism and sacrifice of Boston's firefighters who put themselves in harm's way to protect others. This resolution is about thanking the Boston Fire Department personnel while also encouraging every Boston resident to take fire prevention seriously and make sure their home and family are prepared.

I'm proud to offer this resolution recognizing Fire Prevention Week and honoring the Boston Fire Department for their continued service to our city. I want to thank Commissioner Roddy Marshall, Local 718 President Sam Dillon, and all the rank-and-file members of the Boston fire department for their hard work This week and every day. I should also mention that there is the Boston Firefighter 5K and 10K Memorial Road Race this Sunday, which starts and ends at Florian Hall in Dorchester. And you can find a link for that at BFDRelief.org I am looking to seek suspension and passage of this docket today. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank Councilor Fitzgerald for adding me as an original co-sponsor in introducing this resolution. Also want to think our brave firefighters for their professionalism and bravery here to the city of Boston. We were also treated to a performance by the acrobatics team on City Hall Plaza Earlier this week, and during that performance the department also took the opportunity to remind residents of important fire safety measures we should all be taking. I just want to uplift a few of those safety measures. One is that the fire department also provides free fire prevention bed shakers A life-saving alert device which provides an accessible alternative to smoke alarms by using vibration flashing lights and low frequency alarms to wake people up during a fire emergency.

I also want to point residents to the Boston Fire Prevention Education Unit website if they're looking to schedule an installation or to receive any more information around free services that the fire department I also want to shout out local 718 and also the fire department, Lieutenant Henry Perkins who provides so much crucial resourceful information. to civic groups throughout the city of Boston. I also want to take this time to remind renters and residents, homeowners To please get renter's insurance. Your homeowner's insurance does not cover your renters, so I just want to make sure that all of our renters know to please get renters' insurance in case something like a fire tragically so happens to you

and then there's an event happening on November 14th where Council Fitzgerald and I are partnering to distribute three carbon and Smoke Detectors that's happening at Lahey Community Center. And also a big shout out to American Red Cross, thank you.

Thank you Councilor Worrell. Councillor Santana you now have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President. I want to thank Councilor Fitzgerald for including me on this and for filing this resolution. Fire safety and prevention is an essential aspect of public safety. The fire last week in Nubian Square Historic Edison Building demonstrated the sudden way a fire can wreak havoc on a community. It is non-negotiable that we educate our young people about fire safety in case of emergency. Parents, don't forget to bring fire safety home from school Ensure that you have a fire safety plan for your home. Have a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket, make sure you replace the batteries in your smoke detector and have an exit plan. Again I want to thank both Fitzgerald and Councilor Worrell for your leadership on this. I'm looking forward to the work ahead, thank you.

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

Thank you Madam Chair and I rise to support this important resolution. Had the opportunity to talk to men and women of the fire department this week on City Hall Plaza as they demonstrated various techniques they were using, developing to save people from various situations. I want to also acknowledge the leadership and professionalism Local 718 and Sam Dillon, but also the National President Eddie Kelly as well. One of the issues I will continue to focus on is educating the public on fire prevention I was part of the similar program in sponsoring upgrades to various equipment in people's homes, fire alarms and people's home stations in the south end.

and want to thank the fire department, but thank Local 718. And there was a woman who's a good friend of mine who recently retired, who became a judge, Connie Wong was part of the outreach process as well. So I want to recognize Judge Connie Wong, who I worked with at Suffolk Superior Court, who worked as a, I believe her title was Deputy Fire Commissioner in charge of legal affairs maybe. But I also want to highlight the importance as we approach the budget season, how important it is for all of us to support the health and wellness programs and Cancer Screenings that are critical for firefighters and their families as well. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank You, Councilor Flynn. Councilor Louijeune, you now have the floor

Thank you. I want to thank the filers. I really just primarily wanted to rise, and Councilor Rowell mentioned him, but Henry Perkins, Hank, I don't know one community event that we have where I don' see Hank present doing the work of fire education and fire safety so I know there are many names in the local 718, Vulcans. There are many people to thank but I've seen Hank consistently since I started off here just very present and community Just my hats off to Randy, if you could just give Hank a thanks to him because there are people who care deeply about the work and it just shows. So I just wanted to rise to thank Hank Cindy Jacob in my office who partnered, we partnered with the American Red Cross and with the fire department. And they canvassed what knocking door to door in Mattapan and in Hyde Park to make sure that everyone had the carbon monoxide and

Fire Detectors that they needed. Of course, not every door but really doing that work and I know Cindy it was a very important project for her and just wanted to acknowledge her leadership in our office for getting that done. Thank you

Thank you, Councilor Louijeune. And thank you, Cindy for that. Councillor Durkan?

Thank you so much, Chair. My sister, my best friend Tori lost everything in a fire Thank you so much for joining us. She happened to live in an apartment complex and it was an electrical issue, but knowing that many fires can be prevented and getting the word out about renter's insurance and what people can do to protect themselves. This matters so deeply to our communities and we've had many Really, really intense fires over the past few months. And so it's really important that we get the word out and I know as we're heading into the winter season, it's even more important that Heaters and Electro-Oil Outlets, and making sure that we're doing everything we can to let residents know how they can be safe.

I want to thank all of the firefighters from the Boston Fire Department who serve with such distinction every single day and make sure you know in the hardest moments of Bostonians lives they are there. And I want to also thank, and I know Councilor Cleta Zapata has worked on this but Just the outreach that happens after a fire, that you're not left without somewhere to stay, without somewhere and I know that Councilor Coletta Zapata has worked deeply on, you know, that response to that. And working in partnership with Office of Neighborhood Services So I just want to thank our fire department, and this is such an important thing. So thank you to Councilor Fitzgerald for putting this forward.

Thank you, Councillor Durkan. Councillor Pepén?

Thank you Madam Chair. Just want to go on record very much in support of this resolution Very grateful for the fire department and the work that they do. Some of the most meaningful work that I've done as a city employee was when I was working for neighborhood services and showing up whenever there was a fire overnight or any time of the day. And there's a specific unit for the fire department that I'm always grateful for is the first, I am not blanking on the name but Gary Cullinan Gary Cullinan, who leads that unit. They always are the ones that show up every single time that people are displaced and they are the unit that connects residents with the Red Cross and works for neighborhood services and make sure that the family is okay. And I've just been able to see the impactful work that our firefighters do whenever a family's impacted, so I'm just very grateful for them and all the work. Thank you so much.

and thank you to Gary Cullinan of the Emergency Assistance Department. Would anyone else like to add their name? Culpepper, Durkan, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Weber, and please add the chair. Councillor Fitzgerald, Worrell, and Santana seek suspension of rules and adoption of docket 1928. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk would you please conduct a roll call vote on docket

Brayden, Colletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune. Lujan, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber and Worrell. Docket number 1928 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, docket 1928 had been adopted. Mr. Clerk can you please read docket1929?

Talking number 1929, Councilors Louijeune and Mejia offer the following. Resolution recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day.

Thank you. The chair recognizes Councilor Louijeun. Councilor, you now have a floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to request to suspend the rules at Councilor Webber as a third original co-sponsor. Seeing and hearing no objections, he is so added. Thank you. And I would like to seek suspension in passage of this resolution. Since 2021, October 6th, 2021 under then Acting Mayor Kim Janey. It was recognized as we recognize October 6, 2021 then as Indigenous Peoples' Day. And so I want to thank Mayor Janey for her leadership on that and today we offer this resolution to continue commemorating that in recognition of Indigenous People's Day in an honor of the indigenous communities whose histories, cultures and contributions are woven into Boston's identity. We acknowledge that Boston stands on the traditional territory of the Massachusetts Poncapog, Wampanoag, Nipmuc and other nations and tribes whose members remain a continuing presence and caretakers of this land.

This day asks us to speak honestly about the dispossession of indigenous homelands, and the policies that sought to suppress indigenous cultures. Recognizing that history is part of building a city The people who were here long before Boston Board's present name. It is also a day to celebrate the strained survival and thriving cultures of indigenous communities and peoples. Boston's indigenous communities, and many other nations deserve our respect and for us to tell honest stories about this country. I particularly want to recognize the North American Indian Center of Boston, NICOP founded in 1969 for decades It has provided services, advocacy, cultural programming and a gathering place that strengthens native families and connects people across generations. I encourage residents to use this day to learn about the indigenous communities around us Support their institutions and listen to Indigenous voices.

Their leadership and contributions deserve recognition throughout the year, and again we deserve, our children deserve, the next generations deserve to first tell honest stories about who we are as a country because until we can tell those honest stories. We can't move forward with the work that we have to do to be the multiracial, multi-class democracy that we all deserve. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President. And I want to thank Councilor Louijeune for adding me as an original co-sponsor and I wanna start by acknowledging that Boston is on the ancestral lands of Massachusetts, Pawtucket, Wimbledon Moc Peoples, as well as others who have shaped the surrounding region. We acknowledge that their stewardship of and connection to these lands for generations. Indigenous People Day honors the history culture and contributions of the indigenous peoples It also serves as a reminder of the injustices indigenous people have faced, both past and present. We must face the truth about systemic oppression, genocide, and forced migration while also uplifting indigenous communities Strength, Resilience and Preservation of Values and Culture. This recognition must be paired with action by amplifying indigenous voices, investing in resources, building partnerships and ensuring indigenous communities are valued.

We are lucky to have organizations like the North American Indian Center of Boston and JP, which serves our communities with programs and services and continues its advocacy. and whose establishment is rooted in social and civil rights in the late 60s. We appreciate the organizations and advocates who continue to uplift and support our indigenous communities, and I look forward to passing this resolution today. And I'll end with when I used to work at MTV I had the opportunity to go to, I think it was South Dakota. And I got so excited because I was going to be interviewing someone who lives in the reservation and I was so ignorant that I thought when I went to the reservation there was going TPs and turquoise and like indigenous people really living in the land. And when I got there, I was so disappointed to see the conditions that the indigenous people were living Rat-infested spaces and places, and just the poverty.

And it broke my heart to see that. And I know I cannot believe that I just acknowledged how ignorant I was, but it was a rude awakening about the injustices that so many of our indigenous people face here in America.

Thank you, Councilor Mejia.

Thank you, Madam President. I just want to thank Councillors Louijeune and Mejia for adding me as a third sponsor. I'm proud to have NICOD in my district, and in June I was honored attend a historic landmark dedication for NICOB at its building at 105 South Huntington Avenue. Look forward to joining You know, Jean-Luc and Reggie and everyone else at NICAB over on Monday and throughout the rest of the year. So I just thank you for highlighting this As Councillor Mejia highlighted, it's like we as a country We've tried to erase an entire people across the country. It's up to us to stand up to that and continue that fight today Everyone knows what our indigenous peoples have gone through and what they've contributed here. So thank you.

Thank you, Council Weber. Would anyone else like to add their name? Clerk, please add Council Culpepper, Council Durkan, Council Fitzgerald, Council Flynn, Council Murphy, Council Pepén, Council Santana, Council Worrell and The Chair, Councillors Louijeune and Mejia as well as Weber seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 1929. All those in favour say aye. All opposed say nay. Please doubt the vote Mr. Clerk

Breadon, Colletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald, yes. Councilor Flynn? Yes. Counselor Flynn, yes, Counselor Louijeune? Yes Counselor Louisianne, yes Counselor Mejia? Yes Councilor Meijia, yes Councilor Murphy? Yes councilor Murphy, yes councilor Pepén? Yes Councillor Pepén, yes Councillor Santana Santana, yes. Councilor Weber? Yes. Council Weber, yes and councilor Worrell? Yes Councilor Worrell, yes document number 1929 has received 12 votes in the affirmative

Thank you. Docket 1929 has been adopted. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket 1930?

Docket number 1930. Councilors Durkan and Louijeune offer the following resolution recognizing the 25th anniversary and naming October 12, 2026 as opening our Doors Day in the City of Boston.

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilor Durkan. You now have a floor.

Thank you so much, Chair. We had a great presentation this morning and I just want to thank my colleagues who stopped by our reception. Thank you, Councilor Culpepper, Fitzgerald, Santana, Louijeune for your support and really great, Mejia thank you so much for your Honoring, I know Kelly Brilliant and Genevieve Day. They have worked really hard and Kelly has worked really harder over the past 25 years to keep this going. And it's been the inspiration For a lot of other things that these cultural institutions have done to open up their doors So I just want to read out the organizations that are participating and I want to give Councillor Santana I want to add him as a third co-sponsor, and I want give him an opportunity to speak on this. But I hope to see you all on Monday at 10 AM It starts right on the dot, so if you want to come just make sure you're there on time.

So MassArt Art Museum, Massachusetts Historical Society, Museum of Fine Arts the First Church of Christ Scientist, The Huntington Theater, Fenway Studios, BYSO, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston Symphony Orchestras, Berklee College of Music, The YMCA on Huntington Ave, the Trestman Gallery at Simmons University, Tufts University, the SMFA, Cagiasso Studio and Emerald Leckless Conservancy. Just want to thank you all All of these groups for opening their doors and for being part of this year as the 25th year, and we're all so excited. So thank you to my colleagues for the presentation today. I want to give a thank-you to Councilor Louijeune Durkan, are you seeking to add? Councilor Santana is the third co-sponsor.

Okay seeing and hearing no objection he's so added. Lujan, you're good. Councilor Santana, you now have the floor.

Thank you Madam President and thank you Councillor Durkan for including me as an original co-sponsor. When I was a kid in Mission Hill in the Mission Hill Summer Program It's been a lot of time visiting Boston's parks and museums. I know how important open space is for cultural institutions, and Boston has some of the finest in the world. The opening Art Doors Festival is a celebration of public access that keeps these institutions from becoming Durkan, Ivory Towers close off parts of our city. I applaud the Huntington Theatre, Boston Symphony Hall and all the other participants that Councilor Durkan mentioned. I don't have them here in my list but I think I was able to This is an incredible, incredible day. It's filled with incredible youth who have so much talent and I encourage my colleagues if you have some time on Monday to stop by and support but yeah thank you

Hey, Councilor Santana. Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Council Murphy, Council Pepén, Council Weber, Council Worrell and please add the chair Strickland, Louijeune and Santana seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket one nine three zero. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. Mr. Clerk would you please conduct a roll call vote on docket 1930

Breadon, Colletta Zapata, Collins, Culpepper, Collins-Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn. Flynn, yes, Councilor Louijeune, yes. Councilor Mejia? Yes. Council Mejía? Yes, Council Murphy? Yes Councilor Murphy, yes Councilor Pepén? Yes Councillor Pepén, yes Councillor Santana? Yes Webber, yes. And Councilor Worrell? Yeah. Councilor Yes. So I can have a one nine three zeros receive 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you Mr. Clerk, before we move on to green sheets is there anyone else who would like to add their name to a docket they may have missed?

Councillor Worrell Yes give me one second Thank you. Thank you, Councillor Mejia? Yes I'd like to add my

Name to Docket 218, oh my god. It was the one with the, sorry clerk, the veterans? The Hero Square?

19, 18. Thank you.

Councillor Durkan? 19, 19.

Clerk, do you have those?

Yes.

Okay, great. We're now on moving on to late files.

Two personnel.

Two personal orders, okay. I am informed by the clerk that there are two personnel orders. Absent objection, the personnel orders will be added. Mr. Clerk, would you please read the personnel order into the record?

First Personnel Firstly, late file matter. Personnel order. Councilor Breadon for Councilor Mejia. And second personnel order. Counselor Breadin for Counciler Worrell.

Thank you, the chair moves for passage of these personnel orders. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed say nay. The ayes have it. Thank you. The late filed personnel matters have been passed. We're now moving on to the consent agenda. I've been informed by the clerk that there's one addition to the consent agenda. The question now comes on approval of various matters contained within this consent agenda all those in favor say aye thank you the consent Agenda has been adopted We are now on to announcements. Please remember these are for upcoming dates and events. Does anyone have any announcements? Oh, I missed screen sheets. I apologize. Sorry everyone. We are now moving on to the green sheets. Is anyone looking to pull anything from the green sheet? Great, thank you. Councillor Flynn, do you have your microphone on?

Okay, great. No, we do announcements first. We are now on to announcements. Please remember these are for upcoming dates and events. Councillor Flynn you now have the floor

Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair I just wanted to recognize a close friend of mine who I have great respect for as it relates to announcements but on October 17th Pastor Bruce Wall is retiring After 33 years as pastor of Global Ministries Christian Church and more than five decades of ministry in community service as well, together Pastor Wall and Karen Wall, Pastor Karen Wall. have dedicated their lives to serving others, strengthening families, mentoring young people, bringing people together across Boston. I want to thank them for the many years of service and congratulate them as they begin This next chapter, what I most respect about Pastor Bruce Wall is not just his service as a member of the clergy but

who is a clerk magistrate in the court system but he was still always bringing people together. He never gave up on anybody, he always provided an encouraging word. He always provided compassion, provided hope and during Boston's difficult days, Pastor Wall was there along with Reverend Culpepper and so many others. John Borders, Bishop Borders. Reverend Michael Haynes The clergy contributed greatly, and they still contribute greatly to the city of Boston. I just want to acknowledge my friend and a wonderful member of the community Pastor Bruce Ball, and his wonderful wife as well. Thank you Madam Chair.

Thank You Councillor Flynn. Councillor Culpepper you now have the floor.

Madam chair I want to announce this morning we celebrated the opening of the CVS in Nubian Square What a great accomplishment in addition to the Roxbury Main Street and all of the work that they've been doing, Newby Square. I also want to associate myself with the remarks by Councilor Flynn with regard Reverend Bruce Wall retiring longtime friend even before he was in the ministry, before we were both in a ministry. He was probation officer I was young lawyer or even before that when we just Younger, younger folks. I want to congratulate Bruce for all that he's done over the years building up his radio television station Over the years in the church and just having a great career in the ministry.

His retirement party is coming up as is Bishop Borders this Saturday, the 10th. And so I just want to congratulate them. We'll really miss them in the ministry for all they do. Who do you call now without a Bishop Waters, without a Reverend Walts? So I just wanna congratulate them and I wish them a very, very successful and fun retirement. Thank you Madam President.

Councilor Louijeune, you now have the floor.

Thank you. I just want to echo my colleagues and a lot of our pastors and bishops are retiring this year and just want also echo Pastor Bruce Wall and everything he's given the community And gala planning is a lot of work, and so I want to just uplift everyone who's celebrating and planning his gala celebration next weekend. Particularly my fellow Hyde Park resident Marcia Kim-Jackson. Thank you.

MARCIA KIM- Thank you, Councilor Louijeune. We're wishing a very happy birthday to Debbie Glennon of Councilor Breadon's office. Happy Birthday! I also want to remind everybody to join us for the 2026 City Council Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month celebration The celebration will be held in the Ayanela Chamber on Wednesday, October 14th at 12 p.m., taking place after the Hispanidad flag raising at 11 a.m. on City Hall Plaza. We're now moving on to memorials. Would anyone like to uplift a name? I saw Councillor Weber's light on first and then we'll go to Councillor Flynn.

Okay, thank you very much. Today marks three years since the October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel that killed approximately 12,000 people in Israel and where 251 civilians and soldiers were taken hostage, many never to be seen alive again. In response Israel launched a counterattack that according to recent counts resulted in 77,000 Palestinian deaths and over 150,000 injuries in Gaza. The events of October 7th and its aftermath will be remembered as one of the most tragic chapters in our shared history. And many of us, myself included, struggle to deal with the scope of the trauma and complexity of October 7th. Today, you know my thoughts and again I'm sure many of my colleagues join me are with all those who lost loved ones and who have suffered

as a result of the events of that terrible day in 2023.

Thank you. Thank You, Council Weber. Councillor Flynn on the floor.

Thank Madam Chair. There were several people in my Community that recently passed away. I do want to acknowledge them briefly if I may, but one person, Larry Dwyer, he dedicated his career to serving Boston who is a youth worker at the D Street Multi-Service Center. Later served as the Boston Park Commissioner, Commissioner of Health and Hospitals. Beyond his professional accomplishments Larry was someone was deeply committed to his family, his friends, his community. He's a coach in softball. He played drums with good friends spending time in his garden enjoying a round of golf. He brought energy and warmth to everything he did. He was also instrumental in the integration of public housing in South Boston, Charlestown as well.

In other South Boston A friend and neighbor was Joe Lee, a Dorchester native. He spent most of his adult life in South Boston. He became the principal of the Gavin School, comes from a large family. His wife Nancy, they shared 55 years of marriage. They've raised seven children I extend my deepest condolences to the family. I went to The Wake last night for Joseph Lee and Larry Dwyer as well, I'm gonna miss both of them. And finally Another wonderful friend from Dorchester was Bobby Finneran. I went to the wake this morning, now a resident of Charlestown but he lived a remarkable life

As a youth worker, as a teacher, running his own business, served in leadership roles. In the Flynn administration he was deeply involved in civic political life. He had many friends throughout the city who is devoted to his family. He's especially proud of his daughter, Alexis, whom many people know here in this I&L chamber and his godson John with whom he shared countless adventures around Boston He was a reader, he loved history, sports. Never forgot a birthday. I extend our deepest condolences to Alexis, John, Barb's siblings, extended family Bobby's generosity, curiosity, humor, commitment to the people he cared about will be deeply missed. And I know other colleagues will probably mention Judge Houston

A life lived well that contributed greatly not only to the residents of Massachusetts, but helping bring this city together and made a positive impact on race relations and never giving up on people as well. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank You, Councillor Flynn. And was it Larry Dwyer?

Yes.

Thank-you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd also like to end today's meeting in honor of Bobby Finneran. He was just a great guy, gregarious, I've cared about regular people, all types of people. All types of things. I will never forget first meeting him. I'll never forget his warmth, the warmth of his daughter Alexis and so I know that her dad was her best friend I can't imagine the pain that she's experiencing, so just wanna give my condolences to Bobby Finneran's family. All of his siblings who were there this morning Alexis and to his husband, Kevin, and to John Robert Fitzgerald, his grandson who deeply, deeply loved his granddad. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I'd also like to remember Bobby Finneran and I also want to remember the life of Raheem Muhammad as well who passed away on September 26 after battling Worrell.

I also just want to uplift the name of Bobby Finneran. When you're a staffer, people typically look past Don't pay attention, but he was always somebody in Charlestown that would ask me how I'm doing and provide words of advice, encouragement and wisdom. And I loved his humor and appreciated his support My heart goes to Alexis and the entire Finneran family. Please accept my deepest condolences. The last time I saw Bobby he was with his grandson, and he was talking about how much he loved spending time with his with his grandsons so My heart to his grandson and all members of the Finneran family. Okay, so on behalf of Councilor Flynn, Louijeune and myself Robert Bob Finneran.

On behalf of Councillor Flynn, Joseph Joe Lee, Larry Dwyer and Justice Julian Houston, on behalf of Councilor Worrell, Raheem Muhammad. On behalf of Councillor Fitzgerald, Theresa F., Terry Norton Downie, who is Paul Flaherty's mom from the clerk's office. On behalf of myself, Gerald A. Jerry Donnarumma and on behalf of Councilor Weber in the entire council all those lost on September excuse me October 7th and in the subsequent weeks months and years thereafter a moment of silence please The chair moves that when the council adjourns today, does so in memory of the aforementioned individuals. The Council is scheduled to meet again in the Ionella Chamber on Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 at 12 PM.

It was an honor as an Eastie kid to preside over this council meeting today. I want to thank my colleagues, central staff, the Clerk at the clerk's office and the Council sonographer All those in favor of adjournment say aye. The council is adjourned, thank you everybody.