2026-09-08 - City Council
Summary
Based on auto-captions cross-checked against the official minutes; names, figures and some details may be misheard.
Time on topic (from transcript timestamps; approximate, includes side talk):
| Topic | Minutes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian review board: City Manager's report | 194 | 61% |
| Police Oversight and Civilian Review Board: public comment | 71 | 22% |
| Proclamation and public participation | 17 | 5% |
| Civil Immigration Enforcement Signage | 14 | 4% |
| Other business | 8 | 3% |
| DOJ Investigation of the Worcester Police Department | 6 | 2% |
| In-Road Warning Light Crosswalks | 6 | 2% |
| Traffic and parking reports | 3 | 1% |
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
- Met 6:34 PM to 11:51 PM (recess 9:36 to 9:46) with Joseph M. Petty presiding.
- Robert A. Bilotta attended remotely and dropped out before the last votes (the journal records him absent on the final two items).
Proclamation and public participation
0:00-7:30, 1:27:50-1:36:53
- The night opened with a proclamation making September 2026 Worcester LGBTQIA+ Pride Season, accepted by Jon Pittsley and his team from a downtown restaurant honored as a safe space.
- The Council voted 11-0 to extend public participation by an hour beyond the usual 30 minutes, and 37 residents spoke.
- Nearly all were there for item 22a, the City Manager's report recommending against a civilian review board, which the Council had held under privilege since July 21.
- Most of the rest spoke for Khrystian E. King's reconsideration requests on immigration signage (8a and 8b).
- Petitioners were also heard: a resident ticketed for parking on his own frontage at 50 Bristol St., and a Millbrook St. resident asking again for convex mirrors.
Police Oversight and Civilian Review Board: public comment
7:30-32:15, 37:21-53:45, 54:50-1:14:45, 1:15:30-1:16:56, 1:19:35-1:27:50
- Speakers against the City Manager's recommendation included NAACP Worcester president Fred Taylor (support for a board or oversight committee with subpoena power), Rev. Joseph Rizzuti (who described the 2019 church incident in which he was tased and later acquitted), Sue Swanson reading a letter from Drew Schnoebelen, Gary Hunter (asked for a study group and threatened the councilors with the fall elections), Grace Ross, Margot Barnet, Tom Marino (cited 102 civilian use-of-force complaints over eight years with one sustained), Chrys Demetry, Dante Comparetto, Randy Feldman and Martha Assefa and Giselle Rivera-Flores, and the remote speakers David Fort (former Board of Health chair, who told new councilor Satya B. Mitra his vote matters) and Maria.
- Schnoebelen's letter said he quit the Human Rights Commission last month, that the commission voted 5-1 for a board earlier this year and that the city had restricted its work.
- Several speakers repeated serious allegations about individual officers (a campus police DUI crash, a captain accused of perjury in a 2016 case and an alleged $272,000 to $275,000 settlement); these are speakers' claims as heard in the captions, not findings.
- Donald Borek spoke against a board, Fred Nathan was neutral and Wilson Lam used his time on potholes.
Civil Immigration Enforcement Signage
32:15-37:21, 53:45-54:50, 1:14:45-1:15:30, 1:16:56-1:19:35, 4:57:10-5:01:41
- State Senator Robyn Kennedy, Frances Anthes, Randy Feldman, David Webb and Jillian Phillips of the Office of New Americans urged the Council to post notices that city property is not for civil immigration enforcement.
- Phillips said the city is seeking Welcoming America certification and that ICE vehicles routinely stage around the courthouse.
- King's Rule 30 request to reconsider the August 18 vote on signage barring civil immigration enforcement on city property was denied 5-6 (yes: Bilotta, John P. Fresolo, King, Luis A. Ojeda, Petty).
- The companion multilingual-signage request failed 4-7; Fresolo moved to reconsider that vote (approved 11-0) and it failed again 5-6.
Civilian review board: City Manager's report
1:36:53-4:50:24
- Kevin Lovaincy, the Chief Equity Officer, gave a presentation of roughly an hour and a half.
- King objected that the long slide deck, including a section on oversight models, had only reached councilors' desks that day and asked for a pause; he was told the rules allow no pause (the matter could go to committee), Tony Economou and Kathleen M. Toomey wanted the public to hear it, and the presentation continued.
- Lovaincy described the DEI office's five civilian investigators, a joint assessment process with the police Bureau of Professional Standards, a 90-day investigation goal, a hotline begun in December 2024 (about 140 contacts through July 2026, roughly 90 percent by phone, a small number referred to the police bureau or led by DEI), data showing excessive-force complaints down about 81 percent since 2018, and the city's racial equity audit dashboard.
- He listed why a board would be hard to set up (collective bargaining, discipline authority, access to records, training, funding, chain of command) and closed by saying the administration would not move forward with one now.
- Police Chief Paul B. Saucier told Ojeda the department began state accreditation in March 2025 against 274 standards and expects to finish within a year.
- Speaking for the recommendation or against a board: Toomey, Jose A. Rivera, Morris A. Bergman (a "solution looking for a problem"; he noted the Department of Justice made 19 recommendations and none was a board), Economou, Mitra (who asked for the presentation to be posted online and for six-month reports), Gary Rosen and Petty.
- Bilotta and King spoke for a board as an addition to internal oversight; King rejected the recommendation, said no qualitative data was presented, and recited Human Rights Commission orders from December 2024, September 2025 and February 2026.
- Fresolo told of an unnamed police sergeant who photographed a campaign sign at his home; the minutes still record him voting to file.
- Rosen moved to place the communication on file, which passed 8-3 (Bilotta, King and Ojeda opposed).
- Ojeda's order for a report on why arrests rose from 2,470 in 2021 to 3,885 and Mitra's order for biannual SMART goals and misconduct reporting were adopted 11-0.
- A motion to suspend Rule 21 to give King more than his 10 minutes failed 5-6, and he withdrew his motion to get the Research Bureau report before the Council.
DOJ Investigation of the Worcester Police Department
4:51:14-4:57:10
- Toomey's order for a Public Safety discussion of the closed Department of Justice investigation of the Worcester Police Department (22b) was placed on file 8-3 with the same three opposed.
- The captions show confusion: Toomey said she was withdrawing it, the Mayor took the vote before King could speak, and a motion to reconsider drew only 7 votes (8 are needed).
- The tabled City Manager communication on how the Justice report differs from the city's account (23f) stayed on the table.
In-Road Warning Light Crosswalks
5:08:58-5:14:35
- King and Economou's order to research in-road warning-light crosswalks (22c) was adopted 10-0 after the City Manager noted Washington Square's in-road lights had been replaced with rapid flashing beacons.
Traffic and parking reports
5:06:23-5:08:58
- Traffic and Parking reports adopting truck bans on Hamilton St. and Lake Ave. and other signage passed.
- 23 traffic and parking ordinances were ordained together after Economou questioned the trash-placement amendment.
- Mark Borenstein's petition to cut off-street parking to one space per dwelling unit went to the Economic Development Committee.
- Dozens of resurfacing, streetlight, speed hump and permit-parking petitions were referred.
- Mitra relayed that "Children Playing" signs are no longer available.
Other business
4:50:24-4:51:14, 5:01:41-5:06:23, 5:14:35-5:17:28
- The Council confirmed three Accessibility Advisory Commission appointees individually, 11-0 each, and voted 11-0 to advertise three Salary Ordinance amendments.
- The economic development, housing and TIF/TIE reports were held under privilege by Bilotta.
- About a dozen orders from Economou, Mitra, Rosen, Rivera and Fresolo (snow preparation, private streets, regional homelessness response, downtown violence, trash trucks, street repairs) were held by Rosen.
- A batch of grants, including $1,923,714.10 from MassDOT, and year-end transfers passed 11-0.
- The DCU special tax district borrowing letter went to Municipal and Legislative Operations.
- The 18 committee orders (including the charter reports and the tobacco and vaping orders) were adopted together.
- The charter-hearing reports were accepted onto file.
- King's motion for a joint meeting of the Education Committee with the School Committee's Operations and Governance subcommittee was referred 10-0.
- His attempt to postpone the August 18 agenda items (24a) failed 5-5.
Issues discussed: Police Oversight and Civilian Review Board, DOJ Investigation of the Worcester Police Department, Human Rights Commission Role and Independence, WPD Accreditation and Policy Overhaul, Civil Immigration Enforcement Signage, Worcester Charter Review, In-Road Warning Light Crosswalks, Minimum Parking Requirements Zoning Amendment, Street and Sidewalk Rehabilitation Process, Private Streets Conversion Report, Private Streets Minimum Standards Report, Sanitation Truck Spillage and Driveway Turnarounds, Public Camping Ordinance - Disrupting the Cycle, Worcester Common Safety, Millbrook Street Convex Mirrors, 50 Bristol Street Handicap Parking and Tickets, Truck Ban - Hamilton Street and Lake Avenue, Main Street Parking Regulations, Grafton Street No Parking Anytime Ordinance, Youth Vaping and Tobacco Regulation
Official Minutes
Journal of the City Council, posted on PrimeGov (summary of actions, not verbatim). Page headers and footers removed. The agenda numbering is the Clerk's; some section headings are blank in the source because no action was taken.
CITY OF WORCESTER
JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Esther Howland (South) Chamber
Convened: 6:34 P.M.
Recessed: 9:36 P.M.
Reconvened: 9:46 P.M.
Adjourned: 11:51 P.M.
MAYOR
Joseph M. Petty
AT-LARGE COUNCILORS DISTRICT COUNCILORS
Morris A. Bergman Tony Economou - District 1
Khrystian E. King Robert A. Bilotta - District 2
Satya B. Mitra John P. Fresolo - District 3
Gary Rosen
Luis A. Ojeda - District 4
Kathleen M. Toomey
Jose A. Rivera - District 5
www.worcesterma.gov
CITY CLERK CITY MANAGER CITY AUDITOR
Nikolin Vangjeli Eric D. Batista Robert V. Stearns
City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. STAR SPANGLED BANNER
3. ROLL CALL - All present with the Mayor as the Chair. Councilor Bilotta
participated in the meeting remotely.
4. PROCLAMATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE
4a. Mayor Petty read a Proclamation declaring the month of September 2026 as Worcester
LGBTQIA+ Pride Season. The Proclamation was presented to members of the
LGBTQIA+ Community, including Jon Pittsley, who spoke concerning the item.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
5a. Order - That the City Council of the City of Worcester hereby approves the minutes of
the City Council Meeting of July 21, 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
6a. Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following Speakers:
1. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
2. Gordon Davis, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
3. Rev. Joseph Rizzuti, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
4. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
5. Aretha Kharashquah, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
6. Sue Swanson on behalf of Drew Schnoebelen, Worcester residents, spoke in
opposition to item #22a CC
7. Grace Ross, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
8. Abby Mortillaro, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
9. Donald Borek, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #22a CC
10. Gary Hunter, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #14b CC and spoke in
opposition to item #22a CC
11. Dante Comparetto, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC and
spoke in favor of item #22b CC
12. Senator Robyn Kennedy, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC and #8b
CC and spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
13. Fran Anthes, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC and #8b CC and
spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
14. Chrys Demetry, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
15. Tom Marino, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
16. Kevin Ksen, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
17. Rhonda Hicks a.k.a. Wahya Guste Wolfpaw, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition
to item #22a CC
18. Casey Panarelli, Shrewsbury resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
19. Martha Assefa, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC and #8b CC and
spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
20. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #15c CC and spoke neither
in favor of nor opposed to item #22a CC
21. Randy Feldman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC and #8b CC and
spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
22. Embers De Tukula, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
23. Steve Hart, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
24. Heather Prunier Stanek, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC and
spoke in favor of item #22b CC
25. David Coyne, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
26. Wilson Lam, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #11d CC
27. Amy Thibodeaux, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10t CC and #15k CC
28. Feanna Jattan-Singh, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC and
spoke in favor of item #14b CC
29. Margot Barnet, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
30. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC, #8b CC, and #22b
CC and spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
31. Jillian Phillips, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC and #8b CC
32. David Fort, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
33. (no name given), (no resident given), spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
34. Maria (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
35. Giselle Rivera-Flores, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8a CC and #8b
CC and spoke in opposition to item #22a CC
36. David Corazzini, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #12b CC
37. Lorenzo Atwood, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #11b CC
7. HEARINGS AND ORDERS - 6:30 P.M.
7a. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: VELANDER ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: VELANDER ST.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to open the hearings for items #7a CC
through #7c CC. Mayor Petty's motion was approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.
Mayor Petty asked if any abutters wished to be heard on the item. Hearing no speakers, Mayor
Petty moved for a roll call vote to close the hearings. Mayor Petty's motion was approved on a roll
call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to approve the items. Hearing held and Order adopted on a
roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
7b. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: WASHINGTON SQ.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: WASHINGTON
SQ.
Hearing held and Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #7a CC)
7c. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a jointly-owned
pole at: CHRISTINE ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID and VERIZON NEW ENGLAND, INC. for a
jointly-owned pole at: CHRISTINE ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #7a CC)
8. RECONSIDERATION
8a. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - In accordance with Rule 30 of the Rules of
City Council, Councilor Khrystian E. King requests reconsideration of the vote of the
City Council taken on August 18, 2026, in regard to the following item: ORDER of
Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager install signage at appropriate
locations throughout the city stating the property may not be used for civil immigration
enforcement activities. Further, request City Manager create a draft ordinance for City
Council consideration related to the enforcement of such signage (see attached for an
image of such signage in the City of Lynn).
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote
of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays (Yeas - Bilotta, Fresolo, King, Ojeda, Petty) (Nays - Bergman, Economou,
Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey)
8b. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - In accordance with Rule 30 of the Rules of
City Council, Councilor Khrystian E. King requests reconsideration of the vote of the
City Council taken on August 18, 2026, in regard to the following item: ORDER of
Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager, as part of any draft ordinance
related to the prohibition of civil immigration enforcement activities on certain and
appropriate properties, ensure language be included in said ordinance that requires
signage be listed at such properties in all appropriate languages.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Reconsideration denied
on a roll call vote of 4 Yeas and 7 Nays (Yeas - Bilotta, King, Ojeda, Petty) (Nays - Bergman,
Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Fresolo, who moved to reconsider the item. Reconsideration
approved on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote
of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays (Yeas - Bilotta, Fresolo, King, Ojeda, Petty) (Nays - Bergman, Economou,
Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey).
9. FIRST ITEM OF BUSINESS - Biannual Economic Development Reports
10. PETITIONS - Part I
10a. Patrick Grady request a shade tree be planted on West Boylston St. in the pre-existing
tree pit the vicinity of the Worcester Public Library Frances Perkins Branch, located at
470 West Boylston St. (see attached).
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to refer items #10a CC through #10c CC to the Department
of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery. Referred to the Department of Parks, Recreation and
Cemetery on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
10b. Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Kerry Berger request removal of two (2) trees in
the vicinity of 81 Morningside Rd., due to the trees being hollowed out and leaning
towards the property.
Referred to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0
Nays (See item #10a CC)
10c. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of David Krendal, Trustee, request the dead street
tree between 45 and 47 Valley Hill Dr. be removed, in the interest of public safety.
Referred to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0
Nays (See item #10a CC)
10d. Cristina DePina request regulations be established to ensure cats are not allowed to roam
freely.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Public Health and
Human Services Committee. Referred to Public Health and Human Services Committee on a roll
call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
10e. Edward Weisser request installation of streetlights on Lake Ave. North from
Quinsigamond State Park to Lincoln St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #10e CC through #10x CC
to Public Works Committee. Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas
and 0 Nays
10f. Edward Weisser request installation of streetlights on Winneconnett Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10g. Edward Weisser request installation of streetlights on Dominion Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10h. Edward Weisser request installation of streetlights on Belcourt Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10i. Edward Weisser request installation of streetlights on Natural History Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10j. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request curb cuts be completed for the crosswalk at the
eastern intersection of Laurel St. and Everett Gaylord Blvd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10k. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request the southern portion of the fencing at Harrington
Field Playground, located at 720 Franklin St., be extended to improve safety at the
location.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10l. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request the sidewalk on the southern side of Temple St. be
repaired.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10m. Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Rosemary McCarthy request installation of a
streetlight at the intersection of Circuit Ave. East and Ferdinand St.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
10n. Councilor Khrystian E. King request sidewalk repair on Brandon Rd.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10o. Councilor Khrystian E. King request Brandon Rd. be resurfaced.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10p. Councilor Khrystian E. King request sidewalk repair on Rowena St.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10q. Wilson Navarro Dominquez et al. request Riley St. be resurfaced.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10r. Julie Ann Lamacchia request the sinkhole located in front of 35 Arbutus Rd. be repaired.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10s. William Walsh request Healy Rd. be resurfaced.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10t. Councilor Satya B. Mitra on behalf of Amy and Chad Thibodeaux request Hancock Hill
Rd. from Forest St. to Ardmore Rd. be resurfaced.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10u. Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Luis A. Ojeda on behalf of Mayra Callahan
request Hancock St. from Main St. to Hollis St. be given the honorary street name
designation of Juana and Daniel Candelario Way.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10v. Councilor Luis A. Ojeda on behalf of Kelly M. Fay Rodriguez and Joselina Fay request
Oread St. from Main St. to Beacon St. be given the honorary street name designation of
Ruth Rodriguez-Fay Way.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10w. Dianelly Soto request installation of streetlights in the vicinity of the crosswalks located
at the Winthrop St. and Vernon St. intersection.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10x. Mayor Joseph M. Petty and Councilor Luis A. Ojeda request Piedmont St. from Jaques
Ave. to Davis St. be given the honorary street name designation of Meanes "Moe"
Mooradian Way.
Referred to Public Works Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10e CC)
10y. Councilor John P. Fresolo on behalf of Donald Borek request installation of 20 MPH
speed limit signage on Enid St. to replace the current 30 MPH signage on the street.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #10y CC and #10z CC to
Traffic and Parking Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of
11 Yeas and 0 Nays
10z. Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Deirdre Healy request installation of speed limit
signage on Pleasant St. between Newton Square and Tatnuck Square.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#10y CC)
11. PETITIONS - Part II
11a. Councilor Gary Rosen on behalf of Deirdre Healy request installation of “Do Not Block
Intersection” signage on Pleasant St. at its intersection with Vesper St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #11a CC through #11z CC
to Traffic and Parking Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote
of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
11b. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of convex mirrors on Millbrook St.
across from 171 and 173 Millbrook St.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11c. Councilor John P. Fresolo on behalf of Justice Nyame request installation of “Children
Playing” signage in the vicinity of 6 Hale St.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11d. Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of speed humps on Kenberma Rd. near its
intersection with Samoset Rd.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11e. Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of a speed table on Granite St. near Cliff
St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11f. Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Rosemary McCarthy request the curbs at the
intersection of Circuit Ave. East and Ferdinand St. be painted yellow.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11g. Jimmie Barry request removal of the handicap parking space in front of 1 Belvidere Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11h. Sandra DiRoberto request installation of a speed hump on Dominion Rd. at its
intersection with Ansonia Rd.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11i. Daniel DiMassa request installation of speed humps on Flagg St. between Berwick St.
and Audubon Rd.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11j. Taylor Boucher request installation of speed humps on Fairmont Ave. between Plantation
St. and Hamilton St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11k. Taylor Boucher request installation of additional "One Way" signage on Fairmont Ave. at
its intersection with Dartmouth St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11l. Taylor Boucher request installation of additional "One Way" signage on Fairmont Ave. at
its intersection with Clarendon St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11m. Dianelly Soto request installation of flashing crosswalk signage at both crosswalks
located in the vicinity of the Winthrop St. and Vernon St. intersection.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11n. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request the installation of two (2) permanent speed monitors
on Shrewsbury St., westbound and eastbound.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11o. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of two (2) permanent speed monitors on
Belmont St., between Officer Manny Familia Way and Lincoln Sq., eastbound and
westbound.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11p. John Morello request installation of stop signage facing both directions on Lake Ave. at
its intersection with Bigelow Davis Pkwy.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11q. Richard Salaices request existing resident permit parking on Dominion Rd. be extended
to include 17 Dominion Rd.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11r. Sara Espino request installation of four-way stop signage at the intersection of West St.
and William St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11s. Jesse Metivier request installation of resident permit parking on Locust Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11t. Jesse Metivier request installation of resident permit parking on Alvarado Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11u. Jesse Metivier request installation of resident permit parking on Lake View St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11v. Igor Bison request installation of "No Parking Here to Corner" signage at the intersection
of Rodney St. and Catharine St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11w. Igor Bison request the intersection of Rodney St. and Catharine St. be reviewed for
appropriate parking restrictions, such as a permanent winter parking ban or "No Parking
Anytime" signage.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11x. Deborah Pavlakos request removal of a handicap parking space in front of 1 Berkmans
St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11y. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of resident permit parking on Goulding
St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
11z. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of resident permit parking on Dean St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #11a
CC)
12. PETITIONS - Part III
12a. Juan Gonzalez, Jr. et al. request installation of a truck ban/weight restriction for the
through traffic of trucks on Riley St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #12a CC through #12n CC
to Traffic and Parking Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote
of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
12b. David Corazzini request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 50 Bristol St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12c. Angel Reyes request removal of a handicap parking space in front of 54 Ward St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12d. Anthony Chandler request installation of two (2) speed humps on Forest St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12e. Bob Bilodeau request installation of vertical barricades at the crosswalks located in the
vicinity of 181 Lake Ave. (see attached).
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12f. Juana Vasquez request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 13 1/2
Hancock St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12g. Desiree Matos request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 171 Chandler
St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12h. Gina Perna request installation of a pedestrian crossing button on the even side of
Shrewsbury St. at the crosswalk located in the vicinity of 348 Shrewsbury St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12i. Mary Norfleet request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 3 Clement St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12j. Victoria Donkor request removal of a handicap parking space in front of 2 Stowell Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12k. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of Valley Hill Dr. and Valley Hill
Ln. request installation of three (3) way stop signs with stop bars at the intersection of
Valley Hill Dr. and Valley Hill Ln., in the interest of public safety.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12l. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the resident of Valley Hill Dr. request
installation of a speed hump in the vicinity of 66 Valley Hill Dr., in the interest of public
safety.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12m. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the resident of Valley Hill Dr. request
installation of speed limit signage on Valley Hill Dr., in the interest of public safety.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12n. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of Valley Hill Dr. request
installation of rumble strips on the hill portions of Valley Hill Dr., in the interest of
public safety.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#12a CC)
12o. Ilanit Megidesh request efforts be made to reduce the city's population of the invasive
bird species know as the European Starling.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Veterans' Memorials,
Parks and Recreation Committee. Referred to Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation
Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
13. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER
13.1 APPOINTMENTS
Non-City Council Confirmation
A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of
Daniel Padilla to Constable.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to place the item on file.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
B. Transmitting informational communication relative to the appointment of
Angel Rosario to Constable.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to place the item on file.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
13.2 APPOINTMENTS
City Council Confirmation
A. Recommend appointment of Lauren Tiberio, Jennifer Maddox, and John Finn
to the Accessibility Advisory Commission.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who moved for a roll call
vote to appoint each member individually.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to confirm the appointment of Lauren Tiberio
to the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Confirmed on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and
0 Nays.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to confirm the appointment of Jennifer
Maddox to the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Confirmed on a roll call vote of 11
Yeas and 0 Nays.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to confirm the appointment of John Finn to
the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Confirmed on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0
Nays
13.3 DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
William Bagley, Jr., Esq., Chief Human Resources Officer
A. Recommend approval of an amendment to the Salary Ordinance.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to advertise the three (3)
proposed Ordinances. Voted to advertise three (3) proposed Ordinances on a roll
call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
13.4 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Peter Dunn, Chief Development Officer
A. Transmitting informational communication relative to Economic
Development Initiatives.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who moved to Hold the
Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Bilotta
B. Transmitting Informational Communication Relative to Housing and
Neighborhood Development Activities.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who moved to Hold the
Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Bilotta
C. Informational Communication Relative to Semi-Annual TIF/TIE Reporting
June 30, 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who moved to Hold the
Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Bilotta
13.5 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Kevin Lovaincy, Chief Equity Officer
13.6 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Division of Human Rights and Accessibility
Patricia M. LaFore, Director
13.7 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Administration Division
John K. Westerling, Commissioner
13.8 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Engineering and Architectural Services Division
John K. Westerling, Commissioner
13.9 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Operations Division
John K. Westerling, Commissioner
13.10 DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND CEMETERY
Robert C. Antonelli, Jr., Commissioner
13.11 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & MOBILITY
Stephen S. Rolle, P.E., Commissioner
13.12 FIRE DEPARTMENT
Martin Dyer, Fire Chief
13.13 POLICE DEPARTMENT
Paul B. Saucier, Police Chief
13.14 DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Charles R. Goodwin, Commissioner
13.15 LAW DEPARTMENT
Alexandra H. Kalkounis, Esq., City Solicitor
13.16 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Administration
Nicholas Antanavica, Commissioner
13.17 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Building and Zoning Division
David Horne, Deputy Building Commissioner
13.18 DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTIONAL SERVICES
Housing and Health Inspections Division
Lee R. Hall, Director
13.19 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration
Seema Dixit, Commissioner
13.20 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Elder Affairs
Amy Vogel Waters, Director
13.21 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Veterans Services
Alex R. Arriaga, Interim Veterans Services Director
13.22 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Division of Youth Opportunities
Raquel Castro-Corazzini, Director
13.23 WORCESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Jason L. Homer, Executive Director
13.24 EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Election Commission Division
Nikolin Vangjeli, City Clerk
13.25 PUBLIC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Brian Allen, Superintendent
13.26 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Administration
Timothy McGourthy, Chief Financial Officer
13.27 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Assessing Division
Samuel E. Konieczny, City Assessor
13.28 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Budget Office Division
Erin E. Taylor, Director
13.29 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Purchasing Division
Christopher Gagliastro, Director
13.30 DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
Treasury and Collections Division
Francisco Hernandez, Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
A. Transmitting informational communication relative to the upcoming DCU
Special Tax District Borrowing.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to
Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee. Referred to Municipal and
Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
13.31 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES
James Bedard, Chief of Public Facilities
13.32 DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE
John W. Odell, Chief Sustainability Officer
13.33 DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Michael P. Hamel, Chief Information Officer
13.34 FINANCE ITEMS
Capital Transfers
13.35 FINANCE ITEMS
Grants and Donations
A. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the
amount of One Million Nine Hundred Twenty-Three Thousand Seven
Hundred Fourteen Dollars and Ten Cents ($1,923,714.10) from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt items #13.35A CM
through #13.35H CM, #13.36ACM, #13.36B CM and #13.37A CM through #13.37C
CM. Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
B. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the
amount of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($200,000.00) from
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Federal Funds and Infrastructure
Office.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #13.35A CM)
C. Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation of
Sixty-Two (62) free tickets to the College of the Holy Cross football game on
Aug. 29, 2026 that were claimed by City of Worcester employees.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#13.35A CM)
D. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars and No Cents ($200.00) from Jean
and Dennis Fees in memory of Souraya Adjami, in support of the Worcester
Senior Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#13.35A CM)
E. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of One Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($1,000.00) from
Monique Adjami Shevlin, Victoria Adjami, and Ronald J. Adjami in memory
of Souraya Adjami, in support of the Worcester Senior Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#13.35A CM)
F. Recommend the adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation
in the amount of Fifty Dollars and No Cents ($50.00) from Jeff and Vicki
Hill in memory of Souraya Adjami, in support of the Worcester Senior
Center.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#13.35A CM)
G. Recommend adoption of a resolution to accept with gratitude a donation in
the amount of Two Thousand Two Hundred Dollars and No Cents
($2,200.00) from the Worcester Public Library Foundation.
Resolution adopted with gratitude on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#13.35A CM)
H. Recommend adoption of a resolution to file, accept, and expend a grant in the
amount of Sixty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($60,000.00) from UMass
Memorial Medical Center, Inc. Community Benefits Department.
Resolution adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #13.35A CM)
13.36 FINANCE ITEMS
Operational Transfers
A. Recommend that Five Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Seven Dollars and
Eight Cents ($5,957.08) be transferred from various Community
Development Block Grant Year 51 grant accounts and be appropriated to
GRT-101664, CDBG Year 51 Small Business Assistance, to allow for timely
expenditure of federal grant funds.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #13.35A CM)
B. Recommend approval of year-end operating transfers to make adjustments to
municipal accounts to balance the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #13.35A CM)
13.37 FINANCE ITEMS
Prior Year
A. Recommend that Twenty-Nine Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Eight Dollars
and Sixty Cents ($29,228.60) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2027
Department of Public Works cost centers for the payment of prior year
invoices.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #13.35A CM)
B. Recommend that One Thousand Three Hundred Eighty-Nine Dollars and
Fifty-Eight Cents ($1,389.58) be authorized from Fiscal Year 2027 Cost
Center #CC1044, Fire Ordinary Maintenance, for the payment of prior year
invoices.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #13.35A CM)
C. Recommend that Three Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Seven Dollars and
Sixty-Nine Cents ($3,957.69) be authorized from various Fiscal Year 2027
Parks cost centers to allow payment of prior year invoices.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #13.35A CM)
13.38 FINANCE
Loan Orders
13.39 MISCELLANEOUS AGENDA TRANSMITTALS
14. CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS
14a. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS -
Request City Clerk work with City Solicitor to provide City Council with a report
detailing City Council’s role related to ordinance changes.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt items #14a CC through #14r CC.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
14b. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS -
Request City Clerk work with City Solicitor to provide City Council with a report
detailing possible charter changes that could be done without the creation of a Charter
Review Commission in addition to charter changes that require approval of such a
commission.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14c. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS -
Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report detailing resident testimony
brought forth at the Monday, August 17, 2026 Standing Committee on Municipal and
Legislative Operations meeting.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14d. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE OPERATIONS -
Request City Clerk provide City Council with a report detailing the process required to
place a non-binding question on the ballot of the upcoming local election.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14e. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES -
Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning the amount of
money the city receives from sales and/or settlements associated with tobacco, vapes and
nicotine products, as well as how much of those monies are spent on tobacco cessation
and prevention purposes.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14f. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES -
Request City Clerk provide the minutes and recording of the Standing Committee on
Public Health and Human Services meeting on August 24, 2026 to the Worcester Public
Schools administration.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14g. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES -
Request City Manager create a public service campaign related to preventing the city’s
youth from using tobacco, nicotine and vaping products.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14h. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install advanced signage for the
curves and the roadway on Byron St.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14i. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install a MUTCD compliant
Playground Advisory sign on Ames St. approaching Vernon Hill Park.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14j. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility design and install a crosswalk on
Beverly Rd. at its intersection with Rexhame Rd. that includes ADA/PROWAG
compliant ramps, MUTCD compliant pavement markings and MUTCD compliant
Pedestrian in Crosswalk signage, pending funding.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14k. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install ADA/PROWAG compliant
ramps and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon at the intersection of Willowbrook Ln.
and Salisbury St., pending funding
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14l. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install MUTCD compliant
Pedestrian in Crosswalk signage at the intersection of Willowbrook Ln. and Salisbury St.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14m. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install a crosswalk across Elm St.
at its intersection with Maple St., pending funding.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14n. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility review Gage St. at its intersection
with Ford St. and Berkeley St. for the feasibility of prohibiting parking across the street
from Ford St./the northern side of Gage St.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14o. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install MassDOT compliant speed
limit signs on May St. between Chandler St. and Pleasant St.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14p. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility prioritize and address safety
concerns for left turning traffic on Park Ave. at its intersection with Pleasant St. during
the upcoming Bottleneck Traffic Signal Improvement Project.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14q. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install a Sharp Curve sign on
Tampa St. in the vicinity of 47 Tampa St.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
14r. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - Request City Manager
request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility install MassDOT compliant speed
limit signage on Plantation St.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
15. ORDERS
15a. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works provide City Council with
a report detailing the preparations occurring within the department for the upcoming
winter weather and snowstorm season. Said report should include a breakdown of the
department’s available personnel, equipment and anticipated improvements in snow and
ice removal operations. (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15b. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report detailing the conversion of
private streets into public streets in the city. Said report should include information
related to 1) how many miles of private streets currently exist in the city; 2) the process
used by residents to convert streets from private to public; 3) the legality of and fiscal
amount required to have the city pay to convert all private streets to public streets; and 4)
the process used by other municipalities to convert their private streets into public
streets. (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15c. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning any responsibility
the city has to ensure private streets are kept at a basic, minimum standard that allows
public safety vehicles to pass through the road. Further, request said report include
information concerning how the city could allocate funding to ensure the roads are kept
at said standard. (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15d. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide
City Council with a report detailing the monetary allocations required to resurface each
of the city’s major arteries, as defined in the city’s pavement management program,
respectively. Said report should only include major arteries that are in need of such
repairs. (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15e. Request City Manager consider reviewing existing Homelessness Response Action Plans
in communities such as Seattle, Portland, Sacramento and Spokane for the purpose of
adopting a similar plan in Worcester, in an effort to enhance the city’s ability to serve the
many needs of the growing unhoused population. Said Homelessness Response Action
Plan should include but not be limited to 1) the utilization of key, existing support
systems in the city like shelters, social and job-finding services, food banks, and medical
care; and 2) entering into formal, interlocal agreements with several surrounding cities
and towns to share the financial and operational expenses of a regional homelessness
response. (Rosen)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15f. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning best practices the
public can use to report and take action against the invasive insect known as the spotted
lanternfly. (Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15g. Request City Manager create an immediate action plan to address the recent violent
incidents that have occurred in and around the Worcester Common/Downtown Central
Business District, which have taken place over the last several months. (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15h. Request Standing Committee on Public Safety invite all social service agencies working
with homeless and addiction treatment programs to discuss their efforts in assisting the
city in ameliorating the public safety issues occurring over the past few months.
(Toomey)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15i. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works ensure various subpar
street and sidewalk projects throughout the city are reviewed and addressed by
reinstalling improved materials and/or by redesigning and reinstalling work done below
acceptable standards. Said reinstallations/replacements should include: 1) the installation
of more suitable loam and hydroseeding for new grass along Florida Ave. and Park Ave.,
from Salisbury St. to Highland St.; 2) the improvement of driveway installations that
were worked on last year along Florida Ave.; 3) the removal of the sand between the
bricks on Germain St., with polymeric sand being installed in its place; 4) the installation
of more suitable loam and hydroseeding along the grass strip of Germain St.; 5) the
removal and replacement of the section of sidewalk that has heaved and cracked on
Burncoat St. in the vicinity and opposite of Arbutus Rd. and Rollinson Rd.; and 6) the
redesign and reinstallation of the grade change of the sidewalk as you approach
Thorndyke Rd. along Burncoat St. from the north. (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15j. Request City Manager install two (2) WooBin trash receptacles on Southbridge St. in the
vicinity of 114 and 148 Southbridge St. (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15k. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works ensure sanitation staff do
not use private driveways to turn their vehicles around when collecting trash on city
streets. Further, request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works also
ensure sanitation staff do not leave garbage debris, including glass, on city streets when
they compress trash within their collection trucks. (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
15l. Request Standing Committee on Public Works hold a discussion relative to ways the city
can improve its process used by the Department of Transportation and Mobility and
Department of Public Works to make local street and sidewalk rehabilitation/resurfacing
project selections with each of the city’s District Councilors. Said discussion should
include the timeline required to ensure streets and sidewalks are resurfaced in a timely
manner. (Fresolo)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
16. RESOLUTION
16a. That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby recognize September as
National Service Dog Month. (Bilotta)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Rosen
17. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
17a. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Mark A. Borenstein
request the Off-Street Accessory Parking Requirements set forth in Article IV, Table 4.4
of the City of Worcester Zoning Ordinance be amended by eliminating the separate
off-street parking requirements for single, two or three family dwelling and multi-family
dwelling uses and creating one new category entitled, single, two, three family or
multi-family dwelling uses, and requiring one (1) parking space per dwelling unit for
such uses.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Economic
Development Committee. Referred to Economic Development Committee on a roll call vote of 11
Yeas and 0 Nays
18. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS
18a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Clerk transmitting an
informational communication relative to advertisements for the Standing Committee on
Municipal and Legislative Operations meeting on Monday, August 17, 2026 related to a
discussion of the City Charter: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept items #18a CC and #18b CC.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
18b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting
informational communication relative to a process to establish a charter review
commission: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #18a CC)
19. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - PART I
19a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Sherry Robinson request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage between 4 and 8
Perry Ave. to deter vehicles from blocking the driveways: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept and adopt items #19a CC
through #19g CC. Accepted and adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
19b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Molly Beauvis request installation of 25 MPH
speed limit signage on Mower St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19a CC)
19c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Nathalie Gibson request installation of warning
signage on Coes St. adjacent to the Stearns Tavern in both directions to alert motorists of
the sharp curve: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19a CC)
19d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of a truck ban/weight restriction for the
through traffic of trucks on Hamilton St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying
Order.
Accepted and adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19a CC)
19e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of a truck ban/weight restriction for the
through traffic of trucks on Lake Ave.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19a CC)
19f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Report of the Committee on Public Works Upon the Petition of Councilor Robert A.
Bilotta request installation of traffic bollards at 173 Grove St., to the north and south of
driveway to prevent illegal parking and improve driver, cyclist and pedestrian visibility:
recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19a CC)
19g. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Morris A. Bergman on behalf of Paul and Aurora Brule request installation of
crosswalks on North Pkwy. at any and all appropriate locations: recommend approval of
the accompanying Order.
Accepted and adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19a CC)
19h. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Luis A. Ojeda on behalf of Brenda Jenkins request installation of a handicap
parking space in front of 11 Benefit St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept items #19h CC through #19z
CC. Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
19i. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Rebecca Distefano request removal of handicap parking space in front of 41 Everard St.:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19j. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Mario Makhluf request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage in front of the
pathway located at 26 King St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19k. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Therese Richardson request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on one side of
lower Byron St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19l. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Walas Almeida request installation of speed limit signage facing traffic traveling
downhill in the vicinity of 604 Burncoat St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19m. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Petition of Nathalie Gibson request center solid yellow line be painted on Coes St.:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19n. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of a "Go Slow Children" sign on the
portion of Ames St. between Vernon St. and Stockton St.: recommend Petition be placed
on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19o. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Alexander Volkov request installation of "Children" signage in front of 457 Granite St.:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19p. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Brian Thamel request installation of a crosswalk with flashing beacon lights between
335/337 and 338 Park Ave.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19q. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Joseph Corazzini request installation of an additional crosswalk at 271 Salisbury St. and
Forest St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19r. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Patrick Grady request installation of solar-powered flashing crosswalk indicators at the
crosswalk located on Gold Star Blvd. in the vicinity of its intersection with Woodbury
St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19s. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Jenny Pacillo on behalf of Jodi Bishop request installation of a rapid flashing
beacon crosswalk in the vicinity of Beverly Rd. and Rexhame Rd.: recommend Petition
be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19t. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Jenny Pacillo on behalf of Michael Benz request installation of a rapid
flashing beacon, improved crosswalk signage and additional line painting at the
intersection of Willowbrook Ln. and Salisbury St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19u. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of a rapid flashing beacon on Elm St., at
its intersection with Maple St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19v. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Mayor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of Dana Felicitti request installation of Rectangular
Rapid Flashing Beacons at the crosswalk on Grove St. at its intersection with Chadwick
St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19w. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Mayor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of Dana Felicitti request installation of Rectangular
Rapid Flashing Beacons at the crosswalk on Gold Star Blvd. at its intersection with
Chadwick St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19x. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Mayor Joseph M. Petty on behalf of Dana Felicitti request installation of Rectangular
Rapid Flashing Beacons at the crosswalk in the vicinity of 60 Gold Star Blvd.:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19y. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of crosswalks at appropriate locations on
North Lake Ave. between North Rd. and Belcourt Rd.: recommend Petition be placed on
file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
19z. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Satya B. Mitra request installation of a crosswalk at the intersection of
Richmond Ave. and Pleasant St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #19h CC)
20. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING - PART II
20a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Satya B. Mitra and Councilor Robert A. Bilotta on behalf of William Aldridge,
owner of Theatre Café, request removal of the existing parking regulations on the odd
side of Main St. from Federal St. to Franklin St., with One (1) Hour Parking from 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m. being installed in its place: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept items #20a CC through #20n
CC. Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
20b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Satya B. Mitra and Councilor Robert A. Bilotta on behalf of William Aldridge,
owner of Theatre Café, request removal of the existing parking regulations in front of
484 Main St., the site of the former Denholm Building, with One (1) Hour Parking from
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. being installed in its place: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Jason Dasilva request installation of two (2) hour
parking directly in front of 43 and 47 Stafford St., with parking being allowed closest to
the curb and the bike lane being made more consistent with other sections of Stafford St.:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Alyssa Benefit request removal of resident permit parking on South Flagg St.:
recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Olsi Gjinko request removal of resident permit parking on Shirley St.: recommend
Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Katherine O'Leary request installation of a speed monitoring sign on Lovell St. going
uphill towards May St., in the vicinity of the rotary: recommend Petition be placed on
file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20g. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Heather Flavin request installation of a dynamic
speed monitor display on May St. between Chandler St. and Pleasant St.:P recommend
Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20h. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Raymond Augustine request installation of radar enforced speed limit warning signage
facing both direction in the vicinity of 22 Valmor St.: recommend Petition be placed on
file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20i. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Lauren Cordeiro request installation of turn signal lights and a turning lane at the
intersection of Park Ave. and Pleasant St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20j. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Michael Rapsomanikis request installation of designated left turn lanes on Park Ave. at
its intersection with Pleasant St.: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20k. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Nicole Anuszczyk request the School Zone signage on Blackstone River Rd. be reviewed
for the feasibility of changing the time from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.: recommend Petition
be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20l. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Nicole Anuszczyk request the existing School Zone signage on Blackstone River Rd. be
updated to include flashing beacons: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20m. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request installation of thru way street signage at the northern
corner of Tampa St., in the vicinity of 47 Tampa St.: recommend Petition be placed on
file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
20n. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING Upon the Petition of
Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request the intersection of
Plantation St. and Orient St. be reviewed for the purpose of installing speed calming
measures at the location: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #20a CC)
21. TO BE ORDAINED
21a. Amending Section 5(B) of Chapter 4 of the General Revised Ordinances of 2008 Related
to Placement of Items for Collection.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take items #21a CC through #21w CC collectively.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Economou, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Economou.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to ordain the items. Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas
and 0 Nays
21b. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide
Handicap Parking in front of #159 Ingleside Avenue.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21c. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide
Handicap Parking in the vicinity of #370 Main Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21d. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Remove
Handicap Parking in the vicinity of #7 Commonwealth Avenue.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21e. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Remove
Handicap Parking in the vicinity of #118 Tower Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21f. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide
Handicap Parking on Sturgis Street in the vicinity of #195 Lincoln Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21g. Amending Section 70 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Prohibit Left
Turns from Grafton Street to Roosevelt School at 1006 Grafton Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21h. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Prohibit
Parking in front of 22 Waverly Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21i. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Prohibit
Parking on the Even Side of a portion of Demarco Terrace.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21j. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Prohibit
Parking on the Even Side of a portion of Sterling Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21k. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Prohibit
Parking in front of 3 Thayer Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21l. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Prohibit
On-Street Parking on portions of Grafton Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21m. Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 Providing for a
Stop Sign on Dryden Street at Edgeworth Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21n. Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 Providing for a
Stop Sign on Sophia Drive at Tennyson Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21o. Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 Providing for a
Stop Sign on Wedgewood Road at Westmorland Drive.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21p. Amending Section 29 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 Providing for a
Stop Sign on Whittier Street at Edgeworth Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21q. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Establish a
Commercial Loading Zone and Two-Hour Metered Parking on a portion of Main Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21r. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide 15
Minute Parking on a portion of Grand Street at 103 Canterbury Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21s. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide
Handicap Parking in front of #9 Preston Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21t. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide
Handicap Parking in front of #23 Kendrick Avenue.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21u. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide
Handicap Parking in the vicinity of #72 Richland Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21v. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide
Handicap Parking in front of #117 Merrifield Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
21w. Amending Section 42 of Chapter 13 of the Revised Ordinances of 2008 to Provide
Handicap Parking in the vicinity of #151 Chandler Street.
Ordained on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #21a CC)
22. HELD UNDER PRIVILEGE
22a. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication
relative to a report and recommendation regarding a municipal civilian review board.
(Held Under Privilege - King July 21, 2026 and Held Under Privilege - Petty August 18,
2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the Chief Equity Officer, who provided City Council
with a presentation concerning processes used by the administration’s Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion Office, as well as the administration’s recommendation not to move forward with a
Civilian Review Board.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Chief Equity Officer and City Clerk, who responded to questions
raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, Councilor Rivera, Councilor Bergman, Councilor
Economou, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Chief Equity Officer, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Economou.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Police Chief and Chief Equity Officer, who responded to questions
raised by Councilor Ojeda.
Councilor Ojeda then moved to, “Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City
Council with a report concerning the reasons why the city has seen an increase in the number of
individuals being arrested over the past five (5) years, in an effort to educate residents at
neighborhood meetings and reduce the number of arrests occurring in the city through proactive
community engagement.” (See Item #25b CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Police Chief, who responded to questions raised by Councilor Mitra.
Councilor Mitra then moved to, “Request City Manager work with the Chief Equity Officer and
Police Chief to provide City Council with a biannual report detailing the various SMART
(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound) goals and objectives of the
Worcester Police Department (WPD), in an effort to increase accountability and transparency
within the community. Said report should include, but not be limited to, information related to the
number of instances where misconduct of officers occurred, as well as the number of times the
excessive use of force was used.” (See Item #25c CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Chief Equity Officer and Police Chief, who responded to questions
raised by Councilor Bilotta.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Fresolo and Councilor Rosen, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Chief Equity Officer, who responded to questions raised by Councilor
Rosen.
Councilor Rosen then moved to place the item on file.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized Mayor Petty, who spoke concerning the item.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Chief Equity Officer, who responded to
questions raised by Mayor Petty.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Clerk, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Clerk work with the Executive Director and CEO of
the Worcester Regional Research Bureau to provide City Council with a copy of their report
titled, “Overdue for Civilian Oversight: A Pathway for Lasting Police Reform.” – Withdrawn.
Mayor Petty then moved, “That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby suspend
Rule 21 of the Rules of City Council to allow for Councilor Khrystian E. King to speak beyond the
typically allotted then (10) minutes on item #22a CC. Motion denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas
and 6 Nays (Yeas – Bilotta, Fresolo, King, Ojeda, Petty) (Nays – Bergman, Economou, Mitra,
Rivera, Rosen, Toomey). (See Item #25d CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman for a second time, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a third time, who moved to withdraw his motion.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt Councilor Mitra’s motion, item #25c CC. Order
adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt Councilor Ojeda’s motion, item #25b CC. Order
adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote on Councilor Rosen’s motion to place the item on file.
Placed on file on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 3 Nays (Yeas – Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra,
Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty) (Nays – Bilotta, King, Ojeda)
22b. ORDER of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey - Request Standing Committee on Public
Safety hold a public discussion regarding the closure of the Department of Justice (DOJ)
investigation of the Worcester Police Department (WPD) and City of Worcester. (Held
Under Privilege - Toomey August 18, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to place the item on file. Placed on file on
a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 3 Nays (Yeas - Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen,
Toomey, Petty) (Nays - Bilotta, King, Ojeda).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who moved for reconsideration of the item.
Reconsideration denied on a roll call vote of 7 Yeas and 4 Nays (Yeas - Bilotta, Economou, Fresolo,
King, Mitra, Ojeda, Petty) (Nays - Bergman, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey).
22c. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Tony Economou - Request City
Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Commissioner of Transportation
and Mobility research installing in-road warning light crosswalk systems in the city to
enhance pedestrian and motor vehicle safety in areas with high pedestrian traffic (see
attached for links to example videos on YouTube). (Held Under Privilege - King August
18, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Clerk and City Manager, who responded to questions raised by
Councilor King.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Economou, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Bilotta absent)
23. TABLED ITEMS
23a. ORDER of Councilor Konstantina B. Lukes - Request City Manager request City
Solicitor provide City Council with a legal opinion regarding the process of instituting a
residential rent control program and the resulting impact of implementing such a
program. (Held Under Privilege - Lukes September 17, 2019 and September 24, 2019
and Tabled - Lukes October 15, 2019)
No action taken
23b. RESOLUTION of Councilor Khrystian E. King - That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby support Representative Rebecca Rauch and Senator Sonia
Chang-Diaz’s SD 699 HD 1283, An Act effectuating equity in COVID-19 Vaccination
Bill. (Held Under Privilege - Bergman February 9, 2021 and Tabled - Bergman February
23, 2021)
No action taken
23c. ORDER of Councilor Etel Haxhiaj and Councilor Thu Nguyen - Request City Manager
work with appropriate departments and stakeholders to establish an Office of Housing
Stability in an effort to prevent the involuntary displacement of city residents who are in
the process of being evicted or at the risk of losing their housing, as well as to enact
policies to combat displacement, homelessness and enhance tenants’ rights. (Held Under
Privilege - Haxhiaj July 18, 2023 and Tabled - Haxhiaj August 22, 2023)
No action taken
23d. PETITION of Gordon Davis request City Council request Standing Committee on Public
Safety investigate the issue of systemic racism and public safety with public hearings
included. (Tabled - Toomey May 14, 2024)
No action taken
23e. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King - Request City Manager conduct an equity audit
of all city departments every five (5) years. (Held Under Privilege - Mero-Carlson
December 10, 2024 and Held Under Privilege - Toomey December 17, 2024 and Tabled -
Nguyen January 7, 2025)
No action taken
23f. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager transmitting informational communication
relative to how the U.S. Department of Justice's report on the Worcester Police
Department differs from the account of the municipality. (Held Under Privilege - King
April 29, 2025 and May 6, 2025 and Tabled - King May 13, 2025)
No action taken
24. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the August 18, 2026 City Council meeting.
24a. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby postpone its August 18, 2026 meeting and move all items, except
for items #8a CC through #8z CC, #9a CC through #9z CC, #10a CC through #10x CC,
#11.35A CM through #10.35V CC, #10.36A CM, and #11.37A CM through #11.37H
CM to its next scheduled meeting on September 8, 2026. – Item #26a Order denied on a
roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 5 Nays
25. NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the September 8, 2026 City Council meeting.
25a. Motion Petty @ #6a CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby
suspend its rules to allow for the public participation section of the agenda on September
8, 2026 to occur one (1) hour beyond the typically allotted thirty (30) minutes.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #6a CC)
25b. Motion Ojeda @ #22a CC – Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City
Council with a report concerning the reasons why the city has seen an increase in the
number of individuals being arrested over the past five (5) years, in an effort to educate
residents at neighborhood meetings and reduce the number of arrests occurring in the
city through proactive community engagement.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #22a CC)
25c. Motion Mitra @ #22a CC – Request City Manager work with the Chief Equity Officer
and Police Chief to provide City Council with a biannual report detailing the various
SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound) goals and
objectives of the Worcester Police Department (WPD), in an effort to increase
accountability and transparency within the community. Said report should include, but
not be limited to, information related to the number of instances where misconduct of
officers occurred, as well as the number of times the excessive use of force was used.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #22a CC)
25d. Motion Petty @ #22a CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby
suspend Rule 21 of the Rules of City Council to allow for Councilor Khrystian E. King
to speak beyond the typically allotted then (10) minutes on item #22a CC.
Order denied on a roll call vote of 5 Yeas and 6 Nays (Yeas – Bilotta, Fresolo, King, Ojeda, Petty)
(Nays – Bergman, Economou, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey) (See Item #22a CC)
25e. Motion King – Suspension of Rules – Request Standing Committee on Education meet
jointly with the School Committee’s Standing Committee on Operations and Governance
for the purpose of reviewing matters pertaining to public education, the public libraries,
arts, culture and higher education listed on their agenda.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who introduced the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to refer the item to Education Committee. Referred to
Education Committee on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Bilotta absent)
Sources
- Video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=17HAg_UW9vA
- Minutes: https://worcesterma.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=76256&compileOutputType=1
Video
Transcript
Auto-generated YouTube captions; names and terms are likely misheard.
Transcript
0:09Good evening everyone. Welcome to the
0:10Whistley City Council meeting. If you if
0:12you can please stand for the pledge of
0:14allegiance and the star spangle
0:15>> banner [singing]
0:22to the flag of the United States of
0:25America to the stands one nationice
0:36[singing and music]
0:38by the dawn
0:41[music]
0:43What so [singing] proudly
0:45we held
0:48at the twilight [singing]
0:50that
0:53brought stripes and bright stars
0:56[singing]
0:57through the perilous
1:00fight
1:02or the [chanting and singing]
1:04we
1:07were so [singing and music] gallently
1:10dreaming
1:12and the rockets [singing]
1:14red.
1:16The bombs were singing in air
1:21gave [singing] proof through the [music]
1:25night
1:26that our flag was [singing] still there.
1:32Oh, say does that [music] star spangled
1:39yet? [singing]
1:40[music]
1:44For the [singing] land [music]
1:47of the free
1:51and [singing] the home
1:54of the [music]
1:56brave.
2:10Do a roll call.
2:11>> Councelor Bergman
2:13>> here.
2:13>> Councelor Bada
2:15>> here.
2:15>> Councelor Econom
2:16>> here.
2:17>> Councelor Bizolo
2:18>> here.
2:19>> Councelor King
2:20>> here.
2:20>> Councelor Mitra
2:21>> here. Council
2:23>> here.
2:23>> Councelor Rivera
2:24>> here. Councelor Rosen
2:25>> here. Councelor Tumi
2:27>> here.
2:27>> And Mayor Petty
2:28>> here. have a proclamation. Um, the city
2:32of Worester is pleased and proud to
2:33honor 52 years of the former Wister
2:35Pride activities and whereas it is the
2:38birthright of all citizens to live their
2:40lives to the fullest extent possible, we
2:43recognize that this cannot be fully
2:45achieved until all citizens share
2:46equally in their rights and are free
2:48from fear and discrimination based on
2:50sexual orientation or gender gender
2:52identity. Whereas the lesbian, gay,
2:54bisexual, transgender, queer,
2:56questioning, interex, and asexual
2:58community in the face of increased
3:00discrimination continues deliberate
3:02efforts to fight anti-trans legislation,
3:04attacks on drag performers and systemic
3:07racism. We recognize that the community
3:09is strengthening its voice and
3:12positioning itself to advocate for the
3:14rights of all me its members. And
3:16whereas the city of Worester affirms the
3:18positive visibility, resilience, and
3:20contributions of the LGBTQIA
3:22plus community in Worester,
3:23Massachusetts. Now therefore, I me
3:26petted to hereby proclaim the month of
3:27September as Worcester LGBTQIA
3:31plus pride season in the city of
3:33Worcester encourage all residents to
3:34participate in this observance.
3:37Hey, Dr. Mitch, you like to hand Oh,
3:39wait a second. We got one more.
3:43I also uh [applause] I just also want to
3:46take a moment to thank the advisory
3:48committee and the LGBTQ plus affairs and
3:50the human rights commission for all they
3:51have done for this community here in the
3:53city of Worcester. I invite John Pitzley
3:55and his team at the Woo to accept the
3:58proclamation on behalf of the community.
4:04[applause]
4:05Yeah, give it to John.
4:11>> I guess they're all coming in.
4:28I'm not sure.
5:01>> [applause]
5:06>> Yeah.
5:10We're there.
5:22>> John, you want to say a few words?
5:24>> Sure.
5:26>> To be officially recognized as a safe
5:27space for the LGBT
5:30Q plus community as is an incredible
5:32honor, but it's also a reminder of why
5:33this work matters. A restaurant isn't
5:36just about the four walls or the menu.
5:37It's about community. It is about
5:40ensuring that hospitality means true
5:42inclusion. Where safety, respect, and
5:44celebration of diversity are just as
5:46fundamental as the hospitality we
5:48provide. I want to share this honor with
5:50our incredible staff. They are the ones
5:52who bring this mission to life every
5:54single shift. Treating every guest who
5:57walks through the our doors with the
5:59dignity and warmth they deserve. Thank
6:01you.
6:01>> Thank you. [applause]
6:10Okay.
6:14>> Okay. Approve of the minutes of the June
6:1621st, 2026 meeting. Roll call.
6:19>> Councelor Bergman.
6:20>> Yes.
6:21>> Councelor Bada.
6:22>> Yes.
6:23>> Councelor Economo.
6:24>> Yes.
6:24>> Councelor Rzolo.
6:25>> Yes.
6:25>> Councelor King.
6:26>> Yes.
6:27>> Councilor Mitra.
6:28>> Yes.
6:28>> Council Aa.
6:29>> Yes.
6:29>> Councelor Rivera.
6:31>> Yes. Yes. Councelor Rosen.
6:33>> Yes.
6:33>> Council Tumi.
6:34>> Yes.
6:35>> And Mayor Petty.
6:36>> Uh, yes. Uh, public participation, a
6:39person may speak for no more than two
6:41minutes on any item appearing on agenda.
6:43Mr. Clerk.
6:46>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
6:50Rule 39, items of public interest. At
6:53every meeting of the city council under
6:54the public participation portion of the
6:56agenda, the chair shall recognize any
6:58person seeking such recognition for the
7:00purpose of addressing the city council
7:02on any eligible item on the agenda both
7:04in person and remotely. Any person who
7:06wishes to speak more on more than one
7:08agenda item shall combine their
7:10testimony on all items to one appearance
7:12at the microphone. Time for speaking
7:14shall not exceed two minutes for any one
7:17speaker or 30 minutes for all speakers.
7:19Uh rule 40, petitions. On the first
7:21occasion, any petition appears on the
7:23city council agenda. The prior petition
7:25may address the council for no more than
7:27three minutes on the subject of their
7:28petition.
7:30>> Okay. Uh so we are open to public
7:32participation. Your name, see your
7:34residence and item number has it. City
7:36of Worcester. I am speaking on 22A the
7:40citizens review board. Um I'd like to
7:44address accountability.
7:46It is not just to prevent the future
7:49atrocities,
7:51but also the ones that are possibly
7:54happening now.
7:57Homeland Security closed the case.
8:01They did not find anyone innocent.
8:04The case was closed because Trump closed
8:08all of the Homeland Security Police
8:11cases across the country.
8:16And the cities around New England our
8:19size have citizen review boards.
8:24>> They know something that Wister doesn't
8:26know.
8:29>> Go ahead.
8:30>> They know something the city of Wester
8:32doesn't know. They work.
8:39They know that history will repeat
8:42itself if you don't do something to stop
8:45it.
8:49The chief is talking about accrediting
8:52the police department.
8:57Costs an awful lot of money. I'd like to
9:00know how much.
9:02And it will not do anything for the
9:05police officer on the street who loses
9:07his temper.
9:10All the accreditation in the world is
9:13not going to do a darn thing about that.
9:19I know I worked in an institution that
9:22was accredited.
9:24It took months and an awful lot of
9:27people. It's expensive.
9:32We all know that the police cannot
9:35police their own.
9:38>> And thank you. I appreciate it. We have
9:39a long line here. So, thank you.
9:44What's your name to your residents?
9:47>> I'm Gordon Davis. I've lived in the city
9:51almost 60 years. I seen a lot of racism
9:55here. And recently I talked to Chief
9:59Sauier and he said that they're doing
10:03nothing. There's nothing he can do about
10:06the systemic racism found in the CNA
10:11report audit. He said there's nothing he
10:13can do. It's out of his hands. He says
10:16it's it's money.
10:19So that's unacceptable. It's
10:22unacceptable because you're taking money
10:24out of my pocket. It's unacceptable
10:27because
10:29the city settled for almost $2 million
10:33with those students from Clark.
10:36What went wrong? Well, the cops are not
10:39going to tell us what went wrong. The
10:41manager is not going to tell us because
10:43he destroyed the uh human rights
10:46commission.
10:47And this body is not going to tell us
10:50because they stuck their head in the
10:52sand. They can't even enforce their own
10:55rules on chapter 29 petitions.
10:59For the for anyone who says that we
11:03don't need a civility re review board,
11:07that's a croc of
11:09>> OKAY,
11:09>> WE DO NEED IT. [cheering] We don't want
11:12people investigating
11:15themselves. We want the public to
11:18investigate them. And that's why I'm
11:21here. I'm here because THE FISH ROTS
11:25from the head. There's a culture of
11:28non-transparency. There's a culture of
11:31secrecy that's coming down from this
11:35body, from the manager, from the police,
11:38uh, affecting everything that we do. And
11:41in order to stop that corruption, we
11:44have TO STOP IT NOW. We have to stop it
11:47with a civilian review board.
11:49>> Thank you.
11:52[cheering]
11:55[applause]
11:58>> Name us your residence. Item number.
12:00>> Uh, I'm here about the CI civilian
12:02police review board. My name is Reverend
12:04Joseph Rudi. I'm from District 3. On
12:07August 25th, 2019 at Cornerstone Bible
12:10Baptist Church, my family and church
12:12members were terrorized by Officer Dhoni
12:14Nunees and Michael Capabanka Jr. Officer
12:18Nunes arrived to speak with my daughter
12:20over a custody issue, a civil matter.
12:22Officer Capabian was the peacekeeper.
12:26Once we determined that the judge or
12:28court had not signed any new orders, the
12:31two questions set the officers off. Do
12:33you have a new court order? And are we
12:36detained? In 45 seconds, Copa Bianca's
12:40body cam on the pilot use of it
12:43will reveal he was acting like a tyrant.
12:47I never cussed at him and I asked for a
12:49supervisor. Boy, did he get mad. I was
12:53tased, arrested. My son was punched,
12:55dragged off the platform of our church.
12:58His pregnant wife was punched, thrown to
13:01the ground, and a jack boot put on her
13:03back in front of me. John, in front of
13:06me.
13:08The saying goes, "You may beat the
13:10charge, but you'll take the direct your
13:12comments here, please."
13:13>> Well, it's true. In October of 2022, we
13:16were found not guilty. My son faced one
13:19year in prison. I faced seven years in
13:21prison, but my son's wife's charges all
13:24dismissed, so you'll never hear about
13:26them. Police officers are protected. The
13:29commander review, no violation. Bureau
13:31of Professional Standards, nothing to
13:33see. The DA won't charge any officers.
13:36They have two unions, local 911 and the
13:39Brotherhood of Police. They have mass
13:41domestic immunity and qualified
13:43immunity. Both protect the government's
13:46interest. We need protection for the
13:48people, for the misconduct.
13:51Without a civilian review board, what
13:53happens is these men continue on
13:56believing that they will never be held
13:58accountable because they have qualified
14:00immunity. So when Capabian tases hits
14:04me, he knows nobody's going to rebuke
14:06him. Nobody's going to say you're wrong.
14:09No.
14:25[applause]
14:31>> Did your name see RS?
14:32>> Good evening. My name is Fred Taylor.
14:34I'm the president of the Worcester
14:35branch of the NACP. And I just want to
14:37say that the Worcester NAACP stands
14:40strong in support of establishing a
14:42civilian review board or an oversight
14:44committee with subpoena powers for the
14:46city of Worcester. Let me be clear from
14:48the outset. We're not advocating for a
14:50civilian review board simply because we
14:52want a community to have a seat at the
14:54table. We're advocating for a civilian
14:56review board because we believe the
14:58entire city will benefit from greater
15:00transparency, accountability, and public
15:02trust in policing. We recognize that the
15:05overwhelming majority of Worcester
15:07police officers are dedicated public
15:09servants who who follow the rules,
15:11perform their duties professionally, and
15:14serve our city with honor. The effort is
15:16not to attack those officers. In fact,
15:18the greater transparency can help
15:20strengthen public confidence, confidence
15:22in good work that most officers do every
15:25day. However, time and time again,
15:27members of our community have called for
15:29transparency and accountability when
15:31allegations of wrongdoing arise within
15:33the Wor Police Department. Like any
15:36law-abiding citizen, we believe that if
15:38there is nothing to hide, there should
15:40be no concern about having another set
15:42of impartial eyes reviewing the process.
15:46We have heard some argue that Worcester
15:48does not need a civilian review board or
15:50such boards do not work. The
15:52effectiveness of a civilian review board
15:54depends largely on how it's structured
15:57and empowered. Across our country, there
16:00are examples that site for it and
16:02against it. But the question before
16:04Worcester is not whether every board
16:07succeeds everywhere. The question is
16:09whether Worcester is willing to take
16:11meaningful steps to increase public
16:13trust and accountability here at home.
16:15The Worcester Branson NACP respectfully
16:18implores the city council to seriously
16:20consider establishing a civilian review
16:22board. This is not about division. It's
16:25about improving confidence in our
16:27institutions, strengthening
16:29relationships between law enforcement
16:30and community, and ensuring that
16:32accountability and transparency remains
16:34a pillars of our f our future. Thank
16:36you.
16:37>> Thank you.
16:40[applause]
16:45What's your name? Is your residency?
16:46>> Artha Karashka. I born and raised in
16:49Worcester, Massachusetts. I'm not a
16:51member of any organization. Here I am
16:53again before you. And I'm angry and I'm
16:56tired.
16:58Those of you who were voted in are
17:00hiding behind somebody who you just
17:03hired. And for this person to say, "This
17:07is not who we are. We don't need a
17:08civilian review board. I'm a I'm a
17:11civilian and I'm saying I want a
17:13civilian review board
17:16>> because they should as so many other
17:18people you've already heard it. I don't
17:20understand what what I would love to
17:23hear what many of you say because I'm
17:25tired of hearing what he says for this
17:28person who does not have any just hired
17:31for for this job doesn't want to listen
17:34to the human rights coalition doesn't
17:36want to listen to the DOJ just because
17:39you think that's not who we are the just
17:42like somebody just said it's not a
17:44division it's not we don't support the
17:46police we want a police that we can
17:49stand and not be afraid of them. We just
17:52had a had from Mass Chan another officer
17:55drunk driving, sideswiping cars. Good
17:58thing it wasn't sideswiping a father and
18:00a daughter walking to the store. If it
18:02would have been me, I'd have been
18:03arrested. But because he was a police
18:05officer, he was not. Body cam not
18:09available. This is an example of what we
18:11see and why we want a civilian review
18:14board. It's not every cop. I work with
18:16cops every day who I would put my own
18:19life on the line and I tell them stories
18:22of microaggressions and experiences I've
18:24had with officers who are not doing what
18:26they're supposed to do. They're aware
18:29but there's nothing that they can do
18:31about it because of the culture
18:34the culture that we all know about. I
18:36got 10 well about 10 seconds. I'm a
18:38civilian. I want a civilian review
18:41board. I don't care what he says. I
18:43think that you who have been voted into
18:46office need to listen to your
18:47constituents.
18:49>> Thank you.
18:54[applause]
18:58>> Your name and say your residents.
18:59>> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, members of city
19:01council. My name is Sue Swanson. I'm a
19:04District 5 resident and I am here to
19:07read a letter from Drew Schneblin, also
19:10a District 5 Worcester resident,
19:12regarding item 22A.
19:16For most of the last two years, I served
19:19on the Worcester Human Rights
19:20Commission. I stepped down last month
19:23because city leadership repeatedly
19:25created roadblocks that restricted the
19:28commission's work. City Manager
19:30Batista's refusal to implement a
19:32civilian review board was the final
19:35straw. I was disappointed but not
19:38surprised. The city manager's own
19:41nonpartisan report stating that creating
19:43a civilian review board was overdue.
19:47After reviewing the report, speaking
19:49with post employees, considering other
19:52evidence, and debating the issue over
19:54many years, the human rights voted, the
19:57human rights commission voted 5 to one
19:59this year in favor of a civilian review
20:02board. The only no vote came from
20:05commission member and WPD police
20:07chaplain Jonathan Sloinskus.
20:10The report released by city manager
20:12Batista and written by Kevin Levansy
20:14claims a review board is unnecessary
20:16because the human rights commission is
20:18already an oversight structure and
20:20because the city has strengthened its
20:22review process in collaboration with the
20:25HRC.
20:26That is factually untrue. In 2025,
20:30leadership removed Human Rights
20:32Commission leadership, delayed the
20:34election of new leadership, slowed the
20:37filling of vacancies, and restricted the
20:39commission's ability to speak publicly,
20:42including blocking a statement
20:44condemning a hate crime. The Human
20:47Rights Commission is an executive
20:48committee, which is defined in the city
20:50charter as a body that sets policy. Yet,
20:53its ability to affect policy has been
20:56limited.
20:57City leadership cannot use the
20:59commission as a reason to reject a
21:01civilian review board while preventing
21:03the commission from performing the
21:04duties.
21:05>> Thank you.
21:06>> Thank you. [applause]
21:14>> Your names?
21:15>> Grace Ross, 10 Oxford Street, Worcester.
21:19Yes. On the Civilian Review Board.
21:22I want to encourage everybody to open
21:25their minds. Civilian review boards have
21:29gotten a reputation of being about
21:32punishment.
21:34But in a democracy, our goal, I believe,
21:37is transparency and the means to build
21:40trust. You can hear the distrust.
21:44But the way that a democracy changes
21:46that is for everybody to be have a place
21:50to listen, to speak and to be heard. You
21:54know, I think as a woman, you know, when
21:58sexual harassment in your workplace
22:00could only be reported to men, it was
22:02tricky for women. Similarly, if what we
22:06want is a trusting community, then we
22:09need a place for people to be able to
22:11come where they don't feel like they're
22:13talking to insiders,
22:15where they're talking to other people
22:17like themselves. I have plenty of
22:19friends who are police officers. I
22:21learned a lot when one of them told me
22:24about the post-traumatic stress that he
22:28experiences because of his position.
22:31Right? It opens our hearts to each other
22:34when we can hear each other's stories in
22:36a non-judgmental place where people can
22:39share things. And you know, I think of
22:43the progressive police chiefs who got it
22:46that it made sense to support driver's
22:49licenses even for folks who are
22:51immigrants because it created a setting
22:54where everybody was accountable,
22:56everybody paid insurance, and it wasn't
22:59adversarial.
23:00The purpose of our civilian review board
23:03could be completely different. We get to
23:06structure it. We get to define it. What
23:08if we made it a place where the dialogue
23:10that is necessary for healing, for
23:13correction, for clarification, for us to
23:16learn from each other and the way that
23:18we walk through the world,
23:20>> the civilian review board could be
23:21something different here.
23:24>> Imagine that place. And I am asking
23:26folks to consider putting together a
23:29study group to imagine a different thing
23:32and learn from everything that has
23:34worked or not worked elsewhere.
23:36>> Thank you. [applause]
23:43>> Is your name your residence?
23:45>> Abby Morto, Worcester resident district
23:484, here to speak on item 22A, the
23:51Civilian Review Board. And let me state
23:55my case as to why I believe we need a
23:58civilian review board. Because systemic
24:01systemic racism is still a problem, you
24:05know, we have racist cops, you know, and
24:08just there's no accountability,
24:13you know, and
24:15I know it is not all cops. All right,
24:17I'm I'm just going to say it. It's not
24:19all cops. Not even most cops. So, but
24:23there's bad cops on the force and these
24:27cop bad cops need to be held accountable
24:31and yes, we need a civilian review
24:34board. We need that accountability
24:38and you know all these other options.
24:40No, no, no, no, no. Civilian review
24:42board. And look, it can work. We can
24:46create a structure that will work. You
24:48know, there's a lot of different ways
24:49that it can be structured. We can make
24:52it structured in a way that it will work
24:54for Worcester. So,
24:57no excuses. You know, just what side of
25:01history are you on? Are you on the side
25:03of accountability?
25:05Are you on the side of,
25:08you know, holding the police
25:10accountable? Oh, you know, transparency.
25:12Are you on the side? Are you you on that
25:14side? Or are you on the side of
25:17totalitarianism
25:19about
25:21you know and
25:24do you realize that you know it is a
25:28problem you know civilian review board
25:30is necessary to hold the police
25:32accountable and again not all cops all
25:34right I know it's not all cops but for
25:37the cops for the bad cops that need to
25:39be held accountable you know there needs
25:41to be accountability there just needs to
25:44be accountability All right.
25:46>> Thank you. [applause]
25:51>> My name is Donald Bor. I've been here
25:53all my life, 69 years, and I'm
25:56definitely opposed to this thing because
25:58all I feel is that when the civilian
26:00review board was there, it would be
26:01completely biased. I don't see anyone on
26:03there that wouldn't be biased against
26:05the police department. We have a safer
26:07city in Boston, Proidence, Rhode Island,
26:10and Springfield, and we don't have one.
26:12And they all do have a civilian review
26:14board. I've been here all my life. I've
26:17seen what the police go through. I know
26:19myself what they go through because I've
26:21gotten in a little bit of trouble, but I
26:23got things worked out for me. This
26:25review board is is crazy. You might as
26:28well just put targets on the back of the
26:31officers backs. Give the people guns and
26:34give them uh cop killer bullets while
26:37you're at it. these guys have a tough
26:39enough time doing what they're doing as
26:41opposed to having been a harder time
26:42because they already got a state review
26:44board. It's it's just totally crazy for
26:47the to have a civilian review board is
26:49not going to help the city at all. It's
26:51only going to make the city more unsafe.
26:54>> Mr. Melissa, you are great. Mr. Melissa
26:57was right to to say we shouldn't have
26:59it. We shouldn't have it. It's just not
27:01a good thing. It's not going to help out
27:03the city. It's just going to make things
27:05worse. Stop it. I'm talking.
27:08>> Go ahead, sir.
27:10>> All I know is I I' like I said, I've
27:12been here all my life and I've seen I've
27:14seen a lot and it's it's just not the
27:17right thing to do. It it shouldn't be
27:20happening because people they're a lot
27:23of crazy people out there and just to
27:25get some of these people, they got to
27:26they got to have a hard time with them
27:28and they have to try really hard. And
27:30I've seen it where there was three or
27:31four policemen trying to get somebody
27:34and then they finally go up and then the
27:36the the other policeman slams the cuffs
27:38on them because there's no other way to
27:40do it. They couldn't do it easily and
27:42that person turns around and gets a
27:44lawyer and they sue a city and this
27:47lawyer will do it. So all these lawyers
27:49will love doing it because they know
27:51they're going to make money. Okay.
27:56>> Go ahead.
28:00Did your name see residents?
28:02>> Hi, my name is Gary Hunter and um before
28:05I get to the civil review board. Uh if
28:08we could take a look at item 14B, it's
28:11kind of related where you want to see um
28:14what can be done in changes to the
28:16charter without a civilian review board.
28:19Again, would like the um without a um
28:23change review for the charter. It's like
28:26the Civil Review Board because it's been
28:28put off for 10 years over and over. We
28:30need a a charter review. We need it now.
28:33And I know you could speed up the
28:35process to get it done. Now, as far as
28:38the civilian review board,
28:41come on guys. Uh there's many ways this
28:44can go. I think people made up their
28:46mind listening to the police union only,
28:50but there's many ways to go. We haven't
28:53told people that want the civilian re
28:55review board. There's no structure there
28:57right now. We can make a structure
29:00to be acceptable for all sides. We need
29:03a civilian review board. People don't
29:06trust the police officers. We're losing
29:08millions of dollars in suits against the
29:10police. And you say it's better, but I
29:13know there's more suits coming against
29:16the police. It's going to cost us more
29:18money. Please don't say no completely to
29:22this idea.
29:24Please set up a a a
29:27bunch of people in a meeting to look at
29:30the ways we could set up this civil
29:32review board and make it work. Just
29:35because it's not working in other
29:36cities, we know now what didn't work and
29:39what does work. We need you to have an
29:42open mind. Please. I would also like to
29:45thank the city councilors that were able
29:47to meet with our group and sit down
29:49oneonone and at least listen to what we
29:52said. I know there's some that didn't
29:53make it. They were too busy and we know
29:56that too.
29:59There's more people in favor of the city
30:01the civilian reviewer board than you
30:04know. So the elections are coming up.
30:06>> You we're going to fight you in the
30:08elections if you don't listen to the
30:11people.
30:13>> [applause]
30:19>> Good evening. My name is Dante
30:20Conferredoto and I reside at Four Manor
30:22Street. Here to speak to items 22A and
30:25B. Today I serve as an educator, but not
30:28too long ago I was your unhoused
30:30neighbor. When you live on the street,
30:32police interaction isn't occasional.
30:34It's daily routine. It wasn't serve and
30:37protect. It was move along, clear out,
30:39step off the curb. I was stopped,
30:42questioned, and harassed simply for
30:44existing while poor. I've had my bike
30:46and various other things stolen by
30:48officers. I've been physically beaten. I
30:51was once hung off the side of a fire
30:53escape by police. I've had unhoused
30:56friends severely beaten and friends who
30:58were raped by police officers. And the
31:00abuse didn't end when I got off the
31:02streets. Even as an elected official, my
31:0514-year-old daughter was harassed by the
31:07department. And when I went to report
31:10credible death threats against my
31:11family, officers literally laughed up in
31:14my face. When the people wearing the
31:16badge of the ones violating your rights,
31:18who do you call? And when you are a
31:21major part of of the political machine,
31:23what can anybody do? Right now, the
31:26Worcester Police Department investigates
31:28itself. Internal affairs isn't account
31:31isn't accountability. It's a wall of
31:33silence. Whether you're living on a
31:36sidewalk with no lawyers to defend you
31:38or serving in public office, going to
31:41WPD to report their own misconduct puts
31:44a target on your back. That's why
31:46Worcester urgently needs an independent
31:49civilian review board with real
31:50oversight and subpoena power. True
31:53public safety requires genuine
31:55accountability, not police policing
31:58themselves. established an independent
32:01civilian review board and prove to this
32:03city that no badge puts anyone above the
32:05law. Thank you.
32:07>> Thank you. [applause]
32:12>> Senator, your name is your residence.
32:15>> Thank you. Robin Kennedy, uh worist one.
32:19I first actually want to speak on items
32:218A and 8B. Uh, Councelor King's motion
32:24to reconsider signage REA relative to
32:27ICE civil enforcement. Uh, this was an
32:30issue that came to my office raised uh
32:33by one of our shared residents, shared
32:35constituents uh based on a sign that
32:37they had seen in another city in the
32:39city of Lynn. They passed it on to me
32:40and said, "Is this something we can do
32:42here and is is exactly in line with the
32:45city manager's ordinance?" I passed it
32:47on to the city manager and to councelor
32:49King and I didn't come to testify the
32:51last time because I didn't think it was
32:52something that needed much conversation
32:54and it is literally the least we can do
32:57as a city. If you're out in community
33:00right now, you know our residents are
33:03terrified, terrified of what ICE is
33:06doing every day in our public spaces,
33:10literally kidnapping residents off of
33:13our streets in our community.
33:16Following the city manager's ordinance
33:18in giving some sense of relief that ICE
33:21in civil uh enforcement is not allowed
33:24on public property not only is line with
33:27the city manager's ordinance but again
33:30is the least we can do to give any sense
33:32of relief. We're going to we're
33:33continuing at the state through the
33:35protect act to continue to push for
33:37further protections at the state level
33:39but we need our city partners. We're
33:41going to continue to work with the city
33:42manager to do all we can. I also want to
33:45stand with the many residents, community
33:47organizations, and municipal boards and
33:48commissions calling on the city not to
33:50close the door on civilian oversight of
33:53the Worester Police Department by
33:54supporting the city manager's report.
33:56The call of our community is grounded in
33:58a shared belief that public trust is
34:00strengthened when accountability is
34:02transparent, durable, and meaningful
34:04meaningfully independent. Again, we have
34:07the list of organizations. You hear your
34:09community speaking up tonight and
34:11speaking up again and again. Our jobs as
34:15elected officials is to listen to that
34:17and to continue the conversation and I
34:20stand ready at the state to do anything
34:21I can to support that. Thank you.
34:23>> Thank you. [cheering]
34:31>> Your name residents.
34:32>> Good evening. I'm Francis Anthes. I'm a
34:34resident of Worcester in District 4. Uh
34:37I am also here to speak about items A
34:39and B. the idea of putting up signs on
34:42city property which would basically
34:44reinforce what we've already said as a
34:46sanctuary city and I very much thank the
34:48city manager and the mayor for your
34:50efforts on that. Right now um we are
34:54seeing a lot of activity in the city. Uh
34:572,000 people per day have been arrested
34:59across the country where before July 1st
35:01it was 1,000 per day. 500 people were
35:05arrested in July in Massachusetts.
35:07Several people are arrested every day in
35:09Worcester, particularly at the
35:11courthouse, even though 70% of those
35:14arrested have no criminal charges. Um,
35:17when I was a kid, I read Anne Frank and
35:20I really wondered about what I would
35:22have done in Nazi Germany. What would I
35:25have done if some of my neighbors who
35:27happen to be Jewish or gay or gypsies
35:30were put in concentration camps? And
35:32unfortunately, I feel like we face the
35:34same issue right now. What is our
35:36responsibility when some of our
35:39neighbors are being kidnapped,
35:41trafficked, and deported to places where
35:44they've never been before? Um, I think
35:46that that um when we think about the
35:49Haitian residents, our neighbors who've
35:51been here for over 10 years legally, the
35:55process that we're looking at them going
35:57through right now is they get arrested,
36:00they get deported to Haiti, they're
36:02arrested immediately. Their children who
36:04are US citizens are in the same um
36:07vulnerable position. So why would you
36:10take your kids to Haiti if you knew that
36:12you were going to be arrested and beaten
36:13and possibly killed? So you find a
36:16really good person to take care of your
36:18kids. Now your and here in the US
36:21because they're American citizens, now
36:23your kids haven't been part of that
36:24decision. You as a parent are doing the
36:26best thing that you can for your kids.
36:28What happens when your third grader gets
36:30to school and is supposed to learn
36:32fractions
36:34when that has gone on? When the kids
36:36know that their parents have been taken
36:38away. So if we don't stand up, we we
36:41face a problem that is bigger than just
36:44one person being deported. We face
36:47problems in our schools. We place
36:48problems in our community. Secondly, I
36:51think according to the rules, I get a
36:52minute on another item.
36:54>> No, you get two minutes all total.
36:56>> Oh, okay. Um I would just say that um I
36:58was on the board of health when we dealt
37:00with the civilian review board and I
37:01would be happy to talk about that at a
37:03different time. I really hope you send
37:05it to the public safety committee for
37:07further discussion of the civilian
37:08review board.
37:09>> Thank you.
37:11[applause]
37:16>> My name is Chris Demetry. I'm a District
37:181 resident and I'm speaking about item
37:2122A.
37:22The city uh administration's report with
37:26the recommendation not to establish a
37:28civilian re review board is
37:31disappointing. And I want to highlight
37:33two particular limitations.
37:36First, the report seems to suggest that
37:39a civilian review board is not necessary
37:42despite the recommendation of the
37:44Worcester Regional Research Bureau and
37:45many other community-based groups
37:47because of positive trends in the
37:49Worester Police Department and the
37:50relatively low incidence of use of force
37:53complaints that fall outside the
37:55jurisdiction of the executive off office
37:58of DEI. While the trends seem to reflect
38:00positive change in the Worcester Police
38:02Department department, that's really
38:04beside the point. Calls for a civilian
38:07review board are not a judgment of the
38:09current uh WPD leadership or the city
38:11administration. Citizens of the city and
38:14community-based groups have been calling
38:16for a CRB for decades across peaks and
38:18valleys of police department practices
38:21and outcomes. The fundamental ask is for
38:23a community-based oversight system for
38:26power sharing rather than a
38:27concentration of power within the
38:29Worester Police Department and the city
38:30administration.
38:32Second, the report claims that
38:34investigations conducted by the
38:36Executive Office of DEI constitute
38:39independent review because they are
38:40outside the line of command of the
38:42Worcester Police Department. No one is
38:44questioning the integrity of the DEI
38:46office and those investigators, but
38:48investigations conducted by a city
38:51department are not truly independent.
38:54City employees have a real or perceived
38:57stake in those uh decisions. Only a CRB
39:01with full subpoena powers will have the
39:02independence that helps all community
39:05members build trust in the police
39:07department. I'm asking that the city
39:09council reject the city manager's
39:11recommendation and instead instruct his
39:13administration to take initial steps
39:15toward redesigning our current peace
39:17meal system of police oversight uh and
39:20to
39:21um planned body.
39:23>> Thank you.
39:25[applause]
39:31>> Tom Marino was a uh civilian review
39:34board. uh page 11 of this report uh if
39:37you know what you're looking at there,
39:38you know, they have a bunch of stuff
39:39that's not necessary. If you know what
39:40you're looking at, uh of the in those in
39:43that 8-year period, 102 civilian
39:46complaints about use of force. One was
39:49sustained. One of 102. So if you look at
39:53that, you either think you either you
39:55believe one of two things. Either 99 you
39:56believe 99% of the people in the city
39:58are liars or there might be a problem
39:59here and there's this is worth looking
40:00into. But of course, this council
40:03continues year after year to do
40:05something far more cowardly than that.
40:07You just don't ask for the numbers. Uh
40:09because apparently your oath to uphold
40:12the the federal and state constitutions
40:13isn't important to you. Uh it, you know,
40:16like the mix of the pothole filler, some
40:18weird crusade against bike lanes, how
40:21many trucks go up rafting street, that's
40:22all very important. Constitutional
40:23rights of your residents, though, don't
40:25care. Don't care at all. And we know
40:26because if you look at those eight
40:27years, you've never asked for anything.
40:30Not one piece of data I looked that
40:33would indicate that you are interested
40:35at all in looking at where the Fourth
40:37Amendment and law enforcement tend to
40:39collide. You don't care because you know
40:41you have a fun phrase that uh you like
40:43to use which is really you saying you're
40:45going to cover up police misconduct when
40:46you say we got your back. Uh, and you
40:50know what happened on December 9th was
40:53that the mayor and the city manager
40:55hiding behind their lawyer began this
40:57mis disinformation campaign. And those
40:59talking points are still repeated today.
41:01Mr. Mayor, the week before the last
41:04meeting, you went on the radio and you
41:05said that uh uh the DOJ uses a low
41:09standard of evidence. Uh it's the same
41:11as probable cause. Uh but you know and
41:15it's stated in the report first page you
41:19know who doesn't state a standard of a
41:20standard of proof though the police
41:23department you maybe read policy 500 how
41:26are they going to weigh evidence in
41:27these internal investigations they don't
41:28say
41:29>> and they've been doing this forever
41:32playing with the standard of evidence so
41:34they can continue to say everything's
41:37great you all go along everything's fine
41:40and then pastor gets beat
41:48you name city residents.
41:50>> Uh Kevin Cassand worester resident. Uh
41:54those of us that do community work here
41:55in this city, we're tired of coming back
41:57here for the same thing over and over
41:59and over. Um but we keep hearing the
42:02same thing while we're doing community
42:03work in this city about police doing
42:06stuff over and over and not being held
42:08accountable. Uh and so again, we're
42:10asking those of you here to do something
42:13to to correct for that and to try to
42:15rein it in and protect the residents of
42:17the city. Uh many of you are here during
42:20when the DOJ report came out, the
42:22investigation, and those of you that
42:25were here, many of you chose not to do
42:26anything, just sat there. The the
42:28administration chose to do nothing with
42:30that report and not act on it. Asked for
42:33report from the research bureau and then
42:35ignored it. Um, we need to step up and
42:38do something. Um, I I can hear some of
42:41you already saying, "Oh, well, we got
42:44the post commission. We got the post
42:46commission." So, I just want to remind
42:48everybody or tell folks because some of
42:50you didn't attend the meetings, but uh,
42:52Enrique Zeniga, the the executive
42:54director of the post commission, has
42:55been here in Wester multiple times over
42:57the past few years, and each time he's
42:59been asked and each time he said, "The
43:01post commission is not a replacement for
43:03a civilian review board." I do not have
43:06enough investigators.
43:08Civilian review board is something
43:10different and I would support it. So
43:12that we have that on record. Um the
43:14undermining and dismantling of the human
43:16rights commission by this administration
43:18is disgusting. Disgusting. And it's
43:21frustrating to see that having been done
43:23and then turned around and says, "But
43:25don't worry, we're we're paying
43:26attention. We're investigating
43:28transparency." Um, just last week the
43:31TNG reported that the police turned
43:33their backs on drunken driving over at
43:36UMass Chan. Uh, frustrating because
43:39those of us that have lived in the city
43:41decades know this has been an ongoing
43:44issue of the police turning their backs
43:45when somebody's been stopped drunk
43:47driving. And the chair of the public
43:50safety committee hasn't done anything
43:51about it. And we as a city haven't done
43:53anything about it. And it's about time
43:54we start doing something to hold police
43:56accountable for their misdeeds. Thank
43:58you.
44:00>> [applause]
44:07>> My name is uh you can call me Grandma
44:09Wolfpaw. I am on Nitmunk territory and I
44:13I wanted to I wanted to talk about a
44:16coalition
44:18that brought all this out and that's
44:21Project Priceless. Um, I'd like to take
44:24a moment of silence actually just for a
44:27second
44:30because there's some of them that aren't
44:31with us anymore. They they came forward.
44:35It took a lot of ovaries for them to
44:36come forward to start speaking against
44:40these police officers and all they
44:42wanted was five demands and you couldn't
44:44even
44:46even begin to give them that.
44:50So, I believe that they deserve to be
44:53heard. They deserve and they're not
44:55going to go away. And also, I wanted to
44:58talk about a coalition that I was a part
45:01of that I uh volunteered, EPICA,
45:04ex-prisoners organizing for community
45:06advancement, jobs, not jails. Do you
45:08know that we had three meetings with Ed
45:12at Augustus about what the cops were
45:14doing to the homeless, to our clients?
45:17We also had a meeting about um about the
45:22accountability about what some of the
45:24cops were doing in front of Stone Soup
45:26and they were pushing homeless away, not
45:29doing anything. I was homeless for eight
45:31years. Eight years I was homeless. I saw
45:33some stuff. I don't drink or do drugs.
45:35So I got to see it HD. But these women,
45:38these homeless people, they need
45:40protections from the protectors. That's
45:43what they need. So, you know what? We
45:46need police accountability. And to the
45:48officers that did this to this woman,
46:00Hi, my name is Casey Panerelli and I am
46:02from Shrewsbury. I'm here to voice my
46:04support for a civilian review board uh
46:0622A. The job of the police is to protect
46:09and serve the community, but when the
46:10trust between the two is fractured,
46:12there needs to be significant changes
46:13made. The DOJ report brought already
46:15known issues to the table like the abuse
46:17of power, use of excessive force, and
46:19exploitation of vulnerable communities.
46:21I witnessed the WPD flood these chambers
46:24to use intimidation against victims of
46:26sexual abuse who are speaking up. These
46:28women were booed and stared down by
46:30offduty cops. But when a cop spoke, the
46:32entire rafters were giving a standing
46:34ovation. These are the same people we're
46:36supposed to trust to protect and serve
46:38without prejudice or discrimination.
46:41The following examples show why people
46:43lack that trust in the WPD. Example one,
46:45the cop slapping the man enduring a
46:47mental health crisis while he was
46:48strapped down and defenses on a gurnie.
46:51I'm a therapist and my mom and all my
46:53siblings are nurses. We would lose our
46:56jobs if that was our response. But all
46:58the cop got was a 5-day suspension was
47:00found not to be used unnecessary force
47:03by an internal investigation. And the
47:05kicker, officers actually protested the
47:08suspension by calling in sick.
47:10Disgusting. Example two, the incident at
47:13the beer garden where police used a dog
47:15and excessive force claiming the victim
47:17attacked first. The police were proven
47:19wrong due to the f video footage. The
47:22charges were dropped against the man and
47:23the cost to Worcester $275,000.
47:27Example three, the police officer
47:29chasing the pastor into the church and
47:31tasing him who was literally here and
47:32spoke tonight. That one made quite the
47:34news story, huh? Millions of taxpayer
47:37dollars have gone towards defending
47:38these cops. That cost put on the people
47:41alone should be enough to create a
47:42civilian review board. The mistrust
47:44between the communities and law
47:46enforcement are at an all-time high here
47:47in Massachusetts as we have scandal
47:49after scandal happening within the state
47:51police department. Meanwhile, you expect
47:53us to just blindly believe that the WPD
47:55will hold themselves accountable? You'd
47:57be you'd have to be an idiot to believe
47:59that. It becomes so obvious to me and
48:01anyone else paying attention when you
48:02pay for the research bureau to provide
48:04guidance regarding a CRB and when they
48:06put out their findings titled overdue
48:08for civilian oversight, a pathway for
48:11lasting police reform. You don't want to
48:12hear it anymore. The NAACP, Black
48:15Families Together, the Human Rights
48:16Commission, the Board of Health, the
48:18Racial Equity Audit, and now the
48:19Research Bureau, all have strongly
48:21recommended civilian oversight. Denying
48:23this conversation from happening would
48:24prove to the people once again that you
48:26do not take their safety and concern
48:28seriously, but only care about your
48:30reputation in your pockets.
48:40>> I'm Martha Sepha. I'm at four Manor
48:43Street. Um, I'm a mom and I'm actually
48:46speaking on behalf of my Shiriro Jazelle
48:48Rivera Flores, who's also a District 5
48:51resident like me. We want to lift up
48:54Senator Kennedy and co-sign everything
48:57she said about standing with our our
48:59neighbors, um, especially immigrant
49:01neighbors. Uh, but we're here to speak
49:04about 22A. We need a civilian review
49:06board because internal accountability
49:09doesn't work. These are her words, not
49:11mine. Police invest police investigating
49:15police and they protect their own. It
49:17has been proven. Campus police
49:20Lieutenant Mareski, I don't know how to
49:23say that, sorry, crashed into three
49:25parked cars in July. Officers saw him
49:28unsteady, wreaking of alcohol, glassy
49:31eyes. He admitted he'd had two beers.
49:34Department police said to arrest him,
49:37yet they didn't. A supervisor told them
49:39to issue a summon. It took an internal
49:42investigation to catch the violation and
49:44he's still employed. That's what happens
49:47when the accused has a badge. In 2015
49:512019, Lyft survivor Lyft surveyed 45
49:55women. 10 reported officers had bribed
49:58them with sex to avoid arrest. One said
50:02one officer forced her into sexual
50:05favors if she wanted to work.
50:08They reported it to the city officials
50:11and nothing.
50:12As a mom, I'm crying.
50:17At a city meeting,
50:19the captain I mentioned earlier, the guy
50:22running the investigation shut it down
50:24and he said, and I quote, "Women make
50:27these claims up." Here's why that
50:30matters. He lied under oath. In 2016, he
50:35testified on tape um and the city had to
50:41pay out almost $275,000
50:44to ci to settle that suit.
50:46>> Thank you. Appreciate it.
50:47>> Um y'all y'all get where I'm coming
50:50from. I'll email this statement, but as
50:52a mom, I'm a ghast that I have to keep
50:56talking about the assault of fellow
50:59fellow women,
51:00>> right? belief survivors.
51:06>> So, we have a motion to suspend the
51:08rules to continue the open meeting um
51:10comment section. Roll call.
51:13>> Councelor Bergman,
51:14>> what do you say?
51:15>> Mayor, I didn't hear a word you said.
51:17>> Oh, I'm sorry.
51:18>> And I was listening.
51:20>> Uh this is suspend the rules to allow
51:22for u continuation of the comment
51:25section.
51:25>> How many minutes?
51:27>> We can do another hour. There's only a
51:29few more people on the line here. So,
51:32>> okay.
51:32>> Okay.
51:34>> Councilor Bregman,
51:34>> yes.
51:35>> Council Bada,
51:36>> yes.
51:37>> Council Cona,
51:38>> yes.
51:38>> Council Rolo,
51:39>> yes.
51:40>> Councilor King,
51:40>> yes.
51:41>> Council Mitra,
51:42>> yes.
51:42>> Council,
51:43>> yes.
51:43>> Councilor Rivera,
51:44>> yes.
51:45>> Councilor Rosen,
51:46>> yes.
51:46>> Council Tumi,
51:47>> yes.
51:47>> And Mayor Petty,
51:48>> yes. This name is your residence.
51:50>> Yes. Uh, Fred Nathan, number 15C.
51:55Uh, very good. Uh, councelor Mitra, I
51:58love that idea of making sure that
52:01emergency vehicles no matter the, you
52:05know, the condition of the street always
52:06have access. That is an important very
52:09important uh some of the conditions of
52:11the streets and certainly once we start
52:14having snow and ice, get ready.
52:19Now, as for the item that a lot of
52:20people are here for, I'm going to take
52:23two different uh things on it. It's a
52:26combination of the police and it's a
52:29combination of people who are here that
52:32were not born here that come here. You
52:35can you can argue that um whether it's
52:38illegal blah blah blah blah blah but I I
52:41just want to make a point here
52:43there um is not a right to come here.
52:47There is a privilege and that is a very
52:51uh distinctive uh process. Now, as far
52:54as the other item that uh we're talking
52:56here about the police oversight,
52:59I I think by and far the police are
53:01good. Uh there are some bad apples.
53:03There were bad apples in the city
53:05council. They're bad apples. Uh there've
53:06been bad apples in the mayors. They've
53:08been bad apples in the clerks. They've
53:10been bad apples with the city manager.
53:12But right now, we have you guys. So, um
53:19have there been some bad apples? Of
53:20course they have. Anybody who says
53:23there's never been any bad apples is
53:25naive.
53:28I mean,
53:30does it gravitate to the point that some
53:32of the people here before me, I wasn't
53:35there, neither would they?
53:44>> You should name and see.
53:45>> Randy Feldman, City of Worcester. Okay.
53:48>> Uh, first I'd like to thank Christian
53:50King, vice chairman, for bringing the
53:53proposal last meeting and renewing it
53:55this this meeting to do no more or no
53:58less than what the city manager said is
54:02the policy of the city of Worcester to
54:05put up a sign that says there will be no
54:08civil nothing, no civil enforcement of
54:10immigration laws on this municipal
54:13property. Why? Why does it matter? Well,
54:1640 years ago, I moved to Worcester with
54:19my immigrant wife. She got a job
54:21opportunity in St. Vincent Hospital. We
54:23walked into the cafeteria.
54:26There was one person of color in the
54:29entire cafeteria in St. Vincent
54:31Hospital. Her.
54:34Now, if you look at the city of
54:35Worcester, upwards of 40% of the of the
54:38city are people of color and immigrants.
54:41This is a very very small signal to
54:45those folks who've come to Worcester
54:47over the last 40 years that we got your
54:50back and all we're doing is reinforcing
54:53the city manager's decision to get your
54:56back.
54:57Secondly, when it comes to the review
54:59board, the human rights commission met
55:01last Monday and uh the police department
55:04and Chief Sauier reported to us that
55:06there were 312
55:09uses of force that were uh by hands in
55:122025 and another 40 uses of force that
55:16were more than that. That means that the
55:19city of Worcester each and every day
55:23uses uses force.
55:26So in it's part of the job to use force.
55:30It's part of the job to use
55:32intimidation.
55:34So why do we need an independent look at
55:36these things? Because nowhere else in
55:39the city bureaucracy is it part of your
55:42job to use force and intimidation.
55:45That's why this is different. And that's
55:47why one person making a decision and the
55:51city manager okaying or not okaying that
55:53decision is is enough to uh is
55:57sufficient oversight because it's not
55:59independent. It's self-interested and
56:02it's has conflict involved in it and we
56:05need an independent view.
56:10[applause]
56:15>> You should name a city residence. My
56:17name is Emers Dupula and I'm from
56:19District 3. Uh, first of all, let me
56:22just say happy Labor Day to all of you,
56:24our leaders. Um, I hope you had a great
56:27time relaxing and we say welcome back to
56:31your job. But I just like to speak on
56:34this issue regarding the civilian review
56:37board. Um every time we argue or we come
56:41and talk about this topic it carries
56:44this assumption that wor police is the
56:47only place that there's no bar apple in
56:51that group and every one of us here know
56:54wherever you have worked since you were
56:56born there's nobody who has come for
56:58interview that say I'm a I'm a rogue or
57:00I'm a good liar or I hate women. Nobody
57:04has said that. We all show our best
57:07attitude but after that that's why we
57:09have human human resources because they
57:11will check and balance those things and
57:14every time that we try to object this
57:15thing questions arise in my mind and one
57:19of those is what will booster lose if we
57:22put on such a committee
57:25that's the number one question that I
57:27want to know through our our city
57:29manager will we lose benefits from the
57:31federal government if we have this body
57:34what do we stand to benefit. How many
57:36people should complain that they have
57:37been affected before we say something?
57:40Or is it that because it has not
57:41happened to this group or one of your
57:43family members or somebody that you
57:45know? When will we take that action? Why
57:48do we have certain human resource
57:51manager here? Why do we evaluate our
57:53city manager through our leaders that we
57:55have elected every year? Why is that? So
57:58then why shouldn't we also evaluate our
58:01police? For me, these are some of the
58:04benefits that will happen if we do that.
58:06One, it will put a checkmates to the
58:090.01%
58:11bad guys in there. We all know there's
58:13somebody there that will abuse the
58:15power. We all know that. What I want us
58:19to think about is how do we bring a
58:21checkmate to this bad so that it don't
58:23influence the r 99.9%
58:26that are doing the job. Thank you so
58:29much. Let us think about that. The
58:31police chief is doing well, but we all
58:34need to find this common ground. And to
58:36you, M city manager, I will just appeal
58:38to you and every one of you. I know my
58:40time is up, but I' let me just make
58:43this. There's a story
58:46where two women had an issue and
58:52this
58:54is where every
58:57should.
59:01>> Thank you. I appreciate
59:03>> you.
59:08Thank you.
59:10>> We have other people on the line.
59:14Thank you.
59:16>> And I trust every one of you that you do
59:18your best.
59:21>> Thank you.
59:25>> Please.
59:27>> Okay, we have other people on the line.
59:28Please. Thank you.
59:29>> Thank you so much,
59:35[applause]
59:36>> Steve Hart. District 1, 22A.
59:40Uh thank you for extending the time
59:44despite some clear resistance to it. Um
59:49trying to be practical on this matter.
59:52Uh, I did an accounting in my head and I
59:56think that uh for this to be um
1:00:01approved, it would probably take an
1:00:03additional uh at large counselor, one of
1:00:06the district counselors in the
1:00:08tiebreaker
1:00:09to make that happen. So, I'm asking all
1:00:13counselors to just be open to what your
1:00:16constituents want. What do the people in
1:00:18Whisper want? Have you talked to the
1:00:20people about this?
1:00:23Have you made an effort?
1:00:25Um,
1:00:29unfortunately, the the city manager's
1:00:31letter has has sparked a lot of interest
1:00:35and uh it's as though he put his thumb
1:00:38on the scale of this issue.
1:00:41and his letter referred to an
1:00:44established
1:00:46multi-layered mechanism to deal with
1:00:49things
1:00:51doesn't sound like open and transparent.
1:00:54People of Worcester don't want to hear
1:00:55that language.
1:00:58Um,
1:01:00you know, I was here. I was up up in the
1:01:02balcony in December of 2024,
1:01:08and if the police chief had said, "Go
1:01:10out, all you officers, and scare the out
1:01:13of people,
1:01:16the outcome would have been the same of
1:01:18what happened.
1:01:20I stand here intimidated by the three
1:01:23detail officers outside.
1:01:26This is an issue about fear
1:01:29of the police
1:01:32without any accountability
1:01:35and any comfort
1:01:38uh in our daily lives.
1:01:40>> Thank you for taking the time.
1:01:44[applause]
1:01:50>> Good names for your residents.
1:01:51>> Uh my name is Heather Perier Stanick.
1:01:53I'm a resident of Worcester. I'm here to
1:01:55speak on both the civilian review board
1:01:58and the uh Department of Justice report.
1:02:00Uh as a survivor of childhood sexual
1:02:02abuse at the hands of a city employee
1:02:04and authority figure, I don't have to
1:02:06imagine how the women who have been
1:02:07victimized by members of the Worcester
1:02:09Police Department might feel because I
1:02:11have a pretty good idea. In December of
1:02:1324, when I watched those women, fellow
1:02:16survivors, speak their truth to power to
1:02:18a chamber and hallway filled with
1:02:20unformed officers. To say that I was
1:02:23floored by their bravery would be an
1:02:25understatement. Having been in similar
1:02:27situ situations, I know firsthand how
1:02:29hard that is. So to see some of those
1:02:32very same women who were still here, if
1:02:35you remember, vilified by some of those
1:02:38police officers, including union
1:02:40officials, to see them step to the
1:02:42podium and demand names, to see them
1:02:45refuse to do anything other than try to
1:02:47dispel any and everything in the DOJ
1:02:49report was an experience I have no
1:02:52sufficient words for.
1:02:54I have since watched with horror as
1:02:56every single city official, including
1:02:58people I used to have respect for,
1:03:00follow suit as the city also refused to
1:03:03acknowledge the problem as promises to
1:03:06hold five public meetings about the DOJ
1:03:09report was totally unfulfilled.
1:03:11And now that the investigation has
1:03:13officially closed on watching this body
1:03:15reject any real potential for change in
1:03:19its refusal to vote for any oversight of
1:03:21this city's police department in any
1:03:23form. It's not only wrong, it's
1:03:25insulting.
1:03:27It's clear to pretty much anyone with
1:03:29the ability to run a Google search that
1:03:31most civilian review boards have very
1:03:33little enforcement mechanism, meaning
1:03:36very little risk of discipline to
1:03:39anyone. At the end of the day, still I
1:03:42expect to watch you vote it down. Even
1:03:45though the Worcester Regional Research
1:03:47Bureau recommended it, the people want
1:03:48it and leadership within the department
1:03:50has spoken at length about the changes
1:03:53that have been implemented. It's the
1:03:55system protecting itself. It's to be
1:03:58expected.
1:03:58>> Thank you.
1:03:59>> I know how that works because I'm
1:04:00currently experiencing it, too. For over
1:04:03a year, I have been working with the
1:04:04Harvard Cyber Law Clinic in an effort to
1:04:06get the entirety of the police file from
1:04:08the investigation into my rapist.
1:04:10>> For over a year, they have refused. And
1:04:12honestly, I expect to have to take my
1:04:14fight all the way to a few more people.
1:04:16>> I have two more sentences.
1:04:18>> I have spoken with some of you about all
1:04:20of this, some at great length. You know
1:04:24this. and say you want to help and yet
1:04:27nothing changes. Make it make sense.
1:04:30What when good people can do nothing
1:04:32within a system to write wrongs they've
1:04:34seen done. You know the system is broken
1:04:36beyond broken.
1:04:38>> Worcester needs more than a civilian
1:04:39review board. We need an inspector
1:04:41general with the power to investigate
1:04:43any city department. If we get one, they
1:04:45should start in legal.
1:04:57Does your does your name say your
1:04:59residence?
1:05:00>> Sure.
1:05:00>> Uh my name is David Coin. I'm a resident
1:05:02in the city of Worcester, District 5.
1:05:05Been living here for 37 years.
1:05:08If this was about a bad cop, we would
1:05:11have no problem here tonight. This is
1:05:13about a bad cop and the six other
1:05:15officers who witnesses who witness what
1:05:18that bad cop does and don't report it to
1:05:20their superiors or to the superiors who
1:05:23decide to turn a blind eye when that
1:05:24happens. This is not isolated incidents.
1:05:27It's the whole culture of we protect
1:05:30each other. These these folks are coming
1:05:33at this job. Many of them with military
1:05:36experience as part of an occupying army
1:05:39in the Middle East come here and their
1:05:42mentality is the only people I can
1:05:44trust, the only people I have to stand
1:05:46behind, the only people I should protect
1:05:48are people who wear the same uniform
1:05:49that I wear. And we and we um privilege
1:05:54people who have done military service in
1:05:57our civil service system by giving them
1:05:59extra points because they've done
1:06:01military service. I support that. But I
1:06:04support it not for police. Okay? Because
1:06:06we are making it more [clears throat]
1:06:08likely that people on the force on the
1:06:10police force are people who are used to
1:06:12being an occupying army and that is the
1:06:15mentality they bring to this job.
1:06:18A couple a month ago we met with
1:06:21district counselor f uh Jose and with uh
1:06:25Mr. Levveni from the executive office
1:06:27department of um diversity, equity, and
1:06:31inclusion. He made clear, Mr. Levani,
1:06:34that in two years they had handled 11
1:06:37cases of police misconduct, that the
1:06:41only cases they can handle are ones
1:06:43where it's a discrimination claim. In
1:06:44other words, if you beat the hell out of
1:06:46somebody because you don't like them,
1:06:48that's that doesn't go to Mr. Levanchi's
1:06:50office. Only racial, gender, disability,
1:06:55gender identity, and um similar
1:06:58categories are covered by his office.
1:07:00They only have enough people to handle
1:07:02the 11. And part of what Mr. Lanche
1:07:04shared with us, as the managers publicly
1:07:06shared, is they're upset that the Human
1:07:08Rights Commission spends so much time on
1:07:10police civilian review. They do because
1:07:13nobody else does. I'm done.
1:07:20[applause]
1:07:22>> Just your names. Name your residence
1:07:24item number.
1:07:25>> Hi, my name is Michael Michael Jackson
1:07:27and I'm doing 11D.
1:07:29We should fix the pot holes instead.
1:07:34DJ
1:07:44>> MJ, look out for the pothole.
1:07:53I'm in fact not Michael Jackson
1:07:57if you did not know. I do not need to be
1:07:59named, but I I usually go by Wilson. Um
1:08:03I'm talking about potholes. Um four
1:08:06score years ago, Michael Jackson wanted
1:08:08have wanted these fixed uh along with
1:08:10flock cameras that are installed in um
1:08:13in the city that watch for every move.
1:08:16Um damn, that's a lot of time left. Um,
1:08:48that That's embarrassing.
1:09:17Thank you.
1:09:26>> Get your names to your residents.
1:09:28>> Amy Tibido, resident of district 1. I'm
1:09:31here on a lighter matter. Um, thank you
1:09:34for allowing me to speak. I'm here to
1:09:36speak on item 15K, the sanitation trucks
1:09:39and workers. I would like to believe
1:09:41that I'm here representing all um
1:09:44residents of Worcester who are appalled
1:09:46at the condition of the trash trucks in
1:09:48the city due to the nature of how trash
1:09:50is collected in plastic bags and thrown
1:09:53into the back of a dilapitated truck
1:09:55where it is then compressed. And this in
1:09:58turn creates an environment where trash
1:10:00is exploding out of the truck and left
1:10:02in the street. This is encompassing but
1:10:04not limited to food waste, human waste,
1:10:07pet waste, broken glass, and liquid
1:10:09sludge. Many many residents walk in the
1:10:13neighborhood, walk their pets, and
1:10:14children play in the streets where the
1:10:16stench is unbearable. My husband and I
1:10:19are left to clean it up and hose it
1:10:21down. There are multiple 311 calls from
1:10:24residents of the area alerting DP DPW to
1:10:28this issue. They have never been
1:10:29addressed. My request is to address this
1:10:32issue by either converting to trash bins
1:10:34where they are dumped overhead or
1:10:36maintaining the trash trucks to contain
1:10:39all sludge and trash. Also, I am at the
1:10:42dead end of a road
1:10:45and the track the trucks use my driveway
1:10:47to turn around leaving hydraulic fluid
1:10:49and trash sludge in my driveway. Please
1:10:52advise to complete a three-point turn
1:10:55before the driveway or put it in reverse
1:10:57down the street where it is wide enough.
1:11:00I'm also um here to address
1:11:04um another issue of item 10T. We have
1:11:07resided on the street for almost 17
1:11:09years and the condition of the road has
1:11:11deteriorated with each winter more
1:11:14potholes emerge and temporary fixes do
1:11:16not last. I am requesting that Hancock
1:11:19Hill and the right onto Armore to the
1:11:22end be resurfaced. Thank you.
1:11:24>> Thank you.
1:11:29>> My name is Fiona Jatan Singh from
1:11:31District 3. I'm here to speak on a
1:11:33couple of different items on the agenda.
1:11:35Um 22A.
1:11:38Many people have already spoke about why
1:11:39we need a civilian review board. Um I
1:11:42already spoke previously about this. I I
1:11:44hate that we have to keep coming back
1:11:45that it keeps getting held, but so many
1:11:47organizations have already said that we
1:11:49need a civilian review board. The DOJ
1:11:51report said that we need a civilian
1:11:52review board. Whether they dropped it or
1:11:54not is irrelevant. They already
1:11:55recommended that we have that. The
1:11:57Worcester Research Bureau has said we
1:11:58need a civilian review board. The
1:11:59civilians of the city have said we need
1:12:01need a civilian review board. So, it's
1:12:03it's a no-brainer that we need it. The
1:12:04only reason anybody would want to not
1:12:06have it is to protect their friends that
1:12:08may be bad cops. So, there's no reason
1:12:10not to have it. Even the cops that are
1:12:11good cops say that we need to have a
1:12:12civilian review board. Um, and if after
1:12:16doing all of this work, we still can't
1:12:18get one, then I also support item 14B,
1:12:20we need to have a review of our charter
1:12:22and see what needs to be changed or
1:12:24maybe review the whole charter. And if
1:12:26we can't get you guys to support that,
1:12:28then maybe we'll have to get a petition
1:12:29submitted with the 20,000 signatures so
1:12:31that we can get it as an item to vote
1:12:33on. Thank you. [applause and cheering]
1:12:42Does your name is your residence?
1:12:44>> Good evening. My name is Margot Barnett.
1:12:45I'm a resident of Worcester for 38 years
1:12:48or something like that. Um I um since we
1:12:52last talked about I'm here to talk about
1:12:5422A. Since we last took up this item
1:12:57here, I learned something um that I
1:13:00think is really worth considering, which
1:13:02is that um when um Mr. Levveny spoke to
1:13:06a number of us. He told us that in two
1:13:09years there had been 11 cases
1:13:13adjudicated by his office. Now I want
1:13:16you to ask the question, how does that
1:13:19number compare to the number of of
1:13:23complaints there are to the police
1:13:24department? And how are you who who even
1:13:28knows that there that that office is
1:13:31there to um take these cases? And this
1:13:35is aside from the fact that that that a
1:13:37use of force case that is not a
1:13:39protected class doesn't get investigated
1:13:41there. So if the question I want you to
1:13:45ask is that if that office were actually
1:13:50doing the dealing with these issues at
1:13:54scale, meaning the numbers that they
1:13:56really are, what else would that office
1:13:58be able to do? That office has really
1:14:02important work to do. There's really
1:14:04important DEI work to do in this city.
1:14:06If the if if they had to deal with if
1:14:09they were in fact dealing with all of
1:14:12the complaints that come
1:14:16to do with police with use of force and
1:14:19all the other things have happened in
1:14:20the police department, they wouldn't be
1:14:21able to do anything else. So, we need
1:14:23somebody else to do it. That's all.
1:14:29[applause]
1:14:31>> We want to go online.
1:14:33>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The first calling
1:14:34user is David Webb. Should I meet the
1:14:36resident now?
1:14:40>> Uh, yes. Hello. Are you able to hear me?
1:14:43>> Yes. Go ahead.
1:14:45>> Cool. Good. David Webb Worcester.
1:14:47>> First and foremost, thanks for the
1:14:49proclamation.
1:14:50>> And it's nice to have some gay
1:14:51restaurants,
1:14:52>> but don't pretend.
1:14:55>> Oh my god. I'm going to have to turn my
1:14:56own audio off. Sorry about that.
1:15:01>> You can take this time out of mine this
1:15:02time.
1:15:08Okay. Anyways, um what's this? Okay,
1:15:10about 8A and 8B. Yes, please do the
1:15:13absolute bare minimum to uphold the
1:15:14claimed values of being a sanctuary
1:15:16city. Kind of sad you couldn't before.
1:15:18Uh 22A and 22B. Uh what's the saying? If
1:15:22you haven't done anything wrong, then
1:15:23you have nothing to hide. So then why is
1:15:25the Chamber of Commerce, the police
1:15:26unions, and the representatives in that
1:15:28room so afraid of a little old review
1:15:29board? I think a civilian review board
1:15:31is necessary because the current systems
1:15:33don't prevent officers from hitting
1:15:34people with their vehicles and then
1:15:36arresting them. Throwing protesters to
1:15:38the ground, kneeling on black people's
1:15:40head and neck on Main Street,
1:15:42threatening to call ICE on innocent
1:15:44people, disabling and/or not wearing
1:15:46their bodywn cameras, assisting in
1:15:48illegal evictions, lying on a police
1:15:50report or in an internal affairs
1:15:52investigating investigation. Treating a
1:15:55drunk driver differently because he's a
1:15:56fellow cop. harassing and abusing the
1:15:58unhoused community, tasing the pastor we
1:16:01heard from earlier. The same officer was
1:16:02actually involved in interaction with me
1:16:04and when I filed a complaint, the
1:16:05so-called Bureau of Professional
1:16:06Services ignored it. And these are just
1:16:08some of the ones we know about. The law
1:16:10department actively withholds records of
1:16:11more like the homicide Rachel story. I
1:16:14know these systems don't work because I
1:16:15tried to use them. Cover up Kevin at the
1:16:17EODI also doesn't do his own
1:16:20investigation if the police have already
1:16:21investigated themselves, which kind of
1:16:23defeats the purpose. Uh, the human
1:16:25rights commission has been tampered with
1:16:26and muzzled by the manager who appointed
1:16:28the police's chaplain to it.
1:16:30>> You have 10 seconds that holding
1:16:32responsibility isn't a matter for the
1:16:34public safety committee, just funding
1:16:36the heck out of them. Michael Manning at
1:16:38the law department covers up for them
1:16:40illegally withholding reports and body
1:16:41warn camera footage until people take a
1:16:43plea deal.
1:16:44>> Thank you. So,
1:16:47yep.
1:16:56So, mayor, the next speaker is Jillian
1:16:57Phillips. I'm trying to meet the
1:16:58resident now.
1:17:02>> Good evening. Jillian Phillips, Office
1:17:04of New Americans, speaking in support of
1:17:068A and B. Despite some uninformed
1:17:09xenophobic comments that were made
1:17:10earlier by community and some council
1:17:12members, the vast majority of people who
1:17:15are being targeted by ICE are not
1:17:16criminals, less than one-third of
1:17:18Worcester ICE detentions have criminal
1:17:20convictions or charges, and most of
1:17:22those involve traffic tickets.
1:17:25Approximately 90% of those are already
1:17:27pursuing immigration relief and have a
1:17:29pending court case or asylum application
1:17:31filed with the courts. We have observed
1:17:34ICE agents nearly every day in our city
1:17:36illegally parking in fire lanes and no
1:17:39parking areas and handicap spaces around
1:17:42the courthouse and other areas of the
1:17:44city to stage for the detention of our
1:17:46neighbors. This is not simply a parking
1:17:48issue. It is about how our public spaces
1:17:50are being used and whether people can
1:17:52access them without fear. This constant
1:17:55presence in the city is also having a
1:17:57real impact on our neighbors. Last week,
1:18:00a woman whose husband has threatened to
1:18:01kill her and her children was too afraid
1:18:03to go to the courthouse to file for a
1:18:05restraining order because she feared ICE
1:18:07would also take her. Think about that. A
1:18:10person seeking protection from violence
1:18:12was afraid to enter a courthouse because
1:18:14the very place she should have been able
1:18:15to seek safety has become a place of
1:18:18fear. These signs would not tell the
1:18:20community that this is a place where
1:18:21crime is allowed to happen. It would
1:18:23tell our most vulnerable neighbors that
1:18:25the weaponization of federal agents will
1:18:27not be tolerated here. The Protect Act
1:18:30has specific provisions limiting ISIS
1:18:32overreach. Other cities, including
1:18:34Boston, Cambridge, and Lynn, have placed
1:18:36these signs already in their cities.
1:18:38Those communities are showing that
1:18:39protecting public spaces and welcoming
1:18:42immigrant neighbors are not competing
1:18:43goals. They are part of the same
1:18:45commitment.
1:18:47Our city, led by the city manager, is
1:18:49seeking certification with Welcoming
1:18:50America. to say this is a community that
1:18:53welcomes and embraces immigrant
1:18:55neighbors. This is a small but tangible
1:18:57way to show our neighbors they are
1:18:58welcome here. It's time for city leaders
1:19:01to act with integrity. Don't just say
1:19:02the right thing, but prove it through
1:19:04your actions. Our public spaces should
1:19:06be places where people can seek
1:19:08protection and services.
1:19:09>> Thank you. You don't. [clears throat]
1:19:13[applause]
1:19:20So the next speaker is David for I'm
1:19:22trying to make the res now.
1:19:29>> Yes. Uh good evening. Good evening. I'll
1:19:31just be very brief. I'm going to just
1:19:33wing this. Um basically is that many of
1:19:35you you know that I was the chair of the
1:19:38board of health. Um, I've spoken with
1:19:40many of you over the years. I don't like
1:19:42to waste time um with the with basically
1:19:45talking to folks who don't um in my
1:19:47opinion um look at the community or
1:19:50certain communities with respect. And
1:19:52I'm not talking tonight speak to the
1:19:54Batistas, the Rosans, the Economist, the
1:19:56Tomies, Riveras, the Burgers, Petties,
1:19:59Versus. I'm not talking to you guys
1:20:00tonight. I'm actually talking more to
1:20:02Dr. Mitra. Dr. Demetra is new to this
1:20:05and for many of us we've fought this
1:20:07fight for many many many years. Uh Dr.
1:20:10Mitro um you know I first of all just
1:20:12wanted to say at the end of the day if
1:20:14you listen to the data that came from
1:20:16the police or the DEI department or from
1:20:19the city if you believe in any of that
1:20:20data I definitely got a bridge to sell
1:20:22you. None of that data doesn't make any
1:20:25sense what they've given you. the
1:20:27experts uh even the even the some of the
1:20:30consulting companies that they've asked
1:20:32in the research bureau
1:20:33>> right
1:20:34>> they've given data out there that's the
1:20:36real data. So at the end of the day is
1:20:38that you're new and so at the end of the
1:20:42day we really want to make sure that we
1:20:44let everyone know that you since you're
1:20:47new we need you to vote for the civilian
1:20:51review board. We don't to my opinion
1:20:53I've given up on all the other people
1:20:55that I just mentioned but you your vote
1:20:59matters many years ago we had a
1:21:01conversation matter of fact an argument
1:21:02with um city manager Batista and he told
1:21:06me directly he says the reason why we
1:21:08don't want a civilian review board
1:21:09because many in the community they don't
1:21:11want it. Well in fact he's part of that
1:21:14community that doesn't want it and the
1:21:15people I just mentioned they don't want
1:21:17it. So at the end of the day, what
1:21:20community are you going to be a part of?
1:21:22Are you going to be the part of the
1:21:23community that's looking out for the
1:21:25black community, Latino community, women
1:21:28who have been sex trafficked? Are you
1:21:31going to be part of that community? How
1:21:33many times can all to say this? At the
1:21:35end of the day,
1:21:37>> we need you to support this. Thank you.
1:21:39>> Thank you.
1:21:41[applause]
1:21:48Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Next speaker is
1:21:49Lopez.
1:21:54>> Hi. Good evening, everybody. So, I just
1:21:56want to speak about the establishment of
1:21:58the civilian review board. I want to pay
1:22:00close attention to um the historical
1:22:03context in Great Brick Valley. Um, so
1:22:06the absence of documented incidents from
1:22:08Gregor Valley and other neighborhoods,
1:22:10particularly dating back to 1995, um,
1:22:14reflects a troubling reality. Back then,
1:22:17many residents were afraid to speak up,
1:22:19and this fear was rooted in a history of
1:22:21negative interactions with law
1:22:22enforcement leading to a sense of
1:22:24marginalization and silence. I remember
1:22:27when I was a child um at 8 years old
1:22:30when I was mistakenly identified by a
1:22:33police member police officer and slam
1:22:35against the door. Um this traumatic
1:22:38experience has stay with me highlighting
1:22:40the broader issue of police community
1:22:41relations not just in Craig Valley but
1:22:43across neighborhoods in Wester. I want
1:22:45to point out that if the post commission
1:22:48existed back then I think members of the
1:22:51um gang unit would all be fired. It's
1:22:54important to know that many of those
1:22:55individuals who were once part of the
1:22:57gang unit are now in leadership
1:22:58positions within the department. So,
1:23:01this transition raises significant
1:23:02questions about how past practices
1:23:05influence current policies and community
1:23:07relations. Residents deserve to know how
1:23:10these leaders plan to address historical
1:23:12grievances and foster a culture of
1:23:14accountability and trust. I like the
1:23:16pothole guy, but you know, this is a
1:23:18serious meeting. You you could have done
1:23:20that another time. Thank you everybody.
1:23:23Thank you,
1:23:26Mr.
1:23:26>> Mayor. Next speaker is Maria.
1:23:30Can I meet the resident now?
1:23:34>> Can you hear me?
1:23:35>> Yes, we can. It's your name and your
1:23:37residence.
1:23:38>> Maria, city of Worcester, District 2,
1:23:4022A. As well, as someone who has a
1:23:43degree in trauma and does this work
1:23:45daily, I know that healing often
1:23:46requires acceptance and accountability.
1:23:49Accepting that an action caused harm is
1:23:51the first step to rectifying it. As a
1:23:53community, we haven't seen that. Rather
1:23:56than say, "We caused harm and we're
1:23:57sorry, we'll do better," we saw many of
1:24:00those in positions of power dismiss or
1:24:02even deny the harm caused. That's pretty
1:24:04much the same as saying, "We don't
1:24:06believe the victims or we don't care."
1:24:08Their response sets the tone for the
1:24:10community to mistrust you. We all know
1:24:12these stories. We've heard them for
1:24:13years. This isn't new. What we need is
1:24:16for you to acknowledge them first and
1:24:18then do better. This is why we need to
1:24:20be included in the oversight. To act as
1:24:22if you have no idea why we're angry or
1:24:24to say we're just being divisive
1:24:26completely invalidates not just the
1:24:27victims but also all the hard work so
1:24:30many of us do daily to help people heal
1:24:32from these traumatic experiences. Why is
1:24:35it every time someone disagrees with you
1:24:36it's divisive? We know why. To quote
1:24:39James Baldwin, "Not everything that is
1:24:41faced can be changed, but nothing can be
1:24:44changed until it's faced. If you dismiss
1:24:46everything as divisive or like our city
1:24:48manager stated, serves to further divide
1:24:50us, it gives those in charge a better
1:24:52chance of not having to face or address
1:24:54it." Through the chair to the city
1:24:56manager, I think it's important to
1:24:58remember that your proximity to
1:24:59whiteness will never equal acceptance.
1:25:01It always comes with a price tag, and
1:25:03unfortunately, it's clear to many of us
1:25:05that you've been paying your dues.
1:25:09Okay. Thank you,
1:25:15[applause]
1:25:17>> Mr. Mayor. The last call in user is uh
1:25:2010. It's a phone number by last four
1:25:22digits is 1061. You can please unmute.
1:25:35Hi everyone, my name is Jazelle. I am a
1:25:38district 5 resident and I first want to
1:25:40say ditto to everything Senator Robin
1:25:41Kennedy just said. In addition, I'm here
1:25:44to speak on item number 22A. We need a
1:25:47civilian review board because internal
1:25:48accountability doesn't work. Police
1:25:50investigate police and they protect
1:25:52their own and it has been proven. Campus
1:25:55police Lieutenant Marowitz crashed into
1:25:57three parked cars in July. Officers saw
1:25:59him unsteady, wreaking of alcohol,
1:26:02glassy eyes. He admitted he had two
1:26:04beers. Department policy says to arrest
1:26:07him, yet they didn't. A supervisor told
1:26:09him to issue a summon, and it took an
1:26:11internal investigation to catch the
1:26:13violation. He is still currently
1:26:14employed. That's what happens when the
1:26:17accused have a badge. In 2019, Lyft
1:26:20surveyed 45 women. 10 reported officers
1:26:23have bribed them with sex to avoid
1:26:25arrest. One said an officer forced her
1:26:27into sexual favors if she wanted to
1:26:29work. They reported it to the city
1:26:31officials. Nothing. At a city meeting,
1:26:34Captain Michael McCirin, the guy running
1:26:36investigations, shut it down. And he
1:26:38said, and I quote, "Women make up these
1:26:41claims. Make these claims up. Sorry.
1:26:43Here's why that matters." McCirin lied
1:26:46under oath. In 2016, he testified to he
1:26:49saw a text on a flip phone's outer
1:26:51screen. The city paid $272,000
1:26:55to settle the civil rights lawsuit
1:26:57because he fabricated it. He lied under
1:27:00oath. That phone couldn't display
1:27:03messages in the way he had said. So, the
1:27:05officer who committed perjury dismissed
1:27:08sexual assault allegations
1:27:11given to him by women. The department
1:27:13protected him anyway. He is still
1:27:16sitting in neighborhood meetings at
1:27:18Beacon Brightley neighborhood meetings.
1:27:21He because of him the DOJ had to get
1:27:24involved. I think that's a total cover
1:27:27up and example of why we need civilian
1:27:30review board and why we need it now.
1:27:33Thank you.
1:27:35>> Thank you. [applause]
1:27:41>> Okay, so that's the end of the public
1:27:43comment period. What we'll do is just go
1:27:45through petitions. We'll come back to
1:27:47the regular agenda. Uh we'll go to the
1:27:5022 is it 22A after we go through
1:27:53petitions since is anybody here for a
1:27:56petition?
1:28:00See nobody here for a petition.
1:28:04>> What's that? Oh, what number is what
1:28:06number is yours?
1:28:08>> 12B.
1:28:09>> 12B. Okay, hang on one sec.
1:28:17request installation of a handicap
1:28:19parking in front of um 50 Bristol
1:28:22Street.
1:28:22>> Yes, sir.
1:28:24>> Go ahead.
1:28:24>> My name is Dave Corvisini. 50 Bristol
1:28:26Street.
1:28:28I am handicapped. I've got a plaque.
1:28:30They're going to get me a plate. But
1:28:32I've been parking. I own a piece of
1:28:34property that front of my yard is
1:28:36retaining wall and I own that property,
1:28:38but the city keeps telling me they have
1:28:39so many feet of it, but I parked there
1:28:42for 20 something years. Now they're
1:28:44starting to give me tickets. It was
1:28:46grass before we built the um when we
1:28:48bought the house, it was um grass before
1:28:50we bought the house. And then the people
1:28:51that lived there, they needed the
1:28:52parking space on Bristol because half of
1:28:54it was private and the upper part was
1:28:57the city's but they combined it I think
1:29:01back in the 70s. So we've been parking
1:29:03there all along. Now they're starting to
1:29:04give us tickets for parking on our own
1:29:06property. They said you can't park that
1:29:07on that property. It butts the uh city
1:29:09property street. They we need a right
1:29:12away. I've been there 20 something
1:29:13years. Nobody's even walked
1:29:15on the front of my house on the
1:29:16sidewalk, but I've got two tickets in
1:29:18the last 30 days. I talked to Tony, uh,
1:29:21councelor Tony about it and he's on top
1:29:24of it. But I just don't want to keep
1:29:26getting tickets. I have nowhere to park.
1:29:27If I park in the street, I live right at
1:29:29the right over the peak of the hill on
1:29:31Bristol. They come screaming over the
1:29:33top, if I park in the street, I'm going
1:29:36to get my truck's going to get totaled.
1:29:38So, we parked. We own the property, but
1:29:40the guy came in. He says, "Well,
1:29:42somebody called in the neighborhood, but
1:29:43we saw the truck. there. So, we gave you
1:29:44a ticket. They should have just came to
1:29:46the door, told me, "Don't park there."
1:29:47But they grabbed us twice for parking
1:29:50there. We We just figured we parked on
1:29:51one side, my buddy's property, which is
1:29:53all grass. It's like three feet off the
1:29:55road in his yard. They gave us a ticket.
1:29:58And the guy that gave us ticket says,
1:29:59"If if you park your tar in my driveway,
1:30:01and it's sticking out on that piece of
1:30:03tar that we own, the city didn't tire
1:30:05it." I've been before down on off of
1:30:08Shbury Street. The guy says, "We didn't
1:30:09tire that. that owns that house tied at
1:30:11430 40 years ago. They said, "We don't
1:30:14know what the problem is. It's it's 11
1:30:16feet wide and I'm taking up six feet of
1:30:18my property and there's another three
1:30:20almost four feet of t they can walk on,
1:30:22but it's not city property, but they
1:30:24have a right, you know, so many feet of
1:30:26your property, but they're tagging us
1:30:27for parking on our own property."
1:30:30>> Okay. Well, go ahead. I'm sorry.
1:30:33>> And they said, you know, you have to go
1:30:35before city council and talk to city
1:30:36council, see if they want to give you.
1:30:37They say, "What's your what's the thing
1:30:39in your window?" He says, "I'm it's a
1:30:40handicap plaque. I'm handicapped since
1:30:422009. I've had surgeries. Neck surgery,
1:30:45back surgery, leg surgery for blood
1:30:47clots." And they says, "What's the
1:30:48problem?" He said, "I can't walk far."
1:30:50And they say, "You retired." And I said,
1:30:51"I know. They gave me the plaque. They
1:30:52want me to retire." So I retired 2009,
1:30:55but I mean, where they want me to park?
1:30:56I can't park and walk all that way. So
1:30:59they said, "Go before the city and get a
1:31:01handicap parking thing. You already have
1:31:02one on your truck. Tell me you need a
1:31:04permit out front, but I don't think I
1:31:05should have to do that. We own the
1:31:06property. Why am I getting tickets if
1:31:08the vehicle's on our property?
1:31:11>> Okay, what we're going to do is send
1:31:12that to traffic and parking and Jose
1:31:14Rivera is the chairperson of that
1:31:16committee and uh he'll hear you. You can
1:31:18come send you a letter Yeah. to for you
1:31:20appear in front of his committee.
1:31:21>> Okay. All set.
1:31:22>> No sir.
1:31:23>> Thanks guys. Have a good night. Thank
1:31:24you.
1:31:26>> Thank you Tony.
1:31:29>> Okay.
1:31:31So we have petitions
1:31:33>> 11B 11B. I'm sorry. Another person. this
1:31:36your name and uh web bezo Atwood
1:31:39Milbrook Street. Um we've been trying to
1:31:41get the mirrors replaced
1:31:45for several years. Um the traffic is out
1:31:48of control.
1:31:50I have videos with my counselor where
1:31:53cars are coming around the back of me
1:31:55when I'm backing out of my driveway.
1:31:57They're literally coming around the back
1:31:59in the other lane. They're crossing over
1:32:02the double lines to get up Milbrook to
1:32:04Burnco. There's no control. There's no
1:32:07police. There's no nothing.
1:32:10The only thing I can see is a
1:32:12reconstruction team sooner or later if
1:32:14you don't do something. You got tractor
1:32:16trailers are up and down the street. You
1:32:20selling all the property for enterprise,
1:32:22but you got to get some safety going on
1:32:24on Milbrook Street.
1:32:27And you should know because we talked
1:32:28about this maybe 20 years ago and it's
1:32:32been going on and on and getting worse
1:32:33and worse. So, I would like something
1:32:35done.
1:32:36>> Okay. We're going to send that to
1:32:37traffic and parking. You get the letter
1:32:38for a hearing. Then we'll send it to the
1:32:40city manager.
1:32:40>> I filed that a year and a half ago
1:32:44and this is just where it's getting a
1:32:46week before they're getting ready to do
1:32:48construction on Milbrook Street. It's
1:32:50fine time to really, you know, be
1:32:51concerned, but we do need the mirrors if
1:32:53nothing else.
1:32:54>> Okay.
1:32:56>> Thank you.
1:33:05What's that?
1:33:08>> 11C.
1:33:12>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [clears throat]
1:33:14>> Council Mitra.
1:33:15>> Yeah. The reason I rise to speak on the
1:33:17subject 11c the petition is that uh last
1:33:21time I had the similar issue on Westport
1:33:24Road where the children playing signage
1:33:27was requested by some resident but I was
1:33:30told by the commissioner of uh Steve
1:33:33Raleigh that uh we don't have that
1:33:35available anymore or we don't do that
1:33:37anymore. So I think if it will be
1:33:39announced and given information to all
1:33:41the city councilors so it doesn't keep
1:33:44coming here because it'll go back to the
1:33:46parking and traffic and it will probably
1:33:47be same issue. So I that's why I just
1:33:50wanted to say that it was told to me
1:33:52that that sign is not available anymore.
1:33:54So we have to think of speed hump or
1:33:56something different. I just wanted to
1:33:58bring it to your attention.
1:33:59>> Okay.
1:34:00>> Thank you.
1:34:01>> So we go back to the petitions. We go
1:34:03first 10 A to 10 C we refer to the P of
1:34:07Parkox Recreation and Cemetery.
1:34:1010 D
1:34:12refer it to
1:34:16Public Health and Human Services
1:34:18Committee. 10E through 10X refer to
1:34:21public works committee.
1:34:2410 Y to 10Z refer to traffic and parking
1:34:27committee.
1:34:29Council hero.
1:34:30>> Uh just on um
1:34:3310V
1:34:34>> 10V.
1:34:35>> Yeah.
1:34:36>> Just a quick question. Uh
1:34:37>> sure.
1:34:38>> This is on behalf of Kelly Fay and
1:34:42Joselina Fay requests Ora Street from
1:34:44Main Street to Beacon Street to be given
1:34:46honorary street name designation of Ruth
1:34:48Rodriguez Fay Way. Um do we have an idea
1:34:53when this could be seen on in committee?
1:34:57>> Um Well, conse
1:35:01we'll arrange and make sure it happens
1:35:02quickly.
1:35:03>> Okay. Yeah. I just want to make sure
1:35:04that uh we we we get the um information
1:35:06out. A lot of people would like to
1:35:07>> just make sure we talk after the
1:35:08meeting. Make sure.
1:35:09>> Okay. Thank you.
1:35:10>> Okay.
1:35:13>> Okay. 11 A 11Z refer to traffic and
1:35:15parking and 12.
1:35:17>> Mr. Chairman.
1:35:18>> Yeah. Council,
1:35:19>> could I just comment quickly on 11B?
1:35:22>> Sure.
1:35:23>> Yeah. No, I uh appreciate the resident
1:35:26coming to speak. I had filed this I
1:35:29filed a similar order back in the winter
1:35:32and I've had conversations with DTM. I
1:35:35think we're at a bit of an impass where
1:35:36best practice doesn't always necessarily
1:35:39address the realities of the situation
1:35:41and these properties on Milbrook Street.
1:35:43If you're going westbound on Milbrook,
1:35:45there's a sharp turn there. Traffic is
1:35:47traveling at a high speed, high rate of
1:35:50speed and there's really no safe way for
1:35:52these residents to back out of their
1:35:54driveways onto Milbrook Street. Uh the
1:35:56resident that just spoke has sent me
1:35:58several videos of several close calls.
1:36:00Uh I just really want to stress the
1:36:02importance of getting this done. I think
1:36:04it really is knock on wood only a matter
1:36:06of time before a serious accident
1:36:08happens. Um the so we just really I
1:36:12really would appreciate if we can get a
1:36:14a jump on this and provide some uh
1:36:16safety relief for these residents. Thank
1:36:18you.
1:36:19>> Thank you.
1:36:21Okay. So the 128 12N refer to traffic
1:36:24and parking and 12 O referred to
1:36:26Veterans Memorial Parks and Recreation
1:36:28Committee. Take those collectively on
1:36:30the roll call. Roll call.
1:36:32>> Councelor Bergman.
1:36:36Councelor Bada.
1:36:37>> Yes.
1:36:38>> Counc.
1:36:39>> Yes.
1:36:40>> Counc.
1:36:41>> Yes.
1:36:41>> Counc.
1:36:43>> Yes.
1:36:44>> Mitra.
1:36:45>> Yes.
1:36:45>> Council.
1:36:46>> Yes.
1:36:47>> Rivera.
1:36:47>> Yes.
1:36:48>> Councor Rosen.
1:36:49>> Yes.
1:36:49>> Tumi.
1:36:50>> Yes.
1:36:50>> Mayor Petty. Yes.
1:36:53Okay. We take the item under privilege
1:36:5522A
1:36:57communication city manage transmitting
1:36:59information communication re to a report
1:37:02and recommendation regarding municipal
1:37:03civilian review book. We're going to
1:37:06have a presentation done by
1:37:08administration. Mr. Manager
1:37:11Mr. Levante,
1:37:22>> maybe just identify yourself in your
1:37:24position and
1:37:27>> Mr. Chairman. So just a point order. Are
1:37:30we not allowed to speak on this?
1:37:31>> Yeah, we are. We're going to let him do
1:37:33a presentation. We want to speak on it.
1:37:34>> Oh, there's a presentation.
1:37:36>> Yeah, he's going to do a presentation
1:37:37first.
1:37:39>> Okay. Okay.
1:37:43Mr. Levi.
1:37:45>> Thank you. Uh through the chair, uh to
1:37:48the public, to the counselors. My name
1:37:50is Kevin Levance, chief equity officer.
1:37:53Um today, I I hope to provide an
1:37:55overview of our current systems that we
1:37:57have in place. Um hoping that it
1:38:00provides trust in the public of what's
1:38:01working internally. um but also to take
1:38:04a deep dive to look at the data
1:38:06different trends that we have in place
1:38:08uh measures um trainings. So you know I
1:38:12think as a municipality we can do a
1:38:14better job of providing what we do uh
1:38:17internally um to increase trust. Um, but
1:38:21before I begin, I I do want to quickly
1:38:23say to the members of the public, the
1:38:25past three council meetings, um, I've
1:38:28witnessed community members coming in to
1:38:31either do the following three things.
1:38:33Um, courage to speak up on what they
1:38:35experience with the police department,
1:38:37um, or either reliving some of the
1:38:39traumatic experience by uh, retelling
1:38:41their story or just a courage to share
1:38:43their story. Um, so I don't I don't want
1:38:46to be dismissive of that. um I hear
1:38:48what's going on and that's something
1:38:50that we're going to continue to work on,
1:38:52right? Um I hope there's a a world where
1:38:55there's no negative experiences. I do
1:38:57want to take the time and I say thank
1:38:58you to the public for those sharing um
1:39:02some of those relived experiences and
1:39:04this is something that as an
1:39:05administration that we're still working
1:39:06on to minimize those experiences.
1:39:09All right. Uh to to start off this
1:39:11presentation, I do want to thank the uh
1:39:14research barrel. uh we partnered with
1:39:15them in 2024. Um it was an it was a
1:39:19partnership to examine when it comes to
1:39:21the civilian review board what are the
1:39:23some of the best practices and what is
1:39:25what is out there what are different
1:39:26municipalities doing a lot of this
1:39:29report and this powerpoint that I'm
1:39:31sharing today um it's it's a built on in
1:39:34terms of foundation from the research
1:39:36bureau what they provided right um so
1:39:39this helped us with checks and balances
1:39:41as a municipality do we currently have
1:39:44gaps in our systems are there things
1:39:46that we need to consider how do we
1:39:47continue to strengthen um some of our
1:39:50systems that we have internally? Um so
1:39:52just want to say thank you to the
1:39:53research bureau report that they put
1:39:54forward. Uh as I said a lot of things
1:39:56that they mentioned in there um we are
1:39:59very confident that either our current
1:40:01system has a lot of those tangible items
1:40:04or we need to continue to improve those
1:40:06processes.
1:40:08Next slide.
1:40:11So I'll do a quick report overview on
1:40:13what this presentation will cover. Um,
1:40:15as I said, my goal is to really provide
1:40:17a transparent understanding what's
1:40:18happening internally and the different
1:40:20systems that we have in place to address
1:40:22some of the concerns.
1:40:27So, just a report overview, the the
1:40:29first part of this presentation is going
1:40:30to look at the existing structure that
1:40:32we have in place. Um, as we all know,
1:40:35data is extremely important. Um I will
1:40:38be providing data today and it's not to
1:40:39disinish any views or lived experience
1:40:42to provide full context what's what's
1:40:44happening out out there. Um another part
1:40:47of this presentation will touch on
1:40:49accountability measures outside of the
1:40:51executive office of DEI and the
1:40:53partnership with the police department.
1:40:55Um under the tenure of the city manager,
1:40:57there's a slew of accountability
1:40:59measures that's been implemented as
1:41:00additional tools that serve as
1:41:02oversightes within the police
1:41:04department.
1:41:05Um the last two parts I'll be touching
1:41:07on structural and internal
1:41:09considerations of implementing a CRB.
1:41:12There are some challenges that you might
1:41:14not see in reports of different
1:41:15municipalities that uh I'd like to to
1:41:18highlight. Um not to only highlight
1:41:20these challenges but show how our
1:41:22current system we don't have to navigate
1:41:24these challenges because of the built
1:41:25system that we uh created. And then
1:41:28lastly is just the community
1:41:29participation and transparency. how the
1:41:31public, how the community can still be
1:41:33involved in this process as well too.
1:41:38All right, next slide.
1:41:40[snorts]
1:41:42Next one.
1:41:45All right, so as I begin about um our
1:41:48existing structures, I do want to take
1:41:50some time to acknowledge um four models
1:41:53that the research bureau had pointed out
1:41:56in their um in their report. Um so the
1:41:59first one is the investigatory model
1:42:01right so this model uh consists of
1:42:04professional investigators that have the
1:42:06authority to investigate right so an
1:42:08outside entity that comes in and that
1:42:11investigates um once once an
1:42:13investigation is done they're able to
1:42:15come in they have professional staff
1:42:17that are investigators
1:42:20model number two is the review model so
1:42:22typically uh once an investigation by PD
1:42:25is done um the review model takes look
1:42:28at the internal investigations to assess
1:42:30the fairness and how thorough it was and
1:42:32the accuracy of the findings.
1:42:36Uh model number three is is the audit or
1:42:38monitor model. Right? So this address
1:42:41this model addresses issues at a
1:42:43systematic level. Right? So you're
1:42:45reviewing policies, practices,
1:42:47expectations within the police
1:42:49department. So they they are known to
1:42:53audit the police department through
1:42:54policies, see what changes needs to be
1:42:57made.
1:42:58So just to review the three different
1:43:00models, you have the investigatory, the
1:43:02review model, and the audit model. Now
1:43:05the last model that I'll touch on is
1:43:07what really replicates what we have
1:43:09internally as a city. Um the hybrid
1:43:11model. So this combines elements of the
1:43:14investigatory model, the review model,
1:43:16and the audit, right? So you have
1:43:17elements of outside investigators,
1:43:20elements of an audit, elements of
1:43:22reviewing um the results of a
1:43:24investigation case once it's been
1:43:26completed.
1:43:30Next slide. So I'm going to spend a
1:43:32little focus on the hybrid model and my
1:43:34goal is to show um internally as a city
1:43:37how we have this hybrid model um working
1:43:40uh at this current moment. So as I said
1:43:43the hybrid model combines elements of
1:43:45two or more three oversight types right
1:43:48so one through policy reviews one
1:43:51through outside investigators
1:43:53um and another at reviewing um
1:43:56investigation cases that's been
1:43:58completed by a police department. Um so
1:44:01keep this model in mind as I now move
1:44:03over to our existing structure. Um each
1:44:06of these elements are contained within
1:44:08the executive office of DEI.
1:44:15Next slide.
1:44:18All right. So I'd like to take a little
1:44:19bit of time just discuss our authority
1:44:21in jurisdiction. Right. Um, so when it
1:44:24comes to the executive office of DEI
1:44:26through our revised ordinance, the
1:44:28division is empowered to either initiate
1:44:31investigations that are looking into
1:44:33discrimination, discriminatory
1:44:35practices, human and civil right
1:44:37complaints.
1:44:39Um, how far does this jurisdiction
1:44:41expand over? This is all municipal
1:44:44employees, boards and commission
1:44:46members, cabinet level positions.
1:44:49However, when it comes to elected
1:44:51officials, um counselors, uh we don't
1:44:53have the jurisdiction um to investigate
1:44:57um city councilors. However, a city
1:45:00councelor can use our process. Um at
1:45:03that time, what would happen is it would
1:45:04be pushed out to an outside uh entity to
1:45:07review um to to conduct an
1:45:09investigation. So, counselors can submit
1:45:12a complaint against a municipal
1:45:14employee. Um but we won't be able to
1:45:17investigate a counselor. it would be um
1:45:19transferred over to an outside entity.
1:45:23Um so again, what does this authority
1:45:24include when we look at complaints? So
1:45:27it can be a municipal employee versus a
1:45:29municipal employee. It can be a
1:45:31Worcester PD versus the public. It can
1:45:34be Worester PD versus another officer.
1:45:36Um we have jurisdiction to uh
1:45:39investigate if any of these issues are
1:45:41violated.
1:45:45All right,
1:45:47next slide, please.
1:45:52Scope of enforcement. So, what does our
1:45:53ordinance empower us to do? Um, there
1:45:55are four main strong categories.
1:45:58Overall, when when it comes to
1:46:00investigations for the DI office, we
1:46:02really strongly look at protected class
1:46:04harassments, elements of protected
1:46:06class. So, what does this look like?
1:46:09such things as allegations on their
1:46:11failure to provide reasonable
1:46:12accommodations, either unwelcome
1:46:15comments or conducts that's directed
1:46:17based on someone's protected class. Um
1:46:20unwelcome conduct of sexual nature. So
1:46:22that can be sexual harassment and then
1:46:24retaliation is something that we take
1:46:26serious in our process as well too. So
1:46:29this scope of enforcement, these
1:46:31elements that I'm reading off covers uh
1:46:34a whole slew of jurisdiction that our
1:46:36team can um investigate in.
1:46:42Next slide please.
1:46:46Organizational structure and
1:46:48independence. Um so I want to take a few
1:46:51a little bit of time to explain the
1:46:52structure of our office. Um, prior to
1:46:56the establishment of the executive
1:46:58office of DEI, um, when it came to
1:47:00investigations, this used to fall under,
1:47:03um, HR and at that time, they only had
1:47:05one sole investigator. Under our current
1:47:08city manager, um, he has put the time
1:47:11and dedication to build this office
1:47:13where this is the most investigators
1:47:15we've ever had. We have five
1:47:16investigators that are dedicated to
1:47:18doing investigations.
1:47:22the the background of these
1:47:23investigators. We have three that come
1:47:25from the MCAD. Um all of them have legal
1:47:28expertise. Three of them are trauma
1:47:31informed. Um and they all have expertise
1:47:34on how to conduct investigations.
1:47:36So these positions are civilian in
1:47:39nature. Um they don't report to Chief
1:47:41Sauier. They don't fall under the police
1:47:44department. Um they report to myself as
1:47:46a chief equity officer.
1:47:49In addition about this uh structure is
1:47:51the position myself that I hold. Um
1:47:54being a member of cabinet has provided
1:47:56me flexibility not to only have
1:47:59conversations with the chief of police
1:48:00but any cabinet member um that goes
1:48:03through an investigation um process.
1:48:06Right? So this allows me to provide
1:48:09recommendations, have conversations uh
1:48:11of change. Um, so I have a little bit
1:48:15more flexibility in my role than
1:48:17previous officers have had. Um, and
1:48:19that's due to the administrations in
1:48:21terms of what support is needed to make
1:48:23sure that this is effective.
1:48:26To to provide context, I also sit on um
1:48:30I also sit on a board with other chief
1:48:32equity officers um within municipal
1:48:35government. many other uh chief equity
1:48:38officers either don't do not have a
1:48:40department or their department falls
1:48:42under HR or they don't have the same
1:48:44jurisdiction to even investigate the
1:48:47police department. We're one of the few
1:48:49municipalities that has this
1:48:51relationship between executive office of
1:48:53DEI um with the chief of police to
1:48:55conduct these investigations.
1:49:01Okay,
1:49:03next uh next slide please. Oh, okay.
1:49:06I'll go back one. Perfect.
1:49:10All right. Um, just a continuation of
1:49:13organizational structure and
1:49:14independence. Um, from a strategic
1:49:17engagement. Um, this process, this
1:49:20department was designed that allows a
1:49:22cabinet member, the chief equity
1:49:24officer, um, to engage directly with all
1:49:28department heads, right?
1:49:30um through documented recommendations,
1:49:32through conversations,
1:49:34um conversations that are based off of
1:49:36the results of investigation findings,
1:49:39um I can have influence and making sure
1:49:41that the municipality is moving in the
1:49:43right direction.
1:49:45Um collaborative improvement, right? Um,
1:49:48from these investigations, I can point
1:49:50out policy considerations,
1:49:53um, remedies to move forward, um,
1:49:55opportunities to to improve systems
1:49:58internally in each department, right?
1:50:00These are things that were not in place
1:50:02prior to that. So, being able to have
1:50:04this not only the capacity um, but the
1:50:07jurisdiction to support me in in the
1:50:09work that that we're doing um, has been
1:50:12a phenomenal change.
1:50:18So, I'm going to talk a little bit about
1:50:19the investigation process. Um, it's
1:50:22two-tiered. One that only deals with
1:50:24municipal employees and one that deals
1:50:26with the with the police. So, in
1:50:29general, um, when it comes to
1:50:30investigations by the DEI office, what
1:50:33we're looking to do is gather evidence
1:50:35to determine if a city policy was
1:50:38violated, right? Um, so we're looking at
1:50:41elements of protected class and was a
1:50:44city policy violated by that action.
1:50:46Each investigation is tailored based off
1:50:48of the city policy and what was alleged.
1:50:52Um, some of the policies just to mention
1:50:54which can give you a broader scope of
1:50:56what the DI department touches on. You
1:50:59have protected class harassment, sexual
1:51:01harassment, professionalism, bullying,
1:51:04workplace violence, slur policy. Um
1:51:08these are city policies that are either
1:51:10in the works or already established that
1:51:13allows uh my department to not only
1:51:16investigate but these are the these are
1:51:19these are the policies that we're
1:51:20keeping in mind to see what is being
1:51:22violated.
1:51:24Um so in general if we receive a case
1:51:27the investigators they're tasked with um
1:51:30conducting an investigation but
1:51:32gathering evidence. Um so this might
1:51:34mean calling in witnesses, reviewing
1:51:37body cameras, reviewing personnel
1:51:39records. Um they have access not only to
1:51:43the evidence that is provided but they
1:51:45can further get access from the city as
1:51:47well too um to conduct a full
1:51:49investigation.
1:51:51Um at that point based on what is
1:51:54determined investigators write up a
1:51:56memorandum that comes to the chief
1:51:58equity officer. This provides checks and
1:52:00balances. So investigators conduct uh
1:52:03conduct their investigations and gather
1:52:04evidence. Now the chief equity officer
1:52:06is the one that's reviewing the
1:52:08memorandum to make recommendations on on
1:52:10two things. Um what was violated and how
1:52:13to move forward and recommendations with
1:52:15the department overall um to not find
1:52:18themselves um in this predicament. Again
1:52:21the process itself is confidential um to
1:52:24to the extent that we can keep it at.
1:52:29And now that is the process when it
1:52:32comes to just municipal employees. But
1:52:34when it comes to the police department,
1:52:35there's a uh there is a partnership with
1:52:37BOPS um which I'll talk about in a few.
1:52:43So the the partnership with BOPS um
1:52:45there's a an assessment a joint
1:52:47assessment that that is taking place in
1:52:50this joint assessment. If we receive a
1:52:52complaint depending what the elements
1:52:54are and this is a concern that I do want
1:52:56to address. So if there if a complaint
1:53:00involves an element of protected class
1:53:01or sexual harassment, typically our team
1:53:04will lead forward with that
1:53:05investigation. If it's only on police
1:53:07standards, BOPS would move forward on
1:53:09that. And there are times where both uh
1:53:11both elements are present, so it's a
1:53:14joint investigation. So I've heard
1:53:16concerns of, well, your department only
1:53:19gets involved if bias is involved. When
1:53:22you talk about excessive use of force
1:53:24logically, um many most individuals will
1:53:28always add an element of bias. There
1:53:30will always be an element of protected
1:53:31class. So, you know, whether I had an
1:53:34interaction with the police department
1:53:35or a police officer, it was negative. Um
1:53:37there's the the why is always because of
1:53:40protected class follows. I rarely see
1:53:42where it's I had an involvement with
1:53:45that had to do with sex use of force and
1:53:48it only happened just because. there's
1:53:50usually a protected class that is
1:53:51followed. So that makes us be a part of
1:53:54and relevant of majority of the cases.
1:53:56Now the cases that don't involve a
1:53:58protected class, my investigators when
1:54:01they're doing the joint the joint
1:54:02assessment, they still provide a report
1:54:05back to the chief equity officer of
1:54:07things that I may want to peel out uh
1:54:09point out to the chief chief saucier,
1:54:12right? It might not be under their
1:54:13jurisdiction, but I'm still able to
1:54:15catch things that myself can have a
1:54:17conversation with Chief Sauier. Hey
1:54:19chief, this came up in investigation.
1:54:22It's not under our jurisdiction, but
1:54:23it's something you might want to keep
1:54:24your eye on. Um, at no point have I ever
1:54:27got push back from the chief. He's been
1:54:29uh very collaborative and working and
1:54:31working with us since we started this
1:54:33process. So, I think with those two
1:54:36things that I talked about, majority of
1:54:38the cases, there was there's always a
1:54:39protected class that's mentioned. Um,
1:54:41two, even if a protected class is not
1:54:43mentioned, my team still reviews it with
1:54:45BOPS and provides me any concerns that I
1:54:48should be pointing out to the chief. So,
1:54:50overall, holistically, it's still
1:54:52covering elements that um that may not
1:54:55not pertain to us. We're still finding a
1:54:57way to still be involved um in this
1:55:00partnership with POPS.
1:55:02>> Mr. Chairman, point of order.
1:55:06>> Council,
1:55:07>> thank you. Um, I certainly appre
1:55:11appreciate the work that's gone into
1:55:12this um, presentation
1:55:16um, that the chief equity officer and
1:55:18the city manager is providing today.
1:55:21This showed up on my desk in this
1:55:24chamber today.
1:55:27I don't know how many pages is 30 55
1:55:29pages
1:55:31showed up on my desk today. Mr.
1:55:32Chairman, um, the public hasn't seen
1:55:35this. Maybe some of my colleagues were
1:55:38privy to this. I was not. Um, and this
1:55:41is very, very important information, Mr.
1:55:43Chairman. It's certainly
1:55:46not mentioned in the city manager's
1:55:50communication relative to item I think
1:55:53it's still 10.5A.
1:55:55Um, the recommendation against the
1:55:56civilian review board. Um,
1:56:00we talking about transparency in the
1:56:02moment. Mr. Chairman, um I'm going to
1:56:04ask that we pause this particular
1:56:08presentation so that um I can digest it.
1:56:12I'll speak for myself as an elected
1:56:13official. Um I'm going to call for a
1:56:16pause so that the public um can take a
1:56:19look at this as well. Um I certainly
1:56:22think um that this 55page report
1:56:27would have done well to have been
1:56:29included in this recommendation. I
1:56:33intended to call this a incomplete
1:56:35recommendation. Um so Mr. Chairman, I I
1:56:39really appreciate this um explanation
1:56:42and this review um but it's really
1:56:45leaving um myself I'll speak for myself
1:56:49as an elected official um as being
1:56:53unable to completely um have a dialogue
1:56:56with this. In addition to that, Mr.
1:56:58Chim, I would ask for a pause. Um
1:57:02because in preparing for this,
1:57:06I don't know what this one is.
1:57:09How many pages this one is? Uh 30 plus
1:57:13page report. Um didn't include this and
1:57:18now we're talking close to 100 pages. Um
1:57:20I'm going to ask Mr. Chairman um for
1:57:24some courtesy as an elected official. um
1:57:27and that this be paused so it can be
1:57:29properly digested um and I can
1:57:31participate. In addition to that, Mr.
1:57:32Chairman, there's time limitations that
1:57:34were allowed um as a scope and in
1:57:38response to the city manager's
1:57:39recommendation um that doesn't apply to
1:57:42this 55page. I mean, that would also
1:57:45we'd have to include that in this um a
1:57:48response to what's being presented
1:57:49today, meaning it would take away um
1:57:53aotted time. Um, so I'm going to ask for
1:57:56some respect. I'm going to ask for a
1:57:59pause so this can be digested. Mr.
1:58:02Chairman,
1:58:04>> there is no
1:58:07there isn't I don't want to show there
1:58:09is no showed up on our desk today. I had
1:58:12to fish it out. Never seen it. Don't
1:58:14know.
1:58:15>> I'm not sure why it's not. Next week's a
1:58:18city manager agenda it could be attached
1:58:20to. I'm not quite sure what the play is
1:58:22here. [snorts]
1:58:23>> But I think um there is no pause in our
1:58:25rules. You can we can send this to
1:58:26committee for further evaluation with
1:58:27the report.
1:58:28>> There's nothing before the people. This
1:58:30doesn't exist.
1:58:31>> Well, this is taken from the report.
1:58:33Correct, Mr. Levi?
1:58:34>> It's not in the report. This is not
1:58:35there's nothing about the models in that
1:58:37report,
1:58:37>> Mr. Levante.
1:58:38>> It is. It's it's ex it's a visual of the
1:58:41report. It's just an extended report.
1:58:44>> Chairman, there's nothing in here about
1:58:46that's the way I took it anyways.
1:58:47There's nothing in here with about that
1:58:49about elements of this that
1:58:52>> uh we should be able to discuss
1:58:54yourself.
1:58:56>> Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
1:58:58With all due respect to my colleague, um
1:59:01I welcome the report and I'd like to
1:59:03hear the explanation of the report. If
1:59:06anything, it's going to give me more
1:59:07information to work with.
1:59:11>> Okay. Council Tony.
1:59:13>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um I concur with
1:59:15Councelor Economo. I think it's very
1:59:17important that the public does get to
1:59:20hear this. This is a visual um
1:59:22representation of the actual report from
1:59:25the the manager from um Mr. Leveny and I
1:59:29think it's very important that this is
1:59:31uh read and discussed here. That's
1:59:34transparency. It will go we can take it
1:59:37in committee for further discussion but
1:59:39it's very important I think for the
1:59:40public to hear what this is first. Thank
1:59:43you.
1:59:44>> Okay. So I guess you can continue. Mr.
1:59:46Levent,
1:59:46>> Mr. Chairman, just just again as a point
1:59:48of order, I I I don't see anything in
1:59:50here relative to what was presented in
1:59:52those first few slides.
1:59:57>> Not in there.
1:59:58>> Well, we can continue.
1:59:58>> It's not transparent.
2:00:01>> Mr. Ventry
2:00:03>> to the chair. Thank you. Um so moving
2:00:05forward with the investigation process.
2:00:08Um so in terms of timingless and
2:00:11completing
2:00:12>> point order, Mr. Chairman, am I able to
2:00:14take make a motion to hold this given
2:00:16that even though it's not an item, like
2:00:18what what are we supposed to do here?
2:00:19This is outside of the bounds. I need to
2:00:21know through the chair to the clerk,
2:00:23what options do we have here? Or can
2:00:25these things just be presented
2:00:26willy-nilly and there's nothing you can
2:00:28do about it?
2:00:28>> This represents the way I took it
2:00:30anyways. This represents the report that
2:00:32was given to us. This is just a visual
2:00:34of that report and broken out in pieces,
2:00:37but it's all in the report.
2:00:38>> It's not.
2:00:39>> Um that's I think a lot this isn't the
2:00:41report. What's that?
2:00:42>> And uh so there is no real motion here.
2:00:44No, he can't hold it hold this. So the
2:00:46motion is continue with this the
2:00:48discussion of this item
2:00:50>> to the chair to the clerk. Will will
2:00:52this show up anywhere on the minutes of
2:00:54this meeting? Um again it showed up on
2:00:57our desk. I checked the emails. There's
2:00:58no email of this. Um how is this going
2:01:01to be part of the record outside of the
2:01:03verbal presentation of this document?
2:01:05>> Uh through the chair to the council. So,
2:01:07as the mayor stated, my understanding is
2:01:08the manager brought his communication
2:01:10and this is uh the chief equity officer
2:01:13presentation of that uh communication. I
2:01:16don't know how much more details is in
2:01:17the presentation, but usually what
2:01:19happens is after the meeting takes
2:01:21place, that PowerPoint will be part of
2:01:23the minutes or it will go to a committee
2:01:25if it goes the item goes to a committee
2:01:27with it.
2:01:30Chairman, again, there's nothing in
2:01:31here. Take a look at it. There's nothing
2:01:33in here about um the model the the
2:01:36exploration of models that's in the
2:01:38actual research bureau report. There is
2:01:40um rec uh a um executive summary is is
2:01:45partially in there, but again none of us
2:01:47saw this until we sat down today.
2:01:51>> It's just Mr.
2:01:53>> Well, myself maybe some folks had privy
2:01:55to it, but I haven't seen it till this
2:01:57is the first time we've all seen it. I
2:01:59think first time I've saw it
2:02:01>> and I think this is a representation of
2:02:04the report that you provided us
2:02:06>> correct
2:02:06>> and it does have the four I thought it
2:02:08did anyways but
2:02:09>> it's preempting this matter that you
2:02:11referenced that we were going to speak
2:02:13about
2:02:15>> how much longer it's going to go 55
2:02:18>> it's not the first time we've gotten
2:02:19reports presentations by the manager on
2:02:21something we're going to speak about so
2:02:23Mr. eventually can continue
2:02:27>> through the chair. Thank you.
2:02:29>> Um just to sum up the investigation
2:02:32process. Um so when it comes to my
2:02:35office uh for investigations,
2:02:38we go based off of what policy what city
2:02:40policy has been violated, what protected
2:02:42class in terms of elements is present,
2:02:45collect the gathering informations. Um
2:02:48the officer, the investigators type up a
2:02:51me memorandum. Um then it's at my review
2:02:53for discussion. Um in my review some of
2:02:56the things I'm looking for uh equitable
2:02:59process um protected class that are
2:03:01involved. Um and then most importantly
2:03:04in terms of discipline on how to move
2:03:06forward uh solution or remedies on how
2:03:09to move forward that I can have a
2:03:11conversation with any department head
2:03:13not just the the chief of police. Um we
2:03:16the division aims to uh complete every
2:03:19investigation uh within 90 days. If we
2:03:21need an extension, we'll we'll do so. Um
2:03:24when it comes to working with BOPS and
2:03:26the police department um and any any
2:03:30allegation that has uh discriminatory
2:03:33elements in it, um will be submitted to
2:03:35post uh through BOPS. Um and we're in
2:03:38communication if we need that uh past
2:03:40that 90 days extension.
2:03:46All right, thank you. Um,
2:03:49so escalation and final determination.
2:03:51Um, so this slide speaks a little bit of
2:03:54once a investigation case gets to to my
2:03:57desk, what happens next. Um, so once I
2:04:00determine what has been violated, um, a
2:04:03mechanism that I use, uh, is two things.
2:04:06um what's been violated in terms of past
2:04:08practices, uh what similar employees
2:04:10have found themselves in that situation
2:04:13and what was the discipline that was
2:04:14administered, trying to make sure that's
2:04:16equitable. And then also looking into
2:04:18the the employees personnel file will
2:04:21also determine um some recommendations.
2:04:24When it comes to the police department,
2:04:26um uh thanks to the collaboration that I
2:04:29have with the chief of police, um we
2:04:31engage in a discussion where um we go
2:04:34over what the facts of the case and the
2:04:36evidence um and what we may recommend.
2:04:39Um but at the end of the day, the chief
2:04:41of police is the sole authority figure
2:04:43to ensure that uh discipline is handled.
2:04:46um we just been fortunate to have a good
2:04:48relationship where we can talk about
2:04:50some of these recommendations and how my
2:04:52department can be an assistance. So if
2:04:54it comes to trainings, he may rely on
2:04:56us. Um if it comes to uh it could be
2:05:00trainings, it can be overviews. Uh
2:05:02whatever that he may need help in, we'll
2:05:04we'll try try to provide uh support. At
2:05:06no point uh in this process have I
2:05:09experienced any push back from the chief
2:05:11of police. Um, and then again, one
2:05:14concern that I would like to address
2:05:15that I've heard before, um, you know,
2:05:17these recommendations, they don't go
2:05:19anywhere. They don't have any teeth. Um,
2:05:21from a legal standpoint, when you have
2:05:24an investigation that results in a
2:05:26substated finding, um, the chief of
2:05:28police cannot turn his head away from
2:05:30that. That is a legal substated finding.
2:05:33Um, and many things can happen. If
2:05:35someone's not pleased um and they find
2:05:37out that their investigation was
2:05:40substantiated, they can go to MCAD. The
2:05:42MCAD will come down knocking on our
2:05:44doors to figure out what steps that we
2:05:45took in place, right? Um through a
2:05:48public records request, you're able to
2:05:50see um what took place. So, there are
2:05:52many different layers of oversight um
2:05:54where the chief can't turn his eye to or
2:05:56just the municipality in general.
2:05:59Should we ever get to uh a point where
2:06:01the chief and I don't agree, um the next
2:06:04step it is bumped up to the chief
2:06:06conservator of the peace, which is the
2:06:08city manager. So, he's operating as the
2:06:10conservator of the peace. Um at that
2:06:12point, um it is up to the chief conserv
2:06:15of the peace to determine um what
2:06:17direction would move forward and what
2:06:18the discipline will be. Um but I can
2:06:21attest that I rarely ever had to submit
2:06:25investigation to the chief conservative
2:06:27of the peace. Um, a 100% of the time the
2:06:30chief and I always find a resolution
2:06:32that we both agree on.
2:06:38Okay.
2:06:40Um, and lastly for for context on this
2:06:43slide and I want to keep harping on
2:06:45this. um my predecessors or just the
2:06:48office itself. We have not had this type
2:06:50of process in place to have the such a
2:06:52close relationship but able to have an
2:06:55expanded jurisdiction um and assisting
2:06:57in in an in investigation as well too
2:06:59with the police department.
2:07:05All right. Uh so next slide. So the
2:07:07hotline complaint process. Um so many of
2:07:10you may be familiar with this. So in
2:07:12December of 2024, the city manager
2:07:15created another initiative designed for
2:07:17residents to submit complaints.
2:07:19Complaints that had excessive use of
2:07:21force with bias or discrimination and
2:07:24sexual harassment, right? So per se
2:07:27perhaps uh you did not want to go to the
2:07:29police department um you know to to to
2:07:32complain or put put in a complaint of
2:07:35excessive use of force. you can use the
2:07:38hotline complaint which is governed by
2:07:39the executive office of DEI. So as again
2:07:42it's another it's another avenue or an
2:07:44entity outside the police department um
2:07:47that assist with reviewing complaints
2:07:49around excessive use of force of bias
2:07:51and sexual harassment. Um in a little
2:07:54bit I am going to talk about what the
2:07:56data looks like for that and what we
2:07:57have been getting. Um but this is
2:07:59something that I want to bring light to
2:08:01the public of something that we can
2:08:02continue to use. um ensuring that
2:08:04counselors are aware about this. Um
2:08:07folks can come in person for a visit,
2:08:09folks can submit um online or you can
2:08:12call the division directly.
2:08:18All right. So hotline complaint process.
2:08:21So I spoke about this a little earlier
2:08:23but just to recap um so the complaint
2:08:25process which was initiated in 2024 of
2:08:27December um when we get a complaint
2:08:31there is an assessment that is done
2:08:32between my department and Worcester PD.
2:08:36So, as I said again, um if there's
2:08:38elements or of of discrimination or um
2:08:42allegations that are motivated by
2:08:43protected class, my team will take lead
2:08:46on that investigation as BOPS second
2:08:49seeds that um if for some reason uh
2:08:53there's the allegation does not contain
2:08:55any uh discrimination. Um it directly
2:08:58goes to BOPS. As I said earlier, uh, as
2:09:01as a concern that I want to make sure
2:09:03that I address, even things that don't
2:09:05fall in our jurisdiction, if if there is
2:09:07an issue, the investigators will let me
2:09:09know and I'll have a conversation with
2:09:10the chief um at just at least to to
2:09:13bring awareness to that so he's aware of
2:09:15that. So, in all matters, we're still
2:09:17touching on anything that comes through
2:09:19and it's still a a joint process with
2:09:22Bobs on that.
2:09:28Next slide.
2:09:31Um, in continuation of the hotline
2:09:33complaint process, when we talk about
2:09:35coordinations and investigations,
2:09:37um, the reason there's a partnership
2:09:39with VOPS, they do assist with gathering
2:09:41all evidence that has to do with police
2:09:43materials, whether that's body cam, um,
2:09:47personnel records, uh, statements, they
2:09:50do assist and have access to that and
2:09:52provide. So, that's why that
2:09:53coordination's there. Um, two, my team
2:09:56does not speak on police standards. Bobs
2:09:58does, right? So if there's um officer of
2:10:02becoming or discourtesy, that's why we
2:10:04have that joint investigation. They
2:10:06speak on the standards of police and we
2:10:08speak on the standards of of of
2:10:10discrimination, uh protected class,
2:10:12sexual harassment, and together that's a
2:10:14joint case. Um any any intake that has
2:10:19to do with criminal allegations, that
2:10:21directly goes to the detective barrel
2:10:23unit. Um, and until they're done with
2:10:25that, we come in at the end section to
2:10:28review what the report is. But anything
2:10:30that has criminal in nature will go to
2:10:31the detective barrel unit on that.
2:10:38Okay.
2:10:40Um, so to end off the hotline complaint
2:10:43process,
2:10:44um, is I want to talk a little bit
2:10:46about, uh, reporting the posts and also
2:10:48intra measures. Um so any complaint that
2:10:51has discriminatory in nature um BOPS
2:10:54would send over all evidence um evidence
2:10:59that's gathered all relevant information
2:11:01to the post commission um I believe they
2:11:03have to do that within 48 hours. In the
2:11:07meantime something that between the
2:11:08chief of police HR and my department we
2:11:12review to see what entra measures needs
2:11:14to be put in place. So, for example, we
2:11:17might get a case um and speaking with
2:11:19the complainant. If for some reason the
2:11:23accused is within the same department as
2:11:25them and it's creating a hostile
2:11:27environment, um there are certain things
2:11:29that we're looking for to place in the
2:11:31intram measure as we're doing these um
2:11:33investigations. Sometimes that might
2:11:35lead to separating both the complainant
2:11:37and the accused. Um it might lead to an
2:11:40administrative leave. It might lead to a
2:11:41transfer um a shift in um a change in
2:11:45shift removal of supervisory
2:11:48responsibilities. These entry measures
2:11:50are put in place to not only protect the
2:11:52complaintant but also um the environment
2:11:55of of the office as well too. Um so that
2:11:58is determined at the beginning while
2:11:59these investigations are happening. Um
2:12:02so there are in measures that are in
2:12:03place, there are reporting structures
2:12:05that are in place to post as well too.
2:12:10All right, next slide, please.
2:12:14Um, so before I move on, I just gave an
2:12:16overview of the investigation division.
2:12:19So, just to do a quick summary recap, we
2:12:21have two different processes. Um, one
2:12:24that involves municipal employees and
2:12:26well, one that involves um the police
2:12:28department. with the police department.
2:12:30We always partner with BOPS, but there
2:12:32are certain cases where my team will
2:12:34lead the investigations or vice versa,
2:12:37but there's never a point where we're
2:12:38not in in the picture. We're not in the
2:12:40conversation.
2:12:41Um, and then, uh, lastly with the
2:12:44structure, as I said, I think one
2:12:46impressive aspect of the structure that
2:12:48a lot of CRBs run into is just having
2:12:51the authority and jurisdiction, right?
2:12:52with the relationship that I have with
2:12:54the chief to be able to call him up on
2:12:56any issue to be involved in his
2:12:59operations or within that department
2:13:01that does allow us to have a say on
2:13:03influence on what is happening within
2:13:05these investigations.
2:13:08Um so the next division I want to talk
2:13:10about is the human rights and
2:13:11accessibility division within the
2:13:12executive office of DEI. Earlier I went
2:13:15over the different models. Um so one
2:13:18model that I want to remind you is the
2:13:20audit is the audit model right so that
2:13:23model addresses things at a systematic
2:13:25level um reviewing policies and doing
2:13:28audit policies. When you think about the
2:13:30human rights and accessibility division
2:13:32you can think of them as an audit as the
2:13:34audit model. Um when it comes to human
2:13:37rights and accessibility,
2:13:39their main jurisdiction is to ensure
2:13:41equal access um protect civil rights and
2:13:44advance full participation within the
2:13:46city of Worcester. Right? So how do we
2:13:48carry out these duties? They oversee the
2:13:50accommodation process. So if employees
2:13:52need an accommodation, language line, um
2:13:55policy reviews, um Worcester's immigrant
2:13:58belonging program, right? So these are
2:14:00all efforts to ensure that um as a
2:14:03resident of Worcester that you have full
2:14:05participation within city business or
2:14:07within Worcester. Um in terms of scope
2:14:10of enforcement
2:14:12um what they've been really tasked with
2:14:14is to review policies of all
2:14:16departments. Often times departments
2:14:19will reach out and say hey we have a
2:14:20policy that we want to implement. We
2:14:22want to make sure it's equitable. what
2:14:24this division does is review through an
2:14:26equitable lens to ensure that there's
2:14:28not a uh disparit impact with the policy
2:14:31that they're pulling uh putting out. So,
2:14:33their main goal is really reviewing
2:14:35policy um throughout all departments.
2:14:38And there are times where they don't
2:14:39have to wait for a department to submit
2:14:41a policy. They can also do their own
2:14:43audit where um the director of of human
2:14:46rights and accessibility can reach out
2:14:48to the chief of police. Hey, this policy
2:14:50just went out. Can we take a review? and
2:14:53vice versa. Uh the police department and
2:14:55Chief Sauier um solely himself uh there
2:14:58hasn't been a policy that they have not
2:15:00ran by us um especially if it impacts
2:15:03the community. So they've been doing a
2:15:04very good job of at least submitting
2:15:05those policy towards us um for review on
2:15:08that end.
2:15:11Uh next slide please.
2:15:16One more.
2:15:19Uh so outside of reviewing policies,
2:15:22many of us know this and which hopefully
2:15:24down um down this later of this
2:15:26presentation I'll be able to speak on.
2:15:28But other functions that we do outside
2:15:30of the ADA process, reviewing policies,
2:15:32language line, um we have our boards and
2:15:34commissions which has been a hot topic
2:15:36which I'll address. Um but through these
2:15:39boards and commissions, they are an
2:15:40extension of our office. They're
2:15:42providing insight, viewpoints of what's
2:15:44happening within the community and
2:15:46through recommendations, how can the
2:15:48city manager, the municipality move
2:15:50forward or reviewed some of these
2:15:51recommendations. Often times these
2:15:54recommendations serve as awareness that
2:15:56we may not know. Um it doesn't always
2:15:58mean that they'll be implemented, but
2:16:00there's conversations or or topic of
2:16:02conversation that is happening at
2:16:03leadership level because of these boards
2:16:05and commissions of what they're
2:16:06submitting. So they're still impacting
2:16:08in a in a positive way as well, too.
2:16:12Next slide, please.
2:16:15All right. Um to end off for hum uh
2:16:18human rights and accessibility is the
2:16:20policy audit that I do want to discuss.
2:16:23Um so as I said before, they're they're
2:16:25really tasked with reviewing policy. Um
2:16:28when it came to policy reviews, I
2:16:31believe the uh police department would
2:16:33work with uh human rights commission in
2:16:35the past to provide these policies.
2:16:38There was an issue with the turnaround
2:16:40on these policies because they did they
2:16:41could only work on them each time that
2:16:43they would meet which was once a month.
2:16:45So which would delay the process of
2:16:46having policies out. Um upon my arrival
2:16:50what we try to do is a two-tiered
2:16:51system. So the first tier system is that
2:16:54when a policy submitted by police
2:16:56department um it's first reviewed by the
2:16:58human rights and accessibility division.
2:17:01Simultaneously the director will also
2:17:03submit that review to HRC to review as
2:17:06well too. So there's two level of eyes
2:17:08that are being set on it. Um the quicker
2:17:11turnaround for tier one, which is our
2:17:13department, they will provide their
2:17:15first take on the policy on things to
2:17:17look out for and we we would submit it
2:17:19to to the police department. Tier two
2:17:21with HRC by the time they get to meeting
2:17:23two or three, we'll collect um their
2:17:26reviews and their comments as well too.
2:17:28And now in totality, we'll put both
2:17:30reviews together and resubmit to the
2:17:32police department. So this does one of
2:17:34two things. um the turnaround is
2:17:36quicker. Um for tier one, the police
2:17:39department is at least getting a first
2:17:40glance of major issues within the policy
2:17:43that they should be aware of and then um
2:17:46tier two is when you get the outside
2:17:48aspect of the community view um also
2:17:50known as a human rights commission on
2:17:52that. Um so this results where you're
2:17:55not only having an outside agency, the
2:17:58DI office, but also you're having
2:17:59community members being involved. how
2:18:01they involve uh through public comment
2:18:03sections uh um participating in meetings
2:18:07um reaching out to your commissioners um
2:18:09but also commissioners are also having
2:18:11that viewpoint of what they can provide
2:18:13within that policy as well too.
2:18:17All right,
2:18:18next slide please.
2:18:21Okay, so now I'm going to transition to
2:18:23data. I think um you know when we talk
2:18:26about systems and processes in place
2:18:28it's important that we also analyze the
2:18:30data to understand the context. I do
2:18:32want to start by saying I'm sharing this
2:18:34data to show full context not to
2:18:36disinish the number of cases or the
2:18:39number of experiences but it's also good
2:18:41to understand what is happening out
2:18:43there as well too.
2:18:47All right.
2:18:49So on this slide
2:18:52um so the first data trend set is the
2:18:54excessive use of force cases right um so
2:18:57this slide talks about some key findings
2:18:59that um that that the data pointed out
2:19:02to right so when it comes to excessive
2:19:03use of force there's been a significant
2:19:06decline since uh 2023 which I'll cover
2:19:10you know what that correlation to that
2:19:12decline is um another trend that you'll
2:19:15notice in the data is that most
2:19:17complaints that are investigated they do
2:19:19result in being exonerated. Right? So
2:19:22what does exonerated mean? Meaning that
2:19:23the incident occurred but the officer's
2:19:25actions were uh determined to be
2:19:27justified, lawful or consistent with the
2:19:29department policy. I will also touch on
2:19:32uh cases that are exonerated as well
2:19:35too. Um third trend is sustained
2:19:38findings remain limited throughout the
2:19:39trends of data. Right? So what we try to
2:19:42do is not only look at one year but I
2:19:44think it's a eight-year period to see
2:19:46what trends are we seeing. They still
2:19:47remain limited.
2:19:49And then lastly, there's still been a
2:19:51decline in reported cases, right? And
2:19:53but not only there's been a decline, it
2:19:56also coincides with a lot of the
2:19:57organizational changes um which I'd like
2:20:00to credit to our our current chief of
2:20:02police, which the data will show.
2:20:04Changes such as um you know, more
2:20:06training or organizational structure or
2:20:09more oversight through deputies. Um
2:20:12there's just a slew of things that Chief
2:20:14Sasha had put in place that I do think
2:20:16impacts the data of why some of this uh
2:20:19decline is happening.
2:20:23Next slide, please.
2:20:25So this is a visual representation of
2:20:27the excessive use of force. As I said,
2:20:29if you look at at the top, so you have
2:20:31the year from 2018 to 2025,
2:20:34right? And then under underneath the
2:20:36year is different categories of how what
2:20:39the cases resulted in. So as I said
2:20:41before from 2018 to 2022 uh cases in
2:20:46terms of excessive use of force were in
2:20:48double digits
2:20:49of the year of 2021. Um the reason that
2:20:52is at a lower peak I I assume was due to
2:20:55to COVID. In 2023 there have been
2:20:59singledigit cases of excessive use of
2:21:01force. I did say I'll talk about some of
2:21:03this and 2023 is also when uh Chief
2:21:05Saucier was was sworn in and I I I point
2:21:09to that because there were numerous
2:21:11measurements that were put in place uh
2:21:13through Chief Sauier as well too um
2:21:15which I'm going to talk about later on
2:21:17but you have like the accreditation
2:21:18process there's the body warn cameras
2:21:21there's a lot of programs that he put in
2:21:22place that has also drastically put some
2:21:25of these incidents down as well too
2:21:28um so one of the key findings that I
2:21:31said is uh a lot of the cases ended up
2:21:34being exonerated, right? So there may be
2:21:36a concern that okay, you know, cases
2:21:39that go to BOPS automatically are
2:21:42exonerated from 2024
2:21:45and up, we are also part of that
2:21:47exoneration process. So if something
2:21:50comes through the hotline, um there are
2:21:51times we receive cases that's already
2:21:53been tried, right? Um my team would
2:21:56still review the work or the materials
2:21:59that BOPS has already done, right? So
2:22:01it's a second set of eyes as well too.
2:22:03So it's not just being exonerated just
2:22:06by that uh the police department, but
2:22:08you also have my team that's also
2:22:09re-reviewing the materials as well too.
2:22:12Um depending on how that case comes in.
2:22:17Um so just overall there's been an 81%
2:22:19decrease um since 2018 to now. And and I
2:22:23still want to reiterate this. I'm not
2:22:25sharing this data to say that one case
2:22:27doesn't matter, but it's good to
2:22:28understand in terms of excessive use of
2:22:30force. We have uh a city of 210,000
2:22:34residents. What do the numbers look
2:22:36like? And as I said, I want to still get
2:22:38to a goal where there's no incidents at
2:22:40all, but it's good to provide context of
2:22:42what's happening. Um, I also want to
2:22:44mention that I understand that there's
2:22:46under reporting too, but part of this
2:22:48part of this uh presentation, I hope the
2:22:51word gets out on what different
2:22:52resources that folks can utilize to
2:22:55ensure that there's no under reporting
2:22:56as well.
2:23:01Next slide, please.
2:23:04Okay, so this second set of data is um
2:23:08cases reviewed by the executive office
2:23:10of DEI. So we we first looked at overall
2:23:13data of sex excessive use of force um
2:23:15data through bops. Now we're looking at
2:23:18data that the executive office of DEI
2:23:20has utilized. Um so some trends to to
2:23:24mention um number one um when it comes
2:23:27to whistle PD related cases um this this
2:23:31system has always been in place under HR
2:23:33since 2005.
2:23:35But as I said with our current current
2:23:37city manager the we have expanded the
2:23:40capacity and the jurisdiction of this
2:23:42office um to review more cases as well
2:23:45too. I think one of the biggest trends
2:23:47that you'll see um in this data is there
2:23:50was a spike an uptick in increase of PD
2:23:53related cases. Um I attribute to that to
2:23:56because our office is now involved um
2:23:58the scope the lens that we use as well
2:24:00too. Um there's been a slight in
2:24:02increase but that also speaks to the our
2:24:05office being effective as well too. Um
2:24:08and then lastly any sustained findings
2:24:11um they are resulted in documented
2:24:13conversations um recommendations
2:24:16um you can see that you can see that th
2:24:19those findings in terms of documented
2:24:22recommendations they have been followed
2:24:24through. Um it also speaks to Chief
2:24:26Sauier of holding holding his department
2:24:28um accountable as well as well too.
2:24:34Next slide please.
2:24:37Okay, so as we reviewed the data up top,
2:24:41so you have number of Worcester PD
2:24:42cases. Um, so from 2022 to 2023, the
2:24:47cases were extremely low, right? So you
2:24:49had uh two cases, two cases. In 2024 is
2:24:52when we get a spike that doubles, right?
2:24:54And that spike is to when the department
2:24:56of uh of DEI was also established. Being
2:25:00established in 2024
2:25:03um having the partnership with Worester
2:25:04PD and also the lens that we use to
2:25:07review cases has also resulted more um
2:25:10in complaints, but also I I would also
2:25:13like to believe that folks are also
2:25:14reaching out to our department as well
2:25:16too um if they're not comfortable going
2:25:18to the police department. Um just just
2:25:22as a reminder, the number of Worcester
2:25:24PD cases, these are not cases that are
2:25:28resulted in findings. They might just be
2:25:29preliminary cases um cases that we just
2:25:32reviewed um and that we're we're still
2:25:34doing the investigations on
2:25:37th the in terms of the cases. This
2:25:40matches up with the this matches up with
2:25:43the data that BOPS has as well too. So
2:25:45this shows that as our office was being
2:25:47established, we're also on par in terms
2:25:50of reviewing cases with Bobs as well
2:25:52too. So as I said, I think the biggest
2:25:54takeaway on this slide is with the
2:25:57establishment of our office, we're being
2:25:59more involved. The jurisdiction has been
2:26:01expanded. There's a stronger
2:26:02relationship with the chief of police um
2:26:04and wanting our our our assistance as
2:26:06well too.
2:26:08Um the last line can give you a little
2:26:11insight. the line that says uh
2:26:13substantiated cases that gives you an
2:26:15idea of what happens when there's a
2:26:18findings. There might be uh two days
2:26:20without pay. There might be um you know
2:26:23sometimes folks resign even before
2:26:25discipline gets there. Um there can be
2:26:28up to five days suspension all the way
2:26:29to retaking a sexual harassment course
2:26:32um and so forth, right? uh chief has
2:26:34done a pretty good job of holding folks
2:26:36accountable and making sure that um
2:26:38based on whatever substantiated findings
2:26:41um presents that there is a course of
2:26:43action.
2:26:47Next slide please.
2:26:50Okay,
2:26:52so this next set of data is the hotline.
2:26:55Um as I discussed before and there's
2:26:57been many questions. Is the hotline
2:27:00working? Um what do the numbers look
2:27:02like? our folks using it. So, I'm going
2:27:04to quickly walk you through uh each
2:27:06step. So, in terms of total
2:27:09communication, so this is data from
2:27:10December 2024 to July 2026.
2:27:14Um in terms of total communication, um
2:27:16there's been 144 40 total
2:27:18communications, right? 126 uh have been
2:27:22telephone calls, which are 90% of how we
2:27:25receive intake and 14 have been online
2:27:29submissions, which is 10% of folks
2:27:31filing online.
2:27:32Um, as I explained earlier how the
2:27:35assessment works between BOPS and DEI,
2:27:38we still have this within the hotline.
2:27:40In terms of cases being referred to
2:27:42BOPS, there's 9.3, so 13 cases. Um,
2:27:45cases that are led by the executive
2:27:48office of DEI, it's at 5%, so there's
2:27:50seven cases of that. But as I said, in
2:27:52general, even cases that don't fall
2:27:54under us, um I'm still able to have a
2:27:56conversation with the chief uh just to
2:27:58alert him on alert him on anything that
2:28:01uh may be uh may be an issue down the
2:28:05line and that's something that we want
2:28:06to point out to make sure that his team
2:28:08catches that. Um so primary of primary
2:28:11of these cases are through phone
2:28:13contacts. some activities that is worth
2:28:16um pointing out.
2:28:18I'm gonna show this on the next slide,
2:28:20but in December there was a high volume.
2:28:23I think any initiative that you roll out
2:28:25oftent times um that's when you might
2:28:28see like the highest volume. Um
2:28:30somewhere around May there's been there
2:28:32was also a spike in calls as well too,
2:28:35but that was due to the Eureka Street
2:28:37incident as well too. Um and not all
2:28:40these cases, right? out of out of 140
2:28:43calls, they don't all result in in
2:28:45reviewing an active case. Sometimes we
2:28:48may get um calls of folks from out of
2:28:51the state that are concerned about ICE
2:28:53incidents. Sometimes we get calls from
2:28:55inmates. Sometimes we get calls from all
2:28:57various places. But one thing I can say
2:28:59about why this is working, folks just do
2:29:02appreciate that they have a either a
2:29:04line or department outside the police
2:29:07department that they can talk to. Um, so
2:29:09that's a lot of uh that's a lot of some
2:29:12of what we're seeing in some of these
2:29:14calls, just their appreciation that they
2:29:16can bring some of these forward as well
2:29:17too. So I just message to the public to
2:29:20to the counselors if we can continue to
2:29:22highlight this hotline, continue to
2:29:24highlight the executive office of DEI.
2:29:26You know, oftentimes I hear like we
2:29:28didn't know about this process. I'm
2:29:30hoping this provides light in in terms
2:29:32of of different avenues that they can
2:29:34use within this process.
2:29:38Next slide please.
2:29:42Okay. Um this is just another visual of
2:29:44the hotline. As I said before, um if you
2:29:47look at the plotted stem chart, it shows
2:29:49the activity. Um high volumes of calls
2:29:52in December. Um it sort somewhat dropped
2:29:56high volumes of call in May and then
2:29:58it's just been somewhat relatively
2:30:00consistent. Um like I said in the
2:30:02beginning, um I understand it's under
2:30:04reporting. So I I do hope that folks can
2:30:07encourage neighbors, residents, um
2:30:10community members. Uh this is a resource
2:30:12that is out there as I get again this is
2:30:15governed by the executive office of DEI.
2:30:18Um so you would be talking to uh a
2:30:20personnel staff from from my team on
2:30:22that. On the right, you can see the
2:30:24monthly breakdown of if calls are coming
2:30:27in via online or uh through through the
2:30:30phone and then what submissions are
2:30:32going to the executive office of DEI and
2:30:35what submissions are going to bot.
2:30:39All right.
2:30:42Uh next slide, please.
2:30:45All right. So one of our our last uh
2:30:47data set trends um even though the
2:30:51discussion has been on excessive use of
2:30:53force, we also want to also look into
2:30:55incidents or just arrest in general. So
2:30:57incidents, arrest and excessive use of
2:30:59force. So when you're evaluating um
2:31:01excessive use of force, it's important
2:31:03to just consider what the volume of
2:31:06police activity looks like, right? So I
2:31:08said in the beginning, you have
2:31:09Worcester approximately uh 210,000
2:31:12residents. um on an annual basis you
2:31:15have worester PD that responds to more
2:31:17than 125k incidents annually right so
2:31:20the breakdown when it comes to incidents
2:31:22that's responded by PD roughly around
2:31:25145k when it comes to arrests annually
2:31:295355
2:31:30and then you have the excessive use of
2:31:32force complaints um so the numbers that
2:31:35I show I try to put everything into
2:31:36perspective right so the numbers that I
2:31:39show where seemingly uh they've been
2:31:41relatively low so every single time an
2:31:44officer shows up at an incident where
2:31:46arrest is made, out of those two
2:31:48categories,
2:31:50there's only been 29 excessive use of
2:31:52force of complaints. So every single
2:31:54time there's an interaction, right? So
2:31:56that from 2019 to 25, there's been an
2:31:5986% reduction in terms of complaints
2:32:02that come out of incidents or arrests or
2:32:05just interactions with the police
2:32:06department. As I said, this doesn't tell
2:32:09the whole story. is definitely under
2:32:11reporting but but the amount of calls
2:32:13that Worcester PD does respond to um
2:32:16majority of them are not ending
2:32:17excessive use of force complaints um and
2:32:20as I said before when it comes to
2:32:22excessive use of force many individuals
2:32:24do um provide the elements of a
2:32:27protected class right they don't say it
2:32:28happens for no reason usually protected
2:32:30classes associated with that which now
2:32:32uh invites my team into the conversation
2:32:36to can you go to the next slide
2:32:40Okay, so this is the the same um data,
2:32:45but it's it's presented as a dashboard,
2:32:48right? So looking at incidents, arrest,
2:32:50and excessive use of force. So as I
2:32:52said, we try to do a eight-year period
2:32:53to cover a trend. So the second column,
2:32:56you have total incidents, that's
2:32:57breaking down to each year. You have
2:32:59total arrest that's breaking down to
2:33:01each year. And you have excessive use of
2:33:03force complaints. The last the last two
2:33:05columns what it's looking at is the
2:33:07number of incidents that resulted in
2:33:09excessive use of force and same as
2:33:11arrest with the amount of high call
2:33:14volumes that PD is responding to.
2:33:17Majority of these calls are not
2:33:18resulting in excessive use of force
2:33:20complaints. So like I said it's just to
2:33:22paint an image what is happening out
2:33:24there? What is the real issue? What is
2:33:26what do we need to work on with as a
2:33:28municipality? Um, as I said, the data is
2:33:31not the only thing that's an indicator,
2:33:32but it's just helpful to understand
2:33:34because I do try to be data informed and
2:33:36driven on what what needs to take place.
2:33:41Next slide, please.
2:33:45All right. So, this will end our our
2:33:47data analysis trend. So, what what this
2:33:50slide is looking at is just overall
2:33:52internal affairs complaint trends. So,
2:33:54when it comes to BOPS, what are the type
2:33:56of of complaints that they're dealing
2:33:58with, right? Um it's separate from what
2:34:01DEI holds, but what what do they see
2:34:03outside of um excessive use of force,
2:34:06right? Um so, what uh some of the key
2:34:08trends overall complaint volume has
2:34:10remained relatively consistent. So,
2:34:12there hasn't been a drop, there hasn't
2:34:14been a spike, so it's just remaining
2:34:15consistent. Um I think uh one trend
2:34:19that's worth noting is that the
2:34:21complaints come from multiple sources.
2:34:23Um and one specific source is also the
2:34:26command structure. So you have your
2:34:27captains uh lieutenants, your sergeants,
2:34:30they're also holding their division or
2:34:32their unit accountable. If commi if
2:34:35complaints are being initiated by
2:34:36deputies, captains, sergeants, that also
2:34:39tells me that they're holding their
2:34:40their team accountable. Um so it's not
2:34:42just only coming through the public but
2:34:44internally um you know uh Chief Sauier's
2:34:47staff and leadership staff is also doing
2:34:49what they need to do as well too. Um so
2:34:52the the next slide is going to show just
2:34:54an overall of where complaints are
2:34:56coming from what things are resulting in
2:34:58outside of excessive use of force
2:35:00complaints.
2:35:03Next slide please.
2:35:06All right. So, I said you have a 8-year
2:35:09um period breakdown.
2:35:13So, when you look at total complaints at
2:35:14the top, you have um from 2018 to 2025.
2:35:19That second trend that I was talking to
2:35:20you about the initiated by command staff
2:35:24um relatively consistent um from 2018 to
2:35:282025, meaning that command staff are
2:35:30also holding um their team accountable.
2:35:33um the rest of the columns of are are
2:35:37resulting in what how cases are
2:35:38resolved. As I said, uh when it comes to
2:35:41things being exonerated, that relatively
2:35:43stays high. But if if you look from 2023
2:35:46and on, that's when our team also
2:35:49reviews some of those exonerated cases
2:35:50if they're being tried again. Like if it
2:35:52comes through the hotline or someone
2:35:54would like to get a review of that, our
2:35:56team is a part of that process. So
2:35:57they're not doing that only solely by
2:35:59themselves.
2:36:02All right,
2:36:04next slide, please.
2:36:07Okay. Um, so this part part of the
2:36:09segment, we're we're done with uh
2:36:10reviewing the data. We're going to take
2:36:12a look at some key components um when it
2:36:14comes to accountability measures that's
2:36:17been in place under the city manager's
2:36:19tenure. Right. So I've talked a lot
2:36:22about how our office does currently
2:36:24operate as an oversight and has
2:36:25different elements of these um different
2:36:28models but outside of that there are
2:36:30different tools um initiatives that are
2:36:32in place that also further provides an
2:36:35oversight. Um so on this page there are
2:36:3810 um 10 accountability uh frameworks
2:36:41that I'm going to touch on um to further
2:36:43explain um if my department is not
2:36:46involved what are other measurements as
2:36:47well too.
2:36:51Next slide please.
2:36:55So the accreditation uh status. So you
2:36:57have the Massachusetts Police
2:36:59Accreditation Commission. Um to my
2:37:01understanding I've I've done this at
2:37:03other institutions. It's it's not an
2:37:05easy process to be accredited. Um what
2:37:08it looks at it it's a process that
2:37:10establishes a frameworks of professional
2:37:12standards to promote uh consistency,
2:37:15transparency,
2:37:16um equitable practices and
2:37:18accountability. Um when you talk about
2:37:20the standards, there's about 274
2:37:22required standards. So you have an
2:37:24outside agency that puts a department
2:37:26through a rigorous process from um
2:37:29formal policies, informal policies,
2:37:31expectations, ensuring that all those
2:37:33compliances are happening before they
2:37:35get accreditated. Right? So you're
2:37:38reviewing uh police uh standards, you're
2:37:41reviewing policy protocols, um
2:37:43expectations and trainings. Um as I
2:37:46said, it's it's really rigorous. I I do
2:37:47give kudos to Chief Sauier's team to
2:37:49going through that. Um, and just for
2:37:52context, not a lot of, uh, municipality
2:37:54police departments go through the
2:37:56accreditation process. Um, it's
2:37:58basically flipping every rock within
2:38:01that department to ensure that it's up
2:38:03to and it meets its standards. This also
2:38:05bleeds out to how police officers um,
2:38:08patrol the streets as well too. So
2:38:10internally if policies are reviewed, if
2:38:13uh standards and practices are updated
2:38:16and they meet the certain requirement,
2:38:18um that should also um impact the
2:38:20performance of any officer.
2:38:25Next slide please. This is a
2:38:27continuation slide of the accreditation
2:38:28process. Um so this focuses on how it
2:38:31strengthens uh accountability, right? So
2:38:34establishing a comprehensive
2:38:36standardized uh written policy
2:38:38procedures. um providing a independent
2:38:41external review. So as as I said you
2:38:43have a external outside entity that's
2:38:46coming into the department um to also do
2:38:48a review and just to uh just to en
2:38:51enhance transparency right so this whole
2:38:55accreditation process is looking to
2:38:56improve the operations within the police
2:38:58department um if you succeed in in going
2:39:02through this process of those 279
2:39:04standards um several things happens one
2:39:08in terms of your policies they're all up
2:39:10to date um two in terms terms of how the
2:39:13department is ran, it would be more
2:39:15efficient. Um, so this is like I said
2:39:17something in terms of context to make it
2:39:19very plain. Not a lot of municipalities
2:39:21go through this process or are
2:39:23successful through this process. So
2:39:24we're about halfway through that and and
2:39:26I look forward to being uh fully
2:39:28accreditated.
2:39:32Next slide, please.
2:39:36Um, so I touched on this earlier. It's
2:39:38just a policy and review compliance. Um,
2:39:41instead of covering this slide, I I do
2:39:43want to take a moment to cover concerns
2:39:45just around boards and commissions. In
2:39:47general, boards and commissions do play
2:39:49a critical role. As I said, they're
2:39:50they're an extension of the office. Um,
2:39:52they provide insights of what's
2:39:54happening within the different
2:39:55communities, um, voices and perspective
2:39:58that we cannot be on. Um, through these
2:40:00recommendation process, um, they help
2:40:03generate conversations at the leadership
2:40:04level. It doesn't mean that every single
2:40:06recommendation will be accepted but
2:40:08there is conversations around that right
2:40:11um and something that I try to done that
2:40:13I try to do within my role is I work
2:40:15with every chair and vice chair of any
2:40:17board board and commission um outside of
2:40:19council time so for example for HRC's um
2:40:23whoever is the chair or the vice chair
2:40:27um one thing that they can attest to is
2:40:29that if they want to have a meeting with
2:40:31the chief of police if they want to have
2:40:32a meeting with the cabinet member um
2:40:34through me will I will coordinate that
2:40:36meeting. Right? So I try to provide them
2:40:38insight on on what's happening and what
2:40:42are some of the reasons that we may not
2:40:43move forward with a recommendation.
2:40:45Right? I think oftent times there's a
2:40:46lot of narratives but um it it's
2:40:49challenging work but we're still we're
2:40:50still working on trying to show that we
2:40:52can enhance that that relationship. been
2:40:55something that I've been committed to is
2:40:57meeting with all boards and commissions,
2:40:59attending all meetings, but also sitting
2:41:01down with the chair and vice chair on
2:41:02any department head that they might want
2:41:04to meet with. So, as I said, there there
2:41:06may be challenges, but we're still
2:41:07working to improve that relationship. I
2:41:10also want to pitch that
2:41:14>> are we saving questions for after or are
2:41:16we okay to to jump in?
2:41:18>> He's almost finished. So, let's let him
2:41:20finish up. He's got Okay. Thank you. I
2:41:21think six, seven more pages, but
2:41:23>> thank you. Um, so yeah, what I would
2:41:27like to end off on that when it comes to
2:41:28boards and commissions, there's a lot of
2:41:30open seats right now. Um, so if if if
2:41:33[snorts] this conversation is about
2:41:34building trust, um, building
2:41:37transparency and being involved, I do
2:41:39encourage you to to sit on the board.
2:41:41Um, sit on the board and commission. Um
2:41:43there's even if you don't make it on a
2:41:45board commission then attend the
2:41:46meetings um through public comments
2:41:48through public participation your voice
2:41:50can still be heard um and they have the
2:41:52power to um you know to call in whether
2:41:55it's the chief of police or any
2:41:57department head for any type of uh
2:41:59demonstration so they can ask questions
2:42:01and follow up on.
2:42:04Next slide please.
2:42:08Um so another initiative uh body one
2:42:10cameras. Um, so this was uh implemented
2:42:15not too long ago. Um, I I do believe a
2:42:18lot of the the the decrease in excessive
2:42:21use of force is because of body warn
2:42:23cameras. Right. So now you're capturing
2:42:25not only what the officer is seeing, but
2:42:27multiple perspective if other officers
2:42:29are involved. Um, the public has a right
2:42:32to do a public records request if they
2:42:33want to uh pertain a body camera. So um
2:42:37and just remember too while this is one
2:42:39mechanism it's not the only mechanism
2:42:41that we rely on right so we have access
2:42:43to body one cameras statements
2:42:45interviews um you know personnel records
2:42:48but this has been a driving force of why
2:42:50you're seeing some of this decrease when
2:42:52it comes to excessive use of force
2:42:54that's not the all say all and be all
2:42:56but we're at least we can get live
2:42:58footage of what actually took place um
2:43:00versus only relying on statements on
2:43:02that. So that's that's been a huge a
2:43:05huge accountability impact.
2:43:09The next slide please.
2:43:12So this one I won't touch too much on.
2:43:14Um as I said the the establishment of
2:43:16the DI office um something that has um
2:43:19grown in the capacity and the
2:43:21jurisdiction through the support of the
2:43:22city manager. Um, it is worth noting
2:43:24that a lot of municipalities may not
2:43:26even have a functioning office, let
2:43:28alone to have a relationship with the PD
2:43:30department to be a part of their
2:43:31operations.
2:43:35All right, next slide.
2:43:39Um, so another measurement that we
2:43:40talked about is the CNA audit, the
2:43:42racial equity audit. Um, you know, upon
2:43:45my arrival, this is something that I did
2:43:47hear about for a while. Um so in in
2:43:49conversation with the city manager um we
2:43:52wanted to work on transparency right so
2:43:54there was there was a lot of
2:43:56conversations around okay what did we do
2:43:58with the audit is it just sitting up on
2:44:00the shelf right so part of what we've
2:44:02did is created a dashboard if you go
2:44:04online um it's a public dashboard with
2:44:07all of the 34 recommendations and it
2:44:10shows at every phase where are we what
2:44:12we implemented what the recommendation
2:44:14was what has the impact been right so
2:44:16it's just ways to encourage uh
2:44:18transparency with the public um but also
2:44:20for the public to hold us accountable.
2:44:22Um so you might see things such as
2:44:23policy change, data collection,
2:44:25community engagement, um internal
2:44:27improvements, right? Um so it's all
2:44:29about just being transparent and a lot
2:44:31of this a lot of what was uh recommended
2:44:34in the CNA audit is also changes towards
2:44:37the police department. So all 34 have
2:44:40either been addressed or that we're
2:44:42actively working on and it's all online
2:44:44for for the public to see.
2:44:49Next slide, please.
2:44:52All right, last three um accountability
2:44:56measures that's been in place. Um I want
2:44:57to touch a little bit on on training and
2:44:59just education and compliance. Um so
2:45:02when it comes to our annual
2:45:03anti-harassment as it pertains to the
2:45:05police department, um my team doesn't
2:45:07only just do investigations, they also
2:45:09assist in training the police officers.
2:45:11Um there's three methods on how we do
2:45:13this. Um any new employee that is a new
2:45:17officer coming in um they have their own
2:45:19design new employee orientation uh where
2:45:21my team covers the annual
2:45:23anti-harassment
2:45:25um uh and anti-harassment training for
2:45:28inseason officers officers that's
2:45:30already been u within the system. We do
2:45:32a yearly uh anti-harassment refresher as
2:45:35well too. Um lastly something that I'm
2:45:38proud about that I want to speak on is
2:45:39uh the launch of the DI Academy. um
2:45:42something that Chief Sauier had open
2:45:44arms to. Not only did he had open arms
2:45:46to, but it's also a part of the
2:45:48curriculum before they graduate to
2:45:49become officers. Um so that DI Academy,
2:45:52what it really focuses on is providing
2:45:54tools and frameworks um for officers to
2:45:57utilize as they're patrolling, right? So
2:45:59it's not that they're learning on the
2:46:01job, but they're they're being they're
2:46:04being introduced to stakeholders early
2:46:06on. um and these stakeholders are
2:46:08speaking to them about either issues or
2:46:10challenges within certain communities
2:46:12that they should be aware of. Um they're
2:46:14covering like the history of policing.
2:46:16They're covering u best practices for
2:46:18deescalating. They're covering um you
2:46:20know using equitable lens and what that
2:46:22looks like. Um and this is also within
2:46:24partnership um with their training
2:46:26division within the PD department as
2:46:28well too. So not only investigations do
2:46:30we have impact but also through training
2:46:33as well too that's that's happening
2:46:35through the CNA audit part of the DI DI
2:46:38DEI academy um we've been able to get
2:46:41stakeholders to be a part of these
2:46:42presentations as as a recommendation um
2:46:45and it's been going on strong for the
2:46:47past two years so that touches just a
2:46:49little bit on the an uh annual
2:46:50anti-harassment but also education
2:46:53portion as well too.
2:46:57All right, next slide. Um, so
2:47:00promotional oversight and police captain
2:47:02assessment. So what this slide speaks
2:47:03to, anytime an officer is due for a
2:47:06promotion, um, they go through an
2:47:08assessment center. Um, what is the
2:47:10assessment center? It's basically a
2:47:11two-day interview process. Um, if you
2:47:15were to be the chief of police, if you
2:47:16were to be a sergeant or a captain, they
2:47:19put you through different scenario um,
2:47:21assessment aspects. So you have
2:47:23situational analysis, you have citizen
2:47:26engagement meetings, um you have
2:47:28operation meetings, community meetings,
2:47:31operational leadership, counseling and
2:47:33discipline. These are like some of the
2:47:34six categories that these assessments
2:47:36look at. Um the reason this is this is
2:47:39up here in terms of as an accountability
2:47:42measure. Um in my role, I'm also a part
2:47:45of this assessment. Um, so I am one of
2:47:47the few assessors that can provide um
2:47:51outside input on maybe certain scenarios
2:47:53that's missing that these officers
2:47:54should go to. So I I I can either serve
2:47:57as an assessor or an observer. As an
2:47:59observer, I review the questions, see
2:48:02what's taking place during the
2:48:03assessment and I'll talk to the
2:48:04assessors after like, hey, we may want
2:48:06to consider having a scenario around
2:48:09this, right? And a lot of the
2:48:10recommendations I might make is based
2:48:12off of either investigation cases or
2:48:14what's happening in with Worcester to
2:48:16ensure that that officer that's going
2:48:18through that promotional um interview um
2:48:21that we're really testing their
2:48:22knowledge um or how they react to every
2:48:25situation. So you get an element of DEI
2:48:27being present in some of this
2:48:29promotional oversight as well too.
2:48:33Next slide please.
2:48:35Um lastly, as I said, boards and
2:48:37commissions are extremely important. Um,
2:48:39one board that has done some
2:48:41collaboration with the police department
2:48:42is AAC, the accessibility advisory
2:48:45commission. Um, when it comes to people
2:48:47with disabilities or the community um
2:48:49with disabilities um how how we interact
2:48:53with them, often times folks um are
2:48:56either nervous to interact or don't have
2:48:58quite the knowledge on how to do that.
2:48:59And that also extends to the police
2:49:01department. So with AAC, they've been
2:49:03invited um to train officers through new
2:49:07employee orientation on when it comes to
2:49:09approaching someone with a disability,
2:49:10what is the correct way to do that? How
2:49:12do you announce yourself if they're
2:49:13visually impaired? Um how do you
2:49:15approach someone that has a mobility
2:49:17impairment? Right? So these boards and
2:49:20commissions are taking a a role in what
2:49:23the training and practice looks like for
2:49:24the PD department. One example is
2:49:26through the AAC when it comes to
2:49:28mobility. Um, how are officers uh having
2:49:32interactions with folks with
2:49:33disabilities?
2:49:38Next slide, please.
2:49:41All right. Um, this is towards the end
2:49:43of our presentation. Um, so what this
2:49:46this slide covers is just structural and
2:49:48internal challenges, right? Um, so I
2:49:50want to paint a a picture of some of the
2:49:53challenges that you may not see online,
2:49:55you may not see through different
2:49:56reports internally when it comes to
2:49:59implementing the civilian review board
2:50:01that uh the executive office of DEI does
2:50:04not have to navigate, but at least it
2:50:06just puts out there with some of the
2:50:07challenges that you may not be aware of.
2:50:11All right. uh CBA so the collective
2:50:13bargain agreement um to implement a
2:50:16civilian review board is also you're
2:50:18impacting employees workers conditions
2:50:20anytime employees workers conditions is
2:50:22being impacted you have to engage in
2:50:24negotiations through the CBA right um to
2:50:27engage in negotiations these can
2:50:29sometimes it can take years it doesn't
2:50:31happen overnight within the same year
2:50:33within the same month it can take years
2:50:36um two it's time consuming and cost cost
2:50:38consuming as well too and there's a lot
2:50:40of legal uh components
2:50:42um uh with our with our ordinance of the
2:50:46DI office, we're we are already
2:50:49empowered to do this work now rather
2:50:51than bringing a separate entity to go
2:50:53through a collective bargain agreement
2:50:55that can take years until you reach a
2:50:57solution.
2:51:00Next slide please.
2:51:04So another challenge that a lot of
2:51:05civilian review board uh face is
2:51:08authority um regarding disciplinary
2:51:10recommendations right so under our
2:51:12current organizational structure it's
2:51:15the chief of police who retains
2:51:16authority and responsibility when it
2:51:18comes to disciplinary but because of the
2:51:20relationship that we have um I'm able to
2:51:23engage in these conversations with the
2:51:25chief I'm able to point out things I'm
2:51:27able to provide awareness or policy
2:51:29recommendations that he can consider um
2:51:31not Not only am I able to do that in
2:51:33real time, um it's not months after.
2:51:36Oftent times some of these CRBs um
2:51:39they're providing these recommendations
2:51:41after the fact that the investigation is
2:51:43done. We are here right in the beginning
2:51:45of the investigation all the way to the
2:51:46end. So there's constant communication
2:51:48between the chief and I. Um so the
2:51:51system that we have is is built in a way
2:51:53that um we're already ingrained in some
2:51:56of these challenges that many CRBs will
2:51:59still have to follow. So often times
2:52:01recommendations are not taken um by
2:52:04CRBs. Um but because of like I said
2:52:06because the relationship that we have um
2:52:08I'm able to make some of those
2:52:09recommendations with the chief um and
2:52:11just review how do we move forward as a
2:52:13municipality.
2:52:18Next slide please.
2:52:20Another challenge is just access to
2:52:21information. So oftent times civilian
2:52:23review boards don't either have the
2:52:25clearance or access to to access to
2:52:28information or evidence. So when it
2:52:30comes to municipal records, technology
2:52:32system, personnel information, um they
2:52:35often times struggle to get get that
2:52:36type of jurisdiction to have the access
2:52:39to that. Um our investigators, they have
2:52:42access not only to police records, um
2:52:45but also when it comes to the
2:52:46municipality, right? Um so that's that's
2:52:49just something that to to keep in mind.
2:52:51Um we get additional support um from
2:52:54BOPS, from the internal affairs if we
2:52:56need information that we can't get our
2:52:57hands on. um we do get additional
2:52:59support on that. So one concern is how
2:53:03providing access to to CRB is not
2:53:06readily easy.
2:53:09Next slide please.
2:53:12Uh training requirements and
2:53:13qualifications. Um many of folks that
2:53:17sit on CRBs their residents are civilian
2:53:20in nature right but that also requires a
2:53:23certain amount of training right
2:53:24training that's needed. So ensuring that
2:53:27someone has either legal background,
2:53:29understands investigation procedures,
2:53:31understands police standards,
2:53:32understands constitutional standards,
2:53:34uses a um can understand a use of
2:53:36framework, a use of force framework or
2:53:38disciplinary process. Um so you just
2:53:41want to make sure that you have members
2:53:44that are equipped with this knowledge,
2:53:45right? And that's not something that you
2:53:47learn overnight. Um through our
2:53:48investigators, through our entire
2:53:50division and the partnership with BOPS,
2:53:52these things are being covered, right?
2:53:54Um, we have attorneys, we have legal
2:53:57experts, um, we have folks that's been
2:53:59doing work around this that has this
2:54:01understanding right now. So to be
2:54:03effective, you should have some of these
2:54:05training requirements down already.
2:54:10Next slide, please.
2:54:12Um, funding is is such a huge part of
2:54:14any CRB. Um, and it's not it's not just,
2:54:18you know, throwing money um at a CRB and
2:54:20saying let's see what happens, right? Um
2:54:22it requires building support staff,
2:54:24ongoing training resource and management
2:54:26systems, right? Um what's important to
2:54:29understand in this slide is a lot of the
2:54:31funding that is required with a CRB has
2:54:34been dedicated or poured into the
2:54:36executive office of DEI. Um as I said,
2:54:39there's a lot of municipalities, let
2:54:40alone having a DI department that
2:54:42doesn't have a substantiated uh
2:54:44substanti um of funding, right? um our
2:54:48funding for the DI office um the manager
2:54:51has invested and has provided um a good
2:54:53amount of of funding and that is being
2:54:55utilized within our within our current
2:54:58system to ensure that we can carry out
2:55:00some of this work as well too.
2:55:04Next slide please.
2:55:07Um lastly, what I want to cover is just
2:55:09uh chain of command. Um many CRBs don't
2:55:13understand how chain of command worked
2:55:15within the police department. And I
2:55:16point this out because this is what
2:55:18helps have a working relationship. The
2:55:21reason why we do have a good working
2:55:22relationship with the police department
2:55:24because we do understand the chain of
2:55:25command. It's it's a structure that
2:55:27provides safety and how the department
2:55:29moves forward and who should you who
2:55:31should be in conversation. Who do you
2:55:33talk to first? There's structure and how
2:55:35to navigate chief of command. Um you
2:55:38know my first six months I did nothing
2:55:40but sat within the police department to
2:55:43understand that structure. met with
2:55:45different deputies, met with the chief
2:55:46of police, met with sergeants,
2:55:48lieutenants, um to ensure that I can
2:55:50build trust, but also understand how
2:55:51they how they're doing their operations.
2:55:53Without this understanding, um it makes
2:55:56it there can be a rift in terms of a CRB
2:55:59working with with the police department.
2:56:01So, organizational structure is very
2:56:03important when um when working on the
2:56:05CRB and understanding how that works.
2:56:10Next slide, please.
2:56:13All right, just to summarize some of the
2:56:15considerations of um implementing a CRB.
2:56:18Um just some key points, right? It
2:56:20requires more than just a new body. Um
2:56:23I've heard like, hey, let's get the
2:56:24structure in place. There are numerous
2:56:26things that the CRB will have to go
2:56:28through from CBA negotiations to funding
2:56:31to the expertise
2:56:34um uh to several things, right?
2:56:36um there's an existing system that's
2:56:39already in place and we're not saying
2:56:40that system is perfect, but we're saying
2:56:42is what else do we need to add to the
2:56:44system to make sure um that it does what
2:56:47it needs to do, right? So, how do we
2:56:49continue to add to this already existing
2:56:51system? Um I have an open door policy to
2:56:53anyone, any member of the public that
2:56:55wants to have conversations around
2:56:57improving our process. Um that's
2:56:59something that we'll continue to do as a
2:57:00municipality.
2:57:02um and how do we focus on strengthening
2:57:03these existing um frameworks and where
2:57:06is there room for participation and
2:57:08transparency. Um so I hope this this
2:57:11summary provides just an overview of
2:57:13some of the challenges that you may not
2:57:15see in civilian review board reports. Um
2:57:18this is just more internal information
2:57:20um that you know that the executive
2:57:22office of DEI like we're already in
2:57:24place where we don't have to jump some
2:57:26of these hurdles.
2:57:28Um and last lastly what I forgot to
2:57:31mention as a part of the training for
2:57:33any civilian review board member um
2:57:37there there's also no consequence if a
2:57:40member of a civilian review board were
2:57:42to be persuaded by politics where to
2:57:44share information. If my team is in a
2:57:47position where they share confidential
2:57:49information, attorneys can be disbarred.
2:57:52They can be fired. There there's there's
2:57:54a threshold. there's things that they
2:57:56have to um comply to in terms of
2:57:58standards where oftent times members of
2:58:00civilian review boards which has been
2:58:03which has been a concern of confidential
2:58:05information being shared all that
2:58:06happens is that you're just kicked off
2:58:08the board um with my uh city employees
2:58:12there's more weight what happens if they
2:58:14share information if they're persuaded
2:58:16by politics as I said they can be
2:58:18disbarred um they could be fired there's
2:58:20more at the stake of that
2:58:23all right next slide Please.
2:58:27All right. Community participation. This
2:58:29is one of the last slides. Um, so this
2:58:32really focuses about HRC. Um, so when it
2:58:35comes to community participation, one
2:58:37thing about for me about the civilian
2:58:39view board is how do we build
2:58:40transparency, trust, and have the public
2:58:42be in the know? Right now, we do have
2:58:45that vehicle through HRC. As I said
2:58:47earlier, there's open seats. um even if
2:58:50you're not an open seat, attending these
2:58:51meetings as well too um is a way to have
2:58:54insight. Um something that have that
2:58:56I've changed within the leadership of
2:58:58HRC is that they have monthly meetings
2:59:00with Chief Sauier, right? These are
2:59:02candid meetings of what's happening. You
2:59:05know, we've heard about X incident. You
2:59:07know, what what what's really going on?
2:59:10chief has been nothing but great with
2:59:12open arms on meeting with um you know
2:59:14the leadership of HRC and explaining
2:59:17whether it's a rationale or process of
2:59:19what's happening something I try to
2:59:21pride myself on if it's going to be a no
2:59:23of of implementation I always try to
2:59:25explain why it's a no and what does it
2:59:27impact um you can ask any HRC member one
2:59:30thing that I'll always do is explain why
2:59:32you may not like it but at least I can
2:59:33be transparent of why we can't move
2:59:35forward with something um open open
2:59:38public meetings uh the open public
2:59:40meeting law that's something that the
2:59:42the community can utilize. So if HRC
2:59:44wanted a monthly update through Chief
2:59:47Sauier each time members of the public
2:59:49can attend can attend and ask questions
2:59:51as well too or through public comments
2:59:54right so there's ways that this
2:59:55community being engaged through HRC
2:59:58through public comments on that um this
3:00:00somewhat has a dotted line as an
3:00:02oversight right um this is one of the
3:00:05boards that goes to the police
3:00:06department often monthly there's
3:00:08meetings with western PD um that's not
3:00:10something that we used to have and now
3:00:12chief has been open arms on that. Um
3:00:15currently through the format of HRC they
3:00:17do engage in an annual uh data review.
3:00:20Uh it's we do it every year. What this
3:00:23data review contains of you know
3:00:25outreach and recruitment
3:00:28um you know makeups and demographic of
3:00:31officers
3:00:32um cases that are happening um you name
3:00:36it they've asked chief every single
3:00:37thing. So that that's another
3:00:39opportunity perhaps that we can build on
3:00:41that and have bimonthly meetings, right?
3:00:44But there are ways that the community
3:00:45can be involved and just to improve our
3:00:48our system.
3:00:51um just for the many reasons as I as I
3:00:53conclude um this presentation was not
3:00:56meant to diminish anyone's lived
3:00:58experience of what's been happening but
3:01:00it's an opportunity to understand the
3:01:03current systems that we have in place
3:01:04and that the work that we still need to
3:01:06do to build a better system. Um but
3:01:08there is ways that the community can
3:01:10participate what we currently have in um
3:01:13you know just for these many reasons at
3:01:15this time. Um we won't move forward with
3:01:17a civil review board but we'll continue
3:01:19to find ways to increase our capacity.
3:01:22Um continue to find ways to make sure
3:01:24that our system is doing what it needs
3:01:25to do. Um, and I guess my my call to the
3:01:28public, to the counselors, you know,
3:01:30continue to find ways to spread the
3:01:31message of not only our department, but
3:01:33the the resources that we have, right?
3:01:35If if the if there is a fair um when it
3:01:38comes to the police department, then
3:01:40come work with the executive office of
3:01:41DEI. Um, there's a lot that we do and I
3:01:44want to make sure that we continue to
3:01:46get the word out.
3:01:47>> Well, thank you for the presentation.
3:01:49Much appreciated. It was in depth. I
3:01:51think we usually don't do that, but I
3:01:54thought that it was important that uh
3:01:57public understands and the council
3:01:59understands exactly what we're doing.
3:02:01>> I know council to me.
3:02:02>> Mr. Chairman,
3:02:03>> Mr. Chairman, can we motion to recess so
3:02:05I can use the bathroom? It's an hour
3:02:06[laughter] and a half presentation. Um I
3:02:09like for five minutes, please.
3:02:11>> All those in um roll call.
3:02:16>> Councelor Bergman,
3:02:17>> yes.
3:02:17>> Councelor
3:02:19Cono,
3:02:20>> yes. Council Rolo.
3:02:21>> Yes.
3:02:21>> Council King.
3:02:22>> Yes.
3:02:24>> Yes.
3:02:24>> Council,
3:02:25>> yes.
3:02:25>> Council Vera,
3:02:26>> yes.
3:02:27>> Council Rosen,
3:02:27>> yes.
3:02:28>> Council Tumi,
3:02:29>> yes.
3:02:29>> Mayor Petty,
3:02:30>> yes.
3:12:25Okay, we're going to continue our
3:12:26meeting. Uh, roll call.
3:12:31>> Councelor Bergman
3:12:32>> here.
3:12:33>> Councelor Bada
3:12:35>> here.
3:12:37>> Councelor Econom
3:12:38>> here.
3:12:38>> Councelor Bzolo.
3:12:39>> Yes.
3:12:40>> Council King
3:12:41>> here.
3:12:41>> Councilor Mitra
3:12:43>> here. Council Ha
3:12:44>> here.
3:12:44>> Council Rivera
3:12:45>> here.
3:12:46>> Councelor Broen
3:12:47>> here. Council Tumi
3:12:48>> here.
3:12:48>> Mayor Petty
3:12:49>> here. Okay. Councelor Tumi.
3:12:52>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh first of all,
3:12:55uh Mr. Levveni, I am incredibly um
3:12:59overwhelmed with the depth and breadth
3:13:01of all of that is reported tonight. And
3:13:04I think it's really important that um
3:13:07you had this visual um as well because I
3:13:11think it really illustrated all of the
3:13:14hard work that's being done um
3:13:16collaboratively uh not just within the
3:13:19police department but within other
3:13:21agencies here and outside as well. Um
3:13:24and I the question isn't whether we want
3:13:26police accountability.
3:13:28We absolutely do. The question is
3:13:31whether creating another another
3:13:33civilian review board is the best way to
3:13:35achieve it. And I believe that Worcester
3:13:37should focus on an oversight system
3:13:39that's independent, transparent, timely,
3:13:41and grounded in professional expertise
3:13:44while preserving due process for our
3:13:46officers and protecting the public. And
3:13:48I think that what you've outlined here
3:13:50does that. Can we continue to improve?
3:13:53Absolutely. Always. And I think that
3:13:55that's the most important thing is that
3:13:57we continue to look inward. uh
3:13:59attempting to uh see where we can um
3:14:02improve ourselves and uh continue to
3:14:06support um uh the public and and our
3:14:09police officers at the same time. Um,
3:14:12and I just want to thank you for that.
3:14:14And, um, I, it was very clear to me all
3:14:17of the work that's gone into this, um,
3:14:19that this is a really comprehensive, uh,
3:14:22plan. And I think that there's a lot,
3:14:25uh, to know for people to know about,
3:14:28um, and the hotline number, um, is, uh,
3:14:32as I had that open to that page and I
3:14:34just missed it. Oh, sorry. Um, the
3:14:37hotline number, uh, just for people to
3:14:39know. Um, thank you. Uh, is 508-7991995.
3:14:47Correct? All right. So, just so it's
3:14:50it's clear, it's transparent, there are
3:14:52opportunities for people to talk uh
3:14:55about issues or concerns and um I just
3:14:58think you've done a great job. Thank you
3:15:00very much.
3:15:01>> Thank you, councelor Rivera.
3:15:04>> Thank you. Uh I just want to also uh
3:15:08like my colleague says uh council tumi
3:15:10that the report was phenomenal. um 34
3:15:14pages. It was I'm glad honestly I know
3:15:17it was held and held and but it gave us
3:15:20time or at least my time to really get
3:15:23into the report and I had 10 pages of
3:15:26notes that I was going to speak about
3:15:29and things that I want to mention but
3:15:31seeing the meeting went as long as it
3:15:32went and we don't want to keep going.
3:15:34I'm just going to touch up on a few
3:15:36things. Um, first, uh, I like that the
3:15:38city of Worcester continues to evaluate
3:15:40and enhance its accountability framework
3:15:43through initiative initiatives designed
3:15:45to improve transparency, strengthen
3:15:48oversight, reinforce professional
3:15:50standards, and build public confidence
3:15:52in the Worester Police Department.
3:15:54During the current city manager's
3:15:56tenure, a number of accountability
3:15:58measures have been institutionalized to
3:16:00complement existing departmental
3:16:03processes and expand opportunities for
3:16:05independent um review and community
3:16:08engagement.
3:16:09Police accountability is achieved
3:16:11through a combination of leadership,
3:16:14policy development, training,
3:16:15independent oversight, organiz
3:16:18organizational
3:16:19transparency and continuous evaluation
3:16:22rather than relying on a single
3:16:25initiative. The municipality has adopted
3:16:28a comprehensive approach in which
3:16:30multiple system work together to provide
3:16:32accountability, support fair and
3:16:34impartial policing and strengthen public
3:16:36trust. And I think that's important
3:16:38because what a lot of the um civilians
3:16:42who want the CRB, they they want that
3:16:46public trust. They want that
3:16:47relationship with the police department.
3:16:49And we want them to know that we want
3:16:51that as well, you know, and it's uh it's
3:16:53not no it's not just the post
3:16:55commission. No, it's not just the body
3:16:58cam. No, it's not the city manager or
3:17:00the human rights commission or your
3:17:02office DI office. It's combination of
3:17:05everything together. And most
3:17:07importantly, I like the relationship
3:17:08that the the EI office has with the
3:17:11police department working together for
3:17:13accountability measures. But I also like
3:17:15that the mun
3:17:17municipality
3:17:19will continue strengthening, evaluating,
3:17:21and building upon its existing
3:17:23accountability framework to measure
3:17:26current processes, remain effective,
3:17:28transparent, and responsive to community
3:17:30concerns because that's what it's all
3:17:32about. That's what we all want. and and
3:17:35we're just trying to say that we want to
3:17:37give what we have now an opportunity.
3:17:40So, thank you for that.
3:17:42>> Thank you, Council Bergman.
3:17:46>> Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It's not
3:17:49going to be any mystery to anybody
3:17:52that's heard me speak on the civilian
3:17:54review board uh item before. Matter of
3:17:56fact, spoke about it over the last few
3:17:58years. I think no secret that I was
3:18:02against it then and I'm against it now
3:18:05for a variety of reasons. I appreciate
3:18:07Mr. Leven's uh presentation. It was as
3:18:11was said thorough, complete, um, full of
3:18:15a lot of creative uh, graphs and and I
3:18:19will say had I had seen had I seen the
3:18:23graph that somewhere between 125,000
3:18:27145,000
3:18:28um, arrests occur per year. So we
3:18:31average it out to 135,000
3:18:34and there is four, five, three
3:18:38uh complaints of excessive force over
3:18:40the last three years. Had I seen that
3:18:43before today's
3:18:46>> Excuse me. I can't I can't I can't
3:18:51speak and we everybody's respectful.
3:18:53Everybody
3:18:53>> usually happens when people are
3:18:55disrespectful. So I understand it
3:18:57happens a lot.
3:18:58>> Um [clears throat]
3:19:01Still still going.
3:19:02>> Can you please
3:19:05you can please go ahead.
3:19:09>> God.
3:19:11Um, so [clears throat] bottom line is
3:19:13the percentage of complaints for
3:19:15excessive force compared to the number
3:19:17of arrests is ridiculously small. It's
3:19:20it's so what what this situation means
3:19:22to me is this is a solution for some
3:19:25people looking for a problem. The
3:19:27reality is we can always do better and
3:19:30as Mr. Levansky had said we three four
3:19:35five those numbers could be zero but I
3:19:38don't know if we'll ever get to zero but
3:19:39we can certainly try. I also understand
3:19:41they could be under reportported. I
3:19:43accept that. But even if you doubled
3:19:44them, which I think would be realistic
3:19:46in assessing whether or not they're
3:19:48under reportported, you still have a
3:19:50handful of complaints for excessive
3:19:53excessive force compared to the number
3:19:55of arrests that happen in the city. So I
3:19:58I don't think Worcester stands out as a
3:20:00city that's crying or deser or or or
3:20:04screaming for a civilian review board.
3:20:06But let me go back to what I said in the
3:20:07past and why I was against it years ago
3:20:09before even seeing this report. Why I I
3:20:12really stand uh to vote against it again
3:20:14today. First of all, uh I think it's
3:20:17it's an unfair system. Uh why do I think
3:20:19it's an unfair system? Because I don't
3:20:21know of any other profession that's
3:20:23judged by people who aren't in the
3:20:25profession. Lawyers are judged by the
3:20:27lawyers when there's suggestions of of
3:20:30malpractice. Doctors, the tribunal
3:20:32always has to have a doctor. You know,
3:20:34there's a suggestion that somehow
3:20:35civilian review board, people who have
3:20:37had no experience in policing,
3:20:39understand policing. So this they're
3:20:41going to be able to determine whether or
3:20:43not when they're walking down a dark
3:20:44alley and somebody suspicious reaches
3:20:47into their pocket, they're going to be
3:20:48able to determine somehow whether or not
3:20:50they should or shouldn't pull their
3:20:51weapon because there may or may not be a
3:20:53gun uh in in somebody's pocket. The
3:20:55Supreme Court has spoken on this and
3:20:57they said, "You can't do a Monday
3:20:58morning quarterback," paraphrasing the
3:21:00Supreme Court on a police officer's
3:21:02actions. You have to understand what a
3:21:04police officer faces at the time they're
3:21:06facing it. Why do I say that? I'm not
3:21:07saying police officers are never wrong.
3:21:09What I am saying is no civilian that
3:21:12doesn't have police experience can put
3:21:14themselves in a position to judge that.
3:21:16I don't believe so. Let me also say that
3:21:18it would be practically impossible to
3:21:20get a civilian review board that doesn't
3:21:22have a bias. Uh nobody's neutral about
3:21:25the police department. What I heard
3:21:27tonight is a lot of people uh who
3:21:29probably don't realize that their
3:21:31Facebook posts uh contradict a lot of
3:21:33what they said. Uh oh, they're always
3:21:35there are some good policemen. I'm not
3:21:37saying every policeman's bad. Go to
3:21:38their Facebook page. Every policeman's
3:21:40bad. The stuff they write about the
3:21:42police officers is just unbelievable. Um
3:21:45for what I could see, not everybody.
3:21:46There are people here with legitimate
3:21:47concerns about policing and I respect
3:21:49that. But I think the most important
3:21:51quote of the night for me for majority
3:21:53of people in the crowd was the
3:21:54individual said it's time to hold the
3:21:57police responsible for their misdeeds.
3:21:59That's the kind of person you're going
3:22:01to put on a civilian review board. Is
3:22:03that the fairness and equity that
3:22:05somebody's going to pres present
3:22:07themselves in judging what a police
3:22:08officer does? Let me also say this. Uh I
3:22:12wouldn't want to put the manager or
3:22:13anybody else in a position to have to
3:22:15pick a civilian review board. First of
3:22:16all, I don't think it's necessary.
3:22:18Second of all, I think it's suspect uh
3:22:20subject, excuse me, to become highly
3:22:22political uh and not accomplish what the
3:22:25ultimate goal is. I think we need to
3:22:27continue on the path we're continuing
3:22:29on. There were 19 points the Department
3:22:31of Justice report came up with uh that
3:22:33the West Police Department can improve
3:22:35on. All 19 are being addressed as far as
3:22:37I stand. And most importantly, I I I
3:22:40think it's important to remind folks
3:22:41because I heard somebody from the
3:22:43audience say something totally opposite
3:22:45of this. The Justice Department of all
3:22:47their recommendations, 19, not one or
3:22:50two, but an exhaustive number, never
3:22:52said the City of Worcester Police
3:22:54Department should have a civilian review
3:22:56board. Never said it. You'd think after
3:22:5819 recommendations, if that was
3:23:00something important to what the
3:23:02Department of Justice thought, uh, they
3:23:04would have recommended it. Never
3:23:05recommended it at all. So, I'm going to
3:23:07be consistent with with what I've said
3:23:09over the last few years. Um, I think
3:23:11it's not a great idea. I think it's a
3:23:14bad idea. I don't think you're going to
3:23:15always you're going to ever make
3:23:17everybody happy. I think there are some
3:23:19people legitimately have concerns about
3:23:20policing. I respect that and I'm going
3:23:22to work hard along with my colleagues to
3:23:24make sure uh that we continue to
3:23:26encourage the police department to do
3:23:27better. But I think there let let me be
3:23:29honest. I think there's a lot of people
3:23:31here that will never like police and no
3:23:33matter what version of a civilian review
3:23:36board you put up there, they still won't
3:23:38be happy. That's that's the nature of
3:23:41what policing is. You're never going to
3:23:43make friends being a police officer uh
3:23:45all the time. Hopefully, you make more
3:23:47friends than you don't. Um but it's not
3:23:50like uh other professions where when you
3:23:52get approached um you you're necessarily
3:23:55appreciative. So, at the end of the day,
3:23:58I don't know what my colleagues are
3:23:59going to do. I suspect I know what
3:24:00they're going to do, but my vote's going
3:24:02to be as it has been over the last few
3:24:04years. I I think whatever incidents
3:24:06there are can be addressed. I think the
3:24:08number of incidents are are small. Uh
3:24:11there shouldn't be any, but there will
3:24:12always probably be some because you
3:24:14can't please everybody. I I do think at
3:24:17the end of the day, um we have a good
3:24:19police department here in the city of
3:24:20Worcester. Um it doesn't mean we have to
3:24:24uh be cheerleaders, but it also doesn't
3:24:26mean we have to fall into the what I
3:24:29call trap of believing that the 60 or 70
3:24:31people that were here tonight represent
3:24:33the 210,000 people in the city of
3:24:35Worcester. Yeah, Mr. Hunt, I knew you'd
3:24:38like that. There was a um there was
3:24:41there there was a a study done uh by one
3:24:44of our newspapers which took a poll and
3:24:46said over 60% the residents of the city
3:24:48of Worcester uh support the police. And
3:24:50I know that anal intuitively because
3:24:52when I go to the crime watch meetings
3:24:54which represents the entire city uh and
3:24:56a mixture of people in all the different
3:24:58in a mixture of people in all the
3:25:00different neighborhoods that aren't
3:25:02necessarily here tonight uh by and large
3:25:04they tell me they're very supportive of
3:25:06the Worcester Police Department. So, I
3:25:08don't believe the representation we see
3:25:10here tonight represents the city. If I'm
3:25:12wrong, there is an election around the
3:25:13corner. I've heard that a year ago and
3:25:15we'll hear it again, I'm sure, over the
3:25:16next year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
3:25:18>> Thank you. We have Council
3:25:20[clears throat] Carmel followed by
3:25:21Council.
3:25:23>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. U first I want
3:25:26to thank uh Mr. Levante for his I feel
3:25:30very comprehensive report. Um thank you
3:25:33so much for bringing it forward. I'm I'm
3:25:36not going to go over everything. I agree
3:25:37with councelor Tumi, councelor Bergman,
3:25:39councelor Rivera on their comments, so I
3:25:41won't re re-etch them, but I do want to
3:25:44just say a couple things too. Uh, you
3:25:46know, I guess what impressed me the most
3:25:50is the working condition between DEI
3:25:54and our chief and the men and women of
3:25:57the Worester Police Department
3:26:00because quite frankly,
3:26:02when you have when you have a department
3:26:05as the Worester Police Department or DEI
3:26:09and you want to have tough discussions,
3:26:11it's great that both parties can come to
3:26:13the table and have that discussion and
3:26:14look at what needs to be changed and
3:26:16addressed because everybody's always
3:26:18throwing out the word trans
3:26:19transparency, transparency this,
3:26:21transparency that. Well, this couldn't
3:26:23be any more transparent because
3:26:24everything I heard was that the chief is
3:26:27more than willing to listen to what you
3:26:28have to say. The chief is willing to
3:26:30participate in making uh changes if
3:26:33that's the case. And it further tells me
3:26:35that we have the right chief at the
3:26:37right time here serving the city of
3:26:38Worcester. Um,
3:26:42I appreciate very much so that just some
3:26:46of the notes I took down as we were
3:26:47talking outside of my highlighting here
3:26:50that
3:26:51there is more accountability going
3:26:53through DEI than going through civilian
3:26:55review board. There's I appreciate the
3:26:58fact that there are more investigators
3:27:00outside of our system which I think also
3:27:03adds the transparency that everybody
3:27:05keeps talking about. And really, people
3:27:08don't want to hear it, but I'm going to
3:27:10say it. The post commission, 92
3:27:13descertified offices in the last few
3:27:15years, 90 uh suspended.
3:27:19Um,
3:27:21as councelor Bergman said, it's been no
3:27:23secret that I've been against the
3:27:25civilian review board since day one and
3:27:27will continue to be. Um, just one
3:27:30question for you, Mr. Levante, if I may.
3:27:34Do you feel at ease, comfortable with
3:27:38the process, the processes that we have,
3:27:42the policies that we have, and the
3:27:45working relationship
3:27:47that you and the chief have
3:27:50with the Worester Police Department and
3:27:52the way it's being operated,
3:27:54>> Mr. Levante?
3:27:57>> Yeah. Through the chair, um, I wouldn't
3:27:59say I feel at ease. I'm always someone
3:28:00that thinks there's always more work to
3:28:02be done. Um, I like the direction that
3:28:04we're heading in, but there's still a
3:28:06lot more work to be done on that.
3:28:07>> And I appreciate that answer. Um, I also
3:28:11appreciate that you brought forward
3:28:12avenues for people to get in touch
3:28:14outside of getting in touch with the
3:28:16police department because I think that's
3:28:17just as important. Um, but this report
3:28:21that you've brought forward and went
3:28:23over today
3:28:25further instills more pride in me in our
3:28:29Worester Police Department, our
3:28:30leadership in Worester Police, your
3:28:32leadership in your department and the
3:28:35the leadership from our city manager.
3:28:37Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
3:28:38>> Thank you,
3:28:41Council Roa.
3:28:43>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um,
3:28:47yeah, I do rise. I I I really do
3:28:49appreciate this information. Um I'm one
3:28:51that would have preferred to have this
3:28:53information earlier just because I
3:28:56prepared for 22A. Um, and although this
3:29:01does, you know, fall in line with it,
3:29:03um, it just has opened me up to to many
3:29:07many questions. And um I don't want to
3:29:09keep people here all night, but I think
3:29:11I would have had the probably wish I had
3:29:13the opportunity to go one-on-one prior
3:29:16to this so I won't have to ask so many
3:29:17questions, but I think it's important
3:29:18for for our people here to to to had
3:29:22that opportunity as well to dissect it
3:29:23because some of them that were here will
3:29:25probably have been um very happy to hear
3:29:27some of this stuff. U one of the things
3:29:28you mentioned through the chair
3:29:31uh to uh Mr. Levveni, did I say that
3:29:35right? I make sure I say your name
3:29:36right. Thank you. Um, you had mentioned
3:29:38the investigators. Three are trauma
3:29:41informed. Um, but I don't think we have
3:29:44any background history on them. You
3:29:46know, what was the hiring process? Um,
3:29:49where did they come from? Are they wor
3:29:50residents? We just don't have that
3:29:52information. So, I think that would be
3:29:53good to have, especially if we're
3:29:54talking about people that we want to be
3:29:56on a civilian review board. We would
3:29:58have all this information. We would ask
3:29:59this information from them as well. So,
3:30:01I think sharing that information with us
3:30:02would be um would be valuable. Um, as I
3:30:07continued, you know, one of the
3:30:08questions I think either the chief can
3:30:10help with this question or the city
3:30:11manager through the chair is where are
3:30:13we at with the accredit accreditation
3:30:16process? Um, I know you mentioned a
3:30:18little bit, but how far away are we? And
3:30:20then you had mentioned um there are
3:30:23standards, you know, again, what are
3:30:25those standards?
3:30:28>> Chief or Mr. Vanchi?
3:30:29>> Yeah. through the chair. I'm going to
3:30:31call the chief talk touch on the
3:30:32accreditation process and I'll talk
3:30:34about the investigators after.
3:30:36>> Okay, chief.
3:30:38>> Through the chair of the councelor, as
3:30:40Mr. Levance had stated, there's 274
3:30:44standards that must be accomplished.
3:30:46That is usually a two to threeyear
3:30:49process. We are we started in March of
3:30:5225. Um we are making rapid movement on
3:30:56that. I'm going to say out of policies,
3:30:59we started out with 150 policies. 49 of
3:31:02them have been changed. The others are
3:31:06being consolidated or
3:31:09being completely revamped and those
3:31:11should be done within January or
3:31:13February. Once that's done, we call the
3:31:16um accreditation people to come in. They
3:31:20do an external review of everything we
3:31:22do where we have to provide evidence. So
3:31:25if we say we changed something, we have
3:31:29to show evidence that it was actually
3:31:31something concrete in what we did. So I
3:31:34would say um
3:31:37hopefully within the next year.
3:31:42>> Okay. Thank you. No, I wasn't sure if I
3:31:44Mr. Lansancy wanted to follow up. Um, so
3:31:47with that being said, I'm pretty sure
3:31:48there's some somewhere within this
3:31:50process that um,
3:31:54or maybe it's a question to you. Is it
3:31:56is there any civilian input? I mean,
3:31:58what we've heard tonight is, you know,
3:32:01common ground, transparency, community,
3:32:04uh, trust, trust in us within this
3:32:07process. Where where do the the
3:32:08residents fit in into this accreditation
3:32:10process? Um, because it's it's obviously
3:32:13it's valuable information. Mr. Levante
3:32:18Chief
3:32:19>> through the chair councelor the people
3:32:22who do the accreditation are not police
3:32:25officers. Most of them are civilians.
3:32:27They are part of the Massachusetts
3:32:30Accreditation Commission. If you look
3:32:33online, there's a ton of information on
3:32:36who they are, what they do. It lists all
3:32:39the standards that we need to
3:32:41accomplish. And then you have to get
3:32:45reacredited every three years. So I'll
3:32:47give quick example. Our policies, they
3:32:50were policies we had that were in still
3:32:54in use from when I came on in 1994.
3:32:58Now every single policy has to be
3:33:01readressed every year to make sure
3:33:04you're still utilizing best practices
3:33:07throughout the country and throughout
3:33:08Massachusetts.
3:33:09>> Yeah. Um, thank you. Thank you. So I I
3:33:12guess what what I was trying to say is
3:33:14do we reach out to our own residents in
3:33:17this process
3:33:20>> chair the council no question
3:33:21>> because
3:33:23it's a very technical thing like our
3:33:26crime lab is already accredited
3:33:28>> people come in every three years and
3:33:30they look at everything they do but you
3:33:33have to have the expertise in that area
3:33:36in order to make a valid assessment and
3:33:39it's the same with the policing
3:33:41We go from changing what they do in the
3:33:44cell room as far as the cells
3:33:48uh how we deliver medication. We had to
3:33:50have doctors come in. There's so many
3:33:53things you have to do that it it you
3:33:57cannot be just a lay person to come in
3:33:59and and do that work.
3:34:02>> So would you say this is an opportunity
3:34:04through the chair to to the chief or Mr.
3:34:06Leven, is this an opportunity to add
3:34:10um
3:34:12more more involvement within our
3:34:14communities with our with our uh
3:34:17constituents to add this within our uh
3:34:20the policy of or add that to a standard
3:34:23something that probably we haven't had
3:34:24back in '94
3:34:26>> through the chair of the council. We do
3:34:28not create what standards are are there.
3:34:31That again is by it's it's a standard
3:34:35that's current throughout Massachusetts.
3:34:38Every single police department seeking
3:34:41accreditation must meet the same
3:34:44standards. What we do do is we have
3:34:46civilian policemies and we we're
3:34:49starting one I'm speaking at one
3:34:51tomorrow. So we we do different
3:34:53processes where people can come in and
3:34:56they can get a hands on.
3:34:59Uh Mr. Feldman is he's going to be one
3:35:02of them. He's going to be a star student
3:35:04starting tomorrow.
3:35:07>> Don't be late. [laughter]
3:35:11>> So, and I, you know, the reason why I
3:35:13say that because I think it's an
3:35:15opportunity somewhere somehow to again
3:35:17reach out to residents. You know,
3:35:18throughout this whole thing I was
3:35:20reading, um, the key thing was, you
3:35:22know, getting their feedback, tr them
3:35:24trusting in us, trusting in, you know,
3:35:26the DEI process and things like that. So
3:35:28I I I think you know um finding ways to
3:35:32to to in incorporate that. Um
3:35:36as I continue with this there were some
3:35:39other questions I had regarding
3:35:42um some of the
3:35:46on page 13 the case results. So number
3:35:50of WPD cases. So down at the bottom uh
3:35:53substantiated cases uh remedial actions.
3:35:56It was two-day um without pay uh
3:35:59resigned prior to verbal discipline.
3:36:01Five-day suspension in retake sexual
3:36:03harassment policy training uh fiveday
3:36:05suspension like the what what caught my
3:36:08eye is we tried prior to case
3:36:09completion. What happens then to that to
3:36:12that individual [snorts]
3:36:14>> chief
3:36:15>> through the chair of council? I was
3:36:17about to terminate that individual and
3:36:20that person resigned in lie of
3:36:22termination at which time I
3:36:26when when we notified post one of my
3:36:28comments was to descertify that officer
3:36:31so you can never be a police officer
3:36:33again. So that's as far as you can go.
3:36:35You need to have a certification to be a
3:36:37cop. If you don't have that, you're all
3:36:39done.
3:36:41But since he retired prior to doing
3:36:44that,
3:36:46the case or whatever issue that just I
3:36:48don't I don't know what happened. You
3:36:50know what I mean? So obviously
3:36:52that was sustained. So that's part of
3:36:54his record. He's part of post.
3:36:56>> Okay.
3:36:56>> We didn't we didn't just stop and say,
3:36:59"Yeah, now you now you're retired.
3:37:00You're all set." We sustained the case
3:37:03and then we delivered
3:37:05um the recommendation to post.
3:37:08>> So just a recommendation. So therefore
3:37:10>> they they they um they suspended him and
3:37:15then you have to wait descertification.
3:37:17>> Okay.
3:37:17>> He cannot be a cop right now.
3:37:20>> All right. Thank you. Um is he allowed
3:37:22to collect any type of pension or
3:37:23anything like that?
3:37:26>> He was not charged with a criminal
3:37:28offense. that the offense he committed
3:37:31was not criminal in nature, but it was
3:37:34conduct unbecoming and a few other
3:37:37things that uh civil in nature. And
3:37:40contrary to what people say, we do go by
3:37:43a prepoundonderance of the evidence when
3:37:45we look at any type of internal affairs
3:37:48case.
3:37:50>> Thank you. Um, again looking at this on
3:37:52page 13, I guess one of the things that
3:37:54came to my mind is are are any of these
3:37:57um
3:37:58uh consequences or
3:38:03um are they are they really I guess the
3:38:06only thing that comes to mind are they
3:38:07really hitting home? Can we change that?
3:38:09I mean a gentleman or an officer I
3:38:11should say, I'm sorry. Uh two days
3:38:12without pay. Do you think that's
3:38:14substantial? Are we in a process? Are we
3:38:17looking towards probably pushing a
3:38:19little further? uh because whatever it
3:38:21is, I don't want someone to say, "Oh,
3:38:22well, that's only two days or, you know,
3:38:24or five days suspension." I can I can
3:38:26deal with that
3:38:27>> through the council. I mean, through the
3:38:30chair of the counselor under Mass
3:38:32General Law, chapter 31, civil service
3:38:34law, and that's part of this as well.
3:38:37When you find by proponents of the
3:38:39evidence that the person 51% they
3:38:43committed the infraction with policy
3:38:44violation. Once that's done, you have to
3:38:47go with when you're administering
3:38:50discipline, it's called just cause and
3:38:53that's part of civil service. If you do
3:38:56not follow that, and I'll give you an
3:38:57example,
3:38:59did the did the officer know of of the
3:39:01reasonable uh department rule? Was the
3:39:04investigation conducted fair and was it
3:39:07objective?
3:39:08Was discipline progressive? And that's
3:39:11an important thing. If if someone didn't
3:39:13do anything ever in their career and now
3:39:16they don't have their body cam on, they
3:39:18can't be fired. It has to be progressive
3:39:20discipline to protect the due process
3:39:23rights everybody has, including a police
3:39:27officer. So, we go through a list of
3:39:29things of what we can and cannot do
3:39:33based on disciplinary uh infractions
3:39:37prior to. So when you say two days, that
3:39:40officer may not have had any type of
3:39:42discipline in his whole career or her
3:39:44career. And that's what we we came up
3:39:47with for the discipline because it was
3:39:49just cause. If you do not do that and it
3:39:52goes back to civil service and it gets
3:39:54overturned, that officer gets their job
3:39:57back and if that's if the officer fired
3:40:00and they get back pay. So you have to be
3:40:02very careful on how you administer any
3:40:06type of discipline because there's
3:40:08always an appeal.
3:40:09>> Okay. Thank you. Uh Mr. Leveny, so
3:40:11through the chair, you know, you had
3:40:13mentioned uh coming up with solutions
3:40:15and outcomes and going back and forth
3:40:17with with the chief, how do you how do
3:40:19you come up with these these solutions
3:40:21like is it um evidence-based? Is it
3:40:23based off of um again the policies, the
3:40:25state and what whatever it may be?
3:40:28uh through the chair to the counselor
3:40:30and this is for any department. So
3:40:32something that uh my team has created is
3:40:34a database of all municipal employees in
3:40:38terms of um policies that's been
3:40:40violated to track you know if X was
3:40:44involved in sexual harassment first time
3:40:47um what has been the consequence if X
3:40:49was involved in protected class
3:40:51harassment what has been the uh
3:40:52consequence the second thing that we
3:40:54look at is also the the personnel record
3:40:57of that employee as well too in both of
3:41:00these databases is providing getting
3:41:01insight of what is the appropriate
3:41:03discipline and making sure that we're
3:41:05being equitable on that. So those are
3:41:06the two that I utilize to to make
3:41:09recommendation but also in partnership
3:41:11with any department head they might have
3:41:13further information that I'm not preview
3:41:15to. So, uh, between those three areas is
3:41:18what helps comes with those
3:41:19recommendations and majority of my
3:41:22recommendations is to help to move
3:41:23forward, right? So, if there needs to be
3:41:25retraining, um, obviously if it's really
3:41:27egregious, um, we'll leave that to to
3:41:29chief of police, um, or we we'll pull in
3:41:32HR, but most of the time it's how do you
3:41:34correct that action and move forward um,
3:41:36but that's that's how um, the
3:41:38recommendations are populated.
3:41:40>> Thank you. Thank you. And um you
3:41:43mentioned um driving accountability um
3:41:47stronger policies. Again um it mentions
3:41:52um transparency. It mentions public
3:41:55trust. Again, are these opportunities
3:41:58for residents to be able to sit down um
3:42:00with yourself and your your team? you
3:42:03mentioned that, you know, if councils
3:42:05can can to uh be more involved or just
3:42:07get that information out, like do you
3:42:10plan on having more of a um listening
3:42:12session, talking sessions to help again
3:42:15with this account um accreditation? And
3:42:17just so you know, um I I I believe in an
3:42:19accreditation. I think I think we need
3:42:20it. I think it's important um because it
3:42:23that's a huge accountability piece that
3:42:25you have to see over, you know, year
3:42:26after year and every three years. So, I
3:42:28think it's important, but again, it it
3:42:30it states this many many times in here
3:42:33about being able to have public trust
3:42:35and that transparency. We want to
3:42:36promote that, but I I didn't I I don't
3:42:39think I've heard where, you know, you
3:42:41invite them to come here, but there's
3:42:42opportunities where we can have meetings
3:42:44outside um of city of city council. Um
3:42:48Bada has had meetings in other districts
3:42:50to get people more involved because, you
3:42:52know, we go to them versus them coming
3:42:54to us. So again, is that opportun are
3:42:56these opportunities to be able to get
3:42:58into the neighborhoods where people
3:42:59aren't coming out and and and having
3:43:01these opportunities to to hear them?
3:43:04>> Yeah. Uh through the chair, to the
3:43:06counselor, great question. Um I I'll
3:43:08make myself available for any meeting.
3:43:11Um and I've said that since day one,
3:43:13whether it's to have conversation. One
3:43:15thing that I'm big on is just seeing
3:43:16different perspective. Um but more from
3:43:19a formalized process, I I still want to
3:43:21point out um the platform of HRC. So
3:43:24folks from the public can always attend
3:43:25meetings. Oftentimes they discuss um
3:43:28various things whether it's policies and
3:43:30uh those from the public can attend
3:43:32those meetings and if they have any
3:43:33questions they can follow up or I ask
3:43:36those questions through public comment
3:43:37section as well too. But outside of HRC
3:43:40I'm I'm always open and willing to have
3:43:42any conversation with any resident that
3:43:44has a concern on policies or that wants
3:43:46to update that.
3:43:47>> I second five minutes too.
3:43:50>> Thank you. I truly appreciate that
3:43:51because I think it's important for us to
3:43:53be able to start doing that and I'm
3:43:54hoping, you know, through the chair to
3:43:55the city manager if we can start
3:43:57scheduling um within my district. I'm
3:44:00ready for it to have these type of
3:44:01conversations. This is like like
3:44:03everyone has mentioned, this is really
3:44:05good information that we can share, but
3:44:06it's also an opportunity to listen to
3:44:08see what you know what is needed and
3:44:10then that goes back to again the
3:44:11accountability piece and transparency.
3:44:14Um, you know, I noticed in here also the
3:44:17um
3:44:19the numbers have decreased in the um I'm
3:44:23sorry I can't remember
3:44:26uh the complaints but the arrests have
3:44:29increased. Um so that's concerning to
3:44:32me. Um although you know again those
3:44:36numbers have decreased as far as the
3:44:37complaints go. Thank you Ry. Yep.
3:44:39Appreciate it. on page 15, the they have
3:44:43increased. Um, in two 2021, we had a
3:44:48total of uh 2,470 arrests and it has
3:44:52increased since. Um, and it's gone up to
3:44:553,885
3:44:57arrests. Um, so again, that's to me
3:45:00that's a um concerning number. Um,
3:45:03obviously the excessive use of force
3:45:05complaints have have decreased and
3:45:07that's that's good to know. Um, but the
3:45:10concerning part is that right there. And
3:45:13I think that's a number that I think
3:45:14it's important for us counselors to know
3:45:16what why what what are
3:45:20I guess what what
3:45:23what are the reasons people are getting
3:45:24arrested for? I think I've asked this
3:45:25question several times to just get a
3:45:27better understanding where we as
3:45:29counselors can help in our neighborhood
3:45:31meetings and let residents know like you
3:45:34can't tell your son he can't you know um
3:45:38be in the streets laid and you know
3:45:40hanging out breaking windows or whatever
3:45:43or talking to to kids of things just to
3:45:46notify residents of things that are
3:45:48common things that are going on in the
3:45:49neighborhood where we can get them to
3:45:51understand this is what's going on. um
3:45:53so they can become more practive versus
3:45:56seeing these numbers of arrests
3:45:57increase. So that's something I'm not
3:45:59sure if that's an order um but if
3:46:01there's a way to figure out you know
3:46:03what are the common themes of the top
3:46:04five between 2021 till now of of those
3:46:09arrests. So I I would appreciate seeing
3:46:11that. Um
3:46:20you spoke about accountability impact,
3:46:22you talked about training. Um are all
3:46:25these trainings mandatory or will they
3:46:28be mandatory? Um you mentioned several
3:46:31different types of trainings.
3:46:32>> Um
3:46:35>> yeah, through the chair uh to the
3:46:37counselor. So there's two sets of
3:46:38trainings. You have trainings coming
3:46:40from my office which are mandatory. uh
3:46:42not just the police department but any
3:46:44new employee coming in they all have to
3:46:46engage in sexual harassment training,
3:46:48new employee or orientation on boarding.
3:46:51Um and then with the police department
3:46:52as I said uh chief has been uh really
3:46:54great in terms of ensuring that the
3:46:56training that we provide is something
3:46:58that the uh new cadets that are going
3:47:00through like they should they must go
3:47:02through that. Um and then chief can
3:47:04speak about also the training that he
3:47:06also has provided in terms of additional
3:47:08training. But uh to your question, they
3:47:10are mandatory.
3:47:11>> About a minute.
3:47:12>> That's for new cadets though.
3:47:15>> New cadetses and existing police
3:47:16officers. So we do two-part training.
3:47:18We'll get the new cadetses, but we also
3:47:20do a two-year annual training of all
3:47:23existing officers as well too.
3:47:25>> That's good. I think it's important for
3:47:26for for our citizens to know that as
3:47:29well, right? um this information is
3:47:32important but also know that that
3:47:34training obviously leads to
3:47:35accountability as well and then again
3:47:37transparency. Chief, did you say you
3:47:39said you want Chief has something to say
3:47:41about it or no?
3:47:43>> Chief,
3:47:46>> well I know we just went through the uh
3:47:48cohort training that was for
3:47:52>> the management academy. We went through
3:47:54that. Now they're going down um a rank
3:47:58lower. So these are all mandatory
3:48:01trainings. They address a wide range of
3:48:04of things. So it's it's good and it gets
3:48:06everybody from different departments to
3:48:08get to know each other which also helps
3:48:12tremendously.
3:48:14>> Okay. Thank you. I think um for me the
3:48:17most important thing is we we
3:48:20you know ultimately the city manager
3:48:22made a recommendation and ultimately it
3:48:24comes down to to the council to decide
3:48:26what we want to do. um you know,
3:48:29whichever way the vote goes, I still
3:48:30think we have an opportunity here.
3:48:32Obviously, Mr. Levveny said he he's
3:48:34willing to to meet with the community
3:48:35and have these conversations. So, um I
3:48:38look forward to it. Um one last thing,
3:48:40you mentioned about boards or in
3:48:42commissions. Can you explain exactly
3:48:44which ones, just so anyone that's
3:48:46watching or people are here know what
3:48:47you're exactly you were talking about?
3:48:49>> Sure. Um so, when I say boards and
3:48:51commissions, there's a few that uh the
3:48:53DI office oversees. Um, so you have
3:48:55Black Affairs, um, Latino affairs,
3:48:59um, uh, AAC, um, human rights
3:49:03commission, um, the status of women, and
3:49:06also the LGBTQIA plus. So, we have six
3:49:08boards and commissions. Um, and they're
3:49:11really identity based. Um, so it allows
3:49:14residents from different communities who
3:49:16share some of those, uh, characteristics
3:49:18to to sit on these boards and provide
3:49:20insight, um, what that community might
3:49:22specifically, um, be going through. um
3:49:24within Worester.
3:49:26>> Okay. So again, I encourage residents to
3:49:28take up Mr. Lewency on his uh you know
3:49:31request and ask to to become more
3:49:33involved and again if you're not able to
3:49:35to get on the board attend the meetings.
3:49:37[clears throat] This is where all the
3:49:38the work will be done. Thank you and I I
3:49:40look forward to those meetings.
3:49:42>> Thank you. Okay. We have council me
3:49:45followed by council bal.
3:49:51>> Thank you Mr. Chair.
3:49:55First of all, um uh I'd like to thank
3:49:58for all those who came here today
3:50:01tonight and uh really spoke uh their
3:50:04thoughts and their minds to us which is
3:50:07very helpful. I think that is democracy.
3:50:09We hear you uh gives us a lot of things
3:50:13to think about. I also want to thank uh
3:50:16our chief equity officer for I know it's
3:50:19been a lot of patience for you. We've
3:50:21been waiting to make this presentation.
3:50:22And I'm I'm glad that finally we get it
3:50:25done for you and you made a great
3:50:27presentation for us giving us the at
3:50:29least the whole idea about what is
3:50:31happening at this point. I just wondered
3:50:33that if this presentation could be
3:50:35available to everyone in the residents
3:50:38if you can post it in the website or
3:50:41something with the request to the city
3:50:42manager that'll be very nice if
3:50:44everybody can see this report so we know
3:50:47the analytical you know findings that
3:50:49you have which might be important for
3:50:51everyone to know um I would also like to
3:50:55Mr. Chair uh thank someone who called uh
3:50:58at from the online Mr. David Fort and
3:51:02mentioned particularly about me to being
3:51:04the new city councelor uh you know give
3:51:07the opinion thinking hard about the
3:51:10situation. I just want to let everyone
3:51:12know that we all those are elected here
3:51:16are elected thinking that uh we become
3:51:19your leader. We make our judgment. We
3:51:23make our opinions keeping fairness in
3:51:26mind. what comes to my own conscience is
3:51:30what I'm going to say and that's what I
3:51:32think we are all given this opportunity
3:51:34to lead here as your voice like Mr.
3:51:38forward that I'm going to say what I
3:51:41think comes to my mind in a genuine way
3:51:44in a right way but when it comes to
3:51:47talking about the civilian review board
3:51:49which we have been talking about I've
3:51:51heard many people come and talk I would
3:51:54probably like to discuss it breaking my
3:51:57thoughts into three things
3:52:00number one is option
3:52:03number two is improvement
3:52:05number three is fairness
3:52:09Civilian review board is an option.
3:52:13It's an option given to us to take if
3:52:16needed.
3:52:17Now one might say or I would like to
3:52:20know that why do we have like to have a
3:52:23civilian review board only for the
3:52:26police department? I mean we have DPW,
3:52:28we have DTM, we have parks and
3:52:30appreciation, we have economic
3:52:32development office. We're not asking to
3:52:35have a civilian review board for all
3:52:37other divisions at all. We're asking for
3:52:40having a civilian review board for us
3:52:42police department. And rightfully, if
3:52:44you really think about it, because this
3:52:47particular department has been given an
3:52:51extraordinary power that probably others
3:52:54don't. You have the police department
3:52:56has the power to detain you, has the
3:52:59power to arrest you, the power to shoot
3:53:02you.
3:53:04They have that extraordinary power and
3:53:06that's why probably every resident is
3:53:08asking can we have a civilian review
3:53:11board to kind of make sure that they are
3:53:14not abusing overusing their power which
3:53:18is extraordinarily different than many
3:53:20other departments if I'm not wrong I
3:53:22think that's why people are suggesting
3:53:24for the civilian review board but I'll
3:53:26go back again to say that civilian
3:53:29review board is an option
3:53:32If it was supposed to be something that
3:53:35civilian review board should always be
3:53:37attached to all police department in the
3:53:40entire country, it should have been a
3:53:42law. The civilian review board is by law
3:53:45is a part of the police department or
3:53:48any police department because they have
3:53:50that excessive power that has been given
3:53:52to them by virtue of the fact the kind
3:53:55of job they do. But it is not a law.
3:53:58It's a choice that has been given to us
3:54:00to choose if need.
3:54:03Now I would say we have a new police
3:54:06chief for the last 2 three years
3:54:10Chief Paul Soiier
3:54:12and he has seen the past. He has seen
3:54:15the allegations that was brought to us
3:54:18by DOJ and those allegation points such
3:54:23as overuse of power, overuse of the
3:54:26force, misconduct, sexual misconduct,
3:54:29not treating people with dignity and
3:54:32many others which were the reason that
3:54:36all these things came up. But I think we
3:54:39learn from our past. We see that we have
3:54:43had these situations. Can we improve
3:54:45upon it? And that's where my second
3:54:47point is improvement. We want to have a
3:54:50civilian improvement review board to see
3:54:52that we have an improvement in all these
3:54:54points that was brought forward in front
3:54:57of the city manager or the council
3:55:00and we have a new chief who has seen
3:55:04those past and as your data very
3:55:08you know deep presentation that you made
3:55:10today shows that there has been a
3:55:12decline in most of the allegation that
3:55:16was brought to us
3:55:19if he has been able to do that. I mean
3:55:23the manager has hired a person to lead
3:55:26that department.
3:55:28We have to let him do his job if he is
3:55:31showing that he has made the improvement
3:55:34in what we expect him to do and brought
3:55:37forward the things that is suitable for
3:55:40us. trying to bring the trust back of
3:55:43the community into our police department
3:55:45and maybe someday this police department
3:55:48will be an exemplary police department
3:55:50in the nation by his leadership role and
3:55:54I think that since he has shown that
3:55:57improvement
3:55:59let us all be fair. Let all be fair. I
3:56:02mean anyone be hired is hired to do his
3:56:07or her job responsibility to be
3:56:10delivered in the right way and if you
3:56:12don't do that delivery the way the
3:56:16administration requires you or expects
3:56:18from you then we go to the option
3:56:22then we have other options to look into
3:56:25and one of the options could be the
3:56:27civilian review board or anything else.
3:56:32So I am looking into the option of
3:56:34civilian review board. Do we need it now
3:56:38when our
3:56:40current police chief is really doing
3:56:42well and improving the situation? I
3:56:45think it would be not fair. Let us be
3:56:48fair. Let's be fair to a person who is
3:56:51trying his best to bring the trust of
3:56:53the community back into our division.
3:56:56He's doing his best.
3:56:58>> You have about three minutes. I would
3:56:59just I would just uh like to ask uh
3:57:03police chief. I'm sure you think that in
3:57:07your role you have taken this
3:57:09responsibility that you will bring us
3:57:12good results going forward. What's your
3:57:15opinion on that chief?
3:57:18>> For the chair of council that's correct.
3:57:19The men and women of the West Police
3:57:20Department are engaged in doing just
3:57:25that. That's what we want. We want the
3:57:28public to trust us. We want to be as
3:57:32transparent as possible and those are
3:57:34some of the inroads we are making
3:57:36because that's what we set out to
3:57:40accomplish and that's what we're going
3:57:42to do.
3:57:42>> Thank you very much. I think that's what
3:57:44we expect. I mean I would like to
3:57:46request you I'm not going to make a real
3:57:49motion here but I'd like to see that
3:57:50maybe every 6 months you bring us the
3:57:53results of your findings on all those
3:57:55points which have been our allegations
3:57:58excessive use of force overpowering you
3:58:00know miss sexual misconduct and we'd
3:58:02like to see it goes down to zero maybe
3:58:04that's not always possible but that
3:58:06should be our smart goal that I have I
3:58:09have always been talked about let's have
3:58:11a measurable points and bring it to us
3:58:14every six months wants to show how you
3:58:15are doing and let the council see that
3:58:18you are making an improvement. That is
3:58:20what we expect.
3:58:22So at this point when things are going
3:58:25forward in the way that I think we all
3:58:28are expecting, I'd like you to bring the
3:58:31trust back of the community into your
3:58:34department and I think which you can do.
3:58:36I have full confidence in the way you
3:58:39have already delivered some of the
3:58:40results based on the results that was
3:58:42presented in the data analytical data by
3:58:45our chief equity officer. Thank you for
3:58:48that. You know I'm a businessman. I'm an
3:58:52entrepreneur. I have an office manager
3:58:54in my office. I tell her my rules,
3:58:58regulations, policies and I said make
3:59:00sure that everybody does the right
3:59:02things in the office. Now after hiring
3:59:05that person if I say but I gave you all
3:59:08the rules I hired you as a manager but I
3:59:11have five people over you who are going
3:59:14to monitor you to make sure that you are
3:59:18doing the right job
3:59:20>> that you are doing it and that's not be
3:59:22fair to that would not be fair to her
3:59:25because then she'll feel insulted
3:59:28I mean we have given her the job to
3:59:30deliver we have given the chief the job
3:59:32to deliver I'm glad to see that you are
3:59:34now associating with the department of
3:59:37equity and the DEI department and I'm
3:59:40glad that the things are working. I hope
3:59:42the decisions will be made right and so
3:59:45going back to the option looking all
3:59:47these improvements. I'd like to be fair
3:59:50to our police chief giving him the
3:59:52chance and probably not look for the
3:59:54civilian review board at this point. I'm
3:59:57not saying that I'm against another
3:59:59officer, but at [clears throat] this
4:00:01point I'd like to give him the chance to
4:00:04continue and bring us back the trust to
4:00:06this of this community to your
4:00:08department and I wish you the best and
4:00:11thank you Mr.
4:00:13Chair to give me the opportunity to
4:00:14speak.
4:00:14>> Thank you.
4:00:15>> Thanks.
4:00:16>> We have council Bada.
4:00:19>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh yeah, I want
4:00:21to thank uh Mr. Levveny for the in-depth
4:00:24report and [clears throat]
4:00:26um I just wanted to start with a few
4:00:28questions about the processes that were
4:00:30mentioned when it comes to uh policy
4:00:34review and it was mentioned that uh the
4:00:37human rights commission and the access
4:00:39advisory commission um review policies
4:00:43um and having served on the human rights
4:00:46commission and and done some of this
4:00:48work and and it was you know we've again
4:00:50had a great relationship with with the
4:00:52with the chief of the police department.
4:00:53I think we've made some really great
4:00:55progress. Uh I'm curious, how many of
4:00:57the uh policies has the access advisory
4:01:01commission reviewed for the Worester
4:01:03Police Department in the past since this
4:01:06has been in place?
4:01:08>> Mr. Lee,
4:01:09>> to the chair to the counselor, there's a
4:01:10correction. So when it comes to AAC,
4:01:13they uh engage more in trainings. HRC is
4:01:16the one that's doing more policies. So
4:01:18for example, what I had stated was that
4:01:20AAC um they assist in interactions with
4:01:24PD and folks a part of the disability
4:01:26community. What is the appropriate way
4:01:28to approach folks with a disability?
4:01:30What is the etiquette way? Um they've
4:01:32been involved in in orientation with new
4:01:36officers coming in and they have a
4:01:37segment. Um so they've been more
4:01:39involved in terms of training um less of
4:01:41policies. Policies is more on HRC.
4:01:44>> Okay. And do so, uh, as a follow-up
4:01:48question to that, the AAC provides, like
4:01:50you said, some type of like disability
4:01:52etiquette training,
4:01:54does WPD do that themselves? Is that
4:01:57part of, this might be a question to the
4:01:58chief, is that part of the, and I know
4:02:00there's been some, you know, additional
4:02:02training that recruits are going
4:02:03through, which has been great. I'm
4:02:05curious, is that part of new training
4:02:08that's happening or is are WPD rec or is
4:02:12that training only happening via the
4:02:15access advisory commission?
4:02:17>> Mr. Levangi, a chief.
4:02:20>> Um, so I uh through the DI office, we
4:02:23take care of trainings in terms of
4:02:25disability etiquette. um a chief can
4:02:27speak to any additional trainings, but
4:02:30um through through new employation,
4:02:34through harassment training, through
4:02:37inseason officers and officers coming
4:02:40in, they all receive uh receive that.
4:02:42And it's not just WPD. Um all of all in
4:02:45new employees coming in.
4:02:49>> Yeah, that's why I was, you know, again
4:02:50refer to W to just WPD recruits. Are is
4:02:53there any type of training that they're
4:02:55getting in regards to how to interact
4:02:58with individuals with disabilities?
4:03:02>> Chief
4:03:02>> through the chair of councel that's
4:03:04included in their academy training.
4:03:07>> They go to academy I believe 26 27 weeks
4:03:10and that is one part of the curriculum
4:03:12that is mandated by the state.
4:03:15>> Right. Thank you. I appreciate that. Um,
4:03:18and again, I I I think the Worcester
4:03:21Police Department is going in a much
4:03:23better direction. The the the chief, uh,
4:03:25the city the city manager, the
4:03:27administration is implementing policies,
4:03:30uh, internal policies that I think
4:03:31definitely help. And I know, and I think
4:03:34as the majority of Worester residents
4:03:36know, uh, again, the vast majority of
4:03:38Worester police officers serve with
4:03:40integrity. They care about the
4:03:41community. I've worked as a district
4:03:43counselor and growing up in the city. I
4:03:45know, you know, many police officers
4:03:47that that care about the work. Um,
4:03:49however, you know, there are issu when
4:03:51issues arise and when there are
4:03:53mistakes, I think it's important that we
4:03:55really make sure that accountability and
4:03:59you know, proper disciplinary actions
4:04:01are happening. Um, so one thing that I
4:04:05again the you know the report is great.
4:04:08It talks about uh you know improving use
4:04:10of force oversight but I believe that
4:04:12you know the AC the report does not
4:04:15necessarily address I think the central
4:04:17issue which is you know whether
4:04:18Worester's existing internal system of
4:04:21oversight are sufficient to insure
4:04:24ensure transparency and accountability
4:04:26and I think a civilian review board
4:04:28would be a helpful addition. I don't see
4:04:31it as a replacement. I also don't view
4:04:33it as something that is is is uh meant
4:04:37to be
4:04:39um
4:04:42you know not existing to loom over the
4:04:44shoulder of a police and it's not about
4:04:46being uh you know punitive. It's it's
4:04:49about building better policy and and
4:04:50making uh you know creating a more
4:04:53transparent and credible process, right?
4:04:55That really benefits both the public and
4:04:56the police. And I I absolutely believe
4:04:58that is happening with a lot of the the
4:05:00internal um systems of oversight and the
4:05:04external additional overviews of use of
4:05:06force. Uh but going back to the human
4:05:09rights commission, what what concerns me
4:05:11about the report is that, you know, over
4:05:13the past several years, the human rights
4:05:15commission has reviewed and raised
4:05:16concerns about numerous police policies,
4:05:19but there's only been virtually one
4:05:22that's been adopted, which is the use of
4:05:24the language line, which is a great
4:05:25thing that WPD is now doing. But again,
4:05:28the majority of policies that HRC has
4:05:31policy recommendations that HRC has
4:05:34submitted h have not been uh taken up.
4:05:39So that that's just a a a concern of
4:05:41mine. Um again, I know the you know, I
4:05:44believe the vast majority of WP officers
4:05:46serve with honor, integrity, and a deep
4:05:48commitment to to protecting our
4:05:50community. Um but I still worry that
4:05:53there's and some of the things that that
4:05:55give me pause are some of the things
4:05:57that have come up recently um with the
4:06:00the report about the UMass officer with
4:06:02the report about um in the telegram that
4:06:05was over the weekend about officer Luong
4:06:08uh who had repeated uh instances of of
4:06:13uh
4:06:16history of similar issues. I'm reading
4:06:18the article here. history of similar
4:06:19issues of of of misconduct. I know there
4:06:21was, as the chief said, escalating
4:06:23levels of uh, you know, reprimanding or
4:06:26or excuse me, what the word is. Um, I I
4:06:30you know, I I don't think a civilian
4:06:31reboard is there to
4:06:34to, you know, uh, it's not there to
4:06:36punish police. It's there to build
4:06:37better community, you know, and
4:06:39transparency. Um I so I'm you know
4:06:43opposed to the manager's recommendation
4:06:45of not opting for a civilian review
4:06:48board. Um again I think it's important
4:06:50you know that we had the the Worcester
4:06:52Regional Research Bureau. We've had um
4:06:55the the CNA racial equity audit that
4:06:58talked about concerns over uh how WPD
4:07:06uh
4:07:08how they implement disciplinary action
4:07:10like so for example the 2024 CNA audit
4:07:14it it uh surveyed sworn and un and
4:07:17nonsworn police personnel and found that
4:07:1944% of WPD personnel strongly agreed
4:07:23that WPD disciplinary action process
4:07:25benefits individuals who are favored by
4:07:29city officials or command staff. That's
4:07:30not me saying this. This is from the
4:07:32report that the CNA uh that the city,
4:07:35you know, had um had done. And I and 43%
4:07:40strongly disagreed that WPD has a
4:07:42transparent process for disciplinary
4:07:44action. Again, this was from 2024. I
4:07:46know a lot of that has changed, but just
4:07:48some of the data and in and the reports
4:07:51and things that coming out still give
4:07:53make give me the impression and I
4:07:56believe that it could still be helpful
4:07:57to have and again a civilian review
4:08:00board does different things. There's
4:08:02there's different models of it. So, uh,
4:08:04you know, civilian boards,
4:08:06>> you got about four minutes left.
4:08:07>> Thank you. So, I just want to address,
4:08:09you know, civilian review. It's great
4:08:10that we have the civilian the civilian
4:08:11academy and I think that points to that
4:08:13there can be a good relationship between
4:08:16the the the PD a police department and
4:08:19civilians. Uh again the word civilian
4:08:22refers to individuals who are who's not
4:08:24a sworn law enforcement officer. Um you
4:08:27know majority just like post commission
4:08:30the majority of folks that are appointed
4:08:31to these commissions go through
4:08:32significant vetting. They also go
4:08:34through significant training uh and
4:08:36they're they're backed by staff. So
4:08:38there's uh CRBs can also they often
4:08:42include uh you know people that have
4:08:45work professionally with law enforcement
4:08:47whether they're there are case workers,
4:08:49social workers, whether they're mental
4:08:50health coordinators, people that that
4:08:52their their professional careers
4:08:54intersect with law enforcement. So it's
4:08:55not like we're just picking random folks
4:08:57off the street and saying, you know,
4:08:59here be come be serve on on this board.
4:09:02So, and even civilian review boards that
4:09:04I think would would be great for
4:09:05Worester is to have a position that's
4:09:08occupied by a former law enforcement.
4:09:11Uh, all these perspectives are are
4:09:13important and as many of us have said
4:09:16tonight, it's all about hearing
4:09:17different perspectives and working
4:09:18together. And I still think that this is
4:09:20something that could be uh beneficial
4:09:24and that uh you know would would bring a
4:09:27collaborative approach to improving
4:09:28policy. Um, again, not all these models
4:09:31are just meant to loom over the shoulder
4:09:33and and dictate day-to-day operations of
4:09:36the police. And, uh, I think also it's
4:09:39great to see like, and the chief pointed
4:09:40out and and this has been mentioned
4:09:42before, the amount of arrests in in the,
4:09:45um, very extremely low number of of
4:09:49complaints and how well that the
4:09:52Worester police officers are managing
4:09:54use of force and and and doing different
4:09:56diversionary uh, you know, tactics. that
4:09:59speaks to the training that speaks to
4:10:00all the improvements that uh is
4:10:03happening right now and that the chief
4:10:04is doing and that our the city manager
4:10:07is pursuing. So I I give all due credit
4:10:09you know this is important. These are
4:10:11all internal changes that are necessary.
4:10:13I still think there could be it would be
4:10:15helpful to have an addition of some type
4:10:18of external oversight. Um but again I
4:10:22think we are going in in a better
4:10:24direction. And I appreciate uh
4:10:25everyone's perspectives and uh you know
4:10:28I go to all the neighborhood meetings
4:10:29too and hear uh most of the folks we we
4:10:32all are working with PD and and um but
4:10:35there's just like folks here tonight
4:10:37just like folks at neighborhood meetings
4:10:38there's a variety of of of opinions and
4:10:40but I think what we are doing right now
4:10:42is going in a in a better direction but
4:10:45I still feel a civilian review board
4:10:47would be a helpful addition not a
4:10:49replacement to anything but an addition
4:10:51to so thank you
4:10:53>> thank Thank you, Council V.
4:11:02>> Mr. Chairman, through you.
4:11:04I contemplated whether to speak on this
4:11:07issue tonight and uh I decided I would
4:11:11stand and explain my decision because I
4:11:15owe it to my boyhood friend, Chief of
4:11:17Police.
4:11:19I owe it to some dear friends that are
4:11:22police officers
4:11:24uh currently with the WPD and retired
4:11:28and I owe it to the city manager who I
4:11:31believe is a fine man and trying to do a
4:11:34great job here for us. Mo most
4:11:37importantly, I owe it to the residents
4:11:40of my district of the district I
4:11:42represent and
4:11:45they need to know why I'm going to vote
4:11:47the way I am.
4:11:49Uh, Mr. Chairman, through you again, no
4:11:52one could be more pro police than I.
4:11:55Uh, my record shows it in the
4:11:57legislature.
4:11:58Uh, brought home
4:12:01hundreds of thousands of dollars for
4:12:03overtime,
4:12:05uh, community policing grants
4:12:08uh, in the 16th Wish district that I
4:12:11represented. Uh again, I'm not touting
4:12:14or blowing my horn, but was uh
4:12:19honored to have the uh award of uh
4:12:24legislator of the year from the Mass
4:12:26Police Association 2006. So again, I
4:12:30hope no one doubts my commitment and my
4:12:34belief in the Whistler Police
4:12:36Department, but I did experience
4:12:39something along the campaign trail uh
4:12:42last summer
4:12:44uh with someone
4:12:46who was employed with the Worcester
4:12:48Police Department, a a sergeant in the
4:12:51West Police Department that uh I believe
4:12:54came by my house on the clock in his
4:12:59uh
4:13:01unmarked cruiser
4:13:04and took a picture of a political sign
4:13:06that I had in my yard and
4:13:10within 24 hours that picture showed up
4:13:13on social media
4:13:16uh saying uh oh for Solo is supporting
4:13:21this anti- police candidate he must be
4:13:25anti- police
4:13:27And on top of it, that person, that
4:13:33officer that I'm speaking of commented
4:13:37on it and uh
4:13:41supported that if if that that the post
4:13:47was what I just what I just spoke about
4:13:50and he agreed with it that uh if he has
4:13:54that sign in the lawn, he's anti-
4:13:56police, we need to vote for his
4:13:58opponent.
4:14:00So, I did go through uh human resources
4:14:03and make and file a complaint.
4:14:05Uh the investigation was uh was took
4:14:10place and um it was it was uh decided
4:14:15that uh
4:14:19he wouldn't be charged with anything
4:14:21because
4:14:23there wasn't enough proof. And I would
4:14:25say also
4:14:28uh the brazeness of him to do that
4:14:32with a Ring camera, a Ring doorbell
4:14:36camera on my door that unfortunately was
4:14:40not charged and I did not have uh the
4:14:45ability to produce any evidence from
4:14:48that camera. If I did, it would have
4:14:50been a mute point, but I didn't. So, it
4:14:54was a he said, he said. I get it. I'm
4:14:57I'm in full agreement. Uh somebody, you
4:15:00know, unless you have evidence and you
4:15:02can prove it, uh you know, that's the
4:15:05consequences. I'm a big boy and I
4:15:07understand that.
4:15:09But in my heart,
4:15:11it happened
4:15:13and
4:15:18I feel that as long as someone
4:15:23uh that caliber is still working for the
4:15:28police department. If he was retired, I
4:15:30probably would be voting the other way
4:15:31to be quite honest. But uh it left that
4:15:36kind of impression on me that uh again
4:15:42trying not to be personal, but uh I've
4:15:45seen him in action and to me he's a
4:15:48poster child for uh a corrupt cop.
4:15:52And uh I I definitely believe he's
4:15:55capable of reporting of uh repeating the
4:15:58same behavior again.
4:16:00>> Your second five,
4:16:02>> Mr. Chairman, I'm going to end it there.
4:16:04Uh
4:16:06again, I'm a man of my word and I know
4:16:08I've spoke with the chief about where I
4:16:12stand on uh this issue and uh that's why
4:16:16I had to get up and explain again to him
4:16:21to my dear friends that are police
4:16:23officers in this city to the city
4:16:26manager and again most importantly the
4:16:29residents of uh the third district that
4:16:33I represent. present here in Worcester.
4:16:35Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
4:16:37>> Thank you, Council Rosa.
4:16:46>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I know my
4:16:48colleague, Councelor Folo, said that he
4:16:50didn't have enough evidence in the case
4:16:52he just described that I didn't know
4:16:54anything about, but even a civilian
4:16:57review board would have had no evidence
4:16:59either in the same situation.
4:17:02But in any case, I've been
4:17:05against a civilian review board here in
4:17:08the city of Worester for the Worcester
4:17:09Police Department for many, many years.
4:17:11And I'm not going to go through all the
4:17:14reasons and all the details tonight,
4:17:17except
4:17:18looking at the research, they generally
4:17:22don't work. I mean, I know the folks who
4:17:24spoke tonight and favor this and a lot
4:17:26of them have told me most people in the
4:17:29city want it. That's not what I'm
4:17:31finding. I talked to a lot of people in
4:17:32the city. We agree a lot of times and we
4:17:35don't agree sometimes, but I'm not so
4:17:37sure that that's what the people in the
4:17:39city of Worcester want, a majority. I
4:17:41find it just the opposite. So, I don't
4:17:43know how we decide that, but it doesn't
4:17:46seem to work the way that they expect it
4:17:49to work anywhere.
4:17:52Tonight, I have an item, if we ever get
4:17:54to it, we have a uh on our council
4:17:56calendar. I have an item about you know
4:17:59dealing with the homeless issue in
4:18:00Worcester to like four cities and I
4:18:02named four cities around the country
4:18:04that have taken a regional approach to
4:18:06homelessness and so that's a whole
4:18:08different issue but I mentioned four
4:18:09cities July when we first had this big
4:18:13discussion I guess August we didn't have
4:18:14this discussion July and tonight so two
4:18:17months I haven't heard one person in
4:18:20favor of the civilian review board who
4:18:22mention what city any city where it's
4:18:25working I just think the folks should
4:18:28check into it. It's not working well in
4:18:31too many places and I'm not sure what
4:18:33one is, but I know in my homelessness
4:18:35order, I did make sure I found at least
4:18:38four and I'll talk about that, you know,
4:18:40if we get to those issues tonight. I had
4:18:43the pleasure right at 5:30 before this
4:18:46meeting tonight of meeting with seven
4:18:47folks, several of who spoke today. They
4:18:50were all in favor of having a civilian
4:18:52review board. And I had the pleasure, as
4:18:54some of my colleagues did, over the last
4:18:55several weeks, my meeting with them was
4:18:57tonight and right before this meeting.
4:19:00And I did bring up the DEI office and
4:19:04suggested to them on a couple of of uh
4:19:08occasions during the meeting that, you
4:19:10know, they might want to look into
4:19:13dealing more with the DEI office with
4:19:15some of their their issues. And I think
4:19:19what they tended to say to me is that
4:19:22and again I'm against civilian review
4:19:24board and maybe for a second here I'm
4:19:26being a devil's advocate too. They said
4:19:28well the city what we want what we want
4:19:31is an independent board. That's what
4:19:35they wanted. An independent board some
4:19:37independent body to take a look at this.
4:19:40And so
4:19:42and I I think I had a good discussion
4:19:44with them about that and that was before
4:19:46I saw listened to your great report
4:19:48tonight. I mean I think I did fairly
4:19:50well at that meeting considering I
4:19:51didn't have all the details you gave us
4:19:53tonight and outlined you know so well
4:19:56but they're looking for that
4:19:57independence and I guess through the
4:19:58chair I would say to Mr. Levante how
4:20:00would you answer that question? They're
4:20:02saying DEI good department what they do
4:20:05good stuff we support them but they seem
4:20:08to want a an independent group is the
4:20:11DEI office that's part of the city of
4:20:14Worcester government is that an
4:20:16independent body through the chair
4:20:20>> Mr. Andrew
4:20:22>> uh through the chair to the counselor um
4:20:25whatever entity or board that we have it
4:20:28will never totally be independent even
4:20:31on a civilian review board that's
4:20:32appointed by either the town manager the
4:20:34mayor or the city manager um but as I
4:20:38said through our through our process
4:20:40we're the closest thing to independent
4:20:42um outside of the police department
4:20:44civil in nature when things can't be
4:20:47resolved it's pushed up to the city
4:20:49manager who then acts as the chief
4:20:51conservative of the peace. Um, so in any
4:20:54of the research that's being done in
4:20:55municipalities, there's no such thing as
4:20:58a completely independent board. There's
4:20:59still some sort of dotted line where the
4:21:02manager or the town manager is
4:21:04appointing these members that are still
4:21:06at the pleasure of that city manager.
4:21:08>> And through the chair, if there were to
4:21:11be a civilian review board, which again
4:21:12I do not support, but if there were to
4:21:14be one, I assume that none no one on
4:21:17that board would probably be a city
4:21:19employee. Is that correct?
4:21:22>> Through the chair to the counselor,
4:21:25depending how that process works for
4:21:27different municipalities. Uh, no.
4:21:29>> If I remember correctly, maybe to this
4:21:31through the chair to the manager. Am I
4:21:33right that no city employee can serve on
4:21:35Worers's boards and commissions? Am I
4:21:37correct?
4:21:38>> No. Did we change that over the years? I
4:21:40know it used to be that way. Maybe it's
4:21:41been changed
4:21:45by the city administration. Um they are
4:21:48there have been scenarios where we've
4:21:49had employees serve um different boards.
4:21:52For example, we had an employee in the
4:21:54past serve on the status of women. Um
4:21:57but when it comes to regulatory boards,
4:21:59they're depending on that role. Uh but
4:22:02it's a policy that the administration
4:22:04has for city employees not to play a
4:22:05role in commissions.
4:22:07>> Thank you. And I'm again through the
4:22:08chair. I'm not trying to make a case for
4:22:10civilian boards because I do oppose it.
4:22:12But that's what I heard through my
4:22:13meeting tonight that now they want an
4:22:15independent board. And I understand what
4:22:17y'all saying. No board would be 100%
4:22:19independent. But if it didn't include uh
4:22:23city employees, it might be a little
4:22:25different. But that's not the case I
4:22:27want to make. But I want to the
4:22:29discussion we've been having the last
4:22:30few months is really goes back, am I
4:22:32right, Mr. Chairman? To the city
4:22:35manager's report where he makes a
4:22:37recommendation that we not have a
4:22:38civilian review board. And I believe
4:22:40that's anformational report. Is that is
4:22:43that correct?
4:22:44>> It's information report. Correct.
4:22:45>> Right. Okay. And what we've done over
4:22:47the years, there's a couple of choices.
4:22:49Sometimes we send those reports to
4:22:51committee and sometimes we file them.
4:22:54And I, you know, listening to the
4:22:56discussion from the council tonight,
4:22:58especially because we haven't really
4:23:00voiced our opinions, you know, in our
4:23:02meeting. We've listened to a lot of
4:23:03other folks. You know, I can see that
4:23:06the the majority of this Worcester City
4:23:08Council does not favor a takes my
4:23:12position too. I have the same position
4:23:13does not favor a civilian review board.
4:23:16So on theformational report, I'm going
4:23:18to make a motion that we file that
4:23:20report. It's from the manager. Some
4:23:21people agree with it, some people don't
4:23:23agree with it. Okay? We're going to
4:23:24always have that. There's always two
4:23:26sides to every issue. So, I'm going to
4:23:28just make that motion now that we file
4:23:30that report as we've done to so many
4:23:32other reports over the years. Thank you,
4:23:35Mr. Chairman. That's
4:23:54something.
4:23:58Mayor Joseph and Petty.
4:24:02>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And uh I want
4:24:04to thank Mr. Levanche for the
4:24:05comprehensive report. It was
4:24:07comprehensive. Uh he put a lot of time
4:24:09and effort into it. Work with the chief
4:24:11administration, the department. Uh we've
4:24:14come a long way in the last three years.
4:24:17How I think you've been here two years,
4:24:19Mr. Vinci.
4:24:21>> Uh to the chair, October will be two
4:24:23years.
4:24:24So, you've uh these are tough issues and
4:24:29for what you do with the training.
4:24:31I'm very impressed when you do the
4:24:33training over at the police department
4:24:34or the fire department and putting the
4:24:37recruits through your um weekly training
4:24:40uh once a week. I'm impressed with
4:24:42everything the chief has done. I feel
4:24:45like council Rosen has I just find
4:24:47civilian review boards ineffective.
4:24:50There's always [snorts] drama attached
4:24:52to them. and they don't seem to work
4:24:54great. And the chief has done I think
4:24:58anyways, you know, between the advisory
4:25:02committee he's putting together, I think
4:25:03you're slowly putting that out. I think
4:25:05I read that in the paper the other day.
4:25:06The accreditation process, the 9
4:25:09responses, the DOJ report, and also
4:25:13some of the uh not just the 19
4:25:15responses, but you'll also create
4:25:17another report talking about the GO DOJ
4:25:20report trying to refute some of the
4:25:21stuff that they had stated in that
4:25:23report that you could find out. Anyways,
4:25:25changing all the policies every year or
4:25:27reviewing the policies on a yearly
4:25:28basis. Um,
4:25:32and we're not, you know, nothing's
4:25:34perfect. You know, there's it's issues
4:25:35and we was brought up tonight with a lot
4:25:37of different things that happen with the
4:25:38police department and impacting the
4:25:41community, but uh,
4:25:45you really put the chief when it comes
4:25:47to law enforcement have really put
4:25:49accountability in place. I've seen the
4:25:51change in three years. I think it's a
4:25:53tremendous change. I think for the first
4:25:55time the Wister Police Department is in
4:25:57a really good place. doesn't mean we
4:25:59can't improve on more policies and
4:26:01procedures going forward. I think that
4:26:03the to do when you were board undermine
4:26:06everything the chief has done for
4:26:08enforcement here in the city of
4:26:09Worester. Um that's why I don't support
4:26:12it. Um but I think
4:26:16and that's the question I think council
4:26:18me brought it up but accountability
4:26:21measures uh Mr. Vansie, what's our plan
4:26:24for county building measures to bring
4:26:25out these report every I think six
4:26:27months was the motion um of where we
4:26:30have some type of report on um
4:26:33discipline etc and sexual force cases
4:26:38you plan on bringing like every six
4:26:39months bring a report out
4:26:41>> chief is that the chief saucier was that
4:26:44to
4:26:44>> chief we're both here I guess
4:26:46>> chief sauier um Mr. or Vancy either one.
4:26:51>> So, I'd like to get a report. I think I
4:26:53think there's an accountability issue
4:26:55here. Uh trust in the community. Um
4:26:57building that trust because I think in
4:26:59the report, Mr. Levante, you mentioned
4:27:00at the end talking about there's ways
4:27:03that the community can participate. You
4:27:05mentioned the six several boards that
4:27:07you're in charge of. Um and I think
4:27:09that's important that people know that.
4:27:11Uh there's one thing brought up. I get
4:27:14the point that Council King was sort of
4:27:15making earlier, but I went through the
4:27:18Once it was brought up, I went through
4:27:19page by page as your your presentation
4:27:22was was right direct on between the
4:27:24report that you wrote and the
4:27:25presentation. But there was something
4:27:27that was in your report was the models.
4:27:30You brought up the models the hybrid
4:27:31models. What's the point of bringing the
4:27:33hybrid model up? Is that something that
4:27:34you think that we're doing now? Is that
4:27:36was the point behind that or
4:27:38>> Mr. Ly?
4:27:40>> Um to the chair to the council. Um so
4:27:42the point of bringing up the the models
4:27:44was to show that the research that the
4:27:46research bureau has done in terms of
4:27:48best practices we have a lot of those
4:27:50elements in our current system. So I was
4:27:52trying to show a parallel between
4:27:54different models that are out there and
4:27:57uh currently what our internal system
4:27:58has.
4:27:59>> I think we have strong internal
4:28:00processes in place. You know, I look at
4:28:03uh either either way you look, I think
4:28:05city of Boston, it's BOPS that does the
4:28:08actual investigation for the severe
4:28:09review board. And uh here we have even
4:28:12stronger, we have police doing certain
4:28:13part of it and DEI doing certain part of
4:28:16the investigations and sometimes you
4:28:18work together depending on how the uh
4:28:20circumstances of the case are. So we we
4:28:22we have strong systems in place and I
4:28:24think the chief's work hard the last
4:28:26three years and it's not easy. Being the
4:28:30chief of the Worester Police Department
4:28:31is one of the hardest jobs in the city
4:28:32of West and uh and to get it done to
4:28:35keep everybody on board. But you see the
4:28:37difference the morale I think in Wor
4:28:39police over the last three years and out
4:28:42in the community and crime stats where
4:28:45they are today compared to other cities
4:28:47our size were even bigger than us. We
4:28:50got better stats around the country. Uh
4:28:52and I think it's because we have a
4:28:54community effort and you're out in the
4:28:55community. The police are out in the
4:28:56community and it makes a difference. I
4:28:58just think this would undermine
4:28:59everything the chief has done at this
4:29:01point in time. But it doesn't mean we
4:29:02can't, as been suggested, we can't track
4:29:05this over the next year and see where we
4:29:07are a year from now. Thank you.
4:29:31Council King.
4:29:34>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, much
4:29:36appreciated. I just want to preface my
4:29:38comments by um clarifying that while I
4:29:42appreciate the information here in this
4:29:45packet. What I objected to in the
4:29:46beginning was the inclusion of the
4:29:50exploration of the models which was not
4:29:52part of our pack. And that comes to the
4:29:54crux of some of this um consideration,
4:29:59Mr. Chairman. And um
4:30:02you know that consideration is what does
4:30:04work. We heard some statements tonight
4:30:06about um civilian review boards do not
4:30:09work really. What model? What form? Um
4:30:13are those are the ones with subpoena
4:30:15power, without subpoena power, what
4:30:17model? Um and we haven't had that
4:30:19debate. Mr. Chairman, we have a report
4:30:23from the research bureau. I don't
4:30:25believe that's even come before council.
4:30:26Through the chair, to the clerk. Has
4:30:27that research bureau report come to
4:30:29council?
4:30:31>> Um,
4:30:33Mr. Clerk.
4:30:33>> Um, through the chair, to the council, I
4:30:35believe uh that was an asked from the
4:30:37city administration. So, I think that
4:30:39came to
4:30:40>> No. Has it come to council?
4:30:41>> It has not come to city council.
4:30:43>> Mr. Chairman, um,
4:30:46that was my objection previously. uh we
4:30:49are discussing aspects of a report that
4:30:51weren't wasn't present. Certainly a
4:30:53thorough report. I have a number of
4:30:55questions that that come out of it. But
4:30:57I will um just begin by saying that I'm
4:31:00a process person. City manager knows
4:31:02this. I've had this comm that
4:31:04communication and discussion uh with the
4:31:06city managers recently as last week. Um
4:31:10and
4:31:12um what that is [clears throat] is the
4:31:13concern of the order of process. Um, and
4:31:17let's think about a couple of things.
4:31:20And just to be very clear, um, so that I
4:31:23can continue. Um, I reject this
4:31:26recommendation of the city manager. Um,
4:31:30we do not have significant oversight.
4:31:35That's why we have a research bureau
4:31:38report.
4:31:40How did that come about? How did we get
4:31:42here? We got here through the people.
4:31:46How do we get the research bureau
4:31:47report?
4:31:49Through the support of this city
4:31:50council, through an item that I filed
4:31:52repeatedly, um asking for updates.
4:31:54What's the research? What's the
4:31:55evidence-based practices? Speaking with
4:31:57the city manager when he was a deputy
4:31:59city manager, um and finally getting it
4:32:02to the floor after he finally requested
4:32:05an independent body to do exactly that.
4:32:08But it came because of the people.
4:32:11It came because we've had a number of
4:32:15concerns about we need more sufficient
4:32:18oversight.
4:32:20We need it because again that's why DOJ
4:32:24was here because we need more oversight.
4:32:29They came because of a lack of elected
4:32:31fortitude,
4:32:34a lack of um commission oversight, human
4:32:37rights commission.
4:32:39That's why we had a diversity equity
4:32:41audit. How that happened, it happened
4:32:43after um we had to advocate for that
4:32:46myself and other community members came
4:32:48from the people. Didn't come from
4:32:50internal. Um it was pushed by the people
4:32:52and eventually supported by the mayor
4:32:54and the city manager and this council.
4:32:56Um it didn't manifest um any other way.
4:33:01That's why we had the race dialogues.
4:33:04The same process came from the people
4:33:07asking for additional oversight, talking
4:33:09about their experiences.
4:33:12That's why we're here. New procedures
4:33:15were necessary, new policy, new
4:33:16operations. Why? Because we had women
4:33:19that came in who reached out to the
4:33:22federal government and we had additional
4:33:25um inquiry into the community, into law
4:33:28enforcement themselves. If we remember
4:33:30as part of that report, there were
4:33:32concerns about discipline, favoritism,
4:33:35etc. within the police department.
4:33:38That's not to say that the chief is um
4:33:40not doing his job. I'm not saying that
4:33:43at all. I'm saying those are the facts.
4:33:46That's why we're here. Um
4:33:49certainly um reading their most recent
4:33:53newspaper article um where it appears
4:33:56that after a threat of litigation, we're
4:33:58going to release some documents
4:33:59pertaining to this department.
4:34:02And that doesn't seem very transparent
4:34:06um on its face. Let's do better with
4:34:08that. Let's think about the impact on
4:34:10public trust. It's undeniable that we
4:34:13have folks that um really believe we're
4:34:17doing the best we can. I think we've
4:34:19done uh diligence
4:34:23um to the best of our ability with what
4:34:25the resources and tools that we have,
4:34:27but this is another tool in the toolbox.
4:34:30Um new policy was implemented,
4:34:34but doesn't ensure that we can't have an
4:34:37additional oversight. talk about the um
4:34:42civilians that will assist the the chief
4:34:45um on his committee that he's created.
4:34:47That was one of the recommendations in
4:34:48the equity audit
4:34:51that was pushed by the people. When you
4:34:53talk about um
4:34:56the community groups, there's a whole
4:34:57list of them. We've heard them. Um when
4:35:00we talk about human rights commission,
4:35:05human rights commission is an executive
4:35:07commission and through the charity
4:35:08administration if we could just ask the
4:35:10clerk to indicate um what an executive
4:35:13border commission does. What is their
4:35:15charge in the city of Worcester? If you
4:35:17could just read it from the um
4:35:22through chair,
4:35:25>> Mr. Clerk. [clears throat]
4:35:26>> Uh thank you, Mr. Mayor. through their
4:35:28chair to the council. So it's a an
4:35:30executive board of commission
4:35:32established by the for the city
4:35:34departments and supervised department
4:35:36operations through the executive officer
4:35:38who is the administrative head of the
4:35:39city agency.
4:35:41>> City manager appoints all members of uh
4:35:43without the need of city council
4:35:44confirmation.
4:35:45>> Could you read that first sentence again
4:35:47please? Um it's an executive board and
4:35:49commission establish establishes policy
4:35:52for city departments and supervises
4:35:56departmental operations through an
4:35:58executive officer who is the
4:36:00administrative head of the city agency.
4:36:02>> Yes. So, it establishes policies and we
4:36:05talked um about one suggestion that the
4:36:07human rights commission um gave um that
4:36:10was that was uh implemented um and so it
4:36:16it it gives you a bit of pause and I
4:36:18want to speak a little bit to human
4:36:22rights commission who's charged with
4:36:24some of this policy work. Um second five
4:36:27minutes.
4:36:27>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um
4:36:31when we talk about um that commission, I
4:36:35filed an order um I'm just going to
4:36:37speak to them really quickly. I filed
4:36:41three orders that was unanimously
4:36:43supported by this council asking for
4:36:47oversight and asking for um the city
4:36:50manager to respond um with regards to
4:36:54any recommendations made by that entity.
4:36:56So through the chair, through the clerk,
4:36:57if you could raise so I can preserve my
4:36:59time. Um those orders um that were filed
4:37:03in December of 2024, September of 2025,
4:37:07and February of 2026 through the chair,
4:37:11>> Mr. Cork,
4:37:12>> uh through the chair to the council. So
4:37:14I printed the orders out for you,
4:37:15councelor, but uh I have to locate them
4:37:17now.
4:37:18>> Thank you. I need to preserve my time,
4:37:22>> Chris.
4:37:41So through the chair to the to the
4:37:44council, there was a order on December
4:37:4617, 2024.
4:37:48City manager is hereby requested to
4:37:49provide city council with a copy of all
4:37:51memos, notes, recommendations that the
4:37:53city receives from the human rights
4:37:56commission.
4:37:58Um there was a September 30th, 2025 city
4:38:02manager here requested to provide city
4:38:03council with a report concerning
4:38:06uh recommendations brought forward by
4:38:07the human rights commission relative to
4:38:09the police department's language
4:38:11capacity including information
4:38:12concerning the degree of recommendations
4:38:15that have been accepted and implemented
4:38:16by the department.
4:38:18There was one as recent as February 24,
4:38:202026. City manager is requested to
4:38:22provide city council with an update
4:38:24concerning the previous adopted order
4:38:26from December 10th, 2024 which read
4:38:29request the city manager provide city
4:38:30council with a copy of all memos, notes,
4:38:32recommendations
4:38:34city receives from the human rights
4:38:35commission.
4:38:38>> Through the chair the clerk, do you have
4:38:40any evidence that that was um provided
4:38:42by report? I know that it wasn't, but do
4:38:45you have anything that indicates it was?
4:38:48>> Um through the chair to the council.
4:38:49We'll have to do some research.
4:38:51>> Okay. Thank you. Um, city manager asked
4:38:54that commission to stop focusing on
4:38:56police conduct and focus on other
4:38:58priorities as the DOJ report and the
4:39:01race equity audit was both in progress.
4:39:04Um, there was um a resistance or delay
4:39:08in meeting with HRC leadership. Um there
4:39:13was refusal to release reports that
4:39:15requested
4:39:17um the the policy recommendations the
4:39:20council has no idea about to date. Um
4:39:24refusing
4:39:26um to support some requests for changes
4:39:29in policies relative to the sexual
4:39:31assault unit etc. juvenile arrest K9
4:39:35etc. Um
4:39:37and of course prohibiting a release of
4:39:39statements about racist graffiti and
4:39:41language. So again um internal an
4:39:44internal process that wasn't working.
4:39:46Mr. Chairman um I'm also going to have
4:39:48the city manager to read um well we're
4:39:50not going to have to read um through the
4:39:52chair to the administration. I was very
4:39:54happy to hear um Kevin Levveny say a
4:39:58couple of things. One that data is not
4:40:00the only indicator. Um my question to
4:40:03him is where's the qualitative data?
4:40:05Also indicated that um concerns are
4:40:08under reportported want to know what
4:40:10efforts have been made. He made an
4:40:12indication that he hopes that today's
4:40:13presentation goes toward educating the
4:40:15public. I want to know what the
4:40:16administration has done and will do in
4:40:18that re in that respect. Um so to the
4:40:21chair to the administration
4:40:25>> Mr. Mr. Lanchi
4:40:28>> to the chair to the council. um your
4:40:30first question on qualitative data. Um
4:40:33areas of that I can't share. That's
4:40:35through uh witnesses, but I can do a
4:40:37better job of compiling qualitative
4:40:38data.
4:40:39>> I'm sorry to the chair. I didn't
4:40:40understand what the what that what you I
4:40:42couldn't hear you.
4:40:44>> You can put the mic up. Yeah.
4:40:47>> To the chair to the council. Um in terms
4:40:50of your question on qualitative data,
4:40:52that is an area that we can continue to
4:40:54improve. The qualitative data that I do
4:40:56have come from the process of interviews
4:40:58um which I will not be sharing but in
4:41:02terms of collecting in consensus that's
4:41:05something that we can improve on
4:41:06>> to the chair where's the qualitative
4:41:08data in the data that was reported to
4:41:11support um the recommendation the joint
4:41:14recommendation
4:41:16>> so when you talk about qualitative data
4:41:18you're taking statements from individual
4:41:20and seeing what their lived experience
4:41:22is that's not something that I provided
4:41:24on this port. I was looking at
4:41:25statistical data to understand there's
4:41:28no qualitative data, Mr. Chairman. We've
4:41:30heard testimony. We've heard folks,
4:41:32we've heard our own colleagues give
4:41:34testimony um about experiences. Um and
4:41:38in this report, there's no um capturing
4:41:42of that. Um that is a failure, Mr.
4:41:44Chairman. It's a fail of the
4:41:46administration. It's a failure of the
4:41:47department. Um as it relates to this,
4:41:50how again, how did we get here? 1993
4:41:541993, Mr. Chairman, Christina Hernandez
4:41:57died during a police interaction. That
4:42:00was one of the first times that folks
4:42:02asked for a civilian review board, Mr.
4:42:04Chairman, and here we are today. Mr.
4:42:07chairman. Um the question to the chair
4:42:11um again is um as it relates to um the
4:42:17protected class I think was the
4:42:19statement is always part of the
4:42:20allegation something to that effect. I
4:42:23would like that in um broken down for me
4:42:26given your educational capacity your
4:42:29professional capacity what does that
4:42:31mean? What does that mean?
4:42:35through the chair to the council.
4:42:37Protected class is a set of different
4:42:38categories.
4:42:39>> Let me clarify, Mr. Chairman, that's not
4:42:41my question. Um the statement that was
4:42:44made that I wrote down was that almost
4:42:46always protected class is an element of
4:42:50the reports and concerns that are
4:42:51brought forward and I know that's what
4:42:53you cover. You also said there's other
4:42:55instances, but you said there's always
4:42:57an element. What do you interpret that
4:42:59to mean
4:43:01the chair to the council? I said
4:43:03majority of cases have an element of
4:43:05protected class being involved. Meaning
4:43:07that there's a protected identity that
4:43:09is the rationale to why they're making
4:43:11the complaint. So they were either
4:43:13treated differently based on a protected
4:43:14identity which has our team being
4:43:16involved. Majority of the time if
4:43:18excessive use of force is alleged, it's
4:43:21usually falls because a protected class
4:43:23was violated.
4:43:25>> What's that mean in terms of systems?
4:43:28what does that mean in terms of um the
4:43:31populations that's been impacted?
4:43:36>> So in terms of what does it mean for in
4:43:37systems that means one that our team
4:43:40will always be invited into the
4:43:42conversation will always be part of the
4:43:44investigations if you're talking about
4:43:46in general of what does that mean for
4:43:48the impact
4:43:48>> impacted parties? Yes.
4:43:50>> Yeah.
4:43:51>> Through the chair to the council. Uh I'm
4:43:53happy to provide a report on that.
4:43:56>> That's it. And if you can want to put a
4:43:58report too, I'm happy to provide a
4:43:59report on that.
4:44:00>> Is that all you have through the chair?
4:44:02>> You have.
4:44:02>> That's all you got for me tonight?
4:44:04>> You have 30 seconds.
4:44:05>> Through the chair.
4:44:08>> Through the chair. Yes,
4:44:10>> Mr. Chairman. Um
4:44:14there is no research bureau report here
4:44:16before us. Um I'd like to make a motion
4:44:19um that we get that report for us before
4:44:22us. We can we can take a balanced view
4:44:24of this. That would be my motion. Um,
4:44:28Mr. Chairman, I got a couple of more
4:44:29things I'd like to to talk about here.
4:44:32Um, so I would like the opportunity to
4:44:34do that
4:44:37>> and that is there was a statement made,
4:44:39Mr. Chairman, that um if someone um
4:44:43violates
4:44:44>> So we have to get a motion to suspend
4:44:46the rules. [snorts] Roll call.
4:44:51>> Councelor Bergman.
4:44:54No.
4:44:56>> Council Bada.
4:44:57>> Yes.
4:44:58>> Council Cono.
4:44:59>> No.
4:45:00>> Council.
4:45:01>> Yes.
4:45:02>> Councor King.
4:45:03>> Yes.
4:45:04>> Mitra.
4:45:05>> No.
4:45:05>> Oh,
4:45:06>> yes.
4:45:07>> Rivera.
4:45:08>> No.
4:45:08>> Councilor Rosen.
4:45:09>> No.
4:45:10>> Tumi.
4:45:10>> No.
4:45:11>> And Mayor Petty.
4:45:12>> Yes.
4:45:14>> Mayor, that motion fails.
4:45:16>> What's the What's the uh what's the
4:45:18count?
4:45:19>> So, you need eight votes. Yeah. Council
4:45:21Balada, council viso, councelor King,
4:45:23council, mayor Petty. Yes.
4:45:26>> Okay. So, you can wrap it up. Okay.
4:45:30Council Bergman,
4:45:33>> I just I just want to follow up with two
4:45:35more things. I didn't use all my five
4:45:37minutes. I don't intend to. I think
4:45:39Council Bada had mentioned something
4:45:41that I mentioned. I just want to be
4:45:43accurate about it because I I think that
4:45:46uh there was some there was some
4:45:47inaccuracy in it. Not intentional, of
4:45:49course. Um, I was comparing and I am
4:45:53comparing the number of excessive force
4:45:55complaints to the number of incidents.
4:45:57If I said arrest, that wasn't my intent.
4:45:59And and the conclusion is the same. It's
4:46:02less than 1% and it's well within the
4:46:05national average and probably lower um
4:46:07than most major cities our size. Let me
4:46:10just also mention that I I I I don't
4:46:13believe we're here because there's an
4:46:15amount excessive amount of people
4:46:17claiming excessive force. I look at the
4:46:20the data. I look at the graph. 2023,
4:46:22four people. 2024, five people. 2025,
4:46:27three people. Again, even if we double
4:46:30that, we're not here discussing a
4:46:32civilian review board because less than
4:46:3510 people have filed an excessive use of
4:46:38force complaint against the city of
4:46:40Worcester. I think in large part we're
4:46:43here because of the DOJ report which in
4:46:46in many ways um really caused a lot of
4:46:52difficulty as far as trying to
4:46:54understand uh how to address a report
4:46:58that was allegations. And I want and I'm
4:47:00going to end by saying this and I'm
4:47:03going to define an allegation because I
4:47:05think for a long time since the DOJ
4:47:08report came out, very few people have
4:47:13understood or at least acknowledged that
4:47:16an allegation
4:47:18is something that is made without
4:47:19definitive proof
4:47:22or evidence and until
4:47:27we get 30 seconds. Go ahead. Yeah, if I
4:47:29don't get interrupted again by fake
4:47:31coughs. Until facts are verified.
4:47:36>> Until facts are verified,
4:47:40the allegation remains an unproven
4:47:42claim. Had we discussed the DOJ report
4:47:46in the context of it being an allegation
4:47:48as posed to many people here just saying
4:47:52it was proof of police misconduct, I
4:47:55don't think we would have spent the time
4:47:56we've spent over the last year plus
4:48:00discussing these issues. But at the end
4:48:02of the day, I'm glad we're taking a
4:48:04final vote on it. Thank you, Mr.
4:48:05Chairman.
4:48:07>> So, there's some motions. One motion
4:48:09from Dr. Meer is
4:48:10>> Mr. Chairman. I'd like to withdraw my
4:48:12motion.
4:48:13>> Okay. Mark, Dr. Mitcher has a motion to
4:48:16uh provide updates every six months of
4:48:18the pinch marks that you provide tonight
4:48:20and in the report. And is that I get
4:48:23that right, Dr. Mitch?
4:48:26>> Yeah. Okay.
4:48:28On this or on
4:48:29>> Yeah. Uh point of order just on uh my
4:48:32motion on asking for the increase of
4:48:35those arrests if I can get those
4:48:36numbers.
4:48:37>> We missed that one. Okay. So, do Dr.
4:48:40Mitra's first roll call.
4:48:43>> Is this the motion to file?
4:48:45>> No, this is the motion for Dr. Mitra get
4:48:46a report every 6 months.
4:48:49>> Updated report on the on the benchmarks.
4:48:53>> Okay. Roll call.
4:48:54>> Councelor Bergman.
4:48:55>> Yes.
4:48:56>> Councelor Bada.
4:48:58>> Yes.
4:48:58>> Councelor Connival.
4:48:59>> Yes.
4:48:59>> Councelor Rolo.
4:49:00>> Yes.
4:49:01>> Councelor King.
4:49:02>> Yes.
4:49:02>> Councilor Mitra.
4:49:03>> Yes.
4:49:03>> Council.
4:49:04>> Yes.
4:49:05>> Councelor Rivera.
4:49:06>> Yes.
4:49:06>> Councelor Rosen.
4:49:07>> Yes.
4:49:07>> Council Tumi.
4:49:08>> Yes. Hey, mayor Petty.
4:49:10>> Yes. Now, council here had a forget an
4:49:13explanation on the increase of arrests
4:49:15that were provided in the report
4:49:17tonight.
4:49:18>> Roll call.
4:49:21>> Councelor Bergman.
4:49:22>> Yes.
4:49:22>> Council Bada.
4:49:24>> Yes.
4:49:25>> Council Conover.
4:49:26>> Yep.
4:49:26>> Councilor Zillow.
4:49:27>> Yes.
4:49:27>> Councelor King.
4:49:28>> Yes.
4:49:29>> Council Mitra.
4:49:30>> Yes.
4:49:31>> Ha.
4:49:31>> Yes.
4:49:32>> Council Rivera.
4:49:33>> Yes.
4:49:33>> Councelor Rosen.
4:49:34>> Yes.
4:49:34>> Councilor Tumi.
4:49:35>> Yes.
4:49:35>> Mayor Petty. Now we have councelor
4:49:37Rosen's motion to file.
4:49:40Roll call.
4:49:43>> Councelor Bergman.
4:49:44>> Yes.
4:49:44>> Councelor Bada.
4:49:46>> No.
4:49:46>> Council Economo.
4:49:48>> Yes.
4:49:48>> Councelor Brazo.
4:49:49>> Yes.
4:49:50>> Councelor King.
4:49:51>> No.
4:49:52>> Council Mitra.
4:49:53>> Yes.
4:49:53>> Councelor.
4:49:54>> No.
4:49:55>> Councelor Rivera.
4:49:56>> Yes.
4:49:56>> Councelor Rosen.
4:49:58>> Yes.
4:49:58>> Council Tumi.
4:49:59>> Yes.
4:49:59>> Emir Petty.
4:50:00>> Yes.
4:50:02>> Okay. Go back to the regular
4:50:08meeting.
4:50:09>> The election will be soon.
4:50:15>> Okay,
4:50:17we are on hearings and orders 7 A to 7
4:50:21C. The motion is to open the hearing.
4:50:22>> Mr. Chairman,
4:50:24>> um, we have to take 22B still, correct?
4:50:28>> 22.
4:50:29>> Just a point of order 22B.
4:50:30>> Yeah, I was going to go get that at the
4:50:31end of the night. Yeah. Okay. Um, there
4:50:33are some questions I have related to
4:50:35that and I don't want these folks to be
4:50:37gone when it comes up.
4:50:38>> Okay, let's just finish by your side,
4:50:40then we'll go to that.
4:50:41>> Thank you.
4:50:42>> I mean, I'm referring to the city
4:50:44officials.
4:50:48>> Oh, okay. Hang on everyone. Okay. TW.
4:50:51Okay. We have uh
4:50:547A. We can motion to open the hearing.
4:50:56Roll call.
4:50:58>> Bergman.
4:50:59>> Yes.
4:51:00>> Bada.
4:51:01>> Yes. Council Econom.
4:51:02>> Yes.
4:51:03>> Council Zolo.
4:51:04>> Yes.
4:51:04>> King.
4:51:06>> Yes.
4:51:06>> Council Mitra.
4:51:07>> Yes.
4:51:08>> Oa.
4:51:08>> Yes.
4:51:09>> Rivera.
4:51:10>> Yes.
4:51:10>> Rosa.
4:51:11>> Yes.
4:51:12>> Tumi.
4:51:13>> And Mayor Penny.
4:51:14>> Yes. Okay. Motions are made to go to 22B
4:51:26and it's order K. Tuming request stand
4:51:28command on public safety. for the public
4:51:30discussion regarding the closure of
4:51:32departments of justice investigation of
4:51:34the Wista police in the city of
4:51:36Worester. And we also have I think a
4:51:40item that is in tabled items.
4:51:44>> Thought we just did that tabled item.
4:51:47>> Now 23F motion to take this off the
4:51:49table. 23F is transformation
4:51:52communication of the US Department of
4:51:54Justice's report on the Western Police
4:51:55Department. This is from the account of
4:51:57the municipality.
4:52:00Roll call.
4:52:01>> Mr. Chairman, can we take those
4:52:02separately, please?
4:52:04>> Yeah. Just
4:52:05>> So, wait a minute. What are you roll
4:52:06calling? What? Taking it off the table?
4:52:08What do you What do you have?
4:52:11>> You also mentioned the other item that
4:52:12doesn't need to be taken off the table.
4:52:14So, correct. What are you voting here
4:52:15>> right now? Is a vote just to take it off
4:52:17the table.
4:52:18>> So, it's not on 22B.
4:52:19>> It's related to that. It's the same
4:52:21thing.
4:52:21>> I know. But you're not voting on 22B
4:52:23right now.
4:52:23>> Correct.
4:52:24>> Okay.
4:52:25>> Yeah. No, Mr. Mayor, I withdraw my
4:52:28order.
4:52:29>> Okay. What's that?
4:52:30>> I withdraw my order.
4:52:32>> I'm going to speak on it, Mr. Chairman.
4:52:34>> Okay.
4:52:35>> I'd like 23 to stay on the table.
4:52:39>> Okay. Okay. I'm
4:52:40>> not sure why why
4:52:41>> So, you withdrawing your order?
4:52:42>> Yep.
4:52:43>> Council Tumi has withdrawn her order.
4:52:48>> A roll call. So, motions to file.
4:52:52Motions to file. Roll call. Councelor
4:52:55Bergman,
4:52:56>> yes.
4:52:57>> Bada,
4:53:01>> no.
4:53:03>> Economo,
4:53:03>> yes.
4:53:04>> Council Zolo,
4:53:05>> yes.
4:53:05>> Councelor King,
4:53:06>> no.
4:53:07>> Mitra,
4:53:08>> yes.
4:53:09>> Ha,
4:53:09>> no.
4:53:10>> Councilor Rivera,
4:53:11>> yes.
4:53:12>> Councor Rosen,
4:53:13>> yes.
4:53:13>> Tumi,
4:53:14>> yes.
4:53:14>> And mayor Petty,
4:53:16>> yes.
4:53:17Same as filed. So, we're back to the
4:53:19agenda. Mr.
4:53:20>> Chairman, I asked to speak on 22B. It's
4:53:22the whole point that it came up.
4:53:23>> You can speak on, right?
4:53:26to ruin that.
4:53:28>> You can prevent me from speaking on
4:53:30that.
4:53:32>> Yeah, I guess we have to reconsider it
4:53:34then. Okay,
4:53:35>> but
4:53:35>> I screwed up on that one. Okay,
4:53:39reconsideration. Roll call.
4:53:41>> Councelor Bergman,
4:53:43>> no.
4:53:44>> Councelor Bada,
4:53:46>> yes.
4:53:47>> Cono,
4:53:48>> yes.
4:53:49>> Council,
4:53:50>> yes.
4:53:50>> Councelor King,
4:53:52>> yes. Council Mitra,
4:53:53>> yes.
4:53:54>> Council,
4:53:55>> yes.
4:53:55>> Council Rivera,
4:53:56>> no.
4:53:57>> Councilor Rosen,
4:53:58>> no.
4:53:59>> Council Tumi,
4:54:00>> no.
4:54:00>> And Mayor Petty,
4:54:01>> yes.
4:54:04>> So, um, Mr. Mayor, we don't have enough
4:54:06voices to reconsider 22B.
4:54:08>> Excuse me.
4:54:09>> We don't have the eight votes to
4:54:10reconsider 20.
4:54:12>> We need six
4:54:13>> to reconsider.
4:54:15>> Reconsideration is eight votes, right?
4:54:17>> Yeah, eight votes.
4:54:19>> Okay.
4:54:21was my that was my fault. Okay,
4:54:24>> Mr. Chairman, this is getting a little
4:54:26crazy.
4:54:28>> Sleep.
4:54:29>> I I asked to to be heard on that.
4:54:33>> Council here.
4:54:36>> Sorry, just a little confused on when
4:54:38you said sorry it was your fault. What
4:54:40are we talking about exactly then?
4:54:43>> Well, council King wanted 23
4:54:45>> 22b 22
4:54:48on 23.
4:54:49>> Yeah. Council Tumi took it off, withdrew
4:54:52the item and filed it.
4:54:54>> So that's what we voted on.
4:54:55>> So we vote on file it
4:54:57>> and then we just reconsidered it.
4:55:00>> Actually let council king talk before we
4:55:02filed it. Correct.
4:55:05>> So where did you go wrong?
4:55:07>> You let me speak.
4:55:08>> Let him speak. But okay.
4:55:11>> So
4:55:13>> So there's nothing we can do. Okay.
4:55:16>> Because voted.
4:55:17>> What?
4:55:18>> Sorry. Uh because it got voted, there's
4:55:21nothing you can do.
4:55:22>> You need eight folks to
4:55:23>> even though there was a mistake.
4:55:24>> Yeah, we need eight folks to reconsider
4:55:25it. Yeah.
4:55:29>> But it should never went to vote. Right.
4:55:30If if you were saying you made a
4:55:31mistake.
4:55:32>> Yeah. But that's I try to How many votes
4:55:35we have for that?
4:55:38>> Through the chair to the council. We had
4:55:40seven votes. It was councilor Bada Conor
4:55:43Zolo King Mitra Oha and Mayor Putty.
4:55:46>> Yeah. Those are the rules.
4:55:48>> Just to get I just want to be understand
4:55:50what we're going what we're doing. Okay.
4:55:52>> Okay.
4:55:52>> Chair, could we make a motion to
4:55:54reconsider that?
4:55:57>> We already did.
4:55:58>> No, we we already just did that. No.
4:56:00>> Okay. Thank you.
4:56:01>> Good try though.
4:56:04And uh Okay. So, going back to the
4:56:10>> state.
4:56:16Thank you. Reconsideration
4:56:18order of city council Christian King
4:56:22in accordance with the route 30 of the
4:56:23roots of the city council. Council King
4:56:25request reconsideration of the vote of
4:56:27the city council taken on August 18, 26
4:56:29in regard to the following order.
4:56:32Request city manager install signage at
4:56:34the appropriate locations throughout the
4:56:35city. Staying the property may not be
4:56:38used for civil immigration enforcement
4:56:41activities. Federal request city manager
4:56:43create a draft ordinance for the city
4:56:45council related to the enforcement of
4:56:47such signage.
4:56:49Roll call.
4:56:51>> Councelor Bergman.
4:56:53>> This is to take off the table. Mr.
4:56:54Chairman,
4:56:55>> this is reconsideration. So you need
4:56:57eight votes of reconsideration. Okay.
4:56:59>> No.
4:57:00>> Councelor Bada.
4:57:02>> Yes.
4:57:03>> Counc.
4:57:05>> No.
4:57:06>> Vzolo.
4:57:07>> Uh, excuse me. What are we
4:57:09reconsidering? I apologize.
4:57:10>> It's getting late. We are on 8A.
4:57:13>> 8A
4:57:13>> which is the uh the science.
4:57:17>> Yes.
4:57:17>> Yes. Okay.
4:57:18>> Council King.
4:57:21>> Yes.
4:57:21>> Council Mitra.
4:57:23>> No.
4:57:24>> Council Aa.
4:57:26>> Yes.
4:57:26>> Councilor Rivera.
4:57:28>> No.
4:57:28>> Councelor Rosen.
4:57:29>> No.
4:57:30>> Council Tumi.
4:57:30>> No.
4:57:31>> And mayor Petty.
4:57:32>> Yes.
4:57:34>> Mr. Mayor, that motion fails for
4:57:35reconsideration.
4:57:37>> Okay. In accordance to rule 30, the city
4:57:40council, council king request
4:57:41reconsideration of the uh vote, the city
4:57:44council August 18th in regard to the
4:57:46following item or Steve uh Christian
4:57:49King request to see man as part of the
4:57:50draft ordinance related to the
4:57:52prohibition of im um civil immigration
4:57:56enforcement activities on certain
4:57:58inappropriate properties. Ensure
4:58:00language has included in said ordinance
4:58:02that requires signs be listed in such
4:58:05properties in all appropriate languages.
4:58:08Roll call.
4:58:09>> Councelor Bergman.
4:58:10>> No.
4:58:11>> Council Bada.
4:58:13>> Yes.
4:58:13>> Cono.
4:58:14>> No.
4:58:15>> Zolo.
4:58:18>> Is this AB?
4:58:19>> Yes.
4:58:24>> No.
4:58:26>> Alter King.
4:58:27>> Yes.
4:58:27>> Alterit. No.
4:58:29>> Oh,
4:58:30>> yes.
4:58:31>> Rivera,
4:58:31>> no.
4:58:32>> Rosen,
4:58:32>> no.
4:58:33>> Tumi,
4:58:34>> no.
4:58:35>> Mayor Petty,
4:58:36>> yes.
4:58:38>> Mr. Mayor, that motion also fails.
4:58:42>> Okay, we did petitions. We are on.
4:58:45>> Mr. Chairman, could I I'd like to change
4:58:47my vote.
4:58:49Is that possible?
4:58:51>> Reconsideration.
4:58:52>> We'd have to reconsider it.
4:58:55>> Motion.
4:58:55>> It went down anyways, but
4:58:57>> yeah. Motion to reconsider. Roll call.
4:59:02>> This on 8 8A again.
4:59:03>> On the vote.
4:59:04>> He wants to change his vote.
4:59:06>> A or B?
4:59:07>> 8B.
4:59:08>> AB.
4:59:10>> Councelor Bergman.
4:59:11>> Yes.
4:59:12>> Councelor Bada.
4:59:14>> Yes.
4:59:14>> Councelor Economo.
4:59:16>> Yes.
4:59:16>> Councelor Roso.
4:59:17>> Yes.
4:59:18>> Councelor King.
4:59:19>> Yes.
4:59:19>> Council Mitra.
4:59:21>> Yes.
4:59:22>> Council.
4:59:23>> Yes.
4:59:23>> Councilora.
4:59:24>> Yes.
4:59:24>> Councilor Rosen.
4:59:25>> Yes.
4:59:26>> Council Tumi. Yes.
4:59:27>> Mayor Petty.
4:59:28>> Yes. Okay. Roll call.
4:59:35>> Roll call on the reconsideration.
4:59:37>> Councelor Bergman.
4:59:38>> No.
4:59:38>> Councilor Bada.
4:59:40>> Yes.
4:59:40>> Councilor Economo.
4:59:42>> No.
4:59:42>> Councelor Roso.
4:59:43>> Yes.
4:59:44>> Councelor King.
4:59:45>> Yes.
4:59:46>> Councilor Mitra.
4:59:47>> No. Council.
4:59:48>> Yes.
4:59:49>> Councelor Rivero.
4:59:50>> No.
4:59:50>> Councelor Rosen.
4:59:51>> No. Tumi.
4:59:53>> No.
4:59:54>> Mayor Petty.
4:59:55>> Yes.
4:59:58Okay.
5:00:00>> What's the count?
5:00:04>> What was the vote tally through the
5:00:06chair?
5:00:06>> Mr. Clark.
5:00:12>> So on uh 8A was um council Bada,
5:00:17councelor Bzola, council king, council,
5:00:19and mayor Petty.
5:00:20>> The numbers are fine.
5:00:23>> The numbers. So it was 8 A was 1 2 3 4 5
5:00:26and then 8B based on the recommended
5:00:29consideration was 1 2 3 4 um
5:00:33>> 65
5:00:34>> five. Yep. The mayor
5:00:35>> 65.
5:00:36>> Yep.
5:00:37>> And it failed.
5:00:38>> 56.
5:00:40>> Okay.
5:00:40>> It failed. Yes.
5:00:43>> Okay. We are on the appointments city
5:00:44manager 13 A and 13B. Motion to place on
5:00:49file. Roll call.
5:00:56Councelor Bergman.
5:00:57>> Yes.
5:00:58>> Councelor Mada.
5:01:04>> Sorry. What do we vote? 13 A and B.
5:01:06>> 13 A and B to file.
5:01:10>> Yes.
5:01:12>> Hunter Economo.
5:01:13>> Yes.
5:01:13>> Hunter Zolo.
5:01:15>> Yes. Hunter King.
5:01:18>> This is 8 AMB.
5:01:20>> 13 AM B.
5:01:22and B.
5:01:23>> Yep.
5:01:30>> Yes. To file A. Yes.
5:01:33>> Mitra.
5:01:33>> Yes.
5:01:34>> Council.
5:01:35>> Yes.
5:01:35>> Rivera.
5:01:36>> Yes.
5:01:37>> Rosen.
5:01:37>> Yes.
5:01:38>> Tumi.
5:01:39>> Yes.
5:01:39>> And Mayor Petty.
5:01:40>> Yes.
5:01:41>> Regular appointment of Lauren Tiberio,
5:01:44Jennifer Maddox, and John Finn to the
5:01:46Accessibility Advisory Commission. Roll
5:01:48call.
5:01:50>> Councelor Bergman. Yes.
5:01:51>> Council Lau.
5:01:53>> No.
5:01:55>> Council Kimo.
5:01:57>> Yes.
5:01:57>> Council Zolo.
5:01:59>> Yes.
5:01:59>> Councelor King.
5:02:02>> Mr. Chairman, can we can we take these
5:02:04appointments individually?
5:02:06>> No. That's they're combined. Yeah.
5:02:08Remember the roll call.
5:02:09>> Let me understand that. Just a point of
5:02:11order. I I don't know if I've ever voted
5:02:12like that before.
5:02:21um through the trans to the council if
5:02:23you guys want to split the manage
5:02:24communication with the manager but as
5:02:26one communication.
5:02:27>> Okay, we're going to start this over
5:02:28again though. The first one is Lauren
5:02:30Tiberio. Roll call
5:02:32from
5:02:33>> Lauren Tiberio.
5:02:34Just her. Okay.
5:02:42>> Roll call.
5:02:43>> Councelor Bergman.
5:02:44>> Yes.
5:02:45>> Bada.
5:02:48Yes,
5:02:49>> council econom.
5:02:50>> Yes,
5:02:51>> Rolo.
5:02:52>> Yes,
5:02:52>> King.
5:02:53>> Yes,
5:02:54>> Mitra.
5:02:54>> Yes,
5:02:54>> council.
5:02:56>> Yes,
5:02:56>> Rivera.
5:02:57>> Yes,
5:02:57>> Rosen.
5:02:58>> Yes,
5:02:59>> Tumi.
5:02:59>> Yes.
5:03:00>> And Mayor Petty?
5:03:01>> Yes. Jennifer Maddox. Roll call.
5:03:06>> Councelor Bergman.
5:03:07>> Yes.
5:03:07>> Council Bada.
5:03:09>> Yes.
5:03:11>> Councelor Econom.
5:03:12>> Yes.
5:03:12>> Council.
5:03:13>> Yes.
5:03:14>> Councelor King.
5:03:15>> Yes.
5:03:15>> Councelor Mitra.
5:03:16>> Yes. Council Aah,
5:03:18>> yes.
5:03:18>> Councelor Rivera,
5:03:19>> yes.
5:03:20>> Rosen,
5:03:20>> yes.
5:03:21>> Tumi,
5:03:22>> yes.
5:03:22>> Mayor Petty,
5:03:23>> yes. John Finn, roll call.
5:03:29>> Councilor Bergman,
5:03:30>> yes.
5:03:31>> Bada.
5:03:32>> Yes.
5:03:34>> Econom.
5:03:34>> Yes.
5:03:35>> Risolo.
5:03:36>> Yes.
5:03:37>> Councelor King.
5:03:37>> Yes.
5:03:39>> Mitra,
5:03:39>> yes.
5:03:40>> Oh,
5:03:41>> yes.
5:03:41>> Rivera,
5:03:42>> yes.
5:03:43>> Rosen,
5:03:43>> yes.
5:03:44>> Tumi,
5:03:44>> yes. Mayor Petty.
5:03:47>> Yes.
5:03:50>> I didn't get it. But okay.
5:03:52[gasps and snorts]
5:03:52Um recommend approval of the amendment
5:03:55to the salary ordinance. Advert. The
5:03:57motion is to advertise proposed
5:03:58ordinance. Roll call.
5:04:1513.
5:04:16>> Bergman.
5:04:17>> Yes. Council
5:04:18>> Bada.
5:04:19>> Yes.
5:04:20>> Economo.
5:04:20>> Yes.
5:04:21>> Council Brazil.
5:04:22>> Yes.
5:04:22>> Council King.
5:04:23>> Yes.
5:04:24>> Mitra.
5:04:24>> Yes.
5:04:24>> Council.
5:04:26>> Yes.
5:04:26>> Councelor Rivera.
5:04:27>> Yes.
5:04:27>> Councelor Rosen.
5:04:28>> Yes.
5:04:28>> Council Tumi.
5:04:29>> Yes.
5:04:30>> And Mayor Petty.
5:04:31>> Yes. 13.4A. Transmitting information
5:04:34communication of economic development
5:04:36initiatives.
5:04:38>> Mr. Excuse me, Mr. Chairman.
5:04:39>> Yes. Council Bada. Is it possible to
5:04:42hold 13.4 A through C?
5:04:44>> If you want to hold under privileges,
5:04:46then you're right.
5:04:47>> I'd like to. Yes.
5:04:49>> What's that?
5:04:52>> Oh, you can send it to committee. Okay.
5:04:53We hold it under privilege. Okay.
5:04:55>> Yes.
5:04:57>> Okay. We are on 13.308
5:05:00transformation communication of the
5:05:02upcoming DCU special tax district
5:05:05borrowing. It's under MO.
5:05:08Roll call.
5:05:15Councelor Bergman.
5:05:16>> Yes.
5:05:17>> Bada.
5:05:18>> Yes.
5:05:19>> Econom.
5:05:19>> Yes.
5:05:20>> Bzolo.
5:05:20>> Yes.
5:05:21>> King.
5:05:22>> Yes.
5:05:22>> Mitra.
5:05:23>> Yes.
5:05:23>> Aa.
5:05:24>> Yes.
5:05:25>> Rivera.
5:05:25>> Yes.
5:05:26>> Rosen.
5:05:27>> Yes.
5:05:27>> Tumi.
5:05:28>> Yes.
5:05:28>> Mayor Petty.
5:05:29>> Yes.
5:05:30>> We are in the finance items 13.35 A
5:05:33through H. 13.36
5:05:36A and B and 3.37 A through C.
5:05:41Motion was adopted and the roll call.
5:05:43Roll call.
5:05:43>> Councelor Bergman.
5:05:44>> Yes.
5:05:45>> Bada.
5:05:46>> Yes.
5:05:47>> Econom.
5:05:48>> Yes.
5:05:49>> Yes.
5:05:49>> Councor King.
5:05:51>> Yes.
5:05:52>> Mitra.
5:05:52>> Yes.
5:05:52>> Council.
5:05:53>> Yes.
5:05:54>> Rivera.
5:05:55>> Yes.
5:05:56>> Rosen.
5:05:56>> Yes.
5:05:57>> Chumi.
5:05:58>> Yes.
5:05:58>> Mayor Petty.
5:05:59>> Yes. We have chairman's orders 14A to 14
5:06:02R. Motions to adopt. Roll call.
5:06:05>> Councelor Bergman.
5:06:06>> Yes.
5:06:07>> Council Bada.
5:06:08>> Yes.
5:06:09>> Councilor Economo.
5:06:10>> Yes.
5:06:10>> Zolo.
5:06:11>> Yes.
5:06:11>> Councor King.
5:06:13>> Yes.
5:06:14>> Mitra.
5:06:14>> Yes.
5:06:15>> Oha.
5:06:16>> Yes.
5:06:16>> Rivera.
5:06:17>> Yes.
5:06:18>> Rosen.
5:06:18>> Yes.
5:06:19>> Tumi.
5:06:20>> Yes.
5:06:20>> And mayor Petty.
5:06:21>> Yes. Mind if we just skip down the
5:06:23seven. We'll come back to the orders so
5:06:24we can get through some of the busy
5:06:26work. Um go to the pointing board. 178
5:06:30is referred to the economic development
5:06:33committee. Roll call.
5:06:36>> Councilor Bergman.
5:06:37>> Yes.
5:06:37>> Councor Bada.
5:06:39>> Yes.
5:06:40>> Economo.
5:06:40>> Yes.
5:06:41>> Zolo.
5:06:42>> Yes.
5:06:42>> Councilor King.
5:06:43>> Yes.
5:06:44>> Mitra.
5:06:45>> Yes.
5:06:45>> Oa.
5:06:46>> Yes.
5:06:47>> Rivera.
5:06:48>> Yes.
5:06:48>> Rosen.
5:06:49>> Yes.
5:06:49>> Tumi.
5:06:50>> Yes. And
5:06:50>> Mayor Petty.
5:06:52>> Yes. We have several here. 18 A and 18B.
5:06:55Motions to accept. 8/19 A and 19G.
5:06:57Motion accept and adopt 19H to 19Z.
5:07:01Motions to accept. A roll call. Roll
5:07:04call. Councelor Bergman.
5:07:05>> Yes.
5:07:06>> Bada.
5:07:07>> Yes.
5:07:08>> Cono.
5:07:08>> Yes.
5:07:09>> Rolo.
5:07:10>> Yes.
5:07:10>> King.
5:07:11>> Yes.
5:07:12>> Mitra.
5:07:13>> Yes.
5:07:14>> Oita.
5:07:14>> Yes.
5:07:15>> Rivera.
5:07:16>> Yes.
5:07:16>> Rosen.
5:07:17>> Yes.
5:07:18>> Tumi.
5:07:18>> Yes.
5:07:19>> Mary Petty.
5:07:20>> It's 28 to 20. Motions to accept.
5:07:24All those in favor? So ordered. I'm
5:07:27sorry. Roll call.
5:07:27>> Councelor Bergman.
5:07:28>> Yes.
5:07:29>> Bada.
5:07:30>> Yes.
5:07:31>> Economo.
5:07:32>> Yes.
5:07:32>> Councoro.
5:07:33>> Yes.
5:07:34>> King.
5:07:35>> Yes.
5:07:35>> Mitra.
5:07:36>> Yes.
5:07:37>> Aha.
5:07:37>> Yes.
5:07:38>> Rivera.
5:07:38>> Yes.
5:07:39>> Mr. Rosen.
5:07:40>> Yes.
5:07:40>> Mr. Tumi.
5:07:41>> Yes.
5:07:41>> Mayor Petty.
5:07:42>> Yes. 21A to 21 W. Motion's adain on a
5:07:45roll call.
5:07:46>> Mr. Chairman.
5:07:47>> On 21 A.
5:07:49>> 28.
5:07:50>> 21 A.
5:07:52>> Yeah. Councelor. I just want to be uh
5:07:54clear
5:07:56that the
5:07:59um when it comes to recycling,
5:08:02the recyclers are responsible [snorts]
5:08:05of picking up the trash bins at the
5:08:08curb.
5:08:10[snorts] Correct.
5:08:12>> I think so.
5:08:13>> Yeah.
5:08:14>> Mr. Mayor,
5:08:14>> I just want a yes. Yes or no answer
5:08:16there?
5:08:16>> Yes, sir. To the chair to the council.
5:08:18Yes. with with no complaint or further
5:08:22engagement with
5:08:25a resident.
5:08:28Mr. Manager
5:08:30>> to the council. No.
5:08:31>> Very good. Thank you.
5:08:34>> Okay. We take these 21A to 21 W on the
5:08:37ordained on the roll call. Roll call.
5:08:41Councelor Bergman.
5:08:42>> Yes.
5:08:42>> Council Bada.
5:08:44>> Yes.
5:08:44>> Economo.
5:08:45>> Yes.
5:08:45>> Counc.
5:08:46>> Yes. Council King,
5:08:50>> yes.
5:08:51>> A Mitra,
5:08:51>> yes.
5:08:52>> Council,
5:08:53>> yes.
5:08:53>> Rivera,
5:08:54>> yes.
5:08:55>> Rosen,
5:08:55>> yes.
5:08:56>> Mr. Tumi,
5:08:57>> yes.
5:08:57>> And mayor Petty,
5:08:58>> yes. We are on 22C.
5:09:02Order of Christian King and Tony Economo
5:09:05request city manager request the
5:09:06commissioner of public works
5:09:07commissioner of transportation and
5:09:08mobility research installing inroad
5:09:11warning light crosswalk systems in the
5:09:13city to enhance pedestrian and motor
5:09:15vehicle safety in areas with high
5:09:17pedestrian traffic.
5:09:22Adopt that.
5:09:27>> Yeah. Thank you.
5:09:29>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um
5:09:32If we could ask the clerk, if you just
5:09:34pull up the [clears throat] video for
5:09:36folks. Um, this is something that I
5:09:39think u has been in place in some
5:09:43places. So, we have the flashing lights
5:09:46uh for the crosswalk signs um and in my
5:09:49travels I've seen uh where on those
5:09:52crosswalks in the ground there's um
5:09:55solar or solar lighting that actually
5:10:00works in the ground. And I know that we
5:10:01have a
5:10:03>> video that's queued up that's a couple
5:10:04of seconds long. Um,
5:10:07>> and I I think this could hap could could
5:10:09help in some locations. Um, we could
5:10:13just play this really quickly. Um, at
5:10:15some locations in the city um we have um
5:10:19challenge crossings on Shrewsbury
5:10:21Street. Uh, there used to looks like
5:10:22there used to be some at Union Station
5:10:24that maybe are inoperative um that I've
5:10:26been over there. as well as um uh
5:10:32other locations. Um while he cues this
5:10:35up, you know, I will say that there's
5:10:37been some inroads, no pun intended, um
5:10:40as it relates to um some of the work
5:10:43that's been done by DTM and others. Um
5:10:45but we're really looking to see um some
5:10:49timelines um timelines within which um
5:10:52some of these measures get completed.
5:10:54And this is a simple practical thing
5:10:57that can be done. Um we know we have our
5:10:59challenges with lighting um and what
5:11:02have you. Um but this this certainly
5:11:04allows for people to cross um with
5:11:09lighting in the actual crosswalk. Um and
5:11:15I think we're having a little bit of
5:11:16difficulty queuing it up for some
5:11:18reason. So, um,
5:11:20>> through the trans council, I apologize,
5:11:22but the links look like they've, uh, are
5:11:24no longer working.
5:11:25>> Okay.
5:11:25>> So, I can, uh, you know, take a look.
5:11:28Okay. I've tried it three times now,
5:11:30>> Mr. Chairman. Um, you know, I would like
5:11:34to see
5:11:36our city administration delineate some
5:11:39locations where this can be helpful. Um,
5:11:41we're still waiting on some of the
5:11:43crosswalks, um, that we're looking to to
5:11:45see happen. um you know um
5:11:50in places where there's multi-lanes
5:11:53um we'd like to see that as well through
5:11:54the charity administration um if you
5:11:57could speak a little bit to this um
5:12:01opportunity for warning um install for
5:12:04installing in road warning light
5:12:06crosswalks is something you're familiar
5:12:08with through the chair
5:12:11>> Mr. manager
5:12:12>> uh through chairs to the council. Yes,
5:12:13that's something I'm familiar with. I
5:12:15believed the first time I think that we
5:12:17saw that I saw that I experienced that
5:12:19as as part of my years here is where we
5:12:21implemented that at Washington Square.
5:12:23Um my understanding is that we replace
5:12:25those with RFBS or rapid flashing
5:12:28beacons. Um but um it' be something that
5:12:31we can definitely look into and see what
5:12:33happened, what was the impact, uh what
5:12:35was their shift, was it is it anything
5:12:37related to um the power that goes into
5:12:40them? And so that's something that we
5:12:42can then provide the council a better uh
5:12:44report on that.
5:12:45>> Okay. Thank you. It looks like we're not
5:12:47able to cue that up. Um but you know any
5:12:50enhancement we can do will be greatly
5:12:51appreciated. Thank you.
5:12:57>> Council,
5:12:59>> thank you. I would agree with councelor
5:13:00King on this too. The one question I
5:13:02have and the one thing I'd like to know
5:13:04more information on when when it comes
5:13:06back is
5:13:09I just look at like the stop signs that
5:13:11would have the solar stop signs you know
5:13:13what's the workings of it. Um if it's
5:13:17electrical and I don't know how those
5:13:19were laid out there on Washington Square
5:13:21if they were electrical or what what's
5:13:24the maintenance plan for them that's and
5:13:26who's responsible for those maintenance
5:13:27plans. Thank you. Okay.
5:13:29>> So send that
5:13:32Okay, hang on one second. We'll do the
5:13:33uh You have it.
5:14:06Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, I think
5:14:08these are would be extremely helpful to
5:14:09couple with the signs um particularly in
5:14:12some of our areas where there's some
5:14:13lighting challenges where we've had a
5:14:15number of pedestrian um accidents and uh
5:14:18perhaps there's some grant funding and
5:14:20things of the like, but I would like a
5:14:21report back on potential implementation
5:14:23and timelines. Thank you.
5:14:25Thank you. It's Amanda. Roll call.
5:14:31>> Councelor Bergman.
5:14:31>> Yes.
5:14:32>> Bada.
5:14:37[snorts]
5:14:39>> He's not there.
5:14:40>> Economo.
5:14:40>> Yes.
5:14:41>> Molo.
5:14:42>> Yes.
5:14:43>> King.
5:14:44>> Yes.
5:14:44>> Council Mitra.
5:14:46>> Yes.
5:14:46>> Oh,
5:14:47>> yes.
5:14:48>> Rivera.
5:14:48>> Yes.
5:14:49>> Rosen.
5:14:49>> Yes.
5:14:50>> Tumi.
5:14:50>> Yes.
5:14:51>> And mayor Petty.
5:14:52>> Yes. Councelor Rosen is held under
5:14:54privilege or 15A
5:14:57through 15 I
5:15:00>> 158 I
5:15:01>> I'm J.
5:15:03Hang on. I guess I can't see L 15 L. So
5:15:08on the privilege along with the
5:15:09resolutions being held under privilege
5:15:11too
5:15:12that brings us to
5:15:13>> Mr. Chairman.
5:15:14>> Yeah.
5:15:15>> A motion to suspend the rules.
5:15:18>> Motion to roll call.
5:15:21Mr.
5:15:23What's that?
5:15:28>> Okay,
5:15:29>> never mind.
5:15:30>> So, we are at the end of the meeting
5:15:31now. Councelor King has asked to run the
5:15:34suspension.
5:15:35>> Councelor Bergman,
5:15:36>> yes.
5:15:37>> Council Bada,
5:15:39>> Council Cono,
5:15:40>> yes.
5:15:40>> Councilor Zolo,
5:15:41>> yes.
5:15:42>> Councor King,
5:15:44>> yes.
5:15:45>> Mitra,
5:15:46>> yes.
5:15:46>> Council,
5:15:47>> yes.
5:15:48>> Rivera,
5:15:49>> yes.
5:15:49>> Rosen,
5:15:50>> yes. Tumi.
5:15:51>> Yes.
5:15:51>> And Mayor Petty.
5:15:53>> Yes.
5:15:53>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just a motion
5:15:55to request the standing committee on
5:15:56education meet jointly with the school
5:15:58committee standing committees on
5:15:59operations and governments for the
5:16:00purpose of reviewing matters pertaining
5:16:03to public education of libraries, arts,
5:16:05culture, and higher education. Uh Mr.
5:16:08Chairman, there was a change. We have a
5:16:09committee meeting coming up and there
5:16:11was a change on the school side in their
5:16:13committees. Um and so it requires an
5:16:16adjustment that was not anticipated in
5:16:19order for us to have that public
5:16:20hearing. So this would um cover us so
5:16:23we're able to meet with our counterparts
5:16:25on the other side. Thank you, Mr.
5:16:26Chairman.
5:16:27>> Okay, group.
5:16:29>> Councelor Bergman,
5:16:30>> yes.
5:16:30>> Bada Econom,
5:16:32>> yes.
5:16:33>> Zolo,
5:16:33>> yes.
5:16:34>> King,
5:16:36>> yes.
5:16:36>> Mitra,
5:16:37>> yes.
5:16:37>> Oh,
5:16:39>> yes.
5:16:40>> Rivera,
5:16:40>> yes.
5:16:41>> Rosen,
5:16:41>> yes.
5:16:42>> Tumi,
5:16:43>> yes.
5:16:43>> Hey, Mayor Petty. Yes.
5:16:45Motion to adjourn. Roll call.
5:16:51>> Yeah.
5:16:52>> Council Bada. I'm sorry. He's online.
5:16:56>> No, he's gone.
5:16:58>> Oh, he's there still.
5:16:59>> Councelor Bergman
5:17:01to journ.
5:17:04>> Sorry.
5:17:05>> Yes.
5:17:06>> Council Econom.
5:17:07>> Yes.
5:17:07>> Councelor Vizolo.
5:17:08>> Yes.
5:17:08>> Councelor King.
5:17:09>> Yes.
5:17:10>> Mitra.
5:17:11>> Jesus Christ.
5:17:12>> Council. Yes,
5:17:14>> Rivera.
5:17:15>> Yes.
5:17:16>> Rosen,
5:17:16>> no.
5:17:17>> Councilor Tumi,
5:17:20>> I'm sorry. What was the
5:17:21>> J?
5:17:22>> Yes.
5:17:23>> And Mayor Petty.
5:17:24>> Yes. And councelor B, we held your items
5:17:26under privilege for next.
5:17:27>> Thank you.
5:17:28>> Okay.