Boston public meetings in 2021

City Council

The council is reviewing several large grant authorizations, including $13.5 million for urban security and over $2 million for elder nutrition services. The meeting also includes committee reports on a literacy task force and ordinances for a commemoration commission.

• $13,520,000 grant for the Federal FY21 Urban Areas Security Initiative
• $2,070,874 grant for nutrition services for older adults
• Creation of a Literacy Rates Task Force
• Donation of a $38,781 shower trailer to the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management
• $160,000 grant for Immigrant Advancement Initiatives

The Boston City Council passed several ordinances and orders, including creating a task force to address literacy rates and establishing the Boston Commemoration Commission, both by 13-0 votes. It also approved multiple grants, including a $13.52 million federal security grant and several elder services grants, and confirmed appointments to the Mission Hill Triangle Architectural Conservation District.

• Passed ordinance to create a Task Force to Address Literacy Rates (13-0)
• Passed ordinance to create the Boston Commemoration Commission (13-0)
• Approved $13,520,000 federal Urban Areas Security Initiative grant
• Approved $160,000 grant for Immigrant Advancement Initiatives
• Approved $1,212,000 for feasibility study and design for Boston Public Schools boiler/window/door projects (13-0)
• Passed ordinance amending Boston Jobs and Living Wage Ordinance (13-0)
• Confirmed four appointments to Mission Hill Triangle Architectural Conservation District
• Approved multiple grants for elder services totaling over $4 million

City Council

The Council will review several grant proposals, including funding for playground renovations in Dorchester and new parkland acquisition in Hyde Park. Other items include a request for a hearing on digital equity and the extension of property tax exemptions for active-duty National Guard members.

• $400,000.00 grant for Winthrop Playground renovations in Dorchester
• $387,164.00 grant for land acquisition at 0-4 Lakeside Avenue
• Up to $6,000,000.00 reimbursement for COVID-19 expenses
• Property tax exemption extension for National Guard and reservists on active duty
• $399,000.00 grant for the East Boston Senior Center

The Boston City Council approved several grant acceptances and expenditures, including a $6 million FEMA/Commonwealth COVID-19 reimbursement, a $691,110 COVID-19 response grant for election administration, and grants for park improvements and land acquisition. It also extended a property tax exemption for National Guard members and reservists on active duty abroad (11-0). Numerous temporary employee appointments were approved, and two resolutions were adopted.

• Approved $6M FEMA/Commonwealth COVID-19 expense reimbursement
• Approved $691,110 COVID-19 Response Grant for Election Department
• Approved $400,000 PARC grant for Winthrop Playground renovations
• Approved $387,164 PARC grant for Sprague Pond Shoreline Reserve acquisition
• Extended 100% property tax exemption for National Guard/reservists on active duty abroad (11-0)
• Adopted resolution urging passage of Massachusetts Parentage Act
• Adopted resolution renouncing nuclear weapons proliferation
• Approved multiple temporary employee appointments in City Council

City Council

The Council passed an appropriation of $1,212,000 for Boston Public School repairs. They also reviewed several grants, including $8 million for COVID-19 relief and transit expansion.

• $8,000,000 federal grant for COVID-19 relief and transit expansion
• $1,212,000 appropriation for Boston Public School boiler and window replacements
• $106,575 grant for a police department recovery coach/forensic specialist
• $75,000 grant for Little Saigon Cultural District planning in Dorchester
• Tax exemption extension for National Guard and reservists on active duty

The City Council approved an $8,000,000 federal grant to fund COVID-19 recovery efforts and expand the fare-free transit program, with a vote of 12 yeas and 1 nay (Baker). The Council also passed a $1,212,000 appropriation for feasibility studies and schematic design for boiler and window/door replacements at certain Boston Public Schools, and approved the appointment of nine names to the Civilian Review Board. Several other items were referred to committees, including grants for mental health co-response and jail/arrest diversion programs, and a resolution adopting the 2021 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.

• Approved $8,000,000 federal grant for COVID-19 recovery and fare-free transit expansion (yeas 12, nays 1).
• Passed $1,212,000 appropriation for feasibility study and schematic design for school boiler and window/door replacements (yeas 13).
• Accepted committee report and passed order appointing nine names to the Civilian Review Board.
• Passed order adopting the City of Boston 2021 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Passed orders appointing temporary employees in City Council (effective Dec 4 and Dec 11, 2021).
• Passed orders appointing temporary employees Samuel Hurtado and Ryan Clark in City Council.
• Referred $106,575 DMH Co-Response Grant and $72,600 Jail/Arrest Diversion Grant to Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice.
• Referred Sheltered Market Program order to Committee on Government Operations.

City Council

The council referred several grant proposals to committees, including a $13.5M federal security grant and multiple elder services grants. It passed several smaller grants under suspension of rules, including $171,242 for nursing home ombudsman services and $92,735.50 for emergency management. The council also denied a petition from A Yankee Line for a passenger-for-hire license and approved a Newmarket Business Improvement District with an 11-0 vote.

• Referred $1,212,000 for BPS boiler/window/door feasibility study to Ways and Means
• Referred $13,520,000 federal security grant to Public Safety & Criminal Justice
• Referred $2,070,874 elder nutrition grant to Strong Women, Families, and Communities
• Passed $171,242 grant for nursing home ombudsman services
• Passed $92,735.50 emergency management performance grant
• Denied A Yankee Line passenger-for-hire license petition
• Approved Newmarket Business Improvement District (11-0)
• Adopted resolution opposing Herter Community Garden relocation

City Council

The City Council is considering orders to accept state grants for park renovations and land acquisitions. This includes funding for Winthrop Playground in Dorchester and the Sprague Pond Shoreline Reserve in Hyde Park.

• $400,000 grant for Winthrop Playground renovations in Dorchester
• $387,164 grant for land acquisition at 0-4 Lakeside Avenue in Hyde Park
• Resolution adopted to support safety improvements on the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge
• Resolution adopted recognizing November 2021 as Youth and Young Adult Homeless Awareness Month

The Boston City Council referred two state grant orders to committee, one for $400,000 to renovate Winthrop Playground in Dorchester and another for $387,164 to acquire parkland at Sprague Pond in Hyde Park. The council also adopted several resolutions and approved temporary employee appointments. No final votes were taken on the grant orders; they were only referred to the Committee on Environment, Resiliency, and Parks.

• Referred $400,000 PARC grant for Winthrop Playground renovations to committee
• Referred $387,164 PARC grant for Sprague Pond Shoreline Reserve acquisition to committee
• Adopted resolution supporting safety improvements on Massachusetts Avenue Bridge
• Adopted resolution recognizing Youth and Young Adult Homeless Awareness Month
• Approved temporary employee appointments in City Council
• Adopted consent agenda of resolutions and recognitions

City Council

The City Council passed several state and federal grants to fund homelessness services, 911 training, and police department initiatives. The council also reviewed appointments for architectural conservation study committees and adopted a resolution supporting debt-free public higher education.

• $45,000,000 HUD grant for homelessness services (Passed)
• $4,000,000 grant for Enhanced 911 Services (Passed)
• $1,500,000 Securing the Cities grant for terrorism prevention (Passed)
• $1,150,000 grant for youth violence reduction (Passed)
• Proposed ordinance to create a Literacy Task Force (For action)

The Boston City Council approved several grant authorizations, including a $45 million federal Continuum of Care grant for homelessness services and a $1.15 million youth violence prevention grant. The council also passed a resolution supporting debt-free public higher education and approved a preservation restriction agreement for the Vertullo Building. All appointments and other matters were referred to committees or placed on file.

• Approved $45M Continuum of Care grant for homelessness services
• Approved $1.15M Safe and Successful Youth Initiative grant
• Approved $4M Public Safety Answering Point Support grant
• Approved $1.5M Securing the Cities grant
• Approved $399,418.73 State 911 Training Grant
• Approved $239,254 DNA Capacity Enhancement grant
• Adopted resolution supporting debt-free public higher education
• Passed preservation restriction agreement for Vertullo Building

City Council

The City Council is considering several grant acceptances, including over $1.7 million for elder nutrition and $750,000 for Malcolm X Park improvements. The session also includes reviews of committee reports on surveillance oversight and affordable housing parking minimums. Additionally, councilors introduced motions regarding wage theft prevention and childcare worker status.

• $750,000.00 grant for ADA compliance at Malcolm X Park
• $1,768,378.56 grant for the State Elder Lunch Program
• Zoning code amendment regarding parking minimums for affordable housing
• $425,881.00 grant for Police Department data and management roles
• Ordinance to prevent wage theft in Boston

The Boston City Council passed a new draft of the Surveillance Oversight and Information Sharing ordinance, and approved a zoning text amendment to reduce parking minimums for affordable housing. It also passed several grant acceptances, including $1.6M for elder services and $750K for ADA improvements at Malcolm X Park. A wage theft prevention ordinance was introduced and referred to committee.

• Passed Surveillance Oversight and Information Sharing ordinance in new draft
• Passed zoning text amendment reducing parking minimums for affordable housing
• Approved $1,603,112 ARPA Title III-B grant for elder services
• Approved $750,000 Land Water Conservation Fund grant for Malcolm X Park ADA improvements
• Approved $425,881 Byrne JAG grant for police domestic violence and data positions
• Approved $1,768,378.56 State Elder Lunch Program grant for 284,394 meals
• Referred wage theft prevention ordinance to Government Operations committee
• Adopted resolution supporting housing stability and homelessness prevention legislation

City Council

The City Council will consider several grants for police DNA capacity and road safety. The agenda also includes proposed hearings on electric vehicle infrastructure and emergency housing transfers.

• $239,254.00 grant for DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Program
• $49,192.00 grant for Municipal Road Safety
• Proposed text amendment to the Boston Zoning Code regarding parking minimums for affordable housing
• Proposed ordinance amending the Boston Jobs and Living Wage Ordinance
• $254,194.00 grant for youth workforce development research

The Boston City Council accepted a $49,192 federal grant for municipal road safety, passed a $254,194 grant for youth workforce research, and adopted several resolutions and appointments. No major policy decisions were made; most items were referred to committees or placed on file.

• Accepted $49,192 federal road safety grant (passed)
• Accepted $254,194 Challenge Grant for youth workforce research (passed)
• Adopted resolution declaring October as Co-operative Month
• Appointed temporary employees in City Council (multiple orders passed)
• Adopted consent agenda with 12 resolutions
• Referred ordinance amending Boston Jobs and Living Wage Ordinance to committee
• Referred hearing orders on EV infrastructure and emergency housing transfers to committees

City Council

The Boston City Council is reviewing several grant authorizations, including a $45 million federal fund for homelessness housing and services. The council will also consider orders for hearings regarding the city's redistricting process and rental unit inspection standards.

• $45,000,000 HUD Continuum of Care grant for homelessness services
• $1,768,378.56 State Elder Lunch Program grant for nutrition services
• $750,000 grant for ADA improvements at Malcolm X Park
• Order for a hearing on the city's redistricting process
• Order for a hearing to review rental unit conditions and inspections

The Boston City Council referred several grant acceptance orders to committees, including a $45 million federal Continuum of Care grant for homelessness services. The council passed an order to accept COVID-19 air detection equipment valued at $46,725, and approved a $345,678 Fair Housing Assistance Program grant. Several resolutions and appointments were also adopted or placed on file.

• Referred $45M Continuum of Care grant to Housing Committee
• Referred $1.77M Elder Lunch Program grant to Strong Women, Families, and Communities Committee
• Referred $1.5M Securing the Cities grant to Public Safety Committee
• Referred $750K Land Water Conservation Fund grant to Environment Committee
• Referred $500K Nutrition Incentive Program grant to Strong Women, Families, and Communities Committee
• Passed order accepting $46,725 COVID-19 detection equipment
• Passed $345,678 Fair Housing Assistance Program grant
• Adopted resolutions honoring former Mayor Menino and supporting Downtown Municipal Harbor Plan amendment (12 yeas)

City Council

The Boston City Council will consider accepting multiple federal and state grants, including a $25 million Commonwealth Builder Program grant for workforce homeownership and a $4 million Allston-Brighton Homeowner Fund. It will also review a committee report on the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure (BERDO) ordinance and hear petitions for special laws, including one to waive the maximum age for police officers.

• $25,000,000 Commonwealth Builder Program grant for workforce homeownership
• $4,000,000 Allston-Brighton Homeowner Fund grant
• Multiple ARPA grants for older adult services totaling over $4 million
• Ordinance amending BERDO (Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure)
• Petition to waive police officer maximum age for Daniel Flores

The Boston City Council passed an amended ordinance updating the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure (BERDO) requirements, with a unanimous 12-0 vote. The council also approved several grant acceptances, including $25 million for the Commonwealth Builder Program and $4 million for the Allston-Brighton Homeowner Fund, and passed a special law petition waiving the maximum age requirement for a police officer candidate. Other actions included adopting resolutions on suicide prevention and reproductive freedom, and referring multiple items to committees.

• Passed amended BERDO building energy reporting ordinance (12-0)
• Approved $25M Commonwealth Builder Program grant for workforce homeownership
• Approved $4M Allston-Brighton Homeowner Fund grant
• Passed special law petition to waive police officer maximum age for Daniel Flores
• Adopted resolution recognizing September as Suicide Prevention and Action Month
• Adopted resolution calling on Congress to pass Women's Health Protection Act
• Referred $1.6M ARPA grant for older adult supportive services to committee
• Referred order for hearing on BPS bus transportation reliability to Education Committee

City Council

The Council will review several mayoral messages authorizing various grants, including $25 million for workforce housing. Committee reports also recommend passing ordinances for paid parental leave and a Commission on Black Men and Boys. The agenda includes consideration of a petition regarding an Eversource substation in East Boston.

• $25,000,000 grant for the Commonwealth Builder Program
• $4,000,000 grant for Public Safety Answering Point Support
• $4,000,000 grant for Allston-Brighton Homeowner Fund
• Ordinance for Paid Parental Leave for City Employees
• Ordinance creating a Commission on Black Men and Boys

The Boston City Council passed several ordinances, including one amending the city code to provide paid parental leave for city employees and another creating a Commission on Black Men and Boys. The council also approved a citizen petition to place a nonbinding advisory question on the November 2021 ballot regarding an elected Boston School Committee. Additionally, the council accepted and expended multiple grants, including $25 million for workforce homeownership housing and $4 million for enhanced 911 services, and passed an ordinance to increase voter participation through prepaid return envelopes for mail-in voting.

• Passed ordinance amending Section 5-5.20, Paid Parental Leave for City of Boston Employees
• Passed ordinance creating a Commission on Black Men and Boys
• Passed citizen petition for nonbinding advisory question on elected Boston School Committee
• Passed ordinance increasing voter participation through prepaid return envelopes for mail-in voting
• Accepted and expended $25M grant for Commonwealth Builder Program (workforce homeownership)
• Accepted and expended $4M grant for FY22 Public Safety Answering Point Support (Enhanced 911)
• Accepted and expended $4M grant for Allston-Brighton Homeowner Fund
• Passed order for hearing on city protocols for providing public records