At this time I ask my colleagues and those in attendant in the audience to please silence their cell phones and their electronic devices, including myself.

Also pursuant to Rule 42.

I remind all in this chamber that no demand demonstration of approval or disapproval from members of the public will be permitted.

Thank you.

Mr.

Klerk, will you please call the role to ascertain the presence of a quorum?

And I will.

Councillor Kalerto Zapata.

Councillor Carl Pepper.

Councillor Durkin.

Council Fitzgerald.

Councillor Flynn.

Council Lugen.

Council Mejia.

Councilor Murphy.

Council of Penn.

Councillor Santana.

Councillor Weber.

And Councillor Wurrell.

A quorum is part of the President.

Thank you.

I've been informed by the clerk that a quorum is present.

Now it's my pleasure to introduce this.

I ask my colleague, Councillor Fitzgerald, to come forward and introduce this week's clergy.

Sister Jean.

And invite Sister Jean to join us as well up here.

And following the invocation, we will take uh recite this Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Today we're honored to welcome Sister Jean Garbado of the Sisters of St.

Joseph of Boston, who will offer today's opening prayer.

Sister Jean Marie entered the Sisters of St.

Joseph of Boston in 1989 and made her final vows in 1995.

She holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College, licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Western Jesuit School of Theology and a doctorate of Sacred Theology from Boston College.

She currently serves as a part-time faculty in theology at BC's Woods College of Advancing Studies, where she teaches courses that encourage students to reflect on their life experiences through the lens of faith, ethics, and social responsibility.

Throughout her career, she has taught at a number of respected institutions, including Stonehill College, Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, the College of the Holy Cross, and St.

John's Seminary.

She's devoted many years of her life working with Boston's youth, and I'll get to that in a moment.

And she was also worked for more than a decade as the youth advisor to Mayor Thomas Menino.

She's also written a book, A Holy Yet Sinful Church, Three Twentieth Century Moments and a Developing Theology.

I didn't know that, Sissa, which received recognition from the Association of Catholic Publishers for Excellence and Theological Publishing.

And her work is guided by a deep commitment to helping people connect faith with everyday life, encouraging reflection, conversation, and service to others.

Now, I just want to say on a personal accord, uh Sister Jean has been in my life since I was about seven years old, uh growing up in Jamaica Plain, going to St.

Thomas Aquinas Church on Center Street, uh, where there was no CYO.

Uh there was no community of faith around that church at the time.

And Sister Jean came in and completely turned the place around and had that place humming with all the children of the neighborhood, starting CYO basketball, starting our own CYO council, if you will, with presidents and vice presidents and all the like.

And so I was like, well, I'll go to Peru.

And uh, but what it turned out being was actually uh a place where we held uh a lot of orphans uh with aides, we had helped paint the hospital, we stayed at a maternity hospital because it was a place that really didn't have any hotels, it was not a place you visit.

And um I came back at 15 years old from that, and it really changed my life in saying, wow, how grateful I am for what I have and and it really sort of changed my whole lens to this day.

And so um she was also there when my father passed away.

She was the first person at the house to help take care of all of the things that happened with a funeral and pick out the psalms and the whole nine, and it's just such a huge relief in that moment, especially uh to have someone there to take care of that portion of your day while you're going through a trying time.

So uh she has always been there for me, and it's a great honor.

I don't know what she's gonna say uh at all.

Uh, but I am I am nervous and excited to please uh welcome Sister Jean-Marie Garbado.

Thank you.

I said to him, you invited me.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Uh I'm actually very honored to be here among you.

Um I was born and brought up in the city of Boston.

The city means a great deal to me.

It was my honor and privilege to serve as Mayomenos youth advisor.

I particularly liked it because I got a dollar a year, which meant that I could go into that office whenever I wanted and say what I wanted, and it mattered greatly.

That's when we started the Mayor's Youth Council, which is still operative today.

And it was one of the um major um it was uh it was nationally recognized, and we actually went down to the Clinton White House on several occasions and did juvenile justice roundtables because of how important that was, and it's beautiful, it's still operative today.

So let us begin.

God of accompaniment.

As we prepare to walk with you over these next few holy days in our Christian tradition, may we remember that you, God loved us and cherished us so much that you took on our flesh, became human in Jesus, and showed us that how we live, how we use our gifts and talents for others as we live our lives matters greatly.

Because you became human, Lord Jesus, nothing of the human experience is unknown to you.

You have felt disregarded, disowned, lonely, marginalized, rejected, misunderstood, and afraid.

Today, and every day that the members of the city council try to use their lives, their gifts, their talents in this place.

Help them to know, to be so vitally aware that making decisions, embracing policies that provide for the lowly, marginalized, afraid, disowned, and disregarded is at the center of their work.

And I think every faith and even non-faith can embrace that.

Send these men and women your spirit so they can discern the depth of the impact of their deliberations on the citizens of Boston, and always know that their work matters.

Primarily, it matters when it serves to lift up those most in need in our city.

Loving God, we ask all of this in the name of your son Jesus, and beg for the outpouring of your spirit in the minds, hearts, and words of those who serve as counselors for this great city of ours.

Amen.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you.

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you, Sister Jean.

Um now uh we have two presentations today.

Consular Warrell is recognizing Holland Tech Basketball City Champions.

Welcome.

And uh Consul Jean is Consular Louis Jeanne is recognizing Ruth Rollins of uh We Are Better Together.

So I'll first of all I first of all invite our colleague uh Consular Warell to come forward uh for your presentation.

Five minutes.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to invite uh the Holland Tech Boys basketball team.

And as they make their way down, um I just want to say, like for a second year in a row, uh the city champions uh our district four high school, the Holland Tech basketball team.

You come on now.

I was able to catch uh the city tournament to see firsthand uh the talent that we have across our city.

So I want to give a shout out to every team, uh every coach, uh every athletic director uh that competed, and also a big shout out to BPS Athletics uh for putting on such a great tournament.

I think we had uh during that week, weekend or during that week, almost close to hundreds of students inside of Madison Park.

So big shout out to the whole BPS Athletics.

Uh I was also there to see firsthand uh the Holland Tech defeated uh Boston Latin Academy and what was an exciting game that went into overtime.

And I'm gonna be honest, um that first half was a little shaky.

Uh but coach, I don't know what you said in that locker room.

Um, but the team locked in and turned it around.

Um just wanted to just kind of highlight uh the performances in that game and during that tournament.

We had senior forward Ian Piper.

Yes.

Who scored a game high of 18 points.

Um and senior center Dale Samuels was the attorney MVP.

Uh and a huge shout out to junior guard Kingston Mills, who hit a couple big shots.

Um to end regulation in overtime as well as the game ceiling field free throws in overtime to give Holland Tech the title once again.

Uh Kingston, I hope we're not gonna lose you to the portal, are we?

No.

All right.

I also want to shout out the whole entire team.

Uh Jaheem, Jordan, Camillo, Ray, uh, the uh Elijah, Davion, Caleb, Rashim, and Ayula for their championship spirit, hard work, and contributions throughout the season.

And of course, a big shout out to the coaching team or the coaching staff.

Uh, yes, let's give them a round of applause.

Former city champ and state champion, Coach Joe Chapman, uh assistant coaches, George Chapman, Josh Barney, and athletic director Greg Hill.

Uh, when you go to Holland Tech, you see that this group of adults, uh, these uh coaches are not just basketball coaches, but they are individuals who wrap around that whole school in a real way.

So I just want to thank you for your leadership and commitment to that school.

So we'll keep fighting for you on the council and for the Bulldogs.

I know we're gonna be bringing that city championship again back to Holland Tech.

Yes.

Uh so here is a well, do we have the citation team?

What's the citation?

Did I have it?

No?

We'll get the citation to you.

But with that said, let's give a round of applause for the city champions.

And coach, I don't know if you want to say a few words.

If you want to come up and say a few words, coach, first off, no, first off, thank you guys for having us.

Um, this is a big thrill for myself, the team, um, our school community, uh, Holland Tech community.

Um, it's not, it's not every day that you know kids of the city get to come here and be honored and so we are blessed.

I really mean that.

So thank you for those of again for making it happen.

Uh, in terms of these young men, just want to let you guys know that these young men just aren't just students.

One of the things that we take pride in Holland Tech is these young men really, really do well in the classroom, and they're great, great character, high character students, right?

So a lot of the if you come to our games, you see a lot of faculty members and students support them because of their you know, their kindness, their awareness, their social, you know, that how well they carry themselves socially.

So, really hope that that can continue.

Um, want to send a special thank you to Dr.

Street and Mr.

Hill.

Mr.

Hill's here on my left, he's our athletic director as well as an administrator at our school.

Uh, without him, without Dr.

Street, none of this is a possible.

So just hope we can keep this going.

And then lastly, our kids too.

I know you said something about the portal and you made a joke about it, but it's a real it's a real thing because a lot of our better kids end up leaving our city schools for for private schools.

So hopefully, with with Mr.

Hill, Dr.

Street's help, we can get some of our boys to stay and propel them on to colleges, just like to some of our private schools do.

And with you guys' help, I think we can do that.

So thank you.

Could I ask your colleagues to come up front for the band?

All right.

You can go first.

Uh I just want to say thank you to everyone who made this happen, you know, the city council and everyone.

Uh it's really an honor to have our team come down here.

And it's honored to be honored by y'all.

And um it was a great season.

Um had some ups and downs, but I think we fought through, came out of and it was a lot of big things that happened that we did this season.

And I think that that should be um recognized, and I'm glad it is happy about it.

Uh I just want to say thank you to everyone, you know, who made this happen, and also, you know, kind of what Coach Chapman said, you know, I want kids to see that you could stay in public school, you know, and have a fun time, you know, get to college, you know, a high-level college.

You don't have to go to prep school.

So, yeah.

Invite our colleagues to come up for the photograph.

Thank you very much.

I think this is testament to how important school sports are, and we really applaud these young men for their achievement.

Thank you.

Thank you, everybody.

Congrats.

I mean, I could be helpful.

Thank you.

Of course.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Oh, probably that changes the name.

I'll be in touch.

Thank you for having us.

Congratulations.

Thank you, Councillor Warell.

Um to make her presentation.

Counselor Lucianne, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um, I'm so glad that I could be here this morning to honor the one and only Ruth Rollins and We Are Better Together.

If uh the entire team can come come on up, that would be amazing.

Um, so many of us who were here at the public testimony, a few, I think it was last week, heard the very emotional testimony from Ruth and from um so many people who are uh members who are people who benefit from the services of We Are Better Together.

I've had the pleasure of working alongside Ruth um since I started here, um, and have just always been um floored by her dedication.

This is not about anything other than healing people for her and using her own pain to bring about change in our community.

She's a community leader and the founder of We Are Better Together, Warren Daniel Hairston project after the tragic loss of her son to homicide and the incarceration of another son.

Ms.

Rollins transformed her transformed her grief into action, dedicating her life to supporting families impacted by gun violence, incarceration, and community violence.

Through her leadership, she created We Are Better Together to bring together mothers and families on both sides of violence, which is really important because oftentimes we are only recognizing those who are direct victims, but families who um have loved ones who are incarcerated or who themselves uh were uh engaged in violence also need support, and that's often a vacuum in this work, and so um really glad that we are better together, is able to do that work and their caregiver program.

The organizer provides trauma-informed healing programs, caregiver support, and violence prevention initiatives in Roxbury, Dorchester, Matipan, and beyond.

Through her work, Miss Rollins has helped thousands of women and families find healing, build community, and become advocates.

She is a force of change and demonstrates that healing and prevention must happen together.

Ruthie, we are so grateful for your leadership in the city.

We have a whole resolution talking about the incredible work that you do.

I want to turn it over to you and your team to talk to my colleagues and um everyone about the work that you do.

And we are just so honored to recognize you and understand um the importance that you have here in our city.

So thank you.

Good afternoon, city counselors.

Thank you.

It was a very emotional but proud moment to stand together in unity with the woman that we serve.

So I want to start out by thanking City Councillor Rusie for your support and your dedication to the community we serve, and I want to acknowledge my wonderful staff because everyone needs a village, and this is my village.

So I'm grateful to have them with me.

I am one of many women in the city of Boston.

My background is domestic violence.

After losing a child to an unsolved homicide and then having another son that was incarcerated, I needed to create services that support me on my journey, and there was nothing in place.

So I created We Are Better Together, Warren D and New Hearst and Project.

We do lead in accountability.

If someone causes harm, they need to be held accountable.

But we need to lead with compassion.

Because most often in our community, the person that is a victim is also the person who causes harm.

So we need to work on it in a holistic approach as we support community to interrupt the cycle of violence for the community we serve.

I just have a small overview.

I just wanted to thank everyone and acknowledgement.

This means a great deal.

I think for me, when you hear silent survivors, I am recognized through the city for the years and decades I've been committed to supporting communities in the city of Boston.

But I started my nonprofit over seven years ago.

And I think, you know, we get funding through the city through the commonwealth, but it's an unseen or it's not as recognized as it should.

I always say that we get our referrals from not people who want it, it's for people who needs it.

And I'm so grateful that we had the opportunity at the least that you all understand the work that we are doing in the community.

And if there's any way that we can support any of the people that you're serving in the city of Boston, you have a place to send them now.

I'm here today not to simply represent our program, but as a voice of hundreds of caregivers who often cannot be in the rooms to speak for themselves.

Every day in our city, caregivers are holding up the people we all depend on.

Adult people with disability, neighbors recovering from illness, community members who cannot navigate life alone.

These caregivers are the invisible infrastructure of Boston.

And like any infrastructure, when it cracks, the whole system fails it.

Our program exists because caregivers are isolated, they are finally financially stretched, they are emotionally exhausted, and yet they keep showing up.

Because love, responsibility doesn't take a day off.

What we provide, support that keeps families intact, keep residents safe in their homes, keep people out of crisis, level systems that cost the city far more than prevention ever will.

When we look at the when you look at these three pages that we will give to you at the end of my speaking, I've submitted you'll see the structure of what we do.

But you don't see on paper are the stories behind the services, which you had an opportunity of seeing the other day.

A daughter who can finally sleep through the night because she has support groups that understand her.

A husband who learns how to safely care for his wife after her stroke, prevent and repeat ER visits.

A grandmother raising her grandchild who now has access to resources she didn't even know exist.

They are not if strap examples.

They are Boston residents who live and have stabilized because of this program exists.

Because caregivers are the front line of preventing crisis.

Emotional crisis, health crisis, family crisis.

Whenever caregivers have supports, households remain stable.

When they don't stress, when their stress doesn't escalate, conflict escalates, and the ripple effects touch schools, hospitals, workplace, and neighborhoods.

The citations we're receiving today is very meaningful.

It tells caregivers that the city sees them, but acknowledgement must be paired with action.

Because the need is growing and the people are doing this work cannot carry it alone.

Is all three.

It is compassionate because it honors the emotional labor that carries.

It is innovation because it prevents crises before they happen.

And it strengthens community because it keeps people connected, supported, and able to remain in their homes.

So today, as you learn our program and the role it plays, I ask you to think about caregivers in your own life, past or present.

Think about what it means to have someone step into when you need help.

Think about it would have meant if that person had support behind them.

This is what we are building.

This is what we are protecting, and that's why your continued support matters.

Thank you again, all of you, for recognizing and thank you for standing with the caregivers who make this city stronger every single day.

And we have one page that we wanted to share with everyone in our traditional notebook.

I hope you guys are able to use it as well.

Thank you, Ruth Day, the entire team.

Thank you for all the work you do for those who are living on our margins and in need of support.

Ask my colleagues if you can please join us for a photo.

Thank you.

Come on.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, everyone.

Mr.

Kirk, could you please amend the attendance to reflect that Councillor Culpepper has joined us?

Yes.

No, on to the first order of business, which is the approval of the minutes of the meeting of March 25th, 2026.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

The ayes have it.

The minutes of the March 25th meeting are approved.

We're now on to communications from our Honor the Mayor.

Mr.

Clark, could you please read Docker 0688?

Document 0688, order authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expand the amount of $20,000 in the form of a grant.

Local food policy grant awarded by Mass Department of Agricultural Resources.

To be administered by the Office of Food Justice.

The grant would fund the food working group of Boston-based anchor institutions with Boston Public Schools to build shared commitment to value-based food purchasing, food recovery, develop a baseline of procurement data, and develop a process to track shared food purchasing metrics and goals.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy, the Chair of Human Services.

Counselor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you.

I know when we speak on matters most recently heard, I'll talk more about this committee, but and the Office of Food Justice, but I'm just asking my colleagues to pass this meetingful about small grant now.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Counselor Murphy seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 0688.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed all those opposed say nay.

The ayes have it.

Thank you.

Docket 0688 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0689?

Docket number 0689 order authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $13,735 in the form of a grant.

The mass commission for the blind grant awarded by Mass Higher Development of Korea Services to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Warrell, the Chair of Labor and Economic Development.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

This is a small dollar amount grant administered by the Office of Workforce Development.

This funding comes through the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind and supports Boston's Mass Higher Career Centers, including the Downtown Career Center at 75 Federal Street and the ABCD Career Center in Roxbury.

These centers provide workforce development services to residents across our city.

These funds are specifically used to support on-site services for individuals who are blind, included, including assistive technology accommodations and workspace staff serving clients directly within the career centers.

This is a part of a broader braided funding structure that ensures our workforce system is accessible and exclusive for all Boston residents.

And as chair of the Labor Labor and Economic Empowerment, I would like to request suspension and passage of this document.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um 0689 or passage of Docket 0689.

All in favor say aye.

Thank you.

Docket zero.

Docket 0689 has been adopted.

We are now on to reports of public officers and others.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0690 through 0691?

Document number 0690.

Communication was received from Lawrence Stakaro, Chairman of the Audit Committee regarding the financial status of the city.

And Docker number 0691.

Communication was received from Ashley Groffenberger, Chief Financial Officer and Collective Treasurer regarding budget challenges that will need to be addressed in the current fiscal year.

Thank you.

Docket 0690 through Docket 0691 will be placed on file.

We're now on to matters recently heard.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0268?

Docket number 0268, the Committee on Government Operations, to which it was referred on February 4th, 2026.

Docket number 0268.

Petition for a special law and act relative to pension benefits for firefighter Leo J.

Bracken submits a report recommending that this matter ought to pass in a new draft.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Coletta Zapata, the Chair of the Committee on Government Operations.

Councillor Zapata Coletta Zapata, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to substitute the uh submitted committee report for an amended committee report that should be in front of everyone.

Uh it has a slight change based on a small edit that we made.

Thank you.

The chair of the committee on government operations moves to substitute the committee report under new draft for Docket 0286.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

The ayes have it.

Could we have a second for this motion?

Uh thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Okay, so all those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Uh this docket is properly before the body.

Councillor Coletta Zapata, you have the floor.

Thank you so much, Madam President.

I rise today to speak on Docket 0268, a homework petition relative to pension benefits of fire lieutenant Leo J.

Bracken.

Lieutenant Bracken served the city for over 35 years, years and sustained a severe permanent injury in the line of duty.

There is no question about the seriousness of his condition or the obligation we have to ensure he is treated with dignity and fairness.

Our role is to honor that intent and to also ensure that what we pass is legally sound and administratively workable.

Through the hearing process and in consultation with the Boston Retirement Board and Legislative Council, we identified a few things.

This pension seeks to provide 100% disability commission or disability pension while still operating within Section 7 accidental disability framework, which under uh master law, chapter 32, is not designed to support that level of benefit, although with uh through the legislative process, we were able to find a workable solution through a different legal structure.

Um we also heard uh concerns around internal consistencies in the original draft, particularly language tied to mandatory retirement age, which is not applicable in this case, and questions about taxation, earning caps, and and precedent.

Um in response, we worked to bring the petition to a more um legally coherent structure, and the amended draft does three key things.

Removing language that was both uh factually in a uh inapplicable and legally unworkable.

It consolidates the benefit structure into section one B, clearly defining the pension as a hundred percent of the salary.

The member would have earned eliminating ambiguity, and it ensures the benefit is tied to a clear enforceable standard for administration.

We heard um from council up at the committee for public service at the State House uh in their perspective that while homework petitions can override general law, they must still be workable, and that recent legislation, including the violent and catastrophic injury framework, suggests that the legislature is willing to consider enhanced benefits in narrow and well justified cases.

I'm recommending that this petition ought to pass a new new draft.

Um one that is precise and gives the the legislature the strongest possible foundation to evaluate evaluate what is legally permissible and appropriate in this case.

This is the first step in a process that ultimately requires state approval, but it is our responsibility to send forward something that aligns with intent with a viable path to implementation.

And I'd like to um pass the mic over to the lead sponsors for any remarks they may have.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Murphy.

Counselor Murphy, you have the floor.

Oh, I I don't see his light on Councillor Murphy.

Were you the lead sponsor, Councillor Murphy?

Uh Counselor Flynn.

Uh uh Councilor Flynn, you're the lead sponsor, so you're you're up first.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to say thank you to Council Coletta Zavata.

This is about respect for Lieutenant Bracken.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you.

Just want to reiterate and thank you to Chair Coletta Zapata and your staff for just being very mindful and strengthening the language to make sure that it has a better chance passing up at the State House.

And also just wanted to thank Lieutenant Bracken, who was at the hearing and sharing his personal story, and this is very justified.

So I'm hopeful that all of us here will unanimously pass this and then help support it up at the State House.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy.

The Chair of the Committee on Government Operations seeks accept seeks acceptance of the committee report and passage of Docket 0268 in a new draft.

All in favor, please say aye.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 0268?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Councillor Clara's party, yes.

Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpepper, yes.

Councillor Durkin.

Counselor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Council Fitzgerald, yes, Council Flynn.

Yes.

Councillor Flynn, yes.

Council Lugen.

Yes.

Council Lugen, yes.

Council Mejia.

Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes.

Councillor Pepin.

Council Penn, yes, Council Santana.

Yes.

Council Santana, yes.

Council Weber.

Yes.

Council Webber, yes, and Council Warrell.

Yes.

Council Warrell, yes.

Docker number 0268 has received 12 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docket 0268 is passed in a new draft.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0570 and Docket 0571 together?

Docker number 0570, the committee on ways and means to which was referred on March 18, 2026, document number 0570.

Message in order authorizing the city of Boston to appropriate the amount of 20 million two hundred thousand dollars for the purpose of paying costs for the window and door replacement projects at the following schools.

Adams Elementary School.

This includes the payment of all costs incidental or related thereto, and for which the city of Boston may be eligible for a grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

Set amount to be expended under the direction of public facilities department on behalf of the Boston Public Schools submits a report that the order be read for the first time and assigned for further action.

The committee on ways and means was which was referred on March 18, 2026, document number 0571.

Message another authorizing the city of Boston to appropriate an amount of 1,100,000 dollars for the purpose of paying costs for the window and door replacement projects at the following schools.

Margarita Muniz Academy, Mildred Avenue K through eight school, Orchard Garden School.

This includes the payment of all costs incidental related there too.

And for which the city of Boston may be eligible 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 Boston Public Schools submits a report recommending that the order ought to be read for the first time and assigned for further action in a new draft.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

The chair recognizes Councillor Weber, the Chair of Ways and Means.

You have the floor.

Yeah, thank you.

Do we have an amended version of Docket number 0571?

There are some clerical errors, and I want to recommend a vote on the amended docket.

Have you received that?

Okay.

Um thank you, Madam President.

Uh the committee held a hearing on March 26th via Zoom on these two dockets, uh 570 and 571.

Thank you to my colleagues, Councillors Culpepper, Louis Jen, Flynn, Braden, Santana, and Murphy for their attendance.

Uh Carlton Jones, Director of the Public Facilities Department, Brian McLaughlin, uh Senior Project Manager in the Public Facilities Department, and Brian Ford, Director of Operations at Boston Public Schools, testified on behalf of the administration.

The committee was briefed on the uh Adams Elementary School Windows and Roof Project, which has a higher uh price tag because the design phase of the MSBA process in the design phase, the city realized the cost of the project would be greater than 30 percent of the assessed value in this of the school, which triggered the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board's accessibility code upgrades.

Therefore, the this uh 20 million dollar docket will cover replacements of all windows and doors in the in the atoms alongside accessibility upgrades, which include a new elevator, accessible entrances to the school, and accessible bathrooms on every floor.

The city expects to be reimbursed about 10.4 million for this project from the MSBA.

The committee was briefed on the 2025 uh ARP projects, which include the Margarita Mouniz Academy, Mildred Avenue, uh K through eight school and orchard gardens, uh Docket 0571 will cover design costs, and after design is done, the administration will be before the council again to appropriate funds for the whole project cost.

Um I guess I you know I'm asking that these matters be uh voted on uh today, and I guess I'll be bringing them up for a second vote assigned for further action.

Yeah, okay, yes, assign for uh further action.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

The chair of the committee on ways and mains recommends acceptance of the committee report and a vote on the first reading of Docket 0570.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 0570?

Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta's apartment.

Council Colletta Zapata, yes, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Calpepper, yes, Councillor Durkin, Councilor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald, yes, Council Vistero, yes, Councillor Flynn, Council Flynn, yes, Council Lou Jean, Council Lujan, yes, Council Mejia, Council Mejia, yes, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Papin, Council Papen, yes, Council Santiana, Councillor Santiana, yes, Council Weber, yes, Councilor Weber, yes, and Councilor Warell.

Yes.

Council Warrell, yes.

Docket number 0571 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you.

The committee report has been accepted on Docket 0570, has been read for the first time when assigned for further action.

The chair of the committee on ways and means recommends acceptance of the committee report and a vote on the first reading of Docket 0571 in a new draft.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read uh uh could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 0571?

Councillor Brady, yes, Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta Zapata, Council Colletta Zapata, yes, Council Culpepper, Councillor Culpepper, yes, Councillor Durkin, Councillor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Fitzgerald, yes, Council Flynn, yes, Councillor Flynn, yes, Councilor Louis Gen.

Yes.

Council Louis Gen, yes, Council Mihia.

Councilor Mihia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Pi Pen.

Council of Ben, yes, Councillor Santana, Councillor Santiana, yes, Councillor Weber, Council Weber, yes, and Councilor Warell.

Yes.

Council Orell, yes.

Docket number 0571 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you.

The committee report has been accepted, and the docket 0571 has been read for the first time when assigned for further action in a new draft.

Mr.

Clerk, will you please read Docket 0179?

Docket number 0179, order for a hearing to discuss food insecurity and malnutrition in the city of Boston.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy, the Chair of Human Services.

Counselor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

On March 30th, I chaired a hearing of the Boston City Council's Committee on Human Services on Docket 0179 to discuss food insecurity and malnutrition in the City of Boston.

I was joined by Councillor Ed Flynn, the lead sponsor, along with myself, and Councillor Weber, Culpepper, and Councillor Louis Jeanne were there.

Together, we focused on the growing need to ensure that all of our residents have access not just to food, but to healthy, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food.

We heard powerful testimony from Jennifer Hanlon Wigan, CEO of the Women's Lunch Place.

Tabrina Day Fonseca from the Boston Community Health Collaborative, and Melissa Honeywood from the Mayor's Office of Food Justice.

What we heard was clear.

Food insecurity remains a serious and growing issue in Boston, especially for seniors, families, immigrant communities, and residents in neighborhoods like Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and East Boston.

This is not just about hunger, it is about nutrition, health, housing, and dignity.

We also discuss the role of programs like SNAP, which are critical but still leave gaps.

Too many residents who are eligible are not enrolled, and for many, the benefits are simply not enough.

With rising food costs and uncertainty at the federal level, this challenge is only becoming more urgent.

I want to take a moment to highlight the extraordinary work of the women's lunch place and Jennifer Hanlin Wigan, who joined us at the hearing.

Their organization serves some of our most vulnerable women in our city, providing over 165,000 nutritious males each year.

But what makes their work so powerful is that it does not stop at food.

They provide dignity, safety, and connection.

They also provide temporary and permanent housing.

And as we heard during the hearing, a mail is often how trust begins, and from that first mail, the women there are connected to housing, health care, and support they need to stabilize their lives.

So I do want to thank Councillor Flynn for making sure that they were here and present at this hearing and on the panel to share the work they do.

That model matters.

It shows us that food is not just a service, it is a foundation for recovery and opportunity.

We also heard about the important work happening across our city, including free mail programs in the Boston Public Schools, mail delivery, and nutritious services for our seniors in efforts at the Office of Food Justice to expand access to fresh and healthy food options.

But we know there is more to do.

So thank you and happy that we have this hearing and will continue to work alongside these departments.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy.

Docket 0179 will remain in committee.

Mr.

Kirk, could you please read Docket Dockets 0270 and 0291?

Docket number 0270, order for a hearing to explore snow removal relief and options and docket number 0291.

Order for a hearing to discuss creation of a snow corpse core in Boston.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn, the Chair of City Services.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

On Monday, March 30th at 2 p.m.

The Committee on City Services held a working session on Docket 0291.

Order for a hearing to discuss the creation of a snow corps in Boston and 0270.

Order for a hearing to explore snow removal relief in operations.

These matters were sponsored by Councillors Warell, Mahia and Pepin.

We're joined by Councillors Murphy, Fitzgerald, Morel, Weber, Cole Pepper, and Louise Anne.

Wasn't sure if there was anyone else that was that was here.

From the administration was Andrea Patton, Chief of Staff at the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, and Andrea Burns from the Age Strong Commission.

This was an informative discussion on the logistics of creating a snow core and how it would especially help our seniors and persons with disabilities during significant snowstorms.

It was a positive meeting, and I was impressed with the level of professionalism and engagement from the representatives of Age Strong and the Commission for Persons with Disabilities.

They were engaged in the subject.

Of note, public works was not there.

I look forward to having another snow related hearing later in the year as we prepare for next winter.

These are important conversations, and I want to thank Councillor Pepin for his advocacy, Council Rolf advocating for the creation of a snow core as well.

I will continue to advocate for both exploring the purchase of snow melters for the next winter, as well as focusing on snow removal for persons with disabilities, removing snow, uh large amounts of snow at intersection intersections in a focus on concumbent phase and pedestrian traffic signals during large snowstorms in Northeasters.

I think we all agree that we can't just leave snow in the middle of an intersection or in the middle of a crosswalk that's impacting persons with disabilities and seniors.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you.

Um docket 0270 and docket 0291 will remain in committee.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0374?

Docket number 0374 emergency hearing order regarding chronic school bus delays and special education transportation failures.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes the chair of educ on the committee of education for education, Councillor Mejia, you have the floor.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

Uh the Committee on Education held a hearing on Tuesday, March 31st at 10 a.m.

on docket 0374, emergency hearing order regarding chronic school bus delays and special education transportation failures.

This um matter was sponsored by Councillor Murphy, Flynn and Fitzgerald.

In attendance were counselors Murphy, Braden Weber, Pepang, Fitzgerald, Culpepper, and Flynn.

There were no letters of absence.

Uh the hearing began with public testimony, where we heard from where we heard from parents and caregivers across the city, and a teacher.

Families shared how frequently the buses were delayed or canceled, and multiple people who testified chair that their children's buses were delayed that morning, right before they were even scheduled to testify.

Also highlighted was the impacts on students and families from bus issues, lack of language access, lack of information available to families, and inconsistencies with the Zoom app.

Reimbursement credit for families who pay for Ubers and Lyfts, credits to make up for IEP mandated instruction hours and trackers being turned off and no backup ways to track if there are any technology issues.

On the administration panel, we heard from Dan Rosengaard, Executive Director of Transportation at Boston Public Schools, and Jacqueline Hayes, Deputy Director of Transportation at the Boston Public Schools.

Their presentation shared two metrics that 2025-2026 on-time performance was high in the fall and worsened in January and February due to storms, and that returned to high in March and two.

That in between 2025 and 2026, bus coverage uncovered means no driver and or bus had showed a sharp increase in uncovered trips since December.

Needless to say, it was a robust hearing with lots of input uh from families, and I think as we continue to navigate the budget, I think it's also really important for us to recognize the amount of money that we are often pouring into a system that continues to still fall short.

And my hope is is that and I've asked for a dashboard so that we can track uh these inconsistencies with more transparency.

And even before I came here onto the council, um, this has been an issue, and as you may know, the state uh put BPS was threatening to put BPS under receivership, and bus performance was one of the issues that was on the list.

So my hope is is that as we continue to have these conversations, we can actually fix the problem.

So looking forward to keeping this in committee and having a second hearing so we can see where we stand and how we can continue to move forward.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman.

Docket 0374 will remain in committee.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0400?

Docket number 040, order for a hearing regarding all city of Boston grants administered by the Boston Fire Department.

The Chair recognizes Council Santana, the Chair of Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice held a hearing in order for a hearing regarding all City of Boston grants administered by the Boston Fire Department.

Um we were joined by Councillor Flynn, Councillor Murphy, and Councillor Fitzgerald.

Um our panelists included Paul Burke, who is the fire committee who is the fire commissioner, Rodney Marshall's chief of operations with support services, Patrick Ellis, Chief of Operations for the Field Services, Kevin Coyne, Deputy Commissioner with Administration and Finance, and Julie Devon, who is the financial grants manager administration and finance unit.

We were also joined by the people that I'm going to name, but we're not part of the panel.

Um, but did provide testimony.

Um, fire marshal and deputy chief Colin Kelly with the fire prevention division, Deputy Chief Jody Shea with the Safety, Health and Wellness Division, Deputy Chief Scott Malone with the training division, district chief John McDonald with the training division, district chief Keith Kelly with Special Operations Command, and Shauna Lynch, um programmatic grants manager with the administration of finance grants unit.

Um we discussed several grants, several federal and state grants.

I believe there's five federal grants that we are waiting on, and five or eight federal grants and five state grants.

Um the guarantees that were discussed.

Um on fire prevention, carbon monoxide safety, and emergency medical services, as well as just overall training for our firefighters.

And I think uh most importantly that we heard um was the cancer screening that our fire um members um go through.

Um, and it's extremely extremely important.

Um so you know, this is a great hearing.

I'm gonna actually be um suspending and passing later on in the green sheets um for one um one of the grants um that they um that is timely, um, but we will be um using this um hearing order throughout the year um to make sure that we suspend and pass um very important grants for our fire department.

Um thank you, madam president.

Oh and also this um document will be remain in committee.

Thank you.

Docket zero four zero zero will remain in committee.

Mr.

Clerk, Madam, I think sorry, Consular Flynn.

Council Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um, I just want to acknowledge the important uh work of councillor chair Santana.

It was a very informative hearing.

He had all the right people from the fire department at the hearing, the right questions were asked and answered, and just want to acknowledge the professionalism of how the hearing went and um looking forward to supporting these when it does come up for uh a vote.

Thank you, Madam Chester.

Thank you.

Umsell Murphy, I see your light on.

Um, can you have just a brief comment?

And thank you.

Thank you.

So thank you, Councillor Santana for holding this.

One takeaway, um, one of the grants that we did not get was tied to safety and training.

And I do just want to reiterate that the life expectancy of our firefighters after they retire is only five years, so we do have to make sure that we are supporting the budget when it comes up, but also if we fall short on any grants.

But I do want to uplift Julie and Kevin and their team on the grant writing team who make sure that you know they piece it together and what wherever we fall short on the city side, they're making sure that our firefighters are safe, their families are safe, and that we as residents get the best service.

So thank you, Council Santana.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy, and and thank you.

I think this is due diligence on following up on all our grants uh in this climate is very, very important.

Docket 0400 will remain in committee.

Mr.

Clerk, will you please read Docket 0619 and 0620 together?

Docket number 0619, Message Another for your approval in order to reduce fiscal year 26 appropriation for the reserve for collective bargaining by 1,046,178 dollars to provide funding for the Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 26 increases contained within the collective bargaining agreements between the school committee of the city of Boston and the United Steel Workers 2936 bus monitors.

Docket number 0620.

Message another for supplemental appropriation order for the Boston Public Schools for fiscal year 26 and the amount of 1,046,178 dollars to cover the fiscal year 26 cost items contained within the collective bargaining greens between the school committee of the City of Boston and the United Steel Workers 2936 bus monitors.

The terms of the contracts are July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2028.

The major provisions of the contracts include base wage increases of 2% to be given in July of each fiscal year of the contract term, as well as $1 an hour flat increase in January 2026 and a 70 cent hour flat increase for assigned monitors only in January 2028.

Thank you.

Chair, you have the floor.

Yeah, thank you, Madam President.

Uh the committee held the hearing this morning on Zoom on these two dockets.

Thank you to my uh colleagues uh you know who showed up for the hearing, Councillors Flynn, Murphy, Durkin, Coletta Zapata, Louis Jen, and Morrell.

Uh we heard from the director of the Office of Budget Management, Jim Williamson, the director of the Office of Labor Relations for BPS, Jeremiah Hassan, and the executive director of transportation at Boston Public Schools, Dan Rosengaard.

Um we also heard from Darlene Lombos of the Greater Boston Labor Council.

The committee was briefed on the changes covered in the collective bargaining agreement between the city and united steel workers local 2936 in the amount of uh 1,046,000 dollars, uh 46,178 dollars, um which would amount to a two percent pay increase for bus monitors in um uh in each year.

Uh I think you heard it's two percent um uh for FY starting in uh for FY26 plus one dollar per hour starting January 2026, two percent in uh FY27, two percent FY uh uh in the third year, I'm sorry, FY, yeah, 2% FY28 plus another 70 cents uh per hour for assigned monitors starting in January 2028.

It also pays for 15 minutes uh to complete incident reports and reforms the way they do uh bidding to make it electric electronic bidding.

Uh we heard how uh the CBA applies to approximately 700 bus monitors uh and uh also requires additional training.

Um we heard from uh Darlene Lombos that you know these are primarily uh you know these are the among the lowest paid city workers uh who are primarily immigrants who rely on these jobs to to make ends meet for their families.

Um I think it would raise their pay from around $18 an hour to $22 an hour uh during the the course of this contract.

Um I just want to thank Director uh Rosengaard for being on hand to answer questions uh for my colleagues during the hearing today.

Um, as the chair of the committee on ways and means my recommendation at this time is for acceptance of the committee report and passage of these two dockets.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The chair on the committee on ways on Wes Main 6 acceptance of the committee report.

Um Suller Louis Gen.

I recognize you have the floor.

Thank you.

I just wanted to rise and um thank the parties for reaching an agreement here.

I know this was a very hard-fought collective bargaining process.

Um, a number of occasions I showed up at the bus yard um in High Park to talk to the bus monitors about everything from working conditions to treatment on the buses to fair pay.

Uh disproportionate number of the bus monitors, especially um in the high park yard are um immigrants uh and are of Haitian descent.

Um so I want to give a big shout out to uh the team there, the one in Roxbury.

They do important work and they are um often met with actions that are not dignified.

And so I've had a number of conversations with Den Rosengarde about this with the union and with leadership.

Uh you know, there have been some congestions here when it comes to vacation and time off, but we have to continue working on behalf of uh the bus monitors who do important work.

So just want to say uh congratulations to them on this victory, but I also know that many of them feel that there's ongoing work that needs to happen.

Just want to make it very clear that we're gonna continue to stand with them in that work.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Louis Gen.

The chair on the committee of the Committee on Ways and Means acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket 0619.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Uh Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on zero uh docket zero six one nine?

Councillor Braden.

Yes, Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta's a part.

Counselor Colletta's party, yes, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Culpepper, yes, Councillor Durkin, Councilor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Fishero, yes, Councilor Flynn, yes, Council Flynn, yes, Councillor Louis Gen.

Yes, Councilor Gen, yes, Councillor Mejia, Councilor Mejia, yes, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Murphy, yes, Councillor Pepin, Councillor Pepin, yes, Councilor Santana, Councillor Santiana, yes, and Councillor Weber, Councillor Weber, yes, and Councilor Warrell.

Yes.

Councilor Warell, yes.

Docket number 0619 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Uh docket 0619 has passed.

The chair of the committee of the committee on ways and means six acceptance of the committee report and passage of docket 0620.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

The ayes have it.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 0620?

Councilor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Counselor Colletta Zapada.

Councilor Collette as a party, yes.

Counselor Culpepper.

Councilor Culpepper, yes, Councilor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Councillor Fitzgerald, yes, Councilor Flynn.

Councilor Flynn, yes, Councilor Louis Gen.

Yes.

Councillor Louis Gen, yes, Councilor Mejia.

Councilor Mejia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes, Councillor Papen.

Councilor Pen, yes, Councillor Santiana.

Councilor Santiana, yes, Councillor Weber.

Council Webber, yes, and Council Warrell.

Counselor Warrell, yes.

Docket number 0620 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docket 0620 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 from the lead sponsor and two minutes for the co-sponsors.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0692?

Docket number 0692, Councillor Culpepper offer the following.

Ordinance establishing a pharmacy stabilization and access fund.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

And District 7, I have seen firsthand what happens when a neighborhood pharmacy packs up and leaves.

For many of our residents, especially seniors, working families, and those without reliable transportation.

That loss is devastating.

A pharmacy is not just a place to pick up prescriptions.

It's a lifeline for medications, vaccinations, and trusted health care guidance.

When that access disappears, entire communities are left behind.

When our local pharmacies aren't able to sustain, to be sustained in our communities, the life consequences are all life altering.

This ordinance is about meeting that challenge head on.

By creating a dedicated fund through the Boston Public Health Commission.

We are investing in stability and expansion of pharmacies where they are needed the most.

We're saying the access to central health care services, not depend on your neighborhood, but should be afforded to everyone at every corner of the city.

This ordinance is not a handout for retail pharmacies like CBS and Walgreens.

The language is clear.

The pharmacies of a certain size do not qualify.

This is about equity, public health, making sure our neighborhoods have the resources they deserve to in order to thrive.

In our community where we now have what we call pharmacy deserts.

Madam President, I would like to add Councillor Louis Jean as a second original council.

Council co-sponsor, I'd like to request suspension of the rules and add Councillor Mejia as a third original co-sponsor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, Councillor Louis Gen is added as a uh second, and seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Mejia is added as a third.

The chair recognizes Councillor Louis Jean.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper for adding this to this docket.

It's incredibly important work.

Um, I want to shout out to Prophetic Resistance and Roxpery and to so many who have been leading the charge on making sure that we are pushing back against pharmacy closures.

Um, I want to shout out Jesse in my office who's been working alongside them to make sure that we're doing everything we can, including a petition to the pharmacy board that we passed here, and the mayor signed last term that we're continuing to work up on a follow-up on.

We have to get creative when we have complex problems, and when we need to save pharmacies like Cornfields, like independent uh pharmacies and Rosendale.

I was at a pharmacy in Dedham the other day that was looked like a healthy, well-functioning, um uh uh independent uh family pharmacy, and we need to protect ours here in the city of Boston.

We need to get creative in all areas, especially when it comes to funding and leaning on those who are part of this work, either as large nonprofit organizations like hospitals or pharmaceutical companies who are contributing to the problem.

Um, we have to we have to use our creativity in the space to make sure that we are addressing the pharmaceutical needs of our residents who, as uh Council Culpepper said, too often exist in pharmacy deserts too often affect black and brown residents, and we already already we've already been very clear on the health disparities that exist in our communities that are worsened when they don't have access to uh uh drugs or pharmacies also during COVID provide screenings, they get your flu shots are the first entry of care for health care for so many of us is going to be important work, and I'm glad to be a part of it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Louis and the chair recognizes Councilor Mejia.

Councillor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I want to thank uh Councillor Call Pepper for adding me as an original uh co-sponsor.

I'm proud to co-sponsor this ordinance because access to pharmacies is a basic public health infrastructure tactic.

Boston has lost over 41 pharmacies since 2018, many of them large commercial chains.

That tells us that this is a um systems issue, not just an isolated closure issue.

We need to think critically about what models we're supporting and where gaps are forming.

This fund gives us a chance to invest in different models, independent, nonprofit, and community-based pharmacies that are more rooted in neighborhoods and more responsive to our residents, especially with the loss of Cartening Hospital.

Many residents have lost access to their local hospital pharmacy as well, highlighting the importance of community-based pharmacies close to home.

This is about making sure that none of our neighborhoods and or residents feel left out without the essential care that they need.

And I just want to say that in November of 2022, when this issue first surfaced up in Roxbury, our office uh organized and worked alongside community.

And one of the things that I said then, and I'll say it again now, um, is that we had uh pharmacy Lux and other smaller mom and pop black owned um or you know, community-owned um spaces and places, and that this was an opportunity then to figure out how we can support these small businesses to uh stand in that gap.

And so now it's an opportunity for us to catch up to that sentiment, and I'm looking forward to working alongside my colleagues to make it happen.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Uh counselor.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Counselor Flynn, Councillor Murphy, Counselor Peppin, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Thank you.

Docket 0692 will be referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Mr.

Clerk, can you please read Docket 0693?

Docking number 0693, Councillor Santana for the following.

Order for a hearing regarding barriers to accessing gender-affirming health care in the city of Boston.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Santana.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, I would like to add um Councillor Mejia as an original co-sponsor.

Um, Counselor Mejia is so added.

Great, thank you.

Um, thank you, Councillor Mejia, for joining me as a co-sponsor.

All of our residents deserve access to health care, including our transgender and gender non-conforming residents.

Gender affirming care is health care.

Like all other forms of health care.

It begets a higher quality of life, it prevents suffering, and it's often life-saving.

Right now, federal threats have impeded our residents' access to gender affirming health care, despite our city's commitment to upholding their dignity and equality.

This is especially true for residents who are 19 years or younger.

And it impacts our health care workers who make up the largest industry sector in Boston, especially the doctors and specialists who have dedicated their lives to preventing suffering and promoting well-being.

This hearing is meant to bring attention to the way that federal actions have shaped the barriers to accessing gender affirming care our residents are currently experiencing.

Restricting or denying access to health care is an attack on human rights and an autonomy.

When a single minority group is routinely subject to these attacks, we need to take that seriously, and we need to take action.

The first step of that is knowing what's what we're up against.

I look forward to learning more at this hearing, and I hope my colleagues will join me in that.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councilor Mejia.

Councilor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I want to thank Councillor Santana for adding me as an original co-sponsor and his steadfast leadership in this space.

Our office was proud to lead the effort alongside Councillor Santana and Counselor Braden last year where we created and named a resolution for trans LGBTQIA 2S plus a sanctuary city along community members to pass and then worked alongside community members to pass an ordinance establishing the community advisory council in Mola, thanks to the work of over 40 40 coalition members who are doing the work and or living the reality and engaged with our office in this co-governance model that we have been cultivating.

We're also proud to join Councilor Santana and Councillor Braden on codifying MOLA.

This hearing is a continuation of this work with the attacks we see from the federal government.

It is important that at the local level we step up and stand in that gap to do everything that we can to protect gender affirming care here in Boston.

Gender affirming care self-health care saves the lives and empowers individuals.

Everyone has the right to seek the health care that they need, and I look forward to this conversation to ensure that we are addressing barriers so that people can access the care that they need whenever they need it.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Counselor Kaleda Zapata, Councillor Culpeper, Councilor Jerkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louis Jeanne, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Peppen, Councillor Weber, Councillor Rayleigh, and please add the chair.

Dock at 0693 will be referred to the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness and Recovery.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docker 0694?

Document number 0694, Councillor Mejia of the following.

Order for a hearing on the conditions, operations, and access of Boston centers for youth and families pools.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Mejia.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

And I would also like to add Counselor Pepin as an original co-sponsor.

Counselor Peppen is added as a second.

And I want to acknowledge that Councillor Murphy has been leading in the space and asking her to join as an original third co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Murphy is added as a third.

Yeah.

I'm introducing an order for a hearing on the conditions and operations and access to BCYF pools.

These are the basic city services.

Families rely on them for safety, health, and youth programming.

Right now, residents are dealing with closures, delays, and a lack of clear communication.

Hennigan has been closed for nearly five years with no clear timeline.

Blackstone residents are still waiting, even with funding allocated.

And families at the Flavre Pool are concerned that a long-standing youth swim program serving over a hundred uh students is being eliminated without much of a clear plan and or coach replacement or alternative.

Our centers are heavily used.

We understand that space is limited and demand is high, but residents deserve timely advanced notice when issues or scheduling changes.

That should be a standard across the board.

We're also seeing constant staff turnover.

What we've seen here works when people organize.

We um organize with the Clority Pool users and worked alongside uh under the leadership and alongside counselor then Calera Zapata and Charlestown residents and uh we hosted hearings, we utilize our bully pulpit, and uh that pool recently reopened.

So we know that progress is possible when there's coordination and a sense of urgency.

The city um invests substantial resources into these facilities and programs like swim safe.

Now we need clarity on where that money is going and what the plan is and how decisions are being made.

At this point, the council and residents need a clear executable plan from the administration.

Hennigan and Blackstone residents want their pools open, and they deserve to know where they fall in the priority list.

This hearing is about getting straight answers, what's open, what's closed, and why, and when it'll all be fixed.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh the chair recognizes Councillor Pepin.

Councillor Peppin, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Councillor Mejia for adding me as a second co-sponsor.

Um, I'm grateful to be able to have this conversation in the future.

It's especially important for me in District 5 as the Flarity Pool Swim team and the family through changes to the swim program.

I've been able to um host meetings where several of your offices were there in representation, so I'm thankful to my colleagues for the support as well.

And we look forward to working together with BCYF to ensure that access to pools, not just the Flarity, but in I also have the Matahan and the Millager that I was able to get some good updates on just recently for my Mattapan residents.

So want to be able to continue to advocate to a resource that is such a blessing for many residents.

I personally love going to the pools in the city of Boston.

I know that many families do as well.

So I'm looking forward to this hearing and want to thank Council Mayor for adding me.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Papin.

The chair recognizes Councillor Murphy.

Counselor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you, and thank you, Councillor Mejia, for adding me.

This would be the fifth year I've been filing a hearing order every year, similar to the hearing order on summer safety and youth summer jobs.

I think it's important that we get ahead of things and check in with the departments.

So I do want to uplift Eddie McGuire at BCYF and Brian Ford at the school level.

And also I think it has did come from our advocacy and uplifting and calling out what we found.

Council of Flynn and I found like the condom pool had a very minor fix that needed to be done, but stayed closed for a couple years while we waited.

So I think we really have to take a deep dive and look at each pool and what is needed to get them open.

And it's always been an equity issue also.

A few summers back, we saw that there was like no pool open in the Roxbury Dorchester area.

So it's important that we make sure that we see where we're prioritizing.

I would hope all of our BCYF pools are open this summer.

And if they can't be, we have to understand why and what other options there are for our families.

So looking forward to this hearing and advocating for our families and want to uplift the flowery pool also.

Or someone who learned how to swim at the Murphy Pool and then later was on their swim team and spent lots of time there with my own kids.

I know how important it is for not just swim safety and athletics.

It's a community building, and when a neighborhood like that feels as though they're being ignored, you should always step up in support.

So thank you.

Looking forward to this hearing.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy.

Um, would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Culpepper, Councilor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councilor Louis Gen, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warell, and please add the chair.

Docker 0694 would be referred to the Committee on Human Services.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please redocket 0695?

Document number 0695.

Councilor Warrell offer the following.

Order for a hearing on the status of the implementation of the City of Boston's assessment of fair housing.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Warrell.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Madam President, I would like to add Councillor Cole Pepper as the original co-sponsor.

Counselor Culpepper is so added.

I'd like to suspend the rules and add counselor Mejia as a third original co-sponsor.

Hearing and seeing no objections, Councilor Mahee is added as a third.

Thank you.

This hearing is really about getting clarity on implementation on resources and what an updated plan should look like moving forward.

Because resources determine whether the work in fair housing actually happens.

That means the RFP for having fair housing tested, testers is awarded.

This is showing the Office of Fair Housing is fully staffed, including key roles like the executive director, director of investigations, and the education and outreach coordinator.

Over the past years, the city has done a lot of work in fair housing from community engagement to releasing the assessment in 2022 and setting goals around affirmatively furthering fair housing.

The city wants to meet the goals and its assessment of fair housing, then we need more good, more than good intentions.

We need to use our development process as a tool to reach these goals, and we need funding that helps developers partner with the city to actually get those goals done.

But we also know that a lot has changed since 2022.

Our housing market has shifted, displacement displacement pressures have increased, and we're seeing that reflected in the data, especially in neighborhoods with higher shares of low-income families and communities of color.

This is an opportunity to get an understanding of where things stand right now, the progress made, the goals met, and the gaps that remain.

I look forward to this hearing and the discussion.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Cole Pepper.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Councillor Will Rail for adding me as an original co-sponsor.

This is about making sure Boston lives up to its commitment to fair housing, not just in words, but in action.

While the city has made meaningful progress, we know that the realities on the ground have changed.

And in neighborhoods like those in District 7, the pressures of displacement, rising costs, and historic inequities are still being felt every day.

Updating our assessment of fair housing, including hiring a fair housing director.

Let me just say that again, including hiring a fair housing director, strengthening the capacity of the Office of Fair Housing, and ensuring we have a clear coordinated plan moving forward, uh central steps if we are to be serious about equity.

This hearing is an opportunity to take a hard look at where we are, where we are falling short, and what it will take to ensure that every resident, regardless of race, income or zip code, has a fair share that stable affordable housing in the city of Boston.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councilman.

Council Mahey, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I want to thank Councillor Rurale for adding me to this hearing order.

And I look forward to working alongside his team and call and Councillor Culpepper.

Um in 2016, as you know, the city created the community advisory committee to develop an assessment of fair housing.

Um as part of that work, the city engaged in 16 months of community outreach involving public testimony, community meetings, and a citywide survey in this community outreach uh initiative co-made it in 2018.

And and and in 2020, despite the federal administration's termination of the affirmative furthering fair housing, Boston became the first major city in the nation to include fair housing requirements.

But here in the city of Boston, we took it one step further and have been looking at our goals and objectives across all city departments.

And I think given the fact that so many of our residents are being displaced at such a high rate.

Many of the folks who grew up here in the city of Boston now are moving to Brockt, Stoughton.

Um we here have to do everything in our power to ensure that not only are we meeting the goals and objectives, but that we are auditing and holding ourselves accountable.

So I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to ensure that we keep our people here.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Durkin, uh, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louis Jeanne, Council Murphy, Councillor Papen, Council Santana, Council Weber, uh, and please add the chair.

Docket 0695 will be referred to the Committee on Housing and Community Development.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read six dock at 0696?

Document number 0696.

Councilors Flynn and Murphy offer the following.

Order for a hearing to discuss Boston Police Department staffing levels.

The chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The long-standing issues of under staffing, overstretched resources, forced overtime, looming retirements at Boston Place is a public safety and public health emergency, which also disregards police officers' personal, physical, and emotional well-being, as well as well as their families.

In July 1980, the minimum number of patrolmen at any given time for the Boston police rose from 2300 to 2500 by law in the City of Boston municipal code to ensure adequate staffing among detailing projects in other police duties.

The increase in voluntary retirement in resignation is resulting in mandatory overtime for police officers.

In fact, resignations rose from one in 2018 to 30 in 2022, while voluntary retirement rose from 17 in 2018 to 127 in 2022.

Current staff is ordered to fill those gaps, resulting in the physical and emotional burnout of officers, potentially diminished ability to serve the residents.

The environment of the Boston Police Department must be one that fosters a strong relationship with the community.

It's important that there is a trust between officers and the residents, officers and their superiors.

Officers who feel valued and respected are more likely to have positive interactions with the public, ultimately improving public trust and cooperation through community policing.

Boston needs a consistent influx of recruits to replace those that are retiring, resigning, transferring to other police departments throughout the state to help prevent shortages.

There are several recruiting practices that can be put in place to increase staffing, including mentorship programs, incentive programs, community outreach.

It is critical the City of Boston act promptly to ensure that the Boston Police Department is comfortably in excess of 2500 officers to prevent the overstretched resources, forced overtime, overworked offices that has resulted in this ongoing emergency and crisis.

I also want to highlight that as a city and society, we need to show more respect to our police officers.

When we were in grade school and a police officer would visit the c our class, we would try to respect them for keeping our neighborhood safe.

Now they are working mandatory overtime, 17 hours a day, missing significant time with their families, not always being treated with respect.

We have to restore the respect for the profession to keep morale up so officers stay in the job so that they aren't transferred to other city departments or police departments across the street across the state.

We also need to recruit a new generation of police officers.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

The chair recognizes Councillor Murphy.

Counselor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um thank you, Councillor Flynn.

I'm looking forward to working on this hearing order with you.

For me, this hearing is about one thing.

Public safety and officer well-being are being stretched too thin.

The Boston Police Department is facing serious staffing challenges, and we cannot ignore the impact that has on our neighborhoods.

We are seeing increased retirements and resignations, and those gaps are being filled with forced overtime.

This is not sustainable.

It leads to burnout, stress, and exhaustion for officers.

And when officers are overworked, it impacts not just them, but their families and the people they serve.

This is not just a staffing issue.

It is a public safety and a public health issue.

Boston once set a standard of at least 2,500 offices to ensure adequate coverage.

We need to understand where we stand today.

If we are below that level or even close to it, we need to plan to get ahead of the problem before it becomes a crisis.

We also need to focus on recruitment and retention.

Why are offices leaving and what can we do to bring new recruits in?

That includes looking at mentorship, incentives, and outreach, but also making sure offices feel supported and valued.

Strong staffing levels are directly tied to community trust.

Officers who are supported and not overworked are better able to build relationships in our neighborhoods.

This hearing is about getting rail answers.

Where are we today?

Where are we headed?

And what is the plan?

We owe it to our residents and to our offices to make sure the department is properly staffed, supported, and prepared, especially going into what we continue to talk about, record summer of events and a need for our first responders, especially our police working a lot of overtime.

So looking forward to having this before that happens.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Cold Pepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louis Gen, Council Mejia, Councillor Peppin, Consul Santana, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell.

I'm pleased out the chair.

Thank you.

Docket 0696 will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Doc 0697?

Document number 0697.

Council Louis Gen offer the following.

Order to accept Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41D, authorizing annual increases to senior exemption income and asset limits.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Louis Gen.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Counselor Warrell is so added.

And I'd like to add Councillor Weber as a third original co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Hearing and seeing no objections, Councillor Weber is added as a third.

Thank you.

We know right now so many of our seniors are struggling with the cost of living.

So many are struggling with just the cost.

41D is uh a provision under state law that allows us to opt in to uh uh cost of living adjustment yearly that would automate that would increase the number of people who are eligible for a tax exemption.

Um it is really important that we are doing everything we can to try to meet the needs of our seniors in this moment, so many of whom are house rich but cash poor.

Um these residents are our residents who have helped build our city and they deserve to be able to age in place and age in place with dignity.

Uh this a 41D, and there are a number of cities who have already opted into this uh provision, like Cambridge, uh I believe Sharon, Milton, uh cities across the Commonwealth who are trying to do everything they can to support their senior residents.

Um what this does is that it would automatically increase the limit that currently exists under 41C that sets income limits and asset limits for our seniors who are able to take advantage of a thousand dollars off of their tax bill if they meet these income limits, if their income isn't above a certain amount and if the assets aren't above a certain amount.

Um currently, I don't believe there's more than a thousand residents who qualify for this exemption.

When we tie if we were to opt into 41D, it would tie those limits that are currently in 41C to uh the cost of living to the consumer price index.

Last year that was 2.9%.

And so what that would have done if it was enacted last year is that it would for a single person, it would have increased the income limits by $800, and for a couple, it would have increased the income limits by over a thousand.

These small differences and tweaks could capture more of our residents who could then take advantage of these um tax uh of the of this tax relief.

It doesn't create a new program and it doesn't raise the exemption amount.

We actually, as this body, as a Boston City Council, and uh alongside the mayor, have uh now on on multiple occasions put uh legislation before the State House that would do the work of increasing those limits of the income and the asset limits under 41C.

And we're still hoping that we can see movement on that legislation, and at the same time, we want to put forward this uh 41D to try to provide relief to our residents.

So I just want to thank everyone.

I look forward to these conversations alongside the Mass Senior Action Council.

We've had great conversations with, alongside Commissioner Anello, we've had great conversations with, and I want to thank Jesse in my office who's been just thinking and working so hard on this issue because it's really important that we are throwing everything at this affordability problem that we have in our city, especially for our seniors.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh the chair recognizes Councillor Warrell.

Councillor Warrell, you have the floor.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

Thank you to Councillor Louis Gen for adding me as a co-sponsor, and uh big shout out to your team for identifying this as an option uh that the city can opt into.

And you know, similar to what Councillor Louis Gen has said, I I am advocating and hoping that 41C changes uh would be passed in the State House this year.

Um but Councillor Louis Gen has kind of outlined everything.

You know, this is tie-in income and asset levels to CPI and other inflationary indexes, just to make sure that we are keeping up with the times.

Um, and which I think that you know we are it's important that you know we are doing these changes and coming up with creative ways because we are uh operating with such an outdated tax code.

Um I've been able to have these conversations with the Mass Senior Action Uh Council.

Uh big shout out to them, which I know that they'll be very interested in, happy that this is moving forward.

Um they're they're fairly advocates for uh seniors to be treated fairly, uh, whether it's in property tax system or transportation system, but I'm looking forward to the next steps on this.

Um, and to can you continue thinking on ways that we could bring relief uh to our seniors and all property owners?

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Morrell.

The chair recognizes Councillor Weber.

Councillor, you have the floor.

Yeah, uh, thank you.

Uh thank you uh to Councillor Leugen for adding me.

Uh you know, I think we've all heard from uh seniors on fixed incomes across the city uh who are struggling to uh you know pay their uh taxes uh you know uh and and meet their uh uh you know needs on you know on on limited income and so you know uh and I I know we point them to these kinds of programs and and often the response as well.

I'm just outside the eligibility uh you know uh my income makes me ineligible for this kind of benefit.

So if we can tie uh you know uh cost of living increases to that uh standard and and allow more of our seniors to be able to qualify for programs like this, you know.

I think uh we need to step up for them across the city.

Uh I don't know, Councillor Louis Chen.

I don't know if you want to object to everything I said or uh no.

But thank you very much.

Thank you, Councillor Weber.

Councillor Lugen, um you uh have the floor.

Sorry, I just wanted to make one point now because I saw this is uh a local order.

We don't need the state house approval, which is why this is great.

We as a body can do this.

So I look forward to the hearing on this.

And also another great thing is that it compounds over time.

So every year you include CPI, your uh your you're helping protect against inflation, you are increasing the ceiling amount without increasing uh the actual number amount, which is what we want the state house to do.

So we can do this on our own, y'all, and that's what why this is very exciting.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Kaletta Zapata, Councillor Cold Pepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Council Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councilor Peppin, Councilor Santana, uh, and please add the chair.

Thank you.

Docket 0697 will be referred to the committee on where's and means.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0698?

Docket number 0698, Councillor Coletta Zapata offer the following.

Order requesting certain information under section 17F relative to Boston Public School student athlete school transfer policies.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Coletta Zapato.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um I rise to introduce the 17F order because what we heard in the uh recent hearing on student athlete transfers in Boston Public Schools was informative, but it was slightly inconsistent, and there was a lot of um follow-up that was necessary.

Uh so right now the process, particularly through the sports administrative review board, lacks clear policies, defined timelines, and basic due process protections for students and families.

SARV is the leading entity to adjudicate cases of um any instances of alleged recruitment between um two schools.

And we heard credible concerns that students uh can be deemed ineligible based on allegations without a consistent investigatory process, without clear evidentiary standards, and in some cases without a meaningful opportunity to respond.

Uh to me that is not how our fair system should operate, especially when the stakes are this high for young people.

How decisions are being made, who is making them, what data exists, and whether students are students and families are being treated fairly and consistently is the top priority.

At the end of the day, this is about protecting students.

I again want to thank uh my colleagues that were in uh attendance uh at that hearing, and I look forward to working with all of you to produce some solutions and working with the SAR board um to ensure uh particular instances that have really devastated families and kids don't happen again.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh Councillor Coletta Zapato seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket 0698.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

All opposed say nay.

The ayes have it.

Docket 0698 has passed.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0699?

Docket number 0699.

Counselor Warrell offer the following.

Chair recognizes Councillor Warrell.

Councillor Warrell, you have the floor.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

Uh, this is just uh some questions that have been uh outstanding regarding the uh environmental impact, transportation planning regarding uh uh white stadium.

So just looking for these answers that were brought up at the last hearing.

Thank you.

So I respectfully request suspension and passage.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Consul seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket 0699.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Thank you.

Docket 0699 is passed.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0700?

Docking number 070, Councillor Warrell offer the following.

Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding MWBE participation, local business inclusion, workforce impact, and procurement practices associated with the white stadium project.

Thank you, Chair.

Pardon me, uh Council Warrell.

Council Cole Pepper, you have your light on.

Are you speaking to this?

I will.

Yeah, okay, thank you.

Uh Council Warrell, you have the floor.

Thank you.

Oops, sorry.

Go.

Thank you, Madam President.

And just want to out can we add co-sponsors to 17S?

We usually just keep it as the lead sponsors.

And then we do a straight up and down vote.

All right.

But I just want to acknowledge the work that Council Cole Pepper has done around equity and contracting around White Stadium.

And this is again some outstanding questions around you know labor hours, uh, contracts, title ICE data, uh, because I think what we heard last time at the hearing was the uh the data on the website wasn't accurate.

So we're just looking to get more accurate information around contracts, labor hours, and pay, labor pay uh around White Stadium.

Thank you.

And I'm looking to uh suspend and pass.

Thank you.

And the chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Council War for adding me as an original co-sponsor.

If we're investing in this project, then our residents deserve to know exactly who is getting the contracts, how these contracts are being awarded, and whether minority and women owned businesses are truly being included in a meaningful way, as we promised by both the city and Boston legacy ownership.

That means clear data on MWB participation, local business involvement, and whether firms actually have a presence here in our city, not just on paper.

This is also about workforce.

We need to understand who is doing the work and who is benefiting from jobs created.

Outreach, compliance, and accountability cannot be afterthoughts.

They must be central to how this project is executed.

My District 7 White Stadium Task Force has already worked closely with the ownership in the city to better understand our progress in areas where we still have work to do.

It's equally important to me that my colleagues are brought along on that journey and have the information they need to evaluate such a substantial project for our city.

This order simply asks for the facts so we can ensure that this project reflects our values of fairness, inclusion, and economic opportunity for all.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Cole Pepper.

Aye.

Thank you.

All opposed say nay.

Thank you.

Docket zero uh the ayes have a eyes have it.

Docket zero seven zero zero has passed.

Um to the next dock.

Uh Mr.

Kirk, could you please read Docket 0701?

Docket number 0701.

Councillor Culpepper offer the following.

Resolution in support of the DHS Use of Force Transparency Act.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Madam President, I would like to add Council Mahia as the second original co-sponsor.

And I'd like to request suspension of the rules and add Council Warwell as the third original co-sponsor.

Councillor Mejia is added as a second.

And seeing and hearing no objections, Consular Warell is added as a third.

Thank you.

I'd also like to request suspension of the rules to vote on the passage of this docket.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

I am so proud of the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation.

Leaders like Representative Avana Presley were stepping up to demand transparency and accountability to the DHS Use of Force Transparency Act.

This legislation is about something fundamental, ensuring that when federal agencies like ICE use force, especially in cases involving serious injury or death, the public and Congress have access to the full unredacted truth.

That means body cameras footage, reports, and internal communications, not partial or delayed disclosures.

This moment, right now, demands action with reports of deaths in custody and troubling incidents impacting our own communities here in Boston, like what happened to Dorchester resident, the late Emmanuel Damis.

We cannot look the other way.

We will not look the other way.

Transparency, Madam President, and my colleagues is not optional.

It is essential to protecting civil liberties, restoring public trust, and ensuring accountability at every level of government.

This resolution makes clear that Boston stands firmly for human rights and oversight and called on Congress to pass this critical legislation without delay.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Mejia.

Councilor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, and I want to thank Councillor Culpepper for adding me to this resolution, and I want to thank Congresswoman Ayana Presley and Congressman Dan Min for introducing the DHS Use of Force Transparency Act of 2026 to increase transparency and government oversight regarding injuries and deaths caused by U.S.

immigration customs ice.

We are seeing a rising number of individuals who are injured or killed during arrest or while in the custody of ICE and their facilities.

ICE is violating our rights, creating harm and trauma on kidnapping our loved ones off the streets, literally.

This agency and DHS as a whole needs to be held accountable for their actions and the information required by this act needs to come to light.

Um just this past weekend.

Uh there's a lot of work to do, and I look forward to doing that work alongside my colleagues here locally.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Orrell.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to Councilor Cole Pepper for uh bringing this resolution forward, and also thank you to Councilor Louis Jan for her work on this matter, and also Councilor Mejia as well.

Um I rise in support of this resolution uh because transparency and accountability are essential to public trust.

Uh, the DHS Use of Forced Transparency Act would ensure that when serious use of force incidents occur, Congress has access to the information needed for meaningful oversight, including reports, accordings, and other relevant materials.

That is not a radical idea.

That is what a responsible government should require.

We have seen our neighbors disappear, and the next time we hear they're dead or critically injured, and it's all met with silence.

This cannot stand.

And so we so we need laws to ensure that it doesn't.

At its core, this resolution is about dignity, civil rights, and the principle that those entrusted to protect and serve must also be subject to oversight.

When families and communities are left without answers, trust arose.

When transparency is delayed or denied, accountability suffers, and Boston has a responsibility to speak clearly on matters of justice.

Supporting this resolution affirms that oversight matters, human rights matters, and no community should be left in the dark when stakes are this high.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Caleta Zapata, Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louis Jean, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Keppen, Councillor Santana, Councilor Weber, and please add the chair.

Counselors Culpepper, Mejia, and Warrell seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0701.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Uh Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 0701?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Coletta's apata.

Councilor Coletta's party, yes.

Councilor Culpepper.

Councilor Culpepper, yes, Councillor Durkin.

Councilor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Vicero, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Council Flynn, yes, Council Lou Jen.

Council, yes, Council Mejia.

Council Mejia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Papen.

Councilor Penn, yes, Councillor Santana.

Councilor Santana, yes, Councilor Weber.

Council Weber, yes, and Council Warrell.

Councilor Warrell, yes.

Docking number 0701 has received a unanimous vote on the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docket 0701 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0702?

Resolution demanding that the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not staff vacant TSA positions at Boston Logan International Airport.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Madam President, I would like to add Councillor Mejia as a second original co-sponsor.

And I'd like to request suspension of the rules and add Councillor Warwell as a third co-sponsor.

I'd also like to request suspension of the rules to vote on the passage of this document.

Counselor Mejia is added as a second.

And seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Warrell is added as a third.

You have the floor.

Let me be clear that this is the message from the Boston City Council to ICE.

Don't you dare come to our airport.

Immigrants are welcome here.

Boston is a city that has always opened its doors to people seeking opportunity, safety, and a better life.

And we will not allow that message to be undermined by placing immigration enforcement agents in routine security roads at Boston Logan Airport.

Logan Airport is more than a transportation hub.

It is a gateway to our city, our commonwealth, our nation, and to the world.

The presence of ICE agents at security checkpoints would create fear, confusion, distrust, especially among immigrants and communities of color, and will deter people from traveling altogether.

This is not who we are, Madam President.

We cannot support TSA workers and maintain safe, efficient operations without compromising our values.

And even with the TSA employees coming back to work that they now are being paid.

Boston stands for digit dignity, inclusion, and the fundamental belief that everyone belongs here.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Mejia.

Councillor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

And I want to thank Councillor Culpepper for adding me.

And I rise in support of this resolution.

Let's be clear that Transportation Security Administration workers at Logan have continued to show up and perform even under difficult conditions.

I also want to shout out AFGE, local 2617, for their leadership and advocacy during this time.

We should be expressing our solidarity with TSS, TSA workers who have been put in an incredible difficult position, showing up to work, keeping operations running, even when dealing with uncertainty and financial strains.

The issue here isn't performance, it's support.

And the answer cannot be to bring the U.S.

immigration and customs enforcement to fill those roles.

These are different functions, and mixing them creates concerns in our communities.

In this moment, we should be supporting TSA workers, not replacing them.

And I also just want to uplift, you know, as an immigrant who came to this country and as someone who was raised by a mom who was undocumented, the hostility right now impacting immigrants is real, and the sense of fear that so many people face is something that I think we need to continue to uh sound the alarm around and our TSA workers in particular need us to step up because many of them have been working without pay.

Um and you know, so many folks even across the country are creating mutual aid groups to support our our workers and so I stand in solidarity in support of Councillor Culpepper on this mission.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Warrell.

Councillor Warrell, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you to Councillor Cole Pepper and Councillor Mejia for adding me as a vision of co-sponsor.

Uh this federal administration has shown their true colors and the disdain for human rights, especially given the values we work to uphold in the city.

We know they may try anything to threaten Bostonians.

So what that means is we need to make sure we are doing everything in our power as a city to support our TSA staff during this difficult time to uphold our trust act and create pathways to enforce its provisions and to make sure that everyone can freely exercise their right to travel, the right to a safe workplace environment, and the right to exist as they are in their own spaces beyond the impending threat of unconstitutional force of oppression.

I stand in solidarity and support of this resolution.

Um and thank you again for Councillor Culpepper for bringing this forward.

Thank you, Councillor Warrell.

The chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I'd like to begin by saying I obviously like and respect Reverend Culpepper.

I believe the men and women of the Transportation Security Administration should be doing the job of Transportation Security that we typically see at airports across the country, including right here at Logan Airport.

But I still come back to the fact is are we are we demanding that one federal law enforcement agency not provide work at another state-run agency?

Is that really the jurisdiction or the responsibility of the Boston City Council?

I'd rather us focus on city issues, working with the Boston police on improving the Boston police.

We know the men and women of TSA are doing an excellent job, and nearly 100% of them show up for their job.

I was told.

And they deserve, they deserve respect.

They are public servants trying to keep us safe, and they do deserve our thanks and gratitude in helping us get through this challenging time in our city and country.

But I still come back to my focus is really what is happening here in Boston and ensuring we provide the safest city for everybody.

I don't necessarily like us demanding action about the federal government as it relates to a particular law enforcement agency, what they can't do, and how it may or may not impact collective bargaining at the federal level as well.

I don't know the answer to that question.

Um I'm looking forward to hearing that information uh soon.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Chair recognizes Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Okay.

Thank you.

Um, Madam President.

Um I support this resolution and I will be voting yes on it.

I want to thank Councillor Culpepper for for bringing it forward.

Um asking ICE to fill TSA roles is duplicative, it's inappropriate, and it further instills fear in uh immigrant communities like East Boston, especially East Boston, because we are home to the international airport, and to me that is a local issue because that has broad ramifications and trickle-down effects into how folks live their lives and go about their their daily um their daily lives, whether they bring their kids to school, they go to church, they shop.

And so to me, this is important.

It does send a message to the federal government.

While there is no indication that ICE agents are currently deployed at Logan, I think this resolution speaks to the broader concerns that we all have that this could potentially happen.

I also want to make sure that we're not confusing anybody in the community or that we're not instilling fear when when we don't need to.

Um but this is uh I think the right move and um I I again just want to thank Councillor Cole Pepper for his work on this, and I will be voting yes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh the chair recognizes Councillor Mejia.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I just want to reaffirm and I want to thank Councillor Coleta Zapata for grounding us in who we are here in this chamber to fight on behalf of is our constituents.

Many of the TSA workers actually live in the city of Boston, and therefore we are advocating on behalf of their quality of life.

And I understand the climate right now regarding law enforcement, but if we're really grounding ourselves in saying that we stand up for and support our immigrant communities and those who are undocumented, what better way to do that than standing in this moment in support of those workers?

Um, and also preventing more trauma and andor drama.

So looking forward to voting yes.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councilor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louis Jeanne, uh Councillor Peppen, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Counselor Culpepper, Mejia and Warrell seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket zero seven zero two.

All in favor say aye.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docker 0702?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Councillor Coletta's party, yes, Councillor Culpep.

Yes.

Councillor Culpepper, yes, Councilor Durkin.

Councilor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Council Fischer, yes, Councillor Flynn.

No.

Council Flynn, no.

Councillor Louis.

Yes.

Councilor, yes.

Councillor Mejia.

Councilor Mejia C.

Councillor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Councillor Papen.

Councilor Penn, yes, Councillor Santana.

Councillor Santana, yes, Councillor Weber.

Yes.

Councilor Weber, yes, and Councilor World.

Yes.

Councilor Worrell, yes.

Docker number 0702 has received 12 votes on the affirmative and one in the negative.

Thank you.

Docket 0702 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, can you please read Docker 0703?

Docker number 0703, Councilor Mejia offer the following.

Resolution declaring April 2nd, 2026 as Cardi B Day in the City of Boston.

The chair recognizes Council Mejia.

Councillor Mejia, you have the floor.

Oh thank you, Madam President.

That's right.

Little Cardi B is in the house, y'all.

Um stop before you kick me out.

So I I want to add uh Counselor Dominican posse, uh, Councillor Pepang as an original co-sponsor, and I want to suspend the rules and add Councillor Santana as an original third co-sponsor.

Counselor Peppen is added as a second, and hearing and seeing no objections, Councillor Santana is added as a third.

All right.

So I'm really excited uh to uh file this resolution declaring April the second, 2020 26 as Cardi B Day here in the city of Boston.

And I'm taking a page from Councillor Louis Jeanne's playbook because she did this for Burner Boy um back in the day, and then um our honorable mayor woo did it for Bad Bunny.

So I'm following the tradition of other folks who have come way before me to do this.

But Cardi B.

Um, I I I know y'all are probably thinking why Cardi B, but I'm gonna tell you why.

Um this is uh particularly special to me because in 2018, when I first ran for office, someone uh said that I was the Cardi B of the campaign trail, and they said it in a way that was uh defaming me because of my presentation because I was a little bit too spicy, a little bit too hood, I wasn't um educated enough, and they said all of these things, um, and they did not think that I had the leadership qualities to actually run for office, and they said that I was the Cardi B of the campaign trail, and that weighed weighed me down, but I use that as power because oftentimes people have this perceived notion of what power is and what leadership looks like, and Cardi B has been her full authentic self and every space that she has been in.

Also, Cardi B was the one who endorsed Bernie Sanders back in the day, so she was also engaging and trying to utilize her platform to end to uh get young people involved in politics.

Um many residents in the Boston um area, um especially young people and members of the Afro uh Latino community, see their experiences, challenges, and aspirations and reflected um in Cardi B's story.

We have a vibrant Dominican community whose presence is also reflected here in the city of Boston through our small businesses, our cultural traditions, language, and everyday life, and Cardi B represents the Dominican community with pride.

She uses her platform to speak openly about her background, her journey, and the importance of staying connected to one's culture, resonating with communities across Boston who value authenticity, resilience, and pride in your identity.

You know, as a single mom, Cardi B is also holding it down on her own, even though she got more support than I do, but you know, nonetheless, she's a single mom and she's proud of it.

Um I just think that you know, when I think about leadership and when I think about uh culture and I think about what it looks like to be yourself, even in spaces and places that have never been ready to receive you.

Cardi B is the one that I think of in this space.

And so this uh few months ago I bought tickets, so I'm gonna be going to my first concert with my daughter, um, and I'm gonna bring my 16-year-old daughter uh with me and uh and uh and some other folks to see Cardi B at the TD Garden uh tomorrow.

Um, and I'm gonna bring my 16-year-old daughter uh with me and uh and uh and some other folks to see Cardi B at the TD Garden at tomorrow.

So, you know, those tickets were expensive, y'all, but nonetheless, I made it happen, and here I am.

Happy to uh name Cardi B Day here in the city of Boston.

Thank you for allowing me to go over.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia.

The chair recognizes Councillor Peppen, Councilor Peppen.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh, just want to thank Councilor Mejia for adding me as a second to this resolution.

Uh Cardi B as has been using her platform recently, really for speaking up for our community.

For when I say our community, I mean the Latino community, the immigrant community.

She has really elevated the the message to protect our people to the point where um the Department of Homeland Security even called her out for her advocacy.

And uh Councilor Mejia just said it perfectly where she really does resemble just the voices of people that sometimes feel unheard.

And I and I and I hear that a lot, especially for um the Dominican community.

Um she has a big following, and because of that, and because she's always so prideful of that, she just she just made history for us the um about a month or two ago where they her and Marcelo, who is a Dominican comedian, they went on Saturday night live together, and they were just they're putting our culture up very high and very present for all of our people to be proud to say I am Latino.

I do speak Spanish and I'm and I'm and I'm proud of that.

So that's why I'm very proud to support this resolution and to um declare today Cardi B in the city of Boston.

But also what's interesting about Cardi is that she has expressed appreciation for the city of Boston, where she has said that her father and her uncles, despite being from New York, despite living in the Bronx, they actually have been big Boston Red Sox fans because of their connection to Boston and her family.

So just shout out to their family.

Thank you for for being a voice for the unheard.

Thank you for sharing that it's okay to be proud to be a Latino and to speak Spanish and to be from somewhere else.

So thank you, Councilor Mejia for adding as a co-sponsor, really appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Uh, I'm not gonna attempt to do the Cardi B little thing with my head.

But it was good, it was good.

Um, thank you, Councilor Mejia for adding me here um to this resolution.

Um, as both my colleagues mentioned, um, I think you know, Cardi B is an inspiration to many of our residents, and I think a lot of our youth across our city, especially our Dominican and Latin community.

Um, and I think um, you know, I think she proudly represents our culture and language throughout her music um and shows our communities that art can and should represent our lived experiences.

I think that's exactly what she does.

Um I I um I'm proud, I'm gonna look, I'm proud to support this resolution.

I hope that um you're able to go up and maybe present his resolution um with your daughter at this concert tomorrow.

Um and um, you know, it's uh thank you so much for adding me.

And I think um this is nothing in the midst of so much going on.

I think um policies like this is also needed.

Um so thank you, Councillor Maya, Council Mahia for bringing this forward.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councilor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, uh Councillor Louis Gen, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Uh Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Oh, and Councillor Flynn.

Umclors Mejia, Pepin, and Santana seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0703.

All in favor say aye.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Dock at 0703?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Colletta's a part of the Council Calaza Power, yes, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Culpepper, yes, Councilor Durkin.

Councillor Durk and yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Councillor Fischer, yes, Councilor Flynn, Councillor Flynn, yes, Councillor Lou Jen.

Councilor, yes, Councillor Mejia.

C.

Councilor Mejia, C.

Councillor Murphy, Councillor Murphy, yes, Councillor Pepin.

Councilor Pepin, yes, Councillor Santiana, Councillor Santiana, yes, Councilor Weber, Councilor Weber, yes, and Councillor Warrell.

Yes.

Councilor, yes.

Docker number 0703 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docker 0703 has been adopted, and uh we hope that Councillor Mahia and her daughter have a wonderful time at the concert tomorrow night.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docker 0704?

Document number 0704, Councilor Warrell offer the following.

Resolution recognizing April as fair housing month.

Chair recognizes Councilor Warrell.

You have the floor.

Uh thank you, Madam President.

Um, I'd like to add Councilor Louis Jen as an original co-sponsor.

Um Councillor Louis Jeanne is so added.

And I'd like to suspend the rules and add Council President Braden as a third original co-sponsor.

Hearing and seeing no objections, uh, Councillor Braden is added as a third.

Thank you.

Um housing is still the number one issue in Boston, and the reality is we're still not where we need to be.

Boston is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.

And just last week, a new report showed that a single adult now needs to make nearly 140,000 to live comfortably in Boston, up from 133,000 just a year ago.

So the question is should we be asking the question we should be asking how many Boston residents are actually able to live comfortably in our city today?

More than half of our renters are cost burdened, paying over 30% of their income just to stay housed.

And for too many families, displacement isn't a future concern.

It's happening right now.

When you look at the data, the disparities are clear.

Home ownership in Boston sits around 73% for white households.

But that's only about 40% for black households, and 37% for Latino households.

Black residents are still being denied mortgages at a significantly higher rate, and in many of our neighborhoods, the same communities facing displacements are also the ones with the least access to generational wealth and opportunity.

Greater Boston now has more black homeowners than the city of Boston itself.

In 1980, about 76% of greater Boston's black population lived in Boston.

Today, that number has just dropped to 36%.

Rents are over $2,000.

The typical home costs, more than $700,000, and costs are rising faster than incomes.

For too many families, staying in Boston is no longer an option.

So when we think about fair housing, I think that fair housing is about whether families can stay in Boston, whether rather whether residents can see a path to owning a home in the city, and whether Boston's growth actually includes its residents.

Fair housing is not just good policy, it's our legal and moral obligation to expand access to housing and to actively prevent displacement.

And that means being intentional about how we build, who we build for, and how we create real pathways to home ownership and stability.

I want to take a moment to recognize the work of the late Bob Tyrrell, whose leadership and help shape Boston's fair housing work and set a foundation we are still building on today.

I also want to take a moment to uplift the organizations who continue to push the work of Fair Housing forward.

Action for Equity, the past the Boston Tenant Coalition, Reclaim Roxbury, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, Commune Square NDC, and all the CDCs and NDCs out there, the AFFH Community Advisory Committee, Dorchester Not for Sale, Housing Forward, the Chinese Progressive Association, MAPC, the HUD Alliance, and so many others.

This work has always been driven by community and will continue to be driven by community.

And with that, I would like to request a suspension and passage of this resolution.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Louis Gen.

Councillor Louis Jean, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair and thank you.

This resolution is just an important reminder of how important the work of fair housing is.

We currently have no testing happening in the city of Boston.

I'm pretty sure Suffolk University has suspended their the gold standard of pair testing.

If we don't know, if we don't have fair housing uh testing happening in the city of Boston, I am afraid that discrimination in housing is running rampant, and we're not doing anything to monitor that, to say nothing of the discrimination that happens in appraisals and in lending.

Um so there's a lot of work to do.

Uh it's a sobering moment.

Um I, you know, I think Bob Tarrell would be um really saddened to see about the state of her housing right now in the city and in the country.

Um, and and so there's a lot of there's a lot more work to do, um, even as we stand on the shoulders of so many who pushed us forward to where we are.

So um, you know, hopefully in this uh budget, hopefully um, we can we can do the work that our federal government is failing to do.

Thank you.

Uh thank you, Councillor Louis Jean.

Uh, the chair recognizes Councillor Brady.

Sorry.

Thank you.

Thank you, Country Councillor Coletta Zapata.

And thank you, uh, Councillor Warell for bringing this forward, this important resolution.

I'm really proud to stand as a co-sponsor recognizing April as fair housing month here in Boston.

Uh, fair housing is not just a matter of policy, it's a matter of justice.

The legacy of redlining discriminate discriminatory lending, exclusionary practice continues to shape who we who has access to stable affordable housing in our city today.

There are gaps in homeownership, as our colleagues have already mentioned.

There's a disproportionate rent burden on working families as well as the continued displacement of long-term residents.

In Alston Brighton, I continue consistently hear from residents that housing affordability and stability are among their top concerns.

These challenges are a result of policy decisions over time, and they direct require equity-driven solutions from us now.

Housing is foundational to opportunity, health, education, and economic mobility.

Boston is a strong history of community leadership, tenant organizing, neighborhood groups, and advocates have fought long uh fought for a long time for equitable development and the right for residents to remain in their communities.

This resolution rightly honors that legacy, including the contributions of Robert Terrell and the many organizations continuing the fight for fair housing today.

As we recognize Fair Housing Month, we must recommit to action by strengthening enforcement of fair housing laws, expanding affordable housing, and ensuring access to stafe safe, stable housing for all.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Braden.

Would anyone else like to add their name?

Clerk, would you please add Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Papen, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, and would you please add the chair?

Councillors Warrell, Louisiana, and Brennan seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 0704.

All those in favor say aye.

All those pleased say nay.

Mr.

Clerk, would you please uh do a roll call vote?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Yes.

Councillor Calet Zapata, yes.

Councillor Culpepper.

Yes.

Councillor Culpepper, yes.

Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Council Mr.

Yes, Councillor Flynn.

Councillor Flynn, yes, Councillor Lou Jean.

Yes.

Councilor Lou Jean, yes, Councilor Mehia.

Councilor Mehia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Councillor Papen.

Councilor Penn, yes, Councillor Santana.

Yes.

Councillor Santana, yes.

Councillor Weber.

Councilor Weber, yes, and Councillor Warell.

Yes.

Councillor Warrell, yes.

Document number 0704 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docket 0704 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0705?

Docking number 0705.

Councillor Culpepper offered the following.

Resolution urging the governor to suspend the gas tax.

Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to request suspension of the rules to vote on this the passage of this document.

As of today, Boston residents are paying nearly $4 a gallon at the pump, depending on what gas station you go to.

And at some stations, it's even more than $4.

Driven by global instability and rising costs across the board.

For many working families, especially those who rely on their cars every day to get to work, bring their children to school, or access essential services.

This is not a luxury expense.

It's a necessity.

This resolution recognizes that relief is both urgent and achievable.

Other states have taken to ease this burden.

Should do the same.

A suspension of the gas tax.

Georgia has passed a suspension of the gas tax.

Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon, Alabama, South Carolina, California, Maryland, Utah are all considering a suspension of the gas tax.

And so if you buy 10 gallons of gas, 24 cents, $2.40 is a loaf of bread for some folks.

Keeping bread on the table, that's what this resolution is all about.

And when you look at where we are, a suspension of the gas tax would provide immediate tangible support to residents, not just in District 7, but in the city of Boston across the board.

And so when I look at working class families, and in particular communities of color who face longer commutes, fewer transportation options.

This resolution is about fairness.

This resolution is about economic relief.

And this resolution is about meeting people where they are in a moment of real need.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Dirkin, you have the floor.

Thank you so much.

I will be voting no on this resolution today.

This resolution holds no concrete legislative power.

As the authority rests stately uh rests with the state legislature, the gas tax draws over $600 million in revenue from gasoline and just under $100 million from other fuels each year, totaling approximately $700 million annually.

At a time when both the city and state budgets are constrained and with added risk of losing or seeing reductions in federal funding, we have to be extremely thoughtful about fiscal decisions.

The gas tax and its role in transportation revenue has been an ongoing conversation at the state level and remains a complex and unresolved issue.

While I understand and appreciate the intent behind this resolution, especially in seeking to provide relief for low-income residents, I'm not convinced that this is an effective or financially responsible path forward.

As the city of Boston considers its position during such a high pressure moment, I do not believe this resolution represents a smart approach.

I also do not believe in um legislative resolutions driving policy.

I just think it's not smart to essentially put this a very complex issue on the agenda without contacts for the amount of revenue this brings in.

The tax accounts for approximately 11% of total transportation capital and operating revenues.

So it's a significant piece of overall funding structure for the government.

So I'll be voting no today, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Calata Zapata.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I do want to acknowledge that residents are feeling squeezed due to the chaotic and irresponsible domestic and foreign policies of this presidential administration.

Gas prices are high.

And fiscal responsibility reasonings.

And I think Councillor Durkin summarized that the fiscal uh standpoint, it funds roads, bridges, and transit systems that our residents rely every day.

I think as counselor for district one, I represent environmental justice community that already bears uh the disproportionate burden of air pollution.

And so I want to be extremely mindful that short-term relief measures don't come at the expense of long-term investments in clean air and climate resiliency.

And so from that standpoint, I think that this moves us in the wrong direction.

It doubles down on our reliance of climate uh excuse me, of fossil fuels.

And so I think at a time when we should be investing in cleaner, more affordable transportation options like public transit, electrification, and resilient infrastructure.

Um, I just think that that sends the wrong message.

And so for those reasons, um, I will be voting in opposition.

Thank you.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Consor Flynn.

Consider Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I I want to say thank you to uh Reverend Cole Pepper for bringing this forward.

I do think it is a common sense approach, especially during these challenging times when prices are so high, they're impacting working class families, they're working, they're impacting elderly, they're impacting persons with disabilities.

Many of them need a vehicle to visit a sick relative to drive to their car to drive their car to work.

Maybe it's in the North Shore or the South Shore.

Maybe they need their automobile to take their children to an after-school um event, sports event, or um a dancing, a dancing program.

Um, but there are a lot of reasons that we need cars in the city, and we do need to support residents that do have cars.

I think this common sense approach that Reverend Cole Pepper um recommended of reducing the the gas tax um even even for a period of time while we're engaged in this war in the Middle East might be might be reasonable.

I do think we have to support residents that are struggling every day to pay their bills.

I often see people at my local variety store on F Street in South Boston, and they're they have a pocket full of change and they've counting their quarters and nickels and dimes trying to buy a loaf of bread.

I was so I know that the struggles working families go through trying to put food on the table.

I was at a soup kitchen yesterday in East Boston talking to residents about food access.

Families are struggling.

Maybe this temporary proposal might help working families.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Um Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

In response to my colleague Sharon Dirk, and let me just say this in terms of dollars.

Thank you.

Fair share, that fair share tax.

That was placed on the wealthy brought in three billion dollars last year.

This gas tax is not gonna hurt the state in any way.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Flynn, Councillor Murphy.

Um, Councillor Murphy.

Uh Councillor Culpepper seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of Dock at 0705.

All in favor say aye.

Mr.

Kirk, could you please take a rule call vote on Dock at 0705?

Councillor Braden.

No.

Councillor Braden, no.

Councillor Colletta's a part of it.

Councillor Coletta's a part of no.

Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpepper, yes.

Councillor Durk and Councillor Durk and no.

Councillor Fitzgerald.

Councillor Fischeral, no.

Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Council Flynn, yes.

Council Louis.

Council Luzen, no.

Councilor Mejia.

Present.

Council Mejia, present.

Councillor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes.

Councilber Penn.

No.

Council of Finn, no.

Councillor Santana.

Councillor Santana, no.

Councilor Weber.

No.

Councilor Weber, no, and Councillor Warrell.

Eight votes in the negative, one present, and three votes in the affirmative.

Council.

Councilor Warrail, as a courtesy, would you like to vote on Docket 0705?

Yes, tax.

Yes.

Okay.

Council Warrell, yes.

So again, eight votes in a negative, four votes in the affirmative, and one present.

Thank you.

Docket 0705 has not been adopted.

Mr.

Klerk, could you please read Docker 0706?

Docker number 0706, Council Louis offered the following.

Resolution recognizing the independence of the Republic of Senegal and the rising or the raising of the Senegal flag at Boston City Hall.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Louis Jean.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

This is also another filing that I'm very excited about.

I'm asking for suspension and passage.

This Friday will be celebrating.

Oh, it was actually this Saturday, we'll be celebrating the 66 years of the independence of Senegal.

And during my time on the city council, now my fifth year, we haven't raised the Senegalese flag.

I believe it may have happened once before.

But we are doing it now, and I want to give a big big shout out to Aku from Boldskin Babe.

She was the host on of Wednesday's women's uh for the city's uh woman's empowerment event.

Um she is phenomenal.

She is uh from Senegal, and with her I get to uh dust off my little wall off to uh whenever I get to talk to her.

Uh and she really wanted us um she you know we've been talking about it, and I I wanted to make sure that we are able to honor um our Senegalese community here in the city of Boston.

I studied abroad and lived in Senegal for five months when I was in uh college with a mixed African family from Senegal.

They were Senegalese, Cape Verdean, Togolese.

Um, and uh I'm just excited that I get to acknowledge uh a country that has played a significant role in my life.

I wear this, I've been wearing this necklace around my neck since I was 20 years old when I was in Senegal.

Um has a lot of meaning to me as car uh carry shell, the original form of currency in a lot of this country and a lot of this world, especially in West Africa.

And so this uh Friday we will be uh raising uh the Senegalese flag.

Uh thank you to uh Safari restaurants and the Senegalese restaurant that will be providing food.

Um Senegal it means uh the original meaning of the country is Sunugal, which is a misinterpretation of uh when uh uh the colonizers arrived, uh they believed that they were asking where the land was, and uh they misinterpreted what they were saying.

They were pointing to their boat, uh the Senegalese were pointing to their boat, and it's it and they said Sunu Gal, which means our boat, um, and from that the misinterpretation led to the name of the country being Senegal.

But it's a really just a phenomenal, beautiful, very friendly place.

It's known as uh the land of Taranga, the land of hospitality, and um I just feel so warm and welcome and um just like at home when I'm with the Senegalese community, and so I'm just very excited to help raise the flag this Friday and encourage any of my colleagues who will be here.

I know it's good Friday, um, and there's a there's a lot going on, but um, if any of my colleagues could be here to welcome our Senegalese community, um be happy and big shout out to tall ships, Dusty Roads conventions were working really hard to get uh ship from Senegal here uh for tall ships because right now there is no representation from Africa in the tall ships program, and we want to change that.

So shout out to her team, the mayor's office, um, and so many other people who try to make that happen.

Thank you.

Very good, thank you.

Jetta Jeff.

Uh would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkin, Councilor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councilor Peppen, Councillor Santana, Councillor Warell, and please add the chair.

Councilor Louis Jean seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 0706.

All those in favor say aye.

Council vote.

Uh Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Dock at 0706?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta Zapata.

Councillor Coletta Zapata, yes, Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpepper, yes.

Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Councillor Fischer, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Councillor Flynn, yes, Councillor Louis Gen.

Yes.

Councillor Louis Jean, yes, Councilor Mejia.

Councilor Mehia, yes, Councilor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes, Councillor Papen.

Councilor Penn, yes, Councillor Santiana.

Yes.

Councillor Santiana, yes, Councillor Weber.

Yes.

Councillor Weber, yes, and Councillor Warrell.

Yes.

Councillor Warrell, yes.

Docking number 0706 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docket 076 0706 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0707?

Document number 0707.

Councillor Flynn for the following.

Resolution in support of renaming the West Broadway Community Garden in honor of Kimberly Parker.

Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Kimberly Parker has had a long history in South Boston, including her attendance at South Boston High School and having served as the property manager of Boston of West Broadway Homes.

Her dedication to serving the community reflected her strong advocac advocacy for equitable access and inclusive participation for all residents here in Naples.

Kimberly Parker was a respected leader, dedicated volunteer, passionate advocate for social and economic justice within the real estate management profession.

Because of her leadership in South Boston in advocacy, residents believe there is no better way to honor her legacy than to name the garden that she was an essential part of developing after her.

For four decades, Kimberly served as an essential figure at the South Boston, Boston Housing Authority, West Broadway Homes.

She remained committed to the development of the West Broadway community garden by serving as a trusted connection between residents tireless, tirelessly advocating for inclusive participation, supporting long-term sustainability planning.

She was also deeply committed to making the garden accessible for all neighbors through our active participation in the development process and through co-developing programming ideas to ensure the garden would serve all, including our seniors, persons with disabilities and young families.

According to her neighbors, Kim remained a consistent and active presence at all planning meetings, ensuring residents' voices were represented throughout the development process.

She was a trusted liaison between neighbors and community partners.

She encouraged BHA residents to participate in the garden by encouraging sign-ups, answering questions, helping them see the space as their own.

Through her influential career, Kimberly Parker remained a tireless advocate for inclusion in accessibility with South Boston residents and neighbors living in public housing.

The success of the garden today is a testament to her unwavering dedication to bringing a welcoming and inclusive garden for all residents of South Boston.

I ask that my colleagues support the advocacy of my neighbors at BHA West Browie Homes, including Mercy Robinson, and my friends at South Boston and Axion.

I I also ask that you respect my constituents and neighbors in public housing and vote yes on this resolution.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louis Gen, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Peppin, Councillor Santana, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Councillor Flynn seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 0707.

All in favor say aye.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 0707?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Coletta's apartment.

Councillor Coletta Zapata, yes.

Council Culpepper.

Councillor Calpepper, yes.

Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes.

Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Councillor Fitzjo, yes.

Council Flynn.

Yes.

Councillor Flynn, yes, Councillor Louis Jen.

Councilor Lugen, yes, Councillor Mejia.

Council Mejia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Pipen.

Councillor Penn, yes.

Councilor Santana.

Councillor Santana, yes.

Council Weber.

Councilor Weber, yes, and Council Warrell.

Yes.

Council World, yes.

Docket number 0707 has received a unanimous vote in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docket 0707 has been adopted.

We're now on to personnel orders.

Mr.

Clerk, can you please uh read the personnel orders?

Personnel orders, document number 0708.

Council of Braden offer the following.

Order for appointment of temporary employment employee Savita Maharaj.

Docket number 0709, Councillor Braden for Councillor Culpepper.

Docket number 0710.

Council Braden for Councillor Durkin.

Docket number 0711.

Council Braden for Councillor Murphy.

And Docket number 0712.

Council of Braden for Councillor Flynn.

The chair moves for passage of Dockets 0708 through 0712.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Thank you.

The personnel orders have been passed.

Before we move on to green sheets, is and is there anyone who would like to add their name to a docket they may have missed.

Okay.

We're now on to green sheets.

Uh is anyone looking to pull anything from the green sheets.

I understand, Councillor Santana.

Um you have some sheets to pull.

Uh could the chair recognizes Councillor Santana?

You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, I have one sheet to follow, not multiple, but uh Mr.

Clerk, as notified of today's hearing, I would like to pull document number 0321 for the on the committee of public safety and criminal justice.

Mr.

Clerk, um, could you read Docket 0302?

Is that correct?

Way to do it.

Maybe I don't maybe I'm the one that didn't get the update.

Okay, we're doing 0321.

0321 and 0320.

Is that correct?

321.

Let's start with 321.

Yeah.

And then take it from there.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 0321?

From the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, Docker number 0321.

Message in order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of 140,000 to 426 dollars in the form of a grant, the fiscal year 25 port security grant awarded by Federal Emergency Management Agency to be administered by the fire department.

The grant will fund strengthened port wide risk management and protection of critical service transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.

Thank you.

Absent objection, the motion of the committee chair is accepted, and docket 0321 is properly before the body.

Councillor Santana, the floor is yours.

Thank you, Madam President.

Just say the Committee on Criminal Justice held a hearing on all departments to be administered to the fire department.

This includes Docket 0321, which will strengthen port wide risk management and protect infrastructure from emergencies.

Grants like these allow our fire department to continue their essential work and protecting our residents and infrastructure, having held a productive hearing on this order and other fire department grants.

As chair of the committee of public safety and criminal justice, I recommend moving this document from the committee to the full council for discussion and formal action.

At that time, my recommendation to the full council will be that docket number 0321 are to pass.

Thank you.

Pardon me, Councillor Flynn.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you.

And thank you, Council of Santana, for bringing this forward.

This grant is critical for the Boston Fire Department, but for really for residents of Boston and Greater Boston, it provides critical public safety support, especially during these dangerous and challenging times.

But the Port of Boston, and I have I have a large port in my district in South Boston.

Certainly there's a large port in East Boston as well.

But the Port of Boston plays a critical role too during challenging times, economic times as well.

Whether it's the LNG tankers that come in, whether it's the cruise industry that plays a critical role in our economy in tourism.

We recently had the commissioning of the USS Massachusetts in Boston.

But the anti-terrorism, Homeland Security is an important part of public safety and law enforcement.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Anyone like else like to speak on this matter?

Councillor Santana moves for passage of docket zero three two one.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Mr.

Clerk, could you take a roll call vote on Docket Zero Three Two One, please?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Killeth is a part of it.

Councillor Killeth as a party, yes.

Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpepper, yes, Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durrican, yes, Council Fitzcherald.

Yes.

Council Fitz Chow, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Councillor Flynn, yes, Councillor Louis Gen.

Yes.

Councillor Lou Jen, yes, Councillor Mejia.

Councilor Mihia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes, Council Pipin.

Councillor Papin, yes, Councillor Santana.

Yes.

Council Santana, yes, Councillor Weber.

Yes.

Councilor Weber, yes, and Councillor Warrell.

Yes.

Council World, yes.

Docket number 0321 as we see.

Thank you.

Docket 0321 has passed.

Councillor Santana, do you have another docket or is that it for that?

Very good.

Thank you.

We're now moving on to late files.

I'm informed by the clerk that there are two late files.

Absent objection.

Councillor Durkin, you have the floor.

I'd like to object to the two late files.

No, I I think we have we have to hear what the late files are.

Read them in.

Oh, if she objects to them, I don't have to read her.

So she can speak.

Councillor Durkin, uh you're welcome to speak on the late files.

Uh since I have no knowledge of what they are, I uh welcome your comments.

Counselor Durkin.

I've objected.

Okay.

Okay.

What are these go on?

Okay.

I've just um hold on a second, please.

Since um these these two late files will be moved on to the consent agenda and will be um taken up next week.

We're gonna move we're going to move on to the consent agenda.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Yeah, and this is to the to the chair, but also to the clerk.

Mr.

Clerk, these dockets should have been read into the record so the public that's watching these um know exactly why what what the what the document is all about.

I think counselor Flynn, Councillor Flynn, um they will be filed for next week next week.

No, I understand.

But this is this is the precedent now that you just object.

It just you just object to late files without without no.

There was no there was no vote to accept late files, so there was no vote to I know that.

I know that, madam chair.

Thank you.

We're moving on to the consent agenda.

Mr.

Clerk, are there any additions to the consent agenda?

Um I'm informed by the clerk that there are three additions to the consent agenda.

The question now comes on approval of the various matters contained within the consent agenda.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Thank you.

The consent agenda has been adopted.

We are now on to uh announcements.

Please remember that these are for upcoming dates and events.

Does anyone have announcements?

If you have an announcement, please put your light on and we'll call upon you.

Uh councillor Peppen, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I just want to wish my daughter a happy fifth birthday.

Um, the Pepin siblings are a week apart, so um last week was my son, this week is my daughter, so I just wanted to wish her with her a very, very sweet happy birthday.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Lots of birthdays in the Pepin household.

Um Chair recognizes Councillor Weber.

You have the floor.

Okay, thank you very much.

Uh tonight is the first night of Passover.

Uh uh Jews all across the city will be reading the Haggadah and and talking about uh you know uh being free from slavery and oppression and how we can uh you know uh uh fight oppression today and so um you know reach out to uh your Jewish constituents and wish them a good uh PESA.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Anyone else chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper?

May next week we will uh present meet, one of the groups that was here that we kind of missed last week.

They provided all the food that folks the good food from last week.

So we're bringing them back to uh present them this week with higher ground uh next week, April.

Yeah, we look forward to hearing you meeting them next week.

Thank you.

Anyone else in the announcements?

I'd like to also echo Councillor Weber's remarks and and recognize the start of Passover this evening and wish a happy Easter to all who celebrate.

We're now moving on to memor memorials.

Would anyone like to uplift a name?

Uh Councillor Colletta Zapata, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I have two names.

Um I rise to honor the life of Teresa Basil of East Boston, a devoted mother, grandmother, and matriarch whose strength and sacrifice defined her family and community.

After emigrating here from Italy and losing her husband far too early, she raised four sons on her own, uh including uh former State Representative Carlo Basil and uh current East Boston resident, working as a seamstress and anchoring her family in faith, love, and resilience.

Her legacy lives on through her children, her grandchildren, and the generations of folks that she uplifted through her quiet generosity and unwavering dedication.

And I also would like to memorialize my grandfather, Alessandro Gayetha, who passed 29 years ago today during the April Fool's Day snowstorm while he was shoveling.

He was a man of high integrity.

He literally dug trenches for the city of Boston, putting my mom through college, and she was the first to do so in our family.

So I just wanted to say his name.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um you have the floor.

Thank you.

And um also just want to wish everyone a very happy Easter.

It's been my favorite holiday, so thank you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Councillor Flynn, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I I would also like to acknowledge the passing and the loss of the Basil family at least Boston.

I know Representative Carl Basil for a long period of time, and during Easter uh thoughts and prayers of what is family.

Um want to wish everybody a happy and healthy Easter as well.

Thank you.

The Chair moves that on when the council adjourns today, it does so in memory of the aforementioned individuals.

On behalf of Councillor Coletta Zapata, Councillor Louis Jeanne and Councillor Flynn, Teresa Basil.

On behalf of Councillor Fitzgerald, Boston Police Chief Paul B.

McCarthy, uh former City Councillor Tim McCarthy's father-in-law.

On behalf of Councillor Louis Jeanne Burton, Bert F.

Cushing, Lori Williams Hubbard, and Bessie Betty Colin Callie owns this.

And on behalf of Councillor Braden, Judy Gavin, who is the mother of Beth Gavin, who works in the Mayor's Office of Housing.

A moment of silence, please.

The council is scheduled to meet again in the INLA chamber on Wednesday, April 8th, 2026 at 12 p.m.

Thank you to my colleagues, Central Staff, the Clerk, and the Clerk's Office, and the Council Stenographer.

All in favour of adjournment, please say aye.

Aye.

Thank you.

The council is adjourned.