Boston’s City Council discussed repairs to be made in several Boston’s Elementary Schools, the city’s observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and several new initiatives during its Jan. 31 meeting.

One of the first items presented to the council was an order that would allow the City of Boston to submit their interest for an accelerated repair program for schools including Kenny Elementary School, O’Donnell Elementary School, Adams Elementary School and five other elementary schools.

The next docket was presented by Councilor Ed Flynn of District 2. Flynn asked for an authoritative order to establish an office of pest control for the City of Boston. 

“It would coordinate multi-departmental efforts to reduce rat and pest populations,” said Flynn.

Flynn presented the next item, discussing the economic impact of for-profit urgent care centers.  

“While urgent care centers might offer convenient and quick care to patients, some of these clinics are for-profit and are seen as an investment opportunity for private equity firms…they do not have the legal obligation to treat patients if they do not have the ability to pay,” said Flynn.

Flynn continued his argument in favor of this order with further examples of for-profit hospitals that would become a problem for neighborhood urgent care facilities, such as one that is being built a block away from South Boston Community Health Center.

“This would not only affect our health centers, but it would affect our minorities, elderly and people in need,” said Flynn.

The next agenda item, a proposal for a discussion on a new program that would provide resources to those facing evictions in the city, was presented by Councilor Benjamin Weber of District 6. The proposal was the Councilor’s first presentation to the council in his term.

Weber’s speech consisted of a story of Mary from West Roxbury, a senior who was being evicted from her home and had reached out to the councilor for assistance; he had given her resources she could contact and she was able to find residence elsewhere.

This story from Mary inspired Weber to pursue assistance for tenants to have the right to counsel when facing evictions in the city of Boston. 

“Less than 4% of tenants facing eviction in convictions have an attorney,” Weber said.

Councilor Brian Worrell of District 6 presented an item to start the process of deciding Boston Public School’s 2025 budget.  

“This year we are committed to a collaborative approach to the budget process ensuring that the voices of our constituents are heard in the decision-making process in our schools’ budget. Let us make this an opportunity to showcase our unwavering commitment to the students and the families of Boston,” Worrell said.

The council also discussed the establishment of a new official holiday for the state of Massachusetts. If the proposal passes, the state would adopt the United Nations holiday of Jan. 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.