City Council

• Date: July 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM
• Governing Body: Boston City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular City Council Meeting
• Presiding Officer: Council President Liz Breadon
• Attendees: Councilors Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Weber, and Worrell.
• Absences: Councilors Coletta Zapata and Santana (Excused due to health issues).

Retirement of Sergeant Detective Eddie Crispin

Councilor Louijeune presented a resolution honoring the retirement of Sergeant Detective Eddie Crispin after 27 years with the Boston Police Department.

• Resolution Quote: "The Boston City Council extends its heartfelt congratulations to Eddie Crispin on his retirement honors his decades of service, leadership, mentorship, advocacy and integrity celebrates the enduring legacy he has built in Boston and beyond."
• Discussion: Councilor Louijeune highlighted Crispin's leadership in MAMLEO (Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers) and HALAC (Haitian Association of Law Enforcement Community).
• Outcome: Docket 1429 was adopted via roll call vote (11-0).

The Council acted on several grant-related dockets from Mayor Michelle Wu:

• Docket 1391: A $12,855,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies for the Skilled Trades Initiative, administered by the Office of Workforce Development and Boston Public Schools. Referred to the Committee on Labor and Economic Development.
• Docket 1392: An order authorizing $810,000 from the BPDA for the Phillips Square project in Chinatown. Councilor Flynn noted the project would redesign the area into a cooling space and requested it be named after community leader Tuni Lee. Action: Passed (11-0).
• Docket 1393: A $251,708 'Save America’s Treasures' grant for archaeological work at the Parker Harris Pottery Site in Charlestown. Action: Passed (10-0).
• Docket 1396: A $150,000 grant from Fair Share supplemental funds for public safety lighting in Brighton. Action: Passed (10-0).
• Dockets 1398, 1399, 1400: Three grants for the Age Strong Commission totaling $92,954 for senior nutrition, administration, and disease prevention. Action: All three passed (10-0).

Councilor Weber presented reports on school facility funding:

• Docket 1311: Message and order for a $5,000,000 appropriation for a feasibility study and schematic design for the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School. Action: Passed first reading (10-0).
• Docket 1312: Message and order for an $850,000 appropriation for feasibility studies and design work for window, door, and roof projects at the Boston Adult Academy, Joseph J. Hurley School, Ellis Mendel Elementary, Joyce Kilmer K-8, and Lyon Upper 9-12. Action: Passed first reading (10-0).

Several new ordinances were introduced and referred to the Committee on Government Operations:

• Docket 1412: Ordinance amending regulations related to public trust and police transparency, establishing timelines for releasing body-worn camera footage (Worrell).
• Docket 1413: Ordinance to amend the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT) to establish clear investigation timelines (Culpepper).
• Docket 1414: Ordinance prohibiting the sale and use of synthetic mitragynine (synthetic kratom) and 7-hydroxymitragynine (Fitzgerald).
• Docket 1415: Ordinance mandating annual reporting of street projects, including costs and delay justifications (Pepén, Breadon).
• Docket 1416: Hearing order to improve recruitment of civilian crossing guards (Pepén, Santana, Culpepper).

Vision Zero Recommitment

• Docket 1424: Resolution recommitting the City of Boston to Vision Zero 2030. Councilors Pepén, Breadon, and Durkan spoke regarding the recent tragic death of city employee and advocate Louisa Gag. Action: Adopted (11-0).

Road Safety Cameras

• Docket 1426: Resolution in support of State Bills S.2344 and H.3754, an act relative to traffic regulation using road safety cameras. Councilor Worrell noted these tools would address speeding and red-light violations. Action: Adopted (11-0).

• Docket 1425: Resolution celebrating the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Action: Adopted (11-0).
• Docket 1427: Resolution supporting State Bills H.4358 and S.2662 regarding consumer protections and repair timelines for wheelchair users. Action: Adopted (9-0).
• Docket 1428: Resolution in support of 1,500 nurses at Boston Medical Center (1199 SEIU) currently in contract negotiations. Councilors Flynn and Fitzgerald reported joining the picket line to advocate for wage parity. Action: Adopted (11-0).
• Docket 1430: Resolution recognizing the Roxbury Neighborhood Council (RNC) and its role in Article 50 planning. Action: Adopted (10-0).
• Docket 1432: Resolution declaring July 1, 2026, as Jalen Brown Day in recognition of the NBA champion's community work. Action: Adopted.

Councilor Culpepper introduced two requests for information under Section 17F:

• Docket 1422: Requesting documents regarding the John D. O'Brien School of Mathematics and Science capital planning process. Action: Passed.
• Docket 1423: Requesting documents submitted to the MSBA regarding the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School eligibility period. Action: Passed.

The Council adjourned in memory of the following individuals:

• Louisa Gag (City employee and cyclist)
• Phil Short, Paul Madalino, and Aaron Sawchuck (Beacon Hill)
• Pete 'The Duke of Dorchester' Doherty (Professional wrestler)
• Lisa Gregorio (Fire alarm operator)
• Yaseleani 'Liani' Marte (Victim of domestic violence)
• Bill Henry Wright III
• Rolando Molina
• Flor Vassalo (Matriarch of El Mundo)
• Dudley McDonagh and Frida Nolan
• Corey 'Prano' Murphy
• Carolyn Beach-Tolman