Quincy City Council: January 5, 2026

• Governing Body: Quincy City Council
• Meeting Type: Inaugural and Organizational Meeting
• Date: January 5, 2026
• Location: Great Hall, Quincy City Hall
• Presiding Officer: City Clerk Nicole Crispo (Initial), Council President Anne Mahoney (Post-election)
• Council Members Present:
  • Richard Ash
  • Noel DiBona
  • Walter Hubley
  • David Jacobs
  • Anne Mahoney
  • Maggie McKee
  • Deborah Riley
  • Virginia Ryan
  • Ziqiang Yuan

• City Clerk Nicole Crispo administered the oath of office to the members of the 84th Quincy City Council.
• Keynote Speaker: State Auditor Diana DiZaglio addressed the Council and the public, highlighting the historic nature of the first female-majority council in Quincy's history.
• Auditor DiZaglio emphasized the importance of local officials being accessible and courageous in their decision-making.
• Key Quote: "Feel the fear, and do the right thing anyways. Even if you're standing alone, even if you're the only one talking about what you're talking about, do what you know in your gut and your heart is the right thing and you can't go wrong."

• Nomination: Councilor Deborah Riley nominated Anne Mahoney for the position of Council President for the 2026-2027 session.
• Second: Councilor Maggie McKee.
• Discussion: Councilor Ziqiang Yuan spoke in support of the nomination, stating that the election results demonstrated a public desire for "real checks and balances."
• Vote Outcome: The motion passed unanimously (9-0).
• Roll Call Vote:
  • Councilor Ash: Yes
  • Councilor DiBona: Yes
  • Councilor Hubley: Yes
  • Councilor Jacobs: Yes
  • Councilor Mahoney: Yes
  • Councilor McKee: Yes
  • Councilor Riley: Yes
  • Councilor Ryan: Yes
  • Councilor Yuan: Yes
• Action: Anne Mahoney was sworn in as City Council President.

• President Anne Mahoney addressed the chamber, outlining her vision for the 2026-2027 session with a focus on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and public engagement.
• She acknowledged the historic diversity of the council, including five women and two Asian women.
• Key Quote on Governance: "Oversight is not obstruction. It's good governance. And we will do that work professionally, respectfully, and productively."
• She committed to working constructively with Mayor Thomas Koch and city department heads while maintaining the Council's independent role in asking "hard questions."

• Nomination: Councilor Richard Ash nominated Jennifer Manning to continue as Clerk of Committees.
• Second: Councilor Noel DiBona.
• Discussion: Councilors Ash and DiBona praised Manning's 12 years of institutional knowledge and her role in maintaining official records and procedural accuracy.
• Vote Outcome: The motion passed unanimously (9-0).
• Roll Call Vote:
  • Councilor Ash: Yes
  • Councilor DiBona: Yes
  • Councilor Hubley: Yes
  • Councilor Jacobs: Yes
  • Councilor McKee: Yes
  • Councilor Riley: Yes
  • Councilor Ryan: Yes
  • Councilor Yuan: Yes
  • President Mahoney: Yes
• Action: Jennifer Manning was elected Clerk of Committees.

The Council took action on several procedural items required for the start of the new session:

1. Introduction and Adoption of the Rules of the City Council for 2026-2027 Session
   • Motion: Councilor Ryan; Second: Councilor Ash.
   • Vote: Unanimous (9-0).
2. Authorization for the City Clerk to Print the City Council Calendar
   • Motion: Councilor Yuan; Second: Councilor DiBona.
   • Vote: Unanimous (9-0).
3. Adoption of the 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule
   • Motion: Councilor DiBona; Second: Councilor Jacobs.
   • Vote: Unanimous (9-0).