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[Music] [Music] I call to order today's meeting of the Boston City Council. Viewers can watch the council meeting live on YouTube at boston.gov/city-consil-tv. At this time,
I ask my colleagues and those in the audience to please silence their cell phones and electronic devices. Also, pursuant to rule 42, I remind all in the chambers that no demonstration of approval or disapproval from members of the public and no speaking from the public will be permitted. Thank you. Mr.
Clerk, will you please call the role to ascertain the presence of a quorum? Councelor Braden here. Councelor Kleta Zapata here. Councelor Durkin here. Council Fernandez Anderson. Council Fitzgerald here. Councelor Flynn.
Council here. Councelor Mia. Councelor Murphy here. Councelor Pepen here. Council Santana here. Councelor Weber and Council Warl. A quorum is present. Thank you. I've been informed by the clerk that a quorum is
present. Now, it is my pleasure on the last day that I get to invite a member of the clergy here to introduce this week's clergy, Bishop John M. Borders of Morning Star Baptist Church. My bishop Bishop Borders is a distinguished spiritual leader and lifelong servant of
faith. He began his pastoral ministry in 1981 and has since become a mentor and spiritual father to countless ministers and pastors across the c country and I can say that that's also true for a number of city counselors as well including myself. He holds a diploma in
religion from Gordon Cornwwell Theological Seminary and has pursued theological studies at Boston University School of Theology and Eastern Nazarene College. He is also the recipient of an honorary doctorate of divinity degree from St. Thomas Christian College in the Maryland Theological Seminary in
Baltimore. Bishop Borders is a published author. His books his book unlikely blessings discovering h happiness through the life of Joseph was released in 2014 and reflects his deep commitment to faith-based growth and resilience. Throughout his ministry, Bishop Borders
has not only served the church but also the broader community. He made history as the first African-American chaplain at Suffach County Jail. This past Sunday, I was not able to attend church. I attended bedside Baptist as I was getting ready for
bedside is when you at church but on the bedside so they call it bedside Baptist. Um but I was watching Yeah, you get it. Okay. Um, but I was watching as I was getting ready for the parade and it was there was the president of the American Baptist Churches USA was there and she
talked about and they went to seminary together and she talked about how bishop was the rockstar student in seminary and she said how lucky is Matipan to have the rockstar student from seminary as their bishop and I couldn't agree more.
Bishop has been married for 35 years to first lady Sandra Elizabeth Borders, another valiant leader of the community. And together they are proud parents of three children and grandpar grandparents of four. I'm so happy to call him my bishop. I know my sister is happy to call him my bishop. He is our bishop.
The bishop for Morning Star Baptist Church, Bishop John Borders. would you please take the posture of prayer? Loving God, holy and sublime, I offer prayer to you. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and
the glory. I pray for each member of this chosen council. Ruthie Luin, Julia Mahia, Aaron
Murphy, Henry Santana, Edward Flynn, John Fitzgerald, Brian Waram, Gabriella Kleta, Sapata, Enrique Pepin,
Benjamin Weber, Sharon Durkin, Liz Braden, and Tanya Fernandez Anderson. You know them all by name. I pray their hearts will rest in
God's truth. I pray their minds will find solless in your promise of wisdom. I pray that you will keep their families safe from harm. I pray that you will draw the
council nearer to God and to each other. We are wandering children who need guidance and direction. Storm clouds are on the horizon. We need the
Lord. Come, Holy Spirit, to this chamber and make the deliberations full of goodness and understanding. I pray for our mayor, Michelle Woo, and her family. May she be blessed of
God. And I pray for our beloved city of Boston. May we rise to the heights of sacred imaginings and may we employ all our strength and power to do what is right
in your sight in the name of God in the name of Jesus Christ and every name held holy by all the faith traditions of our
city. Amen. We will now recite the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Bishop Borders, for gracing us with your presence and your invocation here. We are now on to presentations. We will have two presentations. One from council pepen in recognition of public works appreciation week and one from councelor
Murphy in recognition of our EMS workers in EMS week. Council Pen, you have the floor in 5 minutes. Thank you, Madam President. If I can invite over officer Manny to to the podium. So, good afternoon everyone. It
is an honor to stand before you today during National Public Works Appreciation Week, a time dedicated to recognize the incredible work of our public works department. To our public works team, thank you. Thank you for showing up day after day,
often before the sun rises, often long after others have gone home to keep our city running smoothly. You are the unsung heroes behind clean streets, safe roads, efficient waste management, and well-maintained public spaces. You work
hard. Your hard work ensures that our neighborhoods are not only livable, but thrive. You turn challenges into solutions and bring order to the daily rhythms of our city. Whether it's clearing snow, fixing potholes, maintaining infrastructure, or managing
city utilities, your commitment does not go unnoticed. Now, today I have before you all officer Manny from the code enforcement department, which is a branch of public works. I've had the opportunity of being out in the field with Officer Manny numerous times now.
Whenever my office reaches out to him or a resident reaches out to him saying, "Hey, there's a improper disposal of trash or hey, this this business needs to make sure that they're they're keeping their storefront clean or if a sidewalk needs better just conditions."
His team is out there every single day. And it's funny because I just got word that I invited a lot more people, but they're actually they've been sent out today to do the work because we are expecting rainfall tomorrow and their work is impacted by that. So, I just
want to commend them because they're always thinking ahead. They're always making sure that they're looking at the small issues in our city that for us, for many of us, may seem like we may not even notice it, but to them it's a big deal. So on behalf of myself and the entire city of Boston, I just wanted to
say happy public works appreciation week. Okay, man. Officer Manny's a little shy, but he his work speaks for him. So I'm just going to present him with the resolution declaring May 18th as public works appreciation day in the city of Boston. And if I could call my colleagues for a quick picture, I'd
appreciate that. The work speaks. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much to
Officer Manny and to public works and to all the work that you do. Thank you. I know that we're happy, but there's no clapping in chambers. Um and thank you to Council Me Pen for recognizing them. That neon vest looks good on you. Um, next I'd like to call up Councelor Murphy who will be recognizing our EMS
workers in honor of EMS appreciation week. Councelor Murphy, you have the floor in five minutes. Could Chief Hulie and our EMS um workers please join us. Another tribute to our city workers, the backbone that keep our city moving. It's
an honor to represent um present to you today. Um and Councelor Fitzgerald, the um chair of public health and obviously a strong advocate for all our city workers um has co-sponsored this with me
and also Council of Flynn. He is at a um event in Chinatown and should be here any minute that was scheduled at the same time as the start of this meeting, but he is also on this resolution which we will um suspend and pass later. So, thank you chief and everyone for being
here. Um so, I am presenting it is EMS week in res a resolution in recognition of the Boston Emergency Medical Services in celebration of this important week. but start off by saying we appreciate you every day, but it's important the
times we can highlight and uplift the hard work that you do. So, for a little history, in 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized National Emergency Medical Services Week to honor the critical contributions of EMS professionals who safeguard the health and safety of
communities across the nation. Boston Emergency Medical Services is one of the city's three core public safety agencies, responding to 911 calls with clinical excellence, professionalism, and compassion, and is recognized as the largest municipal EMS agency in New
England. Boston EMS provide both basic life support and advanced life support ambulance coverage across all Boston neighborhoods responding to tens of thousands of clinical incidences each month with urgency in care. I have gone
um on a ride along and your commitment and your um staff is just amazing and I know they do such hard work. And what I noticed and what stood out to me is when the fire and police who obviously also are critical to the safety of our
residents, they they stay behind and help and often when they bring them to the hospital, I saw many, you know, afraid to leave their home or wanting certain belongings to come with them and just the compassion that the EMS showed those residents was heartwarming. So, thank you for always being so kind to
our residents who need you in their time of need. So in 2012, so members of the Boston EMS played a vital role in the front lines. Even though it's been a few years, I think it's always important to remember that during COVID 19 pandemic,
they responded to over 160,000 incidents that year alone in 2021, caring for suspected and confirmed COVID 19 patients and administering more than 2,300 vaccinations. So this year, every year there's a
different theme for EMS and this year the national EMS week theme is we care for everyone. And it reflects the strength, adaptability, and continued commitment of EMS professionals like those serving in Boston who has risen to the challenge today and every day. And
before I pass it off to my colleague, Council Fitzgerald, to say a few words, I do also want to um highlight we've had recent class graduates. we've expanded or reintroduced, I would say, the cadet program. So, it's great to see that we um have so many Boston residents who see
this as a path of a wonderful job. So, whatever we can do um on the council to make sure we're supporting your employees, your the workers that keep us safe and alive. And thank you. I want to extend my thanks to all of you.
Thank you, Council Murphy. Uh, Chief, we had you guys in front of us for the budget a while ago and you spoke about the work that you do about when you enter a room and everybody in that room looks at you to help save their loved one or help solve this situation. It's an emergency, a crisis, and that
pressure is on you. You guys have always responded. Uh, here on the council, we pass an ordinance, you won't stop hearing about it for a year. You guys go in and save lives every day, and we don't talk about it enough. You guys are really the unsung heroes and so we want to do everything we can and we know that
there's more support you need to make sure we have more coverage for all areas of the city to respond to everyone as fast as you can. So for the folks up here with us today, thank you so much for taking on that pressure. Pressure is a privilege and uh you guys take that privilege to the highest degree and so
we're here to thank you today. So appreciate it. And Chief, I turn it over to you if you'd like to say any words, sir. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Thank you for offering this. Thank thanks for everybody being here today.
Um we're we're most grateful and uh uh and and humbled by this. Uh we you this body has uh has routinely recognized us and uh whether it's formally here or when we see you in the community or we
see you uh with constituent issues or requests for trainings or anything. And uh that there's always been great respect from this body to our organization and the members of our uh of our department. I know our union members all appreciate that as well too.
Uh yes, we are uh very busy, but we do feel uh supported and we do uh uh and we are and it is besides even responding to emergencies, we're also trying to help inform uh uh uh efforts to uh keep people out of the hospital to improve
health, to improve safety, uh to work with all the other city departments uh and uh there is good uh spirit of cooperation among all city departments here in Boston and uh that's in no small part because of uh uh the council works with all the
departments as well too. So thank you very much for this and uh uh again we don't we never take this for granted all lightly. Thank you. Thank you madam president too. Could our colleagues join us to take the promise? Love it.
That's our color, too. Okay. Thanks. Thank you so much. Thank you. How are you? Yes, of course. Thank you. Oh, there's one more. One more. One more. One more. Okay, you're good. You're good. Okay,
that's the good one. Thank you to my colleagues. Thank you to Chief Pulley, to Roger, to Tan for all the work that you do on behalf of our city and for um just being there when our residents need you most. So, thank you so much. Mr. Clerk, would you please amend the
attendance record to reflect that counselors Weber and councilor Warel are now present and with us? Okay. We are now on to the first order of business, which is the approval of the meeting uh the approval of the minutes from the meeting of May 14, 2025. All those in favor say I. I. All
oppose say nay. The eyes have it. The minutes the minutes of the May 7th meeting are approved. We are now on to communications from our honor the mayor. Mr. Clerk, would you please read docket number 1095? Docket number 1095. me uh message transmitting certain information
under section 17F regarding city of Boston employee demographic data filed on on filed by docket number 1020 passed by the council on May 7th, 2025. Thank you. Document number 1095 will be
placed on file. Mr. Clerk, could you please amend the attendance record to reflect that councelor Tanya Fernande Anderson is now present and with us. We are now on to reports of public officers and others. Mr. Clerk, would you please read dockets number 1096
through 1098? Docket number 1096. Communication was received from Timothy Smith, executive officer of the Boston Retirement Board, regarding follow-up correspondence to the fiscal year 26 retirey cost of living adjustment, also
known as COLA base vote. Docket number 1097, notice or 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 special meeting of April 30th,
2025 and document number 1098, notice 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. IL at its meeting of May 7th,
2025. Thank you. Dockets number 1096 to 1098 will be placed on file. Mr. Clerk, would you please read dockets number 0822 to 0845? Dockets number 0822 through 0824. Orders for the fiscal year 26 operating budget,
including annual appropriations for departmental operations for the school department for other postemployment benefits. Dockets number 0825 and 0827. Orders for capital fund credit appropriations. Docket numbers
0828 through 0830. Orders for the capital budget including loan orders and lease purchase agreements. And docket number 0831 through 0845. Orders authorizing limits for departmental revolving funds including
law, tourism, arts and culture, environment. Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Schools and Police, and other budget related dockets. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Brian Orurel, the chair of Ways and Means Committee. Councelor Orel, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Uh
the committee on Ways and Means has continuous deep dive into into Darkness number 0822 through 0830. Darcus number 0839 through 0844 and document number 0845 examining the administration's proposed FY26 budget in detail. To date,
we have logged 99 hours 10 minutes and 44 seconds across 42 public hearings and working sessions and we are nearing the home stretch. I want to take a moment to recognize the tireless efforts of my team, central staff, council colleagues,
IGR, and all council staff whose hard work behind the scenes continues to make this process possible. On Thursday, May 15th, at 10:00 a.m., the Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing to review the FY26 budget for the Boston Police Department to go over
mental health and substance abuse response, community policing, firearms, homicides, crime lab, K9 revolvement fund, fitness center revolvement fund. Presented on behalf of the administration were Chief of Police Commissioner Cox, Chief of Staff Nicole
Tob, Bureau of Administration and Technology, Lis Lisa O'Brien, Superintendent and Chief Owens, Superintendent of Bureau Investigative Services Cologne, and Deputy Superintendent of Bureau of Field Services, Humphre. Councilors in attendance included councilors Flynn,
Murphy, Weber, Mahia, Kleta Zapata, Durkin, Council President, Lu Jen, and the vice chair of the committee, Council Pepin. At the hearing, the Boston Police Department highlighted recent progress in reducing crime through community policing, discussed the annual firearms report, which shows a decre decrease in
ghost guns, and detail the hiring of a new crime lab director while also explaining that wise screening is being outsourced and that to bring it in-house would take extra equipment, training, and a validation process. The administration also
expanded officer wellness programs and mental health response systems. Other budget topics included legal liability costs, traffic enforcement, and the continued use of Shot Spotter. The $3 million budget increase reflect collective bargaining agreements for civilian workers and a roll out of a new
paid detail system. Council's also raised questions about overtime equity and youth jobs with BPD clarifying that while it participates in success, those salaries are not part of its direct budget. The hearing closed with follow-up requests for data on section
12 usage, mass and mass and cast overtime, and law enforcement trust fund balance. On Thursday, May 15th at 2 p.m., the committee held a hearing to review the FY26 budget for the Boston Police Department to review overtime detail system, Office of Mental Health,
diversity, and recruiting. Presented on behalf of the administration were Chief of Police Commissioner Cox, Chief of Staff, uh, Chief Tob, Bureau of Administration and Technology, Lisa O'Brien, Superintendent and Chief Owens, Superintendent of
Bureau of Investigative Services, Superintendent Cologne, and Deputy Superintendent of the Bureau of Field Services, Deputy Superintendent Humphre. Councilors in attendance included council Santana, Braden Flynn Murphy, Mahia Weber Fitzgerald, Kleta Zapata,
Council President Luigi Jen, and the vice chair of the committee, councelor Pepin. We received a letter of absence from councelor Durkin. The council continues continuous BPD budget review learning that there are currently 200 sworn officer vacancies and 195 civilian
vacancies. Both decreases from last year when the total number of vacancies were more than 500. The most recent police academy classes are forecast to be 170 despite the council funding for 200 new officers per year as it has for multiple
years. There are currently 1,430 patrol officers and administration spoke about changes to the state civil service pathway that might allow for hybrid entry to the police department where some people test in and some enter through another route. We got a
breakdown of diversity among higherups at BPD. Among the 23 captains, there are two black male captains making up 99% of captains. Among the 77 lieutenants and lieutenant detective, there are only nine bipok lieutenants making up 12%.
And among the 279 sergeants, there are only 62 bipark sergeants or 22%. Among the commissioners 22 command staff there are 15 bip park staff a much higher percentage of of
68%. Among patrols officers is 45%. These numbers were followed by a discussion of the police promotional exam and how BPD delaying it even a few months in FY25 allowed for more diversity in the higher ranks. BPD remained adamant that they could they
would not follow suit with other departments across the country that rely on more than an exam to promote officers. The hearing also addressed the delayed roll out of the civilian flag to pilot program. While the contract to manage the program has been awarded, it has not been finalized. Councilors
raised concerns about equitable procurement, noting the limited pool of applicants and the lack of MWBE participation. The administration explained that the detailed management contract had been awarded to Extra Duty Solutions through a standard procurement process with implementation underway and
expected to be completed by fall 2025. Discussions included how to ensure that future hiring under the civilian flag program prioritizes Boston residents and reflects and reflects the city's diversity. Council has also pushed for transparency regarding
demographic reporting and oversight for both the flag contract and the new detail system. In regards to mass and cast, the administration testified that there still there still has been no arrests made on encamp on the encampment ordinance and there have been about 20
25 to 30 possession arrests per week on mass and cast. The use of mass and cast coding for special events over time was was described as a byproduct of having three different precincts contributing staff to the area. Councilors echo concerns raised in public testimony
questioning overtime management, youth job distribution, and data sharing transparency. Updates were requested on BPD's current surveillance practices, use of AI technology, and coordination with the Office Police Accountability and Transparency. The administration
reported that BPDE does not use AI in investigations and that footage from surveillance systems is deleted based on legally mandated retention schedules. On Friday, May 16th at 10 a.m., the committee held a working session to preview preview the remaining departmental hearings and remind
counselors that budget amendment forms are due by Tuesday, May 27th at 6 p.m. Councilors in attendance, including councilors Flynn, Murphy, Weber, Fitzgerald, Durkin, Fernand Anderson, Braden, Mia, and the vice chair of the committee, Council Pepin. At the working
session, council discussed outstanding information requests, key budget process reminders, and departmental priorities. Topics included the timeline and process for submitting amendments, and how councils compare budget acts with policy recommendations. Councilors discussed
the options available to them on how to respond to the mayor's proposed budget. Council's also raised district specific requests from sidewalk repairs, pest control and containerization to long-term capital needs like cemetery capacity, the Long Island Bridge, and
the Fenway Transportation Action Plan. Additional discussions included restoring public programs, supporting libraries and community centers, and increasing council central staff capacity. On Monday, May 19th, at 2 p.m., the committee held a hearing to review the
FY26 budget for human resources cabinet in the office of returning citizens. Presented on behalf of the administration where director of office of returning citizens, McGomery, and Chief of Human Services, Maso. Councilors in attendance included councilors Flynn, Murphy, Durkin,
Fitzgerald, Kleta, Zapata, Weber, Braden, Mia, Council President, Luigi, Jen, and the vice chair of the committee, Council Pepin. The hearing examined the Office of Returning Citizens efforts to support individuals re-entering society after incarceration. Councilors discussed the
department's expanding programming, including individualized case management, employment pipelines, and housing support. RC manages 50 housing vouchers in partnership with BHA, placing 28 individuals and referring many more to to address placement
barriers and invested $300,000 in housing support grants and continues advocating for additional resources. The discussion also covered employment strategies and digital equity. RC builds pipelines across industries like healthcare, food services, and the trades in partnering
with groups such as Bighgam and Women's Building Pathways and First Up Alliance. It also worked with tech goes home and the city's digital equity team to offer Chromebooks and digital literacy support for job applications and teleaalth access. Councilors praised OC's $4
million ingrants to 77 community-based organizations and its efforts to improve access access for grassroots nonprofits through a quarterly advisory group and the needs assessment with justice system partners. The office is identifying gaps and services like family re
reunification and civ civic engagement. The conversation highlighted inclusive services for LGBTQ plus individuals, immigrant, and youth age 14 to 21 with a youth re-entry grant launching this summer. Councilors emphasized the need for warm handoff between departments and
RC confirmed and maintains direct referral pipelines to avoid service gaps. The administration also clarified how they help returning citizens who may be facing discrimination in their search for housing through tools like direct placement assistance, ongoing individual case management, coordination with
landlords, collection of character witness statements and referrals to local legal services, transitional housing and wraparound resources, and overall the commitment to providing housing services designed to meet the unique needs of individuals where they are. Violent council has raised
questions about a potential wave of returning citizens and the need for long-term planning. RC is working with community safety teams to track trends and reduce recitiv recitism while continuing to advocate for second chance opportunities and equitable access to
housing, employment, and civic life. On Monday, May 19th, at 6 p.m., the committee held a hearing to review the FY26 budget for Mayor's Office of Housing and Boston Housing Authority. Presenting on behalf of the administration were Mayor's office housing, Chief Dylan, Mayor's Office of
Housing, Deputy Director of Administration of Finance Wilson, and BHA Administrator Bark. Councilors in attendance included councilors Derkin, Braden, Weber, Mahia, Flynn, Fitzgerald, Council President, Louie Jen, and we received a letter of absence from the vice chair of the committee, Council
Pepin. The hearing focused on the city's efforts to produce affordable housing amid rising construction's costs, expiring federal and state supports, and deepening housing insecurity for lowincome residents. BHA administrator Barks acknowledged the severity of the recent elevator issues, especially um at
the Ruth Barkley and Mary Ellen McCormack properties and outlined new actions, including hiring a new elevator contractor, authorizing over $1 million in emer emergency modernization work, and imple implementing a new invoice tracking system to address vendor
payment delays. On housing production, council pressed the administration on the urgency for increased production given Boston's low vacancy rate and sustained demand. How much new housing the city should build and what kind is most needed. While the administration confirmed there's no fixed or ideal
number of units to aim for, they emphasize that they are formalizing a housing strategy with clear numerical goals to meet housing production needs. Some councilors expressed concerns about hyperdense development developments displacing family housing. The administration noted that higher density
is generally concentrated near transit corridors and underutilized commercial areas while also reaffirming the need for more three, four, and fivebedroom homes for families. Council's also noted the importance of funding the access to council pilot program for residents facing eviction and how crucial this
resource is in meeting the outsized demand for affordable housing. In FY25, the administration highlighted how it was able to provide eviction prevention services for 70 to 90 families with goo school age children through access to council and requested a commitment to
sustaining these efforts in FY26 budget, especially in light of federal cuts to retent assistance. Council's also called for strong accountability from local universities to relieve housing pressure in neighborhoods. The administration referenced a recently completed study
housing report and committed to sharing his finding with the council. Affordable home ownership emerged as a major focal point. The potential loss of state level commonwealth builder funding threatens hundreds of planned income restricted home ownership units. Council's urged administration to expand city subsidies,
acquisition programs, and down down payment assistant tools. The administration pointed to innovations underway in margin housing in phase three of welcome home Boston, but acknowledged that without renewed state or outside investment, maintaining the pipeline and new affordable housing will
remain difficult. On tenant protections, the compensation turned into eviction prevention, the structure of city issued housing vouchers, and the need to support mixed status families. Councilors expressed concerns about federal threats to voucher funding and
ask administration to explore more project-based voucher models to improve long-term stability. The administration warned that significant fed federal cuts could eliminate 8,000 BHA vouchers and displace 11,000 children, urging the council to advocate at the federal
level. BHA administrator Bach reported progress in reducing open work orders dropping nearly 90% since the roll out of digital maintenance systems in October 2024. Council's also raised concerns about reertification delays leading to unnecessary voucher
terminations and urged BHA to streamline and humanize this process. The hearing also covers senior intergenerational housing with calls for more accessible familysized units to support elders and multi-generational living.
BHA chair shared plans to expand senior housing and emphasize the need for long-term planning to help residents age in place. Council closed by emphasizing that housing investments must be equitably distributed across all neighborhoods to ensure every Bostononian has access to stable
affordable housing. On Tuesday, May 20th, at 10 a.m., the committee held a hearing to review the FY26 budget for parks and recreation. Presenting on behalf of the administration were interimm parks and recck director uh Sweat, parks and rec deputy commissioner
Brickerton, parks and recreation capital plan director Baker Eclipse, finance and procurement director Lee, and parks maintenance director Hinkliffe, HR and payroll director Buford. Councilors in attendance included councilors Flint, Weber, Kleta, Zapata, Durkin, Braden
Murphy, Council President Lu Jen, and the vice chair of the committee, Council Pepin. The department described its capital improvements for FY26 parks, his tree planning program, his cemetery maintenance plan, and how it's doubled its street punin operation in 2024. It also detailed his need for climate
resiliency in new parks, especially Ryan playground in Charlestown and Moley Park in South Boston. After public testimony regarding it, we also discussed the need for a comprehensive needs assessment for Jamaica Pond and its nearby ponds. We also heard from the public and councilors about the desire for downtown
parks administrator. We heard about maintenance challenges even at relatively new parks that come from vandalism, theft, and dogs. The department detailed that there are 260 baseball fields in the city with only seven employees, so maintenance of the fields can be delayed. In terms of
recreation, the department spoke of the success of the mayor's cup across a series of sports and detailed collaboration with other departments in a desire to ease the permanent process for all all city parks. For animal care and control, the department described the HVAC work to improve the current
space and shared a desire to move into a new space at some point in the future. On Tuesday, May 20th, at 2:30 p.m., the committee held a hearing to review the FY26 budget for streets cabinet, including the public works department and Boston Transportation Department. Presenting on behalf of the
administration were chief of streets um Franklin Hodgej, BTD Commissioner Gove, streets policy and planning director Gupta, deputy chief of streets Campbell, streets director of budget and finance Koshafa, and waste reduction supervisor Roach. Councilors in
attendance included council Fitzgerald, Durkin, Murphy, Kleta, Zapata, Miia, Flynn, Weber, Braden, Council President Louis, Lu Jen, and the vice chair of the committee, Council Pepin. The cabinet spoke about the new trash contract and improved waste reduction operations,
which has already resulted in nearly 25% reduction in miss trash calls. The new contract ensures 66 trucks on the road every trash day and includes better reporting and tracking as well as cameras on the truck. Council suppressed the desire for a resident facing GPS
trash tracker so that residents can better time putting their barrels out for pickup, thus resulting in fewer pests in the city. Commissioner Go spoke about the increased hiring for BTD enforcement, which has cuts its vacancy in half and has only about 40 vacancies, thus resulted in more overnight and
weekend parking enforcement. He also said that once they're fully hired, he hopes to fully restart the resident parking program. BTD also retailed detailed a number of new initiatives and changes included how its new parking meters will be multilingual, its new approach to
sitting to sighting speed humps will be le less data driven and how project green light is now installed at more than 100 intersections and has allowed for an average 13 and a.5% reduction in traffic delays. The cabinet also described an increase in snow events
from 11 in FY24 to 16 in FY25. They detailed road and sidewalk improvements in 2024, including improvements to more than 12 miles of sidewalks, 1,650 curb ramps, 600 speed humps, and a and major projects on Bill Russell
Bridge and coming highways. Improvements to roads and bridges account for nearly 50% of the cabinet's cap capital dollars. Discussions also centered on EV chargers, the removal of bike bike bike lane flex post, and the cabinet's history of underspending and its operating budget. Just a reminder, we're
bringing this conversation to the community um with a hearing on Arrong and Veteran Services at the BCF Growth Hall Senior Center tomorrow at 10 a.m. That will be followed by a hearing tomorrow night at 5 at city hall on youth jobs and youth engagement. And next Wednesday, we'll have public
testimony at city hall at 6 p.m. I encourage all my council colleagues to join help spread the word as chair of the committee on ways to mean I I recommend that these dockets will remain in committee. Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair, and thank you for your diligence in holding these
hearings. At our pre-consil meetings, um central staff and my office were talking about how much they uh how much we enjoy the rundown to just hear about all of the work that we've done. you know, is it and it goes on pretty long, but it gives us a good summary of the work that we've been doing here. Um, and one of
our biggest, perhaps our biggest responsibility to review the mayor's budget. So, thank you for holding those hearings. Thank you for allowing us to speak at those hearings and allowing us time to ask questions. We really appreciate it. Uh, these dockets, dockets number 0822 to 0845 will remain
in committee. We're now on to motions, orders, and resolutions. A reminder to my colleagues that if you are the lead sponsor, you have three minutes to speak on a docket. If you are a co-sponsor or another council looking to speak on a docket, you have two minutes. Okay. Okay. So, Mr. Clerk, if you could please read docket number 1099. Doc number
1099. Council Fitzgerald off of the following petition for a special law regarding an act relative to the disability pension for Patricia M. Lamprron administered by the Boston Retirement Board. Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor Fitzgerald. have the floor.
Thank you, Madam President. Now you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Uh I would like to add Council Murphy. Council Murphy is so added. Councelor Fitzgerald, you have the floor. Uh and I would like to spend the rules. I know Council Flynn is not uh present at the moment, but when we do clean up at the end of this, maybe I
could add him at the end, just as a heads up. Thank you. Uh, I'm filing this home rule petition, a petition for a special law regarding an act relative to the disability pension for Patricia M. Lampron, administered by the Boston Retirement Board to help Trisha Lampron receive the retirement pension that she
deserves. I'm sure you have all heard Trisha Lampron's story, but if you have not, Patricia Lampron is the former principal of the Dr. William Henderson K through2 inclusion school in Dorchester. On November 3rd, 2021, while in her capacity as principal, Trisha was
seriously injured in a violent attack by a student. She was punched in the head and face repeatedly with a closed fist. She was completely knocked out for at least four minutes. From these actions, Principal Lampron suffered a traumatic brain injury which has affected her
speech, mobility, and cognitive ability. She received intensive therapies including speech, physical therapy, and occupational therapy to address deficits for over two years following the injury. In addition, Principal Lampron suffers from severe post-traumatic stress
disorder, PTSD, and continues to receive counseling and therapy as an outpatient at MLAN Hospital. Patricia received workers compensation from the date of the injury, 11321, until 11324. However, workers compensation benefits
only covered 60% of her salary, leaving her no other choice but to use sick time to cover the remaining 40%. Which has impacted her pension and annuity fund considerably. Patricia M. Lamprun holds three school administrator licenses, elementary, middle, and high school, as
well as her teaching license. However, the severity of Patricia's injuries have prevented her from being able to return to the Boston public schools and perform the essential functions of her job in any capacity. It is worth noting that my office has worked directly with our state representative who will be filing this
on their end as well as the house council up at the state house. They both work they both worked with us on the proper language and we are sending this up as an amendable home rule petition. This is also important to note. Had Trisha been a police officer, EMS or any other public safety official,
we would not have to file this home rule petition because she would be covered under the new state law that is passed. because she is a principal, she does not qualify under that law and principles also do not have a union to help them through this process. I've spoken to the chair of government operations here at
the city council already and due to calendar restraints, I'm seeking to suspend and pass this docket today. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Uh the chair recognizes Councelor Murphy. Councelor Murphy, you have the floor. Thank you, um Madame President. Thank you, Council Fitzgerald and
Representative Hunt, who I know you've been working closely with Trisha and her family. So, thank you for that. So, um this to me is a very personal and important home world petition. Trisha and I, uh were teachers. Our classrooms were next to each other for many years
at the Murphy. Um I had her nephews as students and then I went over to the Henderson and worked with her when she left the Murphy and became the principal at the Henderson School. So, we have many years of working together. She's a neighbor and a friend. So, it's important that we get this right and
it's long overdue. As many of you know, Patricia is a de dedicated her career to Boston public schools, especially to the Dr. Pendison Inclusion School where she championed inclusion and dignity for all students. And as we're going through this process
with the Boston public schools, the budget, and this push to have inclusion across the entire school system, it always goes back to the model and the work that is done at the Henderson as the way it should be done for all schools because it's done right there.
and she championed that and took the helm from Dr. William Henderson when he retired and just did an amazing job to make sure that our students have the um you know inclusion opportunity that every student should have in this city. After suffering a traumatic brain injury
in the line of duty, an injury that permanently impacted her speech, mobility, and cognition, Trisha has faced years of recovery with extraordinary strength. This legislation seeks to correct the financial inequities she has endured due to
limitations in our current retirement system. I know this is not only the right thing to do, it's long overdue. So, I'm respectfully asking and thank you council for um asking for a suspend and pass and for chair um Kleta Zapata
for realizing with the constraints that it's important that we get that up there. So, I am asking my colleagues to support us in suspending and passing this today and do what's right for Trisha and her family. Thank you. Uh, Councelor Murphy, um, I know that Council Fitzgerald, you wanted to add
Counselor Flynn as a third original co-sponsor. Yeah, please, if we could suspend the rules and add Council Flynn. Thank you. Thank you. Councelor Fitzgerald seeks to suspend the rules to add Councelor Flynn as a third original co-sponsor. Seeing it here, no no objections. Councelor Flynn is added. I probably should have u stated before
that. Mr. Clerk, for the record, uh, please update the attendance record to reflect that Council Flynn is now present and with us. Councelor Flynn, if you'd like to speak on this docket at this moment, you may. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn. Thank you. Thank you, Madam
Chair. Um, I don't have anything um that I wanted to say other than I support my colleagues. I think this is a an an issue that this dedicated professional city employee um has given her entire career and benefiting the
children, the children of um the Boston public school system. I know Patricia, I know her family very well, the Kelly family from South Boston and um whatever we can do to be helpful to this wonderful family that has given so
much to our city. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add counselors Braden, Kazapata, Durkin, Fernand Anderson, Mahia, Pepen, Santana, Weber, Warl, please add the chair.
Councilors Fitzgerald, Murphy, and Flynn suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 1099. Mr. Clerk, could you please conduct a roll call vote? Roll call vote on doc. Sorry. Sorry. Yep. That's the right docket. Docket number 1099. Roll call vote on docket
number 1099. Councelor Braden, yes. Councelor Braden, yes. Council Kleta Zapata, yes. Council Kleta Zapata, yes. Council Durkin, yes. Council Durkin, yes. Council Fernandez Anderson, yes. Council Fernandez Anderson, yes. Council Fitzgerald, yes. Council Fitzgerald,
yes. Council Flynn, yes. Council Flynn, yes. Council Luen, yes. Council Luen, yes. Council Mia, Council Mia, yes. Council Murphy. Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pen. Council Pen, yes. Council Santana, yes. Council Santana, yes.
Council Weber, yes. Council Weber, yes. And Council Warl, yes. Council Warl, yes. Docket number 1099 has received a unanimous vote in in the affirmative. Thank you. Docket number 1099 has passed. Mr. Cler, can you please read docket number 11000? Docket number
11000. Councelor Warel offer the following. Petition for a special law, an act directing the city of Boston Police Department to wave the maximum age requirement for police officers for Jose Ortiz. Thank you. The chair recognizes Council Oral. Councelor Oral,
you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. This home rule petition seeks an age waiver for Jose Ortiz, allow him to fulfill his lifelong goal of becoming a Boston police officer. Jose is a 40-year-old lifelong Bostononian born and raised in Roxberry now living in
Dorchester with deep roots in the community community and a strong sense of service. He currently works as an athletic assistant at the BCF Holland Community Center where he mentors youth and builds trust through consistency, empathy, and respect. He's known as
someone young people can talk to and someone who constantly shows up for them. Jose recently passed the BPD Act entrance exam and is ready to serve the city as a police officer. His lived experience, emotional intelligence, and connection with the youths makes him an ideal candidate for modern community
policing. For those reasons, I respectfully ask the council to suspend and pass this home rule petition today. Thank you. Thank you. Um, is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add counselors Braden, Kleta, Zapata, Durkin, Fernanderson,
Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mahia, Murphy, Pepen, Santana, Weber, please add the chair. Council Wars, suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 110. Mr. Clerk, would you please conduct a roll call vote? Roll call vote on docket number 11000. Councelor Braden, yes.
Councelor Braden, yes. Councelor Kleta Zapata, yes. Council Kleta Zapata, yes. Council Durkin, yes. Councelor Durkin, yes. Council Fernandez Anderson, Council Fernandez Anderson, yes. Council Fitzgerald, yes. Council Fitzgerald, yes. Council Flynn, Council Flynn, yes.
Council Luen, yes. Council Luen, yes. Council Mia, yes. Council Mia, yes. Council Murphy, yes. Councelor Murphy, yes. Council Pepen, yes. Council Pen, yes. Council Santana, yes. Council Santana, yes. Council Weber, yes. Council Weber, yes. And Council Warl,
yes. Council War, yes. Docket number 11000 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative. Thank you. Docket number 110 has passed. Mr. Clark, could you please read docket number 11? Document number 1101. Councilors Flynn
and Murphy offer the following. Order for a hearing to review the hiring, training, and compliance certification of BPS bus drivers. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn. Councelor Flynn, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair,
before I begin, I do want to apologize to my colleagues and to you for being late. I had a ribbon cutting ceremony in my district in Chinatown. It happens. It's okay. Thank you. You have the floor, council. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, I'm calling for this
hearing today after the tragic passing of a 5-year-old boy was struck by a school bus. This tragedy underscores the urgent need to conduct a thorough review of the hiring and monitoring practices used by
Transdev, which is the contract that this boss public school system contracts with the bus company. I think it's important that we find out more information about how this process works in terms of
screening, training, certification, supervision. The Boston public school system provides daily transportation to approximately 22,000 students. Families across the city entrust us with their children's safety.
It is our obligation to ensure that we provide the safest ride transportation to our BPS students, whether going to school or after school activities such as
sports. Throughout this school year, we had issues as it relates to various challenges for the Boston public school system. transportation. I won't highlight those at this time, but I do
believe that we need to evaluate and strengthen real time safety protocols by implementing enhanced measures to ensure that our drivers have the critical services, support, and
training that they need. We have to have a system to report incidents promptly to identify and address any violations before they result in harm. The safety of our Boston public
school children is non-negotiable. As elected officials, we must act swiftly to address this failure that contributed to the tragedy and the taking of an innocent life and to ensure
that it never happens again. We must do everything we can to provide the safest possible transportation to all of our BPS families. Thank you, Madam Chair. The chair recognizes Councelor Murphy. Councelor Murphy, you have the floor. Um, thank you, Madame President.
Together with Councelor Flynn, I'm calling for a hearing to examine the hiring, training, and certification process for Boston public school bus drivers following the tragic and possibly preventable death of a 5-year-old child in High Park. This
driver should not have been behind the wheel. If the reports that we're hearing are true, he had already been involved in collisions that very day and was operating with an expired driving certification. To me, that's a systemic failure. And we have an obligation to
dig deeper, not to assign blame, but to prevent this from ever happening again. We entrust our children safety to this bus system every day. 22,000 children a day are bust around the city to schools and parents, grandparents, loved ones,
teachers are always worried and making sure that their children get home to school safely and back home every day. That trust has been broken and we must act urgently to rebuild it with clear oversight, transparency, and reform. I'm looking forward to this hearing
hopefully in the oversight um post audit committee so we can really talk about systems maybe breakdowns on those systems and how we move forward to get this right. Thank you. Thank you. The chair recognizes council pen. Councelor Penn you have the floor. Thank you madam president. You know, at this at this
time, my my district, especially High Park, continues to mourn the passing of Lens Arthur Joseph. And you know, this past Saturday, Madame President and I, we were at the funeral in High Park, just seeing the hurt the
community is going through. And the entire community, not only the family, cares about this issue and they're looking for answers. And I'm troubled by the reports, you know, that have been released providing updates on the case, which is why it's so important to have
this hearing. But I also just want to be mindful of not politicizing this issue too much and reaching out to the family and connecting with the family to making sure that they are receiving what they need because what we've gotten from them
is that they need as much help as possible right now. The reason I'm rising is to make sure that our dedicated community, they get the opportunity to get answers, which is why I'll be in attendance at this hearing. Making sure
that transdev is providing answers, but also just making sure that my district feels supported. Very curious to know what was the issue behind this. you know, if it was one individual driver, if it's a protocol or broader failing of transdev, but I also just want to make
sure to say, you know, if there's something's going to be filed filed that touches my district or is in a result of something that happened in my district, please reach out to me. That's all I'll say. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Pepen. And I know that you've carried this
um issue closely as have many, including myself. Um sitting with the family the day that it happened, being with the family every
week since then, being with them at the funeral. If there's one funeral you never want to attend, it's one of a 5-year-old. Every death that involves a moving vehicle is a preventable death. And so I
uplift Lens Arthur Joseph. I uplift his parents who are suffering in unimaginable pain that was on full display at the heart-wrenching funeral. And I also want to thank our trauma team here that has been with the family every
step of the way in a culturally competent way. It's a Haitian family in High Park that is grieving right now. Deeply grieving from a death that is preventable. High Park and the Haitian
community and our our city of Boston have seen too many of these. And so I just continue to uplift the Joseph family and pray that no family in the city of Boston has to experience this ever again. Would anyone else like to add their name to this docket or would
anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add counselors Braden, Khaled, Zapata, Durkin, Fernand, Anderson, Fitzgerald, Mahia, Pepen, Santana, Weber, Warl.
Please add the chair. This docket, docket number 1101, will be referred to the committee on education. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1102? Document number 1102, councelor Murphy offer the following. Order for a hearing to review the management and
oversight of the Boston Main Streets programs and the preliminary findings of the Wolf and Company audit. Thank you. The chair recognizes Council Murphy. Councelor Murphy, you have the floor. Um, thank you, Madam President. My office has been visiting and walking
through um all the main street districts across the city, meeting with directors, talking to business owners, and seeing firsthand the impact these programs offer. So, I want to thank those who are doing this work with integrity and passion. But we cannot ignore the recent allegations of mismanagement and
financial misconduct within one of our main streets organizations. I'm calling for this hearing to allow us to examine the Wolf and Company audit, understand the scope of oversight failures, and make sure city funds are being used appropriately. It's our
responsibility to protect the integrity of these programs, especially for the neighborhoods and small businesses that rely on them the most. I believe we owe it the honest, hardworking directors to hold everyone to the same standards. So, I'm asking um for this hearing to happen
and that the representatives from the mayor's office of economic opportunity inclusion, the Boston Finance Company, hopefully a representative or the full audit with an overview of the Wolf & Company audit in any relevant Main Street organizations including Three
Square Main Streets. Um so, thank you, Madam Chair. I'm looking for this hearing. Looking forward to the hearing. Thank you. The chair recognizes Okay. Is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add counselors Braden, Kleta, Zapata,
Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mahia, uh, Santana, Weber, Warl, please add the chair. Uh, thank you. Docket number 1102 will be referred to the committee on post audit, government access, accountability, transparency, and accessibility. Mr.
Cler, can you please read docket number 1103? Docket number 1103. Councelor Flynn offered the following order for a hearing to discuss the community engagement process for installing EV charging stations in the city of Boston.
Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn. Councelor Flynn, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm filing this hearing order today to discuss the community engagement process for installing EV charging stations in
Boston and particularly in District 2. In March, the city held a meeting to discuss proposed locations for EV charging stations throughout my neighborhood in South Boston. At that time, neighbors offered feedback on proposed sites.
However, last week, residents on London Street, this is a street near um near the high school up towards Dodest Heights. Residents on Lynen Street received a flyer at their door indicating a changing charging station would be built on the street with no
public process. Let me say at the outset, this is not about whether anyone supports or appro opposes electric vehicle charging stations. It's about a process, a thorough community process that would result in central, reasonable, and
appropriate locations. In 2021, I sponsored a hearing with city councelor Matt Ali at that time on the city's plan for adopting EV charges in electric electrifying our city's vehicle fleet. At that time, I
emphasized using municipal and BPS lots, partnering with sit with state or federal colleagues on suitable areas near recreation facilities, and most of all partnering with shopping centers. We have we have one in South Boston down towards Ellen
Broadway. That'd be a perfect location for an EV charging station, especially at nighttime when there's when they don't allow parking. And across the street there's a u a a drug drugstore that has
a lot of parking. But it would be a tremendous opportunity to have sites at these locations. I have constituents that own EVs and I I know all my colleagues do as well. I understand that the city will look to add charging
infrastructure, but I also think it's important to have a thorough communitydriven process with the residents and elected officials in a sensible approach on appropriate and central locations than simply placing them in
front of owner's homes on residential side streets. Moreover, Lynon Street neighbors highlighted that the West Broadway municipal municipal lot is a five-minute walk and already contains EV charging
stations. They expressed concerns on how an EV charging port would directly take away a parking spot from the majority of the residents and families on Lynden who do not necessarily own a EV. How some underscored that this would
become a year-round def de facto parking space used by an EV driver um for empty exasperating current parking issues. Residents in South Boston noted the potential for a similar dynamic to
play out on their street. I also respect people might disagree with me. In 2023, a BTD study found 29,000 active parking permits and 10,000 parking spaces in South Boston. I
requested an audit that cancelled nearly 8,000 permits. But given South Boston's existing parking crisis, we need to in instead review the use of municipal and BPS lots, partnering with our colleagues
on on locations. As I mentioned, nearby gas stations or retail pharmacy chains, grocery chains, shopping centers, other commercial areas such as the South Bay Shopping Center, which is I know it's in Council
Fitzgerald's district, but it's it's it's a five-minute walk from my district. As well, as I understand, the city allows for installing curbside EV charges via two ways. One through public ownership. Council Flynn, you are now a minute over time. Thank you. Thank you.
Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add counselors uh Braden, Kleta, Zapata, uh Fitzgerald, Mia, Murphy, Pepen, Weber,
please add the chair. This docket, docket number 11, uh three. Okay. 1103 will be referred to the committee on planning, development, and transportation. Mr. The clerk, can you please read docket number 1104? Docket number 1104. Councelor Fernandez
Anderson offer the following resolution to formally support the Roxbury District improvement financing diff to be utilized in District 7. The chair recognizes Councelor Fern Anderson. You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Um this is actually a refile
from um the previous year. Um, and for the record, I know I've been uh informed by a lot of my constituents and civic leaders that um the media has been asking about about this. So, they could just reference um the previous year where my colleagues um passed this
resolution. Um I will not belabor um the issue. Uh basically district improvement improvement finance um is basically a bill that's already been passed in the state level and there is a full guide in a packet that you can use for your district but specific to areas of high
development um where incremental amounts of tax can be used from a development to um specific catchment area that is decided upon. Um and so in my district in the district we've worked with uh a nonprofit that was able to gain um some
funding and then they went on and did a study on to as to like uh recommendations on how to implement it and now we are at a phase of um implementation or moving ahead. So um I did I only it's actually pretty thick
the guide from the state um website. So, I I printed one if I if you guys want me to pass it around to read it. Um, but please go to mass.gov um to get the guide. Um, and you can do this in your district as well. Again, it's a refile and I'm asking for um the rules to be
suspended and pass on this resolution for Roxberry. Thank you. Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add counselors Braden, Kleta Zap Zap Zap Zap Zap Zap Zap Zap Zap Zap Zapata, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mahia Murphy, Pepen Weber, please add the chair. Council for N Anderson's suspension of the rules and
passage of docket number 1104. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say nay. The eyes have it. This docket is passed. Mr. Clerk, can you please read docket number 1105? Docket number 1105, Councelor Santana for the following resolution recognizing June 2025 as
immigrant heritage month in the city of Boston. Okay. Um, let's Okay. Okay. Um, so, Mr. Clerk, you have read docket number 1105 into the record. Council Santana offers the following resolution recognizing June 2025 as immigrant heritage month in
the city of Boston. Councilor Santana, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. I rise today with a pride um with pride to offer this resolution um recognizing June 2025 as immigrant heritage month in the city of
Boston. Madame President, can I add councelor Braden as an original co-sponsor? Councelor Braden is so added. Councelor Santana, you have the floor. And can I suspend rule 12 and add counselor Mahia as an original co-sponsor? Councelor Santana seeks suspend the rules add uh to add council Mahia as a third original co-sponsor. Seeing and hearing no objections.
Council Mia is so added. Councilor Santana, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Um, and I want to thank councilors Braden and and councelor Mahia, two powerful voices for equity, for joining me as an original as original co-sponsors. Um, as a Dominican
immigrant, um, as an Afro Latino, this resolution is deeply personal to me. My family came to Boston seeking opportunity, stability, and safety. And like so many others who now call um this city home, I watched my parents work tirelessly to give my siblings and me a
chance at a better life. Their courage, their sacrifices, and their relentless hope for the future are what drive me every single day in this row. Boston is a city shaped and threat um strengthened by immigrants. Nearly one in three residents is foreign born. Immigrants
are small business owners, students, caretakers, professionals, essential workers, and elected officials. They fuel our economy, enrich our cult, our culture, and make Boston a more vibrant, compassionate, and resilient city. This
resolution not only honors the contributions of immigrants, but it calls on on every institution in our city to take meaningful steps to protect and uplift our immigrant communities. Let this month be a celebration, but also a reminder we must continue to
fight for the dignity, rights, and safety of all immigrants in Boston, regardless of status. Thank you, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution today. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Braden. You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to Councelor Santana for
including me in this resolution. as an immigrant from Northern Ireland. I arrived here 30 years ago next in July this year and um this um this place is near and dear to me. It's it opened its
arms and accepted me and I was able to live a very different life than I would have lived in my home country. Uh Gateway Boston has been a gateway city for hundreds of years for immigrants from all over the world. Uh and every neighborhood has its own flavor. Uh
hopefully we can continue to have that ethnic diversity reflected in our neighborhoods. Like if you want really good Italian food, where do you go? East Boston, maybe North End. Uh I'll not get into trouble by saying anymore. Um diversity is our strength and in this
moment in this moment we have to stand strong and to protect and support our immigrant community who are under threat at this moment. And uh I feel that uh this is the very most essential thing that we can do recognizing that we're
all most of us are descendants of immigrants. Some of us are immigrants ourselves. Uh and that that is what makes Boston Boston. So um thank you and let's celebrate all the contributions of our immigrant community all across the city and uh welcome new ones, new
immigrants. Thank you. Thank you councelor Braden. The chair recognizes Council Mia. Council Mia, you have the floor. Thank you, Madame President. Um, I want to thank Councelor Santana for adding me, and I'm proud to co-sponsor this resolution recognizing June 2025 as immigrant heritage month here in the
city of Boston. Boston's uh story is an immigrant story. Nearly one in three residents in our city is foreign born, working, raising families, starting businesses, and strengthening our communities. Especially during these times when immigrant communities are too often scapegoated, excluded, or under
attack, it is important that we not only celebrate our diversity, but defend it. This resolution is a reminder that immigrants are not just part of Boston's past, they are essential um to our present and future. Our immigrant neighbors know that here in Boston, we
see you, we value you, and we will continue to work to protect you. And I'm really proud that um one of the first ordinances that I passed here on the council during COVID was establishing and strengthening our language access um department by making sure that whatever
u vital information comes out in English the same day it comes out in the top 11 languages spoken here in the city of Boston. That is what um this moment is really calling us to do is to fight for and develop program policies, protocols
and procedures that really affirm um immigrant communities. Um our office also worked to codify the office of immigrant advancement um and to make sure that no matter who is in that position of power that that department
will continue to exist despite the political climate that we're in. Um, and lastly, um, our office was really proud to work alongside councelor Rorell and councelor, um, Anderson on establishing the office of cultural affairs. And in that work, we were able to do so,
strengthening and uplifting immigrant communities. And so I rise to say that as an immigrant that came to this country at 5 years old and had to learn how to speak English and navigate systems that were never really created for us. This work for me in this
celebration says that this is our restorative justice moment. Thank you. Thank you uh council me. Anyone else looking to speak on this matter? Just want to say um happy immigrant heritage month. beautiful that this resolution is filed by three members of this body who aren't
immigrants themselves in this moment of tremendous fear for so many. We adjusted this morning at the South End um coffee hour. May we bind together and make sure that we are standing in solidarity in our community with our communities um with what's happening across the city to so many of my district counselors. I
know that you are under uh your districts and our immigrant communities in your districts are under a tremendous amount of fear and pain. So, um, may we continue to make space for the joy as we deal with difficult moments. Uh, councilors
Santana, Mahia. Oh, does anyone else want to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please add counselors, Zapata, Durkin, Fernand, Anderson, Fitzgerald, Flynn, Mahia, Murphy, Pepen, Weber. Please add the chair.
Councilors Santana, Braden, and Mahia seek suspension of the rules and passage of docket number one5. All All those in favor say I. I. All those oppose say nay. The eyes have it. Docket number one 014 has been adopted.
Oh, sorry. 1105 has been adopted. Mr. Cler, could you please read docket number 1106? Docket number 1106. Councilors Murphy and Flynn offered the following resolution in recognition of Boston Emergency Medical Services and in
celebration of EMS week. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Murphy. Councelor Murphy, you have the floor. Um, thank you. I know we presented this earlier, but I would like to suspend the rules and formally add Council Fitzgerald. Okay. Uh, Councelor Murphy seeks to
suspend the rules, add Councelor Fitzgerald as a third original co-sponsor. Seeing and hearing no obje and hearing no objections. council added. Councelor Murphy, you have the floor. Um, thank you. So, as we um spoke earlier with Chief Hulie and members of
the EMS team, the 2025 National EMS Week theme is we care for everyone, which I do think describes our EMS workers perfectly and it reflects the strength, adaptability, and continued commitment of our EMS professionals who serve in
Boston. So, I am asking after councelor Flynn has an opportunity to speak on this um that the Boston City Council honors and commends the service, skill, and sacrifice of the men and women of the Boston Emergency Medical Services and hereby recognizes May 19th through
May 25th as Boston Emergency Medical Services Week. So, I will be asking um to suspend and pass. Thank you. Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor Flynn. Councelor Flynn, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. This is a week where we recognize and
celebrate EMS personnel for their hard work, service, and commitment to public health and safety. Our emergency services personnel, including paramedics, EMTs work in the front line and witness firsthand accidents, violence, trauma, major incidents. They
are dedicated workers sometimes taking overnight shifts and remain remaining calm assuring under highly intense and stressful situations which can take a toll on anyone's mental health. We saw this especially during the CO 19
pandemic where a lot of our EMS workers and first responders experience burnout. As the cost of living increases, it is difficult for many of our EMS personnel to stay in the city. I know residential
requirements for our EMS personnel is temporarily suspended for 3 years. I am also looking forward to this coming Friday. We will have an official groundbreaking ceremony for the EMS station at the Flynn Marine Park in the
South Boston waterfront. something that myself, councelor Flareity, then councelor Woo advocated for for over eight years with the population boom in the area over the last decade decade. On National EMS week, I want to honor and
say a huge thank you to our EMS personnel for their professionalism and commitment to public health and safety for all. Thank you. Thank you. Uh the chair rec recognizes Council Fitzgerald. Councelor Fitzgerald, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, I
think all was set up on the stage, but I do want to just reiterate and thank you, Council Murphy, for allowing me to join. Thank you. Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Chair, please add counselors Braden, Kleta, Zapata, Durkin, Fernand
Anderson, uh, Mahia, Pepen, Santana, Weber, Warl, please add the chair. Councilors Murphy, Flynn, and Fitzgerald. Suspension of the rules and passage and adoption of docket number 1106. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say nay. The eyes have it.
This docket is passed. Mr. Clerk, could you please read docket number 1107? Docket number 1107. Councelor Flynn offer the following resolution commemorating Memorial Day and honoring our gold star families and those who made the supreme sacrifice for our
country. Thank you. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn. Councelor Flynn, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair. I filed this resolution so that the city council can honor those who made the supreme sacrifice in service to our nation. I
would also like to recognize our gold star families and extend our deepest respect to them in sharing the deep pain that all our gold star families have sacrificed. Memorial Day, in my opinion, it's probably the most important and
significant day of the year. At one time, it was known as Decoration Day. It started as a day for people to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers after the Civil War. Decoration Day continued to be observed on the local
level. And in 1968, Congre Congress passed the Uniform Mon Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day and the official name was changed in 1971. Memorial Day, the country pays
respect to more than 1.1 million American military personnel who made the supreme sacrifice for this country while serving in uniform, as I mentioned, as well as our gold star families. This is a solemn
day in Boston. This weekend, there will be over 37,000 flags placed in the Boston Common by the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund at home base to honor the service members who gave their life defending our nation. It is a
beautiful tribute to our fallen heroes. I know our city council is will and the mayor will be attending many events over the over the next several days as well. Let's recognize our fallen heroes and may we never forget their bravery,
sacrifice, and service. I'd also like to highlight how painful it is for these gold star families for not seeing their loved one uh grow up and have a family of their own.
That family, that gold star family really is what this nation is all about. It's about the incredible sacrifices they have made so that we're able to be here today and to celebrate
um so many freedoms that we have. But we we recognize our gold star families for the pain in the very difficult times that they've had without their loved one. Whether it was a son or a daughter or a spouse, that pain never leaves them
on Memorial Day. This nation shares that pain with them. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Murphy. You have the floor. Thank you. Um thank you, Council Flynn, for filing this. Um, when I was coming back to city hall earlier, I stopped by
the flag placing that has already started on public garden and the 37,000 flags that are placed to remember each of the Massachusetts service members who have died for our freedom. So, it's important to remember those and
their families and also just want to uplift our commissioner Santiago for veteran and family services who always reminds people during this week leading up to Memorial Day that it's not a day just for cookouts. If we actually
are remembering the holiday for what it is supposed to be um remembered for, it's to remember those who have died for our freedom. So, I look forward to being alongside um Commissioner Santiago and many of my colleagues and veteran families over the next several days to
remember those who died in war and in service for our freedom. Thank you. Thank you. Uh would anyone else like to speak on this matter? The chair recognizes Councelor Durkin. You have the floor. Thank you so much, Councelor Flynn, um for um commemorating such an
important day. I know I'll be with the Mission Hill Post on Monday. Um, and it's so important that uh we as a city council stand up and thank those who um have done everything to make sure that uh we can live in a free and fair society. So um it's more important than
ever. So thank you so much Councelor Flynn and uh thank you chair. Thank you. Is anyone else looking to speak on this matter? I want to thank councelor Flynn for for serving and I and his service and for filing this. Um, many of my colleagues have already alluded to this, but this Monday we pay uh direct honor
to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on Monday across the city. Councelor Durkin mentioned uh the Mission Hill Post. Uh there will also be and I have this in announcements. So in announcements, I will uh go into further detail about um the memorials that that I know of that are happening uh this
coming Monday. Um would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Mr. Clerk, please add counselors Braden, Kleta, Zapata, Durkin, Fernand Anderson, Fitzgerald, Mahia Murphy, Pepan, Santana, Warl, please add the chair. Uh, and and Council Weber. Okay,
sorry, I miss you, Council Weber. Um, okay. Council Flynn seeky suspension of the rules and adoption of docket number 1107. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed say nay. Thank you. The eyes have it. Docket 1107 has been
adopted. We are now on to personnel orders. But before we do that, would anyone like to add their name to a docket or um put forward a motion to reconsider a vote when they were not in chambers? The chair recognizes Council War. Um docket number 1104 and 11:05.
Are those dockets you'd like to add your name to? Yes. Okay. Mr. Clerk, Council War would like to add his name to dockets number 114 and 1105. You have those? Okay. Anyone else? Okay, we are now on to personnel orders.
Mr. Clerk, would you please read the personnel orders? Personnel orders docket number 1108, Council Lenne for Council Ketta and personnel order docket number 1109, Council Len for Councelor Murphy.
Thank you. Uh the chair moves for passage of dockets number 1108 and 119. All those in favor say I. I. All those oppose say nay. The eyes have it. Uh the personnel orders have passed. We are now moving on to green sheets. Um I believe we have some that have been um formed to
uh the clerk uh from councelors Weber and councelor Fitzgerald. Councelor Cinten, I also see your light on. The chair recognizes council Weber. Okay. Thank you. Uh um uh I I'd like to pull uh docket number 1052
uh from the top of page 11 from the green sheets from the Labor Workforce and Economic Development Committee. 1052. Okay. Mr. Clerk, do you have that before you? Yes. Could you please read it into the record? from the Committee on Labor, Workforce, and Economic Development,
docket number 1052, message authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $15,000 in the form of a grant for the BTHC program awarded by the donor group to be administered by the Office of
Workforce Development. The grant will fund pre-tax preparation and filing services to low and moderate income Boston residents. Thank you. Absent objection, the motion of the committee chair is accepted and the docket is properly before the body. Council Weber,
you have the floor. Thank you. Uh doc number 1052 was assigned to the committee on labor, workforce, and economic development at the last council meeting. It is a grant uh in the amount of $15,000 awarded by a donor group to be administered by the office of workforce development. It's pretty
straightforward. It would be used to fund uh free tax preparation and filing services for for uh low to moderate income Boston residents. We held a hearing in April uh with the um which uh
detailed how the Boston Tax Help Coalition manages 30 tax sites throughout Boston, the greater Boston region, has provided free training for more than 300 volunteers. Uh for them to earn IRS certification to file tax returns accurately. Groups that partner
include AB ABCD, Urban Edge, the Boston Public Library, and the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and Deaf. Uh the body has already voted uh to approve two grants for the Boston Tax Help Coalition in the amount of $480,000. So I'm um just bringing this
$15,000 grant. I'm hoping we can uh vote to accept it today. Thank you. Thank you. Councelor, would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Okay. Councelor Weber seeks passage of docket number 1052. All those
in favor say I. I. All oppose say nay. The eyes have it. This docket is passed. Uh, council Fitzgerald, did you also Okay. The chair recognizes Council Fitzgerald. You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, Mr. Clerk, I'd like to pull dockets uh
0101, 0460, and 0649 from page 15 of the green sheets. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Do you have those dockets before you? Mr. Mr. Cler, could you please read those dockets into the record? From the Committee on Public
Health, Homelessness, and Recovery, docket number 10, excuse me, docket number 0101, message in order for the confirmation of the appointment of LC Tavaris as a member of the Boston Public Health Commission's Board of Health for
a term expiring January 26, 2026. Doc number 0460. Message in order for the confirmation of the reappoint of Dr. Guali Valdez as a member of the Boston Public Health Commission's Board of Health for a term expiring January 15,
2028 and docket number 0649 message in order for the confirmation of the appointment of Stanley McLaren as a member of the Boston Public Health Commission's Board of Health for a term expiring January 15, 2028.
Thank you. Absent objection, the motion of the committee chair is accepted and the dockets are properly before the body. Council Mitz Gerald, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Just for clarification, my colleagues, both Dr. Elsie Tvarez and Dr. Gual Valdez are reappoints to the
health board. Uh I believe on Dr. Elsie just set an appointment, but those are both reappointed. Uh and Stanley McLaren uh would be a new appointment to the board. Uh Stan is the chief executive officer of the Boston Healthcare for the Homeless program. Uh Stan is most recently served as the president of
Carne Hospital. Uh but before Carney Hospital, Stan was the CEO of Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center. Earlier in his career, McLaren was a member of the leadership team at a school serving underresourced communities in Boston. He's also worked at the Boston Public Health Commission where he founded a program helping fathers become fully involved with their
families and their community. Personally, I serve on the Dorchester working group for the Carne Hospital with both both Dr. Valdez and Stan McLaren. I'm hoping to pass these three appointments so that the Boston Public Health Commission Board of Health can have a quorum at their June meeting.
Thank you, Madam President. Okay. Because these are re these are reappointments. The docket only says appointments. Same issue we had about a week or two ago. So, we need to uh be in a brief recess to uh so we can correct the docket. So, it says reappoint.
Understood. Thank you. Thank you. We are in a brief five 10-minute recess. to the next green sheets poll and I believe councelor Santana has a green sheets poll. So council Santana you have the floor. Thank you madam president. Mr. Clerk as uh I would like to pull
docket number 1051 for the committee on public safety and criminal justice. Um I believe it's on page 14 of the green sheets. Y Mr. Clerk, do you have that docket before you? Yes. Okay. Mr. Clerk, could you please read that document into the record? From the Committee on Public
Safety and Criminal Justice, document number 1051, message order authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $23,860 in form of a grant for the fiscal year 25 firefighter safety
equipment grant round two awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services to be administered by the fire department. The grant will fund the procurement of necessary equipment, firefighter personnel, personal protective and safety equipment to
comply with the National Fire Protection Association and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. Thank you. Absent objection, the motion of the committee chair is accepted and the docket is properly before the body. Councelor
Santana, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. The Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice held a public hearing on all grants administered by the Boston Fire Department on Friday, April 25th, 2025. We're joined by my colleagues, Council President Lu Jen, and Councelor Ed
Flynn. We also received letters of absence from Council War, Council Weber, and Councelor Pepen. The committee heard testimony on behalf of BPD BFD and administration from um Deputy Chief Rodney Marshall, um Deputy Chief Patrick
Ellis, Deputy Commissioner Kevin Coin, um Julie Devin Shauna Lynch, um Fire Marshall Colin Kelly, um District Chief John McDonald, District Chief Scott Malone, Captain Kenneth Hayes, and Deputy Chief Joseph Sheay. Um, as we
heard in at the hearing, the small grant of little of $24,000 is for a second round of firefighter safety equipment grant program in state fiscal year 2025. This grant program from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services is intended to enhance
firefighter safety by providing fire departments with the necessary personnel, protective, and safety equipment to comply with National Fire Protection Association and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. This funding will be used specifically to allow the
department to um procure replacements of handheld um thermal imagers um which have been taken out of service due to failure or safety concerns for use by chiefs assigned to the field. For the safety of our Boston firefighters as chair of the committee on public safety
and criminal justice, I recommend moving this docket from the committee to full council for discussion and a formal action. At that time, my recommendation to the council will be that docket number 1051 uh to pass. Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor Flynn.
Councelor Flynn, you have the floor. And thank you, Madam Chair. I want to say thank you to councelor Santana uh for bringing this forward but for an important meeting and discussion that he chaired and we had a opportunity to ask
unlimited questions really to the Boston fire fighter Boston fire department officials that were here and that's what we talked about is safety for firefighters and their families. We talked about health and wellness programs, but it was very informative,
educational, and including to the public. I heard a lot of great feedback from the public about how um we take this issue very seriously here on the city council. That's exactly what our job is and want to acknowledge and say
thank you to Council Santana for a very productive and professional hearing. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Okay. Councelor Santana. Um, the docket I don't I know that you said it, but I Okay. Uh, Councelor Santana seeks
passage of docket number 1051. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed? Nay. The eyes have it. This docket is passed. We are back to the green sheets polls from councelor Fitzgerald. Everyone should have before them the updated language that says reappoint.
The chair recognizes councelor Fitzgerald. Uh, yes. We've corrected for Dr. Elsie Tavvarez to be uh written in a new draft as reappoint and so we'd like to uh a vote to pass on the new draft. Please and thank you. Thank you. Uh okay. So, um Councelor
Fitzgerald uh seeks for passage of all these three dockets. Um we will first take a vote on docket number 0460. Oh, would anyone like to speak on any of these matters? I think um I I I know personally Dr. Valdez and and and
Stanley McLaren and think that their work that they do great. So happy to see their appointments to the BPHC board. Um would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Okay. Council Gerald seeks for passage of docket number 0460. All those in favor say I. I. All those oppose say
nay. The eyes have it. This docket is passed. Council Gerald seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket number 0649. All those in favor say I. I. Um the eyes have it. This docket is passed. Councelor Fitzgerald seeks a passage of docket number 010 in a new draft. All those in favor say I. I. All
those oppose say nay. The eyes have it. This docket has passed. Okay. Would anyone else like to pull anything from the green sheets? Okay. We are now moving on to late files. I am informed by the clerk that there are 10 late file matters. Um seven of those are personnel
orders. Um we will take a vote to add the late file personnel um orders onto the record. All those in favor say I. I all those in post say nay. The eyes have it this doc. Uh these personnel orders have been added to the record. Mr. Clerk, could you please read them into
the record? First personel. First personnel order council Luen for council me. Second personnel order council for council me. Third personnel order council Luen for council pen. Fourth personnel order council Luen for
council pen. Fifth personnel order, council Luen for council append. Sixth coun sixth personnel order council Luen for councel Durkin. And seventh personnel order council Luen for councel Durkin. Thank
you. We will take a vote to add these personnel file personnel orders onto the to pass these personnel orders. All those in favor say I. I. All oppose say nay. The eyes have it. These uh personnel file uh these personnel orders have been passed. Mr. Mr. Clerk, could you please read the two late file
matters from the administration onto the record? First late file matter from the office of the mayor. I hereby transfer for your approval an order authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend an inind donation valued at
$397 representing the cost of an interex inclusive progressive pride flag 10 by 15 to the mayor's office of LGBTQ plus advancement donated by the Boston Foundation E equality fund and second uh
late by the mayor I hereby transmit for your approval and not authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend an incind donation valued at $18.55 representing the cost of tableabling at the Boston Pride for the people pride festival to the mayor's
office of LGBTQ plus advancement by Boston Pride for the People. Thank you. We will take a vote to add these late file matters, these two late file matters onto the record. All those in favor say I. I. All those oppose say nay. The eyes have it. These two um late file matters have passed have been added
to the record. I am asking my colleagues these are such nominal amounts um and in celebration of pride that's coming up that we suspend and pass these so that um the our office of LGBTQ plus advancement can move forward and accept these in kinds and be prepared for the
celebrations and events to come. Um would anyone like to speak on this matter? Uh all those in favor of of passing these two uh late file matters uh say I. I. All oppose say nay. The eyes have it. These two matters have passed. Uh Mr. Cler, could you please
read the last late file matter into the record? Order of Council Aaron Murphy. Emergency hearing ordering um emergency hearing order regarding traffic safety at the intersection of Dorchester Avenue, Roseclair Street, and
Mount Vernon Street. Thank you. We will take a vote to add this late file matter onto the record. All those in favor say I. All oppose say nay. The eyes have it. This matter is added to the record. Council Murphy, you have the floor. Um, thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to add Councelor
Fitzgerald. Councelor Fitzgerald is so added. I'd like to suspend the rules and add Council Flynn, please. Councelor Murphy, see you suspend the rules. Add Council Flynn as a third original co-sponsor. Seeing and hearing no objections. Councelor Flynn is so added. Councelor Murphy, you have the floor. Thank you. Um, I rise to call for an emergency hearing regarding a dangerous
intersection in Dorchester where Dorchester Avenue meets Roseclair in Mount Vernon Streets. This corner sits at the heart of a vibrant neighborhood surrounded by schools, especially Boston Collegiate Charter School, small businesses and homes. Yet, despite the
heavy foot traffic and vehicles, there is no traffic lights and no rail pro protections for pedestrians. What makes this call to action especially powerful is that it was sparked by a student Carolyn Richardson, a former student of mine, who raised her voice through a
petition that outlines exactly what's at stake. People being hit by cars, flipped vehicles, and students unable to return to school due to injuries sustained right at this intersection. These are all things that have happened recently at this intersection.
Caroline's petition reminds us that safety improvements aren't abstract policy. They're about protecting lives, especially the lives of our young people who are bravely asking us to do better. This hearing is an opportunity to listen directly to them, to the students, to
the residents and business owners, and to work with our transportation officials to make this intersection safer now, not later. So, I um thank my colleagues for allowing this to come through as an emergency lay file. We don't have a meeting next week. And I did speak with um Caroline's family just
about bringing this forward to make sure that we uplift the importance of this. So just a few highlights on the incidents that have happened and what has brought Caroline and students at the collegiate school to form this petition to get attention to this matter. Despite
the presence of crosswalks, the intersection currently lacks critical safety infrastructure such as traffic lights and crossing guards, which has led to increasingly dangerous conditions for pedestrians. Students from the community, including Caroline, have raised urgent concerns through this
petition for immediate action to address these unsafe conditions, citing personal accounts of pedestrian industries and unsafe vehicle speeds. The petition that she wrote notes that the intersection experiences a constant and fastmoving flow of vehicles, including reports of
serious crashes and near misses, and highlights the voices of residents and business owners who have witnessed these actions daily. Caroline's petition references the city of Boston's own safety surge initiative, which aims to prioritize
intersections near parks, schools, and community centers for safety improvements. criteria that clearly apply to this location. This hearing is being filed as an emergency because the situation demands immediate attention to prevent further injury or potential loss
of life and to affirm that when young people raise their voices to advocate for community safety, their local government listens and responds. So, I'm looking forward to this hearing and the appropriate committees um to come in front of us and to hear from the students directly. Thank you. Thank you.
The chair recognizes council charity. the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, while the technicalities of the intersection, Council Murphy explained very well, and I do agree, there are a lot of instances at this, I think the great story here is the proactiveness of our youth and speaking for themselves uh
and their own safety, and so we always want to be supportive of that. Um, but yes, the the intersection itself uh does need some uh some some redesigning in a way. So, uh happy to support and thank you, Council Murphy, for adding me. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn, you have the floor.
Thank you. Thank you. Now you have the floor. Y Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to Council Murphy for routing me that this is one of the most dangerous intersections in the city at Edward Everett Square, but also just down the road a little bit is uh Andrew Square,
but this school sits kind of in the middle more towards obviously Edward Everett Square. Um many of my constituents at South Boston go to this wonderful school as well. I also think we need to have strict enforcement of
the current traffic laws uh by Boston police. I think that's a critical aspect of this. I also advocated for with councelor Baker a long time ago to reduce the speed limit which we're able to reduce, but I still think 25 m an
hour is excessive in the city of Boston. I would I would think 20 m an hour really should be the speed limit. I think that's even then that's very fast going through neighborhoods of Boston 20 miles an hour. But I think there's an opportunity for us to listen
to these young students. We want to say thank you to Caroline for the important work she is doing in getting her fellow students involved in this critical issue. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor Durk. Can you have the floor now? You have the floor. Thank you so
much, chair. Um this is all really really important and um it just shows you sort of the connection between uh the most um critical and uh safety issue intersections um that are h that happen
and that exist in our city. um and the federal safety grants that we do work to pass in this. Um I did attempt to pass um the safe streets for all um grant program uh for $9 million a couple of
months ago. Um, I know that this part of Georgechester Avenue is not listed, but there was a part of a that that was part of that intersection and that hearing. And we will be having a hearing um June 18th on the uh $9 million for the safe
streets for all um grant program. So, I just want to make sure that um I it sounds like these students are just incredible and trying to work to make their uh street safer, but I have attempted to pass safety grants with urgency and get our uh city working and
planning um for grants. And when I've tried to pass them, there has been contention. So, I just want to make sure that as we're moving with urgency, as we're doing emergency hearing orders, we're also working to pass federal money that is sitting in our bank account and cannot be spent right now. Thank you.
Thank you. And thank you, Councelor Durkin, for your urgency and your diligence on um these grants and the these issues. Would anyone else like to speak on this matter? Would anyone else like to add their name? Mr. Clerk, please counselors Braden, Cla, Zapata, Durkin, uh Mahia, Pepen, Santana, Weber,
WHL, please add the chair. This docket will be referred to the committee on planning, development, and transportation. We are now moving on to the consent agenda. I'm I've been informed by the clerk that there are no additions to the consent agenda. The question now comes on approval of the various matters contained within the
consent agenda. All those in favor say I. I. The consent agenda has been adopted. We are now moving on to announcements. Please remember that these are for upcoming dates and events. Um I want some there are a few birthday shoutouts. So, shout outs to um an
intern in councelor Santana's office, Wim Risal Lambos um in councelor Murphy's office, Caroline Cullen O'Neal. Uh to my sister whose birthday is today, Kenthia, who I love dearly and is the best of the four of us. Um happy birthday, sis. Um and I also wanted to
uh extend a congratulations to Jaelli who is graduating with her masters um public administration from UMass. So, congratulations Jelli. We are proud of you. Um, as I stated ear as well, there are Memorial Day commemorations happening. Um, um, this Monday early in
the morning, there are memorials in High Park and in West Roberry um, at the High Park Post and in West Roxberry at um, H7 Gardens. Um, and then there were an evergreen in Brighton around 11 and um a commemoration at the Puerto Rican
monument in the south end and I believe there may be um others happening in at Cedar Grove and uh others around the city. But the look forward to being in community with everyone to um uplift and remember uh those who have uh given the
ultimate sacrifice. also want to uplift the work of killed in action and of officer Connley and all the work that he does to make sure that no one goes unremembered in the city of Boston. The chair recognizes Council Mia. Council Mia, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Um I want to just uh
congratulate uh some of my teammates. I wanted to uplift JD uh Moore Brix Knight and Duce Bernard all who are part of my policy team and all who have um graduated from college um and Duce with her masters. So, I just want to say thank you to my entire team for how hard
you work and how deeply committed you are to the mission of the work that we do and doing so while juggling uh your degrees. So, I just want to give you all a shout out and congratulate you for your hard work. And while I'm up, I also wanted to uh acknowledge and give a
shout out to my other teammate uh Julisa, who now is Julisa Gonzale um Gonzalez. um she was recently married um and so I just wanted to uplift her in in in this congratulatory um you know moment that we're having right now and I also just wanted to um
invite all of my colleagues um Sunday. Not everyone's going to be going out to the Hamptons or wherever it is that that we people go to. I don't know maybe here in Boston to the Cape. I don't know. But um on um the 25th, we are going to be hosting a multicultural fair. Uh we're
bringing together people from across the countries and the world. Um for a a day of fashion, food um and we're also I just also wanted to thank all of our um city council staff members who donated to our clothing boutique. We got tons of
clothes. Um, as you know, we take all the clothes that we receive and we re uh we partner up with a thrift store and we treat the clothes and then we create an opportunity to open it up as a boutique so families can shop for free and pick up um pieces that were donated in a way
that they can do so with dignity. So that's happening Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00 at the Bruce Bolan building in councelor Anderson's district because she know I do everything in in in her district. Um, and so hopefully you all will stop by um, and celebrate. I know
councelor Rorell participated in our last uh, clothing boutique initiative that we uh, hosted. So, hope to see my colleagues there and those who are tuning in. Stop by, grab something to eat, support some of our local vendors, um, and more importantly uh, spread the
word so that those who are looking for clothes can get some for free. Thank you. Thank you. Um, and congratulations to everyone in your office. Councelor Mahia. The chair recognizes councelor Durkin. Thank you so much. Um this weekend I'll be wearing a very important hat which is
counselor of the bride and groom. Um you all may remember Jake Wernern who was a member of my team and a member of former counselor Kenzie Box team. Him and his beautiful future bride Haley Forbes are getting married this weekend in Salem. And so I'm excited to join their wedding
festivities. Um but just wanted to give them a shout out. but I know it'll mean a lot to him as a council alum. Uh and he's going to be headed to law school in the fall. So, he's doing very well and uh very excited for our city council alum who uh is getting married this
weekend. Also resident of district 8 in Ottabon Circle. So, very very proud. Thank you. Thank you. Congratulations abound. Um councelor Weber, you have the floor. Thank you. Uh uh tonight at 6 o'clock at the Lauren Greenhouse, there'll be a celebration of Jerry Wright. Uh he's uh
90 years old and many people in Jamaica plane know him as uh Frederick Lawmstead. He dresses up as Frederick Lawmstead and and hangs out near the pond and in the Emerald Necklace. Uh and he's a great advocate for the parks and for friends of Jamaica Pond. Uh so
please join me at the Lauren Greenhouse at 6. And then uh on Saturday on the 24th uh the North American Indian Center of Boston is uh from 12 to 4 is hosting a garden party for Native youth. There'll be activities uh music uh art
and uh they'll be working on uh uh uh you know sort of uh planting stuff and helping people plant stuff for the uh the summer and the fall. Thank you. Thank you, Council Weber. The chair recognizes council cla you have the floor. Thank you so much madam president. I just want to wish my
husband a happy first wedding anniversary. Thank you. You too. Congratulations event. Congratulations councelor Kleta Zapata and to Sebastian as well. Um okay we are now moving on to memorials. Um if you would like to
adjourn today's meeting on behalf of anyone now is the time um to turn your light on so that you can speak on behalf. Um, I'd just like to uplift into this chambers, and I know council Weber does as well, uh, George Went, uh, best known for his role as Norm Peterson on
the beloved Boston set sitcoms, Cheers. Um, he passed away yesterday at the age of 76. Um, though a Chicago native, we have a few of those, went became an honorary Bostononian through his iconic portrayal of the bar's most loyal patron, helping cement Cheers and its 11
years and 275 episodes. six years he was nominated for an Emmy in that role as a cultural touchstone of this city. So his character's warmth, wit, and unwavering presence at the bar made him a symbol and pride of Boston spirit. So I raise a
figurative glass to George Went um and and cheers him um in his in his uh passage uh um and remember and and uplift his family in this time as well. Uh would anyone else like to speak on behalf of anyone who has passed?
Um, today we will adjourn our our meeting in memory of the following individuals. On behalf of uh myself and the entire Boston City Council, George W. On behalf of Councelor Braden, Michael Whitler, and on behalf of the entire Boston City Council, we remember and honor the brave men and women who
gave their lives and service to our country. Their sacrifice is the foundation of the freedoms we cherish. May we carry their memory with us always and may we remember them at this moment. A moment of silence. The chair moves that when the council adjourns today, it does so in memory of the aforementioned individuals. We're
still in May. So, happy Jewish American Heritage Month, happy Asian Heritage Month, happy AAPI Heritage Month. Uh the council is scheduled to meet again in the INL chamber on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 at 12:00 noon. Thank you to my colleagues, central staff and the clerk and the clerk's office and the council
stographer. Thank you, Ellen. All in favor of adjournment, please say I. I. The castle is adjourned. Thanks.