A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Boston was held in the Christopher A. Iannella Chamber, City Hall on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 12:14 PM.
President Breadon in the Chair. Present Councilors Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell. Absent Councilor Mejia.
Rev. Dr. Dieufort "Pastor Keke" Fleurissaint, Total Health Christian Ministries, delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the April 1, 2026 City Council Meeting.
Motion prevailed.
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF THE APRIL 1, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
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, Red Sox Arts and Parks Program Grant, awarded by the Boston Red Sox to be administered by the Mayor's Office.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) in the form of a grant, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, awarded by the United States Department of the Treasury to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant would fund services to underserved populations in the most difficult-to-reach areas, both urban and rural, through free basic tax return preparation for qualified individuals.
Message and order for Annual Appropriation for the School Department for FY2027.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message and order approving an appropriation of Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00) to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Liability Trust Fund authorized under Chapter 32B, §20, as added by Chapter 479 of the Acts of 2008. The latest available OPEB actuarial valuation as of June 30, 2023 estimated the City’s unfunded liability at $2.68 Billion Dollars.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message and order approving an appropriation order authorizing the City of Boston to appropriate the amount of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000.00) from the City’s Capital Grant Fund to address the impact of transportation network services on municipal roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure or any other public purpose substantially related to the operation of transportation network services in the City. Such funds will be transferred and credited to the Capital Grant Fund from revenue received from the Commonwealth Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Trust Fund.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message and order approving an appropriation order in the amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) from the Surplus Property Disposition Fund, credited to the Capital Fund for planning, design, and construction of coastal resilience solutions around the City.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message and order approving an appropriation order in the amount of Three Hundred Eighty-Four Million Seven Hundred Five Thousand Dollars ($384,705,000.00) for various capital improvement purposes for city departments including the Boston Center for Youth and Families, Boston Housing Authority, Boston Planning and Development Agency, Boston Public Library, Innovation and Technology, Environment, Fire, Mayor’s Office of Housing, Office of Arts & Culture, Parks and Recreation, Planning, Property Management, Public Health Commission, Public Works, and the Transportation Departments.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message and order approving an appropriation order in the amount of Thirteen Million Eight Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars ($13,855,000.00) for various capital improvement purposes for the Boston Public Schools.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to enter into one or more lease, lease-purchase or installment sales agreements in Fiscal Year 2027 in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Eight Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($28,500,000.00). These funds are to be used by various City departments for the acquisition of equipment in furtherance of their respective governmental functions. The list of equipment includes: computer equipment (hardware and software), motor vehicles and trailers, ambulances, firefighting equipment, office equipment, telecommunications equipment, photocopying equipment, medical equipment, school and educational equipment, school buses, parking meters, street lighting installation, traffic signal equipment and equipment functionally related to, and components of, the foregoing.
Message and order approving an order appropriating One Million Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,400,000.00) from the income of the George Francis Parkman Fund. The funds are to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the maintenance and improvement of Boston Common and Parks in existence as of January 12, 1887.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message and order approving an appropriation of Three Million Six Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,600,000.00) from the 21st Century Fund, also known as the Public, Educational, or Governmental (PEG) Access and Cable Related Fund. Pursuant to Section 53F 3/4 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, the funds may be used to support PEG access services, to monitor compliance with the cable franchise agreement, and for preparation of renewal of the franchise license.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message and order approving an appropriation order in the amount of One Million Seven Hundred Sixty-Three Thousand Ninety Dollars ($1,763,090.00) for the administrative and operating expenses of the City of Boston Community Preservation Committee (“CPC”) for Fiscal Year 2027, and a further appropriation order in the amount of Thirty-Nine Million Five Hundred Eighty-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety-Eight Dollars ($39,587,798.00) from the Community Preservation Fund’s (“the Fund”) estimated annual revenues for Fiscal Year 2027, to be appropriated and reserved for future appropriation.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Law Department revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to purchase goods and services to pay for repairs to city property. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from recoveries for damages to city property caused by third parties. The Law Department will be the only department authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Mayor’s Office of Tourism revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to purchase goods and services to support events and programming on and around City Hall Plaza to advance tourism and promote participation in public celebrations and civic and cultural events. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from payments for the use of City Hall Plaza pursuant to CBC Chapter 11, section 7-14. The Mayor’s Office of Tourism will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to purchase goods and services to support the operation of the Strand Theatre. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from rental fees for the use of the Strand Theatre. The Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Distributed Energy Resource Revolving Fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to facilitate the purchase of offsets of greenhouse gas emissions which shall be associated with a portion of the electricity consumed by the City annually; and to operate, maintain, monitor, and expand the City’s existing solar arrays and Boston Public Schools’ combined heat and power facilities. This revolving fund shall be credited with any and all receipts from the sale of renewable and alternative energy certificates and demand response program revenues produced by combined heat and power units located at Boston Public Schools sites, and solar renewable energy certificates produced by the City’s photovoltaic arrays. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to purchase goods and services to support public art to enhance the public realm throughout the City of Boston. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from easements within the public way granted by the Public Improvement Commission. The Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($800,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Environment Conservation Commission revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 for the purpose of securing outside consultants including engineers, wetlands scientists, wildlife biologists, or other experts in order to aid in the review of proposed projects to the Commission, per the City’s ordinance protecting local wetland and promoting climate change adaptation. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from fees imposed by the Commission for the purpose of securing outside consultants. The Environment Department will be the only department authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Boston Center for Youth & Families (BCYF) revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to pay salaries and benefits of employees and to purchase supplies and equipment necessary to operate the City Hall Child Care. This revolving fund shall be credited with any and all receipts from tuition paid by parents or guardians of children enrolled at the center. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed One Million One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,100,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Boston Public Schools revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to repair and purchase Boston Public Schools computer technology, including computers, mobile devices and instructional software. This revolving fund shall be credited with any and all receipts from equipment sales and repair fees for Boston Public Schools technology. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Boston Public Schools revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to support the maintenance and repair of Boston Public Schools facilities, including custodial and utility costs for extended building time, floor refinishing, landscaping and building repairs. Receipts from Lease, Permit for Use and Parking Fees for Boston Public Schools facilities will be deposited in the fund. Boston Public Schools Facilities will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall not exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Boston Public Schools revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 for Boston Public Schools Transportation costs, including bus and public transportation costs. This revolving fund shall be credited with revenue received by the Boston Public Schools Department for the provision of transportation to groups and entities for field trips and activities other than transportation to and from school. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Boston Police Department revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to pay salaries and benefits of employees and to purchase supplies and equipment necessary to operate the Police Department Fitness Center. Revenue for this fund is derived from monthly membership fees. Receipts and resulting expenditures from this fund shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Boston Police Department revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to support the Canine Unit’s training programs for officers and police dogs from non-City of Boston law enforcement agencies. The Special Operations Division will charge tuition and other fees to outside law enforcement agencies for training with the Canine Unit. The tuition and other fees paid by outside agencies will be used to purchase training equipment, certify instructors, update facilities and provide funds for other training needs not otherwise budgeted. The Special Operations Division will be the only unit authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Equitable Emissions Investment (BERDO) revolving fund outlined in Section 1(g) of BERDO for Fiscal Year 2027, pursuant to M.G.L. ch. 44 s. 53E1/2, to incur liabilities against and spend monies from such fund consistent with the Ordinance. This revolving fund shall be funded by receipts from Alternative Compliance Payments (ACP). ACPs are an approved emissions mitigation pathway that consists of payments equal to the average cost per metric ton of CO2e to decarbonize buildings. The Environment Department will be the only department authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at $1,500,000.
Message and order approving an order authorizing a limit for the Transportation Department revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027 to support the operation of the bikeshare program within the City of Boston. This revolving fund shall be funded by system-generated user revenues, sponsorship revenues, and advertising revenues. The Transportation Department will be the only department authorized to expend from the fund and such expenditures shall be capped at $1,400,000.
On the message and order, referred on April 8, 2026, Docket #0763, for your approval an order authorizing the City of Boston to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) a Statement of Interest for Melvin H. King South End Academy, located at 90 Warren Ave in the South End of Boston. The Statement of Interest describes and explains the deficiencies and the priority categories for which the City of Boston may be invited to apply to the MSBA in the future, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
Message and order for your approval an appropriation order in the amount of Eight Hundred and Sixty Thousand Dollars ($860,000) for the Cemetery Division of the Parks and Recreation Department and the Trust Office of the Treasury Department to be funded from the Cemetery Trust Fund established under Chapter 13 of the Acts of 1961.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
On the message and order, referred on April 8, 2026, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Ten Million Nine Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand One Hundred Forty Dollars and Seven Cents ($10,925,140.07) in the form of a grant, FY26 Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program, awarded by United States Department of Homeland Security, passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, to be administered by the Police Department. The grant would fund increasing BPD's ability to detect, identify, track and monitor unmanned aircraft systems within the City of Boston, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
Communication was received by the City Clerk from the Boston Landmarks Commission for City Council action on the designation of the Petition #147.89 - The Copley Plaza Hotel, Back Bay (in effect after April 30, 2026 if not acted upon).
Notice was received from Nicholas Ariniello, Assessing Commissioner, of the appointment of John McCourt as an Assistant Assessor, effective April 2, 2026.
Notice was received from Councilor Mejia regarding her absence from the April 8, 2026 City Council Meeting.
Communication from Councilor Coletta Zapata regarding East Boston Housing Stabilization Trust Fund Nominees.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Alan Mack as an Associate Member of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, effective immediately.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Denisse Martinez as an Associate Member of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, effective immediately.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Sam Paster as an Associate Member of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, effective immediately.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES:
On the message and order, referred on February 4, 2026, Docket #0257, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) in the form of a grant, Planning / Neighborhood Development Funds, awarded by Boston Redevelopment Authority to be administered by the Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion. The grant would fund the launch and early implementation of the Commercial Acquisition Assistance Program (CAAP), the committee submitted a report that the order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed.
On the designation of Petition #228.07, referred on March 25, 2026, Docket #0630, - The Bussey House, 1203-1205 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA 02124 (in effect after April 22, 2026 if not acted upon), the committee submitted a report that the petition ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the petition was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), absent 1 (Mejia).
MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
Order for a hearing to discuss dedicating the new open space at Phillips Square to Tunney Lee Plaza.
Order for a hearing to review and strengthen Boston’s Summer Safety and Youth Programming Plan.
Ordinance amending City of Boston Code, Ordinances, 17-22, Road Safety and Accountability for Delivery Providers.
Order for a hearing to examine the Boston Police Department's protocols for releasing police body camera and dashboard camera footage.
MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
Ordinance Establishing a Childcare Access Fund.
Order for a hearing to discuss the status of the City of Boston's Curbside Food Waste Collection Program.
Order for a hearing to explore pro-growth redevelopment tools for under-performing commercial properties in Boston.
Order for a hearing on equity in athletic funding and access across Boston Public Schools.
Order for a hearing to explore the creation of a public-private lending agency in Boston.
Order for a hearing to discuss the role, responsibilities, and staffing levels of the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) in light of Boston's fiscal crisis.
Order to amend Rule 46 of the Rules of the Boston City Council for Municipal Years 2026-2027.
Resolution recognizing April 13th, 2026 as Louis D. Brown Day of Civic Engagement.
Resolution calling for an independent performance audit of Boston Public Schools' spending, staffing and resource allocation.
Resolution calling for an independent performance audit of the City of Boston's operations and fiscal management.
Resolution recognizing April as Autism Acceptance Month.
Resolution to protect SNAP and in support of Department of Transitional Assistance workers.
Order requesting certain information under section 17F regarding Boston Public Schools' school bus auto liability insurance coverage, including the non-renewal of the prior policy, the procurement of a new insurance provider, and all related safety, claims, and cost data.
GREEN SHEETS:
Legislative Calendar for April 8, 2026.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Resolution in memory of Stephen M. Bronchuk.
Resolution recognizing Emma Galletta.
Resolution in memory of Judith A. Gavin.
Resolution commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the 1986 Red Sox team and declaring April 3, 2026 "1986 Red Sox Day" in the City of Boston.
Resolution recognizing New Mission High School.
Resolution in memory of Lillie Mae Keizer.
Resolution recognizing Amanda Merricks.
Message and order for Annual Appropriation and Tax Order for FY2027.
Filed in the Office of the City Clerk on April 6, 2026.
Message transmitting certain information under Section 17F regarding the use of $558.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the City of Boston, passed by the Council on March 4, 2026.
On the message and ordinance, referred on April 8, 2026, Docket #0755, establishing a revolving fund for Fiscal Year 2027, pursuant to M.G.L. ch. 44 s. 53E1/2, to support the establishment and operation of the bikeshare program within the City of Boston, the committee submitted a report that the ordinance ought to pass.
The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
Adjourned at 2:52 P.M. on motion of President Breadon, and in memory of Rosalie Giglio, Herman D. Greenfield, Nancy Metayer, Claudette Mentor, Sonia Lyle, and Anna Mae Cole, to meet again on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 12:00 P.M.
Attest:
Alex Geourntas
City Clerk
Councilor Durkan, on behalf of the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation, submitted the following:
The Chair stated that in absence of objection, three late-filed matters would be added to the Agenda. Objection by Councilor Durkan.