Boston City Council meeting minutes — October 29, 2025

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Boston was held in the Christopher A. Iannella Chamber, City Hall on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at 12:04 PM. President Louijeune in the Chair. Present Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell. Pastor Wilson Santos, Congregación León De Judá, delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance. The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the October 22, 2025 City Council Meeting. Motion prevailed.

ROLL CALL

APPROVAL OF THE OCTOBER 22, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:

Message and order for your approval an order to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Nine Hundred Seventy-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Nine Dollars ($977,749.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools for the FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the Boston School Committee and the City of Boston and the Administrative Guild, SEIU Local 888. Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on October 27, 2025.

Message and order for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public School Department for FY26 in the amount of Nine Hundred Seventy-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Forty-Nine Dollars ($977,749.00) to cover the cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the Boston School Committee and the Administrative Guild, SEIU Local 888. The terms of the contract are September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2027. The major provisions of the contracts include base wage increases of 2% and the flat amounts of $250, $900, and $850 to be given in September of each fiscal year of the contract term. The contract also supports increased opportunities for professional development and mentoring.

Councilor Worrell called Docket #1926, message and order for your approval an Order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of Eleven Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($11,100,000.00) for the purpose of paying costs for the window and door replacement projects at the following schools: the Gardner Pilot Academy School and the Lyndon Elementary School. This includes the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto, and for which the City of Boston may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), said amount to be expended under the direction of the Public Facilities Department on behalf of the Boston Public Schools, from the Committee on Ways and Means. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body. On motion of Councilor Worrell, the order was read a second time and again passed; yeas 10 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Weber, Worrell), not present 2 (Murphy, Santana).

On the message and order, referred on October 29, 2025, Docket #1927, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Million Six Hundred Seven Thousand Dollars ($2,607,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Community Mitigation Grant, awarded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to be administered by the Office of Budget Management. The grant will fund offset costs related to the construction and operation of a gaming establishment, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass. The report was accepted; the order was passed.

Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Forty Thousand Six Hundred Eighty-Five Dollars and One Cent ($40,685.01) in the form of a grant for the State Literacy Program grant, awarded by the MA Department of Education to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund the infrastructure cost for the Adult Community Learning Services at the Mass Hire Career Centers.

PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES

REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:

Notice was received from the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Ordinances of 1979 re: action taken by the Mayor on papers acted upon by the City Council at its meeting of October 8, 2025.

Communication from Councilor Flynn regarding a text amendment to the Boston Zoning Code relating to adult entertainment in Chinatown.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:

On the petition, referred on January 8, 2025, Docket #0145, for a Special Law Re: To establish the Commission of Inspectors General on Financial Oversight, the committee submitted a report recommending that the petition ought to pass in a new draft. The report was accepted; the petition was passed in a new draft; yeas 10 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, FitzGerald, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), nays 2 (Durkan, Flynn).

On the message and order, referred on July 9, 2025, Docket #1353, for the confirmation of the reappointment of Norm Stembridge as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeal, for a term expiring May 1, 2028, the committee submitted a report recommending that the appointment ought to be confirmed.

On the message and order, referred on July 9, 2025, Docket #1354, for the confirmation of the appointment of Rob Steinberg as a member of the St. Botolph Architectural Conservation District Commission, for a term expiring June 20, 2026, the committee submitted a report recommending the appointment ought to be confirmed.

On the message and order, referred on August 6, 2025, Docket #1412, for the confirmation of the appointment of Celina Barrios-Millner as a Member of the Zoning Board of Appeal, for a term expiring May 1, 2028, the committee submitted a report recommending that the appointment ought to be confirmed.

MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:

On the message and order, referred on September 10, Docket #1625, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Forty-Five Thousand One Hundred Eighty-Seven Dollars and Twenty Cents ($1,045,187.20) in the form of a grant, for the Youthworks FY25-26, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, passed through the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation of Boston, to be administered by Office of Youth Employment Office (OYEO). The grant will fund support youth employment and development in accordance with the requirement outlined in Youthworks program administration and management guide, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on September 17, Docket #1658, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Twenty-Two Thousand Forty-One Dollars and Twenty Cents ($222,041.20) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Youth Activities Administration Grant, awarded by United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund a program that focuses primarily on out-of-school youth, between the ages of 14-24, who face barriers to education, training, and employment, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on September 17, Docket #1659, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Nine Dollars and Fifty Cents ($173,229.50) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Adult Activities Administration Grant, awarded by United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund the creation of a seamless system of adult education, workforce preparation and training services, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on September 17, Docket #1660, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eighty-Nine Thousand Five Hundred Ninety-Three Dollars and Two Cents ($89,593.02) in the form of a grant, for the Wagner Peyser Administration Grant, awarded by United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1691, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Nine Hundred Ninety-Eight Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Dollars and Eighty Cents (1,998,370.80) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Youth Program Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund a comprehensive youth employment program to serve eligible youth, ages 14-24, who face barriers to education, training and employment, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1692, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Five Hundred Fifty-Nine Thousand Sixty-Five Dollars and Fifty Cents ($1,559,065.50) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Adult Activities, awarded by the United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund services to help job seekers access employment, education, skills training, apprenticeships and support services, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1693, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Forty Thousand Four Hundred Thirty-Five Dollars and Sixty-Seven Cents ($1,040,435.67) in the form of a grant, for the Wagner Peyser Program, awarded by United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund the individual reemployment needs of unemployment insurance claimants, as well as prevent and detect improper benefit payments, and application assistance for training and education resources and programs, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1694, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Nine Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand Six Dollars ($966,006.00) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Dislocated Workers Grant, awarded by United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund a program to help dislocated workers get back to work as quickly as possible and overcome barriers to employment, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1695, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eight Hundred Eighty-Four Thousand One Hundred Eleven Dollars ($884,111.00) in the form of a grant, for the One Stop Career Center Grant, awarded by MassHire Department of Career Services to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund comprehensive career services and resources to unemployed job seekers such as reviewing job postings, career counseling and job coaching, education/skills training, and job placement assistance, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on September 24, Docket #1697, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Seven Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Four Dollars ($107,334.00) in the form of a grant, for the WIOA Dislocation Workers Administration Grant, awarded by United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund individualized career services and training services, for dislocated workers to rejoin the workforce as early as possible and overcome barriers to employment, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on October 22, Docket #1832, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eight Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand Six Hundred Fifty-Seven Dollars and Eighty-Seven Cents ($895,657.87) in the form of a grant, for the RESEA Program for Field CY25 Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Labor, passed through the MassHire Department of Career Services, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund individual reemployment needs of Unemployment Insurance claimants, as well as prevent and detect improper benefit payments, and application assistance for training and education resources and programs, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.

On the message and order, referred on August 6, 2025, Docket #1434, Ordinance codifying the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement, the committee submitted a report recommending that the ordinance ought to pass in a new draft.

Order for a hearing on government accountability, transparency, and accessibility of decision making protocols in city government.

Ordinance Regarding the Safety and Efficacy of Commercial Autonomous Vehicle Operations Relative to Workers, Emergency First Responders, and Residents in the City of Boston.

MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:

An Ordinance regarding Living Wage For City Employees. Councilor Worrell in the chair. On motion of Councilors Louijeune and Pepén, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Worrell as an original co-sponsor.

Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to Redefining Commercial and Residential Definitions, and Creating Further Exemptions. Councilor Louijeune in the chair.

Order for a hearing regarding parking access for traveling Boston Public Schools employees. On motion of Councilors Murphy and Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor FitzGerald as an original co-sponsor.

Resolution recognizing October as Pedestrian Safety Month in the City of Boston. On motion of Councilors Pepén and Weber, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Worrell as an original co-sponsor.

Resolution recognizing November 2025 as Youth and Young Adult Homelessness Awareness Month. On motion of Councilors Santana and Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor FitzGerald as an original co-sponsor.

GREEN SHEETS:

Legislative Calendar for October 29, 2025.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Resolution recognizing the Wang YMCA of Chinatown and 5 other organizations and leaders.

Resolution recognizing Elijah Dodson and Penguin Pizza.

Resolution recognizing The Solomon Northup Committee for Commemorative Works and 12 individuals.

Resolution recognizing Carol Kelly.

Resolution recognizing three individuals during Boston's inaugural Fierce Styles Fashion Week.

Resolution recognizing Sharon Connolly.

Resolution recognizing 14 Boston Police Officers.

Resolution recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center.

Resolution recognizing Laura Gang.

Resolution recognizing Charles McCarthy.

Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Katarina Helfrich in City Council.

Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Kiara Montes De Oca, John D. Moore, and Beatrix Marcel Knight in City Council.

Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Olivia Huynh in City Council.

A Resolution Condemning the Trump Administration's Failure to Fully Fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). On motion of Councilors Coletta Zapata and Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Durkan as an original co-sponsor.

Emergency Order for a Hearing Regarding the Increase and Spread of Needle-Related Public Health and Safety Hazards in Boston. On motion of Councilors Murphy and Flynn, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor FitzGerald as an original co-sponsor.

Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:

Councilor Durkan, on behalf of the Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation, submitted the following:

Councilor Weber, on behalf of the Committee on Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development, submitted the following:

The Chair stated that in absence of objection, five late filed matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matters were added:

The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:

The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.

Adjourned at 3:22 p.m. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Gregory Andre, Larriston Lake, and Paul Ledwell, to meet again on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. Attest: Alex Geourntas City Clerk

Councilor Breadon called Docket #0102, message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Harvard Allston Brighton Fund grant, awarded by the Harvard Business School to be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Housing. The grant will fund the creation of affordable homeownership, affordable rental housing in the Allston-Brighton neighborhoods, from the Committee on Housing and Community Development. No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.