A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Boston was held in the Christopher A. Iannella Chamber, City Hall on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 12:11 PM.
President Breadon in the Chair. Present Councilors Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, and Worrell. Absent Councilor Coletta Zapata.
Pastor Joseph Musset, First Haitian Baptist Church of Boston, delivered the invocation, and the meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Councilor Flynn to adjourn the meeting for limited purpose of addressing overdue Section 17F requests filed by the Council. Seconded by Councilor Murphy.
The motion did not carry: yeas 2 (Flynn, Murphy), nays 10 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
The Chair moved to adopt the minutes from the May 6, 2026 City Council Meeting.
Motion prevailed.
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF THE MAY 6, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
COMMUNICATIONS FROM HER HONOR, THE MAYOR:
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston, acting through its Mayor’s Office of Housing, to accept and expend payments in the amount of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00) given to the City of Boston’s Inclusionary Development Policy Fund. The City of Boston’s Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) Fund was established by Executive Order in February 2000 to support the production and preservation of affordable housing in new market rate housing developments. The IDP required all developers of residential development projects with ten or more units to include affordable units in their projects as a condition of receiving relief from the Boston Zoning Code. Further, the Executive Order provided the option for developers to make contributions to the IDP Fund in lieu of providing on-site affordable units, subject to the approval of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA).
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twelve Million Five Hundred Seventy-Three Thousand Six Hundred Four Dollars ($12,573,604.00) in the form of a grant, 2026 FIFA World Cup Grant Program, awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, to be administered by the Office of Emergency Preparedness. The grant would fund support to the safety and security needs of our Massachusetts state and local entities directly involved with providing services for the Boston 2026 World Cup event.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Million Seventy-Three Thousand Two Hundred Thirty-Nine Dollars and Thirty-Four Cents ($1,073,239.34) in the form of a grant, the FY26 Senator Charles E. Shannon Jr. Community Safety Initiative, awarded by MA Executive Office Of Public Safety & Security to be administered by the Police Department. The grant would fund regional and multi-disciplinary approaches to combat gang violence through coordinated prevention and intervention, law enforcement, prosecution, and reintegration programs.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Three Hundred Five Thousand Six Hundred Dollars ($305,600.00) in the form of a grant, FY26 Local Cultural Council Program, awarded by Massachusetts Cultural Council to be administered by the Office of Arts & Culture. The grant would fund innovative arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences programming that enhances the quality of life in our city.
On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
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, 35-75 Morrissey Boulevard Mitigation Funds, awarded by Boston Planning & Development Agency to be administered by the Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion. The grant would fund mitigation funds from development project located at 35-75 Morrissey Boulevard to BPDA Community Benefits Fund which will be given via MOA to OEOI for use in the Commercial Acquisition Assistance Program (CAAP).
On motion of Councilor Durkan, the rules were suspended; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Ninety-Four Thousand Three Hundred Eighty-Eight Dollars and Twenty-Eight Cents ($194,388.28) in the form of a grant, Federal FY26 Nutrition Services Incentive Program, awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, passed through the MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs, to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant would fund incentives to states and eligible tribal organizations for the efficient delivery of nutritious meals to individuals aged 60 and older, with the overarching goal of promoting health, reducing hunger and food insecurity, and supporting the ability of older individuals to remain independent and in their communities.
On motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Three Hundred Twenty-Seven Dollars And Ninety-Six Cents ($150,327.96) in the form of a grant, the FY25 Violence Against Women Act, a STOP Grant, awarded by United States Department of Justice, passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety & Security, to be administered by the Police Department. The grant would fund a Civilian Domestic Violence Advocate to provide services for victims in Jamaica Plain and East Boston, as well as for Spanish-speaking victims citywide and also supporting overtime for all Civilian Domestic Violence Advocates citywide.
On motion of Councilor Santana, the rules were suspended; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) in the form of a grant, Boston Family Days 2026 Donor Support, awarded by Pilot House Philanthropy to be administered by the Office of Arts & Culture. The grant would fund 2026 flexible programmatic support for Boston Family Days (formerly known as BPS Sundays during the pilot program) from Amos and Barbara Hostetter via Pilot House.
On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) in the form of a grant, Sustainable Materials Recovery Program Grant, awarded by MA Department of Environmental Protection to be administered by the Public Works Department. The grant would fund programs implemented by the City to maximize reuse, recycling, and waste reduction.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) in the form of a grant, Creative Aging Program, awarded by Goddard House Assisted Living to be administered by the Age Strong Commission. The grant would fund bringing arts programming to older adults in Boston.
On motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) in the form of a grant, Roche Youth & Senior Programs, awarded by Donor Group to be administered by the Boston Centers for Youth & Families.
On motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Forty-Nine Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Six Dollars ($49,476.00) in the form of a grant, the FY26 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant Program, awarded by Massachusetts Department of Fire Services to be administered by the Fire Department. The grant would fund the purchase of the necessary personal protective and safety equipment to comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards to enhance firefighter safety.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Forty-Four Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($44,300.00) in the form of a grant, Drought Resiliency & Water Efficiency Grant Program, awarded by Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs to be administered by the Office of Climate Resilience. The grant would fund the Outdoor Water Use Efficiency Improvements program in distributing rain barrels and engage with the public on the importance of drought management.
On motion of Councilor Worrell, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Twenty-Eight Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-One Dollars and Ninety-Eight Cents ($28,671.98) in the form of a grant, the ACLS Grant, awarded by MassHire Department of Career Services to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development. The grant would fund efforts to work in partnership with local adult education programs to identify and develop career pathway opportunities for adult learners.
On motion of Councilor Worrell, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message and order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) in the form of a grant, Roche - Kids 360 Grant, awarded by Kids 360 Charity to be administered by the Boston Centers for Youth & Families. The grant would fund the youth programs at the Roche Community Center.
On motion of Councilor Murphy, the rules were suspended; the order was passed.
Message transmitting certain information under Section 17F regarding MWBE participation, local business inclusion, workforce impact, and procurement practices associated with the White Stadium project, Docket #0700, passed by the City Council on April 1, 2026.
Message transmitting certain information under Section 17F regarding White Stadium, Docket #0637 passed by the City Council on March 25, 2026.
Message transmitting certain information under Section 17F regarding environmental impact, transportation planning, and resiliency considerations associated with Franklin Park and the White Stadium project, Docket #0699, passed by the City Council on April 1, 2026.
PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND REMONSTRANCES
REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS:
Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Joseph Berman as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2030.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Jose C. Masso III as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2031.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the reappointment of Michael Rush as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2030.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Marta Daneshvar as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2028.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Meredith Dewitt as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2028.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Paul Lee as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2030.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Alexander Leventhal as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2030.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Wadi Muhammad as a Member of the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees for a term expiring May 1, 2030.
Notice was received from the Mayor of the appointment of Diana Fernandez Bibeau as Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation Department, effective June 1, 2026.
Notice was received from the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Ordinances of 1979 regarding action taken by the Mayor on papers acted upon by the City Council at its meeting of April 1, 2026.
Notice was received from the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Ordinances of 1979 regarding action taken by the Mayor on papers acted upon by the City Council at its meeting of April 15, 2026.
Communication was received by the City Clerk of the filing by the Boston Residency Compliance Commission regarding the Updated Annual Report (January through December 2025).
MATTERS RECENTLY HEARD-FOR POSSIBLE ACTION:
Dockets #0733-0735, Orders for the FY27 Operating Budget, including annual appropriations for departmental operations, for the School Department, and for other post-employment benefits (OPEB).
Dockets #0736-0737, Orders for capital fund transfer appropriations.
Dockets #0738-0740, Orders for the Capital Budget, including loan orders and lease-purchase agreements.
Docket #0756, 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.
On the message and order, referred on May 6, 2026, Docket #0909, to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by One Million Nine Hundred Fifty-One Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Four Dollars ($1,951,894.00) to provide funding for the Boston Police Department for the FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society (BPDBS), the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
On the message and order, referred on May 6, 2026, Docket #0910, for the Boston Police Department for FY26 in the amount of One Million Nine Hundred Fifty-One Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety-Four Dollars ($1,951,894.00) to cover the FY26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreement between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society (BPDBS). 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% in July of 2025. The contract also contains an update to hazardous duty pay and amended language around sick time buyback at retirement, ), the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
On the message and order, referred on May 6, 2026, Docket #0911, to reduce the FY26 appropriation for the Reserve for Collective Bargaining by One Million Three Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand Ninety-Three Dollars ($1,366,093.00) to provide funding for the Boston Police Department for the FY26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Detective Benevolent Society - Superior Officers Unit (BPDBS-SO), the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
On the message and order, referred on May 6, 2026, Docket #0912, for the Boston Police Department for FY26 in the amount of One Million Three Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand, Ninety-Three Dollars ($1,366,093.00) to cover the FY26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the City of Boston and the Boston Police Detectives Benevolent Society - Superior Officers Unit (BPDBS - SO). 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% in July of 2025. The contract also contains an update to hazardous duty pay and amended language around paid details and summer vacation schedules, the committee submitted a report recommending that the order ought to pass.
The report was accepted; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS:
Ordinance for the use of school bus violation detection monitoring system devices.
Order for a hearing to examine firearm trafficking, gun violence hotspots, and the concentration of firearm violations in Boston police districts B-2 and B-3.
On motion of Councilor Culpepper, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Worrell and Flynn as original co-sponsors.
Order for a hearing to examine how the City of Boston can strengthen support, training, and resource coordination for first responders and dispatchers responding to mental health crises.
On motion of Councilor Culpepper, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Worrell and Mejia as original co-sponsors.
Order for a hearing to examine establishing a community-based mental health crisis response pilot.
On motion of Councilor Culpepper, Rule 12 was invoked to include Councilors Worrell and Louijeune as original co-sponsors.
Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding employment contracts for various Commissioners in the City of Boston.
On motion of Councilor Flynn, the rules were suspended; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding Article 80 large project review and small project review denials at the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) due to parking relief.
On motion of Councilor Flynn, the rules were suspended; the order was passed: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
Resolution urging the City of Boston to resume in-person work for a minimum of four days per week.
On motion of Councilor Flynn, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted: yeas 11 (Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), present 1 (Breadon), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
Resolution calling for a temporary pause on vertical construction activities at White Stadium pending adjudication by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Councilor Worrell offered to incorporate his comments on the floor as part of the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Murphy.
Recess.
All in favor.
Resolution recognizing the contributions of African American Military Veterans and African American Military Heritage Day.
On motion of Councilors Santana and Flynn, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
Resolution opposing federal and state legislation that would censor or restrict lifesaving online resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and other marginalized groups.
On motion of Councilors Santana and Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
Resolution recognizing May as Haitian Heritage Month and May 18 as Haitian Flag Day.
On motion of Councilor Louijeune, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
Resolution in support of the Ride Safe Act.
On motion of Councilors Flynn and Culpepper, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted: yeas 12 (Breadon, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
PERSONNEL ORDERS:
Councilor Breadon for Councilor Pepén offered the following: Order for the appointment of temporary employee Natalie Terese Poftak in City Council, effective June 6, 2026.
GREEN SHEETS:
Legislative Calendar for May 13, 2026.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Resolution in memory of Anne M. (Foley) Galvin.
Resolution recognizing Project D.E.E.P.
Resolution recognizing Justin Alfaro.
Resolution recognizing Kashmear Jacques Parker.
Resolution recognizing Alberto Vasallo and 10 others.
Resolution recognizing the Pine Street Inn.
Resolution recognizing the J.L. Smith Suicide Prevention Center for Young Black Boys Inc.
Resolution recognizing Friends of the Children Boston.
Resolution recognizing The Chica Project.
Resolution recognizing five centenarian German Centre residents.
Resolution recognizing 24 Edgar P. Benjamin Healthcare Center nurses during International Nurses Day.
Resolution recognizing La Alianza Hispana.
Resolution recognizing JOYWALK, an art crawl in the Fenway Cultural District.
Resolution recognizing Helen Greer-Guilford.
Resolution recognizing The Learning Project Elementary School.
Resolution recognizing Haitian Americans United.
Resolution in memory of Juan Carlos Melara.
Resolution in memory of Marie Edith Dubreuil.
Resolution recognizing local caretakers and families of the Netherlands American Cemetery.
The items contained within the Consent Agenda were severally adopted.
Adjourned at 3:46 P.M. on motion of President Breadon, and in memory of Maria DiGirolamo Dello Russo, Hazel T. Williams, Joyce King, Mr. Regan, and Reverend Franklin Murray, to meet again on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
Attest:
Dassie Bheecham
Assistant City Clerk
The Chair moved adoption of a Consent Agenda containing the following items:
Councilor Weber, on behalf of the Committee on Ways and Means, submitted the following:
Councilor Flynn called Docket #0623, message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Christopher Osgood as a member of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, for a term expiring March 30, 2030.
No objection being heard, the matter was properly before the body.
On motion of Councilor Flynn, the rules were suspended; the appointment was confirmed.
Councilor Flynn called Docket #0307, Resolution in support of a Boston Housing Authority (BHA) Elevator Safety Commission, from the Committee on Housing and Community Development.
Objection by Councilor Durkan.
Recess.
Councilors polled: yeas 6 (Breadon, Culpepper, FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy, Worrell), nays 6 (Durkan, Louijeune, Mejia, Pepén, Santana, Weber), not present 1 (Coletta Zapata).
The matter was not properly before the body.
The Chair stated that in absence of objection, 1 late-filed matter would be added to the Agenda. Objection by Councilor Durkan.