Good afternoon, everyone.

Good afternoon.

Good to see so many folks in here.

I call to order today's meeting of the Boston City Council.

Viewers can watch the council meeting live on YouTube at Boston.gov backslash city dash council dash TV.

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

Also pursuant to rule forty-two.

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

Mr.

Clerk, will you please uh take a roll call vote to ascertain the presence of a quorum?

Councillor Braden.

Here.

Council Killard is a part of Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Fitzgerald.

Councillor Flynn.

Councillor Lou Jim.

Councilor Mihia.

Councillor Murphy.

Council Pepin.

Councillor Saint Anna.

Councillor Weber.

And Councillor Warrell.

A quarum.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

I've been informed by the clerk that we accoram is present.

I'll now ask the clerk to offer some brief remarks in as an invocation before we start our meeting.

And then following that, we'll have the Pledge of Allegiance.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Please stand.

Now may the spirit that leads us in our search for truth and justice.

That spirit has impelled men and women to devote life and fortune to public service.

Beyond hope of fame or pull of pride.

May that spirit be alive and renewed in them, in them today as they continue to do the good work of the people of Boston.

Amen.

One nation under God and the visible liberty and justice for all.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

We have one presentation this afternoon.

Council Louis Jen is recognizing Eddie Crispin's retirement.

Councilor Louis Jean, would you like to come forward and under have your guest with with you?

Your honor.

Is he here?

Oh, there he is.

Good man.

Come on up.

Good morning, everyone.

This is an incredibly bittersweet moment because for many of us who have known Eddie for years, uh, we know that he does everything with fight and with heart.

And he has been a public servant here in our city and leading on our police force for decades.

I know that I don't want to see him go.

I know that there are many people here in this chambers who do not want to see him go.

But Eddie must do what's best for Eddie.

Jordan.

Oh welcome, come on out.

This is just one of the celebrations celebrating Eddie.

We surprised him a few weeks ago with the retirement party, and uh Councilor Mejia was there, and Council Warell, and so many others to say thank you, Eddie, for always putting people, Jordan.

Come on up, come on up here.

Always putting people and always putting community first.

Um you've given your heart to this city, leading Mamlio, uh Massachusetts Association of Minority Law Enforcement Officers, leading Halleck, the Haitian Association of Law Enforcement Law Enforcement Community here.

There are so many people in this room and out of this room who owe a debt of gratitude to you for your mentorship, to how much you make sure that we are thinking and always doing the work of community policing and really centering the needs of all of our residents.

Um there are so many meetings where you have been such an integral role, whether we're talking about needs in the Haitian community, needs in the black community, needs in our city at large.

Um, and so whether as a deputy superintendent or as sergeant, your leadership has been palpable.

Um I don't know if there's anybody who really is doing the work in the city of Boston who doesn't know you, and who can't pay tribute to how much of you your heart has been on the line in this work of policing.

We know that this is not goodbye.

We know that you are still going to be centered in the work.

Um, at the reception earlier, Sister Virginia was talking about your board membership of Girlfall um NDC and how you have really just always been about the people.

Uh, not about you know all the optics or anything, but just really truly about the work.

Uh, as you raised two wonderful children, but the people who wanted to show up for you are the people who know your spirit, who know your character, um, and who are like me sad to see you go.

Umsefrem.

Um, and you've made this job for me a lot easier whenever I had issues or questions.

You are one of the first calls, especially if it had to do with policing, and I'm I'm sad that that won't be the same, but we'll be talking about other things and making sure that the spirit of the work, the spirit of social justice continues.

You know, it's not easy.

I know that it wasn't easy the path in the Boston Police Department, and it still isn't easy.

But you have made it a lot easier for so many people, and that's what leadership is, and that's what courage is.

And so I just want to thank you on behalf of the city council, on behalf of community, on behalf of the Haitian community.

In terms of advancement, what you've done to make sure that we weren't just in the room, but that we were making decisions in the room.

And so I'm grateful for you.

I have this resolution that says resolution celebrating the retirement of Eddie Crispin.

After more than three decades of extraordinary public service, leadership and advocacy, Eddie Crispin is set to leave a lasting legacy in the city of Boston and throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

And since since his arrival in the United States from Haiti as a child, he has been guided by a deep commitment to justice that have defined not only his professional accomplishments, but the way he has shown up for family, colleagues, community, and the city.

Whether it's through shaping the future of policing through your service on the Boston Police Reform Task Force, and your appointment by Attorney General Andrea Campbell to the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, you've had a statewide impact on police accountability and on reform.

Your retirement is not only a moment to look back with gratitude, but also a moment to celebrate the beginning of a new chapter filled with family, joy, rest, and purpose.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Boston City Council extends its heartfelt congratulations to Eddie Crispin on his retirement, honors his decades of service, leadership, mentorship, advocacy, and integrity, celebrates the enduring legacy he has built in Boston and beyond, and offers its deepest gratitude and best wishes to him and his family as he begins this next chapter.

Wanted to give you flowers.

Sorry.

This is a frame photo.

His last day on the forest day on the force and his last day.

Want to make sure that we gave, you know, Kyle Far and his power.

And thanks to Peruk, we have a certificate of special recognition, congressional recognition presented to uh Sergeant uh Detective Eddie Crispin in recognition of a 27-year career dedicated to serving the people of Boston with integrity, compassion, and commitment to the community.

So thank you.

And along with my elected officials who are here, I'd also like to recognize Randolph Town Councilor Natasha Kleger who is here and with us.

I moved to you and all your videos.

Absolutely, I'll keep it short.

I just want to thank everybody who's shown up.

I want to thank my parents, who unfortunately are not here.

Um but for them, I could not be here to uh approximately three years ago.

Both of them passed within two days of each other.

Uh, but for them, I could not stand here.

Um I want to thank this country.

I came here as a seven-year-old boy from Haiti.

Um I say my father gave me life twice, gave me life when he birthed me with my mother and the life that he gave me when I came here to the United States.

I think it's important that I acknowledge um all the things I received from this country.

I want to thank the city of Boston for allowing me to serve, serve in the way that really spoke to who I am as a person.

I think policing all too often sometimes people come in and they think they have to fit into the role of being a police officer.

For me, it was always about fitting, making sure that I remained true to who I was and I am and police in that way, right?

I think oftentimes policing is a job, it's not who we are.

I made sure that I never lost myself in policing.

All right.

I think if we are really invested in changing policing as it historically has been, that we have to come in and be who we are, not allow policing to change us into these historical notions of what a police officer is.

Um, over the course of my 30 years of public service service as a social worker, probation officer, not even counting the work I did when I was in college, um, running a violence prevention program, tutoring mentoring program.

I've been blessed to meet a lot of people, um, all of whom have impacted me in in some way.

Right.

And I think for me, one of the things I will continue to talk about.

I talked about it briefly was um the work that we do in policing is it's policing.

But the work that we need to do as a society really speaks to social engagement, pulling people in.

Uh, one of the things that we never say, if somebody commits crime, we never say we don't have enough money to incarcerate them.

Never.

Right?

But we oftentimes say we don't have enough money to invest in families.

I know as a social worker, I would walk into people's homes, and I could already somewhat predict where these young people were going to be.

And unfortunately, I've seen too many of those young people come in through the criminal justice system.

I've seen them buried, I've seen them incarcerated.

I've seen them incarcerated.

So I beseech, I beg of you to continue to do the work investing in people.

While policing is important.

We'll have to invest a lot less in police.

They have people who have been incredibly impactful and helped me, especially over the last two years when I went through a tough time.

This is not how I wanted it to finish, but this is the right way for me to finish.

So I walk away without any regrets, without any consternation about who I am, how I behave as a police officer.

There are a lot of things that I learned along the way.

Of course, hindsight is 220.

There's some things I would have done differently.

Absolutely.

But the things that really speak to who I am, who my parents taught me to be, there's nothing I would change.

So I want to thank Councillor Louis Gen for having this for me.

I want to thank a lot of the other people.

City Councillors here, I was able to have deep insightful conversations over the years.

And my role as Man Leo President, I want to thank Ma'am Leo because they really raised me.

Right.

I came into policing with my own ideas about how I was going to be a change agent.

But having interacted and talked to so many people, it's really changed who I am as an individual.

And I hope that there are many other young people, leaders, um, who are going to take up that baton and take it a lot further than I ever could, and I hope to be able to support them.

Thank you.

If I could have everyone who is here for EddieCom and my colleagues join us for a photo, and then afterwards, whoever wants, there's still cake back in the Pomati room and goodies, so feel free to have that.

But everyone who is here for Eddie, please come and join us for this photo.

Okay, you're in the middle.

That's that's uh I don't know if it's uh stress that makes you younger.

Really?

Okay.

Mr.

President.

I see it.

I thought you were about to go up there.

Oh no, please go ahead.

Oh, our girl is in the phone.

Can you see Eddie?

He's the most important person in this picture.

Okay.

Make sure we're not blocking you.

Eddie, Eddie.

We good.

She has a problem.

I think we all are like, I don't know.

Thank you so much.

Oh they just went to the case.

Thank you, everyone.

Uh I want to wish uh Eddie Crispin continued success.

I I'm sure we're going to hear much more about his work in the future and wish him all the best in this next chapter.

Yes.

Good to see you too.

Yeah, do you know?

Thank you, everyone.

Um I'd just like to recognize uh Counselor uh Charles Yangsey who's joined us this afternoon.

Welcome, good to see you.

And um also Mr.

Clerk, could you please amend the um attendance record to reflect that Council Louisiana, Council Mejia and Consulate Warel have joined us?

Now I'm on to the first order of business, which is the approval of the amendments from the meeting of July 8th, 2026.

All in favor say aye.

All those opposed say nay.

The ayes have it.

The minutes of the July 8th meeting are approved.

We're now on to communications from her honor the mayor.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1391?

Docker number 1391, Message and Order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of 12,855,000 in the form of a grant.

Bloomberg Philanthropies grant awarded by Boombird Philanthropies to be administered by the Office of Workforce Development.

The grant would fund the Skilled Trades Initiative, which aims to enhance vocational training, expand pre-apprentip opportunities, and support students, participation in registered apprenticeship programs.

The initiative focuses on student persistence and completion, employer engagement and program coordination to build pathways in the construction industry, water utility management, and other skilled trades.

This will be administered in collaboration with Boston Public Schools.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Docket 1391 will be referred to the Committee on Labor and Economic Development.

Mr.

Turk, could you please read Dockard 1392 and 1393 together?

Oh, Chair recognizes Council Durkan.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Oh, sorry, I think the clerk needs to read it first.

Yeah.

Mr.

Clerk, uh the dockets were uh 1392 and 1393.

Docker number 1392, message in order, authorizing the city of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $810,000 from the Boston Planning and Development Agency for the Phillips Square project.

And document number 1393, Message and Ord authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of 251,708 dollars in the form of a grant.

Save America's treasures awarded by the National Park Service to be administered by the Office of Historic Preservation.

The grant would fund an archaeological assemblage that was excavated from the Parker Harris Pottery site in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood for personal and maintenance costs on collections currently housed at the archaeology laboratory in a consultants fee.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Durkin.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you so much.

Docket uh 1392 is movement of $810,000 from the Planning Development Agency for the Phillips Square project.

Um as you all know, we had a hearing uh recently thanks to Councillor Flynn about this project that is in his district.

Um there has been extensive public process and public meetings in the Chinatown neighborhood.

Um and we had a hearing um where residents came and talked about how important this project is.

Um so with the support of my colleagues, I would like to ask for a suspended pass of this.

Um I know that this project is incredibly important to the Chinatown community, and thanks to Councillor Flynn's advocacy.

Um, there is an ask for this project also be named after Tooney Lee.

Um so I want to give a chance for the district councillor to speak to this project.

Um, and I asked for a suspended pass today.

Thank you, Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, madam chair, and thank you to Councillor Durkin for her work on this for her work on the hearing and for moving this forward.

This is a project initiative initiated by the City of Boston Transportation Department with the tremendous advocacy and support of the Chinatown community and the leather district community as well to redesign the barricaded area of Harrison Avenue known as Phillips Square into a more welcoming and cooling opening space in a neighborhood impacted by the heat island effect.

The project will include a plaza that intersects with Oxford Place, the childhood home of Toonie Lee.

Tooney Lee was a widely respected and well-loved community leader, raised on Oxford Place in Boston's Chinatown.

Toony Lee had a long and influential career as an architect and urban planner, both as the chief of planning and design at the Boston Redevelopment Authority and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in their Department of Urban Studies.

Tony Lee worked closely with many residents of Chinatown and the Leather District, such as Suzanne Lee and Melydia Lowe and others.

Um to save working class neighborhoods and communities of color from destruction and demolition.

Tony Lee mentored multiple generations of urban planners and community activists across the globe.

I look forward to voting yes on this grant to honor Tony Lee at Phillips Square.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Um there's two documents.

Do you want to we take the first docket first and then you speak to the second one?

Okay.

Counselor uh Durkin, the chair of the Committee on Planning Development and Transportation seeks suspension of the rules and passage of Docket 1392.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Turk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1392?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Council of Braden, yes.

Councillor Colorado's a part of Council Culpepper.

Councillor Calpepa, yes, Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzgerald.

Council of Shell, yes, Council Flynn.

Council Flynn, yes, Council Louis.

Yes.

Council Luzen, yes, Council Mejia.

Councilor Mejia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes, Council Papen.

Council Papen, yes, Council Santana.

Councillor Weber.

Council Weber, yes, and Council War.

Council Royal, yes.

Docker number 1392 as we see the 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Dog at 1392 has passed.

Chair recognizes uh Councillor Durkin, Chair of the Committee on Planning Development and Transportation.

Thank you so much, President Braden.

Um, this is an important grant that is going to fund an archaeological assemblage that was estimated excavated from the Parker Hill, Parker Harris pottery site in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood.

I've spoken to the district councillor, and she is in support of this.

Uh, this is for personal and maintenance costs on collections currently housed at the archaeological laboratory and a consultant fee.

This grant will fund the Jack and Acton project, a three-year research project that will study 48,000 fragments of red earth uh earthenware ceramics recovered from 1914 to 9 uh sorry, 1714 to 1775, Parker Harris pottery site in Charlestown during the archaeological excavations conducted ahead of the big dig in the 1980s.

The Parker workshop was a domestic manufacturer of ceramics in the Northeast in early mid-18th century.

They were the core producer of what was marked as Charlestown Ware.

Every day, bowls, pots, mugs, chamber pots, and other vessels used in the making of food or cleaning.

Charlestownware was a massive import industry with vessels made at the Parker Workshop found as far north as Fortress Lewisburg in Nova Scotia, and as far south as Edenton, North Carolina.

Recent research by the City Archaeological Program team uncovered that the story of Jack and Acton, a black man and boy enslaved at a pottery site during the height of its manufacturing.

Two vessels made by Jack and Acton from the site are currently on loan and featured at the MFA's recently renovated Art of the Americas project.

And so uh this is a massive undertaking.

Um and uh I believe that this is being matched.

Um these funds will uh primarily support a two-year full-time benefited archaeologically archaeological positions, um, designated to processing, cataloging, um, and photographing and analyzing tens of thousands of ceramic shards.

The federal funds will be a hundred percent matched by the labor of three full-time staff of the archaeological archaeologically program archaeologists I'm struggling through this archaeology program assisting um the project archaeologist and the overall project work.

Um the remaining grant funds will hire project consultants, run test studies, and create opportunities to share and decimate the stories and works of Jack and Acton.

The two project consultants will provide expertise in New England enslavement history and pottery production.

The enslavement historian will assist in contextualizing and interpreting Jack and Acton's role and agency as enslaved workers.

The pottery expert will assist in the technological and the technical identification and analysis of the ceramics of an artistic and craft viewpoint, ensuring accurate descriptions, analysis, interpretation of ceramic objects.

Um this test study um will uh the test study will uh will use the newly created identification guide to reanalyze the ceramics excavated at the Royal House and Slave Quarters in Medford site of a 2005 archaeological study by the EU.

The analysis um there will be a lot of analysis um and uh I know this is a great project and I'm looking forward to following it.

Um I will share the budget summary with my colleagues, uh but essentially it's being matched and would love for the federal government to match uh these dollars.

So would like to ask for a suspend and pass today on this is a little over 250,000 dollars.

And I want to thank BU for their role in this as well.

Um thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Durkin.

Councilor Durkin, the chair of the Committee on Uh Planning, Development and Transportation seeks suspension of the rules and passage of Docket 1392.

Um 1393 by your pardon.

All in favor say aye.

Thank you.

Uh docket 1393 has passed.

Um Mr.

Clark, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1393?

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Colletta's apartment, Councillor Calpepper, Council Calbeffer, yes, Councillor Durkin.

Councilor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzcherald, Ms.

Joe, Council Fisch Joe, yes, Councillor Flynn, Council Flynn, yes, Council Louis Jen.

Yes.

Council, yes, Council Mejia.

Councillor Murphy, Councillor Murphy, yes, Council Put Penn.

Council Penn, yes, Council Santana.

Councilor Weber, Council Weber, yes, and Council Warrell.

Yes.

Council Warrell, yes.

Docket number one three nine three as we see ten votes in the impairment.

Thank you.

Docket 1393 has passed.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1394?

Docket number 1394, message in order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of 240,806 and 50 cents in the form of a grant with a fiscal year DMH CIT TTAC grant awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health to be administered by the police department.

The grant will fund the implementation of a 40 hour 40 hour crisis intervention team training for officers under the umbrella of the Bureau of Professional Standards.

Thank you.

Docket 1394 will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Dockets 1395 and 1396 together?

Beg your pardon.

I haven't gotten to this yet.

Oh my goodness.

Yeah, the these are numbered is numbered.

Okay.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Dockets 1395, 1396, and 1397?

Thank you.

Docket number 1395, Mr.

Junard authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of 225,125 and 11 cents in the form of a grant.

The MBI Digital Equity Partnership Program awarded by the United States Department of the Treasury.

Passed through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to be administered by the Department of Innovation and Technology.

The grant will fund services and support for residents of the Commonwealth who cannot afford broadband service andor internet connected devices or lack the digital literacy skills needed to utilize the internet.

Document number 1396, Message and Authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of 150,000 in the form of a grant.

Fiscal year 26 fair share supplemental funds awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation be administered by the Public Works Department.

The grant will fund the replacement of public safety lighting in the Brighton neighborhood of the City of Boston.

And Docker number 1397.

From FWC 2026 U.S.

Incorporated.

This gift is awarded to the City of Boston through the mayor's office for use in the public facilities of various departments across the city, including police stations, schools, and municipal offices.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

The Chair recognizes Council Durkin.

Council, you have the floor.

Thank you so much, Chair.

I thought that 1396 would be going to the Planning Development and Transportation Committee.

So I wanted to ask for a suspend and pass.

It's a small um, I know that it's coming from the Fair Share Supplemental Funds, but because it was coming from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and is going to the public works department.

I would like to ask for a suspend and pass on 1396 as the chair of planning development and transportation, as we know, lighting and you know, state resources.

It seems pretty um, you know, pretty boilerplate for us to suspend and pass that to make sure your neighborhood gets what it deserves.

Thank you.

Thank you.

We'll start with uh docket 1395.

Um docket 1395 will be referred to the committee on city services.

Uh and counselor Durkin, the Chair of the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket 1396.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Uh thank you.

Um Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1396?

Councillor Brady.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta's a part of Council Culpepper.

Councillor Calpepa, yes, Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzcheryl.

Yes.

Council Fitz Joe, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Council Flynn, yes.

Council Luigi.

Council, yes, Council Mejia.

Councillor Murphy, Councillor Murphy, yes, Council Penn.

Council Burpen, yes, Council Santana.

Councillor Weber.

Yes.

Councillor Webber, yes, and Council Warrell.

Council Warrell, yes.

Docket number one three nine six has received ten votes in the impairment.

Thank you.

Docket 1396 has passed.

Uh and then the uh Dr.

Docket 1397 will be referred to the Committee on City Services.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read dockets 1398 through 1400?

Docket number 1398, Mr.

Janona authorizing the City of Boston to accept accept and expend the amount of $50,978 in the form of a grant, the Federal Fiscal Year 26 Title III, C Nutrition Services Program Grant awarded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Passed through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs to be administered by the Age Strong Commission.

The grant will fund nutrition services for older adults in the City of Boston.

Docket number 1399, Mr.

Genona, authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of 23,860 in the form of a grant.

The Federal Fiscal Year 26, Title III Area Plan Administration Grant, awarded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, passed through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs to be administered by the Age Strong Commission.

The grant will fund costs for the administration of Title III programs.

And Docket number 1400.

Message in order authorizing the City of Boston to accept and expend the amount of $18,116 in the form of a grant.

Federal fiscal year 26 Title III Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Awarded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Passed through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs to be administered by the Age-Strong Commission.

The grant will fund services that assist older adults in Boston to prevent illness and manage chronic conditions.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy, the Chair of Human Services.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Chair.

We do not need a hearing, but I do just want to read a short summary of each, so we're on the record of what these funds are going to go for.

So I want to thank Commissioner Shea for sharing this with me.

So docket 1398, which is tied to nutrition for our seniors, Title 3C of the Older American Act, provides funding for nutrition programs that help older adults maintain their health and independence.

It includes two main components, C1, which are congregate males, which offers mails in group settings like senior centers and other community centers in C2, which are the home delivered mails, which provides mail to homebound older adults, adults.

In addition to males, these programs offer nutrition education, screening, counseling support, and as many of us know, we attend many of the congregate mail settings, but also if you go to deliver them many times for our older adults, this may be the only time they're interacting with somebody in a long time.

So it's important for their isolation, which I know we all care about.

The next docket, which is tied to area plan administration, is also from the older Americans Act, which provides funding for the administration and planning activities necessary to support the implementation of aging programs for our older adults.

We all want more of that in our districts and citywide.

And the last docket is tied to disease prevention and health promotion.

Also under the Title 3D Older American Act Funds, and it's evidence-based programs that promote healthy aging and help prevent illness and injury among our older adults.

So please join me in passing all three of these.

Thank you, Clerk, for reading each of them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy.

The Chair of Human Services seeks suspension of the rules and passage of Docket 1398.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Colletta Zapata.

Councilor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpepper, yes.

Council Durkin.

Councilor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzgerald.

Council Fitzgerald, yes, Council Flynn.

Councilor Flynn, yes, Council Lou Jen.

Yes.

Council Lou Jen, yes, Council Mejia.

Councilor Murphy, yes.

Counselor Murphy, yes, Council Papenn.

Council McPenn, yes, Council Santiana.

Council Weber.

Council Webber, yes, and Council Warl.

Yes.

Council Warell, yes.

Docket number one three nine eight has received ten votes in the affair man.

Thank you.

Document 1398 is passed.

Councillor Murphy, the Chair of Human Services, seeks suspension of the rules and passage of one docket 1399.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1399?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Council Braden, yes, Councillor Collar is a part of Councillor Culpepper.

Councilor Culpepper, yes, Councilor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzgerald.

Council Fischer, yes, Council Flynn.

Council Flynn, yes, Council Lou Jen.

Yes.

Council, yes, Council Mejia.

Councillor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Pipennes.

Council Papen, yes, Council Santana.

Councillor Weber.

Council Webber, yes, and Council Orell.

Yes.

Council, yes.

Docket number one three nine nine has received ten votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Docket 1399 has passed.

Councillor Murphy, the chair of the Committee on Human Services, seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket 140.

All in favor say aye.

Aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Clerk, please take a roll call vote on Docket 140.

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Council Braden, yes.

Council Coletta's apartment.

Councilor Culpepper.

Councilor Culpepper, yes.

Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzgerald.

Council of Cherry, yes, Council Flynn.

Councilor Flynn, yes, Council Lou Jen.

Yes.

Council Lugen, yes, Council Mejia.

Counselor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Papen.

Council Papen, yes, Council Santana.

Councilor Weber.

Yes.

Councilor Weber, yes, and Council Warell.

Council Rurrell, yes.

Docket number 1400 has received 10 votes in the affair.

Uh thank you.

Docket 1400 has passed.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read dockets 1401 through 1409?

Docket number 1409, Message and Order approving the receipt of a conservation restriction on land at zero Dale Street, Boston Massel 2136.

The grantor's title of the land is located in Suffolk County Registry of Deeds at book number 70459, page 316.

That description of the land includes all the land in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, containing the entirety of 44,137 square feet.

1.013 plus or minus acre parcel of land, which premises is located at unnumbered Dale Street in High Park District of the City of Boston.

Numbered in the records of the assessing department as parcel 1808-198-000.

And formally the property of the former Boston and Providence Railroad Company, further bonded and described according to a plan of survey made by Harry R.

Feldman Incorporated.

Docket number 1402.

Massage and auto approving the receipt of a conservation restriction on land at 190-198th Street, Boston Mass 02127.

The grant is title of the land is located at Suffolk County Registered Deeds at Book Number 71757, page 35.

That description of land includes all the land in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, containing the entirety of the parcels of land totaling 4,655 square feet of land, more or less known as the Sister Mary Veronica Park, shown as Lot 5, Lot 6, Lot 7, Lot 8, and Lot 9 on a survey dated August 12, 2025, titled Plot Plan.

190-198 West 8th Street, South Boston Mass, and prepared by Joyce Consulting Group, Braintree, Massachusetts.

Docket number 1403, message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Samira Ahmadi as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Review Board for a term expiring May 23rd, 2029.

Docket number 1404, message in order for the confirmation of the appointment of Jessica Boatright as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Review Board for a term expiring April 24th, 2029.

Docket number 1405, message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Stephen Ellis as a member of the Boston Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Review Board for a term expiring May 26, 2029.

Docket number 1406, message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Hassan Faruki as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Review Board for a term expiring March 19, 2029.

Docket number 1407, message in order for the confirmation of the reappointment of Laurie Ferris as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Review Board for a term expiring July 13, 2029.

Docker number 1408, message in order for the confirmation of the repair reappointment of Gail Lattimore as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Review Board for a term expiring April 24, 2029.

And Docker number 1409.

Message and order for the confirmation of the appointment of Camilo Esquivia Zapata as a member of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Review Board for a term expiring July 20th, 2029.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Dockets 1401 through 1409 will be referred to the Committee on Environmental Justice Resiliency and Parks.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1410?

Docket number 1410 message transmitting certain information under Section 17 F regarding Article 80, large project review and small project review denials at the zoning board of appeals due to parking relief.

Docker number 1003 passed by the council on May 13, 2026.

Thank you.

Docket 1410 will be placed on file.

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

Uh Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1411?

Docket number 1411 notice we received from Selena Barrios Milner regarding her resignation as a member of the city's board of appeals effective April 6, 2026.

Thank you.

Docket 1411 will be placed on file.

We're now on to reports of committees.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 130 1311 and 1312 together?

Docker number 1311, the committee in Ways and Means, which was referred on January on July 8th, 2026, Docker number 1311.

Message in order authorizing the city of Boston to appropriate the amount of $5 million for the purpose of paying the cost of a feasibility study and schematic design associated with a project for the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School located at 75 Malcolm X Boulevard, Roxbury Mass 02120.

This includes the payment of all costs incidental 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 the Public Facilities Department on behalf of the Boston Public Schools.

Submits a report recommending that the docket ought to be read for the first time and assigned for further action.

Docket number 1312, the committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred on July 8, 2026.

Docker number 1312.

Message and order authorizing the city of Boston to appropriate the amount of $850,000 for the purpose of paying costs of a visibility study and schematic design work associated with window door and roof projects at the following schools.

Boston Adult Academy, Joseph J.

Hurley School, Ellis Mendel Elementary School, Joyce Kilmas K through 8 School, and Mayan upper 9 through 12 school.

This includes the payment of all costs incidental related to there too, 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 docket ought to be read for the first time and assigned for further action.

Thank you.

Mr.

Trek, the chair recognizes Councillor Weber, the chair of Wes and Meetings.

You have the floor.

Okay, thank you, Van President.

Docket numbers uh 1311 and 1312 uh would provide uh uh would fund the planning and design phase of major improvement projects for six Boston public schools.

Uh uh docket number one three one one uh specifically uh deals with Madison Park uh high school, with the others at docket number one three one two being uh the Boston Adult Academy, the Hurley School, the Mendel, the Kilmer, and uh line upper nine through twelve school.

Uh these dockets total approximately five million eight hundred and fifty thousand in appropriations with a goal to modernize our aging school facilities and to improve safety accessibility and energy efficiency of our educational spaces.

The committee held a hearing on these dockets on Wednesday, July 15th, and was uh we were joined by Councillors Flynn, Fitzgerald, Murphy, Louis Jen, Culpeper, and Warrell.

I'd like to thank my colleagues for attending, as well as senior project manager from public facilities, uh Brian McLaughlin, Carlton Jones, the Director of Public Facilities, Del Stanislaus, Chief of Capital Planning for Boston Public Schools, and Brett Dickens, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools and College Career and Life Readiness for Boston Public Schools.

Uh to thank them for participating in the hearing as well.

Uh I'd also like to thank those who provide a public testimony.

Uh the MSBA, which funds affordable, sustainable, and energy efficient public school construction projects, has become an important partner improving our Boston school facilities, particularly through the MSBA's core program and accelerated repair program.

We heard from the administration that Boston currently has 57 projects in various stages of the MSBA process, including seven core projects and 50 accelerator repair program projects.

Of those 34 accelerated repair projects have been completed.

One is under construction seven or under uh or currently under design for 2027 construction and eight additional projects will begin designed later this year.

Collectively, these projects represent nearly $696 million in construction investments, with an estimated $263 million expected to be reimbursed to the city through the MSBA.

Uh so uh specifically uh docket number 1311 uh will allow the city to appropriate uh five million dollars to procure a project manager and architect, complete the required feasibility study, and evaluate multiple options, including renovation, replacement, and potential site alternatives for the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School before identifying a preferred solution.

We also heard this represents the only the first phase in the MSBA process for Madison Park, and that the council will have another opportunity to vote once the feasibility is complete and the MSBA has approved a preferred schematic design that includes a project budget, the anticipated reimbursement and construction schedule.

Additionally, the administration explained that while previous consultant work on Madison Park will provide valuable background information.

The MSBA requires the project to proceed through its own procurement design and review process to remain eligible for state reimbursement.

This ensures the project follows the Commonwealth's established process before any final construction decisions are made.

Uh regarding docket number 1312.

Uh, this would be an 850,000 dollar appropriation to support five Boston public schools participating in the MSBA's accelerated repair program, including roof replacement projects at the Boston Adult Academy and the Hurley School and window and exterior door placement projects at the Ellis, sorry, at the Mendel, uh at the Joyce Kilmer K-8 School in the line upper 9 through 12.

Administration explained that these projects are intended to replace aging building components and have reached the end of their useful life, improving weather protection, energy efficiency, and the long-term condition of otherwise structurally sound school buildings.

These funds will allow the MSBA to assign a project manager and architect so design work can begin later this year, with construction uh currently anticipated to begin in 2028.

The administration further testified the accelerated repair program.

Generally uh projects generally realize approximately 60 percent reimbursement from as MSBA on eligible design costs.

Um the uh administration also explained that these schools are part of a broader group of eight projects, except into the accelerated repair program after the submitted uh city submitted statements of interest, and the MSBA completed its review process.

Uh following our hearing careful review of the testimony, the committee believes that uh these appropriations represent an important first step toward improving Boston's educational facilities and maximizing available state reimbursement opportunities as chairs the of the Ways and Means Committee.

Thank you, Councillor Weber.

The Chair of the Committee in West and Means seats acceptance of the committee report and first reading vote on Docket 1311.

All Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1311?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta's a part of it.

Councilor Culpepper, Councillor Culpepper, yes, Councilor Durkin.

Councilor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzgerald, Council Joe, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Councilor Flynn, yes, Councillor Lou Zen.

Yes.

Council Louis, yes, Councillor Mejia.

Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes, Council Papen.

Council McPen, yes, Council Centana.

Councillor Weber.

Yes.

Council Webber, yes, and Council Warell.

Yes.

Council War, yes.

Docker number 1311 has received 10 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docker 1311 has been read for the first time and assigned for further action.

The chair of the committee in West means the six acceptance of the committee report and a first reading vote on Docket 1312.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1312?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Coletta's a part of Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpepper, yes.

Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Council of Cell, yes, Council Flynn.

Yes.

Council Flynn, yes, Councillor Louis Gen.

Yes.

Council Lou Jean, yes, Council Mejia.

Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes.

Council Papen.

Councilor Pen, yes, Council Santana.

Councilor Weber.

Yes.

Council Webber, yes, and Council Warell.

Yes.

Council Rural, yes.

Docker number 1312 has received 10 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Document 1312 has been read for the first time and is assigned for further action.

Ron, now on to matters recently heard.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1237?

Docket number 1237, order for a hearing regarding the future of the Boston Human Rights Commission.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper, the Chair of the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity, and Immigrant Advancement.

Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Yesterday, Tuesday, July 21st at 2 p.m.

The Civil Rights, Racial Equity, and Immigrant Advancement Committee held a hearing on Docket No.

In order for a hearing regarding the future of the Boston Human Rights Commission.

The Docker co-sponsors, Councillor Flynn, and Councillor Wurwell were in attendance as well as Councillor President Breden, Councillor Murphy, and Councillor Fitzgerald.

Panelists included Equity Cabinet Deputy Chief of Operations, Maya Getter, Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, Executive Director, Michael Mimelo, Cambridge Human Rights Commission Executive Director, Carolina Almonte, Boston Human Rights Commission, Leonard Lee, and Margaret McKinna, Disability Advocate Cassandra Xavier.

The committee received productive testimony and helpful feedback from the panelists and public testifiers on the history of the Boston Human Rights Commission, what led to it becoming inactive, and how it can and should be improved.

I look forward to continuing this conversation with my colleagues, the administration, the state, and stakeholders who are invested in the success of the Boston Human Rights Commission.

This matter will remain in committee.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Docket 13 1237 will remain in committee.

We're now on to motions, orders, and resolutions.

I recognize Councillor Flynn, you have your light on.

You have the floor.

Thank you.

Madam Chair, may I speak briefly on that?

Certainly.

Since you're thank thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you to Councilor Cole Pepper for hosting yesterday's informative hearing.

We must always strive to live in a city and country where civil rights and human rights are protected and respected.

Since its beginning, this commission provided an important voice for those that were discriminated against or even a victim of hate crime, including many in the gay and lesbian community, the LGBTQ plus community.

Um persons with disabilities as well.

I'm committed to working with city colleagues to ensure we remain a city that always treats people with respect and dignity.

The commission works to ensure full and equal access to public services and accommodations.

It receives and investigates complaints, resolves cases through mediation and hearings, advocates in support of human rights issues in partnership with state and federal agencies as well.

And there was a positive discussion yesterday about how we can work together to ensure that discrimination doesn't take place or racism doesn't take place in the city of Boston.

But if it does, there is an opportunity for for people to come to City Hall to come to the Boston Human Rights Commission, people of color or persons with disabilities.

Um as well.

But I look forward to strengthening the commission in passing an upcoming ordinance and want to say thank you to Councillor Cole Pepper and Council Warrell for their important work on this issue.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Uh now we'll move on to motions, orders, and resolutions.

A reminder that under Rule 39 remarks on new matters not up for vote today should be limited to three minutes for the lead sponsor and two minutes for co-sponsors.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Doc at 1412?

Document number 1412, Council Warrell offer the following.

Ordinance amending Boston's regulations related to public trust, public interest, and police transparency and accountability.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Warrell.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

This ordinance builds on the years of work.

Our police department has invested in community policing.

Every day our officers, sergeants, captains, lieutenants, and community service officers work to build relationships and earn the trust of the neighborhoods they serve.

To have the best police department in the country's country means we cannot be afraid to constantly review our policies, measure whether they are meeting their intended purposes, and make changes when they are not.

Accountability is public safety.

Transparency is public safety.

These are the tools that build trust between officers and the communities they have sworn to protect.

They help the public understand the difficult role our officers carry and give residents confidence that the department is doing everything possible to ensure the integrity of the department.

Transparency and accountability are the building blocks for public safety.

The changes this ordinance makes in OPAC strengthens those principles and puts them into practice.

It establishes clear timelines for releasing body one camera and dashboard camera footage after incidents of public interest.

It improves coordination with posts at the state level.

It also requires greater transparency around civil lawsuits and settlements so that we can identify patterns, correct policy failures, and understand how misconduct is costing taxpayers.

This ordinance is about ensuring that public safety in Boston is truly the best in the nation.

That the public has a clear understanding of protocols, and when incidents of public interest arise, that we are all receiving the facts.

Attorney Howard Friedman, Jamal Crawford, Yvonne Sponosa, Marie Gal, and Victoria Miranda from the lawyer for civil rights and body camera expert Chris Snyder.

We also looked at best practices across the country, including Chicago, and the recently passed law in New York.

This ordinance change aims to put our us here in the city of Boston on par with policies in those other major cities.

I know my colleague, Councillor Culpepper, uh filed an ordinance to amend OPAD as well, which we'll be hearing about very soon.

And I think both of these filings and ordinances together will address and address a lot of our shared goals.

I'm looking forward to working with everyone and all the stakeholders to advance the changes and to strengthen public accountability and transparency here in the city of Boston.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Warrell.

Would anyone like to add their name?

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

Thank you.

Docket number 1412 would be referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Mr.

Klerk, can you please read Docket 1413?

Docket number 1413, Councillor Culpepper offer the following.

Ordinance to amend the Office of Police Accountability and Transparency.

Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

First, want to thank my colleague, Councillor Worwell, for his partnership and leadership on police accountability.

While our ordinances approach this issue from different perspectives, they are rooted in the same principle that public trust is earned through transparency and accountability.

Councillor Worrell's ordinance takes an important step toward increasing public transparency around critical incidents involving body worn camera footage.

My ordinance, folks, focuses on something equally important.

Strengthening the institution responsibility for oversight itself.

Said differently, my filing focuses on operational accountability before, during, and after every investigation.

The question I asked was simple.

If OPAD is a city independent accountability office, do we have the systems in place to ensure it can do its job effectively?

Too often accountability doesn't fail because people lack good intention.

It fails because investigations take too long, deadlines are unclear, information isn't shared, cases sit unresolved, residents lose confidence not only in the outcome, but in the process itself.

My ordinance seeks to address those structural challenges.

It establishes clear timelines for investigations.

It requires greater public reporting so residents understand where cases stands.

It limits unnecessary delays when criminal investigations are occurring while still respecting due process.

It strengthens cooperation requirements so OPED has the information it needs to conduct independent investigation, and it creates greater transparency around body-worn camera evidence and whether the city is complying with its own obligations.

When residents file a complaint, they deserve to know it won't disappear into a black box.

When officers are investigated, they deserve a timely and fair process.

And when the public asks whether our accountability system is functioning, we should be able to answer that question with data, not assumptions.

Ultimately, accountability is about trust.

It's why it shows up in OPAD's shorter name.

Trust between residents and law enforcement, trust between communities and government, and trust that when we establish an independent office like OPAD, we give it the tools, expectations, and transparency necessary to fulfill the mission we asked it to carry out.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue strengthening police accountability in Boston.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louisiane, Councillor Murphy, Councilor Pepin, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Thank you.

Docket 1413 will be referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1414?

Docker number 1414, Councillor Fitzgerald offer the following.

Ordinance amending chapter 16 of the City of Boston Code.

Ordinances of prohibiting the sale and use of synthetic metrogenine and 7 hydro metrogenine 7OH and other dangerous chemical compounds.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Fitzgerald.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to add uh Ed Flynn as a co-sponsor as well.

Councilor Flynn.

Sorry.

Thank you.

Counselor Flynn is still added.

Thank you.

Today, as a follow-up to the hearing order and working session, I filed an ordinance amending chapter 16 of the City of Boston Code prohibiting the sale and use of synthetic metrogenine, I believe, Clerk.

I'm not sure either.

No, it's metragene.

And 7OH, which 70H known as uh hydroxymetragenine and other chemical compounds.

In layman's terms, this would be to ultimately ban the sale and use of synthetic kratom in the city of Boston.

Kratom is commonly marketed and sold in forms including dried leaf powders, capsules, teas, gummies, energy drinks, concentrated extracts, inhalants, et cetera, through retail outlets such as smoke shops, convenience stores, gas stations, specialty herbal shops, and online vendors.

Across the city of Boston, we have heard concerns from residents about the widespread and unregulated use of kratom.

The sale and use of synthetic drugs poses an immediate threat to the public health and safety of the residents of Boston, and many residents stated their frustration with the current lack of regulations and wish that our city would take the lead on regulating these substances.

I believe that Boston become a national leader in Kratom regulations.

I look specifically to the work that our council did to end the sale and manufacturing of synthetic synthetic cannabinoids through CBC 1659 in 2015 in guiding how these regulations would take place today.

Synthetic kratom is an often overlooked and unregulated substance and widely accessible to our communities that can be harmful and often fatal.

My hope is to bring awareness, education, and regulation to the residents throughout the city.

I'm looking forward to the hearing on this and getting this passed.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Fitzgerald.

The chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to say thank you to Councillor Fitzgerald for adding me on.

We had a informative hearing about a month ago and learned a great deal about this about this issue.

I come from this as a former probation officer, um, not really as a city councillor, but I know that this issue that Councillor Fitzgerald just highlighted is a major concern throughout the city, really throughout throughout the country as well.

But what we need is regulation, oversight, leadership role from the city of Boston as well in ensuring that those people that are dealing with substance use issues get the treatment and support they really need.

And yes, we need to regulate it.

We need to be more aggressive on abolishing this type of um this type of drug, but we also need to work together to ensure that those dealing with substance use related challenges uh get the recovery services that they need.

That's a that's an issue I'm gonna continue to focus on as a city councillor.

It's something I've been active my whole life, especially as a probation officer as well.

I want to say thank you to Councilor Fitzgerald.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor uh Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkin, Councillor Louis Jeanne, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Peppin, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Docket uh 1414 will be referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Uh I'm gonna ask my colleague, Councillor Uh Culpepper to um take the podium.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docker 1415?

Document number 1415, Councillors Papin and Braden offer the following ordinance mandating annual reporting of streets projects.

Uh thank you to counselor are you are you the lead sponsor of my lead sponsor?

You are beg your pardon.

Go ahead.

He's he's the boss now.

Councilor Braden, you have the floor.

Oh, Councilor Pepin, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Um, I would also like to suspend the rules and add counselor Weber as a third original co-sponsor.

No objections.

Council Weber has been added as uh their co-sponsor.

Thank you.

Transportation safety has been the talk of my district for the past three years.

From the redesign of whole quarters to speed humps, from sidewalk repairs to bike infrastructure.

Seems like everyone in District 5 and across the city is looking for ways to make it easier to get around their neighborhoods.

I've seen this appetite for safety across the city.

And I know Councillor Braden has seen it too.

Which is why for the last couple of months, the two of us and our teams have been working to figure out what steps we can take to ensure that Bostonians continue to receive the infrastructure projects that are proving to improve safety outcomes.

This annual reporting ordinance will require the administration to provide clear reports on street projects, those projects concerning Boston streets and how people move about them.

I look forward to the process to come and want to thank Councillor Braden and her team for their cooperation.

This year, Councillor Weber sponsored a hearing order on the city's 30-day review of street projects, which we heard in the spring in combination with other related dockets, where we demand the transparency with street projects going forward.

They overlap, but they have the same pattern, which is that we all want to make our streets safer.

And we all want updates, and our residents are asking us for those updates.

So this is in response to our residents, and this is to make sure that we continue to make our streets safer for everyone.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Chair recognizes Councillor Braden.

Councillor Braden, you may have the floor.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

And thank you to Councillor Pepper Pepper Pepin for adding me as a second.

Earlier this year, I sponsored a hearing to discuss the status of stalled and frozen transportation projects, with a particular focus on projects that had received external funding.

This ordinance is intended to provide that transparency and accountability.

What we are asking is that the city publish once a year a comprehensive accounting of every significant streets project that moves forward, what's been delayed, and what projects have been cancelled and why.

How much has been spent on each project and where the funding is coming from?

This should not be controversial.

Both this council and residents we serve have a right to usable digestible reporting to give them better understanding of how the city is using its resources and where projects may face delays.

Residents attend public meetings, they provide feedback, they see announcements and press releases, and then all too often they wait.

They wait in the dark with no timelines, no updates, and no idea when these desperately needed transportation and street safety projects are going to move forward.

In Alston Brighton, the Western Av Transit Way and Route 57 are both such examples.

The last public meeting on Western Av Transit Way was in 2022, and there's not been a substantial project update since.

The Route 57 project has been in design for over three years.

Residents have not been able to get straight answers about something as simple as the status and viability of the project.

These problems aren't exclusive to larger transportation projects either.

Residents in Alton Brighton have been asking me for years when we're going to see speed bumps as part of the mayor's safety surge initiative.

I don't have an answer for them.

Over the past four months, I spent sent five separate emails to the Streets Cabinet asking for the re-installation of bike lane buffers in our neighborhood.

I have yet to receive a response.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you, Madam President.

Councillor Weber.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um just want to thank uh Councillor Pipen and Madam President for adding me to this.

Uh you know, I think um, over the last couple of years has been a number of projects in District 6 that, despite uh having the city uh already been uh spent considerable time and energy working on, have just you know sort of been halted with no explanation.

These include uh the Egglison Square redesign, the McBride Street Project, Center South uh Street and JP, uh, and then other projects where we had we had hoped to get see some um progress like Hyde Park Avenue have also gone nowhere.

So uh I just want to uh thank the filers.

Uh I think this ordinance is a good way for us to be able to uh continue to put pressure for uh you know uh practical and and safe design redesign of our streets as well as be able to explain to our constituents what is happening, what the status of the projects in their uh in their neighborhoods are.

So thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name council Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Council Flynn, Councillor Louis Young, Councillor Murphy, Councilor Weber, and please add the chair.

How can I forget to Council Warrell?

Please add Council Worrell.

Thank you.

Government operations docket 1415 will be referred to the Committee on Government Operations Thank you, Councillor Culpepper.

Um Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1416?

Docket number 1416, Councillors Papin and Santana for the following.

Order for a hearing to improve recruitment of civilian crossing guards to serve Boston families.

Thank you.

The chair recognizes Councillor Peppin.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to request suspension of the rules and add counselor Culpepper as a third original co-sponsor.

Seeing and hearing no objections, Councillor Culpepper is still added.

And I would also like to um send a quick message to my co-sponsor who I know is watching on YouTube at the moment.

So hope you get better sooner.

Um this discussion about crossing guard shortages is one that we've had had in the past and one that I'm hoping to pick up again.

Vacancies persist.

When we don't have enough crossing guards, that means our students, our children, families are less safe.

Having plenty of crossing guards along with making buses safer and having safe school zones is all part of making getting to and from school safe and protecting our city's children and their families.

I'm looking forward to continuing this conversation in the chamber.

As you all know, I'm a big fan of the crossing guards.

Um we've invited them to the council chamber.

A few of us have gone we went to the luncheon for them earlier this year.

Um they just deserve so much more support, and we just want to make sure there's more of them across the city so that all of our schools have support from them.

So thank you so much, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Peppin.

Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Council Peppin, for adding me as an original co-sponsor.

I'm happy to continue the conversation about how we address crossing guard shortages across the city of Boston.

Back in February, I filed a hearing order specifically looking at strategies to improve the recruitment of voluntary crossing guards, because we continue to hear concerns about vacancies and the difficulty of ensuring that every school crossing that needs coverage has it.

Crossing guards provide an important public safety service for students and our families.

When positions go and fail, it can also require police officers to cover crossings when they could otherwise be responding to calls and performing other public safety responsibilities.

This hearing gives us another opportunity to look at these issues, including discussing which city department is best positioned to oversee and coordinate crossing guard placement, how we improve recruitment and retention, whether compensation and scheduling are contributing to vacancies, how crossing locations are prioritized, and whether partnerships with schools, neighborhood organizations, seniors, retirees, and other community members could help build a more reliable pipeline of crossing guards.

I look forward to continuing this conversation with my colleagues, the administration, and our school communities, to identify practical ways to recruit, retain, and deploy crossing guards where they are most needed.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louis Jeanne, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Docket 1416 will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1417?

Docket number 1417, Council Flynn offer the following.

Council Flynn offer the following order for a hearing to discuss expanding access to skilled trade careers in the city of Boston.

Thank you.

The Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, may I add Council Warrell as an original co-sponsor?

Councillor Warrell is still added.

May I suspend the rules and add Councillor Murphy as well.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Skilled trade jobs encompass a broad range of fields, including mechanics, electrical construction, plumbing.

Those jobs are critical to ensure our infrastructure remains safe and accessible, including homes, buildings, roads, and parks.

Trades also include health care, cosmetology, culinary, hospitality, agriculture, alarm public safety, media and transportation.

Due to the rising costs of a four-year college degree, the growing uncertainty of the impact of AI on many professions and the competitive wages offered by skilled trades.

Many young people are exploring alternative career paths.

However, many vocational schools face long weightless limited seats, underscoring the need to expand access to high-quality career and technical education across Boss Public Schools.

Found that male students attending career and technical education schools in Connecticut were found to have better attendance, higher test scores, higher graduation rates, and earning more than their peers who missed the admission cutoff.

Females who attended these schools did uh did better as well.

Neither Boston Public School offer pathways in 27 industry areas and in 11 secondary schools across the district, including Madison Park as as Councillor Culpepper was talking about.

Boston's only exclusive trade school.

However, other major U.S.

cities offer more programs in their schools.

Chicago currently offers 34 pathways at more than 80 high schools to more than 14,000 schools.

Boston is proud to be one of the most diverse school districts in the nation, a distinction reflected in its commitment to equitable and accessible programs and pathways, including BPS SRI program, which provides transition service, including vocational training and community engagement to students with disabilities.

Expanding access to trades for communities of color will strengthen our workforce, ensure all students have opportunities to enter high demand careers in trades.

The building trades, organized labor also has a critical role to play.

Increasing participation in skill trades can help reduce long-standing barriers to economic mobility and address workforce shortages.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Chair recognizes Councillor Warrell.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and um thank you to Councillor Flynn for adding me as an original co-sponsor and for your advocacy on this.

Um I've been a longtime advocate for pushing for certificate programs and boat techno voc vocational technical programs and opportunities in every school in our district.

And I also like to see what we could do as a city to better program Madison Park for our students from across the district and any Boston resident that might be looking to get into the trades.

So I'm looking forward to this hearing to see seeing how we can increase opportunities and get more young people involved in certificate programs and vote tech opportunities.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Warrell.

The chair recognizes Councillor Murphy.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to my fellow co-sponsors for working, continuing to work on this important issue.

Any opportunity we have to make sure we're setting our kids, our young adults, up for success and giving them the skills they need.

Unfortunately, we know many of our students are graduating from BPS without the work skills and life skills necessary to be successful, and that attributes to a lot of other social ills that we are trying to combat here on the council.

So any opportunity to give them more training and open up their eyes or maybe jobs that they may not have seen as something that they could see themselves in.

I know our former colleague, Council of Flaherty, often would say how we are a city of eds and meds, but we don't want to just make sure our students are the custodians, not that these jobs are bad, but we want to make sure we're training them to also be the CEOs and the doctors in these buildings and all of these um cranes that we hope to see more go up in the city.

But our we have so many labor unions that want to give our kids opportunities, so we need to give them the skills to be successful.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Vigen, Councillor Pepin, Councillor Weber, and please add the chair.

Docket um docket number 1417 would be referred to the Committee on Labor and Economic Development.

Um Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1418?

Doc and ever 1418, Councillors Weber and Papen offer the following.

Order for a hearing to review the status of Boston's citywide bike network plan.

Chair recognizes Councillor Weber.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you.

Um I'd like to suspend the rules and add a Mad Madam President Braden as uh as a third co-sponsor.

Seeing and hearing no objections, uh Councillor Braden will be added as a third.

Okay.

Um and uh like several other things filed today.

Uh I I did file this uh as a follow-up to the tragic uh uh death of Louisa Gag, uh, who fought so hard for uh safe bike infrastructure in our city.

Uh we have a long history of uh promoting bike lanes uh in a bike lane network here.

Going back to 2010, Mayor Menino declared quote, the car is no longer king in Boston, unquote, investing in the in the creation of 65 miles of bike lanes known as the Boston Bike Network Plan in 2016.

Uh then Mayor Walsh expanded on Menino's plan uh by committing to the city to Vision Zero, uh, which focused on eliminating the serious, all serious and fatal crashes in Boston by 2030.

Uh Louisa Gag played a role in that, and in 2022, Mayor Wu announced the expansion of Boston's bike network with the goal of allowing um for more safe and connected bike lanes throughout Boston uh alongside the launch of Safer Streets, a citywide design process that prioritized creating safer streets through better track better traffic management alongside more protected bike routes.

Um in April 2022, Mayor Wu recommended creating a plan for bike infrastructure across the city.

Uh lastly, in the 30-day uh street projects review memo by Mike Brol uh issued on April 2nd, 2025.

It recommended a comprehensive plan for bike lane infrastructure, which discussed key corridors that would best connect bike infrastructure and uh after such a plan, the city could go on to design uh the best bike network in the country serving the city of Boston for generations.

Uh I think uh, you know, um we we owe it to our constituents uh and to Louisa to take uh this up as an issue again and just and see if if what the status is of these plans to make sure we have a bike infrastructure that connects all of our neighborhoods and people can bike in safety from one end of the city uh to another.

Uh and so that's why I filed this hearing order, and I'm happy to be joined by my colleagues, uh Councillor Papen and Madam President Braden.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councillor Chair recognizes Councillor Papen.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

And thank you, Councillor Weber, for including me as a co-sponsor.

Investing in active transportation is a great way to give opportunities to our residents to build that physical activity into their day.

Cycling specifically provides an opportunity for active transportation over longer distances.

However, despite the benefits, safety continues to be the primary source of hesitation for folks considering cycling.

Data shows that protected separated bike lanes make the road safer.

Not only for the cyclists, but also for pedestrians and motorists.

Creating a robust bike network means better connected communities in a safe, green, and healthy way to get around our city.

That is why I'm looking forward to partnering with Councillor Weber and Councillor Brading and the rest of the council to have this very much need a conversation.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I realize I have to step down again, Councillor Culpepe, if you'd mind.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I'd like to thank the sponsors for bringing this forward and for adding me as a third original co-sponsor.

Boston has been investing in bike infrastructure for many years with the goal of creating a safe and connected network that allows people to travel between neighborhoods.

The data from the Better Bike Lane Initiative is clear.

Our existing bike introduced crashes and make our streets safer for all road users.

The 30-ray-day review memo issued in the mayor's office last April recommended a comprehensive plan for bike lane infrastructure.

Since that time, neither the council nor the public have been provided with any substantive update on the spike plan.

Having a citywide plan will also help us better understand how projects can be prioritized and what resources are needed to plan, design, and complete the network.

This hearing will allow us to discuss the next steps of that plan and hear from the streets cabinet, Boston Transportation Department, transportation experts, advocates, and other communities about their work.

I look forward to discussing how we can build a safe and connected bike network and serve and better serve neighborhoods throughout the city of Boston.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Council Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louis Yen, Council Murphy, and Councillor Warwick.

Docker number 1418 will be referred to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation.

Please add the chair's name.

Mr.

Clerk.

Can I say it?

Can you please read docket number 1419?

Document number 1419.

Councillor Culpepper offered the following.

Order for a hearing regarding the City of Boston's response to noise complaints and enforcement of noise control laws.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

The chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Madam President, I'd like to request that dockets 1419 and 1420 will be read together.

So go ahead.

Document number 1420.

Councillor Culpepe offer the following.

Resolution urging improved response to noise complaints and enforcement of Boston's noise control laws.

For docket number 1419, I request suspension of the rules to vote on passage of this docket.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Today I'm following both a resolution and a hearing order regarding the city's response to noise complaints and the enforcement of our existing noise control laws.

If you spend any amount of time talking to residents in District 7, you'll hear the same concerns over and over.

Loud parties, illegal dirt bikes, ATVs, cars blasting music at all hours of the night, repeat nuisance properties, and perhaps most frustrating of all, residents who feel like they've done exactly what they've been asked to do, calling 311, calling 911, contacting the party line, only to feel that nothing changes.

This is not just a district seven issue.

I spoke with colleagues from across Boston, and they're hearing many of the same complaints.

This is a citywide quality of life issue.

But I also want to be equally clear about something else.

I'm not filing this because I believe we need another law on the books.

Boston already already has strong noise control ordinances.

Our city code gives law enforcement the authority to respond to excessive noise, nuisance gatherings, and repeat violation.

The question before us is whether those laws are being enforced consistently, transparently, and effectively.

Residents deserve to know that when they take time to report a problem, someone responds.

They deserve to know whether their complaint was documented, whether enforcement occurred, and whether repeat offenders are actually being tracked.

They deserve confidence that the systems we've created are working the way they were intended.

That's what this hearing and resolution is all about.

And uh I just like to read this text that I got Saturday night into the record.

I can't seem to find this text.

Well, Madam President, I guess I can't find that text.

We'll take that as a sign.

Thank you.

So you're you're speaking to Dockets um 1419.

And 1420.

Requesting to spin other rules to vote on the passage of that document.

Thank you.

Um Councillor Murphy, I see your lights on.

Councillor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you to the maker of both of these.

And I want to just reiterate what I know the chair um the sponsor had said that we don't need new rules, we just need to enforce the rules that are already on the books.

This came up in conversations several years back when we were trying to add a new ordinance to stop people from protesting or using bullhorns at certain events.

And what I continue to see is we pick and choose when we're going to enforce the rules we already have on the books.

And I also know that certain streets, certain neighborhoods, certain parks are louder than others, and we need to give supports to if it's code enforcement or if it is the street outreach team or the Boston police, whoever is in the positions to make sure that residents can have peaceful night's sleep.

I know in my neighborhood I'm hearing lots more firecrackers in motorbikes go by these last few weeks.

And when the dog starts barking and you don't get a good night's sleep, I know my neighbors are having the same concerns.

So looking forward to the hearing, which will speak directly on it, but also going to support the resolution that he put forth.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy.

We always get a little confused when we have two dockets together like this.

So we have uh docket 1419, which is an order for a hearing regarding city Boston's response to noise complaints.

Um I'm gonna have to ask who's the appropriate person to ask to take the chair for a moment.

I have since I'm a co-sponsor.

Umrell, would you mind taking the dias from the I could just two?

Okay.

Uh okay, I'm trying to be seen as being fair.

So anyway, I'm gonna stay where I am.

Thank you.

Um I'd like to thank Councillor Culpepper for bringing this forward and adding me as original co-sponsor.

In Alson Brighton, we received persistent complaints about several fraternity and sorority houses near the campuses of colleges and universities in our district.

This is a topic my office has researched, and we found that there's a patchwork of laws to address excessive noise and nuisance gatherings.

Excessive noise laws, public nuisance laws, disturbing the peace laws, responding officers may cite often cite uh offenders for breaking any one of these laws.

And I'd like to learn more about the process and how we can standardize it to improve enforcement.

I we also need to understand how repeat complaints are handled, particularly when residents continue reporting problems at the same property or location, not only in the same year, but over multiple years.

This requires coordination between the Boston Police Department and other city departments response responsible, receiving, responding to, and following up on these complaints.

I look forward to discussing where and where there may be gaps in our current response and how we can create a more reliable and effective process for residents across the city of Boston.

This essentially is a quality of life issue for many of our residents, and I hope that we can improve the situation.

Thank you.

So we have two dockets.

The first one is docket one four one nine, an order for a hearing.

Um would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louis Jeanne, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Petin, Councillor Weber, and Councillor Warel.

Thank you.

Docket 1419 will be referred to the Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

Second docket is Docket 1420.

Um would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Culpepper and Councillor Braden seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 1420.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1420?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Coletta's apartheid.

Councillor Culpepper.

Yes.

Councilor Culpepper, yes.

Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Councillor Fischer, yes.

Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Councillor Flynn, yes.

Council Lugen.

Council, yes, Councilor Mejia.

Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes.

Council Pepin.

Council Papen, yes, Council St.

Anna.

Councillor Weber.

Councilor Weber, yes, and Council Warrell.

Council Royal, yes.

Dock number 1420 is received nine votes in the advertisement.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Docket 1420 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1421?

Do you number 1421?

Councillor Culpepper offered the following order for a hearing regarding the future of the John D.

O'Brien School of Mathematics and Science.

Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to request the documents 12, 1421, and 1422 be read together.

No.

The other two are 17F, so we will read this one and then we'll do the 17F's together if you don't mind.

I don't mind.

The John D.

O'Brien is one of Boston's three examination schools and an important institution in Roxbury, serving students from neighborhoods across our city.

For several years there have been significant discussion about the future of the school.

But today's students, families, educators, alumni, and the surrounding community still do not have a clear long-term answer about what that future will look like.

In 2023, the city proposed relocating the O'Brien from Roxbury to the West Rock 3 education complex while expanding the school by approximately 400 seats.

Following significant concerns from the school from the school community, that proposal was halted indefinitely in February 2024.

At that time, the administrator and the administration indicated that it had evaluated alternatives and would share the findings of the O'Brien programming study, but more than two years later, we still need clarity on that work and how it is informing the city's plans for the O'Brien.

The goal of these filings is not to restart the debate over a proposal that has already been halted.

It is to make sure that we do not lose the planning, community input, and resources that have already gone into this process, and most importantly, to establish a transparent path forward.

The O'Brien has been described as a priority by the administration.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper.

Would anyone else like to add their name?

Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louis Gen, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Papen, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Thank you, Docket.

1421 will be referred to the Committee on Education.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please uh read the two uh 17F's together?

Docket 1422 and 1423.

Docket number 1422, Councillor Culpepper offer the following.

Order requesting certain information under section 17F regarding the John D.

O'Brien School of Mathematics and Science Capital Planning Process and Docket number 1423.

Councillor Culpepper offered the following.

Order requesting certain information under Section 17F regarding the Massachusetts School Building Authority eligibility period for Madison Park Technical Vocational High School.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

This 17F requests followed the hearing that we held last week regarding the future of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and the city's participation in the MSBA process during this eligibility period.

During the hearing, we learned that Boston Public Schools has already submitted several required documents to the MSBA as part of Madison Parks eligibility period, while additional submissions remain outstanding.

However, those documents have not been made public available publicly available given the significance of this project and the level of public investment that will ultimately be required.

I believe the council, the Madison Park community, and the public schools should be able to see the information the city is submitting as this process moves forward.

In this 17F, we're requesting documents that have been submitted to the MSBA, other Massachusetts communities participating in the MSBA process, have made these types of documents publicly accessible through dedicated project websites and online document libraries.

I believe Boston should provide that same level of transparency, particularly for project as consequential as rebuilding and modernizing our city's only technical vocational high school.

We all want to see Madison Park move forward successfully through the MSBA process.

This request is about making sure that as it does, there's transparency at every stage, and that students, families, educators, the council, and the broader community have access to the information necessary to understand the decisions being made about the future of the Madison Park Technical Vocational High School.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Cole Pepper.

So there's two 17Fs.

One is for uh docket 1422.

Um so uh counselor Culpepper uh seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket 1422.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Thank you.

Docket 1422 has passed.

We'll go to docket 124 uh 1423.

Uh counselor Culpepper seeks suspension of the rules and passage of docket 1423.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

The ayes have it.

Docket 1423 has passed.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read docket 1424?

Docket number 1424.

Councillors Pepin and Braden offer the following resolution recommending the city of Boston to Vision Zero 230.

Chair recognizes Council Peppen.

Councillor Peppin, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

May I also suspend the rules and add Councilor Louise Jeanne as a third original co-sponsor?

Um seeing and hearing no objection, Councillor Louise Jeanne is added as a third.

Thank you.

In 2015, Boston committed to Vision Zero, the ambitious goal to eliminate fatal and severe crashes, traffic crashes in Boston by 2030.

And it is an ambitious goal.

But how can we not be ambitious with lives on the line?

There's still work to be done and more lives to save with three and a half years left until 2030.

In my district alone, there's been multiple occasions where I've I've gone to vigils and have stood with families that have lost loved ones.

One of them that stands out is actually a four-year-old that passed away on Wood Avenue a few years ago.

Um, and now luckily, because of some projects, um, Wood Avenue is getting redesigned, and it's currently going through a vision zero project.

Um because of people, someone over at the transportation department, Daniel is working on this project closely with residents.

What we didn't realize is that these things, these accidents they impact a lot of residents.

And our commitment to Vision Zero isn't just a commitment to safer streets, it's a commitment to saving lives, which is why it's so important for us to continue to elevate these concerns, so can important for us to continue to talk about what's happening.

Um, we have to make sure that it remains a part of a focus every single day.

So I hope that we can come together as a council to recommit ourselves to Vision Zero by 2030.

One fatality is too many.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Peppin.

Um, Counselor Louis Jen, I'll take you next and then I'll speak last.

Thank you.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to thank Councilor Papen for adding me.

Um, and I want to thank my colleagues for bringing forward uh a work and everything that has already been said about this.

Um, and I also want to just I know a lot of this has been prompted uh by the very unfortunate passing of uh Louisa Gag.

Um I want to continue to hold her the um in her in in my prayers, um her family, friends, and colleagues um whose lives and work um her life and work were dedicated to making our streets safer, and whose tragic death has brought us back to this conversation with an unimaginable sense of loss.

Um just two weeks prior to her death, Louisa Gag actually helped uh my office help uh Joey Bennett of Yard Time Entertainment and Life After Prison organize a bike ride and was able to make sure that they had bikes, 24 bikes, and that would not have been possible without Louisa really leaning in.

And I just want to to continue to honor her memory here.

Um we know what state what safe streets look like.

The city has been developing the data, the tools, and the strategies from safer intersections, traffic calming to protected infrastructure and uh in identifying our highest crash quarters.

Um we do need to move forward with urgency in order to deliver what the data shows us.

Uh vision zero can't simply be an aspiration uh that we we can recommit ourselves to after each tragedy.

Um, and so I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to really digging into vision um zero to making sure that we are able to uh meet those commitments in a timely fashion.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Luigian.

Uh counselor uh Council Durkin, Councilor, you have the floor.

Oh, sorry, your sponsor.

So you can go first.

Oh, do you want me to go?

Yes, I I was I was thank you so much.

Um I'd like to thank Councilor Peppen for his partnership in bringing this important resolution forward.

Uh Boston committed to Vision Zero in 2015 with the goal of eliminating fatal and serious traffic crashes by 2030.

With less than four years remaining, we have significant work to do.

In 2025, 11 people were killed in traffic crashes in Boston, most of whom were pedestrians, and hundreds of other of others uh crashes required medical and required medic uh others in crashes required medical attention.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the tragic loss of Louisa Gag, an Alton Brighton resident, a city employee whose work touch touched all of us, and a beloved member of our community whose death underscored just how urgent this work is.

A better city is possible.

Vision zero is not an unattainable goal.

Helsinki, a city comparable in size to Boston, has gone over a year without a single fatality.

In 2019, that city saw zero pedestrian deaths as well.

That wasn't achieved by magic.

It was achieved by commitment to proven safety measures and building safer streets.

We should take note here in Boston.

We need to continue moving forward with infrastructure projects that make our streets safer and help prevent these crashes from happening in the first place.

These improvements are especially important for pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, children, older adults, and people with disabilities who can be most vulnerable on our streets.

Reaching vision zero will require us to accelerate this work and continuing to make street safety a priority as we approach 2030.

I look forward to continuing our work together for to achieve vision zero and making sure that everyone can travel safely throughout our city.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Durkan.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you so much, Chair, and thank you to the sponsors.

Talking about vision zero, um, and talking about the city's vision for our city.

Um it's really hard to talk in the wake of tragedy because we all knew Louisa.

She was an incredible person.

We all knew her work.

We all worked closely with her.

Um, just talking to my chief of staff and talking to her office.

Um, we all had individual interactions with her that were um meaningful, and she truly represented our city, and um and to have her pass away in my district is just incredibly heartbreaking.

Um I think part of the hearing that we had um in December, I mean sorry, in April and December, and all of the hearings that we've had regarding transportation projects, has been about um making sure that we're approaching vision zero, and until yesterday, uh all of the data for the fatalities and injuries were not even updated on the website.

I'm really happy, like we've advocated, and I know a lot of advocates were advocating the data has now been updated where we can take a look, but there's no way to approach the vision zero if we don't actually have the data and we're not working towards a plan.

So I'm I'm excited to have this hearing.

Um but it's it's tragic what's happening on our streets, and it's also tragic because there are a lot of people who have died on our streets who and have been hit on our streets that um that aren't recognized, and um less than a hundred feet away from where Louisa passed away.

Um there is a crosswalk that we're waiting to get done at the Roxbury Crossing T, which is right in at the border of District 7 and District 8.

We have areas and projects that we need to execute on, and um as district eight city counselor, um I want to make sure that every street, sidewalk, and crosswalk in my district is safe, but that means slowing down cars, and it's not an easy conversation to have with community, but it's one that we need to um we need to approach with delicate care, but also one that we have to actually have the political urgency um to to say that we have to slow down cars in order to approach Vision Zero.

Um, and in a lot of our districts, um, sometimes we lack the political courage to actually do that.

And so um thank you, Chair, and thank you to the sponsors.

Thank you, Councilor Durkin.

Would anyone else like to add their name?

Counselor Culpepper, Councilor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Weber, Councillor Morrell, Councillors Peppen, Braden, and Louisiane seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 1424.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docker 1424?

Doc and ever uh excuse me.

Roll call, uh, Councilor Braden.

Yes, Councilor Braden, yes.

Councilor Colletta's apartheid, Councillor Culpepper, Councilor Culpepper, yes, Councilor Durkin.

Councilor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Council Viz Joe, yes, Councilor Flynn, Councilor Flynn, yes, Council Lu Zhen.

Yes, Council, yes, Councilor Mejia.

Councilor Mehia, yes, Councilor Murphy, Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Papen, Council Penn, yes, Councilor Wu Zhen.

Yes.

Sorry.

Councilor Santana.

Councilor Weber.

Councilor Weber, yes, and Councilor Warrell.

Yes.

Council War, yes.

Dr.

Number 1424 has received 11 votes in the appointment.

Thank you, Mr.

Turk.

Document 1424 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1425?

Document number 1425.

Counselor Flynn offered the following.

Resolution celebrating the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA day on July 15, 2026 in the City of Boston.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, may I add Councilor Murphy?

Councilor Murphy, is that so added?

May I suspend the rules and add Council Mahia?

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

This year marks the 36th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Signed into law on July 26th, 1990.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, is a federal act that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensures that all people with disabilities are entitled to the same rights, opportunities, and services as other Americans.

The ADA is a powerful instrument in promoting a society where people with disabilities can fully participate and thrive without facing unjust barriers or prejudice.

Through its extensive network of regional centers, the ADA national network works to ensure awareness and compliance with ADA regulations in order to promote equality of opportunity, full participation, self-sufficient living for individuals with disabilities.

On July 5th, 15, 2026, the City of Boston celebrated Americans with Disability Act at Copley Square Park.

According to a recent set report, almost 9% of Boston residents under 65 live with disabilities.

This also includes difficulties in self-care or hearing or vision, independent living in walking.

The City of Boston Disabilities Commission, their mission is to increase opportunities for people with disabilities so that they so that they can ful fully and equally participate in all aspects of life.

I also want to acknowledge my friend Krista McCosh, who's the the Commissioner for her outstanding work.

I also want to acknowledge Commissioner Santiago at the Veterans Department for his outstanding work on disability rights.

And I also want to acknowledge Mayor Wu as well.

This INLA chamber is fully accessible.

Thank you to City Councillor Wu at the time.

And others.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy.

Counselor Murphy, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Counselor Flynn, for putting this forward every year.

We are now year 36.

Um, probably one of the most important acts passed to give all of our residents here in the city of Boston, but across the country, the respect and the independence.

But we do know that there's always more work to do.

I do want to give a shout out to um Commissioner Shelton.

I know that the property management department, I know Councillor Flynn mentioned a few here in City Hall, but always um open to needs, and we're investing in our capital budget to make sure that all of our city buildings are accessible to all residents so that we're not keeping anybody out, not just in the buildings, but across our schools and across our city.

So just stand in support of this act and of um Krista McCosh and the work she's doing, and just know that this community needs our support always.

And I know a lot of the hearings that are filed this week are tied to street safety and transportation also, which is always a big concern and need for us to make sure that we're making sure those who may have mobility issues, vision, hearing issues, lots of different disabilities that they also feel safe on our streets.

So thank you, Councillor Flynn, and looking forward to passing this resolution today.

Thank you, Council Murphy.

Chair recognizes Council Mejia.

Counselor, you have the floor.

You just address Thank you.

Good to see you back with us.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Louis Gen, uh, Councillor Peppen, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Counselors Flynn, Murphy, and Mejia seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 1425.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Kirk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1425?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Council Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta's a part of it.

Councillor Calpe.

Councilor Culpepper, yes, Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Council Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Council Fischo, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Council Flynn, yes.

Councillor Wu Jen.

Yes.

Council Lou Jen, yes, Council Mejia.

Council Mejia, yes, Councilor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Papen.

Yes.

Council Papen, yes, Council Santana.

Counselor Weber.

Yes.

Council Webber, yes, and Councilor Warrell.

Council World, yes.

Docker number 1425 has received 11 votes in the impairment.

Thank you.

Docket 1425 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1426?

Docker number 1426, Councilor Warrell offer the following resolution in support of bills, Senator 2344 and House 3754.

And act relative to traffic regulation using road safety cameras.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Council.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I like to add Council Weber as a original co-sponsor.

Council Weber is so added.

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

Seeing and hearing no objection, Councillor Pepin is added as a third.

Thank you, Madam President.

Traffic safety has been a priority of my office and a concern for many residents for too long.

There are many steps we must take to make our roads safer for pedestrians, for cyclists, and for all our road users.

These bills provide one of those solutions, and it does so in a way that will free up our police officers to focus resources on other public emergencies while making traffic safety enforcement more efficient.

We'll give cities the options to use road safety cameras to address speeding, red light violations, and other dangerous driving behaviors.

Multiple other cities have a long history of using automated enforcement tools, such as Chicago, Washington, DC, as well as New York, which have reported a significant decrease in speed and violations where cameras are located since their program's inception.

So I'm asking my council colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation and urging our colleagues at the State House to pass bill S 2344 and House Bill 3754.

An act relative to traffic regulation using road safety cameras to give municipalities the option to implement transparent, equitable, and data-driven road safety camera programs.

I would like to suspend and pass this resolution.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Warrell.

The chair recognizes Councillor Weber.

Councillor, you have the floor.

Okay, uh, thank you very much.

I think Councillor Warrell uh sums it up very well.

Just add, I mean, this is a again a very practical approach to making our streets safer.

I think in New York, where they put these uh red put red light cameras in at something like one percent of all the intersections.

Uh they saw a citywide decrease in people speeding through red lights and getting into uh dangerous uh T-bone accidents, and so uh you know it's something that we should definitely have the ability to implement here in Boston.

It also for me, I think the only possible objection to this would be on like civil liberties grounds, but the ACLU uh fought for uh revisions to these bills and and is uh I believe uh it has been satisfied that there won't be civil liberties issues uh with these state bills.

So again, I thank you to Councillor Warrell for putting this forward, and I hope we uh can pass this resolution today.

Thank you, Councillor Weber.

The chair recognizes Councillor Pepin, Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Warrell, for adding me as a co-sponsor.

You know, this is something that I've also spoken about previously.

It's a topic that a lot of residents have reached out about.

A lot of people see work in other places.

Um I'm also just glad to know that the state has been working with the Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition and has their support behind these two bills, and also as Council Weber just mentioned, there has been concern with the from the ACLU, but I think that they have reached finally a place where everyone feels comfortable with the language that's in place with both of the bills, both at the Senate and at the House.

So I just I encourage our colleagues at the State House to really look at this and and move it forward to make sure that we are making our roads safer.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Durkin.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you so much, Chair, and thank you to the sponsors.

Um, this is incredibly important, and I know uh we have been working and advocating to have this technology on MBTA buses for bus lanes, um, and I don't understand why we can't also have it um for other traffic violations.

I was on the phone with a constituent um from the back bay yesterday.

Um it's a common sense solution that um even our constituents are coming saying without even any knowledge of the bill saying why don't we have the ability to do this like they do in other states?

So um as someone who is from a place where this is routine, um, understanding that um in the wake of um of police uh violence and other things going on, um having less interactions with police um and residents um is ideal given um given what were uh given that routine traffic stops um you know are frowned upon at this point for minor violations.

Um so I think this is clear, it's simple.

Um I'm in support, and I know a lot of our colleagues have advocated for this at the State House for a long time, but it feels like there's momentum this time, and I urge our state colleagues as much as they love our urging.

Um, I urge my state colleagues to vote in support of this and to let it get into the final version of this bill.

Thank you, Councillor Durkin.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Culpepper, Councilor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Louis Gen, Councilor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, and please add the chair.

No, Councillors Warrail, Weber and Pepin seek suspension of the rules and adoption of docket 1426.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1426?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta's apparent.

Counselor Culpepper.

Yes.

Councillor Carl Pepper, yes.

Counselor Durkin.

Counselor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Councillor Show, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Councillor Flynn, yes, Councillor Lou Jen.

Yes.

Councilor Lujan, yes, Councillor Mejia.

Councilor Mehir, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes, Councillor Papen.

Yes.

Councillor Fenn, yes, Councillor Santana.

Councillor Weber.

Councilor Weber, yes, and Councillor Warrell.

Yes.

Councilor, yes.

Docker number 1426 has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Docket 1426 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1427?

I is there a yes.

Is there go ahead?

Docker number 1427.

Councillor Flynn offered the following.

Resolution in support of House 4358 and Senate 2662 on consumer protections for wheelchair users.

Chair recognizes Council Flynn.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Madam Chair, may I make a motion to substitute the language, please?

Could we have a second?

Second.

Thank you.

You've uh does everyone have the substituted language in front of them?

Very good.

Counselor, you may continue.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Persons with disabilities who depend on wheelchairs can be left without any mobility for weeks or even months when repairs are delayed to their wheelchair.

In response, the Massachusetts legislature has two bills under review.

H 4358 and S 2662 that would establish clear timelines for wheelchairs for wheelchair dealers, improve parts availability, and reduce insurance barriers for consumers.

In January 2025, Representative Jim O'Day filed H 1278, an act relative to wheelchair repair requirements and consumer protection.

The bill would also prohibit Mass Health and other private health insurance from requiring private authorizations for repairs to complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs, unless the original prescription is more than five years old.

The bill would require authorized wheelchair dealers to complete repairs as soon as possible, but no later than 10 business days after the consumer request the repair.

Currently, H 4358, which has been reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection, Professional Licensure, and referred to the House Committee in Ways and Means for further consideration.

In November 2025, S 2662, an Act expanding wheelchair warranty protections for consumers with disabilities was reported by the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensures.

The bill is very similar to H 4358, while also expanding current warranty protections.

The original sponsor of the Senate legislation was John Cronin, who filed the original Senate petition in the beginning of the 2025, 2026 session.

Under the Massachusetts wheelchair lemon law, the customized wheelchair arbitration program provides dispute resolution between wheelchair manufacturers and consumers without going to court.

The program is for consumers with the with a purchased or lease new cons new custom wheelchair who pay for all or partial cost out of pocket.

If the consumer qualifies, an independent arbitrator can replace the wheelchair or offer refunds.

Advocating for these bills.

Attendees expressed feelings that their independence has been lost.

Overall health suffered.

Quality of life deteriorated.

I was proud to stand with people from the disability community in advocating for these bills.

I do want to recognize my friend Tara, who's an outstanding advocate for persons with disabilities, a civil rights leader in the city of Boston, someone I have great respect and admiration for.

These bills take the necessary steps to protect wheelchair users and prevent immobility for weeks or even months, as I mentioned at the beginning.

This is a civil rights issue and a public safety issue issue.

Disability rights are civil rights.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

And as a physical therapist retired physical therapist at this point, I do appreciate the challenges of having our folks with disabilities have have their wheelchairs repaired in a timely way.

And many of our wheelchairs are very sophisticated pieces of equipment with computer technology and all sorts of uh advances in the recent years.

So it's really, really important that timely repairs are done so that folks don't have their independence impaired.

Madam Chair, um sorry to interrupt.

May I add you as an original co-sponsor?

Thank you.

I'd be honored to be a second co-sponsor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Um would anyone else like to add their name?

Councillor Culpepper, Councilor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councilor Louis Jeanne, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and thank you.

Um Councillor Flynn seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of docket number 1427.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on uh this docket 1427?

Councillor Brady.

Yes.

Councilor Braden, yes, Councillor Colletta's upon it.

Councilor Culpepper.

Council Culpepper, yes, Councillor Durkin.

Yes.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Council Fitzgerald, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Council Flynn, yes, Councillor Louis.

Yes.

Councilor Loujen, yes, Councillor Mejia.

Councilor Majia, yes, Councilor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Pipennes.

Councilor Santana.

Councillor Weber.

Yes.

Councillor Weber, yes, and Councilor Warrell.

Doctor number 1427 has received nine votes in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docket 1427 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1428?

Document number 1428.

Councilor Flynn offered the following.

Resolution in support of nurses at Boston Medical Center.

Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Chair, may I add Councillor Fitzgerald as an original co-sponsor?

Counselor Fitzgerald is so added.

May I suspend the rules, Madam Chair, and add Councillor Culpepper?

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The nurses of Boston Medical Center comprise a workforce of more than 1,500 dedicated professionals who provide high-quality life-saving care to patients in Boston and across New England.

These health care providers are the backbone of one of the nation's leading health care institutions, ensuring safe patient care, advancing the public health of the region, supporting the well-being of families and communities in Boston.

Members of 1199 SCIU at Boston Medical Center have been engaged in contract negotiations advocating for fair wages, affordable health care, safe working conditions.

This morning I was proud to join Boston Medical Center nurses on the picket line to advocate for a fair contract through collective bargaining.

Collective bargaining is a critical part of this ongoing process.

Was there and there was another woman, another state state representative that was there as well from outside of Boston.

The Boston Medical Center is located in the South End on the border of the South End in Roxbury.

This particular area is represented by City Councillor John Fitzgerald, just across the way is Councillor Cole Pepper's district, and just down the down the block is District 2, which I represent.

So I want to say thank you to John and to Reverend for their advocacy and commitment to social and economic justice.

Fair compensation and accessible health care benefits are essential to retaining experienced nurses, maintaining safe staffing levels, ensuring the continued delivery of high quality patient care.

The nurses' effort to secure a fair contract reflect the their commitment to not only their profession but to the patients and communities they serve.

One nurse said to me, Ed, what we're asking for is parity.

We're the lowest paid union nurses in Boston.

And they probably are in the most difficult hospital because they're in a trauma hospital and they see a lot of challenging circumstances.

What they're asking for is fairness.

They're asking for respect and dignity.

They're not asking for a huge increase, but they're asking to pay their bills, support their families, and contribute to their community like they have.

But it's up to the BMC to treat them with respect and dignity through the collective bargaining process.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Council Flynn.

The chair recognizes Council Fitzgerald.

Council, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Council Flynn, for adding me as a co-sponsor as well with Councillor Culpeper, all of us collectively representing the South End.

Yeah, we were down there at 7 o'clock this morning standing with SEIU and our nurses at the Boston Medical Center.

Again, I've said before in here, my mom was a part-time nurse at BMC over 30 years ago.

And I said down there this morning that it's 2026 and it should no longer be time.

One job should be enough.

And so they take care of our most in need.

If not, we will see them leave the hospitals, and we can't have BMC with the shortage of nurses, given who they help and the trauma that they address through their job.

And so I was proud to be down there with the nurses, and like Council Flynn said, all they're looking for is a little parody.

They are by far the lowest paid compared to the other hospitals at the moment.

Thank you, Councillor Fitzgerald.

The chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I, along with Councillor Fitzcher and Councillor Flynn, support the nurses 100% in their quest to receive a priority with regard to their pay.

When Boston University, at the time University Hospital, merged with at the time Boston City Hospital.

It was her that issued the insured mortgage.

I was the lawyer that did the closing for the merger of University Hospital and Boston City Hospital.

So I stand with them 100%.

I also want to say for the record, my mother was a nurse for 30 years that worked at University Hospital.

So when I think about nurses, I think about 11 to 7, because I remember my mother every night hitting that door at 11 to go to work and coming back the next morning at 7 to get us ready to go to school.

So I support nurse parity 100%.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Cole Pepper.

I haven't been attending to the button, so Councillor Murphy and then Councillor Pepin.

Sorry, okay.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you to the sponsors for this.

I saw some of my colleagues out there early this morning.

I was out there with them at 6 a.m.

And just talking to them and hearing what they were chanting, which many of us already know, but they're really not asking for much.

They're the lowest paid nurses in the city.

They have one of the toughest jobs in the city.

They also have in many cases unsafe work environment, which they're very concerned about.

So I do believe that we should be out there with them on the picket line, but also listening closely and working closely with FCIU 1199 and the nurses directly to find out exactly how we can support and be that bridge with public health and BMC to make sure that they have the work environment that they deserve.

So just want all the nurses and their families.

I know is mentioned.

I know Council Fitzgerald's mom also and Councillor Culpepper's mom.

So many nurses, they you know give up their sleep to make sure they can make the work schedule work so that they can provide for their families and their children.

So wanted to just make sure they knew that we were 100% behind them.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy.

Counselor Peppen.

I do notice we have a very chivalrous chivalrous colleague offering his coat to a colleague there.

Go ahead, Council Pepin.

Um just standing in support of this resolution, thanking the sponsors for bringing it forward.

I am a huge fan of Boston Medical Center.

It is where all three of my kids were born.

I was actually there the past two days for two separate um appointments for them before the the strikes happen.

And it's just always so impressive to see the work that the nurses do.

They're the ones that are continuously check up, check up on you when you're staying there.

Um the work that the way that they treated my wife was just it's just impeccable.

And I just know that through the stories that we hear, through the residents that our nurses from BMC in my district, you just continue to really realize how important their work is.

And that what they're as counselor Murphy mentioned, they're not asking for much.

That's asking for for a lot of resort, respect for dignity, so that they can provide for their families and make sure that they are um their one job is enough.

And for me, um, I have they have my full commitment to be there to to support, plan on being there later tonight to support them and their march and their strike.

So thank you so much to the counselors that brought this forward.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Pepin.

Councillor Warrell, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to the uh counselors um and the co-sponsors who brought this forward and all my colleagues who got up and spoke, and I was able to join um on their picking line today and just support our nurses who are the backbone of our health care system and the ones down at BMC, they they work tirelessly to make sure that they're providing quality health care.

Um I've taught to so many people down there on the picket line and just hearing uh the service and the compassion that they have uh for um patients who are coming through those doors.

It's only right that we stand up for them right now as they continue to care uh for so many of us through some of our darkest time.

So thank you uh to all the unions and the partners who've who've organized and just want to let the nurses know down at BMC, we stand with you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Counselor Louis Jeanne.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I want to thank my college of filing this.

Just want to echo the comments of my uh colleagues.

Our nurses uh do so much.

Our nurses at Boston Medical Center do so much.

They care for our most vulnerable.

Uh, they've cared for a number of my family members.

Um and so I just wanted to get up and stand in solidarity.

I will be joining them later on the picket line was with uh our nurses last week um over at or two weeks ago over at uh the Brigham, and so we just need to make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect our workers here.

Um and our nurses are do so much, um, especially our nurses um at BMC, and so I just wanted to make sure that I stood in solidarity with my colleagues.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Mejia.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Um thank you, Madam President, and I just want to rise in in solidarity and supporting of our nurses, both at Brigham's and Boston Medical Center.

Um I have been watching on the sidelines, and I also just want to thank um just the impact that they've made in my own journey and in my families.

So I just want to say thank you.

We stand in solidarity, and I think the most important thing that we can do that aside from showing up at the picket lines and filing resolutions is really putting the pressure on those big fat cats that are getting lots of money while our nurses who are doing the frontline work are getting the spare change, and so I think it's important for us to recognize what that value is and how much we have to fight for our for them.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Council Weber.

Councillor Weber, you have the floor.

Thank you.

I just uh also want to stand in solidarity with our nurses as somebody who represented thousands of nurses uh seeking fair wages across the country.

I just think it's it's a shame that you know such vital workers have to have to go on strike uh so they could afford to uh uh live and earn a living wage to provide the services that that all of us uh need.

So thank you very much and support this resolution.

Thank you.

Um I'm sure you remember my mom was a nurse, our sisters were nurses, um, and um so I grew up in a in a household with nurses.

I also Boston University Hospital was merging with uh City Hospital when I got my first job here in Boston at uh which in uh which became Boston Medical Center.

Now BMC.

So I know how hard they work, I know how challenging the work is, and I know the incredible reputation that BMC Boston has in the South End for his trauma center and for the incredible work they do.

So I our nurses do deserve wage parity with other nurses in the city.

This is an incredible flagship hospital that we have incredible pride in, but we we have to be respectful of our nurses and have that have the dignity.

They should have dignity and be able to live and uh be reward be compensated for the work, the incredible work that they do.

Councillors Flynn, Fitzgerald, and Culpepper seeks this oh, beg your pardon.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Durkin, Councillor Uh Louis Jeanne, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Council Peppen, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Oh, and Councillor Culpepper, you were a third co-sponsor, so you're already on the list.

Got it.

Councillors Flynn, Fitzgerald and Culpepper seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 1428.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1428?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Coletta's a part of it.

Councillor Culpepper.

Yes.

Councillor Culpepper, yes.

Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Councillor Fitzgerald, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Councillor Flynn, yes, Councillor Louis Gen.

Councilor Louis Jean, yes, Council Mejia.

Council Mejia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Pet Penn.

Council McPenn, yes, Council Santana.

Councillor Weber.

Yes.

Councillor Weber, yes, and Council Warrell.

Yes.

Council Warrell, yes.

Do you number 1428 has received 11 votes in the permanent?

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Docket 1428 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1429?

Document number 1429.

Council Lou Jean offered the following.

Resolution celebrating the retirement of Eddie Crispin.

Council the Chair recognizes Councillor Louis Gen.

Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you, uh Madam Chair, and thank you.

Um seeking suspension and passage of this resolution was honored to present uh Eddie with this resolution earlier, and thank you to my colleagues for joining to celebrate his 27-year career at the Boston Police Department in this bitter street moment of his departure.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Durkin, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Mejia, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Peppin, Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Councillor Louis Gen seeks suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 1429.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1429?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Calazapot.

Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpepper, yes, Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Durkin, yes, Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Council Fitzgerald, yes, Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Councilor Flynn, yes, Councillor Lou Jen.

Yes.

Councillor Gen, yes, Councilor Mejia.

Councilor Mehia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes, Council Pipennes.

Council Pipenn, yes, Council Santiana.

Councillor Weber.

Yes.

Councillor Weber, yes, and Council Warrell.

Yes.

Council Warrell, yes.

Docker number 1429 has received 11 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk.

Docket number 149 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1430?

Docker number 140, Councillor Culpepper offer the following resolution recognizing the Roxbury Neighborhood Council.

Chair recognizes Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpepper, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I'd like to add Council Mahia as a second original co-sponsor.

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

When we talk about community engagement and community-led planning in Roxbury.

We also need to respect the structures that were established to give residents a meaningful and continuing voice in the decisions affecting the neighborhood.

The Roxbury Neighborhood Council has an important role in that process.

Article 50 of the Boston Zoning Code recognizes the R and C as Roxbury Rossbury's formal planning entity and the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan establish a broader framework for community participation in development in land use and planning decisions, including a role for the R and C and the nomination process for members of the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan Oversight Committee.

This is particularly important now because the current members of the Oversight Committee have exceeded the three-year terms established by the Master Plan.

And as the city moves forward with appointments, we should make sure that the process follows a framework that was established and that Roxbury residents, community organizations, and elected officials continue to have the role envisioned for them under the master plan.

We cannot selectively rely on the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan when it is convenient.

If we recognize that document as the foundation for the oversight committee, then we also have to respect the provisions that establish a role for the Roxbury Neighborhood Council and the community itself.

Community participation would not simply mean informing residents about decisions after they have been made.

It has to mean providing residents with a meaningful role and shaping those decisions from the beginning.

As Roxbury continues to experience significant development and change, we need to make sure that the people who call the neighborhood home continue to have a real voice in determining Roxbury's future.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper.

Chair recognizes Councillor Councillor Mejia.

Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

And with your permission, I'm just going to remain seating.

Is that okay?

Go ahead.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to Councillor Culpepper for adding me.

This resolution recognizes the important role the Roxbury Neighborhood Council, also known as the R and C plays in Article 50 of the Boston Zoning Code to ensure that the Roxbury community has input in planning and development in their neighborhood.

Additionally, the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan establishes a nomination process for its oversight committee, which specifies that the R and C leads the process of identifying individuals for the nomination pool from which the mayor the mayor appoints oversight committee members.

Community members have reached out to us concerned about the potential lack of respect for the independent role that the R and C has had in this process.

The former chair and counselor who revived the government accountability as the former chair and counselor who revived the government accountability and transparency and accessibility committee.

I remain committed to ensuring that meaningful community involvement is a priority for the city of Boston and that we uphold the legislation that provides a clear process.

And as I always say, the protocols, policies, and procedures are just as important as the outcome.

Thank you.

Thank you, Council Mejia.

Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to Councillor Culpepper for bringing this forward.

Had an opportunity this morning prior to the start of the council meeting to join Councillor Culpepper and others in listening to Roxbury residents that came to City Hall this morning to advocate.

I think they came here to advocate for respect for a little bit of justice to be heard.

And I think that's what Councillor Culpepper's resolution is all about today is the voice of Roxbury must be heard.

It must be respected, it must be included.

And I'm here to stand with the residents of Roxbury and my colleague, Councillor Culpepper.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Chair recognizes Councillor Murphy.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to the Roxbury District Council, Councillor Culpepper for bringing this forward.

Thank you to Reggie for reaching out to my office and working with Andrew.

Um I spoke earlier to the group, but just agree wholeheartedly that we need to make sure that the Roxbury residents do not ever fail like we are not listening to them, or that they're working really hard and doing great work, but then they don't see the results.

And that's what we see time and time again that despite engagement, despite rolling up our sleeves, and despite pushing back and giving really good thoughtful reasons for why they know what is better for their neighborhood for their street for their small businesses that they're continued to not be heard.

So thank you for never giving up on that fight, and know that myself and I believe all of my colleagues I can speak on behalf of this body, but I will continue to show up and be a voice however you need me.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Counselor uh Council Flynn, Councillor Vigen, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Um Weber, Councillor Warrell, uh, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Peppen, and please add the chair.

Counselors Culpepper and Mejia seek suspension of the rules adoption of Docket 1430.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Doubt the vote.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on Docket 1430?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes, Councillor Coletta's apartment.

Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpepper, yes, Councillor Durkin.

Council Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Councillor Chow, yes.

Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Councillor Flynn, yes.

Councillor Lugen.

Yes.

Councillor, yes.

Council Mejia.

Council Mejia, yes, Councillor Murphy.

Councilor Murphy, yes, Council Papen.

Council Papen, yes.

Councillor Santana.

Councillor Weber.

Yes.

Councilor Weber, yes.

And Councillor Warrell.

Yes.

Council Rowell, yes.

Docker number 1430 has received 10 votes in the affirmative.

Thank you.

Docket 1430 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1431?

Docket number 1431.

Councillor Mejia offer the following.

Resolution recognized in the month of July as Disability Pride Month.

Chair recognizes Council Mejia.

Councilor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

And I would like to add Councillor Flynn as an original co-sponsor.

Council Flynn is so added.

This resolution is recognizing Disability Pride Month, which is recognized globally each year during the month of July, highlighting the accomplishments, struggles, and contributions of individuals with disabilities.

We observe Disability Pride Month in July to commemorate the signing of the American Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.

Disability Pride has strong roots in our city, as Boston held the first disability pride day in 1990 as well.

Our disability community in Boston and all individuals with disabilities continue to make significant contributions to various fields, including but not limited to art, literature, science, sports, business, and advocacy, enriching our society with their unique perspectives.

With Disability Pride Month, we celebrate the disability community, but also take the opportunity to promote inclusivity, raising awareness, and educating others about disability rights, combating stigma and discrimination, fostering a culture of respect and equity, and advocacy for true accessibility and equity.

The commitment to this work is not limited to the month of July, but rather year-round.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I think Councillor Mejia summed it up best in her comments.

Want to acknowledge Council Mejia's longtime commitment to disability rights across across the city of Boston.

Disability rights are civil rights.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Pepin, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Luigi and Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Councillors Flynn and Mejia.

No, Councillor Mejia and Flynn seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 1431.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please take a roll call vote on 1431?

Councillor Braden.

Yes.

Councillor Braden, yes.

Councillor Coas appointed.

Councillor Culpepper.

Councillor Culpeper, yes.

Councillor Durkin.

Councillor Fitzgerald.

Yes.

Councillor Fischer, yes.

Councillor Flynn.

Yes.

Councillor Flynn, yes.

Councillor Lugen.

Yes.

Councilor Lugen, yes.

Councilor Mejia.

Councilor Mejia, yes.

Councilor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, yes.

Council Pipenn.

Yes.

Councillor Penn, yes.

Councillor Santana.

Counselor Weber.

Yes.

Councillor Weber, yes.

And Councillor Warrell.

Yes.

Council Warrell, yes.

Docket number 1431 has received 10 votes in fair minute.

Thank you.

Docket 1431 has been adopted.

Mr.

Clerk, could you please read Docket 1432?

Docket number 1432, Councillors Mejia and Culpepper offer the following.

Resolution declaring July 1st, 2026 is Jalen Brown Day in the City of Boston.

Chair recognizes Councillor Mejia.

Councillor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to suspend the rules and add Councillor Rurell as an original co-sponsor.

Seeing and hearing no objection, Councillor Warell is added as a third.

I'm following this resolution to recognize Jalen Brown's contributions on and off the court.

In his 10 seasons with the Celtics, he not only grew as a professional basketball player, but also as a Bostonian.

He is an MBA champion, a five-time NBA All-Star, 2024 Eastern Comfort Finals most valuable player, 2024 for MBA Finals Most Valuable Player, and much more.

And he also has been a key player who has led the Celtics to their historic 18th banner.

But Jalen's Brown's impact does not stop there.

The Juice, the Seven Juice, the Juice Foundation, excuse me, and Boston Exchange, both of his uh philanthropic organizations have uplifted underrepresented, marginalized communities, especially our youth and entrepreneurs.

Through his social justice advocacy, Jalen Brown has used his platform to advocate for economic empowerment, resource accessibility, equity, and civic engagement.

And even though Jalen Brown is moving on from the Celtics, he will be greatly missed.

His dedication to the Boston community continues.

In a joint statement, the Jews Foundation and the Boston Exchange have reaffirmed their commitment to the Boston community and will continue to support our people.

As the Boston City Council, we want to affirm and uplift the gratitude that we have for Jalen and his entire team and all the work that they've done here in the city of Boston.

So thank you.

Thank you, Council Mejia.

Chair recognizes Counselor Culpepper.

Councilor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia, for adding me as an original co-sponsor on this resolution.

Jalen Brown's legacy, as you said, extends well beyond what he accomplished on the basketball court.

While Boston will always remember his role in bringing Banner 18 to the city, he also consistently demonstrated that professional athletes can use a platform to invest in communities, expand opportunities, and advocate for issues larger than themselves.

Throughout his time in Boston, Jalen Brown champion initiatives focused on educational opportunity, entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, and equity.

Through organizations, as Councilman Hear said, like the Juice Foundation.

The Boston Exchange, he invested directly in young people and entrepreneurs, helping create pathways for success.

For success.

For success beyond the game of basketball.

These contributions will have a lasting impact long after his playing career in Boston has come to an end.

Although we are sad to see him move on from Boston, his contributions to the city will continue to be felt on and off the court.

I am proud to support recognizing July 1st as Jalen Brown Day in the city of Boston.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you, Councillor Culpepper.

The chair recognizes Councillor Warrell.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, Councillor President.

Madam President, and thank you to my co-sponsors on this.

And we've heard it, we've seen it, and Jalen Brown's off-court uh impacts is going to be truly missed.

Um I remember last year we went around visiting schools, and one of the students came up to me and said, This is the best day of my life.

And that's the type of impact Jalen Brown uh has brought to Boston, and um I heard that he is committed to still making sure that he's showing up and investing in our young people here in the city.

Um I don't know too much about on court, on court analytics, but I know off-court analytics can't measure his impacts.

So uh we're gonna be you're gonna be missed Jalen and uh hopefully you keep on coming back and visiting the city.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councilor Louisiane, Councillor Murphy, Council Peppen, Council Weber, and please add the chair.

Counselors Mejia, Culpepper, and Warrell seek suspension of the rules and adoption of dock at 1432.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

Thank you.

Dock at 1432 has been adopted.

The chair, Mr.

Kirk, could you please read Docket 1433?

Talking of a 1433, Councillor Mejia offer the following.

Resolution declaring July 26, 2026 as Barber Time Day in the City of Boston.

Chair recognizes Council Mejia.

Council Mejia, you have the floor.

Yes.

Okay.

So you know, I did think it's funny, Councillor Flynn is trying to kill me today.

I have a little heart situation.

My little heart monitor will probably exploded today.

Thank you, Councillor Flynn.

Um was your speech the last time that passed me out now?

This one.

Okay.

All right.

So thank you, Madam President.

I am filing this resolution uh recognizing July 26, 2026 as Barbara Time Day in the City of Boston.

Barbara Time was born out of a black neighborhood barbershop in Boston during the late 90s, and we are grateful for their work that they have done across the decades in Boston and throughout Massachusetts.

The Barber Time Network has innovated and created platforms for barbers and stylists, capturing the energy of the community-driven barbershop and salons to benefit the community, the local businesses, or corporate agencies, and the barbers and stylists themselves.

Barbershops and salons play an important role in their community as spaces where people connect and are comfortable having honest and candid conversations.

Our office has worked with barbershops and salons to engage them on with as information hubs for community and community-centered spaces for programming and events.

With this resolution, we uplift the continued advocacy of BarberTime and its founder, Ian Davis, for barbers and stylists to recognize their service, also as in place agents that are already serve as consultants, microtherapists, community organizers, educators, and trusted confidants.

During COVID, my office created an initiative to help support barbershops and hair salon owners, and we looked at the issues of mental health, and we created an initiative.

Literally, you were getting your hair done while you were getting your head fixed, because we were connecting barbershop owners to mental health support services so that they were able to support their clients.

And so that was the whole gimmick back.

Um, you know, five or seven years ago, and since my work then we've been in constant collaboration working alongside barbers and and here salon owners, they are the frontline workers in so many ways.

You trust them to dye your hair, you trust them to cut your hair.

You dye them, you know, you trust them to do a lot of things, and so aside from the trust that we have, we also have to recognize the amount of love and energy that they pour into people.

So many folks that come in there feeling broken and leave their full of life.

So I just want to thank um Barber Time for their work and their advocacy, and I look forward to supporting and celebrating July 26th as Barbara Time Day here in the city of Boston.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Mejia.

Would anyone like to add their name?

Councillor Culpepper, Councillor Fitzgerald, Councillor Flynn, Councillor Um Murphy, Councillor Councillor Weber, Councillor Warrell, and please add the chair.

Um suspension of the rules adoption of docket 1433.

Oh, beg your pardon.

And please add counselor Louis Chen.

Uh Council Mejia seeks suspension of the rules adoption of docket 1433.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

The ayes have it.

Docket 1433 has been adopted.

We are now moving on to personnel orders.

Mr.

Kirk, could you please read the personnel orders?

Uh dock.

It's 1434 to 1435.

Personnel orders, darker number 1434, Councillor Braden for Councillor Weber.

And Docker number 1435, Councillor Braden for Councillor Weber.

Thank you.

The chair uh moves for passage of the personnel orders.

All in favor say aye.

The ayes have it.

Personnel orders have passed.

Before we move on to green sheets, is there anyone who would like to add their name to a docket that they have may have missed?

If you have, please put your light on and we'll amend the record.

Umsul Warrell.

I'd like to add a vote uh to 1427.

Uh yes vote.

And counselor peppin.

I would also like to add a yes vote to 1427.

Okay.

Anyone else?

Very good.

We are now on to green sheets.

Is anyone looking to pull a docket from the green sheets?

No.

Uh we're now moving on to late files.

I have been informed by the clerk we have two late file matters, which are per a personnel order and a letter of absence.

Absent objection, these uh sound objection, these late file matters will be be added to the agenda.

Mr.

Clerk, would you please read the late file matters into the record?

Firstly, file matter uh letter from Councillor Santana, dear counselor President Braden.

Throughout the summer, I've been dealing with persistent and unresolved health issues last Thursday, and when to have those issues evaluated by medical professionals, which ultimately led to an extended hospital stay.

Thank you for your prayer, support and understanding.

I look forward to being back with you soon.

Sincerely, Council Santana.

And the second life file matter is a personnel order.

Councillor Braden for Council Louisian.

Thank you.

The chair moves for passage of these late file matters.

All in favor say aye.

All opposed say nay.

The ayes have it.

Thank you.

The personnel orders have passed.

We're now moving on to the consent agenda.

I have been informed by the clerk that there are no additions to the consent agenda.

The question now comes on approval of the various matters contained within the consent agenda.

All those in favor say aye.

Thank you.

The consent agenda has been adopted.

We're now moving on to announcements.

Please remember that these are for upcoming dates and events.

Does anyone have an announcement?

First up, Councillor Peppen.

You have the floor.

I would just like to wish my cons my director of consumer services, Gabriel Cruz, a very happy birthday, which is today.

I call him the secret weapon of the office.

He alone has closed over a thousand cases since joining my team in my very first year in the office, and he's just he's killing it, and we are very happy to have him on the team.

So happy birthday, Gabe.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Louis Jeanne.

Council, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I just wanted to invite um all my colleagues and everyone to a rally that is happening tomorrow here at City Hall Plaza at noon on Senate Bill 4814.

That's the bill in the Senate to extend temporary protective status for Haiti by three years, thanks to the work of Congressman Presley.

The bill passed successfully on a bipartisan basis in the House, and now we need it to pass the Senate.

Friday is the day uh where temporary protective status uh will end for Haitians if there's not intervention happening.

That means 350,000 people um across the country without an ability to work and without um what was a lawful status here.

So tomorrow uh we'll have um uh a great gathering.

There 56 organizations are co-sponsoring uh tomorrow at noon, and it's really important for us to show solidarity.

Um, I believe pretty fairly soon.

Senator Markey's about to take the bill up um on the Senate floor.

So I'm just urging all of my colleagues and all of um those in attendance and those listening to come up and to come out tomorrow at noon and be um in support of as we rally to extend TPS.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Mejia, Councilor Mejia, you have the floor.

Yes.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um it's not so much an announcement.

I just want to say thank you to my colleagues uh for reaching out and um for making lighthearted jokes while I was laid out.

Um and uh counselor Louis Jeanne.

Uh I know that it was scary to witness, and I just want to thank you for your support.

Um during that process, and I want to thank the clerk for your lovely card, Lane, Ellen, excuse me, and my council colleagues who um the Boston City Council for sending me flowers.

My council colleagues who um brought me flowers to my house and to my whole entire family and community.

I just want to say thank you for showing up for me the way that you have.

It is very difficult for me to ask for anything, and I just want to say thank you for everybody who made it easy.

So I wouldn't have to do that.

Um you know, I just I think it's important now that our colleague is not here uh today.

Um I also just you know it was scary, and I just want us to learn how to take better care of ourselves.

If you try to hug me and I push back a little bit, it's just because I have a little heart monitor.

So that's what just I know I joked about it earlier, but don't get offended.

This is everybody who's watching.

If you try to hug me and I push back, it's not because you smell, it's just because I don't want this to go off or something or fall off something.

But anyways, I just want to say thank you for your support.

We have to do a better job.

We take so many things to heart, literally, and I think it's really important for us to recognize that at the end of the day, you know, this is our jobs, and we live to serve, but we can't die in that service.

And so I'm just gonna ask everybody to be a little bit more um a little bit more mindful of how we show up for ourselves and for each other and for our constituents, and just give yourself a little bit more grace, especially in these times when so much is happening all around us.

So thank you.

And sorry that I broke protocol instead of making it announcement.

We're delighted to see you back.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Council Murphy.

Councillor Murphy, you have the floor.

Um thank you, Madam President, and welcome back, Councilman here, and thank you for recognizing Council Centre.

I know he is in all our prayers.

And your staff, your office always does an amazing job.

And I know Council Flynn and I were joined in a parade and saw your staff out there, so I think they're a thank you for all you did that day, connecting her with her family, but also knowing that even though you were laid up and it's so hard for you because you worked so hard, you have since you were a little girl, but your staff, as always, was out there representing you in the city in a wonderful way.

And I also was waiting to see if Council Flynn was gonna turn on his light.

I know he's modest, but I do think it's important that we wish his father, former mayor and ambassador, I can call him Mr.

Flynn.

And any time I'm so honored to see him and his beautiful wife in South Boston around the city.

They're so kind and wonderful to me.

So I do want to wish Mr.

Flynn a happy birthday.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councillor Murphy.

Anyone else like to add?

Um so we have a list of uh happy birthday wishes uh in the next few weeks.

Uh we have Councillor Louis Jeanne.

Happy birthday.

Uh Gabe Cruz of Consert Peppen's office, Mike Fishbein of Counselor Weber's office, Andrew Galvin of Council Murphy's office, Lily Sweeterman of Councillor Durkin's office, and Matt Costas of our office.

Uh we wish you all a very happy uh birthday and great celebration.

Hope you have a wonderful time and the weather's nice for you all.

Uh we're now moving on to memorials.

Would anyone like up like to uplift a name?

Uh if you put your lights on, I will I will just start here with Councillor Durkin and I'll go around the room.

Uh Councillor Durkin, you have the floor.

Thank you so much.

Phil Short was a longtime Beacon Hall resident who loved sitting on the stoop of his home on Picney Street.

He was known by neighbors as the mayor of Upper Upper Picney Street.

He passed away from a heart attack on July 13th.

Phil was deeply beloved throughout the neighborhood.

He looked after so many of his neighbors' homes, and he brightened his block with personality.

The community is already searching for ways to honor his memory, and he will be deeply missed.

I would also like to honor the memory of two other members of our community in Beacon Hill.

Um, Paul uh Madelino and um Aaron Sawsot saw Chuck.

Um my thoughts are with our families, their loved ones, and everyone in the community who is mourning these losses.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um I'd like to uplift Pete Doherty of Dorchester, passed away a couple weeks ago.

Pete was known as the Duke of Dorchester and was a proud resident of District Three.

He attended Hyde Park High School, proudly served his country in the United States Army, and later earned an associate degree in business from Newbury College.

P lived a remarkable and accomplished life, known to wrestling fans throughout New England as the Duke of Dorchester.

He enjoyed a distinguished career as a professional, a professional wrestler in the WWF, as an actor, and as a television commentator.

Beyond the spotlight, Peter was a skilled electrician who dedicated many years of service to general dynamics.

A proud inductee to New England's pro wrestling hall of fame in 2010, Peter left behind a legacy that extends far beyond the wrestling ring.

Peter was the beloved husband of the late Joan Doherty, devoted father of Lisa and her husband Dan and Linda and her husband Mark.

And he's a treasured uncle to many nieces and nephews.

I had the honor of bringing his family in this morning before the council meeting to honor his life.

And there's still great proud door trusted people that still give back to the community.

And so it was great to learn about Pete, the Duke of Dorchester.

And even uh the the uh Liam in my office, his dad remembers seeing him uh wrestled to a draw out at a match in Methuen.

So I made people, this was uh he was a pretty serious guy and funny guy, I guess, to say the least according to his family.

So I'd like to lift up the Duke of Dorchester.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councillor Flynn.

Counselor, you have the floor.

Thank you, madam chair.

I want to offer my prayers and condolence to the Gregorio family.

They lost their daughter, Lisa Gregorio, who was a fire, Boston fire alarm operator.

For 25 or 30 years, maybe.

But I knew Lisa Lisa growing up.

She was my age and knew throughout South Boston.

She had a she came from a wonderful family, a great group of friends and colleagues on the Boston Fire Department.

So I just want to offer my prayers and condolences to the Gregorio family, a well-respected family in South Boston.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Chair recognizes Councillor Louis Jean.

Council, you have the floor.

Thank you so much, uh Madam Chair.

I wanted to remember a few of a few who have uh passed away uh today.

I want to start uh uh obviously with uh Luisa Gag, who many of us spoke about earlier, uh City of Boston resident, employee, avid cyclist, community advocate, um, her parents who are such incredible people, uh, her sister uh who graduated with my sister from high school.

Um so this one hurts deep, and I know it does for many of my colleagues, and I just want to um just hold the gag family in uh my thoughts and prayers, and uh want to make sure that we continue the work in the memory of Louisa.

Um, I also wanted to uplift the name of Yose Liani Marte, also known as Liani, who died um uh in a domestic violence incident uh this week, and it is unfortunate she was only 18.

Her family should be planning her future and planning her funeral.

Um she died in Mattapan, and I just want to make sure that we um I understand the severity of of domestic violence and that being at the root of so much violence, and if anyone's in need of assistance to reach out to the office for victim assistance at 617-586-1340.

Um domestic violence is often a silent killer, and we need to not let it be so silent.

And lastly, um I'd like to um and there's often someone sitting here.

Um his name is Bill Wright.

He interviewed me for when I was a high school student for college, and he's just an important person in my life.

He lost his son.

Um, his son, William Bill Henry Wright III, who was raised in Dorchester, attended the Mathers School, the Murphy, the O'Brien, uh, went to Worcester Polytechnical Institute, was a member of Alpha uh Cairo fraternity, had impressive intellect, loved holidays with his family, was a Thanksgiving baby, um, was a great conversationalist, and fortunately passed away at the age of 35.

I know that his family is listening down, and um I just wanted to make sure that we um uplift uh the memory of Bill Um and the entire family.

I know he's free as his cousin, and I I know that this is something that is deeply deeply personal for the family.

Um he lived um a life where he cared and centered about his family and those he loved and was it was incredibly smart and loved people, and so I just wanted to make sure that you know the interaction that we've had with our office, we all care so deeply about the right family, and so right now I just want to give them my deepest condolences.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councilor Mejia.

Councillor Mejia, you have the floor.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um I wanted to just second and echo just Laney's um Matez uh name here in the chamber.

Um I know that some of my daughter's friends were friends with her, so you know this is hitting close to so many of the young people who are in my network.

And I know that there's a lot of work to do in the domestic violence space, and I want to uplift and thank Shakira Robinson of Shakira Story.

Um she's leading uh a vigil, a silent prayer vigil um on Thursday, um uh July the 23rd at uh 25 Mallet uh Street in Mattapan, um, and encouraging people to show up and support the family, and while I also am speaking on this one, it's just uplift the fact that there are a lot of neighbors in that immediate area, mainly who are elders who are also traumatized by all of the action that is happening in and around the the street, and so I just want to be super mindful of making sure that we're also thinking about the uh the residue of trauma when someone uh in our neighborhoods pass away and the impact that it has on the entire community, not just the immediate family.

So my thoughts and prayers are with her family and those who live in the surrounding area as well.

And then uh one other name is uh Rolando Molina.

I got a call last week, and even though I was supposed to be resting, I can't rest because that's just not my nature.

But Rolando Molina um was struck by a vehicle um on the intersection of Washington Street and Park Street in Dorchester.

And he did not survive.

And we've been working on trying to help support his family during this this time, and I just want to uplift his name, Rolando Molina, and his family, our sincere condolences.

Would you remind repeating the name again?

Rolando Molina.

Yeah.

Molina.

M-O L I N A.

I N A.

I haven't got my hearing aids in today, so thank you for your patience.

No, it's okay.

Um did you earn lights still on?

Yeah, I'm I have this one person that I forgot.

I'm sorry.

Okay.

Um and I know that this is on behalf of a number of my colleagues, but um Alberto Vasalo of El Mundo lost his mother, Flora Vasalo.

Uh she was a matriarch of the family.

Uh she raised them with up uh with tons of compassion, um, her and her and uh entire family.

So I just wanted to extend our condolences to Alberto Vasallo as he mourns the passing of his matriarch and his mother, Flor Vasalo.

Thank you.

Alberto.

Um it's it's Alberto Vasalo's mom floor, F L O R.

Flor Vasallo Vasallo, yes.

Laura Flor.

F L F L O R Floor.

Thank you.

Um I wanted to uplift the name of Dudley McDonner, the husband and father, grandfather of many of our friends and neighbors in the neighborhood, and a strong member of local 223.

I know myself, Council Fitzgerald and Council Flynn had gone to the wake and presented a resolution, but I just wanted to uplift it here today, and also Katie Nolan's grandmother, um Frida Nolan, and just wanted to bring her name forward.

Thank you.

Susan is last one, Susan.

Frida.

Frida Nolan.

And McDonough, who is McDonough?

Dudley.

Dudley.

Thank you.

Um I will like to also uplift a few names that have been mentioned already.

Um first Louisa Gag, who was a friend, a co-worker, um, someone that was loved by many people.

She's a daughter of Rosendale, and um her parents, Steve and Laura are just great friends and amazing people in the community.

So just want to extend my condolences to them.

Um I as well want to uplift the name of José Liani Marte, who just left us way too early.

Um, and have a few close friends that are family with her.

So just extending my condolences to to the entire Marte family.

And then also extending my condolences to Mr.

Alberto Vasalio on the passing of his mother, Tonya Flor Vasalio.

Um his mother's wake is on Friday, July 24th in Revere at 5 p.m.

And it's um, I mean, we are Alberto Vasallo and the Vasalio family and everything they've done for our state.

So um just wanted to send my condolences.

Councillor Warrell, do you have the floor?

I'd like to remember the name uh Cory Murphy, a high park resident.

Uh Corey was at High Park High, um on the basketball scene, good friend, uh well known throughout the community, also had a major impact on Boston's uh hip hop scene.

Just wanted to take time off of my condolences, remember the name Cory Murphy.

Also known as Prano.

Known as Prano.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um, because I I think it's important in regards to Alberto Basalio and his family, they own El Mundo.

I would like to say something in Spanish, just because I think it's important for those who may not have the privilege of speaking English.

So Keremorkonosel Ala Familia de Alberto Vasallo and those who said, but I'm gonna say not a bit possible since you're mamma.

Flor Vasyo, I can recognore Conceal.

Thank you.

On behalf of Councillor Flynn, Lisa Gregorio, on behalf of Councillor Coletta Zapata, Liam D.

Fitz, on behalf of Councillor Durkin, Phil Short, Paul Matalanio, and Aaron Shawchuk, on behalf of Councillor Fitzgerald, Janet Jones, David Joseph Gilmartin, and Pete, Duke of Dorchester Doherty, on behalf of Councillor Louis Jeanne, William Henry Wright the third, Joan Sebastian Duran Guerrero, Lorenzo Salgado Arroyo, Orogio, and Yosalini Marti and Flor Delgado.

On behalf of Councillor Liz Braden, Carolyn Beach Tolman, the wife of Warren Tolman and sister-in-law of our former senator in uh Alston Brighton, Warren Um Stephen Tolman.

On behalf of the entire uh on behalf of Councillor Santana, Tony Fonseca, and um behalf of Councillor Mejia, Yolanda Molina, behalf of Councillor Murphy, Dudley McDonough and Susan Frieda, and on behalf of Councillor Warrell, Corey Murphy, also known as Prano.

And on behalf of the entire Boston City Council, Louisa Gag.

The chair the chair moves that when the council adjourns today, we do so in memory of the aforementioned individuals.

A moment of silence, please.

The council is scheduled to meet again in the INLA chamber on Wednesday, August fifth, twenty twenty-six at twelve PM.

Thank you to my colleague, Central Staff, the clerk, the clerk's office, and Ellen, our wonderful stenographer.

All in favour of adjournment, please say aye.

The council is adjourned.

Thank you, everyone.