Boston City Council Regular Meeting - October 21, 2026

The Boston City Council held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 12:12 PM in the Christopher A. Iannella Chamber, adjourning at 4:25 PM. All 13 councilors were present. The meeting included approvals of grants, appointments, introduction of major housing ordinances, adoption of resolutions, and debate over a summons for the MBTA General Manager.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals included the minutes from the October 7, 2026 meeting.
• The Consent Agenda (items 1977–2022) containing 46 resolutions recognizing individuals and organizations was adopted without objection.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Board of Appeal Reappointments and New Appointments (Dockets 1515–1524): Councilor Durkin, chair of the Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation, presented the recommendations. All ten appointments (including reappointments of Giovanny Valencia, Katie Whewell, Alan E. Langham, Sherry Dong, Shamaiah Turner, Jeanne Pinado, David Collins, and new appointees Carla Monteiro, Patrick Walsh, William Masterson) were confirmed by unanimous 13–0 votes.
• Community Mitigation Grant (Docket 1953): A $668,500 grant from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for costs related to gaming establishment construction and operation was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
• Constable Appointment (Docket 1954): Burton Malkofsky was confirmed as a renewal constable for a three-year term.
• Communications Filed (Dockets 1955–1957): Reports on the Veteran Advocate annual report, assaults on Boston police officers, and civil rights concerns about the Blue Hill Avenue Transportation Action Plan were placed on file.
• E-Bike Grant (Docket 1883): Councilor Durkin reported that the $3,250,220 Community Connections Grant from the MAPC would fund 887 new e-bikes and 434 spare batteries for the Blue Bikes system, increasing the e-bike share from 12% to 33% of the fleet. The order passed 10–2, with Councilors Flynn and Murphy voting no.
• Immigrant Advancement Grant (Docket 1774): Councilor Culpepper reported that a $500,000 grant from the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors would support Boston’s first immigrant-led home care cooperative, creating opportunities for 60 immigrant workers and serving over 100 individuals. The order passed unanimously 13–0.
• Data Centers Zoning Amendment (Docket 1718): Councilor Durkin summarized a hearing where the administration stated hyperscale data centers are unlikely in Boston and is developing clearer definitions. The order remained in committee.
• Community Preservation Act Funds (Docket 1601): Councilor Pepén reported a hearing exploring raising the CPA percentage for affordable housing. Councilor Worrell noted that no new affordable homeownership units were funded in the last CPA round. The order remained in committee.
• Bullying, Sexual Harassment, and Misconduct in BPS (Docket 0407): Councilor Mejia reported on a hearing highlighting over 2,000 unreported cases, inconsistent responses, and lack of accountability. The order remained in committee for continued oversight.
• Ordinance: “Bad Landlords List” (Docket 1958): Council President Breadon introduced an ordinance to create a publicly published list of repeat-offending landlords and exclude them from city grants and zoning relief. Referred to Government Operations.
• Ordinance: Displacement Impact Mitigation Initiative and Trust Fund (Docket 1959): Councilor Mejia introduced an ordinance to prevent displacement through early risk identification and mitigation plans. Referred to Government Operations.
• Ordinance: Neighborhood-Based Affordability Standards (Docket 1960): Councilor Mejia introduced an ordinance to establish neighborhood-specific Area Median Income standards for city housing programs. Referred to Government Operations.
• Petitions for Special Laws (Dockets 1961, 1962): Petitions to waive maximum age requirements for a firefighter applicant (Stephen Maguire) and a police officer applicant (Haji-Mohamed Bayour) were passed unanimously.
• Hearing Orders: Orders were passed for hearings on COLA for retirees (1963), Boston Water and Sewer Commission lawsuit verdict (1964), central booking agreement between BPD and Suffolk County Sheriff (1965), SuccessLink Youth Employment Program (1966), and the Veteran Advocate annual report (1967). Each was referred to the appropriate committee.
• Summons for MBTA General Manager (Docket 1968): Councilor Culpepper’s order to summon Phillip Eng to the Civil Rights Committee passed 8–2–3 (Breadon, Culpepper, Flynn, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Santana, Worrell yes; Coletta Zapata, Durkan no; FitzGerald, Pepén, Weber present). Debate centered on lack of response to a previous hearing invitation and civil rights implications for transit equity.
• Section 17F Order (Docket 1969): Councilor Murphy’s order for information on outstanding 17F responses passed unanimously 13–0.
• Fields Corner Post Office Resolution (Docket 1970): Councilor FitzGerald’s resolution urging USPS to secure a new location was adopted.
• Ride for Your Life Resolution (Docket 1971): Councilor Pepén’s resolution recognizing the ride and remembering traffic violence victims was adopted.
• Dental Care for Veterans Resolution (Docket 1972): Councilor Flynn’s resolution supporting H.R. 210 was adopted.
• Public Housing Budget Cuts Resolution (Docket 1973): Councilor Pepén’s resolution urging Congress to reverse $18 million in cuts to BHA federal operating budget and restore voucher funding was adopted.
• Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse Resolution (Docket 1974): Councilor Worrell’s resolution supporting naming the Dorchester Division of Boston Municipal Court after Judge Leslie E. Harris was adopted.
• Election Day Holiday Resolution (Docket 1975): Council President Breadon’s resolution declaring Election Day a holiday for City Council employees and urging city and state to follow was adopted 10–3 (FitzGerald, Flynn, Murphy no).
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month Resolution (Docket 1976): Councilor Flynn’s resolution recognizing November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month was adopted.

Key Outcomes

• Confirmed Appointments: All ten Zoning Board of Appeal members and alternates were confirmed unanimously.
• Grant Approvals: The $3.25 million e-bike grant passed (10–2); the $500,000 immigrant grant passed unanimously.
• Summons Issued: The MBTA General Manager is summoned to appear before the Civil Rights Committee per a 8–2–3 vote.
• Ordinances Introduced: Three major housing-related ordinances were referred to the Government Operations Committee for further consideration.
• Petitions Approved: Special law petitions for age waivers for a firefighter and a police officer were passed.
• Resolutions Adopted: Over 50 resolutions, including those on postal service, traffic safety, veterans’ dental care, public housing funding, courthouse naming, and Election Day holiday, were adopted.