A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Boston was held in the Christopher A. Iannella Chamber, City Hall on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 12:06 P.M.
President Louijeune in the Chair. Present Councilors Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell.
Reverend Thomas Kennedy, formerly of Trinity Church of Boston, delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance.
The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the November 5, 2025 City Council Meeting.
Motion prevailed.
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 5, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
On the message and order, referred on November 19, 2025, Docket #1967, for your approval an order to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Six Million Seven Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand One Hundred Ninety-Six Dollars ($6,733,196.00) to provide funding for the Police Department for FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association (BPPA), the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
On the message and order, referred on November 19, 2025, Docket #1968, for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Police Department for FY26 in the amount Six Million Seven Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand One Hundred Ninety-Six Dollars ($6,733,196.00) to cover the FY26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association (BPPA). The terms of the contract are July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The major provisions of the contract include a base wage increase of 2% and a 1% increase to hazardous duty differential. The contract also contains reforms relating to police performance evaluations and will require officers to wear nametags, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
On the message and order, referred on November 19, 2025, Docket #1969, for your approval an order to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by Five Hundred Six Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Two Dollars ($506,452.00) to provide funding for the Boston Public Health Commission for the FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the Boston Public Health Commission and SEIU Local 888, Program collective bargaining unit, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
On the message and order, referred on November 19, 2025, Docket #1970, for a supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Health Commission for the FY26 in the amount of Five Hundred Six Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-Two Dollars ($506,452.00) to cover the FY26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the Public Health Commission and SEIU, Local 888, Programs collective bargaining unit. The term of the contract covers October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2027. The major provisions contract include base wage increases of 2% along with flat dollar weekly increases totaling to an annual increase of $500, $200, $550, then $500 to be given in January of each year of the contract term. The agreement also includes amendments to the longevity/career awards and reclassifications on lowest paid employees, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Eight Hundred Fifty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-Eight Dollars ($1,852,288.00) in the form of a grant, for the State FY26 Council on Aging formula allocation, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant will fund social and health care services for 115,768 older adults in the City of Boston at $15 per person, according to 2020 Census data from the UMass Boston Donahue Initiative.
On motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
On the message and order, referred on November 19, 2025, Docket #1972, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Boston MVP Action Grant, awarded by the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to be administered by the Public Works Department. The grant will fund the Massachusetts Audubon’s Boston Nature Center, a 67-acre urban wildlife sanctuary in a low-income neighborhood of Boston, the committee submitted a report recommending that this 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 Three Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($375,000.00) in the form of a grant, from the Climate Service Corps Grant, awarded by the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, passed through the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund work-based learning, skills training, service opportunities, and career guidance in occupations in energy efficiency and clean heating and cooling for people ages 18-24.
On motion of Councilor Weber, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00) in the form of a grant, for the Boston Tax Help Coalition Santander Bank Grant, awarded by the Santander Bank, N.A. to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund Boston Tax Help Coalition to provide pathways from poverty to financial empowerment by maximizing the impact of tax credits through free tax preparation, financial education, and economic stability opportunities.
On motion of Councilor Weber, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Forty-Three Thousand Three Hundred Twelve Dollars and Fifty Cents ($43,312.50) in the form of a grant, for the FYOB MLK Scholars Program grant, awarded by the Boston Foundation to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant will fund summer jobs, financial education, and professional development opportunities for Boston youth.
On motion of Councilor Weber, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Councilor Breadon called Docket #1976, message and order authorizing the City of Boston, acting by and through the Mayor’s Office of Housing, to accept and expend Thirty-Two Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-One Dollars ($32,251.00) in supplemental funds awarded under HOME Investment Partnership Program- American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) Act of 2021 for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The purpose of the HOME-ARP funds is to provide housing, shelter and services to individuals or households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations in the City of Boston. This award will support the development of affordable rental housing, from the Committee on Housing and Community Development.
No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
On motion of Councilor Breadon, the order was passed; yeas 10 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber), not present 2 (Mejia, Worrell).
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of 1,000 frozen Turkeys, valued at Twenty-Four Thousand One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($24,150.00), donated by Stop and Shop. The purpose of this donation is to provide Turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the City of Boston.
On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eight Thousand Ninety Dollars ($8,090.00) in the form of a grant, for the FY24 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Justice, passed through the Massachusetts State Police / Crime Laboratory, to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant will fund improvements to forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services, including services provided by forensic science laboratories operated by state and units of local government.
On motion of Councilor Santana, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of 100 frozen Turkeys, valued at Four Thousand Eight Hundred Thirty Dollars ($4,830.00), donated by Roche Brothers Market. The purpose of this donation is to provide Turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the City of Boston.
On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend an in-kind donation of 100 frozen Turkeys, valued at Two Thousand Four Hundred Fifteen Dollars ($2,415.00), donated by TD Garden. The purpose of this donation is to provide Turkeys for Thanksgiving to families in the City of Boston.
On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
Notice was received from the Mayor of her absence from the City from Sunday November 9, 2025 at 6:40 P.M., returning Wednesday November 12, 2025 at 6:00 P.M.
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 1, 2025.
Communication was received from Council President Louijeune to address the Open Meeting Law complaint and respond accordingly on behalf of the Boston City Council.
Referred to the Law Department.
Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding a request for a City investigation into the Boston Water and Sewer Commission.
Communication was received from the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding “Proposed Minor Modification to the South End Urban Renewal Plan, Project No. Mass. R-56, with respect to Parcel 1A.”
Communication was received from the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Planning and Development Agency regarding “Proposed Minor Modification to the Washington Park Urban Renewal Plan, Project No. Mass. R-24, with respect to So-called Parcel R-46.”
Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding a City Payroll technical issue for Overtime and Detail pay records.
Communication was received from Councilor Flynn regarding a recent Open Meeting Law Complaint against the Boston City Council.
Communication was received from the City Clerk regarding the 2025-2026 University Accountability - Statistical Report.
Councilor Durkan called Docket #1990, Communication was received from the City Clerk transmitting a communication from the Boston Landmarks Commission for City Council action on the designation of the petition #152.89, Ferdinand's Blue Store Bruce C. Bolling Building) 2260 - 2270 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA, as a Landmark (In effect after December 17, 2025 if not acted upon), from the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation.
No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
On motion of Councilor Durkan, the designation was passed.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
On the message and ordinance, referred on April 30, 2025, Docket #0969, establishing a Transgender, Gender-diverse, Intersex, and LGBTQIA2S+ Oversight Commission, the committee submitted a report recommending that the ordinance ought to pass in a new draft.
The report was accepted; the ordinance was passed in a new draft; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
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).
MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
Order for a hearing to discuss Boston Public Schools' FY27 Budget.
Order for a hearing to review past expenditures through quarterly updates on the FY2026 operating budget.
Order for a hearing regarding legalizing Triple-Deckers and other 2- to 4-unit housing in the City of Boston.
Order for a hearing regarding legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in every neighborhood in the City of Boston.
On the message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Sixty-Two Thousand Eight Hundred Nine Dollars and Eighty-Six Cents ($262,809.86) in the form of a grant, for the FY26 DMH CIT TTAC Grant, awarded by the MA Department of Mental Health to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund the implementation of 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for officers under the umbrella of BPD Street Outreach Unit, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed.
On the message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) in the form of a grant for the DMH FY26 Co-Response Grant, awarded by the MA Department of Mental Health to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund one full-time recovery coach through BEST, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed.
On the message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) in the form of a grant for the FY26 DMH Training Grant, awarded by the MA Department of Mental Health to be administered by the Police Department. The grant will fund overtime costs to backfill the Crisis Intervention Team training and other mental health training for officers, the committee submitted a report recommending that this order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed.
MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to Waive the Maximum Age Requirement for Police Officers for Matthew Cummings.
On motion of Councilor FitzGerald, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
Petition for a Special Law Re: An Act Relative to One Joslin Place.
On motion of Councilor Durkan, the rules were suspended; the petition was passed; yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell).
Order for a Hearing to Discuss Maintaining Pharmacy Access in the City of Boston.
On motion of Councilors FitzGerald and Pepén, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Mejia as an original co-sponsor.
Referred to the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery.
Order for a hearing to discuss the status of The City of Boston's application to certify with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Ranking System (CRS).
Order for a Hearing to Discuss Boston Public Schools Sports Footage Platform Access.
Order for a hearing on clean energy transition through a labor justice lens.
On motion of Councilors Weber and Coletta Zapata, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Louijeune as an original co-sponsor.
Referred to the Committee on Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development.
Resolution recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, 2025.
On motion of Councilors Mejia and Breadon, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Santana as an original co-sponsor.
On motion of Councilors Mejia, Breadon, and Santana, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
Resolution recognizing November 30th as Barbados Independence Day in the City of Boston.
On motion of Councilor Worrell, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
Resolution in support of S. 1247 An Act criminalizing sexual assault of a passenger by a rideshare operator.
On motion of Councilor Flynn, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
Resolution recognizing November 27, 2025 as "National Day of Mourning" in the City of Boston.
On motion of Councilors Weber and Louijeune, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilor Santana as an original co-sponsor.
On motion of Councilors Weber, Louijeune, and Santana, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
PERSONNEL ORDERS:
Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Mejia offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Elsa Flores in City Council effective November 29, 2025.
Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Weber offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Michael Fishbein in City Council effective November 29, 2025.
Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Coletta Zapata offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Stephan Marin Betancurt in City Council effective November 22, 2025.
GREEN SHEETS:
Legislative Calendar for November 19, 2025.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Resolution in memory of Thomas M. Lally.
Resolution recognizing Patricia Lyons.
Resolution recognizing Dan Nicolai.
Resolution recognizing Brother Philip S. Kallan.
Resolution recognizing Brother George E. Danis.
Resolution recognizing Brother Dr. Seraphim P. Papajiannis.
Resolution recognizing The Loong Kong Tien Yee Association of New England.
Resolution recognizing Jon Santiago.
Resolution recognizing Meyer + Chang.
Resolution recognizing Kwong Kow Chinese School.
Resolution recognizing Rodman for Kids.
Resolution recognizing the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association.
Resolution recognizing Amee's Medical Spa.
Resolution recognizing Paul T. Riley.
Resolution recognizing 43 veterans of Carter American Legion Post #16.
Resolution recognizing Justin A. Petty.
Resolution recognizing 9 Boston Lyric Opera Gala Honorees.
Resolution recognizing ITF Services LLP.
Resolution recognizing Bito David.
Resolution recognizing the U.S. Haitian Chamber of Commerce.
Resolution recognizing The Paper Project.
Resolution recognizing the Boston Raiders Youth Football and Cheer.
Resolution recognizing Coryn Bina.
Resolution recognizing Fenway Health.
Resolution declaring November 20, 2025 as “The Busyhead Project Day” in the City of Boston.
Resolution recognizing Beatrice Busby.
Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Emily Polston in City Council effective November 22, 2025.
Councilor Louijeune offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Emily Polston in City Council effective November 29, 2025.
Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Durkan offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Anthony Baez, Lauren Carmi, Samantha Courage, Denise Mame Gately, Holy Margulius and Lily Sweeterman in City Council, effective November 22, 2025.
Councilor Louijeune for Councilor Durkan offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employees Anthony Baez, Lauren Carmi, Samantha Courage, Denise Mame Gately, Holy Margulius and Lily Sweeterman in City Council, effective November 29, 2025.
The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
Adjourned at 3:10 P.M. on motion of President Louijeune, and in memory of Kathleen “Kitty” Whelan, Carol Courage, Alice Wong, Dennis Jackson, Jorge Luis Henao, BPD Detective Bruce Higgins, and Councilor Murphy's step-mother, to meet again on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 12:00 P.M.
Attest:
Alex Geourntas
City Clerk
The Chair stated that in absence of objection, four late filed matters would be added to the Agenda. No objection being heard, the following matters were added:
Councilor Coletta Zapata, on behalf of the Committee on Government Operations, submitted the following:
Councilor Worrell, on behalf of the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted the following:
Councilor Santana called Docket #0978, order to adopt Chapter 270 of the Acts of 2024 regarding local law enforcement continuity between the City of Boston and the Town of Dedham, from the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.
No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
On motion of Councilor Santana, the order was passed.
Councilor Santana, on behalf of the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, submitted the following: