--------- I think we're ready to start up again over here if you all are. Sorry about the technical difficulties here. Okay, and we're back. Um, uh, we're I guess we're still having some slight technical difficulties. For anyone, I
think you can hear on the live stream. If you can't watch, uh, you should email, uh, or I guess if anyone wants to watch. I'm not sure. I can't. I'm just seeing a a black screen. But um if you want to
watch the hearing, not just listen, you can email Karishma Choan, that's k a r i sh ma cho han at boston.gov and she will send you
the link. Um okay. Uh so I still have uh I hopefully people can hear me. Uh nod your head counselor Flynn if you can. Great. Um
let's see. So again you can email Karishma which I just said uh and and she will send you the link. Um you can also uh we'll be taking public testimony at the end of this hearing. Uh you can e
email Karishma or just the Ways and Means Committee at ccc.wm boston.gov and we will uh get you signed up. Uh folks have two minutes to testify. Uh so today's hearing is on docket number 0763
message and order for for your approval uh an order authorizing the city of Boston to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority otherwise known as the MSBA. A statement of interest for Melvin H. King South End Academy located at 90 Warren Avenue in
the south end of Boston. The statement of interest describes and explains the deficiencies and priority categories for which the city of Boston may be invited to apply to the MSBA in the future. Uh the matter was sponsored by uh Mayor
Michelle Woo when referred to the committee on April 8th uh 2026. Uh today we're joined by my colleagues in order of arrival, Councelor Murphy, Councelor Louis Jen, and Councelor Flynn. We're also joined by a panel
which I I mean we're joined by the chief of capital planning uh Dela Vern Stannis Loss uh senior project manager Brian Mclofflin uh assistant director for project controls and compliance Anita Tvaris and assistant director uh for the
office of specialized services uh in Boston public schools Heather Troy. Um I am just Do we have a presentation from the panel? >> Uh yes we do counselor. >> Okay. Uh so why why don't you uh go
ahead with your presentation? >> Um I will kick it off. Um so good morning and thank you Mr. Chairman. Um good morning to the members of the council. My name is Ena Tvaris. I serve as the new assistant director of project controls and compliance for the Boston
for the public facilities department and I'm honored to be here. I'm joined today by my colleagues Brian Mclofflin, senior project manager for the public facilities department and Dell Stannisla, chief of capital planning for the Boston Public Schools. We are here to request your vote to support the
formal submission of the Melvin H. King Southounn Academy application to the Massachusetts School Building Authority. This project represents a vital step in our ongoing commitment to enhancing the Boston Public Schools infrastructure. I
want to emphasize how incredibly grateful the city of Boston is for the tremendous support we consistently receive from our MSBA partners. It is specifically because of this partnership and the MSBA core projects program that
we are able to transform the educational landscape of our city. These investments ensure that Boston public school students, parents, faculty, and staff are able to thrive in state-of-the-art 21st century educational facilities.
We aren't just building structures. We are building environments that foster modern learning and equity for the south end community. We are very excited to once again partner with the MSBA on this project to deliver a facility that the Melvin H. King community deserves. I
will now turn it over to Brian and Dell to walk you through the specifics of the presentation. >> Anita, thank you. Uh Chair Weber and councilors, good morning. Uh, happy one Boston day. Um, if we could go to the next slide, please.
Uh, the Mass School Building Authority is a state authority that oversees the funding of public school projects in the state of Massachusetts. It's a reimbursement agency that works works with local school districts to create affordable, sustainable, energy efficient schools across the Commonwealth, and it's funded through
one penny of the Massachusetts sales tax. The MSBA has two programs. the core program for large renovation or new school construction projects like the Dearborn Boston arts academy upper school and the Carter and the accelerated repair program which focuses
on the repair or replacement of roofs, windows, boiler heat pump systems in otherwise structurally sound buildings. The matter before you today, the Melvin H. King Southern Academy will be fired filed as a core program project. Uh,
next slide please. Over the past several years, Boston has made an effort to increase their participation in the Mass School Building Authority Program. As of today, there are 57 projects in various stages of the MSBA process. Uh this slide
provides an overview of the status of these 57 projects. Of the seven core projects, the Dearborn, BAA, JQS, and most recently Carter are complete. The Shot Taylor is finishing designer selection.
The Ruth Batson Academy will be will begin procuring the OPM in May. In Madison Park, uh Technical Vocational High School will be starting the eligibility period on July 1st. Under the accelerated repair program, 34
projects have completed construction. One is currently in construction. There are seven uh in design slated for 2027 construction and eight projects will be starting design this summer uh
anticipated for 2028 construction. Uh with that um MSBA background I'm going to turn over to Dell who'll provide some more specific specific information on the Melvin H. King South Academy. >> Uh thank you so much Anita and Brian.
Um, good morning chair. Good morning counselors. Um, again my name is Deliverance Stannis, chief of capital planning for BPS. Happy to dive into the school pieces of this presentation. As a district, we are excited to submit a statement of interest to the
Massachusetts School Building Authorities 2026 core program for the Melbourne H. King South End Academy. The MSBA reimbures cities and towns for a portion of the cost of a new school building or renovation project.
If we accept it, if we are accepted into the program this year, the school will be on a path towards a significant capital investment in the future. A new or renovated facility will support the school to deliver on its mission to
provide the highest quality clinical, academic, and therapeutic services and programming required for students to thrive by providing a space that is designed to meet their needs, strengths, and aspirations.
Next slide. Melvin H. King Southoun Academy serves students with diverse strengths and complex academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs with a high quality therapeutic public day program. As a special education day school,
Melvin H. King Southend Academy serves students from across Boston who cannot be well served in traditional public school settings. As the district has worked to include students in the existing schools and
increase therapeutic supports throughout the district, enrollment at the school has declined in the elementary grades with some grade levels having a single student enrolled. Enrollment fell from around 300 students in 2020 to 160 in
2023. In 2024, Superintendent Skipper established a moratorum on new student placement at the Melvin H. King Sultend Academy in order to initiate a comprehensive reset and restructure the school's leadership and support model.
In 2026 2027, the school is projected to serve 65 students. The school has entered an active rebuilding phase, focusing on high quality therapeutic and academic programming, culture, and climate, and
strengthening home and community connections. The Melvin H. King South End Academy is gradually shifting to align with the district's secondary school model with students in grades 5 through 10 this coming school year. In
the future, maximum enrollment will be around 100 students. The school was previously split across three campuses. One on Peterborough Street in Fenway, one on St. Mary's Street in Fenway, and one on Warren A in
the South End. All three buildings are among the lowest quality facilities in the district according to the district-wide facilities condition assessment. In school year 2025 2026, the school
vacated the St. Mary's Street space. In 2026 2027, the Melvin H. King South End Academy will vacate the Peterborough uh street building and consolidate into one building on Warren A in the south end.
The MSBA will evaluate the warrant a site along with other potential locations as part of the feasibility study if the project advances into the eligibility phase. Next slide.
In addition to the need to better serve the student population, the current facilities need revitalization. This is a screenshot from the public facilities condition assessment. As a reminder, the facilities condition
assessment is an objective detailed analysis of BPS building conditions. The blue is Melvin H. King South End. The orange is the average score of school buildings in neighborhood in the neighborhood and the red represents the
district's average. As you can see, across every domain, the Melvin H. King Soun Academy building falls well below the district's average. Overall, building score is approximately 19 points lower than the district
average. We know our students deserve better. We are confident in this application to invest in this community. I would now like to pass it back over to Brian. Dell, thank you. Um, could we move
forward in the slides? Um, one more, please. Um, so this slide represents what the next steps are for the Melvin H. King South End Academy application. Uh we're
before the council today requesting a vote uh to support the submission of the statement of interest to the MSBA. We'll also be presenting this to school committee tonight and requesting requesting their support. The statement of interest application
itself is due this Friday, April 17th. Uh we've we've been underway working with the school leader OSHA uh in the school committee complete this application. Uh once submitted on the 17th, MSBA will
begin their review of all the applications they receive uh from across the Commonwealth. Uh they'll start in the spring, likely through the summer and possibly early fall. and we'll know whether or not uh this application is
advanced at the end of 2026. Uh along the way, we'll obviously keep the council updated on any actions related to this application um throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Uh with that, uh presentation is over
and gladly answer any questions. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Uh now I'm going to go to my colleagues uh in order of arrival and we'll just try to see if I can figure out what that order is. Uh
I believe it was >> it's a >> councelor Murphy. Okay, you go. >> Yeah. Yeah. How about five minutes? >> I need 30 seconds. Um thank you Ryan D for being on. looking forward to
supporting this project. I know that that building um along with many of our school buildings, but need the support. So, if we're able to get state funding, that is great. So, just on to support. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. I believe councelor
Flynn was next. Councelor Flynn. >> Yeah. And thank you, Council Weber. Chair Weber. I've worked with the Mel King Academy students and and parents and teachers
um in the south end. Um Brian and and the other members of the team, it's good to and it's good to see everybody. Um thank you for your for your important work. So the the school has currently
three physical buildings. Is that that's correct, isn't it, Brian? >> Um, yes. Peter Street, uh, 91 Nav, and the the third building over by, uh, Boston University, >> St. Mary's, >> St. Mary's building. Yep.
>> Okay. and and and just be specific where where do you want to build and what what is the neighborhood impacted and are there other neighborhoods um as part of this mass school building application that you're also trying to
um build or or complete. Um I just I just want to make sure I'm getting getting the information accurate. >> Sure. This application will be specific to the 91 and a half building in the south end. >> Okay. Nothing else for the Mel King um
other schools. Just just the just the south end site. >> Just the south end site. Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Um and this this area in the south end really is represented by myself and city councelor U. John
Fitzgerald as well and Reverend Co Pepper is kind of in in the area also. Um tell me tell me specifically about the project if we got the Mass School Building Authority approval. What what
do you envision in terms of what would a new school look like? >> Honestly, this is the the first step in the process submitting the application. um MSBA process is such that it it takes several years before we we get to the
actual start of the construction. Inclusive of that is a uh very uh intense community process. >> Yeah. >> We bring on the owner's project manager. We bring on the architect. Um, and that's when they'd start meeting with
the community to to discuss ideas of what a future building may look like based upon the needs of their educational program. So, we're a couple years off be until we start that visioning of a future building. Um, but
again, it's all based on uh the ed what the educational program at the school, how it's delivered, and what spaces are needed to support that program. Um, again, like I said, that's a couple years out, so it would be uh too early
to say exactly what a future project would look like um as of right now. >> Okay. >> And I just wanted to counsel just for one second just um to jump in. Um so Brian shared the three buildings, the three buildings that um Mel King was
like spread across, but um last school year we consolidated and we closed the St. Mary's site um bec like there was a decline in Mel King's enrollment because of the therapeutic supports um across like elementary schools um and the inclusion planet implementation in the
district next year. Um they're going to go down to one site. So we're also going to take the Peterborough building um offline. So the specific building that Brian was pointing out, the South End building will be the only campus that um will be operating out of um starting
school year 2627. >> Okay. No, that's help that's helpful. Um so so this is really the very beginning start of the process and this will take a long period of time and and Brian I
think you answered my question to it but there'd be a a robust community engagement process as well as as you highlighted. Um, this is something I I support. Um, I I I do want us to focus
and m maybe this isn't the the the the time. Um, but I do want us to focus on what we're actually doing um in supporting our students currently at the Mel King School in the South Bend. I've met with teachers there recently. I've
met with um with with parents and I know the enrollment is going down significantly. I know most of the students come from all over the city to to to go here. Um
but I want us to have a a a an important discussion on how we're supporting these students as we as we go forward. Is that is that okay if we have that? um not now but at at another time over the next month or so.
>> Um uh sure um counselor and we do have um our assistant director of special education um on as well, Ha Troki. So if you would like her to just like share the work that they're doing um just like across Mel King right now. Um um she'll
be happy to jump in and share >> that. Yeah, that would that would be good. Um I'd love to hear a quick update. Um I know we have limited time but um but I even a one minute update but I I do want us to see to have a
robust conversation um going forward on how we're supporting our students most of them or or I I know the stats about 50% of them are are are black and a good percentage of them are are are Latino
students. Um, I just want us to do everything we possibly can to help help these students in this diverse school. But let let me let me ask BPS if they'd like to respond. >> Good morning, counselor. Thank you so
much for the question. Um, so I I'll take a minute, but I promise you I can spend a lot of time speaking about this school because I'm just so proud of the work that's being done there. Um, but when we think about the student population at Mel King and how we serve their IEPs and the continuum continuum of supports, we're really thinking about
the spaces that they need both academically and therapeutically to support their needs and regulation and also building their skills. So, in terms of what that could look futuristically, just briefly, um spaces that involve um you know, therapeutic brace spaces that
have flexible seating, lighting that's accommodating to sensory needs, um and also spaces that also are warm and inviting as we think about how um we receive our students at the Melvin H. King and as well as how they're feeling and um and their feelings of acceptance
there. um the students um who are learning to grow and thrive both academically and socially emotionally. Um so in terms of the work that's being done right now, we're really spending a lot of time on our therapeutic programming and what that means in terms of how we uh teach our students um both
appropriate uh relational skills, communication skills, adaptability, um and most importantly how to build their own skill set so that they can acade their coping um and regulation skills as they move forward in their academic
careers and beyond. >> And thank and thank you. looking forward to a a follow-up conversation maybe over the next month about this. I did have a conversation with Council Mahia and with teachers as well. So, I I want us to do
everything we possibly can to support these students. Um, and many of them have significant challenges, but I don't want us to give up on them. The teachers aren't giving up on them. Um, we need to be more organized and um supportive of
them. So, thank you, Mr. Chair. I know you gave me a couple extra minutes. I appreciate that. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Uh, councelor Lou Jen. >> Hi. I'm just on uh to say that I support this project and I want us to be some more submitting as many um applications
as possible to the MSBA. So, I'm excited for what this means for the Mel King school uh for his legacy and for our BPS students and I'll be excited to support it today. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank Thank you uh very much. I think that's it from my colleagues. We
do have a letter of absence from Pen. Uh and um so I I just I had a I guess I I guess my my question is do we so the enrollment has dropped due to inclusion. Do we think you know a new building
would be serving the same population or we haven't had those conversations yet? Are we're are we imagining that, you know, we'll have a higher enrollment at this new facility in the future? Uh you
can address that. >> Uh thank you for that question. Um so yes, um the plan is for the um school like a new school um therapeutic school to serve um this the same the students
with the same needs. Um however um as the district has rolled out and implemented the inclusive um education plan and added more uh therapeutic supports and services at the elementary level which I think it's a great thing.
Um we've seen a decline in um sort of like students needing that um that uh sort of um therapeutic like day school support. Um however, and this is one of the reasons why um we're shifting from g
grades uh 1 through 12 um starting next year they'll get down to grades um mel king will be operating grades 5 through 12 because we've seen success with like uh the elementary age students like
remaining at their home school. Um so uh the enrollment that we are um asking so the number sorry that we're asking the um the MSBA for and that we will will serve in the future is 100 students.
>> Okay. Uh thank you very much. Um uh we are uh going to have some public testimony. I don't know. Uh, do we have anyone signed up? >> We do. Give me one second. >> Councelor Flynn, did you have a question? >> Yeah. Could could I just ask Brian a
quick question and um >> Go ahead. >> Yeah, thank you. Um, and and had an opportunity to work with Brian for eight years. Outstanding city employee, Brian. um if we don't get accepted to
if we don't um receive approval from the Mass School Building Authority, does that mean that we don't go forward with the Melking Build project? Um I think right now where um obviously
our goal is to get MXB MSBA approval, which we'll find out at the end of the year. Um, I think at that time if we were not invited in in probably December of 2026, uh, we we'd likely have to, uh, sit down with BPS to identify what the next steps
would be, whether we want to move forward with the project independent of MSBA or resubmit in hopes that the application would be approved in 2027. >> Thank you, Brian. Okay. Thank you, Councelor Flynn. Uh,
okay. Uh, public testimony. I think we have Greg Maynard. Uh, Mr. Maynard, you have two minutes. Thank you so much. My name is Gregory Maynard. I am the co-founder and executive director of the Boston Policy Institute, a policy focused nonprofit
here in the city of Boston. This application is the latest sign that Boston public schools lacks a real long-term facilities plan. This is a rushed lastminute application for a project that would cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The deadline for the MSBA's core program is this Friday,
April 17th. This application was sent to the city council last week. It was sent to the school committee today. This is unusual. The city's past MSBA applications were sent to the council and school committee with much more notice. This lack of notice can be seen
just from the testimony of one of the members of today's administration panel, Brian Mclofflin. Public facilities department senior project manager Brian Mclofflin testified before this same committee just two months ago about a different set of MSBA projects. At that hearing, Mlofflin was asked if Boston
was submitting a core program application, and he said, quote, "I'm not sure at this time whether or not we're going to be submitting for any of these projects. I think there's discussion underway on that." It wasn't just Mclofflin who didn't know that this project was happening. In the city's
capital budget released last week, the Mel King Academy renovation has a total budget of $500,000. And the city reports having spent $276,650 on a project to do quote envelope repair and window replacement and reports that quote additional scope may include minor
interior renovations at the school. Why did the city spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on this school and include planning on a renovation in the capital budget if this school is being submitted to the MSBA? At the council's FY27 capital budget hearing, I called for a
standalone hearing on Boston Public Schools long-term facilities plan. This rushed application is the latest evidence that such a hearing is extremely necessary. Thank you so much. >> Okay, thank you very much. Krishma, is that it for public testimony?
>> Yep. >> Uh Brian, I guess do you know for the for for us, do you have uh you know, can you explain why the applications being submitted now or uh sorry uh um
you know, Chief >> um Brian, if you want me to jump in, I can take that question. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Um uh thank you counselor for that question. Um as you know uh and um as we all know like the constraint to the
city's um capital budget um right now um we have three big projects in the MSBA pipeline. So we have the um Shaw Taylor project, we have the Root Batson Academy and we also have Madison Park. Um we
wanted to continue the work as a district and the city um investing in in schools. Um we as a team had to work with the the internal BPS team and the city team had to do a comprehensive review um of the capital budget
timelines in which um the MSBA have set for um our teams in terms of like when construction would start. bec and we most of our spending um for these the three projects that I just called um will be funded through um 2028 to 2031.
Um so we need needed to have do a comprehensive review um both at the city level um and the district level to ensure um that to review what project we c we will be moving forward with um as a
city and a district. The Mel King is one of the schools that the mayor and the superintendent made a um a public commitment to. It is one of the schools um that as a therapeutic schools it it is one of the schools that will cost
less and um we want to ensure that students still have a high quality of learning. So, in the capital budget, the the district um still plans to invest in the current building to ensure that students um have high quality spaces um
for learning um while we go through the MSBA process. >> Okay. Uh thank you very much. Um uh and and then I guess can you explain like maybe you just did the amounts that were spent or a lot of do we spend money
on the building already or feasibility studies or something was that >> um >> so so there is money there's money outlined um in the capital budget um for um upgrades to like the melting envelope
um windows etc. Um we do the as a district we do con um plan to continue that work even though there is um an MSBA application in as you guys know the core application um it's it's it's going to be a quite a number of years if we're
move forward into that process for construction to start. We want to make sure that the students are still learning in a safe and reliable building and doing um as much minor upgrades as we can across um the building for students especially um we are
consolidating um into one building as I shared. So we want to make sure that there is still highquality um spaces and students can get um therapeutic supports um in the building as as as we're shifting. So, yes, um, as outlined in the capital budget, I think, um, and
don't quote me, I think it's $500,000. Um, and the district still plans to do, um, those renovation work in the building in um, ensuring that our students still get um, high quality supports in their building. >> Okay, thank you very much. Before we
wrap up, I see a hand up. Councelor Flynn, did you have a question? >> Yeah, thank you. I I just wanted to quickly follow up on on the conversation and and I support investing money into the school right now to ensure that the current students
and the current teachers are are are teaching and learning in a safe and healthy um learning environment. Um I think that's important. But but besides that investment, is is there investment in
the budget for a new Mel King school or or is this the beginning phase that going to the Mass School Building Authority and and we're not putting anything in the in in the capital budget until we basically hear back from the
Mass School Building Authority? Is that is that um Can you answer that, please? Uh thank you for that question um counselor. Um so in the in the capital budget I think and I just need to I'll
need to review it quickly that there is um a placeholder for a study because it's the first phase. However, um if we were if we were moving forward into the process, I know that next year um at some point we will be coming before the
council to improve um the first round of um funding um that will be repres and that will be represented in next year's capital budget if we're moving forward with the process. >> Thank thank you for answering that question. I appreciate it.
>> Yep. >> Okay. Uh thank you very much. I think that's it uh for my colleagues and for public testimony. Uh Krishma jump in for now or forever. Hold your peace. Um okay. I just want to thank uh the
panelists for being here and for my colleagues for for showing up and being part of the conversation. I I do intend the chair to bring this up for this docket up for a vote uh at today's meeting in a hour and a half. Um and uh
that being said, uh today's hearing on docket number 763 is now adjourned. The soccer ball, you know, we'll end it. Um thank you very much and uh yeah, thanks for everything you're doing
for our kids. Okay, thanks. Bye. >> Thank you, >> thank you. >> Thank Thank you everybody. Second. Part: 2
Thanks for coming down. >> I not have this ready. Trish. >> Good afternoon everyone. One, two, three, four, five, six. Good afternoon everyone. 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-consul-tv. At this time, I ask my colleagues and those in in the audience to please silence their cell phones and electronic devices. Um, also pursuant to rule 42, I
remind all in this chamber that no de demonstration of approval or disapproval from members of the public will be permitted. Thank you. Madame clerk, could you please uh take the roll call to ascertain the presence of a quorum?
Councelor Braden >> here. Councelor Kleta Zapata. Councelor Kalpa >> here. >> Councelor Durkin. Councelor Fitzgerald >> here. >> Council Flynn >> here. >> Council Lu Jan.
>> Council Mahia. >> Councelor Murphy. >> Councelor Pepen. >> Councelor Santana. Councelor Weber here >> and councelor Vel. We have a quorum.
>> Thank you. Uh madame clerk. Um, I'm now ask Councelor Weber to come up and introduce today's clergy. Following uh our invocation, we'll also recite the pledge of allegiance cor.
>> Thank Thank you very much, Madame President. Um, you know, uh, it's a privilege to welcome a man who has, uh, dedicated his life to, uh, spiritual guidance and the civic well-being of our city. In fact, I think as he just informed me, this is his 51st year uh,
working uh, for the city of Boston. Uh, I'd like to welcome up uh to to the to the podium here uh, Grand Rabbi Yeets Corf. Hopefully not being taken out by uh, Megan. Um, uh, he's made it 51 years
and until he ran into me. Uh, okay. Uh, so I just want want to thank thank Rabbi Corf for all of his service to, uh, to the city. A graduate of Colombia, Harvard, and, uh, several international institutions. He's a man of immense
learning, uh, holding degrees in law, international relations, and theology. Did I miss anything? Um uh for many years, Rabbi Corf has been a familiar and steady presence in our halls of government, serving as the chaplain of the city of Boston, providing council and comfort to our first responders and
public officials during some of our city's most difficult moments. He's a tireless advocate for interfaith dialogue and human humanitarian causes, working to bridge gaps between communities and foster a spirit of unity across Boston. Uh, Rabbi Corf, we're
honored to have you here today and uh, thank you for for your work. >> It's always an honor and a privilege to be here with you at the council, one of the most exciting places in the city of Boston. And I say that even though I serve as
chaplain for the police and fire as well. Um, mentioned the longevity. Um, I was sworn in when Dapper O'Neal was on the council, so I know what exciting is. So, let us pray.
Dear Lord, we gather today as always in sacred service to the people of Boston, diverse in background, but united in hope. May this chamber continue to be guided
by wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to the common good. For every decision, as we know, made here, touches individual lives, individual families, and neighborhoods across our city.
May we listen with open minds, deliberate and speak with clarity and compassion, and act with courage and fairness. Dear Lord, grant us patience in moments of disagreement,
humility in moments of certainty, and resolve in moments that call for leadership. that our work reflect both policy and humanity, strengthening the fabric of our city. In your name, O Lord, we ask this. May this be God's
will. And let us say, amen. >> Amen. >> To the flag of the United States of America and to the stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you, Rabbi Corf. We have two uh presentations today. Councelor Weber is recognizing Jack Folks and the winner of the 1976 Boston Marathon and Grand Marshall of the 2026 um Boston Marathon. And then that's
followed by councelor Murphy recognizing 911 call center operators. So we'll start uh with councelor Weber. You've got five minutes and then we'll follow with counselor Murphy. Okay. Bring up Mr. Folultz. Okay.
And I'm back. Okay. Uh so yeah. Um so the Kentucky Derby uh the one with the horses is called the Run for the Roses. 50 years ago in 1976 with temperatures hovering near 100 degrees
in Boston, we held a Boston Marathon for the ages called the Run for the Hoses. Uh, and the winner of that race is standing up here with me, Jack Folultz. Um, the Boston Marathon was Jack's last chance at running a qualifying time for the 1976 Olympic trials. Due to the
extremely high temperatures, that was going to be a challenge, but Jack thought if he could hang on with the leaders long enough, he might finish in the top 10. and get his qualifying time. Uh that was this was a different era of running. People didn't run much for exercise. Gym fixes, the complete book
of running, which helped usher in the running boom, wouldn't come out till 1977. Uh there were no support teams. Marathon runners just grabbed what they were offered along the route. Uh due to the extreme conditions, it was the hottest Boston Marathon ever. Race organizers
went out and told spectators to hose down the runners. Jack took advantage of what was being offered, grabbing water and oranges from spectators and god knows what else. Uh and going through the hoses as um and as he entered the heartbreak hills, he started passing the
leaders on his way to a victory that is the stuff of legend. His winning time was 2 hours and 20 minutes and I think 19 seconds is uh uh those aren't important, but um Jack got his qualifying time but probably left too much on the Boston course. He quickly
knew at the at the Olympic trials he didn't have the legs to make it to a 76 team that included the 72 Olympic winner uh marathon winner Frank Sharter and another Boston icon Bill Rogers. Um the story of Jack's victory in April 1976
still resounds today. Also um just uh I'd like to also recognize the winner of the women's race that day, Kim Merritt. Um but so Jack did not stop with that win in 1976. He went on to coach and work as an adviser for the Dana Farber
Marathon Challenge Team, which since 1990 has raised over $140 million for cancer research. The goal for this year is to raise nearly $9 million. Uh he also coached uh a certain city council from district 6 who's standing
behind me or uh Matt Ali. Um Jack is the only person uh most likely and who has both finished first and last in the Boston Marathon. Later in his career, he took the opportunity to run the course with race director Dh Dave Milgre who
would run after all the runners. Uh Jack ran with him and then right before the finish line took a step back and so he could finish actually last that year. Um um uh and in honor of his momentous run 50 years ago, Jack has been named the grand marshall of this year's marathon.
Uh I left my garden hose at home. Uh but it is an honor to welcome uh Jack Folultz uh to the city council today. I have a resolution signed by all of the city councilors that we'd like to present to you. Uh, and I I'm up here
with councelor Ali, uh, the district 6 counselor. I don't know if you want to say a few words. Uh, I will just leave you with this. Jack gave me a a a bracelet he gives to his runners, which each have a sort of different piece of advice. Mine, which I'm going to use in
in my my life, uh, is, uh, don't feel too if you don't feel too slow, then you're going too fast. So, uh, I will I will use that from now on. Um, uh, m Mr. Omali, councelor Omali, would you like to say a few words?
>> Thank you, Councelor Weber, and, uh, good afternoon, uh, friends, colleagues, city councilors. It is wonderful to be back in this chamber with so many friends uh, who mean so much to me and meant so much to me for more than a quarter of my life when I had the honor
to sit where councelor Mahia and councelor Santan, I moved around a lot. I was here for a while. Um I am delighted to be with all of you. It was 10 years ago this very month that the council began honoring Boston Marathon legends uh at the meeting before the
marathon which of course will be Monday. And uh we've had such luminaries as uh Dick and Rick Hoy as Joan Benoy Samuelson Dez Linden the winner of the 2018 race. Uh Meb came in one time to hear us. And we began by recognizing
Jack Folultz because there is no one on this planet who encapsulates the spirit of the Boston Marathon as this year's Grand Marshall. Uh and Madame President Jack actually spent the night in Alustin before he won. So, I think he's the last
Australian to win the Boston Marathon as well. Um, absolutely. And it's obviously a solemn day today. It is April 15th. It is one Boston day. I know all of us are thinking uh and praying and reflecting on particularly the lives lost to Martin
and Crystal and Lindseay and Shawn and DJ. Um, it was the hard one of the hardest days in Boston's history. It was certainly the hardest day in the marathon's history. Um, but it underscored the resiliency of spirit that this city has and that's such a great indicator of what the race means
to so many of us and what Jack Folultz has done. His work with the Dana Farber Marathon team is nothing short of remarkable. And there are several members here. Uh, I see Chris and Sarah Freeman and my dad, George Ali, who is alone raised hundreds of thousands of
dollars to find a cure for cancer. Um, Jack is the heart and soul of the team. uh S O L E. Uh the other soul of the team, the S O L is the incomparable Jan Ross, Jack's partner, who has done been such a uh driving force behind it as
well. Um we will find a cure for cancer because of the efforts of these athletes and because of the leadership of Jack Folultz and Jan and so many others. So to be with all of you to celebrate this incredible man um is just astounding. And and I'll leave you with this. you've been very generous letting this old gray
mare go on and on uh to talk but you know the thing that Jack Jack is famous for expressions you leave the hay in the barn I mean you could write a book about some of his folksy but really profound sayings and one he's talked about that always resonated with me both as a marathoner and as a former counselor is
that running is such a great team sport and it doesn't seem that way you're running by yourself you're running against your own time your better time um but it's the crowds along the way it's your fellow runners it's the people who support you that get you across across the finish line. Um I think the same can be said for this this body. You
know, you're all individually elected. There's some overlap obviously, but working together and continuing to be that team is what makes this body in the city as strong and as good as it is. So, I'm delighted to be with each and every one of you. Thank you, Councelor Weber, for hosting us. And I'd now have the honor of introducing the man of the
hour, uh your 2026 uh Boston Marathon Grand Marshall and the winner of the Run for the Roses 50 years ago this week, Jack Folultz. Oh, okay. The mic is mine. So, um, thank you, Councelor Weber, for that. And is it ex- counselor or former counselor
Ali, known to me as Matt, good friend, of course, he ran on our Dana Farber team five, six years ago, raised a lot of money, as he mentioned, his father has as well 15 years. his dad running um both running in memory of Matt's sister uh who lost her battle to cancer having
been treated at Dana Farber and uh so this one's for them as well and uh and certainly back to Boston one uh day um remembering all that happened there and where we have been able to go from from there. So, I have many other people to thank as well. Certainly, the Boston
Athletic Association, of which I've been affiliated with in a multitude of ways, working for them, been a member of them, and um and running the race as many times as I had. Um, but today is just an absolutely tremendous honor. I don't really have the words to express how how
um flattered and and honored I am to uh receive this commendation. Um, and thank my friend Matt again for precipitating a lot of this stuff, if I may. Um, you know, the Boston City and thank you also for all the city councilors who have signed this this declaration. Um, the
Boston City Council has been very good to me over the years. Um, Matt mentioned when I came up here in 76 and um, I stayed in Alustin at a friend's she was a student at Boston University. They were away in spring break. It was hot. Student uh, apartments didn't have air
conditioning. I had the windows up. 2:00 in the morning, they're still partying on the streets of Austin. And I don't know how I was able to get any sleep and come back and and run the race as well as I did. But when I came back the next year to defend my title, I stayed with another friend who lived right up over the hill here on Mount Vernon Street,
top of Beacon Hill. Showed up Sat Friday night, parked my car, went in, we were partying, whatever. I got up Saturday morning to come out, go for a little run. My car was gone. Oh my god, my my car has been stolen. Well, I, you know, certainly called the police department and they reported the whole thing and
finally found out, no, it had been towed. You were illegally parked. Unbeknownst to me, I really thought I was illegally parked. >> So, anyway, tracked it all down. I called called the the city department and found out they found out where it was. It's been towed. You're going to have a fine. And I said, "How much is
the is the storage fee each day?" And I think they said, "It's $3 a day." I said, "That's the cheapest parking in Boston. I'll see you next week after the race." And sure enough, I just left it there. I And so the next day or the day after the marathon, I said, "I better go
get my car." So, um, the mayor was Kevin White at the time. Um, he preceded, uh, Councelor Flynn's father, uh, Ray Flynn as our mayor. And, um, so Mayor White kindly sent an emissary to go down to the storage depot with me, get my car
out of out of tow, and didn't charge me a penny. So, thank you again, uh, Boston City Council and the city of Boston. But again, I'm just absolutely honored and and flattered to, uh, to be recognized for this, uh, the whole grand marshall.
I was, um, honored with the same position 20 years ago for my 30th anniversary. So, I've had 20 years to kind of work on the wave. We're hoping it doesn't rain so we get a chance to put the roof down and do that on Monday morning and uh, get to get to the finish line a little bit before all the
runners. But again, thank you all very very much for the any of you who are running the race. I know some of you are have a very good race on Monday. And uh and again, the the bracelet was if you don't feel like you're going too slow, you're going too fast. Now, specifically, that pertains to the
Boston Marathoners that I coach because everybody goes out too fast. But it really does have universal application as well. We all like to go into the projects of life and boom go zooming on on in and then all of a sudden reality tends to hit us and slow us down. So
it's all about proper pacing in no matter what endeavors we may we may take on. So again thank you all very very much. Um wonderful to be here and hope to see you all again. >> Thank you. >> I'd like to ask our colleagues to come up for a photograph. Thank you.
>> Great. Okay, >> thank you very much. >> I think if if teammates want to come up uh from Dana Farber for the >> Please. Chris Sarah. >> Jen, there she comes.
>> Thank you, Ellie. Wonderful. Thank you so much. >> President, it's so nice to meet you. Can everybody get in? >> Christmas. >> Can we see all the faces? >> Can everybody see? >> Great. All right.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you again very much. >> Enjoy the day. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Thanks for >> Thank you. Oh, this is in the video. Yes. Okay, colleagues, I'll now invite uh
Conor Murphy to come forward for her presentation. Councelor Mur Murphy has a presentation recognizing Boston 911 call center operator. So if you folks would like to come forward, that would be great.
>> Councelor Murphy, you have the floor. >> Thank you. >> Good afternoon everyone. Thank you. So, every year in the second full week of April, we
recognize National Public Safety Telecommunications Week to honor the personnel in the public safety community. And as we like to refer to them as our 911 call dispatchers and our EMS call takers and we know the fire
have their um call takers also. The 911 dispatches and call takers in Boston provide calm, professional, and life-saving support during emergency and non-emergency situations. And anyone who has ever needed to call 911, you know,
it's probably the most stressful time in your life. And I'm just so glad. Thank you, Chris. You brought in I think you referred to them as your superstars. We have Kaylee and also Alani who's training. So, thank you, Alani, for taking on this new career path. It's
important that we continue to support our dispatchers and um support, you know, the work they do. These highly trained professionals, including those represented by the SEIU Local 888 and our Boston EMS call takers and dispatchers, serve as the first
point of contact and coordinate police, fire, and EMS response. Public safety to mount telecommunicators are often our unsung heroes who manage high stress situations and increasing call volumes to protect our Boston residents. So,
we're just honored to call you in. I think every year we should recognize you. I know Council Flynn has a few words to say also, but we're just happy to support all you do. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I also want to say thank you to the incredible job these men and women do
every day. protecting the residents of our city, supporting the residents of our city and our visitors. Honored to be here. I want to say thank you to Council Murphy for bringing forward this National Public Safety Telecommunications Week proclamation to these unsung heroes of Austin. Thank
you, Council Murphy. >> And I do just want to add one thing. It ties into the Boston Marathon as um I'd say the busiest weekend coming in Boston. You're probably going to be extra busy. So, thank you ahead of time for that. So, would you like to say a few words?
>> I'd just like to thank the council, members of the council for recognizing the uh telecommunicators of the city of Boston. Um, they are unsung heroes. I've I've had the pleasure of leading the um operations division of the police department for the last 13 years and uh they truly do great work up there. Um
they're civilian employees and uh they they are uh the unsung heroes of the city of Boston. Um, I'd be remiss if I didn't also recognize our counterparts at Boston EMS, uh, who work alongside us and also the fire alarm operators over at Boston Fire as well who work just as
hard. So, thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Just want to say thank you, city council, for this recognition. Thank you for your continued support. I just want to say uh thank you on the behalf of Boston EMS uh for your recognition. Thank you for that you do as well from
Boston EMS. And um to the men and women that work at Boston EMS in dispatch operations, I just want to say thank you for your service. Thank you for that you do every single day day in day out. And being one Boston day um this is especially uh meaningful as we have many
people that are working in dispatch operations as we speak that have that have worked on that day as well. So again, thank you. >> Just ask our colleagues to come up for a photograph. Oh, anyone else to speak?
Say a few words. >> Okay, I'll ask my colleagues to come up for a photograph. I think we're good. Yes. >> I just asked my colleagues to say because we're going to um Oh, go on. Whatever. Um, and we're going to have a a quick photograph with the lunch and
learn folks. Mirror folks are here as well. So, um, >> thank you. Thank you. Take care. So this morning, are they here? I'd like to take a moment to invite the
Massachusetts Immigration and Refu I immigration and refugee coalition mea uh to join us at the front for a photograph uh as they were only able to be here briefly. uh they provided an a a really incredible um lunch and learn uh session
just before this meeting at the invitation of councelor Weber. Uh and just a reminder this is just for a photo only and we won't be taking any remarks at this time. So thank you. >> Very good.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> We'll be in touch because I think we should do a small business one. Madame clerk, would you please amend the attendance to reflect the counselors Kleta Zapata, councelor uh Pepen,
councelor Santana, and councelor >> Warelian and and counselor >> Warel have joined us. Thank you. Now on to the first order of business which is the approval of the minutes from the meeting of April 8th, 2026.
All in favor say I. >> All oppose say nay. The eyes have it. The minutes of April 8th meeting are approved. We are now on to communications from her honor the mayor. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0792?
>> Docket 0792. Message in order authorizing the city of Boston acting through its mayor's office of housing to apply for and to accept and expend the federal physical year 2025 con continuum of care grant fund from
the US department of housing and urban development in an amount not to exceed $50 million. These funds will be used to support program and provide services and housing to persons experiencing homelessness.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. Docket 0792 will be referred to the committee on housing and community development. Madame clerk, can you please read docket 0793 through docket 0795? Doc 0793 message in order authorizing
the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $50,000 in the form of a grant FY26 air mark for four corners awarded by the mass executive of office of public safety and security to be
administered by the police department. The grant would fund support of police overtime and visible patrols in the upper corner, Bowden Street, Geneva A, Grove Hall, Washington Street, four corners, Old Road, Blue Hill, Colombia
in the Dorchester and Roxbury section of the city of Boston. Docket 0794 message an order authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $50,000 in the form of a grant FY26
air mark for area A district awarded by Mass Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to be administered by the police department. The grant would fund the purchase of ADA complaint barriers with the area A district docket 0795.
Message an order authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $45,84.39 cents in the form of a grant, the FY26 Municipal Road Safety Grant awarded by the United States Department of
Transportation passed through the Mass Executive Office, Office of Public Safety and Security to be administered by the police department. The grant would fund high visibility traffic enforcement of motor vehicles laws,
including but not limited to speeding and aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving and occupant protection, as well as traffic safety equipment. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. The chair recognizes Councelor Santana. Councelor
Santana, the chair of public safety and criminal justice. You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Give me one. On Monday, we have a hearing on the Boston Police Department grants are currently in committee and upcoming um including these doc these three dockets.
During the hearing, we heard from um Deputy Superintendent Shawn Martin, um Assistant Bureau Chief of Bureau of Field Services, um Superintendent Lanita Coulain, Bureau Chief with the Bureau of Intelligence and Analysis, um Ryan Walsh, Director of Bureau of Regional
Intelligence Center, um and Maria Chver, director of the Office of Research and Development. I was also joined by my colleagues um councelor Flynn, councelor Murphy, councelor Louis Jen, councelor Fitzgerald, councelor co pepper and counselor Weber. We also received a
letter of absence from councelor Pepen. At the hearing we learned that the Boston Police Department of Office um of research and development manages roughly 28 million in active grants at any given time and writes about 13 million in new
or renewed applications annually. Which one? >> Sorry, Madam President. Which docket are we on right now? >> The first docket. Uh the clerk read docket 0793 through 0794. So we're starting with docket 0793.
>> You would like to suspend and pass? I would like to suspect and pass these grants. Sorry, I thought I was um matters recently heard. >> So I will I would like to suspect and pass these um grants. Um Madam President. >> Okay. So councelor Santana, chair of
this public chair of public safety and criminal justice seeks to suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0793. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Thank you. Um there's another docket 0794.
Um I understand uh councelor uh Kleta Zapata did you wish to speak on that issue? That was in a district one one but if you had an if you had if you wanted to speak to that I would allow you to be put on. Okay. Thank you so much Madam President. I was just going to
rise to support that because it's in A1. It has to do with ADA accessibility. um barriers I believe. So I just wanted to rise and support my colleague in bringing this forth. So that was all. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. >> Thank you. Councelor Santana seek suspension of the rules and adoption of
docket 0794. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose say nay. The eyes have it. Docket 0494 has been adopted. Councelor 94. >> Councelor Santana seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0795.
All in favor say I. >> I. >> All oppose say nay. The eyes have it. Docket 0795 has been adopted. Thank you. Councelor Santana. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0796
through docket 080. Docket 0796. Message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of David Samson as an alternative member of the Backbay Architectural District Commission for a term expiring December
31st, 2030. Docket 0797, message and order for the confirmation of the reappoint of Robert Winrap as a member of the Backbay Architectural District Commission for a term expiring
on December 31st, 2029. Docket 0798, message and order for the confirmation of the reappoint of David Dixon as a member of the Boston Landmarks Commission for a term expiring June 30th, 2028. Docket 0799,
message and order for the confirmation of the reappoint of Christristen Huffman as an alternative member of the Boston Landmarks Commission for a term expiring June 30th, 2026. Docket 080.
Message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Kristen Hoffman as a member of the Fort Point Channel Landmarks District Commission for a term expiring on June 30th, 2026. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Docket 0796
through docket 080 will be referred to the committee on planning, development, and transportation. We're now on to reports of public officers and others. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 081 01 through
8006? Doctor 0801. Notice was received from the mayor of the appointment of Danny Best, Darlene Lambos, Erin Travaso, Greg Janie, Hen Cherau, Jill Reynolds,
Joan Joan Phillips, Kenzie Bach, Kevin Churchwell, Kristen Driscoll, Michelle Archus, Michael Firestone, Ronnie Dugan, Sasha Stanhard, Sharon Scott,
Esta really magnot and Tony Tita as the Boston Private Industry Council Bos Boston's mass hire workforce board effected April 6 2026 docket 0802 notice was received from the mayor of
her absence from the city from Saturday April 4th 2026 at 9:00 a.m. returning Sunday April 5th 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Rocket 0803. Notice was received from the city clerk in accordance with chapter 6 of the
ordinances of 1979 regarding action taken by the mayor on papers acted upon by the city council in its meeting of March 4th, 2026. Docket 0804 communication was received from the city
of Boston coordinated response team regarding an updated and ongoing effort to end outdoor substance use in the city of Boston connect individuals to treatment and recovery programs. Docket 0805
communication was received from councelor Murphy and Flynn clarifying their request for an independent performance audit of the city operations. Docket 0806 communication was received from councelor Finn regarding outgoing APA
funds to nonprofits and small businesses in the city of Boston. >> Thank you madam clerk. Docket 0801 through 0806 will be placed on file. We are now on to reports of committees. Madame clerk, could you would you please
read docket 0163? Docket 0163. The committee on government operation to which was referred on January 28, 2026. Docket 0163, petition for a special law and act relative to
real estate transfer fees and senior property tax relief. Submit a report recommended that the that the home rule petition ought to pass. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Chair recognizes councelor Kat Zapata, the chair of government operations. You have the
floor. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, as chair of the committee on government operations, I rise to present the committee report um uh and recommending that it ought to pass for docket 0163, a home rule petition relative to the real estate transfer fees and senior property tax relief. Boston is facing a housing
emergency driven by rising cost, constrained supply, and outdated tools that no longer meet the moment. This petition does two things. It creates a targeted locally controlled revenue stream for affordable housing and it expands long overdue tax relief for our seniors. First on the transfer fee, this
policy is tightly calibrated and narrowly defined. It exempts the first 2 million of any transaction, meaning that it does not touch the vast majority of homeowners in our city. It is explicitly designed to apply only to high value, often speculative transactions where
significant project profit margins already exist. And this is a substantial change following negotiations uh from the state house. This is not a broad-based tax. It is a targeted tool that captures value at the point of sale when liquidity when liquidity is the
highest and redirects it into the production and preservation of housing that our residents can actually afford. Analysis presented to the committee showed that this could have generated approximately $180 million over four years. revenue that we currently do not
have at a time when federal resources like HUD and ARPA are declining and development revenues are slowing. Second, this is an up to 2% authorization, not a mandate. It requires local acceptance by ordinance,
preserving council oversight and flexibility. It allows us to calibrate the policy responsibly over time and directly responds to prior concerns raised at the state house about rigidity and overreach. This bill also builds
long-term safeguards. The 2 million exemption can be adjusted every 5 years based on market conditions, ensuring the policy remains targeted and does not creep into the middle market. And importantly, it allows the city to define exemptions and eligibility
through ordinance so we can protect family transfers, support affordable housing development, and respond to changing conditions without having to return to the legislature each time. All funds are directed to the neighborhood housing trust, a proven and disciplined vehicle that already supports housing
creation and preservation. And finally, the senior relief component. This is an essential part of this homo petition. The proposal increases the base exemption from 500 to,500, ties eligibility to 50% of the area median
income, and raises outdated asset limits. Today, twothirds of single seniors in Boston cannot meet basic living costs. And so, this is a direct data-driven intervention to help residents age in place with dignity. This is an allabove approach, which I
think we should all get behind. It pairs revenue generated with targeted relief. It addresses both supply and stability and reflects years of iteration including adjustments made specifically in response to state house feedback. Other municipalities, I believe it's
about 19 uh across the Commonwealth are pursuing similar tools. And so I appreciate the fact that the lead sponsor uh council Santana and Rudy Luen had put this forward. This needs to get up to the state house expeditiously so we can have a hearing on it before the
legislative schedule wraps up in July. And so for those reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote yes. And my recommendation is that it ought to pass. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor K uh Chair Kleta Zapata. The chair recognizes councelor
Santana. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President. And I want to thank um chair counselor councelor Kleta Zapata for your um diligent work on this important issue and understanding the urgency um that this requires right now. Um Boston's in the
middle of a housing crisis, but we have a number of tools within our toolbox that we could use to address it. One of these tools is a real estate transfer fee which would allow for the city to fund affordable housing solutions following the transfer of high value properties. The fund would be diverted
to the programs which which will help our neighbors find affordable, long-term and stable housing. These programs are tailored to address the impacts our housing crisis has on our most vulnerable populations, especially low-income families and our seniors.
They would help with senior property tax relief, housing um accusation, um housing creation projects, and lowincome renter stability um and senior um homeowner stability. This way, those benefiting from the most high value property transfers will contribute to
housing justice for our most vulnerable residents. Through this fee, we can better address the housing crisis that impacts most of Boston, a city in which over 50% of renters are cost burdened by imposing a modest tax on the most high value real estate transfers. I hope my
colleagues would join me in supporting this measure and have this home rule petition and pass this home petition today. Thank you, Madam President. >> Thank you, Councelor Santana. The chair recognizes councelor Lu Jen. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President. And I want to thank the chair for moving this
forward expeditiously. I want to thank the lead sponsor, Councelor Santana. I want to thank the counselors who've come before, including councelor Edwards, now Senator Edwards, who's been continuing to push this issue, and former city councelor, former mayor Kim Janie. The transfer fee is about us doing the work
to support one of the greatest needs that we have in the city. We all get calls every single day from people facing eviction, from people who need housing. I cannot count the number of calls that I get uh from constituents, from people who know me in my prior life as a housing attorney who our our
residents need housing and they need housing that is affordable. And that means something different to a number of people. The only way that we're able to provide the range of housing that is necessary from the very low income to the missing middle um is if we have more revenue to do that. The federal government even before this
administration came forward abdicated its responsibility to house those who are very low income. So it often falls on us to do that. We heard testimony from Asian C from the Asian CDC, from East Boston CDC, from the Greater Boston Community Land Trust Network, from uh
Chinese Progressive um association, from so many others about from Mass Senior Action Council about the need for us to have more revenue. This is a modest fee of 2% on homes valued at more than $2 million. Originally, when this uh when
this transfer fee was first proposed by council, then counselors Janie and Edwards, um it included the first $2 million. There's been discussion in the public realm about what is the right balance, what is the right amount so that you don't stifle growth so that we and at the same time do the work of affordable housing. It is a balancing
act and there are tradeoffs. After those conversations happened, the first $2 million of a property is now exempt under this ordin under this home rule petition. That means that if you have a home that is valued at $ 1.99 million, um no home in the neighborhoods that I
live in on my street or the street next to it or or the street after are valued at that amount. But let's say you are in a home that is valued at 1.99 million. This wouldn't count. If you are at a home that's valued at 2 million, it does not count. If you are at a home, if you are in a home, if you're selling a home that is valued at $2.1 million, it will
only count for that 0.1 because the first $2 million you keep, that is, it is exempt from that. So, there will be a fee on that 0.1 and that is $100,000 of value. That's what that equals. And a 2% fee on that is $2,000 to go into a bucket that we desperately need to do
the work of creating more housing in our city. Um, it I think this is smart legislation. When you go and you look and you go to policy forums around the country about what we can do to build more affordable housing, a transfer fee is always one of the top results. This would only affect about 10% of of of
transactions in the city of Boston. So, we're not talking about a super we're actually talking about a super minority of transactions that this would impact. And it doesn't impact anyone while they're living in the home. It only happens at the time of the sale. And I think that's incredibly important. It's
only happening when there's extra wealth extraction happening, when there's money and transfer uh uh uh transfers happening, when money is changing hands. So, I just want to say that this is incredibly important. I don't know how we are going to do the work that we have to do of building affordable housing if we don't have things like the transfer
fee. We heard that very clearly from residents here. I heard it yesterday from members of the Chinese Progressive Association when we were in Austin, Brighton. Bowin was thanking us for the work that we did on the transfer fee and also the senior tax exemption mass. We have so many of our residents who are uh
house rich and cash poor. Many of them are members of uh the mass senior action council who came before this body several times to ask us to increase the senior tax exemption under 41c. I hope that's a work that this body can do. We are going to do what we can via 41D. I
which I introduced a few weeks ago, which will be something that the Boston City Council itself can do to uh make sure that the caps on 41C are adjusted for the cost of living to increase the eligibility amounts. But this is something that we can do and I hope that our state house partners are ready to
partner with us on the transfer fee so that we can do the work of building affordable housing in our city. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Luen. The chair recognizes councelor Flynn. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. During these challenging economic times,
I think it's critical for us to demonstrate fiscal discipline, fiscal responsibility, transparency, accountability. I do not support another tax, especially during these challenging economic times. Thank you, Madam Chair.
>> Thank you, Councelor Flynn. Anyone else? The chair on the committee on government operations seek acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket 0163. All in favor say I. >> Madame clerk, would you please take a roll call vote on docket 0163?
Roll call vote on docket 0163. Councelor Braden, >> yes. >> Council Braden, yes. Council Kleta Zapata, >> yes. >> Council Kleta Zapata, yes. Council Kalpa, >> yes. >> Council Kalpa, yes. Council Durkin. Councelor Durkin, yes. Council Fitzgerald,
>> yes. >> Council Fitzgerald, yes. Council Flynn, >> no. >> Council Flynn, no. Council Luan, >> yes. >> Council Lan, yes. Council Mahia, >> yes. >> Council Mahia, yes. Council Murphy, >> Council Murphy, no. Council Pepen,
>> yes. >> Council Pepen, yes. Council Santana, >> yes. >> Council Santana, yes. Council Weber, >> yes. >> Council Weber, yes. Council Warel, >> yes. >> Council Warel, yes. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 and
the affirmative. >> Thank you, Madame Clerk. Docket 0163 has passed. >> Madame Clerk, would you please read docket 0755? Docket 0755. The committee on government operation to which was referred on April
8, 2026. Docket 0755. Message an ordinance establishing a revolving fund for fiscal year 2027 pursuant to Mass General Law chapter 44 section 53E and a half to support the establishment and
operation of bike share program with the city of Boston submits a report recommended that the ordinance ought to pass. >> Thank you madam clerk. Chair recognizes councelor Kleta Zapata, chair of uh the committee on government operations. >> Thank you, Madam President. I rise again
today as the chair of this committee to present docket 0755 and recommend that it ought to pass. This is a very straightforward but important ordinance that allows the city of Boston to establish a bike share revolving fund for fiscal year 2027
pursuant to MGL chapter 44 section 53E and a half. In simple terms, what it does is create a dedicated self- sustaining funding mechanism to support the ongoing operation and expansion of our bike share system. Instead of relying on general fund dollars, this
revolving fund captures the revenues the system already generates, user fees, sponsorships, and advertising and reinvest those dollars directly back into the program. That means for better maintenance, more stations, expanded access, and a stronger system overall
without competing against any other city services in the annual budget process. Revolving funds are a well-established financial tool that provide transparency and accountability. The revenues are clearly defined and allowable expenditures are limited to the operation of the bike share program and
the total spending is capped here at $1.4 million for FY27 through the corresponding order. It ensures that what the system earns is what the system uses. And importantly, this supports our broader goals as a city. Bike share is not just a trans transportation amenity.
It is a climate tool, a congestion mitigation strategy, and a means of expanding affordable first and last mile connectivity for residents across Boston. As we continue to invest in multimodal transportation and reduce barriers to access, having a stable funding structure in place is critical.
I'll note that this is a time-sensitive matter tied to the upcoming fiscal year. Establishing this fund now ensures continuity of operations and positions the transportation department to effectively manage and grow the system starting July 1st. For all these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me
in voting in the affirmative. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor Ka Zapata. The chair of the committee on government operations seek seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket 0755. All in favor say I.
>> All oppose say nay. Madame clerk, would you please take a roll call vote on docket 0755? Roll call vote on docket 0755. Councelor Braden. Yes. >> Council Braden. Yes. Councelor Kleta Zapata. >> Yes.
>> Council Ketta Zapata. Yes. Council Col Peppa. >> Yes. >> Council Col Peppa. Yes. Council Durkin. >> Yes. >> Council Durkin. Yes. Council Fitzgerald. >> Yes. >> Council Fitzgerald. Yes. Council Flynn. >> Council Flynn. No. Council Luan. >> Yes. >> Council Lian. Yes. Councelor Mia.
>> Council Mi left. Um. Yes. Council Murphy. >> Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. >> Council Pepen. Yes. Council Santana. >> Council Santana. Yes. Council Weber. >> Yes. >> Council Weber. Yes. Council. >> Yes.
>> Council. Yes. 12 votes in the affirmative. >> Thank you. Um, Madame Clerk. Docket 0755 has been passed. Uh we're now on to matters recently heard. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0218?
Docket 0218. Order for hearing to review the effectiveness of the Boston residents job policy in improving equity and employment standards on projects throughout the city. The chair recognizes Councelor Warel, the chair of
Committee on Labor and Economic Development. Councelor, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, the Committee on Labor and Economic Development hosted a virtual hearing on Monday, April 13th at 10 a.m. to review the effectiveness of the Boston residents job policy and improving equity and employment standards on
projects throughout the city. From the council, we are joined by Council President Braden, counselors Murphy, Louis Jen, Weber, Santana, and Kleta Zapata. From the administration, we're joined by Jody uh Jodi Sugarman uh deputy chief of the worker empowerment cabinet along with Christopher Brown uh
BRJP manager of the cabinet. For the admin the administration review the BRJP local hiring goals for public projects and private projects, over 50,000 square feet, including targets of 51% for Boston residents, 40% for people of color, and 12% for women. Between
October 2025 and March 2026, 142 projects were monitored, totaling approximately 3.8 8 million work hours. Of these, 90% of hours went to Boston residents, 42% to people of color, and 7% to women, indicating that Boston
resident and women participation remain below target. Deputy Director Sugarman Brazen and BRJP manager Brown noted the city's limited enforcement authority, which primarily includes corrective action meetings and potential sanctions for non-compliance with reporting
requirements. Council has raised concerns about ongoing disparities, particularly for Boston residents and women, and emphasized that meeting benchmarks for people of color does not necessarily translate to access to quality jobs with living wages, benefits, and growth opportunities.
Disparities persist across trades with workers of colors, often residents, women, and especially women of color disproportionately represented in lower paid roles. Council has also discussed the need to strengthen enforcement mechanisms so BRJP goals function as enforceable standards rather than um
aspirational targets. Public testimony was provided by Weezy Walstein uh jobs co-director at Action for Equity who highlighted that full BRJP BRJP compliance could result in 1,500 Boston residents gaining quality jobs
generating an estimated 436 million economic impact. Testimony also raised concerns about non-UN contracts engaging in low-wage unsafe labor practices and recommended disagregating BRJP data by union and non-UN contractors to benefit
to better identify gaps. The administration also shared updates on improving data collection and the BRJP dashboard, expanding workforce pathways for BPS youth and integrated integrating certified payroll data to report on wage rates, an important step toward assessing job quality alongside
participation. a chair of the labor economic development committee. At this time, I recommend recommend that these matters remain in committee. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Docket 0218 will remain in committee. >> Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0320?
>> Councelor Flynn, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I I just wanted to highlight to the to the chair that I was at this hearing. Um, I know my name wasn't mentioned, but I just wanted to um set the record straight.
>> No, thank thank you. >> Thank you to correct the record. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Flynn. >> Madame Clerk, could you please read docket 0320, 0476, and 0756? >> 56 or 59
7. Okay. Doc 0320, message and order authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $577,500 in the form of a grant for the FY25
port security grant program awarded by the United States Department of Homeland Security to be administered by the police department. The grant would fund the purchase of a new 31 um ft lifep proof boat, the replacement of the
engine on the 31 ft safe boat and the 38 ft safe boat, and finally the recoloring of the KVAC um patrol boat and ice rescue training. Docket 0476. Order for a series of hearing regarding
all city of Boston grants administered by the Boston Police Department. Dockets 0759. Message an order authorizing the city of Boston to ac accept and expend the amount of 10,925,140.7
in the form of a grant FY26. Counter onman aircraft system grant program awarded by the United States Department of Homeland Security passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to be administered by the
police department. The grant would fund increasing BPD ability to detect, identify, track, and monitor onman aircraft systems within the city of Boston. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes the
chair of uh public safety. Um councelor uh Colette No, beg your pardon. Councelor Santana, you have the floor. Public safety and criminal justice. >> Kaspa would be a cool last name for me. Thank you, Madam President.
>> Um on Monday, we held a hearing on the Boston Police Department's grants that are currently in committee and upcoming including these three dockets. Um, we heard from we heard from Deputy Superintendent Sean Martin, Assistant Bureau Chief um,
Bureau of Field Services, Superintendent Lanita Coulain, Bureau Chief um, with the Bureau of Intelligence and Analysis, Ryan Walsh, um, who is the director of Bureau of Regional Intelligence Center and Maria Chvers, the director of the office of research and development. Uh,
I was joined by my colleagues, councelor um, Ed Flynn, counselor Eron Murphy, councelor Brucey Lou Jen, counselor John Fitzgerald, councelor Co Pepper, and counselor Ben Weber. We also received a letter of absence from councelor Pepen. At the hearing, we learned that the
Boston Police Department of Office and Research and Development manages a roughly 28 million in active grants at any given time and writes about 13 million um dollars in new or renewed applications annually. Docket number
0320 um will provide funding for the Boston Police um harbor patrol unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. law enforcement unit responsible for patrolling 42 square miles of Boston Harbor. The Port of
Boston is home to Logan International Airport, Connley Cargo Terminal, um Flynn Cruise Terminal, the Boston Fish Pier, um the Charles Town, the Charles Town Carport, um the US CG sector,
Boston, the USS Constitution, um and numerous hotels and venues where the public gather. Protecting the citizens of Boston and the infrastructure of Boston Harbor is essential to the safety and economic well-being of the entire New England area. Docket number 0759
um the Boston Police Department has received um the CUAS grant funding to develop a deployable system for detecting and mitigating unauthorized drones. This will support major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, um critical infrastructure
protection and emergency response. The um the project includes upgrading the existing detection system, acquiring advanced um sensors, and creating a mobile platform for real-time airspace monitoring. It also covers personnel, overtime, and training costs. As the
chair of the committee on public safety and criminal justice, I recommend that docket number 0218 and docket number 0779 ought to pass and docket 0476 remaining committee. Thank you, Madam
President. >> 0476. Um okay. Um councelor um councelor Murphy, you have the floor. >> Thank you. Um, thank you to the chair for holding this. I know in the past I said it at the hearing, but we've done
this or you've done it for the fire department and we were able to go through a lot of the grants for the police at this hearing. I did just want to highlight something that Deputy Superintendent Martin told us, which I'm happy to hear, especially coming into
tall ships and all of the festivities in the summer that ramp up anyway across the city, but that that we will be providing scuba training for all of our police and the marine unit going forward. in it's not going to um if you don't have it, you can still, you know,
apply and get um called up to that unit, but we'll make sure that we're providing that training. So, that was something I was happy to hear. And on the drone front, too, a lot of good questions from our colleagues asked about that, but it was just an informative hearing and looking forward to passing this grant.
And just want to also thank that it was said if questions do come up over the next you know what seven months, nine months that we can still call them in or at least have conversations through the chair. So thank you chair for that. >> Thank you councelor Murphy. Councelor Flynn I understand that you u may have
wished to speak on the previous batch of public safety uh dockets and I um and I was um didn't see your light. would do you wish to comment on this batch or then I'll come to councel vision >> thank you
>> thank you madam chair and thank you for that courtesy want to say thank you to councelor Santana for an informative hearing he had the right people there thank you to my colleagues asking good questions was a good feedback back and
forth and I think the I'm I'm supporting all of these um dockets. And it's important for us to provide the uh public safety professionals with the tools that they need to do their job to keep us safe, to keep visitors safe as
well. And uh again, just want to say thank you to Council Santana for a well done meeting. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Councelor Flynn. The chair recognizes Councelor Luian. You have the floor. >> Thank you, u Madam President. I want to start by acknowledging um and thanking the BPD for the work that they do. Um
especially as we ensure that we are as safe as possible during these large events that are going to happen. FIFA World Cup. Uh side note for those who are interested in uh planning out events and community grants just came out yesterday to help community put out grants uh to put on events for the FIFA World Cup. We have the FIFA World Cup
Tall Ships America 250. Have my 250 Bunker Hill Cup here mug here and other major events ahead. Um and so I think it's important that we are proactive as possible in getting money from the federal government for um public safety. The drone grant is nearly an 11 million
grant and it's a significant public investment. It's the first time that we have ever as a city applied for this funding and we've only received limited and I did I want to thank um IGR we did get redacted information but it was very heavily redacted yesterday based on the grant application and it's the
implementation plan. We still don't know exactly what is to be purchased. We know that it's not drones, that it's drone detection at the amount of $11 million, but there's still close to $11 million, but there's still a lot of um of information that we don't know. Information from the brick, uh Ryan
Walsh from the brick was here referenced substantial new detection, tracking, mitigation, and counter drone capabilities, but there wasn't a lot of specificity. So, I hope that the administration and the BBD will fully comply with the surveillance oversight ordinance before any of this technology
is deployed, including submission of any required surveillance impact reports and request for authorization as required pursuant to the ordinance. We have enough time so as not to rely on the exit and circumstances provision of the ordinance, which we know last year uh there was an issue with relying on that
exit and circum circumstances provision. So, I hope that we are proactive and that the BPD and the administration is proactive in and and in giving this uh council information rather than uh relying on a clause that is only for when we're not able to plan ahead. Um I
also hope that BPD and the administration return prepared uh during upcoming budget season to provide a detailed public accounting of what is to be purchased, what these systems will do, how they'll be used, and what safeguards will govern them and what long-term financial obligations this acquisition creates. because this is a
one-time grant and so we need to know uh in order to support this work going forward uh because the the lifespan is somewhere but they about three years after that ex after that money is gone will it then be part of the operating budget for us to maintain this new um uh
data system so um I just wanted to put that out there because there's still a lot of unknowns uh preparing for major events is important and it should but it shouldn't come at the expense of public oversight uh it is a balancing act and I want to thank the chair. It was a it was
a hearing that you allowed me to go three or four rounds of questioning and I really appreciate that because I did have a lot of questions regarding this technology because anytime you are um using substantial amounts of public funds to engage in activity that is um shrouded in uh secrecy, we just have a
responsibility of oversight here on this body. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um thank you. uh docket 0476 will remain remain in committee. The chair of the
committee on public safety and criminal justice seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of dockets 0320 and 0756 and we'll take a vote on each of those u dockets one at a time.
>> Oh, beg your pardon. There's a 0759. There's another docket called 0595. So, um, excellent. So, the we'll start off with de docket 07 0320. The chair on the committee on public
safety seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket 0320. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Madame clerk, would you please take a roll call vote on docket 0320? Roll call vote on docket 0320.
Councelor Braden, yes. Council Braden, yes. Council Kleta Zapata, >> yes. >> Councelor Kleta Zapata, yes. Councelor Kalpa, >> yes. >> Council Kalp Peppa, yes. Council Durkin, >> Council Durkin, yes. Council Fitzgerald, >> yes. >> Councelor Fitzgerald, yes. Council Flynn,
>> yes. >> Council Flynn, yes. Council Lian, >> yes. >> Council Lian, yes. Council Mahia, >> Council Mahia, yes. Council Murphy, >> yes. >> Council Murphy, yes. Council Pepen, >> yes. >> Pepan, yes. Council Santana, >> yes.
>> Council Santana, yes. Council Weber, >> yes. >> Council Weber, yes. Council War, >> yes. >> Council, yes. 13 votes in the affirmative. >> Thank you. Docket 0320 has passed. The chair of the committee on public safety and criminal justice seeks acceptance of
the committee report and passage of docket 0759. All in favor say I. All post say nay. >> Madame clerk, would you please take a roll call vote on docket 0759?
>> Roll call vote on docket 0759. Councelor Braden. >> Yes. >> Councelor Braden. Yes. Council Kleta Zapata. >> Councelor Kleta Zapata. Yes. Council Kalpa. >> Yes. >> Council Colep. Yes. Council Durken. >> Council Durkin. Yes. Council Fitzgerald. >> Yes.
>> Councelor Fitzgerald. Yes. Council Flynn. >> Yes. >> Council Flynn. Yes. Council Lusian. >> Yes. >> Salusian. Yes. Council Mahia. >> Council Mahia. Present. Council Murphy. >> Yes. >> Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. >> Yes. >> Councelor Pepen. Yes. Council Santana.
>> Yes. >> Council Santana. Yes. Council. >> Yes. >> Councelor Warell. Yes. Council. Council Weber. >> Council Weber. Yes. 12 votes in the affirmative. One present. >> Thank you. Docket 0759 has passed.
Madame clerk, would you please read dockets 0733 through 0740? Docket 0733 to through docket 0735. Order for the FY27 operating budget, including annual
appropriations for department operations for the school department and for other postemployment benefits. Docket 0736 to Docket 0737. Order for capital funds transfer appropriations.
Docket 0738 through docket 0740. Order for the capital budget, including loan orders and lease purchase agreements. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. The chair recognizes the
chair of the committee on ways and means. Councelor Weber, you have the floor. Uh thank you very much, Madam President. Uh yesterday uh we kicked off uh formally the budget season um with a couple hearings on the operating budget and the capital budget. Uh yesterday
morning we held hearings on docket numbers uh 0736 to 0740 uh to review the operating budget for FY27. I'd like to thank my colleagues uh who are in attendance, councelor Flynn, Madame President Braden, counselors Co
Pepper, Fitzgerald, Pepen, Santana Durkin, Louis J and Murphy. The committee also received a letter of absence from councelor Kleta Zapata. Uh we were joined at that hearing by uh CFO Ashley Graenberger and the uh OBM director Jim Williamson. Uh we were
provided with an overview of the proposed operating budget of $4.9 billion. Uh it which reflects a 2.1% uh growth over last year which is the lowest rate of growth since 2010. Uh the reason for that is the city uh we were
told is that the city's navigating a uh tight fiscal environment where health care uh uh cost increases um uh do eat up most of the increases in the budget
uh resulting in some really tough choices. But, you know, unlike other cities, the proposed budget uh you know, achieves uh roughly a balance of providing city services uh without relying on a Prop 2
and a half override uh or um a uh a dip into our reserves uh which might uh impact our bond rating, make it more difficult to borrow money in the future. Uh just like to point out a couple things. Uh we heard how uh healthcare
insurance costs are expected to increase by $97 million and that is after some savings have been achieved uh in recent negotiations uh with uh the unions. Uh and we've also uh are are going to
achieve some savings by extending the payments on um sort of scheduled payments for for pensions and for uh capital budget borrowing. we're going to pay off slightly less of that in the first five years. Um, and this will
create some savings in the budget. Uh, and we also heard how uh we are focused on or the budget focuses on core city services. Uh while there's over a $20 million reduction in uh all departmental
budgets, uh it's designed to protect the quoteunquote bread and butter uh of city services uh which uh is to you know make sure our libraries or BCIF centers uh are funded. Our uh recruiting classes
for police, fire and EMS are funded. Um and you know but at the same time that the the what is being cut are programs. That's why we talked about uh uh large cuts to offices like the office of immigrant advancement, the office of
blackmail advancement. you know, offices that provide grants are seeing large cuts and those are really important programs and I'm sure we'll be talking about, you know, uh what it means uh to our residents to have grant programs being cut uh while at the same time
knowing that those are being cut to preserve uh city jobs. So, you know, uh it's uh overall sort of the the theme is it's a belt tightening uh budget that seeks to preserve city services and our AAA bond rating. I look forward to
diving deeper uh into specific departmental numbers uh during our hearings. In fact, we have two hearings from BPS the next couple days uh and and many more hearings the next few weeks. uh we'll be looking uh uh to ensure that the city uh you know continues to
operate and provide for our residents under what looks like a tight framework. We also talked about revenue uh estimates and how those are conservatively uh estimated for for various reasons and I'm sure we can talk more about that later on. So, as the chair of the committee on Ways and
Means, I recommend that dockets uh 733 through 735 stay in committee. Just briefly address the other dockets that we uh that were read into the record. Um 736 to 7:40 which dealt with the capital plan. We had a hearing yesterday
afternoon. Uh I'd like to thank my colleagues, Councelor Flynn, Madame President Braden, Counselors Cop, Professor Gerald Pepen, Santana Durk, and Louis Jen and Murphy. The council, the committee also received a letter of absence from councelor Kleta Zapata. Um,
we are uh we were joined by uh several members of the administration including CFO Graenberger, OBM director Williamson, chief of operations Dion Irish, interimm chief of streets Nick Gove, chief climate officer Brian Sweat, senior deputy superintendent of operations for VPS Dr. Sam Dpina, deputy
director of capital uh for capital Ian Donnelly, and in parks commissioner Kathy Baker Eclipse. Uh we are presented with a capital budget of $4.4 billion for fiscal years 2027 to 2031. Uh covering 329 projects across the city. A
few takeaways um uh that we have generally to maintain our AAA bond rating. We set a goal of only uh of of of limiting borrowing to 7% of the operating budget each year. Whereas in prior years we were farther away from
that around 5%. The last few years we're as our as our operating budget you know does not go up by a lot. We are borrowing much closer to the 7% limit. Uh so we're trying to figure out how we can uh do uh more for less on that uh
capital budget. Um, one thing we've done is to is is where we used to try to pay off 35 to 40% of uh capital uh borrowing within the first five years, we now have uh trying to pay off 30% of that over the first five years. And by extending
the payment, we're not expecting to see savings next year, but but uh maybe in the budget in a couple years, although I will add, we were also told that over the long term, that will cost money. Anyone who's paid off a mortgage over a longer period of time knows that it does, you know, you're you're paying
interest and uh it doesn't save you money in the long run. Uh in using our capital budget spending, we're focused on uh you know, state of good repair. 1.4 billion we were told is dedicated to the uh to streets uh and uh you know to
for repair of roads, sidewalks uh and bridges. uh data driven uh uh school investments. We are told how the city is utilizing a facilities condition assessment to make applesto apples comparisons across all municipal buildings which is intended to ensure
that capital dollars for BPS are spent where the money is needed. Um I just want to thank everyone who participated in those hearings. Look forward to a uh a thorough uh budget season and it says the chair of the committee on ways and means I recommend that these dockets
remain in committee also. Thank you. Thank you, madam. Uh, thank you. Docket 0733 through 0740 will remain in committee. Um, madame clerk, could you read, please read docket 0763?
Docket 0763. Message and order for your approval. an order authorizing the city of Boston to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, MSBA, a statement of interest for Melvin H. King Southen
Academy located at 90 Warren A in the south end of Boston. The statement of interest describes and explains the differences and the priority categorizing for which the city of Boston may be invited to apply to the
MSBA in the future. Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Weber, the chair of Ways and Means. You have the floor. >> Okay. And I'm back. Uh uh so thank you, Madam President. Uh this morning, uh we held a hearing in the committee on Ways
and Means uh uh on docket number 0763 to review a statement of interest that the city would like to submit for the uh Mel King Southoun Academy to be considered for MSBA funding. I'd like to thank my colleagues who are in attendance, counselors uh uh Flynn
Murphy and Louie Jen uh and Karish Machoan and and and Ethan from central staff for their assistance uh in helping us uh uh carry out the hearing. I'd also like to acknowledge the committee received a letter of absence from councelor Pepen. The MSBA's grant
program is a non-entitlement competitive program. Submitting a statement of interest is a critical first step in the MSBA's program for school building construction addition or renovation um or or repair grants. It allows
districts to inform the MSBA of deficiencies that may exist in a local school facility and how these deficiencies inhibit the delivery of the district's educational program. During today's hearing, we heard from BPS chief of capital planning, uh, Deliver and Stannis Loss, public facilities senior
project manager, Brian Mclofflin, assistant director of project controls and compliance, Anita Tvarez, and the, uh, um, oh, I'm sorry. Uh, yeah. Um, and, uh, Heather Troy, assistant director in the office of specialized
services for Boston public schools. Um, we heard about the intention of the city to submit a statement of interest for a new core project for the Mel King Academy in order to advance repairs for a full state-of-the-art therapeutic school. The school committee will be
presented with a statement of interest tonight. Um, in order for this application to move forward, uh, they need to submit the application by uh, Friday. So, that is why we held a hearing. Uh, we heard, this was submitted to us last week. We had a hearing this morning. and I'm seeking
acceptance of the committee report and passage of this docket today so we can get this application process started. Thank you. >> Thank you. Chair recognizes councelor co pepper. You have the floor. >> Madame president, I 100% support this letter of interest. I met with the
school superintendent some time ago. We talked about the challenges that the Melvin H school, the South Academy was having. She told me this was coming up. And so I'm excited to see that we're going to get it in by Friday. I'm excited to see the council uh ways and
means chair bring it forward in such an expeditious way. And when we look at where the Mel King Southern Academy is now, we look at some of the needs and we've been working with the needs incrementally. This is a big step forward in bringing the Melvin H. King
School to where it needs to be to service these young folks. Thank you, Madam Chair. Madame President. >> Thank you, Councelor Co Pepper. And the chair recognizes councelor Flynn. You have the floor. >> Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. And um I stand because the Mel King Academy
is in my in my in district 2, I should say. And I know it's um also just outside of the border of Council Fitzgerald and and Reverend Cole Pepper as well. So all three of us um know this school very well. I also wanted to
highlight about a month ago myself and council Mahia went on a meeting with some parents um concerned about the services at the school but this the parents were really advocating for more services and support
for the students at at the Mel King school which we which which we agreed and we're trying to do the best we can to support our students there. They they need it. I believe this school is struggling right now and even though we
go through this process of asking the Mass School building authority uh for more for funding so eventually they could build a new school, we also have to recognize that we have challenges at this school. But we can't give up on the students.
99% of the students are students with disabilities. 50% of them are African-American, about 30% of them are Spanish. And we have to ensure that
every every child, every student has the opportunity to get a good education and that we don't give up on any students for any reason. And we need to ensure that this budget especially the BPS budget reflects the services that these
ste that these students need and deserve so that they can live a healthy and happy life. Thank you madam chair. >> Thank you councelor Flynn. >> The chair of the comm on of the committee on ways and means seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket 0763. All in favor say
I. >> All oppose say nay. Madame clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0763? >> Roll call vote on docket 0763. Councelor Braden, >> yes. >> Council Braden, yes. Council Kleta Zapata,
>> yes. >> Councelor Kleta Zapata, yes. Council Kalpa, >> yes. >> Councelor Kalpa, yes. Councelor Durkin, >> Councelor Durkin, yes. Council Fitzgerald, >> Council Fitzgerald, yes. Council Flynn, >> yes. >> Council Flynn, yes. Council Luan,
>> Council Lian, yes. Council Mahia. >> Council Mahia. Yes. Council Murphy. >> Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. >> Council Pepen. Yes. Council Santana. >> Yes. >> Councelor Santana. Yes. Council Weber. >> Yes. >> Council Weber. Yes. Council.
>> Yes. >> Council. Yes. 13 votes in affirmative. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Zocket 0763 has passed. We're now on to motions, orders, and resolutions. A reminder that under rule 39, remarks on new matters not up for a vote today shall be limited to
three minutes for the lead sponsor and two minutes for the co-sponsors. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0807? Docket 0807. Council Rurell offer the following ordinance to address private waste
potholes. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes council rail. Councelor, you have the floor. >> Uh thank you, Madam President. And I'd like to add Councelor Murphy as a original co-sponsor. >> Um, councelor Murphy so added. >> Uh, thank you, Madam President. Um, I am of belief that all of our streets should
be public roads. Uh, because private ways are a relic of the past. Uh, they go back to the 1700s and the reality is the people living on those streets right now aren't the ones who requested or made that decision to make their road a private way. Uh, in many cases, uh, that
choice was made generations ago. Yet today's homeowners are the ones that are left carrying the financial burden. What this ordinance does is straightforward. Right now, under city code, uh the city can step in to f uh fill potholes on private ways, but it limits those
repairs to temporary materials like dirt, gravel, or cinder. Uh meanwhile, on public roads, we use asphalt. This ordinance says if the city is going to fill potholes on private ways, then they should do it the same way that they do on public streets is with asphalt. Uh this ordinance not asking is not about
asking the city to do everything. It's about asking the city to do the minimum uh when it comes to safety, accessibility, and fairness for residents who pay the same amount um as taxes or same rate as taxes as everyone else. Uh that is not too much ask. Um I
think it's a reasonable ask. Um again, it's not fixing the whole street. Uh just making sure that we get asphalt in those craters and those potholes that are on these private ways. Thank you. >> Thank you. Chair recognizes Councelor Murphy as second co-sponsor. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you,
Councelor, for adding me. I have um gotten a flat tire in one of these potholes in West Roxbury um off the Parkway, and we really need to have a bigger conversation. So, thank you, Council Ral, for even bringing up if we should even continue to have private
ways. I do think the conversation needs to start there and then make sure that going forward we're having decisions not just about potholes being filled but also trash pickup and snow removal. I know as an atlarge city councelor when I'm at events across the city that
people do come up and talk to me if they're living on these streets and they're struggling for these basic city services and they're they're not understanding why. So I think it's a good idea to have the conversation specific to the potholes but also a bigger conversation going forward in this body. Thank you.
>> Thank you councelor Murphy. Would anyone like to add their name? Councelor Co Pepper, councelor Fitzgerald, councelor Flynn, councelor Mahia, councelor Pepen, councelor Santana, councelor Weber and please add the chair.
Thank you. Docket 0807 will be referred to the committee on government operations. >> Yeah, I I got it. >> You got it. >> Yeah. Consolution. >> So, thank you. 0807, we refer to the Committee on Government Operations.
Madame Clerk, could you please read docket 0808? >> Docket 0808. Councelor Col Peppa offer the following or ordinancing establishing a minority business enterprise procurement readiness pilot program.
>> Chair recognizes councelor Co Pepper. Councelor, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President. I would like to add a substitute file for docket number 0808. I'd like to add councelor Mahia as a second original co-sponsor and I'd like to request suspension of the rules and
add councelor well as the third original co-sponsor. >> So councelor mahia as a second is so added and the third one >> councelor well >> councelor warell and seeing and hearing no objections councelor war is a third.
Thank you, Madam President. I want to start by acknowledging that this work is grounded in community. This idea came directly out of conversations with the District 7 white stadium task force
where we had real no objections. >> Pardon me. Uh Councelor Co Pepper, uh you wanted to substitute uh from the docket that was f originally filed. >> Yes. Um second >> uh all in favor say I. >> I. >> You may continue.
>> Thank you, Madam President. I want to start by acknowledging that this work is grounded in community. This idea came directly out of conversations with the district 7 white stadium task force where we had real and honest discussions
about how we can create more opportunities for black and brown contractors to participate in largecale public and private projects here in Boston. I also want to thank Aaron Wright who is here today. He's the
chairperson of the White Stadium white district 7 white stadium task force and who has worked tirelessly in helping to draft this pilot program. His leadership has been immeasurable in helping to
bring this ordinance to the council today. At its core, this ordinance is about equity, but it's also about opportunity and accountability. We often talk about the need to close racial wealth gaps and to ensure that economic
development benefits all of our communities. But those goals require intentional policy. And this ordinance is one of those intentional policy. They require us to look at who is getting contracts, who is building in our neighborhoods, who is being left out of
those opportunities. This ordinance is a step in that direction. It recognizes that for too long, Madame President, and my colleagues, black and brown contractors have faced structural barriers to accessing major projects, whether it's access to capital, bonding
requirements, or simply not being in included in procurement pipelines. If we are serious, if we are truly serious about equity, we have to be equally serious about removing those barriers
and impediments, creating clear pathways for participation. And just like we think about how our public spaces reflect our values, we should also think about how our public investments reflect those same values. Who benefits from the
work we fund? who is at the table and are we creating systems that are inclusive by design, not just an intention. This ordinance, Madame President, moves us toward a more equitable contracting environment, one that expands opportunity and strengthens
our local economy. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Co Pepper. The chair recognizes councelor Mahia. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um, and I want to thank councelor Co Pepper for adding me as an original co-sponsor on this ordinance, and I'm proud to stand
alongside him um, as we continue to do this work. This builds upon many conversations that we've had with small businesses and minority owned businesses across Boston who continue to show up, stay ready, and are asking for opportunities to complete to compete and
to grow. and we are um years out of the uh disparity study. And while we're hearing commitments such as the vision for 50% MWBE participation in projects like White Stadium, we're still hearing from businesses that those dollars are
not consistently reaching them. I'm looking forward to continuing this work with you and our colleagues and to making sure that our processes are aligned with the outcomes we say that we want to see. And I just want to note for the record that, you know, oftent times, you know, when we have an opportunity to
really move the work of equity forward, it's opportunities like this that really help us do just that. Um, I understand that the city is in a crisis in so many ways and I think that if we are really
serious about the reckoning that we are all grappling with, this is an opportunity for us to not just, you know, develop this initiative and and get this ordinance passed through the legislative process in a timely fashion um but to also see it um in fruition in
terms of implementation. I think that we often have a problem here on the council is that sometimes we have these big ideas um and they get passed and sometimes when it comes to the implementation that's where we fall short. I'm hoping through the working sessions as we continue to navigate this
process that we can put some real um guard rails in terms of what success is going to look like, how we're going to measure that success, and what accountability is going to look like when we're not hitting the mark. So looking forward to doing that work alongside my colleagues. Thank you. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor war. You have the floor.
>> Uh thank you, madam president, and thank you to councelor co pepper uh and council me for their leadership around um equity and contracting and also small businesses. Um I think creating a program like this one proposed here is the intentional uh strategies that we
need to make sure that we're reducing barriers and providing resources support for our small businesses to uh gain major contracts. uh whether it's reducing the barrier to obtain a bond or insurance uh or just build up the capacity uh these are the types of
programs that we need u for our small businesses. So look forward to this conversation and to looking forward to designing this program. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor. Uh would anyone like to add their name? Um, councelor um, Durkin, councelor Fitzgerald, councelor Flynn, councelor
Louisen, councelor Murphy, councelor Pepen, councelor Santana, councelor Weber, councelor Warell, and please add the chair. Thank you. Docket 0808 will be referred to the committee on government operations. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0809?
Docket 0809. Councilors Durkin and Santana offer the following order for a text amendment to the Boston zoning code with respect to parking minimums for residential development. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor Durkin.
>> Thank you so much. And uh thank you council president. I'd like to add you as a third co-sponsor. Thank you for your support. >> Seeing and hear hearing no objections. Uh I am so added. Thank you. This morning, Councelor Santana and I are introducing a zoning tax amendment to eliminate parking minimums for off-
streetet parking requirements for new residential development citywide. This reform has the potential to lower housing costs and accelerate housing production. If your packet seemed a little heavy today, there's a 35page amendment here which touches the base
code and every neighborhood article. As we enter the budget cycle with slowing revenue growth and projected deficit, we know that our property tax base remains the city's largest and most stable source of funding. At the same time, time and time again over the last several years, this body has convened to
ask ask ourselves what we can do for the most pressing challenge of the day, the high cost of housing. In this economic environment, we know it is harder than ever to build. Housing production is at historic lows, costs are rising, and residents are being priced out of the city. We know we need to do everything
we can to increase affordability and expand the housing pipeline. The proposal I'm introducing today is a culmination of over a year's worth worth of work. I have filed a hearing order last January. In December, we held a hearing in the planning, development, and transportation committee where we heard from the housing and zoning
experts about the effectiveness of these reforms to lower cost and increase housing production. This tax amendment eliminates costly parking mandates from our zoning code. These requirements did not always exist. In fact, most of Boston's housing was built before these rules were made into law. These rules
were established in the 1950s out of the false thinking that parking would reduce congestion. Instead, they've made it harder to build housing and force developers to build more parking than we actually need. According to the MAPC shows that there's a report that shows that over onethird of all parking in
Boston sits empty overnight. Meanwhile, these mandates increase construction costs, making it harder for developers to get the projects off the ground. especially smaller projects. The cost doesn't stay with the developers. It's passed to tenants rents regardless of
whether they own a car or not. Let me be clear, getting rid of these mandates does not eliminate or ban parking. It simply will replace arbitrary minimum requirements with flexibility. Developers will be able to build parking based on the needs of each
project rather than the outdated rules of the zoning code. Cities across the country in the Commonwealth have shown us that this policy works. Boston eliminated parking minimums for affordable housing in 2021, thanks to my predecessor, Kenzie Boach. Cambridge did this citywide in 2022. Somerville in
2024, and cities like Austin, which doesn't even have a subway. Seattle, Minneapolis, Buffalo have enacted similar reforms. At this financial moment, we must use every tool available to support development and make our city
more affordable for Boston residents. This reform is a common sense immediate step we can take to lower housing costs, support housing production, and build a stronger, more sustainable city. I said this back in December and I'll say it again. The real question is whether we actually have the political leadership to get this done. The facts are on our
side. >> Thank you, Councelor Durkin. Uh the chair recognizes Councelor Santana. You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. I want to thank Councelor Durkin for your leadership on this and um uh on many other fronts uh on housing fronts. Um
to truly address housing affordability, we need to use every tool available to us and move away from policies that make it more expensive to build and live in our city. This zoning amendment is a step in that in the right direction. Um, as councelor Dan mentioned very clearly,
eliminating parking minimums doesn't mean eliminating parking. It just means not having specific amount of parking requirement for new development. We've already ended that requirement for some affordable housing developments, and it's time to expand that to other new residential developments. Medium rents
are now over $3,000 a month. More than half of Boston renters are costburdened. and yet our current zoning code requires parking minimums, adding cost and ending projects before they even get a chance to begin. This amendment removes that barrier. I am proud to be a co-sponsor
on this amendment to address our city's housing um housing needs and I look forward to working with my council colleagues um the administration and the planning department to see it through. Thank you. Um and again, thank you councelor Durkin for your leadership. >> Thank you councelor Santana. Uh and
thank you councelor Durkin for adding me as a third co-sponsor. Uh in Austin Brighton uh we've been on this journey with development over the last 10 years uh which has functionally eliminated parking minimums uh uh with huge projects being approved with little or
no parking in some cases giving this has given developers flexibility to build what the neighborhood neighborhood needs and wants. And uh it's really uh imperative that it's a way to decrease the cost per unit of housing. In order
to add uh housing like one unit per one parking space per unit, it costs about 75,000 to $100,000 per parking space to build a below grade parking unit parking space. So this inevitably is added onto the cost of the housing and makes it
more and more difficult for developers to make the numbers work. uh in some cases they we've worked with developers to uh reduce parking requirements and and to really make the uh the project more more possible uh and making it make
it more viable as a project. So I really look forward to the process um and uh the discussion as we uh move this um this or this ordinance forward. So thank you so much and uh I appreciate your partnership on this. Would anyone like
to add their name? Councelor Luigen, Councelor Pepe, and Councelor Weber. And I'm already on. Thank you. Uh, thank you. The dock at 0809 will be referred to the committee on planning, development, and transportation.
Madame Clerk, could you please read docket 0810? Docket 0810. Councelor Kleta Sapata offer the following. order for a hearing to discuss workforce pipeline opportunities between the Wentworth Institute of
Technology and the City of Boston Inspectional Services Department. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor Kleta Zapata. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President. I rise to introduce this hearing order focused on building a stronger workforce pipeline between the city and Wetworth Institute
of Technology, specifically into ISD. Boston is home to world-class institutions that are already training the next generation of architects, engineers, and construction managers. Wentworth, right in our backyard, is producing graduates with the exact
technical foundation that we need for critical roles like plans examiners. These are very um uh these are the very professionals responsible for reviewing projects, ensuring code compliance, and quite frankly, determining how quickly housing and development can move forward
in our city. But here's the challenge. Too often, we are losing this talent. We're watching graduates trained here, ready to contribute, leave public service pathways, and go directly into the private construction industry. I don't blame them. They probably make more money there. And while that
industry is important, the reality is that we're left with vacancies and key municipal roles that slow down permitting, delay housing production, and strain our existing workforce. So, this hearing is about being intentional. How do we build a direct structured
pathway from classroom to city service? This could mean internships, co-ops, apprenticeships, and even curriculum alignment that prepares students not just for the private sector, but for public sector careers. It also means having an honest conversation about
barriers, whether it's civil service requirements, compensation, or a lack of awareness about these career paths in the first place. This isn't just a workforce issue, it's a capacity issue. incapacity in ISD directly impacts our ability to build housing, support
economic development and deliver for our residents. We already have the talent and the question is whether or not we have the systems in place to capture it. And so this hearing is a first step into answering that question thoughtfully and collaboratively with our academic partners, the administration, and with a
clear goal to invest in a pipeline that keeps Boston's talent working for Boston. Thank you. Thank you. Councelor Kleta Zapata. Anyone like to add their name? Councelor Kp Pepper, Councelor Durkin, Councelor Fitzgerald, Councelor Flynn, Councelor
Mahia, Councelor Murphy, Councelor Pepen, Councelor Simpana, Councelor Weber, Councelor Borrell, and please add the chair. Docket 0810 will be referred to the committee on labor and economic development. Madame clerk, could you please read
docket 0811? Dr. 0811, Councelor Murphy and Flynn offer the following order for hearing to review animal control enforcement, leash law, compliance, dog licensing, and public safety in the city of Boston.
>> Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor uh Murphy. You have the floor. >> Thank you. Um thank you, Madam President. So, we're filing this order. Um, the city of Boston through the Boston Animal Care and Control and applicable
municipal and state laws maintains clear regulations governing dog ownership, including leash requirements, licensing mandates, and public safety protections. The Boston Law requires that dogs be kept on a leash and under control when
off an owner's property. It prohibits dogs from running at large and mandates that all dogs over six months of age be licensed annually with pro proof of rabies vaccination. And I do know um I don't know the exact
percentage, but I think less than 10% of our dogs citywide are licensed. So I think it's an important conversation to have. Um, additional laws require dog owners to properly dispose of animal waste and comply with state regulations related to humane treatment, including
restrictions on tethering and provisions governing dangerous and aggressive dogs. Despite the existence of these clear and established laws, residents across the city continue to report concerns regarding off leash dogs, unlicensed animals, and inconsistent compliances in
public spaces. numerous constituent complaints submitted through the city's 311 system directly to animal control and through calls and emails um to my office and I bet many other offices highlight an ongoing challenge related
to enforcement response times and clarity around jurisdiction and responsibility. These concerns have also been raised through direct in-person conversations with residents across neighborhoods, including both the dog owners and those without dogs, reflecting a shared
concern about safety, accountability, and quality of life in public spaces. There remains public confusion regarding appropriate responses to dangerous dog incidents and the legal standards governing intervention, including recent high-profile regional cases that have
raised concerns about the use of force and safety protocols. Ensuring that animal control laws are not only well written, but also consistently enforced, clearly communicated, and adequately supported by staffing and resources is essential to maintaining safe and
respected shared public spaces. So, I'm looking forward to this hearing. I do just want to highlight also, it happens to be National Animal Control Week. So later in the agenda, we are going to be recognizing the Boston Animal Control
and Care and the great work done by Alexis and her team. But I think it's important that we have this conversation that we're able to clearly communicate to residents. I have two dogs. I am out with them often and am not even myself able to answer consistently what
expectations are and depending on which park you're in or if um you know different paths that people take their dogs. So, I think it's an important conversation to have. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Murphy. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you,
Councelor Murphy, for getting me as an original co-sponsor. Last week, I had a call with a neighbor in South Boston. He's a BC High student named Ali, and he was asking me and advocating for more enforcement when it
cames to leash laws. and also about how we are able to do a better job of um dog owners cleaning up after their after their dog. Reviewing leash law compliance in Boston is critical to ensuring the safety and
well-being of residents, pets, and visitors in shared public spaces. Consistent enforcement helps prevent injuries, reduces conflict, supports responsible pet ownership, while also reinforcing public confidence that
existing laws are applied fairly and effectively across all neighborhoods. Years ago, we had a meeting at Medal of Honor Park in South Boston on this issue because a four-year-old girl was bit by a dog. We continue to have issues.
where residents will gather at this park um and take their dogs off the leash while a Massport dog park is just across the street. This isn't just a issue in South Boston.
It's an issue across the city. We all have our dogs. We also have a a a rescue dog named Molly Curley. But it's critical that we are respectful to all neighbors in the
public in ensuring that our leash laws are applied effectively. And we really have to have zero tolerance for it because we can't take a chance of a person getting bit by a dog. We owe it to the residents of our city to enforce
the law, to be responsible, and to do our best to provide a safe and healthy environment for all. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you councelor Councelor Flynn. Um would anyone like to add their name? Councelor Co Pepper, councelor Fitzgerald, councelor Mahia, councelor
Pepen, councelor Santana, councelor Weber, councelor Warel, and please add the chair. Docket 0811 will be referred to the committee on city services. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0812?
>> Docket 0812. Councelor Flynn and Murphy offer the following. Order for a hearing to discuss Boston alleged non-compliance and lack of transparency in the use of federal funds. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor Flynn. You have the floor.
Thank you, Madam Chair. The city of Boston received $560 million in federal funding for pandemic recovery which was fully committed by the end of 2024 and must be expended by the end of 2026.
In May 2025, it was reported that a particular Boston Main Street program allegedly misspent OPA funds. There is concern that this incident may or may not be isolated and that additional instances of
possible fraud um may have taken place or maybe the city of Boston asked particular grantees to send back money. On March 4th, 2026, the city council passed docket
uh 0491 requesting certain information. The council received a response from the administration on April 2026. However, when asked whether the city of Boston communicated with any organization that received these grants to return the
funds back to the city, the limited response stated, "We are unable to comment on that on this at that time. that obviously did not address whether the city requested the return of APA funds from any organization.
It does not matter if it's $30 million or $3. It's taxpayer money. It is critical to determine whether the city of Boston has identified similar cases and whether it has communicating with with any organizations regarding the
returning return of OPA funds. In January, I wrote a letter to Boston's former chief of economic and inclusion office seeking information relating to the misappropriation of federal funds as well as whether the city communicated
with any organization that received these funds. Ultimately, these questions were unanswered until this docket 0495 0491 was filed. I also wrote a follow-up letter to the current chief of economic
and inclusion on Monday. In my opinion, it is critical that Boston is in compliance with city, state, and federal guidelines, regulations. We must demonstrate fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability,
especially when we're spending taxpayer money. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Councelor Flynn. The chair recognizes Councelor Murphy. You have the floor. >> Thank you. Um, I think it's always a good idea, especially when a once- ina-lifetime
infusion of $560 million came through the city. and I was here on the council when we allocated and sent all that money back out to many nonprofits. I think it's time now to
really take a hard look at not only how the money was spent, was it effective, and also if any um money was spent inappropriately. I do want to highlight that yes, we have heard and know that there was one Main Street program that
did use the money inappropriately. It doesn't in any way mean that other that that puts any bad light on any of the other great main streets across the city. But when we're talking about this may not be isolated, we're not just
addressing the Boston main streets. We're addressing the hundreds. every single organization, nonprofit, company that received any federal funding, we want to take a look. I think it is absolutely our responsibility to um check on that, make sure the money was
spent appropriately and if not, what actions we need to take going forward. So, looking forward to this hearing and hoping that we'll get the answers because I know many times, many different ways trying to use what limited power we do have on this council. We've been trying to get those answers. So looking forward to this
hearing. Thank you. >> Thank you. Councelor Murphy. Would anyone like to add their name? Councelor Co Pepper. >> Councelor Weber, Councelor Warell, and Councelor Fitzgerald. And please add the chair Mah
and Councelor Mahia. I beg your pardon. Uh docket 0812 will be referred to the committee on post audit. Madame clerk, can you please read docket 0813? >> Docket 0813. Councelor Flynn offer the following
order for hearing to discuss gambling and predatory marketing in Chtown. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor Flynn. Councelor, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, may I add Council Murphy on this? >> Uh Council Murphy so added.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. A public health approach to problem gambling views gambling related issues as more than just an individual addiction. It also recognizes them as a community influenced by environmental conditions, public
policy, and largest social systems. Chinatown has been the target for casino advertising, marketing, and free casino transportation 52 times a day. Asian gamblers
make up almost 25% of local casino patrons, almost three times the percentage of the Asian population in Massachusetts. Law enforcement agencies in the city, state, and federal levels should prioritize the identification and
investigation of illegal gambling operations in Boston's Chinatown and other impacted neighborhoods. There was a three-part series recently on the Boston in the Boston Globe about this specific issue.
We have illegal gambling taking place in Chinatown. A wellrespected community leader said, "Why isn't this law being enforced? Are we looking the other way?" Yeah. Okay.
>> I know it's not popular for me to say that, but we can't allow gambling sites in any neighborhood, illegal gambling sites in any neighborhood to take place and look the other way. This wellrespected
community leader also said, "Where is the FBI? Are they partnering with Boston police and state police on this specific issue? Chinatown residents experience high concentrations of poverty, limited
English proficiency, social isolation. Asian-Americans are the least likely racial group in the United States also to seek mental health services due to stigma. There is a significant gap in available resources, including prevention intervention programs that
are culturally appropriate and linguistically accessible. In the final analysis, gambling culture is everywhere. In fact, one half of men
aged 18 to 49 have on their cell phone an app so that they can gamble legally. But what happens when that person spends their money at a gambling facility and that money should be used for their
child's milk or bread or to pay a bill? That's what's happening across society. And I'm not the police on all of these social issues, but I do feel like I have an
obligation to stand up and say something about it because I see a lot of families being negatively impacted by legal and illegal gambling and I do think we have a responsibility to do something about it. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Councelor Flynn. The chair
recognizes Councelor Murphy. Councelor Murphy, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Council Flynn, for adding me. You did a good job explaining the problem here and why we need to have this hearing soon. I'll just add that we
know that large businesses and illegal gambling sites are targeting a very vulnerable population here in Chinatown and they need our support. So, I'm looking forward to this hearing, but also advocating and getting them the support they need. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Councelor Murphy. Would anyone like to add their name? Councelor Co Pepper, Councelor Durkin, councelor Fitzgerald, councelor Luigian, councelor Mahia, uh councelor Pepen, councelor Santana, councelor Weber, councelor war rail, and please add the chair. Thank
you. Docket 03, no 0813 will be will be referred to the committee on public health. uh construct cold pepper. >> We take docket number uh 0814 first and then do 081.
We want to take them out of order. >> 0815 first then do >> you want to do zero? >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um, all in favor of taking uh
0815 ahead of 014. >> Okay. Uh, councelor, hang on. Where were we? Um, the previous docket was sent to the committee on public health. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0
>> 0815? Docket 0815. Councelor Kepa offer the following. order requesting certain information under section 17F regarding the release of certain body one camera footage from the Boston Police Department.
>> Thank you, Madame Cler. Madame Clerk, councelor Co Pepper, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President. Madame President, this 17F builds directly on the testimony we heard on docket 0638 from the Boston Police Department's
attorneys. One of the things he recommended was that we file a 17F if we wanted the information. And the questions that remain unanswered regarding the release of the body warn camera footage. If the Boston Police
Department's position is that footage is not released during ongoing criminal investigations, then this council has a responsibility to examine what happens in all other cases. This is why this order requests body camera footage and
related records for the past year and incidents that did not result in criminal investigations as well as those involving settlement civil proceedings or alleged misconduct. As a hearing made clear by the questions from my colleagues uh during the question of the
attorney for the Boston police, we asked questions about policy protocol for the releasing of foot footage that must be applied and we all agree it must be applied consistently across all incidents. At the same time, this
request also focuses on several recent and serious incidents involving the use of deadly force. In those cases where lives have been lost or serious harm has occurred, the stakes are simply too high
to accept a lack of transparency. This body deserves a full and accurate understanding of what happened. And this council needs information necessary to conduct proper oversight. Madame President, this is not about assigning conclusions. It's about
ensuring access to facts by requesting footage, reports, and investigative materials. We are working to ensure that decisions around use of force can be reviewed, policy policies can be evaluated, and
public trust can be strengthened. Ultimately, this 17F is about making sure that transparency is not selective but consistent and that this council has the information that it needs to fulfill
its responsibility to the people who live in the city of Austin. Thank you, Madame President. >> Thank you, Councelor Co Pepper. Councelor Co Pepper seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket 0815. All in favor say I.
Uh all oppose say nay. Thank you. The I have it. Thank you. Docket 0815 is passed. Now we'll go back to docket 0814. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0814?
>> Docket 0814. Councilors Co Peppa and Warell are for the following order for summons. >> Chair recognizes councelor Co Pepper. Madame President, I'd like to withdraw uh docket number 0814. I've had
conversations with Commissioner Cox. He's assured me that he's ready, willing, and able to work with us to set a date to come before the council to provide the testimony that we need in this case. >> Thank you, Councelor Co Pepper. Docket
0814 has been uh withdrawn. Madame President, I'd also like to make it clear that in 0815, we were adding a substitute file that has already been passed out to all of the counselors. I just want to make sure. >> Yes. I think uh councelor Duran seconded
that substitute. >> Thank you. Thank you, Madam President. >> Thank you. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0816? >> Docket 0816. Councelor Flynn offer the following order requesting certain information under section 17F relative
to mopeds and ebike in Boston. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I filed the 17F as a followup on last week's hearing. I requested detailed data on crashes involving mopeds and
ebikes over the last 5 years for those involving third party food delivery drivers. I also requested comprehensive information on injuries, hospital transports, enforcement actions, insurance requirements, registration processes, and the role of
delivery companies in ensuring accountability. I also raised concerns about public safety, legal liability, and how the city tracks, regulates, provides enforcement in response to violations or serious incidents involving these vehicles. Thank you,
Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Councelor Flynn. Uh, Councelor Flynn seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket 0816. All in favor say I. >> All oppose say nay. The eyes have it. Docket 0816 has passed.
Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0817? >> Docket 0817. Councelor Flynn offer the following order requesting certain information under section 17F relative to the city of Boston insurance and liability coverage.
>> Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. During these this budget process and during these economic challenges, it's important for me to be prepared for the budget to better understand the financial impacts of lawsuits, legal settlement
settlements on the city of Boston and the burden they place on taxpayers. It's important that we examine the cost for insurance and liability coverage along with total settlement payouts over the last 5 years. It's critical to ensuring
transparency during these challenging and economic times. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Councelor Flynn seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket 0817. All in favor say I. >> All oppose say nay. Thank you. The eyes have it. Docket 0817
has passed. >> Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0818? >> Docket 0818. Council Mahia offer the following resolution in support of upholding the democratic principle of no
taxation without representations. Thank you. The chair recognizes Council Mahia. You have the floor. >> Uh thank you, Madame President. Um and I'm really excited. Today is tax day, so April the 15th. If you haven't done your taxes, you better do it.
Um, but anyways, in celebration of every single dollar that we make, we want to make sure uh we understand how we're spending our dollars. And in celebration of our 200th 50th year anniversary of this country's founding, I am really excited to file this resolution
reaffirming the principles of no taxation without representation. This morning, we stood with community leaders, parents, students, and advocates who made one thing clear. Residents feel left out of decisions that directly impact their lives. Too
often engagement feels like a formality, not something that shapes outcomes. And even when its input is clear, it's not always reflected in the decisions that we make. This is especially important as we review the FY27 budget. We're seeing cuts to youth jobs, workforce uh
programs, and supports for women, black men, immigrants, veterans, LGBTQ plus residents. And in BPS, we're seeing reductions in studentf facing roles. As a council, we've been filing, you know, we're we're here to be hopefully filing
amendments. Um, but we should we shouldn't also uh just stop short of that. We need to start restoring what it looks like to have uh faith in in our processes. This resolution puts us on the record. Residents deserve more than to contribute. They deserve a real role
in shaping decisions, including this budget. We've heard that direct we we heard that directly this morning from voices like Edith Bazil, Sule Casoto, John Smith Sears um and many others um from the Education Freedom Project and others calling for transparency,
accountability, and real inclusion. As we move through this budget process, residents are asking us to stand with them and reflect their priorities in our decisions. If we're going to honor Boston's history, then we have to learn how to practice it. and no taxation
without representation um must be a real way in how we go around how we decide to govern. And so I'm really looking forward to passing this and uh doing the people's work. Thank you. >> Thank you.
Would anyone like to add their name? Councelor Flynn, councelor Louisian, councelor Murphy, councelor Pepen, councelor Santana, councelor Weber, councelor orel and councelor co pepper and councelor Durkin. Councelor Fitz
Have we got councelor Fitzgerald. Thank you. And please add the chair. Councelor Mia seeks suspension of the rules adoption of docket 0818. All in favor say I. All oppose say nay. The eyes have it.
Um, madame clerk, could you please take the roll call vote on docket 0818? >> Roll call vote on dock at 0818. Council Braden, >> yes. >> Councilor Braden, yes. Council Kleta Zapata. Council Kpa. Council Kalp Peppa. Yes.
Council Durkin. >> Yes. >> Council Durkin. Yes. Council Fitzgerald. >> Yes. >> Council Fitzgerald. Yes. Council Flynn. >> Yes. >> Council Flynn. Yes. Council Luen. Yes. >> Council Lian. Yes. Council Mahia. >> Council Mahia. Yes. Council Murphy.
Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. Council Pep. Yes. Council Santana. >> Yes. >> Council Santan. Yes. Council Weber. >> Yes. >> Council Weber. Yes. Council War. >> Yes. >> Council War. Yes. 12 votes in the affirmative. Thank you. Docket 0818 has
been adopted. >> Madam Clerk, could you please read docket 0819? Jack 80819 Council Mahia offer the following resolution in support of the administrate administrative transparency
equitable student and community representative and freedom of speech in higher education. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes council mahia. You have the floor. >> Uh thank you madam president and I would like to add uh councelor co pepper as an original co-sponsor.
>> Uh councelor co pepper so added. So today we're filing this resolution in support of the administrative transparency and equitable uh representation and freedom of speech in higher education. Boston is home to a worldrenowned institutions, but what we continue to hear from students, faculty,
and staff is clear. They feel shut out of decisions that impact their daily lives. At a recent uh education committee hearing, members of the Northeastern University community raised concerns about reduced cultural center hours without notice, rising in tuition
um prices without transparency, declining black student enrollment, lack of communication around protections for international students and the absence of accountability when student government actions are ignored. And this is not just about Northeastern. We're
seeing similar patterns across all institutions, including our very own public colleges, especially as we continue to see attacks on DEI and culturally relevant programming. If these institutions are meant to be models of democracy, then transparency,
shared governance, and freedom of expression must be embedded and prioritized. This resolution calls for clear communication, meaningful representation in decision-making, and accountability to communities that these institutions serve. I want to thank the
students of these institutions and especially the educational freedom project for their advocacy in bringing these issues forward. And now while I still have the mic and a minute and 23 seconds to go, uh I just would like to just note that, you know, we've been
talking a lot about pilot and so many of these institutions are not paying their fair share and they're occupying so much space in the city of Boston and they have to be held accountable and responsible to listening to not just the students but the also the residents that
um live in the surrounding area. So, as we continue to navigate these conversations, while this might be a symbolic resolution, my hope is that we can continue to do this work in partnership with the students and making sure that not only do they have a voice at the table, but the residents that
live and work within the surrounding communities also feel heard and affirmed. So, I understand that the president of the north of Northeastern is making over $3 million, I think that was, or something along those lines. It is crazy that people are getting paid as
much as they are, but then they still um continue to ignore the merry people who they're profiting off of. So, I'm looking forward to passing this resolution. It's not hostile. Everybody relax. Um it's just a a symbol of of affirming the voices of young people,
faculty, and students. So, looking forward to doing just that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Hia. The chair recognizes Councelor Co Pepper. You have the floor. Madame President, I thank Councelor Mah for adding me as an original co-sponsor and for your leadership and continued advocacy for
students, your advocacy for faculty and your advocacy for all the communities across the city of Boston. Madame President, I had the privilege of chairing part of the March 23rd, 2026 education committee
hearing on higher education transparency, but that cannot be the end of this conversation. Boston is one of the world's great college cities, home to students from across the country and the globe. With that distinction comes
responsibility. What we heard at the hearering was clear. Too many students, faculty, and community members feel disconnected from decision-making at their institutions. Concerns around transparency, rising costs, access to
resources, and meaningful participation in governance persist. Higher education should model transparency, accountability, inclusion, and open dialogue. That means creating real pathways for participation, ensuring
clear communication, and protecting free expression. We're calling for greater transparency, more inclusive government, and stronger engagement with the communities these institutions serve. Because when people feel unheard and
uninformed, and when they feel heard and informed, we strengthen not just our campuses. Madame President, but when they're heard and informed, we strengthen our entire city. Thank you, Madam President.
>> Thank you, Councelor C. Pepper. >> Would anyone like to add their name? Councelor Councelor Murphy, Councelor Fitzgerald, Councelor Pepin, councelor Santana, Councelor Weber, Councelor Warell, and please add the
chair. All in uh councelor Mahia and councelor Co Pepper seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0819. All in favor say I. All again, all oppose say nay. The eyes
have it. Docket 0819 has been adopted. >> Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0820? >> Docket 0820. Councelor Flynn offer the following resolution recognizing international holocaust remembrance day.
>> Thank you. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Over the over the weekend, I had the opportunity to join several several counselors in in the mayor
to honor, to remember, to recognize, to think about the 6 million Jews that were killed in the Holocaust. This resol this
resolution um acknowledges the six million people that that that were killed, but we also acknowledge the survivors for their incredible resiliency
and their vow never to forget what happened at the Holocaust. Across the street from Boston City Hall is the Holocaust Memorial. After the event on on Sunday, we walked
from State Street to the to the memorial and placed a wreath and thought about all the all the people that were were killed, including many many children. And this day is not is not a celebration. It's a vow
really to remember and to ensure that this never happens again to address anti-semitism in our city in our country because we know anti-semitism
is a major problem. But what is important for us to do is is to come together and to respect everybody, respect our immigrant roots here in Boston, but also to vow that we will
always remember the 6 million people that were killed. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Councelor Flynn. The chair recognizes Councelor Weber. >> Uh thank you very much, uh Madame President. Um, as a Jew descended
primarily from Austrian and and Lithuanian Jews, uh, you know, um, I I you know, I'm honored to continue the struggle uh for survival for for Jews in this world.
um you know, Austrian Jews, one of the first countries taken over by the Nazis uh during World War II. And in Lithuania, um my descendants were in uh VNA, um one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe with about 80,000
Jews. Uh by the end of 1941, all but 10% of of of those members of that community were wiped out. Um I I one of my uh my grandfather's uncle uh ended up fighting for fighting the Nazis with the Soviet
Union. They had a um it was a Lithuanian brigade that was often stationed in front of the Soviet troops to absorb uh Nazi fire. Uh his he was with a brigade that was in fact wiped
out. uh and he had to uh uh scramble across a frozen lake to warn uh the rest of the Soviet army and was later recognized for his his bravery. It was that kind of spirit that you know uh despite you know the the horrible events
of the Holocaust, you know, that people could rise up and continue to uh to to fight is something that stays with me today. Um, and uh, you know, I'm happy that, well, not happy, but I I I'm I'm honored to be able to stand here, you
know, um, as a Jew to be able to recognize this day and remember the six million victims uh, who are Jewish in the Holocaust. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Weber. The chair recognizes Councelor Durkin. You have the floor. >> Thank you so much. Um, and I want to thank um, Councelor Flynn for bringing
this forward. Uh we all had the honor um council Lujian and councelor Flynn and I had the honor of attending GCRC's um Yamashoa community holocaust commemoration this weekend uh which was a remembrance for the 6 million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. Uh we heard
from Magna Bader, a Holocaust survivor that was um taken from her home at age 14 to Awitz. Um it was incredibly moving and um really really grateful to JCRC for for bringing us together because um
we can never forget the atrocities and what can happen um you know by human hands and um today we see lies spreading about all sorts of communities. And so um we should never forget and we should
always remember. And so I want to thank councelor Flynn for bringing this forward um as uh the granddaughter of a Spanish um Jewish immigrant um understanding that all of our lives are shaped uh by uh by our forefathers and
folks who came before us and um it's really really important that we always remember. >> Thank you. Chair recognizes councelor Lu Jen. You have the floor. >> Thank you madam chair. As as councelor Durkin stated on Sunday, I was able to attend Yamshawa uh commemoration. Um and
I just want to thank the Jewish um uh JCRC and Jeremy Burton for the for inviting us and for um welcoming I think just like the most powerful even and I want to thank you know Ben told this is I know this is very personal for you and your family Ben Council Weber. So thank
you for sharing um and uplifting and always fighting for and um doing the work of justice from within the Jewish community. And I know that there's a very important role here of memory. And I this woman was Magda who shared her story was 90 is 96 years old. And as she
told the story about the last time that she saw her parents at the age of 14, she was crying and like just the idea the image of seeing a 96-year-old woman in a wheelchair still crying over the loss of her
parents just just it it it's impacts me. um forever and it highlights the role that memory plays in making sure that atrocities like that never happen again. She talked about how
she was in a swamp and she had no idea what day or time it was until she saw her first American soldier who was an African-American soldier that told her about what day and what time it was that gave her a sense that she could one day be liberated. And so, um, I mourn for
her, um, at the age of 96, still crying at the loss of her parents. And, uh, want to thank again everyone who opened that space so that we can continue to do the work of justice so that these events don't happen. Thank you. Thank you, Counc. Um,
I we should never forget the horror and the annihilation of the Jewish community in Europe, across Europe in World War II. uh and just what the Nazi regime did in that time.
They also annihilated Romany LBG uh queer people, LGBT people, people with disabilities and trade unionists who were fighting for labor rights and basic rights and anyone who disagreed
with them was annihilated. So in this moment I think it's very very important to remember and try and commit ourselves to make sure that a horror of this scale or any scale should never happen again. So thank you councelor
Finn for bringing forward this resolution. Would anyone else like to add their name? Councelor Co Pepper, councelor Durkin, councelor Fitzgerald, councelor Louisian, councelor Mahia, councelor Murphy, councelor Pepe, councelor Santana, councelor Weber, councelor
Warel, and please add the chair. Councelor Flynn seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0820. All in favor say I. >> Um, madame clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0820?
Roll call vote on docket 0820. Council Braden, yes. Braden, yes. Council Kleta Zapata. Council Colep. >> Yes. >> Col Peppa, yes. Council Durkin, >> Council Durkin, yes. Council Fitzgerald, >> yes. >> Council Fitzgerald, yes. Council Flynn,
>> yes. >> Council Flynn, yes. Council Len, >> yes. >> Council Lian, yes. Council Mahia, >> Council Mahia. Yes. Council Murphy. Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. >> Yes. >> Council Pepen. Yes. Council Santana, >> yes.
>> Council Santana, yes. Council Weber, >> yes. >> Council Weber, yes. Council War, >> yes. >> Council War, yes. 12 votes in the affirmative. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, docket 0820 has been adopted. Madame Clerk, could you please read
docket 0821? >> Docket 0821. Councelor Murphy and Flynn offer the following resolution recognizing National Animal Control Officers Appreciation Week. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes
Councelor Murphy. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week is observed each year to recognize the dedicated professionals who protect the health, safety, and welfare of both the residents and the animals in our
communities. The city of Boston's animal care and control division works year round to enforce animal safety laws, respond to calls for service, investigate cases of neglect and cruelty, and provide critical services to residents and their pets. Boston's
animal care and control officers respond to thousands of calls each year in rescue and care for animals in need, including domestic pets and wildlife across the city. Under the leadership of Alexis, the animal care and control division continues to provide
compassionate care, public education, and essential services to residents and animals alike. The animal control offices, shelter staff, administrative personnel, and volunteers work tirelessly, often in challenging and unpredictable situations. And we know
we're continuing to advocate and hopefully soon they'll have a new space, a new building to protect the animals, support residents, and promote responsible pet ownership. These professionals are an essential part of Boston's public safety and public health
system, serving as first responders in situations involving injured animals, public safety concerns, animal welfare, and I have visited um several times. And one thing, I'm not sure if everyone knows this, but they also take in animals when there are residents who may
need to go to the hospital or won't be home. And they take them in and care for them if they don't have anyone else to take care of their animals, which is a wonderful service to provide to people who may not have other family members to help them when they need to leave their home.
I um hope that all of our colleagues will support us in recognizing the compassion, professionalism, and dedication demonstrated by the animal care and control team and that we can vote on this today in support. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Murphy. The chair recognizes Councelor Flynn. Councelor,
you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Council Murphy, for adding me as an original co-sponsor. In recognition of National Animal Control Officer Week, let's honor the dedicated professionals right here that work for the city of
Boston who work tire tirelessly to protect both animals and residents in our neighborhoods. Animal control officers play a critical role in promoting public safety, enforcing laws, ensuring the humane treatment of animals, often in challenging and
unpredictable situations. Their commitment, compassion, professionalism, and service makes our neighborhoods safer and more responsible places for all. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, councelor Murphy. Uh, would anyone like to add their name?
Councelor Co Pepper, councelor Durkin, councelor Fitzgerald, councelor Lumien, councelor Mahia, councelor Pepen, councelor Santana, councelor Weber, councelor Warel, and please add the chair. Councilors Flynn and Murphy Murphy and Flynn seek suspension of the
rules and adoption of docket 0821. All in favor say I. >> Uh, madame clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0821? >> Roll call vote on docket 0821. Councelor Braden, >> yes. Braden, yes. Councelor Kleta
Zapata. Councelor Co Peppa. >> Yes. >> Col Peppa, yes. Councelor Durkin, >> yes. >> Councelor Durkin, yes. Councelor Fitzgerald, >> yes. Council F. Council Flynn. >> Yes. >> Council Flynn. Yes. Council Lian. >> Yes. >> Council Len. Yes. Council Mahia. Council
Mahia. Yes. Council Murphy. >> Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. >> Council Pepen. Yes. Council Santana. >> Council Santana. Yes. Council Weber. >> Council Weber. Yes. Council Warel. >> Council War. Yes. 12 vote in the affirmative.
>> Thank you. Docket 0821 has been adopted. Madam clerk, could you please read docket 0822? >> Docket 0822, councilors Murphy and Flynn offer the following resolution recognizing National Public Safety
Telecommunicators Week. >> Um, thank you. Uh, the chair recognizes Councelor Murphy. You have the floor. >> Thank you. I'd like to suspend the rules and add Council Santana, please. Hearing and seeing and hearing no objections.
Councelor Santana so added. >> Um, thank you. And I know at the beginning of the meeting we did recognize our 911 EMS call dispatchers, so I don't need to go too far into it, but this resolution I'm hoping we all
support. And it is fitting and was said earlier that this is one Boston day. We know the work they do year round, but especially during this busy week in the city of Boston and the upcoming events coming up. Just want to uplift and
support not just the workers, the unions who work hard to give them a livable wage and a a working conditions that they deserve. So, just want to make sure we continue to uplift and thank such a critical um department in the city of
Austin. Thank you. >> Thank you. Do the chair recognizes councelor Flynn. Councelor Flynn, you have the floor. >> Madam Chair, I'm not I'm not going to speak. >> Um, chair recognizes councelor Santana, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Councelor Murphy, for including me
in this. I just wanted to rise and I'm looking forward to supporting this resolution. Um but really just want to thank all the workers um I think as we heard during the presentation unsung heroes here in the city of Boston who um who do amazing work um and often goes um
thankless. So I was very happy to see councelor Murphy and councelor being able to bring um a group of them onto the chamber and that we can show their appreciation. Um but looking forward to uh supporting this um and looking forward to supporting the work that they do every single day on behalf of the
residents of Boston. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um would anyone like to add their name? Councelor uh Co Pepper, Councelor Durkin, councelor Fitzgerald, councelor Louisian, councelor Mahia, councelor Pepen, councelor Weber, Council Warel,
and please add the chair. Councilors Murphy, Flynn, and Santana seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0822. All in favor say I. Madame clerk, could you please take a
roll call vote on docket 0822? >> Roll call vote on docket 0822. Councelor Braden, >> yes. >> Braden, that's council Kleta Zapata. Council Colep. >> Yes. >> Council Col Peppa. Yes. Council Durkin. Council Durkin. Yes. Council Fitzgerald.
>> Yes. >> Council Fitzgerald. Yes. Council Flynn. >> Yes. >> Council Flynn. Yes. Council Len. >> Yes. >> Council Len. Yes. Council Mahia. Yes. >> Council Mah. Yes. Council Murphy. >> Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. >> Yes.
>> Council Pep. Yes. Council Santana. >> Yes. >> Council Santana. Yes. Council Weber. >> Yes. >> Council Weber. Yes. Council Rural. >> Council War. Yes. 12 votes in the affirmative. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Docket 0822 has been adopted.
Docket 0823 has been withdrawn. Um, madame clerk, could you please read docket 0824? >> Docket 0824. Councelor Kalp Peppa offer the following
resolution in support of renaming RG station to honor and further a relation of the Boston values. Reflection of the Boston values. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes councelor Co Pepper. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President. I would like to add a substitute filing for docker
number 0824. And I would like to add Thank you. And I would like to add councelor Mahia as a second original co-sponsor and request suspension of the rules to add council war as the third co-sponsor. Third
original co-sponsor. And if I could add a fourth, I would add council Durkin as the fourth, but I know I can't. That's good to know where the edges are. Uh, thank you. Councelor Mahia is added
as a second co-sponsor and seeing and hearing no objection, councelor Warel is added as a third. >> Thank you, Madam President. I would also like to request suspension of the rules to vote for passage of this docket 0824.
This is ultimately about how we choose to tell the story of our city, who we honor, whose contributions we uplift, and whether the names of our public spaces reflect the values we stand for today. Rugle station, as we know, is
named after a figure connected to a legacy that includes slavery. At a time when Boston continues to strive toward equity, inclusion, and a more honest reckoning with our history, is it it is appropriate that we revisit those
decisions. At the same time, this resolution is not just about looking back, it's about moving forward. Phyllis Sweetly represents the very best of Boston's history. Despite being enslaved, she became a pioneering poet
and the first African-American to publish a book, leaving a lasting intellectual and cultural legacy not just in Boston, but across the world. Naming a major transit hub in Roxbury at the Phyis Wheatley would be a powerful
recognition of our contributions and a reflection of the community it serves. We have taken steps like this before, most notably with the renaming of Dudley Square to Nubian Square, showing that when we engage communities and act
thoughtfully, we can align our public spaces with our shared values. An online account petitioning to rename Ruggle Station has over 1,700 followers. We need to follow the will of the community. This resolution does just
that. It sends a clear message that Boston is committed to honoring history in a way that is inclusive, representative, and rooted in truth. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Thank you, Madam President. >> Thank you, Councelor Co Pepper. The
chair recognizes Council Mah. You have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam President. And I want to thank councelor Co Pepper for adding me as an original co-sponsor and bringing this resolution forward. Renaming Ruggle Station to honor Phyllis
Wheatley is about more than just the name. It's about who we choose to uplift in our public spaces and whose stories we center in our city. Phyllis Wheatley was a trailblazer, a black woman, an enslaved person, and one of the first published poets in this country. Her
legacy is deeply tied to Boston black poets in in in this country. This is an opportunity to align our infrastructure with our values to reflect a Boston that honors black history, resilience, and contributions that have shaped this city
and this nation. And I am proud to stand in support of this resolution. And I really do hope that this resolution turns into um action and that we can make it happen. Thank you. >> Thank you. The chair recognizes Council. you have the floor. >> Uh, thank you, Madam President. Thank
you to Council Co Pepper uh for adding me as an original co-sponsor. Uh, you cannot tell Boston's history history without telling his black history. Uh, to tell the real story of Boston is telling the story of the brilliance um of Boston's history and that we should be uplifting the role that Phyllis
Weekly played not only for former slaves, not only for African-Americans, but for all women in the 18th century. This is an easy call. Now, I'd be remiss not to mention the work of Matthew Weedman who first gave life to this push and started this petition. Thank you
again for council coper and the community that's behind this effort and look forward to supporting and voting on this resolution. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um the chair recognizes uh councelor Luen and then we'll go to councelor Pepen.
>> Thank you. I just rise in support of this resolution. I want to thank councelor Kopa for filing this and want to thank Matthew White Weman, the librarian who has been on this um uh for the renaming um for quite some time. Phyllis Wheatley has such an important history here in the city of Boston. Um
it would pair well with the statue of Phyllis Whitley that is on Commonwealth Avenue that is part of Boston's Women's Heritage Trail. Um and I think it's incumbent upon us, especially in our 250th year. We're celebrating the the nation of this country uh the birth of of of of this country as we know it that
we continue to do the work of reckoning um with the with the parts of our history that are not so uh savory but are still important for us to acknowledge and rectify where possible. So just want to thank um council for violence. I want to thank the advocates especially uh Matthew for all the work that they've done to bring us to this
place so that we can have a real conversation about it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh chair recognizes councelor Pepin. You have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. I also want to rise in support of this resolution and um thank Counselor Co Pepper for bringing this to the chamber. I you know, for many years, I would get off at Rugle Station to go
to the O'Brien High School in Roxberry and I didn't as a as a teen, I didn't realize what that what the name mean, right? So now that now as an adult, you get to really understand the the the dark history behind people. Um and especially when like um the Rugles last
name, you really we really have to take that serious. And then I also wanted to say that last about two years ago, my office actually participated in an effort to rename busy street to rename busy street in in the
intersection of ro of in the districts between council Weber's district and my district. It had it had also had a a nasty history, but we chose a name floor away of someone that we to honor someone that was enslaved and someone that actually played a role in the development of Boston. I know that a lot
of my council colleagues were there. So, I'm just glad to see this um be brought up to the chamber today and I support it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Chair recognizes councelor Durkin. Councelor Durkin, you have the floor. >> I just want to thank um councelor Cole Pepper. I know that um you know there's
not an easy you know and simple process for us to start a conversation but I think it's an important one and um particularly Phyllis Wheatley is so important to Boston's history. Um I I'm really lucky to have the women's memorial in um district 8 in the com
Commonwealth Avenue Mall. um and getting to walk by her um and the other women that are honored there. Um it would it would mean a lot to have to have another important thing in Boston named uh after her. And then in addition um the station
is very close to District 8, so I walk through it all the time and a lot of my constituents do as well. So uh so thank you for your acknowledgement and I think this is an important conversation to begin. >> Thank you, Councelor Durken. Chair recognized councelor Flynn. You have the floor.
Thank you, Madam Chair, and uh please add my name. I want to say thank you to Reverend Cole Pepper for bringing this forward. It's an important conversation for us to have to celebrate the incredible service to incredible to celebrate and
honor the life of Phyllis Wheatley and sacrifices as well. And as councelor Durkin mentioned, the wonderful memorial on Commonwealth A. I was at the Friends of the Public Garden event last night and that's what a lot of the residents
of downtown Boston and Backbay and Beacon Hill were talking about is um the wonderful memorial but Phyllis Wheatley. But I also want to support and stand with Reverend Cole Pepper for bringing us um bringing this forward as we
rightfully honor a real hero in our country, Phyllis Wheatley. Rob, thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, councelor Flynn. Would anyone like to add their name? Councelor Durkin already. Councelor Councelor Fitzgerald, councelor Flynn, councelor Louisen,
councelor Murphy, councelor Pepen, right? Country Santana, councelor Weber, councelor, councelor war is already in. Uh, please add the chair. Councilors Pep, Cole, Pepper, Mahia, and
Morurell seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0824. All in favor say I. >> All oppose say nay. Uh madame clerk, would you please re um take a roll call vote on docket 0824?
Roll call vote on dock at 0824. Councelor Braden, >> yes. >> Braden, yes. Council Ketta Zapata. Council Kalpa, >> yes. >> Council Kalpa, yes. Council Durkin. >> Yes. >> Durkin. Yes. Council Fitzgerald. >> Yes. >> Fitzgerald. Yes. Council Flynn. >> Yes.
>> Flynn. Yes. Council Len. >> Yes. >> Council Lian. Yes. Council here. >> Council here. Yes. Council Murphy. Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. >> Council Pepen. Yes. Council Santana. >> Yes. >> Council Santana. Yes. Council Weber. >> Yes.
>> Weber. Yes. Council. >> Council. Yes. 12 votes in the affirmative. >> Thank you. Docket 0824 has been adopted. Madame clerk, could you please read docket 0825? Doctor 0825.
Councelor Flynn offer the following resolution opposent the proposed 1,00 cap on the Mass Health adult dental benefits. >> Chair recognizes councelor Flynn. Councelor Flynn, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. In recent week,
dental professionals at the Massachusetts Dental Society have expressed concern over a proposed $1,000 annual cap on Mass Health, adult dental benefits, which would limit access to medically necessary care for working
families, our seniors, immigrant communities, persons with disabilities. Concerns were raised that restricting dental coverage increases emergency visits. Tus University School of Dental Medicine
is located in the heart of Chinatown. It is a trusted neighbor and community partner not just in Chinatown and the South End, but really across the city, across the country, providing accessible and quality dental service for students,
especially at Josiah Quinsey Elementary School to our seniors and immigrant neighbors. I also see these dental students, especially in the summertime in Chinatown at the Chinatown gate, talking to residents, talking to anyone
that that comes up to them at this little booth, and they're talking about how important it is for dental hygiene, the critical service they provide. Wonderful, wonderful students. And I love to see them going into Josiah
Quinsey School as I mentioned and they're they're giving kids an opportunity to get a dental exam. Many of these kids many of these students I should say um don't really have access to dental care and it's it's it's
through DU TUS dental school students that really provide exceptional services. I also know that at the VA they don't offer dental for most uh disabled veterans
for various reasons unless unless you're 100% disabled and for other categories as well. But dental dental care is critical. It's it's health care. If people don't have the right, if the people don't have access to dental care,
they eventually would go to the emergency room and that's where we'll spend a lot more money on the patient instead of working with the patient as they come in and and seeking dental care. I want us to try to do more
outreach and supportive programs that provide dental care in the city of Boston, especially to our BPS students, to our seniors. And it's also, in my opinion, a mental health issue as well.
If people are not comfortable with their dental work, they'll often not um go out in public for various reasons. Um I think it's about compassion. I think it's about respect. I think it's about dignity. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you. Chair recognizes councelor
Murphy. Councelor, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, thank you, Council of Flynn, for filing this. It's um important that we do recognize and you did state, council Flynn, that dental health is directly connected to our overall physical and mental health.
And I do just want to also uplift that many of our community health centers are expanding services like South Boston Health Center and others who are providing dental care right there at the health centers. And I know in your um districts, Tus Medical's right there in
Chinatown and is providing for the residents there. So, it's important that we expand because almost always what I hear from people, it's the lack of insurance coverage that keeps people from getting dental care that they need. So, looking forward to supporting this
and making sure we can do whatever we can on this body to expand coverage for dental care. Thank you. >> Thank you. Would anyone like to add their name? Councelor Co Pepper. Councelor Durkin, Councelor Fitzgerald, Councelor Luigian,
Councelor Mahia, Councelor Murphy, Councelor uh Pepen, Councelor Santana, Councelor Weber, and Ple and Councelor Warell, and please add the chair. Councelor Flynn seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0825.
All in favor, say I. >> Um, Madame Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0825? Roll call vote on dock at 0825. Councelor Braden. >> Yes. Council Braden. Yes. Councelor Kleta Zapata. Council Col Peppa.
>> Council Col Peppa. Yes. Council Durkin. Yes. >> Council Durkin. Yes. Council Fitzgerald. >> Council Fitzgerald. Yes. Council Flynn. >> Yes. >> Council Flynn. Yes. Council Lian. >> Council Lian. Yes. Council Mahia. >> Council Mahia. Yes. Council Murphy.
Council Murphy. Yes, council Pepen. >> Council Pepen. Yes, council Santana. >> Yes. >> Council Santana. Yes. Council Weber. >> Council Weber. Yes. Council War. >> Council War. Yes. 12 votes in the formative. Thank you. Docket 0825 has
been adopted. We're now on to personnel orders. Madame clerk. Um can you please read the many do we have? We have can you please read the personnel orders? Personal order docket 0826. Councelor Braden. Personal order docket
0827. Councelor Braden. Personal order docket 0828. Councelor Braden. Personal order docket 0829. Councelor Braden for council me. Thank you. The chair moves um for passage of docket 0826 through
0829. All those in favor say I. >> The eyes have it. Personnel orders have been passed. Before I move on to the green sheets, is there anyone who would like to add their name to a docket that they may have missed? >> Madam President,
>> may have missed or I may have missed. One of them missed 0809. I'd like to be added to that docket. 0809 >> 0809. Compl Durkin had >> submitted.
>> That was on the amendment to the Boston zoning code. >> Excellent. Okay. Thank you. Uh councelor Luen. >> Um thank you madam chair. Could you please can you please add my name to dockets 0810?
Got that. >> Just want to make sure that assistant cleared >> 0810. Do >> you got it? 0810. >> Okay. Um 0811 and 0819. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, we're now on to green sheets. Um, is
anyone looking to pull anything from the green sheets? Um, councelor Weber, chair of Wes and Me, you have the floor. >> Uh, thank you very much, Madam President. I'd like to pull docket uh numbers 0570 and 0571 from the green sheets. Uh
they're uh they're located on see uh page 169 in the agenda packet and page 22 in the green sheets. >> Absent objection, the motion of the committee chair is accepted and docket 0570 and 0571 are properly before the
body. Councelor, the um Madame Clerk, could you please read those two dockets into >> docket 0570, message and order authorizing the city of Boston to appropriate the amount of $20,200,000
for the purpose of paying cost for the windows and doors replacement project at the following schools. Adams Elementary School. This include the the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto as for which the city of Boston may be
allegible for a grant from the Massachusetts school building authority set amount to be expended under the direction of the public facilities department on behalf of the city of the Boston public schools. Docket0571
message and order authorizing the city of Boston to appropriate the amount of $1,100,000 for the purpose of paying costs for the windows and doors replacement project at the following schools.
Margarita Mon's Academy, Mildred Avenue, um K8 School, Orchard Garden School. This includes the payment of all costs incidental or related to there to and for which the city of Boston may be ellegible for a grant from the
Massachusetts School Building Authority. Set amount to be expended under the directions of the P public facility department on behalf of the Boston Public Schools. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh councelor uh chair Wes means the floor is yours.
>> Thank you. Uh these dockets are for appropriations in the amount of $21.3 million for window and door replacements at four schools. Uh and uh you know uh more specifically 20.2 2 million for the
Adams School in East Boston, 1.1 million for the Margarita Munese Academy in JP uh the Mildred Avenue K through8 school in Madapan and the Orchard Garden School in Roxberry uh to through the Massachusetts School Building Authority. On Thursday, March
26, the Committee on Ways and Means held a virtual hearing on these two dockets. And during our April 1st council meeting, the committee uh asked for a first reading of these dockets and for further action. Uh we we voted in support of them. As you know, loan loan
orders require two votes uh by the council, a minimum of two weeks apart. Therefore, as the chair of Ways and Means, I am asking for a second reading today and a vote on these two dockets in order to allow uh these MSBA applications to move forward in the process. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Um, councelor Weber moves for second reading and passage of docket 0570. All in favor say I. >> Madame clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0570?
Roll call vote on docket 0570. Councelor Braden, yes. Braden, yes. Council Kleta Zapata. Council Kalpa. >> Council Kalpa, yes. Council Durkin. Council Durkin. Yes. Council Fitzgerald. >> Council Fitzgerald. Yes. Council Flynn. >> Yes.
>> Council Flynn. Yes. Council Lian. >> Council Lian. Yes. Council Mahia. >> Council Mahia. Yes. Council Murphy. >> Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. >> Council Pepen. Yes. Council Santana. >> Yes. >> Council Santana. Yes. Council Weber. >> Yes.
>> Weber. Yes. Council Royel. >> Yes. >> Council Royal. Yes. 12 votes in the affirmative. Thank you. Docket 0570 has received a second reading in the affirmative and has passed. Councelor Weber moves for passage of docket 0571.
All in favor say I. >> Um Madame Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on docket 0571? >> Roll call vote on docket 0571. Councelor Braden, >> yes. Council Braden, yes. Council Kleta Zapata. Council Kalpa, >> yes.
>> Council Kpa, yes. Councelor Durkin, >> yes. And yes, council Fitzgerald. >> Council Fitzgerald. Yes. Council Flynn. Yes. >> Council Flynn. Yes. Council. >> Yes. >> Consusian. Yes. Council Mahia. >> Conor Mahia. Yes. Council Murphy.
Council Murphy. Yes. Council Pepen. >> Council Pepen. Yes. Council Santana. >> Yes. >> Council Santana. Yes. Council Weber. >> Yes. >> Council Weber. Yes. Council Warel. >> Yes. >> Council Warel. Yes. 12 votes in the affirmative. >> Thank you. Docket 0571 has received a
second reading in the affirmative and has passed. We're now moving on to late files. Uh I'm informed by the personnel orders and two 17Fs. Um
absent objection, these late file matters will >> um I'm having a brain freeze right now. Councelor Flynn, you have the floor. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, could I just ask are some of these late
files relating to um personnel matters? >> We have personnel orders. Yes, >> they're not they're not as Are they part of that? >> This personnel orders and two late two um and two uh 17Fs. I've just received them up here now. Um I I am concerned
about not going forward on personnel matters if someone should be in the system the human resources system so that they're I don't even know who they are for but for their process of payment for pay or to get
them on to the onto the system so that we can get them into or if they they're getting a raise. I don't want I don't want to see um a family an employee uh be impacted because of
what is happening here on the council. I I would I would ask us, we can we can deal with the politics and and and all of that, but let's not take it out on dedicated and professional city employees that might want to get on the
payroll as city council is city council staff. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Madam Chair, I'm I'm trying to I'm trying to be respectful. Someone >> Thank you. >> Um one of my colleagues interrupted me. >> Um >> continue. >> Thank Thank you. and I just I just want
us not to um take it out on a city employee that works at the city council. So um I I'd ask us to go forward. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Councelor Flynn. Uh Councelor Murphy, you have the floor. >> Thank you. So it seems to be a new trend
that we block it before they're even read and if they're read into the record, people can block it after the fact, but we have been just blocking them straight out, which means they're all blocked together. But I do want to go on record saying there is absolutely no violation of open meeting law when
late files are processed properly, which all of these are. Currently, Mayor Woo has been filing late files when she was the counselor. She did and then councelor Campbell often filed late files, too. It is a tool we have. We should not take that tool away from us.
If certain people don't want answers, if 17Fs are blocked today, if they answer them on time, the next meeting isn't until April 29th. We'll be three and a half weeks into our short budget season. I'm asking for questions and one of my
17Fs is just saying that there is an outstanding 17F. I'm refiling it that is three weeks overdue and I'm asking for it to be answered in a second request. And one is that three times Karishma has forwarded and requested RFIs that have
not been answered even though three times in the last month she's been requesting it. So I had put it into a 17F especially after the meeting yesterday when both yes we can certainly do that is what um Ashley and James both
said yesterday. So, I'm hoping that this body allows information to come back so we can do our job during the budget season properly and that we can and also because hearings the next date to even hold a hearing is maybe the end of June,
beginning of July. So, this is important information and blocking it just to block it is not not a good thing to do. >> Thank you, Councelor Murphy. Councelor Durkin, you have the floor. Uh, Council President Braden, the council president for the last two years routinely took
non-controversial matters prior and were not. So, my objection is to the two 17F matters which I believe should be publicly noticed prior to being voted on. And so, I would ask that you separate that you divide the question and that we pass the personnel matters
and then and then um and then go to the other matters. So I >> thank you councelor Durkham. Can I have a second? >> We'll divide the question. We're going to we're going to set
>> I'm going to decide that we're going to divide. We're going to split them. We're going to divide. >> No. Yeah. One thing first things. No. No. We're going to take No. >> No, I'm I'm speaking. We're going to start with the personnel orders. I agree
with Councelor Flynn that this is an important matter, folks. Uh they want to get on the we get them on the payroll and we need to get them paid. So, we're going to have the um the personnel orders. Could uh madame clerk, could you please the read the personnel orders uh into the record and we will approve
those. >> Personal order. Councelor Braden for councelor Pepen. Um second person in order council Braden for councelor Flynn. Third person in order councelor Braden for councelor Murphy. Fourth um person in order council Braden for
council Murphy. Fifth personal order council Braden for councelor Murphy and six council Braden for councelor Murphy. >> Thank you madame clerk. Um the chair moves for passage of these late filed personnel orders. All in favor say I. >> I.
>> The eyes have it. These late filed personnel orders have passed. >> Late filed personnel orders. Okay. Certainly. >> Madame clerk, could you please take a um a roll call vote on the late file personnel orders?
Councelor Braden. Yes. Councelor Braden. Yes. Councelor Kleta Zapata. Council Kalpa. >> Council Kalpa. Yes. Council Durkin. Council Durkin, yes. Council Fitzgerald, yes. >> Council Fitzgerald, yes. Council Flynn, yes. >> Council Flynn, yes. Council Lian, >> yes.
>> Council Lian, yes. Council Mahia. >> Council Murphy. Council Murphy. Yes. Council um Pepen. >> Council Pepen. Yes. Council Santana. >> Council Santana. Yes. Council Weber. >> Council Weber. Yes. Council or
>> Council Warel? Yes. One, two, three, four. 11 in the affirmative. >> Thank you, Madam Cler. So, back to the other question of the the 17Fs. Under normal um order, when
you have a 17F in the ordinary or in the regular order of business, it's usually a courtesy to our colleagues to pass their 17F requests. These are two late files. Um I
am inclined to uh allow them to go forward. Uh give >> an objection. >> No, no, no. No, no, you haven't got the floor. >> I will um
bring these two forward um for uh consideration. All those all those >> Okay. >> Okay. >> No, I don't need any commentary. Thank you very much. Since there's been an objection to the
C27 affleate files, these two uh will uh go on file. Thank you. We are now on to announcements. Please remember these are for upcoming dates and events.
Uh we want to start by wishing uh Candace Morales of Central Staff a very happy birthday on the 21st. Would anyone else have uh put your light on if you have um announcements? Okay,
we're moving on to memorials. Would anyone like to uplift a name? Um if you put your lights on. Um Council Luen, you have the floor. >> Thank you. Um, a lot of my colleagues have mentioned how today is one Boston day and just want to uplift the memory
of those who um, tragically passed away as a result of the Boston Marathon bombing, including Martin Richard, Lindseay Lou, Crystal Campbell, Sean Collier, and Dennis Simmons. Um, so as the marathon happens on Monday, as today
is when Boston day may remember those who have passed away, I also wanted to a number of community members have lost loved ones and I just wanted to uplift them at this moment. uh our chief of equity, Mariani uh Solissa lost her grandmother. Um Obio Jima, former
employee of the Office of Black Male Advancement also. Um he lost his mother. Uh Rosendale activist Nancy Horowitz uh lost her mother. um Adele Barton, uh Obie's mother, Glattis Batist Ojima, and
uh my fellow uh congregant and um we worked together on a number of issues at Morning Star Baptist Church, Joyce Dennis. She lost her sister Doris Elaine Changler. So, just wanted to uh lift up the memory of their beloved ones and um hold them in our prayers. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Council Luen. The council recognizes councelor Flynn and then we'll go to councelor Mahia. Thank you, Madam Chair. I wanted to acknowledge the passing of Miss Gi Pan
of Boston, an educator, founder of a vocal studio program, passed away recently at Brighamin Women's Hospital after after a courageous battle. She was 45
years old. She survived by her parents in her daughter. Miss Pan arrived in Massachusetts as a visiting scholar, becoming the first foreign visiting scholar in the department of music at the at University
of Massachusetts. She frequently participated in performances organized with the Asian-American Association of Boston. Her contributions include the Asian-American Festival um held at the Massachusetts State House,
students from her vocal studio program and her daughter the Bostonbased Chinese um entertainer um singer Marbel Pan was also actively participating in many of these
Asian-American Day festivals at Boston Common that I also attended with them. Um, so just want to acknowledge her passing, but also remembering her contributions of educating
young people especially in bringing them um bringing music and arts and culture into the Asian community. A tremendous loss. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Councelor Flynn, uh, JD Jen or Yen? >> Yeah, it's it's it's the last name is is
Pan. It's pen G. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Chair recognizes councelor Mahia. You have the floor. >> Uh thank you, Madam President. Um last week uh we lost my uncle um Andres
Mendes. So I just want to close out uh today in his memory. He came to this country in the early8s at a time when um learning how to speak English was a a difficult task for many folks who have
come here at an older age. Um he recently passed. He was he had he was struggling with Alzheimer's and to watch my uncle um over the last week we got noticed that he had only a few more days left with us. Um, so we were all very
grateful to have had an opportunity uh to see him off and I just want to uplift his name, Andres Mendes, and my entire family in this moment um as we mourn the loss of our beloved Andres Aendes. Thank
you. >> Thank you, Cash Mah. I will um I I omitted to uh ask u the consent agenda. Um, so I've been informed by the clerk that there were no additions to this consent agenda. The
question now comes on uh move comes on approval of the various matters contained within the consent agenda. All those in favor uh say I. Thank you. The consent agenda has been adopted. I apologize for that. On behalf of councelor Luigian Doris
Elaine, on behalf of councelor Luen Adele Bon on behalf of councelor Louisian Glattis Baptist uh Ojimbe on behalf of councelor Flynn
D JD Penn on behalf of councelor Mahia IA Andres Mendes on behalf of all of the city council, Martin Richards,
Ling, Lindsay Yu, Glue, Crystal Campbell, Sean Collier, Dennis Simmons, and on and also on behalf of the city council, Geraldine Miller,
uh Sean Ps grandmother. A moment of silence, please. The chair moves that when the council adjourns today, it does so in the mentioned of the aforementioned individuals. The council is scheduled to meet again in the Ionella chamber on Wednesday,
April 29th, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. A reminder that there will be no council meeting next week. And I hope everyone has a happy marathon Monday. Thank you to my colleagues. Thank you to Madame Clerk for standing in for the clerk today. Thank you to central staff, the
clerk's office, and all and the council stenographer. All in favor of adjournment say I. >> I. This council's a journey.