OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Boston City Council Regular Meeting - April 29, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, April 29, 2026
BodyBoston, Massachusetts
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, April 29, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:56:20

Transcript — Verbatim
5:07

Also pursuant to Rule 42.

5:10

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

5:18

Thank you.

5:20

Madam Clerk, would you please call the role to ascertain the presence of a quorum?

5:25

I'm celebrating.

5:26

Here.

5:35

Council Doken.

5:39

Council Fitzgerald here.

5:41

Council Flynn.

5:42

Council Flynn here.

5:44

Council Louis Jeanne.

5:46

Council Mehia.

5:48

Council Murphy.

5:50

Council Pepin.

5:53

Council Peppin.

5:54

President Council Santana.

5:59

Council Warrell.

6:01

We have a quorum.

6:02

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

6:05

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

6:10

We will now recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

6:13

Oh, pardon?

6:15

Oh, you came by.

6:17

Mr.

6:18

Clerk, uh Madam Clerk is going to do an invocation this morning.

6:23

Uh uh, our clergy were unavailable, and uh the church was unavailable.

6:29

So here we are.

6:29

Madam Clark, you have the floor.

6:33

Is it bench?

6:38

Stay on everyone.

6:41

God of creation, whom we try again and again to make into our own image.

6:47

Enable us to desire rightly and to be the use of in the service of others.

6:52

Be with these Boston City councillors, grant them the wisdom to create what is essential for the common good.

7:00

Keep within each of their hearts a love for the cause of human welfare and a dedication to enrich the lives of all people.

7:10

Guide them in their labor to maintain and strengthen our public lives and remind them to be good stewards of the gift of life.

7:19

Amen.

7:20

Amen.

7:38

Thank you.

7:57

So I'll invite uh Council Culpepper to come up and introduce our guests.

8:02

And then that will be followed by Consular Flynn, who's recognizing the Massachusetts Nurses Association.

8:08

You will come up next.

8:09

So uh Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor.

8:13

Thank you, Madam President.

8:15

Good afternoon, everyone.

8:17

Today, Council Louis and I are honored to invite Kinfield and Fabiola Mendez of Jazz Boston to the dais.

8:29

Ken will say a few words.

8:31

Uh and then Fabiola will honor us with uh it says short performance, but I'm just gonna say a performance in recognition of April 30th as International Jazz Day in the City of Boston.

8:46

Jazz is a uniquely American art form that grew from the African American experience, blending musical traditions with global techniques to create something truly transcending.

8:59

Boston has long been a vital part of that story from the legendary stages of the hi-hat and wigwam to the enduring legacy of Wally's, which still brings live music to our city every single day on Massachusetts Avenue in my district.

9:19

We must look forward metaphorically and specifically as the opening of the Jazz or Bane opens in Nubian Square next month, and also because we sell a celebrate jazz, not just as history, but as a living breathing force for creativity.

9:48

Thank you.

9:52

Thanks to uh President Braden and Councillors Lugine and Culpepper for giving me a few minutes to speak.

10:00

I'm the president of Jazz Boston.

10:01

Since 2006, we've been advocating for the Boston area jazz community of musicians, audiences, venues, and media.

10:10

We currently have over 4700 members.

10:13

And about 60% of them open our monthly newsletters on a regular basis.

10:17

They're engaged, they're passionate about this important music.

10:21

And I always say this is important music.

10:23

It's not just music we play or enjoy.

10:26

Jazz was created in the African American community.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████23%
Public Safety████████████12%
Transportation Safety████████████12%
Community Engagement███████7%
Arts And Culture██████6%
Fiscal Sustainability█████5%
Public Health████4%
Public Education████4%
Technology and Innovation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Boston City Council Regular Meeting - April 29, 2026

The Boston City Council convened its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 12:13 PM in the Christopher Iannella Chamber, presided by President Breadon. Twelve councilors were present (Breadon, Coletta Zapata, Culpepper, Durkan, FitzGerald, Flynn, Mejia, Murphy, Pepén, Santana, Weber, Worrell), with Councilor Louijeune absent. The meeting adjourned at 5:04 PM after addressing a full agenda including budget updates, committee reports, ordinances, resolutions, and personnel orders.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolutions adopted en masse (Items 0889–0903): Recognitions for Jack Fultz, Avra Estiatorio grand opening, Sherley Smith, Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit, Eileen Peterson, Elsie Morantus Petion, in memory of John Francis Snedeker, Prince Hall and African Lodge No. 459, Siobhan Salani, Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson, Candelaria Silva-Collins, Chris Sumner, Marcia Butman, April 30 as International Jazz Day, and congratulations to Larry E. Polston Jr.
  • Personnel orders (Items 0887–0888 and late-filed 0904–0907): Appointments of temporary employees including Vu Tran, Moira Carragee, Lexie Gross, and Wilmer Quinones Melo were passed under suspension of the rules.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jazz Boston presentation: Ken (president) and Fabiola Mendez (cuatro musician) spoke about International Jazz Day, highlighting Boston's jazz history and the upcoming Jazz O'Bane venue in Nubian Square. Fabiola performed an original song.
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses: Sarah Buswell (RN and MNA bargaining committee secretary) testified alongside Councilor Flynn, urging support for a fair contract. She stated that management proposed a 0% wage increase for most nurses while seeking higher health insurance costs. The nurses held an informational picket that day from 2–4 PM.

Discussion Items

  • Tenant Protection Ordinance (Docket #0864): Councilors Coletta Zapata, Weber, and Santana introduced an ordinance to increase rental registration fees (from $25 to $75 for initial, $15 to $50 annual renewal) and change penalties from $300 per month to $300 per day for non-compliance. The ordinance also creates a shared data system between Inspectional Services and the Office of Housing Stability and strengthens anti-retaliation protections. Referred to Committee on Government Operations.
  • Hearing orders and resolutions:
    • Parking structures (0865): Hearing to explore use of parking structures on municipal lots. Referred to Planning, Development and Transportation.
    • Planning Department performance (0866): Annual hearing required by 2024 ordinance to review the newly created planning department's report. Referred to Planning, Development and Transportation.
    • AI data centers moratorium (0867): Hearing to discuss potential moratorium on AI data centers due to concerns over electricity, water consumption, and noise. Referred to Planning, Development and Transportation.
    • University small business partnership (0868–0869): Hearing and resolution to establish a technical assistance partnership between universities and small businesses. Resolution adopted with 10 yeas.
    • In-custody deaths at Suffolk County House of Correction (0870): Hearing to examine over 20 deaths in five years, focusing on systemic factors. Referred to Public Safety and Criminal Justice.
    • Independent investigation into Shacoby Kenny death (0871): Resolution calling for an independent investigation into the December 2025 in-custody death; adopted 11 yeas.
    • Suspension of correctional staff involved in Kenny death (0872): Resolution calling for temporary paid administrative suspension of involved staff; failed (6 yeas, 3 nays, 2 present).
    • 17F information requests (0873, 0874): Orders for data on grant programs and drink spiking prevention efforts. Both passed (0873 on voice vote; 0874 with 11 yeas).
    • Everett Stadium parking (0876): Resolution opposing use of Charlestown for event parking, citing agreements with Kraft Group; adopted 12 yeas.
    • Safeguarding transportation funding (0877): Resolution urging timely use of state/federal funds for street projects; adopted 7 yeas, 4 nays, 1 present.
    • USPS Allston post office (0878): Resolution urging reestablishment of post office in Allston; adopted 12 yeas.
    • Summer block party grants elimination (0879): Resolution to eliminate $750 grants; failed (3 yeas, 9 nays).
    • Polish Constitution Day (0880): Declared May 3 as Polish Constitution Day; adopted 11 yeas (with Councilor Mejia added as co-sponsor minutes later).
    • Teacher Appreciation Week (0881): Recognized National Teacher Appreciation Week; adopted 11 yeas.
    • Dr. Jean McGuire Day (0882): Recognized May 1, 2026 as Dr. Jean McGuire Day; adopted 11 yeas.
    • Mental Health Awareness Month (0883): Recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month; adopted on voice vote.
    • National Nurses Month/Week (0884): Recognized National Nurses Month and Week; adopted on voice vote.
    • Support for Brigham and Women's Hospital nurses (0885): Resolution supporting nurses in contract negotiations; adopted 11 yeas.
    • Jewish American Heritage Month (0886): Recognized May as Jewish American Heritage Month; adopted on voice vote.
  • Traffic signal timing resolution (0302): Resolution supporting replacement of concurrent traffic signals (pedestrian and car green at same time); adopted 11 yeas.

Key Outcomes

  • Committee reports approved:
    • Appointment of Samira Ahmadi to BERDO Review Board (0260) confirmed.
    • $860,000 Cemetery Trust Fund appropriation (0760) passed.
    • $375,000 Red Sox Arts and Parks Program Grant (0761) authorized.
    • $32,600,000 for FY26 Community Preservation projects (0569) passed (12 yeas).
    • $1,763,090 for CPC administrative expenses and $39,587,798 reserved for FY27 (0758) passed (12 yeas).
    • Copley Plaza Hotel landmark designation (0771) approved (12 yeas).
  • Budget items: FY27 operating budget (0733–0735), capital fund transfers (0736–0737), capital budget (0738–0740), and PEG access fund appropriation ($3.6 million, 0757) all remained in Committee on Ways and Means.
  • Withdrawal: Docket #0875 (resolution regarding ICE enforcement at Fenway Park) was withdrawn.
  • Late-filed matters: Four personnel orders (0904–0907) passed; absence letter from Councilor Louijeune (0908) placed on file over objection; one additional late-filed resolution was blocked by the chair.
  • Next meeting: Scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Also pursuant to Rule 42. I remind all those in the chamber that no demon demonstration of approval or disapproval from members of the public will be permitted. Thank you. Madam Clerk, would you please call the role to ascertain the presence of a quorum? I'm celebrating. Here. Council Doken. Council Fitzgerald here. Council Flynn. Council Flynn here. Council Louis Jeanne. Council Mehia. Council Murphy. Council Pepin. Council Peppin. President Council Santana. Council Warrell. We have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I've been informed by the clerk that there is a quorum present. We will now recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Oh, pardon? Oh, you came by. Mr. Clerk, uh Madam Clerk is going to do an invocation this morning. Uh uh, our clergy were unavailable, and uh the church was unavailable. So here we are. Madam Clark, you have the floor. Is it bench? Stay on everyone. God of creation, whom we try again and again to make into our own image. Enable us to desire rightly and to be the use of in the service of others. Be with these Boston City councillors, grant them the wisdom to create what is essential for the common good. Keep within each of their hearts a love for the cause of human welfare and a dedication to enrich the lives of all people. Guide them in their labor to maintain and strengthen our public lives and remind them to be good stewards of the gift of life. Amen. Amen. Thank you. So I'll invite uh Council Culpepper to come up and introduce our guests. And then that will be followed by Consular Flynn, who's recognizing the Massachusetts Nurses Association. You will come up next. So uh Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor. Thank you, Madam President. Good afternoon, everyone. Today, Council Louis and I are honored to invite Kinfield and Fabiola Mendez of Jazz Boston to the dais. Ken will say a few words. Uh and then Fabiola will honor us with uh it says short performance, but I'm just gonna say a performance in recognition of April 30th as International Jazz Day in the City of Boston. Jazz is a uniquely American art form that grew from the African American experience, blending musical traditions with global techniques to create something truly transcending. Boston has long been a vital part of that story from the legendary stages of the hi-hat and wigwam to the enduring legacy of Wally's, which still brings live music to our city every single day on Massachusetts Avenue in my district. We must look forward metaphorically and specifically as the opening of the Jazz or Bane opens in Nubian Square next month, and also because we sell a celebrate jazz, not just as history, but as a living breathing force for creativity.

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