When the Boston City Council makes news, it’s usually not for good reasons. Scandals, dust-ups over resolutions, budget-cut brouhahas and in-fighting are too often on the docket.

The term dysfunction has been used.

But the Council stepped up to the plate for Bostonians and hit one out of the park, ultimately landing 225 liquor licenses for minority neighborhoods over the next three years, as the Herald reported.

It started back in March of 2023 with a proposal by Councilors Brian Worrell and Ruthzee Louijeune. It aimed for 250 new licenses, and was in response to the boom of bars and restaurants in neighborhoods near downtown and, particularly, the Seaport.The usual transferrable licenses were getting snapped up in those areas, leaving little in the farther-flung parts of town. Restaurants in underserved neighborhoods were priced out of the so-called secondary market, where liquor licenses are sold for as high as $600,000.

“This method will help ensure neighborhoods have the opportunity to grow at their own pace, and avoid neighborhood battles over distribution,” Worrell said at the time.

“As neighborhoods develop it will attract outside visitors and investments, building Boston’s reputation as a diverse, exciting destination.”

It was this measure, supported by Mayor Michelle Wu, that helped shaped state legislation with Gov. Maura Healey giving it the official thumbs up last month. A council hearing this week hammered out ways to get the ball rolling with restaurant owners.

“We are very excited to have this conversation,” said Segun Idowu, chief of economic opportunity and inclusion. “Normally, we’re having to deliver not great news that unfortunately we don’t have any licenses to support the growth of a business, particularly in (these) neighborhoods.”

This is why the Worrell/Louijeune home rule petition of 2023 was and is such a win for the council and the city. This is what elected officials are supposed to do: see what’s needed in neighborhoods and work to make positive, substantive changes.

Of the 225 liquor licenses, 195 would be non-transferable licenses targeted to 13 ZIP codes in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Charlestown, East Boston, and the South End.

Worrell referred to the new licenses as a “golden ticket.”

Boston is a great foodie destination, with restaurants turning areas like the Seaport and downtown into fine dining hotspots. Being able to serve alcohol greatly boosts the bottom line, and adds to the experience for patrons.

Now Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain and other minority neighborhoods can have a stake in the game.

Kyisha Davenport, general manager at Comfort Kitchen in Dorchester, called the 225 liquor licenses a “dream,” one that will lead to a more inclusive restaurant scene in the city.

It will also lead to more economic growth in areas that could use a shot in the arm.

This is the City Council Boston wants to see — one that focuses on what residents’ needs and solutions.

We look forward to more of the same.

Editorial cartoon by Steve Breen (Creators Syndicate)