2026-09-22 - City Council
Summary
Based on auto-captions and the official journal; names, figures and some vote calls may be misheard or approximate.
Time on topic (from transcript timestamps; approximate, includes side talk):
| Topic | Minutes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Public participation | 125 | 38% |
| Public Camping Ordinance - Disrupting the Cycle | 124 | 37% |
| City Council Rules Changes | 21 | 6% |
| Optiline Enterprises at 274 Franklin Street | 15 | 4% |
| Routine business | 13 | 4% |
| Procedure and recess | 9 | 3% |
| Worcester Community Midwifery Support | 7 | 2% |
| Motorized Scooter and E-Bike Registration | 6 | 2% |
| Police Reform Proposal (Tom Marino) | 6 | 2% |
| Winter Heights Granite Survey Markers | 2 | 1% |
| Arries Ann Ward Way Honorary Street | 2 | 0% |
| Zoning and TIF items | 2 | 0% |
| Other business | 0 | 0% |
- Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
- Long meeting, 6:31 PM to just past midnight (about five and a half hours of video).
- It ran against the midnight cutoff: the clock hit 12:00 during the Optiline item and the Mayor held the remaining orders under privilege.
Public participation
2:29-2:07:12
- Lasted about two hours (63 speakers per the journal). Joseph M. Petty moved to suspend the rules so everyone could speak, and it was adopted, unlike Khrystian E. King's similar motion that failed 6-5 on September 15.
- Nearly everyone spoke against the City Manager's Public Camping Ordinance (item 18B), citing the $25-a-day fine, the 72-hour notice, the criminal-process language, and roughly 197 shelter beds against well over a thousand unhoused people (speakers' figures).
- Legal-aid attorneys (Central West Justice Center, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute) and attorney Michael Cahill argued it conflicts with Article 26 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, and others urged housing first, rent control and a civilian review board.
- A few spoke in favor: Mike Kane for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Vincent Pedone for the Shrewsbury Street Neighborhood Association, who described the East Park encampments and a brawl the week before.
- A speaker used her two minutes for a moment of silence, and one speaker performed a George Washington / Michael Jackson skit about potholes (the captions suggest this was Wilson Lam).
- Other public comment backed the Carpenters Union and the NAACP on Optiline (David Minasian, Fred Taylor), a police reform proposal (Tom Marino, Heather Prunier Stanek), a Laurel Street honorary name, the Winter Heights sidewalk markers, wildlife safety at Salisbury Pond, and a request to support Worcester Community Midwifery.
- Historical Commissioner Jeffrey Burnett spoke against the ordinance and called the City Manager's reported $354,000 salary excessive (his claim as heard).
- The Council took several items out of order for residents who were waiting.
Routine business
2:19:00-2:24:40, 2:25:15-2:25:47, 4:41:20-4:46:40, 4:47:20-4:49:07
- National Grid conduit hearings (Gates St. and Patch St.) were approved.
- Chairman's orders on event licensing, streetlights, Hotel Vernon and street-sweeping alerts (amended to require multiple languages) were adopted 10-0 with Kathleen M. Toomey recused on some.
- King held the noise-fine ordinance, License Commission hearings and two-officer patrol cars under privilege.
- The City Manager's financial updates, the Hospital Guard communication and the noise ordinance order were accepted (Noise Ordinance and Event Licensing, Police Hospital Guard Duty); the two-officer and lateral-transfer orders are on Police Staffing Shortage.
- The Clerk's charter communications went to Municipal and Legislative Operations 11-0 (Worcester Charter Review).
- About a dozen speed, stop-sign and parking petitions went to Traffic and Parking (Traffic-Calming Speed Hump Program); Economou amended Bilotta's Holden St. truck ban to Shore Dr. and Luis A. Ojeda widened Rivera's Southbridge St. signal request to neighboring lights.
- Morris A. Bergman filed his Harrington Way speed hump petition and order after learning humps are already planned there.
Winter Heights Granite Survey Markers
2:07:19-2:09:47
- The petition (Tony Economou) went to Public Works.
Arries Ann Ward Way Honorary Street
2:18:00-2:19:00, 2:24:40-2:25:15
- The Laurel Street honorary name "Arries Ann Ward Way" (King and Robert A. Bilotta) was referred to Public Works after descendant Gordon Ward and Taylor spoke for it.
Worcester Community Midwifery Support
2:10:38-2:17:55
- King's midwifery order was adopted after he described a proposed Worcester birth center and mobile clinic.
Zoning and TIF items
2:09:47-2:10:38, 4:46:40-4:47:20
- 25 West Chester Street (Catholic Charities): the Planning Board's zone change went to Economic Development 8-1 (Economou opposed; King and Jose A. Rivera abstained) after resident Bill Hughes objected to redeveloping the former Mercy Center site on traffic grounds.
- The 128 Providence Street and 95 Vernon Street zone changes followed 11-0.
- The GreenTech Park TIF Zone and the Lakeside and Garland Avenues UCH-TIF were each adopted 11-0.
Police Reform Proposal (Tom Marino)
2:25:47-2:31:30
- The petition (18A) was taken before the camping ordinance.
- Marino described a 30-page, 45-provision plan drawn from past Justice Department agreements and said the Council had spent two years waiting on a civilian review board vote and a Research Bureau report, and that recommendation 16 (exceptional clearance) and the missing evidence standard in the department's policy show DOJ recommendations were not fully implemented.
- Heather Prunier Stanek, a survivor of childhood abuse, again asked for her full police case file (she said she has received 22 of 78 pages) and for an inspector general.
- King asked the City Manager when police reform was last discussed with the Research Bureau; the answer was about two years ago.
- Toomey recused and it was referred to Public Safety.
Public Camping Ordinance - Disrupting the Cycle
2:37:37-4:41:20
- After a short recess the ordinance (18B) came up. Health and Human Services Commissioner Seema Dixit (the captions render her "Simix", "Dixon") and Assistant Commissioner Alex Arriaga presented the "Disrupting the Cycle" framework: citywide data sharing among agencies, a resource asset map, standardized outreach, a winter shelter with at least 60 extra beds for about 120 days (timing set by state funds; last winter's plan was 36 beds, supplemented by St. John's), identifying encampments, and the ordinance as a last step after repeated outreach.
- Figures as heard: roughly 150 people on the street at a point in time, under 200 shelter beds, about 60 chronically unhoused, and about 300 encampment locations (about 120 if occupied). The day resource center has slipped to March or early spring (Winter Shelter and Day Resource Center).
- Gary Rosen said he could not support fines or criminalization but did not want to file the plan, and moved to recommit it with instructions to come back with housing and shelter first; Petty said he agreed and does not support any fine.
- King pressed the administration: the Manager and Commissioner said the $25 fine was added late and was never shared with the steering committee, no people with lived experience weighed in on it, and the city's commission on homelessness has had no appointed members for years.
- Bergman wanted a civil rather than criminal penalty and opposed recommitting (his amendment was not put); Satya B. Mitra and Rivera backed recommitting and removing any fine; Bilotta called the report vague and urged investment, rent control and an Office of Housing Stability; John P. Fresolo pushed congregate housing; Economou listed fines in other cities (Lowell, Fall River, Brockton) but favored sending it back for refinement; Ojeda called the $25 fine unnecessary and asked about handling of belongings and the older Housing First task force.
- Eric D. Batista described the 2018 Housing First Task Force (about 60 supportive units built against a goal of 103; a Rutgers/Boston University study put the need near 150).
- King's motion to file failed 1-9 (Toomey recused). Rosen's motion to recommit passed 8-1 (Bergman opposed, King abstained). King's resolution opposing the ordinance and Bergman's civil-offense amendment were not put.
- Under suspension the Council then adopted orders from Petty (state funding for shelter, a report on public bathroom best practices; see Downtown Public Restrooms), Mitra (a meeting of local, state and federal officials) and King (permanent overflow winter shelter, a winter shelter readiness report with operator selection in 15 days, deaths and displacement, gateway-city lobbying of the governor, encampment maps, clinical co-response).
City Council Rules Changes
4:49:07-5:10:12
- Back on the agenda, Mitra's Rules 61, 62 and 63 drew debate. Batista said departmental development plans and a five-year strategic plan already exist, that January 1 is not feasible but March 15 is workable for a preliminary budget.
- Bergman proposed asking the Manager for a report first, so the orders were amended that way: Rule 61 passed 10-1 (Bilotta opposed), Rule 62 passed 8-3 (Bilotta, King and Ojeda opposed) and Rule 63 passed 10-1.
Motorized Scooter and E-Bike Registration
5:10:12-5:16:31
- Economou's scooter and e-bike licensing order (10G) was sent on 10-0 with Toomey recused, to be held until state action.
- Rosen's order for the Public Health Committee to meet with the Board of Health passed 11-0.
Optiline Enterprises at 274 Franklin Street
5:16:31-5:31:13
- Optiline Enterprises (10L, Rosen) was the last substantive item at midnight.
- Batista said the city told the developer in June 2025 that Optiline was ineligible, then learned recently that the developer had selected it for 274 Franklin St.
- City Solicitor Alexandra H. Kalkounis said the 2025 determination rested on an Attorney General citation for retaliation, not wage theft findings, that a later settlement stated no liability, but the Attorney General clarified that it only affects the civil penalty.
- The city therefore sent the developer a letter earlier that evening reaffirming that Optiline cannot work on the project (the ban runs three years from the December 2024 citation). Keeping Optiline would breach the developer's TIF agreement and risk the tax relief.
- Rosen held the item until September 29 for the Manager's report on the developer's response, and King's two orders (a list of Responsible Development Ordinance-ineligible contractors, and a report on known Optiline wage-theft issues) were adopted 11-0.
- Batista said there is no current mechanism to notify developers.
Other business
5:31:13-5:31:42
- Tabled items saw no action.
- The remaining orders (including King's bathroom, Municipal ID and homelessness-follow-up orders and Bilotta's mitigation and bathroom-staffing orders) were held under privilege.
Issues discussed: Public Camping Ordinance - Disrupting the Cycle, Winter Shelter and Day Resource Center, Downtown Public Restrooms, Optiline Enterprises at 274 Franklin Street, Responsible Development Ordinance, City Council Rules Changes, Police Reform Proposal (Tom Marino), Police Oversight and Civilian Review Board, DOJ Investigation of the Worcester Police Department, Worcester Charter Review, 25 West Chester Street (Catholic Charities), 128 Providence Street, 95 Vernon Street, GreenTech Park TIF Zone, Lakeside and Garland Avenues UCH-TIF, Noise Ordinance and Event Licensing, Police Hospital Guard Duty, Police Staffing Shortage, Residential Rent Control Order (Lukes), Traffic-Calming Speed Hump Program, Arries Ann Ward Way Honorary Street, Worcester Community Midwifery Support, Motorized Scooter and E-Bike Registration, Salisbury Pond Dam Wildlife Safety, Winter Heights Granite Survey Markers
Official Minutes
Journal of the City Council, posted on PrimeGov (summary of actions, not verbatim). Page headers removed.
CITY OF WORCESTER
JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Esther Howland (South) Chamber
Convened: 6:31 P.M.
Recessed: 9:03 P.M.
Reconvened: 9:07 P.M.
Adjourned: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:03 A.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, except for Councilor
Toomey, who arrived at 6:34 P.M.
4. PROCLAMATIONS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, MOMENTS OF SILENCE
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 September 8, 2026.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted
6. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
6a. Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public
engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote
participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the
"Public Participation" section of the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person
within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line
as indicated. If you join a Zoom meeting by dialing in with a phone number, you can
raise your hand by dialing *9.
City Council Zoom Link: https://worcesterma.zoomgov.com/j/1613631913
City Council Zoom Phone Number: +1 646 828 7666
City Council Zoom Access Code: 161 363 1913
Important Notice: Residents are advised of an ongoing scam involving the impersonation
of city officials and departments. Scammers are fraudulently requesting payments be
made for planning and zoning permits, as well as City Council petitions. All official
emails regarding your petition will come exclusively from an @worcesterma.gov email
address (such as [email protected]), or via physical mail on the City of
Worcester’s official letterhead. Any legitimate hearing letter will always include your
specific application details, along with the scheduled hearing date, time, and location.
The City of Worcester will never request payments via wire transfer.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized the following Speakers:
1. Fred Nathan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #9d CC through #9f CC, spoke in
favor of item #10l CC, and spoke neither in favor of nor opposed to item #18b CC
2. Peter (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10l CC and #18a CC
and spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
3. Abby Mortillaro, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10l CC, #10s CC and spoke in
opposition to item #18b CC
4. Martha Assefa, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #18a CC and #10e CC and spoke in
opposition to item #18b CC
5. Dante Comparetto, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
6. David Minasian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10l CC
7. Rhiannon Snide, (no residence given), spoke in opposition of item #18b CC
8. Grace Ross, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
9. Idella Hazard, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC and spoke in favor of
item #8b CC
10. Greg Degermajian, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10t CC
11. Meg Coffin, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
12. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #8b CC and #10l CC
13. Jermoh Kamara, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC and spoke in favor
of item #10l CC
14. Mike Kane, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #18b CC
15. Gary Hunter, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10l CC, #12d CC and #18a CC and
spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
16. Heather Prunier Stanek, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #18a CC
17. Kirsten Fraser, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #18a CC and #10l CC and spoke in
opposition to item #18b CC
18. Maria Montano, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8t CC and spoke in opposition to
item #18b CC
19. Brian Keaney, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
20. Mini (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
21. Jack Murray, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC and spoke in favor of
item #10x CC
22. Ashley Spring, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #18a CC, spoke in opposition to item
#18b CC, and spoke neither in favor of nor opposed to item #8c CC
23. Brady (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
24. Maria (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #10d CC and #18b
CC and spoke in favor of items #10j CC, #10t CC, #10w CC through #10z CC, and #18a CC
25. Thea (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
26. Yani (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
27. Rhonda Hicks a.k.a Wahya Guste Wolfpaw, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item
#18b CC
28. Michelin Cahill, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
29. Ben Levine, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
30. Sam Davidson-Weiss, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
31. Janeen (no last name given), (no residence given), spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
32. Bill Hughes, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #13a CC
33. Emma Narkewicz, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10a CC though #10c CC, #10h
CC through #10l CC, #10s CC through #10z CC, and #18a CC and spoke in opposition to item
#18b CC
34. Janet Davis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10l CC and #18a CC and spoke in
opposition to item #18b CC
35. Jonathan Morales, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
36. Ex Todd, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10l CC and #18a CC and spoke in
opposition to item #18b CC
37. Gordon Ward, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8b CC
38. Sarah Bertrand, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
39. David Ginsburg, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
40. Danielle Alachoyan, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
41. Justin LaPorte, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
42. Amy Ebbeson, Rutland resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC and spoke in favor of
items #10e CC and #18a CC
43. Dangelo Aponte, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
44. Margot Barnet, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #10l CC and spoke in opposition to
item #18b CC
45. Vincent Pedone, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #18b CC
46. David Coyne, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
47. Natasha (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #18a CC and spoke in
opposition to item #18b CC
48. Jamerson Maurer, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
49. Kevin Lynch, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
50. Zakeem Benjamin, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
51. Wilson Lam, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #8c CC and #18b CC
52. Colleen (no last name given), Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #8a CC
53. Isabella Corazzini, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
54. Feanna Jattan-Singh, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC and spoke in
favor of item #10l CC
55. Terri Kelley, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
56. David Webb, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of items #10e CC, #10j CC, #18a CC, and #20i
CC, spoke neither in favor of nor opposed to items #9j CC and #8c CC, and spoke in opposition to
item #18b CC
57. Samantha Martin, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
58. Anna C., Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
59. Jeff Burnett, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
60. Eric Stratton, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to items #10g CC and #18b CC
61. Laura Salice Matthew, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
62. Nadine Paige, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to item #18b CC
63. Tom Marino, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #18a CC
7. HEARINGS AND ORDERS
7a. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GATES ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: GATES ST.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to open the hearings for items #7a CC and #7b CC. Mayor
Petty’s motion was approved on a voice vote.
Mayor Petty asked if any abutters wished to be heard on the item. Hearing no speakers, Mayor
Petty moved to close the hearings. Mayor Petty’s motion was approved on a voice vote.
Mayor Petty moved to approve the items. Hearing held and Order adopted
7b. Hearing: NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PATCH ST.
Granting permission to NATIONAL GRID for a conduit location at: PATCH ST.
Hearing held and Order adopted (See Item #7a CC)
8. PETITIONS
8a. Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of the residents of the Winter Heights
Neighborhood request the granite survey markers that stick out of the sidewalks, some
six to nine inches high, be cut down to pavement level, in the interest of public safety.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Economou, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to refer the item to Public Works Committee. Referred to Public Works
Committee
8b. Councilor Khrystian E. King and Councilor Robert A. Bilotta request Laurel St. from
Summer St. to Everett Gaylord Blvd. be given the honorary street name designation of
Arries Ann Ward Way.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King and Councilor Bilotta, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty moved to refer the item to Public Works Committee. Referred to Public Works
Committee
8c. Councilor Morris A. Bergman request installation of multiple speed humps on
Harrington Way.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take the item up collectively with item #10d CC.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to recuse herself from the item and left the
room.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who moved to place the items on file. Placed on file
8d. Carmen Franco et al. request installation of speed humps on Montague St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to refer items #8d CC through #8f CC, #8h CC, #8j CC
through #8q CC and #8s CC to Traffic and Parking Committee. Referred to Traffic and Parking
Committee
8e. Jesse Gibson request installation of a crosswalk and rapid flashing beacons in the
vicinity of Greater Outreach Ministries, located at 108 Planation St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8f. Areej Talaa request installation of a handicap parking space at 245 Constitution Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8g. Eliza Lawrence request installation of stop signage on Charlton St. at its intersection
with Beacon St.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Ojeda, who moved to place the item on file.
Placed on file
8h. Berardino Sasso request the handicap parking space in front of 12 Normal St. be
removed.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8i. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta on behalf of Maritza Cruz request installation of a truck
ban/weight restriction on Holden St. from the beginning of Shore Dr. to its intersection
with Grove St.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Economou, who moved to amend the item to
read as follows: “Councilor Robert A. Bilotta on behalf of Maritza Cruz request installation of a
truck ban/weight restriction from the beginning of Shore Dr. at the intersection with Norton Dr.,
to exclude trailer trucks from travelling on Shore Dr.”
Mayor Petty moved to refer the item to Traffic and Parking Committee as amended. Referred to
Traffic and Parking Committee as amended
8j. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request installation of a stop sign on Wharton St. at its
intersection with Englewood Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8k. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request installation of a stop sign on Clive St. at its intersection
with Minthorne St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8l. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request installation of a stop sign on Englewood Ave. at its
intersection with Minthorne St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8m. Councilor Robert A. Bilotta and Councilor John P. Fresolo request installation of
bollards, curb extensions and/or another type of barrier on Hamilton St. from 96
Hamilton St. to its intersection with Fairmont Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8n. Councilor Luis A. Ojeda request removal of resident permit parking on Boyden St. from
2 Boyden St. to 20 Boyden St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8o. Councilor Tony Economou request installation of “No Left Turn” signage on Grove St.
for access to Parkton Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8p. Councilor Tony Economou request installation of “No Left Turn” signage on Holden St.
for access to Parkton Ave.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8q. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request installation of 25 MPH signage on Moreland Green Dr.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8r. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request the traffic control signal at the intersection of
Southbridge St. and Hammond St. be reviewed to add at least five (5) additional seconds
of a protected left turn for drivers travelling north, turning onto Hammond St.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who moved to amend the item: “Further, request said
review include considerations for other neighboring traffic lights, including lights located on
Quinsigamond Ave.”
Mayor Petty moved to refer the item to Traffic and Parking Committee as amended. Referred to
Traffic and Parking Committee as amended
8s. Councilor Jose A. Rivera request installation of a stop sign at the intersection of May St.
and Lovell St.
Referred to Traffic and Parking Committee (See Item #8d CC)
8t. Maria V. Montano request Institute Pond (a.k.a. Salisbury Pond) be evaluated to
implement humane and preventative measures to deter wildlife from going over
Salisbury Pond Dam.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to refer the item to Veterans' Memorials, Parks and
Recreation Committee. Referred to Veterans' Memorials, Parks and Recreation Committee
9. CHAIRMAN'S ORDERS
9a. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City
Manager request Chief Development Officer provide City Council with a glossary of
frequently used terms related to Executive Office of Economic Development programs.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take items #9a CC through #9o CC, except items #9c CC,
#9d CC and #9g CC collectively.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to recuse herself from the items and left
the room.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda who moved to amend item #9l CC to include the words,
“in multiple languages.”
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the items. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused)
9b. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - Request City
Manager request the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility review the area in the
vicinity of 42 Hermon St. to determine appropriate traffic improvement measures that
can be installed to reduce traffic congestion at the area. Further, request City Manager
request Police Chief provide increased enforcement of parking regulations at the
location.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
9c. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager request City
Solicitor provide City Council with a draft ordinance amending the city’s noise
ordinance by increasing fines associated with violations of excessive noise.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - King
9d. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager review the
feasibility of requiring that public hearings take place before the License Commission for
all one-day event license applications, with public notices being sent to all abutters in the
vicinity of the proposed location.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - King
9e. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager request
Commissioner of Inspectional Services ensure data is provided at all one-day event
license hearings before the License Commission that identifies whether the property has
received complaints and/or citations relative to excessive noise and event permits for the
purpose of increasing noise ordinance enforcement.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
9f. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager request
Commissioner of Inspectional Services provide City Council with a report detailing the
step-by-step process used by the License Commission to approve event license
applications. Said report should also include the requirement for public hearings, the
process used to notify event location abutters, a list of identified problem properties, and
best practices used in other communities relative to event permitting and permit violation
enforcement.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
9g. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager provide
City Council with a report detailing the feasibility of increasing the Worcester Police
Department (WPD) personnel to ensure the staffing of two (2) officers per route/patrol
car. Said request report should also include an estimated cost analysis to institute such a
practice.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - King
9h. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY - Request City Manager provide
City Council with an update concerning a previously adopted order from July 21, 2026,
which read, ‘Request City Manager request Police Chief provide City Council with a
report detailing incentives and efforts provided by other cities and towns relative to
recruiting lateral police transfers.’
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
9i. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request
Commissioner of Public Works provide City Council with a report detailing the city’s
processes for repairing and/or replacing streetlights due to damage of any kind.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
9j. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request
Police Chief and the Quality of Life Team to provide increased attention to illegal
activities occurring in the vicinity of Hotel Vernon, located at 16 Kelley Sq.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
9k. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request
Commissioner of Public Works review Hamilton St. between Almont Ave. and Fairmont
Ave. for the purpose of installing additional streetlighting and/or the feasibility of
increasing the watt intensity at existing streetlights.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
9l. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request
Commissioner of Public Works work with the Commissioner of Emergency
Communications and Management to provide street sweeping notifications to residents
through ALERTWorcester.
Order adopted as amended on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item
#9a CC)
9m. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Manager request City
Solicitor provide City Council with a report detailing the entity responsible for
maintaining the grounds relative to the walking path to Thorndyke Road School from the
Lindale Rd. cul-de-sac.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
9n. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Clerk provide the
School Committee Clerk with a duplicate version of the following request: ‘Petition of
David F. Dick, Jr. request walking path to Thorndyke Road School from the Lindale Rd.
cul-de-sac to the southwest corner of Thorndyke Street School be repaired.’
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
9o. FROM THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS - Request City Clerk provide the
School Committee Clerk with a duplicate version of the following request: ‘Petition of
Jeffrey Conlon request installation of "No Littering" signage with associated fines on
May St. in the vicinity of the Worcester Dual Language Magnet School rear parking lot.’
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey recused) (See Item #9a CC)
10. ORDERS
10a. Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations hold a discussion
concerning the feasibility of creating a new Rule 61 of the Rules of the City Council, to
read as follows: “Rule 61. Annual Report of City Departments. In order to assist the City
Council in carrying out its duties related to the oversight of legislative policies and
budgetary functions within the city, each City Department listed within Appendix B of
the Rules of City Council, through the City Manager, shall hereby submit an annual
departmental report to the City Council no later than January 1 of each calendar year that
includes said department’s performance measures for the upcoming calendar year. Said
submission should be presented in a specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time
bound (SMART) goals format and should include the department’s prior fiscal year
budget information (see attached for City Manager Thomas R. Hoover’s Semi-Annual
Fiscal Year Goals and Objectives from February 6, 2004). (Mitra)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take items #10a CC through #10c CC up collectively.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mitra and Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mitra and Councilor King for second times, who spoke
concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who moved to amend the items to make the requests
of the City Manager.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt item #10c CC as amended. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 10 Yeas and 1 Nay (Nay – Blotta).
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt item #10b CC as amended. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 8 Yeas and 3 Nay (Yeas – Bergman, Economou, Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey,
Petty) (Nays – Blotta, King Ojeda).
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt item #10a CC as amended. Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 10 Yeas and 1 Nay (Nay – Blotta)
10b. Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations hold a discussion
concerning the feasibility of creating a new Rule 62 of the Rules of the City Council, to
read as follows: “Rule 62. Submission of Budget Recommendations. The City Council
may, no later than March 1 of each calendar year, provide the City Manager with
recommended budget priorities for city’s upcoming fiscal year budget. Said
recommended budget priorities may include, but are not limited to, identifying proposed
projects, programs, service improvements, operational needs, and/or policy initiatives
that should all be considered by the City Manager when formulating each department’s
budget. Said recommended budget priorities shall be submitted by each City Council
Standing Committee according to the departments assigned to said committee within
Appendix B of the Rules of City Council. (Mitra)
Order adopted as amended on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 3 Nay (Yeas – Bergman, Economou,
Fresolo, Mitra, Rivera, Rosen, Toomey, Petty) (Nays – Blotta, King Ojeda) (See Item #10a CC)
10c. Request Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations hold a discussion
concerning the feasibility of creating a new Rule 63 of the Rules of the City Council, to
read as follows: “Rule 63. Submission of a Preliminary Budget. The City Manager shall
submit an annual preliminary budget report to the City Council for referral to the City
Council’s Standing Committee on Finance. Said preliminary budget report shall be
submitted no later than March 15 of each calendar year and should identify budget
priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, including information concerning budgeted
proposed projects, programs, service improvements, operational needs, and policy
initiatives being considered as part of the upcoming fiscal year’s budget. (see attached
for City Manager William J. Mulford’s 1993 Preliminary Budget Submission and the
Fiscal Year 2004 Semi Annual Report on Goals and Objectives from March 16, 1993).
Order adopted as amended on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 1 Nay (Nay – Blotta) (See Item #10a
CC)
10d. Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased traffic enforcement on
Harrington Way to address speeding concerns in the area. (Bergman)
Placed on file (See Item #8c CC)
10e. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services work with
Worcester Community Midwifery on their mission to expand quality midwifery care and
education to diverse communities in the city. (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty move to adopt the item. Order adopted
10f. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works provide City Council with
a report detailing the feasibility of adding a recycling bin at the Clark St. Drop-Off Site
to allow residents to drop off recycling items. (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Economou, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who moved to add his name as a sponsor of the item.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11
Yeas and 0 Nays
10g. Request City Manager provide City Council with draft ordinances and/or regulations to
ensure that operators of all kinds of motorized scooters, bikes, etc. have their vehicles
licensed and registered. Further, request pedestrian safety considerations be made when
drafting said ordinances and/or regulations. (Economou, Toomey)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Toomey, who recused herself from the item
and left the room.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Economou and Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the
item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Clerk, who responded to questions raised by Councilor Ojeda.
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 (Toomey recused)
10h. Request City Manager request Chief Development Officer work with housing partners
and stakeholders to develop a New Homeowner and Tenant Summit to educate residents
about housing programs, benefits, and tenants’ rights. (Bilotta, Rosen)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Bilotta
10i. Request City Manager develop a policy to standardize mitigation and community
benefits for new developments. Said policy should 1) create clear standards for
mitigation funds; 2) offset or address negative impacts created by a project; and 3)
ensure community benefits to enhance the surrounding neighborhood, through
improvements to public infrastructure and neighborhood amenities. (Bilotta, Rosen)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Bilotta
10j. Request City Manager help identify locations throughout the city and beginning in
District 2 to create permanent public bathrooms, in the interest of providing necessary
public health measures with respect to the human condition. Further, while said
permanent public bathroom locations are identified and built, request City Manager
determine suitable locations to install porta-potties as a temporary measure while
awaiting the permanent bathroom installations. (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor King, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - King
10k. Request Standing Committee on Public Health and Human Services meet jointly with the
Board of Health for the purpose of reviewing matters relating to public health, the
elderly, the equality of women, youth services, public housing, the disabled and
community development block grant funding listed on their agenda. (Rosen)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty 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
10l. Request City Manager and Chief Development Officer explain to the City Council at its
September 22, 2026 meeting why Optiline Enterprises, a commercial drywall and metal
framing subcontractor with documented violations of labor and employment laws, is
being allowed to work on the 364-unit residential complex being built on 274 Franklin
St., which is a project heavily supported by $11 million in local property tax relief over
fifteen (15) years, as Optiline was previously banned from taxpayer-funded projects in
Worcester in June 2025 due to documented violations including wage theft, paying
employees under the table, failing to pay proper overtime rates to tradespeople working
over forty (40) hours a week, and tax/insurance fraud. Said explanation should address
whether Optiline's work on the aforementioned project is in violation of Worcester's
Responsible Development Ordinance, a law mandating that developers receiving
municipal tax relief or Tax Increment Exemption (TIE) benefits cannot hire contractors
with documented labor or wage violations within the past three years. (Rosen)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Rosen, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager and City Solicitor, who responded to questions raised
by Councilor Rosen.
Councilor Rosen then moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Solicitor and City Manager, who responded to questions raised
by Councilor King.
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide developers in the city with a list of
contractors and subcontractors who are ineligible to work in the city due to violations/lack of
compliance with the city’s Responsible Developers Ordinance (RDO).” (See Item #21k CC).
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report
concerning any issues the city is aware of related to Optiline Enterprises committing wage theft.”
(See Item #21l CC).
Held Under Privilege – Rosen
10m. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works fill the potholes on
Oriental St. as soon as possible. (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10n. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works review and repair the
pavement around the manhole cover on Bay State Rd., at its intersection with
Bellingham Rd., which has sunk below the surrounding street area, causing a loud noise
from speeding cars driving over the area. (Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10o. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works conduct immediate,
emergency repairs on the sidewalk slab at 2 Intervale Rd., in the interest of public safety.
(Economou)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10p. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility provide
City Council with a report and recommendations concerning the area surrounding
Columbus Park Preparatory School, located at 75 Lovell St. Said recommendations
should include, but not be limited to, ensuring safe passage for students crossing May St.
at Lovell St. (Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10q. Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased enforcement of traffic
regulations in the vicinity of Worcester State University, located at 486 Chandler St., and
May Street Elementary School, located at 265 May St., to ensure children and crossing
guards in the area are protected from drivers. (Rivera)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10r. Request City Manager determine whether the city or school department is responsible for
mowing and clearing the extremely overgrown plot of land adjacent and to the left of the
new Doherty Memorial High School, located at 299 Highland St., approximately across
from Germain St. (Rosen)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10s. Request City Manager provide City Council with a report concerning efforts made by the
city to establish a Homeless Strategic Plan, which would include the creation of
congregate and non-congregate shelter spaces in the city for unsheltered individuals
including women, families, trans, queer and senior residents. Said plan should also
include implementation timelines, outline funding opportunities, discuss available
resources, and identify potential barriers to implementation, as referenced in previously
adopted Orders on November 14, 2023 and April 8, 2025. (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10t. Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previously
adopted Order on November 19, 2024, which read, “Request City Manager provide City
Council with a report detailing the timeline and efforts being made to secure a day center
and general public facilities for the city’s homeless population.” (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10u. Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previously
adopted Order on November 26, 2024, which read, “Request City Manager reach out to
members of Congress, including Congressmen Jim McGovern, to advocate for federal
support to provide the city’s homeless population.” (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10v. Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previously
adopted Order on February 25, 2025, which read, “Request City Manager enhance and
develop policy for the Department of Health and Human Services, and its outreach team,
with respect to the terms of engagement and the intersection of when the State conducts
homeless encampment sweeps. Further, request City Manager delineate how municipal
workers engage with state and private sector outreach workers in said regard.” (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10w. Request City Manager provide City Council with an update concerning a previously
adopted Order on March 18, 2025, which read, “Request City Manager consider
identifying, via an earmark, monies for additional services for the city’s homeless
population. (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10x. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services provide
City Council with a report, within forty-five (45) days, detailing the implementation of a
Municipal ID program. Said report should include information pertaining to vendor
options and costs, data security and privacy features, eligibility and verification
pathways, integration with private social service non-profit models and/or library and
city services, outreach plans, and a proposed launch timeline with key milestones. (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10y. Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human Services ensure all
materials from the Homelessness Steering Committee are published monthly to a public
archive on the city’s website. Said materials should include agendas, attendance, meeting
notes, and should describe how input from providers and residents are incorporated in
the information. Further, request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and
Human Services provide City Council with an annual report relative to said
Homelessness Steering Committee, detailing the committee’s goals, with progress
metrics. (King)
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to Hold the Item Under Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Petty
10z. Request City Manager utilize opioid settlement funds to hire public bathroom
monitoring/maintenance staff, similar to the public bathroom programs in Miami and
New York City. (Bilotta, King)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Bilotta, who moved to Hold the Item Under
Privilege.
Held Under Privilege - Bilotta
11. RECESS TO FINANCE COMMITTEE - No items pending
12. COMMUNICATIONS OF THE CITY CLERK
12a. Transmitting an informational communication concerning resident testimony brought
forth at the Monday, August 17, 2026 Standing Committee on Municipal and Legislative
Operations meeting related to the discussion of a potential review of the City Charter.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #12a CC through #12d CC
to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee. Referred to Municipal and Legislative
Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
12b. Transmitting an informational communication relative to advertisements for the Standing
Committee on Municipal and Legislative Operations meeting on Monday, September 28,
2026 related to a discussion of the City Charter.
Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0
Nays (See Item #12a CC)
12c. Transmitting an informational communication relative to the process required to place a
non-binding question on the ballot of the upcoming local election.
Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0
Nays (See Item #12a CC)
12d. Transmitting an informational communication detailing possible charter changes that
could be done without the creation of a Charter Review Commission, charter changes
that require approval of such a commission, as well as City Council’s role in passing
ordinance changes.
Referred to Municipal and Legislative Operations Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0
Nays (See Item #12a CC)
13. REPORTS OF THE PLANNING BOARD
13a. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of Timothy J. McMahon,
Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Worcester, request to amend
the zoning map by establishing the Adaptive Re-use Overlay District (AROD) to wholly
encompass the property at 25 West Chester St.
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Economou, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty 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 8 Yeas and 1 Nay (Nay -
Economou) (King, Rivera abstained)
13b. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Communication of the City Manager
recommending the zoning map be amended by extending the RG-5 (Residence, General)
zoning district and Adaptive Re-use Overlay District (AROD) to wholly encompass the
property at 128 Providence St.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to refer items #13b CC and #13c CC to
Economic Development Committee. Referred to Economic Development Committee on a roll call
vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
13c. REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD Upon the Petition of George Markopoulos on
behalf of 95 Vernon Street LLC request the zoning map be amended by establishing the
Adaptive Re-use Overlay District (AROD) to wholly encompass the property at 95
Vernon St.
Referred to Economic Development Committee on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item
#13b CC)
14. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
14a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the
Communication of the City Manager recommend adoption of a resolution establishing a
Tax Increment Financing Zone for GreenTech Park: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Resolution.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept and adopt items #14a CC and
#14b CC. Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
14b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Upon the
Communication of the City Manager recommending adoption of a resolution to approve
an Urban Center Housing - Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Agreement for 16 - 32
Lakeside Avenue and 18 - 20 Garland Avenue: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Resolution.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #14a CC)
15. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS
15a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Auditor Transmitting an annual
report concerning the Other Post Employment (OPEB) Trust Fund: recommend
Communication be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept items #15a CC through #15h
CC. Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
15b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting
informational communication relative to a financial update for the period ending June
30, 2026: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #15a CC)
15c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting
informational communication relative to a financial update for the period ending on May
31, 2026: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #15a CC)
15d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting
informational communication relative to the financial update for the period ending April
30, 2026: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #15a CC)
15e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting
informational communication relative to the financial update for the period ending
March 31, 2026: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #15a CC)
15f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting
informational communication relative to a financial update for the period ending Feb. 28,
2026: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #15a CC)
15g. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting
informational communication to the financial update for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026:
recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #15a CC)
15h. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL AND LEGISLATIVE
OPERATIONS Upon the Communication of the City Manager transmitting
informational communication relative to to the financial update for the period ending
Dec. 31, 2025: recommend Communication be placed on file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #15a CC)
16. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
16a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Order of Councilor
Tony Economou, Councilor Jose A. Rivera, Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey, Councilor
Gary Rosen and Councilor Robert A. Bilotta - Request Standing Committee on Public
Safety hold a discussion to review the city’s ordinance relative to excessive and
unreasonable noise. Further, request said discussion include the feasibility of amending
the noise ordinance to allow for the creation of a special noise variance application for
churches, festivals, or organizations holding certain events (see attached for Worcester
noise ordinance, as well as other municipalities’ processes): recommend Order be placed
on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take items #16a CC and #16b CC collectively.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to recuse herself from the items and left
the room.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote to accept item items. Accepted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas
and 0 Nays (Toomey recused)
16b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY Upon the Communication of
the City Manager transmitting informational communication relative to the Hospital
Guard of the Worcester Police Department: recommend Communication be placed on
file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas and 0 Nays (Toomey absent) (See Item #16a CC)
17. REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
17a. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Tony Economou request installation of a sidewalk on the odd side of Northeast Cutoff
from the David Clark Company at 125 Northeast Cutoff to the intersection of Clark St.,
in the interest of public safety: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept and adopt items #17a CC
through #17h CC. Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
17b. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Evan
Corrigan request installation of sidewalk on the eastbound side of Mountain St. East
from the Summit to The Fairways with planting of new trees on said sidewalk:
recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to install sidewalks on the south,
eastbound side of Mountain St. East from Quinapoxet Ln. to The Fairways.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17a CC)
17c. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Mikeoll
Echeverria on behalf of Stockton Street Development, LLC request sanitary sewer main
extension on Stockton St. to serve a proposed two-unit residential development located
on Lot 1 Stockton St. (Parcel ID: 10-007-0936A): recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17a CC)
17d. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Nishan
Papazian request installation of bollards at 8 Olde Millbury St. on the Arwick Ave. side
of the property in the grassy areas around the sidewalk: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order to install a guardrail.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17a CC)
17e. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Donna M. Colorio request installation of a guardrail on the Jonathan Cir. side of 381
Hamilton St.: recommend adoption of the accompanying Order to install two (2) to three
(3) bollards.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17a CC)
17f. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Jose A. Rivera on behalf of Catherine Holmes request installation of a streetlight at the
intersection of Tallawanda Dr. and Brookline St.: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17a CC)
17g. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Morris A. Bergman on behalf of Paul and Aurora Brule request installation of additional,
more effective street lighting on North Pkwy. at Burncoat (North) Park: recommend
adoption of the accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17a CC)
17h. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of
Councilor Tony Economou on behalf of June Vo request installation of “Please Pick Up
After Your Dog” signage at the intersection of Malden St. and West Boylston St. that
includes the penalty for not picking up after your dog: recommend adoption of the
accompanying Order.
Accepted and Adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17a CC)
17i. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Brian
Dutremble request electronic notification be sent to residents prior to the occurrence of
street sweeping actions: recommend Petition be placed on file.
Mayor Petty read the item and moved for a roll call vote to accept items #17i CC through #17o
CC. Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
17j. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Victoria
Torres request the procedure for fall leaf collecting and spring street sweeping be
reviewed and changed as shown in the attached plan: recommend Petition be placed on
file.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17i CC)
17k. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Sherry
Rice request streetlight in the vicinity of 76 Copperfield Rd. be reviewed to ensure it
does not shine in on personal property: recommend Petition be granted Leave to
Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17i CC)
17l. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Robert A. Bilotta request installation of additional street lighting, with a preference for
pedestrian scale lighting, on both sides of Lincoln St. between Norton St. and Harlow
St.: recommend Petition be granted Leave to Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17i CC)
17m. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
Robert A. Bilotta request installation of streetlights on Wigwam Hill Dr.: recommend
Petition be granted Leave to Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17i CC)
17n. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Councilor
John P. Fresolo on behalf of Richard Molinari request installation of a streetlight in front
of 6 Woodcliffe Ave.: recommend Petition be granted Leave to Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17i CC)
17o. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS Upon the Petition of Jenny
Papagni request installation of an additional streetlight in the vicinity of 4-18 Millbury
St.: recommend Petition be granted Leave to Withdraw.
Accepted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #17i CC)
18. HELD UNDER PRIVILEGE
18a. PETITION of Tom Marino request City Council consider adopting the attached proposal,
in part or in whole, titled, "Executive Summary: A Proposal for Police Reform in
Worcester," (see attached for proposal). (Held Under Privilege - Bilotta September 15,
2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to recuse herself from
the item and left the room.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Councilor King.
Mayor Petty moved to refer the item to Public Safety Committee. Referred to Public Safety
Committee
18b. COMMUNICATION of the City Manager recommend adoption of proposed Public
Camping Ordinance in the context of “Disrupting the Cycle,” a strategic framework for
supporting unhoused individuals. (Held Under Privilege - King September 15, 2026)
Mayor Petty read the item and recognized Councilor Toomey, who moved to recuse herself from
the item and left the room.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who provided a verbal
presentation relative to the development of the “Disrupting the Cycle,” program, including a
strategic framework for supporting unhoused individuals.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rosen, who moved to recommit the item to the City Manager.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized Mayor Petty, who spoke concerning the item.
Vice Chairperson Councilor King recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services
and City Manager, who responded to questions raised by Mayor Petty.
Mayor Petty then moved to, “Request City Manager work with the State Delegation to identify
any additional funding that may be available to aid the city in its efforts to support shelter services
for the city’s homeless population.” (See Item #21b CC).
Mayor Petty then moved to, “Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and Human
Services provide City Council with a report concerning best practices used in other communities
when creating permanent public bathrooms for use by the location’s homeless population.” (See
Item #21c CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, City Manager and
Assistant Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who responded to questions raised by
Councilor King.
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager explore the establishment of a permanent
overflow winter shelter for use by the city’s unhoused population.” (See Item #21d CC).
Councilor King then moved, “That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby oppose
the implementation and passage of the city’s proposed ordinance introduced on September 15,
2026 relative to camping on public property.” – Not Put.
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and
Human Services provide City Council with a report detailing the relationship between involuntary
displacement of unhoused individuals with their rate of survival.” (See Item #21e CC).
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager work with the City Council and Mayor to
pursue engaging with other municipal, gateway cities to push the Governor’s Office of Maura
Healey to provide the city with additional funding and resources to aid in addressing issues
related to the unhoused population.” (See Item #21f CC).
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a winter shelter
readiness report that includes 1) an operator’s selection report; 2) the budget for such a shelter; 3)
information relative to who will staff the shelter; 4) whether the city has an memorandum of
understanding (MOU) with the company that will run the shelter; 5) a go-live date for the shelter
and 6) a contingency plans if there are delays with the opening of the shelter.” (See Item #21g CC).
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report of
previously provided maps displaying locations of the homeless population’s encampments.” (See
Item #21h CC).
Councilor King then moved to, “Request City Manager provide City Council with a report
concerning the city utilizing clinical co-responses by the Department of Health and Human
Services when responding to issues associated with the city’s unsheltered population.” (See Item
#21i CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bilotta and Councilor Fresolo, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Fresolo.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Bergman.
Councilor Bergman then moved to amend the accompanying proposed ordinance to remove all
criminal offenses associated with violations of the ordinance and replace those offenses with civil
offenses. – Not Put.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Mitra, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Mitra.
Councilor Mitra then moved to, “Request City Manager organize a meeting between city
stakeholders, State Delegates and Federal representatives to discuss ways these entities can
support the city in addressing the needs of the city’s homeless population.” (See Item #21j CC).
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Rivera, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, who responded to
questions raised by Councilor Rivera.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Economou, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and City Manager, who
responded to questions raised by Councilor Economou.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Ojeda, who spoke concerning the item.
Mayor Petty recognized the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and City Manager, who
responded to questions raised by Councilor Ojeda.
Mayor Petty recognized Councilor King for a second time, who moved to place the item on file.
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote on Councilor King’s motion to place the item on file.
Motion denied on a roll call vote of 1 Yea and 9 Nays (Yea – King) (Toomey recused).
Mayor Petty moved for a roll call vote on Councilor Rosen’s motion to recommit the item to the
City Manager. Recommitted to the City Manager on a roll call vote of 8 Yeas and 1 Nay (Nay –
Bergman) (King abstained) (Toomey recused)
19. TABLED ITEMS
19a. 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
19b. 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
19c. 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
19d. 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
19e. 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
19f. 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
20. BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the September 15, 2026 City Council meeting.
20a. ORDER of Mayor Joseph M. Petty – 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. – Item #12a CC
20b. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – 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 15, 2026 to occur until such a time that all public speakers
have had the opportunity to speak. – Item #12b CC Order denied on a roll call vote of 6
Yeas and 5 Nays (Note: The motion to suspend the rules requires the affirmative vote of
at least eight (8) members regardless of the number present and voting per Rule 56 of the
Worcester City Council).
20c. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager request Commissioner
of Public Works work with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility to provide
City Council with a report detailing best practices the departments can implement to: 1)
establish, monitor and measure the effectiveness of project timelines associated with the
rehabilitation of the city’s streets and sidewalks; 2) issue notices detailing when
construction will occur; 3) hold contractors accountable relative to the bid process
required for street and sidewalk rehabilitation; and 4) implement completion frameworks
for roadway and sidewalk construction projects. – Item #12c CC Order adopted on a roll
call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
20d. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – That the City Council of the City of
Worcester does hereby suspend Rule 21 of the Rules of City Council to allow for
Councilor John P. Fresolo to speak beyond the typically allotted ten (10) minutes on item
#8.11A CM. – Item #12d CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
20e. ORDER of Councilor Jose A. Rivera – Request City Manager request Commissioner of
Public Works and Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility create and provide City
Council with a detailed process related to selecting streets and sidewalks for
rehabilitation work, similar to the process used to install speed humps throughout the
city. – Item #12e CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
20f. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request City Manager provide City Council
with a report concerning how the dissolution of the Central Massachusetts Regional
Public Health Alliance (CMRPHA) has impacted the city’s ability to provide support for
the unhoused population. Further, request said report include details of the mission and
structure of said network. – Item #12f CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas
and 0 Nays
20g. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request Standing Committee on Public
Health and Human Services invite all social service agencies working with homeless and
addiction treatment programs to discuss their efforts in assisting the city in ameliorating
the public health and public safety issues over the last few months. – Item #12g CC
Referred to Public Health and Human Services Committee on a roll call vote of 10 Yeas
and 0 Nays
20h. ORDER of Councilor John P. Fresolo – That the City Council of the City of Worcester
does hereby suspend the Rules of City Council to allow for Councilor John P. Fresolo to
discuss a matter not listed on the September 15, 2026 City Council agenda. – Item #12h
CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays
20i. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – That the City Council of the City of
Worcester meet in Executive Session at its September 22, 2026 meeting to review
matters pertaining to improper conduct of a Worcester Police Officer. – Item #12i CC
Order denied on a roll call vote of 4 Yeas and 6 Nays
20j. ORDER of Councilor Khrystian E. King – Request Mayor provide City Council with a
report concerning Rules 48 and 49 relative to Appointments to Committees and
Temporary Appointments to Fill Vacancies, as well as any language in the City Charter
related to such appointments. – Item #12j CC Order adopted on a roll call vote of 10
Yeas and 0 Nays
21. NEW BUSINESS UNDER SUSPENSION OF RULES - Items brought forth under
suspension at the September 22, 2026 City Council meeting.
21a. Motion Petty @ #6a CC – That the City Council of the City of Worcester does hereby
suspend its rules to allow for public participation section of the agenda on September 22,
2026 to occur until such a time that all public speakers have had the opportunity to
speak.
Order adopted (See Item #6a CC)
21b. Motion Petty @ #18b CC – Request City Manager work with the State Delegation to
identify any additional funding that may be available to aid the city in its efforts to
support shelter services for the city’s homeless population.
Order adopted (See Item #18b CC)
21c. Motion Petty @ #18b CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and
Human Services provide City Council with a report concerning best practices used in
other communities when creating permanent public bathrooms for use by the location’s
homeless population.
Order adopted (See Item #18b CC)
21d. Motion King @ #18b CC – Request City Manager explore the establishment of a
permanent overflow winter shelter for use by the city’s unhoused population.
Order adopted (See Item #18b CC)
21e. Motion King @ #18b CC – Request City Manager request Commissioner of Health and
Human Services provide City Council with a report detailing the relationship between
involuntary displacement of unhoused individuals with their rate of survival.
Order adopted (See Item #18b CC)
21f. Motion King @ #18b CC – Request City Manager work with the City Council and
Mayor to pursue engaging with other municipal, gateway cities to push the Governor’s
Office of Maura Healey to provide the city with additional funding and resources to aid
in addressing issues related to the unhoused population.
Order adopted (See Item #18b CC)
21g. Motion King @ #18b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a winter
shelter readiness report that includes 1) an operator’s selection report; 2) the budget for
such a shelter; 3) information relative to who will staff the shelter; 4) whether the city
has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the company that will run the shelter;
5) a go-live date for the shelter and 6) contingency plans if there are delays with the
opening of the shelter.
Order adopted (See Item #18b CC)
21h. Motion King @ #18b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report of
previously provided maps displaying locations of the homeless population’s
encampments.
Order adopted (See Item #18b CC)
21i. Motion King @ #18b CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report
concerning the city utilizing clinical co-responses by the Department of Health and
Human Services when responding to issues associated with the city’s unsheltered
population.
Order adopted (See Item #18b CC)
21j. Motion Mitra @ #18b CC – Request City Manager organize a meeting between city
stakeholders, State Delegates and Federal representatives to discuss ways these entities
can support the city in addressing the needs of the city’s homeless population.
Order adopted (See Item #18b CC)
21k. Motion King @ #10l CC – Request City Manager provide developers in the city with a
list of contractors and subcontractors who are ineligible to work in the city due to
violations/lack of compliance with the city’s Responsible Development Ordinance
(RDO).
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10l CC)
21l. Motion King @ #10l CC – Request City Manager provide City Council with a report
concerning any issues the city is aware of related to Optiline Enterprises committing
wage theft.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 11 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #10l CC)
Sources
- Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKc2IZfxNEQ
- Minutes: https://worcesterma.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=76506&compileOutputType=1
Video
Transcript
Auto-generated YouTube captions; names and terms are likely misheard.
Transcript
0:08Good evening everyone. Welcome to the
0:09West City Council meeting. If you can
0:11please stand for the pledge of
0:12allegiance and star spangle banner
0:34see
0:36by the dawn early
0:41What so proudly
0:43we held
0:46at the twilight
0:48lasting
0:51who brought stripes and bright stars
0:55through the perilous
0:59fight
1:00or the
1:03we
1:05were so gallently
1:08dreaming
1:10and the rockets
1:12red
1:22through the night
1:25that our flag was still there.
1:30Oh, say does that star spangled
1:36then
1:38way
1:42for the land
1:45of the free
1:49and the home
1:52of the
1:55brave.
2:09Roll call.
2:10>> Councelor Bergman
2:11>> here.
2:12>> Councelor Bada
2:13>> here.
2:14>> Economo
2:14>> here.
2:15>> Bzolo
2:16>> here.
2:16>> Councelor King
2:17>> here.
2:17>> Councelor Mitra
2:18>> here.
2:19>> Oh
2:20>> here.
2:20>> Councelor Rivera
2:21>> here.
2:22>> Councelor Rosen
2:22>> here.
2:23>> Councelor Tumi
2:25and Mayor Petty
2:26>> here. Okay. Approval. Okay, we have
2:29public participation. A person may speak
2:31for no more than two minutes on any item
2:33appearing on the agenda. Mr. Cork.
2:37>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh, rule 39, items
2:40of public interest at every meeting of
2:42the city council under public
2:43participation portion of the agenda. The
2:45chair shall recognize any person seeking
2:47such recognition for the purpose of
2:49addressing the council on any eligible
2:51item uh on the agenda, both in person or
2:54remotely. Any person who wishes to speak
2:56more than one agenda item shall combine
2:58the testimony on all items to warn
3:00appearance at the microphone. Time for
3:02speaking shall not exceed two minutes
3:04for anyone speaker. 30 minutes for all
3:06speakers. And then rule 40 petitions. On
3:09the first occasion, a petition appears
3:11before the city council. The prior
3:13petitioner may address the city council
3:14for no more than three minutes on the
3:15subject of their petition.
3:17>> Okay. So, uh this your name, your
3:19residence, and item number.
3:21>> Yes. Uh Fred Nathan. We're going to
3:24start off with uh 9D, 9E, and 9F.
3:28Now, we have a uh license commission
3:32that as far as I know is doing their
3:34job, but yet there are three items here
3:36wanting the city to have a closer look
3:39at the license commission. I don't know
3:40what that's all about, but
3:43I'm not a city councelor.
3:47Um
3:4910 Elm.
3:51We have a company here that supposedly
3:54was banned from doing business in the
3:56city, but yet mysteriously somehow they
3:59find a way to be back in here in the
4:03city. And I'd like to remind everybody,
4:06Mr. Mayor, Mr. City Managers, Council,
4:10$11 million in a tax break is nothing to
4:13sneeze at. So, I don't know if we need I
4:16don't know if we need somebody bigger to
4:18come in like Trumpy and and do a big
4:21audit of the city, but $11 million. I
4:25mean, you guys in here are fighting over
4:27a h 100,000 here, hundred,000 there and
4:29$11 million is going to be thrown down
4:31the sewer because we might be getting a
4:32company that might not be reputable.
4:35I'm not a city councelor. I wouldn't
4:37want to be I wouldn't trade position
4:39with you with any all the tea in China.
4:42Got one more here. Oh,
4:46I'm sorry. I know I got one more here.
4:50Well,
4:52I can't seem to find it. Damn it. Oh,
4:55yes. That's right. The homeless.
4:58So, as I said last week, you can find
5:02these people. No. No. What? 25. That's
5:05That's too little. Find them a 100.
5:07Point is, he never going to see the
5:09money. So nice, nice, nice job having
5:12the cops write the tickets and the cops
5:15go into the court and you're never going
5:17to see a dime. So nice try. I give you
5:20luck. You're the council, not me.
5:24Next speaker, there's your name for your
5:25residence and item number.
5:26>> My name is Peter. I live in Worcester in
5:28the fifth district 18A, 18B, and 10 L.
5:32Uh Central Mass and Worcester DSA want
5:34to get to the bottom of the homelessness
5:36problem across the country as well. Uh
5:39why does homelessness exist? Why will it
5:41always exist under the current system?
5:44Why is the solution always to sick the
5:46police on unhoused people and push them
5:49somewhere else? And why, as union
5:51carpenters in the room will tell you, do
5:53cities like Worcester hand incentives to
5:55developers that steal their employees
5:58wages and threaten them with
5:59deportation? It's because we're told to
6:02rely on private capital to build
6:04housing, employ people, and run society.
6:07And so those things will only happen on
6:09terms that are good for the capitalist
6:11class. Workingclass tenants will get the
6:14cheapest construction for the highest
6:15rent so property owners can have the
6:17best profit and the quickest return. If
6:20we're lucky, two or three new apartments
6:22will get a tiny discount on rent for 5
6:24years and be called affordable.
6:27Cops exist to defend property rights and
6:29property values. It's no wonder why they
6:31get overtime pay to rip down tents and
6:33why police reform usually means throwing
6:36more money at them. Cops doing what they
6:39do is good for investors. We could
6:41provide housing for everyone built by
6:43workers who get back all their labor's
6:45value, democratically managed by
6:47tenants. That would require a world
6:49without landlords and without private
6:51developers, without city councils bought
6:53and paid for, where one person doesn't
6:56own a hundred properties to rip the rest
6:59of us off. That world is a socialist one
7:02and DSA is out to build the workingclass
7:04movement to fight for it. That's why
7:07we're campaigning in the sixth Worcester
7:08state house district down near
7:10Southbridge on a social housing question
7:12for November's ballot. Not just rent
7:15control to slow the bleeding or zoning
7:17tweaks to unleash the free market. The
7:20free market has been unleashed on us for
7:22long enough.
7:33Abby Morto, Worcester resident. I'm
7:36going to start with 10 L. Ties for
7:41Optaline.
7:42No,
7:44they wage theft is bad. hurts workers
7:49and you know it causes homelessness
7:52because if workers are not being paid
7:55what they're doing willingly owe what's
7:57happening they become homeless 10s we
8:00need homeless shelter spaces we need
8:02shelter spaces for the men and women and
8:05make sure that trans people are held
8:08according to our gender identity 18b
8:11camping ban is fascism it it it is
8:15fascism you know if you criminalize
8:17homelessness this and they're not going
8:20to be able to pay the fine. You you you
8:22try to issue fines for homeless people,
8:24they're not going to be able to pay it.
8:25You no,
8:28it's f when you criminalize
8:30homelessness, it's fascism. So, you know
8:35what side of history? I keep saying it
8:37every time I you always keep you always
8:39hear me say it. What side of history are
8:42you on? I always say that a lot. You
8:44know, you hear me say that a lot. What
8:46side of history are you on? Because the
8:49decisions you make here are going to be,
8:53you know, recorded in history. History
8:55is going to remember, you know. So, what
8:57side of history are you on the side of
8:59the fascist or are you on the side of
9:02humanity? Are you on the side of fascism
9:04or are you on the side of humanity? Now,
9:07I am always on the side of humanity, you
9:10know. And then they came for the
9:12homeless. And you know what? I object. I
9:15I don't care who they're coming for this
9:17time. I always object. I object every
9:20time. Every time there's an injustice, I
9:22object. And I object to canning bans. I
9:27object to fascism. I object to the
9:29criminalization of homelessness. I'm not
9:32going to be able to fit fine.
9:33>> Thank you.
9:40>> Hello, I'm Martha. I come to you with
9:43abundant love for my community. Um, and
9:46a belief that our public dollars should
9:49be uplifting and supporting our
9:51community and um, and that transparency
9:54is the kernel of trust that goes
9:58throughout our entire government and
10:00that's what the people really really
10:02respect and want. Um, I'm so glad to be
10:06here to be able to talk about 18F, I
10:09mean 18A, the proposal for police
10:12reform. Um, I appreciate that it's a
10:15effort to bring transparency and center
10:19survivors. Um, as a mom, I deeply
10:22believe that we should believe survivors
10:25and support them and center their pain.
10:28Um,
10:30personally, I'm here on 18B.
10:33Um, and while I really appreciate the
10:36sentiment of getting to the root cause
10:38of unhousing in our city, um, the end
10:43part of the ordinance is the part that I
10:45have the most trouble with. Um, I we all
10:48agree that solutions need to be found to
10:52build affordable housing and to
10:55strengthen the shelter system. Um, as
10:58someone who is on the board of the
10:59Pleasant Street Neighborhood Network
11:01Center, we welcome unhoused neighbors
11:04every day to have coffee, charge a
11:08phone, and we are in dialogue with our
11:10community. They're incredibly respectful
11:12and that is who would be paying that
11:15fine even though they're on every city
11:17list that exists and they are actively
11:20advocating and working with the city to
11:22create a solution. Um, and you will
11:24always hear me standing with workers, so
11:27I stand with the carpenters. And then
11:29lastly, I just learned about this
11:31tonight, but any support for midwives is
11:33absolutely essential. And that is a
11:36loving, positive view of what our city
11:38could be. So, I know this is really
11:42important to me, and I hope you
11:44understand where I'm coming from.
11:45>> Thank you.
11:53Good evening, Mayor and City Council. My
11:56name is Dante Compredo, educator and
11:58resident in Worcester. I am here tonight
12:00to urge this council to vote an
12:03unequivocal no on item 18B, the proposed
12:06public camping ordinance. We all agree
12:09that people sleeping on sidewalks, in
12:11parks, or in their cars is not
12:13acceptable. Extreme poverty is
12:15unacceptable. But passing an ordinance
12:18that imposes 72-hour eviction notices
12:21and $25 a day fines is not a solution.
12:25It is a state sanctioned displacement.
12:28It takes the reality reality of systemic
12:30poverty and attempts to legislate it out
12:34of sight.
12:35Finding someone $25 a day who already
12:38has nothing does not create an
12:41affordable apartment. It does not create
12:44an open. It does not open a shelter bed.
12:47It creates criminalization, damages
12:49credit, and burdens people with debt,
12:52building higher barriers between our
12:53most vulnerable neighbors and permanent
12:55housing. The administration points to
12:58legal permission following the Grant's
13:00past decision. But just because the
13:02Supreme Court made it legal to punish
13:04people for sleeping outside does not
13:06make it moral and it doesn't make it
13:09smart public policy. Public data is
13:12clear. Continuous sweeps, fractures
13:14outreach, destroys vital medications and
13:17identification documents, increases
13:19incarceration rates, and drives overdose
13:22rates and emergency visits up. Right
13:24now, Worcester has roughly 200 permanent
13:26shelter beds for an unhoused population
13:29that significantly exceeds that
13:30capacity. When you tell someone they
13:32cannot sleep in an encampment, cannot
13:34sleep in their vehicle, cannot rest on
13:36public property, yet offer no guaranteed
13:40bed to go to, where do you expect them
13:42to go? Displacement does not end
13:45homelessness. It just moves people from
13:47one spot to another. If we want to
13:49disrupt the cycle of homelessness, we
13:51must invest in low barrier emergency
13:53beds, permanent supportive housing, and
13:56real outreach infrastructure. Do not
13:58criminalize our neighbors for surviving.
14:00Vote no on item 18B tonight. Thank you.
14:03>> Thank you.
14:10>> Your name, see your residence. Item
14:11number.
14:12>> Yeah. My name is David Masian. I'm a
14:14resident of Worcester and I'm
14:15representing the Carpenters Union
14:17tonight. Um I'm here to speak on uh item
14:2110L.
14:22Um, and uh, I want to speak about uh,
14:27excuse me, taking action for Optalign
14:30workers uh, who are victims of wage
14:32theft. Uh, Optaline is a large drywall
14:36company based out of New Hampshire. Uh,
14:39they're working currently at 274
14:40Franklin Street. A a bunch of workers
14:43got together uh, that work for Optine
14:46because they weren't getting paid
14:47overtime for 50 60 hours worth a week.
14:50They filed a class action lawsuit uh to
14:52try to get paid. When the owner found
14:54out about it, uh he retaliated against
14:57the workers. He threatened them and
15:00intimidated them. Uh he called out their
15:02immigrant stat immigration status and
15:04and threatened them with deportation.
15:07You don't have to believe me, but you
15:08can believe a superior court judge uh
15:10who ruled in the worker's favor on a
15:12protective action and the attorney
15:14general's citation that followed. Um, we
15:18really appreciate the work of this
15:20council and the administration to
15:21originally ban Option under the
15:24responsible development ordinance. And
15:26we're really asking you as leaders uh of
15:29our city to show that Optaline with
15:31their retaliation and threats to workers
15:33do not do not belong here and that under
15:37the RDO they are ineligible. Thank you.
15:40>> Thank you.
15:48Did your name see your residence?
15:50>> Rian Snide. Um, I am a staff attorney
15:52with Central West Justice Center, a
15:54legal aid organization in Central and
15:56Western Massachusetts. I regularly work
15:58with homeless individuals and families
16:00in Worcester to access shelter. I'm here
16:03to oppose the proposed camping ordinance
16:06item 18B. Um, the city's goal to expand
16:09shelter capacity for unhoused people in
16:11the future does not meaningfully respond
16:13to or address the current need. The city
16:16reports that over 1,100 homeless
16:18individuals live in Worcester, but only
16:20197 shelter beds currently exist. The
16:23ordinance provides no genuine offer of
16:25shelters to individual before criminal
16:27penalties are imposed and there is no
16:30requirement that resources be available
16:32before these criminal penalties take
16:34effect. The proposed ordinance may state
16:36that being unhoused is not a crime. Yet,
16:39section E3 authorizes quote enforcement
16:42by criminal processes. And section F
16:45imposes a $25 daily fine for
16:47non-compliance.
16:48People will be punished simply because
16:50there's nowhere to go. An expansion of
16:53shelter capacity is necessary, as is
16:55reducing restrictions on shelter access.
16:58EA family shelter has been restricted
17:00statewide. The most recent shelter
17:02report indicates capacity is at less
17:04than 40%.
17:06This underutilization is not due to a
17:08lack of need as many families who are
17:10turned away come to legal aid for help.
17:13Beds must not only exist, but they must
17:15be accessible to our most vulnerable and
17:18chronically homeless. This ordinance
17:20also violates Massachusetts
17:22Constitution. Sorry, the Massachusetts
17:24Constitution. The attorney general has
17:26found that criminal enforcement against
17:27unhoused people without available
17:30shelter violates Massachusetts
17:31Declaration of Rights Article 26. We
17:34urge this council not to adopt the
17:36ordinance for the safety and well-being
17:37of all Worcester residents. We encourage
17:40expansion of shelter services and the
17:41removal removal of all criminal fines
17:44processes and fines. Thank you.
17:46>> Thank you.
17:55Good evening. Grace Ross, 10 Oxford
17:58Street, Worcester. Um, I'm here also on
18:0118BB.
18:02Um, but I wanted to take you down a
18:04somewhat different path. I think that a
18:07lot of what's going on in our society is
18:09kind of an us them kind of thinking like
18:13these homeless people could never be me.
18:16And I want to challenge you on that. I
18:18don't know if the member of the
18:19Worcester anti-forclosure team who
18:21wanted to speak tonight is going to
18:22manage it or not, but he was paying his
18:25mortgage on his home and out of the
18:28blue, out of nowhere, the bank stopped
18:30accepting his payments. And then they
18:33moved to foreclose on him and they
18:35foreclosed on him when he was actively
18:38trying to get them to accept payments he
18:40had been making for years. He has since
18:44been evicted. He has now been homeless
18:46for wow almost a year. And I think we
18:51need to wake up. This economy is about
18:53to crash. The bank, we're told by bank
18:56insiders in the mortgage industry that
18:59they're trying to foreclose as fast as
19:00possible because they think the market's
19:02going to crash. We know what happens
19:04when the market crashes. We're going to
19:06have thousands more foreclosures. So
19:09instead of treating people as if they're
19:11them, think about walking in their
19:14shoes, think about what it's like
19:15daytoday. We save money, those of us who
19:18are housed, by putting food in a
19:20refrigerator and cooking it when we need
19:23it. But when you're on the street and
19:25you're homeless, you have to have money
19:26for every single meal. You have to have
19:29a way to buy food. It's more expensive
19:33to live homeless on the street. and
19:36we're going to find people money who are
19:39already stretching beyond their limit to
19:41try and just feed themselves. This is a
19:44moral question. It's not a legal
19:47question regardless of what a judge
19:50says. This is a moral question. Are we
19:54in it together or not?
19:56>> Thank you.
19:57>> Thank you.
20:06Idela Hazard, city of Worcester.
20:09I do not understand why this city wants
20:14to punish people
20:16for being homeless.
20:18We're not able to house them.
20:23So why are we going to punish them?
20:27We want to send them to the small towns
20:30around Worester. You came from Milbury,
20:33we're sending you to Milbury. Milbury
20:35doesn't have transportation. They
20:37doesn't they do they do not have the
20:40facilities we have. They come to
20:43Worcester because they need
20:45transportation
20:46to be able to get to the social
20:48services.
20:51Worcester needs to stop punishing people
20:55for being homeless.
20:58We cannot do it. Then we say they can't
21:02set up temps tents.
21:05We haven't even found a place for winter
21:10shelters.
21:11And even the winter shelters only house
21:14about 60 people. How many homeless
21:18people do we have?
21:20I'm telling you, if I were homeless, I
21:23would set up a tent. Any frigin place I
21:27could find enough space to.
21:30We cannot leave them out there. We have
21:34to protect them.
21:36In the 80s, we lost three homeless
21:40people that's set up in a truck on
21:44Jackson Street.
21:46They froze to death. We cannot have that
21:50ever again. Thank you.
21:58One more thing I wanted to thank my city
22:01councelor for putting on the agenda for
22:05a honorary street for RSC and ward and I
22:10hope that it passes. Thank you.
22:17>> Good good evening Mr. Chairman. My name
22:20is Greg Degamasian. I'm a lifelong
22:23resident here in the city. I speak on my
22:26own valition and I have no authority nor
22:28do I represent any city agency. I do
22:32want to mention that I support order on
22:36the agenda 10T
22:39and
22:40might want to suggest and recommend and
22:44for consideration that is a that as a
22:46part of that report and then and that is
22:49in regard to the regards to the daycare
22:52center for the homeless that any report
22:56and any included in that report uh
23:00address any fire hydro ants which are
23:02out of service specifically hydrant
23:06number 1227
23:08every fire hydrant has a identifier and
23:12keeping also in mind Mr. Chairman that I
23:15believe we still have a an outstanding
23:19report uh for fire hydrants which are
23:22out of service. Thank you very much.
23:25>> Thank you.
23:31Good evening. My name is Meg Coffin. I'm
23:33a resident of Worcester and I run your
23:35access advocates, a disability resource
23:37and advocacy agency here in the city. We
23:40work with individuals across all indivi
23:42all disabilities so they can live
23:43independently in the community. And the
23:46biggest issue we see with those we work
23:48with is housing. The wait list for
23:50accessible low-income housing with the
23:52Worcester Regional Housing Authority is
23:5430 years. Many of the individuals we
23:57work with are housing insecure, couch
23:59surfing, and living with relatives or
24:00friends, or many are stuck in
24:02institutions.
24:04The proposal to find individuals living
24:06in encampments $25 is truly ludicrous. I
24:10can't begin to think the thought process
24:12that went into making this
24:13recommendation. Further, how is the fine
24:16to be collected and what would happen to
24:18the individuals if they couldn't pay it?
24:20Recommending this at a time when
24:22inflation is so high and we're seeing
24:24huge cuts to Medicaid funding just in a
24:26few short weeks makes it even more
24:28unbelievable. The city really needs to
24:31concentrate on creating more lowincome
24:33housing, not just affordable housing at
24:3580% AMI and provide wraparound services
24:39these individuals need to successfully
24:42transition from homelessness to secure
24:45housing. Thank you so much for your
24:47time.
24:48>> Thank you.
24:54Good evening everyone. Good evening. My
24:56name is Fred Taylor. I'm president of
24:57the NACP, but I'm also speaking on
25:01behalf of the Carpenters Union like my
25:02colleague Damon Asian did earlier. Um,
25:05we've been working on policies and
25:07ordinances in the city of Worcester to
25:09try and improve things and protect the
25:11city of Worcester, the residents, the
25:14taxpayers, and the workers in the city
25:15of Worcester. Uh we've been speaking a
25:18lot recently about a project at 274
25:20Franklin Street. It's 364
25:23units of housing that's getting public
25:25funding on it. Uh we want to just
25:27implore you and ask again to be sure
25:30that we uh enforce a responsible
25:32development ordinance to make sure that
25:34not only developers like the developer
25:36on Franklin Street, but future
25:38developers know they can't come to
25:39Worcester and just take our money and
25:41break the rules and get uh paid for
25:43that. I also want to um I want to
25:46support uh item 8B. Uh as president ACP,
25:50I want to support AB by Christian King
25:52and Rob Bada. The request for Laurel
25:54Street from Summer Street to Everglow
25:57Boulevard to be given an honorary street
25:59name designated to Aries Ward. Thank
26:02you.
26:02>> Thank you.
26:13Good evening. My name is Jemma Kamar and
26:15I'm a Worcester resident. As a public
26:17health professional, I urge you to
26:21please reject the policies that
26:23criminalize homelessness. Worcester is
26:26the second largest city. I don't know
26:28how many of you actually can ponder upon
26:30this when you're sleeping, but like to
26:32also understand how our how Worcester
26:34does not have a strong public health
26:37department system systems and to hear a
26:41policy or something that has been
26:42written um to suggest that homeless
26:46people, which is one of the biggest
26:48public health issues in the city of
26:50Worcester, that we are going to be
26:52targeting this by having people who are
26:54so vulnerable pay a fine. And for this
26:57to be on on a city, the second largest
26:59city in New England, on your agenda, our
27:01agenda. Come on. What are we saying to
27:04the nation? What are we saying to our
27:06neighboring uh um cities and you know,
27:08towns here? Well, we are not saying
27:10anything because Worcester had a
27:11consumption of with all of its
27:13neighboring um um cities and towns and
27:16that fell through. We are supposed to be
27:18building our public health arm and we
27:21are not doing that. So, I implore all of
27:22you here to please stop that
27:24ridiculousness. We should not be finding
27:26homeless people. I also stand here with
27:28the copers union and as an immigrant
27:31upline. I am standing with the copus
27:34union
27:35um
27:37the demand that immediate injustice. I'm
27:40asking that you and everyone here um
27:43please um support the carpenters union
27:47and support the um the workers to ensure
27:49that they get justice and that we do not
27:52have a company that is um not providing
27:56any usefulness or even protection for
27:59workers your our residents um on
28:03contracts that are supposed to be
28:05benefiting our community. We should hold
28:08up a line um to the fullest extend and I
28:12do urge all of you again to please as
28:14everybody has been mentioning here, we
28:16ask that you please um support this and
28:19>> do not give um you know any more support
28:22or attention to this um ordinance. So,
28:24thank you,
28:33>> Mike Ka on behalf of the Worester
28:35Regional Chamber of Commerce here
28:36tonight uh to express our strong support
28:39uh for the city manager's plan
28:41addressing the single adult homelessness
28:43population here in our city. Our
28:46members, local business owners, and
28:48visitors have consistently raised
28:49concerns on the current situation
28:51regarding the single adult population in
28:54need of mental health and substance
28:56abuse counseling that are engaging in
28:59illegal behaviors while increasingly
29:01impacting our businesses, their
29:03customers, and employees and community
29:06public spaces. Worcester's business
29:08community contributes a significant
29:10share of municipal tax revenue to
29:12support public services while also
29:15contributing to charitable causes that
29:17assist in those needs. Unfortunately,
29:20the current situation with the single
29:22adult population in need of services is
29:25causing businesses recurring cleanup
29:27costs for human defecation, discarded
29:29needles, and trash alongside mounting
29:32expenses for private property repairs,
29:35security, and growing concerns regarding
29:37customer and employee safety. For small
29:40business owners, these persistent
29:42disruptions directly threaten their
29:45livelihood. Meaningful progress requires
29:48coordinated structural support and
29:50accountability at the local, state, and
29:53federal level. The framework outlined in
29:55this plan provides an opportunity for
29:57collaboration and a direction needed to
29:59connect our single adult population and
30:02needed services or mental health and
30:04substance abuse counseling and
30:06transitional housing, all of which
30:08currently exist. Treating public spaces
30:10as informal shelter alternatives serves
30:13neither this population nor the
30:15community at large.
30:18We support the city manager prioritizing
30:21this challenge in taking action. A
30:23coordinated and accountable enforcement
30:25strategy is essential to safeguarding
30:27Worcester's economic vitality while
30:29providing meaningful aid for those most
30:31in need. The business community stands
30:33ready to partner with the city. Thank
30:35you.
30:49Hello, my name is Gary Hunter, District
30:525. First, I'd like to talk a couple
30:55quick things. 10L,
30:57I would really like an explanation how
31:00up the line got to back to work in one
31:02of our projects. It doesn't make any
31:05sense to me. That means somebody didn't
31:06see it and this union has to come here
31:09and fight for it. They should not be in
31:12any building in Worcester.
31:18Second 12D,
31:21we need a charter review. We need it
31:24done now.
31:26>> This is cannot wait. If it waits until
31:29after the election, we may have some big
31:31changes here.
31:35Now I'm going to go to 18A and 18B,
31:37please.
31:4018A,
31:43we need a report. We didn't see what's
31:45on the report, but we need it made
31:48public what Tom is looking at and and
31:51suggestion so we can
31:55um talk about this among ourselves.
31:5818B, please, everybody look at me in the
32:01eye. These people are humans out on the
32:05street. They could be you and they could
32:07be me. This is not solving the problem.
32:09The large problem of homelessness. It is
32:12not solving it. All you're doing is
32:14pushing it ahead.
32:17This is a lazy government. And I'm not
32:20talking about people. I'm talking about
32:21the government. Look what's happening in
32:23New York City. Things are getting done.
32:26Person's been in office for three
32:28months. The housings are getting built.
32:31Child care is being taken care of.
32:33Health care is being taken care of. Food
32:35shortages in in grocery stores are being
32:37taken care of. While we sit here and
32:40talk some of the useless things on the
32:42agenda, we need to take care of our
32:45homeless population by a permanent way,
32:48not just push it ahead. Make it easy for
32:51all you people to get it off your minds.
32:53Look me in the face. Do you have any
32:55empathy? Do you have any empathy?
32:58>> Thank you.
33:10Hello, my name is Heather Pruner
33:12Stannic. I am a resident of District 5.
33:16I'm here to speak on the proposal for a
33:18comprehensive police forum item 18A. I
33:21stand tonight in unison with members of
33:24the community demanding accountability
33:26not just from our police department or
33:28city administration but through the
33:30chair from each of you
33:33our elected officials. This isn't the
33:36first time I've shared my story with
33:37this body. I have spoken about my
33:40experience as a survivor of childhood
33:42sexual abuse by my then softball coach
33:45John Monfredo who was later elected to
33:47our school committee. I was 9 years old
33:50when the abuse started. I have spoken to
33:52you about my ongoing struggle for full
33:55access to the records from the police
33:57department's investigation into my case,
33:59to which I am legally entitled. I've
34:02carried the burden of events described
34:04in those files for more than 30 years
34:06and will continue to carry it in one way
34:08or another for the rest of my life.
34:11That's reality. But without access to
34:14those files, I can't explain
34:17to that little girl what went wrong, how
34:21we can fix it, and perhaps most
34:24importantly, how it was the system
34:26failed, not her.
34:28But you can help her heal. You can help
34:31me understand what happened. You can
34:33empower anyone who has been sexually
34:35abused by a principal or a police
34:37officer to do the same, to ensure it
34:40never happens again. Despite years of
34:43using any and every legal means to
34:45obtain this information, I have received
34:47just 22 pages of what I'm told is a
34:4978page file. Let me make one thing very
34:52clear. I know beyond the shadow of a
34:54doubt that I am not John Montfredo's
34:57only victim. Not only that, it is my
34:59belief that I am not the only victim
35:01known to the police. This man is a
35:04predator who had easy access to some of
35:06the most vulnerable children in this
35:08city for decades. The statistical
35:10likelihood that there are even more
35:12victims yet to come forward is
35:14astronomical. Who enabled John Montfredo
35:16and silenced his victims? How can we
35:18hold anyone accountable or fix what's
35:19broken without answering these
35:21questions? How do we know our kids are
35:22safe within the same system that left
35:24them in the care of a monster? Worcester
35:27has its own Epstein class that
35:29prioritizes its own comfort and
35:30privilege over the safety of our kids. I
35:33lived the consequences as a child and
35:35now I have lived them as a mother. The
35:38system h that has allowed this cannot
35:41cannot oversee itself. It's time to stop
35:44telling the people they can trust the
35:46police department to change and start
35:47showing them you'll make sure it does.
35:50Adopt this citizen authored plan for
35:52police reform or draft your own. Appoint
35:54an IG to investigate claims of
35:56misconduct. Hold the city manager
35:58accountable to his duties duties as
36:00chief conservator of the peace. Believe
36:03survivors. End the cover-ups.
36:05Transparency now. Accountability now.
36:07Release the files.
36:24and I get to follow that. Awesome.
36:26Kirsten Frasier, a city, a resident of
36:28the city of Worcester. Um,
36:32yeah, what she said, release the files.
36:34Come on. I am an educator. If I ask my
36:37students to examine themselves and rate
36:41their performance, do you think they're
36:43going to give themselves a bad grade?
36:46Uhuh. Ain't going to happen. Most
36:48students grow up to be most of our
36:51adults around us and they aren't going
36:53to be any more likely to give themselves
36:55a bad grade or be honest unless they're
36:58forced to. So, let's look at stop
37:01gaslighting ourselves and stop pushing
37:03this on down the road and just assume
37:05that we need to start holding people
37:08accountable for what they have done.
37:11As far as the public camping ordinance
37:13goes, again, why are we wanting to
37:16charge those who have the least anything
37:19for trying to survive? It makes
37:22absolutely no sense.
37:25somebody who is living out in the street
37:27through no fault of their own, whether
37:29it's because of mental health issues or
37:31because they've been forced out through
37:32eviction or because they've been kicked
37:34out of their homes for whatever reason,
37:37do not deserve to be continuously kicked
37:40from place to place when all they're
37:42trying to do is have a little bit of
37:44shelter and a little bit of safety. We
37:47need to start building low barrier
37:50housing for these people and start
37:52finding ways to support them, not make
37:54their lives worse.
37:57>> And the last one, as far as Optaline is
37:59concerned, I find it really super ironic
38:01that a city that calls itself a
38:03welcoming America city is willing to
38:05welcome in somebody who has been banned
38:08for treating our immigrants in such a
38:10horrible way. So, let's think about what
38:12we're doing, folks. We're better than
38:15this. Let's start acting like it. Thank
38:18you.
38:27>> Good evening. My name is Maria Montano.
38:29Um, city of Worcester. I'm here to speak
38:31on item 8 A8T.
38:35Um, I'm respectfully asking that the
38:37city manager and city council request
38:39that the department of public parks with
38:42the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries
38:45and Wildlife and other qualified
38:46wildlife environmental professionals
38:48such as Rapper Tales Rescue of Shbury
38:51and New House Wildlife Rescue of
38:53Chsford. As these organizations have
38:56been involved in rescuing wildlife from
38:57this area numerous times over the past
38:59several months, I believe these
39:02conversations are important in
39:03determining whether wildlife safety
39:05barriers, floating deterrence, warning
39:07systems, or other humane preventive
39:08measures could reduce the danger to
39:10wildlife without interfering the dam's
39:12operation or natural environment.
39:15The goal is to explore what can reason
39:18reasonably be done to prevent these
39:19incidents before another animal needs to
39:22be rescued, injured, or lost like the
39:24swans, geese, ducks, and other wildlife
39:26that are being carried toward and over
39:28the dam which runs into the Blackstone
39:30Canal. Um, Worcester has more than 60
39:33parks and nearly 1300 acres of municipal
39:36parkland. I believe there's an
39:38opportunity to look at wildlife safety,
39:40not only at Institute Pond, Salisbury
39:42Pond, but also other city parks where
39:44similar hazards may exist. For those of
39:47us who are visiting this area, these
39:48animals are more than something we
39:50simply pass by. We watch them raise
39:52their young, return year after year, and
39:54become part of the environment that is
39:55the city of Worcester. When an animal is
39:58placed in danger near the dam, our
40:00response should not have to begin only
40:02after something goes wrong. Prevention
40:05should be part of the conversation. I'm
40:07not asking the city to install a
40:08specific barrier without f first
40:10understanding its impact. I'm asking for
40:13something reasonable as an evaluation by
40:15qualified professionals. Um I also
40:19wanted to just briefly speak on 18B. Um
40:24I watched last week as so many people
40:26spoke in our city bravely. Um, I've
40:31already signed to the boards and
40:32commissions and I'm hoping that um to
40:36you, Mr. Mayor, and the city council and
40:38the city manager come up with a plan to
40:41have some sort of coalition or a board
40:44or a commission where there are actual
40:46people with qualified
40:48uh experience in dealing with people
40:51that are unhoused and come up with a
40:53collective way. This is not an easy way
40:56to get out of this. There are a lot of
40:58people out there with different issues.
41:00They're not all on drugs. They're not
41:01all um just out there to be out there.
41:05And many that I'm seeing in the
41:07community now, it's it's hard to see it,
41:09but they're elderly people 55 plus or
41:12more. And so, it's sad that four years
41:15later, we're still having this
41:17conversation. And I don't believe and I
41:21know in the hearts of hearts that this
41:23is not right. And so, find a better way.
41:25I know that you can. Thank you.
41:29>> Thank you.
41:33>> Is your name of city of residence?
41:34>> Uh Brian Keaney, city of Worcester. I'm
41:37here to speak on item 18B, the so-called
41:40public camping ordinance, which is
41:41nothing more than an attempt at
41:43criminalizing poverty and homelessness.
41:46While I recognize that this proposal is
41:48attempting to address serious public
41:50health issues, it will not accomplish
41:52its aims and targeting the most
41:54vulnerable members of society and
41:56finding them for trying to exist is
41:58simply cruel.
42:00>> People who have no money and are already
42:02so desperate won't be deterred by fines
42:04that they can't pay. Proposed fines will
42:07not erase homelessness and will only
42:10exacerbate suffering. Instead of passing
42:12relief efforts onto charitable
42:14organizations that can only do so much,
42:17city government should do more to
42:19provide shelter and other services. At
42:21the very least, it should not inflict
42:24additional cruelty. This ordinance will
42:26be a very bad look for Worcester, and I
42:28urge you to vote against the public
42:30camping ordinance. Thank you.
42:32>> Thank you.
42:40>> Does your name see your residence? My
42:41name is Minnie from District 1. Um, I
42:44had some files here, but I realized I
42:46didn't print out enough. So, if you guys
42:47are interested, I can give it to the
42:50city of Clark later. Okay.
42:51>> Um, but it's for unsheltered program
42:53with impactful success rate. So, I came
42:56back to speak on agenda item 18B, camp
43:00banning. Last week, I started sharing
43:02data and guidelines on how to help
43:04support the unsheltered community. Since
43:06winter is right around the corner and uh
43:09it's impossible to build enough housing
43:11right now and I'd like to take some time
43:13to talk about safe outdoor spaces.
43:16According to Denver outdoor I mean
43:19Denver safe outdoor spaces initiative it
43:21relies it heavily relies on coordinated
43:24nighttime staging and transport system.
43:27The safe outdoors safe outdoor spaces
43:30themselves or 27 247 staff secured
43:35encampment with managed tents,
43:37electricity and shower in a logistic of
43:39how people safely reach temporary night
43:42shelter or these designated safe spaces
43:46that involved a unique citywide transit
43:48pipeline. For example, with an access
43:51control, the shuffles drop the resident
43:53off directly into a secure perimeter
43:56managed by the camps. This ensure
43:59individual have guaranteed warm places
44:01to to sleep while minimizing foot
44:03traffic and maintaining safety for the
44:05surrounding neighborhoods. Council, if
44:08you feel like there are no help, look
44:10around. There are many people here and
44:13many people have started the groundwork
44:15and are ready to fight this with you,
44:17not against you. Please think about
44:19human lives before profit. Thank you for
44:21listening.
44:22>> Thank you.
44:29>> Hello, my name is Jack Murray, District
44:301. I'm here to speak on the items
44:32related to the unhoused folks. Uh, this
44:35proposal criminalizes the unhoused,
44:37targeting vulnerable individuals and
44:39worsening their financial hardship. I've
44:41worked in case management with IND with
44:44justice involved populations and one of
44:47the most stabilizing things that they
44:49can get is an identification card or a
44:52birth certificate because it opens up
44:53doors to receive healthcare and
44:55employment. Oftent times I'd pick up
44:57folks from the Worcester House of
44:58Corrections, set them up with a phone,
45:00clothes bag, toiletries, and in many
45:03cases I drop them off at the Queen
45:05Street shelter or give them a sleeping
45:07bag.
45:09You know, getting an identification can
45:12be hard for some, which is why I would
45:15stay in line at the RMV for however long
45:18it took and paid with the company card.
45:22$25 just to get that opportunity. So,
45:25thank you, Councelor King, for, you
45:27know, a municipal ID. I think that could
45:30create a lot of opportunities for folks
45:32with Worcester's procedures on
45:34encampment sweeps making desperate
45:36situations worse. Unfortunately, this
45:39results in folks resorting to stealing
45:41from one another. That is the the cycle
45:44that needs to end. This creates a
45:47culture of hostility and distrust
45:49amongst each other and those who offer
45:51services.
45:53You had no shame closing the RMV shelter
45:56last winter and you stood idally right
45:59now as CHO laid off almost 250 workers
46:03just this month. And you know what have
46:07you done as Family Health Center. It's
46:08just gotten by over the years. Worcester
46:10did what it did best though, lose a
46:13lawsuit when they um when the uh ACLU,
46:17you know, and teamed up with the
46:19unhoused coalitions to defend the First
46:21Amendment rights of the unhoused. So, I
46:24don't I understand why lawsuits may
46:26create financial issues for the city. I
46:27just don't understand why $25 a day or
46:29$9,000 a year would put a burden on the
46:32unhoused folks to fill that role. You're
46:35all better fundraisers than this.
46:37>> Thank you.
46:37>> I hope you're better people than this as
46:39well.
46:47uh Ashley Spring, District 2. I'm here
46:50to uh uh speak in support of 18 A uh Tom
46:56Marino's
46:58um petition. I also want to speak on
47:0018B. Um and I want to talk about the
47:03contradiction and how we are addressing
47:04housing in this city. Worister has
47:06repeatedly used public policy and tax
47:08incentives to encourage developers to
47:10build market rate housing. Housing that
47:12many of the people who already live and
47:13work here can't afford. In fact, the
47:15city manager himself has acknowledged
47:17that nearly 40% of Worester households
47:19are spending more than a third of their
47:20income on housing and that most workers
47:22in Worers's 10 largest occupations
47:25cannot afford the medianriced home or
47:27median rent. Yet, our response to people
47:29at the absolute bottom of this housing
47:31crisis is to propose charging them $25 a
47:33day for sleeping outside. Let that let
47:36that sink in. We are willing to reduce
47:38the tax burden for developers to build
47:40housing people cannot afford while
47:42proposing a financial penalty against
47:43people who cannot afford housing at all.
47:45Where exactly do we expect that $25 to
47:48come from? More importantly, how does
47:50that taking $25 from someone get move
47:52them any uh move experiencing
47:54homelessness move them one step closer
47:56to being housed? If we can use public
47:58policy to incentivize development, then
48:00we can use that same creativity,
48:02urgency, and political will to
48:03incentivize deeply affordable housing,
48:05supportive housing, shelter capacity,
48:07and pathways out of homelessness.
48:08Homelessness is already the consequence
48:10of systems that have failed people. A
48:12fine does not create a bed. It does not
48:14create an apartment. It does not make
48:16rent affordable. We cannot subsidize
48:18unaffordability on one end and penalize
48:21poverty on the other. We should not even
48:24have this ordinance proposal in front of
48:25us. we should remove this item off the
48:27agenda and be ashamed of ourselves as
48:29you all prioritize the needs of profit
48:32over people. And I just want to point
48:34out that I'm a bit confused on um 10D.
48:39It seems that um Councelor Bergman is
48:42proposing um some speed bumps on
48:45Harrington Way, but according to the
48:49website we have here, there's already
48:51four. I believe that those were um this
48:54was already put in place by district two
48:56counselor and the formal district 2
48:57counselor.
48:58>> Thank you.
49:05>> We just take a motion suspend the rules
49:06and let people speak tonight. Those in
49:09favor
49:11go ahead.
49:14>> Hi, I'm Brady from Worcester District 5.
49:17I'm speaking against ordinance 18B.
49:19Amazing speeches from all before me.
49:22Before I begin proper, I would like to
49:24retract a statement I made last week. I
49:26said that kindergarten must have been 80
49:28years ago for a lot of the counselors.
49:30But unfortunately, Mayor Petty is just a
49:31decrepit looking 65.
49:35>> There you go.
49:35>> To the subject at hand. I'm going to
49:37make this one a little bit interactive
49:39if I may. If you're in the gallery,
49:41politely speak yes or no as appropriate.
49:44Does it make sense to criminalize the
49:46homeless people? No.
49:49>> Is there any benefit to criminalizing
49:51the homeless people?
49:52>> No.
49:53>> Does it make sense for somebody to say
49:55that they don't want to criminalize the
49:57homeless and then talk in favor of an
49:59ordinance that makes it or makes the
50:00homeless pay 25 dollars for existing?
50:04>> No.
50:05>> Does it make sense to give power to
50:07police who are actively under
50:09investigation for rape?
50:11>> Does it make sense to give power to
50:14police who cannot give a DUI charge? No.
50:18>> Does it make sense to give power to
50:19police who use their service vehicles to
50:22drive to the house of city council
50:23members who believe in their reform in
50:26order to advertise its location to their
50:28rapist buddies?
50:29>> No.
50:30>> Does it make sense that we the people
50:32are being told that we can't review what
50:35our eyes can plainly see?
50:38>> Are we going to let it stand?
50:40>> No. No,
50:42>> the city councilors can't seem to get it
50:44through their thick skulls into their
50:46minuscule brains that they represent
50:49these voices. Any vote that does not
50:51align with the values you just heard is
50:54a complete failure to speak to the
50:57people you res represent. And seeing as
51:00I still have like 16 seconds, uh, does
51:02anyone in the balcony see if any of
51:03these guys were like on their phones?
51:05Because I've seen that before.
51:06>> Direct your comments. if they were um
51:09like it's such a shame. We're talking
51:11about real people here. Um
51:14three seconds be better. Come on.
51:24>> Um I'm Maria. I live in Worcester
51:27District 5. I have a few items I'd like
51:30to comment on on this week's agenda. On
51:32item 10D, uh, request police chief
51:35provide increased traffic enforcement on
51:36Harrington Way to address speeding
51:39concerns in the area. There was plenty
51:41of police presence on September 2nd on
51:43Harrington Way and that made no
51:45difference on effectiveness. Let's talk
51:47less about increasing police presence
51:49and talk more about reducing
51:50preferential treatment. If only we had a
51:53review board consider consisting of
51:55civilians to asssure there was
51:57accountability within the police
51:58department.
52:00I want to express support for 10 J, T,
52:04X, W, Y, and Z as all of these would
52:07actually help our homeless neighbors in
52:09Worcester. Unlike the ordinance in 18B,
52:12city manager Batista is trying to hand
52:15Worcester police officers a free pass to
52:18harass, attack, displace, and assault
52:20homeless people. Speaking of which, I am
52:23in favor of 18A because there has still
52:25been no real justice for the victims of
52:27WPD and no actions to asssure that it
52:30won't happen again. Let's not forget the
52:32DOJ report that found that Worcester
52:34police officers have been raping victims
52:37under the threat of violence and arrest.
52:40In summary, internal investigations are
52:43a copout from actually holding anyone
52:45accountable. We should use our resources
52:48on actually supporting homeless people
52:49in Worcester instead of criminalizing
52:51them. And the politicians in Worcester
52:54who care for themselves and their own
52:55interests more than their constituents
52:57should step down at the very least and
53:00be arrested at most, for example, for
53:03DUI.
53:11>> Put your name to your residence.
53:13>> Hello, I'm Thea from District 5. I'd
53:15like to speak on ordinance 18B. Um, I'd
53:18just like to use my two minutes as a
53:20moment of silence for all of the
53:21homeless people who ordinances like this
53:24will um kill.
55:12Thank you.
55:21Um hello. Um I'm here to speak on 18B
55:25for today's agenda of the homeless uh
55:28ban. Uh how do you expect the homeless
55:31>> your name? Just your I'm sorry. Just
55:33your name and city of your residence.
55:34>> My my name is Yanni and I live in
55:35Worcester. All right. How do you expect
55:38the homeless residents of our city to
55:40pay a $25 fine when they can't even
55:42afford it since unaffordability got them
55:45to where they are at right now? Seems
55:47like a use a useless uh tactic. Now,
55:51here's my solution to solve the issue of
55:53the tents under the bridges and all over
55:54the city. See that vacant shutdown price
55:57chopper on Cambridge Street? Why can't
56:00that be used as a homeless campground or
56:02a trailer park for them? And if you are
56:04wor quote unquote worried about the
56:06homeless drug addicts, why not help
56:08treat their addiction and then enable it
56:10every week? Or better yet, help them all
56:13together to get them back on their feet
56:15by housing them. One thing for sure is
56:18if the city council and other city
56:20officials won't help the homeless get
56:22back on their feet, I'll be well sure
56:24the people of Western Massachusetts will
56:25make that happen one way or another.
56:28Last thing I have to say is it really
56:30sucks that you will give pedophiles free
56:32housing and other essences assistance
56:34programs over the homeless. You all need
56:37to do better. Let's all have a good
56:38night.
56:48>> Hi. Um, my name is Grandma Wolfpaw and I
56:52reside on Netmuck territory as we all do
56:57>> and I'm going to be blunt because I'm
56:59fed up. Wister calls itself the heart of
57:02the Commonwealth.
57:04>> Are you sure? You sure about that?
57:07>> Because tonight considering you're
57:08Because tonight you're considering an
57:10ordinance that would tell people who
57:12have nowhere to live that they have 72
57:14hours to leave. Leave and go where?
57:18If there's no shelter bed, no affordable
57:20housing, no safe place to go, what
57:22exactly are you expecting them to do?
57:24And then you want to find them $25 for
57:26being homeless. A $25 fine doesn't
57:30create housing. It doesn't solve
57:31homelessness. It creates another problem
57:33for someone who already has plenty.
57:35People experiencing homelessness are
57:37angry. They're frustrated. They're
57:38exhausted. And I understand why. When
57:40you keep pushing people from place to
57:42place, you're not solving the problem.
57:44You're making an already difficult
57:45situation even harder. These are not
57:48statistics. They are human beings. They
57:49are neighbors. They are neighbors. You
57:52cannot tell someone go somewhere else
57:53when there's nowhere else to go. That is
57:55not solving homelessness. That's just
57:56moving homelessness around. If you want
57:58people off the streets, give them
58:00somewhere safe to go. Build housing,
58:01expand shelters, fund services, but
58:04don't punish people for being homeless
58:05when you haven't given them a realistic
58:07alternative. And finally,
58:10tired of people blaming
58:13the uh trash on the homeless. Look in
58:16your own neighborhoods.
58:18You can't blame the homeless for trash
58:20that's everywhere. And that's what I'm
58:22getting tired of hearing as a Native
58:23American who cares about the
58:25environment.
58:26And um so you say you're the heart of
58:30the Commonwealth. So I'll leave you with
58:31this. Are you sure this ordinance
58:33reflects the heart of Worcester?
58:36Doesn't look like it right now. You
58:38cannot call yourself a compassionate
58:40city when the results are people
58:43sleeping outside. Thank you.
58:46>> Thank you.
58:56>> My name is Michael Cahill. I'm a
58:58District 1 resident, a proud Worcester
59:00public school parent, and an attorney
59:02who works in downtown Worcester. I'm
59:04here to speak on 18B.
59:06I work extensively with lowincome
59:08housing insecure people in our region.
59:11As a lawyer, I'm concerned that this
59:12ordinance violates the Commonwealth's
59:14Constitution. The Massachusetts Attorney
59:16General's Office maintains that
59:18punishing unhoused individuals for
59:20sleeping outside when they have nowhere
59:22else to go violates constitutional
59:24protections against cruel and unusual
59:26punishment. Passing this ordinance opens
59:28the city up to costly and time-consuming
59:30legal challenges.
59:32Criminalizing homelessness is not the
59:33answer to the housing and homelessness
59:35crisis. Housing is the answer.
59:37Affordable housing, supportive housing.
59:40The reality of the city's proposed plan
59:42is that the social service referrals
59:44that the city will provide all have
59:46weight lists or are always full because
59:48the demand far exceeds the resources.
59:52Much of the funding utilized by social
59:53services has been cut. The only part of
59:56this plan that will be appropriately
59:58resourced will be the police. Giving the
1:00:01city the ability to utilize criminal
1:00:02processes to enforce this ordinance is
1:00:05the antithesis of what it means to be a
1:00:07neighbor. It's the antithesis of the
1:00:09Worcester I want to live in. Thank you.
1:00:11>> Thank you.
1:00:19>> Good evening. My name is Benjamin
1:00:21Lavine. I live in District 1 and I'm an
1:00:24attorney at the Massachusetts Law Reform
1:00:25Institute where I advocate on behalf of
1:00:27low-income tenants and homeless
1:00:29individuals. The proposed strategic
1:00:31framework will do little to fix the
1:00:33problem of street homelessness in our
1:00:34city. People sleep outside because we
1:00:36lack affordable housing. While
1:00:38homeowners and developers continue to
1:00:40see the value of their properties rise,
1:00:41the city continues to lose its
1:00:44affordable housing, leading to
1:00:45displacements of residents. Worcester
1:00:47now ranks as one of the tightest rental
1:00:49markets in the country, making it harder
1:00:50and harder for families to continue to
1:00:52make a home in our city. Finding
1:00:54individuals will not solve the housing
1:00:56crisis and will only penalize people
1:00:58financially. exacerbating their ability
1:01:00to find a home. The process of breaking
1:01:02up encampments will not make it easier
1:01:04for families to find affordable housing
1:01:06and will cause further trauma to
1:01:07individuals, many of whom have already
1:01:10faced the trauma of eviction. While the
1:01:12strategic plan has a laudable goal of
1:01:14expanding shelter capacity and
1:01:15connecting individuals to services, the
1:01:17plan does little to articulate how the
1:01:19already overburdened services will
1:01:21expand that capacity. Having represented
1:01:24people facing homelessness needing
1:01:25services, I know there is a long wait
1:01:27for those services and finding people
1:01:29for lacking access will in no way make
1:01:31it easier for them to find those
1:01:33services or a home. As the city of
1:01:35Worcester continues to become more
1:01:37expensive, the city must do its part and
1:01:39invest in its residents by focusing on
1:01:41the creation of truly affordable housing
1:01:43and the preservation of public
1:01:44subsidized and what is called naturally
1:01:46occurring affordable housing and not
1:01:48penalize individuals because the city
1:01:50has become more expensive. Thank you.
1:01:52Thank you.
1:02:01>> My name is Sam Davidson Weiss. I'm a
1:02:04tenant living in district 5. I
1:02:05previously lived in district
1:02:08>> Oh, speak right into the microphone.
1:02:09>> I apologize. My name is Sam Davidson
1:02:11Weiss. I'm a resident of district 5. Um
1:02:14and a tenant in district 5. I was
1:02:16previously living in district 4, but a
1:02:18month ago or so, I received a notice to
1:02:20quit in which my six-unit building.
1:02:22Everyone was given a notice to quit and
1:02:24not given an opportunity for a new
1:02:26tenency. I'm lucky that this did not
1:02:28leave me in a position where I became at
1:02:30risk of being unhoused, but I know many
1:02:32people from my history of work um with
1:02:35individuals at risk of eviction um and
1:02:37in the eviction process would. I was
1:02:39very troubled to see I'm here to speak
1:02:41against AT&T. I was very troubled to see
1:02:43um that the solution to a problem where
1:02:47um there were
1:02:49the shelter beds were full last winter
1:02:52and um
1:02:54and the point in time count in January
1:02:56of 2026 showed that there were over a
1:02:59thousand people without housing. And the
1:03:01and the solution to that problem that
1:03:04the city is proposing the um city
1:03:06council to pursue is making being
1:03:09unsheltered unlawful. Um, as written,
1:03:13the proposal also makes sitting where
1:03:16not expressly authorized unlawful. And
1:03:19the proposal also makes it so that
1:03:21criminal punishment is possible,
1:03:23criminal prosecution in addition to the
1:03:25unreasonable $25 fine. Um, someone who's
1:03:28worked calling people calling to try to
1:03:31get people access to DV Shelter, calling
1:03:32the Safe Link line and having them be
1:03:34told over and over, call two call in two
1:03:37hours. And as someone who's worked
1:03:39helping people trying to access EA
1:03:40shelter, being told that they need to
1:03:42spend a period of time without any
1:03:45housing, um I'm just shocked that this
1:03:47is the way that the city is purporting
1:03:50to address a problem and disrupt um the
1:03:53cycle of homelessness. It's just
1:03:55entirely unreasonable. And I think as
1:03:57Michael and Cahill um noted, there are
1:04:00significant potential legal
1:04:02ramifications.
1:04:04>> Thank you.
1:04:11Good evening and thank you for allowing
1:04:13me to speak. My name is Janine and I
1:04:15represent one Grace Pleasant and Grace
1:04:17House. I know what it means to need
1:04:19stability and not have it because I was
1:04:20in foster care and entered adulthood
1:04:22without the support or foundation I
1:04:24needed despite the odds I kept building.
1:04:27And this experience is why Grace House
1:04:29exists. We believe everyone deserves
1:04:30safe housing dignity, accountability,
1:04:33and realistic pathway to
1:04:34self-sufficiency. Finding or displacing
1:04:37people experiencing homelessness does
1:04:38not solve homelessness, especially when
1:04:40they cannot afford housing, food, or
1:04:42transportation. Enforcement alone cannot
1:04:45address the conditions that lead people
1:04:46to sleep outside or remain in public
1:04:48places. A stronger public safety
1:04:51strategy pairs enforcement with real
1:04:53alternatives, including safe housing,
1:04:55supportive service uh services, etc. If
1:04:58people are moved without being connected
1:04:59to these resources, the problem is not
1:05:02solved. Grace House can help provide the
1:05:04structure and support needed to move
1:05:06people from crisis towards stability,
1:05:09employment, personal responsibility, and
1:05:11community participation. Our goal is not
1:05:13to offer a handout, but to create a
1:05:15pathway. We are committed to working
1:05:17transparently with the city, following
1:05:20applicable rules and regulations,
1:05:22listening to residents, addressing
1:05:24neighborhood concerns, and building
1:05:26responsibly, strengthening Worcester.
1:05:28The question is not whether the city
1:05:30should have standards, but whether those
1:05:32standards are connected to solutions
1:05:34people can realistically as access.
1:05:37Thank you for your hearing us for
1:05:39considering Grace House.
1:05:41>> Thank you.
1:05:48Good evening. And now for something
1:05:49different. I'm here to talk about 13A.
1:05:53Uh my name is Bill Hughes. I live in
1:05:55district 1. I'm here to talk about the
1:05:57resoning of 25 Chester Street. Um
1:06:02the Mercy Center now defunct is looking
1:06:05to be uh developed. Uh it resides in a
1:06:0917 acre plot in Westchester. Westchester
1:06:14is an area that has approximately 250
1:06:17single homes. Uh it's most of these
1:06:20homes are owner occupied, have been for
1:06:23decades. These are people who have come
1:06:25to Worcester to find good schools, to
1:06:27find good housing, to find good
1:06:29neighborhoods, to be able to take uh to
1:06:32partake in all of Worcester's best
1:06:36by history. The roads used to be a cow
1:06:38path leading from a farm above.
1:06:42It is now a highly traveled area. The uh
1:06:47Worers Department of Transportation
1:06:48Mobility uh public record report shows
1:06:53that Westchester Street on any given day
1:06:56has 40 4430
1:06:59vehicles transversing it. Chester Street
1:07:02has 4,200
1:07:04vehicles. This is a lot of vehicles. One
1:07:08of the things that ends up is we have
1:07:10tremendous road problems. Uh potholes.
1:07:14Uh the uh in the wintertime we actually
1:07:18have a season called potholes where
1:07:20everybody learns how to drive up and
1:07:21down the street to avoid the potholes.
1:07:24Uh our counselor was actually good
1:07:26enough to uh get a large area of it
1:07:29reurfaced. So, I've sent out a fact
1:07:32sheet about this to some of the
1:07:34counselors. Just take some time, take a
1:07:36look at, see if this is something that
1:07:38we need to redevelop away from the
1:07:40bucolic setting of these houses. I thank
1:07:42you for your time and your support.
1:07:45>> Thank you.
1:07:45>> Good evening.
1:07:58Thank you.
1:08:00Is this Oh, it is on. Thank you. Hi, my
1:08:03name is Emma Arkwoods. I'm a resident of
1:08:05Worcester District 4. I'm here tonight
1:08:07to speak in favor of 10 A through C, 10H
1:08:11through L, 10 S through Z, 18A, and in
1:08:15strong opposition to 18B. I'm here in my
1:08:20personal capacity as a private citizen.
1:08:23But in my day job, I work on research
1:08:25and implementation projects at the
1:08:27intersection of the public health and
1:08:30criminal legal systems. Much of my work
1:08:32involves people with serious mental
1:08:34health conditions, substance use
1:08:36disorder, and complex trauma. I also
1:08:39have lived expertise as someone living
1:08:41with chronic health conditions, serious
1:08:44mental health conditions, and
1:08:46post-traumatic stress disorder. I can
1:08:48tell you in my personal and professional
1:08:51experience
1:08:53that you cannot coersse people with
1:08:55complex trauma, substance use disorder,
1:08:58or mental health conditions into
1:08:59treatment or shelter effectively. That
1:09:03is not an evidence-based process. That
1:09:05is not an equitable process. That is not
1:09:08traumainformed. That is not
1:09:09compassionate. No matter how many times
1:09:11you write that in your report,
1:09:15people are not choosing to be unhoused
1:09:17in this city. There are many factors
1:09:20systematic that are leading them to
1:09:22this. There is no information in the
1:09:25strategic framework that seems to
1:09:27collect qualitative or quantitative data
1:09:30on the barriers or facilitators to why
1:09:33people are declining shelter. As raised
1:09:35in the radio Worcester interview with
1:09:37the city manager, many people decline
1:09:40shelter because it is not safe or
1:09:42accessible to them. And if you're making
1:09:45no effort to collect information on why
1:09:47this is or address it, trying to enforce
1:09:51force people into a shelter that is not
1:09:54safe or accessible to them is not going
1:09:56to work. Not in even taking into an
1:09:58effect that there is far too little
1:10:00treatment or shelter capacity. Thank
1:10:03you. Please let us down.
1:10:12>> My name is Janet Davis, Worcester
1:10:14resident. Um, I'm here to speak in favor
1:10:16of 18A, a proposal for police reform,
1:10:19which would call for more transparency
1:10:20and public accountability, which is
1:10:22absent from the current system of
1:10:24self-evaluation. And I'm opposed to 18B
1:10:27and 10L. 18B, as many have talked about,
1:10:30would charge h unhoused people for
1:10:32sleeping outdoors. Um, thus
1:10:34criminalizing them. Um, and 10L is, uh,
1:10:38giving business to a company that has
1:10:40already known to violate the responsible
1:10:42development ordinance. These two, um, to
1:10:44me are telling the story of a a city
1:10:47council and a city administration that
1:10:49is full of cowardice. you're choosing to
1:10:51punch down at the people who have the
1:10:53least amount of resources and instead
1:10:55allowing developers and others who have
1:10:57plenty to get away with all of these the
1:11:00issues that we have. And it just shows
1:11:02how cowardly you all are.
1:11:15>> Good evening counselors. My name is
1:11:17Jonathan Morales and I'm speaking
1:11:18tonight on behalf of the Worcester
1:11:19Affordable Housing Coalition. We are
1:11:22deeply concerned about 18B and the
1:11:24proposed camping ban and what it
1:11:25represents about how our city responds
1:11:27to homelessness. We share the city's
1:11:30apparent concern for our unhoused
1:11:32neighbors and their well-being. But
1:11:33making it illegal for people to sleep
1:11:35outside does not address the reason they
1:11:37are sleeping outside in the first place.
1:11:39People experiencing homelessness need
1:11:41housing. They need safe, stable, and
1:11:44truly affordable places to live. They do
1:11:46not need fines, displacement, or
1:11:48additional involvement with the criminal
1:11:50legal system. The proposed policy would
1:11:53give the city the authority to clear
1:11:54encampments, remove people's belongings,
1:11:56and impose fines on people for conduct
1:11:58that is often simply the result of
1:12:00having nowhere else to go. The coalition
1:12:03is concerned that these measures can
1:12:05further destabilize people who are
1:12:06already experiencing housing insecurity
1:12:08and make it harder for them to connect
1:12:10with services and find permanent
1:12:12housing. At the same time, Worcester
1:12:15continues to face a serious shortage of
1:12:18truly affordable housing. The coalition
1:12:20believes that our response to
1:12:22homelessness should focus our resources
1:12:24on creating and preserving affordable
1:12:26housing and expanding meaningful housing
1:12:28opportunities for people who are
1:12:29currently unhoused. And for lower income
1:12:32residents, we should be asking how we
1:12:35can make sure that more Worcester
1:12:37residents have a place to call home
1:12:39rather than a asking how we can more
1:12:41effectively remove people who do not.
1:12:44The real solution to homelessness is
1:12:46housing. That means investing in
1:12:48affordable housing, preserving the
1:12:50housing we already have, and creating
1:12:52pathways for people to move from
1:12:53homelessness into permanent homes. The
1:12:56Worcester Affordable Housing Coalition
1:12:58believes Worcester can do better than
1:13:00responding to homelessness primarily
1:13:02through fines and enforcement. We urge
1:13:05the city to focus its resources and
1:13:07attention on the housing crisis that is
1:13:09driving homelessness in the first place.
1:13:12Thank you.
1:13:13>> Thank you.
1:13:19>> Uh hello, my name is X Todd. I live in
1:13:22downtown Worcester. I first wanted to
1:13:24briefly address item 10L and state my
1:13:26solidarity with the carpenters union.
1:13:28Why is optaline back? Uh whose pockets
1:13:30had to get lined for that? Please honor
1:13:32the union's request to address this
1:13:33matter and keep them actually banned. Um
1:13:36also brief uh briefly on item 18A. It is
1:13:39one thing to propose police reform, but
1:13:40we will remember that you ignored the
1:13:42community's call for civilian review
1:13:44board. Instead, it appears a lot of the
1:13:45review will be left to the supervisors
1:13:47with personal relationships with the
1:13:48officers and investment in defending
1:13:50them. And on 18BB, I just wanted to say,
1:13:53how dare this city continue to rely on
1:13:55us to put band-aids upon band-aids on
1:13:57the housing crisis that plagues our city
1:13:59while you hand out check after check to
1:14:01developers and an overinflated,
1:14:03rapacious police department. You rely on
1:14:05nonprofits, like many speakers today
1:14:07have come from, who help people find
1:14:08what services they can in a system that
1:14:10only wants them dead or in prison. You
1:14:13rely on good Samaritans who have $10 to
1:14:15spare when we pass people on the street.
1:14:17Except now they will be asking for $25,
1:14:19not for a sandwich um or for a coffee,
1:14:22but for the fine you just laid on them.
1:14:24You're the city. You're the public.
1:14:26You're supposed to be building shelters.
1:14:28You're supposed to be making sure
1:14:29housing stays affordable. And under a
1:14:31socialist system, the city would be
1:14:33doing that. We would be ensuring that
1:14:35people's needs are needs are met before
1:14:37the pockets of developers and
1:14:38politicians are lined. We don't need
1:14:40band-aids. We need, we definitely don't
1:14:42need criminalization. We need real
1:14:44structural change to prevent this
1:14:46problem at the source. And I'll
1:14:48acknowledge you're incapable of it, but
1:14:49we the people, we are capable of it. And
1:14:52I encourage everyone in this room to
1:14:53imagine a world with its priorities
1:14:55straight, where housing, healthcare, and
1:14:57community are put before a real estate
1:14:58developer's pockets and know that this
1:15:00is possible.
1:15:10Good evening, mayor, uh, city manager,
1:15:12city councilman, and council woman. My
1:15:14name is Gordon Ward. I'm a resident of
1:15:16the city of Worcester. I'm here in uh,
1:15:19to support um, petition 8B uh, Council
1:15:22King's um, resolution to name um, part
1:15:26of Laurel Street Oris and Ward Way. Um I
1:15:29am a ward and people think that I am
1:15:32here uh because it's family and I'm
1:15:35saying to you that it's I'm here because
1:15:38I believe it's part of our history. I
1:15:40think some of you have known um when um
1:15:43you became aware of video of my great-g
1:15:46grandandmother. And when I think of that
1:15:49video,
1:15:50I think of the the time and the climate
1:15:53and the people that wrote letters to
1:15:55that organization to have her flown out
1:15:57there and tell her story. Um, I look at
1:16:00the history and right now I am not like
1:16:05so many people that came from the Laurel
1:16:07Clayton area. So for instance uh you
1:16:09know my brother had passed um and one of
1:16:12the things that he had done is he done
1:16:14the research for our family and so
1:16:17recently I just carried the ball over
1:16:19the the goal line and I u finished my
1:16:22application for Sons of the American
1:16:23Revolution. It was sent to the state. It
1:16:26was accepted. It's on its way to
1:16:28Louisville um where it'll be registered
1:16:31and I will become a member of Sons of
1:16:33the American Revolution. It's part of
1:16:35West's history. So many people in the
1:16:38Laurel Clayton area have the same story.
1:16:40Also, what my brother had done was he
1:16:42done the research on my father's side.
1:16:45My father's James Ward. He's on the
1:16:47colored honor roll at um Lincoln Square.
1:16:51Um my great greatgrandfather fought in
1:16:54the Massachusetts 54th Regiment and I'm
1:16:57in the process now of going and applying
1:17:00for them to become a a member. This uh
1:17:04RA San Mo to me is W's history. Um the
1:17:08street, the playground. As the city
1:17:10changes and and is changing leaps and
1:17:12bounds, we need to hold on to our past
1:17:14and who we are. So I thank you for your
1:17:16time and I hope you consider um voting
1:17:19for
1:17:20>> Thank you.
1:17:21>> Thank you.
1:17:30>> Hi, good evening. My name is Sarah
1:17:32Bertrand. I live in district three in
1:17:35Worcester and I'm here speaking in
1:17:38opposition to item 18B.
1:17:42Um, I just would like to note that the
1:17:47current situation, if we have at least
1:17:502,000 unhoused adults as a last count,
1:17:53not including families with children, is
1:17:56a situation that our city government has
1:18:00actively contributed to and exacerbated,
1:18:04whether through active policy choices or
1:18:07neglect. These include tax breaks for
1:18:10developers creating hundreds of units
1:18:13with only dozens of units deemed afford
1:18:17affordable quote unquote for people
1:18:19earning a certain um percentage of the
1:18:23area median income. It includes lack of
1:18:26action regarding zoning reform.
1:18:29It includes inadequate shelter space and
1:18:32disregard for best practices, including
1:18:35housing first and harm reduction
1:18:38practices.
1:18:39Weight lists are truly um years long for
1:18:44for truly affordable housing and um
1:18:50and the pattern of development has been
1:18:52a complete mismatch for the need. Market
1:18:56rate units do not trickle down. More
1:18:59units for people who earn a certain
1:19:01percentage of area media income does not
1:19:04result in housing now for people with
1:19:06low or no income.
1:19:09We are deeply short not only shelter
1:19:12space but truly affordable units and
1:19:14these are regard related to policy
1:19:17choices that we have the power to
1:19:18impact. I am also concerned regarding
1:19:21the criminalization of house people by a
1:19:23police force that lacks accountability
1:19:26and which this body voted against a
1:19:29civilian review board to provide more
1:19:31transparency and accountability. Thank
1:19:33you.
1:19:33>> Thank you.
1:19:41>> Uh good evening. My name is David
1:19:43Ginsburg. I live in district 5 and I'm
1:19:45standing tonight in opposition to item
1:19:4718B. The Will Hoy proposition states
1:19:50that conservatism consists of exactly
1:19:52one proposition to which there must be
1:19:55in-groups whom the law protects but does
1:19:56not bind alongside outroups whom the law
1:19:59binds but does not protect. This is an
1:20:01accurate description of Worcester today.
1:20:03A few members of the inroup only after
1:20:05significant public outrage suddenly face
1:20:07the discomfort of accountability. But
1:20:09the system that maintains Worcester's
1:20:10bill standards will remain in place as
1:20:13evidenced by the ridiculous $25 a day
1:20:15fine, excuse me, proposed for sleeping
1:20:17outside.
1:20:18How will making life even harder for the
1:20:20poorest and most vulnerable members of
1:20:22the community help them or us? How does
1:20:25punitive punishment of people struggling
1:20:27just to survive every day make their
1:20:29situation better? It says so much about
1:20:32this city's priorities when there's a
1:20:34$10 million when there's 10 million to
1:20:35settle police abuse lawsuits and
1:20:37millions more in tax breaks for
1:20:39developers to build giant apartment
1:20:40complexes that half the city's residents
1:20:42can't afford to live in while ignoring
1:20:44those same residents demands for a
1:20:45civilian review board and demanding $25
1:20:47a day for the crime of existing without
1:20:49a private place to sleep. This isn't
1:20:51just bad policy, it's morally aborant.
1:20:53Do better, please.
1:21:02Hi, my name is Danielle Alashoyan. I was
1:21:05born and raised here in Worcester, Mass.
1:21:07Um, from district 5. Um, I've been
1:21:09working for the Department of
1:21:10Corrections for the past 15 years. Um,
1:21:13myself and both of my brothers have all
1:21:14been homeless in this city. Um, I'm also
1:21:17a landlord and a homeowner. Um, the
1:21:20assistants and in the the the
1:21:24I'm sorry, here I am stuttering. Um the
1:21:27assistance that's given for people
1:21:29trying to get affordable housing is is
1:21:31not helping with anybody. Um it takes
1:21:33extremely long for the process to go
1:21:35through. The programs that are offered
1:21:36here are are not supporting the the
1:21:39community. Um and it makes it harder for
1:21:42their rent to be paid um or even get
1:21:44assistance with first class and
1:21:45security. Um I'm also the president of
1:21:48Warriors of Opportunity. It's a
1:21:49nonprofit organization that assists with
1:21:51bridging the gap from treatment to
1:21:53housing where we see a large amount of
1:21:55individuals who have nowhere to go after
1:21:57treatment and cannot afford entry fees
1:21:59or or rent for sober housing where they
1:22:01are safe to recover. Already struggling
1:22:03community people can't afford first
1:22:05class in security. There's $2 million in
1:22:07abatement funding that should be going
1:22:09towards mental health addiction
1:22:10treatment housing. Police wasting their
1:22:13time on homeless people when they should
1:22:15be fighting for real crime. Yeah,
1:22:17>> Massachusetts has closed four prisons
1:22:19since 2020.
1:22:21And the jails have also reported that
1:22:2245% has a drop in their population. And
1:22:25now we're going to fill them up with the
1:22:27poor who are being punished for being
1:22:28homeless.
1:22:37>> Hi, my name is Justin Leaport and I'm
1:22:39here to speak in opposition of 18B.
1:22:43Criminalizing homelessness is cruel,
1:22:45counterproductive, costly, and simply
1:22:48doesn't work. Punishing people for
1:22:50having nowhere to go is fundamentally
1:22:51unjust. If a city bans sleeping or
1:22:54camping or existing in a public space,
1:22:56but doesn't have enough shelter beds or
1:22:58housing for everyone, the law
1:23:00necessarily falls on people for the
1:23:02crime of surviving. You can't take it
1:23:04your way out of poverty. You can't say
1:23:06being unhoused isn't a crime. Yet, the
1:23:08ordinance creates enforcement by a
1:23:10criminal process. It's criminalization
1:23:12by substance, however you want to label
1:23:14it. This simply doesn't work. The
1:23:17evidence is clear. Decades of decades of
1:23:19research on quality of life and
1:23:21anti-amping ordinances across the United
1:23:24States show they don't reduce
1:23:25homelessness. They simply shuffle people
1:23:28from one block to another, deepen
1:23:29distrust in authorities, and make people
1:23:32less likely to accept services because
1:23:34contact with police comes bundled with
1:23:36citations, fines, arrests, and warrants.
1:23:40Orchestrated streets destroy people's
1:23:42belongings, IDs, documents, which are
1:23:45how they are able to get jobs or find
1:23:47housing. It's more expensive than
1:23:49housing. Arrests, jail bookings, court
1:23:51time, encampment clearouts. Cities spend
1:23:54tens of thousands of dollars per person
1:23:56on this a year. Housing first programs,
1:23:58permanent housing with supportive
1:24:00services with no precondition. These
1:24:03consistently show better outcomes at
1:24:05comparable and lower costs. This type of
1:24:08enforcement traumatizes people in an
1:24:10already in crisis. Most unsheltered
1:24:12people in Massachusetts have mental
1:24:14illness, addiction, history of trauma,
1:24:16being ticketed.
1:24:18I apologize.
1:24:28displaced repeatedly compounds the
1:24:30trauma and worsens health outcomes. The
1:24:33real problem is the housing supply, the
1:24:35shelter capacity. Wor's rents have risen
1:24:38sharply and shelter beds remain scarce.
1:24:40The moral and practical response is more
1:24:42affordable housing, low barrier
1:24:44shelters. We must do better.
1:24:53>> Good evening. I'm Amy Ebson. I live in
1:24:55Rutland. I work at Worester addresses
1:24:56childhood trauma and before that I
1:24:59worked for 17 years teaching in the
1:25:00public health department at Worcester
1:25:02State University. Um I read disrupting
1:25:06the cycle and am personally offended
1:25:10that you said this was traumainformed
1:25:13evidence-based. You also went on Hank
1:25:15Stoultz's show and said this was a
1:25:17holistic intervention. You can't just
1:25:19say those words.
1:25:22They're meaningless when you say them.
1:25:23This is not trauma-informed policy. This
1:25:26is traumain inducing policy. This policy
1:25:30adding barriers to people that are
1:25:32already marginalized and displaced is
1:25:34cruel and ridiculous. We also have been
1:25:38here before around police oversight. We
1:25:41know that the Worcester police have been
1:25:43shown to engage in unconstitutional
1:25:45practice, including sexual abuse of
1:25:47vulnerable women. And now we're going to
1:25:49put them in more contact with the
1:25:51police. That's like handing over
1:25:53victims. Horrifying.
1:25:55Speaking of victims, I also want to
1:25:57stand with Heather and say, "Please give
1:25:59her a file. Believe survivors.
1:26:03What are we doing? This is not good
1:26:06public health." Evidence-based means we
1:26:08looked at the data. We looked at the
1:26:10research. The evidence in this report is
1:26:13that homelessness is bad for your
1:26:15health.
1:26:16>> Yeah, we all agree with that. There's no
1:26:18evidence in this report that the
1:26:20policies you're proposing do anything to
1:26:22improve the health of the citizens of
1:26:24Worcester. We really need to do better
1:26:26as so many people have said. I also just
1:26:29on another subject of needing to do
1:26:31better. Thank you councelor King for
1:26:33calling out the need to support
1:26:35midwiffery and maternal health in this
1:26:38city. Our health outcomes are slipping
1:26:40dramatically.
1:26:42This is not good practice and I'm
1:26:44heartbroken that you're going to put
1:26:45this forward. Please do not do this.
1:26:49Thank you.
1:27:00>> Good evening. My name is D'Angelo Ponte,
1:27:04homeless resident of Worcester on behalf
1:27:06of the homeless community. And number
1:27:08one, I want to start this uh this this
1:27:11thing here. One, I want to look at
1:27:13everybody dead in the eyes. And I want
1:27:16to say out of all approaches we had to
1:27:18take this one. Shame on you. That's what
1:27:21I want to say. Number one, I want to
1:27:22start off there. Number two, the trash
1:27:26slash slash the humans, the homeless
1:27:28population. So I did a little research
1:27:31and now we know technology is here at
1:27:33the fingertips. You can have everything
1:27:34you need to know, right? So I did a
1:27:36little bit of research and it takes 5
1:27:38seconds to do. for everybody that's
1:27:40always opinionating without no facts and
1:27:43just throwing rocks at the homeless
1:27:44community. Here we go. So, the
1:27:47population at max I've studied is 15%
1:27:51max in Worcester. And the national the
1:27:55national average for sanitation, which
1:27:57is trash, is 17%.
1:28:00Do you see the problem here? So, we
1:28:03can't just say the trash is all the
1:28:05homeless community's fault because
1:28:06that's the numbers don't support that.
1:28:08So, we got to do better on that one. So,
1:28:11uh, and then number three, we shouldn't
1:28:14be throwing each other under the buses.
1:28:16I don't think that's ever helped anybody
1:28:17in history, period. We shouldn't be
1:28:19throwing each other under the buses. We
1:28:20need the city. The city needs us. We
1:28:23build these roads. We help you guys do
1:28:25this and this and that in the schools,
1:28:27volunteering over here. You guys, you
1:28:29guys meet and do things on our behalf.
1:28:31Keywords, our behalf. Um, and number
1:28:35four, options. you've only given the
1:28:37people two options and that is death or
1:28:40slow death. And I don't think that's a
1:28:42pretty fair um choice board here. And I
1:28:46want to end it with this. Before you
1:28:48pass anything, please everybody watching
1:28:51and here right here sitting down, I want
1:28:53you to pass this with your mother in
1:28:56mind. What would you do if your mother
1:28:58was here? Have a good day.
1:29:07Good evening. I'm Marggo Barnett. I've
1:29:09been a resident of Worcester for about
1:29:1038 years. Um I represent a community
1:29:13group on the Worcester Community Labor
1:29:15Coalition. This coalition fought um for
1:29:19the responsible development ordinance
1:29:20because that's how we show respect for
1:29:22our workers. This council adopted the
1:29:25responsible development ordinance in
1:29:272023.
1:29:29Right now we have a company who was
1:29:31banned by on the basis of this
1:29:33responsible development or ordinance for
1:29:35wage theft. They not only committed wage
1:29:37theft, the owner threatened the workers
1:29:40with retaliation um by call said he
1:29:43would call ICE on them.
1:29:46You got to get these guys out of here.
1:29:48This is you committed to it. You
1:29:50committed to it. So get them out of
1:29:53here. And if you don't, you're not only
1:29:56insulting workers, you are insulting
1:29:59immigrants and making their lives worse.
1:30:01And speaking of making people's lives
1:30:02worse, there's people here who've spoken
1:30:05who know way more about the homeless
1:30:07issue than I do. I I saw your report
1:30:10said that you weren't criminalizing
1:30:12homelessness and that you were going to
1:30:14provide services and it doesn't you
1:30:17you're not providing the services and
1:30:19you are criminalizing homelessness. So
1:30:21be honest with yourselves. There's every
1:30:24the people who know what they're talking
1:30:25about have said this is going to make
1:30:27the situation worse. It's going to make
1:30:28the situation worse. Don't do it. Bye.
1:30:37>> Uh good evening.
1:30:39>> Uh Vincent Pedoni uh uh 18 East Park
1:30:43Terrace Worcester uh representing the
1:30:46Shbury Street Neighborhood Association
1:30:48speaking specifically on the
1:30:50homelessness issue. Uh many of you have
1:30:53been to our nating. You know the issues
1:30:55that we have down in Shbury Street at
1:30:57East Park with encampments.
1:31:01Mr. Manager, thank you for putting
1:31:03forward this initiative. Thank you to
1:31:04councelor King, Councelor Econom, uh
1:31:08Councelor Rivera, I think councelor uh
1:31:11uh Bergman,
1:31:13all of you have filed something having
1:31:14to do with addressing this issue. If
1:31:17there is any silver lining in this
1:31:20discussion over the last couple of
1:31:21weeks, it's that we agree that there's
1:31:24an issue. Getting to a solution is where
1:31:28we diverge. Right. I'm here to just say
1:31:32thank you to this council for taking
1:31:33this issue seriously on Shbury Street
1:31:36and at the at East Park. It is horrible.
1:31:40It's a horrible condition for the people
1:31:42who are living in the in the park,
1:31:44living on the streets. It is dangerous.
1:31:48Just last week there was a massive
1:31:51brawl. Um
1:31:54the residents are impacted. The people
1:31:58who are unhoused are impacted. The
1:32:01people with severe mental illness and
1:32:04substance use disorder are not being
1:32:06cared for. Mr. Manager, you putting this
1:32:09forward and creating a commission is a
1:32:11step in the right direction. I urge you,
1:32:14I implore you, do not get weighted down
1:32:17with the politics of this. Government
1:32:20inaction is not an answer anymore. So,
1:32:23thank you. Thanks for giving me the
1:32:25time. Thank you for putting this
1:32:26forward. Thank you for this debate. And
1:32:28please count on the people on Shbury
1:32:30Street at and East Park and the
1:32:32Neighborhood Association to support you
1:32:34in your effort to address this critical
1:32:36issue.
1:32:37>> Thank you.
1:32:49David Coin.
1:32:50>> Uh David Coin, resident of Worcester, uh
1:32:53District 5. Um a lot of you know me. uh
1:32:5935 years ago when I first came to
1:33:01Worcester, I worked for the Worcester
1:33:02Committee on Homelessness and Housing,
1:33:04uh what's now become the Central Mass
1:33:06Housing Alliance, and I was the
1:33:07executive director there for a couple
1:33:09years in the early 90s. I know this
1:33:12issue well. Um
1:33:15there's there's people who are hurting
1:33:17and they're they need our help, but I
1:33:21don't believe that what the manager has
1:33:22proposed is a constructive help. It's
1:33:25good that the issue is being raised
1:33:27because there are people who are
1:33:28desperately in need. You know, the the
1:33:30signs have said homelessness is not a
1:33:32crime. I think the way we've treated
1:33:35people who have become homeless and are
1:33:38unable to get out of homelessness is a
1:33:40crime. Our policy adoptions not just of
1:33:45this city government. All across this
1:33:47country, our policies have not been
1:33:51intended to address the problems. As a
1:33:54quote, a famous quote from Antonyoli
1:33:56France, a Nobel Prize winner in
1:34:00literature 1921, the law in its majestic
1:34:03equality forbids the rich as well as the
1:34:06poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in
1:34:08the streets, and to steal bread. And my
1:34:10wife and I own our home. We have grass
1:34:13in our backyard. And we have on many
1:34:15occasions, especially when it's been hot
1:34:17during the summer, put up a tent and
1:34:19slept in our backyard. No one can come
1:34:21after us for doing that. We can go
1:34:23inside and use a bathroom. City was
1:34:25serious about this. Put some portaotties
1:34:28in the woods wherever there's an
1:34:29encampment. People would much rather
1:34:31have that than have to do their business
1:34:33out in public.
1:34:36Um,
1:34:38look, the when I was working on
1:34:40homelessness as my full-time work, um,
1:34:43one of my mentors, a truly remarkable,
1:34:46brilliant man, Reverend Bob Bachelder,
1:34:48used to tell a story. used to say there
1:34:51was a town which only had one in uh and
1:34:53I ran out of time for my Bob Bach elder
1:34:55song. Sorry. All right. Thank you.
1:34:57>> Thank you.
1:35:03>> Hello. My name is Natasha. I'm a
1:35:05resident of Worcester and a community
1:35:06worker who has served with the
1:35:08chronically unhoused population
1:35:09including youth for over 10 years. I'm
1:35:12here to speak about um 8/19A in behalf
1:35:15of the people who are homeless, people
1:35:16who are struggling, and the people who
1:35:18work tirelessly to help while also
1:35:20working tirelessly just to survive
1:35:22themselves. Um everything costs more.
1:35:25Rent, food, gas, bills, resources for
1:35:28mental health, basic needs, and health
1:35:30care are stretched so thin. The Smok
1:35:32Shelter is the only emergency shelter in
1:35:34Worcester providing subpar temporary
1:35:36shelter to adults over 18 years old and
1:35:38has an 83 bed capacity, give or take,
1:35:40overseen by staff who make an average of
1:35:42only $19 an hour. That's less than the
1:35:45fine that you plan to punish homeless
1:35:46people with. Worcester's own planning
1:35:49document acknowledges that youth
1:35:51homelessness is difficult to fully count
1:35:53and that the youth people experiencing
1:35:54homelessness face serious risks. City
1:35:57manager himself even said that on May
1:35:5921st, 2025, the number of unhoused
1:36:01individuals in the city is growing and
1:36:03these individuals need service. Now, how
1:36:05did we get from that to this discussion
1:36:07in just 16 months? It doesn't feel like
1:36:10the values of resident focused
1:36:12evidence-based decision-making and
1:36:13excellence. When someone loses their
1:36:15housing or loses access to health care
1:36:18or mental health services, they don't
1:36:20stop being a person. They're still
1:36:21humans. And people can and will die out
1:36:24there. They will die from untreated
1:36:26illness. They'll die from exposure to
1:36:27the cold and the heat. And some, when
1:36:30they feel like they have nowhere left to
1:36:32turn, will die by suicide. And these are
1:36:34human beings. People who deserve to be
1:36:35here and deserve to show their faces
1:36:38regardless of their socioeconomic
1:36:39status. 8/19 will not solve
1:36:42homelessness.
1:36:43Um, and it's the city's own words um say
1:36:47that its mission is rooted in equity,
1:36:49innovation, integrity, and centered on
1:36:51the people. So again, how did we get
1:36:53here? You cannot hide homelessness or
1:36:56address it without tangible resources
1:36:57and support that um that's humane,
1:37:00ethical, and safe and empowering. So
1:37:02follow through on what you said that you
1:37:03believe their humans and all humans
1:37:05deserve equity, innovation, integrity,
1:37:07just like you say. Thank you.
1:37:09>> Thank you.
1:37:16>> My name is Jameson Mau. I live in
1:37:18district 5 and I'm a social worker in
1:37:20the city who's worked with the unhoused
1:37:22population in some capacity for a
1:37:24decade. There has been an extensive
1:37:26commentary both last week and tonight by
1:37:29speakers who have accurately and aptly
1:37:31identified the intrinsic inherent flaws
1:37:34of 18B with particular attention paid to
1:37:37the paradoxical approach of punishing
1:37:39and criminalizing homelessness in this
1:37:41city. While I endorse these sentiments,
1:37:43I believe the energy is misdirected. The
1:37:46reason why I find it misdirected is
1:37:48because the experts who have worked
1:37:49extensively with this population
1:37:52nationally, but also within the city by
1:37:54agent agencies like Elliot Community
1:37:56Services and Worcester Healthcare for
1:37:58the Homeless and previously the hope
1:38:00program among many other service
1:38:02providers have clearly advocated for an
1:38:05alternative approach to managing and
1:38:07hopefully hopefully reversing this
1:38:09ethical and social travesty of
1:38:11homelessness. There has been a
1:38:13tremendous amount of research and
1:38:15findings regarding housing first being
1:38:17the most efficacious and effective
1:38:19approach to this epidemic. Despite the
1:38:21Trump administration's repeated braaying
1:38:24otherwise, there has been discussion
1:38:26about this ordinance including increased
1:38:28data sharing amongst agencies and within
1:38:31city apparatus and I have been a part of
1:38:33these meetings and discussions in the
1:38:35past. I have also spoken to and working
1:38:38worked directly with the chronically
1:38:40unhoused and this approach is both
1:38:42unwanted and rejected by the most
1:38:44critically desperate and disenfranchised
1:38:46amongst them. Collating their data
1:38:49against their will and facilitating the
1:38:51tracking of these humans by proxy of
1:38:53minimizing or outright eradicating their
1:38:56autonomy over their own personal health
1:38:58information is a hippo violation at
1:39:00best. Those of us who work directly with
1:39:03the unhoused and more importantly those
1:39:05who are experiencing homelessness
1:39:07themselves have made it clear that this
1:39:09ordinance is not beneficial. Which leads
1:39:11me to my final point. This is a
1:39:13disingenuous argument being proposed by
1:39:16the council. It's not a surprise that
1:39:18business organizations support this
1:39:20ordinance. It's rational. It's just also
1:39:22unethical. It's about systematically
1:39:25eradicating the presence of the unhoused
1:39:28from public view.
1:39:29>> Appcate.
1:39:29>> I have one more moment. Thank you. so
1:39:31that further punishment and potential
1:39:33imprisonment goes by with minimized
1:39:35protest accompanying their reduced
1:39:38visibility. It needs to be called out as
1:39:40such. This isn't an issue about
1:39:43community education. It's about ethical
1:39:45responsibility.
1:39:54>> How you doing? My name is Kevin Lynch.
1:39:56I'm a citizen of Worester. I'm also
1:39:58homeless. I was here last week speaking
1:40:00and uh you know I'm speaking on the band
1:40:03of course it's uh just to explain myself
1:40:05real quick. I got bandage on both my
1:40:07arms. I hit was at the hospital today. I
1:40:10was working today. I was running around
1:40:12the city driving back and forth like a
1:40:14pingpong ball. Uh it's my my my family
1:40:19friend is uh he's homeless living in a
1:40:22tent who that I mentioned. I'm sorry. I
1:40:25was receiving a call, but um so I had to
1:40:28get him propane. He ran out of propane
1:40:30two nights ago. It's been freezing and
1:40:32uh now the propane line broke. Uh his
1:40:35name is Justin Vega and he wrote
1:40:37something last week. He wanted me to
1:40:39read it for you. And uh Justin Vega also
1:40:42came here in 2019
1:40:45and addressed the city council on Queen
1:40:47Street, you know, and um we put in a
1:40:51petition. I was in executive director of
1:40:54EPICA at the time and uh so this is just
1:40:57a part of what he he wrote because I
1:40:59know the time is short. Over 48 states
1:41:01explicitly prohibit cruel and unusual
1:41:04punishments within their own borders and
1:41:06state courts across the country are
1:41:08continually finding that punishing
1:41:09people for the involuntarily biological
1:41:12necessity of sleep is an
1:41:14unconstitutional overreach of government
1:41:16power. Aside from the legal liabilities
1:41:19that will inevitably c inevitably cost
1:41:22our taxpayers thousands in litigation,
1:41:24pushing people from one block to another
1:41:27does absolute absolutely nothing to
1:41:30solve homelessness. And I so I also
1:41:33wanted to mention as I did last week we
1:41:35were also here you know I was work I was
1:41:39part of the uh community benefits
1:41:41agreement on the wox statement stadium
1:41:44and uh we discussed homelessness at that
1:41:46point and the the agreement got watered
1:41:49down but um you know it's been added for
1:41:52a while you know that a lot of people
1:41:54out there have quories and with quaries
1:41:57people feel condemned to the street as
1:42:00Justin does and Most homeless people
1:42:02have have either small crimes on their
1:42:06Corey that do not allow them into
1:42:08housing. Please let's think a little bit
1:42:10better approach to this. Thank you.
1:42:12>> Next speaker,
1:42:18>> how you guys doing? I was here um last
1:42:20week. Um
1:42:22>> your name and your residence.
1:42:23>> Uh my name is Benjamin. I was here uh
1:42:25last time. Um, what's crazy is how uh
1:42:29the YMCA parking lot I just seen y'all
1:42:31just built $70,000 $5,000 charging
1:42:34machines for cars for Teslas.
1:42:37>> What that didn't goes to is no homeless
1:42:39shelter. Another thing too I see the the
1:42:42um the the home the homeless rate. Yes,
1:42:45it's gone up. And it's crazy how
1:42:47Worcester is the smallest state bigger
1:42:50than Texas. I've been in Texas. How the
1:42:51homeless population is not doing what
1:42:53we're doing. This state is disgusting.
1:42:55the only state out of all 50 states
1:42:56that's got to go through this. It's
1:42:58really it's really messed up. There's
1:43:00something got to be done and it's got to
1:43:02be done quick. Especially the suicide
1:43:04rate is going up and you got pregnant
1:43:06women out here can't get housing. Smart
1:43:08can't help pregnant women. That is sad.
1:43:11>> That is very sad and upsetting that
1:43:14pregnant women can't get help that they
1:43:17have to suffer with their baby, you
1:43:19know. And then you know you like I said
1:43:21you guys want to find us for for having
1:43:23a sleeping tent. How about what if we
1:43:25lock us up or some old people dying in
1:43:27in the county? You know, people might
1:43:28rot away in the county might die. You
1:43:31know, you never this this is not going
1:43:33to work. This is just some stupid. This
1:43:35shouldn't be this should not be forward
1:43:38finding us cuz we sleeping in tents. But
1:43:40what about if we go, like I said, we go
1:43:41to jail right away because our health
1:43:43problems because you guys can't help us
1:43:44with the right health, you know, doctors
1:43:46or something.
1:43:48Do something. So, let's lower this.
1:43:52Especially the crime rate, too.
1:43:54Thank you.
1:43:55>> Thank you.
1:44:00>> What's your name and see your residence?
1:44:01>> Hello. Sir George Washington, Western
1:44:03Massachusetts. Today I'll be speaking on
1:44:068C.
1:44:08We should fix the potholes instead.
1:44:14>> The British are coming. The British are
1:44:15coming.
1:44:18Paul Villa, help me dump this twisted
1:44:20tea into the ocean.
1:44:24Yes, George Washington.
1:44:27Why are we dumping this twisted tea into
1:44:28the ocean?
1:44:31Dude, were you not at the last meeting,
1:44:32you dumbass? We have to save the taxes.
1:44:36The government's taxing us too much. Oh,
1:44:39yeah. Isn't that funny? Wait, how are we
1:44:42going to get money for the governments?
1:44:44Oh, we're going to tax the homeless
1:44:46people cuz if they sleep on the streets,
1:44:48we get money from them. Oh, that's a
1:44:51perfect idea. I might.
1:44:54Oh, the British are coming actually
1:44:57getting ready out.
1:44:59Bayonett
1:45:01going for action.
1:45:05George Washington, look up for the
1:45:07pothole.
1:45:12Ow, the pain.
1:45:17I'm actually not George Washington. I am
1:45:21Michael Jackson.
1:45:39DJ hit it.
1:46:01Thank you.
1:46:12>> Hi, good evening all. My name's Colleen.
1:46:14I'm here from District One. Um,
1:46:17first off, I want to say uh I I
1:46:19appreciate you all being here and you
1:46:21get to listen to all the people here.
1:46:23Obviously, it's been very passionate.
1:46:25Um, it's hard to actually follow George
1:46:27Washington and Michael Jackson, but I'm
1:46:29going to try to talk about um line 8A
1:46:33and not any of the homeless or any of
1:46:35that stuff because it's been totally
1:46:36covered here. Um, first off, I'd like to
1:46:39uh thank um Councelor Conwell for coming
1:46:41out to our neighborhood and looking over
1:46:43our area. A lot of the taxpayers money
1:46:45is going into that area. It's going into
1:46:48the entire city. Um, as Michael
1:46:50Jackson/George Washington might have
1:46:52called out, there's a lot of potholes
1:46:54and other things in the city that are
1:46:55not safe. Um, in our area, we have
1:46:58markers. I have pictures, but I don't
1:47:00think you need to see them. I'm sure
1:47:02counselor has seen them of five inches,
1:47:04six inches, and nine inches. And I'm
1:47:06saying this because we have children in
1:47:08the area. We have people who are
1:47:09elderly. be people who are using
1:47:11wheelchairs and other um forms of being
1:47:14able to be accessible and using the
1:47:16sidewalk and they can't and then in the
1:47:18winter time it becomes extremely
1:47:19dangerous for all of our residents
1:47:21because now you have to work around that
1:47:24with your um equipment and we also have
1:47:27people who are coming in who get paid to
1:47:29to handle this and they can also get
1:47:30hurt. So again, I want to appreciate uh
1:47:33the time that everyone has spent here.
1:47:35Um everyone who's been here today and uh
1:47:38there there's no shortage of obviously
1:47:41everything that's here, but hopefully
1:47:42and I'm clearly not the last person for
1:47:45you guys to listen to, but I do
1:47:46appreciate your time and again, thank
1:47:48you to um Tony Okcono. Thanks.
1:47:58>> Hello, my name is Isabella Corazini. I
1:48:01am a homeowner and lifelong resident of
1:48:03district 5. I am asking you to vote no
1:48:06on 18B, the proposed ordinance
1:48:08addressing homelessness in public
1:48:10camping. Homeless people are not a
1:48:13criminal in the street. It was my friend
1:48:15who couldn't stay at their foster
1:48:16placement and needed to stay on my
1:48:18couch. It was my uncle who lost a child
1:48:20at a young age and battled his entire
1:48:23life with substance abuse. It was my
1:48:25kindergarten classmate who slept on the
1:48:27train tracks with her mom. It's our
1:48:29families who have to double up in
1:48:31two-bedroom apartments because they
1:48:33can't afford more. I ask the council to
1:48:36put people first and focus on how to
1:48:39bring people in, not push them out.
1:48:41Thank you.
1:48:48>> Jatan Singh, resident of the city of
1:48:50Worcester. I already spoke last week
1:48:52about how idiotic it is to find the
1:48:54unhoused community, so I'm not going to
1:48:56speak on that today. But I will speak on
1:48:58that I stand with the carpenters union.
1:49:00If you have already found designed a
1:49:03responsible ordinance and you've already
1:49:05banned a certain um contractor, why
1:49:08would you let them back in the city to
1:49:09work on large projects like that? That's
1:49:11not right. Um and also I stand with the
1:49:14civilian review board coalition that we
1:49:16should have a civilian review board. But
1:49:18I'm still going to keep speaking on that
1:49:19cuz why would you trust even the police
1:49:22to monitor the unhoused when we can't
1:49:25even trust the police? Thank you.
1:49:39>> Terry Kelly, citizen of Worcester. um
1:49:44underutilized properties.
1:49:48A lot of places were closed up, not
1:49:52enough businesses, businesses were moved
1:49:54out of downtown.
1:49:57Um you got no Jame Church 2018
1:50:02cut down and nothing built.
1:50:04Needed to do it right away. He's losing
1:50:06money and uh he needs to build right
1:50:09away. 2018 it's empty. What happened?
1:50:16Um across the street from the hub
1:50:21145 Front Street was built on low income
1:50:24money and when it was done it turned
1:50:26into
1:50:28market rate. How does that happen? Um
1:50:32Sunnis pub torn down. Nothing happened.
1:50:37Um
1:50:40the uh automotive place on Chandler
1:50:43Street, it's painted, then it went on
1:50:46fire. Nothing happened. There's plenty
1:50:49of places to build, but where's the
1:50:52money?
1:50:54Okay. I heard that you guys have an um
1:50:56demissable funds of $18 million
1:51:00tax-free. If you could take it out, I
1:51:03think it should be used. um people of
1:51:07the city. Um there's a lot of things
1:51:09that could be changed. I I mentioned
1:51:122011 shelter community center in every
1:51:16district in case we have a tornado,
1:51:19a Katrina hitting New England,
1:51:22>> right?
1:51:24We're not prepared. We're not ready. Are
1:51:27you ready to see a whole bunch of people
1:51:29die because we have a major storm? I
1:51:32mean, in every district, we could show
1:51:35the whole state of Massachusetts how to
1:51:37have our heart. We are the heart of
1:51:39central Massachusetts. Thank you.
1:51:42>> Thank you.
1:51:43>> Stop letting people die.
1:51:47>> Okay. Go to the first person.
1:51:51>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. The first person
1:51:53is David Webb. Should I meet the res
1:51:55now?
1:51:59>> Yes. Hello, David Webb. Unfortunately,
1:52:02Worcester, first and foremost, 20 I uh
1:52:06Yes, please talk about the bad apple in
1:52:08charge, Anthony Patron. Maybe thank him
1:52:10for getting Kate home early. 10E is a
1:52:12no-brainer for any counselor who cares
1:52:14about children or families. Uh 9J, are
1:52:17we still pretending that so-called
1:52:19quality of life task force helps anyone?
1:52:22Uh 10J, public bathrooms. Yes,
1:52:25please. This is a public need and it's a
1:52:27lack of them, the city's lack of them is
1:52:29one of the ways listers inaccessible and
1:52:31un
1:52:3210D. Speed bumps on Harrington Way won't
1:52:34prevent drunk driving counselors, but
1:52:36might reduce the chances of them hitting
1:52:37parked vehicles. 18A
1:52:40uh reform. It's unfortunate that this
1:52:43body is terrified of accountability and
1:52:44cannot allow any transparency. This plan
1:52:47is smart. Some search counselor Bergman
1:52:48will be against it. 18b. The camping and
1:52:51sidewalk ordinance. Call this what it
1:52:53is. Another excuse for cops to harass
1:52:55people and funnel them to the House of
1:52:57Corrections.
1:52:59Finding people for existing is cruel and
1:53:01unusual, both legally and morally. And
1:53:03the city manager and everyone in his
1:53:05office should be ashamed for bringing
1:53:06this forward. It's disgusting
1:53:08that it got this far. Have some
1:53:09humanity. Don't pretend to care about
1:53:12small businesses.
1:53:14Uh they know you don't care. Uh the
1:53:16people know you're just catering to
1:53:18developers and the Chamber of Commerce.
1:53:20Also remember the Worcester 6, the
1:53:22firefighters.
1:53:24What has been changed since then? You
1:53:26celebrate them every year, but haven't
1:53:28done anything to prevent the problem
1:53:29that resulted in their deaths. So, the
1:53:32city really should be built on
1:53:34compassion and empathy and giving a
1:53:36about the people in it instead of just
1:53:38prioritizing the taxpayers and the
1:53:40chamber of commerce and developers and
1:53:42the police union. Have a heart. Listen
1:53:45to the people who have spoken tonight
1:53:47instead of, you know, the people in the
1:53:49Worcester Center and, you know, wherever
1:53:51you guys are hanging out these days.
1:53:53Have a heart. Be better, please.
1:53:56Thank you. Next speaker,
1:54:02>> mayor. The next speaker is Samantha. I'm
1:54:04chairman with the resident now.
1:54:10>> Hi, my name is Samantha Martin. I live
1:54:12in district 1 and I'm here to speak on
1:54:14item 18B. I genuinely do not understand
1:54:17how we can criminalize homelessness in a
1:54:19city that does not have enough resources
1:54:20for the people experiencing it. If we
1:54:22have more than a thousand plus unhoused
1:54:24people and nowhere near enough shelter
1:54:26beds, then what exactly are we expecting
1:54:27people to do? Where are they supposed to
1:54:30go? We can call it an encampment ban. We
1:54:32can call it a fine. We can call it
1:54:33enforcement. But at the end of the day,
1:54:35we are punishing people for having
1:54:36nowhere else to exist. And I think that
1:54:39should make every person in this room
1:54:40uncomfortable because Worcester has had
1:54:42no problem making room for expensive
1:54:44development. We are building luxury and
1:54:46highric housing all over the city. We
1:54:48cannot build luxury housing on one
1:54:50street and find somebody for sleeping
1:54:51outside on another. We cannot continue
1:54:53creating a city designed for people who
1:54:55can afford to move here while treating
1:54:57the people who are already struggling
1:54:58here like they are something that needs
1:55:00to be removed. I refuse to accept the
1:55:02idea that the solution to poverty is to
1:55:04punish people for displaying that
1:55:05poverty where the rest of us can see it.
1:55:08If you remove an encampment without
1:55:09creating somewhere for those people to
1:55:11go, you did not solve homelessness. You
1:55:12moved it. You made it less visible. And
1:55:15that make that may make some of you more
1:55:17comfortable, but it does not make one
1:55:18person less homeless. If Worcester truly
1:55:21wants encampments gone, then give people
1:55:22somewhere realistic to go first. Because
1:55:25until we do that, finding someone $25 a
1:55:27day for being homeless is not a
1:55:29solution. But creating enough shelter
1:55:30beds, creating deeply affordable
1:55:32low-income housing, expanding permanent
1:55:34supportive housing, expanding outreach,
1:55:36substance abuse treatment centers,
1:55:38behavioral health treatment centers,
1:55:39case management, and meaningful
1:55:40wraparound services can and will give
1:55:43people an actual pathway out. And I want
1:55:45you council members to keep this in
1:55:46mind. Criminalizing and punishing people
1:55:48for being homeless is punishment for a
1:55:50problem you all have failed to solve.
1:55:53Thank you.
1:55:59So my next speaker is Anna C.
1:56:02Meet the resident now.
1:56:05>> Hi. Can you hear me?
1:56:07>> Yes. Go ahead.
1:56:08>> My name is Anna. I'm a Worcester city
1:56:10resident urging you to withdraw the
1:56:12anti-amping ordinance 18B. I'm a
1:56:14licensed social worker and I've spent my
1:56:16career working with people who are
1:56:17unhoused, have been unhoused, or are
1:56:19facing homelessness now. Why? Because no
1:56:22matter the agency, no matter the field,
1:56:24the housing crisis touches everyone.
1:56:27Every day I talk to people terrified of
1:56:29losing their housing because they're out
1:56:31of work with a new cancer diagnosis or
1:56:33their home is being foreclosed on to pay
1:56:35for their parents' long-term care or
1:56:37they simply can't make ends meet as the
1:56:39costs rise and rise and rise and there
1:56:42is no help coming from anywhere. I can't
1:56:45do anything for these people. Our
1:56:47housing prices are wildly unaffordable.
1:56:49Our housing programs have yearslong
1:56:50weight lists and frozen funds. And our
1:56:52community agencies are crumbling under
1:56:54the strain of the everinccreasing need.
1:56:56As you've heard, I've also worked with
1:56:58people who've lived outside for decades
1:57:00and their stories are unique and varied
1:57:02and they may not feel relatable to you,
1:57:04but it doesn't matter because their
1:57:05lives are not less important than yours.
1:57:08And I know some counselors here care
1:57:09about this issue and have real skin in
1:57:11the game. But for the rest of you, have
1:57:13you ever had a conversation with an
1:57:14unhoused person in this city? Do you
1:57:17know anything about them? The majority
1:57:19of the people in this city are closer to
1:57:20this edge than you want to admit. And
1:57:22your answer is, "What? a fine for daring
1:57:24to exist in public, for not just
1:57:27vanishing as a political problem for
1:57:28you. It's almost too absurd to merit a
1:57:31response. But here we are once again,
1:57:33community members, social workers,
1:57:35housing lawyers, advocates, impacted
1:57:38people far, far more qualified to speak
1:57:41to an effective support for unsheltered
1:57:42people than any of you, arguing for an
1:57:46ounce of decency, an ounce of humility,
1:57:49and an ounce of humanity from you. I sat
1:57:52in community forums last election cycle
1:57:53listening to every single one of you
1:57:55opine the housing crisis and the quote
1:57:58unquote homelessness problem and what
1:58:00single productive thing have you done
1:58:02since then? The homelessness commission
1:58:04has not met once, not once. What are you
1:58:08doing? If you pass this ordinance,
1:58:10you're worse than useless. You are
1:58:12actively worse for the people of the
1:58:14city. Withdraw anti-amping ordinance.
1:58:23Next speaker is Jeff Bernett. I'm introd
1:58:39speaking out against 18B. You have heard
1:58:42statistics, stories, facts, pleased to
1:58:46do better, and have been called out for
1:58:48the clear harm this ordinance will do.
1:58:50I'm a commissioner on the Worester
1:58:52Historical Commission, so I know as well
1:58:54as you do how slow housing development
1:58:56is, how little of even the small amount
1:58:59of affordable housing is truly
1:59:01affordable, and how little some of you
1:59:03care about ensuring all in Worcester
1:59:05have safe and adequate shelter.
1:59:08I also know that you will claim that
1:59:10this ordinance must come before
1:59:12providing meaningful housing and shelter
1:59:14due to a lack of funds. Sure, there are
1:59:16funds for overpaid, unaccountable
1:59:18police, funds for lawsuits, funds for
1:59:21developers, but none for us. This we
1:59:24know. What few may know is that
1:59:27Worcester city manager Eric Batista
1:59:31makes $354,000
1:59:33a year, more than the mayor of New York
1:59:35City, more than the mayor of Boston.
1:59:38I ask you, is it reasonable
1:59:42that the city manager makes $354,000
1:59:45while people in the city sleep outside?
1:59:47I ask you, how much good could be done
1:59:49with that money? To find unhoused
1:59:52Worcester residents $25 for existing and
1:59:55to pay an unelected official $354,000
1:59:59is unconscionable.
2:00:01It is insulting.
2:00:04What is this ridiculous salary doing for
2:00:06the people of Worcester? City Manager
2:00:08Batista recommends you adopt ordinance
2:00:1018B. He does so secure with a contract
2:00:14and with the anonymity of an unelected
2:00:16official. You, the council, will take
2:00:19the hit for this. Listen to the voices
2:00:21here tonight and know any council
2:00:24members demonizing unhoused Worcester
2:00:26residents and supporting Batista's
2:00:29$354,000 salary will not be reelected.
2:00:33It is too much.
2:00:40Next speaker is Eric Stratton.
2:00:43>> Good evening. Eric Stratton. Uh I'm a
2:00:45resident of Worcester in District 1. Um
2:00:48I am calling in for a few different
2:00:50items. First uh 10G. Uh this is the item
2:00:53from councelor Economo looking to
2:00:56regulate um electronic scooters,
2:00:58bicycles, etc. Um I would urge the
2:01:01council to oppose this for a number of
2:01:03reasons. One is that there is already
2:01:05work happening at the state level to
2:01:07look at this and more specifically this
2:01:10proposed ordinance or draft request for
2:01:13a draft ordinance doesn't address the
2:01:15different varying levels of motorized
2:01:17scooters, bicycles or other vehicles.
2:01:20So, you know, do I need to register the
2:01:23Power Wheels scooter or bicycle that my
2:01:26child has? Obviously not. Um, this again
2:01:29I think is something that has not been
2:01:31completely thought through and frankly
2:01:33should not be something the city council
2:01:35is looking to uh move forward. There
2:01:38have been numerous cities that have
2:01:40looked at things like licensing and
2:01:41registration of bicycles and frankly
2:01:44this absolutely should not be done. This
2:01:48really works against providing people
2:01:49with a means of being able to get
2:01:51around. Many people who look at ebikes
2:01:53are looking to do so and not own cars.
2:01:56Many people who own those do not own
2:01:58another method of transportation. Adding
2:02:00additional burdens both administratively
2:02:03for the city and for these users is
2:02:06frankly not really feasible and will
2:02:08lose the city money. It is not something
2:02:10we should move forward and again is
2:02:11something that is poorly thought out.
2:02:13Second, I'm calling in opposition to 18
2:02:17uh B I believe it is regarding the
2:02:19homeless encampments. Again, the city
2:02:21should not be looking at criminalizing
2:02:24the homeless. While it may state that
2:02:25that is not the intent, having a $25
2:02:29penalty as well as the ability to go
2:02:31after someone criminally and put them in
2:02:33jail over this is it speaks things. You
2:02:37know, should we expect?
2:02:39Should we expect you all to be having an
2:02:41ordinance to allow hunting of the
2:02:43homeless for sport? This is
2:02:45unconscionable and frankly anyone who
2:02:47supports us should be ashamed especially
2:02:50if you have not been supporting homeless
2:02:53shelters in place.
2:02:55>> Okay, we'll go to our next speaker.
2:02:58>> Next speaker is Laura.
2:03:02>> Try the res.
2:03:06>> Um, hi, my name is Laura Solis Matthew.
2:03:09Um, I am a longtime resident of
2:03:11Worcester, currently in district 5. I
2:03:13want to echo everyone else who has
2:03:15spoken so eloquently against agenda item
2:03:1818B, the anti-amping ordinance, and
2:03:21state strongly, do not pass this
2:03:24ordinance.
2:03:26Lots of people have shared personal
2:03:28stories, statistics,
2:03:31um, research,
2:03:34lots of, um, information. You have this
2:03:37information, you have this data. I think
2:03:39that there are many of you on this
2:03:40council sitting here tonight who have
2:03:42already made up your minds because you
2:03:43know how you feel about the issue. I
2:03:46want to remind every single one of you
2:03:48voting on this ordinance tonight that
2:03:50you all have homes that you will go home
2:03:52to tonight, warm beds that you will
2:03:55sleep in tonight, protected from the
2:03:57elements. It is easy to convince
2:03:59yourself that putting a criminal
2:04:01consequence and a monetary fine on
2:04:03homelessness will somehow get people the
2:04:05help you think they need when you
2:04:07yourself have a home to go home to.
2:04:10Maybe when those of you planning to vote
2:04:13to essentially criminalize anyone forced
2:04:15to sleep outside place this vote, you
2:04:18won't sleep so soundly in those safe
2:04:19warm beds afterwards. Maybe you will
2:04:22feel that guilty conscience for not
2:04:24being able to face the humanity of
2:04:25others who you view as blight, who you
2:04:28wish to clean off the streets. Whether
2:04:30you sleep soundly or not, after this
2:04:32vote, you will sleep inside your homes.
2:04:36As everyone else has said, do better. I
2:04:39yield my time.
2:04:45>> Speaker is Nadine. Make the res now.
2:04:56Hi, my name is Naen Paige. I am a
2:05:01unhoused person in the city of
2:05:02Worcester. When I became unhoused, I was
2:05:05living in an open sky program on
2:05:08Fairbanks Street and I have been
2:05:10unhoused since June 30th of last year. I
2:05:14have been had problems with the MLK
2:05:17shelter. Quincy doesn't fine with for
2:05:19the most part. It's the MLK shelter I've
2:05:21been haven't been able to get back to
2:05:23because they need to decide whether I
2:05:25can go back or not. Okay. Now, I have a
2:05:28brother street chosen family, but I have
2:05:31a brother who's also been unhoused for
2:05:33more than 10 years and he's back in the
2:05:36hospital with UMass abusing power. So,
2:05:39no, I do not agree on this ordinance.
2:05:43And I'm actually here I'm actually
2:05:45speaking from my sleeping spot tonight.
2:05:48And I know for a fact that I am four
2:05:53years clean and sober. So, I am seeking
2:05:56as on be homeless especially the sober
2:05:58and clean population that have been
2:06:01unhoused.
2:06:03Open sky is does jack sometimes.
2:06:06pardon my language, but I'm getting help
2:06:08from State Texas for a place to be
2:06:10during the day at least. I don't have a
2:06:13housing. I don't have
2:06:17ample means. I am physically and
2:06:19mentally disabled permanently. So, I'm
2:06:22relying on a disability check. I'm on
2:06:25the champ waiting list
2:06:27and I had to apply for Aby's house
2:06:29twice. Still haven't heard. So, what are
2:06:33you doing? Why? I can't afford
2:06:36$25 a day. There's no way. Like I might
2:06:40I only get a little more than 1,500 a
2:06:43month.
2:06:45Right now with somebody else handling my
2:06:46finances, I only get about $100 a week.
2:06:49That's like four days. Four days out out
2:06:53of a week that I could pay.
2:06:56>> What are you doing?
2:06:57>> Thank you.
2:07:05Okay. So, we have people here. So, we uh
2:07:08we'll go through the uh petitions,
2:07:12then we'll do the 18B.
2:07:14>> Excuse me, Mr. Chairman.
2:07:17>> Is it possible to take a couple items
2:07:18out of order?
2:07:19>> Council King has one, too.
2:07:21>> Okay.
2:07:23>> Just because they're here, the residents
2:07:24are here just to get them home.
2:07:26>> Oh, which item is that? Um item 8A and
2:07:30item 13A,
2:07:32please.
2:07:33>> Okay. 8A, Council Comm on behalf of
2:07:35residents of Winter Heights neighborhood
2:07:37request grant survey markers that stick
2:07:39out of the sidewalks some 6 to9 in high
2:07:42be cut down to payment level and
2:07:44interest of public safety. What was the
2:07:46other one?
2:07:47>> Uh the other one was uh 13
2:07:5113A
2:07:52>> 13A
2:07:55for the planning board. Um, director of
2:07:58Catholic Charities, the Dasis of
2:07:59Whistler request to amend the zoning map
2:08:01by establishing adaptive reuse orderly
2:08:03overlay district to holy encompass the
2:08:05property of 25 West Street.
2:08:09On item 8A,
2:08:11>> yeah, 8A go.
2:08:13>> Um,
2:08:14Mr. Chairman, this this is a not just a
2:08:17problem in this neighborhood, but
2:08:18throughout the city. And I would venture
2:08:20to say from my experience um in areas
2:08:23where there is newer construction where
2:08:26the granite markings in the sidewalk
2:08:28have protruded through the sidewalk. Now
2:08:31they're not just out an inch or two
2:08:33inches. In some cases they're out 9 in
2:08:36uh if not more. Um we talk about um
2:08:41walkability and safety in our
2:08:43neighborhoods and these are impediments
2:08:46in our neighborhoods. Um, I would ask
2:08:49the city manager to kindly uh reach out
2:08:52to DPW and come up with a plan to
2:08:54address these as soon as possible. Um, I
2:08:58know in some areas as we approach
2:09:00Halloween and the kids are out walking
2:09:01the streets, um, people put
2:09:05um orange buckets over these so the kids
2:09:08don't trip. But as as the the young lady
2:09:13had said at the microphone, um people
2:09:17are tripping. They're hazard. You can't
2:09:19even if you were wheelchair chair bound,
2:09:22you'd have difficulty navigating
2:09:25um these sidewalks. So I feel these need
2:09:29to be prioritized uh throughout the city
2:09:32and especially in this neighborhood um
2:09:34where it's rampant throughout the entire
2:09:36neighborhood. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
2:09:38We send that to public works.
2:09:40>> On the next item, Mr. Chairman, if we
2:09:41can just if we can just um I would just
2:09:45ask for a roll call vote on this,
2:09:47please.
2:09:48>> 138 motion is to send the economic
2:09:51development committee.
2:09:52>> Could you read it, Mr. Chairman?
2:09:53>> It's a report of the planning board upon
2:09:55the petition of Timothy McMahon,
2:09:56executive director of the Catholic
2:09:57Charities of Das Worester, request to
2:09:59amend the zoning map by establishing
2:10:01adaptive reuse of a district to the
2:10:02wholly encompass the property at 25 West
2:10:05Street. And the motion is to send to
2:10:07economic development.
2:10:09>> Roll call.
2:10:10>> Councelor Bergman.
2:10:11>> Yes.
2:10:11>> Bada.
2:10:12>> Yes.
2:10:13>> Connor.
2:10:13>> No.
2:10:15>> Zolo.
2:10:16>> Yes.
2:10:17>> King.
2:10:21>> Abstain.
2:10:23>> Mitra.
2:10:24>> Yes.
2:10:25>> Aita.
2:10:26>> Yes.
2:10:27>> Rivera.
2:10:28>> Abstain. Rosen.
2:10:31>> Yes.
2:10:32>> Tumi.
2:10:32>> Yes.
2:10:33>> Samir Petty.
2:10:34>> Yes.
2:10:35Okay, we have uh let me see. Council
2:10:38King had asked
2:10:4010E.
2:10:42I think we have people in the audience
2:10:44for 10E
2:10:46request commission health and human
2:10:48services work with the Worester
2:10:49Community Midwifery on the mission to
2:10:51expand quality midwife midwifery care
2:10:54and education diverse communities in the
2:10:56city. Council King.
2:11:02>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um this is a
2:11:04request um that HHS
2:11:08um
2:11:09engage in active Coop collaboration
2:11:12um that we explore city support for such
2:11:15a facility development um and city
2:11:18support for a mobile clinic including
2:11:20site coordination parking needs
2:11:22investment in birth centering facility
2:11:24as a community health resource. Mr.
2:11:26chairman. And I preface my comments by
2:11:28saying
2:11:30here in the city of Worcester, uh we
2:11:32welcome about 7,000 um babies each year.
2:11:36Uh our community
2:11:38deserves access to a full range of
2:11:41health care options, including skilled
2:11:43skilled midwifeery.
2:11:46Um in other counties where maternal
2:11:48outcomes are better than the US which is
2:11:49about uh more than 12 countries midwives
2:11:54are the entry point for reproductive
2:11:56health care. Here we have fewer midwives
2:11:59are available for our families and many
2:12:00people are unfamiliar with their role.
2:12:03>> Mr. chairman. A midwife is an
2:12:05independent health care practitioner
2:12:07skilled in reproductive and sexual
2:12:09health care including pregnancy, birth,
2:12:12postpartum, fertility, wellness, and
2:12:15contraception.
2:12:18Hormonal and menopause care as well.
2:12:20They are licensed in the state of
2:12:22Massachusetts and can provide care in
2:12:24offices, homes, and clinics, hospitals,
2:12:27birth centers. Midwifery style care is
2:12:30based in patient education, health
2:12:32promotion, provides evidence-based care.
2:12:35It reduces interventions and improves
2:12:38outcomes for both parents and babies. As
2:12:42the World Health Organization
2:12:43recognizes, midwifey care has been shown
2:12:48to do six things. reduce health
2:12:51initiatives, improve cost effectiveness,
2:12:54improve people's experience of care,
2:12:57reduce assisted vaginal birth and
2:12:59cacaian section rates, and increase
2:13:02vaginal birth rates. Mr. Chairman, quite
2:13:04simply, it saves lives. Commonwealth of
2:13:08Mass defines the birth center as a
2:13:12homelike facility where births expected
2:13:14to be low risk are planned to occur
2:13:17following uncomplicated pregnancy. These
2:13:20centers are led by the midwives and
2:13:22staff by a trained health care team.
2:13:25They contain much of the same medical
2:13:26supplies and equipment as labor and
2:13:28delivery. They typically provide greater
2:13:30comfort measures such as larger rooms,
2:13:32larger beds, and birthing tubs. The
2:13:34American Association of Birth Centers
2:13:36tells us birth centers are universally
2:13:38committed to family centered care. In
2:13:41those centers, childbearing's person's
2:13:43right to be decision maker about the
2:13:45circumstance of her birth are fully
2:13:48respected. At birth centers, clients are
2:13:51encouraged to eat if they're hungry,
2:13:52move about, spend time in the tub if
2:13:54they wish, and push in whatever
2:13:55positions they find most comfortable.
2:13:58And these centers recognize that the
2:14:00laborer knows what their body needs to
2:14:02give birth. The midwives and their staff
2:14:05attend the needs while diligently
2:14:06watching watching for signs that are
2:14:08outside the realm of wellness. birth
2:14:11center care is again better maternal
2:14:13outcomes, lower risks of complications
2:14:16and less C-sections and lower over all
2:14:18costs of care. The state, the DPH,
2:14:21Department of Public Health has
2:14:23thoroughly researched and called for a
2:14:24statewide expansion of this care and the
2:14:27licensed birth centers. It also
2:14:29recognizes that these vital services
2:14:31help address many health disparities,
2:14:34including racial and cultural inequities
2:14:36that persist in our system.
2:14:39At this time, Worcester has a low number
2:14:41of practicing midwives and no licensed
2:14:43birth center facility.
2:14:45Our community deserves choices in care,
2:14:48deserves access to the benefits of men
2:14:51care and birth centers. Yes, the system
2:14:54is strained to take care of needs of
2:14:56people from Worcester and surrounding
2:14:58areas as we've seen,
2:15:01especially with the continued closures
2:15:03of maternity units at smaller hospitals
2:15:05and local OBGYn practices. We need to
2:15:08utilize skilled midwiffery midwives to
2:15:11care for our community and create
2:15:13educational opportunities for more
2:15:15people to become licensed midwives.
2:15:17Worcester Midwiffery is a small local
2:15:20practice that has been working towards
2:15:23big goals. a group that includes nurses,
2:15:26doulas, lactation consultants,
2:15:28childbirth educators, and they have been
2:15:30providing care to our neighbors while
2:15:32advocating for positive change,
2:15:33including a community birth center and a
2:15:37mobile midwifery unit. These
2:15:40initiatives, Mr. Chairman, will benefit
2:15:42patients seeking care as well as provide
2:15:44places for clinical education for future
2:15:46provis providers. Worcester Midway Far
2:15:50Center will be a licensed birth center
2:15:52facility with additional services
2:15:54providing sexual and reproductive health
2:15:57care, lactation care, pediatric and
2:15:59other adjoining specialties, community
2:16:01space for classes, groups, and events
2:16:04and will be covered by insurance
2:16:05including Medicaid. With city support,
2:16:08this facility could open its doors to
2:16:09growing families in the next couple
2:16:11years. The midwife mobile will be a
2:16:13licensed mobile health initiative. An
2:16:16office on two wheels with two treatment
2:16:18areas and lab space that allow teams to
2:16:20park in areas of need, provide
2:16:22appointments for prenatal, postpartum,
2:16:24lactation, gyneological care, labs, and
2:16:26ultrasound sounds. They will help
2:16:29provide care for those planning to
2:16:30deliver in the hospital for the need of
2:16:33a regular appointments. and they hope to
2:16:35help supplement the city's free clinic
2:16:36program. With the current support of the
2:16:39Massachusetts Department of Public
2:16:40Health and adequate local support, this
2:16:42mobile office should begin seeing um
2:16:46patients after this fall. Mr. chairman.
2:16:49Um this request again is to request the
2:16:51city manager um to work with the
2:16:55commissioner of health and human
2:16:56services and work with the worester
2:16:58community midwife free on their mission
2:17:00to expand quality care and education to
2:17:03diverse communities in the city. Mr.
2:17:05Chairman, thank you.
2:17:07>> Send that to the manager. All those in
2:17:09favor post so ordered on this item on
2:17:12council king's item.
2:17:13>> No, we just took the vote on that item.
2:17:15>> What's that? No, we just took the vote
2:17:17on that item. I want to take another
2:17:19item out of the order.
2:17:20>> Oh, okay. Which item?
2:17:21>> 18B.
2:17:22>> Well, which can we wait for that till we
2:17:25to uh anybody else? It's going to be a
2:17:27long discussion. I just want to get
2:17:28through the petitions, then we'll go to
2:17:2918B.
2:17:32We go
2:17:34because there's people here on
2:17:35petitions.
2:17:39First, uh 7 A and 7B hold the hearing.
2:17:42Motion to open the hearing. All those in
2:17:44favor post so a ordered. Anybody oppose
2:17:47any item on 87A and 7B? Seeing nobody
2:17:50opposed. Motion is to adopt. All those
2:17:53in favor post. So ordered a we did 8B.
2:17:57The motion is refer to public works.
2:17:59>> Mr. Chairman,
2:18:00>> Council King.
2:18:02>> Thank you. Um just want to first on 8B.
2:18:06Um this is the request from myself and
2:18:09councelor Bilada uh for Laurel Street
2:18:11from Summer Street to ev ever ever
2:18:13gaylord boulevard to be given the
2:18:14honorary street named designation of
2:18:16Aries an ward way. Um you know this is
2:18:21um
2:18:22realizing a promise that was made many
2:18:24years ago Mr. chair and to this family
2:18:26and to this community um at large. And
2:18:30you know, I want to thank this council
2:18:33uh for already taking a vote um in
2:18:36support of this and form a resolution
2:18:38some months ago. Um, and I want to
2:18:40appreciate the the family's patience um,
2:18:43in regards to this and I look forward to
2:18:45identifying a time when um,
2:18:49Miss Miss Ward's family can come from
2:18:52far and near um, to realize this street
2:18:56name designation. Thank you, Mr.
2:18:58Chairman.
2:19:00>> Thank you public works. Those in favor
2:19:02of post so ordered 8 C to 8S refer to
2:19:06traffic and parking council regarding
2:19:088G.
2:19:12Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, I just
2:19:13want to um I guess it just uh we could
2:19:16just file this. The reason why is we've
2:19:18been working on the redesign of Beacon
2:19:20Street and um I actually have the
2:19:22rendering. So, there's going to be a
2:19:23stop sign there already. So, if we could
2:19:25file this, that'd be good. and then uh
2:19:27if we could reach out to the resident
2:19:28and just let them know that uh maybe
2:19:30share the rendering with them as well.
2:19:33>> Okay.
2:19:33>> Thank you. I appreciate it.
2:19:34>> So motion file 8G. All those in favor of
2:19:37postal ordered.
2:19:38>> Mr. Chairman,
2:19:39>> council,
2:19:41>> if if I can ask for an um an amendment
2:19:46if I may. I'm sorry on 8 I a friendly
2:19:51amendment. Let me just pull it up if I
2:19:54may.
2:20:20If we if we can I'll come back to it.
2:20:23Let me just find it. 8 I. Thank you.
2:20:28>> Okay. So, we'll do 8 C to 8 S motion to
2:20:33traffic and parking minus 8G which we
2:20:35put on file and 8 I we're going to is it
2:20:398 I you said councel.
2:20:42>> I'll hold that for a minute.
2:20:44>> Chairman.
2:20:45>> Okay.
2:20:46>> Council Bergman.
2:20:49>> I think we're pretty much a tie on that.
2:20:52um on 8C and there's an order. So these
2:20:54were these were discussed with uh Mr.
2:20:58Podle back in August. Um at that time I
2:21:01was aware in 2023
2:21:05there was an item regarding similar item
2:21:08filed and um nothing was acted upon.
2:21:11I've since found out in the last couple
2:21:13days that um speed humps are to be
2:21:15installed there. So I'm happy to hear
2:21:17that. say councelor
2:21:20Bada um carried the ball across the goal
2:21:24line. I congratulate him for that. I
2:21:26think all is good. So I could file both
2:21:28of those.
2:21:29>> Motion to file HC. All those in favor
2:21:31post ordered.
2:21:35>> And there's also an order that's
2:21:37reflective of something similar.
2:21:40>> Okay. We'll get to that.
2:21:41>> You want to do them together? That's
2:21:43>> okay. Follow that one. So
2:21:44>> yeah.
2:21:45>> Okay. Motion
2:21:46>> 10D
2:21:48motion to file 10D.
2:21:52>> Council Tum has recused herself on 10D.
2:21:54Motions to file.
2:21:56All those in favor oppose. So audited.
2:21:59>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
2:22:03>> I'm good with a Mr. Chairman. Thank you,
2:22:05>> Council Cono.
2:22:07>> Thank you. This would be a friendly
2:22:08amendment if if uh amendable.
2:22:12um to add at the end
2:22:15um
2:22:19after council's name on behalf of my uh
2:22:22Marissa Cruz request installation of a
2:22:24truck ban weight restriction from the
2:22:27beginning of Shore Drive at the
2:22:29intersection with Norton Drive to
2:22:32exclude exclude trailer trucks from
2:22:34traveling on Shore Drive. If we can add
2:22:38that as a friendly amendment.
2:22:41Yeah, no, no problem. I thought we could
2:22:43do it in in committee, but yeah, that's
2:22:44that's fine.
2:22:45>> Okay, thank you.
2:22:46>> Okay, so as amended.
2:22:49>> Okay,
2:22:50>> Mr. Chairman,
2:22:51>> all those in favor post, so ordered.
2:22:54Okay, councelor Ala.
2:22:57>> Um, just want to check on 8 R. I'm not
2:23:01sure pretty quickly here. A R request
2:23:04traffic control signal intersection of S
2:23:06Street and Hammond Street be reviewed to
2:23:09add at least five additional seconds of
2:23:11a protected left turn drivers traveling
2:23:13north turning on to Hammond Street.
2:23:15>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah, I just
2:23:16want to make sure that we um through you
2:23:19to to to council also to to make sure we
2:23:24look into
2:23:25um the other intersections there.
2:23:27There's about four intersections in that
2:23:29area and I know I've been working with
2:23:30council I'm sorry with commissioner
2:23:32Raleigh on
2:23:34uh the amount of time I think it's like
2:23:3610 or 13 seconds to to identify that
2:23:38that's a really congested area. Um
2:23:41there's actually been a couple several
2:23:43accidents on a that lead up to that to
2:23:46those intersections as well. So, um if
2:23:49it can include um looking at the time,
2:23:53uh between the red light and the and the
2:23:56green light for stop and go, um because
2:23:58it is a highly congested area and I
2:24:00think if we're if we're going to if
2:24:01we're going to touch on this, we got to
2:24:03make sure we look on the other the rest
2:24:04of that intersection. A lot of traffic
2:24:06is traveling on that on that on those
2:24:08roads. And like I said, um I've probably
2:24:11seen within the past month or so um
2:24:13several several accidents, several sides
2:24:15swipes as well, uh within that vicinity.
2:24:17So if we can amend it or make sure that
2:24:20we're we're including um the other
2:24:23intersections within
2:24:25a minute from each other.
2:24:26>> Okay. So we amend include those other
2:24:28items. Okay. So as amended, all those in
2:24:31favor ordered.
2:24:33>> Excuse me, Mr. Chairman.
2:24:35Sorry, I didn't get to speak on APB. I
2:24:39know we're moving along.
2:24:40>> Oh, sure. You can speak on AP.
2:24:41>> You know, uh,
2:24:43>> thank to Councelor King and and people
2:24:46from the community. Um, I'm happy to to
2:24:49sponsor this and we know, um, you know,
2:24:52Worester's history is multicultural
2:24:54history. Worers history is black history
2:24:55just like for the rest of the country.
2:24:57Um, it's, you know, great to really
2:24:58recognize this family who, as we heard
2:25:01from their um,
2:25:04um,
2:25:05great grandchild earlier earlier today
2:25:08at the meeting that they this family has
2:25:10a legacy of serving our country and in
2:25:11the city of Wor. So, it's great to
2:25:13recognize them and looking forward to
2:25:14doing this. Thank you.
2:25:15>> Thank you. Okay, so we're going to do 8
2:25:19C to 8 S minus 8 C, 8 G, 8 I, and 8 R
2:25:24because we already done them. Those in
2:25:26favor, so ordered.
2:25:31Uh at referred to veteran memorial parks
2:25:33recreation committee. All those in favor
2:25:35oppose. So ordered.
2:25:38We have one more petition that was held
2:25:41last week.
2:25:4718A.
2:25:49Uh Tom Marino request city council
2:25:51consider adopting attached proposal and
2:25:53pilot or hold title executive summary
2:25:55proposal for police reform.
2:25:57Uh it was held under privilege.
2:26:00motion to recuse.
2:26:03>> Is your name your residence?
2:26:05>> Uh Tom Marino Wester. Uh the attached
2:26:08document.
2:26:08>> Mr. Chairman, do we have a recusal? Mr.
2:26:10Chairman, is that what you said?
2:26:11>> Council Tommy has recused herself.
2:26:16>> The uh the attached document is a
2:26:1830-page report I wrote. uh has 45
2:26:20provisions largely drawn from past
2:26:22agreements uh between the department of
2:26:24justice and other cities that
2:26:25investigated uh and also uses uh the
2:26:28Worcester DOJ report and uh you know
2:26:31other state documents. Uh
2:26:36the Trump administration has abandoned
2:26:38the the process of uh that has been
2:26:41observed for 30 years by the Department
2:26:43of Justice. the four-stage process which
2:26:44was at a second stage when it you know
2:26:47Trump administration came in and and
2:26:49abandoned the process. Uh but there's a
2:26:51long history again almost 30 years of uh
2:26:54of them doing these investigations in
2:26:56cities where the police departments had
2:26:58issues like it found in Worcester. So
2:26:59there is a lot to draw from there. Um
2:27:03you we just get through two years of
2:27:05kind of being held hostage uh waiting
2:27:08for accessibility review board vote that
2:27:10was never going to be in the positive.
2:27:12uh you know we waited for the the
2:27:14research bureau report, waited for the
2:27:16manager's report and uh you know and
2:27:18then two almost two years later we get a
2:27:20no vote and we're nowhere. It was never
2:27:23a real authentic process of comparing
2:27:26different types of oversight uh of which
2:27:28there are others and trying to find what
2:27:31was best for Worcester. It was kind of
2:27:33the process was just held hostage for
2:27:35this one report. Uh
2:27:38the city manager announced, if I
2:27:40interpreted his words correctly, that uh
2:27:42you know, he considers the police
2:27:43department is done with its DOJ work
2:27:45report work. Uh so according to the
2:27:48website that he's directed people to, uh
2:27:5114 policies uh were either created or
2:27:53amended and uh we have that system that
2:27:56they presented two weeks ago, which is
2:27:58untested, unproven, never been done
2:28:00before. Uh and bifrocates jurisdiction,
2:28:02which I don't think anybody in the world
2:28:04thinks is a good idea unless you're in
2:28:05this room.
2:28:06Uh and
2:28:09future plans on police reform, I'm
2:28:11unaware of them. They have not been
2:28:13announced. Uh we've been told that
2:28:17uh
2:28:19this chief has made a difference. I
2:28:20think he has. He's been an agent for
2:28:21change. But it's been so everything's
2:28:23fine. Don't worry about it. Nothing to
2:28:25see here. So we were told the same thing
2:28:27five years ago. We were told the same
2:28:29thing five years before that. Uh and
2:28:32some of those people that said those
2:28:33things are in this room. So
2:28:36this is I hope the beginning of this
2:28:39council coming up with its own
2:28:41recommendations. Now that the managers
2:28:43said that their DOJ work is done, I
2:28:46think it's time for this council to look
2:28:47at what they've done, look at the
2:28:49available information and uh make its
2:28:52own recommendations. Whether that's done
2:28:54in special committee or it's done in
2:28:56public safety, I don't really care as
2:28:58long as it's done. Uh and I'll just
2:28:59point out two of the items of the 45
2:29:01items that are in this report. uh 5.1
2:29:04that the department's internal
2:29:05investigation policy does not just
2:29:07declare a standard of evidence. I know
2:29:09the chief said that that what they used
2:29:10last week. It's not in the policy. Why
2:29:12not? And also uh that it's maintained
2:29:15this exceptionally cleared status for uh
2:29:17invest in investigated officers. Uh it
2:29:20is the offramp to stop investigations
2:29:23when uh the complaintant leaves the
2:29:26process. And that was all over the DOJ
2:29:29report. It is in recommendation 16. So
2:29:31the idea that the DOJ recommendations
2:29:33have been fully implemented is just not
2:29:35true.
2:29:36>> Okay. Can you wrap up then?
2:29:37>> That's it. So I would hope that we can
2:29:39take some action in this council to now
2:29:42make its own recommendations to the
2:29:43administration. Thank you.
2:29:45>> Motion to send that to public safety.
2:29:47Those in favor post.
2:29:48>> Mr. Chairman, I'd like to speak on that.
2:29:50>> Council King.
2:29:54>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I certainly um
2:29:57look forward to an authentic uh uh
2:30:01hearing in regards to this particular
2:30:03matter. Um we know that um the DOJ
2:30:07process was shortcircuited
2:30:10um in terms of any um continued
2:30:13oversight um by the Department of
2:30:15Justice under the Trump administration,
2:30:17not just here in Worcester, but across
2:30:19the country. Mr. Chairman, um
2:30:25through the charity administration,
2:30:28if you could share
2:30:31what's the most recent communication
2:30:33been regarding police reform was with
2:30:36with the Worcester Research Bureau
2:30:49of the Council. Um I don't recollect any
2:30:53discussion related to police reform with
2:30:55the research bureau. Uh the last
2:30:57conversation we discussed uh and that I
2:30:59met with the research world was related
2:31:01to the actual report uh and the
2:31:03presentation of the report about two
2:31:05years ago.
2:31:08>> So there's been no discussion regarding
2:31:10the recommendations for two years. Is
2:31:11that right?
2:31:15>> Change to the council. That is correct.
2:31:16>> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I have nothing
2:31:18further. Um, I look forward to this item
2:31:20going to committee. Thank you.
2:31:22>> All those in favor post. So ordered.
2:31:25>> Okay,
2:31:27we got Oh, 18B.
2:31:32Does communication say recommend
2:31:34adoption of the proposed public camping
2:31:36ordinance in the context of disrupting
2:31:37the cycle and strategic framework for
2:31:40supporting unhouse individuals? on the
2:31:42manage asked to have maybe good
2:31:44presentation by um the commissioner
2:31:47maybe five minutes to 10.
2:31:50>> So what's that first?
2:31:52>> Oh, could we have doable presentation?
2:31:54Then you're up first.
2:31:56>> Okay.
2:31:57>> Mr. Mr. Chairman, um uh it's a motion
2:32:00for a two-minute recess like you.
2:32:06>> Okay, we'll take a quick recess. Those
2:32:08in favor of post order.
2:37:28We are back in session. Roll call.
2:37:30>> Councelor Bergman.
2:37:33>> Who is
2:37:35>> here? Councelor Cono here.
2:37:37>> Roso
2:37:38>> here. King
2:37:39>> here. Aitra
2:37:41>> here. Ha,
2:37:46>> Rivera
2:37:47>> here.
2:37:48>> Rosen
2:37:48>> here,
2:37:49>> Tumi
2:37:50>> here. Mayor
2:37:50>> Petty.
2:37:51>> Yeah.
2:37:51>> Yep.
2:37:52>> We missed an item um before we go into
2:37:54the homeless u report uh approval of the
2:37:59minutes on 5A. The city council list
2:38:01hereby approves the minutes of the city
2:38:03council meeting of September 8th, 2026.
2:38:06All those in favor? So ordered.
2:38:11Commissioner. Um,
2:38:14we'll get going in one second. I think
2:38:16we're missing one counselor. Council
2:38:18hater out there in the hallway.
2:38:33>> Okay.
2:38:37I think it's important that he doesn't
2:38:39miss anything. Excuse
2:38:45me, Mr. Chairman. Could you introduce uh
2:38:47who our two guests are so general public
2:38:50know?
2:38:51>> Commission introduce yourself and uh
2:38:53people may not know.
2:38:55>> Yeah, it's a good way to start.
2:39:00>> Thank you. Uh Mr. um mayor, Mr.
2:39:03Chairman, um to the chairs of the
2:39:05council, I am Simix. I am the health and
2:39:08human services commissioner for the city
2:39:10of Worooster and have been instrumental
2:39:12working with my team as well as the city
2:39:14manager's office in developing the
2:39:16strategic framework for homeless for the
2:39:18city of Worster
2:39:19>> which I'm going to present on today
2:39:21>> and
2:39:24>> through the chair to the councelor uh to
2:39:26the counselors my name is Alex Ariyaga
2:39:29and I'm the assistant commissioner of
2:39:30health and human services
2:39:32>> thank you commissioner you can start go
2:39:35ahead get a few
2:39:39um to the chair to the council. Um thank
2:39:42you for the opportunity. I wanted to
2:39:44speak um few minutes and give the
2:39:47background on the development of this
2:39:49framework uh which we have called as
2:39:51disrupting the cycle a strategic
2:39:53framework for homelessness in Worster.
2:39:56It has been our observation and no
2:39:58surprise to um anybody in this room that
2:40:01we needed to do something different and
2:40:03something better as government for the
2:40:05homeless in the city of Worster.
2:40:08There are several social service
2:40:10agencies and resources um currently in
2:40:13place to serve the homeless um through a
2:40:16variety of u places through a variety of
2:40:19channels and through a variety of
2:40:21outreach. Our goal and purpose of
2:40:24developing the framework of disrupting
2:40:26the cycle has been to really do better
2:40:30as the government here and to that
2:40:33effect we have multiple components in um
2:40:36the framework. First of which is to
2:40:40actually assess and find who are the
2:40:42ones who are experiencing homelessness
2:40:45in the city. What services are they
2:40:48receiving? Who is offering the services?
2:40:51At what stage are we meeting the people
2:40:53who we need to serve? For that we are
2:40:55proposing something called as data
2:40:57sharing between the different agencies
2:40:59and organizations that work with the
2:41:01homeless populations in Worcester
2:41:03including the city. The city's offering
2:41:06to really help social service agencies
2:41:09look at the data, see who is being
2:41:11helped, see who is out of care, see
2:41:14where we are falling short and how we
2:41:16can do better a job by actually looking
2:41:18at data. Because as we all know public
2:41:21health is dictated by how data shows
2:41:24whether what we are doing is working or
2:41:26it's not working.
2:41:29Along with the data sharing component,
2:41:31we are also the other component of data
2:41:34with is to look at the different
2:41:35resources available in the city. And to
2:41:37that effect, Health and Human Services
2:41:39with its partners has developed an asset
2:41:42map which is on the city's website where
2:41:45anybody can click and find out where is
2:41:47the nearest homeless shelter, where is a
2:41:49um a sober house, where there is a food
2:41:51pantry, where is there a resource for
2:41:53behavioral health, where is there a
2:41:55resource for substance use, um
2:41:58treatment, so on and so forth. So our
2:42:00goal is to really make this more
2:42:02scientific accurate as much as possible
2:42:04understanding the challenges of this
2:42:06displaced population and how hard it is
2:42:08to track them. Uh by doing that we would
2:42:11really know how our uh work is ongoing
2:42:15as well as help us coordinate to connect
2:42:18those resources with those who are very
2:42:19much in need with our community
2:42:21partners. The second component we are
2:42:23hoping to do and um is a component of
2:42:26this framework is to standardize the
2:42:28outreach and to
2:42:32give the training and the technical
2:42:33assistance that is needed to our
2:42:35outreach staff as well as the different
2:42:37workers. There's public health nurses,
2:42:38there's social workers, case managers,
2:42:41there's outreach staff to ensure that
2:42:43everybody can use their potential to the
2:42:46maximum and they are trained to serve
2:42:48the complicated population they are
2:42:51working with day in and day out and
2:42:53there is no stone left unturned in
2:42:55providing those services to this most
2:42:57vulnerable in need population.
2:43:00One more thing we are working on as a
2:43:01part of this framework we are proposing
2:43:03and have already started making effort
2:43:05is ensuring that there is shelter
2:43:08capacity to the best of our ability. We
2:43:11have started already working towards a
2:43:13winter shelter hopefully to open on time
2:43:15considering all of our resource
2:43:17challenges to uh make sure that it is as
2:43:20seamless a winter as possible for the
2:43:22most vulnerable who are out there.
2:43:25Lastly, a part of the framework we are
2:43:27proposing is identifying the encampments
2:43:31around the city that are there. We all
2:43:33know there are encampments, but where
2:43:34exactly are those? Who is living in
2:43:36those? And what services do they need?
2:43:38Once we know them, we will be more
2:43:41poised to provide services to them
2:43:43through a variety of tools that we have.
2:43:46U providing outreach and making sure
2:43:48that um they get repeated opportunities.
2:43:52people who are living in encampments and
2:43:54do not have the luxury to have a stable
2:43:55home but are in need of services. It
2:43:58could be behavioral health, it could be
2:44:00um an overnight shelter, it could be a
2:44:03temporary shelter, it could be a a
2:44:05permanent supportive housing or it could
2:44:06be an employment opportunity. Um so in
2:44:10order to uh do that, we want to make
2:44:13sure that we reach out to the
2:44:14encampments. We know where the
2:44:15encampments are. We offer repeated
2:44:18opportunities and encourage people in in
2:44:20the encampments to avail these services
2:44:23connect them to care. So the encampment
2:44:25ordinance uh ban ordinance is just a
2:44:28proposal towards
2:44:31ensuring that we don't leave any effort
2:44:35in making sure the services are
2:44:36available and they are well coordinated
2:44:39in the city to reach these populations
2:44:41because for them to live in the
2:44:42encampment is not safe for their own
2:44:45safety for their offsprings as well as
2:44:47for um there's fire risk there's
2:44:49overdose that we may not notice because
2:44:52um citizens are living in encampments.
2:44:54So, in hindsight, I'm happy to answer
2:44:57questions, but I want to repeat and
2:44:59reiterate that the proposal to have a
2:45:04um camping on um city property ban is a
2:45:09part of a system we are trying to create
2:45:12to be do a better job with the homeless
2:45:14in our city. it is not the system itself
2:45:16and the fine that has been proposed as a
2:45:19way to enforce it is something that it's
2:45:22up to the council to decide uh how they
2:45:24deem appropriate in order to enforce
2:45:26this. So um those are um some of my um
2:45:31thoughts uh and uh in sharing why we
2:45:34came up with this um framework because
2:45:38we don't want to do a sweep of the
2:45:40encampments. We want to do a resolution
2:45:42and the resolution means offering help
2:45:45identifying and providing safety to
2:45:47those who are living in these
2:45:48encampments. Um I'm happy to answer
2:45:50questions. I just want to share one
2:45:52final parting thought which is the
2:45:54United States inter agency council on
2:45:56homelessness has repeatedly published
2:45:59that cross agency coordination
2:46:01engagement with encampment residents
2:46:04coordinated approach and connecting them
2:46:06to housing and shelter is one of the
2:46:08best ways we could support those who
2:46:10live on the streets and don't have a
2:46:11stable home.
2:46:12>> Thank you for the opportunity.
2:46:14>> Thank you Council Rosen.
2:46:21Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
2:46:24Uh, first of all, I appreciate all the
2:46:26testimony we've had the last two
2:46:29Tuesdays from folks here in the city of
2:46:32Worcester, our residents. Shows how many
2:46:35of them really care how compassionate
2:46:37they are. None of us can fa find fault
2:46:40with that, certainly. And um, so I I I'm
2:46:44glad they came down. I agree with much
2:46:47of what they said.
2:46:49I like in a way I like that the manager
2:46:53and the department of public health
2:46:55administrators and the staff recognize
2:46:59finally finally that what worester has
2:47:02been doing for years has not been
2:47:05working. Okay, so that's the first
2:47:07thing. So they came up with a plan much
2:47:10of which I don't agree with and much of
2:47:13which I won't support. And it's a it's a
2:47:16the homelessness issue. And I've been on
2:47:18the council several times over the long
2:47:20years. It's been one I've been concerned
2:47:22with for many years. And I was previous
2:47:25to this election last year to the city
2:47:27council. I was on the board of health
2:47:30and I worked closely with folks at the
2:47:33department of public health and we
2:47:35talked not at length but sometimes about
2:47:38that that issue. And Mr. Mr. chairman,
2:47:42as you know, you appointed me as the
2:47:44chairman of our public health committee.
2:47:46So, I'm glad you had faith in me for
2:47:48that that appointment. And again, this
2:47:52plan sees the need for a plan.
2:47:57I just don't think it's the right plan.
2:48:01We have to have something in place.
2:48:05The so many people and they all weren't
2:48:07they all couldn't be wrong. So many
2:48:09good, compassionate, caring people spoke
2:48:11tonight and last week and we'll probably
2:48:14have a chance to to come back once, you
2:48:16know, again on this issue.
2:48:19But they talked about this plan
2:48:24uh really harming the homeless, you
2:48:27know, penalizing the homeless
2:48:30and, you know, making homelessness
2:48:34a criminal act, a crime. And as I read
2:48:38it and as I listen and as I learn
2:48:43to some degree they certainly are right.
2:48:45They're right. So it's good that we
2:48:48started with a plan but this plan needs
2:48:52a lot of work. I I couldn't possibly
2:48:55support it in its present form. Do I
2:48:58want to throw it out tonight and file it
2:49:00and say, "Oh no, let's go back to what
2:49:02we've been doing. we all admit hasn't
2:49:04worked for the last 20, 30 years. No, I
2:49:07don't want to do that either. I would
2:49:10have been glad no matter what plan came
2:49:12in front of us, even though I don't
2:49:13agree with so much in this. It's a
2:49:15start. It's a start. You know, why can't
2:49:18I support it? I mean, I couldn't support
2:49:21finding people for being homeless. I
2:49:24mean, we've already talked about it.
2:49:26Many of them have mental health
2:49:28challenges and issues. Many have
2:49:30addiction issues. Many are older. We
2:49:33know the growing population of seniors
2:49:35across the country, a lot are on fixed
2:49:37income. They can't afford the ridiculous
2:49:40rents, especially ones we have in the
2:49:42city that are so oppressive.
2:49:45And so those are the those are good
2:49:48reasons why a lot of people find
2:49:50themselves homeless.
2:49:53And it shouldn't be a crime. It should
2:49:56be something we have to all work
2:49:57together with all the folks who came
2:49:59tonight and last week. We have to work
2:50:01as a city
2:50:03as a city to try to solve these
2:50:06problems. And it can't be through
2:50:08fining. It can't be through
2:50:10criminalization of the homeless.
2:50:14To go into an encampment say you can't
2:50:16stay here. Okay. But you can only be
2:50:21outside or inside. You can't be outside
2:50:24in public space. Then where can I be?
2:50:28There are no apartments for you. there.
2:50:30There's no affordable housing. There's
2:50:31not enough for you. Oh, and there's not
2:50:34enough shelter space for you.
2:50:38But I can't be outside where I am.
2:50:42No, you can't be there either. It It
2:50:44just seems so so wrong to me. It seems
2:50:47like if I was to write a plan like this,
2:50:50the first thing I'd start with, here's
2:50:52how Worcester is going to provide more
2:50:55affordable housing.
2:50:57And here's how Worcester is going to
2:50:59provide more shelter, beds and services,
2:51:02services to the homeless, mental health
2:51:05services, addiction services, job
2:51:08finding services. That's how I would
2:51:10start my plan. And it wouldn't mention
2:51:12anything about fines. Fines. These
2:51:14people, most of them don't want to live
2:51:15outside.
2:51:17Some we think they do only because
2:51:19they're afraid of what lies ahead with
2:51:22all the issues they have. They're afraid
2:51:24to go into shelters. I couple years ago,
2:51:27three or four years ago, I guess the one
2:51:28at Blessed Sacrament, I must have been
2:51:30at least three, four years ago, I
2:51:32volunteered there and I saw the fears
2:51:35that they had. Some came in because they
2:51:38had no other choice. It's freezing
2:51:40outside December and January, February,
2:51:43cold, snowy, icy. They had to come in,
2:51:45but they didn't want to come in. And I
2:51:47looked around and I saw, you know, the
2:51:49threats and the the affairs that these
2:51:52people had. I can understand that.
2:51:55You're in your second.
2:51:56>> So we need we need
2:51:58>> second five minutes.
2:51:59>> Second five minutes. Okay. Is that 38
2:52:01seconds? My first five or my second
2:52:02five?
2:52:04>> Second. I'll pause it since you asked
2:52:06the question.
2:52:07>> Okay. Thank you. Anyway, so addiction,
2:52:10mental health,
2:52:14they can't afford the rents. These are I
2:52:17I can't support the approach of this
2:52:20this plan, but I'm not saying tonight
2:52:23let's file it. And some people would
2:52:25suggest, well, why don't you send it to
2:52:27your public health committee? It's not
2:52:29ready to go there yet. I'd love someday
2:52:32to have this or any other future plan in
2:52:35my public health committee. I think we
2:52:37can do some good work with the public's
2:52:39help with their help and the my
2:52:41colleagues on the committee. It's just
2:52:43not in the right form. It's not ready.
2:52:45It's got too many things that have to be
2:52:47updated and changed and we have to take
2:52:50a little have a little more compassion.
2:52:52some of the things that I do like. It
2:52:54recognizes that we haven't done well
2:52:56over the years. It recognizes that we
2:52:59don't have enough affordable housing. It
2:53:01recognizes that we don't have enough
2:53:03shelter beds. It recognizes that we must
2:53:06do more in coordinating all the agencies
2:53:08the city works with so we're all rowing
2:53:11in the same direction and we're getting
2:53:12maximum efficiency out of our efforts.
2:53:16And it it offers a real time dashboard
2:53:18of shelter availability. That's good. I
2:53:21don't think anyone could argue with
2:53:22that. We want more shelter availability,
2:53:25but we have to have it. Just giving me a
2:53:27plan that says we need it. Not good
2:53:29enough. We know we need it. It offers a
2:53:32centralized system or suggests a
2:53:34centralized system for people seeking
2:53:36beds. Expanded transitional and single
2:53:39room occupancy housing, stronger data
2:53:41sharing among city departments, healthc
2:53:43care providers, and nonprofit agencies.
2:53:46There are some good things in this plan
2:53:50that I could support, but the ones that
2:53:52aren't good, the ones that criminalize
2:53:55homelessness, the ones aren't good that
2:53:57aren't good for and safe and healthy for
2:53:59our homeless population, they make me
2:54:02say right now I would reject the plan.
2:54:05So to send it to my committee, I'm
2:54:07telling you right now, I can't accept
2:54:08it. It shouldn't go to my committee. I'm
2:54:10going to make a motion tonight that we
2:54:12recommmit this plan back to the city
2:54:14manager and then the city manager with
2:54:17his staff and department of public
2:54:18health, maybe some of the agencies out
2:54:20there, maybe some of the people who
2:54:22spoke tonight and last week who seem to
2:54:24be very knowledgeable on the
2:54:26homelessness issue, some work in that
2:54:28field.
2:54:30Then maybe Mr. Manager, if you can come
2:54:32back at a future date, hopefully not a
2:54:35year in advance, maybe a month or two,
2:54:36come back with a new plan. clear this
2:54:39up. Get rid of the fines. I'll never
2:54:41vote to find the homeless. Get rid of
2:54:44the criminalization of the homeless. Get
2:54:46rid of those ideas. Come in and start
2:54:49first page. Here's how we're going to
2:54:51have more affordable housing. And here's
2:54:53how we're going to have more uh shelter
2:54:55beds. And here's how we're going to
2:54:57offer more services,
2:54:59job placement, mental health services,
2:55:02addiction services. That's the way I
2:55:04want you to start. Be very positive.
2:55:07this report doesn't do much better than
2:55:10what we've been doing over the years.
2:55:12Not going to see any improvement. We
2:55:14might see more problems if we vote this
2:55:16in. So that's my motion uh Mr. vice
2:55:18chair is that we recommmit it back to
2:55:20the administration and ask them to do a
2:55:23better job on the report and then come
2:55:26back to us and then hopefully that new
2:55:29report, revised report will be ready to
2:55:31go to the public health committee where
2:55:33we can have a public hearing and we can
2:55:35ask our questions and we can dissect it
2:55:37and we can make sure it's right for the
2:55:39homeless population in the city of
2:55:41Worcester and it's right for the people
2:55:44in the city of Worcester. Thank you, Mr.
2:55:46Chairman. Thank you, Councelor Rosen.
2:55:49So, we have a motion on the floor um to
2:55:52return this to the city manager for
2:55:55revision. Um I also like to announce
2:55:57that Kathleen M. Tumi, counselor at
2:55:59large, has recused herself. Um we're
2:56:02going to go to Mayor Joseph M. Petty.
2:56:04>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh I should say
2:56:06I agree with Council Rosen.
2:56:09>> Might be a first.
2:56:11>> I'm going to make you know the time and
2:56:12date.
2:56:12>> No, I agree. It should go back to the
2:56:14manager. Um, you know, this is not the
2:56:18city of Worcester. This is a statewide
2:56:20problem. You talk to anybody, every
2:56:22mayor who's doing in the gateway cities
2:56:25in Massachusetts, you could go outside
2:56:27of Massachusetts, they're all struggling
2:56:28with this issue. And we are too. You
2:56:31know, I think from the federal to the
2:56:32state, the local governments when we
2:56:34feel this homeless issue over the past
2:56:37several years, there's no question about
2:56:39that. And I'm not looking to criminalize
2:56:41this. I think it was a sign homelessness
2:56:43not a crime. I think council Rosen was
2:56:45completely correct. We shouldn't be I
2:56:46don't support any fine either. We
2:56:48shouldn't have a fine and we just need
2:56:51to show some dignity and respect to the
2:56:54people who are homeless here. I know
2:56:56there was a way the person who spoke uh
2:56:58they said last week there's more people
2:57:00who become homeless than can buy a
2:57:02million dollar home or win a million
2:57:05dollar lottery watery ticket which so
2:57:07true. Then when this was discussed last
2:57:09week, there's an act on the to about a
2:57:11couple on Mechanic Street who was on who
2:57:15was living in the doorway there and knew
2:57:17a step away from supportive housing and
2:57:20they were having trouble getting it and
2:57:22uh or respit housing uh to make sure
2:57:25they could get to that next step. So I
2:57:28think it's important that when you look
2:57:30at all this stuff, especially when it
2:57:31comes to the to these encampments,
2:57:33whether it be in the doorway, whether it
2:57:35be a tent, whether it be somewhere else,
2:57:38is one the thing I always struggle with
2:57:40is
2:57:42when it comes to encampments, is okay,
2:57:44we go down, we we take the encampment
2:57:46down,
2:57:48but what then?
2:57:50What then? They're down in the corner,
2:57:51they're down here. We move them, just go
2:57:52to another neighborhood, then they come
2:57:54back.
2:57:55So, how do we provide? And that's part
2:57:58of I guess criminalization that people
2:58:00were talking about tonight is how do you
2:58:02handle that? What's where's the beds?
2:58:04Where's the services?
2:58:06And uh so it's important that somehow
2:58:08you have before we before we throw them
2:58:11out, how do you connect them into
2:58:13services? And uh which is important uh
2:58:16because we have services. I think your
2:58:18report's been pretty excellent. I think
2:58:20when it comes to accountability,
2:58:21collaboration, data sharing, you had
2:58:22mentioned data sharing commissioner in
2:58:24your speech and uh the only way we're
2:58:27going to get through this is every
2:58:28organization has to be held accountable,
2:58:30including the city of Worcester
2:58:31especially. Um because we have some
2:58:33great agencies out there who really do a
2:58:36good job and we need the data. All of us
2:58:39have to share that data, understand this
2:58:41issue and how we're going to help people
2:58:43because how many through the uh through
2:58:45the chair question, how many people you
2:58:47think are on the streets
2:58:50at one single time at the high the
2:58:52highest point are on the streets in the
2:58:53city of Worcester?
2:58:54>> Um so
2:58:56>> commissioner,
2:58:57>> thank you. Um so Mr. Mayor, our last uh
2:59:01um data shows anywhere between 150 uh
2:59:05people on the street, but this is all a
2:59:07point in time. So, it's very difficult
2:59:10to track. Yeah,
2:59:10>> it could change tomorrow.
2:59:11>> It could change anytime.
2:59:12>> Weather gets colder, people maybe go
2:59:14down. Correct.
2:59:15>> Very transient population.
2:59:16>> It is a very transient population.
2:59:18>> So, yeah. And uh
2:59:20>> um
2:59:22>> so it's 100. So, I think in the report
2:59:24had mentioned how many beds do we have?
2:59:26We currently um so 150 is a number that
2:59:30uh is um changing. Uh we have close to
2:59:34under 200 beds in the city currently for
2:59:36shelters. That's the capacity.
2:59:40>> You doing running time?
2:59:44>> You have plenty of time.
2:59:45>> Okay. Then uh
2:59:50so we need the match services somehow.
2:59:52We have to I mean I hate you throw
2:59:54somebody out they just come back you
2:59:56know there's no services there so
2:59:57somehow that Gary Rosen was mentioned in
2:59:59that how do you make that happen before
3:00:01we take down an encampment
3:00:04>> uh I know the beds are real I know Joe
3:00:05Roy's work with another organization
3:00:07outside of in Boston that Michelle Woo
3:00:10uses in the city of Boston
3:00:12>> uh and I've talked to her about that too
3:00:14and uh her struggles and what she's
3:00:16trying to do and she received a $4
3:00:18million grant because her she has
3:00:20heightened than we have in here in the
3:00:23city with the mass and cast etc. and uh
3:00:25if there's any funding available we
3:00:27should ask and I know money's tight and
3:00:29uh from the state level but if we need
3:00:31additional funding brief bring up to the
3:00:33state delegation Mr. manager for
3:00:35emotions if there's any of funding
3:00:37available. Uh we should be working like
3:00:39collectively with the data sharing
3:00:42collaboration is all this grant money
3:00:44out there we should be on one page and
3:00:46applying applying for one grant who that
3:00:49organization is the city or one of the
3:00:51nonprofits who providing these services.
3:00:54Uh and the other issues of course is
3:00:56shelter capacity. They had a whole
3:00:57section in the report on that
3:00:58>> and we need to expand that real quick
3:01:00Mr. Manager. Um, shelter capacity. I
3:01:03just want winter shelter. Uh, do we
3:01:06anywhere with winter shelter? Um, I know
3:01:09if you want to give an update now, you
3:01:10want to wait. Oh, commission manager.
3:01:12>> Yes, of course.
3:01:13>> City manager. Is that to the manager?
3:01:15>> Yeah, commissioner.
3:01:16>> Commissioner Dixon.
3:01:18>> Yeah. Thank you. Um, to the chair, to
3:01:20the council, and Mr. Mayor. Um, we have
3:01:23started working on um the winter shelter
3:01:26capacity. So, I can tell you right now
3:01:28that a winter shelter will be there. We
3:01:31are still working with resources from
3:01:33the state that come to the city in terms
3:01:34of a timeline but uh plans are in place
3:01:38in terms of looking at different venues
3:01:42um as well as working with community
3:01:44partners and working with the state.
3:01:45We've proposed the city has submitted a
3:01:48request for information that the state
3:01:49had asked last month uh expressing our
3:01:52interest in receiving the dollars and
3:01:53running a winter shelter and booster. So
3:01:55we are hoping our timeline is sometime
3:01:58between November and December which
3:01:59sounds ambiguous but part of it is out
3:02:02of our control with the resources coming
3:02:03from the state but we are looking at a
3:02:06capacity of minimum 60 extra beds for
3:02:09winter about 120 days.
3:02:11>> Would you say 60 extra days?
3:02:12>> Yes.
3:02:12>> Okay. We had that last year I think.
3:02:14>> Yes.
3:02:15>> We last year we had uh 36 is my
3:02:17understanding. This was before my time.
3:02:19My understanding was um last year we
3:02:22started uh the winter shelter in 2025
3:02:25December for about 36 beds which was uh
3:02:28inadequate as such the um St. John's
3:02:32opened um their shelter for additional
3:02:34beds um February consistently but
3:02:37intermittently in January. So our hope
3:02:39and goal is to have 60 this winter.
3:02:41>> Okay. So you need last so the previous
3:02:44years we all got funding from the state
3:02:45for the uh for the winter shelter. So
3:02:48we're still waiting for the funding from
3:02:49the state in order to open out with the
3:02:51shelters. Is that correct?
3:02:52>> If that doesn't come, what are we doing?
3:02:56>> You don't have to answer that now. We
3:02:57get
3:02:57>> We have been in discussions on
3:03:01>> We have been in discussions on
3:03:03alternative plans.
3:03:04>> Okay. Yeah.
3:03:05>> Make sure the state deleg I know you we
3:03:07talk to state delegation all the time
3:03:08how important that is. And also
3:03:11regarding this is very successful in
3:03:14Quinsey in in the day center. I know
3:03:16that's I think it's sometime
3:03:19March, April. It's supposed to be open.
3:03:20Mr. Manager, is that correct?
3:03:23>> Manager Batista
3:03:24>> through the J to the council that uh
3:03:26through the mayor that is correct. The
3:03:28the day resource center was scheduled to
3:03:30open this winter. Unfortunately, some
3:03:32delays have occurred. So, right now,
3:03:33we're looking at sometime in March, uh
3:03:36early spring. Early spring,
3:03:37>> be safe. Okay. And that made a big
3:03:39difference in in uh Quinsey as far as
3:03:42people who are unhoused going to that
3:03:46state center to use the bathrooms, to
3:03:48use the shower, and made a big
3:03:50difference in the business community. I
3:03:52guess it's been pretty successful, my
3:03:53understanding. Is that correct?
3:03:55>> Yes, Commissioner.
3:03:56>> Mr. Chair, Mr. Mayor, um Quinsey, uh
3:03:58we've we visited Quinsey and we have a
3:04:00similar model and as Mr. manager stated
3:04:03we are hoping um mid to late mid spring
3:04:06early to uh mid-spring as the opening
3:04:08for the day resource center. One point
3:04:10uh that I should also make everyone
3:04:12aware is we are also assessing the
3:04:14current social service agencies and
3:04:16looking for ways to increase the
3:04:18permanent uh bed capacity in one
3:04:20location. So it all remains to be seen
3:04:23but that work is in progress as well to
3:04:25assess and see how the permanent beds
3:04:27could be increased. I know it's seven
3:04:29months away, but we should be also
3:04:31thinking ahead, Mr. Manager, on that
3:04:32second floor at the resource center that
3:04:35we're applying for funds, whether it be
3:04:36for the operational funds for the day
3:04:38center, that we also get funds for the
3:04:40second floor for the next phase of that
3:04:41project. We moved that as quick as
3:04:43possible, too. Um, and finally, I know
3:04:47councelor B, I think councelor King have
3:04:49an item on regarding bathrooms, um,
3:04:53porter parties, and I'd like to get a
3:04:54report when you come back what the best
3:04:56practices are.
3:04:58Um yeah um through the chair, Mr. Mayor,
3:05:02we are working on a proposal.
3:05:03>> Excuse me. Those are separate items, Mr.
3:05:06Chairman.
3:05:07>> That are not
3:05:07>> No, it's not. It's part of the homeless.
3:05:09>> Okay. Go ahead.
3:05:10>> I just I'm just I guess my point is I
3:05:13let you guys speak about it. My point on
3:05:15that is I've never been a favor, but I'm
3:05:17not against it. I just need best
3:05:19practices. So, yeah.
3:05:20>> And uh how we're going to move that
3:05:21forward because I think it's an
3:05:22important issue. May make probably make
3:05:24a big difference to people we're talking
3:05:26about here tonight. Um, and finally, I
3:05:29just uh I know if everybody had a chance
3:05:31to read this tonight, it came in like
3:05:33five o'clock. It's from the National
3:05:35Homeless Law Center and they and they
3:05:38have some pretty good stuff in here. I'm
3:05:40not and uh he's given us some ideas and
3:05:44also best practices in different states
3:05:46that we can look at whether it be
3:05:48Milwaukee County, whether it be Florida.
3:05:50There's a lot of different good stuff in
3:05:52here. People want to read it. And uh
3:05:55I'll just read a one paragraph here
3:05:57which caught my attention.
3:05:59Research spans decades shows that mental
3:06:01health problems homelessness have a
3:06:02birectional relationship. A 22 study
3:06:05revealed that 21% of individual
3:06:06experienced homelessness reported having
3:06:08serious mental illness and 16 reported
3:06:1116% reported substance use disorder rate
3:06:13significantly above average. And then
3:06:16goes on talks about the highest su
3:06:17suicide rates too. So this is a true
3:06:19statement you would say I would think.
3:06:21And so this is some of the things that
3:06:22we need services for. we go forward.
3:06:28And it says here, "The proposed orance
3:06:30is based on a false assumption, also
3:06:32known as the myth of service resistance,
3:06:34that people choose homelessness and
3:06:36treatment aversion over appropriate
3:06:38services that are available. And um and
3:06:41if the services aren't there, they can't
3:06:43reject it, right? So if we have services
3:06:46there, uh they they would probably
3:06:48actually safe services, they probably
3:06:51actually take advantage there. So,
3:06:53there's some pretty interesting stuff in
3:06:54this. We all agree. I disagree with a
3:06:56lot of this in here, but it's a good
3:06:58start. It's a good I think this is sent
3:07:00to all every counselor and to the city
3:07:02manager.
3:07:03>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We'll look take a
3:07:04look at it for sure.
3:07:05>> Thank you.
3:07:08>> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I'll be
3:07:11followed by the next um next and then
3:07:13followed by after myself Bada Foloitra.
3:07:50Council.
3:07:57>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I just want
3:07:59to begin by saying, you know, we we have
3:08:03legitimate concerns here.
3:08:06from the folks that came out today
3:08:08advocating against criminalizing the
3:08:11homeless um to business communities,
3:08:15neighborhoods, um and folks who are
3:08:20talking about our parks, talking about
3:08:25um these issues that we're we're facing.
3:08:29Um these concerns are coming from
3:08:31housing coalitions, the unsheltered
3:08:33themselves, their families. Um again,
3:08:36folks that use our public spaces. Um
3:08:39certainly
3:08:41we know that there are concerns of
3:08:44loitering, vagrancy,
3:08:46concerns about fires um in public spaces
3:08:50and in the woods, um you know, concerns
3:08:54about trespassing, blocking the public
3:08:57way, etc. this particular
3:09:01um ordinance and this particular product
3:09:04that was produced by the administration,
3:09:06Mr. Chairman, um already has ordinances
3:09:10that address them. We have loitering, we
3:09:13have state laws, local ordinances that
3:09:17speak to all of these overnight parking,
3:09:19trespassing, go um camping in the parks.
3:09:22We already have this stuff. So, there's
3:09:24not a lot of new aspects to this. What
3:09:27is new is the issue of fines, Mr.
3:09:32Chairman. And I'm going to ask the
3:09:35administration to the chair to read uh
3:09:38section
3:09:3930 of this proposed ordinance um or 30
3:09:45section C numbers 1 and four. Uh if you
3:09:49could share with the public what those
3:09:51say because it's not simply about
3:09:54campsites through the chair. sections
3:09:56one and four.
3:10:02Hold the clock, please.
3:10:18>> What page you on here?
3:10:21>> Section 30 or I think that's how you say
3:10:23it. Chapter 30. Sorry.
3:10:25Um
3:10:28section C numbers 1 and four
3:10:33what's what's being outlawed under this
3:10:35ordinance through the chair
3:10:37>> camp on public property include using
3:10:39placing
3:10:39>> Mr. Chairman I'm just asking the
3:10:41administration to read their proposed
3:10:42ordinance. Oh, okay. One of you can read
3:10:44it if you like.
3:10:47>> Section one, section four through the
3:10:49chair.
3:10:49>> Commissioner.
3:10:51>> Um, through the chair to the council.
3:10:54Camp or public property including but
3:10:56not limited to using, placing, or
3:10:58maintaining a tent, sleeping bag,
3:11:00blanket, or other materials for the
3:11:02purpose of sleeping, lying, or dwelling.
3:11:05um construct, place or maintain on
3:11:07public property any semi-permanent
3:11:10structure including but not limited to
3:11:12handbuilt shells. But um the number four
3:11:14is sit, sleep, lie or camp on any public
3:11:17street, road, bike path, sidewalk or
3:11:19public property.
3:11:20>> Thank you. Sit, sleep or lie. Mr.
3:11:23chairman. Um those are the standards and
3:11:27um the enforcement aspect of this is
3:11:30that this section may be enforced by
3:11:32civil right process or criminal process
3:11:35which is our concern. Mr. Chairman, um
3:11:39I would like to make a motion, Mr.
3:11:41Chairman. We talked today about um a a
3:11:45winter um shelter. Mr. Chairman, I'd
3:11:49like to make a motion that the city
3:11:51explores the establishment of a
3:11:52permanent overflow winter shelter
3:11:54shelter. Mr. Chairman, we've had all the
3:11:56opportunities in the world to do what
3:11:58we're supposed to do and it comes to
3:12:01this. I support certainly sending this
3:12:04item back. Mr. Chairman, that doesn't
3:12:05quite go far enough. Mr. Chairman, I'd
3:12:08like to make a motion um that this
3:12:10council opposes
3:12:12um this homeless ordinance in
3:12:16specificity separate from the report,
3:12:19Mr. Chairman. Um because it is certainly
3:12:23nothing more um than an ordinance um
3:12:28that
3:12:30creates a situation um where folks are
3:12:34unsheltered and perhaps arrested making
3:12:38additional barriers. Mr. chairman. Um
3:12:40I've yet to talk to any Worcester
3:12:44leaders and policy experts on
3:12:46homelessness that supports this proposed
3:12:49ordinance, Mr. Chairman, in its entirety
3:12:52through charity administration. Um on
3:12:54the website, we have a commission of
3:12:56homelessness. Um can you report um what
3:12:59recommendations they made in regards to
3:13:01this ordinance?
3:13:03>> Hold my time, please.
3:13:04>> Mayor.
3:13:05>> Yeah. To the chairs of the council. As I
3:13:07previously stated, uh,
3:13:08>> move my time, please.
3:13:13>> As I previously stated in a 101 meeting
3:13:15that we discussed, the commission has
3:13:17not been in place in many, many years.
3:13:19Uh, prior than me and I believe even
3:13:21prior than the previous administration.
3:13:23Nobody currently is serving or has been
3:13:26appointed to that commission.
3:13:29>> So, it's an unfilled commission during
3:13:31your time as city manager. Um, am I
3:13:34understanding there's a homeless
3:13:34steering committee? Is that right?
3:13:36Through the chair.
3:13:38>> Um Mr. Manuel
3:13:40>> through the chair to the council. There
3:13:41was an establishment of a committee that
3:13:43by previous counselors in in this floor
3:13:46um that the administration played a role
3:13:48in coordinating on a monthly basis where
3:13:50we had multiple conversations and we
3:13:52brought multiple partners um to discuss
3:13:55not only this report but also discuss
3:13:57any other strategies and ideas in which
3:13:59we can address the unhoused population
3:14:01in our community. Um, and that has been
3:14:04happening for over probably 18 months by
3:14:07now. Uh, and that's something that I
3:14:08lead and I uh avail and I uh uh chair
3:14:12and and and oversee on a monthly basis.
3:14:15>> And through the chair, um, what feedback
3:14:18did you get from the homeless um the
3:14:21steering committee as it relates to
3:14:23fines and uh, criminal process that was
3:14:26written in the ordinance through the
3:14:28chair? Mr. Manager, uh, to the chair to
3:14:30the council.
3:14:31>> Time, please.
3:14:34to the chair to the council. We had
3:14:35spent we spent number of times
3:14:37discussing a lot of the topics in this
3:14:39report. Um there was a numbers of
3:14:42feedback uh related to that. Um and then
3:14:45um most recently the discussion on the
3:14:48actual fine was not something that was
3:14:50uh available to the partners in that
3:14:52discussion. Uh it was something that was
3:14:54added later as part of the development
3:14:56of the ordinance that was submitted to
3:14:57the city council. So, you didn't receive
3:14:59any feedback on the $15 fine or the
3:15:02criminal process potential?
3:15:04>> To the council, there was no feedback
3:15:06from the directly from the partners on
3:15:08the $25 uh fine.
3:15:10>> Were they aware of it
3:15:12prior to the the um submission?
3:15:14>> Like I just stated um they were not
3:15:16aware uh of that. That was something
3:15:18that was added later as part of the
3:15:20process.
3:15:21>> Mr. Chairman, that that's that's a um a
3:15:25glaring omission, Mr. chairman. Um we
3:15:29have a commission on homelessness that's
3:15:31not there through the charity
3:15:32administration. What lived experience um
3:15:35from folks either recent, current, or
3:15:38past um weighed in on this $15 fine, I'm
3:15:43sorry, this this fine and the uh
3:15:46criminalization
3:15:47um potential through the chair.
3:15:53Commissioner
3:15:54>> through the chair. Could you uh repeat
3:15:56the question just to clarify?
3:16:00>> I don't want to lose my time from
3:16:01repeating the question.
3:16:04the voice of the unsheltered lived
3:16:07experience.
3:16:08What input did they have and what
3:16:11feedback did they give and what
3:16:13engagement did you have relative to this
3:16:16fine and relative to the potential
3:16:19criminalization of sitting in public or
3:16:22sleeping in public?
3:16:24>> To the chair um counselor, there was no
3:16:26input received from them. This was
3:16:28something when we finalized the plan as
3:16:29well as the ordinance that was
3:16:31submitted.
3:16:32>> Mr. Chairman,
3:16:34for these reasons, I'm going to
3:16:35reiterate my motion to strike down this
3:16:38homeless incarceration act as a council.
3:16:41We can send it back. We can send a
3:16:43report back. My motion is to strike down
3:16:46this homeless incarceration act in the
3:16:49form that's in before us in the form of
3:16:51an ordinance. We know that there's a
3:16:54number a number of issues here. We know
3:16:59that services and housing is needed, not
3:17:01handcuffs. We also know that in our
3:17:04business corridors, in our streets,
3:17:06there is public urination, there is
3:17:09defecation, there is um concerns, there
3:17:14has been aggressive behaviors, of
3:17:16course. Yes, absolutely. And we should
3:17:19address those. We don't um you know,
3:17:22those things should be addressed. We
3:17:24have the laws on the books. We have um
3:17:26ordinances for folks engaging in such
3:17:29behavior. That is not new. We need to
3:17:32make sure that we're doing what we can,
3:17:35including public bathrooms, which we'll
3:17:36come to later in the meeting. Mr.
3:17:38Chairman, unintended consequences
3:17:41um of this ordinance is would open the
3:17:43city up to future litigation as we've
3:17:46heard. And Mr. chairman. Encampments
3:17:50certainly work um in the moment for
3:17:53suppression, but in every city they fail
3:17:57um as it relates to long-term solutions
3:18:00because of the lack of resources.
3:18:02Through the charity administration, have
3:18:04you aware of research that shows 24%
3:18:08of increase in deaths due to
3:18:10involuntarily dis being displaced
3:18:13through the chair? If you're ready, are
3:18:14you aware of that data? time please.
3:18:19>> Um through through the chair counselor
3:18:22we have reviewed whatever information
3:18:24was available and our understanding is
3:18:27when folks are displaced without enough
3:18:29supportive services in place which is
3:18:32why we are proposing offering services
3:18:34as well as connecting them to care. In
3:18:36the absence of that an isolated action
3:18:39of displacing individuals from
3:18:40encampments has unfavorable outcomes.
3:18:43But if it is supported with a complete
3:18:46outreach as well as case management and
3:18:48connection to care, it's a success is
3:18:50what we have surmised.
3:18:52>> Mr. Chairman, reiterate the question.
3:18:54Are you aware of research that shows an
3:18:57increase in deaths due to involuntary
3:19:00displacement with this population?
3:19:03>> Through the chair,
3:19:03>> I won't waste any more time my time
3:19:05asking the question again, Mr. Chairman.
3:19:07I I'm losing time here. through the
3:19:08chair. Counselor, we have not I don't
3:19:10recall reading the specific report that
3:19:12you're mentioning.
3:19:13>> Mr. Chairman, if we get a report on
3:19:15that, please uh by way of a motion. Um
3:19:18just this spring, as the mayor
3:19:19mentioned, um the House of
3:19:21Representatives pursued $4 million for
3:19:24housing resources on behalf of the city
3:19:27of Boston. Mr. Chairman, I've spoken
3:19:29with Leader OD. I've spoken with the
3:19:31delegation. um you know and they're
3:19:34awaiting um you know some um engagement
3:19:38with the city on this matter. They're
3:19:40ready to go. Mr. Chairman um and I have
3:19:42other orders that I will speak to in
3:19:44regards to that that are coming up
3:19:46later. Mr. Chairman, these folks are in
3:19:49Maslo's hierarchy of needs. They're
3:19:51surviving. They're not worrying about
3:19:53fines. They're surviving. If they don't
3:19:54have a solid place to be, they can't
3:19:56lift themselves out of life's
3:19:58circumstances. Mr. chairman um through
3:20:00the chair to the administration. Is
3:20:02there a regional approach on the way
3:20:05>> Mr. Manager?
3:20:06>> Did you chair to the council? Yes.
3:20:09>> So, there is a regional approach in the
3:20:11way. Um we know folks are coming from
3:20:14outside of the city. Mr. Chairman, I've
3:20:16spoke previously about this and I'm
3:20:18going to make this a motion on the
3:20:19floor. um going to request that the city
3:20:22manager work with the council, work with
3:20:25the mayor um and pursue engagement with
3:20:29our other um municipal gateway cities um
3:20:33to push government to push the office of
3:20:37Mara Healey and Lieutenant Governor to
3:20:39provide the city with additional funding
3:20:42and resourcing. Mr. Chairman, that was
3:20:44my additional motion. Mr. chairman, as
3:20:47it relates to the winter shelter. We
3:20:49didn't have one last year in time. We
3:20:51didn't was an issue. We're talking about
3:20:55life and death when it comes to the to
3:20:57the winter. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to
3:20:58make a motion for a winter shelter
3:21:01readiness report. I'd like to to um
3:21:04ensure that that um has an operator
3:21:07selection reported to us within the next
3:21:0915 days. Um Mr. chairman that um the
3:21:13budget is there so we understand what
3:21:16the staffing would be. Is there anou
3:21:18with the with with who's going to run
3:21:20that um when's go live time Mr. Chairman
3:21:23and including a contingency capacity if
3:21:26there's further delay Mr. Chairman by
3:21:28way of a motion um we need to be
3:21:32involved as a council Mr. Chairman um
3:21:34for sure Mr. chairman. Um, we know that
3:21:39that
3:21:41there's an uptick in our elderly who are
3:21:43unsheltered, our youth that are
3:21:45unsheltered, folks that are chronically
3:21:46unsheltered, situationally unsheltered.
3:21:49And we know it's not just about uh dual
3:21:51diagnosis and co-orbidities. It's also
3:21:54about um crippling debt, stagnant wages,
3:21:57sexual abuse, domestic abuse, physical
3:21:59and psychiatric disabilities, rising
3:22:00clos housing costs, declining affordable
3:22:04housing options. The choice to stay
3:22:07awake or be arrested is not a fair one.
3:22:10Mr. Chairman,
3:22:12Mr. Chairman, through the chair to the
3:22:14administration, um if you could tell me,
3:22:17we've talked about the mapping of these
3:22:19encampments
3:22:21not too long ago. We had that here. We
3:22:24had the mapping here to the chair to
3:22:25administration. How long ago was that?
3:22:29Um
3:22:31>> um through the through the chair I that
3:22:33to the city manager it's my time so I am
3:22:36not aware when it was to the city
3:22:38manager please.
3:22:40>> Okay. Um Mr. Manager
3:22:42>> to the council. I don't recollect when
3:22:44we brought that to the council floor. Um
3:22:46but again that's something that either
3:22:49uh we could be able to provide back to
3:22:50the council but I I I don't recall that.
3:22:53>> Mr. Chairman, I like that report. Once
3:22:54again I want to just state for the
3:22:56record. It already told us where the
3:22:57encampments were. They were clustered.
3:22:58They showed us where they were. They
3:23:00told us they knew the finite number of
3:23:02folks that were um chronically um
3:23:05unhoused. They knew their stories. Mr.
3:23:07Chairman, I called for data. What are
3:23:09the barriers to these folks? What are
3:23:12the issues? Mr. Chairman, through the
3:23:14chair, what is the finite number of
3:23:15folks that are chronically unhoused in
3:23:18the city?
3:23:22uh through the chair to the counselor.
3:23:23The number of the um the chronically
3:23:26unhoused is a little over 60 in the city
3:23:29of Worcester.
3:23:30>> Thank you. And I thought it was around
3:23:3240, Mr. Chim, but I was off 20 years.
3:23:34So, but that Yes. Thank you, Mr.
3:23:36Chairman. That is the number right
3:23:40there. 60 of folks that are chronically
3:23:42unhoused that we know their stories. Mr.
3:23:45Chairman.
3:23:46>> Okay. Can you wrap up, please?
3:23:47>> I'm gonna wrap it up with one more
3:23:48motion. Mr. Chairman, I'd like a report
3:23:50back on clinical co-response
3:23:54to concerns of the unsheltered coupled
3:23:57with the response from our HHS
3:24:01team. Thank you.
3:24:08>> Okay, we have Council Pada.
3:24:12>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I
3:24:14appreciate the administration putting
3:24:16this together and I know we're we're as
3:24:19councelor Rosen said doing this to
3:24:20respond to an issue and point out that
3:24:24what we've been doing hasn't been
3:24:25working. Um, and you know, I I found the
3:24:29report
3:24:31difficult to read only because I found
3:24:33it it was very kind of vague. It didn't
3:24:35really talk to about I understand we
3:24:37need to do more coordination and data
3:24:39sharing and and that's that's that's
3:24:40great but you know it really didn't talk
3:24:42about what the end is and that's we need
3:24:44more housing. Um more and more people
3:24:48are experiencing homelessness. We know
3:24:50that senior homelessness is on the rise,
3:24:53more families and families with
3:24:54children. Um, wish public school
3:24:57students that are homeless
3:24:59and the answer to this is affordable
3:25:04housing. We need rent control, Mr.
3:25:06Chairman. We need rent control. We also
3:25:09need to do more when it comes to a
3:25:11variety of housing, low barrier housing,
3:25:13non- congregate,
3:25:16uh, supportive housing, housing first.
3:25:17And unfortunately, you know what I mean,
3:25:18with the Fed cuts coming, supportive
3:25:20housing and a lot of these the funding
3:25:22for this is going to get worse and and
3:25:24that's very sad. Um, but I think what we
3:25:27can do here is
3:25:30invest
3:25:32in solving this problem. It takes
3:25:34resources. It takes money. We invested
3:25:37over 150 million to build Polar Park. we
3:25:41should be investing more in this problem
3:25:42because for folks that uh you know want
3:25:46everyone housed and or even for folks
3:25:48that just don't like seeing unhoused
3:25:52folks for for all of those folks the
3:25:54answer to this is investing. We need to
3:25:57invest resources to solve the problem
3:26:01and that's I I really believe what um I
3:26:05think was was missing from this report.
3:26:08I think it it be great to send it back
3:26:10like councelor Rosen had said and get
3:26:12more information because again I had met
3:26:14I've met with uh service providers met
3:26:17with some folks from Elliot um and and
3:26:20they had some concerns and and in
3:26:22conversations with them I'm realizing
3:26:24that this the the report as as you know
3:26:28I know it was well intentioned is it
3:26:30just provides a a small scope of really
3:26:33the ecosystem of what it all of the
3:26:36systems in place that are dealing with
3:26:37homelessness, the continuum of care, all
3:26:39these and and and this isn't a slight to
3:26:41the counselors, but I don't think any of
3:26:43us know as much as, you know, service
3:26:45providers and the staff here from the
3:26:47the the manager's office. So, I I think
3:26:49it'd be really beneficial for us to to
3:26:51have a broader understanding and a
3:26:53better understanding of what all goes
3:26:55into this. And I think that's something
3:26:56that was I think missing from the
3:26:58report. But I understand we absolutely
3:27:00do need to address encampments. It's a
3:27:03problem. It's it's a challenge. It's
3:27:04it's it does present unsafe, you know,
3:27:08um situations for folks for for folks
3:27:12that are living in those encampments,
3:27:13for the neighborhoods that are impacted.
3:27:15So, I think we're all in agreement that
3:27:16we need to do something. I just think we
3:27:18really need to it takes investments to
3:27:20really get to that. And um I think we
3:27:23also need to invest our our time and
3:27:25resources into departments that uh can
3:27:29really take this on. That's why I'm
3:27:31going to make a motion to take 19 C off
3:27:34the table and send it to the
3:27:35administration. We should invest in
3:27:38establishing an office of housing
3:27:39stability. I've had great conversations
3:27:41with the folks out in Somerville. Uh
3:27:43Ellen Shar who runs that department, who
3:27:46runs that office. They're doing great
3:27:47work. We we need uh a specific
3:27:50department to focus on it because again,
3:27:51I don't think it's fair for it to just
3:27:52be on the shoulders of economic
3:27:54development and HHS. We should have a
3:27:56whole department that is about this
3:27:58because we need affordable housing. We
3:28:00need more different uh types of um
3:28:04shelter and and we need year-round
3:28:07shelter and we need more uh again non-
3:28:10congregate congregate supportive housing
3:28:12wraparound services. This is what it
3:28:14takes. And we need to address some of
3:28:15those lower hanging issues like human
3:28:18waste. um we need to invest in in in
3:28:21public bathrooms and the resources to
3:28:22manage them to make sure that they're
3:28:24taken care of. So, I think it it takes
3:28:26resources and that's what we need to do.
3:28:28And I I really believe it's it we
3:28:30should, you know, send this order back
3:28:32and work on getting more information
3:28:33about what are what is the ecosystem of
3:28:36all the folks that are involved in this?
3:28:37Uh what are are their thoughts? And I
3:28:40think it is time to get that commission
3:28:42on homelessness up and running. we we we
3:28:44I think we have the the information out
3:28:47there and the expertise. Let let's bring
3:28:50them in and I know that's happening. Um
3:28:52I think we could do we could do more of
3:28:53that. So, let's do that. And and again,
3:28:55let's invest in that. But we need
3:28:58affordable housing. We need rent
3:28:59control. The the housing costs are just
3:29:01untenable. Something has to give. And I
3:29:04really think we we need to to work on
3:29:06that. And again, I will say investing in
3:29:09people because I'm part of the
3:29:10disability community. And the only
3:29:12reason why that community succeeds is
3:29:14because the government invested in
3:29:15people, invested in care that allows us
3:29:18to live independently, allows us to live
3:29:20life like everyone else. If you invest
3:29:22in people, they will succeed. So, I
3:29:24think that's what we need to do. And um
3:29:26really looking forward to working on uh
3:29:29the ordinances to help with unhoused to
3:29:32help with and and again, councelor King
3:29:34mentioned uh you know, our business,
3:29:36community, neighbors, all of all of
3:29:38these folks have concerns and they're
3:29:40valid concerns. So, let's work on
3:29:42addressing all of them. Thank you.
3:29:44>> Thank you, councelor Fizzolo.
3:29:47>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Through you, I
3:29:49agree with a lot of what has been said,
3:29:51so I won't repeat that, but I want to
3:29:54ask through you, Mr. Chairman, to the
3:29:55commissioner. I thought I heard you
3:29:58right. You identified how many uh
3:30:00encampments we have throughout the city.
3:30:02Could you give me that number, please?
3:30:04um
3:30:06through the chair councelor I believe um
3:30:10we have identified anywhere close to 300
3:30:14encampments in the city. Um now the it
3:30:19there are two definitions of
3:30:20encampments. So I would say safely that
3:30:23we have anywhere one way to count the
3:30:25encampment is 120 encampments depending
3:30:28on how many people live there and if you
3:30:31know it is occupied when it's being
3:30:33counted and 300 is the number where we
3:30:36see that there is an encampment. There
3:30:38may or may not be an individual there
3:30:40and it may that individual may have
3:30:42multiple encampments. So there's two
3:30:44ways to count it. So which is why the
3:30:46data is so that's the range we have
3:30:48counted but we have done that
3:30:49assessment. Okay. So, how many locations
3:30:53are there? You're saying there's 300
3:30:55locations,
3:30:56>> correct? So, through the uh chair to
3:30:58counselor, um we have about 300
3:31:02locations that we have recently I don't
3:31:04know how recent it has been, but that we
3:31:06have counted that could be defined as
3:31:09encampments.
3:31:10>> Wow. I find that I find that alarming.
3:31:13Uh, I know there were I know there were
3:31:15encampments, but I never thought it that
3:31:17high because I know in the district I
3:31:20represent uh there are a few uh that uh
3:31:24are frequented by our unhoused um
3:31:27Mccuran Road uh across from Holy Cross
3:31:31football field in that set of woods over
3:31:34there. uh the bike trail uh that the
3:31:37Commonwealth of Massachusetts has off of
3:31:41uh Milbury Street. Uh always getting uh
3:31:45a lot of calls about homeless while
3:31:48people are trying to walk on that bike
3:31:49trail and uh then behind Vernon Hill
3:31:53Post, the woods that take you all the
3:31:55way to Granite Street. So many
3:31:57encampments are in there. But uh so I
3:32:00thought I thought the district I
3:32:03represent might have as many as as any
3:32:06district, but if you tell me 300, I'm
3:32:10I'm sadly mistaken.
3:32:12And that that goes for as far as uh the
3:32:16parks as we we've mentioned. Uh you
3:32:18know, I' I've gotten I've received uh
3:32:22phone calls that people are uh
3:32:25sleeping and staying under trees at
3:32:27night. uh in different parks in in the
3:32:30district, Venon Hill Park, Greenwood
3:32:32Park.
3:32:33>> Yeah. So through the chair to the
3:32:35council, um encampment is defined as a
3:32:37structure. So it could be in a park, it
3:32:40could be on a pavement, it could be in
3:32:42front of a store. So we count
3:32:43encampments or we define them based on
3:32:45the structure that is left about an
3:32:47individual who may be staying there or
3:32:49may have stayed there and left some
3:32:50belongings.
3:32:51>> Okay. Thank you. Just one other item. Uh
3:32:55I know I get a lot of calls from
3:32:56business owners. Uh, I had a business on
3:32:59Water Street for three years. Many, many
3:33:01days I would go down and find uh human
3:33:05waste that I'd have to clean. Many days,
3:33:08many mornings, I'd go and check check in
3:33:11and uh I'd have people sleeping in in
3:33:14front of uh the doorway. So, I I
3:33:17sympathize with the business owners. Um,
3:33:20do we have a plan of action regarding
3:33:22that,
3:33:23>> Commissioner? um through the um chair
3:33:26and the council. We are um looking at
3:33:29proposals for uh public bathrooms um to
3:33:34see how feasible they are as well as to
3:33:37see what neighborhoods would be ideal
3:33:39because neighborhoods are not exactly
3:33:40thrilled to have them either. So we are
3:33:43assessing that currently. We don't have
3:33:45a concrete plan, but yes, that is in the
3:33:47works.
3:33:49>> Even though it's not my district, but I
3:33:51hear a lot of lot of I get many, uh,
3:33:56phone calls about the Canal District,
3:33:57you know, that that area of Water
3:33:59Street, Harding Street, Milbury Street.
3:34:02So, uh, having said that, uh, I'll close
3:34:05with this. Uh I know my colleague uh
3:34:09councelor Bada mentioned mentioned
3:34:12congregate housing a couple times. I
3:34:15believe that is the best way for this
3:34:16city to go. Uh it would address so many
3:34:20more uh bodies. If you have, you know, a
3:34:24a particular place with one living room,
3:34:27one kitchen, couple bathrooms, and, you
3:34:31know, a half dozen bedrooms, you'd get
3:34:33six people into one one uh one dwelling.
3:34:37So, uh I' I'd encourage that that type
3:34:41of uh that type of uh you know,
3:34:46as you go on, if you could touch on that
3:34:49>> through the chair to the council. um
3:34:52duly noted duly noted to look into that
3:34:56there are multiple different housing
3:34:59options currently that the city has that
3:35:02currently exist that are in the works of
3:35:04being constructed that are in the um
3:35:07works of being expanded um that serve
3:35:10individuals that serve families that
3:35:12serve congregate settings as you just
3:35:14rightly mentioned that serve um sharing
3:35:17of rooms that serve families who need
3:35:20and need more privacy than being. So
3:35:23there is a variety of options that are
3:35:25currently available and also the
3:35:28expansion is in works. My understanding
3:35:32is
3:35:34the expense of just doing
3:35:37recreating them or creating new ones is
3:35:41way more than what our budget currently
3:35:43efforts but nevertheless it is I do know
3:35:46that there is expansion work in the
3:35:48process. So
3:35:49>> thank you Mr. Chair als
3:35:51>> thank you councelor we have council
3:35:53Bergman
3:35:56thank you thank you Mr. chairman,
3:36:01you know,
3:36:03I'm sure there's somebody who came up
3:36:04with a quote um that I'm about to
3:36:07paraphrase, but I don't have the author.
3:36:09But, you know, when you with difficult
3:36:10problems, it's easy to point fingers.
3:36:12And, you know, we sat here and listened
3:36:14to two hours from the public who are
3:36:16passionate about this issue. Um they
3:36:19certainly feel strongly about um
3:36:22overwhelming majority that it's not a
3:36:25good idea. Uh, and they also feel that
3:36:27somehow we haven't lived up to our
3:36:30obligations. I would disagree with the
3:36:32latter spot. There isn't a city latter
3:36:35accusation. There isn't a city in town
3:36:37in America that's figured this problem
3:36:39out. Um, I've been on this council long
3:36:42enough to know that we try. I heard
3:36:44Council Rosen say it's good that we're
3:36:46that we're finally realizing what we've
3:36:48done in the past isn't working. But then
3:36:50I heard Mayor Petty say that the um
3:36:53agencies are doing great work. I'm going
3:36:55to say things that probably, and I'm
3:36:58certainly not um shy about doing it,
3:37:02probably are going to offend some
3:37:03people, but at the end of the day, um a
3:37:07lot of what we've done hasn't worked
3:37:08because the population continues to
3:37:10increase. And that no dispar
3:37:13disparagement on on the new director or
3:37:16or Alex or the city manager all who are
3:37:19relatively new at trying to solve an
3:37:21issue again that nobody in any city or
3:37:24town in America seems to have been able
3:37:26to solve. But I do know certain things
3:37:28and I'd like to um inquire through the
3:37:31chair um to um department heads uh to
3:37:36confirm um some of the some of the
3:37:38things that I'd like to to have
3:37:40confirmed so that I could discuss them a
3:37:42little bit more. So through the chair to
3:37:44Commissioner Dickson um the question I
3:37:46have is of the 300 encampments do they
3:37:49seem to be mobile in the sense that on a
3:37:52yearly basis they may not be in the same
3:37:54place? Commissioner
3:37:56>> through the chair council. Um I would
3:37:58not be able to give you a definitive
3:38:00answer on that, but we could certainly
3:38:02get back with more details
3:38:04>> because it would seem to me before we
3:38:05decide on public bathrooms, we need to
3:38:08decide on where they should go if
3:38:10they're going to go anywhere. And if if
3:38:12they're going to go anywhere, they need
3:38:14to address uh the majority of people who
3:38:16need them. And if the camps are mobile,
3:38:18that's going to be a challenge. So, uh,
3:38:20that would be great to get that
3:38:22information also through the chair to,
3:38:24um, to the commissioner. I've gone out
3:38:26myself, uh, with a quality of life team
3:38:28to a large encampment not that long ago,
3:38:31and I remember going to each tent, so to
3:38:35speak, with, uh, with that group of
3:38:38quality of life professionals. And I
3:38:41would say out of 10 or 15 um
3:38:44conversations maybe one person was
3:38:48willing to go um to housing the city had
3:38:51maybe one um through the chairs. Does
3:38:54that surprise you commissioner?
3:38:56>> Yes and no. Um through the through the
3:38:58chair of the council yes and no. Um we
3:39:01sometimes
3:39:03if our outreach person reaches the
3:39:06person uh who is in the encampment at a
3:39:08time when they are ready to seek
3:39:09services and the site services are
3:39:12offered to them they willingly um sign
3:39:14up for the services. We've had
3:39:16individuals being transported to care um
3:39:19services to one of our social service
3:39:21agencies successfully to have them in
3:39:23treatment. After that they may continue.
3:39:26They may choose to leave. That's up to
3:39:28them. But we have done that. But again,
3:39:30it depends on the individual. It depends
3:39:32on what is being offered. And so it's it
3:39:34largely varies.
3:39:35>> So through the chair, it was a very hot
3:39:37July day, very hot. It was deep in the
3:39:39woods. And uh the explanations I got for
3:39:42refusing to accept a bed uh included um
3:39:46not wanting to go to a wet shelter
3:39:48because at night they use not want to go
3:39:51to a dry shelter cuz they use uh having
3:39:53a companion male or female that they
3:39:55didn't want to be separated from. Having
3:39:57possessions they didn't want to put in
3:39:59storage because they were afraid when
3:40:01they got left the shelter the
3:40:03possessions would be stolen or
3:40:04misplaced. Um and then there were other
3:40:07um explanations as well including the
3:40:10freedom of being by themselves, not
3:40:12having somebody supervise them and also
3:40:14having some sort of family that the
3:40:16friends or the encampment um kind of as
3:40:19a substitute for. So with all those kind
3:40:23of obstacles, what percentage of the
3:40:25chair would you say people take
3:40:27advantage of the opportunity to to use
3:40:31shelter or a bed?
3:40:33>> Commissioner through the chair. Um I do
3:40:37not have a number to share with you and
3:40:39what percentage studies have shown and
3:40:41our own experience has shown that once
3:40:44the outreach workers build a trust and a
3:40:46relationship with those living in
3:40:47encampments such as our own staff at HHS
3:40:50um who know some of these individuals
3:40:53that trust and relationship go a long
3:40:55way in getting that person into
3:40:57treatment or getting them connected to
3:40:59the care that they need or be a part of
3:41:01any shelter. So that has been our best
3:41:04bet in terms of repeated efforts in
3:41:06terms of doing developing the trust and
3:41:08the relationship. But I I would not have
3:41:12a number in Worster as to how many
3:41:14actually accept and get connected.
3:41:16>> If through the chair, if we increase the
3:41:18number of beds,
3:41:20how do we prioritize those for Worcester
3:41:23residents?
3:41:24>> Commissioner
3:41:27>> through the chair. That's a um very
3:41:30interesting question. While we have
3:41:31anecdotal notes about uh Worster being
3:41:34the gateway city and folks coming from
3:41:36all over the place um to Worster to
3:41:40avail services. Um what we have proposed
3:41:43in the framework as one of our creative
3:41:45ways is
3:41:47there are limited beds and there are
3:41:49numerous the the the demand and uh the
3:41:53supply is clearly maybe unequal
3:41:55especially in times of winter. What we
3:41:57have proposed is a system where the
3:42:01outreach workers have an individual in
3:42:03their database because they have reached
3:42:05out. They have done a preliminary
3:42:06assessment. They have probably connected
3:42:08them to care in the past. So on and so
3:42:10forth. We want to come up with a system
3:42:12where the existing shelter will
3:42:16prioritize those who are already in the
3:42:18city's database as having made some sort
3:42:20of a connection or having some a level
3:42:22of avail services. If not there would be
3:42:24a waiting list for the others. Currently
3:42:26the way shelter system works in
3:42:28Worcester is anybody and everybody who
3:42:31could knock on the door of the shelter
3:42:32if there is a bed available they are um
3:42:35they can avail that bed. So our hope and
3:42:38goal is once we do that interaction once
3:42:40we have them documented in our system as
3:42:43having made the outreach and knowing um
3:42:45they would be prioritized which would
3:42:47one way which would be one way to know
3:42:49that the frequent I don't want to say
3:42:51the term frequent fires but the frequent
3:42:54indiv the individuals that are
3:42:55frequently met with by our outreach team
3:42:57are the ones who get preferential
3:42:59treatment uh to enter that shelter
3:43:01that's one of the proposals in the
3:43:03framework
3:43:03>> and that through the ch that would be
3:43:05irrespective of whether they were from
3:43:06wester
3:43:06or somewhere else. Is that correct?
3:43:09>> Yes.
3:43:09>> All right. Is it fair to say that
3:43:11there's a significant number of the
3:43:14unhoused that don't come from Worcester
3:43:16on a regular basis?
3:43:18>> Um that is our anecdotal information
3:43:20again through the relationships and the
3:43:22trust and the interactions that our
3:43:24staff have with um the residents who are
3:43:26homeless. um numerous funding sources
3:43:30that provide services to homeless
3:43:32individuals in Worster do not allow for
3:43:35information sharing or collection of
3:43:37personal identification information to
3:43:39be shared. So while we may collect
3:43:41through our initial assessment and uh
3:43:43conversation where they are from that
3:43:46information is always embargoed because
3:43:48of the grant requirements and cannot be
3:43:50included in any data that we review
3:43:52>> but through the chair you have that
3:43:53information.
3:43:54>> Yes.
3:43:54>> Okay. Um, so let me just finish with
3:43:58some comments. Um, I I think if you're
3:44:02going to if you're if we're serious
3:44:04about understanding of the dangers
3:44:08to not only the surrounding area, but
3:44:11the encampments themselves, people
3:44:13should should go to some of these
3:44:15encampments. What I saw were boxes piled
3:44:17up next to barbecue grills with
3:44:19containers of gasoline. God forbid if
3:44:22there's a fire in some of these
3:44:23encampments. I don't know how the the
3:44:25fire department would find him. Uh I
3:44:27don't know if they'd get to him in time.
3:44:28I know off of Granite Street there was a
3:44:30fire in which caused by an encampment
3:44:33which firefighter was hurt. Significant
3:44:35amount of property damage. There's a
3:44:37medical emergency particularly at night.
3:44:39I don't know how people reach him. Um I
3:44:42think for vast for variety of reasons
3:44:45it's not a good situation for the
3:44:47encampments to exist. Now, I hear people
3:44:49say,
3:44:51um, well, we're fining people $25. Well,
3:44:54we're giving them three days to move,
3:44:57and it it also is a trespass on public
3:45:01property. Granted Granted, the argument
3:45:04is there's no bed. So, I don't
3:45:06personally have an issue with much of
3:45:08what the manager is proposing. I do have
3:45:11an amendment that I think may make sense
3:45:15to some, but makes sense to me. I hope
3:45:18it makes sense to my colleagues is I I
3:45:20don't think the fine needs to be
3:45:21criminalized. I think it could be a $25
3:45:24fine, civil penalty. Um, and that way it
3:45:27takes away the the stigma of
3:45:30criminality. It also removes the
3:45:32interaction between the police, who
3:45:34certainly have a lot better things to
3:45:35do, and the unhoused, who probably don't
3:45:38want to have that interaction. Um, and I
3:45:41I think if you're going to get rid of
3:45:43the fine alto together, you might as
3:45:45well get rid of the ordinance alto
3:45:46together because there has to be some
3:45:47motivation for people to to understand
3:45:50that they can't congregate in public
3:45:52spaces. Now, I'm mindful I'm mindful of
3:45:56the public library, for example.
3:45:59>> Can I finish speaking?
3:46:01>> I'm sorry. Excuse me, sir.
3:46:06>> No, excuse me, sir. council
3:46:10Bergman. Go ahead.
3:46:11>> Thank you.
3:46:13Council B. Excuse me, sir.
3:46:21>> So, I'm mindful of the public library
3:46:23where mothers and fathers have an
3:46:25absolute right to bring their children
3:46:27inside without having to see people
3:46:29unfortunately overdose or or get into
3:46:32altercations, so on and so forth, many
3:46:35of whom are unhoused. So there's that
3:46:36conflict between the unhoused who need a
3:46:38place to live. I get that and the uh
3:46:41general public who sometimes where that
3:46:43interaction happens. Um it's not a
3:46:46comfortable situation. This isn't about
3:46:48human me being comfortable not seeing
3:46:50somebody um that's unhoused. It's about
3:46:53the person that's unhoused risking
3:46:56danger to themsel and others by not
3:46:57realizing that the encampment shouldn't
3:46:59be their first choice to go. So my
3:47:01motion would be to get rid of the
3:47:02criminal aspect of it. I would also say
3:47:05that, you know, the city of Springfield,
3:47:07uh, I'm sorry, city of
3:47:10Brockton, uh, recently imposed a $200
3:47:13fine with a 500 with a $50 surf fine. I
3:47:17I don't think the finding part of it,
3:47:18the amount is the issue. I just think
3:47:21there has to be some incentive for
3:47:22people to understand after three days,
3:47:25um, you have to move on. Um, I do think
3:47:28we should have more more beds. Uh, but I
3:47:31also think there needs to be a regional
3:47:32approach because as many beds as we get,
3:47:35if we don't prioritize Worcester
3:47:36residents, we're really not going to be
3:47:37helping Worcester residents anymore than
3:47:39we're helping them right now, which is a
3:47:41limited amount of bed space. So, it's a
3:47:44complicated problem. Um, it's
3:47:46unfortunate, it's sad. I don't think any
3:47:48of us go to bed at night feeling good
3:47:50about the decisions we make regarding
3:47:52this issue. But I also think none of us
3:47:55caused the problem and we'd all like it
3:47:57to be fixed. I think all of us have
3:47:59different ideas on how to fix it. I
3:48:01don't think anybody's bad bad bad
3:48:03intended as far as how they think it
3:48:05should be fixed. People can disagree.
3:48:07Um, and I don't think it's going to be a
3:48:09quick fix, but I do think we have the
3:48:11right people in place and the right
3:48:13approach to do to do a good job in
3:48:15trying to make it better for the
3:48:16unhoused. So, again, my motion, Mr.
3:48:18Chairman, would be to get rid of the
3:48:20criminal aspect of the uh fine. And uh I
3:48:24would certainly um not I certainly won't
3:48:28agree to recommmit it. I think there's
3:48:30enough there to work with if the
3:48:33criminality is removed. Thank you, Mr.
3:48:35Chairman.
3:48:42Council Rivera.
3:48:46>> Um
3:48:46>> Oh, I'm sorry, Council Rivera. I missed
3:48:48Council Me.
3:48:49>> Yeah, that's Yeah. Okay. No, go ahead.
3:48:52I'm sorry. I skipped you.
3:48:56>> I think you said something.
3:48:58>> No problem. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
3:49:01Through you to the commissioner, thank
3:49:04you first of all for coming and making
3:49:06the presentation. Before I ask you
3:49:09certain questions, I just want to say
3:49:11that it was very overwhelming to see so
3:49:14many people came and expressed their
3:49:16passion that how much they feel for
3:49:18these people who really need help. And
3:49:22at the same time I think the remarks
3:49:25that were given to us I would say you
3:49:28know to manager to mayor to all city
3:49:31councilors look like that we are
3:49:33heartless we aren't I just want
3:49:36everybody to know that we feel equally
3:49:39same way as I grew up in my childhood
3:49:42without a house without roof on my head
3:49:45my father and I we used to uh always
3:49:48look for shelter so it was I understand
3:49:50what this situation is but we also feel
3:49:53exactly same way the residents came
3:49:55today and talked about we want to solve
3:49:58this problem we want to see that
3:50:00everybody has a shelter over their head
3:50:04everybody has roof that's the ultimate
3:50:06goal
3:50:08um I just want to ask you a question
3:50:10that when you presented your report
3:50:14looked like you were very optimistic
3:50:16that you said that we wanted to make a
3:50:18breakthrough we wanted to do something
3:50:20front. Uh what is in there that you
3:50:23thought that this will eradicate this
3:50:24problem?
3:50:26>> Commissioner
3:50:27>> through the chair um the council. Thank
3:50:29you um councelor Mitra for the question.
3:50:33Um I'm going to say this very carefully.
3:50:36It is a very complicated issue. Mhm.
3:50:38>> Um the the match between the demand and
3:50:41resources is not not is not there right
3:50:44now in terms of how many uh how much
3:50:47housing the homeless folks need and how
3:50:49much services they need. Um there is a
3:50:52gap and there will probably always be a
3:50:54gap given the circumstances.
3:50:56By proposing this framework again the
3:51:00ordinance is a part of the framework but
3:51:02there is a framework. By proposing this
3:51:04framework, what I'm hoping to do, what
3:51:06we are hoping to do as a city is help
3:51:08our social services agencies work
3:51:11together so that whatever resources we
3:51:15have may be optimally used because we
3:51:18are not convinced it it's being done
3:51:20optimally right now. There may be a few
3:51:22beds empty but because nobody knows the
3:51:26homeless folks may go to one part of the
3:51:28city where there may be no beds empty
3:51:30and then there may be beds empty
3:51:31elsewhere. So we are hoping to provide
3:51:33some leadership and to facilitate that
3:51:36collaboration to see there is 15
3:51:39outreach workers in the city to make
3:51:41sure that they are doing the same
3:51:42outreach. They're providing the same
3:51:44opportunities to folks on the streets
3:51:46and there is more connection between um
3:51:49all of the social service agencies
3:51:51because there are quite a few who are
3:51:52doing noble work right now in the
3:51:54streets. So that is our goal to um look
3:51:58at the data if so many people right now
3:52:01it's a very fleeting population we can't
3:52:03tell you for sure if it's 200 people on
3:52:05the street or 150 or 60 it varies by the
3:52:07day we do not know how many people went
3:52:09to which agency we do not know how many
3:52:12uh folks have their information inputed
3:52:14in a data database so we are hoping by
3:52:17doing this we will be somewhere able to
3:52:19do a better job with the resources that
3:52:21are currently in the city and then also
3:52:24know exact exactly what the gap is
3:52:26because right now it in our opinion it's
3:52:29all very fragmented. We all know there
3:52:31is a homelessness issue and crisis in um
3:52:34Worster but um we don't have the exact
3:52:38numbers or the data or know what's
3:52:40happening in different parts of the
3:52:41city. So I hope I answer your question.
3:52:43>> I think the way I look at it that the
3:52:46simple way to resolve this issue is how
3:52:49many people are out there? How many
3:52:51people homeless are out there? If we
3:52:54know it's about 200 of them, do we have
3:52:57200 people to shelter somewhere? Do we
3:53:01or we don't? By understanding the
3:53:04answers that you gave to counselors,
3:53:06those who asked you questions, I think
3:53:08there are about enough room that they
3:53:11can go now that there are 200 of them,
3:53:13200 shelters are available, rooms are
3:53:15available and about 197 if I'm not
3:53:19wrong, are the number of people that are
3:53:21looking for the shelter. Am I wrong or
3:53:23am I correct?
3:53:24>> Commissioner
3:53:25>> um through the council um through the
3:53:27chair to the council. That's a very
3:53:29interesting way you're asking us the
3:53:30question and I truly wish it was that
3:53:32simple because there are under 200 beds
3:53:36available in the city of Worester for
3:53:37shelter. Um roughly there may be
3:53:40anywhere between
3:53:41>> uh chronically homeless is 60 but
3:53:43there's anywhere between 150 in winter
3:53:46it could be more. It depends on the
3:53:48circumstances and the day and when we
3:53:50are doing the count because it's a very
3:53:52transitional population. Having said
3:53:54that, even if on any given day we feel
3:53:56there are 200 homeless individuals in
3:53:59the city and 200 200 shelter beds, we
3:54:02cannot make that direct connection
3:54:04knowing folks may not be ready to avail
3:54:08the beds. As um councelor Bergman said,
3:54:11they may need special services
3:54:13>> and where they need special services,
3:54:15there may not be a bed available because
3:54:17some folks may need a bed where they can
3:54:19use um if they are using substances,
3:54:23they want to be able to continue doing
3:54:24that and not go stop it overnight. So
3:54:27that making that connection is very
3:54:29hard. So even if we have lesser homeless
3:54:32people and enough beds to be able to
3:54:35make that connection with the right
3:54:36amount of services and the right
3:54:38services they need that could be mental
3:54:40health that could be behavioral health
3:54:41that could be substance abuse that could
3:54:43be clinical medical help or that could
3:54:45be other
3:54:46>> I understand I think those services
3:54:48would be provided as per their need
3:54:50right I think I think that our theme
3:54:53should be house first
3:54:55>> we all want that there is no one outside
3:54:58on the street. It is not a good idea for
3:55:01us to have anybody outside on the
3:55:03street. Not good for our business
3:55:05owners, not good for the city, not good
3:55:07for those who visit the city because it
3:55:09is not a good impression.
3:55:11>> I have many business owners call me. I
3:55:13just gave the you know the order the
3:55:16other day on the South Bridge Street uh
3:55:18you know where the Coney Island and
3:55:19Garden Graphics they have these people
3:55:22always standing in front of their office
3:55:25and they don't have a place to go to
3:55:26bathroom. they're doing everything, you
3:55:29know, urinating, defecating in their
3:55:31parking lot and he cleans those things.
3:55:33So, nobody wants that. We want our
3:55:35business owners to be in a in a peaceful
3:55:38mind, a safer place and also do their
3:55:41business in a proper way because their
3:55:43clients are not coming. So, there are
3:55:44issues in all over. So, I think the
3:55:46ultimate goal should be house first then
3:55:50determine what they needs help whether
3:55:52they're mental health or drug abuse or
3:55:54whatever they need can be found out. We
3:55:56have to have that to the manager through
3:55:59you Mr. Chair that I think we should
3:56:01look into that. We have to have a budget
3:56:04for this is a serious issue. We got to
3:56:06solve this one way or the other. I know
3:56:09that budget is an issue as you mentioned
3:56:11commissioner that you know we need the
3:56:12homes but we don't have it. So I would
3:56:14request that maybe we should talk to all
3:56:17our state representatives have them come
3:56:19here or make a motion that let's have a
3:56:21meeting with them to let them propose
3:56:23this problem that we need to solve it
3:56:25maybe talk to the our US representatives
3:56:28and senators and talk to them that how
3:56:30can we procure some fund because we have
3:56:32limited budget we have lot of expenses
3:56:35that we want to allocate but I don't
3:56:37think we have enough money to allocate
3:56:39for such a vast need that we have in our
3:56:42community where we need to give the
3:56:44shelter for each of those who are
3:56:47sitting there on the street which we
3:56:48don't want. So our ultimate goal should
3:56:50be that we should have all of them some
3:56:52room somewhere. If I have to expand the
3:56:55shelter, expand the shelter day resource
3:56:57center for example, we're doing maybe we
3:56:59should have done the first phase with
3:57:01some rooms rather than just for them to
3:57:03go and use the bathroom and clean up and
3:57:05all that. Maybe we should have had some
3:57:07rooms there for so they can be there. I
3:57:10I I think we need to solve the problem.
3:57:12I think the $25 is fine. I I don't know.
3:57:16Um I don't think that that's really
3:57:19something that we need to do in my
3:57:22opinion. I think we um Is this something
3:57:25a regulation that requires us to have
3:57:27some fine on them first that we cannot
3:57:30avoid it? Is it true that there is a
3:57:33regulation that we have to you know
3:57:35minimum fine them
3:57:37>> through the chair to the council? My
3:57:38understanding is we proposed the
3:57:41ordinance and in order to enforce it we
3:57:43added the fine. It was a proposal that
3:57:46my understanding is that we can always
3:57:48remove. It doesn't need to be is how I
3:57:51understand it.
3:57:52>> I would uh I would agree with council
3:57:54Rosen that I think we should probably
3:57:56remove this fine. Maybe this proposal
3:57:59should go back to the manager and uh
3:58:02rehash it over and see what we can
3:58:05really do to see that everybody is given
3:58:08a shelter in a very friendly manner. You
3:58:11know I I don't think we if if we give a
3:58:14notion that okay within 3 days you have
3:58:16to leave and if they don't leave what's
3:58:18our option
3:58:20>> um commissioner
3:58:21>> or in other words just to chair can you
3:58:24just step by step explain me like
3:58:27consider I'm homeless you come to me how
3:58:29do you who comes to me how how does it
3:58:32whole thing happens can you explain me
3:58:34that the step by step um
3:58:36>> commissioner
3:58:37>> um through the chair to the council
3:58:38thank you for the question um council
3:58:41Mitra um when we find out there is the
3:58:45process we have uh planned for or we
3:58:48currently do without the encampment
3:58:50ordinances. When we know somebody's
3:58:52living in an encampment, our outreach
3:58:54folks reach out to them.
3:58:56>> Okay.
3:58:56>> Offer them services.
3:58:58>> Correct?
3:58:58>> Whatever they may need.
3:59:00>> They may need permanent housing
3:59:02temporary housing. They may need a vet
3:59:03shelter. They may need a um low barrier
3:59:06shelter where they can continue using.
3:59:07They may have a family. They may not
3:59:09want to share a room. They may not want
3:59:11to congregate shelter where which is um
3:59:1350 people in a large hall or whatever it
3:59:15may be or a mat. Um they may refuse
3:59:19services. They may refuse to leave the
3:59:21encampment. They may refuse to be in the
3:59:24shelter that we have space for them.
3:59:26They may not avail any of the behavioral
3:59:29health services or uh the requirement to
3:59:31not use substances while they are in a
3:59:33shelter. they may just refuse to even
3:59:35talk to our outreach workers despite
3:59:38multiple efforts. So that has been our
3:59:41experience again. experience is like
3:59:43that's what I think council Bergman was
3:59:45also asking that how many people say no
3:59:49>> you have any idea do you keep track of
3:59:50that that okay out of 60 people out
3:59:54there were unable to get anyone
3:59:56>> we um we certainly keep track of that I
3:59:59do not have the information on me right
4:00:00now but we do have track because every
4:00:03outreach effort that is made is
4:00:05documented in a day
4:00:06>> those who say that no I don't want to
4:00:08take your offer
4:00:11>> next there is a repeated effort to them
4:00:13depending on our limited staff. The next
4:00:17time when they can go there, if they are
4:00:19in the geographic area, if there is an
4:00:20issue, if there is a phone call, if
4:00:22somebody says some um untoward behavior
4:00:25is noticed in the public, the repeated
4:00:26effort is made. So they said that
4:00:29through council through council through
4:00:31the chair and commissioner through
4:00:33chair. Okay.
4:00:33>> Oh, through the chair to the
4:00:35commissioner.
4:00:35>> I apologize. Sorry. through the chair to
4:00:38um the council. The repeated effort is
4:00:40made depending on the situation on the
4:00:43frequency of availability of our staff
4:00:45outreach. Once the effort is made, that
4:00:49person may not be even available for the
4:00:51next 3, 5, 7, 20, 30 days because that
4:00:54person is homeless. They may move away.
4:00:56But there are often times where our
4:00:59outreach workers have established a
4:01:01relationship with the frequent folks
4:01:03that we see in different areas where
4:01:06repeated outreach is made to them to
4:01:08offer them services. Sometimes they
4:01:10avail it to get a warm meal. Sometimes
4:01:12they avail it when weather is not
4:01:14conducive or they may have some clinical
4:01:16condition that requires some medication.
4:01:18But there is a very strong possibility
4:01:20that they may not want to avail what we
4:01:22are offering them. And even if they
4:01:24avail and are introduced to treatment,
4:01:27they may not continue in the treatment
4:01:28because they have the freedom to walk
4:01:30away on day two, three, four, five.
4:01:31>> And that's where this ordinance comes
4:01:33into through the chair to the
4:01:35commissioner that that's where this
4:01:37ordinance is coming into place that if
4:01:39you do not leave within 3 days, 72
4:01:42hours, we'll have to take some kind of
4:01:45action. Am I correct?
4:01:46>> Through the church of the council. That
4:01:48is uh that is the proposal currently.
4:01:50But at the same time only after making
4:01:53repeated efforts to connect them to
4:01:55whatever care they desire, they need and
4:01:58are willing to take.
4:01:59>> No, I uh to the chair I think um if that
4:02:02is the approach I I'm I'm with it. The
4:02:05approach is makes sense that you are
4:02:07making repeated effort. You are trying
4:02:09to do your best to really give them a
4:02:11shelter. It's not harsh approach. It's a
4:02:13friendly approach I suppose. And then if
4:02:16they're not going, we do have to have a
4:02:18consequence that you know it's a city.
4:02:20It's a some kind of discipline we have
4:02:22to maintain. We have to see that they
4:02:24they have we want them to have a
4:02:26shelter. It's for their own safety for
4:02:28the safety of the entire you know
4:02:30population of the city and business
4:02:32owners. So I'd like uh you know to make
4:02:35a motion that I I think we need funding,
4:02:38we need more money. I would like to see
4:02:39that we talk to our state
4:02:41representatives and sit down with them,
4:02:43make a kind of appeal to them, talk to
4:02:46our uh US representatives and see how we
4:02:49can bring the money because we don't
4:02:50have enough money right now to do
4:02:52anything. But we need to expand the
4:02:54shelter. That's the bottom line. We have
4:02:56to have houses for them before we can
4:02:58get them out of there and solve this
4:03:01problem because we do need everybody to
4:03:03be having some roof and not on the
4:03:06street. So I agree that uh I think it
4:03:08should if city man to you Mr. Chair if
4:03:11this could go back to the city manager
4:03:12to kind of reshuffle this and also my
4:03:16recommendation would be not to penalize
4:03:18anyone with $25 whether it's civil or
4:03:21any you know criminal but I think we
4:03:23just should not have that because we
4:03:25understand that they are homeless. It
4:03:27just doesn't look good. So I think I I
4:03:29would agree that if we can take that out
4:03:31and rebral
4:03:34for us on how to solve it talking to
4:03:37there's so many players out there that I
4:03:39think we can solve it. Every problem can
4:03:41be solved. That's my belief and if you
4:03:43work hard on it I think we'll get to the
4:03:45point but it's a good start. I agree
4:03:47with the proposal that you made. We just
4:03:50need to make some little changes on
4:03:52this. Thank you.
4:03:53>> Thank you councelor Cono. I mean,
4:03:56councelor Rivera,
4:03:58>> thank you. I won't be long because
4:04:00everybody asks all these same questions.
4:04:02Um, I just have a few questions myself.
4:04:04So, so the chair to Commissioner Dixon,
4:04:07can you please share with us your
4:04:09experience in human services?
4:04:12>> Commissioner
4:04:13>> through the chair of the council. Um,
4:04:15I've spent about 25 years in public
4:04:17health and human services. I worked pri
4:04:20previously at the department of u health
4:04:22in Rhode Island in a variety of chronic
4:04:24disease as well as uh human service um
4:04:26programs. Prior to that I was with the
4:04:28Massachusetts Department of Health as
4:04:30well and um um I have worked through the
4:04:33trajectory of human life starting with
4:04:36um prenatal care for the underprivileged
4:04:39to up to medical um death certificates
4:04:41and what that means. So I have been
4:04:43fortunate and honored to work through
4:04:45the gamut of health and human services
4:04:46of human life.
4:04:47>> Right. Thank you for question.
4:04:49>> Yes, through the chair. Um, just
4:04:52speaking from a a personal perspective.
4:04:54So, I obviously I' I've got to meet you.
4:04:56I've got to sit down with you. I know
4:04:58where you're coming from. So, through
4:05:00the chair to the to the commissioner.
4:05:02Um, uh, is the city trying to
4:05:04criminalize the homeless population?
4:05:08>> Um, through the chair to the council.
4:05:11The city is not absolutely trying to
4:05:13criminalize the homeless population. It
4:05:16is unfortunate that um the strategic
4:05:19framework proposed by the city has been
4:05:22um received uh and maybe it's a
4:05:24communication issue because
4:05:26communication is never easy but
4:05:27especially on complicated issues. It is
4:05:30a prop it is a part of a larger
4:05:32framework that also suggests this a
4:05:34bunch of things that we want to do and
4:05:36then one of the things is as an
4:05:39additional put to get push to get um the
4:05:41homeless populations into treatment and
4:05:43connected to services. we want to uh
4:05:45propose the ordinance then.
4:05:47>> Yes, I agree that uh that's the I think
4:05:49the misconnect going on is that um by
4:05:53reading your report and and everything
4:05:55like that through the chair to the
4:05:57commissioner, what I see is that we're
4:06:00trying to help the unhoused population
4:06:03get services. And the report, by the
4:06:06way, that has been been put together
4:06:07this ordinance is is is a great job. I I
4:06:09would agree with the other counselors
4:06:11though we we should get rid of the $25.
4:06:14That's fine. Send it back to city
4:06:16manager and work on that aspect of it. I
4:06:18think the framework in itself um the
4:06:21goal and the motivation that you guys
4:06:24has put together to help the unhoused
4:06:26population is being overlooked um by by
4:06:30uh many advocates who you know come here
4:06:33and and have a certain mind frame on on
4:06:37the situation. Um now the question is
4:06:40has any of the advocates you've heard
4:06:44we've heard many of them in the last
4:06:45couple weeks reached out to you
4:06:47personally to talk to you about this um
4:06:50you guys put together
4:06:51>> through the chair to the council and no
4:06:53I haven't received uh any information
4:06:55communication or heard from any of the
4:06:57advocates.
4:06:57>> All right. Um, I assume that um I I
4:07:01would say that the this uh through the
4:07:03chair, through the council, this
4:07:04disrupting the cycle that you guys put
4:07:07together is something that's very well
4:07:08needed in the city. Granted, we're going
4:07:10to get rid of the $25 component. Um, I
4:07:14think there's been a lot of hard work
4:07:15done in this. I think what people are
4:07:17not looking at and the reason I ask for
4:07:19your experience is because I want to
4:07:21remind everybody even my colleagues and
4:07:24everybody here who do their research on
4:07:26Google that you you have a personal
4:07:31you know experience with the unhouse
4:07:33population. So, we're not just putting
4:07:35words on a piece of paper and and um but
4:07:39I think the most also important
4:07:40component that they have to understand
4:07:42is that us as a council and the city
4:07:45manager and and your um office is not
4:07:49trying to criminalize the homeless
4:07:50population. What you guys have put
4:07:53together something that's never be done
4:07:55before, you know, and they've been
4:07:57asking the city to do something, do
4:07:58something. And finally the city steps up
4:08:01and and now granted this one component
4:08:04that we all agree we want to get rid of
4:08:06but I think everything else in itself
4:08:09put together is a very good job. Um
4:08:12thank you guys um for trying to put
4:08:15something together to help the unhoused
4:08:17population and u and help the the city
4:08:21with this issue. Um I can speak for
4:08:25myself when I say that uh I know this is
4:08:28really hard situation. I mean counselors
4:08:33have been dealing with this situation
4:08:34for a lot long time but no no one has
4:08:37been able to put this together like the
4:08:39city administration has done. So thank
4:08:41you for that
4:08:42>> to the council to the chair. Thank you
4:08:44very much to the chair to the council.
4:08:46Thank you and we appreciate it and we
4:08:48will hope to do a better job
4:08:49communicating that the plan and the hope
4:08:52and uh the effort is to reduce
4:08:54homelessness and support people with
4:08:56services and not criminalize them.
4:08:59>> Perfect. Thank you. We have council
4:09:01conal.
4:09:02>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
4:09:05I just want to start by saying thank you
4:09:08to the manager. Thank you to the
4:09:09commissioner and her team for bringing
4:09:11this forward. Um, obviously it's a
4:09:14discussion that's that's needed.
4:09:17We're dealing with an unsolvable
4:09:19problem. If it was solvable, we wouldn't
4:09:22be having this discussion. So, it's a
4:09:25problem of how do we make it better,
4:09:27right?
4:09:28I'm not going to reiterate a lot was was
4:09:30said. I agree with councelor Rosen. I
4:09:34agree with council Bergman.
4:09:36With yourself, Mr. Mayor. I just have a
4:09:38couple questions that I just asked just
4:09:40for my clarification please.
4:09:45Um I agree with the data sharing. I
4:09:47think that's an important piece of this
4:09:49puzzle. Um and to that
4:09:54have any of the agencies
4:09:58committed, reached out, ask for more
4:10:01information how this comes together or
4:10:03have we reached out to them asking them
4:10:07this is what we'd like to do. Um how can
4:10:11we put this together?
4:10:13>> Um commissioner
4:10:14>> through the chair to the council. That's
4:10:15a very good question. I'm glad I have
4:10:17the opportunity to share the process. Um
4:10:20as uh Mr. Manager for mentioned we have
4:10:22a steering committee with the major
4:10:24service uh social service agencies in
4:10:26the city uh that we meet once a month as
4:10:29leadership uh Mr. manager leads that um
4:10:32and there are subcommittees of that
4:10:35steering committee related to
4:10:36operations, related to data and related
4:10:39to there's one more committee. The
4:10:41reason I share this is over the summer
4:10:44we first presented this framework to
4:10:46this steering committee in June and we
4:10:48followed up in between monthly meetings
4:10:50of June, July, August and September
4:10:53asking them for feedback other than the
4:10:55uh $25 um encampment ban fee,
4:10:59enforcement fee. Other than that
4:11:01component we have shared with them and
4:11:03they have provided feedback to us which
4:11:05we have incorporated in this plan. So
4:11:08that back and forth has happened and
4:11:10some of the data pieces the agencies
4:11:12have already started working on with the
4:11:14data sharing team.
4:11:17>> Very good.
4:11:18>> Yep. Through the chair to the
4:11:19commissioner. I also appreciate the
4:11:22standardized outreach across the board.
4:11:24If everybody's working off the same
4:11:25playbook, I think we can accomplish far
4:11:28more far better. So I like that as well.
4:11:32Um
4:11:36when we talk about the winter shelter
4:11:37too
4:11:39and I I remember the conversation last
4:11:41winter as we started that um the 36
4:11:45beds. How many did we end up how many
4:11:48did we end up needing through the chair
4:11:50to the commissioner to the manager?
4:11:52>> Commissioner through the chair through
4:11:54the chair to the council. My
4:11:56understanding is because this precedes
4:11:58my time, uh we planned for 36 beds, but
4:12:01we needed the additional um 60 which was
4:12:04provided by St. John's through the month
4:12:06of February and for 6 days during
4:12:08January. So 36 at Oral Drive and then 60
4:12:12additional the month of February.
4:12:13>> So about 100 is what we're looking at.
4:12:15>> Um depending on the day, but uh 60 is
4:12:18the number that we have repeatedly
4:12:20realized as a need and capacity.
4:12:23>> Mr. Manager,
4:12:23>> yeah, I just want to add something. And
4:12:24I think one of the challenges is that
4:12:26that point in time number uh fluctuates
4:12:30depending on the month depending on the
4:12:32individuals that are being connected to
4:12:33services going to but also uh what plays
4:12:37a role in this is also the perception or
4:12:40the reality of some individuals who
4:12:42don't want to go to Queen Street may
4:12:44choose to select other options that
4:12:46become available. So, the census may
4:12:49drop on Queen Street and these numbers
4:12:52may go up in other areas because of that
4:12:55experience that they've had and that
4:12:57they've been able to share with us uh uh
4:12:59uh uh in in those shelters.
4:13:02>> Thank you, Mr. Manager. Thank you,
4:13:03Commissioner. Um I guess what's I guess
4:13:06what's bothered me the most the last two
4:13:08weeks in this whole thing to we've heard
4:13:11testimony from probably close to a
4:13:13hundred maybe more than a hundred people
4:13:17But we didn't hear from any of the a the
4:13:19agencies out throughout the city because
4:13:23I feel that's the missing piece to this
4:13:25entire puzzle is to getting the agencies
4:13:27together in the room to have an honest
4:13:31discussion to be part of the solution to
4:13:34not work in individual silos as this is
4:13:37what my funding source is for. This is
4:13:40what my funding source is for. This is
4:13:42what my funding source is for. It all
4:13:45relates. we need them all. Um, so that
4:13:49is something that I feel is missing. Um,
4:13:52in the end,
4:13:54um, like I said, I agree with many of my
4:13:56colleagues, it can't be all the city of
4:13:59Worcester. It just can't be. We don't
4:14:02have the resources. We need these
4:14:04agencies to come to the table. They need
4:14:06to be part of the discussion.
4:14:08We do have a responsibility to not just
4:14:11the residents, to the taxpayers, to the
4:14:14businesses, to the children, and to the
4:14:17unhoused to do the best we can um to
4:14:21help better the situation because I'm
4:14:25not going to say we're going to solve it
4:14:26because it's never going to be solved.
4:14:28Um as the manager just said, people some
4:14:32people just don't want to be helped.
4:14:33They want to be left on their own. So,
4:14:37but it's disingenuous to think that
4:14:40um we can't do better all of us. Um I
4:14:44take responsibility for that as well
4:14:46myself. Um
4:14:48and I would I would agree with my
4:14:51colleague some refining back to the
4:14:53manager and to your team uh commissioner
4:14:56would be I think appropriate. But I do
4:14:59want to answer a question that council
4:15:00Bergman brought up. It was more of a
4:15:02comment that he brought up.
4:15:09The city of LOL charges $300 a day
4:15:13for illegal encampments
4:15:16on city property. Fall River, first
4:15:20offense, $100. Second offense, $200.
4:15:23Third offense, $300.
4:15:27They do not collect it, but they have
4:15:29it. Brockton.
4:15:32They also have $200 a day for illegal
4:15:36encampments, $50 a day for loitering. As
4:15:40councelor King had mentioned, a lot of
4:15:43these things may be on our books
4:15:44already. Northampton, yes, they do have
4:15:49a policy, but they choose to use it more
4:15:52through a no trespass policy. And the
4:15:56city of Boston, even they have a policy.
4:15:59They do not collect a fee, but yes, they
4:16:02do have a policy. So, this isn't
4:16:05something new. It's new for us, but it's
4:16:08not new um in this state. Um so, I leave
4:16:12you with with that. And again, thank you
4:16:14for the report. Thank you for your
4:16:15efforts. Thank you, Mr. Manager. Thank
4:16:18you, Commissioner. Um and as Mr. Padoni
4:16:22said at the microphone earlier tonight,
4:16:25this is our opportunity. It's an
4:16:27opportunity to have this discussion and
4:16:29come forward with something that will
4:16:32will better our situation. Thank you.
4:16:34>> Thank you, Counc.
4:16:37>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh just got
4:16:39several questions uh through the chair
4:16:41to the commissioner. I know we talked
4:16:43about the day center and um you know
4:16:46hopefully in in spring we'll be able to
4:16:47open the day center but uh through the
4:16:49ch to the commissioner um what are our
4:16:52efforts right now to reach out to some
4:16:55of the unsheltered
4:16:57um to let them know what the day is
4:17:00going to offer uh because I don't I
4:17:02don't see it I would love don't get me
4:17:04wrong I would love for it to soon as the
4:17:07doors open you know everybody uses it
4:17:09but many people probably don't know
4:17:10about it what are we doing to to reach
4:17:12out to those residents and also reach
4:17:14out and and for them to feel safe um
4:17:17knowing that they they can go in there
4:17:18through the chair to the commissioner
4:17:21>> through the chair to the council. Um we
4:17:24are waiting for a definitive timeline um
4:17:27and date for the day resource center to
4:17:29open. It has been pushed ahead a few
4:17:31times due to the um construction issues
4:17:35and funding and many other things. But
4:17:37um once we know that currently we are
4:17:39looking at early spring. So once we know
4:17:42that um we would definitely be um there
4:17:45would be extensive communications for
4:17:47people to be aware that this is a huge
4:17:50resource in the community centrally
4:17:52located for them to support their
4:17:54day-to-day needs.
4:17:55>> And can uh to the chair to the
4:17:57commissioner can you explain what what
4:17:58that would look like when you said
4:18:00extensive like is that going into
4:18:03certain areas is that working with
4:18:05neighborhood network centers like can
4:18:06you just explain in detail?
4:18:07>> Yeah. um through the chair um to the
4:18:10council. We don't have a formal
4:18:12communications plan as of now because we
4:18:14are looking at at least another seven or
4:18:16six months for the day resource center
4:18:18to open. But if I were to be asked, I
4:18:21would envision something like through
4:18:22our steering committee that I for
4:18:24mentioned with our major social service
4:18:26agencies who have outreach staff as well
4:18:28as the HHS outreach staff to be sharing
4:18:31that information through the
4:18:32relationships they have built with the
4:18:34unhoused individuals on the um streets
4:18:37that they talk to every day. We have a
4:18:39social worker in our office who fields
4:18:41phone calls every day as well. Um just
4:18:43like our recovery coaches to share it
4:18:45with them to also share it through some
4:18:48an organization and list serve like
4:18:49booster together which has about 400
4:18:51individuals and agencies on that list
4:18:54serve. So uh getting the word around um
4:18:58as uh effectively and timely would be
4:19:01the goal to share what an unhoused
4:19:05individual can do at the resource
4:19:07center. they could get their phone
4:19:08charged, they could get a hot shower,
4:19:09they could get a breakfast, they could
4:19:10get a meal, um so on and so forth. So,
4:19:14>> okay. Yeah. Thank you. I think again
4:19:15through the chair, I think, uh it's
4:19:18important to to start putting things in
4:19:20place um before you know it, you know,
4:19:22hopefully the center will be up and
4:19:23running and um it's important to give
4:19:26out as much information as possible. Um
4:19:30so you had mentioned through the chair
4:19:31to the commissioner you had mentioned um
4:19:34looking for data and for me it was a
4:19:36little unclear when you were mentioning
4:19:38that is this ordinance also another way
4:19:42of uh looking for data to help the
4:19:44unsheltered
4:19:46>> through the chair to the council. Um the
4:19:48ordinance is not so much a way to look
4:19:50at the data and collect the data but the
4:19:53framework or the plan that we are
4:19:54proposing um includes a very significant
4:19:58component of ensuring that everybody
4:20:00enters the data into a database. It
4:20:03could be this agency, it could be that
4:20:04agency, it could be these outreach
4:20:06workers. But once they are doing the
4:20:07work every day, if it is entered, then
4:20:10we know that it's the same individuals
4:20:12we are working with. um whether they're
4:20:15100 or 150 or 60 chronic or at a point
4:20:18in time 180. But if everybody enters
4:20:21into the same data set database and um
4:20:24there is information related to what
4:20:26type of services they need or they avail
4:20:29or they have been given that would help
4:20:31us versus reinventing the wheel when the
4:20:34first um when the outreach is done. So
4:20:37we are proposing through the framework
4:20:39to collect better data from all of the
4:20:41agencies and the work that is done.
4:20:43>> Okay. So that that brings on two well
4:20:46one question it adds to another question
4:20:49that I had. Um you know I think one of
4:20:51the the issues within this report it had
4:20:56mentioned
4:20:57um data sharing clients uh client
4:21:01monitoring exists through HMIS.
4:21:06Um yet several agencies have not agreed
4:21:09to share data on unhoused individuals.
4:21:13So in mentioning that that that's a
4:21:15concern. Um how do we go about making
4:21:18sure that we're working with these
4:21:19agencies to share this information if
4:21:22this is valuable information through the
4:21:23chair to the commission
4:21:24>> through the chair of the council um
4:21:26through the meetings that we've had in
4:21:28the last several months. Uh once we
4:21:30started uh we had the framework and we
4:21:32communicated it with the steering
4:21:33committee the data subcommittee of all
4:21:35of these agencies and this uh group has
4:21:38already started working to ensure if
4:21:40there is any barrier to all of the
4:21:42agencies doing the work entering the
4:21:44data how that could be resolved. Some of
4:21:46them have barriers of data entry. Some
4:21:49of them want to do bulk entry. We are
4:21:51trying to define what needs to be
4:21:52entered so everybody's clear on what
4:21:54needs to be entered. So that work is
4:21:55already underway. Counselor,
4:21:57>> that's great. That's great to hear. I
4:21:59think that's a that's important to to
4:22:00start building those relationships and
4:22:01share that information. Um,
4:22:06can you explain um to the chair to the
4:22:08commissioner shelter and treatment
4:22:09options? Prior to any enforcement
4:22:11actions, individuals will be offered
4:22:12options including but not limited to
4:22:14shelter, treatment, and housing so that
4:22:17compliance and service agreement is
4:22:19voluntary for individuals and personal
4:22:21belongings are protected with due
4:22:24process safeguarding and explain how
4:22:26that would be protected through the
4:22:28chair
4:22:31>> through the chair of the council. Uh
4:22:33what we are proposing is when an
4:22:35outreach is done, when an encampment is
4:22:36or uh identified, we would be reaching
4:22:39out to the individual and to assess what
4:22:42kind of option they would be willing to
4:22:44go into whether it's a vet shelter or um
4:22:47temporary housing or sober housing or
4:22:50whatever it may be and what services
4:22:51they need and where to meet them whether
4:22:53it's clinical, whether it's behavioral
4:22:55health, so on and so forth. So that area
4:22:57of options would be offered to them and
4:22:59that connection would be made that would
4:23:01hopefully be more encouraging for the
4:23:02individual to accept services because as
4:23:04we have mentioned before um every time
4:23:07we do an outreach the individual has the
4:23:09right to refuse um the services or being
4:23:12moved to another shelter to a place.
4:23:15>> Okay. And then as far as their um their
4:23:18belongings
4:23:20what does that like look like to the
4:23:22chair? So um we have been uh exploring
4:23:25options for belongings. Currently the
4:23:26quality of life team does save the
4:23:29belongings of when they move um
4:23:31individuals. So we are looking into what
4:23:34the feasibility is of storing the
4:23:36belongings and how long that would be
4:23:38and what would that mean for individuals
4:23:40who may have important documentation,
4:23:41social security card identification and
4:23:44how we can make sure that they we keep
4:23:46that belonging in a way that those kind
4:23:48of important documents would be
4:23:50accessible to the people who are being
4:23:51moved.
4:23:52>> Okay. I think u and thank you. I
4:23:53appreciate that. I think one of the most
4:23:55important things is some of these
4:23:56individuals may not have um
4:23:58identification but some of the other
4:24:00belongings are very important to them as
4:24:01well and just keep that in mind on how
4:24:04do we identify an individual's items if
4:24:07we don't have identification for them.
4:24:09Um obviously we're not going to take a
4:24:11picture of them and post it and have it
4:24:12whatever it may be. But that's something
4:24:14I I hope we we look into. I think um
4:24:17obviously one of the eyepopping things
4:24:19of this is the $25 charge or sorry fine.
4:24:23Um
4:24:24to me it's it's it's obviously not
4:24:27necessary. I think a lot of uh
4:24:28councilors agree and a lot of residents
4:24:30are you know in uproar about this as
4:24:31well and and I agree as well. Um, you
4:24:35know, throughout District 4,
4:24:36unfortunately, we've had some issues
4:24:37with some encampments and stuff. And,
4:24:39you know, I like the approach that we
4:24:41had where we worked with the quality of
4:24:43life team, the with uh WPD, with the
4:24:46fire department, um, quality of life
4:24:48team if I haven't mentioned that, and
4:24:49then some local agencies as well. And I
4:24:52feel as though um again building those
4:24:54relationships and having them come into
4:24:55those neighborhoods where we're where
4:24:57where we're seeing an uptick and having
4:24:59those conversations and making sure that
4:25:01we're there to support them, not to
4:25:03arrest them, not to give them a fine,
4:25:05but also let them know that we'll be
4:25:07here the next day. We'll continue to
4:25:09come to buy more services and see what
4:25:11they need. So I think it's important to
4:25:12to to use that data. I think one of my
4:25:15concerns is that we do have a lot of
4:25:18data already and we understand what the
4:25:20issues are. we understand what our
4:25:21residents are facing. So, I I think, you
4:25:25know, we're behind on a lot of things
4:25:28and I think it's it's time to just use
4:25:30what we have now for data and and try to
4:25:32um find better ways u better practices.
4:25:35We have all this information from other
4:25:36states and cities. But we we know what's
4:25:39going on in our city and if it requires
4:25:41more resources, more funding, I think we
4:25:43need to start allocating it in that way.
4:25:45Um a $20 fine, like they said, who knows
4:25:49if they're going to pay it. We have
4:25:51absentee landlords that probably aren't
4:25:53paying their fines. Um, you look up and
4:25:55down certain streets, they're not taking
4:25:57care of their their their property and
4:25:59things like that and we find them and
4:26:00they'll just pay it and let it be. But
4:26:02that's stuff that we're dealing with
4:26:03consistently. But then we have our
4:26:05unhoused who are dealing with some
4:26:07issues. And again, I I do agree that we
4:26:09need to look into it deeper and and and
4:26:11so and support them, but it to me it's
4:26:14also a health issue. It's a fire issue.
4:26:16it's a safety issue for them and um for
4:26:19others that may come to to to support
4:26:21them and help them. So um I I think we
4:26:24we got to look at the data that we have
4:26:26now. Can't waste more time on this
4:26:29situation. It's um taking up a lot of
4:26:31our time tonight and other nights. Um
4:26:35one last thing. So through the chair, it
4:26:38says the housing and homeless task
4:26:40force. Can you explain to me how long
4:26:41they've been in how long this has been
4:26:43going on for? To the chair.
4:26:45>> Mr. manager.
4:26:47>> Uh threw the chip to the council. That's
4:26:49a good question. Actually, I was going
4:26:50to try to address that towards the end.
4:26:53Uh in 2018, the city of Worcester
4:26:55previous administration announced a
4:26:56housing first task force. That housing
4:26:59first task force was charged with
4:27:02creating over 100 units in the city,
4:27:05give or take 103 units in the city of
4:27:07permanent supportive housing. Um the
4:27:09task force uh called for that housing
4:27:13was the first solution and that we
4:27:15needed to provide per supportive
4:27:16housing. Since 2018 into now with the
4:27:21understanding that CO played a role in
4:27:24in challenges and kind of delaying some
4:27:26of the work the city in partnership with
4:27:28a lot of the agencies have produced over
4:27:3160 permanent supportive housing units
4:27:34based on that strategic plan that was
4:27:36laid out back in 2018 on the housing
4:27:39first task force.
4:27:41That housing forced task force since
4:27:42then has been meeting on a quarterly
4:27:44basis chaired by the city manager and
4:27:46the commissioner of health and human
4:27:47services.
4:27:49When I took on the role of city manager,
4:27:51there was a lot of conversation on this
4:27:53floor about what was the current need in
4:27:56the city in the situation where 2022 or
4:28:002023
4:28:02um and all the impacts that CO has had,
4:28:05all the economic impacts um the
4:28:09situation was much different in 2018 and
4:28:12so we needed to do a new evaluation of
4:28:14the need of our community related to
4:28:17permanent supportive housing. So we
4:28:19partnered with the health foundation who
4:28:21provided uh some dollars, some initial
4:28:23dollars so that we can do an analysis
4:28:26and we had Ruckers University, a
4:28:28professor in Ruckers University and
4:28:30Boston University work together to
4:28:33provide us a report that identified uh
4:28:38what number of housing units and what
4:28:40what what was the need for the city to
4:28:42be able to develop. Um that number was
4:28:46roughly
4:28:47150 permanent supportive housing units
4:28:49that the city would need to develop
4:28:50based on current need and that and that
4:28:54housing availability or the permanent
4:28:56supportive housing would change
4:28:58depending on that point in time number
4:29:01of unhoused or need in the city. The
4:29:04challenge with this is that it requires
4:29:06millions and millions of dollars from
4:29:08city, state, and federal dollars to be
4:29:11able to get permanent supportive
4:29:13housing, not just to develop the units,
4:29:16but also the ongoing supportive services
4:29:19that are required of that as part of
4:29:20that. And it which even requires a case
4:29:24manager to live on site uh to be able to
4:29:27assist the individuals on a day-to-day
4:29:29basis. And so that ongoing supportive
4:29:31services um uh it's extremely needed and
4:29:35it's crucial as part of their ability uh
4:29:38to not only recover but also be
4:29:40self-sufficient over time in these
4:29:43permanent supportive uh units.
4:29:46through my time in and uh as city
4:29:49manager, we took a step back and so and
4:29:52said, "Okay, we we need to we need to
4:29:54look at this differently because one of
4:29:56the challenges is that there's been a
4:29:58lot of uh effort uh uh a lot of dollars
4:30:02u put into this kind of work, but yet we
4:30:05still seem to fall short in providing
4:30:07the services and doing them in a way
4:30:09that has been effective or even
4:30:11efficient. Um there's still challenges.
4:30:14There's still gaps in the system. And so
4:30:17we've poured monies into these programs.
4:30:20We've tried to expand permanent
4:30:21supportive shelters with our current
4:30:22partners. We're currently in the process
4:30:24of expanding permanent shelters in the
4:30:27city. We've tried to do temporary
4:30:29shelters. We've tried to do overflow
4:30:30shelters um on a yearly basis. We've
4:30:34tried to put dollars uh for further
4:30:36outreach and case management not only in
4:30:38the on the municipality but the agencies
4:30:41as well. So a lot of these efforts have
4:30:44come to fruition in terms of resources
4:30:47whether it's state, federal or local
4:30:49funds that have been allocated to this.
4:30:52However, we still have
4:30:55challenges and we still have
4:30:56deficiencies in the system.
4:30:59So the framework what it's trying to do
4:31:01is looking at this historical work that
4:31:04we've done the current work that we've
4:31:07done in the past few years under my
4:31:08administration and is trying to just
4:31:10give a framework. It's not saying all
4:31:12the programs and initiatives and things
4:31:14that we need to fund and all the goals
4:31:16and objectives and ideas, all of that
4:31:18still needs to be worked out, right? How
4:31:21many supportive housing, how many more
4:31:22shelter beds do we need to open up? How
4:31:24many, you know, uh, services, how many
4:31:26more outreach workers do we need? Like
4:31:28all of that still needs to be worked
4:31:30out. What we're just what we're just
4:31:32simply presenting is a framework of
4:31:34saying these are the things core in the
4:31:37system that we need to address within
4:31:39our partners including the municipality
4:31:42to at least get us to start identifying
4:31:44what's the real issue, what's the real
4:31:46number and how do then we start to fund
4:31:49it accordingly uh so that we can then be
4:31:52able to attain those goals. That's still
4:31:54an ongoing work and that's going to
4:31:56probably be another report that we're
4:31:57going to have to come back with specific
4:31:59goals and Dr. Misha would like this
4:32:02smart goals uh that will define what it
4:32:05is that we're trying to achieve over
4:32:07time and how do we moving the needle in
4:32:08those areas. This is just simply an
4:32:11overarching framework that will still
4:32:13require some work with the agencies,
4:32:15with partners, with folks in the
4:32:17community in lived experience, with the
4:32:19city council to continue to develop
4:32:21because there will be perhaps additional
4:32:24policies uh to address the system.
4:32:26There'll be additional dollars that we
4:32:28will need not only from our budget, but
4:32:30also state and federal dollars. Uh, so
4:32:34I'm glad you asked that question because
4:32:35it's a it's a all-encompassing uh uh
4:32:38answer that um it's it's important for
4:32:41to contextualize. Uh and so right now
4:32:43the housing first task force has been
4:32:46restructured to be this steering
4:32:48committee of partners with multiple
4:32:50committees that meet on a very frequent
4:32:53basis. Um it used to be quarterly, we've
4:32:55been meeting monthly and we will
4:32:57continue to meet monthly because this
4:32:59work is extremely important and we all
4:33:01need all hands on deck.
4:33:02Thank you, uh,
4:33:05city manager. Um, I think the night
4:33:08should have lit off with that. Um, but I
4:33:10I appreciate it, but it did it did give
4:33:13me a bunch of more questions and and I I
4:33:16apologize to everyone. Uh, but these
4:33:18questions need to be asked. Um,
4:33:21at the end of the day, we're missing the
4:33:22mark, right? Like like you said, we're
4:33:24trying, but we just keep missing the
4:33:26mark. Um, but what I've seen in District
4:33:294 is
4:33:31um many units for the elderly. I've seen
4:33:35more um
4:33:38affordable housing. I've seen um housing
4:33:42for, you know, that provides accessible
4:33:45housing for um you know, individuals in
4:33:47wheelchairs. So, I've seen more of that,
4:33:50more and more of that, but it seems like
4:33:52we keep on missing the mark. And I don't
4:33:54want to say put a pause on all all those
4:33:55things, but I think this needs to be a
4:33:57strong effort on saying to some of these
4:34:00developers or the agencies like we need
4:34:02your support in this and we need we will
4:34:05help you in whatever way we can. I mean,
4:34:07we're obviously giving tips for other
4:34:09things, but we and residents have
4:34:11brought that up. We need to have a
4:34:12strong effort on this un with the
4:34:15unsheltered population and say this is
4:34:17what our push is going to be. This is
4:34:18what we want to focus on. we understand,
4:34:21you know, that we need affordable
4:34:23housing. Uh but again, in District 4, we
4:34:25up on Madison Street, they just opened
4:34:27up another apartment um complex. So,
4:34:30there's there's a lot of, you know, all
4:34:32these buildings are being built, all
4:34:33these units are being built, but I think
4:34:35it's like let's just put a a serious
4:34:36focus on this on this issue that we have
4:34:39here that has been an issue for many,
4:34:42many years. So, uh, the other question I
4:34:45have is, um,
4:34:51one second. I'm sorry.
4:34:59um with with with the task force. Um, is
4:35:03there any specific
4:35:07um
4:35:09do they meet with other agencies that
4:35:11provide the the the um what should I say
4:35:14the the work on the ground with these
4:35:16residents with these uh house meaning
4:35:19some of the agencies that deal with
4:35:21substance abuse and things like that
4:35:23through the chair to the city manager
4:35:24>> through the chair to the council there's
4:35:26a number of agencies that are either
4:35:27part of the steering committee or part
4:35:29of the uh subcommittees in addition The
4:35:32commissioner in the last few months have
4:35:34started to engage different partners for
4:35:37different u in different circles based
4:35:40on their particular needs whether is the
4:35:43uh hospitals and the healthc care
4:35:44providers the behavioral health uh
4:35:47agencies etc. There's a a correlation
4:35:50and work that's happening and that's
4:35:51being coordinated through the
4:35:52commissioner. uh and she's been starting
4:35:54to put these meetings together on a very
4:35:56frequent basis where bringing all these
4:35:58partners together to have these
4:36:00conversations including uh the folks in
4:36:02the lived experience. There's been a
4:36:04survey that's been address uh that's
4:36:05been uh uh uh uh that people in our in
4:36:09our community with lived experience have
4:36:10been able to express their thoughts and
4:36:12ideas in that survey. So there's been
4:36:14significant amount of work at all
4:36:16different levels that will continue and
4:36:18that's something that commissioner is uh
4:36:20currently right now leading and
4:36:21coordinating.
4:36:22>> Thank you. Lastly, and I appreciate that
4:36:23through the chair, I think it's
4:36:24important to get this information out.
4:36:26Everything that you you you stated, it's
4:36:28important to get this information out.
4:36:29Everything the commissioner has stated,
4:36:30it's important to get this information
4:36:32out. The work that we are doing, the
4:36:34work that is being done, um because once
4:36:36the residents saw this ordinance, you
4:36:39know, this ordinance obviously came from
4:36:41a lot of research, a lot of work you've
4:36:42done. I don't agree on the $20 fine. Um
4:36:45but it came from somewhere. And I think
4:36:47it's important to show that this task
4:36:49force is out in the community. um and
4:36:51how do we build that that relationship
4:36:53with them and uh give residents an
4:36:55opportunity to attend certain meetings
4:36:57um to be able to hear their voice, but
4:36:59again to hear the work that you are
4:37:00doing um to to help the unsheltered. So,
4:37:03thank you and um I appreciate if there's
4:37:05any opportunity as a district counselor
4:37:06to to be a part of some of these
4:37:07meetings um and and or we can have
4:37:10smaller meetings in some of the
4:37:11neighborhood meetings that I have, I can
4:37:13introduce you to the residents to show
4:37:14that you know the work you're doing and
4:37:16then take some notes and and get some
4:37:18more feedback.
4:37:19>> Thank you.
4:37:20>> Thank you. Mr. Manager, you all set?
4:37:23>> Okay.
4:37:24Okay. So, the first motion is to take
4:37:2818B
4:37:29and recommmit it. Correct, Council
4:37:32Rosen?
4:37:34So people understand that would mute
4:37:37some of the other orders to eliminate
4:37:39the
4:37:44uh
4:37:45the ordinance and also to
4:37:51>> council king. What's the point of order?
4:37:53Mr. Chairman, I have a a motion and I
4:37:55want to know if it would be uh mooded as
4:37:58you worded it. uh the motion to to
4:38:00strike down the homeless incarceration
4:38:03act um as it relates to the fines and
4:38:06the um criminal process. That's an
4:38:10option. Are you saying that if it's
4:38:12voted to file back that cannot be taken
4:38:14as a outside motion?
4:38:16>> Correct.
4:38:17>> Okay. If that's the case, Mr. Mr.
4:38:19Chairman, um I'd like to make a motion
4:38:21to file this item.
4:38:24>> Okay. which takes takes personal
4:38:27>> file takes file takes
4:38:30>> what
4:38:30>> file takes person
4:38:31>> file takes person over
4:38:33>> the recon
4:38:34>> number what
4:38:35>> so Mr. Mr. Chairman, three chairs of
4:38:37council. The order of a motion is to
4:38:39place the item on file is number six and
4:38:42the number seven is to refer back to uh
4:38:44the city manager.
4:38:45>> Okay. The first motion is the motion is
4:38:48to file this. So yes would be to file.
4:38:50No, not to be filed.
4:38:54>> Yeah.
4:38:57>> Roll call.
4:38:59>> Councelor Bergman.
4:39:00>> No.
4:39:01>> Council Bada.
4:39:02>> No.
4:39:03>> Councelor Economo.
4:39:04>> No. Council Pizzo,
4:39:06>> no.
4:39:07>> Councelor King,
4:39:08>> yes.
4:39:08>> Council Mitra,
4:39:09>> no.
4:39:09>> Councilora,
4:39:10>> no.
4:39:11>> Councelor Rivera,
4:39:12>> no.
4:39:13>> Councelor Rosen,
4:39:14>> no.
4:39:14>> Councilor Tumi.
4:39:16>> Has recusel and Mayor Petty?
4:39:18>> No.
4:39:19>> Okay. So, the motion is to recommmit it
4:39:21to the city manager. Roll call.
4:39:24>> Councelor Bergman.
4:39:25>> No.
4:39:26>> Sorry. Sorry. Uh,
4:39:27>> I'm sorry. What's that?
4:39:29>> Just a quick question to the chair.
4:39:31Councelor Rosen, you wanted to recommmit
4:39:34it, but that was you. I think you had
4:39:36said to also
4:39:38take out the $25 fine.
4:39:40>> That was my motion. That's my motion.
4:39:43>> Yeah, I suggested I could never support
4:39:45through the chair. I could never support
4:39:47the item if we didn't do that, but it's
4:39:50going to be recommitted and I would
4:39:51think that it's best for the manager to
4:39:53do that.
4:39:54>> Yeah. So, he's going to
4:39:55>> I just want to make sure that right
4:39:57>> point order. My motion was a resolution
4:40:00stating that we want to strike that.
4:40:03>> It's a resolution. Just want to make
4:40:04that clear. It's a resolution that the
4:40:06city council of
4:40:07>> We already took a vote to file.
4:40:08>> I know that's a separate motion. My
4:40:10original motion you said it was going to
4:40:11be moot.
4:40:13>> Was the motion that the Worester City
4:40:15Council stands in opposition to this
4:40:18ordinance as it relates to the fine and
4:40:21the pursuit of criminal process. And you
4:40:25indicated that that would be moot if it
4:40:27was sent back to the manager. I just
4:40:28want to be clear.
4:40:29>> So, Council Rosen's motion is to
4:40:31recommit. Roll call.
4:40:33>> Councelor Bergman.
4:40:34>> No.
4:40:35>> Council Bada.
4:40:37>> Yes.
4:40:37>> Councilor Econom.
4:40:38>> Yes.
4:40:39>> Council Rolo.
4:40:40>> Yes.
4:40:40>> Councelor King.
4:40:44>> And if it's a yes, I'm voting against my
4:40:46motion to I just want to clear be clear
4:40:49with my vote here.
4:40:49>> It's not time. It's a roll call.
4:40:51>> Just it's a point of order of
4:40:52clarification. I'm just asking my vote
4:40:55here. If I vote yes, that means I'm
4:40:57voting against my motion according to
4:41:01your ruling.
4:41:02>> Okay.
4:41:03>> Um Main
4:41:05Council Mitra,
4:41:06>> yes.
4:41:07>> Council Hayda,
4:41:08>> yes.
4:41:09>> Councelor Rivera,
4:41:10>> yes.
4:41:10>> Councilor Rosen,
4:41:11>> yes.
4:41:12>> Council Timmy Cruz over Mayor Petty.
4:41:14>> Yes. Okay. Do we have some other motions
4:41:17for information? All those in favor?
4:41:19Oppose. So ordered. Then we have Oh,
4:41:23let's go back to the agenda.
4:41:34So, we are chairman, we'll go through
4:41:36it's pretty quick some of this stuff.
4:41:37Chairman's or 98 to 9 O. Motion was to
4:41:41adopt.
4:41:43All those in favor post.
4:41:44>> What item was that, Mr. Chairman?
4:41:46>> Uh, items 9 A to 9. Chairman's orders.
4:41:519A.
4:41:52>> Yep.
4:41:52>> I had something I want to post. Hold on
4:41:54here. 9A
4:41:599. Okay.
4:42:01>> Those in favor of post. So audit council
4:42:03to
4:42:06>> Oh, you arrived the wrong.
4:42:07>> Oh, Mr. Chairman, hold on. Nine.
4:42:09>> Hang on. Hang on.
4:42:12Council for the record, councelor Tumi
4:42:14has
4:42:16accus CD E F G H and J.
4:42:21Okay,
4:42:23Mr. Chairman,
4:42:25>> Council King.
4:42:26>> Yes. Um I'm sorry. I was trying to catch
4:42:29up with you after that last vote um
4:42:35on a couple of these items here. Um am I
4:42:38able to speak on them or do we have to
4:42:39do a motion to reconsider?
4:42:42You know, I think we just re redid the
4:42:44whole thing, so you can speak on.
4:42:45>> Okay.
4:42:48>> Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you,
4:42:49everyone. Appreciate it.
4:43:05>> I don't even know right now.
4:43:09We're not on the orders. We're on the
4:43:11>> council.
4:43:12>> Yes. Um I'm just reading through them
4:43:14here. Um
4:43:22>> Mr. Chairman, I'm not familiar with um
4:43:26the draft ordinance on 9C
4:43:30increasing fines. Um
4:43:34I I have some some questions on that
4:43:36through the chair. So just through the
4:43:38charity administration um what
4:43:41communication has occurred or um what
4:43:45are you aware of regarding increasing
4:43:47fines? What are we talking about
4:43:48regarding excessive noise and how's that
4:43:51measured? Are we is that too far down
4:43:53the road?
4:43:55Uh
4:43:55>> Mr. Manager to sh because I'm not aware
4:43:57of any conversation on that. I think
4:43:59that might be something that's too far
4:44:00down the road.
4:44:02based on what this uh the chairman's
4:44:05order or this request is here
4:44:11like to hold 9D
4:44:13>> nine what
4:44:14>> D
4:44:15>> D okay
4:44:23>> um
4:44:30I like to Hold 9 C
4:44:369 G.
4:44:39>> Okay. So we hold 9 C 9 D 9 G and the
4:44:43rest will adopt. Those in favor oppose.
4:44:46So that's held on the approve.
4:44:48>> Mr. Chairman, I think with council
4:44:50online, don't we have to take roll
4:44:52calls?
4:44:52>> Oh, you're right. I forgot. Okay. Okay.
4:44:55So, uh, roll call.
4:44:58Bergman,
4:44:59>> can you can you which ones those are
4:45:01again?
4:45:04>> 9 A to 9 O minus 9 C 9 D and 9G is held
4:45:09under privilege.
4:45:11>> All right. Can I just speak on uh 9L
4:45:12just real quick?
4:45:13>> 9 which one?
4:45:14>> 9 L
4:45:16>> 9 L.
4:45:17>> Yep.
4:45:18>> Okay, council. Um
4:45:19>> thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just um I just
4:45:21want to make sure that it includes um in
4:45:24multiple languages. think it's important
4:45:26um that we we stress that um instead of
4:45:28it just coming out in maybe one language
4:45:30or two.
4:45:31>> Okay. So as a so these items as amended
4:45:349 L roll call.
4:45:36>> Councilor Bergman.
4:45:38>> Yes.
4:45:38>> Council Bada.
4:45:39>> Yes.
4:45:40>> Council Cono.
4:45:41>> Yes.
4:45:41>> Council Zolo.
4:45:42>> Yes.
4:45:43>> Councor King.
4:45:44>> Yes.
4:45:45>> Council Mitra.
4:45:46>> Yes.
4:45:47>> Council.
4:45:48>> Yes.
4:45:48>> Rivera.
4:45:49>> Yes.
4:45:50>> Rosen.
4:45:51>> Yes.
4:45:52>> On the tim.
4:45:54Yes. Before we go to the odds, may we
4:45:57just do some of the busy work at the
4:45:59last part of the meeting here. If we go
4:46:00to 12A, the 12D
4:46:04referred them for legislative
4:46:05operations.
4:46:07Those reports from the city clerk
4:46:11roll call.
4:46:12>> Councelor Bergman,
4:46:14>> can I just finish reading them? Hold on.
4:46:23>> Thank you.
4:46:24All set. Roll call.
4:46:26>> Council Bada.
4:46:29>> Yes.
4:46:30>> Economo.
4:46:32>> Yes. Counc.
4:46:33>> Yes.
4:46:33>> Council King.
4:46:34>> Yes.
4:46:34>> Council Mitra.
4:46:35>> Yes.
4:46:36>> Oh,
4:46:36>> yes.
4:46:37>> Aa.
4:46:38>> Yes.
4:46:38>> Council Rosen.
4:46:39>> Yes.
4:46:39>> Tumi.
4:46:40>> Yes.
4:46:41>> Mayor Petty.
4:46:42>> Yes. 13B and 13 C. Refer the economic
4:46:45development committee.
4:46:47>> 13D and 13 C. Roll call.
4:46:55>> Councelor Berkin.
4:46:56>> Yes.
4:46:57>> Bada.
4:47:03>> Yes.
4:47:04>> Economo.
4:47:04>> Yes.
4:47:05>> Rolo.
4:47:06>> Yes.
4:47:08>> King.
4:47:08>> Yes.
4:47:09>> Mitro.
4:47:09>> Yes.
4:47:10>> Yes.
4:47:11>> Rivera.
4:47:12>> Yes.
4:47:12>> Rosen.
4:47:13>> Yes.
4:47:14>> Tumi.
4:47:14>> Yes.
4:47:15>> Mayor Petty.
4:47:16>> Yes. 14 A and 14P. Motion to accept and
4:47:18adopt in the roll call.
4:47:22>> Councelor Burman,
4:47:24>> yes.
4:47:24>> Council Bada,
4:47:25>> yes.
4:47:26>> Councelor Conamo,
4:47:27>> yes.
4:47:27>> Zolo,
4:47:28>> yes.
4:47:28>> King,
4:47:29>> yes.
4:47:30>> Mitra,
4:47:30>> yes.
4:47:31>> Ha,
4:47:31>> yes.
4:47:32>> Rivera,
4:47:33>> yes.
4:47:33>> Rosen,
4:47:34>> yes.
4:47:34>> Tumi,
4:47:35>> yes.
4:47:36>> Mayor Petty,
4:47:36>> yes. 15 A to 15
4:47:39H. Motion to accept.
4:47:43Roll call.
4:47:43>> Councelor Bergman.
4:47:44>> Yes.
4:47:45>> Miss Bada.
4:47:46>> Yes. Yes. Council
4:47:47>> econom.
4:47:47>> Yes.
4:47:48>> Mr. Zolo.
4:47:48>> Yes.
4:47:49>> Mr. King.
4:47:50>> Yes.
4:47:51>> Mitra.
4:47:52>> Yes.
4:47:52>> Toita.
4:47:53>> Yes.
4:47:53>> Mr. Rivera.
4:47:54>> Yes.
4:47:55>> Mr. Rosen.
4:47:55>> Yes.
4:47:56>> Tumi.
4:47:57>> Yes.
4:47:57>> Mayor Petty.
4:47:59>> Yes. We have um 16 A to 16B. Motions to
4:48:04accept. 17 A to 17 C. Motions accept and
4:48:08adopt.
4:48:08>> No, I kind of I have to recuse myself.
4:48:10>> Which?
4:48:12>> Okay.
4:48:13>> 16 A and B.
4:48:14>> Mr. Chairman, what are we adopting?
4:48:17>> What's that?
4:48:18>> I'm trying to see here. 16 A and B. What
4:48:20are we adopting? Would you say we're
4:48:21adopting?
4:48:21>> Okay, we're just going to do 16 A and
4:48:2316B. Council Tumi has recused herself.
4:48:26>> Okay,
4:48:26>> roll call.
4:48:27>> Councman,
4:48:28>> yes.
4:48:28>> Bada.
4:48:29>> Yes.
4:48:30>> Mr. Con?
4:48:30>> Yes.
4:48:31>> Zolo?
4:48:32>> Yes.
4:48:32>> Mr. King?
4:48:33>> Yes.
4:48:34>> Mitra?
4:48:35>> Yes.
4:48:35>> Mr. Roita?
4:48:36>> Yes.
4:48:36>> Rivera?
4:48:37>> Yes. Mr.
4:48:38>> Rosen?
4:48:38>> Yes.
4:48:39>> Mayor Petty?
4:48:40>> Yes. 17 A to 17 C. Motion to accept and
4:48:44adopt in the roll call. 17 D 17 H.
4:48:47Motions accept and adopt and 17 I 170 O.
4:48:51Motions to accept. Roll call.
4:48:53>> Councelor Bergman.
4:48:54>> Yes.
4:48:55>> Bada.
4:48:56>> Yes.
4:48:57>> Econom.
4:48:58>> Yes.
4:48:58>> Councelor Zolo.
4:48:59>> Yes.
4:49:00>> Council King.
4:49:01>> Yes.
4:49:02>> Mitra.
4:49:03>> Yes.
4:49:03>> Oh,
4:49:04>> yes.
4:49:04>> Rivera.
4:49:05>> Yes.
4:49:06>> Rosen.
4:49:06>> Yes.
4:49:07>> Tumi.
4:49:08>> Yes.
4:49:08>> And Mayor Pay.
4:49:10>> Yes. We're at the RS 10A. We'll take 10
4:49:13A and 10 B and 10 C collectively request
4:49:16standing committee on municipal
4:49:17operations hold a discussion concerning
4:49:19feasibility of creating a new rule 61
4:49:21the rules of the council to read as
4:49:22follows in order to assist the city
4:49:24council carrying out the duties related
4:49:26to the oversight of legislative policies
4:49:27budgetary functions within the city each
4:49:30city department listed within appendix B
4:49:32and the rules of the city council
4:49:35through the city manager shall hereby
4:49:36submit an annual department report to
4:49:38the city council in the land of January
4:49:401st of each calendar year that includes
4:49:41said department's performance measures
4:49:43for uh upcoming calendar year since
4:49:45submission should be presented in a
4:49:47specific measurable attainable relevant
4:49:49and time bound smart goals format and
4:49:52should include department's private
4:49:54fiscal year budget information
4:50:01>> B request may I'm sorry request the
4:50:03standing committee MO hold the
4:50:05discussion concerning the feasibility
4:50:07creating route 62 of the city council to
4:50:09read as follows city council may no ated
4:50:11on March 1st of each county year. Pro
4:50:13manager with recommended budget
4:50:14priorities for the city's upcoming
4:50:15fiscal year budget said recommended
4:50:17budget priorities may include but not
4:50:19limit to identifying proposed projects,
4:50:21programs, service improvements,
4:50:22operational needs and/or policy
4:50:24initiatives that should all be
4:50:26considered by the same manager informing
4:50:27each department's budget. Said
4:50:29recommended budget priorities shall be
4:50:31submitted to each city council standing
4:50:32committee according to the departments
4:50:34assigned to such committees.
4:50:36And C is also hold discussion
4:50:38feasibility creating rule 63 of the city
4:50:41council to read as follows. Submission
4:50:44of the primary budget. City council city
4:50:46manager sub the annual primary budget
4:50:48report to council for referral to the
4:50:49council standing committee on finance.
4:50:51Supreme budget shall be submitted no
4:50:54later than March 15th of each calendar
4:50:55year and should identify budget
4:50:57priorities for upcoming fiscal year
4:50:59including information concerning
4:51:00budgeted proposed projects, program
4:51:02service improvements, operational needs
4:51:04and policy initiatives being considered
4:51:05as part of the upcoming fiscal year's
4:51:08budget. Council Mitra,
4:51:11thank you, Mr. Chair.
4:51:15Mr. Chair, I am trying to propose three
4:51:19new rules to add to the council's rule
4:51:22book. Currently, we have about 60 rules
4:51:28uh for the city council in the book. The
4:51:33reason of this is that in the last U
4:51:36budget session what we experienced is
4:51:39that uh when city manager brings the
4:51:43budget allocations or appropriations
4:51:46we discuss on it. We have questions we
4:51:48ask and uh at the end of the day we find
4:51:52that the city councilors really do not
4:51:55have uh any authority based on our
4:51:58charter to make any addition or we can
4:52:03make the cut but we cannot add. I think
4:52:06we all probably at least I felt that uh
4:52:10we should have a say we should have some
4:52:12way to you know let the let Mr. manager
4:52:16know that this is what I would like to
4:52:18be in the budget when he does the
4:52:20appropriation. I know that we do have uh
4:52:24time that we spend with Mr. Manager. Two
4:52:26city councilors be with him in his
4:52:29office and he shows us the preliminary
4:52:32budget at that time. But I think that is
4:52:35very informal. It's not something that
4:52:37is recorded. You know what we are saying
4:52:39if we have anything to say. It's pretty
4:52:42much when city manager has already
4:52:44appropriated, city councilors don't have
4:52:46any say. Keeping that in mind, I felt
4:52:50that probably we all should get a chance
4:52:52to express our priorities.
4:52:56So I came up with these three rules.
4:52:59Number one is is the rule number 61
4:53:02which says annual report of city
4:53:04departments. So I would request that all
4:53:06city departments which are listed on the
4:53:08appendix B of the rule book with all the
4:53:12departments that is listed there they
4:53:15all present to us the their annual
4:53:19report by January 1 if they can give us
4:53:22the performance report you know how they
4:53:24are doing adding to the last year's
4:53:27budget report so that we get a chance to
4:53:29kind of take a look at it so if they
4:53:32provide us that report through the city
4:53:34manager
4:53:35to each department standing committee u
4:53:39by January 1.
4:53:42Then the next rule is rule 62 which is
4:53:46the submission of budget recommendation.
4:53:49Then the city councilors get a chance to
4:53:51see the performance level at that up to
4:53:54that point. Also look at the last budget
4:53:57report have a comparison talk to the
4:54:00department heads and come up with if
4:54:02there is any suggestion that they think
4:54:04maybe we don't need anything but if we
4:54:06think there's something needed for
4:54:07example this homeless issue that we have
4:54:10we need more budget. So if I say that
4:54:12hey I recommend city manager to see that
4:54:15if he could add extra money towards this
4:54:18cause or towards fixing the roads or
4:54:20getting more law enforcement officers. I
4:54:23think this would be our chance. Every
4:54:25city councelor can take a look at the
4:54:27performance up to January and then from
4:54:30January through March 1, we will have
4:54:33our chance to give review it, analyze it
4:54:36and prepare our priorities for the city
4:54:39manager and submit it to the city
4:54:41manager. That will be rule 62. And the
4:54:45rule 63 would be now city manager always
4:54:48gives us a preliminary budget so that we
4:54:51can go over with him. I'm just
4:54:53suggesting here's rule 63 that
4:54:56submission of a preliminary budget. City
4:54:59manager then takes our priorities or our
4:55:02recommendations that he already has by
4:55:04that time and then by March 15th which
4:55:08he generally does prepares a preliminary
4:55:11budget including his priorities
4:55:14considering our priorities and come up
4:55:16with a compromised budget and present it
4:55:19to the finance committee. The finance
4:55:21committee consists of all city
4:55:23councilors and thereby we can review it
4:55:26and then move from there to our budget
4:55:28session. So whole idea was to create a
4:55:32situation create a official way of
4:55:36giving our priorities to the city
4:55:38manager for consideration. Now once the
4:55:41chart once the budget comes to us the
4:55:43preliminary budget appropriated by him
4:55:46considering our priorities we are going
4:55:48to honor the charter. We won't have any
4:55:50say. I understand that. We'll live with
4:55:53it. Like I remember last budget when I
4:55:56had requested to kind of even a loan
4:55:58order of $20 million. I was said that we
4:56:01couldn't do it because the budget has
4:56:03already been appropriated. This probably
4:56:06gives all of us a chance that we can say
4:56:09something to the city manager
4:56:10officially. it goes to him that we want
4:56:14this to be considered and then he puts
4:56:16that into consideration and comes up
4:56:19with the preliminary budget which the
4:56:21finance committee then goes over and
4:56:24then we run into the budget session. So
4:56:26those are my three new rules. Rule 61,
4:56:2962, 63. First one is that department
4:56:33heads gives us the report and the
4:56:35performance report in a smart goal
4:56:37fashion. 62 is we submit our
4:56:40recommendation after we review their
4:56:44performance report and then request the
4:56:47manager to consider those our priorities
4:56:49and then Mr. Manager then brings us rule
4:56:5263 submits to us the preliminary report
4:56:56and we can then go from there. So those
4:56:58are my three orders and um I hope it
4:57:03will help each counselor to have an
4:57:05official recommendation of their own to
4:57:08the city manager and city manager
4:57:10hopefully will take into uh
4:57:13consideration of our recommendation and
4:57:16move to create the appropriate budget
4:57:19appropriation so we can all be looking
4:57:22into that. That's the order I have.
4:57:25>> Okay. We'll send that to the 03 items to
4:57:28the council. Okay.
4:57:31>> What purpose did you
4:57:33>> um in opposition? Mr. Chairman, um
4:57:36regarding 10 A, B, and C, um so I get
4:57:38some feedback from the city manager sort
4:57:41of um on this through the chair.
4:57:45>> Uh Mr. Manager,
4:57:48>> uh to the chair, to the council, just on
4:57:49the kind of the face and the explanation
4:57:52that the council has provided me. Um the
4:57:55city of Worcester we have
4:57:58through my role even previously as city
4:58:00manager we developed an actual strategic
4:58:02plan uh back in 2017 2016 we actually
4:58:05used Tom Hoover's uh 2020 2004 plan as a
4:58:10as a as a beginning stages of that
4:58:13discussion with previous administration
4:58:16that actually then evolved into a
4:58:18development of departmental development
4:58:20plans that we started to initiate in the
4:58:22current budget And that practice has
4:58:24continued um as well. One of the things
4:58:28that we added was a significant number
4:58:29of KPIs as part of that effort. That's
4:58:32something that we're working right now
4:58:34to enhance. But our current budget
4:58:35process, we have a strategic plan that
4:58:37we've outlined that we brought forward
4:58:38to the council. It's a five-year
4:58:40strategic plan. It has a number of
4:58:42goals, objectives, and initiatives and
4:58:44things that are we're working towards
4:58:46that are in that document that that has
4:58:48been publicly available and has been
4:58:50communicated every single time um that
4:58:52we try to. In addition to that, every
4:58:55department is required to submit a
4:58:57departmental development plan that is in
4:59:00line with the strategic plan so that
4:59:02their goals are being measured, their
4:59:04outcomes are being measured and then
4:59:06being presented as part of the budget.
4:59:07So the budget that we present to the
4:59:08council every single year has a
4:59:11breakdown of those goals, the objectives
4:59:12and and the outcomes of that. Um and
4:59:15that's something that we we continuously
4:59:17work to uh increase and enhance it. But
4:59:20again, just looking at here in terms of
4:59:22the the
4:59:24>> chair, Mr. Chairman, if I can just
4:59:25reclaim my time. So this says by January
4:59:281 for those departments to come forward
4:59:31with that. Can you speak to that aspect
4:59:33on 10A? Yeah, through the ch of council
4:59:35through the through the budget process
4:59:37uh January 1st or in the beginning of
4:59:40the new year it's when we start the
4:59:42process of working with departments
4:59:44where they are now putting together the
4:59:46departmental development plan plans.
4:59:48They're reviewing their outcomes.
4:59:49They're reviewing their data and their
4:59:50outputs based on those goals and
4:59:52initiatives that they were working on.
4:59:53And they're also then working through
4:59:56their budget in submissions to the uh to
4:59:59the to the uh uh uh budget office for
5:00:02review. Um, so by the time I see and I
5:00:05have the opportunity to discuss with
5:00:07department heads, we're probably looking
5:00:08at sometime between February and March.
5:00:11>> Thank you. So that time frame is not
5:00:12feasible. Uh, Mr. Chairman, uh, 10B to
5:00:16the chair to the administration. Um,
5:00:19budget priorities. I just want to kind
5:00:21of make a statement on this so folks
5:00:22understand my vote. Um, this calls for
5:00:25the council to recommend budget
5:00:28priorities for the upcoming fiscal year
5:00:31by March 1st. Mr. Chairman, we meet week
5:00:34uh monthly with the manager. Um a lot of
5:00:37folks meet more than monthly. Um we have
5:00:39a number of orders that come through
5:00:41here. We have orders right now that sets
5:00:43the agenda during budget season. Um
5:00:45that's an opportunity where we set um
5:00:48priorities for the city manager. Um as
5:00:51it relates to budget, as it relates to
5:00:53operations, as it relates to priorities,
5:00:56Mr. Chairman, um I I certainly don't
5:00:58want folks to think that this is not
5:01:01occurring. Um, for example, our orders,
5:01:04we have orders pertaining to potholes.
5:01:06So, if there's 47 orders of potholes
5:01:08over the last three weeks, the manager
5:01:10knows that's a priority for the city.
5:01:12Um, it doesn't require
5:01:15um, you know, a a formal um
5:01:19form or paperwork to the manager. Um,
5:01:23the orders speak for themselves, the
5:01:25motions speak for themselves. Um, and
5:01:29you know, I I just
5:01:31pause at really um 10B as well. Um 10 C,
5:01:36Mr. Chairman, um just want the manager
5:01:40to speak to the um submission by March
5:01:4315 through the chair. 10 C.
5:01:47>> Mr. Manager,
5:01:56>> it's for a preliminary budget by March
5:01:5815
5:01:59>> uh through the J of the council. That is
5:02:00actually a conversation that the CFO and
5:02:02I have actually uh begun. Um there is a
5:02:07possibility we can we oftent times when
5:02:09we submit our preliminary budget and and
5:02:12we have the briefings with the council,
5:02:14we often uh need to wait until the
5:02:16governor's budget is presented to the
5:02:18legislation and we then utilize that
5:02:20that budget as a as the leading factor
5:02:24uh to the preliminary budget. I believe
5:02:26March 15th is a good time frame that
5:02:28gives us the ability to come before the
5:02:30council and give a preliminary budget.
5:02:32Uh again, we will be subject to the
5:02:34governor's numbers uh to be able to set
5:02:36what those revenues and the taxes uh
5:02:38that we will be receiving from the
5:02:40state.
5:02:41>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to
5:02:42be clear for the public. Um I appreciate
5:02:45councelor uh Mitra's forward thinking as
5:02:48relates to to all of these items. um
5:02:51many of us have asked for improvements
5:02:53in um the budgeting process um over the
5:02:58years. Um so I certainly appreciate um
5:03:01the effort on all three of these. Um
5:03:04sounds like 10 C is something that could
5:03:06happen um and perhaps wouldn't have
5:03:08happened without uh councelor Mitra's um
5:03:12initiation here. Mr. Mr. Chairman, as it
5:03:14relates to 10A and 10B, um just for the
5:03:18record, 10B I'm not going to support. Um
5:03:21it's something that we already do
5:03:23frequently. Um if the manager needs to
5:03:26be sort of um guided as relates to our
5:03:31individual uh budget priorities outside
5:03:34of what we already do um is would be
5:03:38pause for me for concern. Um, and it
5:03:41sounds like 10A is not um, able to be
5:03:45done um, by January 1st cuz he's not a
5:03:47receipt of that information till
5:03:49February or so. Um, so just for the
5:03:52public, not that I I don't want
5:03:54improvement, but 10A and 10B doesn't
5:03:56don't appear feasible. Thank you, Mr.
5:03:58Chairman.
5:03:59>> Thank you,
5:04:01Zitra for second time.
5:04:03>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um just wanted to
5:04:08uh go back and say that my goal here is
5:04:11to give the city councilors an
5:04:14opportunity to connect to Mr. Manager
5:04:17with their priorities. I understand that
5:04:19Mr. Manager takes the remarks and the
5:04:23feedback from all department heads and
5:04:25creates the budget. But what city
5:04:28councilors know is the voice of the
5:04:31constituents is the report that we go to
5:04:34the neighborhood meetings. We hear them.
5:04:37We have something that the the
5:04:39department heads don't know. So we're
5:04:41bringing you the real issue that we hear
5:04:45from the residents from the
5:04:47constituents. So I think we should have
5:04:49a chance to also be a part of your
5:04:51budget creation. So that's why I have
5:04:53created that the dates that you see
5:04:56there it can be changed it can be made
5:04:58to what is suitable to you I mean I said
5:05:01January because from July through
5:05:03January it will be half month you know
5:05:06semianual report we have with the
5:05:08previous year's budget so we have a
5:05:09comparative picture and it is not
5:05:11something new it has been done by
5:05:14manager you know city manager Hoover I
5:05:16have attached those it's it was in the
5:05:18system it just doesn't get done but I
5:05:21think Our view, our priorities are
5:05:24coming because we are meeting with our
5:05:26residents. We are talking to our
5:05:28constituents and bringing you our side
5:05:31of the story, our side of the
5:05:32priorities. Managers are giving what
5:05:35they are facing, what they need. But I
5:05:37think when you have all these, it will
5:05:38be a much better appropriation of your
5:05:41budget which will help the entire city.
5:05:44So I think it's a much better approach.
5:05:46I think the dates can be made suitable
5:05:49to you a few days here and there. If you
5:05:51say that well not March one then I can
5:05:54we can probably change that. This is
5:05:56whole thing is a proposal is to go to
5:05:58the MLO and have a discussion where we
5:06:01can make it refine it and bring it back
5:06:03to you. So I think if we just approve
5:06:06uh 10 C without approving 10 A and B
5:06:10then it's mute doing 10 C. I think it it
5:06:13is linked interlin with each other.
5:06:15dates could be changed. It has it was
5:06:17already there before. The portion that I
5:06:20want to emphasize is the city managers
5:06:22are now getting their chance to offer
5:06:25you our priorities. So you can now put
5:06:27together department heads, city city
5:06:29councilors and your own and that's why I
5:06:32would like this city councilors to
5:06:34consider. It's good for all of us for
5:06:37this.
5:06:37>> Good. Thank you
5:06:40Dr. King for a second time.
5:06:42>> Thank you Mr. Chair. I just want to
5:06:43state for the public. Um I don't want
5:06:45any questioning of whether or not I as
5:06:48an elected official give my priorities
5:06:51to the city manager. Um and voting
5:06:54against this would mean that I'm not
5:06:56giving priority in my monthly meetings.
5:06:58I'm not giving them through orders. I'm
5:07:00not giving them through um all sorts of
5:07:03contacts. So I just want to be very
5:07:05clear to the public that is not an issue
5:07:08um for myself as an elected official.
5:07:10Mr. Chairman, if if if there's an
5:07:12amendment to remove January 1st, I'll
5:07:14vote for A. Um 10B, as I stated, we do
5:07:18this regularly. Um it's our job as a
5:07:21council to set priorities. And again,
5:07:23multiple intersects, including
5:07:25especially during um budget time where
5:07:28folks are like, why are they talking so
5:07:30much? It sets an agenda, Mr. Chairman.
5:07:32Um and 10 C I would support. I don't
5:07:35want any sort of misunderstanding
5:07:38um that I'm not doing that on a regular
5:07:40basis.
5:07:42>> Councelor Bergman,
5:07:43>> just briefly, Mr. Chairman, I'm
5:07:45wondering if the manager would consider
5:07:48taking these uh for a report, sending it
5:07:50back to us, and then we can discuss
5:07:53whether or not it makes sense to send it
5:07:54to MLO. I think providing some feedback
5:07:57from the manager could be very helpful
5:07:59because he may be able to guide us to
5:08:02whether A, B, and C is something he's
5:08:04already doing, whether he could do
5:08:06better, whether it can't be done at all.
5:08:08I I my colleague, Council Me doesn't
5:08:11object. I think that starting with the
5:08:13manager's report will be a better way of
5:08:15going about it than sending it right
5:08:17away to the U to the committee.
5:08:21Council Mitra, he's asking to send all
5:08:23three requests to the city manager. Mr.
5:08:26Council Bergman, is that correct?
5:08:27>> Yes.
5:08:28>> Yeah.
5:08:30>> Uh, yes. I think um dates being an
5:08:33issue, I think it will be better that
5:08:34Mr. Manager looks at it and gives us
5:08:37back what he thinks would be feasible
5:08:38and I'll be I'll be okay with that.
5:08:40>> Okay. Is everybody fine with that? Do
5:08:42you still Okay. So, uh, motions of
5:08:44Senate Manager, all three items or I'm
5:08:47sorry, roll call. Councelor Bergwin,
5:08:49>> yes.
5:08:49>> Bada,
5:08:50>> no.
5:08:52>> Economo,
5:08:53>> yes.
5:08:53>> Councelor Bzolo,
5:08:54>> yes.
5:08:55>> King,
5:08:58>> um, these are collective.
5:09:00>> Um, I just want to be no on B, but yes
5:09:04on A and C.
5:09:07>> That's why I asked if everybody's all
5:09:08set. Okay. So, we'll do them separately.
5:09:1010A to the manager. Roll call.
5:09:12>> Councilor Bergman.
5:09:13>> Yes.
5:09:14>> Bada.
5:09:15>> No.
5:09:16>> Councilor Economo. Yes,
5:09:18>> Roso.
5:09:18>> Yes,
5:09:19>> King.
5:09:19>> Yes,
5:09:20>> Mitra.
5:09:21>> Yes,
5:09:22>> yes,
5:09:23>> Rivera.
5:09:23>> Yes,
5:09:24>> Rosen.
5:09:24>> Yes,
5:09:25>> Tumi.
5:09:26>> Yes.
5:09:26>> Mayor Petty,
5:09:27>> yes. P. Roll call.
5:09:29>> Councelor Bergman.
5:09:29>> Yes.
5:09:30>> Bada.
5:09:31>> No.
5:09:32>> Councilor Economo.
5:09:33>> Yes.
5:09:34>> Councelor Pizzo.
5:09:35>> Yes.
5:09:35>> Councelor King.
5:09:36>> No.
5:09:37>> Mitra,
5:09:37>> yes.
5:09:38>> Oh,
5:09:39>> no.
5:09:40>> Rivera.
5:09:41>> Yes.
5:09:42>> Councelor Rosen.
5:09:43>> Yes.
5:09:44>> Tumi.
5:09:44>> Yes.
5:09:45>> Mayor Petty.
5:09:46>> Yes. to see.
5:09:48>> Councelor Bergman,
5:09:49>> yes.
5:09:49>> Councelor Bilada,
5:09:51>> no.
5:09:51>> Councelor Econom,
5:09:52>> yes.
5:09:53>> Councelor Zolo,
5:09:54>> yes.
5:09:54>> Councelor King,
5:09:55>> yes.
5:09:56>> Mitra,
5:09:56>> yes.
5:09:57>> Oh,
5:09:58>> yes.
5:09:58>> Rivera,
5:09:59>> yes.
5:10:00>> Rosen,
5:10:00>> yes.
5:10:01>> Tumi,
5:10:02>> yes.
5:10:02>> Mayor Petty,
5:10:03>> yes. Ten F request request commission of
5:10:06public works by city council with a
5:10:07report detailing the feasibility of
5:10:09adding a recycle bin at the Clark Street
5:10:10drop off site to our residents to drop
5:10:12off recycle items. Council Okconom.
5:10:17>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Just real
5:10:19quick,
5:10:21um I've heard from a few residents just
5:10:24asking just to save them a trip from
5:10:25heading down to Milbury Street. I don't
5:10:27know if it's something that's doable,
5:10:28Mr. Manager. Um I know we're looking at
5:10:31a bit of a redesign of that um location.
5:10:36Um if it's something that we can do, I
5:10:39think it'd be a great asset for the
5:10:41north end of the city. Thank you. Send
5:10:43that to the manager. Uh, roll call.
5:10:46>> I just like to sign on to that.
5:10:48>> Roll call.
5:10:49>> Councelor Bregman.
5:10:50>> Yes.
5:10:51>> Council Bada.
5:10:52>> Yes.
5:10:53>> Connor.
5:10:53>> Yes.
5:10:54>> Zolo.
5:10:54>> Yes.
5:10:55>> King.
5:10:56>> Yes.
5:10:56>> Mitra.
5:10:57>> Yes.
5:10:57>> Oh,
5:10:58>> yes.
5:10:58>> Council Rivera.
5:10:59>> Yes.
5:11:00>> Council Rosen.
5:11:00>> Yes.
5:11:01>> Tumi.
5:11:02>> Yes.
5:11:02>> And mayor Petty.
5:11:03>> Yes. 10g. Request the man to provide
5:11:06council the draft war on please.
5:11:09>> Council Tumi has recused herself.
5:11:13request may provide city council with
5:11:14draft or regulations to ensure that
5:11:16operators of all kinds of motoriized
5:11:18scooters, bikes, etc. have vehicles
5:11:20licensed and registered for requests,
5:11:22pedestrian safety considerations be made
5:11:24when drafting said or regulations.
5:11:26Councilor Cono,
5:11:27>> this has come up at numerous uh
5:11:30neighborhood meetings over the last few
5:11:31months. Um, and in speaking with the
5:11:34manager, this seems to be something
5:11:36coming down from the state uh or at
5:11:38least the state is looking at it. So, if
5:11:41we can keep the item um
5:11:45in our purview until something comes
5:11:47down from the state, that's what I would
5:11:49uh appreciate. Mr. May uh mayor.
5:11:51>> Okay.
5:11:54>> Council.
5:11:55>> Yes. Just real quick to the chair. Uh
5:11:57maybe Nico can help me out with this. Uh
5:11:59city clerk. Um did did councelor Tumi
5:12:02put something similar to this? Uh there
5:12:04was an ask. I know some of the residents
5:12:05in my in some of my neighborhood
5:12:06meetings and I can't find it in the
5:12:08email that I received but something
5:12:10similar to this
5:12:12>> uh through the chair to the council. I
5:12:13think it was put in but it was past the
5:12:1590 days and I don't think the I've seen
5:12:18anything from administration come back
5:12:19on.
5:12:20>> Could you repeat that through the chair?
5:12:21I didn't hear the clerk.
5:12:22>> So through the chair to the council I
5:12:24think uh council tumi has put on similar
5:12:26items in the past but it's been past the
5:12:2890 days. Okay.
5:12:30>> All right. Thank you.
5:12:32>> Okay.
5:12:33We send that to committee. Is that what
5:12:35are we doing with this?
5:12:35>> It says here uh send it to public works
5:12:39>> and then we'll just we'll hold off uh on
5:12:42action on that until we hear from uh our
5:12:44partners at the state.
5:12:46>> Okay.
5:12:50Okay. So, you're saying okay.
5:12:51>> So, it's not going to be heard in
5:12:52committee.
5:12:53>> Correct.
5:12:55>> But we're sending it to committee.
5:12:57>> Okay.
5:12:57>> We don't yet.
5:13:00>> Okay. Roll call.
5:13:06He's amended this under the committee
5:13:07and hold it there until the state.
5:13:10>> No, I understand, Mr. Chairman. I'm not
5:13:11looking for more business. I respect
5:13:13what councelor Cono is asking. I'm just
5:13:15wondering if public safety wouldn't be
5:13:18the more appropriate place. I don't
5:13:21care. I'm just asking. What am I saying?
5:13:26>> I thought the motion was to send to the
5:13:27manager and pending. That's what he
5:13:30originally said. Pending state. Um,
5:13:33>> yeah, that's what we should do.
5:13:34>> State movement.
5:13:35>> Yeah, we should send it to
5:13:37>> manager. Okay,
5:13:39>> roll call.
5:13:40>> Councelor Bergman.
5:13:41>> Yes.
5:13:42>> Bada.
5:13:43>> Yes.
5:13:43>> Econom.
5:13:44>> Yes.
5:13:45>> Bizolo.
5:13:45>> Yes.
5:13:46>> King.
5:13:46>> Yes.
5:13:47>> Mitra.
5:13:48>> Yes.
5:13:48>> Oh,
5:13:49>> yes.
5:13:50>> Rivera.
5:13:50>> Yes.
5:13:51>> Rosen.
5:13:51>> Yes.
5:13:52and mayor P.
5:13:54>> Yes. 10H. Request the manage request the
5:13:56chief development officer work with the
5:13:58housing partners and stakeholders
5:13:59developing the homeowner and tenant
5:14:01submit to educate residents about
5:14:03housing programs, benefits, and tenants
5:14:05rights. Council Bada.
5:14:07>> Yeah. Uh Mr. Chairman, just given the
5:14:09late hour, I I would like to hold my my
5:14:11two items.
5:14:12>> The next two. Okay.
5:14:14>> Yeah.
5:14:14>> H&
5:14:17>> Yes. And um
5:14:21excuse me.
5:14:24Also item
5:14:28Z10 Z
5:14:34probably holding a bunch of them.
5:14:35>> I'll hold 10J as well if he's holding 10
5:14:37Z. 10 what? I'm sorry council.
5:14:40>> I'll hold 10 J as well if he's holding
5:14:4210 Z. They kind of go together. Okay.
5:14:48Okay. So we are on
5:14:53>> 10K.
5:14:55I request standing committee on public
5:14:56health
5:14:58and human services meet jointly with the
5:15:00board of health for the purpose of
5:15:02reviewing matters related to public
5:15:03health the elderly the uh quality of
5:15:06women youth services public housing
5:15:08disable and community development for
5:15:09grant fund listed on their agenda.
5:15:12Council Rosen.
5:15:13>> Thank you Mr. Chairman. I did spend
5:15:16previous to this term on the council
5:15:18four years in the board of health and a
5:15:20lot of the issues that that board uh
5:15:23continues to take up uh our public
5:15:25health committee of the city council
5:15:27will also be taken up. So I just was
5:15:30hoping that maybe once at the most twice
5:15:33a year our public health committee could
5:15:35meet with the board of health and
5:15:37discuss issues that we have in common
5:15:40and see where we want to go each body
5:15:42with those issues. So, I thought it'd be
5:15:44good to have that partnership. U even if
5:15:47we go back to what we had the past year
5:15:50about Noah Mesco and the business uh
5:15:53over there on Lower Pleasant Street, it
5:15:55would have been good, I think, to have
5:15:56the the uh board of health meet with the
5:16:00uh council's committee of public health
5:16:02and discuss that. So, uh, I listed some
5:16:05items that I think that we might have in
5:16:07common, and it would be once or twice a
5:16:09year that I'd ask the city council to
5:16:12endorse, uh, the meetings of the two
5:16:13bodies. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
5:16:15>> Thank you. Roll call.
5:16:18>> Councelor Bergman,
5:16:19>> yes.
5:16:19>> Council Bada,
5:16:21>> yes.
5:16:21>> Councilor Economo,
5:16:22>> yes.
5:16:22>> Rolo,
5:16:23>> yes.
5:16:24>> King,
5:16:24>> yes.
5:16:25>> Mitro,
5:16:26>> yes.
5:16:26>> Aa,
5:16:27>> yes.
5:16:27>> Rivera,
5:16:28>> yes.
5:16:28>> Rosen,
5:16:29>> yes.
5:16:30>> Tumi,
5:16:30>> yes.
5:16:31>> And Mayor Petty,
5:16:32>> yes. Okay, we'll get through one more
5:16:34maybe of these, but we'll see. 10 L
5:16:36requesting management chief Tomovs
5:16:38explain to city council at its September
5:16:4026, 2026 meeting why Opaline Enterprises
5:16:44a commercial drywall and metal framing
5:16:46subcontract and documented violations of
5:16:48labor and employment laws is being
5:16:50allowed to work on the 364 unit
5:16:52residential complex being built on 274
5:16:55Franklin Street which is project heavily
5:16:57supported by $11 million in local
5:16:58property tax relief over 15 years and
5:17:01has previously banned from taxpayer
5:17:02funded projects in western in June 2025.
5:17:04five due to the documented violations
5:17:06including wage theft paying employees
5:17:08under the state failing to pay proper
5:17:10overtime rates to trace people working
5:17:12for over 40 hours a week and tax um
5:17:15insurance fraud. Senate explanation
5:17:17should address whether uplines work on
5:17:19the forementioned project is in
5:17:21violation of the whisters's responsible
5:17:22employee or a law mandating the
5:17:24developers receiving municipal tax
5:17:26relief or tax and financing benefits not
5:17:29hire contractors of documented labor or
5:17:31wage labor wage violations from the past
5:17:34three years. Council Rosen.
5:17:37>> Thank you Mr. Chairman. Uh, one of the
5:17:39several reasons that Worcester has a
5:17:41responsible development ordinance is to
5:17:44make sure that the developers and their
5:17:46subcontractors when they receive public
5:17:48money or tax rates, they follow the
5:17:51labor laws and they support fair hiring
5:17:54practices. And that hasn't always
5:17:57occurred. Even though we have the
5:17:59responsible development ordinance and I
5:18:02know we all support the ordinance, but
5:18:04the question is, do we all want to
5:18:05enforce that? And I I hope we do. I hope
5:18:07we start in every violation of this
5:18:10ordinance, we try to enforce it and we,
5:18:12you know, have penalties for uh the
5:18:16developers, subcontractors who might be
5:18:19engaged in things like, you know, wage
5:18:21theft,
5:18:23uh failure to pay prevailing wages,
5:18:26safety infractions. You know, those are
5:18:28all things that uh we have seen at times
5:18:31during these uh especially publicly
5:18:33funded projects. uh optoline
5:18:36enterprises, the ones that I've
5:18:38mentioned here, it's a drywall
5:18:39subcontractor, and they they've been
5:18:42accused of wage theft, intimidation, and
5:18:45retaliation against immigrant workers.
5:18:47And a judge already found that Optaline
5:18:50threatened and intimidated workers when
5:18:52they had a lawsuit over unpaid overtime.
5:18:56Optaline is working at 274 Franklin
5:18:59Street now on a project, 364 units,
5:19:03great project. and that developer is
5:19:06receiving $11 million in local property
5:19:09tax relief. So, it's an important, you
5:19:11know, project for the city and it's
5:19:14important that the developer and the
5:19:17subcontractors do follow the responsible
5:19:19development ordinance and workers
5:19:22alleged that Optaline has failed to pay
5:19:25legally mandated overtime. the employees
5:19:28filed a class action lawsuit and uh
5:19:31Optaline certainly was uh found uh to
5:19:35have intimidated workers, threatened
5:19:37them with, you know, immigration, you
5:19:39know, uh work with the ICE and so on.
5:19:43So to sum it up, Optine Enterprises was
5:19:46banned from taxpayer funded and tax
5:19:48subsidy projects in Worcester in June
5:19:502025. We've already done that, but
5:19:52they're back on the scene for some
5:19:54reason that I think the attorney general
5:19:57had something to do with and I don't
5:19:58think the attorney general has opices
5:20:00over our responsible development
5:20:02ordinance. But they were banned in
5:20:05Worcester in June 2025 under the city's
5:20:07RDO due to documented not accused
5:20:11documented labor wage theft and
5:20:14employment law violations. So my
5:20:17question in this wordy order, Mr.
5:20:20chairman is why are they back on the
5:20:22scene? Should they be back on the scene?
5:20:25I say no. Worcester and the developer
5:20:29can do better than having a company
5:20:32option enterprises that have been, you
5:20:35know, charged with these and found
5:20:37guilty, you know, certainly even by the
5:20:40attorney general and by the city of
5:20:41Worcester back in June 2025. So, I would
5:20:44ask the administration and the law
5:20:46department if they could respond to my
5:20:47concerns that this company working over
5:20:50on uh Franklin Street on that big
5:20:52project, 364 units, should be working
5:20:55there with all the charges uh against
5:20:58them. Thank you, Mr. Chim.
5:21:01M I'm sorry. Do you want to
5:21:06at the end want the manager to speak on
5:21:08it? You said
5:21:09>> Yeah, that's what I thought. I want to
5:21:10know Mr. Manager thinks that I want to
5:21:13know why they're back on the project if
5:21:15Worcester banned them in June 2025
5:21:17because I don't think they should be.
5:21:19>> Okay.
5:21:20>> Uh through the CH to the council, I just
5:21:21want to kind of I'll let the the
5:21:23solicitor give a little bit better
5:21:25explanation on the legal components.
5:21:27I'll give an explanation of how they
5:21:29came back to the project. Um,
5:21:33initially back in June of 2025 when we
5:21:36were when there was a developer that was
5:21:38looking to hire this contractor to do
5:21:40some work, um, we were notified uh, of
5:21:44that possibility and and through our
5:21:47evaluation and review with the attorney
5:21:49general's office and what was happening
5:21:51currently in the legal proceedings with
5:21:53this company, we then issued a memo to
5:21:57the developer letting them know that
5:21:59they would be
5:22:01um they would be inel ineligible that
5:22:04contractor would be ineligible to be
5:22:06working on that site and so they chose
5:22:07not to pursue in contracting that that
5:22:10company. Most recently here our chief
5:22:12development officer actually went to one
5:22:14of their site visits and um and had
5:22:18realized that the developer had chosen
5:22:21this particular contractor for this
5:22:23particular site. Um when we realized
5:22:27that decision was made, we then quickly
5:22:30uh did uh an analysis of a digging a
5:22:35research of what what what happened, why
5:22:37was he brought forward, why were this
5:22:39contractor selected, um who selected the
5:22:42contractor in terms of the partnership
5:22:44of that development, um what was the
5:22:47outcomes from the AG related to this
5:22:49contractor? Um, and then working with
5:22:51the solicitor in terms of providing
5:22:55guidance to the developer about whether
5:22:58this contractor is in still ineligible
5:23:01or still or has the opportunity to work
5:23:04back on the site. Um, and and so that's
5:23:07where that's how we were notified. We
5:23:09then when we were notified by that we
5:23:11contacted different parties to let them
5:23:13know that we had just uh received
5:23:15notification or we had just been made
5:23:16been aware that this company was uh
5:23:19selected as part of the being the
5:23:21contractor for this development. Uh but
5:23:23I'll let the uh solicitor explain a
5:23:25little bit further on the legal matters
5:23:27on our position initially and what
5:23:29changes currently in and in in in are
5:23:33based on our our discussions with the
5:23:35attorney general's office. Madam SSA
5:23:38>> uh through the chair to the councelor.
5:23:40So in June of 2025, the city issued a
5:23:43determination letter based on a citation
5:23:46that we received that Optaline um was
5:23:50found to have violated uh retaliation
5:23:53law. So there was actually no findings
5:23:54on wage theft or any of that, but it was
5:23:57uh the attorney general's office
5:23:59conducted an investigation, found that
5:24:01Optaline retaliated against an employee
5:24:04and issued a citation. Based on that
5:24:07citation, uh the city determined they
5:24:09were not eligible to be a contractor on
5:24:12the project. Uh fast forward about a
5:24:14year later um we received a settlement
5:24:18agreement saying that um you know
5:24:21Optaline has no liability and no
5:24:24wrongdoing whatsoever. Uh so based off
5:24:27of that you would think that they were
5:24:29eligible because that uh negates all
5:24:33liability and wrongdoing. Um, we talked
5:24:36to the attorney general's office and
5:24:38they've clarified that their amended
5:24:41citation and settlement agreement only
5:24:44applies to the civil penalty. So the
5:24:46underlying violation and alleged conduct
5:24:50of retaliation is still valid. Um, so
5:24:52earlier today we've issued a letter
5:24:55saying that our 2025 determination is
5:24:57still valid and optaline cannot be on
5:25:00the project.
5:25:03Oh,
5:25:04>> through the chair to the city solicitor.
5:25:06So, whose final decision is it? We've
5:25:09recommended to the developer that Optim
5:25:14Enterprises not be on the project. Uh,
5:25:18but supposing the developer does not
5:25:22enforce that, does not agree with us. Do
5:25:24we, is it our decision or is it the
5:25:26developer's decision through the chair?
5:25:28uh through the chair I if the developer
5:25:31keeps them on the job then it would be a
5:25:32breach of the tie agreement that they
5:25:34have and they'd lose their fund tax
5:25:36credits.
5:25:37>> Okay. So through the chair to maybe back
5:25:40to the manager. Uh can I assume that
5:25:43option soon will be off the job on
5:25:46Franklin Street.
5:25:47>> Mr. Manager
5:25:48>> through chair to the council. That's
5:25:50something that I will report back to the
5:25:51council based on my conversations with
5:25:53the developer. So there has been no
5:25:56indication to me of that. Uh but that
5:25:59would be something that I would discuss
5:26:00with the developer.
5:26:01>> So you should know that soon.
5:26:03>> Yeah, we this was submitted to the
5:26:04developer this afternoon, right? Shortly
5:26:06before the meeting. Um and so that would
5:26:09be a conversation I would have with that
5:26:11developer tomorrow.
5:26:11>> Since the manager and the solicitor will
5:26:13have more information later this week,
5:26:16uh I'd like to just hold this for next
5:26:18week so we can get an answer, public
5:26:20answer. Are they on the job still or are
5:26:23they off the job? I'm assuming they're
5:26:24going to be off the job, but
5:26:27>> before we,
5:26:28>> you know, know that. So, let's just hold
5:26:29it for next week. Thank you.
5:26:31>> Hold on. The privilege, Council King.
5:26:34>> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank
5:26:37my colleague for this um
5:26:41order. Um,
5:26:44as it relates to all of this, I had a
5:26:46couple of questions. Um
5:26:52my understanding is that um they were to
5:26:56be banned or prevented from doing work
5:26:58in the city
5:27:00through 2027. Is that correct?
5:27:03>> Micer
5:27:14through the chair. So um it the violate
5:27:17the citation was uh issued from the
5:27:20attorney general's office in December
5:27:222024. So it's for three years they
5:27:25cannot work on any projects.
5:27:27>> Thank you. And how does that how is that
5:27:29through the chair communicated to um
5:27:32potential developers
5:27:34um current developers as it relates to
5:27:38the work that's being done here? Is
5:27:40there any sort of um
5:27:44broadened um information sharing as
5:27:47relates to that from the city stating,
5:27:49"Hey, um just want to let you folks know
5:27:52this particular subcontractor is
5:27:55prevented from working in the city
5:27:57through 2027 based on XYZ through the
5:28:00chair."
5:28:01>> Uh Mr. Manager,
5:28:02>> through the chair, through the council,
5:28:03there is no mechanism for us to be able
5:28:05to communicate that. We have not done
5:28:07that in the past. Uh oftent times that
5:28:10is left to the responsibility of the
5:28:11developer uh to do the due diligence
5:28:14when they're seeking um proposals from
5:28:17multiple contractors and subcontractors
5:28:20and they're required to then look
5:28:22through any department lists any
5:28:24violations across and they're and then
5:28:26they're also required to review our uh
5:28:29development ordinance and then do a
5:28:31cross analysis of the actual uh list
5:28:34from the AG's office or department. Um,
5:28:36so oftentimes developers they hire
5:28:39contractors or consultants to do that
5:28:41work for them to do that evaluation and
5:28:44analysis of what contractors are in good
5:28:46standings based on our RDO because every
5:28:49community's development ordinance or
5:28:52responsible development orders may be
5:28:53different maybe um and so they have to
5:28:56then work among them but currently our
5:28:58offices our economic development team
5:29:00does not inform or give any notice to uh
5:29:04prospective developers. it is on their
5:29:05responsibility to do that due diligence
5:29:07>> through chair administration. What what
5:29:09is the titles of the two positions if we
5:29:11still have them that provide oversight
5:29:14um through economic development
5:29:17>> through the chair? There's a um contract
5:29:20compliance manager is one position that
5:29:24does that type of work.
5:29:25>> There's two, right?
5:29:27>> To ch the council. That is correct. Um
5:29:28one of them is a contract compliance uh
5:29:30manager.
5:29:31>> There's another one, right?
5:29:32>> Uh yeah, there is not. I just don't know
5:29:33the title.
5:29:34>> Okay. Um I appreciate that. I'm just
5:29:36wondering uh by way of motion if we
5:29:38could explore um I don't know how many
5:29:41developers we have here in the city. It
5:29:42can't be 2,000 um you know it's a finite
5:29:45number. If there's a way we can
5:29:47communicate um our decisions um to those
5:29:51folks and to folks who are are coming in
5:29:53like hey here's our our you know can't
5:29:55fly zone um as it says. So I'll be by
5:29:58way of an order. Mr. Shim, I just want
5:29:59to point out um
5:30:01>> that the allegations
5:30:03actually the um the findings that we're
5:30:07talking about here
5:30:08>> before we go on, we just suspend the
5:30:10rules.
5:30:10>> Oh, we got three minutes. I'll be done
5:30:11in 3 minutes and we have to stop.
5:30:13>> Okay, you got three minutes on that
5:30:14clock. Okay.
5:30:15>> Yeah, we got to stop, right?
5:30:17>> I don't even know what I was saying now.
5:30:20>> It's 12.
5:30:20>> Um yeah, we got to stop at 12.
5:30:22>> It is 12.
5:30:22>> It's 12:00.
5:30:23>> It's 2 minutes.
5:30:24>> No, 12.
5:30:25>> Mr. Chairman, let me wrap up here.
5:30:26>> It's 12:00.
5:30:27>> So, Mr. Jim, and I'll just say this real
5:30:29quick since it's our last item. Um,
5:30:32again, the judge found that uh the
5:30:35Boulders or one of the Bulldocks were
5:30:38making threatening and intimidating
5:30:39statements and threats about immigration
5:30:41status and coercion. And in addition to
5:30:44that, wage stuff, Mr. Chairman, it's my
5:30:47understanding there was a report of wage
5:30:48theft. I'm not sure if it was followed
5:30:50through on, so I can make a motion that
5:30:51we get a report back on that from the
5:30:53city of any information they had
5:30:54relative to any concerns regarding wage
5:30:56stuff as well. Ain optine. Thank you.
5:30:59>> Thank you. Roll call on that and roll
5:31:01call on the German. I'll hold the other
5:31:03items under privilege.
5:31:05>> And u councelor Bergman.
5:31:07>> Yes.
5:31:08>> Bada.
5:31:09>> Yes.
5:31:10>> Counc.
5:31:13>> Yes.
5:31:13>> Councelor King.
5:31:14>> I did your move.
5:31:16>> Uh just just point of order. Doesn't
5:31:17this continue next meeting? Like it does
5:31:19the other stuff doesn't have to be held.
5:31:21We continue the meeting. Just point of
5:31:22clarification.
5:31:23>> Point of clarification is if the manager
5:31:24is going to bring his calendar, you
5:31:26cannot continue. You have to hold it so
5:31:28everything's put on with his count. We
5:31:30can't continue the meeting otherwise he
5:31:32won't have a count.
5:31:34>> Council Mitra.
5:31:35>> Okay.
5:31:35>> Yes.
5:31:36>> Council.
5:31:36>> Yes.
5:31:37>> Councelor Rivera.
5:31:38>> Yes.
5:31:38>> Council Rosen.
5:31:39>> Yes.
5:31:39>> Council Tumi.
5:31:41>> Yes.
5:31:41>> Mayor Freddy.
5:31:42>> Yes.